“Mr. Reynolds, would you mind if I hitched a ride back to town with you two?” Peter’s words floated over to her as she raced to the house.
How could she have forgotten about her dinner plans with Judas? How had she let the time get away from her?
“Wait up!”
Madysen’s voice came from behind her. Whitney looked back and slowed her steps.
“Havyn is going to take the men into the parlor and keep them company until you’re ready. I’m here to help you get your hair tamed.”
She reached up and put a hand through her hair. Her curls were all over the place. Of course—she’d been outside on the sled for hours. No wonder she was such a mess. “Thanks, Maddy. I need every bit of help I can get.”
“Are you getting serious about Judas? I mean, I don’t want to pry, but after he came out here last night, you two talked quite a bit, and then you’re going to dinner with him again this evening...”
The insinuation hung in the air.
“I don’t know.” It was honest. She’d told Judas that she didn’t love him last night. He seemed fine with it. She couldn’t tell her sister, but she truly hated being the last one unmarried. It made her more certain than ever that there was something wrong with her.
Then there were her feelings for Peter. They had nothing but friendship between them, but her heart was starting to long for a more intimate relationship. Peter had done nothing to make her believe that was what he wanted, but if she was feeling that way about him, how could she continue with Judas?
“Well, there’s no need to rush into anything.” Maddy bustled around her with a comb.
Her sister began to chatter about the sheep as Whitney readied herself for the evening out. Goodness, their family was quite the circus when it came to their animals. Between Havyn and her chickens, Maddy and her sheep, and Whitney with her dogs, they had enough stories to entertain a crowd for a month.
Within minutes, she at leastlookedlike a lady. It would have been better if she’d taken the time to bathe, but Judas understood they lived on a farm. He would have to accept her the way she was if he wanted to continue their relationship.
Maddy turned her to face her and smoothed the front of Whitney’s dress.
“Do I smell too much like dog?” She grimaced.
“Eh ... not too bad.” Her sister reached for the perfume Dad gave her for Christmas. “With a few sprays of this, he’ll never notice.” She giggled.
“Thanks, Maddy.”
With a swish of skirts, she hurried to the parlor. Peter and Judas both stood and smiled at her.
In that moment, the differences between the two men were startling. She looked back and forth between them.
Stop.It wasn’t wise to compare them. Both were her friends.
“You look magnificent.” Judas beamed at her. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve offered to give the good doctor a ride back into town.” He held out his elbow for her and escorted her toward the door.
“I don’t mind a bit.”
After bundling up in their coats, they climbed up into the sleigh, which was cozy indeed with her sandwiched between the two men.
“Hope I’m not squishing you.” Peter nudged her with his shoulder.
No matter what she tried, she couldn’t quit comparing the two men as they spoke about the weather, politics, businesses in Nome, and church. While she never would have guessed that the two had that much to talk about, it was interesting to hear them so eager to speak their minds. Judas didn’t surprise her, but Peter had never been one to share so many opinions.
And why were they both being so ... upbeat? Their lively conversation—if she were to be frank—exhausted her.
When they dropped off Peter at his office, though, she missed his presence.
“I’ll see you tomorrow!” Peter waved at her. “Thank you for the ride, Mr. Reynolds.”
“You’re welcome, Doctor.” Judas tipped his hat, then turned to her. “Now, my dear. Finally, I have you all to myself.”
For some reason, that didn’t hold the appeal he probably hoped for. But she sent him a smile anyway.
