At the restaurant, they were escorted to the same private table. Judas held out her chair for her, and she situated herself.
None of this was right.
Her shoulders were tense. Her neck was tense. Pretty soon, a headache would rear its ugly head. What was going on with her?
“Wine?” Judas held a bottle over her glass. When had he gotten that?
Perhaps a little would help ease her nerves. “Yes, thank you. But just one glass.”
“Of course.” He filled her glass. “So tell me how things are going out at the farm.”
She took a sip, and the liquid warmed her. She could already feel herself relaxing. So she took another, longer sip. “Busy as usual. The farm keeps us hopping, that’s for sure.”
“I’m so glad that you have such a prosperous venture.” After he gave their orders to the waiter, he leaned his arms on the table.
It flattered her that a man of such prestige would give his attention completely to her. “You knew Granddad for many years. He was a smart man and provided well for us.” She lifted the glass again and drank. She should stop. The nudging she felt in her spirit confirmed it.
But she needed it.
Just to get through the evening. This would be the last time.
Their conversation circled around to every area of the farm. But the more she sipped on the wine, the harder it was to keep her focus. Was that normal?
“Tell me, Whitney, I know Chuck owned prosperous minesbefore he brought you to Alaska. Did he ever think about mining here once the rush hit?”
She shook her head as she finished the last bite on her plate. “No. He hated mining towns. Didn’t want us to be raised in them. Especially not after what happened with our dad.”
“So where did his gold come from? Surely, he didn’t bring it with him.” Judas smiled.
“Oh, but he did.” The thought made her laugh, and she put a hand to her mouth. “He didn’t like banks. So he brought crates of it up to Alaska. Labeled them as books.”
“Crates, you say? That was indeed clever.” He lifted his own glass and downed the rest of it. “Surely, when the gold rush struck here, he must have at least panned the river on your property out of curiosity.”
“Not that I was ever aware.” She shrugged. “Why would he need more gold? The farm more than took care of us.”
He lifted his napkin to his lips. “Oh, I don’t know. Chuck was a savvy businessman, so I thought for sure he would have at least tried.”
“I doubt it. Granddad was done with gold when we left Colorado.” She let out a sigh and stared at Judas. It had been a pleasant enough evening, but she still had no feelings toward him. A wave of exhaustion hit her. “Would you mind taking me home? I find myself quite tired.”
“Of course. It’s been a long day.”
He helped her with her coat and walked her out to the sleigh.
As she sat next to him on the ride, the first few moments were silent.
She thought back over the evening. And cringed. Once again, she’d had too much to drink. Oh, she’d told Judas oneglass, but she saw him refill hers when he refilled his own. And she didn’t stop him. What did that say about her? She tried to clear her mind and sat up straighter.
“It has been a delightful evening, wouldn’t you say?” His hands were on the reins, but he scooted closer to her.
Alarm bells went off in her mind.
He stopped the sleigh. “Would you mind if I kissed you, Whitney?” He leaned closer.
She put a hand up between them. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Judas. I want my first kiss to be at my wedding.”
He didn’t pull away and let his grin broaden. “Then ... will you marry me? Because I love you and want you to be my wife.”
Leaning back as far as she could, she pushed him away. “Idon’tlove you, Judas. I have great admiration for you, and you’ve always been a good friend to our family, but I don’t think I can marry you.”
