“It wasn’t women.” She glanced up at him then, her eyes too bright.
“Let me catch a man saying—”
“They’re right, though.”
“That’s formeto decide.” Luke raised one of her hands and pressed his lips to it. “It’s easy for people to judge when they don’t know you.”
“You don’t know me well enough yet.” Judith’s voice had turned bitter, and he wouldn’t have it.
“I’m pretty sure if I waited until I knew everything there was to know about you, I’d be an old man.”
Luke brought her hand to his chest. He hadn’t intended to propose yet, but it’d been on his mind a lot. If he were honest, it’d been in the back of his mind from the first time he’d seen her nearly a year ago. The more time he spent with her, the stronger his feelings grew. She was a feisty delight. Until he’d begun their courtship, he hadn’t understood how much he admired women who challenged him. And Judith Breckinridge challenged him—and so much more.
“If you’ll marry me,” he said, “I’ll have my whole life to learn about you.”
Judith gave a little gasp, her eyes wide. Her expression had turned vulnerable.
“Luke, you have no idea how inadequate I am.”
Was this the conversation she’d promised they’d have the day at the hotel, but she’d since refused to discuss? Judith looked tired, like she hadn’t been getting enough sleep.
“I don’t understand,” he said. “You’re an accomplished woman. How can you not be adequate?”
“I’m accomplished in all the wrong things. None of them have prepared me for the kind of life you have here.” Her voice had taken on an edge, as though it brought her pain to say the words.
“You’ve been doing just fine.” Luke put his hands on her shoulders to keep from pulling her into his arms. “Ihad no idea what I was getting myself into when I came out here with nothing more than an inheritance and a grand idea. I was a complete idiot. I’m surprised Tom stuck with me as long as he did, but he must have seen something in my potential.Hehelped to make me a competent rancher.”
“You are so much more than competent.” Judith reached up and cupped his cheek. “I’ve found my brother to be an exceptional rancher and businessman, and you’re his equal.”
“Thank you, but please don’t change the subject. We’re talking aboutyou, Judith. I want to marry you.” Luke started to pull her closer, but she resisted, dropping her hand.
“I have little experience with children, Luke. I’m afraid I have no motherly instincts. I’d be a terrible mother.” Judith took another step away, but he captured her hands again.
“The good Lord didn’t give us a book of instructions, sweetheart.” At his endearment, she winced but let him draw her near. “Just look at my sisters. They’re as different in temperament as women could be. I’ve mentioned my mother. She started out with a son and didn’t have another child until years later, when Maude was born. Placid Doris came along next, and I’ll bet my mother imagined she’d figured it all out.”
“And then Frances was born,” Judith said with a dark chuckle.
“Exactly. I was here when Florence was born. Marshall would never admit it now, but he was scared to death. He didn’t know what he was doing either, and he mentioned to me more than once how much he worried about turning into a father like yours.”
“He could never be like Father,” Judith said with disgust. “But if I were to marry you, you’d miss out on an opportunity to find a woman worthy of you.”
“Now that’s it, Judith Breckinridge,” Luke said, his muscles quivering with a desire to punish the people who’d beaten her down. “I willnotstand back anymore and listen to you disparage yourself.” He leaned in until they were almost nose-to-nose. “You are an incredible woman, and I love you.”
“Um, Miss Breckinridge, are you all right?” a man asked from the side.
Luke turned to scowl at James Harkins, the owner of the local newspaper.
“Do you mind, Jim?” Luke growled. “I’m trying to get this woman to say she’ll marry me, but she’s being pigheaded.”
“Well, you shouldn’t try to force her,” Mayor Phelps said, coming with his wife to stand next to Harkins.
“He’s right, Mr. Hamblin,” Mrs. Phelps said, and gently pulled Judith away. “Are you all right, dear?”
His heart aching, Luke watched Judith move away from him. It was almost as though she’d put a wall between them. The people were right. What if he’d been pushing all this time, but she didn’t return his affection to the same degree?
Accepting defeat, he took a step back. If Judith really didn’t want him, he wouldn’t push her. That was something her father would have done.
“Where do you want me to hang these pictures, Miss Breckinridge?” His words came out as stiff as his posture.
