He broke into a run and was halfway there before realizing he could have saddled a horse and gotten there quicker. By the time he reached the water, he was out of breath.
No clouds hid the moon tonight, making it easier to see his way without a lantern. But a light from close to the stream let him know that Blaze had been thinking ahead and brought her own lantern.
He walked slower, mainly to gain control over his irregular breathing. By the time he spotted her sitting on the gentle slope with her gaze on the water, he was able to take deep breaths.
“I thought I might find you here,” he said softly, announcing himself.
She jumped and spun around on her bottom, facing him. Her eyes were wide. “Colt? What are you doing here?”
“You were the only one not at the house, so I came to find you.”
“Is something wrong?”
“No. Father is having a discussion with Kent, which only makes my father cough more. And Lisa and her daughters are preparing the meal.” He sat beside her on the ground. “I missed you at the shop today.”
She shrugged and faced the water again. “I had a full day running errands.”
“True.” He paused briefly. “Did you meet with Pastor Collins to schedule a wedding date?” Colt realized the tone of his voice had changed and sounded edgier than before. Just the thought of her marrying his cousin left a bad taste in his mouth, too.
“Yes. The wedding will be in two days.”
Gritting his teeth, he tried not to show his irritation. Not yet anyway. If he came across as a madman, that would only upset Blaze more. If Blaze became too irate, there was no talking to the woman.
He swallowed hard. “Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
She nodded without looking at him. “I’m sure,” she snapped.
During the next few silent moments, he tried thinking about how he could put his thoughts into words without making her mad. Sadly, there was no way around it.
Sighing heavily, he turned toward her and touched her leg. She turned her head to look at him, but she wore a scowl instead of her pretty smile.
“Blaze, I have a bad feeling about this whole situation.”
She arched an eyebrow. “That sounds like a personal problem to me.”
“Yes, maybe it is. However, I know my cousin better than you do. His presence here isn’t coincidental.”
“Oh, really?” She pushed his hand off her leg. “Then please explain to me how he was the only man to reply to my newspaper ad – the only man, let me remind you, that knew anything about the wainwright business.”
Colt frowned. “I think my grandfather is behind this.”
“Your grandfather?” She rolled her eyes. “Really, Colt? You can’t do any better than that?”
“Mine and Kent’s grandfather is a very controlling man. He’s like a puppet master if you will. He has money, and he uses it to get people to do his bidding.”
“Just stop, Colt.” She climbed to her feet and walked to the edge of the stream. “You’re just making up excuses now.”
“What if I’m not?” He quickly moved beside her. “What if I’m right?”
She spun around and folded her arms across her bosom. “Tell me why your grandfather would want Kent to marry me, especially when there are prettier girls out there with more money?” She shook her head. “I’m an orphan, Colt. You know that. I have nothing. So why would your grandfather pick me to have your cousin marry? Can you tell me that?”
He balled his hands into fists. “I don’t know... yet. But I’ll figure it out.”
“No, you won’t because there is nothing to figure out. Kent told me he had just left a job, looking for something else to do with his life. When he read about what happened to our town during the blizzard, he realized he needed to become a mail-order groom. It’s just that simple. Problem solved.”
“No, the problem is not solved. Kent Dalton is lying to you – to all of us.”
“Why would he lie, Colt?”
“Because my grandfather has promised him the inheritance.”
There was a brief pause before Blaze laughed. Then gradually, her laughter became louder, almost irritating.
“Oh, Colt. You’re too paranoid. Just because you are doing your grandfather’s bidding doesn’t mean all of your cousins will.” She turned away from him and walked to her lantern. As she picked it up, she looked over her shoulder. “Please, stop this nonsense, Colt. If you can’t accept the fact that I’m getting married, then...” She inhaled sharply. “Then I don’t want you at the wedding.”
Colt’s chest tightened, worse than it had done before. No! She couldn’t be serious. He couldn’t allow her to do this to him – to them. Yet, could he stop her at all?
