NINE
Blaze stepped up tothe door of her friend Carrie Hamilton’s house and knocked. The beat of Blaze’s heart hammered erratically, but only because of the serious conversation she needed to have with her friend. Although Blaze knew what Carrie was going to say, she had to hear the words in hopes that it would finally convince her she was doing the right thing.
Carrie opened the door, and her eyes lit up with surprise. “Blaze? What are you doing here?”
“Have I come at a bad time?” Blaze asked.
“Heavens no, come inside.”
As Blaze entered, she noticed her friend’s small protruding belly and the pregnant glow to her pretty face. Blaze smiled, happy to see her friend was having another baby.
“Rumor has it,” Carrie said, “that you will be getting married soon.”
“Yes.” Blaze tried to look excited, but her heart just wasn’t in it. “His name is Kent Dalton, and he will be able to take over the wainwright shop.”
Worry creased Carrie’s brow, and she took hold of Blaze’s hands. “Is something wrong with Mr. Masterson?”
Blaze nodded. “He’s not shaking the pneumonia he had a couple of months ago, and as each day passes, he gets weaker.”
Carrie sighed. “Has he been to see my husband about it?”
“Yes, but nothing is helping, not even the medicine Doctor Hamilton gave him.”
“I will pray for him.” Carrie kept Blaze’s hand in hers and led them to the couch, where they both sat. “Now tell me all about Mr. Dalton.”
“He seems like a very nice man,” Blaze began, remembering their talks from yesterday when she and Kent strolled through town. “And surprisingly enough, he is related to George.”
“What a coincidence.” Carrie tucked a piece of her brown, curly hair behind her ear.
“It really is, especially since George hasn’t spoken to his sister for several years, so there was no way for Kent to know we lived in Last Chance.”
“Remarkable.” Carrie’s grin widened. “But I suppose fate has stepped in to lend a helping hand.”
“Yes, it certainly looks that way.” Blaze said the words, but it was harder to believe that was what truly happened, especially since Colt had put doubts in her mind.
“Am I invited to your wedding?”
Blaze chuckled. “Of course, you are. I would be hurt if you didn’t come.”
“It will be a wonderful day, I’m certain.”
Blaze took an uneasy breath. “How did you do it, Carrie? How were you able to marry a man you didn’t know?”
Carrie’s eyes twinkled with happiness. “Little did I know until I met him at the church, but I did know him. However, it still took a little while for us to get reacquainted with one another.” Sighing, she relaxed back against the couch. “Don’t try and rush things. The more you work together as a team, the better your marriage will turn out.”
“But... did you have doubts at first?”
Carrie barked out a laugh. “I had quite a bit of them, actually. In the beginning, I never knew how much I would love Cade and how happy he would make me.”
Although Blaze tried to fight it, her heart wrenched as she fought back the tears threatening to show. “I... I want to be sure before I exchange vows.”
Compassion grew on Carrie’s expression. “Oh, my dear Blaze. Not even people who are in love and begin their lives are truly certain they are making the right choices. That’s what happened with my first marriage. I didn’t know until after he’d died in the blizzard, but he was in love with another woman while married to me.”
Surprise washed over Blaze. “That’s terrible.”
Carrie shrugged. “Yes, but now Cade Hamilton makes me happier than I’ve ever been, and I have put the past behind me where it belongs.”
Blaze’s chest tightened. Was that what she needed to do with Colt – put him in the past where he belonged? It was easier said than done since she had loved him for so long. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but why did your first husband marry you if he was in love with another woman?”
