* * * *
ALTHOUGH BLAZE DIDN’Tget much sleep last night, she was up before the crack of dawn. Kissing Colt without feeling guilty made for a very enjoyable night.
She quickly rushed around her room, getting dressed and pulling back her hair in a ponytail. Before everyone started preparing for the wedding this morning, Blaze needed to find Kent and tell him the wedding was off.
She hurried downstairs, but thankfully, nobody was roaming the house. As she took the stairs again, she tread softly, making her way toward Kent’s room. She knocked on his door and listened, but there was no movement from inside. Dare she open the door and peek in? She just couldn’t wait to tell him that she wouldn’t marry him.
Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and turned the doorknob, cracking the door enough to look inside. Kent wasn’t in his bed.
She groaned and closed the door. Where could he have gone so early in the morning?
When she moved back down the stairs, she didn’t care who heard her. There was only one thing on her mind, and she couldn’t think of anything else until that was resolved.
As she passed the parlor, George’s coughing brought her out of her thoughts, and she paused at the doorway. He sat in his cushioned chair – a place he usually sat these days. He turned to look at her before motioning his hand for her to enter.
“What are you doing up so early?” he asked before a fit of coughs took over.
She hated to see him like this. He’d been the father figure in her life for ten years. It was difficult to see him so weak and thin like this. “I actually need to talk to Kent.”
George shook his head. “It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride on their wedding day.”
Her stomach twisted in knots. She would have to tell George about her decision. Hopefully, he loved his son more than his nephew.
“Do you know where he is?”
George nodded. “I sent him to the hotel last night. He didn’t need to be here while you were getting ready for the ceremony. It’s bad luck, you know.” He grinned.
“George,” she said, moving to a chair and sitting. “I’m not going to marry Kent.”
The older man’s eyes widened. “Does he know that?”
“No, which is why I want to find him. I decided last night that he’s not the man for me.”
George’s expression withered. “Oh, my dear Blaze. Please tell me you’re not pining away for my son.”
She tried swallowing the lump of emotion in her throat. “I’m in love with Colt.”
“Blaze, you know as well as I do that he’ll never settle down.”
Sighing, she smiled. “Actually, I had a long talk with him last night, and... he proposed. He does want to settle down with me.”
The man’s countenance brightened, and he leaned forward in his chair. “He did? He actually said that?”
She smiled. “Yes, he said that.”
“So, you won’t be marrying Kent today?”
“No. In fact, I’m hoping Pastor Collins will agree to marry me to Colt today, instead.”
“This is such exciting news!” George stood and wobbled.
She jumped out of her chair to help him. “George, please be careful. You will have to walk me down the aisle, you know.”
He chuckled. “Yes, I know.” He patted her arm. “Knowing that my son is getting such a wonderful wife does my heart good. And I’m beyond thrilled that he is the one that will win the bet.”
Bet?Her breath stalled. “George? What are you talking about?”
“Well, I suppose you’ll find out soon enough.” He coughed. “My father didn’t know who to give his inheritance to. Of course, I wanted Colt to have it, but my father – the stubborn old coot – didn’t think Colt would ever settle down and get married.” His smile grew. “I knew he was in love with you ten years ago, so I thought if he came back here to help me with the wainwright shop, then he’d see you and want to marry you. However, my father thought that Colt needed a little nudging, which is why he corresponded with Kent to have him answer your advertisement for a mail-order groom. Whichever man married you would get the inheritance.”
