Zach tried for a laugh, but it probably sounded more like a wail. “She’s set on marrying a Dakota farmer. He came for her today.”
Morgan shifted in his saddle to give Zach a hard look up and down his whole length. “Did you give her any reason to stay?”
“And what reason would that be?”
“Maybe because you need her and want her?”
Zach rode away without replying. Later, he considered joining the men at the chuck wagon for supper, but he couldn’t endure the way Morgan kept shaking his head and muttering about being too stubborn to ask.
Zach made certain it was late before he got home. Sighting a lamp glowing in the kitchen window—a lampAmelialeft burning for him—he pretended his heart didn’t jolt against his ribs. He took care of his horse, then hurried to the house. He opened the door to her at the table. She waited up for him. A thrill ran across his chest. He quelled it… or at least tried to. But what was the harm in enjoying her welcome one more time?
“Have you eaten?” she asked as he stepped into the kitchen.
“No.”
“I saved you a plate.” She pulled it from the warming oven.
“Thanks.” He glanced around. “Where’s your young man?” Ironic to call him that when he was likely ten years older than Zach. Another thing in the man’s favor.
“Gone to town. He’ll be back in the morning.”
Of course, he would. Zach’s appetite had departed, but he cleaned up his plate, pushed from the table, and hurried upstairs.
He was tired enough to sleep like a bear in hibernation, but sleep refused to come.
The next morning,he hauled his weary body from bed. With no desire to see the other man courting Amelia, offering her all the things he couldn’t, Zach paused only long enough to down a cup of scalding coffee before he left.
His imagination, his futile wishes, allowed him to see regret in Amelia’s eyes. Likely, she only regretted that Jacob wanted to wait a week before leaving.
Time to get to know her better. Time to court her.
A feral growl roared from Zach.
Chapter Fourteen
The trail of dust following Zach away carried with it Amelia’s dry dreams. She needed to accept the facts. He didn’t want her here. Hadn’t from the first day, despite the precious moments they’d shared. It was time to move on.
She served breakfast and did the dishes. No doubt Jacob would arrive soon to court her. Whatever that meant. In preparation for the noon meal, she prepared a pot of soup and left it to simmer.
“Someone coming,” Kat called through the open door. “Looks like your Dakota friend has borrowed a fancy buggy.”
Amelia removed her apron, dusted her skirts, and smoothed her hair before she joined the others on the porch.
A black buggy drawn by a fine black horse glistened in the sunshine. Jacob arrived in style. Somehow, it didn’t fit with the picture she had of a plain-living, hardworking man. Perhaps he meant to impress her.
“I’ll go out and greet him. The rest of you stay here.” Feeling no need for hurry, she took her time as the buggy raced closer. When she made out the driver through the haze of dust, she wished she’d run down the road and waylaid him. Told him to turn around.
Sobel. What did he want?
“Whoa.” He pulled the horse to a halt. “Good morning, Miss Amelia.” He touched his hat brim, which did nothing to convince her he was a gentleman. Merely a snake who imitated the manners of others.
She answered with a curt nod.
“I hear you’re in the courting mood.”
Could snakes wriggle their eyebrows? This one sure did.
“Yes indeed.” He again adjusted his hat as if it were so new it didn’t quite fit. “I was in Golden Valley last night when a certain Mr. Jacob Wells rode in. The news is he’s come to court you.” Sobel leaned forward, touching Amelia’s chin with the tip of his crop.
