Page 19 of Scarlett

If Scarlett hadn’t been watching them, Emmett would have snatched his arm away. “Fine.”

They walked out to the porch and he didn’t sit right away. It was the end of the day, the sun hidden behind the buildings that flanked both sides of the street that ran down the center of town.

Other than some men walking toward the saloon, the street was empty as most were having supper and remaining at home now.

Several buildings up on the left was the new seamstress shop. There was a wagon pulled in front of it and two men were unloading items. The women had traveled there with Scarlett, which meant the family was reunited. Just then Phillip Richards looked in his direction. The man lifted a hand in greeting and Emmett returned the gesture.

Laurel was growing rapidly. Emmett frowned, unsure if he liked it or not.

“I hope this marriage will be a good one. Scarlett is very nice and quite lovely don’t you think?” Evan studied him while speaking.

The woman was indeed a beauty, had taken his breath upon first seeing her. “She is. I cannot comment on how we’ll get along as it has only been one day,” Emmett said.

“I can imagine that being ill was not the way you wished to greet your future wife,” Evan stated. “Oh and I must remind you...”

“Of?” Emmett tried to remember what his brother needed to remind him of.

“The wedding is tomorrow. Do you need a gift for your wife? A new shirt?”

What he really wanted was to go back to the day he mailed the damn letter and not do it. “I don’t need anything.”

His brother knew better than to insist. Emmett wasn’t going to explain to his brother more than necessary. As a matter of face, he wasn’t sure what to think about the entire situation. Would he be doing Scarlett a favor if he changed his mind? It was possible for the woman to remain and marry rather quickly since there were plenty of eligible men in Laurel.

Evan was absolutely besotted with his own wife and would expect the same from Emmett. His brother did not understand how difficult the situation was for him. Women were so very hard to understand. Although he’d seen and gotten to know many a married couple who’d remained happy for many years, in his own experience it was not something he expected.

The one time he’d allowed love into his heart, it had proven to be the biggest mistake of his life.

“What time is the wedding?” Emmett asked his brother, his gaze straight ahead.