words held such pain, such sorrow, he nearly turned back. But if he did, he’d only give in to the need to gather her close, be the man she wanted him to be, promise to protect her.
And he could only protect her if he kept his distance.
“You don’t have to encourage them,” he murmured, gaze on the busier street beyond. “Tell them you have better things to do. It’s only the truth.”
He heard her sigh, the rustle of cloth as she must have shifted on her feet. “But Hart, if I decline, the next person they ask might not have your best interests in mind.”
And she did. Whatever their differences, he knew that. Beth Wallin only ever acted from love and compassion. He had refused to accept her as his bride, but she would willingly find him another, if that pleased him.
How did anyone grow up so selfless? He’d been practicing for more than ten years, and he still failed some days.
And was he doing any better today? As much as the high-handed machinations of the Literary Society annoyed him, the ladies were right. Settling the frontier took men and women of courage and tenacity, and partnerships like marriage only made sense. You needed someone you could count on at your side, in good times and bad, a helpmate, a comforter and encourager.
Only Sheriff Wyckoff knew that Hart had already found all that, and lost it. He couldn’t go through that pain again. The best he could do was work to make sure no one else lost a love to an outlaw’s bullet.
And he could try to see this from Beth’s perspective. She’d once confessed herself in love with him—nothing more than a schoolgirl infatuation, he was sure. However much it had hurt at the moment to be denied, she’d be better off in the future with another man less burdened by his past. Yet how mortifying now to be asked to play matchmaker to the man she’d hoped to wed, and by the mighty Literary Society, no less. Every lady in Seattle wanted to join the elite group. Beth likely wasn’t immune. Besides, if any lady had a right to be admired, respected, it was her.
“Follow through as you promised,” he said. “Just know I won’t agree. It won’t matter which lady you parade in front of me. The answer will always be no.”
She scurried around him to block his way forward. That pink hat with its silk bows and white feathers was far too frivolous for the concerned look in her deep blue eyes. “Are you sure, Hart? You have a lot to offer a lady.”
“And a great deal no lady should have to bear.”
Her eyes lit, as if he’d given her the key to unlock his heart. He tugged on the brim of his hat, started around her, intent on escaping before he betrayed himself further.
“You wait, Hart McCormick,” she called after him. “I’ll find you the perfect bride, one you can’t refuse.”
He didn’t respond. He’d already had the perfect sweetheart. Her loss had left a gaping hole, sharper than a knife and deeper than a bullet. And he doubted even the pretty, sweet-natured Beth Wallin could heal it.
Stubborn, obstinate, annoying man! Beth picked up her skirts and climbed onto the boardwalk, fully aware that Hart was standing beside Arno, watching her. Couldn’t he see he was only making matters worse for them both by fighting this edict? The Literary Society would think she had no gumption, no perseverance. And they would certainly begin to question his character. Why refuse matchmaking when it could result in a happy future? Truly, at times like this she’d had her fill of males. And was it any wonder?
Her oldest brother Drew had played father far longer than necessary after he’d taken over the family on Pa’s death. He still had trouble accepting any fellow who came courting her, claiming this one wasn’t well enough established, that one hadn’t sufficiently developed his faith. Why, he’d once warned her away from a suitor because he thought the fellow had shifty eyes! Not that she’d been heartbroken to see any of them sent packing, but still.
Then there was Simon. Even after marrying her favorite sister-in-law, Nora, her second oldest brother was far too logical. He persisted in pointing out all the reasons she would benefit from a marriage, including potentially adding another one hundred and sixty acres of land from her husband to contribute to the town. Hadn’t he noticed she scarcely had time to improve her own claim, much less work a second?
Her next two brothers were more understanding. James was always up for a lark. He’d helped her scare off two particularly persistent suitors. John completely endorsed her decision to marry only for love. But both seemed a little mystified that she hadn’t found someone she admired enough to accept. And her youngest brother, the recently married Levi, was so besotted with his dear Callie and the family he had adopted that he hadn’t even remarked upon her single state. No doubt he’d start harping on the matter shortly. Those in love always wanted everyone else to be as happy.
And she couldn’t forget about Scout. Her brother Levi’s best friend growing up, Scout Rankin had recently returned from the gold fields a wealthy man. He was as reticent as she was about romance. But even he encouraged her to find a beau.
She knew her brothers and Scout only wanted the best for her. She’d thought she’d found the best. The best hadn’t wanted her. And she couldn’t tell any of them that her heart hadn’t healed from Hart’s rejection.
For one, the whole situation was entirely too embarrassing. She was a noted matchmaker. What confidence would anyone have in her abilities if she couldn’t even catch the eye of the gentleman she fancied? For another, she couldn’t count on her brothers not to pick a fight with the lawman over his refusal. And that would make everything so much worse.
The main reason she’d accepted the Literary Society’s request to find him a match was the chance to be of service to Hart. It seemed she wasn’t the woman for him, but it didn’t follow that there wasn’t some paragon out there who would make him happy. If he was safely married to another, perhaps she could finally remove him from her thoughts. She could impress the ladies of the Literary Society at the same time.
And she did love a challenge.
So, she turned her back on him and swept into Kelloggs’.
He followed her.
Beth scowled at him. “What? Not only do you doubt my ability to find you a bride but I can’t even complete my own shopping?”
He grabbed her hand and pulled her behind a display of tinned goods in the crowded mercantile. “Keep the bride business to yourself.”
Oh, but those cool eyes could look fiery. “How exactly can I do that when I must talk to the various women involved?” she demanded. “Springing it on them as a surprise won’t work. Trust me on that.”
“I meant you don’t need to discuss it in front of every Tom, Dick and Harry,” he gritted out.
Beth fluttered her lashes at him. “But Deputy McCormick, I left Tom, Dickie and Harry at Wallin Landing.”
He blinked, and she held back a giggle. Not for the first time she found herself pleased that the names of her brother’s logging crew made for such interesting commentary. Still, she couldn’t help noticing how Hart glanced around the store, as if expecting a desperado to leap out from behind the salt
