“Will you take this man...”

The only husband Lorelei Wilkins ever wanted was Sean O’Brien, but she’s wasted too long waiting for him to love her back. When another man proposes, she accepts—until she stands at the altar…and realizes she can’t marry without love. Bolting out of town toward a fresh start, she never suspected her parents would send Sheriff O’Brien to bring her home!

After an innocent mistake leaves Lorelei and her reluctant rescuer with compromised reputations, marriage is their only option. But first they must triumph over suspicious locals, shady characters, an inconvenient groom and the bride’s own stubborn heart. Will it take their lives on the line for Sean and Lorelei to realize that only love can conquer all?

“I don’t want this any more than you do, but it looks like there is no choice.”

For him to be that…fatalistic about even the thought of marrying her hurt more than she’d ever admit. Lorelei shook her head. “With a proposal like that, how can I say no?”

She forced herself to calm her rapid breathing as she tried to make sense of what was happening. Sean was agreeing to marry her. For so many years, she’d longed for a moment like this between them—now she deplored it. It didn’t mean that he loved her. It simply meant that he was doing his duty. Logically, it was the best option. Emotionally—it just felt plain awful.

At least she didn’t love him anymore. That would have sealed the hopelessness of her fate.

A wry smile touched his lips. “You look like you’ve been assigned a fate worse than death.”

She nodded slowly. He seemed to think so. Why shouldn’t she? “Maybe I have.”

NOELLE MARCHAND

Her love of literature began as a child when she would spend hours reading beneath the covers long after she was supposed to be asleep. Over the years, God began prompting her to write. Eventually, those stories became like “fire shut up in her bones” leading her to complete her first novel by her sixteenth birthday.

Noelle is a Houston native who is currently a senior, double majoring in mass communication with a focus in journalism and speech communication. Though life as a college student keeps her busy, God continues to use her talent for writing as a way to deepen her spiritual life and draw her closer to Him.

The Runaway Bride

Noelle Marchand

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bear with each other and forgive one another

if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together

in perfect unity.

—Colossians 3:13–14

Dedicated with love to my sister by blood,

Ashley Marchand, and my sisters in spirit,

Cynthia Rouhana and Erika Gutierrez.

Also, to my mother, Juanita Marchand,

for her continued encouragement.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Excerpt

Chapter One

Peppin, Texas

August 1887

“Lorelei Wilkins, will you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health: forsaking all others, keeping only unto him so long as you both shall live?”

Lorelei’s eyes widened as she stared silently at Reverend Sparks. Did he have any idea how formidable those words sounded? If she was making a mistake, it would be irreversible. Yet, he stood there waiting. Waiting—just like the man beside her who’d gone through the trouble of slicking back his hair, shining his boots and donning a fancy shirt. She glanced at her groom. Lawson Williams swallowed nervously.

“I…” Her gaze slipped to Lawson’s best man. Sean O’Brien’s green eyes watched her carefully. He was probably wondering if she was going to prove that his suspicion about her had been right all along. Hadn’t he secretly warned Lawson not to court her? Some secret. She’d heard the words he hadn’t intended for her ears two years ago, and they reverberated in her thoughts even now.

“You’re making a mistake. Lorelei isn’t the kind of girl you can count on. She’s always been flighty and insincere. If you aren’t careful, you’ll end up with a broken heart.”

She turned back to Reverend Sparks. “Will you repeat the second question?”

Nervous laughter spread through the church behind her, but she listened carefully as he repeated. “Will you love—”

He continued, but that one word was all she needed to hear. Would she love Lawson, as a wife should love her husband, for as long as the two of them lived? She couldn’t do this to herself, and she certainly couldn’t do it to Lawson…because the answer was no.

Shaking her head, she took a halting step backward. Gasps tore through the air as she lifted her white skirt and ran down the aisle she’d just marched up. The doors of the church burst open with a bang, and light flooded the sanctuary as she tripped quickly down the stairs onto the lawn. Gasping in quick hard breaths, she only escaped a few feet before she heard footsteps behind her.

“Lorelei!” a strident voice called.

She ignored it. Pressing the back of her hand to her lips, she felt the lump of her engagement ring. A hand caught her arm. “Lorelei?”

She swung around to face her intended. “I can’t. I can’t do this. I’m so sorry, Lawson.”

His handsome face noticeably paled. “What do you mean you can’t do this? We’re getting married today. Right now.”

She swallowed. “It isn’t right.”

“What are you talking about?” Painful silence lingered in the air until he stepped toward her. “I thought you loved me.”

“I do love you, Lawson, but not in the way a woman should love the man she’s going to marry. I wish that I did,” she said sorrowfully, then tilted her head to survey him carefully. “Do you love me like that, Lawson? Can you honestly tell me that you do?”

He turned away from her and dragged his fingers through his hair before he met her gaze again. His answer was halting, almost inaudible. “No.”

She pulled in a deep breath and tugged the ring from her finger. “Then this shouldn’t belong to me.”

His eyes filled with resignation as he took it from her. He allowed her a curt nod before he walked back toward the church where his best man waited on the steps. Her gaze caught only briefly on that figure before she turned away.

She’d barely made it to Main Street when her delicate white boots began to pinch her feet. She allowed herself a grimace as she leaned against the wall of Maddie’s Café and rustled through the satin overlay and layers of tulle to reach her shoes.

“If you wait here, I can get the buggy and drive you home.”

Her heart stilled at the sound of Sean’s voice. She gritted her teeth. “No, thank you. I’ll walk.”

“Now, Lorelei—” His deep voice drawled.

Her blue eyes lifted to meet his suspiciously. “Why are you here?”

“Lawson asked me to see you home.”

Frowning, she rooted around for the other shoe. “I don’t need anyone to see me home.”

He lifted an imperious brow, and she barely kept from rolling her eyes. She knew what that meant. Sean was Lawson’s best friend. If Lawson asked him to see her home, then Sean would see her home out of respect for his friend’s wishes even if he couldn’t stand her. No doubt he saw it as his duty, and if that was the case Sheriff Sean O’Brien would never back down.

“Fine,” she bit out. “We’ll walk.” She handed him her boots a little too forcefully, then lifted her skirts out of the dust as she crossed Main Street. It lacked its usual bustle since most of the town was still at the church waiting for word about her wedding. Still, there were plenty of folks around to gape at her, so she darted into the alleyway behind the post office to hide from their curious eyes. She ignored her companion as she led him through the alleyways to the residential area of town. Finally, Lorelei stopped on the stairs of her family’s porch and faced Sean to murmur, “Thank you for walking me home.”

He frowned and crossed his arms as he surveyed her. “I think you’re making a mistake.”

He always did. A vague cloud of disappointment settled over her at his disapproval, but she’d come to expect it. For so long she’d waited for her feelings for him to change. They had. They’d gone from a desperate unrequited yearning to a hollow ache. She wasn’t sure that counted as progress. She hid her feelings with an impudent tilt of her head. “And I’m supposed to care what you think because…?”

His eyes flashed with annoyance at her decidedly rude tone. She didn’t wait for his response. Instead, she stepped into the house and closed the door firmly behind her. Leaning against it, she lifted her shaking hands to cover her face as the impact of what she’d done finally began to settle in. She didn’t regret her decision to call off the wedding. She just could not believe she’d let it go this far. At least she’d done the right thing in the end.

Of course, the town wouldn’t soon forget the day a bride hauled up her skirts and dashed out of the church rather than finish the ceremony. Facing her parents when they arrived home would be hard. Facing Lawson in town in the days to come would be harder. And facing any more of Sean O’Brien’s disapproval would be hardest of all. She shook her head. Somehow she had to get away from the memories, the murmurs and the men.

“Well, why shouldn’t I?” she whispered to the empty house. She was already packed and ready to leave for the honeymoon to her great-aunt’s house in California. The train ticket was in her reticule. There was no reason not to go. She’d change out of her finery, and if her parents weren’t home by the time she was done, she’d just write them a note. Either way, she was leaving—now.

She could only hope that distance would do what time had failed to accomplish by ridding her of whatever feelings she had left for Sean O’Brien once and for all.

* * *

The late-afternoon sun burst through the nearby window to gleam off the metal star on Sean’s dark green shirt. He heaved a sigh, then tapped his pencil on the paperwork in front of him to expend his frustration and anger. His mind kept replaying the scene that had taken place at the church that morning. How dare Lorelei walk out on his best friend like that? The couple had been together for almost two years, despite his original prediction that the relationship wouldn’t last more than six months. He’d started to think Lorelei might not be as impulsive, unpredictable and flighty as he’d imagined. She’d proven him wrong—again.

He’d spent the past several hours sorting out the mess Lorelei had made of the wedding so Lawson wouldn’t have to. Lawson had been abandoned by his parents as a child and forced to drift from town to town in order to survive. Sean’s family had taken him in when he’d shown up in Peppin at age fourteen. Several months later, Doc and Mrs. Lettie had adopted him, but Lawson had stayed close to Sean and his family. They were practically brothers as far as Sean was concerned. His friend of ten years didn’t deserve the treatment Lorelei had just dealt him.

Lorelei Wilkins had been a thorn in Sean’s side since grade school days when she’d informed the whole school that they would get married one day. He’d been annoyed then, but by the time he’d turned nineteen the idea hadn’t seemed so awful. Lorelei had become the belle of Peppin. She could have had any guy in town, but she’d made him think he was the one she wanted. Nothing had been said between them, but he’d started to plan for her. He’d left his family’s farm and accepted the position of sheriff to save up enough money to provide for her. He’d even carved a pitiful wooden promise ring.

He’d waited for the perfect moment to express his intentions. Then, just when the time seemed right, she suddenly chose his best friend. She’d become Lawson’s girl practically overnight, and Sean had finally gotten a glimpse of her true character—impulsive, unsteady and completely unreliable. He hadn’t said a word to anyone about her betrayal. Instead, he’d pretended she hadn’t just landed a punch to his heart that would leave him reeling for years.

He realized his pencil was tapping in cadence with the ticking of the nearby clock and threw it aside. He’d be better off pacing the streets than sitting at his desk. He was just pushing his chair aside when the door flew open. Richard Wilkins, the president of the town’s only bank and Lorelei Wilkins’s father, stepped inside with Lawson right behind him.

Sean’s eyebrows lifted at the grim looks on the men’s faces. He settled back into his chair, then motioned them to the seats across from him. He gaze bounced between their worried eyes questioningly. “What’s wrong?”

Richard settled into his chair with a dejected slump. “Something has happened to Lorelei.”

Sean frowned. “Is she hurt?”

“No.” Lawson shook his head. “She’s gone.”

Sean’s stomach dropped to his boots with a surprising amount of dread. He stared at the men. “You mean she’s dead?”

Richard abruptly straightened in his seat. “Of course not, boy! She just up and disappeared while we were all shutting down the wedding and packing up the reception.”

Sean sighed. That was exactly the kind of stunt Lorelei would pull in a situation like this. Nevertheless, he readied his notebook and grabbed a pencil. “She couldn’t have gone far. How long has she been missing?”

Lawson shot a glance at Richard. “Well, she isn’t missing exactly.”

The pencil hovering over the notebook hesitated as he glanced up at the men across from him in confusion. “Then y’all know where she is?”

“No,” Lawson said just as Richard said, “Yes.”

Sean lowered his pencil in tempered exasperation. “Well, which is it?”

“My daughter has run away.”

“You mean she truly ran away, as in she’s left town?” At Richard’s nod, Sean frowned. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure because she left this.” Her father handed him a folded piece of paper.

He studied the written note carefully. “She says she wants a new life for herself and is going to live with her great-aunt in California.”

“Keep going.”

“She begs you to let her go and—” he glanced up sharply to meet Lawson’s gaze before continuing quietly “—and not to send Lawson.”

Lawson nodded firmly. “That’s why we chose you.”

“You chose me,” he echoed as a sense of foreboding filled his chest. “To do what?”

“To bring her back.” Lawson swallowed. “Not to me, of course, but to her parents.”

Richard cleared his throat. “I’d go myself but my wife says I’d just end up letting Lorelei have her own way like I always do. As much as I hate to admit it, the Lord knows Caroline is probably right. That’s why you’ve got to do it.”

Sean leaned forward to set his arm against the desk. “Listen, I’m sorry, but I am not the man for this job. I’ll tell you what I can do instead. I’ll send my deputy—”

Lawson laughed skeptically. “Jeff Bridger? He’s the only man in town who’s gotten lost walking down Main Street.”

“His sense of direction isn’t that bad anymore,” Sean protested. “I’ve been working with him and he has definitely improved.”

“I’m glad, but do you really think I’m willing to trust that man to find my daughter, let alone bring her back? Besides, I think you’re a little confused here.” Richard’s fierce gaze told Sean he wasn’t to be trifled with. “This isn’t about you, Sheriff. This is about my daughter, who, as a citizen of Peppin, deserves your protection just like everyone else. She has no chaperone. She has no supplies and hardly any money. She’s a target for every charlatan from here to California.”

Sean cleared his throat as he tried to regain control of the conversation. “I understand that, Mr. Wilkins, but I can’t just leave town for several days to run after your daughter. I have a job to do here.”

“Actually, that seems like a good job for Jeff.” Lawson crossed his arms. “After all, the man can’t get lost just sitting in an office, can he?”

“I guess not.” Sean stared at the men before him with a mixture of bemusement and dread.

Lawson shifted forward in his chair. “Sean, I would go myself but you read the note. We both know it isn’t safe for her out there. Why, she’s never even traveled before. She needs protection. I know she and I aren’t going to get married, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about her. I’m asking you to protect her not only because she’s a citizen of our town but for my sake, because I can’t.”

Sean pulled in a fortifying breath to push aside his misgivings. His voice filled with resolve. “I’ll leave first thing tomorrow morning. It will take that long for me to pack and coordinate things with Jeff.”

Relief painted Richard’s face with a smile. Lawson reached out to shake his hand. Sean didn’t bother to hide his frown. All he could hope was that he’d be able to head her off before she made it to California. It’d be a dandy of a fight to bring her all the way back to Peppin if she was already settled with her great-aunt. Nevertheless, he’d taken an oath to protect the people of this town, and it would take more than one particularly troublesome female to keep him from fulfilling that promise.

* * *

Lorelei eyed the gingerbread style white-and-green boardinghouse dubiously. She had no idea what she was going to do. She barely had enough money in her pocket to buy herself a meal and certainly not enough for the rest of the trip to California. She wasn’t even close to the Texas state line—any of them. She still seethed when she thought of that horrible man on the train. How dare he take off with her reticule?

She had to own that it was partially her fault for being thoughtless. She should have hidden most of her money in her boot or corset instead of leaving it all in her reticule for some villain to ride off with. It wouldn’t have been such a setback if the train went straight to California from Peppin. Unfortunately, she was supposed to transfer to another line. How could she do that when she didn’t even have money for a ticket?

She needed help, and she didn’t want to go to her parents for it. She was a grown woman on a trip of her own undertaking. She’d figure this out somehow, then write her parents from California to tell them exactly how wonderful her new life was. If this didn’t work, then fine, but she at least had to try to do it on her own first. She entered the bustling boardinghouse and went over to the woman who seemed to be checking people in.

“Welcome! I’m Mrs. Drake and I have a room all ready for you. May I have your name please?”

“Lorelei Wilkins, but I’m not here for a room exactly—”

“Wilkins,” the blonde woman repeated then smiled. “You’re from Peppin, aren’t you?”

“How did you know?” she asked with a bit of trepidation. Surely news of her wedding hadn’t spread this far that fast.

The woman tossed a dismissive hand. “Oh, I’ve visited family in Peppin once or twice during the past several years. I heard of your family while I was there. Perhaps you know mine. My aunt and uncle are Joseph and Amelia Greene.”

Lorelei easily placed the family connection. “Yes, I know them. My mother is friends with your aunt.”

The woman’s face lit up. “Isn’t that wonderful?”

“Yes, it is,” Lorelei said with a smile as she realized it probably wouldn’t be wise to mention that Mrs. Greene also had a reputation of being the town gossip. “As I was saying, I’ve run into a problem and I hope you might be able to help me. I was taking the train to meet my elderly great-aunt in California—”

“California!” Mrs. Drake frowned. “That’s quite a ways to travel alone.”

“Yes, well, I placed my reticule in my lap where I was sure no one would dare take it, but when I awakened it was gone. I’m sure that man sitting across the aisle stole it. To think he got close enough to steal my money and I never even felt it!”

“How unnerving! I’m sorry, dear, but what can I do?”

“I thought perhaps you might let me work for you so I can pay my room and board. It would just be until I’m able to get more money somehow.”

“I wish I could.” Suddenly the woman froze with some sudden thought. “Do you like children?”

“What?”

“I know of a job for you if you like children but— Oh, what time is it?” Mrs. Drake popped open her small pocket watch. “We just might be able to catch them.”

“Catch who?”

“The children.” The woman rounded the desk to survey her carefully. “Yes, I think you’ll do perfectly. Is that your only bag?”

Lorelei glanced down at her traveling bag. “Yes.”

“Good. You won’t take up much room.” Mrs. Drake grabbed her hat from the stand and opened the door. “Come on. We have to run to catch them.”

Lorelei followed her out the door and down the porch steps at a trot to keep up with her rapid pace. “But, Mrs. Drake, I really don’t understand. Where are we going? Who are these children and what sort of job is it?”

“I’m sorry. I get rather scattered when I’m in a rush.” The woman darted across the street with Lorelei at her heels. “The position is with a traveling preacher and his wife. They are very good friends of mine. James takes his family with him on his circuit once every few months or so. They’re going with him this time. Usually the young woman down the street goes with them to help see to the children, but her father is sick so she can’t go. James and his wife, Marissa, couldn’t find anyone else on short notice.”

“So I’m supposed to replace their neighbor?” Lorelei asked breathlessly.

“Yes, if we can catch them. They were supposed to be leaving now,” Mrs. Drake said. “Watch that hole in the road.”

Lorelei veered away from the hole just in time to save herself from a sprained ankle. “You said he’s a traveling preacher. Where are they traveling?”

“That’s the beauty of it, Miss Wilkins. They’re going farther west. Not to California, mind you but— Oh, there’s the wagon. Help me wave it down.”

Lorelei lifted her free hand to wave at the retreating covered wagon. The little boy who was practically hanging out the back of the wagon waved back with a grin, then turned around. He must have yelled something to his parents because the wagon pulled off the road and stopped. Mrs. Drake caught Lorelei’s arm and led her around the wagon to meet an attractive young couple. They listened patiently to Mrs. Drake’s breathlessly halting explanation and introduction.

Marissa Brightly smiled down at Lorelei, though her brown eyes showed compassion. “I’m so sorry this happened to you, Miss Wilkins, but I can’t help feeling this is all part of God’s plan.”

“It certainly is. We’d be delighted to have you join us,” James said. “I know that you want to get to California as soon as possible, but we are heading farther west and would be glad to pay you a small salary. Once you have the financial ability to continue your journey, we would send you on with our blessing.”

Marissa leaned forward. “Please, say you’ll come.”

Lorelei bit her lip for a moment, then smiled. “I suppose I will. I have nothing to lose and I think I’ll enjoy traveling with you very much.”

“Good,” James said with a satisfied nod. “Let me help you into the wagon.”

Lorelei thanked Mrs. Drake for her help, then followed James to the back of the wagon where the little boy she’d seen earlier peeked out from the large hole in the canvas. “Pa, is she coming with us?”

“She sure is,” James answered as her traveling bag disappeared inside. “Move out the entrance so she can get in, Hosea.”

Once inside, Lorelei glanced around to take stock of her surroundings and froze. “Are all of these children yours?”

“Yes. Starting with the oldest, there is Henry, Julia, William, Hosea and Lacy. Children, Miss Lorelei will be traveling with us. Mind her as you would your Ma and I. I’ll leave y’all to get acquainted.”

Each child lifted a hand when their name was called as though their father was taking attendance. They stared at her as she found a seat near the rear of the wagon on a cushioned wooden chest. She stared right back at them. Five children. She was going to be taking care of five children. She hadn’t even had any siblings growing up. What was she going to do?

The wagon started abruptly, and she fell off her seat onto the wagon floor. A few stifled gasps echoed under the canvas roof as the children waited for her reaction. They looked so shocked that she burst out laughing. That somehow gave them permission to, as well. As they laughed, relief settled into her bones just as tentatively as she settled back on her seat.

She was on her way again after only a momentary delay. Although her trip had been a disaster in some ways, it had been successful in its main goal. She’d barely thought about Sean since she’d left Peppin and certainly wouldn’t have a chance anytime soon, now that she was surrounded by five children. She tried not to wonder if he even cared that she’d left or what he thought about possibly never seeing her again. He’d probably been indifferent, or worse: relieved.

No, though the decision had been made on the spur of the moment, she knew she’d made the right choice in leaving. She only wished she’d made that decision sooner. If she hadn’t wanted so badly to prove she wasn’t a flighty, insincere heartbreaker, she might have done the right thing with Lawson a long time ago. She should have trusted her instincts from the beginning instead of spending so much time overthinking things. Usually her first thoughts on a subject were clearest anyway. She shook her head. That was in the past. She could finally look forward to a future without Sean’s distracting presence. In the meantime, it seemed she had a job to do.

The chortles finally died down enough for her to ask, “Who wants to play a game?”

All five hands eagerly went up. She grinned. Her new life without Sean O’Brien was going to be a cinch.

* * *

There she was—Lorelei Wilkins. Sean slid from his mount, then put a calming hand on Jericho’s nose to keep him quiet as they crept through the woods toward the banks of the river. He ought to walk right out into the open and give her a piece of his mind. That’s what he’d been planning to do for the two days it had taken to find her. Now that he’d found her, he decided to take a moment to gather himself.

Through the green veil of leaves, he could see her peaceful expression as she sat innocently reading under a nearby weeping willow. He noticed the soft smile at her lips and the dark curve of her downcast lashes. For some reason only one thought came to mind—she hadn’t married Lawson. Relief lowered his tense shoulders for an instant before he frowned. It shouldn’t matter to him that she was no longer engaged. It didn’t matter to him. The relief he felt at seeing her came only because it meant his task was nearly complete, and he’d soon be able to return home. Nothing more.

He gave a dutiful nod and began moving toward her. Suddenly she tossed her book aside. The soft hum of a melody drifted through the air as she practically danced into the river. He froze, befuddled yet transfixed by the sight. Her well-trained soprano arched over the quiet woods into the first lilting verse of “Beautiful Dreamer.” He was barely aware of leaving Jericho to walk quietly toward the woman wading in the thick expanse of river until he stood at its banks.

She hadn’t noticed his approach since her eyes were closed, so he tipped back his hat and crossed his arms to stare at her. Now, this was a side of Lorelei he’d never seen. Oh, sure, she sang at church occasionally but never with such passion. He’d seen her smile a hundred times but never with such freedom. Apparently, a weight of some kind had been lifted from her shoulders…and placed squarely onto his. His jaw tightened in aggravation.

His horse neighed. Lorelei froze. Her lashes flew open. Their eyes met. He heard her breath escape her lungs in a startled gasp as she instinctively backed away from him. Her blue eyes changed from alarm to dismay, then she stepped back one too many times and disappeared into the clutches of the racing river.

Chapter Two

Lord, have mercy, it’s Sean O’Brien! Water swirled above Lorelei’s head as she tried to reconcile the man she’d just seen with the fact that she’d traveled all those miles to leave him behind. No, it couldn’t have been Sean. It just couldn’t. She’d been enjoying the first break she’d had after two days of caring for five exuberant children when she’d heard a sound like quiet footsteps. She’d ignored it, but then she’d heard that neigh. She’d opened her eyes never expecting to see that man standing on the bank of the river looking for all the world as though he’d been there for hours.

Her lungs began to hanker for air. Lorelei tried to swim to the surface to satisfy them. She also wanted to make sure her imagination wasn’t playing tricks on her, but her heavy skirts dragged her downward, subjecting her to the twisting, turning pull of the current. She careened through the water and away from the bank. Panic filled her. She fought the urge to gasp in air, knowing it would only drown her. Her thoughts began to muddle together. What a foolish way to die!

Suddenly an arm encircled her waist. A body came alongside hers and pulled her upward. With one last thrust of energy, they surfaced. Lorelei gasped for air. She met Sean’s vibrant green eyes as he held her tightly to his chest.

“Don’t let go,” he commanded abruptly. She was too spent to argue, so she allowed him to pull her to the riverbank. The water gave way to solid ground. They both collapsed on the grass-covered banks. She turned her face toward him and found that they were only inches apart, but she didn’t have the strength to remedy the situation.

His arm lay across her stomach barring her from flight. He made no effort to remove it. Instead, they stared at each other as they both took in gasping breaths. A few days’ worth of golden stubble covered the base of his jaw and met just above his mouth. A slight sunburn trailed down the bridge of his nose drawing more attention to his unsmiling lips. Hints of gold and light hues of green shimmered in his eyes like the sunlight reflecting off of a slow-moving creek. Despite the disapproval she found there, her heart gave a familiar thump.

What was he doing here? He couldn’t be here of his own volition. That would be too unbelievable. More likely, he had been sent by her father to bring her home. Well, that was not going to happen. She would not stand passively by as he wrecked her plans. She glared at him.

The dashes of his dark gold brows lowered into a frown as he rose onto his elbow to look down at her with a maddening smirk and finally spoke. “The good news is you made it out alive. The bad news is you didn’t get away.”

“I wasn’t trying to get away. You frightened me by appearing out of nowhere. I responded as any normal person would.” Somehow she found herself lifted into his arms as he stood and swept her up to his chest. She kicked her feet. “Put me down. What are you doing?”

“You’re in no condition to walk.”

“Yes, I am. Put me down. What is wrong with you?” She could count on one hand the number of times he’d purposefully touched her. Now, he wouldn’t let her go. She kicked her legs again. “I said, put me down!”

“Hold on, you wildcat—”

A warning shot rang through the air. Lorelei screamed. Sean froze, then whirled around to face his adversary. She peered through her wild chocolate-colored curls to get a glimpse of Pastor James standing broad-legged and determined. He cocked his gun again and aimed it at Sean. “You heard the lady. Put her down.”

The tone of his voice was deadly. Not at all what she expected from the gentle man she’d gotten to know over the past several days. She bowed her head so neither man could see the smile that curved her lips. She allowed her body to completely relax even as she felt Sean’s arms tense beneath her legs and arms. He carefully lowered her legs to the ground but trapped her against his side in a one-armed embrace entirely too close to be proper.

This man was determined to meddle with her head. She was too smart for it this time. She wouldn’t let his protective instincts or plain orneriness put ideas in her head or a silly feeling like hope into her heart. He could hold her as uncomfortably close as he liked, but from the looks of James’s rifle, this situation was about to become just as uncomfortable for Sean. She vowed to enjoy every moment of it.

* * *

Sean kept Lorelei tucked against his side so close he could feel her shaking. Was she shivering from her plunge in the river? The water hadn’t been that cold. Perhaps she quaked from fear after nearly drowning to death. He glanced down at her and found the answer in her mirth-filled eyes. She was laughing at him.

He narrowed his eyes to stem her mirth, but that only seemed to increase it. She dropped her head so the preacher couldn’t see her smile as her body continued to shake in silent suppressed laughter. Annoyance led his hand down to his revolver. It probably wasn’t any good as water-soaked as it was, but it was nice to have some reassurance while staring down a shotgun. He widened his stance to stare at the man intent on defending Lorelei from him. “Look, I don’t know who you are or how this is any of your business, but the only protection this woman needs is from herself.”

That got her riled up. She gave a pretty fierce little growl for a woman her size and in her situation. He tried to fight back his smirk but wasn’t quite successful.

“I am Pastor James Brightly and that woman is under my care. I insist you release her this instant.”

“This instant, huh?” Sean glanced down at Lorelei. Her dark blue eyes stared back at him, making him realize there was a lot of sanity in doing just what the preacher commanded. He let go of her. She took a few wavering steps away from him but somehow managed to stand on her own.

The preacher waved his shotgun. “Now, be on your way.”

Sean shook his head. “Oh, no. I’ve been searching for this woman for days. I’m the sheriff of the town where she lives. I’m not trying to hurt her, but I’m not leaving until she and I have a little talk, Preacher.”

“Lorelei, is this true? Do you know this man?”

He met her gaze squarely. He watched her tilt her head thoughtfully as she considered her next step. He could almost read the thoughts running through her head. All she had to do was tell the preacher that little two-letter word. If she did, he’d be dodging bullets and receiving a nice little prayer for safe travel courtesy of the preacher. Her smile grew.

He frowned at her. “Oh, come on, Lorelei. I just saved your life. The least you could do is save mine.”

Her expression changed to one of reluctant resignation. “I know him, Pastor James, but I’d also like to know what he’s doing here.”

Sean hid his relief when the preacher lowered the rifle to his side. Lorelei didn’t bother to hide her disappointment when the two men shifted into a less combative stance. She frowned at him. “Well?”

“You know very well why I’m here.” He shook his head like a wet dog, then pinned her with a look. “Your father and Lawson sent me to bring you home, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

Lorelei stiffened. “Oh, no, you won’t!”

“Oh, yes, I will.” He stepped closer to her. “Do you have any idea how worried your parents are right now?”

“I left them a note.”

“That only compounded their fears. They knew that you were traveling alone with very limited finances, no supplies and hardly any idea how to get to California, let alone reach your great-aunt’s estate.” He caught her arm, hoping to somehow transfer a little good sense. “Anything could have happened, Lorelei!”

She wrenched her arm from his grasp but lowered her voice. “Don’t you think I’ve realized that?”

“Then come home with me.”

She crossed her arms. “No. Not when I’m so close to getting away from—” she seemed to catch herself and changed the sentence “—getting to California.”

“Have you looked at a map lately? You aren’t even close to making it out of Texas.”

Her hand made its way to her hip. “I will. Marissa and James are paying me a fair wage. As soon as I have enough saved up, I’ll take the train.”

“Alone? Haven’t you been preyed on enough?” He nodded in response to her suspicious look. “I know all about your reticule being stolen. That just proves I’m right. A young woman traveling without protection will warrant the attention of every outlaw and charlatan from here to California.”

“I’ll be careful.”

“That’s not enough.”

“Well, it will have to be enough because I’m certainly not leaving with you!” She flipped her wet hair away from her face and stormed off.

He’d nearly forgotten the preacher was still there until the man spoke. “Do you know why she ran away?”

“I know enough to say she should stop this foolishness and go home. Like I said, I’m Peppin’s sheriff, it’s my responsibility to keep the town’s citizens safe—even when they’re being too pigheaded to see sense.”

James nodded patiently. “I understand that you’re trying to do your duty, but that is her choice to make. You can talk to her about it, but you can’t force her to return. In the meantime, you may want to think more carefully about trying to bring her back to the situation that was uncomfortable enough to make her leave.”

Sean hid a grimace at the preacher’s advice. There was nothing wrong with the situation Lorelei was in that she hadn’t caused. His job was to find her and bring her home. Her parents were supposed to deal with her after that. Somehow he didn’t think the esteemed Pastor James would find his reasoning particularly favorable, so he kept his mouth shut and nodded in agreement. He needed a place to sleep after all and a way to keep an eye on Lorelei since she had gotten into the habit of disappearing.

* * *

The leaves of the towering oak tree quivered above Sean’s head as he placed his Stetson over his face. Four days he’d waited for Lorelei to come to her senses. It seemed as if she was just sliding deeper into her joyous little cloud of insanity. He could hear her now. She was playing with the children in the gurgling brook and having a wonderful time while he tried to cool his temper and not let the sound of her laughter set his teeth on edge.

He was glad James decided to give his family a day of rest from traveling. Sean was pretty tired himself. He figured this was the perfect time to craft a plan to change the mind of a stubborn young woman bent on getting herself to California. If he didn’t figure out something soon, he’d be stuck trailing her halfway across the country.

The ground beneath his back seemed to sway slightly. He caught his breath. This couldn’t happen. Not here. He needed to ward off the panic now before it got worse. Nevertheless, his heart began to quicken into a familiar staccato rhythm.

The first time he’d noticed that beat had been the night of the storm that had taken his parents’ lives. At ten years old, he’d lain awake in bed listening to the wind howl past his window and trying to fight the sense of foreboding that gripped him. Somehow he’d known they wouldn’t come back. The next morning brought news of the accident, and with it the entire world had turned on end for him and his two sisters. He’d tried to step up and be the man of the house, but at such a young age there was so much that he couldn’t do to help his eighteen-year-old sister, Kate, manage the farm, besides try to keep eight-year-old Ellie out of trouble.

The next two years had passed with him in such a state of stress that he would lie awake at night listening to his rapid heartbeat pound in his ears thinking for sure it would burst from his chest. He never told anyone that, especially not his sisters. To them, he’d remained stalwart and dependable until his brother-in-law Nathan had stepped into their lives.

The burden had suddenly lifted from Sean’s shoulders, and he’d thought that would be the end of the waves of panic that occasionally took over. It wasn’t. Even now he could feel his breath shortening. It always did when he found himself in a situation like this where he could do nothing but wait. He forced himself to pray.

Lord, You know I’m trying to be patient, but I need to get back to Peppin. This isn’t what I bargained for when I agreed to bring her home. Help me change her mind. It took a few minutes for his body to settle down. Relief filled him. He shouldn’t have another one for a while now. He’d just go on as if it hadn’t happened…like always.

He slowly felt himself leaning toward sleep. Suddenly a small fountain of water poured over the sides of his hat and settled around his ears before soaking into the ground. Letting out an exaggerated roar, he sat up. His Stetson tumbled to the ground, and Sean found himself face-to-face with a six-year-old. Hosea stood in what would have appeared to be paralyzed terror if not for the delight sparkling in his round eyes. His hand clutched a large tin cup now emptied of the water he must have carried from the nearby brook.

Sean quickly surveyed the situation and realized that, while Hosea may have been the culprit, he was only a small part of a much larger plot. Watching with just as much glee were the rest of the children and one very naughty nanny.

* * *

Time seemed to stop for the seconds it took Sean to slowly rise to his feet. Perhaps that was simply because all the children froze when he pinned them with a calculating stare. Then his gaze caught hers. His smile said one thing. William yelled it. “Run!”

Suddenly the world was a blur of motion. Hosea tried to make a break for it, but Sean was too fast for him. He scooped the boy under his arm like a sack of potatoes. Henry managed to evade his grasp, but Sean lifted William with his other arm and spun the boys around just enough to make them deliciously dizzy before he set them down. He repeated the process with Julia and Lacy.

Meanwhile, Lorelei casually meandered in the direction of the camp. She should have moved faster, but she couldn’t help lingering to watch the sight before her. Sean was always so serious, so stern—it was fascinating to watch him grinning and playing with the children. It wasn’t fair of him to look quite that…handsome. Not when she was trying so hard to ignore him.

Too late, she realized she’d missed her chance to escape. Her opponent caught sight of her and stalked toward her. He smiled predatorily. “Sending the children to do your dirty work, is that it?”

She widened her eyes innocently. “Now, Sean. It was all in fun.”

“Was it?”

She glanced around for help, but the children had abandoned her to stagger laughingly toward camp. “Sean, don’t…”

Sean swept her into his arms and spun her in a tight circle. She let out a small scream that lasted from the first rotation until he set her feet back on the ground. Her eyes finally opened to focus on his. The trees continued to sway perilously behind him. He gave her a pointed look. “There. Now, we’re even.”

“That’s what you think,” she muttered and tried to step around him, but he refused to release her.

“That’s what I know. Unless you want me to haul you back to the Peppin jail for assaulting an officer.” He gave a low whistle. “Now, there’s an idea.”

She glared at him. “Oh, why won’t you just go away?”

He leaned toward her, meeting her challenge with his own. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

She pushed away from his chest, then wiped her suddenly wet hands on her skirt. “Yes, I certainly would.”

“Tough.” His green eyes captured hers. “You won’t get rid of me until I drop you and your problems back in your father’s lap. I gave him my word—and Lawson, too—which means I’m going to stick to you like glue.”

“You mean fleas,” she muttered as she brushed past him and walked back to camp. She wouldn’t let it bother her that nothing short of a promise to her father and his best friend would tempt Sean to stick close to her. She hated being his duty, and he certainly didn’t want her to be anything else, so the smartest thing for her to do would be to stay as far away from him as possible.

True to form, he followed her back a few minutes later and took a seat near the campfire to whittle as she helped Marissa prepare supper. She ignored him and was grateful when Marissa struck up a conversation. “Tell me more about Peppin, Lorelei. It sounds like a charming town.”

“There really isn’t much else to say,” she said as she felt Sean’s gaze resting on her. “It’s small but not stiflingly so. The people are friendly and really care about you. There is always something going on, so you’re hardly ever bored. You can just go to the mercantile or the café to find someone to talk to or about, in some cases. It’s just a normal everyday Texas town. The only thing special about it are the people.”

“It sure is a good town,” Sean said wryly. “I guess that’s why most people are content to stay right where they are.”

Lorelei refused to meet his gaze. She’d never said Peppin wasn’t a good town. It was her home. Nothing would change that. She’d only left to get away from Sean, and that hadn’t done any good. Why, she could do a better job avoiding him in Peppin than she could in this wilderness. So it was decided. She was going home. She dreaded the victory she knew she’d see in Sean’s gaze when she told him, but it couldn’t be helped. She’d tell him tomorrow.

* * *

Sean ignored Lorelei’s quelling stare as he propelled her through the evening shadows that painted everything in dark smudges of color. The Brightlys must have made very close ties with the people in this area. An inordinate amount of them were still around more than an hour after the service was over. Lorelei stopped short at the sight of the large crowd of people waiting to speak with the Brightlys. “I can wait until these people leave.”

He shook his head. “I’m not going to give you that much time to change your mind. Besides, we’ll both need our sleep. We’re leaving at first light.”

She rolled her eyes. “I know. You keep saying that.”

“That’s because I like the way it sounds,” he said in satisfaction. Placing a hand on her back, he guided her forward until they took their place at the front of the line.

“You’re going to get us shot,” she whispered.

“This will only take a minute,” he said loudly enough for the others in line to hear. “I’m sure the Brightlys won’t mind talking to their children’s nanny for a moment.”

A short while later, with James and Marissa’s undivided attention, he announced, “Lorelei has finally agreed to let me escort her home. We’ll be leaving at first light.”

“You’re leaving?” Marissa asked in alarm.

Lorelei shot him a glance that told him exactly what she thought of his blunt way of telling the couple. “I’m afraid so. I’m so sorry! I know this leaves you in a lurch.”

“We told you that you could leave whenever you liked. The problem is that the two of you would be traveling without a chaperone,” James stated gravely.

Sean shrugged. “It isn’t ideal, but it can’t be helped.”

Marissa shook her head. “You have to think about Lorelei’s reputation.”

“Her reputation,” he echoed with frustration, then glanced over his shoulder at the milling crowd that was shamelessly listening in.

“Maybe we should stay after all, Sean,” Lorelei suggested, her determination wavering. “Just until we reach the next town with a train station. Then we won’t have to worry about traveling unchaperoned.”

“No,” he said a bit too abruptly. “That could take days and days. We have to get back to Peppin. Perhaps one of the parishioners would be willing to act as our chaperone.”

“I’ll do it!”

Sean jumped in surprise at the quick response. He was still searching for the origin of that almost musical voice when a woman stepped forward to claim it. She didn’t look anything like he thought a chaperone would. She was probably older than his mother would be if she’d lived but had pulled her mousy brown curls back with a girlish ribbon.

She stepped forward again which drew his gaze downward. His eyebrows rose. The woman was wearing pants or some female variation of them. Bloomers—Sean remembered his sister Ellie calling them. They were tucked into her high buckled leather boots.

Pastor James shifted uneasily beside Sean. “I don’t think we’ve met, ma’am.”

“The name’s Miss Elmira Shrute. I’ve been traveling and came back to visit family.” The woman’s smile seemed friendly enough. “I’m about ready to head out though, so I can go with you. I assume the position would be paid?”

Sean glanced at Lorelei. Her reluctant expression turned doubtful. She cleared her throat daintily. “The little money I have, I’m going to need for traveling. Perhaps someone else would be willing…”

Her words were drowned out by a general murmur stating the opposite. Sean caught snatches of phrases like, “children to feed,” “farm to run” and “pure foolishness.” He grimaced.

Lorelei shifted slightly closer. “Well, what are we going to do?”

He glanced back at Miss Elmira. “I could pay you two dollars.”

The woman grinned. “That works for me. When do we leave?”

“Sean, I’d like a brief word with you,” Pastor James said as he took a step backward and led Sean away from the crowd. “I have to advise you against this. I’ve never met that woman before, but I know of her family. They don’t exactly have the best reputation for being honest in their dealings with folks.”

Sean frowned. “I appreciate your concern, but I’d be taking a chance with anyone I hired. Lorelei has agreed to go back with me, and I’ve got to get her moving before she changes her mind or gets a notion to take off on her own again. Miss Elmira may not be my first choice, but she is the only option.”

“It’s your decision and I respect that.” Pastor James gave a reluctant nod. “Do what you have to do. Just keep an eye out for trouble.”

They walked back to the crowd. Sean met Lorelei’s inquiring look with an affirming one of his own. His shoulders relaxed from the tension he hadn’t even realized was there. Things were finally going according to plan. Like Pastor James advised, he’d keep an eye out for trouble. It wouldn’t be hard to do since he knew exactly what it looked like—a dark-haired beauty with the knack for getting under his skin in all the wrong ways.

* * *

“Lorelei, wake up. We’ve been robbed.” Sean’s words filtered through her consciousness, rousing her with a start.

Lorelei pushed the mass of dark curls from her face. Her hairpins had disappeared and Miss Elmira had refused to part with even one of her ribbons to help out a bedraggled fellow traveler. After two days of traveling, the woman had turned out to be as mean as she was peculiar. Lorelei realized Sean knelt at her side, so she propped herself on her elbow and frowned at him. “Was anyone hurt? Is Miss Elmira all right?”

“If I had to speculate, I’d say Miss Elmira is feeling pretty good right about now.” He crossed his arms and glared out into the woods. “James was right about her. She must have taken off in the middle of the night, and my wallet went with her.”

“Miss Elmira robbed us?” She glanced around to find her valise, but it was gone.

“Yes, and it’s a little unsettling because she must have touched me to get my wallet and I never even felt it. In fact, I’ve never slept so deeply in my life. You don’t think that tea she gave us…”

“At this point, I wouldn’t put it past her,” Lorelei said with a stifled yawn. “At least she left your horse.”

He nodded. “She had her own horse. Besides, horse thieving is a hanging offense.”

“What do we do? Should we go back to the Brightlys?”

Sean moved toward the fire he’d built and poured himself a cup of coffee. “I’m sure they’ve moved on by now. It would take longer to catch up with them than to simply keep going to the nearest train station.”

“But we don’t have any money!” She threw her bedroll aside and began to pace. “I suppose I could ask my father to wire us some once we get to town. That’s probably the only option.”

“I was kind of hoping you might say that,” he admitted.

She sighed as she sank down onto a log across from him. “I can’t believe I’ve been robbed twice since I left Peppin. What is wrong with this world?”

He glanced at her over his steaming cup. “An impulsive young woman ran off to California alone. That’s what’s wrong with the world.”

She groaned. “You’d think there might be a grace period for fifteen minutes after I wake up, but no! You have to let me know you disapprove of me before I even have my coffee. I got that message a long time ago. Now, hand it over.”

“Get your own.” He nodded to the tin cup resting on the ground next to the coffeepot and ignored her rant. “At least she left us enough supplies to get to town.”

She poured herself a cup, then blew away some of the steam. “I wish she’d left a letter of authentication, as well. ‘To whom it may concern. This letter is to verify that in addition to my work as a thief I also dabble in conartistry—’”

“Conartistry?” Sean frowned, which was the closest thing to a smile she’d seen all morning.

She held up one finger and shook her head. “Let me finish. ‘I also dabble in conartistry by convincing young men and women that I am an adequate chaperone before robbing them blind and leaving them alone in the wilderness. Therefore, let it be known that I exist and testify to my betrayed charges’ good character.’”

He watched her carefully. “Do you always talk out of your head in the morning?”

“No, I usually try to talk out of my mouth. However, today there are extenuating circumstances.” A quick glance at Sean’s nearly smiling lips reminded her of why she’d dictated that letter in the first place. “What are people going to think when we show up without a chaperone?”

His green eyes flickered warily. “Hopefully nothing, but the less time we’re alone in the wilderness, the better. It’s time to pick up the pace.”

Chapter Three

Lorelei paced in front of the Western Union office as she waited for a response to the telegram she’d sent her father. The anticipation she felt knowing she would soon hear from her family confirmed she’d made the right decision about going back to Peppin. Just the thought of seeing her home again suddenly made her so excited she couldn’t get herself to sit down. Then again, she’d been sitting down—or rather, sitting up, on the back of a horse—for three days, and she wasn’t about to do it again if she could help it.

For the past few minutes, she’d been testing out different walks. Originally, her purpose had simply been to stretch her legs. To her fascination, she’d discovered that it didn’t matter how many different ways she walked past Sean. He simply would not look up from that piece of wood he’d been shaving with his pocketknife for the past half hour.

She literally waltzed by his bench. He still didn’t notice, but a little girl with beribboned braids stopped to watch. Lorelei winked at her before the child’s mother urged her on. The girl looked over her shoulder and beamed, causing Lorelei to do the same. Sean’s horse neighed a welcome when she danced toward his hitching post. “Hello, Jericho. You know, you’re much friendlier than your owner.”

“Lorelei.” She jumped at the sound of Sean’s voice and turned to see him gesture to the seat beside him on the bench. She reluctantly sat down. He handed her the piece of wood and tucked his knife back in his pocket. “I made this for you.”

A miniature replica of her stolen valise sat in her hands complete with tiny handles and a floral pattern. She stared at it blankly, then realized he expected a response. “This is nice.”

“Thanks.” He leaned back on the bench and covered his face with his Stetson.

She looked at it for another minute, then turned toward him to sharply ask, “Why would you do something this nice?”

“I was bored.”

“You should be bored more often,” she suggested.

He pushed his hat up slightly to meet her gaze. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Oh, I won’t. I hate you. You hate me. Isn’t that how this story goes?”

He turned to level her with his sincere green eyes. “I don’t hate you.”

She stared back at him. She believed him. In fact, she’d known it all along. It was just nice to hear him say it. For a moment she saw all the things that had once made her fall in love with him. She allowed a hint of a smile to reach her lips.

She could almost imagine that he began to lean toward her. The Western Union operator interrupted the tenuous moment by finally calling her into the building. She immediately stood. Sean trailed after her because apparently that’s what he did.

“Miss, your father sent the money with a message and special instructions.”

“What was the message?”

“I love you and am glad you’re safe,” he read in a nearly monotone voice.

“Thanks, but I hardly know you,” she replied calmly. The man looked up sharply and frowned. Sean turned away with a sudden coughing fit. She smiled weakly. “That was just a little joke.”

Sean stepped up beside her again to ask, “What were the instructions?”

“I am to place all of the money in your care, sir. You are instructed to take care of Miss Wilkins’s needs and your own from these funds. You are not to let the young lady run off under any circumstances.”

“Papa, you didn’t,” she moaned.

The man surveyed her shrewdly. “He obviously doesn’t trust you with the money, Miss Wilkins.”

“Smart papa,” Sean added with a smile.

She frowned at them both. “Now y’all are just rubbing it in. Sean, get the money from the man and let’s get on with this.”

“What now?” Sean asked once they left the building.

“We both need a change of clothes, food, a room at the boardinghouse and a train ticket for tomorrow.”

* * *

Sean realized things had gone too far the moment the words you hate me came out of Lorelei’s mouth. He’d nearly gotten the picture when she’d questioned why he was being nice, but it wasn’t until later that the extent of their poor treatment of each other hit home. He wasn’t perfect, but he held himself and others to a very high standard of behavior. Lorelei had failed that standard when she’d inexplicably walked away from their almost romance two years ago and again when she’d impetuously run from the altar and his best friend.

He did have legitimate reasons to dislike her, but hate seemed like such an unchristian word. If he’d learned anything by spending countless hours with the woman, it was that she possessed redeeming qualities. She had a funny sense of humor, she hardly ever complained and she didn’t fall apart under pressure. He shouldn’t discount those things entirely—but neither should he let them skew his view of her completely. Maybe there was a balance. The trouble was that he wasn’t sure how to find it.

“Where is everyone?” Lorelei murmured as they waited at the front of the boardinghouse she’d visited before.

Sean glanced around, then spotted the bell on the counter and rang it loudly.

“Mrs. Drake,” Lorelei exclaimed as the widow exited the kitchen.

The woman smiled as she glided toward them. “My dear Miss Wilkins, it’s good to see you again. I guess you’ve given up your desire to see your great-aunt in California.”

“Yes. I’ll be catching the morning train back home.” Lorelei gestured to him. “I think you’ve met Mr. O’Brien.”

He nodded respectfully. “Mrs. Drake.”

“We were hoping we might be able to stay here tonight.”

“Certainly.” Mrs. Drake turned to survey her keys. “I assume someone else will be joining you.”

Sean tried to act as if he wasn’t nervous. “No, ma’am. We’ll just take two rooms, please.”

“Do you mean that the two of you have been traveling alone?” Mrs. Drake’s perplexed look changed to concern. “And for days, by the looks of you. I don’t understand how Pastor and Mrs. Brightly would allow such a thing.”

“We had a chaperone,” Lorelei offered.

Mrs. Drake frowned. “I’d like to talk to her then. She needs to accompany you all the way home, not just part of the way.”

“That isn’t possible, ma’am.” He decided to state the facts honestly and very calmly. “The woman who accompanied us from the Brightlys’ camp ran off with all our money.”

The woman was quiet for a long moment, then her gaze trailed to the package of new clothing he’d stacked on the counter. Before he could try to explain, her eyes lifted to his again. They boasted a hint of suspicion. “Let me guess. You were sleeping, and you didn’t even feel this woman pick your pocket, isn’t that right?”

Sean stared at her in amazement. “How could you possibly know that?”

“I’ve just heard that story somewhere before.” The woman transferred her gaze to Lorelei. “Dear, I think you’d at least use a little originality.”

Lorelei leaned forward earnestly. “Oh, but it’s true this time, too.”

“So the parcels in your hand just suddenly appeared?”

“My father wired us money.”

“I see.” The woman crossed her arms. “What did he have to say about your predicament?”

“I didn’t tell him.” Lorelei admitted quietly.

Her eyebrows rose. “No, I guess you wouldn’t.”

Sean felt it was time for him to step in. “Now, hold on. We aren’t making this up. The Brightlys saw her leave with us.”

She nodded. “Yet, she isn’t here now. Do you remember where you left the Brightlys in case I write to them?”

He named the settlement.

Her eyes narrowed. “That’s a five-day journey. How long did you actually have this supposed chaperone?”

He cleared his throat. “Really, Mrs. Drake, I appreciate your concern but I think this line of questioning is unnecessary. Chaperone or no chaperone, Miss Wilkins is under protective custody as per her father’s request. Now, are you going to rent us two rooms or should we take our business elsewhere?”

The widow surveyed Sean skeptically for a moment. “Miss Wilkins, I’ll place you on the second floor. Sheriff, your room will be on the first floor. No gentlemen are allowed upstairs after dinner.”

“Thank you,” Lorelei said.

Mrs. Drake gave a tight nod, then sent Sean a warning look. “If either of you need anything tonight, remember that my room is directly across from the stairs.”

He barely refrained from rolling his eyes but noticed Lorelei gave Mrs. Drake a reassuring smile. He took his key, picked up Lorelei’s packages and helped her find her room. As they walked up the stairs, he saw Lorelei bite her lip to keep from laughing. “You think this is funny, do you?”

She allowed her smile to grow. “Actually, yes, it is rather amusing. You made it sound like I was your prisoner. And you really ought to stop acting as though I’m a runaway. I’m much too old to be considered anything but an adult taking a trip, despite what my father or anyone else might say.”

He frowned as he followed her around the corner. “When I say ‘runaway’ I am not describing your legal status.”

She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Then what are you describing?”

“Your recent pattern of behavior,” he said, then paused as she found her room and tried to unlock the door. “I still think you’re just waiting for the first possible moment to get away from me.”

“I am, but my efforts aren’t doing any good. This door won’t open.” She turned the knob and banged her hip on the door, then winced. He planted his shoulder into the door and shoved. It groaned as it sprang open. She took her packages from him. “It was my decision to come back with you, remember? I’ve already told my father that I’m coming home. I won’t run away. I give you my word on that.”

He leaned against the threshold. “I think we all know what that’s worth, don’t we?”

It took her a moment to realize he was referring to her engagement with Lawson. When she did, pain flashed across her face. “How dare you? If you want to be mad at me because I left your best friend at the altar, then fine. Be mad, but you should really thank me for doing it.”

He scoffed out a laugh. “Why would I thank you? You broke his heart.”

She lifted a brow imperviously. “He didn’t tell you that.”

“He didn’t have to. I saw the look on his face. He was stricken.”

“He didn’t love me, Sean. I know. I asked him. To be honest, I didn’t love him the way I should have, either. That’s why I didn’t marry him.” She lifted her gaze to his. “He deserved better than a wife who isn’t in love with him. He deserved better than me. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

Yes, but it didn’t sound as wonderful as he thought it would. Not with that thread of pain running through the words and the self-deprecating tone in her voice. He met her gaze contritely. “I’m—”

“Save it,” she bit out, then slammed the door in his face.

Thankfully the hinge made it close slowly enough that he could jump out of the way. He stared at the thick barrier between them. It always seemed to be there, whether visible or not. If it broke down, he wasn’t sure how he’d handle it. It might not change anything, or it might change everything. He allowed his forehead to rest on the cool door for a moment. He couldn’t lie to himself. Sometimes he wondered what might have happened if he’d fought for her even a little instead of just surrendering to someone else’s claim. He’d never know. Maybe it was best that he didn’t.

* * *

Sean helped Lorelei down from the train and onto the platform. She was immediately hailed by her parents who pulled her into a long hug. When her father stepped away, Sean handed him Lorelei’s new traveling bag. The man gave a nod of appreciation but said nothing more. He seemed too moved at seeing his daughter to speak.

Sean returned his nod. He hesitated for a moment, then went to see about his horse. Once Jericho was secured, he looked for the Wilkinses again. He spotted them walking away. He watched them go, wondering if Lorelei would turn to look at him or make any attempt to say goodbye. She didn’t.

They’d both agreed not to lie if asked about the lack of a chaperone, but they weren’t going to shout Elmira’s deception from the rooftops, either. Lorelei had already told her parents they’d been robbed but hadn’t mentioned when or by whom. Sean hoped that by not telling anyone, the subject would become a nonissue. And if that was the case, then this whole convoluted adventure of chasing Lorelei across Texas, bringing her home in spite of all the obstacles, spending every hour in her maddening, exhilarating company would be over. Relegated to the past and forgotten—like it never happened at all.

“What do you mean he hasn’t responded?” a man’s frustrated voice bellowed, snapping Sean out of his thoughts as he passed the telegraph office that was next door to the railroad station.

Sean stopped to watch the rough-looking older man who stood outside the door. The telegrapher shrugged casually. “I mean what I said. The message was picked up, but no response was given. That’s all I know. Now, you can check again tomorrow if you like. Until then, I suggest you stop causing trouble and leave.”

The man muttered a few unholy words, kicked the dust and walked away. Sean watched him carefully, then went inside to speak to the telegrapher. “Hello, Peter. What can you tell me about that man?”

“He says his name is Alfred Calhoun. He’s been coming by every day for the last week. He sends telegraphs to a Frank Bentley down in Houston. They seem to be trying to coordinate a meeting of some kind. Near as I can tell, that Bentley fellow is coming here.”

“I don’t guess there’s anything wrong with that.”

“No. He’s an odd one, though. I don’t think he has a job. He seems to spend most of his time in the Red Canteen.”

Sean nodded thoughtfully. “If you find out anything that concerns you or if you want me to help you handle him, just let me know.”

“I will. I’ve been talking to Jeff about it and I’d planned to tell you when you got back in town. I’m glad you got to see the man in person.” Peter finally smiled. “You find that Wilkins girl all right?”

“Yes, she’s back with her family now.”

“Wish I’d been asked to rescue her.” Peter gave him a knowing smile.

“I wish you had been, too,” he said with a parting grin. Peter was still laughing when the door closed behind Sean. He let out a sigh. All right, so that wasn’t entirely the truth, but it was better to discourage any implication like that before it had a chance to take the form of a rumor. He only hoped that would be enough. The last thing he needed was for people to start asking questions. He planned to let this little episode in his life fade into the obscurity of nothing more than a faint memory. That was for the best. Wasn’t it?

Chapter Four

Lorelei pushed the long strips of bacon around her plate with a fork, then glanced up at her parents. Her father sat across from her, hidden behind a copy of the Austin newspaper he’d managed to snag on his last trip to the city. Occasionally, his hand would slip from behind it in search of food. Her mother sat to her right unconcernedly drinking her morning tea as she planned out the day on a piece of notebook paper.

The silence was broken by the crinkle of newspaper. Lorelei tensed as her father folded the paper and set it aside. She braced herself when his gaze met hers. His blue eyes soon dropped to his coffee cup, which he carefully blew on before taking a long drink. She felt her shoulders relax. She lifted the bacon to her lips but could not force herself to eat it. She glanced up once more, feeling tempted to glare at her parents.

It was horrible what they were doing. They hadn’t mentioned her running away once since she’d gotten home yesterday. At first, she’d assumed they merely wanted to give her time to rest after her journey. With breakfast nearly over and her father due at the bank in less than a half hour, there’d still been no mention of her actions. She knew that they were of such a magnitude that her parents couldn’t and wouldn’t leave the subject untouched. Why were they drawing it out? They must know the suspense was killing her.

“Lorelei,” her mother began.

Her head shot up, and she prepared herself for battle.

Caroline smiled. “Would you pass me the salt, please?”

“Yes, Mama.”

“Thank you, dear.”

“You’re welcome,” Lorelei replied quietly.

Coffee cup drained, Richard stood. “Well, I suppose it’s time I get over to the bank.”

She watched dumbfounded as her father gathered his dishes and placed them in the sink before returning to the table to kiss her mother goodbye. “Have a wonderful day, you two.”

“Shall I send Lorelei with your lunch?”

“That would be nice, if you don’t mind, Lorelei,” her father said, then leaned across the table to kiss Lorelei on the forehead. His beard and mustache tickled her skin in a familiar sensation.

“I don’t mind.” Tears pricked her eyes as she watched him turn away and grab his hat. She blinked them away resolutely. He couldn’t leave without talking to her. Surely she deserved a lecture or something. She stood. “Papa, where are you going?”

He turned with a perplexed look on his face. “I’m going to the bank.”

She gave an exasperated sigh. “I know that. What I mean is…well, I know you two want to talk to me. I’d rather you just say what you need to say now rather than drag it out by waiting until later.”

He seemed confused. “What is it you wanted to discuss, Lorelei?”

Her mouth fell opened then closed. “I ran away.”

“Yes,” he agreed.

“Isn’t that something you want to discuss?” she asked.

“Not particularly,” her father said.

Lorelei looked to her mother for help, but the woman lifted her delicate brows in confusion. “Well, what would you like us to say, dear?”

She sat down in disbelief. “This is ridiculous. Don’t you want to tell me how impractically and irresponsibly I behaved? How dangerous it was for me to travel alone as I did? How flighty it made me appear to everyone? How awful it was of me to leave you two wondering and worrying?”

Her mother took a sip of tea. “Is it necessary?”

She glanced to her husband who looked down at Lorelei thoughtfully. “I don’t think so. She seems to have learned her lesson.”

Lorelei looked from her mother to her father and back again. With a groan, she buried her face in her hands. “Did I just give myself a lecture?”

“I’m afraid so,” her father said with amusement in his voice.

She frowned at him. “You planned this, didn’t you?”

He smiled. “Goodbye, Lorelei.”

As the door closed behind him, her mother smiled. “Dear, we spared you the lecture because we know you. We know you’ve already recognized what you did was wrong because you’re here. You came back to us. Don’t think for a moment we weren’t worried or upset while you were gone, because we were both of those things and more.”

“I really am sorry.”

“We know that.” She reached over to place her hand over Lorelei’s. “Why did you leave? What happened that day?”

She sighed. “There I was in a beautiful white dress with one of the best men in the world standing beside me at the altar, and I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t—even after I spent all that time convincing myself that I could. I knew it wasn’t right.” She paused to take a deep breath. “It all was my fault because my whole life I was foolish enough to fancy myself in love with the one man who has never cared I existed.”

“Sean O’Brien,” her mother said softly.

Lorelei stared at her. “You knew. This whole time you knew?”

Her mother laughed. “Of course, I knew. You’re my daughter. How could I not know?”

She froze. “Does Papa know?”

At her mother’s nod, Lorelei groaned and buried her face in her hands.

Her mother pulled at her hands. “Come now, it isn’t that bad.”

Lorelei dropped her hands to the table. “That’s what I’m afraid of. That everyone knows how I felt about him.” Including Sean.

“I don’t think that’s the case. It’s common knowledge that you had a crush on him as a girl, but then Lawson began courting you and everyone assumed you let it go.”

“I almost convinced myself I had until that day. Suddenly, I realized I couldn’t do that to Lawson. I couldn’t go into our marriage halfhearted, knowing I couldn’t love him as he deserved to be loved. It wouldn’t have been right.”

“I hope you know how proud I am of you for doing that. It would have been much easier to let things continue as you’d planned,” her mother said. “But why did you run away?”

Lorelei shrugged. “I just hated the thought of having to deal with all the gossiping, the speculation, the people whispering behind my back—or saying to my face—that I’m a silly flirt who broke Lawson’s heart.”

Her mother looked surprised. “Did someone actually say that?”

A long time ago, she thought to herself, and glanced away. “Never mind that. But all of it made the prospect of getting away for a while and starting fresh somewhere new seem awfully tempting. I had everything already packed and ready to go. It…” She smiled weakly. “It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

The smile quickly faded as she continued. “But if I thought I could run away from being judged, then I was wrong. Sean tracked me down, and ever since I’ve had to live with his constant disapproval day in and day out. That’s when I realized how foolish I’d been, and decided to come home.”

Her mother nodded, then asked, “So where does that leave your feelings toward Sean now?”

Lorelei shook her head. “If I learned anything while I was gone, it’s that I’m done with Sean O’Brien. I’m finished waiting for him to look at me with anything more than a frown on his face. I think I’ve allowed his dislike of me to shape who I’ve become. That’s part of the reason I wanted a new beginning away from here and him.”

“I see.” Her mother took a sip of her tea thoughtfully. “Perhaps what you are searching for is a new perspective, dear, not an entirely new life.”

“Maybe so.” Lorelei sighed.

It wouldn’t hurt to try, and it was much more practical than any step she’d taken so far. She smiled. A new perspective… That sounded perfect. She had no idea what perspective she needed but whatever it ended up being would be better than the one she had.

* * *

Lorelei smiled a greeting at the bank tellers as she breezed through the lobby with her father’s lunch basket in tow. Her steps faltered as she neared the open door of the manager’s office. Gathering her courage, she knocked lightly. Lawson glanced up from the box he was packing. He paused in surprise at the sight of her before giving her a welcoming smile. “Come on in.”

She surveyed him carefully. He didn’t seem to be upset with her, but she hadn’t seen him since the wedding. She decided to tread lightly as she stepped inside. She placed the basket on his desk, then turned in a slow circle to survey the moderately sized room. The room had been stripped almost completely of his personal items. She turned to face him as the weight of guilt settled on her shoulders. “You’re leaving the bank?”

“I resigned a few days after the wedding.”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?” he asked curiously.

She crossed her arms and leaned her hip against the desk. “Well, it’s my fault you’re leaving, isn’t it?”

He shook his head. “No. I’m just ready to move on, that’s all. I’ve been inquiring about a few other jobs. Most of them are out of Peppin.”

“I still feel responsible.”

“Don’t.” He closed the box, then met her gaze seriously. “While we’re at it, let’s get something else straight. You already apologized to me about what happened at the wedding. I’ll admit I was hurt but not as deeply as you might have thought because you were right. I didn’t love you the way I should have. I knew something was wrong, but I’d made a commitment and I didn’t want to be the one to walk away from it. I’m glad you did. It was the right thing for both of us.”

She stared at him. “You mean it?”

He nodded. “I hope we can go back to being friends now and that you know if you ever need anything you can call on me.”

“Thank you, Lawson. Hearing you say that means so much to me. I hated thinking that I might have hurt you. You’ve been such a wonderful friend. I wouldn’t want to lose that.”

“Well, you aren’t. You’re stuck being my friend so you may as well like it,” he teased. Then, looking at her closely, he offered her his handkerchief. “No tears in my office and it’s still my office until I take this box out.”

She smiled and dabbed her watery eyes before handing it back with her thanks. “I’d better bring Papa his lunch. I guess I’ll see you around.”

“I’m sure you will for a little while at least.”

“Are you all right?” her father asked a few moments later as he cleared his desk to make room for the food. She told him about her conversation with Lawson, and he shook his head. “He’s a good man and a good manager. I wonder what sort of work he’ll go into next.”

“That reminds me,” she said as she laid out a plate with her mother’s baked chicken, green-bean casserole and corn. “On my way here I stopped to talk to Mrs. Cummings at the millinery shop across the street.”

He stared at her in confusion. “How did what I say remind you of hats?”

“She was looking for someone to come in a few hours a week to help her, and I told her I’d like to take the job. Isn’t that wonderful, Papa?”

Richard frowned up at her from his dark leather chair. “No, it is not. Why should you want a job, Lorelei? What will my customers think if my own daughter has to work outside the home? I’ll tell you what they’ll think. They’ll think their money isn’t safe here.”

She lifted an eyebrow and closed the basket. “As if they had anywhere else in town to put it.”

He waved his fork. “That is beside the point.”

“Well, I don’t see why they’d care one way or the other,” she reasoned. “Besides, I need something to do besides embroider with Mother.”

Hope sprang within her when her father quieted for a moment. “If it’s work you want, you are always welcome to work here.”

She almost laughed. “Doing what?”

“Why, you could be a teller.”

“Papa, I don’t want to be a teller.”

“I’d much rather you work here.”

She grimaced. “I’d much rather not.”

“It’s a perfectly respectable place. I can watch you,” he rationalized.

“It’s a perfectly boring place and I don’t need to be watched.”

He looked at her in wavering contemplation, and she gave him her best and most pleading look. Finally, he sighed. “I have a feeling this is going to be like the rose garden you tried to start and that bakery idea you tried to get a loan for and the—”

She titled her head. “And the wedding I didn’t go through with?”

He stilled. “Now, I didn’t say that, did I?”

She fiddled with the lace on her dress and tried to keep the tears from blurring her eyes. “Well, why don’t you? Isn’t that what you’re thinking? I can start something but I don’t finish it well, do I?”

“You can do whatever you set your mind to, Lorelei. When you like something well enough, you stick to it. Look at your music lessons. You’ve been playing the piano—very beautifully—for years. I guess you just try out more things than most and there’s nothing wrong with that. If it’s all right with your mother, then I don’t mind.”

“Oh, thank you, Papa.” She smiled and slipped around the desk to give him a quick hug. “I’m certain I’ll like it, and I’ll stick to it no matter what.”

“That’ll show them.” He winked.

She chatted with him for a few more minutes before exiting his office and walking right into a conflict between Mrs. Greene and her father’s secretary. Neither party seemed to realize they were blocking the hallway. The man looked positively flustered. “But, ma’am, you don’t have an appointment and Mr. Wilkins is having lunch. Why don’t I direct you to a teller? I’m sure one of them will be able to help you.”

“I’m sure they will not.” Mrs. Greene’s face seemed to grow redder by the moment. “I insist on seeing Mr. Wilkins right now. I have been entrusted with a letter for him and I aim to see he gets it.”

Lorelei spoke up to try to diffuse the situation. “It’s all right, Alexander. Father is finished with his lunch. I’m sure he’d be willing to see Mrs. Greene.”

The young man stepped aside to let Mrs. Greene pass. The woman’s gaze shifted to Lorelei, who smiled pleasantly. Mrs. Greene didn’t return the gesture. She just stared with an appraising eye. Lorelei had the strangest feeling that she’d been weighed and found wanting. Mrs. Greene brushed past her to enter her father’s office without waiting to be announced. Lorelei grimaced, then glanced at Alexander. He shook his head. “I’d hate to be your father right now. She has one mean bee in that bonnet of hers.”

“I’m sure he’ll be able to handle it.” She said goodbye to him, then waved at the other tellers before she stepped back onto the sidewalk.

It was surprisingly good to be back in Peppin. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed her family and the entire town until she’d returned. Not that she hadn’t noticed the curious looks and quiet whispers she garnered. Despite that small discomfort, it was good to be home. She’d decided her mother was right. She needed a new perspective. She was not going to allow herself to be distracted by old desires or thoughts anymore.

“Lorelei.” She glanced up into Sean’s green eyes as he tipped his Stetson to acknowledge her in passing.

I should have used the alleyways, she thought with an inward groan. She gave a small nod in return. She waited until she crossed the street to glance back for one final look at what never could have been.

Chapter Five

The door to the sheriff’s office flew open, banging against the inside wall and allowing a burst of sunlight to paint the room. Sean’s hand hopped to his gun. He rose so quickly from behind his desk that he sent his chair toppling to the floor. The door swung closed behind the man who scanned the otherwise empty room. After seeming to establish they were alone, Richard focused on Sean with narrowed eyes.

“Mr. Wilkins, what can I do for you today?”

Richard strode toward him with fire in his eyes. “Sean O’Brien, I ought to tear you limb from limb. No, I ought to lock you up in your own jail cell, scoundrel that you are.”

“Hold on just a minute, sir. Those are some pretty strong words.” He righted the chair without taking his gaze from the advancing man.

Richard pressed his fist on the top of Sean’s desk. The man paused to catch his breath, then his blue eyes locked with Sean’s in anger. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out? She is my only child. I trusted you. I put her well-being in your hands. You were supposed to protect her but all you did was expose her to slander.”

A chill crept down Sean’s spine. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

Richard’s eyes narrowed as his voice turned steely, and he tossed a piece of paper on the desk. “Don’t lie to me. You can read it for yourself.”

“A letter?”

“Yes, it’s from a Mrs. Drake. She writes in stunning detail how the two of you arrived alone and unchaperoned at her boardinghouse.” He glanced down at the letter. “She says she tried to discover the reasons for this moral gaffe but you were hostile toward her while telling an incredibly dubious and conveniently difficult to disprove tale of being abandoned by your chaperone at some point during your five-day journey to town. She insinuates that you and Lorelei…that you… Well, it is quite obvious what she believes had been going on between you two. I want to believe it isn’t true but if it is, so help me…”

“It isn’t true.” He wavered. “Well, not entirely.”

“What does that mean?” Richard took a deep breath and seemed to calm down a bit, though his grim expression didn’t change. “Can you prove this woman wrong?”

“Yes. No.” Sean swallowed. “Not completely and not immediately. Listen, this can all be explained, but first I think it would be best if Lorelei were present during this conversation.”

Richard held Sean’s gaze for a long moment, then with a short nod he agreed, “Then send for Lorelei.”

* * *

Lorelei hurried down the raised wooden planks of Peppin’s sidewalk at a pace polite society would frown on. She could already feel herself starting to perspire. She would arrive at the sheriff’s office looking flushed and wrung out. Not that she was trying to impress anyone at a time like this. Surely, something must be dreadfully wrong for her father to summon her through a messenger. His tone in the note had been abrupt, almost harsh. It was so unlike him that she was worried that something was seriously amiss. Had he been robbed? Threatened? Attacked? What disaster could have struck that required him to turn to Sean?

Her anxious thoughts hastened her steps the last few feet into the sheriff’s office. Surveying the room, she noticed Sean sitting at his desk with her father seated comfortably across from him. Both men stood as she entered but remained oddly silent.

Obviously nothing was wrong with her father’s constitution. He even had a bit of color in his cheeks. She paused a moment to catch her breath before venturing farther into the silent room. “Papa, whatever is the matter? I thought something must have happened.”

“I’m afraid it did.” He looked sterner than she’d ever seen him.

“What did?”

“That.” He pointed to the desk.

Her confused gaze lingered on her father a moment before she followed his finger to the object on the desk. “A letter?”

“From Mrs. Drake.”

“Mrs. Drake?” she echoed in confusion.

Sean’s hand briefly touched her arm, drawing her gaze to his for the first time since she’d entered the room. His eyes were filled with what seemed to be concern and caution. “Lorelei, it seems that Mrs. Drake was concerned about our lack of a chaperone during our trip and decided to write your father about it.”

“Oh, no,” she breathed before she could stop herself. Her eyes widened as her mind raced through a thousand scenarios of how the next few minutes might play out. Very few of them were good. Her eyes collided with Sean’s inscrutable gaze before she turned to her father. “Obviously Mrs. Drake must have misunderstood the nature of my relationship with Sean.”

Sean nodded. “I was about to explain that to your father when we decided to send for you. Perhaps it would be best if we all sat down.”

Once they all pulled out a chair, a moment of silence echoed through the room as everyone seemed to calm down and collect their thoughts. Her father let out a tired sigh. “Start from the beginning.”

* * *

Sean leaned forward slightly in his chair, not enough to heighten the mood, but enough to call attention to himself. “Sir, when I finally met up with Lorelei she was traveling with a preacher, his wife and their children. After four days with them, I convinced Lorelei to come home to Peppin with me. The couple took umbrage with our leaving to travel in the wilderness by ourselves for a few days and insisted we find a chaperone. One of the local women offered to chaperone us for a wage, which we agreed upon. We set off with her in good faith, but we were only two days into our trip when she ran off with our money and Lorelei’s valise. We considered turning back and rejoining the preacher and his family, but by that point, we thought they’d probably moved on, and that it would be faster to push on to town rather than trying to track them down. We finished the trip alone.”

“In the wilderness, alone for a few days, you say?”

“Yes, sir.”

The man looked as if he’d aged a few years since entering the office, but he nodded. “I see. Continue.”

“Well, that’s it.”

“What do you mean ‘that’s it’?”

Sean shrugged. “There’s nothing more to tell.”

Lorelei pinned her father with her blue gaze and a raised eyebrow. “Were you expecting more, Papa?”

“Don’t be smart with me, young lady,” he said even as his skin appeared to flush a bit.

“In defense of my honor as a gentleman and Lorelei’s as a lady, I would like you to know our behavior was circumspect on the trip home. She slept on one side of the campfire and I slept on the other.” He met Richard’s gaze. “I mean this as no insult to your daughter’s sensibilities, but I want you to know I never touched her.”

“All right, I get the point and I appreciate you making it.” Richard shook his head. Rising to his feet again, he began to pace. He turned to face them. “I understand what happened wasn’t your fault, and I believe you when you say you began the trip with a chaperone. I do, but I’m afraid that Mrs. Drake’s account…”

“It’s embellished, to say the least,” Sean said.

“Perhaps so.” He agreed. “That isn’t the only thing that concerns me. This letter was hand-delivered to me by Mrs. Greene. She is aware of the contents and was quite adamant that I do something to fix the predicament.”

“No wonder she glared at me in the bank,” Lorelei muttered.

Sean grimaced. Mrs. Greene and his family didn’t have the best history. After his parents’ death, she’d taken it upon herself to guide their orphaned family on the straight and narrow. Unfortunately, that somehow translated into her being rather harsh and overly critical in her judgment of them. She was hardest on Ellie but wasn’t particularly fond of Sean, either. He cleared his throat. “Surely you can just explain to her that there has been a mistake.”

Richard shook his head. “I suggested that idea in my office, but she stood by her niece’s account and painted a picture of the incident that whipped me into a fury. Sorry about that, Sean.”

“It’s understandable, sir. I reckon I’d act the same way if I had a daughter.”

He stopped pacing to face them. “Even if we could prove your chaperone abandoned you, the fact remains that you traveled alone for days in the wilderness.”

“It wasn’t our fault,” Lorelei insisted.

“No, but can you imagine the scandal? It could easily be construed that you two had some sort of affair only days after you were supposed you marry another man. If word gets around about this…” He shook his head and sat back down.

“Knowing Mrs. Greene,” Sean interjected, “she may have already told everyone.”

“I asked her to let me deal with this my own way first. She promised she’d keep quiet until I speak to her again but vowed that if I didn’t hold you accountable she’d make sure the town would.”

Sean clenched his fist. “What does that mean exactly?”

“We don’t want to find out.” Richard turned to Lorelei. “I need to talk to your mother about this. We’ll decide together what to do.”

“But, Papa—”

He shook his head. “I think its best that you go on home. I’ll be there shortly.”

Lorelei watched her father for a long moment, then left without a glance Sean’s way.

Richard turned to him. “Come to our house for supper this evening. I’ll know what to tell you then.”

Without waiting for a response, the man left. Sean stared at the door for a long moment, then sighed. There was nothing left for him to do but straighten the chairs and prepare himself for that evening. Waiting—his least favorite thing to do. He needed something to occupy his time. He glanced around, his gaze landing on the Bible at his desk, and suddenly the choice seemed obvious. He’d read his Bible and maybe even say a little prayer. He could only hope it would help.

* * *

“I know we are all anxious to address the issue foremost on all of our minds,” Richard Wilkins began, then glanced at her and Sean as if to be sure they were listening before he continued. “I won’t keep the two of you in suspense any longer.”

Lorelei glanced at Sean to gauge his reaction. His gaze was intent on her father’s face as if it might give some hint to the outcome of her parents’ decision. Certain she wouldn’t be able to swallow another bite of her blueberry pie, Lorelei placed her plate on the small table that rested between Sean’s chair and where she sat on the settee. Her mother and father sat side by side in chairs across the room, letting Lorelei know that they were unanimous on whatever decision they had reached.

As if reading her thoughts, Richard said, “My wife and I spent quite a bit of time in thought and prayer about this matter. We ask that you both refrain from commenting on what we say until you have heard us out completely. Is that understood?”

“Yes, sir,” Sean agreed.

Lorelei nodded. Settling back in the settee, she clasped her hands nervously in her lap.

“You both have good reputations and I think you know that in a town of this size reputation is everything.” Leaning forward, he looked at them intently. “It affects everything from who speaks to you on Sunday to who will do business with you. It’s a precious commodity.”

Her mother nodded gravely. “I know this will be difficult to hear since the two of you did nothing wrong, but I’m afraid there will be no way to avoid a scandal should any of this come to light. It’s in your best interest to try to head that off if possible.”

Richard smiled wryly. “I’m afraid I’m not giving either of you much of a choice. I’ll not have my daughter’s name bandied about as a common trollop. We’ve already seen with Mrs. Drake that people will turn the facts into whatever sordid scenarios their imaginations lead them to believe. What’s worse is that the story would grow with each telling, and, believe me, people would tell.”

Lorelei’s stomach clenched as her father’s gaze narrowed onto Sean. “I’m giving you six weeks.”

“Six weeks, sir?”

“Yes.” Richard straightened, his jaw firmed. “You have six weeks to court my daughter. At the end of those six weeks, I will expect a proposal.”

Chapter Six

Lorelei gasped in shock at her father’s ridiculous statement. He couldn’t mean it. He just couldn’t. “You cannot be serious.”

Caroline sent her a warning look. “We certainly are.”

Sean leaned forward in his chair. “What about Mrs. Greene?”

Her father shot a glance at his wife. “I think we may have figured out how to handle her. My plan is to try to get the woman on our side in this. We’ll thank her for bringing this to our attention, assure her of our intentions to see you two married and ask her to help.”

“I think she’s done quite enough to help,” Lorelei scoffed, feeling her shock give way to anger at the situation. “What else could Mrs. Greene do?”

“Amelia has been a friend of mine for ten years,” Caroline said. “I think if I appeal to her sense of decency, she’ll help us preserve your reputations by staunching any negative gossip and correcting it with our own messages. From what Richard has told me of his confrontation with her, I believe her concern is to see that the proper thing is done. If the two of you marry, that should satisfy her.”

Sean shook his head. “Good luck with that. She doesn’t exactly love the O’Briens.”

“I think she’ll do this favor for me.”

“So you want him to propose in six weeks if Mrs. Greene is merciful. I suppose you expect us to fall in love in six weeks, as well.” Lorelei shook her head at the hopelessness of their predicament.

“I expect you to try,” her father replied. “Whether you do or not should be between you and only you. I want the town to think this is a perfectly normal romance. There will be fewer questions that way.” He glanced at Sean. “Do I have your word on that?”

“Before I agree to anything, I have a few questions of my own.” Sean shot to his feet and began to pace. “How could people think our courtship is normal when Lorelei was supposed to marry my best friend less than two weeks ago? People might think we’d been carrying on behind his back.”

“Your dislike for each other has been rather apparent the past few years. I doubt anyone would believe that.”

Sean crossed his arms. “Then why would they believe these silly rumors?”

“They aren’t rumors,” Caroline answered gently. “We’re looking at the facts here. Y’all did spend days alone together in the wilderness.”

Mr. Wilkins picked up where his wife left off. “Sean, the two of you could let all of this come to light. If you’re right and no one believes the allegation, your reputations might weather the storm. If people do believe it, you’ll still end up married because the town would see to that. The only difference is that you’d also be publicly disgraced. My wife and I would like to spare you that, but it means you’ll have to cooperate. Will you let us help you?”

Sean met Lorelei’s gaze for a long moment. She watched his emotions battle in his eyes until defeat won out. He gave a short nod. Lorelei’s fingers bit into her palms. “You’re really agreeing to this?”

“I don’t want this any more than you do, but it looks like there is no choice.”

For him to be that…fatalistic about even the thought of marrying her hurt more than she’d ever admit. She shook her head. “With a proposal like that, how can I say no?”

He sank onto the settee beside her. “I didn’t mean for it to sound that way, Lorelei. It’s just that this is so much bigger than us. It isn’t only my reputation I have to consider—any gossip that’s spread about me would reflect badly on my family, too. I can’t do that to Ellie or Kate, not when it’s my fault for letting this situation occur. I knew the moment Miss Elmira went missing that this had the potential to blow up in our faces. I’d like to control the explosion however I can.”

She forced herself to calm her rapid breathing as she tried to make sense of what was happening. Sean was agreeing to marry her. For so many years, she’d longed for a moment like this between them—now she deplored it. It didn’t mean that he loved her. It simply meant that he was doing his duty. Logically, it was the best option. Emotionally—it just felt plain awful. At least she didn’t love him anymore. That would have sealed the hopelessness of her fate.

A wry smile touched his lips. “You look like you’ve been assigned a fate worse than death.”

She nodded slowly. He seemed to think so. Why shouldn’t she? “Maybe I have.”

His jaw clenched, and he stared at her for a long minute, then stood. “I think I’d better go. Thank you for dinner, Mrs. Wilkins.”

“You’re quite welcome.”

“Goodbye, Lorelei.” He couldn’t even seem to make himself look at her before he turned away to search for his hat.

Once the door closed behind him and Caroline rejoined them in the parlor, Lorelei let the silence close in thick around them. Both of her parents were waiting for her reaction. It took a few moments to gather her thoughts. “Maybe I should go to California after all. If I leave, this might all blow over.”

“And leave Sean to deal with this alone?” her mother questioned with obvious disapproval.

Richard sat down on the settee beside her and took her hand in both of his. “Running away is what got you into this problem in the first place. It won’t solve anything. Besides, didn’t you just tell me this morning that you wanted to prove the town wrong about you? This is your chance.”

“No, there has to be a way out,” she muttered desperately. “We could hire a detective. We could find Miss Elmira.”

“To prove that she left you to travel for several days alone?” Caroline shook her head sorrowfully. “Darling, there is no other way.”

“No other way,” Lorelei breathed, then glanced at the door Sean had walked out of moments before. “He’ll hate me for sure now. If not now, then in ten or twenty years.”

Richard frowned. “Why would he hate you?”

“I’ve taken his every chance at happiness, just as he’s taken mine. Oh, how will we bear it?” Her parents protested, but she tuned them out with a quick shake of her head and fled to her room. Her desperate gaze flew to her large window. Opening it, a warm breeze washed over her along with the scent of the wild roses that she only bothered to tame when the mood struck her.

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