The Husband Hunt (Smoky Mountain Matches) (11 page)

Tape measure held aloft, Nicole smiled widely, transforming her countenance into something almost...sweet.

“All I want in return is credit for your transformation. Showing up for Sunday morning services together should do the trick, I think. If I’m ever going to achieve my dream of owning a boutique in the city, I’ll need more revenue. When people see the new you, my hope is that the dress orders will come pouring in.” Tugging Sophie’s braid, she confided, “Besides, I’ve wanted to get my hands on you for years!”

“But the cost of the materials—”

“You’re forgetting I have a wealthy new brother-in-law. One who is very generous to his poor relations.”

As Nicole took her measurements and hastily scribbled them on a scrap of paper, all the while chatting about color palettes and accessories and hairstyles, Sophie’s mind whirled with the implications. What would she look like when Nicole was finished? What would people think? If she were honest with herself, the only person’s opinion that truly mattered was Nathan’s, and at this point, she didn’t think changing her hair and wearing a skirt would impact him in the slightest.

Chapter Thirteen

S
itting on a hard pew waiting for Reverend Munroe to take his place in the pulpit, Nathan resolved not to think of
the incident
for at least the next twenty-four hours. What had happened at that party had haunted him nearly every minute since. Waking or sleeping, the memory of their embrace refused to leave him be.

Help me focus on the goal here, Lord. To find Sophie a suitable husband and appease her aunt.

Across the aisle, Landon Greene slanted him a smirk; a silent reference to the very thing Nathan was trying to avoid thinking about. Although Landon had been escorting April through the gardens at the time, he’d certainly heard about it. Juicy gossip like that didn’t stay contained for very long in this small town.

Beside him, Caleb’s uneasiness was showing. Bent forward, elbows resting on his knees, he glared at the knotty pine floorboards as if they were responsible for him being there. He’d surprised them all when he’d arrived at the breakfast table dressed for services. Nathan couldn’t recall the last time his younger brother had bothered to come. On the other end of the pew, their ma wore an expression of pure pleasure. Pa just looked anxious.

The rear doors opened and Nathan heard footsteps as late arrivals passed through the alcove and rounded the corner into the high-ceilinged space where the congregation gathered. Then a gasp echoed off the walls, unrest reverberating through the gathering.

Caleb twisted around, then elbowed him in the ribs, his hooded gaze entreating.
You have to see this.

Nathan complied. At first his mind didn’t register what his eyes were seeing. He recognized Nicole, of course, and the smug set of her features. But the lovely, elegant young woman beside her? It took a minute to place her. And when the truth finally penetrated, his jaw hit the floor.

She was... She was... He floundered for a fitting description.
Every man’s dream.

His lungs tightened. His childhood friend, the rumpled and at times downright dowdy tomboy, had transformed into a sweet, beautiful, poised lady. The cute caterpillar into a graceful butterfly.

Sophie was downright stunning. Mouth-drying, eye-popping, toes-curling-in-his-boots stunning.

Gone were the dark colors, the ill-fitting shirts and pants and clunky boots. In their place, a luxurious two-toned creation that hugged her slender frame and showcased her feminine curves, trim waist and the slight flare of her hips. The golden flower-print jacket with high, stiff collar and triangular opening at the throat spilled over her waist in gentle folds, and beneath it peeked a ruffled matte-rose skirt that skimmed the tops of cream-colored kid boots.

Running his gaze back up, he zeroed in on her honeyed hair, which had been swept to the side and smoothed into a sophisticated bun at the base of her neck, tendrils caressing delicate ears adorned with earbobs—earbobs!—and sleeker-looking cheekbones. Shimmering hair framing her face softened her features, made her sapphire eyes appear even larger, her pink mouth lush and beckoning.

This vision couldn’t be his friend. Surely not.

The single men in the crowd wore matching expressions of awe.

Nathan snapped his mouth shut. Did he look as conked-on-the-head as they did?

The logical part of his brain assured him this was a good thing. She wanted a husband, didn’t she? She’d worried she wouldn’t be able to secure a gentleman’s interest, hadn’t she? Well, looking like this, all elegant and poised and like a brightly wrapped package, there would be no shortage of eager candidates.

Regardless of his reservations, Sophie was determined to pursue her current path. And there wasn’t a doubt in his mind she’d be successful.

* * *

Sophie resisted the urge to flee.

Nicole had insisted on arriving right before services to achieve maximum effect. Judging from the seamstress’s smug pleasure and the congregation’s reaction, they’d achieved it.

Being the singular focus of a crowd this size proved unnerving.

This is what you wanted, though. A chance to change others’ perception of you. Remember Nicole’s instructions—shoulders back, head up, no reaching for the braid that is no longer there. Exude confidence.

Easier said than done.

Starting down the aisle—Nicole had insisted in that irritating way of hers that Sophie join her and her sisters in the second row—she mentally cataloged the varying expressions.

Many of the young women smiled encouragingly, obviously pleased for her, while others appeared jealous. Jealous. Of
her.
She could hardly fathom it.

Seated between her parents, April Littleton’s initial slack-jawed disbelief changed to thin-lipped fuming. Sophie bit the inside of her cheek to stop a satisfied smile from forming.
Pride goes before destruction,
she scolded herself.
A haughty spirit before a fall.

Kenny Thacker’s reaction had her smothering a giggle. He and Preston Williams and all the other guys who viewed her as a buddy gaped as if she’d grown a set of horns. Landon, on the other hand, eyed her with awe-tinged appreciation. And a hefty dose of speculation. He wasn’t the only one, either.

She sobered. Did this mean her husband hunt might be successful, after all?

They were nearing the O’Malley sisters’ row when her gaze encountered Nathan’s. At the curious mix of emotions on his face—wonder, admiration, wariness, regret—she faltered. Why regret?

Nicole linked her arm with Sophie’s and unobtrusively guided her forward to sit, unfortunately, directly in front of Nathan and his brother.

* * *

It was a long, excruciating service.

Sophie sensed the attention directed toward her from the general congregation, but it was Nathan’s gaze burning into her scalp that made her want to squirm. Aware of his every shift in the pew, every scuff of his boots against the floorboards, every huff and sigh, the reverend’s words flew in one ear and out the other.
Forgive me, Lord, I simply cannot concentrate today.

When Reverend Munroe at long last uttered the closing prayer, she’d barely made it into the aisle when the people descended to exclaim over her dress and her hair, much to Nicole’s delight. The compliments boosted Sophie’s confidence. For the first time in her life, she felt beautiful. Accepted. It was...nice.

Pauline’s sincere compliments and quick hug sparked feelings of guilt. The woman was unfailingly kind. She didn’t deserve Sophie’s jealousy. It wasn’t Pauline’s fault she represented everything Sophie could never be, everything Nathan admired.

As the ladies dispersed and the men crowded around, she watched the tall blonde smile uncertainly at Nathan and utter a brief greeting before proceeding up the aisle.

He stood slightly apart, his expression stony, clearly uncomfortable and on edge, alert to possible danger. Ever her protector.

Cordelia parted the men with a single, superior arched brow. Her inscrutable demeanor made it difficult to ascertain whether or not she approved of Sophie’s new look.

“I have to admit I’m surprised, Sophia. You look the part of the proper young lady. Was this your plan all along? To stun the men into offering for your hand?”

Sophie stiffened. Embarrassment rooted her to the spot.

Beside her, Kenny acted scandalized. “First you’ve gone and changed your looks, and now you’re angling for a husband? I thought you weren’t like the other girls. What will I do without my fishing buddy?”

Smirking, Preston bunched his biceps. “At least now we know who’s the local arm wrestling champ.” The guys chuckled.

“I can still beat you, Preston Williams, dress or no dress,” she retorted.

Cordelia frowned at that.

Landon Greene chose that moment to insert himself between Kenny and Preston. Taking Sophie’s hand, his lips grazed her knuckles.

Her aunt’s frown deepened.

“I had no idea that beneath the tomboy exterior existed a beauty more lovely than the rose, more stunning than the sunset, brighter than the biggest star,” he breathed, blue eyes twinkling with mischief, earning good-natured groans and plenty of eye-rolls.

Sophie didn’t have a chance to respond, because Nathan was suddenly there, his lean body hovering close. Staking his claim? But no. That was ridiculous.

“I think it’s time to leave, gentlemen.” His tone brooked no argument. “The lady’s dinner is long overdue.”

“As is mine,” the reverend, who was always the last to leave, chimed in good-naturedly from the back of the church.

Eyes narrowing at Nathan, Landon reluctantly let her go. He dipped his head in her direction. “I’ll see you soon, sweet Sophie.”

Nathan opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by the twins, who flanked her on either side. “Come with us to Aunt Mary’s. We want to hear all the details.”

Sophie found herself swept along by her eager friends, leaving Nathan to wallow in his self-imposed temper.

* * *

“Did you see the crowd that descended on Sophie after the service?” Seated on one end of Sam and Mary’s sofa, Nicole looked up from the swath of material in her lap, needle hovering midair. “The men hovered like hungry bees. If not for Nathan’s interference, I doubt they would’ve let us leave.” Satisfaction brightened her expression.

Beside the massive stone fireplace, chessboard spread out between Nathan and herself, Sophie risked a glance at him. Perched on the chair across from her, elbows on his knees, he pondered his next move. Chess was their game. They were both good...and competitive, which meant the games would sometimes last for hours. As far as who was a better chess player, that hadn’t been determined yet. She and Nathan were equally matched.

He must have sensed her regard, for his enigmatic gaze lifted, zeroed in on her. That intense focus heated the surface of her skin, brought every nerve to prickly awareness, on edge and yearning for his touch. What was he thinking?

All the way home, all through dinner, he hadn’t uttered a word about her appearance. Not a single one. If she were honest, she’d admit his lack of reaction stung.

“I would say her transformation is a complete success.” Nicole practically purred.

“You outdid yourself with that dress, Nicole.” Kate lowered her copy of the
New York Times
sent to her by her parents. She smiled at her cousin-in-law. “The detail work is exquisite, the material choice inspired. Sophie, you look as if you stepped off the pages of
Harper’s Bazaar.
”

An heiress born and raised in the highest society circles in New York City, Kate knew fashion. Sophie shrugged. “Nicole is very talented.”

“True,” Kate agreed, “but it is you modeling her creation. You’ve never looked more beautiful.”

“I agree.” Josh sat very close to his wife, an arm slung casually around her shoulders. He crossed his legs at the ankles. “What do you think, Nathan?”

Cheeks burning, Sophie couldn’t bring herself to look at him, watching instead his large hands, how they clenched and the knuckles went white. “I would say she hasn’t changed all that much.”

“Excuse me?” Nicole glared at him.

“How can you say that?” Mary, who’d just entered the room and was setting a plate of cookies on the coffee table, sounded personally affronted.

Sophie inwardly cringed. Of course. She’d known, hadn’t she, that a new look wouldn’t alter the way he viewed her.

Caleb surged up from his crouched position near the fireplace. “Time to get your eyes checked, brother,” he muttered on his way out of the room.

“She hasn’t changed,” Nathan drawled softly in the gathering silence, “because she’s always been beautiful, inside and out.”

Startled, Sophie’s gaze shot to his face. Surely she hadn’t heard right? And yet there, in the softening of his mouth, the flicker of a smile, she witnessed appreciation and approval. A giddy sort of joy infused her insides, warming her from the inside out.

Indicating the board, where he had no legal moves left, he said, “Stalemate.”

She stared. Very rarely did they call a draw. The game’s outcome was clear, however. Neither one of them was a clear winner.

Excusing himself, he left without another word.

“That was downright poetic.” Josh winked at Sophie.

“I thought it was sweet.” Kate sighed dreamily.

When Mary eyed Sophie with open speculation, she tried not to squirm.

Josh hopped up and assumed the seat his brother had vacated. “Finally, I get a chance to play Sophie.”

Smiling gratefully, she replaced the carved wooden pieces. It appeared rescuing females was an O’Malley family trait. The game with Josh didn’t last all that long. He didn’t play often, so his skills were rusty, and she quickly bested him.

He grinned, long fingers stroking his goatee. “I see I need some more practice if I’m ever going to beat you.”

“Thanks for the game, Josh.” Standing, she glanced out the windows. Will had been there earlier, romping in the grass with the family’s new puppy. “And thanks for the meal, Mary. Will and I need to be getting home.”

“Anytime, dear.”

Bidding everyone a good afternoon, she went outside. Will was nowhere in sight. After scanning the fields and outbuildings, she decided to check the barn. Sometimes he played in there if kittens were in residence.

Skirts lifted several inches off the ground, she entered the dusky interior and peered down the center aisle. “Will? Are you in here?”

A dark form separated itself from the shadows, feeble light from the entrance falling on a familiar charcoal-gray shirt. “He’s not here.”

So this is where Nathan had disappeared to. She advanced down the aisle, her pulse picking up speed. This was their first moment alone since that awful row in the lane. “Have you seen him? My aunt is paying us a visit later this afternoon. She expects him to be there.”

“No.” He met her halfway. Folding his arms across his chest, he studied her with hooded eyes. His short brown hair was rumpled from one too many finger-combings. “Your aunt seemed to approve of your new look.”

“Yes, well, I wish she hadn’t mentioned the marriage thing.”