The Most Eligible Bachelor Romance Collection: Nine Historical Romances Celebrate Marrying for All the Right Reasons (24 page)

Her eyes widened. “You want to marry me off to someone else?”

He laughed, startling the birds from the trees. “Not on your life.”

Zeke straightened his tie, slicked back his hair, and stuck out his tongue in the mirror. His date that night was the widow, and tomorrow, Lucy. He’d already been informed that the diner had a small alcove set up for the dinners should he choose to use it. He might as well. Not that he expected the other two women to be improper, but it wouldn’t hurt to have some chaperonage.

He grinned. Not that he had needed, or wanted, any with Sadie. Getting caught in a compromising position with her would only speed them to the altar. Of course, he could do little more than think such an idea. He would never ruin her reputation that way.

With a heavy sigh, he headed out the door and to the bed and breakfast. Ruby waited on her porch, dressed in a gown of sunshine yellow. She was a comely woman, just not the woman for him. She gave him a shy smile and slipped her arm in his.

“It’s a lovely evening,” she said. “Perhaps we could take a stroll along Main Street after dinner.”

“Perhaps.” At least as far as the diner was from the boardinghouse. But he shouldn’t think that way. She deserved better.

He’d heard she had lost her husband back east before arriving in Montana over a year ago. If Sadie weren’t in the running, and he hadn’t fallen in love with her a long time ago, he might have chosen the lovely widow as the winner. But, thankfully, Sadie’s mother had slipped her daughter’s name into the box and the decision was made. He suppressed a shudder. The thought of marriage to someone other than Sadie gave him the chills.

The diner was crowded when they entered. Mrs. Newman escorted them to a table in the back corner of the room, her usual friendly smile missing. “I heard you chose to have a picnic with Sadie Rollins instead of coming here.”

“I did.” Zeke met her gaze. “It seemed fitting.”

She nodded, her lips thinning. “That girl isn’t as refined as the good widow or my dear Sally, is she? Perhaps the outdoors was a better choice.”

“I’m certain it was.” He pulled out a chair for Ruby and then sat across from her, opening his menu. “Order anything you like,” he told her.

“Thank you. I don’t have the opportunity to eat anything but what I fix for myself very often.” She smiled over her menu. “This is a rare treat.” She ordered the meatloaf platter then reached for her water glass. “I was surprised when I heard you had agreed to Sadie’s crazy scheme,” she said. “I love that girl dearly, but she has an original way of looking at the world.”

“That she does.” Zeke ordered a steak. “I thank God every day for the privilege of knowing her.”

“Hmmm.” Her eyes narrowed. “Perhaps you’ve already made your choice, Doctor Phelps.”

The widow was a smart woman. Zeke avoided her gaze.

“But, knowing that perhaps you have won’t stop me from trying.”

“I surely hope not.” He raised his gaze to see humor reflected in her eyes, feeling as if he had just made a new friend.

The next evening, Zeke met Lucy at the diner. She was already seated at the table, her pink dress the brightest spot in the room. She leaped to her feet when he entered. He plastered a smile on his face and went to stand beside her.

“I’ve been so anxious all day,” she grinned. “The opportunity to share a meal with a man as handsome as you are doesn’t come along often.”

“Surely a young woman as lovely as yourself has plenty of beaus.” Zeke pushed in her chair and took his seat.

“There aren’t many men to pick from in this town.” She waved to Mrs. Newman. “I took the liberty of ordering for both of us. The diner has fresh trout. Is that all right?”

He grinned, having it on good authority that Sadie had caught the trout that very morning. He decided against saying anything. Lucy would most likely refuse the meal if she knew. “That sounds delicious.”

She leaned forward, folding her arms on the table and revealing a bit too much bosom for a young woman. Zeke concentrated on the glass next to his napkin.

“Don’t I look pretty?” she simpered. “My mother chose this dress this morning, just for you. I’m sure a doctor such as you could keep a girl in new frocks. Maybe even one a week.”

“A Montana doctor doesn’t make enough cash to be considered rich, Miss Hoffman.” If she wanted Zeke for the amount of money she thought he had in the bank, the girl would be disappointed.

She frowned. “I’m sure that as you increase your patient list, things will improve.” She rested her hand on top of his. “All you need is a good wife to help you.” She fluttered her eyelashes.

It was going to be a long night for sure. He straightened as Mrs. Newman brought their plates, her smile shaky. She hadn’t spoken more than two words to Zeke after he didn’t choose her daughter as a finalist.

Lucy scowled at her plate. “Carrots? I detest them. Remove them at once.”

“No need.” Zeke forked the offending vegetables and put them on his plate. “I’ll take them. Thank you, Mrs. Newman.” He ignored the spoiled girl across from him for several minutes until her sharp-toed shoe connected with his shin.

“I’m sorry.” The hard look in her eyes said otherwise. “How clumsy of me.” She leaned on the table again, narrowly missing getting her bodice in the potatoes and gravy. “Tomorrow night is the dance. I do hope you save the last dance for me.”

Not on her life. That dance already belonged to Sadie.

Chapter 7

S
adie wanted it all to end already. Fishing was her preferred way to spend an early Saturday evening, not dancing with the whole town watching. She stood at the edge of the already crowded churchyard. She’d be there again tomorrow for a potluck after the service. She sighed and strolled forward, doing her best to act as if she wanted to be there.

“Smile, for Pete’s sake.” Ma bumped her shoulder as she passed. “You’re here to have fun and find a husband. If not Zeke, then someone else.”

She didn’t want anyone other than Zeke. And anyway, what was so wrong with wanting to be a career woman? She could work the rest of her life in the newspaper office with Pa and be perfectly happy. If she told herself that enough times, she might come to believe it.

Where was Zeke? She scanned the crowd, not spotting his tall form anywhere.

Annabell glared at her from the porch steps. The girl had nothing to worry about. She had plenty of years to find a husband, and if the crowd of young men swarming at her feet were any indication, she wouldn’t need but maybe one of those years.

“There you are.” Zeke pulled her around the corner of the church. “Save the last dance for me.”

She nodded as he dashed back to the crowd. Spirits lifted, she headed for the refreshment table for a glass of lemonade. Her rust-colored dress swished around her boots. If Ma knew Sadie had worn her old pair, she’d die on the spot. Too bad. A girl couldn’t dance in new boots, and if Sadie must dance, she intended to be comfortable.

Grabbing a mason jar of lemonade, Sadie moved to the outskirts of the people dancing, refusing the few offers that came her way. She would dance only one dance that night.

She watched as Zeke twirled not only the other two finalists around the dance floor, but also as he made an effort to ask other women, young and old, to take a turn. He really was the finest man she had ever met.

Annabell and Sally sashayed past, their heads bent together as they cast daggers in Sadie’s direction and whispered to each other. Sadie grinned at them, finished her drink, and returned the jar to the table.

“I need your help.” Annabell grabbed her arm and tugged her behind the church.

“What is it?” Sadie glanced around for something amiss.

“Sally is stuck… in the… outhouse. Yes, that’s it.”

“How can she be stuck?” Sadie planted her hands on her hips. “Is it the door? Can’t you open it?”

“I’m not strong enough.” She raised tear-filled eyes. “Please?”

Sadie sighed. “Very well, but nothing you’re saying makes a lick of sense.”

“Just come on.” Annabell’s tears dried faster than a shallow creek in a draught.

Sadie yanked free, the girl stronger than she let on. “You need to explain yourself or I’m not taking another step.”

“You’d leave Sally to suffer?”

“I’m going to regret this.” She didn’t know how, but her instinct told her Annabel was plotting something.

They arrived at the outhouse. The door was closed.

“Hello?” Sadie knocked. “Sally?” When no one answered, she opened the door, quite easily, she might add. “There’s no one here.”

Two hands shoved against her back. She stumbled inside, barking her shins against the wooden seat. The door banged shut. Before Sadie could straighten and thrust the door back open, she heard hammering.

“This isn’t funny, Annabell!” She shoved against the door. She should have known the little minx was up to no good.

“With you gone, Zeke will turn to me,” Annabell called from outside. “I’ll tell everyone you withdrew from the competition. He’ll declare his love for me, and all this foolishness will be over.”

Sadie kicked the door. It didn’t budge. “You’re plumb loco.”

“We’ll see. Don’t worry about anyone finding you. I’ve put up a sign saying the outhouse is closed for repair.” The sound of pounding footsteps increased Sadie’s feeling of doom.

Not to mention the smell. Mercy. She lifted her skirt and covered her nose and mouth. How evil could one child be? Soon it would be as dark as pitch inside.

A candle sat on a small shelf high on the wall, but without anything to light it with, Sadie was going to be looking at nothing but darkness in a few minutes. She hated the dark. Creepy crawly things lived in the dark.

“Help!” She climbed onto the seat, placing her feet carefully, and screamed until her throat hurt. When she got free, she was going to strangle that child.

Oh, she would suffocate before someone found her. She banged and yelled some more. Surely, someone would pass by soon and hear her cries.

God, send someone to help her. She gagged and pressed her skirt tighter around her nose. She couldn’t tell which was worse, suffocating with cotton or… that smell. It was getting darker. What if she fell in?

She shuddered and moved to the floor.
Please, God, no bugs.
“Help me. Someone? Anyone?” She was going to reek when she was freed. Oh, that Annabell made her so mad.

“Sadie?”

“Zeke.” She let go of her skirt and pressed her hands against the door. “Let me out.”

“I’ll have to find a crowbar. Stay there.”

Where in the world was she going to go? She waited several intense moments until she heard him return. Tears streamed down her face. Soon the door was yanked open, and she fell into his arms.

“Are you all right?” He cupped her face. “What happened?”

“Annabell locked me inside.” She wiped her face on her sleeve.

“Why?” His brow furrowed. “Surely she meant no harm.”

“She meant harm enough.” She glared up at him. “She seems to think that if I’m not around, you’ll pick her.”

“You’re the one who came up with this wonderful idea of a contest to find me a bride.” He shook his head. “She doesn’t have a chance. You know who I want.” He grabbed her hand. “Come on. It’s the last dance, and you promised it to me.”

Sadie now knew what she wanted, too, but was she the right one for Zeke?