The Most Eligible Bachelor Romance Collection: Nine Historical Romances Celebrate Marrying for All the Right Reasons (25 page)

Zeke did his best not to recoil as he swept Sadie into his arms. The poor thing smelled horrible.

He caught Annabell’s shocked look and shot her a glare. He wouldn’t choose her if she were the last female left on earth. What man wanted a wife with a mean spirit?

Doing his best to breathe through his mouth, he pulled Sadie closer. Now, this woman, he’d choose even if she smelled bad all the time. Thankfully, most of the time she smelled of vanilla and flowers.

“I stink,” she muttered.

“That you do.” He chuckled.

“How can you stand it?”

“Holding you in my arms is worth anything.”

She giggled. “You’re a strong man, Ezekiel Phelps, but I’ve had enough.” She pulled back. “Dance or no dance, I need to take a bath.”

He didn’t want the night to end, not yet. He’d danced until his feet hurt, but this was the only one he’d had with Sadie. When almost an hour had gone by with no sight of her, he had excused himself and gone searching, finding her in the last place he expected. “Perhaps once you’ve changed, we could take a stroll?”

She shook her head. “It’s late, and I’ve had a long night already. I’ll see you at church in the morning. Please tell my parents I’ve gone home.”

“Then at least wait so I can walk you.” He rushed off to inform her parents, finding them packing up what little of the refreshments were left. After telling an extremely happy mother that he chose her daughter to walk home, he hurried back to Sadie’s side and slipped her arm through his.

“You, sir, are a glutton for punishment,” she said.

“I’m upwind.” He grinned.

“I’m so sorry for treating you like a side of beef to be auctioned off.” She stood on the top step of her porch and turned.

“Stop apologizing. I said I was having a good time.” He wasn’t crazy about spending equal time with the other girls and, thus, giving them false hope, but if this was the only way to put a ring on Sadie’s finger, then he’d do it gladly.

He propped one foot on the bottom step. “Run away with me. Let’s knock on the parsonage door and put an end to all this.”

She stepped back. “We have to follow the rules, Zeke. Do you want me run out of town? Look how far Annabell went tonight. There are a few more things on the agenda. You need to give the other two girls a fair chance.”

“I won’t change my mind.”

“You’re choosing the familiar. What if one of them is better suited for a doctor’s wife?”

Why couldn’t she see how he felt about her? They were no longer children, but a man and a woman. This man knew what he wanted. But, if she insisted on going through with the charade, then so be it. “Why can’t you see that any man would find you desirable?” He took her hand in his and tugged her closer. “You’re beautiful and kind.”

“Headstrong and stubborn.”

“Part of who you are.” He raised her hand to his lips. “Any man in this town would be lucky to call you his own. I wish you could see your worth.”

She slipped free. “I’ve made it plain time after time when a man has come courting that I desire a career. None of them were satisfied with that. Would you be?”

“Yes.” He tried to see her face through the dark. “I don’t care if you work at the paper or with me in the office. Perhaps you’ll find a new venture. It doesn’t matter. I’ve known you most of my life, Sadie Rollins. You’re the other half of me. Someday, you’ll see that. I only hope it isn’t too late.”

He turned and headed home. Why wouldn’t she come to her senses? Fine. If she wanted him to give the other girls a fair chance, then so be it. He’d spend time with them at the church picnic, read through their letters of love on Monday, and pray about who God wanted him to choose. His heart skipped a beat at the thought that perhaps Sadie wasn’t the woman God would have him choose in the end.

Marriage to another woman would rip their friendship asunder. Zeke wasn’t sure that was something he could live with. Surely, God would give him the desire of his heart.

He stopped in front of his office and picked up a letter sealed in a red envelope. Sighing, he unlocked the door then locked it behind him, carrying the letter to his room upstairs. One of the ladies wanted to give him a little extra incentive, it seemed.

After readying himself for bed, he slit the envelope open with a small knife and pulled out a sheet of fragrant stationery and read:

The little vixen thought she could blackmail him? Zeke wadded her letter into a ball. And then, on second thought, he smoothed the letter back into shape. He would need it as evidence tomorrow afternoon if she went through with this ridiculous stunt. Did she really think her games with the outhouse and this threatening note gave her any chance of a proposal?

Chapter 8

E
ven after choosing to ignore Annabell’s vicious behavior from the night before, Sadie found it hard to ignore the glares coming from the other side of the church. It would have behooved the girl to pay attention to the pastor’s sermon on God’s will rather than try to intimidate Sadie. As if she could be frightened of a sixteen-year-old child.

She sighed and stood to sing the parting hymn then gathered her reticule and Bible and followed her parents outside to where tables were being set up for a picnic. The round of festivities were exhausting. How did city socialites keep up with such busy schedules?

“The contestants, along with Doctor Phelps, will sit on blankets under the giant oak tree,” Pa explained. “This is the only time all four of you will converse together. It’s a chance for the doctor to see how well you relate to your competitors.”

Sadie fought not to roll her eyes. At least Annabell wasn’t one of the four. She ought to be able to spend an hour with the other two women without losing her mind in the process.

“It’s unfortunate about the condition of your church dress,” Ma said. “It brought out the green in your eyes.” She sighed. “But this deep gold will work well enough.”

“Stop fretting, Ma. If God wants me to marry Zeke, then He will make a way.” She was so tired of parading in front of the town like a ribbon-winning heifer. If she came up with another stupid idea in her life, she wanted someone to shoot her and put her out of everyone’s misery.

“Go lay these out.” Ma shoved two blankets into her arms.

Sadie followed orders and spread the blankets in the cool shade of the tree. She took a deep breath. Tomorrow night, it would all be over. Zeke would have chosen his bride.

Then it hit her. She’d completely forgotten about writing her letter of love, telling him where to meet her if he chose her. Perhaps there would be time after the picnic. She could leave her letter under his office door.

“You should have let me help you.”

She shrieked and whirled, so lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t noticed him approaching. “You scared me.”

“I’m sorry.” He gave her a lopsided grin that sent her heart galloping. He wound one of her dark curls around his finger. “You smell much better today.”

She knocked his hand away. “Don’t tease. That was not my fault and ranks as one of the most embarrassing things to ever happen to me.”

“You should never be embarrassed with me.” He gazed at the crowd. “Remember that time we put a toad in the pastor’s water glass and had to stand in front of the congregation, recite the Lord’s Prayer, and make a public apology?”

“I got tanned good for that one.” Sadie laughed.

“If I recall, it was your idea.”

Her smile faded. “Yeah, me and my smart ideas.”

“What’s the joke?” Lucy asked as she and Ruby joined them. “I’d like to hear.”

“We were reminiscing about the days when we were kids.” Zeke motioned for them all to sit.

Lucy scowled. “Well, no more of that, please. We should speak only of things Ruby and I can join in on.”

Zeke excused himself to get them all glasses of lemonade. His warm gaze fell on Sadie as he glanced over his shoulder. She ducked her head so the other women wouldn’t see how much his attention pleased her.

“Like ribbons and bows?” Ruby smoothed her skirt. “I doubt Zeke has an interest in such things.”

“I suppose you would rather talk about fishing.” Lucy tossed her hair. “I’m sure Zeke would prefer a more… refined topic of conversation.”

Sadie snorted and tried to cover it up with a cough. She’d never been one for girlish sniping and didn’t intend to start now. Zeke was a smart man. He would see through the other two women’s false kindness toward each other. He didn’t need her to point it out.

“Have you two written your letters yet?” she asked.

“I have,” Lucy bragged, patting her yellow hair into place. “I slaved over it for hours. He’s sure to pick me. Ma has sewn me the most perfect wedding dress.”

Ruby raised her eyebrows. “You do mean purchased, don’t you?” She transferred her attention to Sadie. “Yes, mine is finished. Something was revealed to me during my dinner with Zeke that affected what I wrote in my letter. I wrote it that night and have already placed it in the box outside his office.”

“Well, aren’t you just a Jenny Jump the—why, hello, Zeke.” Lucy pasted a simpering smile on her face and peered up at him through lowered lashes.

Sadie thought she was going to be sick. “Thank you,” she said, accepting the lemonade.

“A couple of the church ladies will bring us our lunch.” He sat on the side of the blanket that was closest to Sadie. “It seems there are games planned for after lunch.”

“Not as part of the competition, I hope.” Lucy fingered the lace at her throat. “I’m afraid I’m not much good at a three-legged race.”

He shook his head. “I’m sure it’s so the townsfolk can have a good time without staring at us all afternoon.”

Pity. Sadie would have enjoyed a rousing race, but if she roughhoused in any way, Ma would be apt to embarrass her for her lack of ladylike behavior. Sitting still for any length of time was sheer torture. She tuned out the mindless chatter going on around her.

What could Ruby have meant by discovering something at dinner that affected her letter? Had Sadie read Zeke wrong? Were they nothing more than good friends? Was he using her as a barrier against the other two eager women?

She couldn’t bear it if that were so. Oh, it would all hinge on her letter. What could she possibly say to put her in Zeke’s favor? Sure, he had said he was holding her to that long-ago promise, but he was known for his teasing. It could all be nothing more than a game to him.

If she weren’t chosen, she’d leave town. Go somewhere no one knew her and get a job as a journalist. Thankfully, she had a backup plan that, while it wouldn’t heal a broken heart, would give her something to focus on if her world should fall apart.

Zeke didn’t want to listen to Lucy’s whining or Ruby’s sarcastic remarks to put the younger girl in her place. He wanted to talk with no one but Sadie.

Her preoccupation since the outhouse incident worried him. What if she were changing her mind? Perhaps she didn’t want marriage, but only a career. Her mother was the one who had put her name in the box, after all, and Sadie had declared that no one could back out. What if that was the only reason she remained in the competition?

He studied her serious demeanor. She clearly wasn’t enjoying herself and only picked at the food on the plate in front of her.

“I’ll take the plates back.” Sadie jumped to her feet, gathered up the dishes, then skedaddled like her skirt was on fire.

“Perfect.” Lucy leaned back on her hands. “Her sour attitude threatened to spoil the beauty of the day. I have no idea how you put up with her.”

Zeke frowned, wanting to bite the little fool’s head off. He fought to keep his reply cordial. “Sadie’s heart is as big as the mountains that surround this town. I’ve learned over the years that she will do almost anything for anyone, as long as it isn’t against the law or God’s Word. A lot of people could learn a thing or two from her.”

“Very well. I’m sorry I said anything about your friend.” Lucy batted her lashes. “She really isn’t marriage material, though, is she? Ruby, what do you think?”

“I think I’ll sit over here and watch you hang yourself.”

“Your attention, please!”

Zeke closed his eyes and fought to keep his emotions under control as Annabell, accompanied by her father, marched to the top step of the church.

Here it comes.

“I am here to inform you,” she said, her voice wavering, “that the so-called good doctor has taken improper advances toward me.” She squared her shoulders and glared in Zeke’s direction. “Although he didn’t choose me as a finalist, he managed to get me alone, and… well…” She covered her face with her hands.

“Enough is enough.” Zeke got to his feet and stormed in her direction.