Romance at Rainbow's End by Reece Colleen L

Author:Reece, Colleen L. [Reece, Colleen L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-62029-231-0
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2011-08-26T04:00:00+00:00

Josh thrust aside the sermon he’d been working on and headed for the Diamond S. “The only honorable thing to do is confess to Matt,” he told Sultan. The black gelding pricked his ears into the listening attitude Josh knew so well. “How could I take advantage of Ellie when she was distraught over Tim?”

He repeated the question in Matt’s office a short time later. Matt sat behind his desk with Josh standing across from him, feeling like a prisoner before a judge. “Ellie asked me what she could do to thank me for saving Tim.” Sweat crawled up Josh’s back. “I blurted out ‘by marrying me.’”

Matt’s voice cut like a skinning knife. “Did you mean it?”

Josh clenched his fists. “I never meant anything more.”

Matt crossed his arms and tilted his desk chair back until it groaned. “So what’s the problem?”

Josh swallowed, wishing he was anywhere else. “I should have told you how I felt and asked permission to keep company with Ellie before speaking out like that.”

“Did you tell Ellie you love her and ask her how she feels?”

Josh felt himself turn pale. “You sure aren’t making this easy. Not that I deserve anything else.”

“What do you expect?” The chair crashed down on all fours. “A man comes to me, says he told my only daughter she could marry him because he happened to be in the right place at the right time, and—”

The words stung. Josh stepped forward and glared down at Matt. “It’s not like that, Matt. I didn’t ask anything from Ellie except for her to keep in mind that someday, God willing, she’ll be my beloved wife.” He met his friend’s stern blue gaze squarely. “We’ve known each other a little less than three months. I’m twenty-seven. She’s eighteen. I wouldn’t expect her to love me now, although sometimes …” His voice lay down and died.

Mischief replaced the sternness in Matt’s eyes. He got up from behind the desk, wearing a Cheshire-cat grin. One strong hand shot out and gripped Josh’s. “Put her there, Preacher Josh. You may have my daughter’s hand in marriage if you can win her. In the meantime, see that Tim ‘keeps company’ with you two unless you’re in a crowd.” His mirth changed to sadness. “Ellie was the target of vicious gossip as a child. It left scars. There’s at least one two-legged cat in the vicinity who will scratch and squall if she thinks you’re serious about Ellie.”

“I know.” Josh heaved a great sigh. “Tim already warned me that Amy Talbot has been making her intentions known all over town.”

“It figures.” Matt gave Josh a lopsided grin. “One thing. How will that San Francisco family of yours feel about Ellie?”

Josh’s joy evaporated, but he wouldn’t duck Matt’s question. “My father will have reservations only until he meets her, Mother will huff and puff and try to blow my house down but will have to give in. My twin brother, Edward, will—”

“Twin brother! There are two of you?”

The look on Matt’s face proved too much for Josh.

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