The Husband Hunt (Smoky Mountain Matches) by Kirst Karen

Author:Kirst, Karen [Kirst, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Weddings were the pits. Not only did Nathan have to wear a suit—a three-piece getup that hemmed him in and made his neck stiff—but he also had to sit in said suit for what seemed like hours while the preacher waxed poetic about everlasting love and commitment, the married women crying sentimental tears and single misses plotting how to land a groom of their very own.

For the life of him, he could not imagine himself up there, standing in front of God and the townsfolk, and pledging to honor and cherish his chosen bride. Those rogue thoughts he’d had at Sophie’s must have been the result of blood loss.

Today he’d made an exception to his no-wedding rule. Sophie was here somewhere and, despite his warnings, he wasn’t convinced she’d stay away from Landon.

Propped against the base of an elm, arms folded and one foot hooked over the other, he scanned the milling crowd. The reception for newlyweds Dan and Louise Kyker was in full swing. Guests chatted together in groups, eating wedding cake and sipping lemonade, the younger couples dancing to lively fiddle music while the older generation reclined on chairs set up on the lawn. Kids darted around, a few trying to sneak second helpings of cake.

April and her friends strolled past. When she spotted him in the shade, she waved, her smile both saucy and provocative. He nodded a response but didn’t return her smile, hoping it would deter her. He wasn’t in the mood for her games. Thankfully, she moved on.

Surveying the crowd again, he became impatient when he didn’t see Sophie. Where was she? He pushed away from the tree. Looked as though he was going to have to join the merriment if he wanted to find her.

“Nathan!”

A small, warm female launched herself against him, arms wrapping tightly around his neck.

“I’m so happy to see you!” she exclaimed, her words muffled.

White-blond curls tickled his chin. He grinned. “Megan.”

Aware now that it was his cousin accosting him, he wrapped his arms around her middle and lifted her off the ground. It had been at least six weeks since he’d seen her last. Married in July, she and her new husband had visited her eldest sister, Juliana, in Cades Cove before traveling down to New Orleans to spend time in Lucian’s hometown. Relieved she was finally home, safe and sound, he set her down and away from him to get a good look at her.

Aside from the new, stylish clothes and added sparkle in her baby blues, she looked pretty much the same. He tugged on a curl. “How is married life treatin’ ya, Goldilocks?”

Glancing over her shoulder at Lucian, who was deep in conversation with Aunt Alice and the twins, she turned back and flashed him a smile that hinted of secrets. “Fantastic. You should really consider trying it out for yourself.”

He ran a finger beneath his collar. The late-afternoon heat lingered in the air. “I told you before, I’m not in the market for a wife.

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