Homespun Bride

would want him for a husband.
    Still, he had to try to find out. He was already so far in love with her that he couldn’t see straight. His every breath was because of her. He took her folded hands in his. “Come. Walk with me.”
    “You don’t want to listen to Chopin?” she teased, although she stood as quickly as he did.
    “To who?”
    “Haven’t you noticed the piano music coming from the ballroom?”
    “It’s tough for me to notice anything when you’re nearby. Any man of good sense would be as muddled in the presence of such a beautiful woman.” Thad’s gait fell in rhythm with hers. “Did I say something wrong?”
    “No, not at all, if your intent was to perjure yourself.”
    “I was only telling the truth, Noelle. You’ll always be the loveliest woman in any room to me.”
    “Oh, Thad.” Her poor heart couldn’t endure any more of this. The moment they stepped onto the front porch, the icy air swept over her, cutting through her, and she prayed for the cold to numb her clear to her soul. It didn’t. She was left with her impossible love for him.
    “You must stop saying such kind things to me. You’ll spoil me.”
    “That’s my hope, darlin’.” Still sounding lighthearted, he accompanied her to the rail, where the great silence of the night stretched out before them. The streets were quiet, the town settling down for suppertime, and the noise of the party was behind them.
    She tried to imagine the sky. Was it velvety dark with white sparkles of stars? Or one depthless stretch of black? Wondering about the sky was far easier than thinking of the man at her side. She shivered; she’d fortten her cloak.
    “Here. I can’t have you freezing to death.” There was a rustle of fabric and then the weight of his coat on her shoulders. “Your aunt wouldn’t like it if I let you catch a chill. She might not let me in the house the next time I came calling.”
    Calling. Why had he chosen that word? Her entire soul squeezed with longing for what could not be. Surely he was making a small quip, that was all. There was no way Thad McKaslin was coming to court her. It didn’t matter how deeply she wished for it to be so.
    She tucked away her sadness and lifted her chin a notch. “After what you’ve done for our family, Henrietta would welcome you with open arms no matter what.”
    “Then I guess I don’t have a single worry. I’m planning on taking you for another sleigh ride this Sunday afternoon.”
    “Oh, and you’re simply assuming that I will agree to go with you?” she teased, hoping it would chase away her doubts.
    His warm, wonderful rumble of laughter did that for her. He moved one step closer. Then another. “I’m hoping that I’m the one man you can’t say no to.”
    “Maybe. Maybe not. You will simply have to wait and see.”
    “I don’t have to wait. I think I already have my answer.” His hands cupped her chin, such a tender gesture.
    Surely, it was one of friendship. It had to be one of friendship, right? She couldn’t help pressing her cheek against his callused palm. “You are a tad sure of yourself. Perhaps I intend to say no.”
    “What? And miss your chance to drive a real mustang?”
    “You’ll be bringing Sunny?”
    “Yep, and there’s no reason why I can’t let you take the reins for a spell.”
    “No reason?” Oh, it felt like an answered prayer to laugh with him again. “Other than the reason that I can’t see where I’m going, you mean?”
    “Well, I’m sure I’ll keep an eye on your driving.”
    “Yes, that would be prudent, although I’m sure Sunny is smart enough not to let me drive him into a tree or a fence post.”
    “If this warmer weather lasts, we might have to go horseback riding instead of driving.”
    It was not the past she saw, but a future. Riding beside him, laughing in the summer sunshine, so happy and in love. It was a future she could not have. “Now you’re using my lost dreams against me.”
    “Not against you. Never that.” His voice dipped tenderly, gently.
    With the sift of snow blowing in from beneath the eaves and the wish filling her soul, she thought for one breathless, sweet moment that he was going to kiss her. Really, truly, lovingly kiss her. Her soul sighed with longing. Her spirit ached with the wish.
    Then a hush of a footstep told her they weren’t alone. “Thad?” A woman’s gentle voice spoke. “There you are. They’re serving dinner. Oh, is that Noelle?”
    Thad’s mother.