Rocky Mountain Match (15 page)

Pulling his shoulders back, he tried to ignore the self-consciousness he felt now. He didn’t want his insecurities to affect his time with Sam. “Has the valley changed that much since you left?” he asked.

He caught a fiddle’s faint song lilting over the jumble of voices in the vicinity. Took in the different aromas that bombarded his senses—the home-cooked foods, late-summer blossoms, even the grass beneath his feet. In past years he’d really enjoyed himself at this annual celebration, but this year he doubted he’d have much to write home about.

“I don’t mean
that
kind of scenery, my friend. I mean the any-way-you-look-at-her, gorgeous woman due north,” Sam quipped, making Joseph squirm. “Katie is elegance and purity all wrapped into one beautiful package, just like that box lunch I just saw her set on the table.”

“So you know which one is hers, huh?” Joseph asked, trying his best to sound interested. “Guess that’s a good thing.”

“Yep. It’ll be easy enough to spot with that huge green ribbon and big flowers she tied around it.” Sam gave a subdued whoop. “Yep. It’s a beautiful day, indeed. But this
mountain valley—luscious as it is on a day like today—doesn’t hold a candle to m’lady, Katie.”

Joseph swallowed hard, determined not to let Sam’s words get to him. He might well spend each day with his heart aching and each night imagining her in Sam’s arms, but he’d do it for Katie’s sake. It’d be torture, plain and simple, but what choice did he have? His friend deserved a woman like Katie. A sweet woman with strength of character and kindness of heart—and as Sam had said—a woman with unequalled beauty.

Katie deserved a man who wasn’t encumbered by blindness.

“Katie, it’s good to see you,” Sam greeted as he slowed to a stop. “Wonderful day for the celebration, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is,” she responded, a hint of hesitance in her voice. “How are you gentlemen today?”

“Even better now that I’ve seen you.” Sam took a step forward and a chill wriggled down Joseph’s spine. “You look lovely today, Katie.”

“Thank you.” Her voice was quiet. “How are you, Joseph?”

He shoved a hand into his pocket. “Fine. And yourself?”

“I’m doing well.” Melancholy burdened her sweet voice.

Joseph grew immediately concerned because he could almost always count on her sunny demeanor. “You sound a little down.”

“Just missing Ellie today. She was so excited for this event.”

He nodded, a reminiscent smile tipping his mouth. “She was like a little girl when it came to things like this. I’m sure Aaron won’t be here at all today.”

“Probably not,” Katie agreed.

“He’s going to need time and a lot of prayer,” Sam added, followed by a long moment of silence. “I believe I saw you put a box lunch on the table, Katie.”

She sighed. “I hear it’s mandatory if you’re single.”

“According to Mrs. Duncan and her followers, yes,” Sam agreed with a chuckle. “Every year, for as long as I’ve been around, that woman has hit the streets campaigning for the event. The way she goes at it, visiting every household in the valley, you’d think she was Herod himself, seeking out all firstborn males—or single females as the case may be.”

The sound of Katie’s quiet laughter seeped into Joseph, making him wish he was a little closer to her.

“I’ll say this for her, she’s very persuasive.” Katie gave a big sigh. “If I didn’t know better I’d think my entrance to heaven hinged on this alone.”

“You can bet that she’ll make sure everyone is involved, even if she has to hold a gun to their heads,” Sam quipped.

Joseph reminded himself once again that he had no claim on her. She wasn’t his. But she wasn’t really Sam’s either.

“I wonder, Katie, who will be the highest bidder on your box lunch?” Sam shifted his feet lightly over the ground.

“I’m sure that whomever I dine with will be just fine.”

Joseph balled his fists, clenching his jaws tight as he envisioned Sam sweeping Katie off for a private lunch. Were he able to see, he’d pay whatever it took to secure a picnic with Katie, making sure he was the first and last to bid on her box.

“Joseph Drake! Well, I never in my wildest imagination thought that I’d see you here today.” Julia’s
voice and overpowering powdery scent cut a brassy path through the pleasant atmosphere. “Miss Appleton,” she clipped off, the greeting colder than an ice-house in January.

“Ellickson, Julia,” Joseph corrected, shaking his head.

“And who is this man with you, Joseph? Is he yet
another
teacher?” Julia’s voice was so loud that Joseph had to resist the urge to plug his ears.

“This is Sam Garnett, a friend of mine.”

“Really,” she oozed, making Joseph marvel at how she could make her voice rise and fall an entire octave in one word.

“And I’m blind, Julia.” He tightened his grip on his cane, unable to miss how Katie cleared her throat. “Not deaf.”

“A pity it is, too, Joseph.” She perched her fingers on his forearm and sidled up next to him. “A pity.”

He stepped out of her touch and closer to Katie.

“Knowing Joseph, he won’t let his lack of sight get the best of him,” Sam said, gently slapping Joseph on the back. “He’s not one to shrink from difficulty.”

Joseph didn’t doubt that Sam was coming to his rescue, but for some reason he didn’t feel as if he needed rescuing.

“Mr.
Garnett,
you say?” Julia’s skirt swished and Joseph wondered if the gown she wore was the one he’d spilled grape juice on. “Would that be from the Boston Garnetts?”

“No. The Boulder Garnetts, Julia. Sam grew up here. His folks passed on a year ago.”

“How dreadful,” she simpered. Barely missing a beat, she continued. “Why have I not had the privilege of making your acquaintance, Mr. Garnett?”

“I’m not sure why.” Sam sounded amused.

“I’m not sure, either,” Joseph echoed, seeing as how Julia made Boulder’s business her business. “He’s been in town three weeks.” He nudged Sam’s arm. “This is Julia Cranston.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Cranston.”

Joseph wanted to laugh at Sam’s gallantry, but didn’t dare. Sam was probably playing with Julia and no doubt enjoying her drama and outlandish personality. He’d always had patience for things like that, where Joseph had decided that he preferred things straightforward.

“Mr. Garnett,” Julia said as though greeting a king.

Joseph could only imagine the coy look she was sure to give Sam. The slight tilt of her chin. The way she’d peer at him sideways with her big emerald eyes.

“Are you in town for a visit or have you plans to stay?”

“Just a visit. Though who knows, I may decide to stay if the fancy strikes me,” Sam responded.

“Well, now, that is good to hear, Mr. Garnett,” she gushed. “I presume you’ll be participating in the box lunch auction? Though primitive compared to eastern entertainment, it promises to be quite a marvelous event.”

Sam chuckled. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Joseph, do you plan on having someone do your bidding for you?” Julia asked, her tone almost motherly. “Since you are unable to see, that is?”

He pulled a forced smile. “No, Julia. I don’t.”

She tsk-tsked. “Oh…what a pity, I tell you. The auction will positively be the talk of the town.”

Joseph held his cane between both hands and drew it against his chest when Julia gasped.

“Are you lame, Joseph?” she nearly shouted, stepping in front of him. “Did you hurt your leg?”

“
Why
would you ask that?”

Julia huffed, her stale breath fanning across his face. “Well, you’re carrying a cane. What else is one to think?”

“You tell me,” he shot back, enjoying her confusion.

He could hear her hands brush against her skirt, the material slipping under her touch. “Naturally I assumed that perhaps you’d fallen and hurt yourself. Given your condition, it would certainly be a strong possibility, you know.”

He smiled, feeling a tangible sense of satisfaction. “No, Julia. My leg is fine.”

“Oh, well, the cane is fetching with your outfit, Joseph,” she dismissed with a verbal flourish. “I didn’t take you as one to make a fashion statement, but then, wonders never cease.”

“Thank you.”

“Miss Appleby,” she continued.

“Ellickson,” Joseph and Sam spoke in unison.

“Have you a box lunch to offer today?” she asked, almost accusing in her tone.

“I do,” Katie responded simply.

“Splendid. Don’t you worry one bit. I’m quite certain that some young bachelor is bound to place a bid on it. The men around here, though they lack the class of those back east, seem polite enough.”

Katie chuckled, apparently unruffled by Julia’s barbs. And that made Joseph proud. “I’m not worried.”

“Though, being new to town, mind you,” Julia continued as though she was some authority on the matter. “I wouldn’t expect for your box to draw an overwhelming amount of money. You do understand, don’t you, dear?”

“Thank you for the warning, Miss Cranston. I’ll be sure to prepare myself.”

J
oseph jammed a booted foot up on the lowest fence railing, amused as he listened to Mr. Heath—mercantile owner turned auctioneer for the day—ramble off the bidding. He tipped his head back to the afternoon sun’s full brightness, enjoying the faint bit of light he could see. With his cane secured against the fence, he bent over and braced an arm on his knee.

Every single year he was caught off guard by Mr. Heath’s surprising cadence as it filled the town square. Oohs, aahs and cheers erupted from the crowd when a box went for a whopping six dollars and fifty cents—no small change in these parts.

“Who bought that one?” Joseph leaned toward Sam. He could easily envision his friend, the relaxed way he’d hold his arms at his chest and the way he’d drape one foot lazily in front of the other, as he leaned back against the railing.

“I think it went to Jacob Watson. That banker has a payroll that could outfit three large ranches.” A deep chuckle resonated from Sam. “Or maybe Julia’s wardrobe.”

Joseph grinned at his friend’s assessment. “It might take more than a banker to keep her happy.”

“She’s something else, isn’t she?”

“That’s an understatement.” Threading his fingers through his hair, Joseph dragged in a breath. “She means well. But sometimes…”

“You handled her well-meaning words with finesse, my friend. I was proud of you.”

“Thanks.”

“No, really, I mean it. You’re acting more and more like yourself again, and I’m glad to see it.” Sam clapped him on the arm. “You know, Julia really isn’t all that bad. She’s oblivious to how her words come off, but socialites can be like that. Until you tame them, that is.”

“It’s hard to hate her,” Joseph agreed, sliding his hand across the fence to make sure his cane was still there. He’d had to use Sam’s arm as a guide a few times so far today. But mostly he’d put into action what he’d learned from Katie.

“I took Julia on a few outings before my accident. Nothing serious, though. Not as far as I was concerned, anyway. My blindness has made her noticeably uncomfortable around me now.”

Sam puffed out a sigh. “That has to be hard to take.”

“Yeah…at times.”

“I just met her, but from what I can tell, Julia’s similar to women from more affluent circles,” Sam explained. “Most likely she doesn’t know what to do with you because she’s never really had to deal with sickness or injury.”

Joseph nodded. “You’re probably right. But whether it’s her or someone else, I’m going to have to get used to that sort of thing,” he added with a conciliatory sigh. “I just know that I’ll never get married, that’s all.”

He sensed Sam turning toward him. “What do you mean, that’s all? You’ve been planning on marrying for as long as—well, for as long as you and I’ve been noticing girls.”

Joseph raised his brows, hoping he came close to making eye contact. “You’re one to talk, Mr. I’m-not-married-yet-either,” he shot back with satisfaction. “And, for the record, I did have a lady who had captured my attention.”

“Well, then? Where is she?” Sam pressed, his voice low.

“I gave her up.”

“What did you do that for?”

“I had my reasons. Besides, without my sight I’m not exactly
prime
husband material.”

Sam huffed, shifting his feet on the hard ground. “You’re not getting sympathy from me with
that
attitude.”

“I wasn’t looking for sympathy,” Joseph countered.

Sam might live in a world of honesty and directness, but he just didn’t understand what it was like to feel so useless and unable to do what a man should. Joseph couldn’t exactly fault him for that. “Listen, I have a lot to focus on with relearning things. I really don’t need a woman in my life to distract me.”

“
That,
Joseph Drake, is the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard in my life!” Sam jabbed a finger into Joseph’s chest. “And believe me…being a lawyer, I’ve heard plenty of lame excuses.”

Joseph pushed his friend’s hand away. “Call it what you like. It doesn’t change a thing.”

After a long silence, Sam finally spoke. “Hey, they’re holding up the box with the big green ribbon for auction. That’s Katie’s box.”

Joseph sucked in a long, steadying breath, praying he could stay indifferent. “Well, then, you better pay close attention.”

The bidding began at fifty cents, working up to two dollars, then three, three-fifty…

Joseph could almost feel the intensity coming from Sam. He knew the man was focused on one thing only. Securing Katie’s box lunch for himself.

Five dollars, five-fifty, six dollars…

“I’m bidding against money bags over there,” Sam whispered in a conspiratorial tone. “From the looks of him, he must be some wealthy rancher. Ah well, he doesn’t know how competitive I can be, Joe.”

He wanted to cheer his friend on, but felt as if he’d betray his own heart if he were to root for Sam. While sleep eluded him again last night, Joseph had decided that he’d do his best to congratulate Sam and Katie if they were to marry. But each step they took to the altar would twist the noose around his heart a little tighter.

Seven dollars, eight dollars, nine dollars.

For a split second, Joseph thought about raising his hand and getting in on the bid—all he had to do was make sure he was the last one called upon. But he couldn’t do that to Sam. And he couldn’t do that to Katie.

This is for Katie’s sake.

Ten dollars, eleven dollars…thirteen dollars.

A hush came over the crowd as the auctioneer spoke. “Seems we have a high-priced lunch here, folks. The young lady who dolled up this box with all this frippery and what-not must be quite a catch. Do I hear fourteen dollars?”

“Fourteen dollars,” Sam called out triumphantly, as though he’d just obtained the state of Colorado in some land auction.

“Do I hear fourteen-fifty?” the auctioneer queried, then paused. “Fourteen going once…going twice…. Sold! To Mr. Garnett for fourteen dollars!”

Sam let out a long, wistful sigh. “That, my friend, was money well spent,” he said, his victorious grin glaringly apparent in his voice.

Joseph’s heart tightened inside his chest. It didn’t matter a coyote’s hide what he wanted or that the mutual attraction to Katie was undeniable. What mattered was what was best for Katie.

He held out his right hand to Sam and forced a smile to his face. “Congratulations. You won,” he said, feeling the full, painful brunt of those words. “I’m sure you didn’t waste one cent of your money.”

After an awkward silence, Sam moved his hand up to grasp Joseph’s arm. “You feeling okay? You look a little pale.”

“I’m fine,” Joseph shot back as he jerked his foot down from the fence railing. He willed the irritation out of his voice. “Just not used to all this activity, I guess. I think maybe I’ll go back home when the auction is over.”

“You’re welcome to join Katie and me for lunch.”

“Now who’s being ridiculous?” He reached toward the fence, carefully feeling for his cane. “You may be a great lawyer, Sam, but you’re a lousy liar.”

“All right, so you got me there,” Sam retorted, placing the cane in Joseph’s hand. “Are you sure you don’t want to stick around? Ben and Zach are here. I could find them for you.”

“I’d rather not.” Hearing another round of bidding begin, Joseph grasped his cane between both hands, wondering if he could trust his sense of direction enough to
make the seven blocks home, alone. “I think they had plans of their own.”

“Apparently,” Sam remarked with a low chuckle. “Zach’s in on this round. Whew! That rancher he works for must be paying him good money.”

“I don’t think so. He probably just has a stash saved from his poker days.”

Joseph pulled his head around and stared at the murky silhouettes of the buildings behind him, trying to decipher where, exactly, he was on the square. But everything appeared roughly the same height. Not one detail, large or small, could he make out through the dense haze.

“He must. The bid is already up to nine dollars.”

Curious now, Joseph turned his attention back to the auction. “I wonder what young woman he’s set his sights on.”

Sam clucked his tongue quietly. “I don’t know, but it looks like he’s got some pretty stiff competition going with Ethan Hofmann.”

Ten dollars, eleven, twelve…

“Neither one of them look like they’re ready to drop out,” Sam informed. “Ethan has those big meaty arms of his folded over his chest. I think he’s trying to intimidate your little brother. If you ask me, he does look modestly imposing.”

“Zach can take care of himself.” Joseph chuckled, knowing that given Zach’s respectable size and surprising agility, Ethan Hofmann didn’t stand a chance. “Zach hasn’t said a thing about being smitten by some lady. Do you know whose box it is?”

“No idea. I just paid attention to the one Katie set on the table. Sparkling green—”

“Ribbon. Big flowers. I know,” Joseph cut in, irritated.

Thirteen, fifteen, eighteen…

“What is Zach thinking spending money like that?” Joseph ground out under his breath. He nudged his friend’s arm. “Does he look drunk? He vowed he hasn’t been drinking, but if that boy’s drunk, when I get done with him he’ll wish he’d stayed out on the ranch mucking stalls.”

There was a long pause as the bidding continued to escalate. “He doesn’t appear unsteady on his feet. And he sure doesn’t look like he just dragged himself out of a saloon. He looks sound to me, Joseph.”

Twenty dollars, twenty-one.

“Folks, we must have ourselves some kind of royalty livin’ here in Boulder, with the price this box is bringin’,” the auctioneer bantered even as laughter rolled through the crowd. “Just look for the bright pink blush, fellas. You’ll know who fixed up this perty little number with the blue frippery and—what are them—little daisies?”

Joseph braced a hand on the fence, genuinely amused at the expectancy swirling around the square. “Can you tell who’s got the telltale blush?”

“Hard to tell who the box belongs to. Seems like all of the ladies have been pinching their cheeks today.”

Twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-three-fifty.

“What in the world is he thinking bidding more than half a month’s wage?”

“I don’t know. But he’s looking over this way and has a smile a mile wide. Ethan, on the other hand,” Sam added, in a sympathetic tone, “appears to be noticeably uncomfortable right about now. He’s all red-faced. I can see the perspiration on his brow from clear over here.
Either his collar suddenly got tight or he’s bidding out of his league.”

Joseph threw his head back and laughed, and for a blessed moment in time, he felt normal again.

Twenty-five, twenty-seven, twenty-eight.

“Twenty-eight-fifty going once…going twice…sold!” Mr. Heath proclaimed as the crowd broke out into loud whoops and hollers. “Folks, that there is the
highest
price we’ve ever had a box go for. Zach, I ain’t heard of you playin’ the tables lately. What with money like that, it must be burnin’ a hole in them britches you’re wearin’.”

A fresh round of laughter burst across the square, Joseph’s and Sam’s included. Joseph shook his head, trying hard to wipe the smile off his face. “Here we all thought he was starting to make good decisions. Be responsible. Guess he had a relapse.”

Sam jabbed his arm. “Young love. Gets a man every time.”

“Foolish love, maybe,” he retorted. But Joseph couldn’t deny that had he been bidding and that had been Katie’s box, he would’ve done the same thing. He would’ve spent more if needed.

“He’s coming this way,” Sam whispered. “Try to go easy on him. I’d hate to see that look of pleasure he’s flaunting like a prized mare turn sour.”

Joseph slid a hand over his freshly shaven jaw. Shoving a hand on his hip, he pulled his shoulders back and tried for his best concerned, older brother look.

Zach came up beside him and grasped his arm. “You owe me twenty-eight-fifty, Joe-boy!”

“Twenty-eight-fifty?” he echoed, unable to wipe the
smile from his face. “You’re a funny man, Zach. You know darn well I’m not paying your bill for some lady’s—”

“You sure will, Joe-boy. And you’ll do it gladly, too.”

Joseph just laughed. Leave it to Zach to go to some wild extreme just for a laugh.

“Why, I would’a bid twice as high for Katie’s box to put a smile back on your face.”

It’d been four hours since the auction and Katie still felt the heat of embarrassment as she walked with Joseph to the barn where the dance was about to begin. She supposed she should be flattered, but the idea that someone would pay such an outrageous amount for anyone’s box lunch, let alone hers, was awkward, to say the least. And that Zach would bid as if he owned the town and then gleefully dump the bill in Joseph’s lap was downright mortifying.

At the time, she hadn’t been sure whether to protest or just let things fall where they may. When she’d realized what Zach had intended all along, it had been painfully obvious that Joseph wasn’t pleased. He was stiff with tension and looked as though he might snap his cane in two—his hands were fisted so tight. If he’d been a lesser man he probably would’ve flat-out refused to oblige Zach and his innocent, good-natured gesture.

Instead, Joseph had forced a half smile on his face and picked up the expensive box, then escorted Katie out to the mountain stream. It’d been awkward at first, but after they’d settled at the stream’s bank, where the melodic trickle of water gurgled around bends and over rocks, and the sun’s warmth peeked through the luscious pines and hearty aspens, Joseph seemed to relax. They’d slipped into the kind of easy conversation she treasured with him.

Katie cherished every single moment of the afternoon. She’d just spent four blessed hours with Joseph and she hoped she could be content with that.

“There you two are,” Sam called jogging across the street toward them. “You were gone so long I almost rallied the Rangers and sent them out after you.”

Katie peered up at Joseph to see his mouth suddenly pull into a taut line. The awkwardness she’d sensed from him earlier this afternoon multiplied tenfold.

“Guess I lost track of time.” Joseph released his gentle hold on her arm. “That’s easy to do out by the stream.”