“For the last time, I am not engaged to Lawson.” There was a pause, then her voice became gentler. “You’ve been such a good friend to me—”
“But it could change into something better if you gave us a chance.”
“No, I honestly can’t imagine us being anything more than just friends. I see you like a brother. Nothing more.”
Nathan gave a nod of approval.
“You said the same thing about Lawson.”
“I know, and I’m not going to marry Lawson, either.”
“Does he know that?”
“Yep.” Lawson nodded just as Ellie said, “Goodness, yes.”
“Then why not—”
“Chris, let’s forget all of this and go on as we always have.”
“Poor man,” Lawson said while Ellie said goodbye to Chris. “That has to hurt.”
Nathan nodded. “That’s about what I expected but I did warn him. I guess that means you and Ellie are still on the road to matrimony.”
Lawson shook his head at Nathan’s teasing. “For the record, when I asked she said ‘no’ so there is no possible way we’re engaged or courting.”
Ellie breezed into the kitchen to grab Kate’s mending basket. “It would have served you right if I had said yes. What would you have done then?”
He shrugged nonchalantly as he returned her challenge with his own. “Picked out a ring.”
“Oh, sure.” She breathed in disbelief but that uncertain look in her eye told him she’d picked up on that slight vein of truth in his voice. “We would have one-upped each other right to the altar.”
“Probably.”
“Well, if you gentlemen are done eavesdropping, you should probably get back to work.” She sent them a knowing look over her shoulder before she breezed out of the room.
Yep, she had them figured out, all right. He turned to share a chagrinned grimace with Nathan only to find the man scrutinizing him thoughtfully. Lawson cleared his throat then decided he’d better follow Ellie’s advice before Nathan asked him to explain that comment about the ring. He wasn’t sure he wanted to explain it to himself.
Chapter Five
Ellie carefully slid her hand down Delilah’s leg until she reached the mare’s foot. She gave it a little squeeze and Delilah immediately kicked up her leg so Ellie could clean out her hoof. The horse leaned into Ellie’s side then began nipping at the ribbon she’d used to tie back her hair. Ellie pushed the horse away with her shoulder. “Stop it, silly. You’re going to topple both of us over.”
She heard Nathan’s confident steps pound toward her on the barn floor. “Ellie, you have another visitor.”
She glanced up in surprise. It had been two days since her last visitor. Frankly, she’d been stunned by Chris’s attempt to woo her. She hoped she hadn’t hurt him with her reply. She knew how saddening it could be to discover that someone you were interested in saw you only as a sibling. After all, that was the story of her life in this town. She let out a world-weary sigh then released Delilah’s hoof and straightened up. “Who is it this time?”
Nathan grinned wryly and opened the gate to the stall, knowing better than to give her the option to climb over it. “I guess you’ll find out when you see him.”
She glanced back at him for some clue but he was already striding past her out of the barn. She followed him into the sunlight. It took a moment for her to realize the whole Rutledge family and Lawson had gathered to watch the proceedings. The man wasn’t waiting for her inside like Chris had. Instead, he sat on the top of his wagon with a piece of hay stuck in his mouth. Ellie barely contained the urge to groan. “Hello, Mr. Turner.”
“Call me Donovan.” He jumped down from the wagon to grab her hand. He shook it up and down repeatedly as his eyes wandered across her face as though memorizing her every feature.
She carefully pulled her hand from his sweaty palm and attempted to smile sweetly. “I don’t suppose you’re here to buy a horse?”
“No, ma’am. I heard you got yourself engaged to this fellow, but I won’t believe it until I see it.” Donovan threw a frown at Lawson then grasped her left hand in both of his. He stared at it for a long moment before bursting into a grin. “There’s nothing there.”
Ellie sighed. “I know.”
She jumped when he let out a whoop of joy then rolled her eyes, which caused her nieces and nephew to giggle. Suddenly he was herding her toward his wagon. Literally. He just turned toward her and started walking so she began backing up until he stopped at the front of the wagon. She glanced past him to meet Nathan’s gaze. He stepped closer to the wagon to keep an eye on them.
Donovan reclaimed her attention by placing a hand on her arm. “Darlin’, I’ve got something here that will make you wonder what you ever saw in that fellow.”
“Really, Donovan?” She glanced past him to Lawson. He didn’t look particularly concerned, with that poorly concealed half smile on his face. Then again, why should he be? He was just there to watch the show like everyone else.
“This is for you.”
He reached under the wagon seat and pulled out a small, white piglet with black spots.
She stared at it for a long moment then lifted her gaze to Donovan’s pale gray eyes. “You brought me a pig?”
“Yes, ma’am. I sure did.” Her nieces squealed in delight but Donovan sent a glare over his shoulder at the sound of Lawson’s disbelieving laugh. “It’s the best of the litter. I thought you could use it on the farm.”
She bit her lip to keep from laughing then couldn’t stop the incredulous smile that followed. “That’s very thoughtful, but I can’t accept a gift like that.”
“Sure you can.”
She shook her head. “I’m afraid I can’t because I’m not going to let you court me. You’re a very nice man but I just don’t feel that way about you.”
He dropped his head and pulled the piglet closer. “Shucks, ma’am. I know that you feel that way now. I just had to take a chance and let you know how I felt so’s I can try to change your mind.” Each time he spoke, the sleeping pig’s ears jerked toward the sound. The man lifted his head to stare at her. “I’ve watched you at church, Ms. O’Brien, and your faith is inspiring.”
“That’s nice of you to say.” She glanced over his shoulder to meet Nathan’s suspicious gaze.
“I watch you every time you come to town. Sometimes I even follow you a little. It always brightens my day to see you.”
“That’s...” She paused. Very strange. “Something you probably shouldn’t do. Follow me around, I mean. You should stop.”
“Yes, ma’am, I understand.” He glanced down at the pig then thrust it under her nose. “You should still take the pig.”
“I don’t think—” She stopped trying to reason when he lifted one of her arms and slid the pig into it. “Oh, well, if you’re sure.”
“I’m positive. It’s yours. No strings attached. Just because you’re you.” He smiled hopefully. “If you like, I can stop by to check on it—”
She cut him off with a shake of her hand. “If you leave it, that’s