32

Four weeks later

Kate watched the two Texas Rangers walk out of the shop, her misery like a steel weight in her heart. What a fool she had been. What an utter, utter fool.

Telling Brett in writing how she’d felt hadn’t worked. She’d heard nothing from him. Not a word. She’d all but given up hope, but then an amazing thing had happened. Fletcher had escaped during transport to federal prison. At the time, it had seemed like an act of providence designed to bring Brett back. It was like they had been given a second chance to make things right. A second chance at love.

In anticipation of his arrival, she’d whipped up a special batch of Uncle Joe’s candy she had named Tucker Sweets. After much practice, she’d even managed to create a design resembling his badge and anticipated the smile on his face when he saw what she’d done. But nothing had worked out as she’d hoped.

She couldn’t get over the shock she’d felt when two other Texas Rangers had arrived in his stead. That told her more than words could say. If he didn’t come back for Fletcher, he would never come back for her.

Blinking back the burning sensation in her eyes, she glanced around the shop. The latest delivery of flowers had arrived that morning. As much as she liked receiving flowers, it really was possible to have too much of a good thing. Thanks to Frank, the shop now looked like a funeral parlor.

She sighed. Oh God, Frank. He couldn’t be sweeter or more thoughtful. In return, he only asked for one thing: her hand in marriage. And that had been the one thing she hadn’t been able to give him.

She dumped the last of the Tucker Sweets in the trash and stared at the calendar on the wall. It had been four weeks and three days since Brett had last walked out the door, and still it hurt. She didn’t want it to, but it did.

She pounded a fist into her palm. Pining for a man who wasn’t interested in her was insane. He’d made it perfectly clear how much he regretted stopping her wedding, how much he wanted to make things right. Wanted her and Frank back together. Frank’s a good man, he’d insisted. He’ll do right by you.

Oh yes. He’d made his feelings clear, all right.

So why did memories of him continue to haunt her? Why did they pop into her head when least expected? Why couldn’t she just forget him like he had obviously forgotten her?

It wasn’t as if anything significant had happened between them. Oh sure, there was the kiss. But he’d apologized for that and had insisted it meant nothing. Apparently, he was more experienced in such things than she was. The chaste kisses exchanged with Frank had left her ill-prepared for the deeper, fuller, more passionate kiss she’d shared with Brett.

If she’d had more than one beau—had kissed dozens of other men—maybe she would be able to disregard their kiss as easily as he had.

Maybe.

Right now, she hated the way he commanded her thoughts. Hated even more the way her heart lurched whenever the bells on the shop door jingled. Hated hoping in vain that he had come back.

Well, fudge. Enough was enough! This senseless holding on was making her tense and miserable. She couldn’t go on like this. Wouldn’t!

She ripped the calendar off the wall and dumped it into the wastepaper basket. Brett was gone, and that was that. It was time to let go and move on. Time to turn her back on the past and face the future.

A future without Brett.

* * *

Three days later, Kate walked into the kitchen to find her aunt cooking breakfast.

Kate poured herself a cup of coffee. “I heard you pacing the floor last night. Is everything okay?”

Aunt Letty turned the flapjacks with a spatula. “What? I can’t have a sleepless night if I want to?”

“I worry about you.”

Aunt Letty made a face. “It’s my job to worry about you. Not the other way around.”

“There’s no reason to worry about me,” Kate said.

Aunt Letty grew serious. “Those rangers in town brought back everything that happened, and it occurred to me that my plan to live forever might not be as foolproof as I’d thought.”

Kate sighed. Her aunt wasn’t the only one disturbed by the rangers’ presence. They were a constant reminder of all that she’d lost, and she couldn’t wait till they left.

Her aunt’s voice grew husky. “I worry about something happening to me and you being left all alone in the world.”

“You know that’s not going to happen. Number one, nothing’s going to happen to you. And number two, we have many good friends and neighbors.”

Her aunt laid her spatula down and turned from the stove. “After your uncle died, our friends gathered around, and I’ll always be grateful for their help and support. But when I woke in the middle of the night and couldn’t sleep, it was you who was there to comfort me. It was you who wiped my tears after everyone had gone home. It was you who gave me a reason to go on living. That’s what family does.”

“So, what are you saying, Aunt Letty?”

Aunt Letty reached in the cupboard for two plates. “I just want to know that no matter what happens, you will always have someone to comfort you in the middle of the night. Someone who will wipe your tears and see that you’re never alone.”

Kate drew in her breath. She hated knowing she was the root of her aunt’s distress, and it only confirmed what she already knew. Though she still had two weeks till the Independence Day dance, it was time to give Frank the answer he’d so patiently been waiting for. Had worked so hard for.

What she had with Frank was the real thing. Whatever she’d felt for Brett hadn’t been real. It had been crazy and confusing and, more than anything, unnerving. No one could possibly live in such an unsettled state. Love based on friendship seemed far more stable, and that’s what she needed right now.

That’s why Frank was the better choice. He never made her feel flustered or unsure of herself. Marrying him meant having to make allowances, of course. She’d have to keep her animals at the house, but it was a small price to pay for her aunt’s peace of mind.

Delaying the inevitable was no longer an option, not just for her aunt’s sake, but for her own.

* * *

Three days later, Aunt Letty stood by the shop window ready to turn the sign to open. “Ready?” she asked, a look of uncertainty on her face.

Kate glanced at the ring on her finger and forced herself to breathe. This ring had a larger stone than the previous one. Was that why it felt so strange?

Since her aunt was looking at her funny, Kate forced a smile. Her engagement to Frank had seemed to take a weight off her aunt’s shoulders. She even looked better. More rested.

“Ready,” she said.

“You don’t sound ready. And what’s with the glum face? A bride-to-be is supposed to have the look.” Aunt Letty motioned with her hands. “You know, that special glow of happiness that spells love.”

“You said I had the look,” Kate said.

“That was before your last wedding. I’m talking about now.” Aunt Letty tilted her head. “You’re not worried about something going wrong again, are you? Someone stopping the wedding? If you are, you can put your mind at ease. I’ll have my shotgun with me, and if anyone tries anything, he’ll have to deal with me.”

Kate sighed. If she was worried about anything, it was Aunt Letty and her shotgun. But since all the trouble in town, her aunt didn’t go anywhere without it. “Nothing’s going to happen.”

“It better not.”

Since her aunt was staring at her, Kate tried to emulate the look. Whether she succeeded or not, she didn’t know, but her aunt turned to the window to switch the sign. She then unlocked the door. Almost instantly, people flooded the store, led by Mrs. Tremble and her dog, Mitzie.

“Is it true, is it true?” Cassie asked. Today, the young widow had her two-year-old son with her, and she jiggled him up and down in her arms.

Aunt Letty gave a smug smile. “It’s true. The wedding is officially on. At long last, Kate and Frank are getting married. Kate, show them your ring.”

Kate held her hand over the counter and wiggled her fingers. The sparkling diamond garnered the appropriate oohs and aahs from the crowd.

Connie practically swooned. “Oh, it’s beautiful. It’s even more beautiful than the ring that was stolen.”

Kate smiled and withdrew her hand.

Mrs. Cuttwell exchanged a knowing look with Aunt Letty. Since the incident with the taffy-making machine, the two former foes had become the best of friends. “Well, all I can say is it’s about time you and Frank were wed.”

“You simply must tell us how he proposed,” Mrs. Tremble added, pulling her poodle away from the counter.

“And don’t tell us it was in front of the pickle barrel,” Cassie added, drawing a laugh from the others.

“No, actually, it was very romantic,” Kate said.

“Very,” Aunt Letty added with a nod of approval.

“We drove to the river, and Frank recited Shakespeare.” Unfortunately, the few lines he’d quoted had been lifted from Hamlet. It was probably the first time a suicide speech had been the basis of a marriage proposal, but she didn’t have the heart to tell him that. Not when he had tried so hard to please her.

“You’re so lucky,” Connie said, a touch of envy in her voice.

“So, when’s the wedding?” Mrs. Cuttwell asked.

“Saturday,” Aunt Letty said.

The dressmaker frowned. “Oh my, that doesn’t give us much time. Does your dress need alterations?”

Kate shook her head. “Thank you, but no. The dress fits just fine.” If anything, it was a tad loose. Mainly because she hadn’t felt much like eating in recent weeks.

Connie heaved a sigh, followed by a sheepish smile. “My maid-of-honor dress needs to be taken out a tad.”

Kate shot a look of sympathy at her friend. Connie had insisted she was over Harvey Wells, but there had to be a reason for her continued obsession with chocolate bonbons.

Mrs. Cuttwell gave Connie’s waist a pointed appraisal. “Bring your dress to the shop later, and we’ll see what we can do.”

After satisfying their curiosity, customers left with bags of candy, anxious to spread the news.

Connie remained after the others had left. “Oh, Kate, I’m so envious. What I wouldn’t give to wed someone like Frank.” She glanced around the shop. “Though I could do without all the flowers,” she said and hastened to add, “Not that there’s anything wrong with it. It just seems that some people get so caught up in the romance that they lose sight of what’s really important.”

Kate frowned. “Is that what you think Frank is doing?”

“Oh no, I wasn’t talking about… I mean…you’ve been friends forever. It’s just that you and Frank used to have so much fun together.”

“Used to?”

“With the wedding and all that’s happened, you have to admit it’s been pretty tense around here.”

Kate gave her friend a loving pat on the cheek. “I know. But all that’s behind us, and from now on, all I want you to think about is finding your own special someone.”

The corners of Connie’s mouth turned down. “That’s easier said than done. I’m not getting any younger.”

“What are you talking about? You make yourself sound ancient.”

“I’ll be twenty-two in June. Everyone I know that age is married and has a slew of children.”

“I don’t.”

“But you will soon.” Glancing in the direction of the kitchen where Aunt Letty was unpacking the latest shipment of books, Connie lowered her voice. “I was afraid you had fallen for that Texas Ranger.”

Kate stiffened. She didn’t want to talk about Brett. “Not the dance again. I explained about that. What you saw that night, or think you saw, was me enjoying dancing with someone who didn’t have two left feet.”

Connie looked unconvinced. “It’s not just the dance. I could see that you found him attractive.” A knowing look crossed Connie’s face. “Admit it.”

Kate bit her lip. “Maybe.” There was no sense denying it. Connie wouldn’t believe her if she did. “Didn’t you?” she asked, feeling defensive.

Connie studied her with narrowed eyes. “Maybe a little.” She hesitated. “But I can’t help but wonder if you stayed with Frank because he’s the needier of the two.”

Kate stared at her. “The needier?”

“Now don’t get all in a huff. It’s just… You know how you’re always trying to fix things? If ever an animal or person is sick or in trouble, you immediately try to make things right. You dole out candy and fortunes like a doctor dispenses medicine, and it almost always makes a person feel better. It’s one of the things I love about you.”

“So, what are you saying?”

Connie grimaced as if searching for the right words. “I can’t help but wonder if the ranger had been needy in some way, you might have chosen him over Frank.”

Kate gasped. “That’s…that’s…crazy.”

“Is it?”

“There was no choosing. Brett and I had nothing in common. He wasn’t even interested in me.” Belatedly, she added, “Nor I in him.”

“If you say so,” Connie said, sounding as doubtful as she looked. “Still…you haven’t been yourself since he left town, and that has me worried.” Her expression softened. “Oh, Kate, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. You know I think the world of you and Frank. I just want you both to be happy.”

“I do know that,” Kate said. “And I feel the same about you. Now will you stop worrying? There’s nothing the matter with me. I’ve just been busy. You know we’re breaking in a new employee.” The woman’s name was Janet Mason. She’d never worked outside the home before, but now that her children were grown, she had been looking for something to do. “It’s not easy teaching someone the art of making candy.”

Connie’s forehead creased. “Are you sure that’s all it is?”

“Absolutely.” Kate picked up a paper bag. “Now, how about some bonbons?”

“I better not,” Connie said with a wistful sigh. “I’ll never fit into my bridesmaid dress. But I’ll take one of your fortunes. And it better be a good one.”

“How about this one?” Kate asked, pulling a slip of paper out the box. “‘Love is just around the corner.’”

Her good humor restored, Connie laughed. “I just hope that corner is on planet earth.”