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been disappointed over the news, shouldn’t she?
    Then why did she feel as though she’d just been given a stay of execution?
    â€œCold feet,” she whispered.
    â€œWhat did you say?” Travis asked.
    She shook her head. “Nothing important,” she said.
    She wasn’t about to tell him the truth. She wouldn’t look at him either because she was certain he would be able to see the relief in her eyes. Travis already thought she was out of her mind to want to marry a complete stranger, and, honest to Pete, she was beginning to think he might be right.
    Perhaps she was having before-the-wedding jitters. Some brides did, didn’t they? Yes, of course they did, and all she needed to do now was read Mr. O’Toole’s letters again. She was sure to feel better then. The man she was going to marry had poured his heart out to her and had proven beyond a doubt that he was a sensitive, caring man who would love and cherish her until death did they part. What more could she ever want from a husband?
    Love, she admitted with a sinking heart. She wanted to love him as much as he claimed to already love her.
    â€œYou aren’t getting sick on me, are you, Emily?”
    â€œNo, I never get sick. Why do you ask?”
    â€œYou’re awfully pale.”
    â€œI’m just disappointed,” she lied. “You must be disappointed too. It seems you’re stuck with me for a couple of days. Will you mind?”
    â€œNo. Why are you so anxious to get to Golden Crest?”
    â€œI should be, shouldn’t I?”
    â€œDid you love Randolph?”
    The question jarred her. “What made you think of Randolph?”
    He shrugged. “Did you?”
    â€œI might have.”
    â€œWhat kind of answer is that? Did you like the way he kissed you?”
    â€œFor heaven’s sake, it isn’t appropriate for you to ask me such personal questions. It’s going to rain soon, isn’t it?”
    â€œYes, it is,” he agreed. “Answer my question.”
    She let out a loud sigh to let him know she was becoming irritated with him before she finally acceded to his request.
    â€œI didn’t like or dislike them. His kisses were all right, I suppose.”
    He laughed.
    â€œWhat did I say that you find so amusing?”
    He didn’t explain. Her answer had pleased him though. She hadn’t liked being touched by good old Randolph if his kisses were just “all right.”
    â€œWhere will we stay tonight?” she asked, trying to turn his attention so he wouldn’t ask her any more personal questions.
    â€œWe’ll have to backtrack a couple of miles and stay at Henry Billings’s way station. The food’s bad, but the beds are clean and dry, and if we hurry, we should get there before the rain starts. What are you staring at, Emily?”
    â€œYour eyes,” she blurted out, blushing because she’d been caught in the act. “They’re very green. Did your brothers tease you when you were a little boy?”
    â€œTease me because of the color of my eyes?”
    â€œNo, because . . .” She realized what she was about to say and felt her face burn with mortification. Lord above, she’d almost asked if he’d been teased because he was so absolutely perfect. There’d be no living with him if she said that, she realized, and the rest of their journey would be filled with one vexing remark after another. She had already noticed he had a tendency toward arrogance.
    â€œTease me about what?” he asked again.
    She stared up at him while she tried to come up with a suitable and impersonal remark.
    â€œBeing tall,” she said.
    He looked exasperated. “I wasn’t tall when I was a child. I was short. Most children are.”
    â€œIf you use that condescending tone in the courtroom, you’re going to be a dismal failure. It’s just a suggestion,” she added when he frowned at