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with her tonight,” Catherine warned him.
    â€œThen the cabin will be waiting for you in the morning,” Drew assured her.
    She smiled at them. “Well, then, gentlemen, I will leave you for the night. I understand the youngest Mr. Wallin sleeps upstairs. I’ll send him if we need anything.”
    Again Levi looked as if he were going to protest, but one glance at Drew and he shrugged and settled back on the rug. Drew watched her climb the stairs, Beth right behind her.
    â€œThat’s quite a woman,” Simon mused, stretching his feet over Levi’s prone form toward the fire.
    â€œNever met one so determined,” James mused.
    â€œYou never met one with that kind of education, either,” John reminded him. “I like the fact that she isn’t afraid to speak her mind.”
    â€œBit on the bossy side,” Levi said with a yawn. “But she’ll do.”
    â€œThat she will,” Simon agreed. “The only question is, which one of us is going to marry her?”
    Just what he’d feared. Drew stiffened. “No one said anything about marriage.”
    Simon glanced around at his brothers. “I believe I just did.”
    John nodded, brightening. “Inspired. She’s smart, and she has a skill we sorely need.”
    â€œAnd she’s not bad to look at,” James added.
    â€œYou could do a lot worse, Drew,” Levi agreed.
    Drew shook his head. “You’re mad, the lot of you. I’m not getting married.”
    â€œSuit yourself.” Simon rose and went to the fireplace to scoop up a handful of kindling. “We’ll draw straws. Short straw proposes.”
    Drew stared as his other brothers, except Levi, rose to their feet. “Don’t be ridiculous. She wouldn’t have any of you.”
    James shrugged. “Doesn’t hurt to try.”
    Simon squared up the sticks and hid all but the tops in his hand, then held them out to his brothers. “Who wants to go first?”
    Drew strode into their group. “Enough, I said. No one is proposing to Miss Stanway, and that’s final.”
    His brothers exchanged glances. Simon lowered the sticks. “Very well, Drew. For now. But you have to marry someday if you want kin to inherit your land. You’ll never build that town for Pa unless you do. I think you better ask yourself why you’re so dead set against her.”
    â€œAnd why you’re even more set against us courting her,” John added.

Chapter Four
    S o one of the Wallin brothers was going to marry her. Catherine shook her head as she crossed the floor to the big bed. Either they didn’t know voices carried in the log cabin or they didn’t care that she realized their intentions. It truly didn’t matter which was the truth. She wasn’t getting married.
    â€œDo you think bonnets or hats are more fetching on a lady?” Beth asked, following her. “I’m of a mind for bonnets. They cover more of your face from the sun, and they have extra room for decorations. Feathers are ever so flattering.”
    She was chattering again, voice quick and forceful, but it seemed a bit more strained than usual, and Catherine couldn’t help noticing that Beth’s color was high as she joined Catherine. Was she trying to pretend she wasn’t aware of her brothers’ intentions?
    Her patient was awake, green eyes watchful. “You mustn’t mind Simon,” Mrs. Wallin murmured, proving that she, too, had heard at least part of the conversation downstairs. The ribbon ties on her nightcap brushed the skin of her cheek. “Being the second son after Drew has never been easy. He tends to assert himself even when there’s no need.”
    As Beth tidied up the room, Catherine raised her patient’s wrist to check her pulse. It seemed just a little stronger, but perhaps that was because Mrs. Wallin was embarrassed by her sons’ behavior.
    â€œAnd there is no need