Chapter 14

Nick looked at Emma in total surprise. He could have been knocked over by the slightest of breezes. He was calling himself every kind of fool for assuming that she wouldn't give her heart to another just because he hadn't. Why would he think she wouldn't go on with her life? Why would he think that she would sit around as he had done for the past several months, continually thinking about what could have been between them? Why would she not see someone else when he had never given her any reason to wait for him? After all, it was just a fluke that they met again. Last night he had thought it was fate bringing them together. He had not even gone to any more dances since Heath's wedding, wanting so desperately to only dance with her. He didn't want to hold anyone else in his arms.

And why had he not realized this before instead of waiting until it was too late? And it was too late now...

...Or was it? She had said she was engaged, not married and there was a difference. And after the way she just kissed him, well, there was still something there. Nick made up his mind that he was going to fight. He was going to make sure before he left whether she was the one for him. If someone had asked him five minutes ago, he would have said yes. Two minutes ago, the answer might have been no. But right then, he was going to bet on yes again. Emma was just too special to let go.

Nick stepped closer to Emma but did not touch her. She was trying to gauge his reaction to what she had said. At first there was disbelief, then acceptance but now she couldn't read his expression. Had Jarrod or Heath been there, they would have been able to tell her it was the look of determination.

"What's his name?" Nick asked softly.

Emma blinked, trying to figure out who Nick was talking about. "Who's name?"

Nick smiled, "Your fiancé. What's his name?"

Emma swallowed and backed up a step. She couldn't think when he was so close to her.

"David. David Myers."

Nick nodded. "Do you love him?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "I'm marrying him, Nick," she said sounding exasperated.

"I know that. But do you love him? Because the kiss we just shared, showed me that there is something between us. And I want to know if you love him."

Emma was having trouble catching her breath. She looked away, trying to think. Nick put his finger on her chin and drew her face back to him so that she would look him in the eye.

"It's a simple question, Emma. Do you love David Meyers?"

"It doesn't matter if I love him or not, Nick. We're getting married."

Nick dropped his hand from her face, confusion written all over his face.

"You mean you don't know if you love this man, and you are committing yourself to spend the rest of your life with him?" he asked.

Emma looked down and said softly, "I didn't say that I didn't know, I just said it didn't matter if I did or not. We're getting married and that's that."

Sam called for them at just that moment. In truth, he was warning them he was coming in, just in case he was interrupting anything, which he hoped he was.

"Hey, Nick. Ma wants to know if you're staying for dinner. She's made chicken and dumplings. And her special apple pie."

Nick and Emma stood watching each other. Emma was hoping he would decline and go back to town. She didn't want to see him anymore, knowing that she couldn't be with him. Nick finally looked over at Sam and smiled.

"Tell your mama I would be happy to stay." He looked back at Emma and said, "Apple pie is one of my favorites."

That said, Nick walked past Emma and put his arm around Sam's shoulders as they walked back to the house. Emma closed her eyes and shook her head. It was going to be a long evening.

Nick was the perfect gentleman all through dinner. He was friendly to the entire family and didn't show any favoritism toward Emma in any way. After the delicious meal, Emma and her mother stayed in the kitchen to work on the dishes while the men went out to the barn. Carl had wanted to ask Nick about some feed he had purchased and whether he thought it could be used to build up the horses. They couldn't afford for any of them to go down.

Emma worked in silence with her mother. She knew her mother was concerned about her but had no idea the depths of her concern. When Emma had gotten home from California, all she could talk about was the Barkley Ranch. And the one name that would come up over and over was Nick Barkley. Not a day went by that she didn't mention him in some way. Emma had even confided to her mother what it was like to have Nick teach her to dance. It was one of her most special memories.

Then David came along. Mary had noticed he had taken an interest in her daughter and at first was happy. He was from a well-respected family in the area and was considered a prime catch. When they had announced their engagement, Mary was thrilled. She waited for that special light to come into her daughter's eyes, the one that Mary had first with Emma's father and then with Carl. But it never did. And yet, Mary had seen a flicker of that light in her daughter's eyes yesterday with Nick Barkley. When had Emma stopped talking about him? She wondered.

The ladies finished and Emma helped put together the tray to take into the living room. Mary was about to question her daughter about Nick when the men came in from the barn. She watched as Emma watched Nick. He glanced over at her and smiled but continued his conversation with Carl. Sam was watching his sister too and was hoping the time Nick and Emma had spent in the barn had been productive.

Nick stayed for another hour, then excused himself. He knew it would be a long ride back into town and he had to be up early the next morning for the auction. Carl told him he would see him there and Nick asked if Emma would walk him out to where his horse was.

The two were almost to the barn when Nick asked, "Will I see you tomorrow?"

Emma couldn't believe he was asking. Did she not just tell him a few hours ago that she was engaged to be married? She thought for sure he would leave and not want anything to do with her. But here he was, asking to see her again. She didn't know what to think.

"I'll probably come into town at some point."

Nick smiled his most charming smile. He gently laid a hand on her cheek. He wanted to kiss her again but refrained. He mounted his horse and headed for town, whistling all the way. Emma walked away shaking her head. She didn't know whether to laugh at him or howl in frustration.

She told her family good night and headed up to bed. There was a soft knock at her door and Sam walked in when she said, "Come in."

"I had a really good time with Nick today, Emma."

"I'm glad, Sam."

Sam cleared his throat. "Did you have a good time?"

Emma looked at her younger brother. "Of course. Didn't I act like it?"

Sam shrugged. "I guess so. Will he be coming out tomorrow?"

Emma shook her head. "He has the auction to go to and then he is supposed to leave the next day. I'm sure he'll be too busy."

Sam told his sister good night. He readied himself for bed but found it was difficult to fall asleep. He finally did manage to drift off, but not before promising himself he would have a long talk with Nick. He could tell Nick cared for Emma. And she needed him. They all did.