Page 437 of Conveniently Wed
The crowd clapped.
“All right then, we’re not going to let the negativity of a few spoil our evening. My beautiful wife, Katherine, and I feel blessed and honored that you’ve graced us with your presence,and we want you to have a wonderful evening. Here’s to friends and neighbors. Here’s to life.” He raised his glass to the crowd. The place erupted with cheers.
Music and dancing followed, and the crowd seemed to be enjoying themselves. For her part, Katie declined every offer to dance but her husband’s. If her dress had brought on jealousy, she wouldn’t add to it.
The widow Laurie and her friend, both of whom had talked unkindly about her in the General Mercantile, were sending daggers her way.I guess I look too sophisticated for their liking now.She lifted her eyes and smiled brightly at them. Their heads snapped away.
Hours later, when she scanned the room for Josiah, the widow Laurie was hanging on his arm, fluttering her eyelashes up at him. He smiled and said something that made her gush with laughter.
A wave of emotion Katie could not define twisted in her stomach and knotted in her throat. She marched over and slipped her arm around his waist.
“There you are, my dear.” Josiah put his arm around her and pulled her close. “Meet Laurie Truvel, an old friend of Georgina’s.”
Katie extended her hand politely, barely holding in the glare she wanted to send the petite blonde. “Nice to make your acquaintance. Do forgive us, but I must pull my husband away.” She emphasized the word husband and leaned in. “Come, my darling.”
His eyebrows shot up, but he did her bidding.
Heat burned her cheeks at the use of the endearment—one she’d never spoken before. Guests were beginning to depart, so she led him to the entry where they stood to bid each family farewell.
In a spare moment, he leaned down and whispered, “I do like the sound of the word darling rolling off your beautiful lips.”
She ignored him, shifting from one tired foot to the other. When the last gentleman struck up a conversation about horses, she interjected, “Do take him to the barn, Josiah. You must show him the strength and beauty of your stock. Talking doesn’t do justice.” She slipped from his arm. “Go, my darling.”
He chuckled and sent her a raised brow look. She smiled in return. Their spat was over. They were going to be all right. She rubbed the knot in her neck that had been building.
“I shall not be long.” He planted a quick kiss on her cheek.
She followed them out to the portico and sank onto the rocker. The fresh air drifted over her in delicious waves, cooling her after the dancing and the heat inside. A heavy sigh slid from her lips.
Things had been off between her and Josiah for weeks, and she couldn’t quite put a finger on it. He no longer said he loved her, even if he did say other very delightful things, especially in tender moments. Maybe if she could give him a son or a daughter, he’d relax a bit more in their relationship.
The thought of a child made her heart sing. She would love to be a mama, and what an enjoyable way to end the evening—working on that very goal. She smiled as she rose. A hot cup of tea to await Josiah’s return, and then she could get out of this most uncomfortable dress. She headed for the kitchen, but as she made her way down through the entry hall a voice sounded from the direction of the ballroom.
“Great celebration,” Colby said.
Katie turned to see him standing in the doorway of the ballroom.
He grinned at her, that familiar smile setting her at ease. “And you wouldn’t believe how many men I snuck out to the stables for alook before you buyopportunity.”
She relaxed as she walked over to him. “I’m glad it’s you. I don’t think I could’ve handled one more conversation with a stranger. Would you care for a cup of tea?”
“No, but I’ll take that dance you promised me.”
She laughed. “After what happened earlier, I thought it best to reserve my dances for Josiah only. He’s a tad jealous.”
“I get that. If I were married to the prettiest woman in town, I’d react the same way.”
Katie smiled. “You’ll find one prettier than me. Just you wait.” She turned toward the kitchen.
“Wait.” He grabbed her arm and tugged her back. “You’re under the mistletoe.”
She looked up at the branch hanging from the door frame. The couples had enjoyed a great deal of fun with it that evening.
“Merry Christmas, Katie.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek.
She turned a friendly smile on him as he straightened, but an odd mixture of emotion was playing across his face. He released her as if she were a hot coal and stepped aside.
…just as Josiah entered the hallway. His scowl proved he’d seen the whole thing.
