Homespun Bride

Jillian Hart 223her best schoolmarm look. “The man I was with left mehere all alone so he could get some punch.”“His loss is my gain.” The chair creaked softlybeside her as he settled into it. “Sorry I took such a longspell. Your uncle caught me in line for punch andstarted jawing my ear off. Sounds like he’s happy withthe younger Sims boy.”“I believe so. And so far, the young man has notmade any show of interest in one of my cousins.”“I bet your aunt is ecstatic that her daughters are safe.I’m toeing a narrow line as it is.” He caught her hand.The small glass cup was icy against her palm and thesweet scent of lemons and limes tickled her nose.“Can’t you tell that she likes you?”“She has been unusually glad to see me with you.You think she’d be concerned about your reputation.”“My reputation?”“Hanging out with a cowboy who doesn’t have awealthy family or social connections.”While his tone was light, there was something in hisvoice. Something serious. Her pulse skipped a beat.Could he be serious about her? She took a sip of the tartpunch. No, she was reading too much into things. Perhapsit was her heart, wishing that he at least loved her, too, alittle.Because she loved him. Very much. She could nolonger deny it. She cherished this man. She honoredhim. She wanted nothing more than to love him for therest of her days.“I think my reputation would be greatly improvedbeing seen with you tonight.” She kept her words aslight, but they were honest, too. “Do you see yourfamily anywhere?”