***

Ellie didn’t move for five solid minutes after he left. Her hand remained poised at her lips, the taste and feel of him still clinging to her mouth.

Little of what he’d said made any sense—but they hadn’t been able to communicate effectively in weeks. Except when they kissed.... They’d been best friends for years, able to talk about anything, and then overnight it had all changed.

The big oaf. He’d screwed up his marriage proposal and now he was back, kissing her senseless and saying the most beautiful words she’d ever heard. He hadn’t actually said he loved her, although his kiss was pretty persuasive. What he’d said was, “Be happy.” And if he didn’t love her, he wouldn’t have told her that. Because Glen Patterson was an honest man.

Glen’s kiss still lingered on her lips when Richard casually sauntered into the store.

“Darling,” he said, flashing her an easy smile. He grabbed her in a bear hug and soundly kissed her cheek.

Furious, Ellie wiped away his kiss, not wanting his touch to taint what she’d shared with Glen. “Let go of me,” she ordered. One thing she detested was being manhandled. When Richard didn’t immediately comply, she elbowed him hard in the ribs.

“Ouch,” he muttered, holding her at arm’s length. “Why didn’t you tell me yourself?”

“Tell you what?”

“That you’d decided to accept my proposal.” He glared at her as if suddenly aware that something wasn’t right.

“Who told you that?” Although she could almost predict his answer.

“Glen Patterson,” he murmured. “It’s all a joke, isn’t it?” His lip curled into a snarl.

She was going to kill Glen, no doubt about it. “Not a joke,” she said feeling genuinely sorry, “but a misunderstanding.”

“Well, that’s just fine,” Richard spit. “I just went and bought myself a new suit for the wedding.”

“Oh, Richard.” She brought one hand to her mouth. “Glen didn’t understand—”

“What the hell am I supposed to do about the suit?” He actually made it sound as though they should get married because of a new set of clothes.

“Can you return it?”

“I don’t think so,” he said, his voice tight with anger.

“I am sorry, Richard.”

He looked as if he wanted to plow his fist through something. “It wouldn’t have worked, anyway,” he said. “You’re too uptight. Making love to you would have been like warming up an ice cube.”

Ellie had heard all she cared to. “I think you should go. And take your insults with you.”

“Fine. Whatever. Patterson really had me fooled—he must’ve enjoyed playing me for an idiot. Tell him I’m not going to forget his sick joke.” That said, he bolted out the door.

If Glen’s actions earlier had confused her, Richard’s outraged her. She hadn’t missed the threat, but as far as she knew, Glen had nothing to fear from Richard Weston. He should worry about what she planned to do to him, instead.

George, who’d gone on an errand, was back fifteen minutes later. The minute he walked into the store, Ellie reached for her truck keys. “I have to go,” she said. “Can you close up shop for me?”

“I...I guess.”

It wasn’t like her to walk out before five, but it couldn’t be helped. She was in her truck and headed out of town in five minutes flat. She managed the forty-minute drive in thirty; half an hour was not long enough to cool her anger even slightly.

Glen and Cal must have heard her coming because both men stepped onto the porch when she arrived. She glared at Glen with undisguised fury.

“Ellie, is something wrong?” he asked, walking down the steps toward her.

With her hands planted on her hips, she yelled, “Did you actually believe for one minute I was going to marry Richard Weston?”

He hesitated, fifteen or so feet away. “That’s what you said.”

“I said,” she returned from between clenched teeth, “that Richard had proposed. I did not, I repeat, not at any time state that I’d accepted his proposal of marriage.”

Glen’s face was stricken. “You didn’t?”

“I most certainly did not. Furthermore, anyone with eyes in his head would know it’s you I love.”

“You love me?”

“Don’t pretend you didn’t know, Glen Patterson. I’ve loved you forever.” But at the moment she wasn’t particularly happy about it.

“Then you’ll marry me, right?” Glen looked like he was about to fly across the yard and haul her into his arms.

Ellie stopped him cold in his tracks. “Give me one good reason why I’d want to marry a man who’s got the brains of a tumbleweed.”

“She loves you, all right,” Cal shouted from the porch steps.

“You stay out of this,” Ellie shouted back, pointing an accusing finger at Glen’s brother. “You encouraged him to do it, didn’t you?”

“Yup.” Cal seemed downright proud of himself.

“The next time Glen asks you for advice, ignore him.” Then she threw open the truck door and climbed inside.

“Ellie!” Glen started toward her. But when she revved the engine, he apparently knew better than to press his luck. He stayed where he was. Good thing, because in her current frame of mind she was liable to run him over.

When the dust had died down, Ellie glanced in her rearview mirror and groaned. Cal and Glen Patterson were leaping about, hugging each other wildly.

Ten

Glen Patterson had never been happier. Ellie loved him. Him. Not Richard Weston. And by golly, she was going to marry him, too!

“I knew it,” Cal announced cheerfully, as though he was personally responsible for the unexpected turn of events.

“Did you ever see such a woman?” Glen asked, watching Ellie drive away. Damn, but she had spunk. It wasn’t every woman who would’ve come out here to confront him the way she had.

Cal chuckled. “Don’t think I’ve ever seen a female that mad.” He glanced at his brother. “How’re you going to get her to marry you?”

That was a question Glen hadn’t considered. Of course Ellie would marry him. She loved him. He loved her. Marriage was the natural result of such feelings. Sure, she was mad at him right now, but she’d cool off and they’d sit down and talk this out and plan for their future together. “Any suggestions?”

“From me?” Cal adamantly shook his head. “Didn’t you hear? Ellie wasn’t too impressed with the advice I gave you earlier, although I don’t know what I said that was so wrong. Do you?”

“Nope.” Women baffled him just as much as they did Cal. “So, who should I ask for advice?”

Cal thought it over a moment. “Mom?”

“Not Mom,” Glen said. He loved his mother, but she was sure to meddle. All mothers did. Once she heard about this, she’d want to fix it; she’d want to talk to Ellie and act as a go-between and generally get involved. Glen shuddered. He preferred to handle the situation himself.

Cal shrugged. “Dovie, then. She’s got a good head on her shoulders.”

“Dovie,” Glen repeated slowly. Yes. She was a good choice.

After a night without sleep, followed by one of the most emotionally draining days of his life, Glen nearly nodded off during dinner. As soon as the evening chores were done, he showered and went to bed. He’d figure out what he should say to Ellie. Tomorrow... He’d figure it out tomorrow. As he drifted into sleep, he actually felt happy for the first time in weeks.

The next afternoon Glen opened the door to Dovie’s Antiques. Glancing around, he immediately removed his hat. Little wonder the women in town loved this place. It was full to the rafters with pretty things, and smelled a little like Savannah’s garden. If his nose didn’t mislead him, he caught the scent of some mighty fine brandy, too. Must be what she used to make that famous cordial of hers.

“Hello, Glen.” Dovie was her usual lighthearted self. “What can I do for you this fine day?”