She smiled warmly at John Metcalf, who had come this windy afternoon to tell her about the farm he had just leased. “What are your plans, John? Will you raise beef?”
“I reckon so. I still have some work to do on the barn, though, before I can purchase any stock. There’s a hole in the roof the size of a wagon wheel.”
“Oh my!” Still trying to ignore the urge to turn and look at Adam, Madeline laughed with John, who began to fidget nervously on the bench. He cleared his throat a few times before speaking.
“The other reason I came, Miss Oxley, is to ask you to accompany me to the summer dance at the Aikens’ place. I hear they clear out their barn for a real romp.”
Madeline felt her face color. No one had ever asked her to a dance before. She took a moment to consider his invitation, then she pictured Adam escorting Diana and dancing all night long with her.
A quick decision immediately followed, but she was uncomfortable with it. “Yes, John, I would be happy to go with you. When is it?”
“Next Saturday night. I can come by to pick you up at seven.” He nearly spilled his tea as he took another sip.
Just then, Madeline heard Adam’s footsteps over the hard ground and sensed his approach. He stopped behind them. This time, she allowed herself to turn on the bench and smile casually. “Good morning, Adam.”
“Good morning, Madeline. Metcalf, how are you?”
“I’m fine, sir. I came to tell Madeline that I found land to lease. It’s nearby—not more than a stone’s throw, down in the lowlands just past the Chapman place.”
Adam unbuttoned his coat. “Congratulations. You must be pleased about that.”
“I am, sir.” John gazed at Madeline and smiled. “I’mverypleased.”
Madeline felt her whole body tense at John’s blatant show of affection for her. It was the first time anyone had ever looked at her like that. It was just like the way Jacob looked at Mary.
Her insides tugged unpleasantly in response.
Perhaps that tugging sensation would become pleasant later on.
Or perhaps not.
What would she do if it did? Or didn’t?
She glanced up at Adam, who was still staring icily at John, who was staring starry-eyed at her. Good Lord, she couldn’t believe she was having this philosophical debate with herself in front of Adam.
The wind caught the ribbon in Adam’s queue and lifted it. She stared blankly at it for a moment, feeling dazed at the sight of his strong jaw and dark eyes, his broad shoulders beneath his coat, and the way he held himself—tall, confident, mature. He was so much more of a man than John was.
But he was not the one who was courting her.
At that instant, she knew with conviction that shemustmake an effort not only to appreciate John Metcalf for all his good qualities, but to encourage him, too. She had to forget about Adam and move on with her life. She couldn’t go on pining for her sister’s future husband.
She pasted on a smile for John and forced a polite reply past her lips. “I’m pleased, too.”
“Well, good,” Adam said, his voice deep and booming. “Everyone’s pleased. If you’ll excuse me now, I have some business to attend to.” He started toward the door, but hesitated and turned back. “Madeline, perhaps we could talk this evening. About something rather…important.”
With that final word, he left, taking long strides toward the house. Madeline watched after him, wondering what he wanted to talk about.
“Is there something wrong, Madeline?”
She jumped at the sound of John’s voice, pulling her back to the here and now.
“You look melancholy,” he said.
Madeline pulled her teacup to her lips. “Melancholy?” She struggled for an excuse to give him, to give herself. “I suppose it is this ominous weather.” She glanced up at the dark, brooding clouds, blustering across the sky. “I daresay, it looks like we’re going to get rain.”
No amount of rain, however, could compare to the tempest inside her heart.
Adam stormed into the house, his frustration reaching a new peak. He detested the idea of John Metcalf courting Madeline, yet he had no one to blame but himself, for he had been stalling these past few days. He was not looking forward to confronting Diana, breaking her heart and sending her home, but if he didn’t do it now, he would risk losing Madeline forever.
