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Chapter Sixteen

“What are you going to do?” Felicity asked, coming up behind Grant as the delivery wagon rambled away, Wren sitting next to the driver. She appeared so diminutive next to the burly man whom he’d asked to wait.

“I am not sure what I can do.” He slid a look to his sister. “You heard her. She does not want anything to do with me.”

For a moment, he thought Felicity would not reply. Of course, there was nothing to be said because Wren had made it abundantly clear there could never be anything between them.

“Is she right to think you and she can never be?” Felicity asked. “Are there obstacles that are too great to overcome?”

Why was she questioning him now? His mind was awhirl with what had just happened; a clear thought was hard to come by. In truth, what he wanted to do was throw something. “If she agreed to be with me, to allow me to court her, then no, there are no obstacles that are too great that we cannot work through. However…”

Felicity hit his arm. “However, a courtship between the two of you would be difficult,” his sister stated. “What you need to do is propose marriage. It’s obvious. She is madly in love with you and you with her. But the formality of a courtship will only make her uncomfortable.”

“What?” He stared at his sister, waiting for her to admit what she’d just stated was in jest. “Wren is not in love with me…”

“Only love could bring such a passionate response to the gift. Why did she not just send it back? Why come in person?” Felicity’s eyes sparkled. “And you, dear brother. I have never seen you so affected by a woman. When you speak of her…and the way you devour her with your eyes. I have no doubt that you are deeply in love.”

Grant raked a hand through his hair, not caring if it was messy. His sister was right, and he could no longer deny the truth of her words. He let his shoulders sag. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Must I do everything?” Felicity said to the babe who gurgled happily and swept an arm toward the now empty drive. “It’s easy. Go after her. She is worth you having to grovel a bit, is she not?”

*

His horse wasswift and soon the wagon came into view. Grant pulled back at the reins, slowing the horse to a trot when they came alongside.

First the driver and then Wren turned to look at him, both of their eyes widening at recognizing him.

“Stop the wagon,” Grant called out.

“Don’t listen to him,” Wren ordered, once again looking forward.

The poor man was obviously torn; he slowed the wagon to a crawl but didn’t stop completely. Grant let it be for a moment. “Wren, I must speak to you. I have something important to ask.” He leaned toward her, on the side of his horse, to ensure she heard him.

“There is nothing you can say that will make me change my mind. You know I am right. It is best you go on with your life and pretend you never met me.”

Grant had to direct the horse around a carriage coming past and then he rode back to position himself beside the wagon once more. “Listen to me. Please.”

When Wren didn’t reply, the driver gave Grant an apologetic look. “Miss, you should at least listen to him. I have other deliveries and must speed up.”

At that, Wren turned to him. “What do you wish to ask me?” The pain in her eyes made him want to jump from the horse and pull her into his arms. The visit to his house had broken her heart. She was sad.

And it was all his fault. “My question is this,” he said and hesitated. Wren watched him, her gaze intent.

“Will you marry me?”

The words hung in the air. The driver pulled the wagon to a stop, which Wren didn’t seem to notice. Grant pulled his horse to a halt, then dismounted and came to stand beside the wagon. “Wren, I am in love with you. Everything I’ve done is because I cannot imagine a day without seeing you. I have been wrong in my approach, I admit it. Please be my wife and put me out of my misery.”

She stared at him agog, lips parting then closing, at a loss for words.

“Seems sincere to me, Miss,” the driver interjected.

“What about Lucinda Roberts?” She lifted a brow.

“I will never return to her. I will inform her immediately that nothing will ever happen between us again.”

“I believe him, Miss,” the driver interjected.

To his surprise, Wren’s lips twitched, then she pressed them together. With no warning and to his utter delight, she launched herself into his arms and buried her face into his neck as she clutched him tightly.