Corbin felt Catherine’s piercing gaze bore into the back of his head as he strode across the room to where Mr. O’Conner stood. Once he’d dreamed about the day Catherine would become his wife, but seven years had apparently been enough time to snuff out any lingering desires he’d once held toward her. He might have even once memorized the subtle smile that reached her eyes, the shade of her honey-colored hair, and even the familiar tilt of her determined chin. They were all traits that had—at one time—affected him more than he cared to admit. But no more. Especially in light of their last conversation…and the events of the day he left Revenge.
Still unable to stop himself, he turned slightly and caught the confusion registered in her eyes. He shouldn’t have been so abrupt. But while the last thing he wanted to do was offend her, Catherine wasn’t a part of his plan in returning to Revenge. And if his presence was going to be a problem, his only option was to avoid her.
As one of the few bachelors in his last hometown, he was used to the single women vying for his attention while the older ladies worked on their matchmaking skills. He, on the other hand, had ignored their schemes and buried himself in his work. Of course, no one had yet to capture his attention the way Catherine once had. Which was fine as far as he was concerned. He was certainly better off without the likes of Catherine Morgan in his life.
He pushed away the lingering scent of her perfume, and the memories it brought with it, and approached O’Conner. Even if he had once loved Catherine—as much as a young man with no true experience in the world could love a woman—there was no need to prolong the awkwardness between them. Once he finished his job, he planned to leave this town for good.
Corbin shook his host’s outstretched hand.
The corners of O’Conner’s lips formed a half-smile. “Don’t let her fool you, Mr. Hunter.”
“Excuse me.” Corbin couldn’t help but take another quick look at Catherine.
Mr. O’Conner nodded in the direction of his wife and sister-in-law, but Corbin quickly turned back to the older man, pretending he didn’t notice the inconspicuous stares behind the fluttering of dark lashes. “I don’t remember the last time I saw Emily’s sister so gussied up. New dress, new hat…”
“New hat?” Corbin shook his head. “I don’t understand.”
O’Conner leaned against the carved mantelpiece. “Normally, Catherine spends most of her time behind the counter of her store, dealing with customers and bookkeeping. Can’t say that I’ve ever noticed her taking time for such feminine wiles. Unlike my wife, all Catherine seems to need is a handful of practical dresses for her work and Sunday meetings.” His smile broadened. “At least until tonight.”
“Tonight?” Corbin lowered his voice to just above a whisper. “Are you implying she did all this for…for me?”
O’Conner chuckled. “The way I figure it, an old beau shows up in town that Catherine never quite got over. Now, I’m not sure if the idea was hers alone or if her three meddlesome sisters had something to do with it, but somewhere during the past twenty-four hours, she decided to make quite a transformation. If you were to ask me, she’s actually quite lovely.”
Corbin felt the heat rise along the back of his neck despite the cool breeze from the open window. Lovely, charming, intelligent…But this was Catherine. Lovely or not, he’d already learned his lesson.
O’Conner nudged him with his elbow. “Don’t worry. My wife didn’t give any details of your past relationship with Catherine, but—”
“Good.” Corbin cringed at his own abruptness, but he couldn’t help it. Small towns meant inflated rumors, something he intended to squelch before they even started. His past with Catherine was not a subject he wanted resurrected. For both their sakes. “It was a long time ago. People change.”
“You’re right, and I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“No. I’m the one who’s sorry. It’s just that…”
Corbin bit his tongue. Despite his own words of caution, it was all he could do to stop his curiosity from asking the barrage of questions that plagued him regarding Catherine. Why hadn’t she married? Because she’d never really gotten over him? Or had she forgotten the day he left Revenge, leaving a piece of his heart behind?
Of course she’d put him behind her. O’Conner might be right in the fact that Catherine spent most of her time running her store, but there was nothing wrong with a woman who was also a capable business owner. From what he could see, she’d done quite well. And most importantly, she had forgotten him and any thoughts of their relationship years ago. Which of course she should have. There were women who didn’t need a husband and family for fulfillment. Catherine was obviously one of them.
Corbin cleared his throat and turned back to O’Conner. “The truth is, my reasons to return to Revenge had nothing to do with Miss Morgan.”
“I suppose I assumed she was at least part of the reason for your return.”
Corbin frowned. “Yesterday you mentioned the gang that’s robbing banks through the surrounding counties. I specifically asked the governor to be involved in the attempt to capture the men and take them into custody.”
“Sounds rather personal.”
“It is.” Corbin’s jaw tensed. “And my new job as sheriff of this town gives me the perfect opportunity to track down what the authorities are now calling the Masked Gang.”
The rustling of ladies’ skirts swished behind them as Mrs. O’Conner and Catherine moved to listen to yet another one of Harrison Tucker’s stories. Her laugh rang out across the room, a bit more boisterous than he remembered. Of course, he really didn’t know her anymore.
He focused his attention back on his host. “Mr. O’Conner, I’ve been gone so long, there are quite a few new faces for me. I was wondering if you could tell me about your guests.”
“Certainly. Where would you like to start?”
His gaze swept past Catherine to the dark-haired man who held her attention. “How about Harrison Tucker.”
Corbin Hunter was no different than her father, the man who walked out on her mother. And just like her father, Corbin had made it perfectly clear that he no longer harbored any feelings toward her. Nor remorse over walking out on her. Which was fine with her.
Catherine took another small bite of Milena’s cheesecake, a treat she normally savored. Tonight it was as hard to swallow as another one of Harrison’s stories. Despite the fact that she was quite certain Audrey’s charming fiancé was spinning yet another tall tale of adventure in the Alaskan gold mines, she’d managed to smile and laugh with the other women at the appropriate pauses as if his story was the most amusing thing she’d heard of since steerable roller skates. She’d much rather be sitting in the backroom of her store finishing up the monthly accounts. At least figures didn’t lie. Nor did they walk out on her in the middle of a conversation.
She glanced down and frowned at her new dress, with its ecru oriental lace that had depleted a good portion of her savings. Her sisters had been completely out of line to encourage her to believe she could actually turn the head of a possible suitor because she happened to be fashionably attired. Watching Corbin…Mr. Hunter…interact with Emily’s husband and the other guests tonight might make her wonder—if only for a brief moment—what would have happened if things had turned out differently. If he’d never left Revenge. But too much time had passed for second chances. She’d accepted that fact years ago.
Catherine took another small bite of the cake from the glass dessert plate. Who said she needed a man in her life anyway? Being a spinster—even one who’d been twice jilted—was no cause to be ashamed. She’d taken what life had handed her, raised her sisters on her own, and turned a once floundering business into a success. She had her family, her church work, and Morgan’s General Store. Life was good. Something many people only dreamed about. She took another veiled peek across the room at Corbin, who had been joined by two of the local farmers. No, memories of Sunday afternoon walks, church picnics, the day he proposed were better left kept where she’d buried them years ago.
She glanced across the room at Philip Rutherford and smiled. Now there was a man who knew how to treat a woman. While he’d never asked permission to court her, he’d implied his interest on several occasions. Perhaps it was time to consider the possibility.
“Catherine?”
Catherine startled at Lily’s voice.
“Are you all right?” Lily rested her hand on Catherine’s forearm. “You’ve been quiet tonight.”
“Of course. I just…”
Just what? She looked down at the empty plate she now held. Emily’s living room was almost empty as well. Apparently, while she was lost in a past she’d intended to forget, she’d missed Harrison’s latest narrative, and the departure of the majority of the guests.
“What time is it?”
“Just past nine,” Lily told her. “Are you ready to leave? John went to get the buggy.”
“Already? Yes, I…” Catherine set the plate down on the table Emily had decorated with fresh flowers and candles, the wicks now burnt down to short nubs. “I didn’t realize it was so late.”
“The sheriff’s ride left early, so I offered him a ride back into town. I hope that’s all right with you.” Lily grabbed Catherine by the hand and pulled her toward the padded bench where they had laid their shawls and gloves. “If I didn’t already have my heart set on John, I might just be having second thoughts.”
“Really, Lily, you should be ashamed of yourself. For one, Mr. Hunter—”
“Sheriff Hunter.”
“Sheriff Hunter is far too old for you, and two, you know nothing about him other than the fact that he’s—”
“Handsome, intelligent, and witty?” Lily grinned. “Exactly my point. I’m surprised he’s not working in some big city like Boston or New York. He’s bound to be bored to death in this town.”
“Really, Lily.” Her sister’s habit of finishing other people’s sentences could be quite exasperating.
Lily leaned forward as she slid on her gloves. “Don’t tell me you haven’t seen the way he looked at you all night from across the room.”
“Looked at me? If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to play matchmaker, a game I thought I’d made perfectly clear I wasn’t going to play.”
“And why not?” Audrey appeared out of nowhere beside Catherine, her eyes bright with a hint of mischief. “There’s nothing wrong with helping to fan a few dimming sparks of romance along, now is there? With a little encouragement from your side, I can guarantee that Sheriff Hunter will come calling on the prettiest storekeeper in town. I know a man who’s interested when I see it.”
“Audrey!” More than likely his expression was due to indigestion. Milena’s food always was a bit too rich for some people.
Lily nodded knowingly to Audrey. “And if you ask me, the sheriff wasn’t the only one who couldn’t keep his eyes from straying across the room tonight. Catherine seemed to spend the entire evening daydreaming.”
Audrey nodded.
“Lily…Audrey! Why I certainly did no such thing.”
“Really?” Audrey asked. “So you’re telling me that even after all these years, you have no feelings whatsoever for the man who once stole your heart.”
Before ripping it in two.
“None, whatsoever.” Catherine’s jaw tensed and she made her hand into a fist. “I’ll aim a sockdolager at his upper lip before ever agreeing to let him court me again.”
“Why Catherine Morgan.” Audrey swung her shawl across her shoulders and shook her head. “I do believe you protest far too much. And besides that, you ought to be ashamed of yourself for talking that way about a perfectly fine gentleman.”
The room suddenly became far too hot and stuffy. Catherine glanced across the large living room. Emily was saying good-bye to the last of her guests, and thankfully, there was no sign of Corbin.
Catherine grabbed her lace shawl from the table. “Sheriff Hunter might be a fine—and handsome—gentleman. And we might have once held…feelings for each other. But none of that holds true anymore.”
“It’s all perfectly clear to me.” Audrey linked her arm with Catherine’s. “You still hold a burning flame for him, but you’re too stubborn to admit it.”
“Why I never…”
Catherine pulled away from her sister and waltzed out the front door without even stopping to tell Emily thank you. She’d apologize later for her rudeness, but the last thing she’d ever do was admit that Audrey was right.
Because she wasn’t.
Her sisters knew nothing about what had transpired between them the last time she’d seen Corbin Hunter, nor the fact that her injured pride would never allow her to let a man like him back into her life.
Catherine fled toward the buggy while trying to hold back the stream of tears threatening to spill. Seeing Corbin again had dashed—for a second time—every hope and dream she’d carried as a young girl. Plans of marriage, children, and protection had vanished with the early morning mist the day he’d left. And she’d been thrust into mothering her sisters while Corbin had gone on with life without her.
She stopped short at the edge of the buggy. Her lips parted. He stood there, hands in his pockets, head cocked to the side, looking just as uncomfortable as she felt. But despite what her sisters claimed, she knew that Corbin no longer harbored a spark of interest in the town spinster.
“Mr. Hunter,” she began, “I hope you enjoyed the party.”
“I did, thank you.” Corbin shifted his weight. “And I hope you don’t mind sharing the buggy with me. Your sister was rather insistent that it wasn’t a problem. I hitched a ride here with the Parkers, but they had to leave early.”
“So she said.” Catherine prayed she’d be able to tame her tongue, as the Good Book required, the next time she saw Lily, but at the moment she wasn’t sure who she desired most to give a tongue-lashing to—Corbin Hunter, for daring to walk back into her life and turn her orderly world upside down, or her interfering sisters for trying to make her believe that they could pick up where they left off.
“Are you cold?” he asked. “I could give you my jacket.”
Catherine’s gaze dropped to the ground. She tried counting pebbles beneath the light of the full moon as a distraction from his gray eyes, which seemed to penetrate all the way through her. “I’m quite warm actually, Mr. Hunter. Thank you.”
The deep laugh that followed sounded forced. “Do you really think that such formalities are necessary between us? We were, at one time…engaged to be married. And if I’m to be living here again, even though temporarily, it seems as if we can at least be cordial toward each other without feeling so uncomfortable.”
Soft laughter distracted Catherine momentarily. John had returned inside and was now escorting Lily to the buggy. They strolled arm-in-arm, the way Corbin once escorted her to various social events. She remembered clearly the whispered words, stolen touches…
Catherine’s face flushed. “I agree, as we are now older and wiser, we should be able to live in the same town without a wall of awkwardness between us. But as for formalities…Mr. Hunter…yes, I believe they are necessary.”
She turned away from him again, wishing her words hadn’t come out as cold as they had. That hadn’t been her intent. Far from it. But she had every intention of guarding her heart, something she couldn’t well do if she were to do something as intimate as call him by his first name.
Corbin felt his lungs press against the walls of his chest. He reprimanded himself for letting the woman sitting beside him affect him, but a buried sea of resentment flooded through him in fresh surges. He’d planned to spend the evening gathering information, primarily on Hamilton Tucker, and instead he’d become distracted with—he glanced over at Catherine with her fancy hat and silk dress—with her. The problem was that there were far more serious issues at hand. If Mr. Tucker was the man Corbin thought he was, it was only a matter of time until he’d be able to apprehend him. O’Conner had given him little useful information other than the fact that Harrison was new to town and that he’d quickly woven his way into the hearts of the town—especially the heart of Audrey Morgan. Within three months of his arrival, he’d asked for Audrey’s hand in marriage, and no one seemed to question that they might not really know who the man was.
Which left Corbin facing the undeniable reality that if his instincts were true, Audrey’s heart would be broken. Something he knew Catherine would never forgive him for. But he also knew that it was something he couldn’t avoid. Duty had to come first. That had been something Catherine herself had taught him.
He watched her from the corner of his eye and had to smile despite the awkwardness of the situation. She looked as if she were heading to an execution, not simply driving home from a party on a lovely summer evening. She stared straight ahead, shoulders taut, hands clasped in front of her. Had the night he’d left Revenge affected her that much? He might not be able to forget that night, but surely it was possible for them to live in the same town without continual skirmishing between them.
He cleared his throat, determined to break the silence between them that hung heavier than the approaching storm clouds. “I was surprised to hear that you never married.”
He saw her eyes widen in the silvery glow of the moon and instantly regretted his words. Apparently he wasn’t any more sensitive to a woman’s needs than he had been all those years ago.
He combed his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry…it’s certainly none of my business.”
“No, it’s not.” Her fingers tightened against the wad of fabric they clutched in her lap. “Though I suppose, unlike my sisters, I’ve never found the one person I wanted to share my life with.”
Corbin felt the well-placed jab prick his heart.
“What of you?” she continued. “Isn’t there a wife and family waiting for you to return when you’re finished with this job?”
“I, too, have yet to find that one person.” Not that he’d been consciously looking. He’d spent his life dodging the calculated plans of matchmakers and had eaten enough homemade pies and cakes—from both eligible young women and widows whose goal it was to trap him into the confines of matrimony—to feed an army.
He cleared his throat. “All I’ve got waiting for me back home is a dog named Badger.”
The rest of the trip toward town was silent except for John and Lily’s continued whispers from the front of the buggy that only seemed to add to the awkwardness in the back seat. Finally, Morgan’s General Store came into view, bringing with it an inaudible sigh of relief to Corbin’s lips.
Except that there was one more thing he needed to say to her. “I’m not sure how to say this, but I’ve always wanted to apologize for that day. The situation was—”
Her hand brushed his sleeve, sending a flood of memories through him, despite the pleading in her eyes. “Please, don’t. Sometimes the past is better off forgotten.”
He nodded. If she didn’t want to talk about it, that was fine with him. Besides, he’d already discovered she was right. He jumped to the ground to help her down. She took his hand but avoided his gaze as she alighted from the vehicle, stumbling on the last step.
She quickly found her balance. “Good night, Mr. Hunter.”
“Good night, Miss Morgan.” He watched her walk away, his resolve to forget the past strengthened. The next time he encountered her, he’d be a perfect gentleman. Because he hadn’t returned home for Catherine Morgan. He’d come here for one reason and one reason only. Revenge.