gestured behind the church. “They sent me to ask if you’re up to joining us.”
She really shouldn’t. However, she did get a kick out of showing up guys like her pa who thought girls were weaker and dumber than them.
“I think Preston wants a rematch. He can’t accept that he was beaten by a girl.” He grinned broadly.
Sophie debated. She sure wouldn’t mind besting that arrogant Preston Williams a second time.
“Well, I—”
“Oh, hey, Nathan.” Kenny nodded in greeting.
Turning her head, her wide gaze landed on her too-handsome-for-words neighbor. Wearing a charcoal-gray shirt that molded to his corded shoulders and broad chest, the deep color made his silver eyes glow and shorn hair gleam a richer brown. Black trousers emphasized his long, lean legs, and he wore a sharp-looking pair of black leather lace-up boots. Quiet confidence radiated from his stance, his square shoulders and straight spine, his determined jaw and the unspoken message in his expression that he could handle any challenge that came his way.
Nathan wasn’t the showy type. Nor was he a man who liked to be the center of attention. His appeal was his complete unawareness of his attractiveness, his obliviousness to the single young ladies’ admiring glances.
Sophie hadn’t heard his approach, but apparently he’d been there long enough to hear Kenny’s question because his cool gaze was watching her closely, waiting for her response.
What will it be? his eyes seemed to challenge. Will you do the proper thing, or will you give in to impulse and act the hoyden?
Because she knew that no matter what she did she could not ultimately win his approval, Sophie was tempted to do it simply to irk him.
“I’m ready now, Nathan.” Pauline Johnson approached with a goofy grin and a buoyant light in her eyes. The tall, curvaceous blonde, stunning in teal, sidled close to Nathan. “Oh, hello, Sophie. Kenny.”
Sophie opened her mouth but couldn’t find her voice. Her heart beat out a dull tattoo. They were clearly here together. On a date. When was the last time Nathan had squired a girl around? He wasn’t interested in pursuing a relationship. Wasn’t that what he always said whenever his brothers gave him a hard time about being single?
Seeing Pauline curl her hand around his forearm, Sophie felt physically ill.
“Just a minute.” He barely allowed the blonde a glance, still obviously intent on Sophie’s response to Kenny’s summons.
Sophie glanced once more at the pie. It mocked her now. The foolish piece of her heart that refused to listen to reason, that still clung to the hope that one day he’d see her as an accomplished and attractive young woman worthy of his regard, withered and died.
Jerking her chin up, she determined he would never guess how deeply he’d wounded her. “Hello, Pauline,” she said, forcing a brightness to her voice. Please let it ring true. “You’re looking lovely this evening.”
Her grin widened, cobalt eyes shining with humble gratitude. “You’re kind to say so.” She gestured over her shoulder to where the O’Malleys were gathering. “Will you be joining us?”
Us. As in Pauline and Nathan and his family.
“I’m afraid not.” Not now, anyway. Her throat thickened with despair. Admit it, you’re jealous. Ugh! The kicker was that she actually liked Pauline. The same age as Nathan, Pauline was not only beautiful but considerate, friendly, and one of the best sopranos in Gatlinburg. Folks loved it when she sang specials at church.
Smart, sensible and accomplished. Unlike Sophie, Pauline was perfect for Nathan.
The knowledge cut deep.
“I actually have other plans.” To Kenny, she said, “Tell Preston I accept his challenge.”
His eyes lit up. “Nice.”
“Sophie—” Nathan growled.
Holding up a hand, she shot a pointed glance in Pauline’s direction. “You should tend to your guest. Enjoy the picnic, Pauline.”
Head high, she pivoted on her heel and called out to Kenny, “Wait up. I’ll walk with you.”
She left him standing there, bristling with disapproval. But she refused to let it sway her decision. Worrying about Nathan O’Malley’s opinion of her was a complete waste of time.
* * *
Nathan wanted nothing more than to go after her. The young lady at his side prevented that. Probably just as well. You’re not Sophie Tanner’s keeper. Distance, remember?
“Nathan?”
Ripping his gaze from the duo’s retreating forms, he plastered a placating smile on his face. “Let’s go join my family, shall we? Or we can sit with yours, if you’d rather.”
It would spare him Josh and Kate’s curiosity. The happily wedded couple had recently started hinting it was time he think about settling down. And, since this was the first time in months—possibly years—he’d escorted a girl anywhere, they were right to have questions.
Maybe that’s why Sophie had seemed so shocked to see him with Pauline. Her face had gone as white as the clouds above—
“I’d prefer to visit with your family.” The pretty blonde beamed at him, fingers clutching his sleeve a little too possessively. Just your imagination.
A long-time acquaintance, he’d chosen Pauline Johnson because she wasn’t the type of girl to read too much into a single outing. Nor was she so romantically minded she’d be miffed at his last-minute invitation.
Leading her past the long tables sagging beneath the weight of the food, he guided her to a prime spot on a gentle knoll beneath the protective branches of a sweet gum. Josh was propped up against the trunk, lazily observing the crowd. Keen interest sparked in his expression the moment he spotted them.
Ma elbowed Pa in the ribs, nodding and smiling as if he’d given her a surprise gift. Great. He had a sinking suspicion this wasn’t going to be as fun as he’d imagined.
“Pauline, how nice to see you.” Ma gestured to an empty patchwork quilt next to theirs. “Have a seat.”
He waited until she was seated, her crisp skirts arranged around her, to lower himself a good twenty-four inches away. Not because he was afraid of his reaction to her—he’d established with immense relief that she didn’t affect him in any way, good or bad—but because he wanted no illusions to form in her mind or anyone else’s.
Her cloying perfume wafted from her sleek blond mane and tickled his nose. He sneezed.
“God bless you.”
“Thanks,” he muttered, inconveniently recalling Sophie’s natural, pleasing scent.
“How is your sister and her new husband getting along?” Mary asked. “Do they like living in Sevierville?”
Pauline’s mouth formed a moue. “Laura’s homesick. Ma wishes they’d move back here, especially before they start a family.” She relaxed back on her hands, extended so that her fingertips nearly grazed his thigh. Was that on purpose? He shifted slightly to the right.
A scowl curled his lips. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. After all, Sophie still dominated his thoughts and hadn’t that been the point of this exercise? Distraction?
Mary nodded. “I can understand. I feel so blessed Josh and Kate settled here. I’ll get to spend a lot of time doting on my first grandchild.”
The conversation turned to babies. Nathan tried to stay focused, he really did, but an irritating little voice demanded to be heard. What if Sophie got herself into a fix? Those guys could play rough sometimes. What if she got hurt?
A cloud of aggravation lodged in his chest, expanding until he couldn’t ignore