Free His Forever Valentine by Kit Morgan Page B

would have had the chance to speak with her.  Poor Colin had a pain-filled courtship, but it all worked out and he now had a beautiful wife and family.
    Tom sighed as he walked up the steps to the Sheriff’s office. Why did romance have to be so pain-filled in any variety?  Why couldn’t things move along smoothly when it came to affairs of the heart?  He’d often wondered about it growing up while watching the men of Clear Creek fall in love and get married.  He wanted it, but at the same time, wanted something more.  Ever since he met the MacDonalds, a couple that came to Clear Creek upon occasion and had  … something … something he wanted, but he couldn’t put a name to it. Yet it was special, and he could see it in the way Mr. MacDonald gazed into his wife’s eyes, in the way he was always at her side, watching over her, as if she was the most precious jewel in the world.  And she looked at him with the same intensity. It went far beyond what he’d witnessed in his lifetime, and he wanted it for himself.
    He entered the Sheriff’s office, set down the boots, and took off his coat. After hanging it up he went to the stove and poured himself a cup of coffee. He held the hot cup with both hands to warm them, and leaned against the desk. “Rose,” he whispered. He liked the sound of her name on his lips, the feel of her small waist in his hands, the weight of her body as he lifted her from the ladder. “Rose …”
    Tom closed his eyes, her face coming to mind in an instant. “Rose …” His eyes sprang open. “Why’d ya have to go and belong to someone else?”
    Another image entered his mind, Dallan MacDonald and his wife Shona walking down the road out of town, hand in hand. No horse, no wagon, nothing. They’d come into town with nothing, and left with nothing. Except each other … and each other was all they needed. He remembered it like it was yesterday, and today realized he just may have found for himself, the same thing.  The only problem was, Rose Smith belonged to another man.
     
    * * *

      Charlotte dragged her feet. She didn’t want to play chaperone again, it only reminded her of how alone she was.
    “Charlotte,” Abbey said, pulling her from her thoughts. “Are you going to finish your dress soon?”
    Charlotte’s eyes traveled from the dress on the bed, to her sister. “Yes, I’ll finish it.”
    Abbey moved the dress out of the way and sat next to her. “Why so glum?  You are looking forward to the dance aren’t you?”
      She let go a heavy sigh. “I suppose so.”
    “Is it because you have to go alone? I know how badly you want a beau of your own.”
    “I’m not going alone.”
    “You’re not? Why that’s wonderful! Who’s escorting you?”
    “Tom Turner.”
    “Deputy Turner? How romantic, he’s quite the hero you know.”
    Charlotte picked at an unseen thread. “I know, I was there, remember?”
    “He helped rescue you and Elle!  I’d think you’d be proud to be escorted to the dance by him.”
    Charlotte looked at her. “I know I should be, but  … I don’t understand why I’m not.”
    “You’ve had a terrible shock with what happened a few weeks ago. Try not to let it bother you, go to the dance, have a good time.” She hooked an arm through Charlotte’s . “I have something to tell you.”
    Charlotte turned to her. “You’re not leaving?”
    “We are, Billy’s decided, we’re definitely going.”
    Charlotte closed her eyes. “When?”
      “Right after the main thaw. Billy’s thinking of Oregon City now.”
    Charlotte choked back tears. “I’m happy for you.”
    Abbey hugged her. “Charlotte, why don’t you consider Tom? He’d make a good husband.”
    Charlotte gently pushed them apart. “I know he would, but as a husband for me, I … I don’t know.”
    “Mother would be beside herself to have both of us married! Maybe if you married Tom, he’d move the two of you to Oregon City!  Our children could grow up