Chapter 7

Chapter

Seven

Lily heard the low rumble of male voices in the foyer. She quietly eased closer until her back was pressed against the closest kitchen wall. With the floating steps, they’d see her if she got any closer. Thankfully, the open steps allowed her to hear them more clearly.

She knew she wasn’t in danger with Clint here, but the tension radiating from the entryway was palpable. She recognized Walker’s voice.

“You just muscled your way in to protect her and do some ‘fake fiancé’ ploy,” Walker said in the angriest voice she had ever heard the easy-going roper use. Lily couldn’t have missed the longing looks Walker sent her way, and she knew he’d stopped by the ranch twice since she and Miles broke up. Walker was incredible, but it was Clint for her. How could she let him know that without hurting him?

“Why would you do that?” Walker asked.

“I’m sorry, man,” Clint said. “She needed protection and named me as her fiancé. What did you want me to do?”

“You could’ve had me do the fiancé bit. You’re busy enough with your sheriff duties, and you’re not interested in Lily like I am.”

Lily’s heart raced. Clint’s response would give her the insight she needed. He was interested in her. Right? He would’ve kissed her if Walker hadn’t arrived. He’d said he hoped she never found out what she’d do without him. Did that mean anything to him? Under his beguiling blue-eyed gaze, she’d felt those words, his touch, and the moment deeply.

A few beats passed and her stomach churned with anticipation and anxiety. Please let Clint proclaim his love for me and take all the guessing away. It wasn’t a fabulous prayer, but it was heartfelt.

Silence reigned. Were the men staring each other down? Close to coming to blows?

“I’m sorry,” Clint said again. “I should’ve thought of that. It all happened fast and where she’d named me personally to the guy we think is the perp, I had to roll with it.”

Lily’s heart sank. Clint was only with her because she’d named him, because of duty? She couldn’t quite believe that with the way he looked at her and touched her, but maybe she was deluding herself. Every woman swooned over Clint. Was she making a mountain out of a molehill because she’d longed for him for so long? Miles had admitted the night they broke up that he’d stayed with her because of loyalty and duty. Yes, she wanted Clint loyal to her, but she never wanted to be some ‘duty’.

“I understand,” Walker said. “I want her safe and I know you’ll keep her that way.” Another pause. “After this is all over … will you swear to give me a chance to let her know how I feel and see if she returns it?”

“Of course I will,” Clint said with no hesitation this time.

What? He was just going to roll over and let his little brother move in on her? She was his fiancée. They’d shared moments, and she was in love with him. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyelids. She blinked quickly to clear them. She’d have to face Clint to get up to her bedroom. Hopefully she wouldn’t have to face Walker too. It was obvious he had a crush on her, but that was all it was—a crush. She and Walker weren’t meant to be like she and Clint were.

Except, apparently, they were still a no.

She was the only one who thought they were meant to be. How depressing and humiliating.

“Do you think the fake fiancé thing will last very long?” Walker asked.

“Nah. I’m going with her to the hospital tomorrow and Mark found prints on the gate outside her house. We’ll wrap it up soon.” Clint sounded tired. Was he tired of her and all this extra work? She thought they’d had two brilliant days together at her ranch. Had he been playing for the crowd, her family, and their guests that entire time? What about the times he’d touched her when they were alone, kissed her face, almost kissed her lips?

She rubbed at her chest. Her stomach turned over again, and her body felt cold all over. Maybe she had the flu or maybe her heart had just been broken. Even as a medical professional, she couldn’t determine which it was.

“Thanks, bro. I’ll wait to talk to her until it’s finished. I don’t want to risk Lily in any way. Thanks for watching out for her.”

“Of course. It’s my job.”

His job. She was only a job to Clint. Then why did he keep kissing her face, holding her close, saying sweet things, giving her meaningful looks? Nobody would name Sheriff Clint Coleville a player, but she felt played right now.

“Much obliged to you, brother. I’ll see you Sunday.” The door opened and then closed.

Lily rushed toward the counter, fanning her face to hide any sign of tears. She grabbed her water glass and chugged a drink as Clint walked slowly back into the main room.

Turning to face him, she said a prayer that she could hide how much she yearned for him and how broken she felt right now.

“It was Walker,” he said unnecessarily. He looked as tired and beaten down as she felt.

“Oh.” She made her voice bright and forced a smile. “What did he need?”

Clint looked her over, slowly. His gaze felt like a caress. His blue eyes were filled with longing. She wanted to run to him and kiss him. When their kisses lit up the night and dispelled any arguments about if they should be together, she would demand to know if he could simply let her go and let his brother have a chance with her. If he said yes, she’d punch him in that defined abdomen.

She held onto the glass tightly to stop her own reaction.

“Just clarifying some things.”

“Hmm.”

Did he know she’d listened in? He hadn’t made any effort to lower his voice. Maybe he wanted her to know he wasn’t interested, make it easier on himself rather than having to reject her outright. Could the famed Sheriff Clint Coleville be a wimp when it came to relationships? It didn’t fit, but the fact was she’d never known him to date anyone except for Sheryl. Maybe he was broken when it came to love.

“Well. I’m headed to bed,” she managed to say in a level voice, frustrated with him and the impending doom of going to the hospital tomorrow and facing Dr. Hampshire. “Five a.m. comes early.”

“Do you need to be there earlier than seven?”

“About six-forty.”

“Okay. We’ll leave at five-thirty, if that’s all right. We can pick up the listening device at my office on the way.”

“Perfect. Goodnight.” She hurried around him. She half-prayed that he’d grab her around the waist, push her against the wall, kiss her passionately, and explain he’d simply been trying to be conscientious of his little brother’s feelings.

He didn’t. He watched her go, and he did and said … nothing.

Lily hurried to her room. She needed prayer, a good night’s rest, and possibly a long cry. What a mess she was in. Finally with the man she’d always longed for and falling for him, and Clint was only doing his job.

She should be stewing about what would happen with Dr. Hampshire tomorrow. Instead, she could only hear the words ringing through her head:

You … me … it’s a no.

Those awful words were as true today as they’d been two years ago.