His Forever Valentine by Kit Morgan Page A

picked up the pot, and poured.
    Rose turned to Charlotte. “Who is escorting you to the dance?”
    The pot hit the tab le hard, causing Tom’s tea to slosh. Charlotte sat up a little straighter. “No one, I’m going … alone.”
    Rose watched at Matthew’s jaw tightened.  What was he so upset about? She then studied him. He was looking at the tabletop, his lips pressed together in a firm line, his body rigid. 
    “Miss Charlotte?” Tom asked.
    She looked at him, and gave a tentative smile. “Yes?”
    “If’n you like, I can escort you to the dance. You’re too pretty to go by yourself.”
    She blushed at his compliment.
    Matthew snapped a biscuit in two and plunged it into his tea. He then stuffed it into his mouth and chewed as he eyed the deputy. Was he scowling? Intrigued, Rose quickly looked to Charlotte, who was now staring at Deputy Turner with the same look she’d been giving Matthew. Oh good grief!
    Rose grabbed the teapot and poured herself a second cup.  When she set the pot down, no one had so much as glanced her way as they sat frozen in place, staring at each other.  She sat back with her cup, and sipped slowly.  This was going nowhere, fast. She almost choked on her tea as she fought against a giggle. Nowhere. Fast. Name of the town …
    “I …” Charlotte began.
    Both men leaned forward, Matthew in mid-chew.
    “I’d be honored t o attend with you,” she told Tom.
    Matthew quickly picked up his cup, and drained it. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to … step out.” He stood, favoring his injured ankle as he did, and limped to the back door.
    “You need any help, Mr. Quinn?” Tom asked.
    “No, need some air, and the privy.”
    Charlotte and Rose blushed, and turned their faces away at the announcement.
    “You sure you’re gonna be okay?” the deputy asked again.
    “Fin e! I’m fine!” he snapped, shoved his spectacles up his nose, and headed for the hallway. “I’ll be back momentarily.
      They watched him go, listened to the kitchen ’s back door open, and the subsequent slam that followed.
    “Is it just me,” Tom drawled. “Or does he seem upset?”
    Rose and Charlotte l ooked at each other.  “I don’t know him well enough yet to say,” said Rose.
    He looked to Charlotte. She shrugged. “I’ve just realized I don’t know him at all…”
    “But didn’t you grow up together?” Rose asked.
    “Yes,” she said in a soft voice. “ But I guess I should have paid closer attention.”
     
    * * *

    Matthew stumbled down the mercantile’s back steps to the privy.  He didn’t really need to use it, the thought alone made him shudder. He much preferred the water closet in his family’s living quarters. They were one of the few families in town that had one, but preference aside, he needed to get out of the parlor.  He’d begun to entertain visions of a shoot-out with Deputy Turner, and the thought drove him to the street in hopes the cold air would bring him to his senses.
    What was he thinking ?  Good Lord! If Tom Turner wanted to escort Charlotte to the dance, he had every right to do so!  It’s not like she was committed to go with him, even though he did ask her first, before Miss Smith showed up, that is.
    Matthew plopped down on the porch steps.  What was he to do? His feelings for Charlotte were out of control! He wanted to scream in Tom Turner’s face to get away from her, but what would that do?  He had to think about poor Miss Smith and what to do about her.
    “Hello, son!”
    Matthew looked up to see his father driving their t eam down the back street toward him. He’d not seen the man since his return home. “Pa!” He stood to greet him, and held to the porch rail for support.
    His father brought the team to a halt, set the brake, and climbed down from the wagon. He grabbed Matthew into a fierce hug. “I’ve missed you, Matt.” He pulled away and look ed him up and down. “Your ma been stuffing you already?”
    “Not yet, but she’s