The Lawman's Christmas Wish by Linda Goodnight Page B

of rugged, handsome, manly men in Treasure Creek.”
    And Delilah had chased them all. That was the problem. She had come on so strong that most of the men had run backward to escape her obvious man-hunting. Delilah was pretty and outgoing and charming in her own way, but she was only just now learning that being obnoxious and overbearing—even in a fur coat, fancy clothes and expensive Ugg boots—was not attractive.
    â€œI thought you were interested in Corey Martelli.”
    Delilah lifted one shoulder. “Not really. Not anymore. He’s cute and all, but he’s not my type.”
    â€œWho is your type?”
    â€œYou’re going to think I’m crazy.”
    Half of Treasure Creek already did. Delilah had started planning a wedding—without a groom—the moment she’d hit town. Amy smiled. “You already said that. So tell me.”
    â€œPromise not to laugh.”
    Amy crossed her heart. “Promise.”
    â€œRonald Pfifer.”
    With a frown, Amy said, “I don’t think I know him.”And she knew practically everyone in and around Treasure Creek.
    â€œYou wouldn’t. He’s from back home in L.A.”
    â€œAh, an old flame.”
    â€œMore like an old friend. We grew up together—Ronald on one side of the street and me on the other. He was always there. My nerdy, redheaded best friend with thick glasses and a big nose. I cried on his shoulder every time a boyfriend dumped me.”
    â€œHe sounds like a very nice man.”
    â€œOh, he is. He’s so sweet.” Delilah’s eyes took on a dreamy quality. “We even had this pact that if we weren’t married by the time we were thirty we’d marry each other.”
    â€œOh.” Delilah could be silly, but she was a romantic who longed for love, and Amy couldn’t imagine her settling for someone just because she’d reached a certain age.
    â€œI know how shallow that sounds. I didn’t before, but now I do.”
    Amy smiled. God was making some changes in Delilah Carrington.
    â€œWhen I told Ronald I was coming here,” Delilah went on, “he shocked me to the soles of my stilettos.”
    â€œHow?”
    â€œI foolishly told him I was coming to Alaska to find my perfect soul mate. Ronald became terribly upset, more upset than I’d ever seen, and called off our pact. We haven’t spoken since. At first, I didn’t understand his behavior, but—”
    Amy saw the problem. “He was in love with you. Really in love. And you thought of him as only a friend. A backup groom.”
    â€œExactly. He loved me. And I was too callous and selfish to realize how much I was hurting him. Oh, Amy, how could I have done that? Ronald may not be a muscled hunk on the outside, but he’s got more muscle in his brain than anyone I’veever known. He taught me to play chess and how to balance my checkbook. He even invested my money and taught me how to build a fail-safe portfolio. Most of all, he listened and cared about me, even when I was so silly and shallow, thinking of nothing but parties and clothes and boyfriends. Ronald is such a good man, and he has the prettiest brown, puppy dog eyes. But I treated him abominably. There is no way he could forgive me.”
    â€œDo you love him? Or just feel badly for what you did?”
    â€œI love him, Amy. And it took coming here to open my eyes.”
    The poor girl looked so miserable, Amy’s heart hurt for her. “Then you have to talk to him. At the very least, Ronald deserves an apology.”
    â€œI’ve tried. That’s why I’m depressed. Two days ago I emailed him, but he never replied.”
    â€œWhat did you say?”
    â€œI told him about becoming a Christian, and that I was sorry if I’d hurt him and that I’d really, really love to discuss something important with him.”
    â€œAnd no answer?”
    â€œNot a word.”
    â€œMaybe he