Nicholas Drake stood on the boardwalk in front of the sheriff's office, hesitant to go inside and give his friend the bad news. Well, the news wasn't bad for Nick, only for Denton. The Pinkerton office had another case for Nick, so he would be leaving Stumptown today. The case Denton had needed help with was still not solved, but Nick had no other choice. His duty was to the Pinkertons.

Nick walked into the sheriff's office and took off his hat. Denton sat behind his desk, and when he looked up and saw Nick, Denton stood.

"Oh, good," Denton said. "You're here. I was hoping you'd go with me to question a new suspect—"

"Actually, I can't." Nick frowned. "I got a telegram, and I have another case." He motioned his thumb toward the street. "I'll be heading out in a few minutes. I just came to say goodbye."

Denton's shoulders sagged. "I understand." Expelling a breath, he ran his fingers through his hair. "I really need a deputy."

"I know you well enough to know that you'll move heaven and earth to get your way. And deputy or not, you will find who is threatening the mail-order brides."

Denton laughed. "True, I will." He folded his arms. "Were you able to help Miss Swanson find her sister?"

"Oh, yes. That little woman is as stubborn as an irritated hornet."

Denton arched an eyebrow. "I hope you didn't have any problems with her."

"I won't lie. We butted heads a few times." He shook his head. "Can you believe she tried to tell me what to do?"

Denton hitched a breath. "Heaven forbid!"

"That's what I thought, too. A few times, I wanted to throw my hands up and tell her to find her sister by herself. But I had promised you that I'd help, so I followed it through."

"Where was her sister?" Denton sat back down.

Nick snickered, remembering the scene he and Miss Swanson had walked into when Mrs. Kline let them in her house. "Miss Swanson caught her sister in a heated kiss... with Alan Cartwright, of all people."

Denton's jaw dropped, and he narrowed his gaze. "Tell me if I'm wrong, but hadn't Miss Swanson told us that she was marrying Alan Cartwright?"

"You are not mistaken."

"Oh..." Denton released a low whistle as he tapped his fingers on the desk. "That couldn't have been a good turnout."

"It wasn't, and of course, being the gentleman that I am, I had to comfort the grieving."

The tapping stopped as Denton looked wide-eyed at Nick. "You comforted Miss Swanson or the sister?"

"Miss Swanson – Lydia. And yes, I comforted her. I had to talk her into returning home."

Denton laughed. "I'm sure that couldn't have been easy."

"It wasn't." Nick rolled his eyes. "And I swore to myself I'd never do that again. I just don't know how to comfort a woman."

"Actually, from what I recall," Denton folded his arms, "when I was a bounty hunter, I'd first heard of you by your sordid reputation for comforting the women. You left quite a few broken hearts along the way."

Nick flipped his hand in the air and turned away from his friend – mainly because his heat started heated from embarrassment. He didn't want his friend to know what had really happened during the time Nick comforted Lydia.

"Well, I grew out of that," Nick stammered, "and now I realize that I never want to do that again." He turned back toward his friend once he'd composed himself.

"Never?" Denton arched his eyebrows.

"These past few days, I've realized that I'm getting too old to move from one woman to another. I want to settle down soon before life passes me by."

Laughing, Denton relaxed in his chair. "I made the right decision when I decided to get married. I've never been happier."

"I'm glad. And one day, I'll be as happy."

"When you decide you want to settle down," Denton's grin widened, "let me know. I'm sure there will be a deputy sheriff's position available just for you."

"I'll think about it." He nodded. "I've got to go now. I'll catch up with you later."

"I'll be right here waiting for you, my friend."

As Nick left the building, he realized that Deputy Drake did have a good ring to it.

* * * *

It had been one full week since Alan had last seen Victoria, and every day was as worse as the one before it. As each day passed, he became more irritable. Usually, he was a reasonable man who bartered the best deals when selling furs, but he didn't have the patience to deal with foolish people any longer. If they didn't like Alan's price, then he moved on. Sadly, he hadn't sold very much this week.

Once he finally realized what was wrong, he knew he had to do something about it before becoming the kind of man nobody wanted to be around. He needed to find Victoria and declare his feelings for her. He needed to ask permission to court her. Although he knew her answer, he still had to ask. She would turn him away because it was Lydia he was supposed to marry but ended up canceling the wedding.

He headed toward Stumptown but took a detour and rode into Woodville instead. The weather had warmed up slightly, and the sky was a clear blue. This was the perfect day to tell the woman who'd been on his mind so much that he was in love with her.

Happy to see that spring wasn't too far away, he sighed. Soon, he would be able to open his boating shop back up and wouldn't have to worry about trading fur.

Since it was still early in the afternoon, he knew Victoria would still be teaching school. Because he'd rode through this small town so many times in his trading business, he knew exactly where the school was located, and as Alan approached, he slowed his horse.

From inside, he heard the children chanting a poem, with Victoria's angelic voice in the lead. This particular poem he'd learn as a child, as well. A grin pulled at his mouth, and his heart lightened. Victoria would make a wonderful mother... and a very passionate wife.

He stopped his horse near a tree out front and tied the reins around the fence post close by. He moved around the tree until he was able to see Victoria more clearly inside the school.

A breath caught in his throat. She was so very lovely wearing an off-white dress with a short-sleeved matching waist-jacket. Her glorious wavy red hair hung down her back and over her shoulders, reminding him of how she had looked while caring for him.

How long he'd leaned against the tree and stared at her, he didn't know, but soon the classroom emptied as the children left for home. Alan snapped out of his daydreams and straightened. He scrubbed his hands over his whiskery face since he'd not shaven for a week. Still, he knew she would recognize him.

Several times he'd tried to walk toward the school, but then negative thoughts stopped him. What if she didn't return his feelings? What if she hated him for calling off his wedding with Lydia? Or what if another man in town had finally realized how wonderful Victoria Swanson was, and they wanted her for themselves?

He shook his head. It didn't matter. For his own well-being, he needed to tell her how he felt. If she discouraged his feelings, then he'd know to give up and move forward with his life no matter how hard it would be.

Taking a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and walked toward the school. Halfway there, he stopped. Victoria left the building, closing the door behind her. As she walked down the wooden steps, she raised her white parasol to block the sun from her delicate skin. Redheads burned easily from the sun, and he'd already seen freckles on her pretty face to let him know she didn't use her parasol often enough.

She wasn't looking his way as she walked toward the road. For a brief moment, he admired her closer than before, enjoying what he gaze upon.

Suddenly, she stopped, and her head swung toward him. He held his breath, waiting for her reaction. Her eyes widened, and her mouth hung open.

"Good afternoon, Victoria." He stepped closer. His melting heart was making it difficult to think clearly. "You look very beautiful today."

"Alan?" Her cheeks bloomed with color. "What are you doing here?"

He stopped a few feet in front of her. It was tempting to take her into his arms, but he resisted... at least until she gave him the indication that it would be all right to do so.

"I was passing through town, and I thought I'd see how you're doing."

"I'm... I'm doing fine, thank you." She licked her lips. "And how are you faring? Has your head injury healed?"

"Yes, it has healed." He sighed. "I'm glad you are fine. I wish I could say the same."

Concern creased in her expression. "Why? Has something happened to you?"

"Yes, something has happened – something very unexpected." He stepped closer. "Which is why I decided to come to talk to you." He swallowed, realizing his throat had turned dry again. "Victoria, since we parted, I haven't been able to think of anything else but you. As each day passed, I've become more irritable. I can't sleep. I can't eat. And I definitely can't sell my furs. My mind isn't in it. Instead, it's here with you."

Her breathing had become ragged, but he still didn't know what she was thinking. The longer she stared at him, the more her eyes began to water. Yet, he didn't know if she was happy or sad.

"Victoria, I... I want to be happy again, and being with you makes me happy." He shrugged. "I want to know if you'll consider letting me court you."

She gasped. "Court me?"

He nodded. "We have really only known each other for a few days, and asking you to marry me now is just too soon. However, if I court you—"

"Alan Cartwright, have you lost your mind?"

It was a good thing not many people were outside and could overhear what Victoria had just blurted out. "Yes, I have, my sweet Victoria. I've fallen in love with you, and my mind isn't my own. Instead, it's filled with thoughts of you."

Tears gathered in her eyes faster now. She blinked several times. Slowly, she shook her head.

"I can't believe... can't believe..."

"Yes, I know, my sweet Victoria." He gently took one of her hands, caressing her knuckles softly. "It's hard for me to believe it's all happened so fast, too. But I can't ignore my feelings any longer."

Her expression changed, and she scowled, yanking her hand from his. "You misunderstand, Mr. Cartwright. What I can't believe is that you would have the gall to say these words to me. I know I made poor choices with you, but my life has been ruined since we met. Ruined! My sisters don't talk to me, especially the one sister I've been so close with." She inhaled a ragged breath again. "And if I agree to allow your courtship, I can pretty much say goodbye forever to my sisters because they will never understand." She wiped the tears rolling down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Mr. Cartwright, but my answer is no. Please don't come back to Woodville ever again. Seeing you only causes me more heartache."

As he watched her march away from him, his heart shattered painfully. All the dreams he'd been having about her were crushed. He knew for certain, he would never be happy again.