A Noble Groom (Michigan Brides #2)(79)

“Ach, just go dance with her, son.” Pastor Loehe gave him a gentle push. “And when she’s in your arms, you’ll see that you want to marry her just as much as she does you.”

Before Carl could protest, he found himself propelled across the barn floor toward Annalisa amidst hoots and suggestive calls from the men.

Annalisa’s eyes widened when she saw him coming, and she stopped speaking mid-sentence.

He had no choice but to stand before her like a besotted fool. And he had no choice but to make the best of the situation. He wasn’t going to give in to their pressure to marry Annalisa, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t dance with her, did it?

With a short bow he held out his hand to her. “My lady, I’d be honored if you’d grant me the pleasure of your company for the next dance.”

She hesitated. Her gaze darted around, and seeing that they were the center of attention, a rosy flush bloomed in her cheeks.

The strains from Herr Mueller’s accordion faded. For a long moment the whole barn seemed to hold its breath in anticipation of Annalisa’s answer.

When Herr Mueller began to play another dance, this one slower, Carl’s heart thumped with the thought of holding her hands and being near her.

Frau Loehe nudged Annalisa. “Go on, dearie. Dance with him.”

As if realizing she had as little choice as he did, Annalisa placed her hand into his. Her fingers trembled against his.

Was she nervous to be around him?

He wouldn’t blame her. Not after the way he’d taken advantage of her and kissed her.



The traditional dance required them to place their hands on each other’s shoulders and for them to twirl together, all the while moving in a larger circle with the other couples.

He bent toward her ear and spoke softly as they glided around the barn floor. “You were amazing today.”

She ducked her head.

“I appreciate all your hard work. It was no easy feat feeding all these people.”

Only then did she lift her eyes to meet his. The blue shimmered with questions.

“I think you had one of the hardest jobs of all today.”

“Nein. You’re too kind.” The stiffness in her shoulders eased. “I don’t know how I would have organized the rebuilding of the barn, if not for your help.”

He’d been surprised at the degree of knowledge required in building the barn—everything from purchasing the supplies to joining the beams at the exact locations to form a solid structure. The farmers weren’t simpletons. In fact, many of them proved to be more knowledgeable than he when it came to building and construction.

He parted with Annalisa as they circled in opposite directions, the men in an inner circle going one way and the women on the outside going the other. He couldn’t keep from watching her and noticing she was the most beautiful woman there.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, once she was in his arms again.

She trembled and stared at his chest as they swirled in quick steps with the accordion.

“Now it’s your turn for a confession.” He tried to make his voice lighthearted, even though he felt anything but playful. “You have to admit I’m the most dashing man here.”

His words had the effect he’d hoped for. Her lips curved into the beginning of a smile. “You were much more handsome when you were holding Sophie earlier.”

“Oh, is that so?”

She nodded and let her lashes fall against her cheek.

“Then I guess I shall have to carry her around more often.”

“And I guess I’ll have to make you a sling just like mine so that you can hold her wherever you go.”

He laughed softly. “I’d certainly make every man here jealous if I had a sling. They’d be knocking me over to get a hold of it.”

Her lips finally tugged into a full smile, one that made him realize how much her smiles fed his soul.

How could he live the rest of his life without them?

Maybe he should stop fighting the pressure of the men and himself and give in to his need to be with Annalisa. What if he did love her and was just too afraid to admit it?

And what if he could find new fulfillment in a simpler life? As Pastor Loehe said, maybe he could use his education and skills to bless the community.

Whispers of his deception taunted him and reminded him of his lie to them about his identity. The paper in his pocket flamed hot again. But he let the clamor of his pounding heart drown out the objection. Certainly he could find a way to silence Ward if the man made any effort to blackmail him.

The dance ended all too quickly, and rather than let Annalisa slip away from him, he reached for her hand and begged her to dance with him again. And again. And again.

Until finally, breathless and laughing, he led her to the edge of the crowd where they leaned against the new boards of the barn wall and soaked in the coolness against their flushed bodies.

He didn’t relinquish her hand but instead intertwined her fingers through his and in the process pulled her closer so that their shoulders were touching.

“I think the men are wagering over there.” He nodded to the other side of the barn, where Peter and some of the other older farmers were gathered.

Annalisa made no move to dislodge her fingers from his. “What are they wagering on tonight? When we’ll have our first hard frost?”