Western Christmas Proposals. Carla Kelly

do,” she told him as he put on his vest. She helped him into his black coat, smoothing the back of it near his shoulders. He liked her touch, but what man wouldn’t?

      “You’ll do? That doesn’t sound like a ringing endorsement,” he teased.

      “It is in Maine,” she assured him. “I mean what I say.”

      Ned stood in the doorway of his father’s room, hesitant to leave. He understood his reluctance as Katie looked back at him. He saw the pride in her eyes that looked a little like ownership, which bothered him not at all. He owed this whole evening to her.

      As he mounted his horse and started for town, he had another idea, one that bore some thought: he really didn’t want to go dancing without Katie.