Carmen stared at him. "Not that it's any of your business, but he slept in the barn and I slept in my room."
He glanced up sharply. "What do you mean; it isn't any of my business? We're practically engaged. I don't like . . ."
"We're not engaged," she cut him off sharply, "practically or otherwise." It wasn't the way she had planned to break the news, but he was being so irrational.
He stared at her. "So that's how it is. Some pretty dandy comes along and right away you drop me like a . . ."
"And I haven't dropped you, either." She ran a hand through her hair and moaned. "Oh, let's not talk about this right now. I'm tired and I have a splitting head ache."
He chased a piece of sausage around his plate with the fork. "You're tired because you work too hard." He dropped the fork and turned to her. "Marry me, Carmen. Sell this place to Katie, or lease it to her. It's just a matter of time until she and Bill get married and you know how Bill always liked this place. He can take care of it right. Or you can merge it with mine, I don't care. Let's not wait any longer."
She stood and began removing the plates from the table. He had no regard for the sentimental value of the farm where she grew up, nor any confidence that she was capable of running it. Sure, Bill could fix up the place. He had a good income and access to his father's equipment. It wasn't fair. Josh wasn't considering her obstacles. But then, he didn't expect a woman to be able to work a farm . . . it wasn't natural.
"Josh, have you ever considered the thought that we're not right for each other? I mean, we grew up together, so we have a lot in common, but . . ."
He slammed his hands on the table and lurched from his chair.
"It's Alex, isn't it? The way he fussed over you at the restaurant and you two frolicking in the snow this morning like two lovers."
"Oh Josh, get real. He's been here less than two days." She placed the dishes on the counter beside the sink. "Why do you always do this?"
"Do what?"
Was it possible he actually didn't know? She clamped her hands on her hips and scowled up at him.
"Every time I even look at another man you get crazy. If you're like this now, what would you be like after we got married?"