“I can’t.” Jericho glanced at the door as if gauging how far he had to go before he could escape.

“You need to consider it,” Flynn insisted.

Jericho shook his head. “It’s not possible.”

Shards of disappointment pricked at Ivy’s heart. After sharing such a passionate kiss, why wouldn’t he consider marriage—if not now, then maybe down the road? But he was flat-out rejecting her. Same as always.

“I’m sorry.” Jericho didn’t look at her, but she had the feeling his words were more for her than Wyatt and Flynn. “It has nothing to do with Ivy. It’s me. I’m not planning to get married.”

“Well, that’s just fine with me.” Ivy had the sudden need to storm away, but she couldn’t go anywhere without first putting on her bodice. “I don’t wanna marry you either. Not now or anytime.”

“Hey there, Ivy.” Wyatt took off his hat and wiped the perspiration gathering on his forehead. His eyes were gentle and understanding but only made her heart pinch tighter. “We ain’t blind to the fact that you’ve been sweet on Jericho.”

“You might not be blind, but you sure do got your head stuck in a gopher hole if you think I’d consider marrying Jericho.” They could string her up and whup her hide, and she still wouldn’t admit to liking Jericho, not after he’d refused to consider marrying her.

Flynn’s lips pursed like he was chewing on chokecherries.

Wyatt spoke again before Flynn could. “Jericho can’t keep his eyes off you since he got back to town, and it’s clear he’s got a big hankering for you.”

The anger marching around inside her paused its steps. Was Wyatt right?

Jericho looped his thumbs through his belt buckle and stared at his boots.

He wasn’t denying Wyatt’s statement. But his face gave nothing away and was harder to read than bleeding ink on a wet letter. Was it possible he’d taken a liking to her? Why else would he kiss her?

Flynn cocked his head at Jericho. “If you’re half the man you used to be, you’d put a ring on Ivy’s finger today.”

Jericho readjusted the rag against his nose and met Flynn’s gaze.

Was he considering the option of marriage after all? If he said yes, she didn’t know how she’d say no, or if she’d even want to.

“What do you say?” Wyatt stood next to Flynn in the aisle, both imposing men who had protected and loved her for years, but whose care had been overbearing at times. Like now.

“Stop with the badgering.” She glared at her brothers.

“I’d do it if I could.” Jericho’s voice rose over hers.

Flynn studied Jericho’s face. “Then why won’t you?”