“Me? I thought…I’d hoped…you’d want to do the talking.”

Zach shook his head. “Tact doesn’t seem to be my strong point lately.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll do it, if that’s what you really want.” She gazed silently down at the richly patterned carpet, collecting her thoughts. “I think we should tell him how much we both love and respect him and that we realize his actions have been motivated by his concern for us both and his desire for our happiness. We might even go so far as to thank him—” She stopped abruptly when Zach gave a snort of laughter. “All right, if you think you can do better, you do the talking.”

“If it was up to me, I’d just tell that meddling old fool to stay out of our lives.”

“Your sensitivity is really heartwarming,” she muttered. “At first, this whole thing was one big joke to you and you really enjoyed tormenting me.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“As I recall, you played that cow-and-ten-chickens business for all it was worth, but I notice you’re singing a different tune now and frankly—”

The library door opened, interrupting her tirade. Her grandfather and his longtime friend, veterinarian Dr. Burt Coleman, walked into the room.

“Zach. Janine,” Gramps said, grinning broadly.

“Gramps,” Janine burst out, rushing to her feet. They weren’t prepared for this, and Zach was being impossible, so she said the first thing that came to mind. Pointing at Zach, she cried, “I don’t know how you could possibly expect me to marry that man. He’s stubborn and rude and we’re completely wrong for each other.” She was trembling by the time she finished, and collapsed gracelessly into the nearest chair.

“In case you haven’t figured it out yet, you’re no angel yourself,” Zach said, scowling at Janine.

“Children, please,” Gramps implored, advancing into the library, hands held out in supplication. “What seems to be the problem?”

“I want this settled,” Zach said forcefully. “I’m not about to be saddled with Janine for a wife.”

“As if I want to be your wife? In your dreams, Zachary Thomas!”

“We realize you mean well,” Zach added, his face looking pinched. He completely ignored Janine. “But neither of us appreciates your matchmaking efforts.”

Gramps walked over to the leather chair recently occupied by Zach and sat down. He smiled weakly at each of them, his shoulders sagging. “I thought…I’d hoped you two would grow fond of each other.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Gramps, I really am,” Janine said, feeling guilty. “But Zach and I don’t even like each other. We can barely carry on a civil conversation. He’s argumentative and unreasonable—”

“And she’s illogical and stubborn.”

“I don’t think we need to trade insults to get our message across,” Janine said. Her face was so hot, she felt as if her cheeks were on fire.

“There’s no hope?” Anton asked quietly.

“None whatsoever,” Zach said. “Janine will make some man a wonderful wife one day, but unfortunately, he won’t be me.”