Page 9 of Marrying a Cowboy

She nodded. “Yes, Austin Maverick. I will marryyou.”

Chapter Four

Austin

Austin stoodin front of the mirror of his hotel room, staring at his wrinkled tux. One nice thing about getting engaged as a groomsman, he was already outfitted for his own, spontaneous wedding. A win/win. Brushing the fabric smooth, he turned and sat down on the edge of the bed. Was he being crazy? This wasn’t crazy.Right?

Really, it was his grandmother’s fault. She’d been the one to change the inheritance stipulation so that he had to marry someone. She could force a ring on his finger, but she couldn’t force his heart to love. Right now, the smartest thing for him to do was what he was doing – marrying to satisfy a need. Emma needed it and so didhe.

It was the perfectmatch.

They parted ways after the wedding last night with the intention of meeting up the next day. Once she got here, they’d head over to the courthouse. Quick and easy—a marriage in front of a judge. If he’d had it his way all along, a courthouse marriage was what he would have done with Georgia. He should have never allowed her to talk him into flying to Vegas. Not only had he flown to the one city he hated but then he’d been abandoned there, wifeless. And with a brokenheart.

He’d called his grandmother last night and thankfully, she didn’t answer. It felt easier telling her that he’d met the one and was getting married to her machine then her personally. Last thing she’d heard was he and Georgia were split. He didn’t want to have to convince her that this marriage wasreal.

Then this morning, he’d found she responded. Just a short text but so like hisgrandmother.

I’m coming. I’ll be there in a fewdays.

He could just feel the strain from her words. It had always been that way since he was little. She loved him—he knew that—but ever since both of his parents left, she’d tightened her grip on his life. As if she didn’t want him to make the samemistakes.

Austin rubbed his thighs as he forced out the sour memories. No need to dwell on a past he couldn’t change. He was getting his ranch and then he’d be left alone. Right now, that was about the best news he’d heard in a longtime.

A soft knock sounded on the hotel door. Austin stood and made his way over to it. He turned the handle and pulled, exposing Emma. His breath caught in his throat as he took in how beautiful she looked. Her soft blonde hair fell in ringlets around her face and a headband sat on her head with a tiny veil attached toit.

She had on a short white dress and a purse clutched in her hands. A small suitcase sat next to her. For a moment, an uneasy expression passed across her face but when his gaze met hers, her eyes widened. “Nice,” she said, nodding toward him. “I’m guessing you didn’t spend half the night trying to figure out what you were going to wear.” She smiled. He liked the way her eyes crinkled at the side. She was down-to-earth, and it wasrefreshing.

“Yeah. Remind me to thank Thomas next time we see him,” Austinsaid.

She let out an uneasy laugh. Was she worried? Austin’s stomach began to sink. Had she changed hermind?

“Are you okay?” he asked, stepping forward and extending his hand toward herarm.

She watched as his fingers brushed her skin. Austin tried to ignore how this simple movement sent sparks up his arm. Not wanting to seem rude, he kept his fingers there for a moment longer and then pulled his handaway.

Mental note: don’t touch Emma unless you absolutely haveto.

Her gaze lingered where his fingers had touched before she raised her eyes to meet his again. “I think so. Just. . . nervous.” She gave him a small smile. “Work wasn’t too happy when I told them I’d be gone for a few days. But it’sokay.”

“Hey, I promise, it’ll be over before you know it and you can get back to searching for the one.” He grabbed his carry-on that had all his clothes and shut the hotel roomdoor.

She still looked unsure but nodded anyway. “I know. This is what I want.” She followed after him as he made his way toward the elevator and pushed the downbutton.

“Why don’t we focus on the positives.” He leaned a shoulder against the wall and studied her. He wouldn’t blame her if she backed out. What he’d proposed was crazy. If she didn’t have doubts, he’d be worried. Doubts meant she wassmart.

She took a deep breath and tapped her lips with her forefinger. “Everything is going to be so much easier. No more pity stares. No more arranged dates. I’ll be free.” Her voice grew more relaxed as she continued. The doors opened and they both stepped into theelevator.

Just hearing the strain leave her voice helped lighten his own mood. “Yeah. And I’ll get myranch.”

The doors closed, and she turned to look at him. She had a more confident stare now. “You really love it,huh?”

He nodded. “Yep. There’s no place I’d rather be than right there, with my animals.” A feeling of pride surged in his chest. There was nothing better than spending time outdoors. Even though his ranch needed a lot of fixing up, it was his. Well,almost.

“So why does your grandmother want you to get married before she’ll hand it over to you?” Emma leaned against the elevator wall and studiedhim.

Austin pressed the lobby button and then turned to face her. He shrugged. He really wasn’t sure he wanted to get into it right now. “She said something about not wanting me to get lost in the work. She doesn’t want me to lose sight of what’simportant.”

Emma’s eyebrows furrowed. “Why would you losesight?”

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