Page 7 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
“I plan to spend the rest of my life here.”
He lifted his hands in defeat. “We can argue all day. Or I can bodily take you back to town.”
“And I would simply return.”
He didn’t have time for this. “Very well. I’ll let you stay only because I know you’ll change your mind soon enough.”
“Be prepared to eat your words. Because I am staying. When will you arrange our marriage?”
“Marriage?” He sputtered. “The last thing I need is to be hitched to a wife who hies herself off to an easier life and leaves me married but without a helpmeet.” He couldn’t imagine a worse thing. “Maybe I shouldn’t allow you to stay.”
“I’ll prove you wrong. Just see if I don’t.” Determination turned her eyes to granite.
He sighed. It was easier to give in. For the time being.
“The wedding?” she prompted.
He shook his head.
“It’s not proper for me to live in this house with you unless we are married.”
He stepped closer and dipped his head to face her, hoping his eyes conveyed that his no meant no. “Lady, I will not marry you. Because I know what you are. A rich girl used to all kinds of luxuries and conveniences not found out here. This is the West and this is a working ranch. If you’re concerned about propriety, there’s a hotel in town and a train returning east.” By the time he finished, his words were hot bullets firing from his mouth. He couldn’t help it. Memories of Nina’s disenchantment with the West filled his brain with resistance. He slowed his breathing and speech. Guessing she didn’t have the necessary skills he’d give her a week—two, at the most—of cooking, cleaning, hauling water, and dealing with dirty laundry. “You’ll be begging me to take you back to town before the month has ended.”
With that, he grabbed his hat off the floor and strode from the house to be circled by his brothers demanding to know what was going on.
All too soon, he’d have to swallow his pride and admit he wouldn’t be marrying the city gal. In the meantime, he meant to keep them thinking he’d succeeded in finding an appropriate mate.
“She’s staying.”
“But you didn’t marry her.” Andy sounded shocked.
Riley looked around, and spied Mr. Black stepping into the house. “There are three bedrooms. Alfred will be our chaperone.”
Mrs. Bennet opened the back door of Andy’s house. “I’ve made a meal for everyone. Gwen and Honor already know. In fact, here they come now.”
Riley started for the house and a hot meal.
Luke grabbed his arm. “Haven’t you forgotten something?”
He was fully dressed and hungry. “Nope.”
“Riley, go get your wife and that man who is going to chaperone you.”
She’s not my wife. Nevertheless, he returned to the house amidst teasing laughter from his brothers.
* * *
Alfred steppedthrough the door and stood before Olivia. “Miss, are you all right?”
She drew in a deep breath. “I am and I’ll be staying right here.”
“I trust Mr. Shannon intends to take quarters elsewhere.” Alfred’s view of any other choice deepened his voice.
Olivia managed to hold back a smile at his disapproval. “I expect he’ll be living here too.”
“Miss! Not with you. Why—”
“Alfred, I want you to move into the middle room. Your presence should be enough.” She guessed that only his years of training kept him from sputtering. “We’ll be fine.”
