This was going to be a lot harder
than he thought.

Why did she have to have eyes that penetrated the very depths of his soul, connecting with that spot he had purposely kept shut off for years?

He broke eye contact. He didn’t want her or anyone else invading that private place. Nor did he want her coming home with him.

Think, Haydon! Maybe he could buy her a one-way ticket home and set her up here in a Prosperity Mountain hotel until the next stagecoach.

He scanned the mining town. Several men stood in front of the saloon with their arms crossed and their legs spread, gawking at Miss Devonwood as if they hadn’t eaten in days and she were a fresh piece of meat.

His brother should be dealing with this. But with Jess injured, it was up to Haydon to do what he had to do to keep this woman safe.

No gentleman would do anything less. And if Haydon was anything, he prided himself in being a gentleman.

Most of the time anyway.

DEBRA ULLRICK

is an award-winning author who is happily married to her husband of thirty-six years. For more than twenty-five years, she and her husband and their only daughter lived and worked on cattle ranches in the Colorado Mountains. The last ranch Debra lived on, a famous movie star and her screenwriter husband purchased property there. She now lives in the flatlands where she’s dealing with cultural whiplash. Debra loves animals, classic cars, mudbog racing and monster trucks. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, drawing Western art, feeding wild birds, watching Jane Austen movies, COPS, or Castle.

Debra loves hearing from her readers. You can contact her through her website at www.DebraUllrick.com.

The Unexpected Bride
Debra
Ullrick

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

and whose hope is the Lord.

—Jeremiah 17:7

A ginormous thanks to my dear friends,

Staci Stallings, Dennis Bates, Michelle Sutton,

Rose McCauley and Jeanie Smith Cash.

Your endless hours and invaluable input has

taught me so much and helped make this book

so much better. To my wonderful agent

Tamela Hancock Murray and my fabulous editor

Emily Rodmell, thank you for believing in me.

To the friendly people in Moscow, Idaho,

who helped with my research, thank you so much.

And a humungous thanks to my husband, Rick.

Thank you for always being there for me.

You truly are my hero, and I love you very much.

Last, but definitely not least, to my Lord and Savior

Jesus, thank you. You rock!

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Epilogue

Letter to Reader

Questions for Discussion

Chapter One

Paradise Haven, Idaho Territory

1874

If Rainelle Devonwood’s mother knew what she was about to do, she would roll over in her grave.

Grave.

That one word ripped at Rainee’s heart, but she refused to cry in the presence of the strangers surrounding her. She lowered her head and pressed her fingers over her eyelids in hopes of holding back the flood of tears.

Oh, Mother, you would be astonished to know what I have done. But even you would understand why I did it. If only you and Father were still alive. Then I would still be at home, living without pain and suffering. But, Mother. I had to leave. I just had to.

In the small confines of the dusty stagecoach, only one thing gave Rainee a measure of peace about her drastic decision—her betrothed had assured her he loved the Lord. Otherwise she would have never gone through with her plans to marry a complete stranger.

The uncertainty of what was about to take place, and the constant cigar smoke from the gentleman sitting across from her, caused her stomach to become unwell. Rainee pressed her hand over her mouth and leaned her head out the window, silently praying the Lord would help her stomach’s contents to settle and help to divert her attention elsewhere.

Dust crowded into her nose. That is not quite what I had in mind, Lord. She covered her mouth and sneezed. Her eyes started watering from all the dirt particles, but with her stomach still threatening to purge itself, she decided to deal with the discomfort a few moments longer. She blinked away the particles of debris from her eyes as she studied her surroundings.

Rolling green meadows disappeared into the forest at the base of the mountains. Blue skies stretched before her. Several yards away, a rabbit leapt high in the air and landed in the tall bunchgrass. It did the same thing three times. And each time Rainee giggled at its silly antics.

When her stomach stopped churning, she settled back into her seat.

The stagecoach hit a rut, yanking her body sideways and slamming her shoulder into the lady next to her. “I am so sorry, ma’am.”

Sleepy eyes glanced at Rainee before sliding shut. How could the woman slumber through so much jostling? Rainee envied her.

Days and days of being jostled about, first on the train when she left Little Rock, Arkansas, and now even more so on the stagecoach heading to the Idaho Territory, were taking its toll on her overtaxed body. Rainee rolled her head from side to side, pressed her palm against her aching side, and shifted in the seat for the twentieth time in the past few minutes.

Horses’ pounding hooves, jingling tack and squeaking leather were the only sounds she had heard for miles upon miles until Daniel, the stagecoach assistant, leaned his blond head near the window. “Only a few more minutes, folks, before we arrive at our destination.”

A destination Rainee wanted to avoid but knew she could not because her very life and sanity depended on it.

Within minutes, she would soon meet her betrothed.

Her betrothed.

She still could not believe she was about to be married.

To a complete stranger.

But then again, if Haydon Bowen turned out to be even half as nice as his letters had made him sound, with the help of God’s grace and a passel of mercy, her life might not end up so dreadful after all. Anything had to be better than her current situation.

Or was it?

A horrid thought fluttered through her mind. What if the man she was about to wed was not the gentleman he had portrayed himself to be?

Merciful heavens, what had she done?

You ordered what?

Haydon Bowen’s own words rang through his brain like the continual clang of a church bell. How could Jesse, his own brother, do this to him, knowing he never wanted to marry again? Knowing marriage to his deceased wife had been a disaster. The hour-and-a-half ride from his family’s ranch in Paradise Haven to the stagecoach stop in Prosperity Mountain had done little to abate his frustration. Anger over Jesse’s latest outlandish scheme clung to him like trail dirt on a sweaty body.

After reining his draft horses to a stop, Haydon pressed his booted foot on the wagon brake. He sat stone still, dreading the task before him, wishing he could forget this whole thing and hightail it back to the ranch. But wishing wasn’t going to change a thing. He raised his hat and wiped the sweat off his forehead with his shirt sleeve.

Knowing he couldn’t put off the unpleasant mission any longer, he hopped down from the buckboard. As he went to wrap the reins around the brake handle he heard the stern sound of a woman’s voice coming from the direction of the stagecoach platform. “Unhand me this instant.”

“Aw, I jist wanna little bitty kiss.” The man’s barely intelligible words slurred together.

Haydon tied off the reins and headed around the corner of the depot to see what was going on. He rounded it just in time to see a petite lady in a frilly lavender dress kick some shoddy-looking man in the shin with the toe of her laced-up boot. It took Haydon so by surprise that he had to stifle a laugh.

“Ouch! Why you little—” Filthy words poured from the scruffy man’s mouth. He yanked the woman close to his sweaty, grime-stained body, his face a mere inch from hers.

The woman managed to jerk back and swing her unopened parasol in a wide arc, striking the man’s head. That only served to anger him more, and he yanked her close again.

He’d seen enough. Haydon leapt up the wooden step, took five steps to cross it, grabbed the man by the back of his shirt and shoved him away. “You heard the lady. Unhand her. Now!”

The man landed in a crumpled heap, but quicker than the snap of a whip, he darted back and rammed his head into Haydon’s gut. All air fled from his lungs. He doubled over and struggled to pull in a breath. His hat slid from his head and onto the ground.

The man punched Haydon’s face, causing him to stumble backward. Sharp pain pulled through his nose, and his eyes watered.

His attacker lunged toward him, but Haydon sidestepped him.

The man slammed against the wooden planks face-first.

Haydon jumped on him, yanked his arms behind his back, and pressed his knee between the man’s shoulders.

Squirming, the man tried to break free, but Haydon held him in a tight grip.

“Ben! Pack your things and get out of town now!”

Haydon’s gaze jumped up to a tall man with a shiny badge splayed against a black leather vest.

“I warned you if you caused any more trouble, I’d run you out of town. I mean to keep my promise. Now get out of here and don’t ever show your face around here again.”

Haydon stood and hauled the man the sheriff called Ben to his feet. When he released him, the only way to describe what he saw in his beady eyes was evil intent. It tried to curl its way around Haydon, but he shook it off like he would a snake crawling on his hand.

“This won’t be the last you’ll hear from me,” Ben hissed. He scooped up his sweat-stained hat and slammed it on his greasy head. “You an’ yore lady friend’ll be sorry you ever messed with me!”

“That’s enough!” The sheriff aimed his pistol at Ben’s heart and cocked it. “Whether you go peacefully or draped over a saddle makes no difference to me. The choice is yours.” Wrinkles gathered around the lawman’s narrowed eyes, and his burly mustache buried his lips.

Haydon swung his gaze between the sheriff and Ben, not at all sure that he and the lady weren’t about to witness a deadly showdown at point-blank range.

“I’m goin’, I’m goin’,” Ben spat as he lifted his hands in the air.

The lawman gave a quick jerk of his head and gun, motioning Ben forward. The two of them headed down the boardwalk. Their boots clunked against the wooden planks, and neither of them looked back.

Haydon relaxed his shoulders for a full two seconds, until he remembered the lady. He let out a quick breath and turned toward her. Seeing her stooped over, he snatched up his hat and hurried over to her. “Are you all right, Miss?”

Like a well-trained woman of society, she rose gracefully and faced him. Having grown up with the socially elite, he recognized one when he saw one. And she was definitely one.

“Yes, sir, I am.” Her lavender plumed hat tilted back, and she looked up at him. “Thank you for rescuing me.”

Haydon’s pulse throbbed in his ears and his breath hitched. Staring up at him were the most beautiful brown eyes he had ever seen, soft as a doe’s hide. The color reminded Haydon of a whitetail fawn, complete with white specks. Thick but not overly long lashes spread across her eyelids. And that Southern accent. It skipped across his heart before drilling right down into him.

“Merciful heavens. Your nose is bleeding.” She opened the little beaded bag hanging from her wrist, pulled out a lace hanky and raised it toward his nose.

He yanked his head back. “Don’t soil your hanky.” He reached into his inside vest pocket and removed his handkerchief, then pressed it against his nostrils, ignoring the pain the gesture produced. Confident he’d gotten all the blood, he folded his handkerchief and shoved it back into his vest.

“I am so sorry, sir, you were injured on account of me.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine.”

She studied him for a moment, and he squirmed under her scrutiny. “Would you happen to be Mr. Bowen?” Her drawn out words, mixed with a tremor, snapped Haydon back to reality. No matter how beautiful she was, she was still a woman. The last time he had fallen for a beautiful woman, not only had he ruined her life, but also his.

He slammed his hat onto his head and stepped back. “Yes, ma’am. I’m Haydon Bowen.”

She daintily clasped her skirt and curtsied. “It is a pleasure to meet you, sir. I am Rainelle Victoria Devonwood. But please call me Rainee.”

He knew his eyes had to be popping out of their sockets, but he couldn’t help himself. This little beauty placed an advertisement for a husband? Someone who looked like her and bled confidence? His eyes narrowed. What was wrong with her that no one had claimed her for his own? She’s a woman, Haydon. That’s reason enough.

Slanting her pretty little head, she blinked several times before her eyes snapped onto his. Innocence clothed her face, making her even more of a threat.

This was going to be a lot harder than he thought. Why did she have to have eyes that penetrated the very depths of his soul, connecting with that spot he had purposely kept shut off for years?

He broke eye contact with her. He didn’t want her or anyone else invading that private place. Nor did he want her coming home with him. Think, Haydon, think fast. Maybe he could buy her a one-way ticket home and set her up in a hotel here in Prosperity Mountain until the next stagecoach came around.

He scanned the mining town. Several men stood in front of the saloon with their arms crossed and their legs spread, gawking at Miss Devonwood as if they hadn’t eaten in days and she was a fresh piece of meat. Prosperity Mountain was definitely no place to leave a lady without an escort. Women were scarce around these parts, and too many men were less than honorable. From what he had experienced, the place overflowed with raucous silver miners and thieves who wouldn’t hesitate to steal a person’s silver or something even more valuable—a woman’s virtue.

With a sideways glance, he battled with what to do. Frustration toward Jesse for putting him in this mess seeped through his mind again like a deadly poison. His brother should be dealing with this. Not him. But that wasn’t going to happen. The sight of Jess unconscious on the floor of the barn slashed through Haydon, and he detested Jess all the more for making him so angry he had lost his composure, and flanked his horse. Haydon knew better than to touch a horse’s flank; spurring that tender spot between a horse’s ribs and hips was bad enough, and yet he had not only kicked it without meaning to, he had also hit it hard enough that it caused Rebel to rear and knock Jesse unconscious. Haydon still felt badly about that.

With Jess injured, it was now up to Haydon to do what he had to do to keep this woman safe. No gentleman would do anything less. And if Haydon was anything, he prided himself on being a gentleman. Most of the time anyway.

His chest heaved at the idea of being in such close proximity to the flaxen-haired beauty on the long ride back to the ranch. It was the last place he wanted to be. But he would not leave her here, not even to save himself the trouble.

Rainee locked her knees to keep them from giving out. What kind of ruffians filled this desolate land anyway? Why, if Mr. Bowen had not come along when he had, she did not know what might have happened to her. Just thinking about it made her shudder.

As he stared forward, Rainee took the opportunity to study him. Her gaze landed on his arms.

Arms that had easily plucked away her attacker.

Mountainous arms that drew her attention and admiration.

Rainee knew she should look away, knowing if her mother were here, she would reprimand her for her blatant impropriety. But she found she could not help herself. Nor did she want to. The bulges beneath his pale blue shirtsleeves captivated her attention as did the width of his broad shoulders and chest.

Her eyes moved to his firm jaw, and she watched in fascination as the muscle in his jaw worked back and forth. Something about the strength of it set her heart all aflutter.

“Do you need anything before we go, Miss Devonwood?”

She whipped her gaze up to his eyes. Warmth rushed to her cheeks. From the icy tone of his voice, he must have seen her gawking at him.

Perhaps he was agitated because of her blunder in telling him to call her by her Christian name. That was far too forward of her, even if this man was to be her husband. Would she ever learn?

How she despised all those ridiculous rules of etiquette and propriety. Aristocratic rules her British father insisted they follow and her Southern mother had taken pride in enforcing. But, she refused to distress herself further about her social blunder because there was nothing she could do about it now anyway.

“It’s a good hour and a half before we get to Paradise Haven. Would you like to get something to eat before we head out?”

Rainee loved the deep sound of his voice. Even though his mannerisms at present were somewhat aloof, some of her doubts about coming here eased. After all, Mr. Bowen had rescued her from that vile man with the overpowering stench and yellow teeth. Not to mention his looks were far superior to those of any man she had ever encountered. Granted, she knew from experience looks could be deceiving, but still, his sapphire eyes and blond hair were quite pleasing to her eyes. In fact, the color reminded her of her father’s eyes. Immediately Rainee regretted the comparison. Her heart yearned for her father—to be held in his arms again and to feel the security his protection and love provided.

The back of her eyes stung, but she plucked up her courage, knowing crying would solve nothing.

She forced herself to focus on the gentleman in front of her. “Thank you, but no. I am fine, sir.” Even if she had need of anything, it would be far too humiliating to inform him she was penniless because some scoundrel at the last stagecoach stop had stolen her money. Good thing she had already purchased her ticket for the last trek of her journey. Otherwise she shuddered to think what might have become of her.

For the millionth time, Rainee wished she had secured her funds underneath her skirt. Her personal maid and dear friend Jenetta had advised her to do so, but once again Rainee’s stubbornness had overruled any such logic.

Many times her father had warned her that her stubbornness would get her into trouble one day. He feared he would not be able to secure a husband for her because of her flawed temperament. Inwardly Rainee sighed. So far, Father was right. Well, that was not entirely accurate. Many a man had pursued her. Not because of any burst of feeling toward her but because of her father’s money. Except one man. And she would rather go live with savage Indians than marry him.

Mr. Bowen cleared his throat. She looked up at him.

“That your trunk?”

“Yes.” Rainee glanced at the medium-size chest containing everything she owned. With a weighty sigh, she decided to not think about what and whom she had been forced to leave behind. It was all too vexing. And so was this man’s aloofness toward her. Gone was the warmness his letters contained. Perhaps his journey had tired him. That she understood. Tiredness had seeped into her bones until every part of her ached with fatigue.

She watched him lift the trunk as if it weighed no more than one of the plumes on her hat. He stepped off the platform and headed around the corner of the stagecoach stop. Rainee followed him, careful to keep her eyes anywhere but on his retreating form. One glimpse of his leg muscles had been enough to make her chastise herself for acting like a wanton woman instead of the lady she had been brought up to be.

Once her belongings were secured on the wagon, he headed to the front of the buckboard where she stood, and he extended his hand.

Rainee glanced at his large palm, admiring the strength of it, then looked up at him. Impatience covered his face. She quickly placed her satchel and parasol on the wagon seat, then settled her hand in his, allowing him to help her onto the wagon. She arranged the bustle of her dress and sat, then snatched her satchel and parasol off of the seat and placed them in her lap. “Thank you, sir.”

He responded with a curt nod.

Turning her head away from him, she suppressed the urge to roll her eyes and whistle away the awkwardness. She knew their meeting would be uncomfortable, but she had not anticipated it being quite this bad. Then again, what did she expect? That the moment he laid eyes on her, he would declare his undying love and sweep her off her feet, and they would live happily ever after?

Hah. In a pig’s eye. She shuttered at the expression. It must be the length of the trip or the hot sun or the man readying the horses and the wagon—something—because every thought she had was taking her places she did not want to go.

Besides, those kinds of things only happened in the dime novels she and her best friend used to sneak into her room and read. Until the day her mother had discovered them. After a long lecture, she forced Rainee to toss them into the fire. It broke her heart watching the edges curl into black ashes. They were her only reprieve from the stuffy social world she lived in, a world overrun with rules of proper etiquette, rules she had a hard time obeying because they all seemed so meaningless and empty.

The wagon seat dipped, jolting Rainee’s mind from past shadows. She looped the handle of her satchel over her wrist and opened her parasol, careful to keep it out of Mr. Bowen’s way. Careful to keep herself out of his way as well.

His arm brushed against hers, and his broad shoulders took up a goodly portion of the now cramped seat.

Leather, trail dust, and a scent that reminded her of her father after he had shaved drifted up her nostrils. More reminders of home. A home that no longer existed.

Once again, she could not believe she was about to marry a complete stranger. One she had placed an advertisement for. That act alone was scandalous. Claws of dread pierced her insides as she realized once again what she had done. The need for air threatened to swallow her up, but she sat up straighter and fought for every breath. No fainting spell would overtake her. Not this time. Though they had been a problem in the past, she vowed as of this moment she would fight them with all her might.

Mr. Bowen snapped the reins. The wagon lurched forward and Rainee clutched the side of the seat to keep from jostling into him, but her shoulder collided with his anyway, and their eyes connected and held for the briefest of moments.

Long after he turned away, however, the memory of his eyes the color of sparkling sapphires stayed with her. Eyes that were handsome but held no warmth. Only a sort of detachment and something else she could not identify. This was going to be a very long ride indeed.

Haydon couldn’t wait to deliver the woman to his brother. This well-bred, beautiful woman sitting next to him was the kind he now avoided like poison ivy because they were shallow and cared about nothing but fancy balls and frippery. Appearance and financial status were everything to them. And he’d had his fill of that type of woman.

“Mr. Bowen.”

He wanted to ignore her but his conscience and upbringing wouldn’t allow him to be rude. “Yes?” Haydon gave her a quick glance.

“You said in one of your letters you lived in Paradise Haven with your family.”

His body tensed. He didn’t write those letters, so he had no idea of their contents. No knowledge about what her response had been. What her advertisement was about. Haydon shifted his weight and ran his thumbs over the leather reins.

He looked toward the mountain dotted with several clapboard buildings and mining shafts as he struggled with what to say or do, wishing he could flee into one of those mines and hide out until this whole mess was over and done with.

“Would you mind telling me about them?” Her soft voice was a tad shaky, but her asking spoke of a confidence he couldn’t deny.

He let out a breath of relief. At least that he could answer. “My brother Jesse is twenty.” He glanced at her, then back at the dirt road. “His wife’s name is Hannah. They’re expecting their first child in a few months. They have their own place on the ranch. My brother Michael is sixteen. My sister Leah is thirteen and Abby is five. They live in the big house with my mother.”

“What about you? Where do you live?” Words poured from her mouth like thick honey. Sweetness and innocence surrounded this woman. This woman he wanted to get away from as quickly as possible, he reminded himself. Even though she seemed harmless enough, he knew just how deceiving appearances could be. His former wife Melanie had taught him that. The dread of going through something like that again twisted his gut tighter than a three-stranded rope.

“I have my own place on the ranch.” Concerned she would start asking him more questions, he decided to ask her about her home life instead. He only prayed it wasn’t something she had already shared in the letters or her advertisement because then he would have to inform her that he wasn’t the one who had sent for her. And he wasn’t going to do that. That was Jesse’s job. “What part of the South are you from?” he asked, keeping his eyes forward.

Talons of fear scraped up and down Rainee’s body. How did he know she was from the South? She had not told him that in her letters or her advertisement. She had even gone so far as to have one of her friends post her letters and advertisement in Chicago.

What should she tell him? Not one to tell falsehoods, she would have to choose her words carefully. She gathered her courage and forced herself to look at him.

“I’m sorry. Perhaps you aren’t from the South. I just assumed with your accent that you were. But then again—” he rubbed his chin “—your mannerisms remind me of some of our neighbors back East. They were British.”

Rainee’s muscles relaxed.

“My Father was raised in England, and my mother was raised in the South.” Before he could ask her any further questions, she plucked up her courage to say what she had wanted to say back at Prosperity Mountain. “Mr. Bowen, I know you must think it quite strange for a woman to post an advertisement in search of a husband. But please believe me when I say I had no other choice.”

Her brother had seen to that.

Chapter Two

“Mr. Bowen? I am sorry to disturb you, but could I trouble you to stop? I am in need of a break.”

He looked at her flushed face and the damp tendrils of hair clinging to her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking straight. I should have let you rest a while before we left Prosperity.” Remorse for his ungentleman-like manner and his inconsideration doused him with shame.

With her head tilted off to the side, questioning eyes peered out from under the brim of her hat. Sensing it took a lot for her to ask, he wanted to put her at ease. “I could use a break myself. Whoa, Lulu. Whoa, Sally.” He pulled on the horses’ reins. The tack jingled and the wagon creaked as it came to a stop.

He hopped down and set the brake, then wrapped the reins around it.

The woman beside him rose and closed her parasol, leaving it and her handbag on the seat before moving toward him.

He reached up toward her. When she placed her hands on his shoulders and he sprawled his hands around her small waist, feelings long buried deep inside him poked through the protective wall he’d built around his heart.

He hurried to set her down and once he knew she was stable on her feet, he extradited himself from her as fast as possible.

“Thank you.” Her gaze trailed toward a small creek. “Please excuse me.”

As much as his gut wanted him to, he couldn’t leave her to traverse the rocky ground by herself. Thin rock and rough terrain wouldn’t bode well with her fancy dress. Haydon retrieved two canteens from the back of the wagon. “Allow me to help you.” Even though he didn’t want to touch her again, he slung aside the turbulent feelings raging inside him and clutched her elbow to steady her.

When they reached level ground, ground devoid of rock, he released her elbow. The cluster of pine trees brought a welcoming reprieve from the hot sun.

He filled their canteens with river water and handed her one. She twisted the lid and tilted it up, taking a long drink. His gaze landed on her sleek, graceful neck. She leaned over and refilled her canteen, then dipped her hanky into the tepid water and daintily blotted her face and neck.

What a vision she was. A lady of poise and grace. The epitome of femininity.

Quicker than a flash, an image of Melanie invaded his mind, bringing with it all the bad memories. Memories he’d rather forget.

That Jess, he groaned inwardly. It’s all his fault I’m even thinking about Melanie again. Well, buddy boy, nothing will induce me to get involved with a woman again. Nothing.

The sooner he got this task over with the better. When he got back to the ranch, he’d hand her over to Jesse to deal with.

To distract himself, he unscrewed the lid on his canteen and pulled in a long drink.

Minutes later, after they’d finished taking their break, he steadied her again until they reached the wagon.

She pointed toward the hillside and asked, “Would you mind if I pick some of those red and yellow flowers to take to your mother?”

Did she have to be so sweet on top of being beautiful? That combination was the worst kind to lure a man in. But he couldn’t turn her down. His mother loved flowers and thoughtful gestures like that.

“Sure.” He took her canteen and put both of them back into the wagon.

Making sure she didn’t slip on the small pile of thin rocks, he held her hand until she stepped over them.

She leaned over and broke the long stem off at the bottom and studied the bloom before she placed the flower under her nose and smiled. “These are quite lovely. What are they?”

“Red columbines. My mother’s favorite.”

She darted her gaze up at him and her face beamed, even though he had seen her fatigue just moments before.

She started gathering more and stopped only to dab the sweat off her forehead.

Haydon couldn’t bear to watch her suffer, so he jumped in and helped her. When they had a nice bouquet, they headed back to the wagon.

He grabbed his canteen and opened it, then retrieved his handkerchief from his pocket and saturated it with water. “Hand me the flowers.”

She gave them to him, and he wrapped the soaked cloth around the stems. “That will help keep them until we get to the ranch.”

“Thank you.” Her smile lit up her face. She really was sweet.

Not liking that train of thought, he quickly helped her into the wagon, climbed up himself and down the road they went. A road that now seemed longer than it ever had been before. Having her sitting next to him had him squirming like a worm. The sooner he got them to the ranch, the better.

Rainee glanced at the flowers in her lap. It was very thoughtful of him to help her gather them and then help preserve them until she could give them to his mother. Her own mother never tired of getting fresh bouquets of flowers, and Rainee loved seeing her smile. How delightful it was to be able to do something nice for Mr. Bowen’s mother, too.

Soon she would be her mother also.

Her heart smiled with joy.

Rainee cut a sideways glance at him. Whatever it took, no matter how uncomfortable or how hard things became, she would make this situation work. Fear would not dissuade her from doing anything less. Besides, she had no other choice.

When the beatings became more severe, life-threatening even, after months of praying, she and Jenetta had concocted this plan of escape. Good thing their strategy had worked. Because the night she had fled she overheard her brother’s scheme to sell her to their fifty-eight-year-old neighbor—the repulsive Mr. Alexander, or Mr. Gruff as she called him. They were to wed that next day. Just thinking about it made her tremble. That man was cruel to his very soul. Just like her brother, Ferrin.

Thank You, Lord, for guiding my steps and for delivering me from Ferrin’s wicked plans. Help me to be a good wife to Mr. Bowen. And if You would be so kind, would You please delay the wedding ceremony to give us a little time to get to know each other before we wed? Thank You.

Rainee hoped God would especially answer her prayer about getting to know each other first because her intended was obviously a man of few words. And even fewer smiles. What if he was cruel like her brother? That thought frightened her. God have mercy on her if she had left one boiling pot for another. Or, she gulped, something worse.

She blocked out the distressing thoughts from her mind and took in the view around her. Several head of magnificent spotted horses grazed in a grassy meadow, which seemed to go on for miles. A frolicking black foal with a white spotted rump bucked and kicked and nuzzled its matching mother. A deep longing to spend time with her mother and to be a carefree child again bled deep into her soul, but self-pity would not change the past. She dragged her slumped shoulders into an upright position, determined to make the best of her new situation.

Farther up the road, she noticed a herd of pigs. She closed her eyes and cringed against the thousands of fingernails scraping their way up her spine. A deathly fear of the four-legged beasts had always plagued her, and she loathed the stench that accompanied them. Her nose wrinkled, and her mouth twitched just thinking about the offensive odor.

To get her mind off of the wretched creatures, she turned her attention onto an amazing cluster of lavender blooms covering the wide-open field. Curiosity got the best of her. “Mr. Bowen?”

He glanced at her, then back at the crusted road. “Yes?”

“Those purple flowers over there…” She pointed toward the field overrun with the fragile flowers. “What are they, please?”

“They’re Camas plants.”

“Camas?” Rainee tilted her head and shifted her parasol so she could look at him.

“Yes.”

“Are the pigs eating them?”

“Yes. They love them.” He looked out over the fields. “In fact, the hogs love the Camas bulbs so much the people around here actually call this place Hog Heaven.” He glanced at her. “Informally, that is.” His masculine lips curved into a smile.

And what a beautiful smile it was. She wished she could see more of them. If only she knew how to make that happen. But at present, that seemed improbable.

“What a dreadful waste of such lovely flowers.”

“It’s not a waste. The Camas bulbs are the only thing that helps the hogs survive the rough winters here in Paradise Haven. They’re about the only animal that can survive the winters here. For now anyway.” He glanced at her, then back at the herd of swine. “But, I’ve heard tell the railroad will be coming through here sometime soon. That’ll make it easier to get supplies to feed cattle through the winter so they won’t starve.”

Just how bad did the winters get here anyway? Although she wanted to ask, she also wanted to know more about the fascinating Camas plant. “Are they only edible to hogs?”

“No, humans can eat them, too.”

“Are they native to this area?”

“No. Farmers from back East brought them with them when they moved here.” The reins jiggled in his hands as he twisted his head toward her. “I’m sure glad they did.”

She wondered why he was glad, but nothing more was said. She also wondered how much farther it would be before they would arrive at his place. Her arms ached from holding her parasol upright, but every time she lowered it, the hot sun burned through the fabric of her jacket.

Minutes later, at the base of a mountain, they rounded a clearing in the trees. A very well-kept, large, two-story clapboard house flanked by long windows with white shutters came into view.

Rocking chairs, small tables and a porch swing sat under a covered porch, making it look quite welcoming. Off to the left of the house, a makeshift scarecrow on a stick watched over a large garden.

Nestled up against the trees set two smaller but generous-size clapboard homes. They, too, had covered porches, a swing, rocking chairs and small tables—and were equally adorable as the larger house.

A young girl with blond braids skipped around the corner of the house. As soon as she spotted them, she hastened their direction. “Haydon! You’re back,” she hollered and slowed her pace when she neared the horses. “Did you brung me anything?”

Haydon laughed.

Rainee liked the deep rumbling sound.

“You’re too spoiled for your own good, Squirt. I hate to disappoint you, but I didn’t bring you anything. I didn’t go to town for supplies.”

The little girl scrunched her brows and looked up at Rainee. “Who’re you?”

“Abigail. Mind your manners.” Mr. Bowen stepped on the brake and tied off the reins before jumping down.

“Sorry.” She lowered her head, her long braided pigtails reaching down her green cotton dress.

He ruffled the little girl’s hair, then turned and extended his arms toward Rainee. Situating her belongings out of the way, she laid her hands on his shoulders and allowed him to help her down.

The instant her feet touched the ground he removed his hands from her waist and stepped back as if she had bitten him.

“Miss Devonwood.” Haydon looked at her, then at the small child. “This is my sister Abby. Abby, this is Miss Rainelle Devonwood.”

Rainee smiled down at the girl with the blond hair and sapphire eyes so like her brother’s. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Abby.” She gave a quick curtsy as was customary back home when greeting someone. “But please, call me Rainee.”

“Nice ta meet ya, too, Rainee. I like the way you talk.”

“I like the way you talk, too. You have a lovely accent.”

“I dun’t got no assent.”

“Accent,” Mr. Bowen corrected her again.

“That’s what I said. Assent.”

Rainee waited to see if he would correct her again, but he shook his head and mussed her hair once more.

“Haydon. You’re mussing my hair.” She planted her hands on her waist and narrowed her eyes, but even Rainee could see the smile in the young girl’s frown.

“Sorry, Squirt.”

“Thas okay.” Abby smiled at her brother, then glanced over at Rainee. Her brows curled, and her forehead criss-crossed. “Whach you doin’ here?”

“Never you mind, Little Miss Nosey.” Haydon tapped his little sister on the nose and winked. “Listen, Squirt, would you do me a favor and run over to Jesse’s and ask him to come here?”

Abby bobbed her head and darted off toward Jess’s house.

Haydon wasn’t sure if his brother was able to be up and about yet, but if he was, then he needed to get his sorry backside out here and deal with this awkward mess.

Without looking at Miss Devonwood, he wondered what he should do or say before his brother got there.

“The place is quite lovely.” A whisper would have been louder, but the awe in her voice screamed loud and clear.

Haydon scanned the ranch, trying to see the place through her eyes. He always thought this area was some of the most beautiful country he’d ever seen, but for some odd reason it pleased him that she thought so, too. Oh-h-h no you don’t, buddy. Who cares what she thinks? She’s not staying.

“Who lives in that house?”

He followed her finger. “My brother and his wife.” The brother that sent for you. But he can tell you that. Not me.

“And that place?” She pointed to his house.

“That’s mine.” As in mine alone. As in, not yours and mine.

She faced the main house. “Then this must be your parents’ home.”

“It’s my mother’s.”

She turned questioning eyes up at him.

Quit looking at me with those beautiful peepers, ma’am. “My father passed away a couple of years ago.”

Sympathy passed through her gaze, and he forced himself to look away. “Oh, my. I am so sorry.” She laid her hand on his arm. Something about her gentle touch sent warmth spreading through his veins.

He stared at the spot where her hand rested. The gesture touched him, but at the same time it sent warning signals flashing through his brain. Her politeness and sweetness were driving him crazy. He dropped his arm to his side, letting her arm slip from his. He didn’t want to feel any kind of a bond to this woman—or any other woman for that matter.

Then he made the mistake of once again looking at her face. Hurt and discomfort gazed back at him. She looked so small and vulnerable. Guilt trailed through him like hungry red ants at a picnic, chewing away at his conscience. His thoughtless gesture had hurt her, and she didn’t deserve the treatment he had dealt her. But then again, he had to protect himself. He needed to harden himself against the emotions she seemed to stir up in him so easily. Emotions he wanted no part of. The sooner Jesse dealt with her, the better. Just keep telling yourself she’s not your problem, Haydon, and you just might survive this situation with your sanity and heart still intact.

He turned toward Jesse’s place, wondering where Abby was and what was taking her so long.

“Excuse me, please?”

As much as he didn’t want to, Haydon faced her again. “Yes?”

Her eyes locked on his for the briefest of moments before her lids fluttered, and she looked toward Jesse’s house. “Is Abby the only one who does not know why I am here?” She turned those wide innocent fawn eyes up at him again, and his heart lurched.

The last time Haydon saw a look like that was on a puppy he’d owned as a child. That puppy had won his heart and had gotten whatever it wanted. Haydon swallowed hard. Rainee’s not a puppy. She’s a woman. And not just any woman. She’s the most dangerous kind there is. Sweet and innocent-looking, and beautiful. “Miss Devonwood, I—”

“Haydon!” Abby’s voice carried across the yard.

Haydon wanted to hug his sister for saving him. He spun her direction and watched as she ran toward him.

“Jesse got hurted this mornin’ and he can’t come.”

His heart dropped to his boots. He had hoped Jess would at least feel well enough by the time he got back that he could deal with Miss Devonwood. Now what?

“How come I didn’t know he got hurted?”

“Hurt, not hurted,” Haydon corrected. “Because you, Mother and Leah were gone all day, remember?”

Abby hiked her little shoulder. “I forgetted.”

“I forgot.”

“Did you forgetted too?” Her round eyes smiled up at him.

“No, I didn’t forget. You said… Oh, never mind. Why don’t you run along and go play now?”

“Okay.” She skipped back toward the corner of the house and disappeared.

Haydon turned toward the sound of Miss Devonwood’s twitter.

Her gaze lingered in the direction Abby had gone.

“Just what do you find so amusing, Miss Devonwood?”

Rainee reeled toward him and blinked. Amusement, not anger, fluttered across his handsome face. “Abby is lovely.” She stared at the spot where the little girl had disappeared. “To think that precious girl is going to be my sister is so—” Rainee’s eyes flew open and hot blood rushed into her cheeks. She pressed her fingertips to her mouth to stifle her gasp.

Merciful heavens! What is wrong with you, Rainelle? Since you got here, he has not mentioned the subject of marriage even once, and here you are talking about Abby being your sister. No wonder Mother had to rebuke you so often. Will you ever learn? She gazed longingly at the forest of trees, wishing she could flee into their thickness and hide away forever.

She turned and retrieved her parasol, handbag and the flowers from the bench seat.

“Haydon. Where have you been all day?”

Rainee whirled toward the big two-story house. A tall, lithe woman strolled toward them and stopped directly in front of her.

The handsome blonde lady with powder-blue eyes looked up at Haydon and quirked one delicate eyebrow. “Sorry, I didn’t know we had company.”

“Mother, this is—”

When he stopped speaking, Rainee looked up at him, wondering why he quit talking. Obviously he was not going to say anything more, so Rainee took matters into her own hands. She turned her attention to his mother. “Good afternoon, ma’am.” She curtsied. “I am Rainelle Victoria Devonwood.”

“Good afternoon, Miss Devonwood. I’m Katherine, Haydon’s mother.” Katherine looked perplexed as she glanced from Rainee to Haydon and back again.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Bowen.”

“Please call me Katherine. We don’t stand on ceremony out here. Feel free to address all of us on a firstname basis.”

Rainee looked at Mr. Bowen. Mother had always made it clear a man should never call a woman by her given name unless they had known each other for a long time or were courting. Neither one fit this scenario.

His jaw worked back and forth again, but after a few seconds, he glanced at her. “Mother’s right. Call me Haydon.”

Relief drizzled over her like a warm summer rain. One more detestable rule of etiquette she would not have to follow out here. Mother and Father would not approve of her choice to call someone by their first name, but Rainee loved it. It was much more personable.

“Thank you, Haydon.” Using his Christian name felt quite strange and yet lovely at the same time. “Please call me Rainee. I prefer it over Rainelle.”

“Rainee,” he acknowledged. “Rainelle is a beautiful name, though. I’ve never heard it before.”

Rainee blushed under Haydon’s compliment. “My father was British. It was his mother’s name.” Her gaze lowered and she noticed the flowers in her hands. She extended the bouquet toward his mother. “These are for you, Mrs. Bowen.”

“It’s Katherine, remember?”

“Yes, ma’am.” It would take Rainee a while to get used to addressing an elder by their given name but the very idea brought a smile to her face.

Katherine took the flowers, and her eyes brightened as she smelled each one. “Oh, I love flowers. And these are my favorites. How very thoughtful of you to take the time to pick them for me. Thank you, Rainee.” Katherine smiled and again her questioning gaze swung between Rainee and her son.

The joy of the moment evaporated as quickly as it had come. A sinking feeling came over Rainee. Had this man not mentioned her to any of his family? What was going on around here?

Rainee’s blood flow slowed way down—either from all the heat she had endured the last several days or the realization no one seemed to know anything about her.

“Don’t just stand there, Haydon. Can’t you see Rainee isn’t feeling well? Help her inside and get her a glass of water.”

She wanted to protest, to say she was fine, but she never got the chance. Haydon was at her side, escorting her into the house and onto a comfortable sofa.

“You’d be more at ease, Rainee, if you removed your jacket and hat. May I?”

She nodded.

Haydon helped her out of her traveling jacket and set it on a nearby chair.

She removed the pins from her hat, wondering if she looked a fright.

He took her hat and set it with her jacket. “Would you like me to take your gloves too?” He extended his hand toward her.

She clutched her hands together and squeezed them until her fingers throbbed. “No. No, thank you.”

A quick nod her direction, and he left the room. Within minutes he returned with a full glass of water. “Here. Drink this. You’ll feel much better.”

When she reached for the glass, their fingertips overlapped. A warm tingling sensation started at the tip of her fingers and spread up her arm and into her body, causing her to shiver and very nearly drop the glass.

Haydon yanked his hand back, and she barely kept the glass upright between them. For a brief moment, he stared at her with a look of sheer horror. Then he whirled and disappeared through the doorway as if the house were on fire.

Had he felt what she had? Her heart was still fluttering from that one touch.

If he had, was it a bad thing or a good thing? If his reaction was any indication, it must be quite bad.

Too tired to ponder that, she tipped the water glass to her lips. The tepid water tasted almost sweet. She drank the whole glass of liquid within seconds, even though it was a very unladylike thing to do.

“Feel better?”

Rainee looked over at Katherine, who strolled into the living room and sat in a chair across from her.

“Thank you. Yes,” she answered even though she really did not feel better, but she hated any displays of weakness. Yet, sitting here on a comfy sofa, out of the hot sun, her eyelids felt heavy with fatigue. She struggled to keep her tiredness from showing.

An awkward silence filled the room.

Katherine rose. “Would you please excuse me for a moment? And please make yourself at home.”

After the woman left, Rainee folded her hands in her lap, not knowing what to do.

Her gaze roamed the living room. On the left of the fireplace were two wine-and-tan-colored wingback chairs. On the right was a matching high-back settee and a tan rocking chair. The wine-and-tan sofa she sat on faced the fireplace. End tables with doilies and oil lamps graced each side of the sofa. The place reminded her of the spacious living room back home. Except this place had Queen Anne–style furniture, and back home the furniture was Chippendale. Sadness crawled inside her, but she shooed it away like an unwanted bug. Dwelling on home would do her no good. No good at all.

Weeks of traveling and being jostled about and the realization no one seemed to know about her had taxed her greatly. Her eyelids were heavy and her stomach was queasy from a lack of food. She really should have eaten something when Haydon had offered. But knowing she was penniless and seeing all those men in Prosperity Mountain leering at her, she just wanted to get away from them as fast as she could.

Her eyes slid shut, and her head bobbed. She sat up straighter, forcing herself to stay awake, when all she really wanted to do was to succumb to sleep and dream about what could have been. Finally she could fight sleep no longer and everything around her faded as she fell into its waiting arms.

Chapter Three

Haydon couldn’t get out of the house fast enough as he battled the feelings warring inside him. When Rainee’s fingertips touched his, it was as if a bolt of lightning had struck nearby and he felt the effects of it, shocking every part of him. How could a woman, who he’d barely met, affect him so? Whatever the answer, he didn’t care. All he knew was he wouldn’t allow her or any other woman to penetrate the wall he’d built around his heart.

He glanced toward the house, wondering what was going on in there. Rainee looked so tired, he actually felt sorry for her. He shouldn’t have left his mother alone to deal with her, but he had to get away for the sake of his sanity. Besides, why should he feel bad? This whole unbelievable situation was all Jesse’s doing. Haydon had nothing to do with it.

Of all the idiotic things his brother had done, this one bested them all. The more Haydon thought about the situation and the sight of that poor exhausted woman sitting on his mother’s couch, the more he thought about confronting his brother. He whirled on his heel and headed toward Jesse’s house. The brisk walk across the yard felt good and helped relieve some of his aggravation—but not nearly enough. He leapt onto the porch. “Jesse.” He banged on the door.

In seconds, the door slung open, and a very pregnant, very perturbed Hannah quickly stepped outside. She jerked her finger to her lips and shushed him. “Haydon Bowen, what is wrong with you? Jesse’s sleeping.” She closed the door behind her. “Although I’m surprised he can with all that banging you’re doing.”

That sent Haydon back a piece. “I’m sorry, but he’s just going to have to wake up. There are two ladies over there—” he jerked his thumb toward his mother’s house “—who need an explanation.”

Hannah planted her hands on her hips and glared up at him. “Listen here, Haydon Bowen. I know what Jesse did was wrong. I told him he should have talked to you before answering that woman’s advertisement on your behalf. I’m sorry, but you’ll just have to deal with it because right now Jesse needs rest. And not you nor anyone else is going to disrupt that. You hear me?” With those words Hannah opened her door and disappeared inside, closing it on him with the softest bang he’d ever not heard.

Haydon raised his hat and ran his hand through his hair. Never before had he seen Miss Timid Hannah act like that. Seeing no other course of action, he stepped off their porch, mumbling, “Must be something about a pregnant woman that makes them cantankerous. It definitely brings out their protective instincts.” Haydon slapped his dusty hat against his leg. “Women,” he harrumphed, then plopped his hat on his head and strode toward the main house.

He had just finished unloading the last of Rainee’s belongings onto the porch when his mother came out and stepped up next to him. “Haydon. I want to talk to you.”

“Not now, Mother.” He hoisted his leg up to get into the wagon.

“Oh, no you don’t.” She grabbed the back of his shirt and tugged him back. “I want to know who that girl is and what she’s doing here. And I want to know now.”

Haydon closed his eyes and blew out a long breath before facing his mother. “You’ll have to ask Jesse that question.”

“Jesse? What has he got to do with this?”

“Everything,” Haydon replied, climbing onto the buckboard. Making sure his mother was at a safe distance, he picked up the reins and tapped the draft horses, Lulu and Sally, on their backs.

By the time he pulled the wagon around to the barn and stepped down, his mother was standing at his side. “Haydon, what’s going on?”

He looked down at his mother but offered no answers.

“Where have you been and who is that woman? I will not wait until Jesse gets back from wherever it was he said he had to go today.”

“So you don’t know about Jesse either?”

“Know what about Jesse?” Her gaze slid toward the direction of Jesse’s cabin, then back at him. “I just got home about fifteen minutes before you did and no one was around. Smokey and Michael told me last night they’d be late for dinner. What’s going on around here?”

Haydon drew in a long breath. “I’ll put the horses up, and then I’ll tell you everything, okay?”

“You bet you will. I’ll be waiting. Right here.” She sat down on one of the wood-slab benches outside the barn door.

As he tended to the horses, Haydon prayed God would give him the grace to tell his mother all he knew. When he finished, he stepped out of the barn and sat down next to her. He leaned his arms on his knees and clasped his hands together. With his head down, he debated on where to start.

“Well, are you just going to sit there, or are you going to tell me what’s going on? And why is your nose so red?”

“Some guy in Prosperity Mountain punched me in the nose.”

“What! Why’d he do that?”

“Because I stopped him from assaulting Rainee.”

“What do you mean?” Shock rippled through her voice and across her face.

“When I arrived, some ruffian was trying to force his attentions on Rainee. We got into a fight and the sheriff hauled him off.”

“That poor girl.”

“Poor girl is right.” Only she wasn’t a girl, she was a woman. With curves in all the right places. A beautiful, feisty woman who brought out his protective instincts. The kind of woman he was a sucker for. Oh, no, Haydon. Not this time. Just shove any notions about Rainee out of your mind. Don’t go getting any ideas where she’s concerned. Remember what happened with Melanie. That was all the reminder he needed. Thoughts of Rainee vanished from his mind.

“Now, I want you to tell me why Rainee is here.”

So much for knocking her out of his mind. “Mother, you know how Jess is always doing stuff without thinking the whole thing through?”

“Yes, but he always means well.”

“That might be true, but some of the ridiculous things he’s done, he shouldn’t have. This is one of them. Jesse answered an advertisement he’d seen…” He rubbed his chin. “I don’t know where he saw it. In a newspaper, a magazine or what. But Rainee must have placed an advertisement to find a husband.”

His mother’s brows rose and her chin lowered. “A husband?”

“Jesse answered her ad and encouraged her to come out here to become…” He swallowed hard before continuing, “my wife.”

“Oh, no, he didn’t.”

“Oh, yes. He did. I don’t know what was in the letter or her ad or anything. You’ll have to ask Jesse. But judging by our conversation on the way back to the ranch, she believes I’m the one who sent for her.”

Mother looked toward the house and shook her head. “That poor, poor girl. I can’t believe Jesse would do such a thing. What was he thinking?”

“That’s what I asked him. I was going to send her back to wherever she came from, but the stagecoach had already left. It’ll be three weeks before it comes through again. I just couldn’t leave her alone in Prosperity Mountain to fend for herself.” He thought about when he had arrived at the stagecoach stop and saw her bopping and kicking that man in the shins. Maybe they needed protection from her. He smiled. Then again, maybe he did, too.

His mother laid her hand on his leg. “You did the right thing, son. But why did you go get her if you didn’t send for her? Why didn’t Jesse go?”

“Because he’s laid up. That’s why.”

“Laid up? What do you mean?”

“He had an accident this morning.”

“An accident? Is he okay? What happened?” Although his mother was used to her menfolk getting hurt, it never stopped her from worrying or fretting over them.

“Smokey said he’ll be fine.” A fresh wave of shame washed over Haydon, even though he was still agitated with his brother. “It was my fault. I got so angry when I found out what he did that I needed to get as far away from him as possible so I could cool down. I decided to go for a long ride. You know, like Father and I used to do.”

“I remember.” Sadness shadowed her eyes.

“Jess came into the barn right when I was getting ready to leave. I never flank Rebel, but I did. Rebel was so startled he reared and knocked Jesse out.”

Her face paled. “You sure he’s going to be all right?”

“I’m sure,” he said with more confidence than he felt. “I feel terrible about what happened. But to be honest, Mother, I’m still angry with him. He had no right to do that to me or to Rainee.”

His mother shook her head. “You’re right, he didn’t. But unfortunately he did, and now we have to figure out what to do with her.”

“We? Oh-h no. Not we. Jesse can figure that one out on his own.”

“From what you just told me, Jesse won’t be able to do much of anything on his own for a while.” She stood, and so did he. “I need to go check on him.”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

“Why not?”

“Because Hannah said he needed his rest, and she didn’t care who it was, she wasn’t letting anyone wake him.”

“Hannah? Our Hannah said that?”

“Yep. She sure did.” They stood there for a second staring at each other before they both shook their heads, chuckling.

His mother’s face turned grim. “What am I going to tell that poor young woman?”

“I don’t know.”

Rainee’s eyes fluttered open. She turned her head and started to raise herself, but her body rebelled with each movement. Not one to allow a few aches and weakness of body to stop her, she forced her creaking body into a sitting position, wondering how long she had been asleep.

A young teenage girl with buttery blond hair and powder-blue eyes came drifting into the room. “Hi, I’m Leah. Mother told me to offer you something to eat and drink when you awakened. Would you like some cookies and tea?”

“Tea and cookies sound heavenly. Thank you.” Before Rainee had a chance to introduce herself the girl disappeared. Rainee ran her hands over her wrinkled, dirty clothes, but the stubborn creases and dirt would not budge. She was most certainly a mess and not fit to be seen.

Leah returned and set the tray on the end table next to Rainee. She smiled and two dimples accompanied it. “I hope you like them. I made them myself.” Leah’s look of accomplishment curled Rainee’s lips upward.

“I am sure I shall. Thank you.” She picked one up, and when she bit into it, a flavorful blend of cinnamon, clove and apple delighted her taste buds.

Leah sat across from her with an expectant look.

Rainee dabbed at the corners of her mouth with the cloth napkin provided her. “One of the best cookies I have ever eaten. You must teach me how to make them.” To prove her enjoyment, she devoured another cookie.

“I would love to.”

“By the way, I am Rainelle. Rainelle Victoria Devonwood. But please, call me Rainee.”

“Nice to meet you, Rainee.” Leah chewed on the corner of her bottom lip. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but I saw you with my brother.” She squirmed and glanced toward the kitchen. “Are you and he…? You know?” She spiked her shoulder in a quick upward motion. “How do you know Haydon?”

“Leah. That is none of your business.” Rainee’s gaze swung toward Katherine’s voice.

Leah jumped up and lowered her head. “Sorry, Mother.” She glanced over at Rainee. “Sorry, Rainee.”

“No harm done.” She did her best to send Leah a reassuring smile.

The young girl gave a quick nod and then looked at her mother as if she were seeking approval.

“Leah, go see what your sister is up to.”

“Yes, Mother.” She gave a shy smile Rainee’s direction, then quietly left the room.

Katherine sat in the chair Leah had occupied. “Are you feeling better now?” Compassion, so like her own mother’s, floated from this woman.

Rainee had to look away. Heartsickness for her mother consumed her once again. She wondered if she would ever get used to the fact her mother was never coming back. That she would never comfort Rainee or give her words of wisdom again.

She plastered on a smile and faced Katherine. “Yes, ma’am. I am much better. Thank you.”

Katherine fidgeted with her hands and darted her gaze out the window, onto her lap, back out the window, until it finally alighted on Rainee. “Rainee, I think there’s something you should know.”

Rainee braced herself for whatever was coming. From the tone in Katherine’s voice, it was not good news.

“Mother, I’ll handle this.”

Rainee swung her gaze toward Haydon, who stood filling the doorway.

Katherine’s chest rose and fell. Her hands quit squirming and finally rested in her lap.

“I’m afraid there’s been a huge mistake.” Haydon strode over and sat across from her next to Katherine.

“What—what do you mean a mistake?” Rainee felt the blood drain from her face.

“I don’t know how to tell you this, so I’m just going to say it. I’m really sorry, but my brother Jesse sent for you, Rainee, not me.”

Blinking, Rainee fought not to react. “I—I do not understand.” She looked at Katherine, then at Haydon. “You told me Jesse is married.”

“He is.”

Question after question chased through Rainee’s mind about what this all meant. Surely these people were not one of those religious groups who believed it was okay to have several wives. The air in the room thickened. Just what had she gotten herself into? She stared at Haydon, waiting for him to continue, yet dreading it at the same time.

“He sent for you. But not for himself.”

Hearing Haydon say that at least put Rainee’s fears to rest about the numerous wives, but she still did not have a clue as to what was going on.

“He thought he was doing me a favor. And you.” He raked his hand through his hair.

Rainee closed her eyes as disappointment, concern and dread inhabited her body. The cookies in her stomach turned to stone. What would she do now? She did not need him to tell her the rest. She already knew. He did not want her here. Her solution had just evaporated before her very eyes.

Never before had she felt so alone.

Usually when a situation arose, memories of her mother’s advice came to her. But not this time. Even her mother’s words were as silent as the grave.

Grave. That one word always ripped at Rainee’s heart, and this time was no different, but she refused to cry in the presence of these strangers.

“Rainee.”

Her eyes drifted toward the woman who emanated compassion.

“Jesse meant well. But my son has a tendency to not think things through before he acts.”

“That’s for sure.” Anger sliced through Haydon’s tone. “When he saw your advertisement, he decided to send for you. But unfortunately, he didn’t mention it to me or anyone else.”

That much was obvious. So now what?

Seeing the lingering question in Katherine’s eyes, Rainee plucked up her courage and looked directly at her. “I know you must think it quite strange a woman would advertise for a husband, but please believe me when I tell you I had to.” She glanced at Haydon, then back at Katherine. “You see, my parents died and I…” Her courage vanished. Rainee could not bring herself to share the sordid details of her life with these people. “I just had to.”

“I’m so sorry for your loss. If I hadn’t had my sons to take care of me when my husband passed away, I’d have probably done the same thing. I think what you did took a lot of courage.”

Courage was not what propelled her to write the advertisement. Fear had.

Afraid they would see the moisture forming in her eyes and start asking questions, questions she did not want to answer, Rainee stood and forced one shaky leg in front of the other as she walked to the window.

No one could find out she had a brother back in Little Rock. For she could not risk being sent back. Neither could she risk Ferrin finding her. The only thing that could save her now was to get married right away. And based on what she had just heard, there was not going to be a wedding here in Paradise Haven.

Scenario after scenario about what she could do now ran through Rainee’s mind. With each one, the air thickened with fear. The idea of going back home to that monster tied her stomach into knots and breathing became difficult.

With her back to them, the question she hated to ask but knew she must slid past her lips in a choppy rasp, “Where—where does that leave me?” Spots danced before her eyes, and her body swayed, then blackness pulled her into its embrace.

Chapter Four

Haydon leapt to his feet but could not make it to the window fast enough to catch Rainee. Her small body slumped to the floor. Her vulnerability tugged at his heart. The anger and frustration he’d had toward Jesse came back full force.

Willing himself to feel nothing, Haydon slipped his arms under her knees and back and hoisted her up. She didn’t budge but hung as limp as Abby’s rag doll. She looked helpless, alone and frail. He tucked her closer into his chest. Her vulnerability and the feel of her feminine frame and soft hair draping over his arm touched something deep inside him. Something he never wanted to feel again rose in him. He shoveled away the unwelcome feelings and buried them deep in an unmarked grave.

“Oh, Haydon, that poor girl. Wait until I see Jesse. I am going to give that boy a piece of my mind. What was he thinking?”

That’s what Haydon had been trying to figure out, too.

“Take her up to Leah’s room and lay her on the extra bed. I’ll get a cool cloth and some water.” His mother scampered into the kitchen.

On his way up the steps, he noticed the stains of tears on her cheeks. Protective feelings flooded through him like a massive gulley wash, but he refused to let them take possession. No! I don’t want to feel anything. However, when he lowered her onto the bed, rather than walking away, he gazed down at her, wondering what would become of her once they sorted the whole muddled issue out.

The stairs creaked. He shook out of the thoughts and strode toward the door. He took the water basin from his mother.

Thinking was dangerous. He held the bowl while his mother dipped a cloth into it and laid it on Rainee’s forehead.

The young woman stirred and slowly opened her eyes.

Haydon’s breath hitched at the sight of those beautiful fawn-colored eyes—eyes he had avoided the whole way home. Eyes a man could get lost in if he wasn’t careful.

Dread and confusion emanated from her.

He hated seeing her like that. His arms ached to wrap her in them and comfort her. To tell her everything would be okay. That he would take care of her and protect her.

What was he thinking?

Fear slugged into him like a fist. He jerked his gaze away and quickly set the basin on the nightstand, sloshing a small amount of water over the side. Without bothering to wipe it up, he spun on his heel and called over his shoulder, “If you need me for anything else, just holler.” Haydon skipped steps as he barreled down them. Out the front door and into the fresh air he flew. He refused to give heed to the feelings Rainee aroused in him. Feelings that scared him to death. From now on, the farther he stayed away from her, the better.

Rainee sat up. She would love nothing more than to bury herself with the yellow patchwork quilt underneath her, but that would solve nothing. All her well-laid plans were falling apart around her. She had no money and no place to go. And no future husband.

“Rainee?”

Her vision trailed toward Katherine, who smelled of baked bread and wood smoke.

“I am truly sorry, Mrs. Bowen. I am not normally one given to fainting spells. But this news has come as quite a shock to me. I am at a loss as to what to do next. All I know is, I cannot go back. I simply cannot.”

“It’s Katherine, and please don’t apologize for fainting. I certainly understand. I’d probably faint too under the same circumstances.” Katherine sat on the bed next to her and took her hand. “I am more sorry than words can say for what my son did. I want you to know you’re welcome to stay here as long as you wish.”

Once again, questions chased other questions through Rainee’s mind. Should she stay? Should she go? Should she take Katherine up on her offer until she had time to figure out what to do? The way she saw it, she really had no other choice.

She searched the woman’s eyes, seeking something. Reassurance perhaps? That all would be well? What she saw was a kind woman offering her compassion and a place to stay. Her chest heaved, expelling some of the tension in her body. “Are you sure you do not mind?”

“I’m positive. Now, why don’t I have Haydon bring up your things? I’m sure you’d like to clean up before dinner. I’ll heat some water so you can take a bath.”

“No, no. Please, do not trouble yourself on my account,” Rainee said even though a bath sounded heavenly. She did not want to give this woman any reason to send her back. And while she would not take advantage of Katherine’s kind offer and hospitality for long, she was grateful for the time to come up with another plan.

If only her mother’s words of wisdom would rise up in her, but they would not because Rainee had never encountered anything like this while her mother was still alive. How could either of them ever have envisioned this? The next-closest thing she had to a mother now was Jenetta. The older woman would know what to do. But she was not here. She was back home in Little Rock with her husband and three children.

Something Jenetta had said popped into her mind. “You hang on to that other Christian gentleman’s letter in case thangs don’t work out.” The other letter. Stems of hope sprouted through the darkness. She did have another option. Thank You, Lord.

Having received many responses to her advertisement, she had kept the two most promising letters. One she had responded to, the other, well, his letter was tucked securely in her trunk. Although it saddened her that things did not work out with Haydon, she would write the other man straightaway.

“It’s no trouble at all.” Katherine’s voice snapped her out of her musings. “I’ll start heating the water now. As soon as Haydon gets your things up here, you can come down and take a bath.” She smiled, stood and turned to leave the room. At the door, she stopped. With her hand still on the knob, she looked back at Rainee. “I really am sorry for what my son did. And I meant what I said about you staying here as long as you like.” Katherine’s smile seemed to hold a secret. But just what kind of secret Rainee did not know.

“Would you please take Rainee’s things up to Leah’s room?” Haydon’s mother pointed to the trunk he had placed on the porch when they had arrived. “She’ll be staying with us.”

His eyebrows slammed against the brim of his hat. “What do you mean she’s staying with us? For how long?” He could no more hold back the panic from his voice than he could hold back a raging river.

“For as long as she likes.”

Haydon recognized that smile. His mother was up to something. Just what, he wasn’t sure. But something.

He leaned over and grabbed the handles of Rainee’s trunk and hoisted it up. His mother opened the door and motioned him by. “Just what I need,” he spoke under his breath as he walked past her.

“She just might be.”

Haydon swung around so fast the trunk dropped from his hands and thudded onto his foot. He jerked his foot up, put it down, jerked it up again and put it down, all the while holding back the words he wanted to fling out in anger. Without looking at his mother, he snatched the trunk up again and tromped his way up the stairs.

“Haydon.” The sternness in his mother’s voice stopped him.

Halfway up the stairs, he balanced the trunk on his knee and turned his head toward his mother.

She shook her finger at him. “You be nice to my guest, and don’t you dare make her feel uncomfortable.”

Make her uncomfortable!

“Yes, ma’am,” he said as he turned and trudged up the stairs. This whole stupid mess stuck inside him like an infected splinter.

At Leah’s bedroom door, he stopped and called, “Rainee.” He made every effort possible to keep the irritation from his voice, when what he really wanted to do was take her and her trunk into town and drop her off at Mrs. Swedberg’s boardinghouse. But the older widow woman never had any available rooms. Besides, even if she did, his mother had already made it clear Rainee was her guest now, and that was that.

“Come in,” she said in that sweet Southern drawl of hers that drove clean through every part of him.

“I’m here with your trunk.” He pushed the door all the way open with his back and turned inside. “Where would you like this?” He refused to look over at her. Refused to let her get under his skin any further.

“Over here, please.”

He had no choice but to look now as she pointed to the end of the bed.

His gaze snagged on her hands. She still had on those lacey gloves. Why would she wear such fancy gloves in the house? This wasn’t some fancy ball.

Fancy balls.

Melanie.

Thoughts of his wife were always one careless notion away but exactly what he needed to keep from being drawn in by Rainee. For that, he was almost grateful to the memories. As fast as he could, Haydon set her trunk at the foot of the bed and turned to leave.

“Haydon?”

He looked back at her. “Yes, ma’am?”

“Thank you.” She put her head down and played with the tips of her fingers. “I want you to know that as soon as I can, I will be leaving. I am truly sorry for what your brother has put you through.”

“Put me through?” Haydon was instantly chagrinned at his uncharitable thoughts. Rainee was the real victim here. “What about what he put you through? You came all this way for nothing. When I think about what you must be feeling right now…” He shook his head. “I still can’t believe it. I’m really sorry, Rainee. Truly.” He found he meant it. No one deserved to be treated like that.

“It is okay, Haydon. I have a home for now. And one of the other Christian gentlemen who answered my advertisement offered me a home as well, so I am not completely without options.”

One of the other gentlemen? How many men had actually responded to her ad? Were there that many desperate men out there?

“I shall contact him as soon as I can send a post off and see if he still wants me.”

Haydon’s gut twisted into a hard knot. Who was this guy, and would he be good to her? Haydon gave himself a mental tongue lashing. What did he care what happened to her? He didn’t want her. What did it matter to him if someone else did? Then he made the mistake of looking into her eyes again. The vulnerability he saw there touched him deeper than he wanted it to. Although he didn’t want her, the truth was he hated the thought of this beautiful young woman, who was clothed with despair and innocence, traipsing all over the country to who knows where and into the arms of who knew what kind of man.

Against all rationale and his better judgment, right there, Haydon made up his mind to not let her go. To protect her from undesirables and to provide for her. “Rainee, I—”

“Rainee.” Leah burst into the room. “Oh. Hi, Haydon.”

He looked at his sister, then back at Rainee, who was gazing up at him with a tilt of her head as if she were waiting for him to continue. “I’ll—I’ll talk to you later.”

She gave a quick nod. “Thank you again, Haydon, for retrieving my trunk.” She offered him a sweet smile and to his utter surprise and horror his heart tipped like a schoolboy with a crush.

Chapter Five

Rainee climbed out of the tub and got dressed. Alone in the house and feeling refreshed, she decided to step outside. The late afternoon air surrounded her with warmth. Over by the corral, she noticed some of the spotted horses she had seen on the way here and decided to take a closer look at them.

She stepped up to the corral, and a reddish-colored horse with brown spots came trotting over to her and leaned its head over the fence. “Well, hello there.” She ran her gloves over the horse’s nose. The horse pressed into her hand and jerked upward. Rainee giggled. “Not only are you lovely, but you are feisty, too.”

“And she’ll take a chunk out of you if you’re not careful.”

Rainee swung her gaze toward the barn. Haydon stepped out of the shadow of the stall and into the sunlight of the corral. He came and stood next to the mare and patted the horse’s neck. “You behave yourself, Sköldpadda.”

The horse stepped back and turned her head into Haydon. He rubbed her cheek and scratched her behind her ears. “You be nice to this lady or no more treats for you, you hear?” Haydon glanced at Rainee but continued to pet the horse.

“Sköldpadda? I have never heard that name before.” Rainee tilted her head.

“It’s Swedish for a snapping turtle.”

“Why did you name your horse after a snapping turtle?” No sooner had the question left her mouth when the horse scuttled back and lunged toward Haydon with its mouth wide open. “Watch out!” Rainee yelled.

Haydon jerked sideways and Rainee watched as he dealt with the horse in the gentlest of manner.

When the horse calmed, Haydon faced Rainee. “Now you know why. Sköldpadda has a good heart and she’s a gentle mare, but for some reason I can’t seem to break her of this one bad habit.” He turned and put his arm around the horse’s neck. “You’re a good girl, Sköldpadda,” he whispered in the horse’s ear, but Rainee heard him and admired the gentleness he displayed with the horse.

He never once lost his temper as her brother had so many a time with their horses.

Thoughts of Ferrin and his cruelty sent spasms of pain throughout Rainee’s body. No! I shall not torment myself with thoughts of my brother. She forced her attention back onto the horse and onto Haydon.

Sköldpadda walked away and joined the other horses at the food trough. Haydon ambled up to the fence and planted one foot on the bottom rail and his arms over the top one.

“What manner of breed are these horses? They are lovely, and I have never seen any spotted horses like these before.”

“They’re Palouse ponies.”

“Palouse?”

Haydon explained their history with such zeal that Rainee got caught up in his excitement. “They’re lofty and really active. Plus, they’re great for hunting and their stamina is quite impressive.” He suddenly stopped and looked at her. “I’m sorry. I’ve gotten carried away. It’s just that I love these animals. They’re unlike any other horse breed I’ve ever been around. Especially Rebel’s offspring. If you think these horses are beautiful, you should see Rebel.”

“Rebel?” She tilted her head.

“My horse.”

“May I see him?”

“Sure. Meet me inside the barn.” Haydon headed through the corral and disappeared into the same stall he had come out of.

On the way to the barn, Rainee marveled at the difference between the stoic man who had picked her up from the stagecoach and this zealous, passionate horseman. The two were as different as a bird and a cat.

Haydon met her at the door. “He’s in the back.” His face glowed with pride.

They headed through the barn. Dust, hay and horse scent swirled around her, tickling her nose with delight.

Out the back door they headed. Behind the barn was a lone stall with a higher fenced corral.

Several yards from the stall, Haydon expelled two short whistle sounds.

A black horse poked its head out of the stall door.

“How you doing, Rebel Boy?” Haydon walked up to him and rubbed the horse on the nose, then patted his cheek.

Rainee stepped up next to Haydon and looked at the horse’s shiny coat. She peered into the stall and noticed white spots all over the horse’s rump. “Oh, my. What an exquisite animal. God has really outdone Himself on this one. May I pet him?”

Haydon stepped aside and Rainee ran her hand over Rebel’s head. “He seems gentle. Did you break him?”

“Yes.”

“Do you break all of your horses?”

“Most of them. Jess helps some.” He stopped talking and Rainee peered up at him. A shadow covered his face as he looked away. Rainee wondered what was wrong, then realized he had become still when he had mentioned his brother’s name. The very one who had sent for her.

“I’m sorry, but it’s getting late and I need to finish my chores now.”

Rainee knew she had been dismissed. But she understood. Haydon was having a hard time dealing with what his brother had done, and she did not blame him. This most awkward situation vexed her also. To ease his discomfort, she would try and find a new home as soon as possible.

Rainee forced herself not to fidget at the dining room table. Father always hated that sort of improper display, said it showed a lack of confidence and no Devonwood should ever behave in such an unbecoming manner. Because of their wealth and standing in society, they should hold their heads high and have impeccable manners.

As if any of that mattered to Rainee.

She detested all of the snobbery and insincerity that accompanied most people of high rank.

The kitchen door flung open, and in barreled a young man who resembled Haydon in every way, albeit younger and smaller. He stopped short when he saw her, then he hurried around to the opposite side of the table and sat down. His eyes locked onto her. “Who are you? And what are you doing here?”

“Michael!”

Rainee’s gaze flew to Haydon seated at the head of the table.

“I’m sorry. I apologize for my brother’s rude behavior, Rainee.” Haydon turned his attention to his brother and sent several silent but serious messages his direction.

The poor boy’s face matched the color of a scarlet ribbon Rainee once had. She longed to ease the young man’s embarrassment, but it would be highly improper for her to interfere.

“Rainee, may I present my brother, Michael. And the gentleman sitting next to him is our dear friend, Smokey.”

“Ma’am.” The man with the gray hair and gentle brown eyes nodded his head once.

“Pleased to meet you, gentlemen.” Rainee presented a polite dip of her head to Smokey, then turned her attention to Michael and offered him the same courtesy.

“And of course you’ve already met Abigail and Leah. Everyone, this is Rainee.”

Questioning stares made her want to shrink under the table and disappear out the door.

“Just so you all know, Jesse invited her out for a visit. I do not want anyone in this family embarrassing Rainee again. Is that understood?” His gaze went around the room, holding a moment on each member until they each nodded their assent.

Rainee wanted to hug the man for sparing her any further humiliation. Admiration for his sensitivity sent a strange swirling sensation into her heart.

Confused, questioning gazes fluttered her direction from around the table. She waited for one of them to ask her why she was not eating with Haydon’s brother and his wife, but not one person spoke even though she could tell they wanted to. They obviously respected Haydon’s authority. And him.

“Let’s pray.” Everyone bowed their heads as Haydon said a prayer over the food.

Dinner consisted of Swedish elk stew and cornbread. Laughter floated around the table and the lively conversation reminded her of family dinners back home. Only the conversations around her parents’ table were much more formal.

Much to her horror, a wide yawn attacked her without warning and escaped before she could catch it. She covered her mouth, but it was really no use. “Merciful heavens. Please forgive me. I did not mean to be rude. I fear I am overtired.”

“Of course you are. Traveling has a way of doing that to a person. Why don’t you head on up to bed?” Katherine’s look of understanding warmed her insides.

“If you do not mind, I think I shall.” She started to rise and found Haydon behind her, pulling out her chair.

When she stood, she turned to thank him, and their eyes connected.

The sound of Abby’s giggle reached her ears.

Haydon broke eye contact with a frown. Then he rushed toward the door, snatched his hat off a wooden peg, and disappeared into the night with only a “I’d better check on Rebel” floating out after him.

Rainee stretched her arms above her and allowed her eyes to adjust to the daylight beaming through the windows. The lavender curtains waved in the light breeze. She glanced over at Leah’s empty side of the bed and wondered what hour of the day it was.

Weeks on a train and stagecoach had taken their toll on her. Last night, after she had written her letter to Mr. Bettes and snuggled into the soft pillow, her eyes closed and she had fallen into a deep sleep.

She slid her legs out from under the quilt and placed her feet on the cool floor. Her gaze searched the room for a water pitcher and basin to wash her face. In that moment, it was as if someone had doused her head with a pitcher of cold water because once again she was forced to face reality.

Never again would there be water ready for her.

No maid to help button her dresses.

No Jenetta.

Rainee was certain she would either be dead or have gone mad by now had it not been for Jenetta and her kindness.

Jenetta had doctored her wounds, prayed with her and had even gone against Ferrin’s orders by continuing to fill Rainee’s water basin. In return, Rainee helped Jenetta with the extra chores Ferrin had heaped on her already-long list.

Rainee’s chest heaved. She needed to accept the fact this was her new home now. At least temporarily anyway. The burden of being unsettled hung over her like an ominous cloud.

Not knowing what her host expected from her, she decided to make haste and get dressed so she could go downstairs and find out.

Rainee walked to the end of the bed, knelt in front of the trunk and opened it. She pulled out her pale blue day dress and shook it out. Alone in the room, she slipped her gloves and nightgown off, thankful she nor anyone else could see the raised stripes across her back. A painful reminder of where she had come from.

Within minutes she had her corset on. She slid into her bustle gown and made her way to the mirror. In front of the looking glass, she studied herself, admiring the light blue dress with dark blue bows and layers of lace on the skirt, collar and sleeves. Although she preferred a lighter, simpler dress, sometimes she missed wearing such gowns. Since her parents’ passing, the only time she had been allowed to wear such finery was when company came. One old man in particular. An old man who made her shudder with repulsion. Rainee hastened to rid her mind of the despicable memories.

She glanced back at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was in complete disarray.

After she secured her hair in a chignon, she grabbed her fingerless gloves and slipped them on. Flipping her hands over and back, she realized how out of place the lacey gloves looked here. But she had no choice but to wear them. They covered up contemptible, embarrassing scars. Scars she did not want anyone inquiring about.

Rainee opened the bedroom door. Coffee and bacon aromas greeted her, making her stomach rumble. She made her way down the stairs. As she neared the kitchen, her gaze found Haydon, seated at the table with Katherine, each holding a coffee cup, and out of reflex, Rainee ducked back so they would not see her.

“I wish Jesse would mind his own business. He should have never sent for her.”

“Give her a chance, Haydon. You’ve got to let the past go.”

Indecision gripped her. She did not know whether to continue forward or to turn around and make her way back up the stairs. Eavesdropping was wrong, but she could not get her feet to move.

Haydon said something, but Rainee could not hear him because his voice was too low.

“Yes, you can. You can’t give up.”

“I haven’t given up, Mother. I keep this place running and even manage to turn over a profit.”

“That’s not what I meant. And yes, you do keep this place running. You’ve done an excellent job since your father died. I’m so proud of you, son. You pushed past the grief of losing him and took charge. Now you need to do the same with Melanie’s death.”

Melanie? Who was Melanie? Rainee wanted to ask, but she did not dare as they would know she was eavesdropping. Guilt took a swipe at her. She should move, should go forward or back, but her feet were not cooperating.

“Mother, we’ve had this conversation a million times already. It’s my fault—”

“It’s not your fault.”

Rainee wanted to know what was not his fault.

“You remind me of Nora’s brother, the one who’s coming to live with her. Nora said he’s still stuck in the past. Still hurting. What a tragedy that is.”

What in Haydon’s past was he stuck in? And why was he like this Nora woman’s brother? Had he been responsible for his father’s death? Or what? She strained to listen. She wanted to see if her unheard questions would be answered.

“Mother, I know you mean well, and I know what you’re trying to do, but you know I plan to never marry again.”

Rainee stuffed down the hurt his words inflicted. Although she knew he did not want her, it still brought an ache to her soul. One she could not cast off like she could a piece of unwanted clothing.

She glanced behind her, desperately wanting to dart back up the stairs, but she did not want to risk being heard.

What should she do?

Haydon’s words just now, and knowing he was not the one who had sent for her made her extremely uncomfortable, and she did not wish to be around him any longer.

With great care, she turned and made it up three steps before she heard, “Good morning, Rainee.”

Rainee closed her eyes and drew in a long breath. Forcing a smile onto her face, she turned and made her way to them. “Good morning, Katherine.”

She tried to look natural, not guilty of eavesdropping, wondering if they knew she had. If so, neither said a word.

Out of courtesy, she turned to greet Haydon, but the greeting never left her lips. His appearance was that of a person who had not slept for weeks. Her heart broke for him.

“Can I get you some breakfast?”

Rainee diverted her attention to Katherine. “Yes, that would be lovely, thank you.”

Rainee did not know if she would offend her host by offering to help. In the society she came from it would be a huge social gaffe to do so because the wealthy had servants to do that. But Rainee preferred helping—it made her feel useful, instead of like some ornament waiting to be handpicked by an acceptable suitor. Another rigid rule she loathed.

Just because her family had money, she did not believe that she or they were above anyone else. If her father knew she felt that way and had ever caught her helping, he would have been appalled. Back home, even though she had failed miserably, she had always tried to behave in a way befitting their social status. But here, she did not know the proper thing to do.

Should she offer to help, or should she sit down and allow her host to wait on her?

And did she really want to sit at the table with Haydon after overhearing the conversation with his mother?

His eyes that spoke of his confusion and discomfort locked onto hers. Rainee could not blame him for being uncomfortable. After all, this most perplexing situation was no fault of his. But then again, it was no fault of hers either. She thought the man who had sent for her wanted her—otherwise she would have never come.

He broke eye contact, rose and came to where she stood. He pulled the chair out and held it as she sat.

Haydon went back, sat in his chair and became engrossed in his untouched food.

Katherine grabbed a covered plate from the oven. She lifted the towel, revealing a mountain of thick bacon slices, scrambled eggs and biscuits and set them on the table, along with an empty cup. She filled Rainee’s cup with steaming coffee and sat in the chair next to her. “Go ahead and eat before it gets cold.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Rainee nodded, then bowed her head and said a silent prayer. When she opened her eyes, Haydon was staring at her as was Katherine.

“You’re a Christian?” Katherine’s blue eyes beamed, and wrinkles gathered around her eyes and mouth when she smiled.

“Yes, ma’am. I am.”

“Perfect.” Katherine clasped her hands.

Perfect for what? Instead of inquiring, she picked up a piece of bacon with her fingers and bit off a piece.

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