“Who are you and why are you here?”

He frowned and released her hand. “What do you mean, who am I?”

“While we’re at it, how do you know my name?”

“Why shouldn’t I know your name? I am Nathan Rutledge and you are Kate—”

“O’Brien,” she finished. “Yes, I know that—”

“Rutledge,” he reminded her.

“What?”

“Rutledge.”

“Why do you keep saying that?”

He looked at her for a second. “You mean to tell me that you, Kathleen O’Brien, have never even heard my name before today?”

“That’s exactly what I mean.”

He began to speak then shook his head and strode over to where his saddlebag rested near his horse’s stall. “I suppose you’d better have a look at this.”

She took the piece of paper he extended to her. “What is this?”

“It’s our marriage certificate,” he replied quietly.

“What?” Her gaze held his before she stared down at the certificate. “You don’t mean—”

“I mean,” he interrupted with quiet authority, “that you, Kate O’Brien Rutledge, are my wife.”

Dear Reader,

I began writing this story at the tender age of sixteen. It all started with a simple question. What if you found out that, through no fault of your own, you were married to a stranger? I’ve lived a lot of life since I asked that question. Just like me, this story has grown and evolved in ways I never expected. I’ve had the most creative co-writer along the way—God. He is not only the Author and Perfecter of my faith, but also of this book.

He taught me that it all comes down to trust. I learned that life doesn’t always make sense, it isn’t always comfortable, and sometimes is downright painful. Yet, like Kate and Nathan, I also discovered that if I hold on long enough and allow God to lead me, then I will end up in a moment like this. A moment when my dreams have come true, my work is complete and His glory is revealed.

Thank you for stepping back in time with me to the fictional town of Peppin, Texas. I hope you enjoyed reading Kate and Nathan’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Sean’s story is next so look for more of the O’Briens’ marriage mayhem soon. In the meantime, I would love to hear from you. Please contact me at www.NoelleMarchand.com or check out my Facebook page.

Blessings!

About the Author

NOELLE MARCHAND

Her love of literature began as a child, when she would spend hours reading beneath the covers long after she was supposed to be asleep. Over the years, God began prompting her to write by placing ideas for stories in her head. Eventually, those stories became like “fire shut up in her bones,” leading her to complete her first novel by her sixteenth birthday. Now, at the age of twenty-two, that fire of inspiration continues to burn.

Noelle is a Houston native and a student at Houston Baptist University, where she is pursuing a double major in mass communication with a focus in journalism and speech communication. Though life as a college student keeps her busy, God continues to use her talent for writing as a way to deepen her spiritual life and draw her closer to Him.

Unlawfully Wedded Bride

Noelle Marchand

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To God for completing this good work in me.

The righteous shall live by his faith.

—Habakkuk 2:4

Acknowledgments

Thanks to my family for fostering a spirit of

creativity. Special thanks to Mom for being my first

and most avid reader. To my sister, for believing I

actually could write a novel, thus allowing me to

believe it, too. Thanks to the Butterfly Sisterhood for

being you and allowing me to be me.

God bless you, Elizabeth Mazer, for all of your

encouragement, advice, patience and expertise!

I am so proud of what we accomplished together.

Prologue

August 1877

Peppin, Texas

“We ordered a husband for you.”

At the sound of her little brother’s voice, Kate O’Brien’s finger froze on its trek down the page of her financial ledger. Her gaze shot to the kitchen doorway where twelve-year-old Sean stood next to their ten-year-old sister, Ellie. She met their serious stares blankly. Surely, she’d heard wrong. “I’m sorry. You did what?”

Sean exchanged a look with Ellie, then met Kate’s gaze before carefully repeating himself. Kate’s heart began to beat faster in her chest. She placed the ledger on the kitchen table and tried to swallow the sense of foreboding that skittered down her backbone. “What exactly does that mean?”

“Something wonderful,” Ellie exclaimed with a smile before slipping into a chair across from Kate. “I heard Mr. Johansen talking about mail-order brides at his mercantile. I knew that was what we needed so we put an advertisement for a mail-order groom in a few newspapers.”

She glanced from Ellie to Sean, hoping for some indication that they were joking. They both looked perfectly serious.

“We received a lot of responses,” Sean said as he pulled a small pack of letters from behind his back and placed it on the table in front of her. She spared the packet a brief glance before meeting her little brother’s sincere green eyes. “One response was special. We knew he was perfect for us so we wrote back.”

“Oh, Sean,” she breathed in dismay.

His gaze faltered for an instant before he continued. “I knew he wouldn’t respond if we told him we were children so we just told him all about you and took a few passages from Ma and Pa’s love letters to make it sound more grown-up.”

Her heart froze in her chest. “You forged letters from me? That’s against the law.”

His eyes widened and he shook his head adamantly. “We didn’t forge letters. We just never said which Miss O’Brien was doing the writing.”

“Why did you do this?”

“We wanted to help,” he insisted quietly.

She widened her eyes imploringly. “How does this help?”

“You do a lot, Kate,” Sean said. “We don’t always say thank you for it, but when we stop to think about it we know.”

“I do what has to be done.”

He nodded. “That’s just it. Ma’s and Pa’s deaths were just as hard on you as they were on us but you were strong. You had to be. We wanted you to have someone who would do for you what you do for us.”

Kate was astounded at the maturity in his voice but still shook her head in disbelief at their actions. “I appreciate that, Sean, but what you two did was wrong.”

Ellie leaned forward earnestly. “We knew what you needed and that you would never get it for yourself. You’re too shy around handsome men.”

She gaped at her younger sister. “Oh, Ellie, really.”

“Well, it’s true,” the girl declared obstinately. “You never let men court you. It’s all that awful Mr. Stolvins’s fault. Ever since he—”

“Ellie, bringing that man into this conversation really isn’t going to help you.”

Ellie allowed her words to stumble to a halt then lifted her brows archly. “It’s true and you know it. Besides, you need someone to take care of you.”

Kate slammed the ledger shut. “I do not.”

“You do so, but you won’t admit it,” Ellie said firmly. Her small fist pounded on the table. “That’s why we had to act.”

Kate crossed her arms. “You were trying to marry me off without my consent.”

“I know,” Ellie said then lifted her chin nobly as tears gleamed in her large green eyes. “We couldn’t because you have to sign a silly paper.”

Kate’s eyes widened. A dry laugh spilled from her lips. “Well, thank the Lord for that.”

“It isn’t funny,” Ellie said as large tears began to roll down her cheeks. She pulled a folded-up paper from the pocket of her skirt and held it toward Kate. “Please, Kate. You just have to sign it.”

“No.”

“At least, read the letters,” Sean urged pleadingly. “Give the man a chance.”

“Absolutely not.” She pushed the letters away from her as though they might bite her.

Ellie pulled the letters to her chest. The effect of her glare was slightly ruined by a large hiccup. “He’s wonderful. His name—”

Kate silenced Ellie with a look. “I don’t want to know anything about that man. I’ve heard enough from both of you on this subject. I’ve made my decision and the answer is no.”

Sean shook his head. “You’re making a mistake.”

“If I am then it’s my mistake to make.” She pinned them both with a stare. “I don’t want to hear that you two have been writing to this man again. Ever. Do you understand me?”

“Kate,” Sean protested.

She cut him off with a shake of her head. “Both of you go to bed. I’ll figure out a more suitable punishment for you when my head stops spinning.”

Ellie met her gaze defiantly then threw the folded paper on the table before rushing from the room. Sean pulled in a deep breath. He picked up the paper and smoothed it out carefully. Meeting Kate’s gaze patiently, he slid the paper across the table until it rested in front of her. With that silent urge for her to think about it, he calmly left the room.

“I don’t have time for this,” she muttered as she shook her head. She had more important things to think about, like how she was going to save her family’s farm. She opened the ledger and continued to search the farm’s financial records for some indication the situation wasn’t as bad as she feared. Hours passed and she kept coming back to the same conclusion.

Somewhere between buying food for her family and the livestock, the mortgage payments would have to be made. That meant she wouldn’t be able to pay the wheat harvesters, which in turn meant she wouldn’t be able to sell her wheat. Without selling the wheat, she wouldn’t be able to make the other mortgage payments. It was a dizzying cycle with dangerous implications.

If something didn’t change soon, they were going to lose the farm. She braced her elbows on the table, then covered her face with her hands. She heaved out a quiet sigh. “Lord, what do I do?”

She’d applied for a short-term loan at the town’s only bank and had been denied almost immediately. The banker, Mr. Wilkins, had kindly informed her it would not be in the best interest of either party to enter into another loan agreement when the farm was heading toward foreclosure. She’d put her pride aside long enough to ask if there was anything at all that would make him change his mind. He’d said the only way he would consider giving her a loan was if she married. A single woman in her position would have little success paying back the loan. However, if she had a husband the situation would be entirely different. Since she didn’t, he couldn’t help her.

Her breath stilled in her throat. Her gaze slid from the mess of papers in front of her to the official-looking document across the table. The bold font read Absentee Affidavit. The only way she could get a loan was to find a husband. Suddenly one was literally at her fingertips. Was it pure coincidence or was it something more?

She set the paper on the ledger in front of her. All she had to do was sign it and she could save the farm. She swallowed. She toyed with the pen, then pulled it carefully from the bottle of ink. Impulsively she set it against the paper. It only took a minute for her to fill in the little information that was required. She signed her name with a desperate flourish, then shoved the pen back into the bottle of ink.

Staring at her signature, dread settled in her stomach. She couldn’t do it. The farm was her parents’ heritage, yet she could only imagine how appalled they would be if they knew she’d given up her entire future to keep it. She let out a deep sigh, then set the paper as far away from her as possible. I am not that desperate, but I am not giving up. There is another way. There has to be. Perhaps if I spoke to Mr. Wilkins one more time …

Exhaustion pulled at her senses. She’d take a moment to rest her eyes, then clean up the mess she’d made and go to bed. Someone called her name and she jerked her head up. Sean stood at the end of the table watching her in concern.

“I’m awake.” She pushed her hair away from her face. “What are you doing up? It must be late.”

“It’s almost midnight. I couldn’t sleep.” He settled into the chair opposite her.

She closed her drowsy eyes and leaned back in her chair. “You worry too much.”

She heard the smile in his voice as he responded. “I promise not to worry anymore.”

“Good.”

“I know what Ellie and I did was wrong, but I think you made the right decision about everything in the end.”

It took a moment for her sleep-fogged mind to catch up. When it did, she felt relief fill her being. She forced her eyes open. “Good. I’m glad you think so.”

His gaze flickered to the table then back up to meet hers. “Do you want me to take care of this for you?”

“Would you? That would be wonderful.” She glanced at the table strewn with papers and shook her head. “If you could just stack the papers for me, I’ll put them away in the morning.”

“Sure,” he agreed.

She carefully pushed back from the chair then reached out to touch his dark blond hair as she passed. “Good night, Sean.”

Satisfaction filled his voice. “Good night.”

Chapter One

Three weeks later

Kate felt Ellie’s side of the bed dip, then rise. She listened to her sister’s small feet pad against the wooden floor of the farmhouse loft. She turned on her side to watch Ellie drag a chair to the window. The soft blue light of morning spilled through the glass as Ellie pushed back the curtains for a better view. Kate sighed then sat up in sleepy curiosity. “What are you doing?”

“I can see the road from here,” Ellie said, then jumped down from the chair with a decided thump. She ran to kneel in front of the bed and lifted her sparkling green eyes to meet Kate’s. “Do you have a feeling that today will be a very special day?”

“No, not particularly,” she said. Seeing Ellie’s crestfallen expression, she amended, “I suppose that every day can be a very special day if we let it.”

Ellie gave her a half smile seemingly more out of politeness than anything else. Kate hid her bemusement as she turned away from Ellie and quickly dressed. Her siblings seemed to have made a concerted effort to behave since she’d managed to stop their plan to marry her off. While she was relieved to see such an improvement in their behavior, she found it unnerving. How could they possibly not be up to something?

Kate smoothed her hair into an upturned twist as she watched her sister suspiciously. The girl had gone back to her post at the window. “Are you looking for something, Ellie?”

“Hmm? Oh, no,” she said absently.

“Then please get ready for school.”

“Yes, Kate.”

Sean and Ellie stepped into the kitchen just as she set the food on the table. Kate packed their lunch pails and set them in the usual place, then turned to survey their progress and was satisfied to find them nearly done eating. “Do you both have your slates and your homework?”

“Yes.” They answered as they deposited their empty plates in the sink.

“Don’t lollygag on the way or you’ll be late again,” she warned, then sank into an empty chair and sent them a smile. “Be good and have fun.”

Sean grabbed the lunch pails and slates before hurrying out of the kitchen. Ellie began to follow him then paused to look at Kate. She met the girl’s measuring stare. “Yes, Ellie?”

“Are you going to wear that the rest of the day?”

She looked down at her serviceable blue dress. “Why? Is something wrong with it?”

Ellie stepped farther into the room. “Wouldn’t it be nice to get dressed up this once?”

“I’ll be doing the wash all day. Why would I dress up for that?” she asked in confusion.

Ellie shrugged. “If someone stopped by, you would want to look presentable. Don’t you think—”

Sean appeared at the door and frowned at Ellie. “Let’s go. We’re going to be late.”

Ellie nodded then sent Kate a hopeful smile. “Perhaps just your hair—”

“Bye, Kate.” Sean grabbed Ellie’s arm and pulled her toward the door. As they left Kate heard him whisper, “What are you trying to do, anyway?”

The door slammed shut behind them leaving Kate in perplexed silence. She shook her head in frustration even as her lips curved in an amused smile. It looked like things were finally back to normal. She grabbed a biscuit for breakfast, then went about the chores with her usual determination.

She gathered their laundry and carried the large basket through the forest to the small creek that ran through the property. She washed clothes until her fingers became wrinkled from the cool water, then took a break to let the sun warm her freezing hands. She carefully stretched the kinks from her back. The waterfall that pooled into the small creek provided a drumming rhythm that lulled her senses into disarming relaxation.

A gunshot reverberated through the still morning air. Kate started, then spun toward the sound. Stunned, it took her a moment to realize she was staring into the forest toward her family’s farm. She picked up her skirts and ran. She dashed through the trees, her bare feet creating a quick rhythm on the path she’d traveled only an hour ago.

The edge of her petticoat caught on a fallen branch but she refused to slow down as she neared the large clearing where her father had built their farm. The curious sound of masculine voices made her pause. She cautiously moved around the side of the barn toward them. The voices grew louder. With one last step, she cleared the barn and found herself in the middle of a standoff.

Kate froze. Her gaze traveled from the tall cowboy on her left whose gun was drawn toward the house, to the young man standing just outside her doorway. He was struggling to keep his grip on his pistol and control the haphazard pile of possessions in his arms. She narrowed her eyes as she recognized the items, then gasped as realization tumbled over her. She stepped forward. “What do you think you’re doing with my things? Put those down!”

He jumped and turned to stare at her with panic in his gaze.

Her eyes widened as she realized he was just a boy. She lifted her chin and her tone turned imperious. “I said, put those down. Just you wait until—”

A wild shot flew from the boy’s gun.

She jumped, then stared at him in surprise.

“Get down!” The deep unyielding command from the cowboy made her obey without question. Another shot broke out, this time from her side.

“Of all the foolish things to do …” The cowboy let out a volley of shots. The boy ran for the horse waiting in the barnyard and somehow managed to mount with his armful of goods.

A shot from beside her sent the boy’s hat flying from his head. Kate caught her breath then pushed the man’s gun away from its target. “Don’t do that. You’ll hit him!”

She watched as his aggravation seemed to flare along with the golden ring outlining his deep brown eyes. “Woman, don’t touch my gun.”

She gasped at his harsh tone. “I was trying to keep you from killing a child!”

“If I had meant to hit him, I would have.” He stood then caught her elbow to help her to her feet. “As it is, he got away with my horse.”

“Not to mention his life,” she delivered testily.

He frowned at her.

She glared back.

His frown slipped, then pulled into an amused half smile. “I wondered if you’d have a temper to match your hair.”

She let out a confused breath, then caught an escaping lock of her rich strawberry-blond hair and vainly tried to tuck it into place. “What do you mean?”

“Not a thing I didn’t say,” he said seriously, but his eyes held hers teasingly.

Kate found herself momentarily distracted by him as she suddenly became aware of his strong yet dangerously handsome features. She took a small step back, feeling a telltale warmth spill across her cheeks. He eyed her for a long moment, then gave his gun a small spin before tucking it safely into the holster. He tipped his Stetson to introduce himself, “I’m Nathan Rutledge.”

She lifted her chin. “Miss O’Brien.”

“Rutledge,” he reminded with a nod.

Didn’t he just say that? she wondered. “Yes, I know.”

Unnerved by the friendly grin her statement caused, Kate glanced away. “Thank you for your help. Unfortunately he still got away with everything.”

“Oh, he hasn’t gotten away with anything yet.”

She glanced up to survey the determined glint in his eye. “You’re going after him.”

“Of course I am,” he said. “Delilah’s been with me more than three years. I’m not letting some little thief get away with a horse of that stock.”

“Delilah?” she asked, unsuccessfully denying her curiosity.

The man nodded. “Yes. Delilah.”

Uncomfortable with his warm gaze, she glanced down at her dress. “That’s an interesting name for a horse.”

“One of a kind,” he admitted.

Kate frowned.

He stepped closer.

Surprised, she looked up and couldn’t seem to look away. She closed her eyes against the searching, his and her own. What is going on here? This is not normal. No one should have this sort of rapport with a total stranger. I may spend most of my time alone on the farm when Sean and Ellie are in school, but I can’t be that lonely. Can I?

“Kate,” he said, and her eyes flew open at the sound of her name. Snapped from whatever spell held her, she lifted her chin and stared at him. She hadn’t given him her Christian name. Perhaps she’d met him before and forgotten? She allowed her gaze to sweep from his dark brown eyes and past his blue checkered shirt. His dark gray pants fit loosely against his long legs, and the dark metal of his gun rested against his thigh while his low-slung gun belt stretched across his hips. Meeting his gaze, she shook her head. If she’d met him, she would have remembered.

She opened her mouth to question him but he was already speaking. “I have to go after him. May I use your horse?”

She managed to nod, then watched him hurry toward the barn. A few minutes later, he reappeared on her horse and went in pursuit of the thief without a backward glance. Kate watched him disappear into the distance and vainly tried to sort out what just happened.

An hour later, back on Delilah and with the thief secured on Kate’s horse, Nathan Rutledge rode down Main Street, noting the curious stares from the citizens of Peppin, Texas. He had been on the receiving end of a town’s stares before, only they hadn’t been so friendly. But this was his new beginning—the fresh start he’d prayed for. He tipped his hat toward the young women who watched him shyly, then nodded at the older man sitting on the feed store steps.

The man narrowed his eyes suspiciously, then sat up in his chair to spit a stream of brown chewing tobacco juice on the ground in Nathan’s direction. He smiled wryly. Now, that was more like what he was used to. He was ready to put that life behind him as sure as he was breathing.

A “howdy” broke into his thoughts. He glanced down to find a man with graying hair and a belly that overlapped his belt watching him suspiciously.

“Can I help you with something?” the man asked.

Nathan eyed the star on the man’s chest and nodded. “I’m looking for the sheriff. Is that you?”

The man gave a single nod. “That’s me.”

He dismounted. Tipping his hat back, he nodded toward the person who had really been drawing all the attention. The young thief sent him scathing glares from where he sat with his hands bound and tied to the saddle horn of Kate’s horse. “I found him trying to steal from the O’Brien place this morning. He took off with my horse when I tried to stop him. He’s just a boy so I’m not sure what’s to be done about it.”

The sheriff’s suspicious gaze went from him to the boy and back again as the man obviously tried to discern who was guilty of what crime. “Is that so? What were you doing out at the O’Brien’s in the first place?”

“With all due respect, sir, I reckon that’s my business.” He wasn’t sure how much Kate had told the town about him, but he wasn’t about to announce his presence to strangers without even a proper first meeting with the woman.

The sheriff’s eyes narrowed for a moment. Nathan held the man’s gaze, looking him straight in the eye without shifting or backing down. Finally, the sheriff nodded. “Let’s get him down from there and we’ll sort all this out.”

Nathan cut the boy free, then waited for him to slide off the horse. The boy looked as if he might try to bolt but the sheriff put a hand on his shoulder and steered him toward the jail. Though his stomach tightened in dread, Nathan had no choice but to follow. The sheriff directed the boy to a chair in front of the desk, then sat across from him.

Nathan’s gaze nonchalantly surveyed the walls of the office until he found the “wanted” posters. He was relieved when only the grizzled faces of strangers stared back at him. Movement to his right caught his eye. He nodded at the young-looking deputy who rose from that side of the room to watch the proceedings curiously.

“This man says you tried to steal from the O’Brien place. What do you have to say about that?” the sheriff asked.

The boy glared at them defiantly. “I gave it all back. Let me go!”

The sheriff sighed. “You know I can’t do that. Are your parents around here?”

“No.”

“Who’s taking care of you?”

“I am.”

The sheriff grunted. “Deputy Stone, take him in the back for now.”

“What’s going to happen to him?” Nathan asked after the boy was led away.

“I don’t rightly know. He isn’t from around here and it doesn’t look like he has any family.” The sheriff eyed him carefully. “You aren’t from around here, either, are you?”

Nathan tensed but played it off with a shrug and an easy smile. “You can tell that easy?”

“You sure don’t look familiar. In a town this small, that’s clue enough.” The sheriff narrowed his gaze. “I guess I won’t get a chance to know you much if you’re just passing through.”

“I guess not,” he said, hearing the sheriff’s message clearly. He’d just been told to get his business done and move on. Apparently, Peppin didn’t tolerate strangers coming through and causing trouble. Nathan wasn’t looking to cause trouble and he certainly wasn’t planning to leave Peppin anytime soon. He had too much to stick around for, like that red-headed woman he’d promised to return to. When he stepped outside, Delilah’s whinny was just the distraction he needed after visiting the jail. He stepped close to the large black mare to tenderly stroke her nose.

“You knew I’d come for you, didn’t you, girl?”

She blew out a puff of air onto his hand. Then with a final wary glance toward the town jail, he stepped into the saddle and turned the mare toward the O’Brien place.

Kate leaned on the kitchen table with her elbow while she placed her chin in her palm. As she turned the next page of the family Bible, she realized she’d barely skimmed the past few verses. Dissatisfied, she closed the large book and sank despondently into the chair. She had already finished the laundry. Most of their clothes were flapping in the wind outside while she waited inside for the stranger to return. If he returned.

She was beginning to wonder if the whole thing had just been a big ruse between the pair of strangers. They were probably both thieves. Now not only had she lost a number of her family’s few valuable possessions but she’d also lost Pa’s horse. She groaned. What had made her think she could trust that man?

The sound of horse hooves in the barnyard drew her gaze toward the kitchen doorway. Rising from her chair, she hurried to the living room window to peer out. The stranger rode into the barnyard on his large black horse with her bay trailing after it. Relief poured from her lips in a heavy sigh.

Her relief did not change the resolve that filled her being. She was going to get some answers from this man. Her determination did not fade as she opened the door and marched toward the barn. It did not falter when she caught up to him or while she watched him loop the horses’ reins around his hands to walk them into the barn. It was only when his friendly gaze met hers that it wavered.

“I found him, but he can’t be more than fourteen,” he said as they stepped into the relative coolness of the barn. “The sheriff isn’t sure what to do with him. He isn’t from around here and doesn’t claim to have any family.”

Take your time, she reminded herself as he guided the horses to their stalls. She waited as he removed the saddle from her horse to place it back where it belonged. He repeated the process with the reins and bridle, then glanced up questioningly. She opened her mouth to speak but he was already asking, “Where’s the brush?”

She blinked. “It’s on the shelf near the bridles. I’ll get it.”

She moved toward the hooks, then glanced up at the shelf trying to see over its edge. Her father had been much taller than her and, as a result, everything was nearly out of her reach. It took a moment for her to spot it. “There it is.”

“I see it,” Nathan said at the same time.

Her hand reached it a moment before his did. She stilled as his hand covered hers. She pulled the brush down half expecting him to release it, half hoping he wouldn’t. He didn’t. She turned toward him and slowly glanced up past his blue checkered shirt to his face. His gaze solemnly slipped over her features. She swallowed. “There’s something I have to ask you.”

His gaze met hers.

She lifted her chin. “Who are you and why are you here?”

He frowned and released her hand. “What do you mean, who am I?”

“While we’re at it, how do you know my name?”

“Why shouldn’t I know your name? I am Nathan Rutledge and you are Kate—”

“O’Brien,” she finished. “Yes, I know that.”

“Rutledge,” he reminded.

“What?”

“Rutledge.”

“Why do you keep saying that?”

“Because your name used to be—” He paused and looked at her for a second. “You mean to tell me that you, Kathleen ‘O’Brien,’ have never even heard my name before today?”

“That’s exactly what I mean.”

He began to speak, then shook his head and strode over to where his saddlebag rested near Delilah’s stall. “I suppose you’d better have a look at this.”

She took the piece of paper he extended to her. She glanced up as she unfolded it. “What is this?”

“It’s our marriage certificate,” he replied quietly.

“What?” Her gaze held his before she stared down at the certificate. “You don’t mean—”

“I mean,” he interrupted with quiet authority, “that you, Kate O’Brien Rutledge, are my wife.”

Chapter Two

“I don’t understand how you could marry me without my consent,” Kate said as she handed him a glass of water, then settled onto the dark green settee in the living room a few minutes later.

He sat at the other end of the settee, then turned toward her. “What are you talking about? You signed the affidavit.”

“I signed it but I never intended to send it,” she admitted.

A confused frown marred his face. “I don’t understand.”

She bit her lip. “Mr. Rutledge, I’m afraid my family owes you an apology.”

“An apology?”

She pulled in a deep breath. “Let me explain how this started.”

She watched a myriad of emotions flit across his face as she carefully explained what her siblings had done. Shock, confusion and disappointment battled for dominance before a bemused, disbelieving smile settled upon his lips. Once she finished, his gaze strayed to the saddle bag he’d set on the low walnut table in front of them. “So your little brother and sister are the ones who wrote the letters.”

“I’m afraid so.”

He watched her carefully. “Were they also the ones who sent the affidavit?”

“They must have because I certainly didn’t.”

He nodded, then looked as though he didn’t know what else to say. An uncomfortable silence filled the living room. What was she supposed to do now? She shrugged. “You’re welcome to stay and help me sort this out when they get home.”

“Thank you.”

Silence again. She glanced around the room for something to do and her gaze landed on his saddle bag. Meeting his gaze, she asked, “Is there any chance I could see one of those letters?”

“Of course,” he said, then pulled out several letters from the saddlebag and handed them to her.

She looked at the curved letters written in a formal script. “This isn’t Ellie’s handwriting.”

“Then whose is it?”

“It looks like Ms. Lettie’s. She must have helped them.” The young widow would do whatever she could to support Kate and her family. Still, if not for seeing her familiar handwriting, Kate would never have suspected the woman of doing anything this drastic.

She continued to read the contents of a letter and frowned. “This is something I told Ellie about Ma’s wedding dress. It was destroyed in a fire when I was eight. Nothing was left but—”

“A small strip of the Irish lace that trimmed the hem of the dress,” he continued. “Your mother brought it with you on your journey here from Illinois and just a week before she died she sewed it into your own wedding dress. You keep it in your small wooden hope chest.”

“Yes, that’s right,” she said quietly. “That was all—”

“In the letter?” he asked. “Yes, it was all there.”

Her eyes narrowed as she softly queried, “What else was written in there?”

“Oh, just the generalities.”

“Such as?”

He grinned. “Such as your name, birth date and other general information.”

Her lips curved into a slightly amused smile. “How helpful.”

“I thought so.”

“Right,” she breathed, looking at the letter in her hand, realizing this man whom she knew nothing about could probably recite her entire life story. “You know so much about me yet I know nothing about you.”

“You could ask,” he said with an inviting lift of his brow.

Curiosity begged to accept his invitation but wouldn’t it be best to let the man remain a mystery? The more she knew, the harder it would be to forget this ever happened. She planned to do that as sure as she planned to send him away. Until then, there was only one thing she really wanted to know. “Why would you even agree to something like this in the first place?”

Nathan should have known that would be the first question she asked. “I explained the best I could in the letters but I guess you didn’t read those, did you?”

She shook her head.

He was quiet for a long moment as he searched for the right words. Finally, he asked, “Have you ever felt like God took your plans for the future, crumpled them up in his hands and scattered the pieces?

“That’s what happened to me,” he said gravely. “Then I saw the advertisement. I scoffed at it at first, don’t get me wrong. Still, try as I might, I couldn’t get it out of my head. I finally just broke down and wrote to you. I didn’t expect anything to come of it, but you responded and the more I learned about you the more I felt God leading me to continue.”

Her blue eyes filled with doubt and skepticism. “Then why didn’t you just try to meet me first? All of this could have been avoided.”

He shrugged. “The letters insisted on a proxy marriage. They said you wanted to cause as little disruption to the farm and your family as possible. I’m not saying it didn’t seem a little odd but at that point I believed God wanted me to do it. I wasn’t about to go against that.”

She smiled sympathetically then lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “We all make mistakes. I’ve certainly made my share. Thankfully, this shouldn’t be too hard to fix.”

“I never said I was mistaken.”

Her eyes lit with surprise. “Oh.” Her gaze faltered for a moment then shot toward the large window. “I think I hear the barn door.”

As she went to the window, he carefully refolded the letter she’d read, then slid it back into his saddle bag with the rest of them. He was in trouble if Kate’s last statement was a hint of what was to come.

He’d questioned his sanity for taking on a proxy bride but that advertisement had sparked more hope in him than he’d had in a long time. He hadn’t fooled himself into thinking their marriage was a love match. That would surely have been impossible. He had hoped that within a relatively short time that would change. Now, if he wasn’t careful, it would all slip through his fingers.

Suddenly Kate turned with a frown marring her delicate features. “They’re here.”

Kate forced herself to sit calmly on the settee as she waited for her siblings to come inside. She couldn’t stop herself from peeking at the man sitting next to her. He nearly caught her sideways glance so she pulled her eyes away to let them land on the front door.

“Kate, calm down. We’ll figure this out.” His deep voice startled her but she covered her reaction to it.

“I know. It’s just—”

Childish voices approached. The wooden door creaked open and Ellie appeared. Kate watched as the girl’s gaze skimmed deliberately over her before moving on to the stranger. “Oh, Mr. Rutledge, I see you’ve made it. That’s wonderful!”

Sean entered the room but paused at the doorway to cautiously take in the scene before him. Ellie glanced at her brother, seemingly for support, then smiled brightly. “What’s for supper?”

Kate glanced at Nathan hoping to convey a message and he seemed to receive it for they both sat in silence. The silence drew all eyes to her. Once she had her siblings’ attention she quietly commanded, “Sean, Ellie, sit down.”

They moved to their seats, placing their lunch pails and slates on the side table. Neither would meet her gaze. Sean stared at the floor while Ellie looked off into a corner.

“Explain this,” she commanded with a sweeping gesture toward Nathan.

Sean finally met her gaze. “It all started out as a misunderstanding. I thought you changed your mind when I saw the filled-out form. I asked if you wanted me to take care of it. You said yes. I mailed it the next morning before school. I didn’t realize you just wanted me to stack those papers until much later.”

She groaned. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You told us never to mention it again,” Ellie reminded, giving Kate a pointed look.

“I also told you not to send him any more letters.”

“We didn’t,” Sean interjected. “We just sent that paper. He sent something telling us when he was coming. That was all.”

She glanced up to find Ellie surveying her carefully. Her sister shot a glance at Nathan. “Did she try the ring?”

He lifted his eyebrows as an amused smile teased his mouth. “Somehow we haven’t quite gotten to that part.”

“That’s too bad. Do you still think it will fit?”

He discreetly glanced at her ring finger. “It probably would.”

Ellie nodded. “Can I see it?”

“May I,” Kate automatically corrected, then frowned. “Ellie, don’t you think there are more important things to discuss?”

“I was wondering.” Ellie glanced between them. “Did you fall in love at first sight like Jacob and Rachel did in the Bible?”

Kate’s mouth fell open. “Ellie, that’s enough! This is serious. You’ve tampered not only with two people’s lives but also with one man’s emotions. He came all the way from who knows where—”

“Noches, Texas,” he supplied.

“He shows up and defends me and our house, all the while thinking I’m his wife. A wife created by a ten-and a twelve-year-old.”

Sean lifted his hand to speak. “Remember we just told him about you. We didn’t make you up.”

“And we didn’t do it on purpose,” Ellie interjected, then blushed. “Well, not this time.”

Ignoring those statements, Kate continued firmly, “I want you to apologize to Mr. Rutledge for lying and interfering in his life before doing the same to me.”

They looked properly ashamed, and humbly apologized before they went outside for their evening chores. Kate rose to heat up the food for supper. The clamor of the pans hitting the stove seemed jarring in the silence. Clearing her throat, Kate apologized, “Mr. Rutledge, I don’t know what to say.”

“It’s Nathan,” he said, his voice sounding closer than she anticipated.

She turned to look up into his dark brown eyes and persisted. “Mr. Rut—”

He smiled knowingly, then shook his head. “Nathan.”

Frowning, she yielded. “Nathan, I guess the only way to get out of this would be to get an annulment.”

He leaned back against the table. “Should we want to get out of it?”

“Of course we should.” Her eyes widened. “Why? Don’t you?”

His gaze slid thoughtfully over her face. “I don’t know.”

She placed her hands on her hips. “How can you not know? It’s the only sensible thing to do.”

“Sensible to me is this. You need a husband, I need a wife, and we’re already married. Why not stay that way?”

She laughed. “You can’t mean that.”

His jaw tightened. “Just why can’t I?”

“Because …” She wavered and he seemed to sense it. Why couldn’t she stay married to him? It was too dangerous. He was too dangerous. She wasn’t ready. She’d never even met him before today. It simply wasn’t plausible. Yet she looked into his eyes and reason began to melt, along with her resistance.

“We can make this work,” Nathan insisted. “I’m already fond of you and I have nowhere else to go.”

She slowly shook her head. “I won’t do this. It isn’t fair to expect me to honor a commitment I never made.”

He stepped closer. “You were willing to honor that commitment when you signed the affidavit.”

“That was different.”

“How?”

She bit her lip then admitted, “I needed a loan from the bank. The banker said he would only give it to me if I was married.”

His gaze filled with a concern that strengthened into compassion. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“I never intended to send the affidavit because I decided to look for some other way—any other way. I pleaded with Mr. Wilkins to let me postpone the payments until after harvest. He agreed, with the understanding that if I don’t make a payment after the harvest, the farm will immediately go into foreclosure. I planted more wheat than usual so I’m sure the harvest will be enough to keep the farm safe.”

“In other words, you don’t need me anymore and you’ll risk everything you own to keep it that way.” He paused, looking at her searchingly. “Why put yourself through that when it would be so much easier to go through with your original plan?”

She stiffened. “You’re right. I don’t need you. I have a plan and it’s going to work. It may be hard, but I’m going to make it the same way I have for two years. That means without you or any other man getting in the way.”

“So that’s it? I sold my property back in Noches because you said you wanted the children to grow up here. All of that was for nothing?”

“I’m sorry, but I hope you realize that I never said any such thing.”

“No, I guess you didn’t.” He took his Stetson from the table. Holding it in his hands, he nodded. “Sorry for the trouble, Ms. O’Brien. You’ll get your annulment. I’ll make sure of it.”

Nathan slid the bridle onto Delilah’s head, then glanced at the two children who watched him in disappointment.

“You’re leaving,” Sean said, more as a statement than a question.

“I’m afraid so.”

The boy looked down. “You aren’t coming back.”

“I doubt it.”

Ellie climbed onto the short wall that sectioned off Delilah’s stall to stare at him with imploring green eyes. “Why don’t you win her back?”

“You can’t win something back you never had, Ellie.”

She crossed her arms. “You didn’t even try.”

He had tried but Kate wasn’t willing to do the same. If Ellie thought he was the problem, then so be it. He’d caused enough strife in his own family to know better than to start it in someone else’s. Besides, Kate was probably right. He’d thought God was leading him to a new life, but this seemed to be just as much of a mistake as everything else he’d done lately—everything he was trying so desperately to forget.

He did his best not to let Ellie’s glower bother him as he finished saddling his mare. He led Delilah from her stall. The children followed him in silence until Sean asked, “What are you going to do now?”

He glanced back and was surprised to see deep concern in the boy’s eyes. Ellie seemed to have lost most of her defiance, because while her chin still tilted upward, her eyes looked suspiciously moist. He realized that even though he was nothing more than a stranger to Kate, her siblings probably felt they knew him well. In truth, they probably knew him better than anyone else in his life right now.

Impulsively he knelt to put himself on their level. “Hey, I hope you two aren’t worrying about me. I’ll figure something out. I always do.”

Ellie’s chin quivered. “We want you to stay.”

“I know you do.” He guessed he didn’t have to tell them that things didn’t always turn out the way you wanted. He figured they’d been through enough in their short lives to know that better than most. “I’m sorry I can’t do that, but you two have each other and Kate. You’ll be all right. Just remember to mind your sister. No more of this kind of stuff, you hear?”

They both nodded.

He stood and didn’t bother to knock the dust from his britches before he swung onto Delilah. He glanced down to offer the pair parting smiles. “Goodbye, now.”

A few minutes later he turned Delilah so that he could get one last look at the O’Brien’s farm. The children had gone inside, so all he could see was the house and its fields. He swallowed against the unexpected emotion in his throat. He’d failed just like he always did when it came to chasing down his dream.

Hadn’t his Pa told him this would happen? He tried to push away the memory of his father’s parting words. He heard them anyway. “You’re going to fail. You’re going to come crawling back. Stay at the ranch and take your place like your brother. This is where you’re supposed to be.”

Turning Delilah back toward the main road, he urged her into a canter. It looked like his Pa had been right about him all along. It had just taken him five years to figure it out.

Kate swayed in her seat as the wagon jolted over a bump on the road to town the next morning. They were nearly to Peppin before anyone dared to bring up the subject foremost on their minds.

“I think you should ask him to come back,” Ellie said, over the groaning wagon wheels.

“I’m sure I know what you think, Ellie.” Kate’s grip tightened on the reigns. “I’ve already made my decision.”

“I liked him,” Sean said.

“So did I,” Ellie chimed in with a slight lift of her chin. “Didn’t you like him, Kate?”

“I’m sure he’s a nice man.” She was sure because she’d seen the way he’d knelt in the dirty barnyard to talk to her siblings before he left. The sight had touched her more than she cared to admit.

“And handsome?”

Kate glanced at her sister in interest. “Since when do you care about handsome?”

“I don’t.” Ellie recoiled then sent Sean a mischievous glance. “That’s just what Lorelei Wilkins always says about Sean.”

“Really?” Kate asked as Sean’s face lit up like a red beacon.

“It is not,” he protested.

“It is, too. I heard her at recess. She told all the girls how much you like her and how you’ll get married one day.”

“That’s just because she’s a dumb girl.”

Kate arched a brow. “I hope you didn’t tell her that.”

“No, but I’d sure like to,” Sean growled.

“I’m sure you would. Don’t worry, Sean. She’ll move on soon enough. In the meantime, try not to let it bother you.”

He looked over at her. “I thought we were talking about you, Kate.”

She feigned disinterest. “Not anymore.”

He frowned as he surveyed the row of businesses on either side of Main Street. “Are you really going to get a whatever-it’s-called?”

“An annulment? Yes. That’s why I’m driving you to town to today.”

That put a damper on the conversation until the children jumped off the wagon and called goodbye as they headed to the schoolhouse. Kate pulled the horses to a stop across the street from the town’s small courthouse. She stared at the gray wooden building and frowned. Exactly how does one get an annulment?

She didn’t know but she was certainly going to find out. Filled with resolve, she discreetly swung her legs over the side of the wagon and hopped down. Her forward momentum suddenly stopped when her dress caught on the wagon wheel and caused her to stumble. She managed to catch her balance just as she heard shouts sound farther down Main Street. Curious to step over and see what the commotion was about, she worked to release her skirt from the splintery clutches of the wagon’s axle. She pulled at the dark green fabric until she heard the sound of pounding hooves and a wild neigh behind her.

She glanced up to find a startled horse and struggling rider almost upon her. The man on the horse looked down. She took in the detail of his eyes widening before he yelled, “Get out the way!”

She gasped, then suddenly a strong arm snaked around her waist and she was slammed against the wood of the wagon. The force of a hard body pressing against her own knocked the wind out of her. Her breath came in ragged gasps. She heard the horse scream and a loud thump, then found herself struggling to hold up a limp and heavy body. Losing the battle, she sank to the ground along with the man.

She glanced up in time to see the terrified horse give one last turn and a swift kick in the air before galloping away, its rider also thrown to the ground. Her gaze flew back to the man whose body pinned her arm to the ground beneath him. Her sharp gasp rent the air as she looked into the handsome features of Nathan Rutledge.

She was close enough to see the golden flecks lighting his mahogany eyes when they fluttered open. He murmured her name, then his eyes drifted shut. His face went pale. She stared at him in disbelief. Surely he wasn’t dead!

She cradled his head in her hand, then pulled her arm from beneath him to place her other hand over his heart. Though she couldn’t feel its beat, she detected the slight rise and fall of his chest. Kate heard someone calling for help and realized it was her own strangled voice. Then arms were pulling her away and setting her aside as Doc Williams attended to Nathan.

She stared at the pale face and large form of the man sprawled in the middle of the street. A comforting arm came around her. She clasped her hands beneath her chin. Feeling something wet on them, she looked at her hands to see one mottled with blood. She stared at the traces, realizing it was Nathan’s. Her body went cold and she began to tremble. Everything flashed black for a moment.

A voice she absently identified as Mrs. Greene’s chided, “Now, don’t you swoon, child. We already have one out let’s not have another.”

Gathering her courage Kate locked her knees, forcing the darkness away by the sheer power of her will. Then she fainted.

Chapter Three

Kate pulled in a cleansing breath as she stood at the window in Doc’s waiting room. Her nose twitched as she remembered awakening to the acrid scent of smelling salts ten minutes ago. She heard gasps sound behind her. She whirled to find the sheriff and Mrs. Greene staring at her in astonishment. She looked from their faces to Ms. Lettie’s pleased one and groaned. She never should have whispered the truth about Nathan’s identity to the woman after waking up. “Oh, Ms. Lettie, you told them, didn’t you?”

Ms. Lettie’s eyes widened. “Don’t tell me you wanted to keep the marriage a secret.”

Mrs. Greene frowned. “You mean to tell me Kate is really married to that man?”

“I suppose I shouldn’t have told you anything, but yes, she is.”

“Goodness,” the other woman breathed, placing a dainty hand over her heart.

Sheriff Hawkins frowned. “Wait just a minute. He acted like he was just passing through. Why didn’t he tell me you two were married?”

“He is just passing through,” Kate said, smoothing her green dress calmly. “And we’re not staying married for long. Mr. Rutledge and I are getting an annulment.”

Ms. Lettie gasped. “You’re getting an annulment? Kate, whatever for?”

“Surely you didn’t expect me to agree to this crazy scheme?”

“Why not? The man is nice, he’s a Christian and he’s half in love with you already,” Ms. Lettie stated.

“He’s a stranger! Even if he was completely in love with me, it wouldn’t change anything. I don’t need a husband. We are getting an annulment,” she said with determination as she leaned her shoulder against the window sill.

“No. She’s right, Lettie,” Mrs. Greene said. “She’s trying protect herself from getting hurt, as well she should. We all know what happened with that Stolvins fellow down at the saloon.”

Kate glanced out the window hoping to hide the flush spreading across her cheeks. “That was before he sold the hotel to open the saloon.”

“To think, he tried to convince you to marry him even after you found out he was only after the pittance your parents left. I’m sure he broke your heart straight to pieces.”

“Hardly,” she breathed in disdain. Perhaps it was a little true, but she’d never let on; especially not to Mrs. Greene. She lifted her chin and met the woman’s prying gaze. “That was a long time ago.”

The woman arched her brow. “Andrew Stolvins doesn’t seem to think so.”

“I’m sure I don’t care what he thinks, but that has nothing to do with me getting an annulment.”

“I was only complimenting you on keeping a level head in the matter.” Mrs. Greene lifted a hand as though to ward off Kate’s anger. “Really, you’re a nice enough girl, I suppose, but your siblings are a handful. Especially Ellie. Why, every time I’m around that girl, she causes trouble. Sometimes I wonder if she does it specifically to annoy me. You can’t really believe the man would stay once he’s met them.” She shook her head. “Why frankly, I don’t think you’ll ever be able to marry.”

Kate’s breath caught at the woman’s rudeness. Her temper rose with the color in her cheeks but Ms. Lettie came to her defense. “Amelia, that’s a horrible thing to say!”

“We’ve all thought it, haven’t we?”

“No, we haven’t,” Sheriff Hawkins said.

“Certainly, we have. The girl is no great beauty and has a temper hotter than the Fourth of July. To make matters worse, she’s saddled with two young children who aren’t even her own. Why, her chances are slim to say the least. Now that she is married, it’s really no great surprise to me that her husband is eager to leave.”

Kate lifted her chin defiantly. “I’m the one who wanted the annulment. Not him. He wanted to stay.”

“But he wouldn’t stay long.”

She shook her head incredulously. “How can you know that?”

“I know you and your family,” Mrs. Greene said with a nod.

Kate felt her temper soar. “Please, don’t talk about my family.”

“Don’t get angry, child. I’m agreeing with you. You’re doing the wise thing and it’s better now than when an annulment isn’t possible.”

“Mrs. Greene, I could keep that man as long as I want,” she said with more confidence than she felt. “The problem is I don’t want him.”

Mrs. Greene stood. “I saw that man and he’s too much for you. Now, my Emily would be a right fine match for him in looks and temperament.”

“Good. She can have him. Though there might be a small problem in the fact that he’s still married to me.”

“As you’ve said, that will soon be rectified.”

“Kate, give the man a chance,” Ms. Lettie insisted.

“I am not going to discuss this.”

Doc Williams appeared at the door and cleared his throat loudly. “Kate, I need you to come with me.”

Grateful for the interruption, she immediately stood to follow him but glanced back at the others with a beseeching look. “Please, don’t tell anyone else about the marriage. He’ll be gone soon and I’d rather not have everyone know.”

Mrs. Greene nodded staunchly. “I wouldn’t say a word about it. It certainly wouldn’t do Emily any favors for everyone to know.”

Somewhat comforted by their agreement, she followed Doc to Nathan’s room. She stepped inside and immediately noticed Nathan’s prone body stretching from one end of the bed to the other. He was still pale, though some color was beginning to return to his face.

“I think he’ll be fine if we can bring him back to consciousness,” Doc Williams said.

She frowned slightly. “We? But what can I do?”

“I’m hoping the sound of your voice might bring him back.”

She looked at him in suspicion. “Why should it?”

“You’re the only one he knows in town—the only voice that will sound familiar. And even though he’s not awake, you’re probably in his thoughts. He was hurt protecting you.”

Kate stiffened. “That isn’t my fault. I could have taken care of myself.”

Doc sighed. “Kate, I didn’t agree with what Lettie was planning at first but she convinced me it was the best thing for you.” He shook his head. “I know you can take care of yourself. We all do. But you shouldn’t always have to. That’s what marriage is for.”

Kate sent him a knowing look. “Speaking of marriage, when are you going to get around to popping the question to Ms. Lettie? You’ve been courting over a year now. I’d say it’s about time.”

“I’ve been busy.” Kate knew that was the truth. Doc Williams had devoted himself to their town since his arrival fifteen years before. But now that the man had entered his forties, everyone was ready to see him nicely settled.

“She could help you with that. She is an expert in natural remedies and would be a good nurse.”

He frowned at her, though his eyes continued to twinkle. “I doubt even Lettie could find a natural remedy for busyness.”

“I didn’t mean—”

“You meant to distract me, but it won’t work.” He ignored her exasperated protest, to continue, “My marital status is not what matters at the moment. What matters is that however you became this man’s wife, you are exactly that—his wife. Regardless of what happens in the future, he needs you right now.”

Kate bit her lip as she gazed back at the doctor, then with a sigh she relented. “What do you want me to do?”

Doc smiled. “Just call to him, talk to him, anything for him to hear the sound of your voice.”

Kate looked at Nathan a moment then moved to the side of the bed. “Nathan.”

He didn’t respond.

“Nathan.” Her heart jumped. Did his eyelid twitch just the littlest bit? She glanced at the doctor who nodded encouragingly. She frowned thoughtfully. If the doctor thinks there is a chance he might regain consciousness, then shouldn’t I give it a real try?

Wishing she knew his middle name, she commanded in a stern voice, “Nathan Rutledge, open your eyes this minute!”

She narrowed her eyes. Did he blink or had she?

Determined, she sank to her knees beside his bed. An idea hit her and she reached for Nathan’s hand, feeling the rough calluses on his hard palm. She glanced at Doc Williams. He was watching her intently if not with some amusement. Glancing back to Nathan, she called in a helpless voice, “Nathan, save me. Oh, save me, Nathan.”

His eyelashes drifted upward then closed again.

She looked at the doctor triumphantly. He smiled in return. Kate looked toward the closed door before lending an air of desperation to her voice. “Nathan, please help me. Help me, Nathan.”

Caught in the throes of her theatrics, she threw her head back dramatically before dropping it on the bed beside his pillow. She let out a puff of air. There. She’d given it all she had and the man still wouldn’t come out of his state. No one could say she hadn’t tried. Now maybe she could leave.

Kate leaned back onto her heels to look at Doc Williams. “Doc, I really don’t think this is going to work. Have you tried the smelling salts they used on me? I—”

She paused realizing the large hand in hers was squeezing back. Her eyes widened as she slowly turned to meet Nathan’s gaze. Eyes more golden than brown stared back at her as his dark brows lowered into a frown. His voice was strong and clear as he responded to her cries for help. “You said you didn’t want me, so why are you in my bedroom?”

She gasped, pulling her hands from his grasp.

He wasn’t finished. “And what do you need saving from this time? Honestly, I can’t seem to turn around without having to get you out of trouble.”

“Never mind,” she said as her gaze darted to the doctor whose lip twitched with suppressed laughter.

“Where am I?” he asked as he tried to sit up.

Doc stepped forward. “No sudden movements. That’s good. Lie back down. Now, tell me. Does your head hurt?”

Nathan grunted. “Yeah, it hurts.”

Kate slowly edged toward the door.

“How would you rate the pain?”

“Bad enough.”

“That’s to be expected since you were—” the doctor faltered as though trying to find the right words “—hit in the head by a horse about twenty minutes ago.”

Nathan looked at the doctor in surprise. “I’ve been out for twenty minutes?”

More than ready to leave, Kate used their distraction to sneak quietly out the door.

Nathan’s head pounded like the ground after a stampede. Actually, he felt as if he’d been the ground during a stampede, which wasn’t too far from the truth. He’d never felt as much panic as when he’d seen that horse barreling toward Kate. Thankfully, that panic had turned into action so he’d been able to keep Kate from getting injured.

Where did Kate go? he wondered, glancing toward the door. It sure had been nice to wake up finding his hand in hers with her wide blue eyes watching him in astonishment. He frowned. Why was it that he always ended up snapping at the woman?

His mother would be ashamed. Snapping at a person was never allowed no matter how irritable, tired or in pain someone was. Heaven forbid if that snapping was directed at the more delicate one of Adam’s ribs.

He wished the doctor would stop asking annoying questions and let him go. He’d only been awake a few minutes and he already had cabin fever.

The distinguished-looking doctor broke into his thought. “I’d like to observe you for a few days before I let you go.”

Nathan grimaced. “Do you have to?”

The doctor frowned thoughtfully. “Well, you certainly can’t be alone—someone will need to keep an eye on your condition. But I suppose I could tell Kate what signs to look for regarding the concussion.”

Nathan waited as hope began to rise within him. Surely Kate wouldn’t mind letting him stay in the barn a few days. The barn would be a much better place to rest than this tiny room in the doctor’s house where he’d be poked and prodded and bored. The farm would have something for him to do. He might have to sneak around to do it but there would be something, anyway.

Doc nodded at some unsaid thought. “I just might let you go with Kate. I’ll write down some instructions for caring for the wounds you have on your back and head. Make sure you show them to Kate. You’ll need her help to change the dressing.”

He frowned. “What type of wound did you say I have on my back?”

Doc didn’t look up from his tablet and continued to write as he said, “You have some heavy bruising and a laceration. I think the hoof must have scraped you on the way down. The cut is long but thin. I think it will heal without stitches, but you’ll have to be careful.”

Doc ripped the page from the tablet and handed it to Nathan. “Make sure you change the dressing every day. I’ll give you something to ward off infection but it won’t be effective unless you keep everything clean.”

“I’ll be careful,” Nathan promised as he tucked the paper into his right pocket. Now he only had to pray Kate would be like the Lord and extend mercy to help him in his time of need.

Two hours later Kate paused in the entrance of the barn, watching in disbelief as Nathan raked a pile of new hay into the stalls. “What do you think you’re doing?”

He froze, then looked up guiltily. “The stalls needed fresh hay and I was in the barn anyway …”

She took the rake from him. Holding it in front of her threateningly, she said, “You are supposed to be resting not pushing hay around my barn.”

“Yes, but—”

“Doc Williams gave me orders and I mean to follow them even if you won’t.”

He carefully took the rake from her as though afraid she’d wield it against him. Then leaning on it, he gave her a smooth half smile and drawled, “You get the prettiest little lilt of an accent when you’re angry. Irish, isn’t it?”

Kate narrowed her eyes. “Your charm doesn’t work on me, Nathan Rutledge, so you’d better get into the house before I resort to speaking Gaelic.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He tipped his Stetson with a rakish grin and started toward the house, then turned to face her with a curious glint in his eye. “Did you tell Doc we were married?”

“Actually, we aren’t really—” She stopped when he lifted a knowing brow. Instead, she settled for, “Ms. Lettie told him.”

“Ah,” he said as though enlightened. “Don’t think you’re stuck with me forever. When I get a chance, I’ll head back into town and see about the annulment.”

“Good.” She watched him exit the barn and go inside the house, and shook her head. “He’s an interesting man that Nathan Rutledge.”

She looked to Delilah for support but the horse only stared at her. “You’re sort of an odd one yourself but that goes back to him. Why would anyone name a perfectly good horse Delilah? Esther I might understand, but Delilah?” Kate extended her hand to Delilah slowly and attempted to stroke the horse’s nose. The horse lowered her head. Her large nostrils flared, then she sneezed directly into Kate’s hands.

“Oh, gross.” Kate grimaced as she stared down at her slimy palm.

“Isn’t that Mr. Rutledge’s horse?” a voice chirped from behind her. She whirled to find her brother and sister watching her curiously. Her clean hand covered her heart. “You scared me half to death.”

Sean spoke again. “Well, isn’t it his horse?”

Kate looked away from their hope-filled eyes. “Yes. It’s his horse.”

Ellie stepped forward. “So he’s staying?”

“No, he isn’t staying. Well, he is,” she amended. “But only for a short time. He was injured by a runaway horse so Doc asked me to keep an eye on him for a few days.”

Sean grinned. “So he’s here.”

Kate nodded. “He’s inside.”

They whooped and took off running toward the house. Leaving her calling to the empty barn, “He won’t stay long.”

Kate could hardly keep up with the flow of conversation during dinner. Sean and Ellie were coming up with question after question about what it was like to be a cowboy. Nathan didn’t seem to mind but his answers were becoming slower and his eyes seemed to hold the pain he disguised in his face. At the moment, he was smiling. “Of course I’ll teach you to lasso.”

Kate raised a hand to silence the celebration. “I hate to ruin your fun, but Nathan needs some rest. He’s tired and I’m sure he’s in pain. Why don’t you two finish eating while I show him to the barn?”

Neither Ellie nor Sean protested, but instead looked at their newfound hero with concern. Kate lit a candle as the two said good-night to Nathan, who then stepped outside. She waited for the door to close behind them before apologizing, “I still don’t feel right about you sleeping in the barn. What if you start feeling worse?”

“I’ll be fine,” he returned optimistically. “I’ve gotten over worse injuries than this.”

At the barn, she turned to light a lantern hanging there. “I left a few blankets out here earlier for you. Is there anything else you need?”

He was quiet for a moment and she turned to find him staring thoughtfully at his boots with his right hand in his pocket.

“Nathan, are you all right?”

“I was thinking.” He glanced up and shrugged. “I’ve bothered you enough. I don’t need anything else.”

“I’ll have to bother you for a moment. Doc told me to check your eyes before you went to sleep,” she explained.

He nodded and seemed amused though Kate couldn’t fathom why. She simply ignored him and did as Doc had instructed her. She lifted the lantern so that it was near his eye level, then raised its wick until it was very bright. She waited as he tipped his chin down to give her a clear view of his eyes while she stared at what Doc Williams called his pupils.

They quickly grew smaller as the bright candlelight reached them. Finally, she lowered the wick to a small flame and watched his pupils widen slightly. She couldn’t help noticing that he had beautiful eyes. They were coffee brown but tinged with gold with a slight ring of gold encircling his pupil. She took a quick step back.

Thankfully, he couldn’t know that she’d gotten distracted by something as basic as his eyes’ color. “They seem normal. How do you feel? Do you have a headache? Do you feel as though you’re going to throw up or anything?”

He frowned. “I have a slight headache but my stomach is fine.”

“Are you dizzy?”

“No.”

She looked down. “Don’t you think you should sleep inside for just this one night?”

“Kate, I’ll be fine.”

She frowned. “Well, if you’re sure.”

He nodded. “I’m sure. Thank you, Kate.”

“Good night, then,” she said, already stepping backward to leave.

“Good night,” he returned sincerely.

She took another step backward, almost reluctant to pull from his warm gaze before she turned away. Reaching the door, she paused to glance over her shoulder at him. He smiled gently. Her lips tipped into an answering smile before she stepped into the warm night air.

She hadn’t known he was coming, she hadn’t wanted him to stay but somehow, oddly, it was nice to have him there.

Chapter Four

The stalks of wheat seemed to whisper to each other about the stranger she led through the paths of their uniformed rows. Kate tucked an escaping tendril behind her ear, then turned to look for Nathan. Why he cared to tour a farm he wouldn’t stay at for more than a few days was beyond her.

Apparently he found it fascinating because he’d been lagging behind since they’d started. Every time she turned around he’d stopped to look at something new. If he didn’t hurry up she’d be late starting lunch, which would probably put her behind on the chores for the rest of the day.

She spotted him a few yards away kneeling in the dirt to get a better look at the wheat head in his hand. She smiled at the confused frown that marred his face. “You really don’t know much about wheat, do you?”

He glanced up, then slowly rose to his feet as though the movement pained him. No doubt that was a result of him throwing himself in front of the horse to save her. Maybe she should cut him some slack. She glanced up at the sky to gauge the sun and realized it was still before noon. She had more time than she thought.

“I grew up on a cattle ranch in Oklahoma so wheat and I haven’t been much more than nodding neighbors,” he said as stepped up beside her.

She glanced at him in surprise. “You’re from Oklahoma?”

“I guess you thought I was from Texas.” At her nod, he grinned. “I’ll take that as a compliment. But yes, I grew up in Rutledge, Oklahoma, with an older brother and three younger sisters.”

She stopped walking and turned to him with a suspicious smile. “Wait. You grew up in Rutledge. Does that mean your family owned the town?”

“That means my pa owned the land the town was built on. He was a cattle baron and he wasn’t much interested in running a town.” He took off his Stetson and fiddled with its brim. “He wasn’t especially interested in anything else, either.”

“I’m sorry,” she said softly.

“For what?”

“You said ‘he was.’ I guess that means he passed away.”

His confused frown lifted into an amused smile. “I should have said ‘is.’ He isn’t dead. At least, he wasn’t the last I heard.”

“It sounds like it’s been a while since then,” she said as they continued walking toward the end of the field.

He put his Stetson back on. “My folks weren’t pleased when I left for Texas to become a cowboy. I haven’t heard much from them since then.”

“That has to be hard.”

He shrugged away her concern. “A man can get used to almost anything, given the chance. It helped being on the trail. You get so caught up in being busy that it’s easy to forget how alone you are.”

“So that’s what you did before you came here? You were a cowboy?”

He shrugged. “Nothing else worked out.”

He was intentionally being vague and she knew it. She figured since he was living on her farm, she had a right to a real answer. “What didn’t work out?”

He was quiet for a long moment, then turned to meet her gaze. “I met two brothers while I was on the trail. We became really good friends and decided to start a horse ranch. I was in charge of training the horses. I loved it. I thought I’d found my calling. Things were great for a while, then they turned bad—real bad. We lost the ranch. There’s nothing left of it now.”

She bit her lip. “That’s what you meant about God scattering your plans to the wind, isn’t it?”

“Pretty much.”

“What happened to your friends?”

He frowned then tugged his Stetson farther down. “One of them died. The other one didn’t end up being such a good friend after all.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” she offered softly.

He gave a short nod in acknowledgment of her sympathy. “That’s why your advertisement seemed Heaven-sent. I wanted a new life and there it was.”

“You thought it was God’s will.”

“Yes, I did,” he said, then shot her a half smile. “But, as you said earlier, I guess I was wrong.”

She glanced at the fields thoughtfully. “You know, I can’t hear the words ‘God’s will’ without thinking about my parents’ deaths.”

“Why?”

“After they died, I can’t tell you the number of people who tried to comfort me by saying that. ‘It’s God’s will.’ It became almost more of a cliché than ‘He needed them in Heaven.’” She swallowed, then shook her head. “I remember thinking if that was God’s will then I didn’t want it.”

“You were grieving,” he reminded gently. “People think all sorts of things they don’t mean when they’re grieving.”

Yes, but I meant it. She pulled her gaze from the field to meet his. The sympathy there unnerved her. What had she been thinking? She’d told a stranger more than she told her close friends. There was aura of warmth about Nathan that made it easy to talk to him.

It was like the feeling she’d had when they first met: an implicit knowing. It hadn’t made sense then. Now she knew it stemmed from the information he’d received through the letters. He knew enough about her without her confiding even more.

They were both quiet for a while, then Nathan tilted his head to gesture toward the field. “How do you normally bring in the harvest? I guess it’s nothing like herding cattle.”

She smiled. “Probably not. The harvesters are coming in about a month. They have a big machine that goes through the field and cuts the wheat. After that they use another machine to separate the wheat from the hay. They’ll take fifteen percent of our wheat as payment.”

Nathan glanced at her in surprise. “They take fifteen percent of a crop this small? That seems like a lot.”

Kate frowned at him. “First of all, this isn’t a small crop. It’s even larger than the one I planted last year. Secondly, there isn’t much I can do about the cost of the combine unless I want to use a scythe. It would take much longer for me to do it that way by myself. I wouldn’t get it to the market on schedule.”

“I see your point.”

She glanced up at the sky, realizing she’d gotten distracted. “Speaking of time, I’d better get back to my chores.”

“Can I help?”

“You can rest or go explore the farm by yourself.” He looked frustrated by her statement but she pinned him with a look. “No working. Doctor’s orders, remember?”

He caught her arm before she could turn away. “Before you leave, you should know I’m planning to go to town tomorrow to find out what needs to be done for the annulment. You might want to come with me in case there’s something that can be done right away.”

“That sounds fine. I have some supplies to pick up from the mercantile anyway. You can take care of the paperwork. Just come get me when I’m needed, and we might be able to finish this matter then and there.” Strangely enough, she couldn’t make herself smile at the thought.

As she walked away from him she realized she’d taken a dangerous step by finding out so much more about Nathan. He wasn’t a stranger anymore. He was a man she could sympathize with. He had feelings, hopes and dreams that deserved respect. She was going to crush one of those dreams when she signed that annulment, but it couldn’t be helped. She’d forget about the man she’d known for a few days. He’d forget about her and move on just as easily. That’s all there was to it.

Nathan hit his Stetson against his leg impatiently, then leaned against the wall of the cramped waiting room of the only courthouse in a fifty-mile radius, fidgeting uncomfortably as the cut on his back started to itch. He hoped that meant it had already scarred over but he couldn’t be entirely sure since he couldn’t actually see the wound.

The note Doc had given him said to change the dressing every day but he hadn’t done that because he couldn’t reach it. He knew he was supposed to ask for Kate’s help but he couldn’t get himself to ask. He’d be long gone in a few hours anyway so it hardly mattered now.

He’d considered getting a job in Peppin, but that would mean seeing Kate and knowing she thought of him as nothing more than a mistake. Perhaps he should contact Davis Reynolds. The Rutledge and Reynolds families had been neighbors in Oklahoma. The Reynolds main crop had been cattle but they’d also maintained a beautiful herd of horses. As a teenager, Nathan had sneaked away to the Reynolds’ farm to watch the ranch hands work with the horses. Eventually, Davis had recognized his passion, taken Nathan under his wing and taught Nathan everything he knew about raising horses.

Nathan’s father had never gotten along with Davis and was chagrined to watch the man encourage what he called Nathan’s goofing off. He’d begun to restrict Nathan’s freedom more and more. The less freedom he had, the more he’d yearned for it. He dreamed of wandering the open plains as a cowboy. He’d longed for the chance to combine the skills he’d developed with horses with the knowledge that had been drilled into him about cattle.

When the Reynolds family had sold their ranch and decided to move to Texas, Nathan traveled with them. They parted ways not long after passing the state line. Davis made Nathan promise to send word if he ever needed anything. Now it looked as though he needed a new future—again. He’d be willing to settle for a new job.

He looked up as a small man with spectacles perched on the end of his nose stepped into the waiting room. “Who’s next?”

“I am,” Nathan said. He walked into the office to find shelves of books lined the wall while a large mahogany desk stood in the middle of the floor.

“Sit right down there,” the man said before sitting behind the desk. “What can I help you with?”

Nathan sat, placing his hat on his knee. “I’d like to receive an—” His throat closed as he tried to get the word out. Clearing his throat, he tried again, “I’d like to find out how to receive an annul—annulment.”

The man sat up in his chair. “Do you mean a marriage annulment?”

Nathan’s affirmation was low.

The man took off his spectacles to clean them on his shirt. “Well, how about that? I don’t remember the last time someone asked for one of those.”

Nathan shifted his hat to his other knee.

Placing his spectacles back on his nose, the man peered over them. “I sure hope you aren’t leaving some little lady high and dry.”

He smiled ruefully. “No, it’s kind of the opposite.”

The man laughed in an almost cackling sort of way. “Well, how about that? Run you off, did she?”

He cleared his throat nervously. “Well, not exactly.”

“I wouldn’t take that from my little woman,” the man said between laughs, then, taking a gasping breath, continued. “You shouldn’t give up on one of those little spitfires. I’ve heard tell they’re mighty fun to tame.”

Nathan shifted in his chair, causing his hat to fall to the ground. He picked it up and placed it back on his knee. “So do you think you can give me one?”

“One what? Annulment?”

He began to grow impatient. Isn’t that what this whole conversation is about? “Yes, an annulment.”

The man removed his spectacles to wipe away his tears of laughter. “No. I don’t think I can.”

Nathan shot to his feet, then wished he hadn’t when a searing pain ran across his back. Had he just broken the cut open? “What do you mean you can’t? Why can’t you?”

“Sit down, sit down. No use getting all excited about it.”

Eyes narrowed, he carefully sat in the chair, ignoring the pain.

“I told you it’s been a while since we’ve had to give one.”

“Yes.”

“Well, I’ve plumb forgot how it’s done.”

Nathan looked at him incredulously. “You’ve what?”

The man shrugged carelessly. “I can’t remember for the life of me.”

“But you’re a judge. You can’t forget things like that,” Nathan protested.

“I’m no judge. I’m just his assistant.” The man leaned forward conspiratorially. “I mostly hand out forms and tell folks to come back later.”

“His assistant?”

“I declare, there’s an echo in here.”

“If you’re his assistant then where’s the judge?”

“He’s seeing to a case north of here, then he’ll visit his family near Abilene. He has a pretty little daughter who had twins, can you imagine? Then his older son settled about ten miles from there—”

Nathan held up his hand to still the flow of words. “So how do I get my annulment?”

“Well, I don’t rightly know. You see, even if I could trouble myself to remember how to do it, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to make it legal. I suppose the only thing you can do is wait for Judge Hendricks.”

“How long will that be?”

“Not sure.”

“Any guesses?”

“I’d say about a month. He may decide to go an extra thirty miles and see his cousin. Then you’re looking at two months, easy.”

Nathan’s jaw slackened. “Two months?”

“Maybe more. You see, there is always a chance someone else will call for a judge. There aren’t many in these parts so he does a lot of traveling.”

Nathan sighed. “So no one really knows when the man will be back.”

“Oh, I know he’ll come back. I just don’t know when.”

“That’s what I just s—never mind. I don’t suppose there a chance another judge might travel this way?”

The man paused thoughtfully, then shook his head adamantly. “Probably not, seeing as this town has a judge.”

Nathan frowned as he stood. “I guess you’re right. I have no choice but to wait.”

“It was a pleasure doing business with you.” The man shook his hand.

Nathan walked out the door, barely hearing the small man call out, “Who’s next?”

What was he going to do? Two months. Two long months!

After Kate’s refusal he’d been able to put aside … well, to put aside Kate. After all, this was just one part in a long string of things that had gone terribly wrong. He’d dusted himself off from the latest fall in the dirt, literally; he fingered the sore spot on his head, and he’d told himself he’d just have to find something else.

For two whole months he would be reminded of everything that he’d thought he’d have. Every time he looked into Kate’s eyes he’d have to remind himself that there must be something better or brighter waiting for him. There must be some reason that yet another dream, another hope had been deferred and had become only that—a dream.

“Rutledge, wait!”

Nathan paused and turned to find the sheriff hurrying toward him as fast as he could amble. “Sheriff Hawkins,” he acknowledged in greeting.

“Rutledge, I have an idea,” the man said eagerly. “Come with me.”

The sheriff turned and headed toward the jail. Not again, Nathan thought as he followed the sheriff into the stone building. Upon entering it, his gaze was immediately drawn to the jail cells in the back of the room. He swallowed, then quickly glanced away. His eyes landed on the little thief from a few days ago, prompting a wry smile. It was almost as though the child had never moved because he sat in the same off-to-the-side chair. He still wore the same sullen look of disinterest that unsuccessfully hid his obvious curiosity about what was going on around him.

The sheriff sank into the wooden chair behind the desk and motioned Nathan to sit down. “I’ve been bringing the boy here during the day and home with me at night but it unnerves the missus some. I was thinking on what I could do for the boy and it hit me.”

Nathan waited as the sheriff let the tension build.

“You and Kate should take the boy.”

“What?” Nathan exclaimed.

“You and Kate should take the boy. He could work in the fields and sleep in the barn with you. You two would only have to feed him and steer him in the right direction.”

Nathan stared at the sheriff in disbelief. “We can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

Nathan glanced at the boy, who tried not to appear to be listening to the conversation. “It just isn’t right. The boy should have a home if he doesn’t already. Surely someone will want to take him in.”

“Yes, but not everyone would be a good influence on the boy. He’s been a thief and a drifter. All I’m asking is that you let him work as payment for the things he tried to steal. It will be a good lesson for him.”

Nathan leaned across the desk to speak in a low tone. “If he’s a thief, wouldn’t he be a bad influence on Sean and Ellie?”

“No, those kids are strong. Their ma raised them right. Look at it this way, the O’Briens will be three good influences. Wouldn’t three good influences cancel out one bad one?”

Nathan sat back in his chair, wincing just a tad when his back made contact with the wood. If the boy and I harvested half of the field, Kate wouldn’t have to pay fifteen percent off that. That would be a fair amount of money saved. The boy needs someone to turn his life around. Who knows why he’s on his own?

Nathan glanced at the boy, who’d dropped all pretenses and was eagerly listening to the conversation about his future. He couldn’t be more than a year or two older than Sean. But by God’s grace, life could have dealt him such a blow.

Nathan looked at the sheriff, who waited tensely for an answer. Two months, Nathan reminded himself. All I can offer is two months, and no more. Nathan’s voice was low, hopefully too low for the boy to hear, as he said, “If Kate and I take him in, it can’t be forever, understand?”

“Of course,” the sheriff complied. “I’m just asking you to show him how to do good, honest work. Give him some sort of skill so he’ll have something to fall back on other than stealing.”

“And you’ll look for a real family for the boy?”

“Yes.”

Nathan blew air past his lips then shook his head before he stood. “I’ll try to convince Kate but if she says no …” He shook his head again.

“I understand,” Sheriff Hawkins said, rising quickly to shake his hand. “Thank you.”

Nathan strode toward the door then turned to look at the boy still watching from his seat. “What’s your name?”

“Lawson,” he responded clearly.

“Lawson what?”

The boy’s hazel eyes watched him carefully. “It’s just Lawson.”

Nathan looked at him for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll see what I can do.”

Chapter Five

Kate carefully took inventory of the small pile of goods Mr. Johansen deposited on the counter. Something was missing. She checked her copy of the list. “Were you out of corn meal, Mr. Johansen?”

“No, I gave it—” The tall Norwegian lowered his thick blond eyebrows as he surveyed the counter. A grin bursted across his face. “I lost it. I will find it. When I come back, I will count the eggs you brought for me. I will be back in half a minute. Do not leave.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll be right here,” she said then smiled when the man was quickly distracted by another customer. It looked like this was going to take a while. She placed her elbows on the counter and rested her chin on her hand as she watched Mr. Johansen conclude his business with the other customer and turn toward his storage room.

She wished the smell of those lemon drops behind the counter wasn’t so strong and tempting. Her stomach let out a small rumble, reminding her she hadn’t eaten since early that morning. Suddenly a tanned arm came to rest next to hers on the wooden counter. She tensed as a too-familiar voice called, “Johansen, grab me a few packs of that tobacco while you’re back there.”

Mr. Johansen glanced over and paused. His gaze bounced warily between Kate and the man beside her before he nodded. “I’ll be right back.”

Kate straightened and slid farther away from the man, hoping he’d take the hint. He didn’t. “Kate O’Brien, why do you have to go around looking so pretty?”

She kept her gaze trained on her egg basket. “Andrew Stolvins, why don’t you find some nice girl to settle down with and leave me alone?”

“How can I think about another girl when you’re around?” He leaned sideways onto the counter to get a better look at her.

She dodged the hand that reached toward her, then turned to pin him with a cold gaze. “Don’t.”

He stared at her with predatory green eyes. “You’re going to have to start being nice to me again.”

He looked entirely too satisfied with himself. She narrowed her eyes. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s amazing what you can find out in a small town if you ask the right questions,” he said nonchalantly. “For instance, I heard your financial problems are so bad that you’re going to lose the farm if this harvest isn’t enough to stop the foreclosure.”

“That’s none of your business.”

“I made it my business.” He smiled smugly. “You see, I just bought the wheat combine and thresher from Mr. Fulsome. If you want your wheat harvested, you’ll have to go through me now. I’m raising the rate three percent on each farm. I know you can’t afford that so I’m willing to negotiate. What are you willing to bargain?”

Her fingers clenched the handle of the basket tightly. “I’m not bargaining with you. I’ll pay the same rate as everyone else.”

“How do you plan to pay me? You don’t expect me to accept these, do you?” He chuckled, then snatched one of her precious eggs from the basket. He held one in the air to inspect it. “They look like they’re worth a pretty penny but appearances are deceiving, aren’t they?”

“Put it back.”

He tossed it back and forth between his hands but his gaze never left Kate’s eyes. “What’s it going to be, Kate?”

The egg slipped from his clumsy grasp. Kate gasped and reached out for it but Nathan appeared from behind her to beat her to it. The egg landed safely in his cupped palm. He stepped between them to carefully deposit the egg in the basket, then turned to face Andrew Stolvins. “Is there a problem here?”

Andrew glared up at Nathan. “This doesn’t involve you.”

“If it involves Kate, it involves me.”

Andrew shifted to stare over Nathan’s shoulder at Kate. “Is that how it is now?”

Nathan answered for her. “That’s how it is. From now on, you’ll leave her alone. Is that clear?”

A tense moment passed in silence before Mr. Johansen emerged from the back room. The store owner apologized for taking so long. Andrew grabbed his tobacco and left. Kate let out a sigh of relief. Mr. Johansen looked perplexed but shrugged. “I guess I will add that to his account.”

Kate waited while Mr. Johansen totaled her order, then applied the credit for the eggs. She paid him for the rest and was finally ready to go. Once Nathan had her purchases settled into the back of the wagon he turned to meet her gaze seriously. “Do you want to tell me what just happened in there?”

“I’d rather hear what happened at the courthouse.”

He nodded. “That’s fair enough. You can tell me about that fellow and I’ll tell you about the judge while we eat lunch at the café.”

“I’m not paying for lunch at the café when I have food at home.” She covered her stomach as it growled in protest. It would take at least another half hour to get home and it was already long past one.

Nathan grinned. “It’s my treat. I may not be a cattle baron but I can afford to pay for one meal in the café while I’m here.”

She didn’t like the idea of him paying for her but perhaps this was his farewell lunch. He’d order the food, tell her what he’d learned, they’d sign the paper he must have folded away somewhere and finish the meal. He’d make a quick exit. It would be amiable and painless. They’d go their separate ways, which was exactly what she needed.

At first Nathan did exactly as she’d planned. He ordered. After that he didn’t seem inclined to talk about his meeting right away. Instead, he asked about the man in the store. Kate sent him a quelling look. “First tell me what happened at the courthouse.”

He shook his head. “I’d rather wait until we get our food so we won’t be overheard.”

“Oh,” she breathed, then took a sip of her water. She didn’t need privacy for her explanation. The whole town knew the story he wanted to hear. “That was Andrew Stolvins. He courted me for a while two years ago, after my parents died.”

Nathan’s brows rose with interest. “He doesn’t seem like the kind of man you’d want as a suitor.”

“He was new in town. I was young and vulnerable. Andrew seemed like a nice, stable young man, so when he asked to court me I said yes.” She shrugged. “Like you, I was convinced I was following God’s will. For the first time in the six months since my parents’ deaths, I was hopeful. I thought my life was finally turning around.”

Nathan’s gaze filled with concern. “That isn’t what happened, is it?”

She shook her head. “I found out that Andrew wasn’t the man I thought he was. Or, rather, Sean and Ellie spied on him enough to find out the truth. Andrew didn’t want me. He wanted my inheritance.”

She paused as their food arrived and waited until the waiter left, to continue. “When I found out, I broke off our relationship. It’s lucky for him that I did, since my inheritance was hardly anything more than an expensive mortgage on the farm.”

Nathan pulled the napkin away from his cutlery. “Why is he bothering you if you didn’t have what he was really after?”

“My siblings weren’t shy in telling the town what type of man Andrew really was. It hurt his reputation but it hurt his pride more. He’s gone out of his way to make my life difficult since then.”

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