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A feeling of calm swept through Sylvie.
Jake was perfect.
He was everything she could hope for in a man. But he still hadn’t asked her to marry him yet. Wasn’t he still in need of a convenient bride?
They’d just had an amazing dinner that he’d prepared, and Sue Mae had said she’d babysit Jackson this evening, so it was a perfect opportunity for Jake and Sylvie to have a heart-to-heart talk.
She sat on the porch beside him outside his cabin. She could see herself staying there for the year with her son while she figured out her next step. And to be Jake’s wife, even if it were to be in name only, would make her heart jump for joy.
“So what do you think?” Jake asked.
“About what?”
“About this? Do you think it could work? Being here for the year while you figured out your next move?”
“I do. I really do.”
“Will you marry me?” he said in a soft voice.
Her heart leaped in her chest.
“Yes.” Excitement rose in her voice. “I would love to do this.”
She’d only known him one week, but she knew his aunt Sue Mae very well. And besides, she’d known John for a long time but didn’t really know him. Maybe it was time to do things a little differently.
Besides, this wasn’t a real marriage. It was a marriage of convenience. Something they both needed desperately.
“You know it would only be in name only, right? You and Jackson can stay here as long as you need to. But it has to be at least a year.”
“That would be perfect. I can brush up on some courses in college and get back into the workforce and it would get me time to pull myself together and pay down on a new home.” She was getting ahead of herself but for the first time in a while, she could see a way out.
And she didn’t want to be an inconvenience to her blessed sister any longer, whom she loved dearly, but sleeping on the couch in the living room in the already tiny bachelor apartment wasn’t exactly ideal for either of them.
There at the ranch, she’d at least have her own room. Jake had already given her the tour of his cozy cabin. It had three bedrooms and a grand living room, large kitchen, fireplace and a nice outdoor space. It was perfect in every way.
She thanked the Lord for sending Jake in her path at this crossroad in her life.
She could see he was nervous about something.
“Sylvie,” he said. “There’s something you should know. And it might change your mind about me. If it does, it’s okay, I’ll understand.”
“Jake, what is it?” Concern rose inside her.
“You wanted to know about my family. Well, I’m ready to talk.”