| |
“You need a wife?” Lucky didn’t think she heard right. Her heart fluttered in her chest hearing Beau say those words. Was she dreaming?
Her heartbeat fast inside her, thrashing against her rib cage. She had fantasized about being his wife many times since they’d met but to hear it loud and clear completely blew her mind. It was as if she was dreaming wide awake.
“Oh, no,” Beau said. “I don’t think that came out right. And you’re under no obligation. I can find someone else...”
Oh, no. No. I want to be your wife. Oh, what am I saying? I haven’t known Beau that long.
“Okay, you’ve lost me,” she finally said.
Beau explained the situation about his adoptive father’s will and the condition that he and his brothers have to meet before the ownership of the land could be transferred to their names.
She burst out laughing.
“Something funny?” He gave her a puzzled grin.
The look on his face made her stop. Oh, no. Did she hurt his feelings? He looked puzzled by her response, but she didn’t mean it that way.
Okay, laughing was probably not the response he was looking for, but man, oh, man, that was the most unusual request she’d ever gotten in her life.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh, I mean...I....I wasn’t laughing at you...or...”
“It’s okay, I know it sounds crazy and everything. I’m still trying to get used to that idea myself. But like I said, it would only be a marriage of convenience.”
“A marriage of convenience?” The words seemed stuck in her throat. For a moment, she was hoping it would be a real proposal. But then that would just be silly, wouldn’t it?
“Yeah, you know, until things get settled legally. We could stay married for a year. And it would only be in name only.”
Her heart stopped beating when she heard him emphasize in name only.
“In name only?”
“You know, platonic. We could stay in separate rooms like we are right now. That way you’d have a roof over your head and you and your sister could stay here as long as you need to until you figure out what you want to do next.”
“Of course.” She swallowed hard. “Josie’s trying to get into college and I want to go back and get my masters to maybe do some counselling while I continue my blog.”
“Sounds like a plan. Just stay here. No one will ever know.”
Except her. And that would kill her inside knowing she was married to a gorgeous, charming cowboy, but in name only.
Beau was her cowboy hero that saved her from her horrible landlord and from ending up on the streets with her sister with nowhere to go. Not to mention he’d provided a safe place for her and her little rescue cat, Biscuit.
“You can take as long as you need to think about it. Well, on second thoughts, I might need the answer by tomorrow, if that’s okay. Remember, no matter what you choose, you can still stay here with your sister until you get back on your feet.”
“Beau, you’re too kind. I...” She wanted to say yes. But what was stopping her from saying yes?