LITMIR.BIZ

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they got back to the ranch and Al discovered he’d get ice cream, too, he was happy. After serving him, Suzanne nodded to Ryan and led the way out of the kitchen. “We have to talk,” she said once they were in the hall.

      He tugged her kerchief that held back her hair off her head. “No, there’s no time. We have to get the license this afternoon.”

      “Ryan, if you’ll just listen, we can avoid marrying. I’ll be the housekeeper you need. You can handle Beth at night, can’t you?”

      “It won’t work that way. There will be whispers and all kinds of talk. And you’ll have other men wanting to marry you. If that happens, Beth would be upset and I’d be in trouble again. And what if the man you marry isn’t a rancher? You’d still need help.”

      She stared at him. “But—”

      “It’s the only way. I fought it myself for a long time, but in the end, there was no other answer. That’s why the ladies of Cactus succeed so often at matchmaking. They’re so damned good at it.”

      “I can’t believe—”

      “Just come with me to get the license. We can discuss it again before Sunday, but the more you try to argue against it, the more you’ll see a marriage of convenience works.”

      She fell silent and though he watched her out of the corner of his eye as they drove to the county courthouse, she said nothing else.

      Inside, she filled out the necessary information and watched when he put down the required money.

      “Good thing they don’t still require the blood tests. That would take more time.”

      “Yes, that’s true, but since it’s a marriage of convenience, a blood test might not be necessary,” she said.

      He shushed her at once. “Hey, don’t spread that around. We’d be the objects of gossip for the entire year. That’s no one else’s business.”

      “I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”

      Once they got the license, she assumed they’d head back home. Instead, he suggested they dine at the Last Roundup, a big restaurant on the town square. “Cal Baxter’s wife, Jessica, owns it.”

      She protested. “I don’t have dinner made for the children. They’ll be hungry soon.”

      “I’ll call Al. He can make them a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or something. They’ll be fine.” He gave her a smile. The first one she’d seen from him. Oh, dear, she thought to herself, I’m in trouble. He’s so handsome when he’s smiling. She looked away.

      “I really think we should just go on home.”

      “Nope, we’ve got to celebrate our nuptials.”

      “I didn’t think it was something you wanted to celebrate,” she accused, watching him.

      “I’ve learned to make the best of bad situations.”

      “What a compliment,” she pointed out, coming to an abrupt halt.

      “Don’t stand in the road, sugar. You’ll get run over.” When she didn’t budge, he scooped her into his arms and didn’t put her down until they reached the sidewalk.

      “Ryan, I’m not dressed for dinner out. I’ve been cleaning the house all day. I can’t go in that fancy restaurant.”

      “It’s not that fancy,” a deep voice said behind them and Suzanne spun around to find Cal Baxter, the sheriff, standing behind them, his hands on his hips. “Jess won’t throw you out ’cause you’re wearing jeans. That’s pretty common around here.”

      “But I’ve been cleaning the house all day,” she continued to protest.

      “Then you deserve to eat out. Come on. Jess and I will join you if you don’t mind.”

      Suzanne felt she didn’t have any choice but to agree. She glared at Ryan. “Fine. I’ll just call Al about what to fix for supper for the kids.”

      “There’s a phone right inside the door,” Cal said and led them up the steps.

      By the time Suzanne had called Al, telling him about the cold roast beef she’d planned for sandwiches the next day, Cal had them a table toward the back of the restaurant. Since the restaurant was fairly full, she was surprised at how quick he’d been.

      “It’s the family table. They always keep it empty, in case we want to eat. When you’re married to the boss, there have to be some perks,” he added with a grin.

      “True,” Ryan agreed. “You’ll have a few perks married to me, Suzanne.”

      She didn’t answer, hoping Cal hadn’t heard. She should’ve known better.

      A beautiful dark-haired woman joined them. “Hello, Suzanne. I’m Jessica, Cal’s wife…and Mabel’s daughter-in-law. I hope you’ll speak to me in spite of that.”

      “Oh! Of course. I don’t blame Mabel and Florence, but—well, I guess I might as well say it…I find this situation hard to believe. We’re expected to get married on Sunday?”

      “Yes, you are,” Jessica said, with a grin that made her even more beautiful. “We were the first of the ladies’ many successes. One of them even married. Florence was a widow and she and Doc, well, he’s actually our medical examiner, got married.”

      “My, life must be exciting around here.”

      “Actually,” Jessica replied, “we settle down into a nice routine most days.”

      “Yes, I like routine. I think it’s especially important for children. I’m the guardian for Josh and Mandy Howe.”

      “Yes, and thank goodness you’ll also be taking care of Beth. We’ve all worried about her because Ryan is a heathen. You’ll have to watch his vocabulary.”

      “I’ve noticed.”

      “Hey! I watch my tongue around Beth. It’s the cowboys that say the wrong thing.”

      “I thought you were a cowboy?” Suzanne asked.

      “I am, but—oh, never mind,” Ryan said.

      “I had to learn to watch myself, too, once the babies came,” Cal said.

      “How many children do you have?” Suzanne asked Cal.

      “Two little boys,” Cal answered with real enthusiasm that impressed Suzanne. “They’re the greatest! My mom and dad spoil them rotten, of course, but they also help us take care of them. With my job as sheriff and Jess’s restaurant, we’re pretty busy.”

      When Suzanne looked at Jessica, expecting the same enthusiasm, she found her staring at her napkin, saying nothing. Was something wrong?

      Then two more people came in and joined them. They were introduced as Mac Gibbons, a lawyer, and his wife, Dr. Samantha Gibbons.

      “You’re the lawyer who handles the finances for the children!” she exclaimed.

      “That’s right. I thought you’d be in to see me right away,” Mac said, just before he gave his order.

      His wife, a pretty woman with a warm smile, looked at Jessica and nodded her head. Suzanne looked at Jessica, too, and saw the happy smile she’d been looking for earlier. What was going on?

      Samantha leaned over to Suzanne and whispered, “If you need any kind of birth control before the wedding, I’m working in the morning.”

      Chapter Four

      Before Suzanne could pull herself together to respond to Samantha’s offer, Jessica stood and leaned over to whisper in Cal’s ear. He stood also, and followed her from the table.

      Everyone stared at Samantha.

      “What’s

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