LITMIR.BIZ

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keep up with that and being sheriff. She cooked and cleaned. Things I don’t have the time or talent for.”

      “That doesn’t seem like a fair deal to me. You save my reputation, and all I have to do is housework. What if you meet someone and fall in love?”

      A dull ache in his chest quivered for a brief moment and stilled. “You won’t ever have to worry about me falling in love. I gave up on that notion a long time ago.”

      Two hours later, Scott stood beside Rena at the altar of Gran Colina Church. He rubbed his palm down the side of his Sunday trousers before taking Rena’s hand from Oscar. Reverend Walter Gillis began the ceremony that would take away any freedom Scott had. The reverend asked him to repeat the vows and put a ring on Rena’s finger. He pledged all his earthly possessions to her, but he had no ring. She lowered her eyes to the floor when his voice wavered as he promised to love and honor her. He would love her. Like a sister in Christ. But he’d never love any woman for himself. Not again.

      “You may kiss the bride.” Reverend Gillis’s words hung in the air.

      They’d agreed before coming to the church that no one was to know their marriage wasn’t one of mutual agreement and love. Only Scott, Rena and Oscar would ever know. Scott was quite sure Rena hadn’t considered a kiss to seal their vows when they’d decided that.

      He certainly had not. He froze. If he tried to kiss her, she might burst into tears. The strain of the day had taken a toll on him. Only God knew how she was holding up.

      Rena lifted her face to him. The pleading in her eyes told him they needed to complete the picture of a happy couple or their arrangement would never be believed.

      He placed one finger under her chin and saw her jaw tighten. He turned her face slightly away from the friends who’d gathered to witness the event. The kiss he placed on her cheek was so close to her lips that no one would question his actions, but the near miss of her mouth protected her from questioning his intentions.

      The softness of her skin contradicted the pain in her. He prayed they would be able to build a life together for the sake of her child and her father. It was inexcusable that Eugene Rodgers had taken advantage of Rena. The scoundrel would never know about the baby. Scott couldn’t understand such a man. No child of his would ever be raised by another man. Not as long as he had breath in his body.

      Of course, that would never happen. Watching his fiancée, Louise Kinard, walk away from their engagement to marry Thomas Freeman, the town banker, over a year ago had taught Scott that women wanted a smooth talker. Even if the man promised things he would never deliver, women were fascinated by fancy and unimpressed by a solid man with a good heart and a loyal nature.

      If his sister hadn’t moved away and left him struggling to keep his homestead going, he didn’t think he’d be standing here now, kissing Rena.

      But he was. And now all of Gran Colina would know that the sheriff had married the mayor’s daughter. Before summer’s end they’d welcome a new life into the world.

      Lord, help me to adjust to all of this by then. And help Rena, too.

      Saving Gran Colina from falling backward into lawlessness was a noble goal. With Thomas Freeman using all his polished ways to run for mayor against Oscar in the coming election, and Gilbert Jefferson running for his former position as sheriff, everything they’d accomplished was at risk.

      Scott had already given himself fully to protecting Gran Colina. He hoped Rena would settle into their new life without regret. If she couldn’t, or if word got out that she was carrying another man’s child, their whole scheme might be for naught.

      Suddenly it was all over, and Oscar was pumping his hand. “Congratulations, Scott.” The man’s eyes held gratitude that couldn’t be expressed in front of the people who gathered around the new couple.

      “Thank you, sir.” Scott shook hands with Reverend Gillis and then his wife, Mildred. While everyone pressed in on them to offer happy wishes, Rena seemed to become more and more tense. The smile she wore appeared genuine, but he was concerned about how long she could keep up the pretense of wedded bliss.

      Rena’s closest friend, Charlotte Green, spoke quietly into her ear, and Rena nodded. Scott wondered if Charlotte knew the truth. He hoped not. Charlotte stepped back, and her hand fell away from Rena’s arm.

      “Congratulations, Sheriff,” Charlotte said. “I must say I’m surprised by this turn of events, but I do wish you well. Rena is a dear friend. Her happiness is important to me. See that you do right by her.” Her grin let him know she was pleased for her friend.

      “Thank you.” He smiled what he hoped was a genuine smile. “I’ll do my best.”

      Rena accepted a hug from the preacher’s wife. “Thank you, Mrs. Gillis.”

      “You’ve made such a wonderful choice. I just know you and the sheriff will have a happy life.” Mildred Gillis’s round face crinkled with her smile. “Oh, the joy this must bring to your father. And to think the two of you have kept your courtship a secret. You are a sly one.” Light laughter punctuated her words, but Scott saw the pain they brought to Rena.

      He stepped closer to her and raised his voice to address the gathering. “Thank you all for coming on such short notice, but if you don’t mind, I’d like for us to be on our way. We want to be home before dark.”

      Chuckles came from the small crowd as they parted to give him and Rena room to leave the church. He looped Rena’s hand into the crook of his elbow and led her outside.

      She took a deep breath when they passed through the doors and pulled her hand free of his arm. “Thank you. It was getting to be a bit much.”

      “It’s been quite a day.” He offered his hand to assist her into his wagon. She released it as soon as she was seated. The walk around the back of the wagon gave him another moment to whisper a prayer. He was in a marriage he’d never expected, to a woman who didn’t love or want him. A woman he’d never have chosen. Prayer had always been a part of his life. He imagined it was about to become a constant thing.

      Scott climbed aboard and lifted the reins. The two miles to his homestead never seemed so long. The afternoon was brisk, and Rena pulled the top of her cape closer around her neck.

      “There’s a blanket under your seat.”

      “I’m fine, thank you.” She didn’t look at him.

      Not another word was spoken until they arrived at his home.

      Their home.

      He set the brake and turned to her. “It’s not what you’re used to. The house and barn are done, but I want to expand the corral.” He lifted his arm to point beyond her. “There’s a good-sized garden there. Not much to it at this time of year. There’s plenty of meat in the smokehouse, and Ann did a lot of canning before she married. I made her take what she could with her.” He vaulted over the wheel onto the ground. “I thought I’d be on my own. We’ll buy what we need in town until spring.”

      He walked around to help her from the wagon. She lost her footing, and he had to catch her by the waist and set her on the ground. She stepped away from him the instant she regained her balance. Her movements were so abrupt that he apologized.

      The set of her mouth had only softened for the ceremony. It had returned to testify to her determination. “If you’ll show me where to unpack my valise, I’ll see to supper.”

      He nodded and lifted her case from the back of the wagon. She followed him up the steps to the porch, and he opened the door. “After you.”

      Rena’s back was straight, and her shoulders were square as she entered his house. She came to a stop just inside the dim interior and gasped.

      Scott scooted around her and dropped her valise near the door. Not until this moment did he remember the state of the house. Without Ann’s help, he’d done only a minimal amount of cleaning. When he’d left for town this morning, there had been no

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