A Daring Proposal by Sandra S. Kerns Read Free Book Online Page B

always looking for ways to make me pay for being a girl. This was just his last chance to prove it.”
    “Chaney--”
    She held up her hand, halting his words. “Don’t bother. Now, either accept my proposal or let me leave. My ego can’t take much more tonight.”
    Jed considered her. Chaney didn’t love him, or even like him. She had told him moments ago, she hated him, and he believed her. However, she needed a marriage certificate to satisfy a ridiculous demand in her father’s will. In the same breath, she showed her lawyer the proof of their marriage, she would probably tell him to file for divorce. He wondered if he could convince her to stay married long enough to win custody of his daughter.
    “Let’s say I accept. Do you run and get a divorce as soon as the lawyer sees your proof?” Saying it was harder than he expected.
    Chaney fidgeted in her seat and refused to meet his gaze. “Not exactly.”
    “Meaning?”
    “I have to stay married for a year.”
    A year? He couldn’t believe it. McBride had really set her up. If Jed could just figure out why.
    Does it matter? You’d have a year to win custody.
    He felt her push against his thigh.
    “Never mind, I didn’t think you would go for it.”
    Before he could think of all the reasons to walk away from what would undoubtedly be trouble, he held out his hand. “I accept.”

 
    Chapter Three
     
    “Do you have the rings?” the judge asked.
    Chaney panicked. She knew she’d forgotten something. Rings. She was having a hard enough time believing she was standing in front of a judge marrying Jed Sampson. But she’d only had seven days to find a husband and he’d banished her only other real option.
    “Right here,” Jed answered the judge as he patted his suit pocket. He reached his hand in and withdrew two gold bands. He handed her one.
    Amazed that he had remembered, and fearful that she would drop it, Chaney closed her fingers around the golden circle.
    “Do you, Jedidiah Sampson take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
    “I do.”
    Jed’s long tapered fingers slipped the ring onto hers. It felt warm as if the sun’s rays shining through the window of the judge’s chambers were heating it. Chaney knew that was ridiculous, but she prayed it was a good omen. An omen that meant this wasn’t the most difficult, stupid, unbelievable thing she’d ever done.
    “Do you, Chaney McBride, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
    She hesitated. Could she really do this? Marry Jed and survive watching him walk away in a year?
    Do you want the ranch?
    “I do.” Chaney wasn’t sure if she was answering the judge or the voice in her head. Taking Jed’s strong, warm hand in hers, she slipped the ring on his finger. Before she could pull away he wrapped his fingers around hers causing her to look up into his eyes.
    What was it she saw there? Sympathy? Pity? Concern? It didn’t really matter. He was doing her a favor by agreeing to this sham. She would take whatever was necessary to keep the ranch.
    “Now by the power vested in me by the State of Colorado, I pronounce you husband and wife.” The judge leaned forward. “It’s customary to kiss your bride.”
    Chaney’s pulse quickened along with her breathing. She was sure her knees were going to give out any moment. How could she have pos sibly forgotten about the kiss?
    First, he pulled her hand, still clasped by his, to his lips. His gaze never left Chaney’s eyes. The brush of his lips on her knuckles caused her heart to flip-flop. The intensity of his gaze scorched her like the sun as he pulled the rest of her to him.
    Jed’s lips brushed across her mouth in a whisper before taking her lips firmly with his. Chaney tried to resist the temptation, but it was impossible. Kissing Jed was like, well, it was like skinny-dipping in Miller’s Pond. Decadent, invigorating, exciting and plain wonderful.
    The judge cleared his throat. “Well, it doesn’t appear I’ll have to