His Heartbroken Bride (The Brides of Paradise Ranch - Spicy Version Book 4) by Merry Farmer Read Free Book Online Page A

couldn’t. That mattered far more than her dubious need to rest in his arms.
    “Yes.” The answer tumbled from her lips before she could question her sanity.
    “Yes?” Mason leaned back, surprise lifting his brow. “Yes, you’ll marry me?”
    “Yes, I will marry you,” she answered, again fast enough that she wouldn’t change her mind. He was the one who should be changing his mind. He would put her away as soon as he knew the truth, but maybe, if there was any bit of a chance, she could prove her use to him as a wife and housekeeper and mother to the point where he might overlook her sins.
    “Well, all right, then.” Mason smiled, pulling her close for a hug. That hug felt right. “We’ll get married. I’ll ask Howard about one of the houses in The Village right away.”
    “Thank you,” she whispered. She closed her eyes and rested her head against his shoulder. A tiny voice deep inside of her murmured that this really was the right decision. It was a decision she’d wished she’d made years ago. Because if anyone could keep her and her children safe in spite of the truth, it was Mason.

Chapter Four
     
    Two days later, Libby woke with a start at dawn.
    “I can’t do it. I can’t marry him,” she whispered to the hazy shadows of Muriel’s room.
    There weren’t enough extra bedrooms in Josephine and Pete’s house for them all to sleep alone, so Libby had bunked with Muriel while her boys slept on a cot in Freddy’s room. Libby’s sudden awakening caused Muriel to stir. Rather than wake her little sister up too soon, Libby threw back the bedcovers, slipped out of bed, and tucked Muriel back in. She kissed Muriel’s forehead as if she were still a young girl and not close to womanhood, saying a quick prayer that she would remain innocent for as long as possible. Libby gathered up her shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders, then crept downstairs.
    What was she thinking, accepting Mason’s proposal the way she had? Mason was a friend, in spite of the unresolved feelings between them. She couldn’t thrust him into the turmoil that had become of her life. He deserved better than that, better than her.
    Much to Libby’s distress, the kitchen wasn’t abandoned when she walked in, tortured by her thoughts.
    “Good morning, sweetheart.” Josephine crossed from the stove to the doorway, shawl wrapped around her torso, nightcap still in place. She hugged Libby with all the affection of a real mother. “You must be so excited. Today’s the day.”
    Libby hugged her back, more desperation in her embrace than excitement. “What am I thinking, Josephine? I can’t do this.”
    The exuberance in Josephine’s eyes solidified into the wisdom of age. She gave Libby’s hand a squeeze, then led her to the kitchen table to sit down. Although at the moment, Libby felt far more like pacing and wringing her hands than sitting.
    “All brides get cold feet on their wedding day,” Josephine laughed, veering back toward the stove where a kettle was steaming. She set about making tea as she continued dispensing advice. “You must have felt this way before marrying Teddy.”
    It was true. She had questioned her decision to marry him. But the circumstances then were as different as ten years of life and tragedy could make them. She had two boys and an unborn child to consider now.
    Libby shook her head. “It’s not that.” She winced, knowing full well that complete honesty was the only thing that could clear her conscience. She knew that, so why was it so unbearably hard to be honest?
    Josephine studied her as she poured hot water into a teapot. “Is it the baby?”
    Libby lowered her face in shame. She’d announced to her family that she was expecting at the same time that she and Mason had announced their impending nuptials. Like Mason, every member of her family had assumed that the baby was Teddy’s, conceived in his last days. In fact, they’d blessed her good fortune, assuring her that a new life