Joshua's Montana Bride (Sweet, Clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides Series) by Maya Stirling Read Free Book Online Page A

them back. They were too insistent. Her mother had said what she wanted. It was up to Laura to grant her mother her wishes. If she were to deny those wishes and something happened to her mother...
    Well.
    She didn't even want to think about that.
    "Have you thought that if we marry, it might be the difference between your mother pulling through and not making it?"
    "How can you say that? Don't be cruel."
    "I'm not being cruel. I'm saying it because it's true. You saw how happy she was just talking about you and I together. Think how it will make her feel if we are actually together."
    Joshua came closer to Laura and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Laura. I know we don't love each other."
    Joshua's words stung her and he seemed to see the reaction in her. He paused, peering deep into her eyes and then continued.
    "But, if a marriage between us can ensure that your mother can enjoy the rest of her life, I think that makes it worth going through with. Don't you?"
    Laura frowned. She closed her eyes feeling her racing heart, sensing the twisting in her stomach, watching the images in her mind flash like a frenetic kaleidoscope. She felt Joshua move even closer. In that moment she felt incapable of resisting anything. The forces of her life had overcome her. And she had set them in motion herself by her own foolish actions.
    "Are you saying that this will be a marriage of convenience?" she asked in a quiet, calm voice. She knew the answer he would give her, but she wanted to be sure that she understood exactly what he was proposing. It seemed hardly different from what she had been considering with Mr. Bewly earlier in the day.
    Joshua cupped her chin in his hand and lifted her face so that he could look deeply into her eyes. "If that's what you want. Yes. We can have a marriage in name only. With everything that that means," he said softly.
    Laura sighed. "Everything?" she asked.
    Joshua paused and then nodded.
    Laura shook her head. "It's not right," she said.
    "It's the only way," Joshua responded. "We've known each other a long time, Laura. We can make it work. I know we can. And, if I am your husband, I will do everything in my power to make sure you are happy. No matter what it takes."
    Laura looked up into Joshua's eyes and saw complete sincerity and determination there. She'd always trusted him, and now was no different.
    Laura felt Joshua tense momentarily. Then he drew himself up and cleared his throat. "Will you become my wife, Laura Thorne?" he asked simply.
    Laura looked up, forced a wan smile and eventually nodded. But the words that she should have said in that moment, the normal, happy, joyous response to such a question, just wouldn't come.
    What a day it had been! It had begun with a marriage rejected and had ended with reluctant proposal accepted.
    Joshua's eyes lit up and a smile creased his mouth. He started to lean down toward her and she suddenly knew that he intended to kiss her, but she knew that this wasn't the moment.
    Laura turned her head away and felt a twisting sensation in her middle which didn't get any better when she eventually turned and saw the look of hurt on Joshua's face.
    As she withdrew her hand from his, she wondered if she would ever get anything right ever again.

CHAPTER EIGHT

    Two days later Joshua and Laura stood at the altar of the small church in Great Falls. The minister, Reverend Murray, officiated and eventually pronounced them man and wife. As the words of final union were proclaimed, Joshua looked across and saw Eli Thorne look on with visible satisfaction. Minutes before he had led his sister down the aisle and given her away to Joshua McKenzie.
    Laura's eyes were wide as she glanced from the minister to Joshua. She'd been quiet the whole morning, in spite of Joshua's efforts to put her at her ease. He knew this was a huge day for her, and it was inevitable that she would feel nervous. Joshua couldn't imagine how she was feeling. If it was anything like how he felt, which was