Mail Order Bride: A Bride for the Doctor (Bozeman Brides Book 4) by Emily Woods Read Free Book Online

subject again.”
    How could he discuss this matter so calmly? Her throat closed up and truly she didn’t know what to say. So, he was interested in her, but was it only for what she could do for him or was he actually attracted to her? But no, it didn’t matter and she had to make that clear.
    “Dr. Wilson, I have no intention of marrying anyone. I don’t wish to insult you, so I will reveal a little of my reasoning to you.” Now she refocused her attention on the task at hand so that she wouldn’t have to watch his face as she relayed her story. “I will never marry because marriage makes people wretched. My parents are miserable together. They once loved each other, but a tragedy befell our family and since then, they have become bitter and angry. My mother blames my father for the problem, and so he drinks himself into oblivion each night. They argue constantly and that’s how I grew up. I know all marriages aren’t like that, but I’m not willing to take the chance.”
    Her explanation was met with silence. She wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing, but when he finally spoke, she felt herself become more defensive.
    “I see. Well, what you say is true. Many marriages become unhappy over a course in time, but I know firsthand that when God is an integral part of the union, it can become a beautiful thing.” He laid down the instruments and took her hand. “I’m sorry for the sadness that you’ve suffered, but don’t you think that you would be more likely to make a good marriage because of it?”
    His hand was warm and strong and although she wanted to cling to it, she very deliberately pulled away. “I wish I could have your faith, Dr. Wilson, but I don’t and I never will. God, if there is one, has disappointed me. He only cares for some people, I suppose, and I’m not one of them.”
    She efficiently finished the clean up and removed her apron and prepared to go. The warm weather made a coat unnecessary, but she fastened a simple bonnet on her head for the sake of propriety.
    “You are wrong,” he stated firmly before she reached the door. “But I will pray for you to understand that, just like I have been for over a month now.”
    Her hand froze on its way to the door handle. “You’ve been praying for me?” she asked, her voice a whisper.
    “Yes. I first started when I thought that you were coming to be my wife, but even after you came, I continued. I believe that God brought you here for a reason. Maybe it’s not to marry me. Maybe it’s to bring you closer to Him, but it’s for something. Your time here is not a mistake.”
    No one had ever spoken to her so personally about God before. She’d assumed that if He existed, He was too busy with more important people than to bother with her.
    “Do you truly believe that?” she asked, aware of a slight tremble in her voice. “That God thinks about you…thinks about me?”
    Dr. Wilson nodded. “Yes, and more. He loves you and wants good things for you.”
    The words were simple, and hard to believe, but she was thirsty to hear more. “How do you know?”
    His tender smile returned, and with three quick steps, he reached his desk where he pulled out a thick book. “He says so over and over again here, in the Bible. Do you have one?”
    She shook her head, her eyes fastened on the heavy tome.
    “Then please consider this a gift,” he stated, extending the book to her.
    “I can’t take your Bible!” she protested.
    “Ah, but I have another at home, and it would give me great pleasure to give you this one. Surely you can’t deny me that.”
    Raising her eyes from the Bible to meet his own, she saw that he meant it. There was still a twinkle in his eyes, but it was kind and warm. Slowly, she reached out and accepted it. It felt warm and comforting to hold.
    “And if you really feel indebted to me,” he went on in a light tone, “you can do me the honor of going to dinner with me at my friend’s house. I recall you owe me a