The Golden Rules of Love: Western Romance by Tammy Andresen Read Free Book Online

Everyone went dead silent. Annie held her breath for three seconds and then the group erupted in cheers.
    The reverend slapped Mack on the back. “Why didn’t you say so? I’ll perform the ceremony right now if you want.”
    “Thank you kindly, Reverend, but Annie needs to get a death certificate in San Francisco first. That is why she is travelling there. She needs all the documentation to move on with her life.” He gave them all a meaningful look and several people dropped their heads in shame.
    Annie kept her face neutral but she was impressed. Mack had simultaneously shamed the crowd and given a reasonable explanation why they couldn’t marry now or even possibly after weeks in San Francisco. In her single nod, however, she had for real and for sure tied herself to Mack…at least for now.
    “We are going to be riding hard the next few days to make it to San Francisco. You all should get some sleep.” He wasn’t asking, he was telling and the crowd quickly dispersed.
    Annie shifted on her feet. Being alone with Mack was a terrible idea. As soon as his hands were on her, she didn’t seem able to control herself.
    He grabbed her hand and started pulling her away from the wagons. Annie planted her feet and pulled her hand back.
    “I need to talk to you,” he growled out. Annie loved the sound of his pleasant baritone but there was something primal about his growl that sent vibrations skittering all through her. Damn him.
    “I can’t be alone with you. I can’t control…I mean we always…I don’t want…” Annie huffed a sigh. She sounded weak and silly no matter how she tried to word it.
    He wiggled his eyebrows and gave her a tug. When her body was almost touching his, he leaned down and whispered in her ear. “I’ll keep my hands to myself. I just want to talk.”
    She eyed him warily, but finally gave him a nod. They did need to talk after what had just happened.
    Annie rubbed her eyes. How was she tangled up with a man already? She was trying so hard to keep to herself, to take care of her own life instead of depending on another.
    “I’ve got to ask you something. Don’t get mad now, but how do you know your husband is dead?” Mack’s voice was soft and there was no emotion in his voice.
    Her head snapped up to look at him but his face was shadowed. “He went to California with his friend and partner, Jasper Conway.” Her voice caught on the man’s name and she gritted her teeth together. She took a deep breath to continue without emotion. Her voice dropped to a whisper and she leaned closer. “He sent me the letter, along with the death certificate, to tell me Garrett was dead.”
    She heard Mack’s exhale, and even in the dark, she saw his shoulder’s slump. Was he relieved? “My brother went to California too. He hasn’t written in a year. I don’t know if he’s dead or alive.”
    Annie’s head snapped up. Mack had lost someone to the gold fields too. “Is that why you keep going back? Are you looking for him?”
    “Well, I go to make money. I want to start that shipyard, Annie. But I am also looking for my brother. My parents are gone, and I am the only person in this world who cares enough to find him. If he’s alive to be found.”
    “I’m sorry, Mack.” Her hand rested on his chest. She knew she had told him no touching but in that moment she wanted to provide some comfort.
    One of his hands rested on her upper arm. “Thank you, Annie. If you have the death certificate then why are you going to California?”
    Looking at the ground, Annie took a deep breath. “My father wanted me to marry another man…some tenement owner. He was twenty-five years older than me, and I couldn’t do it. I ran away with Garrett instead. It was not the smartest decision I have ever made but I did it. I can’t undo it now and I can’t go back to New York. My father would just find another husband for me. I couldn’t stay in St. Louis so…”
    “Sweetheart, I understand you want some