To Love a Stranger by Connie Mason Read Free Book Online Page A

work. You have no choice, Mr. Delaney. We’ll marry under my terms or you’ll find yourself facing a noose.”
    “Like hell! If you want me, it’s my terms we’ll agree upon.” He gave her a smile ripe with sexual innuendo. “I won’t be this weak forever.”
    “Forget it, Mr. Delaney. I’m the one calling the shots.”
    “No way, lady!” He struggled into an upright position, swung his feet over the side of the bed, and managed to stand. “I’m getting the hell out of here.”
    He made it through the door and just beyond it before collapsing a few steps short of the stairs. Zoey had to force herself not to go to him. She had to stick to her guns if she wanted to win this battle of wills. Otherwise she’d have to choose between losing her ranch and marrying Samson Willoughby. Marrying Pierce made sense. Willoughby couldn’t demand that she marry him if she wasalready married, and Pierce could remain here until his brothers solved his problems back home.
    “Are you ready to listen to reason, Pierce?” Zoey asked sweetly. “You’re still weak as a kitten.” She helped him to his feet and back to bed. “I know how badly you want to get out of that bed, but you still have a way to go before you’re well enough to ride. After we marry you can leave anytime you wish. All I need is your name. In time, you can apply for an annulment.”
    He gave her a bleak, tight-lipped smile. “You seem to hold the upper hand, lady, for now. Women are all alike. Pretty or plain, smart or dumb, you always find a way to get what you want. And it’s the man who usually pays the price.”
    “You sure do have a low opinion of women.”
    Pierce gave her a slow, sensual smile. “Oh, I like women well enough … for certain things, at certain times. In fact,” he said, reaching for her, “I could use one right now.”
    Zoey scooted out of his reach. “The only thing you can use right now is sleep. Good night, Pierce. I’ll send Cully to town for the preacher first thing in the morning. Is that agreeable?”
    “It’s your call, Zoey.”
    Though soft, his voice was edged with steel. Zoey prayed she wasn’t making a mistake. Entering into a marriage in name only was the lesser of two evils.
    “So be it. Rest well, Pierce.” She turned to leave.
    “Zoey.”
    She paused at the door.
    “Do you think you can find a dress to wear atour wedding? And I’d appreciate it if you’d find me a decent pair of pants and shirt that aren’t bloodstained.”
    She nodded curtly and continued out the door.
    “Zoey,” he called after her. “Bring my guns.”
    Though she was out of sight, he heard her answer clearly.
    “No.”
    Damn conniving female
, Pierce raged. Zoey Fuller had done nothing to allay his distrust of women. She’d saved his life only to turn around and demand his freedom in payment. She should have let him die, he thought, then immediately changed his mind. Death was too final, and this marriage needn’t be. Besides, he’d already come to despise Samson Willoughby. And he had nowhere else to go right now. Dry Gulch certainly offered no option.
    Pierce knew he was at a disadvantage and hated it. He was too weak to ride away from the Circle F, and unable to prove his innocence if he did. Only Cora Lee could free him with the truth, and he prayed his brothers would convince her to do so.
    Damn, he wished he had his guns.
    Zoey appeared in Pierce’s room bright and early the next morning. She carried a basin of water and shaving gear that had belonged to her father.
    Pierce’s brow slanted upward. “I assume that’s for me.” He rubbed a hand over the beginnings of a fine beard. “I was getting kind of fond of this.”
    Zoey placed a towel on his chest and worked up a lather in a cup. Then she tested the razor with the edge of her thumb.
    “Whoa, you’re not going to use that on me, are you?”
    “That’s what it’s for. I can’t shave you with a dull razor. This one has a fine edge. Pa kept it clean and