Big Sky Rancher Read Free Page A

stood as she gained the bottom step. “Ma’am? Are you lookin’ for my pa?”
    â€œIs he home?” Lucas asked. “He said he’d be here this morning.”
    â€œYessir, he is,” the boy answered. “I’ll go get him.”
    Behind him, the screen door opened and a young man greeted them both. “Come on in, Luc. I’m assuming this young lady is the bride. Am I right?”
    Lucas nodded, even as Jennifer shook her head.
    â€œWell,” the preacher said with a laugh, “I think you’ll have to agree on this before we perform the ceremony.”
    â€œWe’ll agree,” Lucas promised him, and once more gripped Jennifer’s elbow, turning her to face him. “Go on inside, Preacher. We’ll be right there.”
    The dark-clad man of the cloth smiled and stepped back inside the house, his son following close behind, probably at the urging of Lucas’s threatening glare.
    â€œNow, let’s have no more foolishness,” Luc snarled at Jennifer. “We’re getting married, and that’s that. You made a promise and you’ll live up to it. I’ll see to it, ma’am.” His lower lip protruded a bit and his eyes narrowed as he spoke. No longer a deep blue color, they darkened beneath his lowered lids to a cast reminding Jennifer of midnight.
    â€œYou can’t make me marry you,” she sputtered, aware of his proximity, his muscular frame and the scowl he bent her way.
    â€œAh, but I can,” he returned softly. “All I have to do is take you home and spend a few hours with you alone in my house. Maybe all night would be better, now that I think of it.” His smile was feral as he bent closer. “By morning you’d be about as ruined as any young woman can get, and primed for a wedding ring.” He pursed his lips and then grinned.
    â€œWe can do this the easy way and march in there to face the preacher, or we can do it my way. I’m not about to bicker over it. I’d just as soon bed you beforehand, but I’m giving you the choice.”
    â€œSome choice,” Jennifer said. “Maybe we should see if the preacher is willing to marry a woman who’s changed her mind.”
    â€œThat settles it,” Lucas said, turning her from the porch, hustling her back to the wagon. “We’ll do it my way.”
    Jennifer skidded to a halt, her feet dragging against the gravel path. Dark brows lowered as Lucas looked down at her. “Changed your mind?” he asked. “Ready to say your vows right now?”
    â€œWhy don’t you just take me back to the hotel and I’ll stay there till the next stage comes through and I’ll be out of your way?”
    â€œNot a chance,” he muttered. “I sent for a bride, paid the agency good money to get you here, invested a bundle in your fare and got my place all fixed up for you. You’ll marry me, Jennifer Alston.”
    She wilted, her stamina fading, her staunch will daunted by his words. She’d promised, true enough. She’d accepted his money for travel, for her food and lodging on the journey and now was committed to fulfilling her part of the bargain. Besides, returning to New York and the dubious welcoming committee of one awaiting her there was no choice at all, really. Having to face Kyle again was reason enough to marry this man. Remembering the lustful expression of her pursuer made her shiver even now. And so she only nodded, her lips firm, her teeth clenched as she faced her choices.
    â€œAll right.” As simply as that, she accepted her future,faced the man she’d promised to wed and pledged herself to go through with that bargain.
    If relief touched his gaze, she ignored it, unwilling to accept that he had ever doubted her response. He knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that she would fall in with his plans. He’d held the upper hand all along, and well she understood her position. For she