Fugitive Fiancée Read Free Page B

thick slab of bread from the loaf and handed it to her.
    So Garrett didn’t take orders or compliments well, Mimi thought as she watched him cut a slice of bread for himself. He didn’t take kindly to finding stray brides in his barn, either, judging by his earlier reaction.
    He looked up and caught her staring at him again. “Eat.”
    Her cheeks warmed, and she immediately dropped her gaze to her bowl. She sensed that Garrett, like his adorable dog, was all bark and no bite. The little black schnauzer had growled ferociously at her when she’d first stepped foot on the ranch. Of course, the pup had ruined his guard-dog act by licking her ankles and rolling over on his back for a belly rub.
    Not that his master could be so easily pacified. An unbidden image of Garrett licking her ankles flashed in her mind, and Mimi choked on her stew. Heat washed up her face as Garrett looked at her.
    â€œAre you all right?”
    â€œFine,” she replied, hoping he’d blame the steaming stew for the fiery flush on her cheeks.
    To make matters worse, he pushed away his emptybowl, then leaned back in his chair and slowly rubbed one hand over his taut stomach. Maybe he enjoyed belly rubs as much as his dog.
    She tried to swallow the giggle bubbling up her throat, but it erupted in a very unladylike snort. He scowled at her, and Mimi didn’t know what to do. Laugh? Cry? Both seemed equally tempting at the moment.
    But now was not the time to become hysterical. She could save her tears for later. It wasn’t proper for a dinner guest to weep over her food. So instead she took a deep, calming breath and endeavored to make polite dinner conversation.
    â€œThis bread is delicious.” Mimi had never baked bread in her life, but she knew after the first succulent bite that it was homemade. Still warm from the oven, the bread was crusty on the outside and tender on the inside.
    â€œVenna made it.”
    â€œVenna?” Mimi wiped her buttery fingers on her paper napkin. “Is she your cook?”
    â€œNope.”
    She waited for him to elaborate, but he turned his gaze to the fireplace. His silence only made her more curious. Mimi wasn’t naturally nosy, but for some reason, this man intrigued her more than most. Maybe because he didn’t know anything about her or her illustrious family. He wasn’t trying to impress her or charm her or do anything to draw himself closer to the Casville fortune.
    He might even like her if he got to know her. Like her for herself, instead of what her family’s money and power might do for him.
    She spooned up more stew. “Then she must be your fairy godmother.”
    That got his attention. He turned his gaze from the fire to her. “What?”
    â€œThis mysterious Venna. I thought she might be some kind of fairy godmother who magically makes fresh-baked bread appear on your table every evening.”
    He scowled. “There’s nothing mysterious about her. Venna Schwab was the woman in the barn.”
    â€œThe woman you were hiding from?”
    â€œI wasn’t hiding,” he said, not quite meeting her gaze. “I just don’t happen to like unexpected company.”
    She chose to ignore the innuendo. “Why? I’d think a person would get pretty lonely way out here—with nothing but cows and coyotes to keep you company.”
    â€œThat’s the way I like it,” he countered. “Although a ranch is no place for a city girl like you.”
    She blanched. “How did you know?”
    â€œI can spot a city girl a mile away. Not many women out here waste money on a fancy manicure.” He motioned to her polished pink fingernails. “Or wear silly shoes like the ones you’ve got on.”
    She lifted her feet a few inches off the floor. “These silly shoes happen to be imported from Italy. They’re designer originals!”
    â€œWell, they’re not worth two bits out here. Between the