Stephen’s Bride Read Free

wanted posters.”
    She allowed Mr. McCoy to escort her across the street and down a few stores to a small café. Now that she was halfway through her plan, all she could think about was eating. Her stomach gave a very unladylike growl.
    The café was small but bustling with diners. Mr. McCoy grabbed a table near the wall, which gave them a bit of privacy. He held out her chair and then sat across from her. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “So why does a beautiful woman like you feel the need to ask strangers in an unknown town to marry her?”
    Just then the waitress approached. “’Hello’, Stephen.” She cast a curious glance at Calliope. “What can I get for you two?”
    “I’ll have the meatloaf.” He looked at Calliope. “The meatloaf is very good, but so is everything else. In fact, the chicken and dumplings is the absolute best I’ve ever had.” He grinned at the waitress. “Don’t you dare tell Rosie I said that.”
    Rosie? Lord sakes. Did she just sit down to dinner with a man who accepted her proposal only to find out he was already married?
     

Chapter Two
     
    Stephen studied the young lady sitting across from him. She was beautiful. There was really no other word. Her auburn hair had probably been done up in some fancy style for what must have been her wedding day, but now it hung around her shoulders in riotous curls. Her green eyes looked out at the world with caution, but also with enough curiosity to make him believe there was an adventurous woman inside.
    Well, of course there was a boldness to her, since she had arrived on a stagecoach declaring she wanted a man to marry her. He had decided to wait until she had her supper before the necessary questioning started. He did fully intend to marry her, as promised, if that was indeed what she wanted, but first he needed a little bit more information from Miss Bender.
    Yes, as the sheriff said, he was probably plum crazy.
    He wiped his mouth on the napkin and folded it alongside his plate. “As you probably realized, there are a few questions I would like answered before we proceed.”
    She returned her fork to the table and set her hands in her lap. “Yes. I agree, Mr. McCoy.” She raised her chin. “There are several things I need to get straight, also.”
    “Very well, I will go first.” He gave himself a few minutes to compose his thoughts, noticing Miss Bender’s fingers fidgeting with the folds of her skirts.
    “Why are you obviously dressed for a wedding, yet arrived here in Bartlett Creek looking for a groom?”
    “The reason is precisely why I need to outline my plan for our . . . marriage.” She took a deep breath. “I need a man to marry me so I can avoid marrying the man who wants to marry me, because he thinks he is the only one I can get to marry me, and I don’t want to marry him,” she finished in a rush.
    Stunned into silence, Stephen dragged his hand down his face. “Can we start at the beginning?”
    Two very becoming red dots rose to her cheeks. “Yes. I agree. At the beginning.” She cleared her throat and wiggled in her seat, making him very aware of her sweet little body, thoughts he did not want to visit right now.
    “My father owned a very profitable and productive farm in Johnson County. We grow wheat and corn. Plus I have a splendid vegetable and herb garden that keeps us fed throughout the year. I have lived there my entire life and was very happy all those years. However, Papa died two months ago—“
    “—I’m sorry.”
    “Thank you,” She dipped her chin. “The farm was left to me, it said so in Papa’s will.” She began to fiddle with her napkin. “Last week my neighbor, Mr. Rupert Melrose, came by and informed me that I would be marrying him as he and my father had planned. He said I couldn’t take care of the farm by myself, so he and Papa agreed I would wed him when the time came.” She placed a finger near her eye to catch a tear. “We knew Papa’s