Page 15 of The Bargain Bride

She spun around and marched out the front door. Dealing with their workers and fielding questions seemed preferable to hearing more from Delta. The housekeeper had practically raised them both after each of them lost their biological mothers. She did not hold anything back. Beth knew she would have to answer to her later. For now, she was going to hide with the horses.

Chapter Nine

The kitchen was exactly as he remembered. Jared's heart launched into his throat as his gaze swept over the familiar country decor: plaid tablecloth, an old-fashioned bread box on the counter, and a cow creamer that mooed when it was picked up. His mother's favorite plates were still on display on either side of the doorway. His father had built the thin wood shelves to showcase her collection, and Jared could still see her proud smile when she showed them off to visitors.

Without thinking, he sat in the chair that used to be his at every meal. Delta whipped up some eggs, rolled out fresh biscuits, and cooked bacon while singing in a lovely voice worthy of a Grammy award. Her songs took him back to childhood. Memories assaulted him from all sides, and a boulder settled in his stomach. He wanted to hide, but there was nowhere for him to go. Feeling totally exposed, he just sat there and let the memories overtake him.

He remembered when Beth came to live with them, how scared and sad she'd looked. He remembered teaching her about horses before he left for his first year of college. He remembered her kissing him the night Balefire died and how he'd responded with white-hot rage. The things he said to her were unforgivable. If he could unsay those words, he would. He wanted to atone for the hurt he'd caused that night. Giving her the ranch was a good start.

While Delta cooked, he made small talk with her. “How are things going around here business-wise?”

“Everything is good. Beth takes care of the horses and oversees the men. I take care of the household. We are a well-oiled machine.”

“Neither of you has asked for a raise or a higher budget to run the place since Big Jim died. That surprises me, especially with inflation the way it is.”

“Just because she doesn't ask for more money doesn't mean you shouldn't offer. That girl uses her own dime when we need something extra. She doesn't take vacations or sick days. I doubt she spends more than ten dollars a week on herself. She doesn't buy new clothes, doesn't go to the picture show, and she doesn’t date. All she does is work. The two of you are so alike it's scary.”

The thought caught him off guard.

Delta served him a breakfast big enough for five hungry men. She sat across from him with a steaming cup of coffee between her hands. Her eyes narrowed on him, but she didn't speak again until he dug into the food with his fork. “Are you going to tell me why you married our girl, or do I have to pull it out of you bit by bit?”

He sighed. “Delta—”

“All I know is, I worked for weeks to get this place ready for a wedding. Then I had to tell the guests that both the bride and groom had disappeared without a word. Since they were both gone, I assumed they had decided to elope because they couldn't face all those curious stares. Imagine my shock when you walked through the door as Beth's new husband. Pardon me if I'm a little miffed.”

He set his fork down, instantly losing his appetite. “You were okay with Beth marrying Simon?”

“Course not, and I told them so.” She reached across the table to pat his hand. “I thought it was dirty of them to try to sneak the ranch out from under you by tying the knot. They obviously weren't in love. Any fool could see that.”

“They may not have been in love, but they were definitely in a relationship.”

“I never saw anything.”

“Beth is pregnant.”

The color drained from Delta's face. “Are you sure?”

“Saw the pregnancy test with my own eyes, and I talked to Simon about it. That's why he took off. He couldn't face up to the responsibility.”

Delta's lips pursed. “Let me guess how it went from there. You stepped in as always and did the right thing. But is it the right thing? You are a married man now. You exchanged vows in front of the Lord, and I take that very seriously. I hope you do, too.”

He stiffened. “It's a marriage in name only.”

“So the two of you plan to make a mockery of this union right out the door?”

“I am giving her child its rightful name, and I am signing the ranch over to her. We'll stay married until after the baby is born. Then we'll get a divorce.” At Delta's sour expression, he added, “I'm sorry you find this all so offensive, but it's for the best.”

“I respectfully disagree. The best would have been not marrying someone you don't love. Marriage is sacred.”

“It's done. We're married. There's no point in arguing about it.”

He bolted to his feet and stalked over to the coffeepot to pour himself a second cup. Maybe caffeine would help him deal with Delta's loose form of logic.

“You’re right.” She stood up to face him head-on. “You are married, and there is an innocent child on the way. Perhaps the two of you could make it work. At least give it a shot.”

The suggestion shocked him more than finding out Beth was carrying his brother's child. “With all due respect, are you out of your freaking mind?”

“Parents used to arrange marriages for their children all the time. In some countries, they still do, and those relationships have been known to turn into real love matches. Give Beth a chance. She might surprise you.”

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