Page 38 of The Rancher's Second-Choice Wife

God, why?

The last time he had spoken to God, Valerian had been a boy whose innocence had yet to shatter. His mother’s death changed all of that. He had seen no reason to even think of God until now.

Why, God?

Valerian was too fucked up for words while Poppy was too good for this world.

So why?

Why had God allowed her to enter his life?

“Valerian, p-please. Promise me. P-please”

It almost felt like a fucking sin just being with her. Touching her. Holding her. Honor demanded that he get out of her life before he ended up hurting her even more, whether deliberately or unintentionally.

But instead, he heard himself ask, “Do you still want to know how to make me feel better?”

Poppy pulled away and looked at him searchingly. “You know I do.”

“Tomorrow then. You’ll find out why I asked you to fly here, and afterwards...you can make your decision.”

“What do I need to decide on?”

“Whether you still want to make me feel better or not.”

Chapter Seventeen

POPPY WAS A MESS.

For the nth time.

But unlike previous instances, she had butterflies instead of mosquitoes or something similarly horrible buzzing around inside her stomach.

She had been up early in the morning trying to figure out what Valerian had in store for her. All he had been willing to tell her last night was that she needed to dress up and that Joel would help her with anything she needed.

“Oh my.”

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