Page 50 of Wagon Train Redemption
“Think about it. We know each other. I’m sure you trust me at least a little. Maybe you can even learn to like me. I like you.”
She opened her mouth to protest, perhaps to point out that he’d spoken unkind words about her in the past.
He didn’t give her a chance to speak. “Whatever foolish thing I said about you when you first came, I repent of it. I know you are a good, kind, well-spoken woman.”
She stared. Opened her mouth, closed it again, and suddenly found her tongue. “Well-spoken, am I?”
“Yup. And kind and good. Don’t forget that.”
“I’m not about to. But, Carson, what if you find someone else and fall in love with them? What happens to our partnership?”
He caught her hands. “Have you ever known me to go back on my word or heard of it?” Even if they hadn’t been around each other much, she must have heard positive things from his family.
“No, but?—”
“I never have, and I never will. I know you find it difficult to trust, but can’t you trust me for this?”
“It’s hard.” Her throat worked as if the wordtrustwas impossible even to say.
“So you’ve said. I share the sentiment to a degree. Especially when it comes to a situation that involves Bertie. And marriage certainly will do that. But you already accept my brother.” He paused, letting his statement sink in. “Don’t you want a home? A place of your own? Don’t you want to be part of building a future together?” He squeezed her hands. “You and I. Doesn’t that excite you? It does me. I can see us working together. If not literally side by side, then at least pulling toward the same goal.”
“What would that goal be?” Her hands trembled, and an undercurrent of uncertainty quivered within his grip.
“A home. A new life.” Why didn’t the idea appeal to her as much as it did him?
She searched his gaze. He let her see his fine intentions. His desire for good—no, the best—for both of them.
“Marry you?” The words squeaked from her.
“Yes. Marry me.”
She rubbed her lips together, brought her gaze back to his, and then nodded. “I accept.”
He could have wished for more excitement in her response, but it was only a partnership after all. How best could they seal the deal? With a faint smile, he pulled her into his arms. That seemed appropriate considering the step they had agreed to take.
At first, she was stiff. But of course, this was unfamiliar to her. And then she sighed and relaxed against his chest.
He rested his chin atop her head. She fit just right, surely indicating a good thing for their partnership. A chuckle rumbled in his chest at his odd assessment of her height.
Of course, the sound made her step back, fold her arms across her middle, and give him a quizzical look.
The chuckle rumbled again, tickling his insides. He explained his silly thoughts to her. When she laughed, his amusement swelled up his throat.
Her smile disappeared, replaced by a serious expression.
“What’s wrong?” Had his reaction to their agreement offended her?
“What are we going to say to Ma and the others?” The tips of her fingers clutched at her sleeve.
He sobered too. “I hadn’t thought of it. But why not the truth?”
She gasped. “That we’ve agreed to a marriage of convenience?”
“I prefer to think of it as a marriage partnership.”
She waved away his defense. “Either way, isn’t she going to be upset if we tell her?” Angela’s throat worked. “I’m sure she’d like to see her son married for love.”
“And I have decided it’s safer to marry for practical reasons.” It made sense to him. Wasn’t that enough?
