Page 223 of Conveniently Wed
“My aunt says she isn’t set on going to her sister in Washington Territory. In fact, she says they have never gotten along.”
Stella shifted so she could see Bruce out of the corner of her eyes. “Why are you telling me this?”
He stared into the distance. “There are certain advantages to a marriage.”
Her insides crackled with uncertainty. She must move. She walked toward the corrals.
He followed. “We could both benefit from an arrangement between us.”
They reached the fence, and she leaned against the rails, welcoming the steadiness of the solid wood. “You’re suggesting we get married?” Somehow, she managed to keep her words firm.
“It would give my aunt the permanent home I’ve promised her and give your children the same.”
Stella considered what Donny had said. If Bruce would agree to a marriage in name only… “What would you expect in this agreement?”
They faced each other. He had a good face. One she wouldn’t grow weary of. His dark blue eyes pierced her gaze. She felt the power behind his look. She held his look as she waited for his response.
He inhaled loudly. “You’re asking about the marriage bed?”
“I am.” Her cheeks burned, but this was something they must be clear about. If she married him, he would have the right to demand certain things. If that was his intention she wasn’tinterested in an arrangement. She rushed on with her words. “If I marry you, I am only doing so for the benefit of the children and your aunt.”
“A marriage in name only?”
If she knew him better, she might judge if the calm way he spoke hid anger or something less volatile.
“There are three bedrooms in the house. The children could sleep with me in mine. Your aunt could have the middle one and you, the third.”
His gaze went on and on, revealing nothing.
“Sounds fine to me,” he said, after several heavy heartbeats.
“One more thing.”
His eyebrows rose.
“I would expect you to stay.”
His eyebrows went further. “And why wouldn’t I? Seems to me marriage is a promise to always be there.”
“I want the children to know the farm will always be their home.”
“Aunt Mary deserves the same.”
They studied each other, two wary adversaries wondering if it was time to agree to a truce.
He was the first to break the tense silence. “A marriage in name only? And a promise to stay? Anything else?”
“That about covers it.” She ignored the way her tumbling feelings made her dizzy. “What matters to me is giving my children a permanent home.”
“My aunt has lived in the same house her entire life. I want to give her that kind of home. As for me, well, I’ve been homeless before, and I could do it again.”
I could do it again.Stella heard the warning. Hopefully, he’d stay long enough for her to be able to manage on her own. “It’s more of a business arrangement than anything.” She let the statement end in a question.
“Agreed.”
She thought of the conditions she had insisted on. “Perhaps you have something you want to add.”
“I have only one condition. Aunt Mary will always have a home there.”
