Page 16 of A Steadfast Heart
Tonight, when he’d tucked Tillie into bed, her hair had been tangled beyond his ability to tame it. Kind of like his life.
Kaitlyn looked up now, a hint of her earlier stubbornness in the way her lips pressed together. “What if we can help each other?”
She was a complete surprise. Showing up like she had. Pitching in to help. With the butchering and with dinner—Nick had told him in a low voice that she’d charmed Tillie into eating her supper and taken it upon herself to clean up after.
There was too much work to go around. Too little of him. She’d been right about the children’s education, about Jo growing up before his eyes. It was why he’d tried to make a match with Leona.
“So you’d be willing to marry a stranger to avoid your brother’s choice?”
Silence stretched for a long moment before she gave one brief nod. What kind of choice had her brother made for her?
“And you’re not looking for love? Because I can tell you, you won’t find it here.”
Amanda had taught him that lesson. He had nothing to give a woman, especially not a woman like Kaitlyn.
Her fingers paused on the washboard. “I don’t need love. A little kindness might not hurt.”
He smothered a smile. She didn’t mind calling him out, but that was a good thing. His kids would run right over someone who didn’t have a backbone. “It’s a deal, then. Escape and kindness for you. Help with the kids for me.”
She looked at him, her cheeks growing red. “I can’t stay here unless—I mean, there’s, um, no other women.”
He felt his own cheeks warm. “There’ll be a wedding, but no marriage. This is a business deal we’ll both profit from. Nothing more.”
Chapter4
What have I done?
Early the next morning, Kaitlyn looked around the bare room where she’d passed the night. No pictures on the rough wooden walls. A single window that needed a good scrubbing. If she went through with this marriage, she would be trapped out here in the Wyoming wilderness.
But Michael would hold no power over her once she saidI do.
Drew would.
She got out of bed, trying not to trip over the hem of her borrowed nightgown. She picked up a handful of extra fabric, but the hem still brushed against her ankles.
Last night, Drew had escorted her to his room and told her it was hers now. He’d sleep downstairs with David. Some of his first wife’s things were in the bottom drawer of the bureau, he’d said. Kaitlyn could use what she needed.
There’d been several awkward moments with him standing out on the landing and her inside the room. This morning, she had to wonder whether he was still in love with the woman who’d worn this very nightgown. He’d certainly made it clear he had no interest in Kaitlyn.
And you’re not looking for love? Because I can tell you, you won’t find it here.
His words from last night had given her pause. She’d been so concerned about escaping Michael’s grasp that she hadn’t fully considered what it meant to marry a near-stranger. Drew seemed determined that this would be a business deal, no emotions involved.
She hadn’t thought about it in a long time—not since girlhood dreams had faded—but she’d always imagined having a family of her own. A husband who loved her.
Was this business deal worth what she would give up?
What choice did she have?
Kaitlyn hiked her chin.
She wasn’t looking for love, was she? Being needed was better. People didn’t throw away what they needed.
Bickering voices filtered through from the kitchen, interrupting her thoughts.
Kaitlyn threw on her traveling dress and shoes, then quickly put up her hair. She’d never thought she’d be grateful for Michael’s spendthrift ways, but at least his inability to pay staff meant she knew how to help with the work around here.
Two girls’ voices rose higher as Kaitlyn descended the stairs. Knots curled in her belly. She knew how to manage the cleaning and cooking, but her main job was caring for the children. She’d been shocked yesterday at how wild they’d seemed. Surely the memories that had plagued her as she’d tossed and turned in the unfamiliar bed had exaggerated just how rowdy and improper the children had acted.
