Page 29 of A Groom for Heather
“Is that what this is about? You’re angry because some pastor wants you to marry again?”
“I want to marry for love. Not just because some …nincompoopsays I have to.”
“Nincompoop? Is that what you called him?”
“I admit it wasn’t my finest hour, but he deserved it. And now Mr. Cairn…” she stopped talking and grabbed her skirt, kneading the fabric in her fingers.
“Mr. Cairn what?”
“It’s nothing. He’s helping me with a legal matter.”
“Is there anything I can help with?”
“I want to adopt the children before I leave for Philadelphia. I’m trying to get the papers through, but the legal process is taking a while.”
“What’s stopping it?”
“I guess they don’t want a widowed woman adopting two children. No matter the circumstances.”
“What do they want?”
“Mr. Cairns said it would be easier if I got married.”
“Then why don’t you?”
“Didn’t you hear anything? Pastor Collins is trying to force marriage and now Mr. Cairns says I need to get married to keep my family.”
“So do it. You are going to have to release your pride, Heather. Think of the children.”
“I can’t get married. I didn’t answer any of the letters.”
“What letters?”
“After our husbands perished, we put an advertisement in the paper seeking mail order grooms.”
Dalton laughed. “That’s a first.”
“I was a mail-order bride. Why can’t a man move west to marry a woman?”
“I don’t see why he couldn’t.”
“I was afraid I’d never find someone like Jackson.”
“You don’t have to find someone like Jackson. You just have to find someone. Maybe marry for convenience. You get what you want, which is a husband so you can adopt those children. The man gets something he wants.”
“But I don’t want to be married.”
“That’s why it is called a marriage of convenience.”
“Hmmm. It doesn't matter. No one is coming to marry me and therefore I must leave town.”
“I think we are back to the pride issue again. Are you leaving town so you don’t have to get married? Or are you leaving town because you don’t want to have to see Pastor Collins after calling him a nincompoop?”
“You know nothing, Dalton.”
“I know more than you think I know.” He gave her a wink. “Hand me my coat?”
“Oh!” Heather said, reaching inside the door and grabbing his coat from the first hook. She walked down the steps and Dalton grabbed her hand as she handed him the jacket. He held onto her for a moment longer than necessary, allowing his thumb to gently caress the back of her hand. Her eyes snapped to his. The blue orbs turning into liquid pools as she gazed at him.
