Page 4 of Mail Order Bride for the Scrooge

“You confirmed that you’re Gannon,” there’s a hint of sass in her voice which makes my cock throb behind the fly of my jeans. “Gannon Parsons, right?”

“That’s my name, but I don’t know anything about you being my bride.”

She narrows her eyes at me and steps up onto the porch, closing the distance between us without even a hint of fear on her face. I don’t know if she’s a little unhinged or if she just isn’t afraid of me.

There was a time when no one was afraid of me, back when I was growing up in Jasper Ridge. I had friends, even though my parents were crap. The town still accepted me and opened their hearts to me and my brother, Slade.

It wasn’t until after I came back from serving that I noticed a change in the people around me. I don’t think they were trying to be hurtful; I suspect they could see the broken pieces of me the same way I could feel them. People are still kind to me in town, but now they’re a little wary, like they aren’t sure if I’m going to snap at any moment.

The only people who treat me the exact same are Slade’s best friend’s parents, Elaine and Albert Lang. Hollis’ family basically took Slade in after I joined up and I’m grateful as hell they did. The whole reason I joined was to try and give Slade a better life than I had with my parents.

But none of that answers the question of why the hell this woman is standing in front of me now and what I’m going to do with her.

“Gannon, there was an ad,” she speaks slowly as if she’s talking to an animal which might lash out or bolt at any moment. She’s not far off. “I’m not sure how I came across it now, but I did. It was an ad for a former military man living in the mountains to find a bride. Someone who would be willing to live out in the middle of basically nowhere. Someone to build a life with, get married,” she blushes the prettiest shade of pink, “and, you know, all the other stuff that goes along with getting married.”

“Sex,” I deadpan, and Lake looks down at the wooden beams of my porch as she stands in front of me.

“That is part of being married,” Lake’s voice is a little defensive and I realize I need to stop being a dick.

“I didn’t put out an ad for a bride,” I tell her honestly.

I would fucking never. I haven’t considered being in a relationship in years. Being alone in the woods has suited me just fine since I’ve come back from the service. Adding another person to my world never even occurred to me.

Do I sometimes get lonely, especially with Slade off at college? Yes, but with Storm at my side it’s hard to be truly lonely.

I miss my brother. He’ll be graduating soon and will probably be drafted into the NFL in the spring. I’m glad he’s gotten to go to school and follow his dreams of playing professionally. It’s everything I wanted for him and the entire reason I went overseas.

Lake lets out an exasperated sigh. “I don’t know what to tell you, Gannon. I found an ad and responded with an email and a picture along with writing a little about myself. How else would I have found this place? It’s not exactly right off the main road or anything.”

I should tell her to turn around and go right back down my mountain. I should tell her I don’t want her here. Then she shivers a little and I realize how cold it is.

I’m being an asshole when I don’t need to be.

I step back into the house. “How about you come inside and warm up? Maybe we can get to the bottom of this,” I offer.

The smile she gives me is pure fucking sunshine and it has my heart pounding in my chest. As she walks by me, Storm following close behind, I get a hit of her scent—pears and ginger. I clench my fists at my sides to stop myself from reaching for her.

What the fuck is this woman doing to me?

It can’t be natural. I’ve never reacted this way to a woman.

For every one of my senses to be heightened because of a woman who shows up outside of my house and claims to want to marry me? Because of some ad?

It all seems too good to be true.

I come up behind Lake as she looks around the spacious living room with vaulted ceilings. The bottom floor is an open floor plan and the back wall, where the dining area and kitchen are, is a solid wall of windows. It makes for a perfect place to watch the snow come down in the winter.

I’m also partial to the spring showers and storms, but that’s just me. I find, when the outside weather feels like it matches my inner turmoil, I don’t hate the outside world quite as much.

“This place is gorgeous,” Lake breathes, and I stand up a little taller.

“Thank you. It took a lot of blood, sweat, and time, but I’m proud of it,” I admit and then frown. When was the last time I spoke this much to another person? And willingly. I don’t like it. My voice comes out harsh, “Do you have the ad, at least?”

Lake spins around, looks up at me and blinks her big brown eyes a few times. Her eyes are so fucking expressive. It’s one of the reasons I didn’t send her packing right back down the mountain. With eyes like hers, she couldn’t lie to me even if she tried.

The other reason I can’t bring myself to kick her out is that there’s something about her. Maybe it’s all in my head or the isolation is starting to get to me, but the thought of sending her away has fire licking along my skin and anger bubbling up to the surface.

I’m not pleased that someone has tried to meddle in my life, but it’s not lost on me that this woman feels like an angel sent by fate. I’m not so far gone I can’t recognize a gift when it’s handed to me.

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