“And so you came here to marry me.” It was so preposterous he could hardly credit it, let alone relate the idea to the young woman standing before him. Audrey had always been quiet...reserved...sensible.
“It wasn’t like that.” Her chin lifted. “The letter had lain unopened for over two weeks. Had I responded in kind to explain what had happened, by the time you received my missive there would have been no time left for you to do anything to save your store and all you have invested.” Her shoulders squared. “So I’ve come to honor my sister’s promise.”
“To marry me.”
“Yes. And, as you just stated, there are only four days left for us to do so.”
Four days. “Audrey, I—”
“—think I’m insane.” She stepped closer. “I know it sounds mad, Blake. But I’ve thought it over quite carefully, and it’s the only way I can think of to save your store. The contract states that you must marry—not how you must conduct that marriage. Correct?”
The pain of Linda’s betrayal hit afresh. Bitter gall rose in his throat. “And how long would this pretense of a marriage go on?”
“Until you find another solution to your problem.”
“Until—That could take some time.”
Her gaze lowered to her satchel gripped in his hand. “I’m prepared to wait.”
His mind jolted backward, pulled up an image of her trunks sitting on the station platform. She was serious. She’d come prepared to stay. What sort of man did she think he was? She should have known he wouldn’t consider letting her do such a thing! He set his jaw, shook his head. “That’s generous of you, Audrey. But... Linda’s...behavior is not your responsibility.” His throat tightened at the taste of his beloved’s name on his tongue. “Nor is saving my store. That is my problem. I’m the one who signed the contract.”
“But you did so because of Linda’s promise.”
Of course I will marry you, Blake darling. I love you. Go to Wyoming. I will join you when you build our home. Our home. How wonderful that sounds! Pain constricted his chest at the memory of Linda’s words. He squeezed the satchel’s handle, fought down the urge to throw the case across the room.
“I can do nothing to ease your hurt over my sister’s betrayal, Blake. But I can do something to stop it from costing you your inheritance. I hope you will let me.”
The desperation in Audrey’s voice caught at him. He yanked his thoughts from the painful memory and fastened his gaze on her. “I’m sorry, Audrey. I can’t—”
“Please don’t refuse me! My plan will work, Blake.” She stepped close and peered up at him, her eyes imploring. “Surely you can see it is the only way to save your store! And it will only be for a short time.”
“You can’t know that.”
“I know that you are an intelligent, resourceful man. You will find a solution.”
He put down her satchel and scrubbed his hand across his eyes trying to think through the cloud of shock. “Your faith is misplaced, Audrey. I have no idea what that solution might be. I can’t think...” He drew in a ragged breath, swept his gaze around the store. “Perhaps, given some time, I might think of something, but... I don’t know...” He turned and stared out the window, jamming his hands into his suit jacket pockets. Pain jolted him at the touch of the ring. It was over. His love had chosen another. What did anything else matter? He might as well let Audrey have her way—whatever her reason. He pulled air into his aching chest and motioned for her to join him. “Do you see that small church, down a ways across the road?”
“Yes.”
He fingered the ring, forced out words. “That’s where Pastor Karl lives. He’s waiting to perform the ceremony that would have made your sister and me man and wife.” Bitterness swelled, drove him on. He pulled his hand from his pocket and looked down at her. “There is no place you can stay in Whisper Creek but upstairs in the living quarters with me, so be absolutely certain you want to do this, Audrey. We will have to marry immediately. There will be no opportunity for you to change your mind.” Like your sister. He waited for her answer, his jaw set, the vein at his temple drumming.
“I’ve had days to think about this plan, Blake. I’ve thought of nothing else since I read your letter and boarded the train in New York. I’ll not change my mind.”
Her voice was soft and steady. There was determination in the lift of her chin. He dipped his head in curt acceptance. “There’s one thing more. We will have to play the part of loving newlyweds in front of others. If Mr. Ferndale were to discover that the marriage is a pretense it might void the contract and your...kindness will have been in vain.” Her eyes widened, her posture stiffened. Clearly, she had not realized what her offer entailed. But he understood. He reached for her satchel to walk her back to the station.
“I understand. I shall do my best.”
He straightened, looked at her. It should have been Linda standing there—rushing into his arms... “Look, Audrey—”
“I’m not going home, Blake.” Her hazel eyes bored straight into his. “Not until you have solved the problem Linda has caused you with the store.”
The resolve in her eyes, her stiff posture—everything said she meant it. Well, he’d given her every chance to stop this foolish plan and go home. And she was right—marrying her was the only way to save his investment and not walk away from the store penniless. At least he would salvage something from the ruins of his hopes and plans for the future. And what did the marriage matter? The farce would be over soon enough. He’d think of something. “Very well, then.” He ignored the sickening ache in his chest, pushed her satchel aside and opened the door. “Let’s go. I don’t want to keep Pastor Karl waiting. And, remember...we’re supposed to be in love.”
* * *
May the Lord bless your union with many years of health and happiness.
The pastor’s parting words echoed in her mind with every step she took back to the store. Audrey stole a quick glance at Blake through her lowered lashes and wished she could say or do something that would ease his tension. But that was unlikely as she was the cause of that tension. She took a breath and glanced down at his hand holding her elbow, grateful for its support as she forced her shaky legs to climb the steps to the porch.
Blake released her elbow, led her inside and picked up her satchel. “This way.”
His voice sounded as if his throat had gravel in it. Her heart squeezed. How horrible for him to have had to endure that marriage ceremony with her when he’d just learned the woman he loved had wed another. She remembered the raw hurt when John had cast her aside to make an advantageous marriage. She bit back words of apology and commiseration and followed Blake into the dark interior. Sympathy would do no good. Words could not ease the pain of an aching heart.
She stole another glance at Blake, but the store was too dark and shadowed to see clearly. He led her through a door at the back into another, smaller room, his footsteps and the rustle of her skirt loud in the silence. How much effort it must have cost him to pretend to be a happy bridegroom when he was suffering from her sister’s betrayal. What inner strength he had! Even she hadn’t detected his hidden emotions until the pastor pronounced them man and wife, and he’d kissed her.
She raised her hand and touched her fingertips to her tender lips. Thankfully, the pastor had interpreted Blake’s vehemence as love, not anger. Tears stung the backs of her eyes. How he must have hated being forced to kiss her, to pretend—
“Wait a moment until I light the lamp,