The Wrangler's Wedding Pact by Kate Barker

Author:Kate Barker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-04-02T21:16:15+00:00

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“Paul, I’ll never get this. I can’t shoot this rifle.” She took the gun down from her shoulder. “It’s too hard to use the sight.” Charlotte’s eyes dropped and her mouth turned down. “Let’s quit for today. How many more branches can I aim at and miss? It’s embarrassing.”

He chuckled. “You’ve just started. You need more practice. That’s all. Can’t learn it in a day. You’re a teacher, so you know that.”

Paul strolled over and stood beside her. “You know mastering a new skill like reading or writing doesn’t happen on the first try. Come on, Lottie...a few more shots? Then we’ll call it quits for today.” He patted her shoulder, remembering trying to learn to read. If he’d had more time to practice, that would’ve helped. But the teachers hadn’t liked him disrupting their classes. The orphanage had started hiring him out after he learned to write his name.

“It’s hot out here,” she groused. “Isn’t there a shady spot to practice?” she asked, glancing around. With one hand on the gun, she used her other hand to wipe her brow with the kerchief she pulled from her skirt pocket. “I’m parched. I need a drink.”

Paul retrieved the canteen from a low-hanging branch and handed it to her. She swallowed a few drops, poured a little on her kerchief and scrubbed at her neck. “That feels good.”

Charlotte squared her shoulders and hoisted the rifle again. She put her hands on the firearm the way Paul had instructed. She closed one eye and tried to see the tree limb he pointed to as her target.

He stepped behind her. Her arms quivered.

“Are you nervous?” He stared into the long hair hanging loose over her back. He liked that she wore it down once in a while now.

She started to move. With a light touch he rested his hands on her shoulders. “Don’t turn around. Are you afraid? You’re trembling.”

“No. I’m not scared.” She paused. “I’m not used to holding this kind of weight at this angle. I’m not strong enough to keep the gun steady.”

He moved closer. “I’ll help you. It takes some getting used to.”

He inhaled that rose scent. She sure wasn’t what he’d expected. When she stepped off that stage, shock and disappointment had flooded his heart and mind. She was beautiful. She unnerved him. It terrified him to think another captivating woman could rip his and Emma’s life right in half.

The annulment agreement guaranteed they’d split when this journey ended. No wondering if he’d be fooled, no wondering if this relationship would last, no wondering if it could be more than it was. No broken hearts from an unanticipated departure. They both knew what would happen at the end of the month.

Friendship. Nothing more.

He slipped his hands under her arm and elbow. “Rest in my hands. I’ll hold you steady.”

Charlotte sucked in her breath and answered with a mumbled, “Okay.”

“Lottie, open your eyes. How can you shoot with your eyes closed?” He chuckled. “Pretend I’m a fence post you’re leaning the gun on.

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