A Drifter's Fortune (Love's A Gamble #2) by Kay P. Dawson

Author:Kay P. Dawson [Dawson, Kay P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical, Romance, Women's Fiction, Victorian, 19th Century, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Love Possibility, Frontier & Pioneer, Western, Hearts Desire, American West, Clean & Wholesome, Christian, Faith, Inspirational, Love Inspired, Mail-Order Bride, Love's A Gamble, Series, Family Life, Younger Brother, Protection & Safety, Newletter Ad, Last Chance Ranch, Eccentric, Six Months, Finding Fortune
Publisher: Kay Dawson
Published: 2016-10-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

She pulled her legs up tight and tucked them beneath her skirt, leaning her chin on her knees as she wrapped her arms around them. The creek trickled by softly and she let the soothing sound calm her heart as she watched it work its way over the rocks that were determined to stop it from flowing past.

She felt a lot like the water, plain and ordinary, with nothing really dazzling to offer the world. And everywhere she went, it seemed there were stones and obstacles that tried to slow her down and stop her.

A wet nose reached around and touched her cheek, followed by a tongue that licked a tear away. Smiling, she turned her head to give Buster a pat on the head. Of course, Junior was right beside him, demanding she give him some attention too.

Her brother walked over and sat beside her, not saying anything. She'd known as soon as she saw the animals, Mark wouldn't be far behind.

“You all right, Patience?” His voice seemed to have grown deeper since they arrived.

She offered him a weak smile. “I'm fine. Just needed some time to myself. It's been such a hard week, leaving the Thompson’s, moving here and then getting married. It's a lot to take in.” Buster was nudging her with his nose, trying to lie down and wanting to put his head on her lap.

Mark didn't say anything as he picked up a rock and threw it at the water. They both watched as it skipped across on top before sinking.

“What did Dirk and that woman say to you?”

Her stomach somersaulted as she realized he must have seen the exchange. She didn't think anyone else had noticed, but had been embarrassed enough that Harris and Henry had been there to see it.

She shrugged. “Nothing really. They just pointed out that perhaps Harris was stuck with me, and would have married anyone when I arrived. Apparently, he needed me to marry him so quickly because it was part of a wager the men out here were all hoping to win. The prize was the deed to this ranch and the fortune that the man who built it left in his will.”

Mark went silent again, so she turned her eyes to look at him. He was clenching his jaw tightly, and she could see the muscles moving as he ground his teeth together.

“Mark, we knew it was something out of the ordinary for him to be advertising for a bride so quickly, without corresponding first. And we knew he'd said I was only obligated to stay for six months. Apparently, that's part of the stipulations.” She looked down at the dog whose ears she was scratching while he slept on her lap.

“It's not like he lied to me.” Her words didn't come out as strong as she'd hoped they would.

The truth was, she was hurt, and she didn't even understand why.

She'd been humiliated when Jane had said those things, and even when Dirk had mentioned about Harris needing to buy her a dress.

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