“I’m not pregnant.”
She stopped.Counted off the days in her head, then checked her math.No.
“I’m not pregnant.”
She couldn’t tell if he was relieved or annoyed, or a combination of both, by the news.
“You would rather marry a poor cowboy than return home and live with your mother?You’re sure?”he demanded.
“I’m sure.”
“Very well.Jayce has offered to pay mahr for you, but I wanted to hear from you first that this is what you want before I accept it,” he said.
Jayce had offered mahr for her, even though it wasn’t part of his culture.The gesture warmed her heart.Maybe he couldn’t flirt, but he knew how to earn her affection and win her brother’s respect.
But Jayce wasn’t rich.That was concerning.She hoped Adeel hadn’t robbed him.
“How much did he offer?”she asked.
Adeel remained standing.
He wasn’t a tall man, but he was imposing.“Coincidentally, he made the exact same offer for you as Eli Chamas did.Twenty-five million dollars.”
“Is that a lot of money?”She hadn’t figured out the value of certain things yet.
One million dollars wasn’t enough to rent real Mexicans for a week.What might a Djitanian wife cost an American husband?She was going to have to learn about finances if she wanted to be a proper ranch wife.
Adeel smiled.“Yes, Malika.That’s a lot of money.More than Aisha received, and she received many offers.”
Jayce had paid a lot of money for her.
The rush of pleasure faded as fast as it rose.He didn’t have a lot of money, because his father was using the available funds from the ranch to buy bison and build a barn.Adeel had taken advantage of him.
If managing household finances was to become her responsibility, then this was a good place to start.They were not going to begin their marriage in debt to her brother.
“The mahr is mine.I want it,” she said.
Adeel lost his smile.“It’s only yours if you’re widowed or divorced.”
“According to Djitanian law.The laws are different here, and I’m not obliged to return to your household if something should happen to Jayce.”
“Or if he throws you out.”Adeel frowned.“Very well.The money is yours.But if I give it to you, you are no longer my responsibility, Malika.”He let the warning hang in the air long enough for her to understand that he meant it.“I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I do.”
She couldn’t restrain herself any longer.Happiness burst through the seams of her gingham dress.She threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek.
“I love you, Adeel.”
Almost as much as she loved her American cowboy.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jayce
“You’re kidding me,”Tilly said.
But she did as Jayce asked, even though she obviously thought he was crazy.
