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Chapter One
Adam
I drew in a ragged breath, wondering for the hundredth time what the fuck I was doing. I mean, I knew what I was doing. I just had to keep reminding myself why I was doing it.
“Is the bride on her way?” the minister asked politely, looking uncomfortably hot in his suit.
The fire burning merrily in the grate didn’t help, pouring heat into the already stifling room, but Cora was cold, so the fire was for her benefit—as was this charade of a wedding.
“She’ll be here any minute,” Cora replied with a serene smile.
I took another deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. Agreeing to marry Belle had seemed like the right thing to do a few days ago, but now it seemed fucking insane. I wasn’t in love with my soon-to-be wife. Hell, I’d never been in love, never even thought about getting married, but there was no way I could say no to Cora when she’d come to me for help. She was the closest thing I had to a mother since I’d lost my parents in a car accident in my early teens.
So here I stood, in the large drawing-room of the main ranch house, about to sign away the next ten months of my life to give Cora the peace of mind she so desperately craved.
I slid a finger into the collar of my shirt, trying to loosen the unforgiving cotton. I rarely wore a suit. This one was almost strangling me. As ranch co-owner, my working day called for jeans and t-shirts, which were a damn sight more comfortable than this getup.
“Don’t be nervous,” Cora murmured from the chair next to me.
She was looking frailer than ever. The cancer was in her bones now, and it was hollowing her out, sucking the life from her. She was dying. Which was the only reason I was here, honoring her final wish.
“Easy for you to say,” I muttered. “I’m marrying a girl I haven’t seen for years.”
“She’s not a girl anymore, Adam. My granddaughter has grown up a lot since you last saw her. And believe me, I know the sacrifice you’re making, and I can’t thank you enough,” Cora said, her sharp blue eyes focused on me. “I can’t tell you what it means to me to know that Belle and the ranch will be safe once I’m gone.”
Shit. Losing Cora wasn’t something I wanted to think about today. Not any day. Too fucking painful.
“She’s late,” I said gruffly, changing the subject.
“Bride’s prerogative,” Cora replied, her mouth twitching with a smile.
Cora’s granddaughter, Belle, had moved away with her mother, Jolie, and her stepfather, Robert, when she was sixteen. That was four years ago. Two weeks ago, Jolie had committed suicide. God alone only knew what Belle was going through, yet here we were, about to get hitched. This whole situation was beyond bizarre, but it was what Cora wanted.
“You sure she’s going to go through with it?” I asked under my breath.
“Yes. She knows the situation. She understands why all of this is necessary. She trusts Robert even less than I do—which is not at all,” Cora said, referring to Belle’s stepfather. “He’s already instructed his lawyers to contest my will. Jolie left everything to him, including her share in this house and its land. I won’t let that happen. This marriage will ensure it stays with you and Belle if I die before she turns twenty-one,” she said with a weary sigh.
The last few weeks had taken a lot out of Cora. She’d traveled the three hours to Medicine Bow for Jolie’s funeral and to bring Belle home. They’d arrived back late last night, so I hadn’t even seen Belle yet.
“You never know,” Cora turned her head to smile at me, “you might just like being married.”
I opened my mouth to put her straight when the door opened, and my gaze landed on a vision in white.
Holy fuck.
“Belle?” Her name was out of my mouth before I realized it.
This wasn’t the Belle I remembered. She’d left here a skinny teenager with glasses and braces. The goddess before me bore little resemblance to that girl. She was all woman. Long, blonde hair secured in some fancy braid. Gorgeous blue eyes set in an elfin face and, shit, she’d filled out in the most delectable way. She wasn’t wearing a traditional wedding dress, but the white pencil skirt and gauzy blouse were a nod to tradition and showcased her curves to perfection.
“Close your mouth, Adam,” Cora murmured, her blue eyes dancing with delight.
I snapped my mouth closed. If I’d had doubts about this wedding before, they’d just tripled on seeing Belle.
“Hey, Grams,” she said, moving into the room and bending to hug Cora.
Her soft voice went straight to my cock, which was lengthening uncomfortably in my suit pants.
“Good morning, sweet girl,” Cora replied, returning Belle’s hug with as much enthusiasm as her frail body would allow.
