Their Tempting Bride by Lacey Davis
17
Early the next morning, Martin observed Daniel as he watched his father ride away. Part of him felt sad, but he knew his partner made the right decision. Daniel's place was here in Bridgewater with his bride and him.
“Are you sad to see him go?” Martin asked. As for himself, he didn’t miss his father, but sometimes he would have enjoyed seeing his sister again.
“Not really. He really pushed me yesterday and that’s not the right life for me. Being here with you and Georgia is where I’m meant to be. I have no doubts.”
Martin nodded, but talking about their past last night and having Georgia make them promise that there would be no more secrets between them, bothered him. Daniel had paid off her father’s debts, and last night, he had not told Georgia. This morning, it sat like a heavy burden on Martin’s chest.
“Why didn’t you mention the truth to her last night?”
A frown crossed Daniel’s face and his brows drew together. Martin knew he was in a mess.
“I’m worried. If she ever learns I paid off her father’s debts, she’s going to be angry. She’s going to think I bought her and I didn’t. All I did was keep her father out of trouble and Mr. Bartlett hopefully away.”
There were standing outside and one of the men from Bridgewater rode by. They lifted their hats to say hello.
Uneasiness spread through Martin. Somehow he had to convince Daniel it was best to tell her the truth.
“Maybe you should tell her why you did it. Maybe you should explain to her that this was the only way that you could save her father and mother and keep Mr. Bartlett at bay. I just fear she’s going to learn someone else’s version of the truth.”
Daniel rubbed his face. “It’s just that we had that drama with my father. I’d like for the next few days with Georgia to be peaceful. What if I tell her this weekend? That way we can have the rest of the week to explore and share our wife.”
Martin didn’t like putting off the truth, but Daniel was right that his father’s visit had been tumultuous and trying. “As long as you tell her soon.”
“I will this weekend,” he promised. “So what do you think of our wife? Do you think marrying her was a good idea?”
Martin grinned. “It's the best decision we’ve ever made. I still worry that if something were to happen to you, I couldn’t take care of her. It’s hell only having half a leg.”
“Well, hopefully I’m going to be around a while. But I’ve seen you use a gun. You’re not being confidant. You’re stronger than most men I know. If you had to, you could protect Georgia just fine.”
A sigh escaped from Martin. His friend was right, but that didn’t mean he still didn’t worry. He would take his last breath defending Georgia.
“I hope you’re right,” he told Daniel.
They started toward the house. The smell of bacon frying and eggs cooking drifted through the door. “She’s becoming a very good cook.”
“Yes,” Martin said, thinking of all the dishes she had burned that Daniel didn’t know about.
“This morning I put in the next to last plug. We’ll soon be able to take her at the same time.”
Martin’s heart beat a little faster. He could hardly wait to share her, for them to both claim her at once. “Do you think she’s ready?”
Daniel shrugged. “I think so. If not, we’ll get bigger plugs.”
“Did you think when we built this house that we would soon be filling it with a wife, children? Laughter?”
As they walked through the door, Daniel smiled at him. “Not this quickly. But she’s the best decision we’ve made.”
Suddenly there was a scream from the kitchen and they both hurried through the door. It took Martin a little longer to arrive, but the sight he saw had him laughing. “What happened?”
Tears welled in their woman’s eyes. “The pancake bowl slipped out of my hands, flew up in the air, and landed on me.”
Pancake batter dripped from her face, her dress, and was in a puddle on the floor. Martin rushed over and took her in his arms and held her. So did Daniel.
“Who needs breakfast,” Daniel said. “I think we should take you upstairs and clean you up.”
“That’s an excellent idea,” Martin said. “We have the house to ourselves. We can make as much noise as we want.”
Georgia wiped the pancake batter from her face. “But don’t you need to go into town?”
“That can wait,” Daniel said. “I’d much rather spend time with my wife.”
“Me too,” Martin said. “Let’s play hooky.”
