Strong-Willed Cowboy (The Buckskin Brotherhood #5) - Vicki Lewis Thompson Page 0,2
ahead. It breaks my heart.”
Her distress broke his. “I have a bank account, been saving a while, but from what you’re saying, it wouldn’t—”
“I’m not asking for money.”
“What, then?”
“Have I ever told you about my Aunt Lilith?”
“Doesn’t ring a bell.”
“She’s my mom’s wealthy sister. Never had kids but her circle of friends all have at least one and they brag about them constantly. Aunt Lilith appropriated Ginny and me as surrogate kids she could brag about.”
“Could she cover Ginny’s expenses?”
“Easily. Ginny won’t ask because she knows there’d be strings attached. She made Mom promise not to ask. I guess they assumed I wouldn’t, either. But I did. And she agreed.”
“With strings attached?”
“Oh, yeah. She hated my scandalous divorce, but she really hates that I won’t repair my reputation by finding a new husband.”
His chest tightened. He wasn’t going to like what came next.
“She’ll pay for Ginny’s med school if I…” Her voice faltered. “Rafe, will you marry me?”
Chapter Two
Rafe looked like he’d been sucker punched. The breath whooshed out of him and for a second, his brown eyes glazed over.
Shaking his head as if to clear it, he dragged in air. His gaze cleared. And sharpened. “You said favor. What’s the catch?”
This was the hard part, but it had to be said. She didn’t want any confusion. “It would be in name only, to satisfy Aunt Lilith until Ginny gets her degree.”
He glanced away. “I see.” His tone was quiet, too quiet.
“She’ll graduate in four years.”
He still wouldn’t look at her. “Ginny’s okay with this?”
“I think she will be if I frame it right. And I won’t tell her until after the ceremony. That way it’s a done deal.”
“And how will you frame it?”
“I’ll say we’re good friends and we’re just going through the motions to fool Aunt Lilith. It won’t disrupt our lives at all.”
He met her gaze. “It won’t?” His tone was conversational but anger burned in his eyes.
“Why should it? You’d be free to do whatever you want.”
“Would I, now?”
She flushed. “I mean, like date. I wouldn’t expect you to—”
“Honor my vows?” His soft voice was at odds with his steely gaze.
She gulped. “I realize it’s a lot to ask.”
He broke eye contact and stood. “It’s too much to ask.” He headed for the door and grabbed his hat.
She started after him. “Would you at least think about—”
“No, Kate, I won’t.” He spun around, fury blazing in his eyes. “You rejected my offer of a real marriage.” He hurled the words at her. “Now you want me to go along with a damned fake one! Find another sucker. I’m not available.” Shoving the screen door open, he was across the porch and down the steps in seconds.
“Rafe!” She hurried across the porch. “You wouldn’t have to live with me! You could—”
“Then anybody will do, right? Put an ad in the Apple Grove Gazette. You’re a good cook. Offer to make the guy dinner once a week. That should be enough to satisfy the poor sap.” Jerking open the door of his truck, he climbed in and slammed it shut. The engine roared to life and the tires spit gravel as he backed up and peeled out.
So much for that. God, she was tired. But she’d promised to call Millie after she’d talked with Rafe. Dragging herself back inside, she picked up her phone from the small table by the door and tapped it.
Millie answered on the first ring. “Well?”
“You were right. I probably explained it all wrong, but I doubt there was a right way. He’s furious, offended, hurt, and thoroughly disgusted with me. I knew it was a long shot, but I thought if he understood the stakes for Ginny….”
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. It needs to be a valid marriage license and a legit ceremony. He told me anybody would do, but I’ll be signing a legal contract. I can’t just take somebody off the street.”
“Certainly not. And if Rafe won’t do it, neither will Leo or Garrett. They’d see it as disloyalty. Are you sure you can’t talk your aunt into giving Ginny the money because it’s the right thing to do?”
“If you knew her, you wouldn’t ask that. She loves nothing better than exploiting a person’s weakness to get what she wants. I’ll pull this off. Somehow. If Rafe won’t go for it, I’ll find someone who will.”
Kate didn’t sleep much that night, and by morning she had a potential plan to run past Millie. She invited her over for