When the black sheep of the Masters family buys himself a bride...

who will pay the price?

She lost her ranch to the Masters men, so why is Ally Kincaid now offering herself as Seth Masters’s in-name-only bride? Because she’ll get her land back, while Seth will get his share of the family fortune. Easy enough. But once they share a marriage bed, will Ally get her heart back in the bargain?

When LAUREN CANAN began writing, stories of romance and unbridled passion lowed through her ingers onto the page. Today she is a multi-award-winning author, including the prestigious Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® Award. She lives in Texas with her own real-life hero, two chaotic dogs and a mouthy parrot named Bird. Find her on Facebook or visit her website, laurencanan.com.

Also by Lauren Canan

Terms of a Texas Marriage

Lone Star Baby Bombshell

Redeeming the Billionaire SEAL One

Night with the Texan

Stranger in His Bed

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Marriage at Any Price

Lauren Canan

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-09230-2

MARRIAGE AT ANY PRICE

© 2019 Sarah Cannon

Published in Great Britain 2019

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

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Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

About the Publisher

One

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

There was a blur of motion to Seth Masters’s right as a woman on a large thoroughbred came out of nowhere. She gave a cue, and the immense muscles in the animal’s hind legs propelled the steed and its rider up and over the hood of Seth’s low-slung sports car. He fought to bring the car to a screeching halt, narrowly missing one of the pines that grew on both sides of the country road. The rider stopped as well, turned the chestnut around and headed back to the car. She didn’t look happy.

“You’re an idiot!” she said as she brought the horse to a stop a few feet from the car. “Didn’t you see the signs saying Slow Down, Bridle Path Ahead? Can’t you read? You almost got us killed! Who goes eighty on a one-lane backwoods road?”

“I wasn’t going eighty.”

“Couldn’t prove it by me!”

Seth was flooded with emotions: shock, relief that no one was hurt, an underlying sense of unease that he’d been driving too fast. But through all the self-recrimination, one thought stood out: the woman was magnificent. Rich auburn hair swirled about her almost angelic face, and though her green eyes sparkled with anger, they were stunning. Her slim, beautiful body seemed too slight to control the huge thoroughbred that tossed his head and pawed the ground, pulling air into its massive lungs. Obviously she was an expert rider, something Seth was enormously grateful for right now.

He opened the door and pushed out of the Ferrari. What could he say? He’d been so wrapped up in his own thoughts he hadn’t paid any attention to the signs.

“I apologize. Sincerely. I hope you weren’t hurt.”

“Just slow down. The riding path crisscrosses the road several times over the next few miles. Needless to say, the next time you might not be so lucky.”

Even in anger her voice was clear and attractive.

“Point taken.”

She homed in on his face and tipped her head as a frown crossed her fine features.

“You’re not from around here.” It was a statement as much as a question.

“Los Angeles.”

She opened her mouth as if she was about to say something else then must have thought better of it and shook her head.

“Could you tell me how far out I am from Calico Springs?”

“By the posted speed limit, about twenty minutes.”

“Thanks,” he replied, taking in her sexy-as-hell physique as she turned the stallion around and headed back in the direction they’d come, disappearing into the trees.

Seth returned to the car and started the engine. He hoped this wasn’t a sign of what was in store this trip. He had to remember this wasn’t LA—it was rural Texas, and things worked at a slower pace. Still not able to completely shake off the close encounter, he eased back out onto the narrow road and continued in the direction of Calico Springs.

Attorney Ben Rucker’s office, an old Victorian house just off the town square, was easy to spot. It fit in perfectly with the other buildings along Main Street. Calico Springs was quaint. Innocent. Like a town out of the past. There were planters filled with flowers and wooden park benches in front of most of the stores and shops. After parking the car, he made his way inside the lawyer’s air-conditioned office and gave his name to the receptionist.

“Of course, Mr. Masters. Mr. Rucker has been expecting you. I’ll let him know you’re here.”

Minutes later Seth was seated across from the elderly attorney.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Masters. I take it this is the first time you’ve been to Calico Springs?”

“Actually, I’ve been here several times. I met my half brothers and enjoyed the area when I was a young boy. I’ve been back a dozen or so times since then. The last time was about five years ago.”

The attorney chuckled. “You certainly carry the family resemblance. You are most definitely a Masters.”

“I wanted to come down early and see the ranch again. Do my brothers know I’m here?”

“I told them you were coming. Chance and Cole are in New York, and Wade and his wife are in London. They will all be back next week for the probate of the will.”

Seth nodded. He’d been brought up the only child of a single mother. Then when he was six years old, his father had insisted he come to the ranch and meet his half brothers. Even at that age, he’d been nervous. But they had taken the news of his existence better than he’d hoped and welcomed him into the family. Those dozen or so summers he’d spent on the ranch were wonderful memories, and he looked forward to seeing everyone again.

“I must admit I’m curious about the will.”

“I can understand.” Mr. Rucker sat back in his leather chair. “Did you know your father very well?”

Seth shrugged. “About as much as anyone knew him, I guess. I saw him maybe a dozen times in my life. Mother wouldn’t talk about him. I never saw or heard from him again after I entered Stanford, although I always suspected there was communication between him and my mother.”

As he’d grown older, Seth had begun to realize that the home where he and his mother lived and the cars she drove were beyond the means of a single working mother who had no advanced degree. There had to be another source of funds. And though he’d been awarded a partial scholarship to attend Stanford, it hadn’t nearly covered all the expenses. Yet when he needed money, it was always provided.

“From what little I know,” Mr. Rucker said, “you would be right. Your father spoke highly of you when we were drafting the will. But he was never a man comfortable with family. Either of his families, as it turns out. His work always took priority. I guess he had his own reasons why he couldn’t relate.”

“I guess.” Seth nodded. “The reason I mention the will is I sit on the boards of two regional hospitals, and a new research facility focusing on leukemia is on the table. The more funding we can get for it, the better. If I stand to inherit anything, it will certainly help me move things along.”

The attorney nodded then seemed to hesitate. “Mr. Masters, you understand I cannot discuss the will without all heirs being present. But that said, I feel it only fair to ask if you’re married.”

“Married?” The question seemed odd. He’d come close once. It had ended badly. He’d given his heart to Gwen Jeffers, and she’d returned his love by having an affair with another man. He hadn’t thought of getting married to anyone since. He liked life in the fast lane. Free of responsibility to anyone but himself and his companies. “No,” he replied. “Not me. Why do you ask?”

“Well, there’s a stipulation that needs to be met by the time we’re in probate, so I’d better discuss this with you. One of the requirements of the will is that each of you boys be married. Mr. Masters never explained his reasoning. It may have had something to do with his own experiences in life. I’ll never know for sure. But, of course, he had the right to set any conditions he wanted. If any of you aren’t married by the day the will is probated, you’ll be dropped from the will, and any financial assets or land holdings will revert to the other married sons or, in specific circumstances, to charity. As of now, you’re the only one who doesn’t meet the requirement.

“I tried to call to discuss this with you a few weeks ago, but you were out of the country. I left several messages with your office. I asked your brothers if they knew your marital status, but they couldn’t say for sure—apparently you haven’t been in touch recently.”

“I see. Yeah, I have a boatload of calls I need to return. I regret not getting in touch sooner. This news is disappointing.” And that was an understatement. “But—it is what it is. I look forward to seeing my brothers again and meeting their wives. It isn’t every day I get to spend time with them.”

“That’s true.” The lawyer chuckled. “It’s too bad about the will. It sounds like the research center is a worthy cause.”

“It is.” Seth stood up from his chair and shook the lawyer’s hand. “Well, thank you, Mr. Rucker. I appreciate you letting me know.”

“Of course, Mr. Masters. You do have ten days or so. Perhaps you know someone who’d consider becoming your wife. There’s still time.”

“I don’t think so, but again, thanks.”

Seth stepped out of the lawyer’s office with Mr. Rucker close behind him just as the front door opened and in walked none other than the horsewoman he’d met on the road. Her surprise at seeing Seth was immediate. But she quickly put it aside and turned toward Mr. Rucker.

“Did you get an appointment?”

“Ally, why don’t you come back after lunch and we can discuss it in private.”

“I have to go back to work. All I’m asking for is a yes or no.”

“I’m sorry.” He smiled at her and slowly shook his head. “I’m trying to get in touch with Wade or Cole, since they handle the company’s finances. Wade is out of the country. Cole and Chance are in New York doing double duty while their brother is gone. Why don’t we step inside my office for a moment?”

“I don’t have time,” she insisted. “You will excuse us, won’t you?” she said looking at Seth, then turned back to Mr. Rucker.

The elderly gentleman held up his hands to Seth in a gesture of helplessness.

“It’s okay,” Seth said, grinning. “I’ll be going.”

“I managed to speak with Chance,” Mr. Rucker said to the young woman, “and he said he knew nothing about it and we would have to wait until Wade returned.”

“And when will that be?”

“When his business is finished, I gather. I believe he has an appointment here in the latter part of next week.”

Seth heard her sigh behind him. Whatever they were talking about appeared to do nothing to improve her state of obvious frustration. She must be having a really bad day.

Still, Seth couldn’t help but catch the names Mr. Rucker had tossed out. Wade, Cole and Chance were his half brothers. He was tempted to blurt out his relationship and see if he could help her but at the last second closed his mouth. It wasn’t any of his business.

“Can you schedule an appointment for me then?”

“I’ll see what I can do, Ally. You know I will, but...”

“You think it’s pointless,” she finished.

“I think,” the attorney said, “that you have every right to talk with them. And to that end, I’ll do the best I can.”

“Thanks, Mr. Rucker.”

As she turned to leave, her emerald eyes fell on Seth.

“I see you made it to town, presumably without mowing anyone else down.”

“Miracles do happen. Actually, I did slow down after our encounter and enjoyed the countryside,” Seth said. “Thanks for the tip.”

“Any time.”

He opened the door and she walked through it, turning right and continuing down the sidewalk. Seth couldn’t help but watch as she seemed to glide down the street. She was still wearing the riding pants that outlined every detail of her slim figure. A leather belt emphasized her tiny waist, and her loose white shirt covered full breasts. She had a small, impish nose and lips a man could enjoy for hours. He felt his body immediately react to her, something that frankly surprised him.

It was too bad he didn’t pick up any vibes that she was the marrying kind. He just might be tempted.

“Mr. Rucker, could you recommend a good place to eat?” Seth said, turning back to look at the lawyer.

“Burdall’s City Café, just one block up on the town square. As a matter of fact, I was about to head there myself. You’re welcome to share my table.”

“Thanks. I’d like that.”

It was only a few minutes’ walk to the café, and they just beat the lunchtime rush. Seth pulled out a chair and settled in across the table from Mr. Rucker. He grabbed the menu from between the salt, pepper and sugar canisters and looked it over. It had a pretty wide selection for a small hometown restaurant.

A waitress set tall glasses of ice water down next to them and said she’d be back in just a few minutes to take their orders. But before she could return, they had another visitor at their table.

“Hi.” It was the redhead again. “Do you mind if I join you? There’s a line and I have to get back to work.”

“Of course,” said Mr. Rucker without hesitation. “Ally, have you met Mr. Masters?”

She stilled. “No,” she said, staring at Seth. “Not...formally, at least.”

“This is Seth Masters. Seth, Ally Kincaid.”

“Masters?” She frowned. Her eyes narrowed. “Are you any relation to Wade Masters?”

“Yes. As a matter of fact I am.”

“I knew it. When you almost ran me down on the road. You look like a Masters.” Her eyes rested on him, and she was silent for a few moments. Then, as though she thought better of saying what she had in mind, she changed the subject.

“You said you were from California, right? What do you do there?” she asked as she pulled out a chair and sat down.

“I own several companies, mostly electronics and pharmaceuticals.”

“Huh. Who would have thought? I would have better believed you were a contender for the Indianapolis 500.” She reached for a menu. “I’ll bet your pharmacy comes in handy when you get behind the wheel.”

“I’m just used to moving at a faster pace.”

“Yeah, I’ll bet you are. So, what are you doing in the sleepy little town of Calico Springs?”

“Just enjoying the view,” he replied, looking straight at her.

Seth watched as a light blush ran up her neck and touched her face before he returned to the menu. Her very scent was exciting: a subtle blend of exotic herbs, strawberries and leather. It had his pheromones working overtime. He had never experienced such an immediate attraction to a woman.

“Is everyone ready to order?” The waitress flipped a page in her notebook and took pen in hand.

Ally ordered a ham and cheese sandwich while Mr. Rucker and Seth chose to have steak. Seth glanced at the older man and saw a twinkle in his eyes. He suspected Ben was attuned to the banter going on between him and Ally and maybe had a little subtle matchmaking in mind.

After they had given their orders Ally turned her focus to Mr. Rucker. “So, did you pencil me in?”

“I had my secretary send Wade a text to see when he’s available. Once I hear back, consider yourself penciled.”

“Good. Thank you. I just hope he’s as reasonable as people say he is.”

She wanted an appointment with Wade? Seth couldn’t help but wonder as to the reason.

As though the question showed on his face, she set the menu aside and said flatly, “Wade Masters’s father stole my ranch. And I want it back.”

Two

“Ally,” Mr. Rucker said in a cautioning tone, indicating she had spoken out of turn.

“What?” She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t care who hears. Half the town knows anyway.” She turned her focus on the newcomer. “The old man was a crook. He stole my ranch. Claimed my father used it for a loan that Dad never paid back. My father wouldn’t do something like that. Old man Masters took it all. Everything. Had me evicted after Dad died. I even had to fight to keep three mares and a stallion that were registered in my name. Talk about greed. You’d think someone with that much money wouldn’t feel the need to swindle people out of their home.”

“The horses, as I recall, were simply a misunderstanding,” Mr. Rucker asserted.

“Yeah. How long would it have taken to straighten that out had I not caught it?”

When Ally turned away from Seth Masters, she could still feel his golden eyes watching her. Ben Rucker was probably right. She shouldn’t be spouting off in front of strangers, although she found it hard to consider Seth Masters a stranger. He could almost be Wade Masters’s brother, so alike were their looks. He had thick brown hair with a slight wave and gold highlights and a five o’clock shadow that covered a sharp jaw and prominent chin, complete with a sexy little cleft. High cheekbones complimented brown eyes with flecks of gold. His lips, too kissable to put into words, delivered a sexy grin showing perfect white teeth. In his white dress shirt and tie, he was the epitome of handsome.

“What about you, Ally? What do you do?” he asked.

“Rancher. Or I used to be before...” She grimaced and pressed her lips together. “Now I work at the Triple Bar Ranch east of town. I train horses.”

“That must take a lot of skill and agility.”

She’d never really thought about it. It was something she’d done most of her life. She shrugged. “Maybe.”

The man nodded. “I would venture to say our jobs are equally challenging.”

“Oh, you would, huh? Tell me, Mr. Masters, how many stalls have you mucked out? How many horses have you trained?” She couldn’t help but laugh. The idea that she was anything like this rich hunk from California was absurd.

Ben Rucker snorted at her comment and fought not to choke on his coffee.

“It just so happens,” Seth said, “that in my younger days, I mucked out plenty of stalls. Never trained a new horse, but logged plenty of hours exercising them. I spent most summers here in Calico Springs at the family ranch growing up. So I guess I have a good idea of what you do. Clearly you’re accomplished. And that’s worth saying.”

“Thank you,” she replied, feeling a blush coming on. “Still...my accomplishments probably don’t measure up compared to yours.”

“You don’t accept compliments very well, do you?”

“Compliments I can handle. It’s bullshit I’m not so good with.”

“Then allow me to backtrack and just say you’re a very skilled horsewoman.”

“Damn good thing for you.” She sat back as the waitress set her plate down in front of her. “It took me most of the ride back to the ranch to calm Monkey down.”

“What happened to Monkey?” Ben asked.

“He had a fright this morning,” she said, picking up half of her sandwich. “Some idiot nearly ran him down with his car.”

“Good grief!”

“No grief. Just bad driving.” She took a bite and picked up a napkin.

“Not that bad or I would have hit you. And it occurs to me that I wasn’t the only one speeding.”

“I take it you two have met each other before, then?” asked Ben.

“We almost had a collision on the country road leading to town this morning,” Seth explained.

Ally dropped the sandwich back onto her plate, wiped her hands with the paper napkin and glared at him. “There’s no speed limit posted on the bridle path. Most people with any common sense would appreciate the fact that it’s the cars going down the road that are the hazard. Especially if they are trying to break the sound barrier.”

“I say again, I was not going all that fast.”

“That would depend on your definition of fast.”

They held each other’s gaze. After a few long seconds, she turned back to her plate. “You were in the wrong, and I really don’t care to discuss it further.”

She couldn’t miss his pursed lips as he tried to hide a grin.

Hateful man. She didn’t know what he was doing in Calico Springs. She hadn’t missed how he’d sidestepped her question when she asked. And she hadn’t appreciated that “enjoying the view” remark, even though it had been a long time since a man flirted with her. She didn’t want any of the Masters men to say one word to her after what their father had done. She could only hope their paths would not cross again.

* * *

“I ordered fifty sacks of sweet feed and one hundred and twenty-five sacks of Nature’s Best. What out of that says crimped oats? Does Colby have a hearing disorder now?”

She’d stopped by the feed store on her way home to pick up the order for the horses she was training. Instead of what she ordered, they had readied seventy-five sacks of oats. This day just seemed to keep going downhill.

“I’m sorry, Ally. If you can give me a few minutes, I’ll fix your order. Are you in the farm truck?”

“Yeah. Thanks. I’ll wait outside.”

Despite the obstacles she’d overcome so far today, mostly set in her path by that Seth Masters, it was still a beautiful day with just enough fluffy white clouds overhead to keep the sun from turning up the heat. She wandered out to the gardening section and idly looked at the petunias and other bedding plants. Any other year, she would be picking up trays of assorted flowers to be planted in the beds around the large wraparound porch at her house. This year she had purchased one hanging basket that she placed at the edge of the small front porch of the cabin where she stayed, and that was all she would allow herself to have. No use spending money on stuff that would just die from neglect.

And they would be neglected. Her heart just wasn’t in it. The cabin, provided by the ranch where she worked, sufficed, but it wasn’t home. It would never be home. Why surround herself with tarnished memories of the things she used to love? She didn’t need to be reminded of her home and the joy she’d known there. It was gone, and the sooner she accepted that fact, the better off she would be.

She would keep the appointment with Wade Masters once it was arranged, but down deep she knew she had little hope of convincing him to give back her ranch. Even if he agreed to sell it back to her, she didn’t make enough money for monthly payments on a ranch that size. It would take time, at least another year, before she could start earning the kind of money she needed.

“It seems we keep bumping into each other.” A deep voice came from behind her. Before she fully turned toward him, she knew it was Seth Masters.

“Are you following me, Masters?”

“On the contrary, I’ve been around back looking at the tractors. I didn’t see you when I got here, so I would have to ask you the same question.”

He smiled. She gritted her teeth and glared.

“So what are you going to do with a tractor?”

“Someday I might buy some land. And I’ve always been fascinated with tractors. The bedding plants look rich and healthy,” he added, filling the intervals when she didn’t respond. “Are you doing your flower beds in these?”

“I have no land. I have no house. Consequently, I have no flower beds. So no, I’m not buying any plants.”

“I saw this store and had to stop. You don’t often see old businesses like this still open and running. Most have been replaced by the newer franchises.” He looked around at the large assortment of plants, hanging baskets and trees. “It’s things like the old wood-burning stove inside and the sign on the back door. Have you seen it? ‘This store is guarded by a double-barrel shotgun two nights a week. Pick your night.’ You just don’t find that kind of thing in the city. I think it’s charming.”

Charming? “You’re kidding.”

“No, not at all.”

“How long are you in town?” She couldn’t keep herself from asking. If he would be in and around the area, she needed to know it and be prepared for any more chance encounters.

“Just a few weeks this trip. I’ve been considering buying a small place with some land and a barn. I’ve always loved horses. Ridden most of my life.” He shrugged. “This might be a great location.”

“It’s a little far from LA.”

“Just a couple of hours by plane.”

“It is a nice area. I’ll give you that. And most of the people are friendly and aboveboard.”

“Hey, Ally.” She turned to see two feed store employees walking toward her, their shoulders laden with sacks of grain. “You in that black truck? We got your feed.”

“Yeah. Make sure you have the right order this time.”

“Yep. We got it. No crimped oats this trip?”

“That would be correct. Oh. Could you throw in two large mineral blocks, Jack?” She considered her mental list for a brief second to see if she could remember anything else she needed. “I think that will do it.”

Soon the correct bags of feed and two mineral blocks were loaded into the back of the truck. As she walked to the driver’s side, she again heard someone call her name.

“Ms. Kincaid?” Seth Masters stood at the back of the truck. “Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”

The question was so unexpected, it took her a few seconds to realize he was waiting for an answer. “Ah...actually, I have prior commitments. I hope you find your tractor and whatever else you need.”

She wasn’t used to lying. It made her feel horrible. She didn’t trust the man, but he hadn’t really done anything to her—other than almost run her down. He was here alone and probably just wanted a little company. Still...he was a Masters.

“Thanks. I think I have. Well, good to see you again.”

“Yeah,” she mumbled as she climbed into the driver’s seat and started the truck. The day did not exist that she would have dinner with a Masters. Today’s lunch had been bad enough. Then, she hadn’t known who he was. He may or may not be closely involved with the clan of thieves who’d stolen her family’s land, but she wasn’t about to take the chance. He’d said he was related. From his apparent age, and given that he looked exactly like Wade Masters, he could very well be their brother. But he hadn’t grown up around here, otherwise she would have heard of him before. It made her wonder what he was up to.

As she backed out and headed for the main road, she noticed him still standing next to the fertilizer. He looked up and nodded as she passed. He seemed nice enough, but there was still the question of why he was here. Calico Springs was barely a dot on the map. It certainly wasn’t the vacation capital of the world. Probably he was here visiting his family. But they were all out of town, according to Mr. Rucker. While it was none of her business, overall it was a bit suspicious. She didn’t like suspicious. Especially when it involved the name Masters.

* * *

Seth decided time was on his side to do some house hunting. It was just over a week until his brothers were due back, according to Ben Rucker. It would give him a chance to find a local place to call home; he already had penthouses dotted around the US and the UK. Now that his business was well enough established that he could take some time off on occasion, having property in this area would afford him the chance to see more of his family.

“We have several ranches that fit your description, Mr. Masters. Shall we plan on a time to go and see a few of them?”

Seth sat across the desk from Kathy Chisum, the broker for Chisum Real Estate. Ben Rucker had recommended her as one of the better agents in the county representing the largest number of farms and ranches. He figured while he waited for Wade, Chance and Cole to return, he might as well look at some properties. He hadn’t been lying when he’d told Ally Kincaid he was thinking of buying in this area. So far he liked what he’d seen. The quaint town sat in the center of rolling hills and far-reaching pastureland dotted with groves of pine and oak and a number of small lakes.

“That’s fine. Any time. Any day,” he replied. “I’ll be here for a couple of weeks, and my schedule is pretty much open.”

“What about right now? I’ve had a cancellation.” Her voice was sweet and sincere.

“Works for me. Thanks, Ms. Chisum.”

“Kathy.” She smiled and rose from her chair. “Shall we take my truck?”

“Sure.”

The first two properties they saw had most of the things he wanted in a ranch, but he found something wrong with both of them. He didn’t want an old dairy farm. He didn’t want a house with two bedrooms that would require major renovation. But the third ranch was almost perfect. White pipe fencing ran along both sides of the driveway. The house was a charmer. It was an example of antebellum architecture that was in remarkably good shape, although it could use a good paint job. Across the front and sides of the house, large white columns rose to the top of the second story, and a portico in the center drew the eye to the magnificent front door. Someone had cared a lot for the house and property. A deep porch surrounded the home on the first floor, and second-story balconies overlooked the pasture and hills on all four sides. Two chimneys peeked over the roof. Inside, a grand staircase led to the second floor, which contained four bedrooms and a larger room with a sitting area that he assumed was the master. The kitchen and baths had been completely remodeled with granite countertops that complemented the hardwood floors.

From the back porch, a path led to the barn. There were approximately twenty stalls, tack room, wash rack and a large open area where hay could be stored for the winter. The smell inside the wooden structure was amazing. He recognized alfalfa and the scent of leather. It brought Ally to mind.

“Kathy, would you happen to know who owns this farm?”

“Sure, let me look that up.” She tapped something into her phone. “Oh, wait. It’s owned by the Masters family.” She stepped back and eyed him closely. “Any relation?”

“Yeah, as a matter of fact.”

“Then you know they have a large ranching operation on the west side of town, just over ninety thousand acres. This was a repossession and doesn’t border their property, so they put it up for sale. But I guess you knew that.”

“No, actually, I didn’t. I’m not involved with the family business.”

“The price they’re asking is really good for this area. Well below market value. We’ve had a lot of interest. It won’t be on the market very long.” She turned to look at him. “I guess you want something away from the family compound?”

He nodded. “Would you happen to know who owned it before them?”

“Mmm. I’m afraid I don’t know any of the history for sure. I could try and find out for you if you like.”

“No. That won’t be necessary. I like this place. I should talk to my brothers about it.”

“Sure. If you’re seriously considering it, don’t wait too long.”

He nodded. “I understand.”

“It’s getting late. If you have no plans, would you like to have dinner?”

“I’d like that.” He smiled.

Kathy was a pretty, shapely brunette who appeared to like what she saw in him, and it wouldn’t hurt to have a friendly meal with her. The problem was, he already had his mind wrapped around a certain perky redhead. And he was positive this last ranch had been Ally’s.

On the way back to town, while Kathy chatted away, an idea began to form. Ally wanted her home back. He needed a wife. They both had a chance to get what they wanted with no strings attached. The ranch’s low list price was certainly worth it if it ensured he would be included in the will where billions were at stake.

It was a crazy idea. He smiled to himself at the thought of her reaction. He suspected only the name Masters had prevented her from accepting his dinner invitation earlier. Would she dare dance with the devil and say yes to marriage? Become Mrs. Seth Masters? On the irony scale, that had to take the cake.

It would have to be a real marriage. One on paper for a few months. With the proper prenup, it shouldn’t be a problem. He had developed a knack for reading people, and Ally did not fit the particulars of a gold digger. She had given no sign of wanting to know him better. In fact, she seemed to hate him, as much as someone could hate a person they didn’t know. But she’d also impressed him as an honest person who only wanted what, in her mind, she was entitled to: her ranch.

* * *

When Ally got home the next day, Seth was waiting for her on the tiny front porch of her small cabin. It hadn’t been hard to find; in fact, Ben Rucker had told him where she lived and provided directions. Seth had also confirmed since yesterday that the ranch Kathy had shown him used to belong to Ally’s family. He’d been right about that.

She looked exhausted, surprised and anything but happy to see him. Admittedly not a reaction he was accustomed to.

She pulled up next to the convertible and hopped out of her old truck. “Did you get lost?” she asked as she approached where he sat. “’Cause I can tell you this isn’t where you want to be.”

“It’s exactly where I want to be,” he said. “I wanted to talk to you.”

“Talk? Talk about what?”

“I think I found a place I want. I would like you to go with me tomorrow and look at it.” She sighed and resolutely shook her head, so he jumped in before she could say no. “Look, I know we got off to a bad start. But I really do need your expertise. I’ve ridden horses off and on most of my life. But I’ve never had a ranch. I don’t know the first thing about stocking a barn for the winter, so I can’t know if there is adequate space. I know nothing about the equipment required. You said you grew up in this environment. I’m asking you to help me decide if this is the place I want to invest in.”

“Why don’t you ask your relatives?”

“They’re out of town.”

“What about Ben?”

“Rucker? I have a feeling he knows about as much as I do with regards to ranching. No. I assure you, I need you. Frankly, you’re the only one who fits the bill.” An understatement.

She was quiet a long time. Then, “Where is this place?”

“West of town. I can’t remember the road names, but I’m sure I can take us there.”

In the dim glow from the lamppost next to the driveway, he saw her lower her head. Was she thinking about her former home? Should he have just told her his plan here and now? He’d given it serious thought last night and decided that she might be more tempted to say yes if she were at her home when he hit her up with the idea. He could now see that might be taking unfair advantage. He drew in a breath, intending to explain, when she raised her head and looked at him.

“I guess I can do it. I have to work three horses in the morning, but I can skip the ones scheduled in the afternoon. How about one o’clock?”

“One o’clock is perfect. I’ll pick you up here tomorrow?”

“In that?” She nodded toward the pricey sports car. “I wish you had a truck.”

“Maybe I’ll get one after I find a ranch.”

“You’d better hurry. That’s a rental unless I miss my guess. You’ll tear out the undercarriage driving these rocky roads, not to mention the damage they will cause to the body and the paint job. You’ll end up buying a trashed car.” She stepped up onto the porch. “It’s a shame. Nice car.” She shook her head. “Okay, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I’ll be here. Thanks for doing this, Ally.”

“No problem,” she said as she walked to the front door.

“Good night.”

She turned and looked at him as she opened the front door but didn’t answer. Instead she disappeared inside the small house.

Seth followed the winding road from the Triple Bar Ranch with his spirits high, something he hadn’t felt in a long time. Part of it was hope that this crazy idea would somehow come to pass. But another big factor was that he would get to spend some time with Ally Kincaid. He liked everything about her: the way she moved, the silky shoulder-length hair that swirled about the fine features of her face. He could get lost in the brilliance of her sparkling green eyes, the sensuous full mouth.

Best of all was her personality, even if she had given him a lot of grief. She knew who she was. She wasn’t coy. She didn’t try to cover her true nature with any kind of facade. Whether she liked him or not, that persnickety nature made him want to see more.

He caught the direction of where his mind was going and brought it to a stop. Even if she agreed to this crazy plan, it would be a marriage in name only. There would be no getting close to her, no hope of becoming more to her than a man who shared the same house. Unless...

He arrived at the hotel and fell onto the bed. There were some things he needed to do the next morning before he picked her up. Get a key to the house from Kathy, for one. Look at trucks, for another. Ally was right about the car and the gravel roads.

He stood up and pulled off his shirt and pants before heading for the shower. Tomorrow would be a turning point for the research center. His mother had died of leukemia, and he was as determined as he’d ever been about anything to help fund the center. He would still get it built—no doubts there—but the inheritance would speed up the process tenfold. He hoped a miracle happened and Ally said yes.

He knew he was putting a lot of trust in his gut reaction to her, but his gut had never let him down yet. He’d met more than a few self-serving society types who were willing to go so far as fake a pregnancy in order to marry a multimillionaire. He’d been played by the best and so far had kept his bachelor standing intact.

But it was hard to regard Ally as a money-grubber when she’d made it clear she didn’t like him at all. Or any of his family. Ironically, that thought was comforting.

Three

Ally was sitting on the small front porch of her cabin when Seth Masters drove up the next afternoon. It was another beautiful day, and he had the top down on the car. She climbed in, fastened her seat belt and they were off.

She leaned back and looked at the sky, eventually putting her hands above her head, feeling the wind whip through her fingers like a child on her first outing on a merry-go-round. Even though she still didn’t trust this man, riding in a car like this on such a perfect day made her feel free.

But as they traveled farther west of Calico Springs, she grew tense. He couldn’t possibly be taking her where she thought he was taking her. Could he?

When he turned the car into the long drive between the rows of white fences, she had her answer.

He stopped the car in front of the house and killed the motor. Ally felt his eyes on her, but she sat frozen, staring at her childhood home. Seth exited the car and walked around and opened her door. She accepted his hand as she got out.

“You knew, didn’t you?” she said after a long silence.

“I guessed. I saw three ranches yesterday. This was the last one. I liked it a lot and ask who the sellers were. That pretty much gave me the answer.” He held up the key. “I thought you might like to see it again.”

Ally turned to the house. Her heart was beating out of her chest, and elation battled overwhelming grief in her stomach. She came to a stop at the front steps, not sure if she should go any farther. As though sensing what she was feeling, Seth walked past her and unlocked the door then pushed it open. Stepping inside, she paused and looked around. Everything was as it had been, except several pieces of furniture were gone. Step by step, room by room, she made her way through the house, stopping on occasion to touch an object or the mantel of the fireplace that meant something special to her.

“My mother used to always have a fire in the fireplace here in the kitchen when she cooked on a winter’s day. It made the room seem especially warm and cheery.”

“It’s something not found in many kitchens today.”

She turned to face him, her arms wrapped around her chest. “I can tell you unequivocally that this ranch has everything a person would need to be successful in any horse venture. Whether you’re looking to breed, train and raise or merely have a few horses to enjoy, you won’t go wrong. From the house to the barn to the foaling paddock to the land...it’s all here.” She swallowed back the tears and tried to talk through her throat that wanted to close. “Are you serious about buying it?”

“I am.”

“I guess I’m a little confused. Being part of the Masters family, don’t you already own it?”

“In a manner of speaking. It’s owned by the family conglomerate, Masters International, LLC. If I decide I want it as my own personal property, I contact my brothers, usually Cole because he handles all property management, and put in a request. He’ll pull it from the market and transfer the deed to my name. He’s done it for me one other time. Of course, if I do nothing, it can and probably will be sold to someone else outside the family.”

She didn’t know if that idea made her happy or sad. It would still belong to a Masters, but maybe he was different. It was the best she could hope for. Seeing her home again drew the heartache into a large black mass inside her chest. The pain returned as sure and quick as the day she’d received the notice of foreclosure. But she refused to cry even though the tears filled her eyes. She wouldn’t let them fall. It was pointless. She didn’t want Seth Masters to think she was using a ruse or poor-little-me syndrome to get her house from him. If it was meant to be hers, she would find a way to get it back without relying on sympathy.

“It really depends on you.”

She frowned at the absurd comment. “What? How could you buying this ranch have anything to do with me?”

He hesitated before walking over to lean against the kitchen cabinet then looked at her deeply.

“First of all, you were right in suspecting I was kin to Wade, Cole and Chance. They are my half brothers.”

“I knew there was a relation.” At least he was admitting it. Finally.

“What you don’t know is about a month ago my brothers and I were notified of the probate of our father’s will.”

“I still don’t see what any of that has to do with me.”

“I have the plans ready to start building a research facility in California. The money I get from the estate could put me well ahead of the game. The center is badly needed. The research will primarily focus on finding a cure for leukemia.” He paused. “My problem is, according to Mr. Rucker, any of the heirs who aren’t married by the time the will is probated won’t receive an inheritance.”

“So...let me get this straight. You need someone to pose as your wife long enough to obtain money.” She thought she saw him grimace.

“Put that way, it sounds underhanded and conniving. But most of what I inherit will go to the center. You can see the plans if you have any doubt of that. Or I can put you in touch with my partners, who are doing their part to get this building up and running.” He paused, giving that time to soak in. “And it wouldn’t be just pretending to be my wife. It must be a legal marriage.”

“Surely you know someone who would agree to marry you.”

“No. Because of my schedule, there’s no time or place for a woman in my life on a permanent basis. I don’t know of anyone I would trust to say ‘I do’ then walk away a few months later, not expecting anything more than what was stipulated in our original agreement.”

“But you think you can trust me?” she said, picking up on his idea. “You don’t even know me, Masters.”

He shrugged. “Call it a gut feeling. When I realized this was your home, I felt it worthy of asking just how badly you want your ranch back. And if you’d be willing to marry me for a few months in order to get it. It would fulfill the terms of my inheritance, and you would have your ranch.”

“It’s preposterous.”

“It’s a crazy idea,” he agreed. Silence settled over them before he continued. “So, will you marry me, Ally Kincaid?”

That took the breath from her lungs. The man really was crazy. Like she would ever marry a stranger. The very idea was ludicrous. Insane.

“Of course,” he began, “it would be temporary. I figure about three months should do it. I’ll need to check with Mr. Rucker on that. But when it’s over, I head back to LA with some money to go toward my research center, and you have a clear deed to your ranch in your name. We both win.”

“I thought you wanted a ranch or a small farm for yourself.”

He shrugged. “I do. But I can always find another one.”

He made it sound so simple. She looked at Seth Masters for a long time. “How do I know I can trust you? How do I know if I agree you will give me my ranch when you get your money? How do I know if you’re a decent, honorable man? You could up and walk out and leave me with nothing. Hell, I would be worse off than I am now.”

“Mr. Rucker,” he stated. “He can attest to who I am. And I can fly my legal staff in to prepare the document. Exactly like a prenuptial agreement, in writing and completely aboveboard. You won’t lose this time, Ally.”

“What about you? What if we do this and it ends up that you don’t receive any money from the estate? I mean, do you know for sure you’ll get any funding?”

“It’s a gamble. But I’m willing to risk it.”

“That research center is really important to you, huh?” She frowned, only now realizing what Seth was willing to put on the line.

“It’s become my life. It’s worth taking the risk.”

She looked around the familiar room, the walls calling to her. “How soon would you want to do this?”

“As soon as documents can be prepared. Kathy Chisum, the real estate agent, said they have already had quite a lot of interest. If we don’t make a decision—correction, if you don’t make a decision—pretty quick, the ranch might be sold to someone else and we both lose. The probate hearing is on the eleventh, which is eight days from now.”

She thought about his offer. Without it, she knew realistically she had little to no chance she would ever come home again. Was thinking his plan might work merely a measure of desperation?

“No,” she said finally. “Thanks for the offer, I guess. But no. I’ll have to pass.”

For the longest time, there was silence in the room.

“Then, if you’re ready, I guess we should head back.”

Why did she feel as though the breath had been knocked from her lungs? As they made their way to the front door, the walls seemed to call to her. She remembered the last time she’d walked out of this house, fearing she would never see it again, leaving behind cherished childhood memories. Memories of her father. Her mother. Even her first horse. And now she had the chance to come home permanently and she’d turned it down.

It still wasn’t too late. She could have it...if she believed in Seth Masters. If she trusted him. Something she had no reason to do. He is a Masters, she reminded herself. You’re making the right decision.

Why, then, did it feel so wrong?

He dropped her at her little house without mentioning it again. There was no attempt to convince her to go along with his plan, no telling her she was making a huge mistake, no pleading with her to change her mind or give it additional thought. He bade her good-night, thanked her for her time and disappeared back down the driveway through the trees.

It occurred to her she didn’t know how to find him. But why would she want to find him? She wouldn’t let herself dwell on the answer to that question. She’d made the right decision. It was a scheme formulated by a member of the Masters family, and she was correct in turning it down flat. Was this what had happened to her father? Had Reginald Masters offered him something that meant so much to her dad that he’d gambled everything on an outcome that Mr. Masters knew would never happen? If so, in the end it had cost them everything. The ranch was taken, and her father died of a massive heart attack knowing he’d lost it all. She couldn’t go through it again. She couldn’t. Parting from the ranch a second time was more than she could deal with.

Trust had to be earned. Seth Masters had done nothing to prove himself. If he was setting her up and if she went for it, it would only confirm she was as big a fool as her father. Masters would laugh all the way back to LA.

She dropped down on her small, well-worn sofa. It was either the cruelest thing she’d ever experienced or the chance of a lifetime. Either way, it was done. She had to let it go. But why would he do such a thing if he wasn’t serious? It was a very expensive joke. She couldn’t figure out the catch, but there had to be one.

Grabbing her cell, she punched in Ben Rucker’s phone number.

“Ben,” she said when he came on the phone. “This is Ally Kincaid. What can you tell me about Seth Masters?”

All Ben would say was that Seth was an entrepreneur and sat on the boards of two large regional hospitals in Los Angeles. He couldn’t attest to the man’s nature, but he’d made a positive impression.

What did that mean? Positive. So he was a good liar?

By the end of the next day, Ally was exhausted. On the ranch, she’d made all sorts of stupid, thoughtless mistakes, and when you were working with twelve-hundred-pound horses, stupid mistakes could turn deadly in a heartbeat. But that was what happened when she didn’t get any sleep. The night before, she’d lain in bed, tossing and turning, picturing herself in her home, in her own barn. She remembered the silence of the evenings when a cooling summer breeze swept over the land. She remembered the sound of the horses eating their grain with an occasional low nicker, the smells of sweet alfalfa and leather. Those same sounds and smells were here, too, but they were somehow different. It just wasn’t the same. It never would be. She remembered the pride she’d known when a client or a buyer came to pick up their new future champion, one that she’d bred and trained.

Once back in her cabin for the night, she forced herself to eat a sandwich. Then, stepping into the shower, she relaxed under the warm spray. She had to let it go. The whole idea of marrying a stranger was unconscionable. What if he was abusive? Or had any number of undesirable qualities?

What if he didn’t?

Then she asked herself another question. What if he’d found someone else to marry? He was certainly attractive enough. Most women would probably jump into his arms and hope they stopped by a bedroom on the way to the altar. All he would have to do was show them that grin.

Just as she stepped from the shower, the lights flickered, and a long, low rumble of thunder passed overhead. Usually she loved the rain. Not tonight. It made her aware of how lonely she was. She looked at her bed then glanced around to her closet. Was it go to bed for another sleepless night or grab a fresh pair of jeans and a shirt and see if she could track down Seth Masters? There were only three hotels in Calico Springs...

An hour later the rain pelted her as she entered the front lobby of the Calico Springs Hotel and Suites. Soon she was standing in front of room 214. Without allowing herself a chance to back out, she raised her hand and knocked.

A couple of minutes later, Seth Masters pulled open the door. Bare to his waist, dressed only in formfitting jeans, he leaned one muscled arm against the door frame and looked surprised to see her.

“Ms. Kincaid?” He opened the door wider.

“Yes.” Ally swallowed hard. “And yes. I will marry you, Mr. Masters,” she said, “as long as that document conveys what you told me.”

“It will.”

“So what do we do now?”

He backed up to let her in, that sexy grin on his face. “First, let’s get you dry.”

“And then?”

“And then...tomorrow I’ll have my attorney fly in, and while you provide the information for the legal agreement, I’ll arrange to buy the property.”

“Just like that. You’re going to buy the ranch.”

“Just like that.”

Ally had never believed in fairy tales, but if this proposition was real and not some cruel joke, she was living in one.

* * *

Seth’s attorney, James Buchanan, and his legal assistant arrived by two o’clock the following day, ready to get to work. The fact that Seth let Ally set the conditions gave her added confidence in what she had agreed to do. Ally had no problem with clauses that precluded her from any claim on Seth’s current holdings. Fair was fair. The only thing she wanted was her ranch.

At some point during the afternoon, it finally hit her: she was getting married. Married to a man she didn’t know. At twenty-four years old, she’d honestly never thought about getting married. While her friends in school planned and daydreamed about that special day, Ally’s thoughts had been of horses and taking the winning trophy at quarter horse competitions. All that changed in seconds when she agreed to say “I do.”

The following day Seth picked her up and drove to the county clerk’s office, where they applied for the wedding license. In two days’ time, she’d become Ally Masters.

It was an unbelievable situation, one that would have her father rolling over in his grave if he knew. She put it out of her mind and kept telling herself that Seth wasn’t a real Masters. He was from Los Angeles and not in cahoots with the local members of the family. Sometimes it worked for a few minutes. Then at other times she would look at Seth and see shades of his father and the truth came screaming back at her of how closely Seth was related to the Masters patriarch who had betrayed them, the man who’d taken them for all they had and left her alone struggling to survive.

What was she doing?

* * *

Two days later the civil ceremony was a short, no-frills affair. Mr. Buchanan and his legal assistant served as the witnesses. The surprise came when Seth extracted a black velvet box from his pocket that contained a beautiful diamond-encrusted wedding ring and slipped it onto Ally’s finger. Then he handed her a solid gold band to be placed on his hand, and with a few words from the county judge, they were pronounced husband and wife.

When Seth took her into his arms, their eyes met and the world tipped a little. Ever so slowly Seth lowered his lips to hers. His kiss was gentle, almost soothing. Reassuring. Ally became lost in his touch, in his strong arms. The kiss felt like something more meaningful than a token kiss at a fake wedding ceremony.

Seth lost no time in taking it to the next level, his mouth closing over hers, his tongue entering and tasting, letting her taste him. When they finally drew apart, she glanced up at his face as he released her and caught a twinkle in his amber eyes. Her heart thumped a few hard beats. She hoped she saw merriment in his eyes, that the twinkle didn’t represent the dreaded gotcha.

Either way, it was done. Because land acquisitions and sales were handled by a special department in Masters International, LLC., it was not necessary for any of the Masters brothers to be present for the transfer of the deed. Seth had received a phone call that morning from Cole, welcoming him to the neighborhood. There were three days until the purchase of the ranch was finalized. Another few days until the probate hearing. A few months until he would return to his life in LA. You can handle a few months. What would happen between now and then was anyone’s guess. The only thing she was assured of was that the ranch would be hers. Nothing else mattered.

Returning the waves from Mr. Buchanan and his legal assistant, she let Seth escort her out to his car.

“Are you hungry?” he asked. “It’s almost five o’clock. Care to grab a bite to eat?”

“Sure. Whatever you’d like to do.”

She saw him purse his lips to subdue a grin.

Soon they were seated across from each other at a small table in Burdall’s café. Ally couldn’t help but remember the last time they were here. Then, she didn’t even know his name. Now, his last name was hers. Masters. She eyed the glittering diamonds on her left hand.

“You went to a lot of unnecessary expense,” she commented. “The ring is beautiful.”

Seth shrugged. “I guess I’m a bit old-fashioned. I couldn’t see not giving my bride a ring for the ceremony.”

My bride.

“Well, I’ll certainly return it to you before you leave.”

“I’m not worried about it.” He sat back while the waitress placed glasses of ice water on the table and took their order. “So...where are we going to spend the night?”

“Excuse me?”

“Your place or mine?”

“Ah... I thought we would each go back to our own previous living arrangements. You at your hotel and me at the cabin.”

“Not really indicative of a newlywed couple. Remember, this has got to look as real as it is on paper. For all intents and purpose, as far as anyone knows we are in love. Any doubts someone might raise as to the legality of our union might challenge my rights to be considered in the will. In which case, all bets are off.”

Ally could feel the irritation like a slow burn inside. Regardless of what she’d agreed to on paper, she’d never given thought to having to spend the night...nights...with this man. “You never said anything about sleeping together.”

He looked at her, dumbfounded. “I didn’t think it necessary. We are, in fact, legally married. Why bother to tie the knot if you live on one side of town and I stay on the other?”

“Did you or did you not tell me we had to put up a good front when we’re out in public? That does not hold true behind closed doors.”

“Why?”

She leaned over the table toward him. “You know why,” she shot back.

“Do most married couples not stay together? Share living arrangements?”

The waitress set their plates down on the table. The steak appeared cooked to perfection, but she knew if she tried to eat at this moment, she would choke. Her throat was closing until she could barely breathe.

“Yes,” she hissed. “But we are not most couples!”

“Ally, you’re getting upset over nothing. Just because we share a home doesn’t mean something will necessarily happen between us. Don’t get me wrong—” he began to cut his steak “—I’m on board if it does. You’re a very beautiful woman. But it’s your call.”

“Share a home? You mean you intend to move into the house on the ranch?”

Seth looked at her as though she’d told a really bad joke.

“Fine. We can go to my cabin. It has a twin-size bed and a sofa.” He had to be at least six foot two, with broad shoulders. There was little doubt that if he tried to sleep on either the bed or couch, his head would hang off one end and his feet the other. “You can take your pick.”

“When do you have to be out of the cabin?”

“I have it as long as I keep my job, which I intend to do.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“What do you expect me to do? Live in a tree?”

“I expect you to give your resignation and move to your ranch. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“I can’t move to the ranch until you close on the property.”

“Which is the day after tomorrow.”

“Regardless, in the meantime I need someplace to live. Plus, I need my salary. Jobs in this area are not plentiful.”

“You don’t need a job. I can supply anything you need. Which reminds me, we are going to need some furniture for the house. In the meantime, we’ll stay at the hotel. Or, if you prefer, we can go on a short honeymoon.”

“That’s ludicrous.”

“It’s expected.”

“Not by me!”

The simmer was back. He expected her to act like the blushing bride and go off to some strange place with him? Not happening.

“Look, Masters.” She quickly looked around them to ensure they weren’t being overheard then lowered her voice. “I’ll play this game only so far. I have zero intentions of getting into bed with a man I’ve known less than a week. You flatter yourself if you think I can be coerced into such a thing. If that’s what you believe, you picked the wrong woman.”

“Mrs. Masters, I never said anything about sharing a bed. That was your own idea. One I’m not opposed to but not one I suggested. We will, however, share accommodations. If you want to explain to your friends and cohorts why we spent our wedding night in a cabin that’s barely large enough for one person, so be it.”

“I had no intention of telling anyone about this sham marriage. That’s your thing, not mine.”

“I don’t care if you spread the news or not, but this is a small town. Sooner or later someone will recognize you and ask about the man you’re with. What are you going to say then?”

Why hadn’t she considered all of this before she signed that stupid contract? Suddenly the ranch didn’t seem all that important. A fleeting picture flashed in her mind of her lying on a feather-soft bed with Seth’s strong arms around her. Of snuggling there, warm and protected. A flare of heat bloomed in her lower region, and she crossed her legs to fight off the sensation. It didn’t help.

“Fine. Have it your way. We can go to your hotel and I’ll take the couch or the floor.”

He smiled and put a bite of steak in his mouth. “It’s not a very big couch.”

“I don’t care.” She sprinkled some salt over her baked potato and began to eat.

“You might after a few nights.”

“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me. Just keep to your side of the room and do not come into mine.”

At that he smiled then pursed his lips as though to keep from grinning outright.

“Whatever you say, Mrs. Masters.”

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