Chapter One
“He did what?” Emily stared at Anna in bewilderment. “He actually put that in the will?”
Anna nodded, staring at the steaming mug of coffee in her hands. She’d been sitting in the kitchen for some time now, barely aware of what was going on. It wasn’t until Emily had come to find her that she’d snapped out of her daze.
Mr. Neelley had urged her to think about it before he departed, and it was making her feel nauseous.
How could anyone go into a marriage like this?
Certainly, it was common practice, but Anna couldn’t do that for herself.
She didn’t think she could do something that felt clinical and transactional.
If it worked for others, she wasn’t going to argue. In fact, she’d be happy for them.
But she couldn’t do that.
“Well,” Emily said, sitting back in her chair, shaking her head. “I’m surprised he didn’t ignore everything and let you inherit regardless. He loved you deeply and knew you’d do a better job running the ranch.”
Anna made a face. “I wish he had done that. It would be easier for me to handle. I’m not about to be bound to someone just to get what I want. That’s not right.”
“But everyone does it. And getting married at your age isn’t a bad thing.” Emily folded her arms over his chest.
“I just don’t want it. Especially when it feels like I’m being forced into it.”
Emily gave her a sympathetic smile, but Anna wondered how much of her friend’s thoughts were in support of her.
Despite how close they were and how Emily was Anna’s confidant, they couldn’t be more different in their personalities and looks.
Anna was dark-haired, slim, and quiet, preferring hard work and not minding the smell of the animals she tended.
Emily, on the other hand, was curvy with golden-blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes.
She liked to buy the most extravagant perfume and dresses available.
You could often smell the perfume before Emily turned up.
They were also different when it came to love and marriage.
Emily was a romantic, and she wished to have a loving husband and happy marriage.
Anna wasn’t romantic, preferring to be on her own.
It worked for her, and she didn’t have to answer to anyone.
Edwin, certainly, had tried, but Anna wasn’t about to bow down to him.
Pa said she shouldn’t have to, but Edwin tended to ignore him.
“I know this is hard for you, Anna,” Emily said, reaching over to take Anna’s hand. “But you have to think practically. Do you want the ranch?”
“Of course I do. No question about it.”
“Then you’ll have to go through with it, won’t you? Who knows? You might find someone you actually like.” Emily sighed wistfully. “I know I’d love to be in that position, but… you know how people are.”
“Well, I wouldn’t want to marry any of the eligible local men,” Anna muttered. “Especially if they are friends with Edwin. That’s going to be too dangerous.”
“Then what about doing it another way?”
“What other way?”
Emily smiled, and her eyes twinkled.
“An advertisement for a husband.”
Anna let the words sink in, but it didn’t make any sense. She blinked and stared at her friend. “What? Did I hear you right, Emily? You’re telling me that I should advertise for a husband?”
Emily rolled her eyes. “I don’t know why you’re so shocked about it, Anna. You know it’s done around here.”
“I’m well aware of that, but I didn’t think that you would suggest it to me, given you know my feelings on the subject.”
“Well, what other choice have you got?” Her friend shot back. “You’ve got to find someone to marry, and there are plenty of men out there who want a wife. It would be ideal. You’d have what you wanted.”
Anna scoffed at that. “Not exactly how I wanted it to happen.”
“I wish you wouldn’t make it sound like it’s a bad thing.” Emily tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear. “You never know. You might end up liking the man. Maybe even falling in love with him.”
Anna groaned. Not this again. Emily saw romance in everything, whereas Anna didn’t believe in it. She’d seen a loving marriage between her parents before her mother died, and she’d given up on having something like that for herself.
“Don’t even think about love like that, Emily. You know what I think about love.”
Emily raised her eyes to the heavens. “Honestly, you need to open your mind and admit that it might happen to you one day.”
“Don’t you think I tried? Don’t you remember what happened a few years ago?
I had men who were more interested in the ranch than in me.
I even overheard one of them telling his friends it would be worth it even if he had to put up with the stench of manure on me.
” Anna looked down at her clothes. “I bathe regularly, and I always have clean clothes on. That knocked me back a lot.”
“Callum White is a cad, and he deserves to remain unmarried for the rest of his life,” Emily declared. “He doesn’t respect women at all. Anyway, I wouldn’t expect you to marry someone as horrible as him.”
“Besides, how can I go into anything like this and think I might fall in love? I’ve got to think practically. I need someone who can work around the ranch and help me keep the ranch. Love doesn’t come into it.”
“Then that makes advertising for a husband ideal!” Emily cried. “You can find the right person. If they’re looking for a better life but not love, then even better. You can come to an agreement together.”
Anna knew this was practical, but she was still unsure about it.
The thought of getting married within the next six weeks was terrifying to her.
She didn’t think she would even consider getting married until her thirties, when she would be more mature and ready for a husband.
She wanted to focus on the ranch, preferring to know it was safe and secure rather than find someone to spend her life with.
If it didn’t happen, she wasn’t going to be upset; it just meant more time for her, which she found enticing.
She could do whatever she wanted without having to worry about anything.
That made her smile as she thought about it.
However, this wasn’t about to be her future. She had to do something about it, or she would have no future.
The sound of the front door slamming made both women jump, and then heavy footsteps followed. Then Edwin filled the doorway, leaning on the doorframe and giving Anna a lazy smile.
“Oh, you’re still here?” he said, leering at Anna. “I would’ve thought you’d move out by now.”
Anna straightened up, fixing her cousin with a hard stare.
“I’m not going anywhere, Edwin. I think we’ve made that clear.”
“You do know I could have you thrown out, if you’re going to be difficult. I have no qualms about making you homeless, Anna.”
Emily gasped in shock.
“How could you be so cruel? She’s your family, Edwin!”
But Edwin simply shrugged. Anna felt a wave of revulsion as she looked at her older cousin.
He was not quite thirty, tall and well-built from years of heavy lifting.
With his fair hair, thick beard, and tanned, weathered skin, he looked every bit a rancher.
But his laziness was legendary. He just did the bare minimum, claiming he had done the most work.
Connor kept having to stay on him to actually do some work.
It was no wonder Pa didn’t want to leave the ranch to him when he had no care or respect for the place except how wealthy it could make him.
“So, Anna,” Edwin addressed her. “When are you leaving? You’d better get a move on.”
“I’m not leaving.”
Her cousin sighed as if talking to a child.
“You shouldn’t…”
“Why don’t you go and talk to Mr. Neelley and find out why I’m not going anywhere?” Anna countered with a slight smile. “I’m sure he can give you a decent explanation.”
That made Edwin frown in confusion.
“What are you talking about?” he demanded.
“I’m saying there’s a reason why I’m staying where I am. Didn’t he tell you anything when you went to have the will read to you?”
“Why would I go to have the will read to me when I know that I’m the one inheriting everything?” Now Edwin faltered. “Are… are you suggesting that’s not true?”
Anna didn’t say anything, raising her coffee mug to her lips and taking a sip. Her cousin watched her with wide eyes, and then he left abruptly, stumbling back through the house and slamming the door as he left. Emily giggled.
“You like goading him, don’t you?”
“It’s very easy at times. It makes me feel better after what he’s done over the years.” Anna sighed heavily. “I suppose this means that I have to actually find someone who is willing to be part of a transactional game to get what I want.”
“Oh, I’m sure you won’t have a problem trying to find a husband. Any man would be lucky to have you as his wife,” Emily said.
“Emily!” Anna felt her face getting warm. “You don’t need to say that.”
“What are you talking about? You’re beautiful. I love your hair the most. It’s always so soft.”
“You’ve got lovely hair as well.”
But her friend made a face and patted her chignon.
Taking a deep breath, she put her mug on the table. “All right. Let’s do it.”
Beaming, Emily reached into her bag, which she’d placed on the table, and brought out a newspaper, a pad of paper, and a pencil.
“Then I suggest we get started now. We can draft the advertisement together, and I’ll take it straight to the printers.”
“You were expecting me to give in, weren’t you?”
Her friend shrugged and said nothing, but the smirk told Anna everything. Sighing, Anna stood up and left the kitchen, Emily following close behind. Inwardly, Anna wished her father hadn’t done this.
She was not looking forward to her future anymore, but if it meant she kept what was hers, it was the only choice she had.
She wasn’t about to be beaten.