Chapter Three
Vernon, Texas
Three Weeks Later
“I feel like I’m setting myself up to become a fool,” Anna muttered as she paced back and forth outside the town hall.
Sitting on the steps, Emily sighed.
“Would you stop doing that, Anna? You’re making me dizzy.”
“How can I stop when I know what’s about to happen? Or what might happen?”
“He said that he was going to meet you here, so just have a bit of patience.”
Anna snorted. At this point, patience wasn’t something she could ill afford to have. She had a week left before she ended up homeless. Now she was waiting for a man she’d never met to marry her to get the ranch back.
She hadn’t thought it would be possible.
Emily had told her to make the advert a bit more appealing, but she hadn’t.
Anna wanted men to know what they were getting into.
Surprisingly, it had received one letter of interest from Travis Cooper, a lumberjack from Piney Woods.
He sounded practical and curious about what was going on, showing a genuine interest in her circumstances.
Anna had been honest from the beginning, explaining that she was looking for a husband to secure her inheritance and not anything more.
Oddly, Travis had said he was more than happy to help out, which had made Anna wonder if he was running from something and was just desperate.
Then again, she could hardly comment given the way she’d sent out the advert in such a cold manner.
Hopefully, he was better in person. They’d exchanged a few letters, getting to know each other a bit more, and it sounded as if Travis was prepared for it.
Anna hoped that was the case, and that he wasn’t leading her on.
She had put all of her effort into getting him to agree to this, and there was no time to look for someone else.
This had to work.
“Where is he?” Anna scanned the crowd, everyone bustling about as normal as if nothing wrong was happening. “He said he would be here.”
“It’s only ten-thirty, Anna. He said he could get into town by twelve, at the latest.”
“Even so…”
“Look, why don’t we go and have a coffee?” Emily stood up and slipped an arm through Anna’s. “You need something to calm you down, and we can’t be standing here without someone noticing what you’re doing. You don’t want it to get back to Edwin just yet, do you?”
Her friend was right
Anna was not about to let that happen.
She and Emily were about to cross the street when she saw a horse trotting around the corner, slowing to a walk, its rider looking around.
His Stetson was set low over his face, so all she could see was a faint beard dusting across his jaw, along with a firm-looking mouth that showed no sign of mirth.
He was holding the reins as if he were worried that someone was going to attack him.
Anna’s heart began to pick up speed. Was this him? Travis had described himself in brief details, so she couldn’t be sure. But it might be.
They’d agreed to meet outside the town hall, and the stranger seemed to be riding in their direction. Emily stopped when she realized Anna wasn’t paying attention.
“What is it?” Emily asked.
“I think that’s him.”
As the stranger moved closer, he lifted his head, and Anna felt herself rooted to the spot with the look that he shot at her. Dark eyes glittered, and he showed off high cheekbones, a straight nose, and a strong jaw. She couldn’t look away from him as he approached.
“If that’s him, you’re incredibly lucky,” Emily murmured. “He’s very handsome.”
“Emily!”
“Well, he is.” Her friend giggled. “From the way you’ve started blushing, you think the same thing.”
“I don’t!” Anna hissed.
But Emily didn’t seem to believe her.
The stranger rode up to them and stopped, looking down at them from his saddle.
“Good morning, ladies,” he said pleasantly. “I’m looking for the town hall.”
“You’re right in front of it.” Emily gestured at the building behind her. “Are you Travis Cooper?”
“That I am.” Travis grinned and dismounted, taking hold of his horse’s reins. “You were expecting me?”
“Yes, this…”
Emily turned to Anna, but Travis got there before he could say anything.
“I’m guessing this is Anna Montgomery.”
Anna blinked, unsure how to react to his disarming smile.
“What makes you think that I’m her?” she asked.
“Because your friend looked far too cheerful to post a mail-order groom advert,” Travis chuckled. “You look like you’re about to go to an execution.”
Emily raised her eyebrows as a smile teased her mouth. But Anna didn’t see any amusement in what Travis said. She was a little taken aback by what he’d said, but she did her best to remain composed.
“Let’s just say I’m known for being practical,” she said stiffly. “I’m not desperate enough, or foolish enough, to go looking for romance in a newspaper.”
Travis blinked, his expression saying he realized that he’d said the wrong thing. Emily nudged her.
“He was just being playful, Anna,” she murmured. “Don’t start on the wrong foot.”
“I’m just making sure that Mr. Cooper is aware that this is no joking matter,” Anna said sharply.
Realizing that she was beginning to snap at her friend, she sighed and rubbed a hand over her face.
“Sorry, Emily. I just don’t find anything amusing about this situation.
Especially with the knowledge that I could lose everything soon. ”
Emily seemed slightly embarrassed, glancing up at Travis, who was beginning to look as if he would rather be anywhere else. Anna could tell this was beginning to slip out of her grasp, and she wasn’t about to lose it right now. She needed this, even if she didn’t really want to be married.
Not for the first time, she cursed her father for putting her in this position.
“Well,” she said briskly. “Welcome to Vernon, Travis Cooper. I’m sure you’re going to settle in well here. It’s a welcoming enough place, so I’m certain you’ll be taken in by everyone.”
“I hope so.” Travis looked around, his eyes taking in everything. “Although I’m beginning to wonder why you didn’t just look closer to home for a husband. I’m sure there are plenty of men who would be happy to marry a pretty little thing like yourself.”
Anna had sudden, warring emotions clash inside her. He’d called her pretty, and part of her wanted to be flattered, but then it felt as if he was being condescending. She gritted her teeth, clenching her hands into fists for a moment before forcing herself to relax.
“I have my reasons, Mr. Cooper,” she said coolly. “Anyway, shall we head over to the church? I know the pastor is available, so if we’re quick, we should be able to get our marriage done.”
“Already?” He blinked in surprise. “We’re getting married right now?”
“Didn’t you know that’s what we were doing as soon as you arrived? I did mention it in my last letter.”
“I know, but…” He shook himself. “I thought I was going to take a day or two to get settled in.”
Anna shook her head.
“I’m afraid we don’t have enough time. I’ve already sorted out the marriage licenses.” She patted the pocket in her dress. “All that needs to happen is the ceremony and the signing of the licenses. Then we’re done.”
She knew she sounded cold and callous, as if this was just an everyday occurrence, and she felt a little embarrassed.
She hadn’t wanted it to come across as if she didn’t care, but there wasn’t any other way to get it through to Travis that this was important.
She’d explained it to him, so he had to know.
Yet he still looked stunned as he stared at her. Was he beginning to regret answering her advert? Emily cleared her throat and took Anna’s arm.
“Why don’t we head over to the church and then have something to eat?” Emily suggested. “I’m getting hungry, and I’m sure Travis is going to want something to eat.”
“Yes. Right.” Anna swallowed before squaring her shoulders. “All right. Let’s go.”
She needed to start walking; otherwise, her legs were going to collapse, and she wouldn’t be able to move at all. Never did she think she would be doing something as transactional as marrying a stranger to keep something that belonged to her.
This felt like a bad dream.