A Mail-Order Wish (Miners to Millionaires Book 2) Read online

  Chapter 9

  Sensing someone beside him, Ronan woke quickly. But when he realized where he was, or more importantly, who he was with, he relaxed with a grin. Turning his head on the pillow, he stared at his exhausted bride. He’d worn her out the night before—worn himself out too.

  He allowed his gaze to linger as she slept. Warm, rosy, with a hint of beard burn on her cheek, she looked well-loved. Her blond hair cascaded over her pillow, and he had a deep urge to crawl back on top of her and nuzzle the softness.

  She’d given him so much more than he ever thought possible last night. She’d filled his soul, holding nothing back as she gave and gave.

  He’d never met anyone as selfless as Olivia. He didn’t deserve her. And he’d probably end up hurting her when everything was settled with Lawrence, but he prayed he didn’t. She was the one person in the world he wanted to protect. The one person, the only person, who mattered. He hoped that when everything was finished, he could start anew with her. Life with Olivia could be much more than he dreamed of.

  He just had to finish this with Lawrence.

  And to do that, he had to ask even more from her. He pushed remorse away. He was on a path that he couldn’t turn from. And a little bad in the beginning of their marriage wouldn’t ruin the rest of it. They had their whole lives. And after last night, they were bound together forever.

  He got up and dressed. They had several days of traveling by train ahead of them, so they needed to make sure they were comfortable. Plus, everything they’d need during the trip had to be packed in a separate bag to board with them. He should call a maid.

  He glanced at Olivia. Or maybe not? Would she rather take on the task of packing? He spent another moment in indecision before summoning someone. Olivia could oversee the maid’s packing if she wished.

  He sat on the edge of the bed and ran a finger down her soft arm to wake her. He remembered the feel of her—the taste—and touching her only made him want more.

  When she stirred, he murmured, “Good morning.”

  Her eyes flew open, and almost as fast, she sat up, the blankets hoisted to her chin.

  He held back a smile as he watched her remember what had happened the day before—and especially, last night.

  “Good morning.” She smiled shyly, pushing back a honey lock behind her shoulder, then eyed his clothes. “How long have you been awake?”

  “Not long. I would’ve let you sleep a bit later, but a maid is on her way and I thought you’d want to be dressed when she arrived.”

  Her cheeks pinked. “Thank you.”

  She shifted on the bed awkwardly and he grew concerned. “Are you all right? Are you hurting?” He imagined any woman after their first time would most likely ache.

  “I’m all right.” Her blushed deepened. “A little sore, maybe, but it’s not bad.”

  “It shouldn’t hurt next time.”

  She nodded in agreement, but he didn’t know if it was because she knew already, or if she just believed it because he’d said so.

  She inched toward the edge of the bed, the sheet firmly gripped in her hands, and he realized she was shy.

  He swallowed another smile and took pity on her, turning his back to his belongings long enough for her to dart out of bed to gather her undergarments and get dressed. She cleared her throat, signaling that she was finished, and he turned around to find her sweet smile beaming at him.

  His heart turned over. He wondered if anyone else had ever looked at him as if he’d hung the moon. She seemed as though she couldn’t be happier with him. But Olivia didn’t know the things he’d done, didn’t know what he was capable of, or even what he planned on doing to Lawrence. If she did, he guaranteed she would never look at him this way.

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “There’s something I need to talk to you about.” He wished he didn’t need to mention it—especially after last night—but they’d be on the train in a few hours with Lawrence’s inspector, and Ronan couldn’t take any chances.

  “All right.” She held her smile, but it seemed a little strained, as if she knew he was about to say something unpleasant.

  She walked forward, and he motioned for her to sit in one of the chairs by the fireplace. He took the one next to her. “We’ll be leaving in a few hours, so we’ll need to pack a separate bag.”

  “I understand. I had problems with that on the way here.”

  “Good.”

  “Is there anything else?”

  “Yes...”

  She shifted in the chair.

  He wished this was easier. “I need to talk to you about the trip. The inspector you met yesterday? He’ll be on the same train.”

  She nodded slowly. “Yes, I remember him saying so.”

  “Well, he’ll be watching us. It’s what he’s been hired to do. His job is to make sure that I am a good bet, that there isn’t anything off about me. It would make me a less desirable person to do business with. And I really need this transaction to go through.”

  “Okay.” She agreed, but Ronan could see she had no clue what he was talking about. But really, how could she when he could barely bring himself to say it? “If it’s that important, I’m willing to do whatever I can.”

  “There’s a man interested in buying one of my mines.” When her mouth fell open, he shook his head. “Yes, I have several, but I’m ready to part with this one.” He couldn’t tell her that it was a dud and he’d purposefully bought it hoping to lure Lawrence. The less she knew, the better. “In any case, I’d like it gone as soon as possible, and this is a good buyer. But there’s a problem.”

  She sat up a little taller.

  “This buyer, Mr. Lawrence Adams, only likes to do business with married men. He thinks that it somehow makes the venture less risky.”

  A shadow crossed her face. “I see. Is that why…”

  She couldn’t seem to bring herself to ask if that was why he’d married her, so he saved her the trouble. “Yes, it is one of the reasons we got married.” When her face fell, he added, “But not the only one.” His words didn’t seem to help. Frustrated, he raked a hand through his hair. “I mean that, Olivia. I wouldn’t have married you if I only needed a temporary wife. I could’ve hired a saloon girl to pose as one and travel with me.”

  Red tinged her cheeks. “Then why didn’t you?”

  Cursing himself mentally, he knew he was going about this all wrong, and he hadn’t even gotten to the bad part yet!

  He knelt down in front of her and took her arms in his hands, giving her a little shake until she made eye contact. “Because I wanted you. You, Olivia. Not some random woman. I wanted you as my wife. I have for a long while.” It surprised him how true that was. He’d never admitted it, even to himself, before he’d spoken the words.

  Her expression softened. “Really?”

  “Yes. I chose you because I wanted you. You make me feel things I haven’t felt in years.” His throat closed, unable to confess more. But she didn’t need more. “I hate to ask this of you. I never would have if the situation weren’t so serious.”

  She moved closer to him. “What is it?”

  “The man can’t know we’re newly married.”

  She leaned back, the connection broken. “What?”

  “If they realize I married you in the middle of all this, they’ll think I did it just for the deal.” She didn’t question him aloud, but he saw it in her eyes. “I need you to pretend like we’ve been married longer. About a year.”

  She answered quietly. “I thought we were going to be on our honeymoon.”

  “We are.” He reached out and stroked her cheek. “But no one else can know that. Not while we’re traveling. Not until the documents for the mine’s sale are signed.”

  She turned her face away. “You want me to lie.”

  The one statement made him feel like the scum he was. “I don’t want you to lie. I just want you to omit the truth. No one should ask how long we’ve been married, and if they do, I’ll a
nswer. I’ll lie. You don’t have to.”

  “But letting others believe something that isn’t true is a lie.”

  He stood from her. “I can’t debate this with you. I’m sorry that I’ve put you in this position. But you’re my wife, I need your support in this. I need you to do this.”

  He saw her weakening and went in for the kill. “I need your help, Olivia.”

  Almost as if magic occurred, she nodded, and he realized again how much his wife desired to be needed. And the fact was, he did need her. He was a cur for using it against her, but he’d already acknowledged how bad a match he was for her. None of that could matter now. Their lives were joined. Whatever either of them did, the other had to go along. For better or for worse. It might be worse now, but it wouldn’t always be so. They just had to get through this. “Will you do it?”

  “Yes,” she agreed softly, but didn’t look at him.

  Good enough. He couldn’t expect her to be happy about it. “Thank you.”

  He walked out the door, passing the maid on his way down to the lobby. Everything was going according to plan. Everything with his enemy was lining up exactly how he wanted it to. The little obstacles the man threw at Ronan were annoyances, yes, but he handled them. He should be thrilled. Overjoyed.

  Instead, he felt like he’d made the biggest mistake of his life.

  Chapter 10

  Olivia watched out the train’s window as the scenery slowly changed from scorching sand to greener pastures. She and Ronan had been en route to Georgia for the last few days, sleeping when they could, eating, and generally trying their best not to communicate.

  It was better that way, she assured herself.

  Glancing over her shoulder, her eyes met Mr. Adam’s man. He nodded, acknowledging the eye contact.

  She smiled as warmly as she was able and slowly turned her attention forward. Ronan had been right. The man was there to watch their every move. Every time she had turned around, used the water closet, or dined in the dining car, he was there. Watching, waiting, looking for anything that would be suspect, and therefore, reported.

  It put her on edge.

  Ronan placed his hand over hers, and she almost jumped from the contact. “Are you all right?” he whispered.

  He’d been doing that the whole trip. Touching her hand, her back, doing the small things husbands did for their wives. Each time made her heart race, but then she wondered if he did those things because he wanted to, or if he was only putting on a show for the inspector. “I’m fine. Just a little on edge.”

  His finger rubbed the back of her hand soothingly and she shivered. It shouldn’t feel this good if he was only doing it for someone else’s benefit...right?

  “Why are you on edge? Are you uncomfortable?”

  Could he really not know? “The inspector,” she whispered.

  The rubbing stopped, but he didn’t glance over his shoulder. He leaned close to her ear. “Has he done anything?”

  “Besides watch us every second?” As if he needed to do anything other than that. She didn’t know what was wrong with her. Yes, being scrutinized was enough to drive anyone a little mad, but it shouldn’t make her feel as if she were losing her mind.

  “It won’t always be like this. In another week or two, this will all be over.” His eyes willed her to believe him, and she wanted to, but what kind of start to their marriage was this?

  “Will it?”

  “Yes.”

  She shook her head and looked away.

  “Hey.” His finger nudged her face back to his. “I really am sorry about this. If I could change it, I would. I’d never put you through this if it wasn’t absolutely necessary.”

  “I know.” She believed him, trusted him. And really, did it matter all that much if others believe they’ve been married longer than they actually had? They were married after all. They would eventually be married that long. When she rationalized it that way, it didn’t seem like that big of a deal. Nothing to get upset over, certainly. But those thoughts didn’t completely set her at ease.

  She squeezed the hand still resting on her cheek, and he pulled her forward for a soft kiss.

  The minute their lips met, tension eased from her shoulders. She wished they were alone. Everything was so much better when they were. Nothing outside their bedroom door mattered. All that existed was them and their connection with one another.

  She’d never known it could be that way. That not just her body, but her soul would connect with another person. It was special, magical, amazing in a way she’d never imagined.

  If only she could feel that same feeling the rest of the time. She hoped that once Ronan’s business concluded, she would. But she’d just have to see.

  “Hold on just a little longer. It’ll get better, I promise,” he said.

  She nodded and squeezed his hand one last time.

  It would get better. She’d put her faith in that.

  When they arrived in Atlanta late in the evening a few days later, Ronan wasted no time in securing transportation to their hotel. Once their luggage was loaded, Ronan gathered up Olivia in his arms. “Sleep. It’ll take a little time to reach the hotel. You might as well rest.”

  She didn’t argue. Curling a hand against his chest, she nuzzled in and promptly fell asleep.

  He snorted his amusement as he looked down at her. She could sleep anywhere, as he’d discovered on the trip. As long as she felt safe, which she apparently seemed to now trust him completely, she could rest.

  His heart tripped at the thought. She trusted him completely. Him—a man who’d been stripped of all honor, sentenced to death, forced to flee his home—was trusted by this quiet, sweet woman.

  She’d been amazing on the train, bearing up under pressure so much better than he’d ever expected. And she’d never complained. Not once.

  He was lucky to have her, and he’d make sure she knew that.

  When they arrived at the hotel, he carried her sleeping form through the lobby and up to their room. A few eyes might’ve strayed their way, but with the way another woman sighed while looking at them as they passed, he knew they thought the way he carried her was romantic.

  It was much more proper here, and he’d do his best to conform to society’s standards during their stay, but he wasn’t looking forward to it. It was one of the things out west that he preferred—the freedom of it all. But with Olivia, he wanted to do better, he wanted to be the best for her. He had a feeling that her reputation mattered, and with the amount of money they had, she’d have the finest clothes, invitations to any party she wished, and lavished with whatever she could possibly need.

  He placed her softly on the bed, his eyebrows furrowing. Will she want to move back to Georgia? Will she want to live by her family?

  Even after everything was finalized with Lawrence, Ronan hadn’t given much thought to what would come after. It was possible they could return to Georgia, but when he thought of a home with her, it was always in Promise Creek. But more than anything, he wanted her to be happy.

  Too tired from traveling, he decided not to think of it any longer. They still had much to do before they could decide on anything. But if all went well, they’d be able to make plans within a few days.

  Exhausted, he undressed and made quick work of his wife’s traveling clothes, before tucking them both in bed.

  Still asleep, she instinctively curled toward him. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her close, counting his blessing that, through everything, he had her for his own.

  He just hoped she would always want him the way she did now.

  A note arrived early the next morning, but Olivia was so exhausted from traveling she hardly paid attention to it. Finally, after getting dressed, she took interest in the note.

  She picked up the thickly folded vellum. “Are you expecting a letter?” she called out over her shoulder to Ronan.

  “No.” He stepped closer and noticed the letter. “What does it say?”

  “
I haven’t read it.” But she was curious about what was in it. Not many people would know they’d arrived.

  She handed him the letter and he made quick work of breaking the seal and scanning over the message, before handing it back to her. “It’s from Lawrence Adams. He welcomes us to Georgia and has invited us to a party on Saturday.”

  “A party?” She scanned the contents of the letter, her heart fluttering. She knew there would be dinners to attend, but she hadn’t planned on anything more formal. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

  “Did you bring a ball gown?”

  “I have one dress I could wear, but if there are more functions like this”—she held up the letter—“I’m afraid I’ll have to wear the same dress.”

  He shook his head. “That won’t do.”

  Her shoulders fell. She should’ve realized there would be more need for fancy dresses here. “I’m sorry. I don’t have many lavish gowns any longer. When I left to marry Ivan, I assumed they wouldn’t be very practical in Promise Creek.”

  He waved her off and took her hands. “It’s my fault, I should’ve expected this. We’ll go to the shops today and buy everything they have ready.”

  She gasped. “But the dresses are so expensive. I’m sure we can figure out something else. I’d hate to have such an expense when the gowns won’t be needed once we return home.”

  His brow quirked. “And Montana is home now?”

  “It is.” Her chin notched up, and she wondered if he would call her on it. She may speak with a Georgian accent, but since she’d made the decision to move to Promise Creek, she’d cut ties here. “I left this place behind. It’s lovely to visit again, but I don’t want to live here.”

  She blushed at the approval in his eyes.

  “I understand. But you do need the dresses, they’re important. Besides,” he continued when she was about to put up another argument, “You couldn’t beggar us if you tried. I don’t think you realize how rich we are, love.”

  Her belly quivered at the endearment. It was the first time he’d used such a word, but she didn’t think he’d even realized. She didn’t want to make a big deal out of it and have him take it back. “How rich are we?” Olivia asked, thinking it was what he was waiting to hear.