A Mail-Order Hope (Miners to Millionaires Book 3) Read online

  “Have you seen Mr. Grant?” Belle wiggled her eyebrows.

  A laugh escaped Aria’s lips. “Hush! It doesn’t matter what he looks like. It doesn’t matter much in an employer or husband.”

  “You don’t want a handsome husband?” That would be the first time she’d heard anyone say such a thing.

  “It’s not that I wish him to look homely. It’s only that I’ve come to realize that looks don’t mean anything. They certainly don’t reflect who a person is. I’ve met dashing, handsome gentlemen that I wouldn’t want to brush past whilst on the street. I’ve also met rather plain-looking men who were devoted fathers and husbands, men who acted as if their wives were the center of the universe. That is what I desire in a husband.”

  Belle hadn’t quite thought of it that way. But Aria was right. It didn’t matter what a person looked like on the outside, all that mattered is what was within. “That is very wise.”

  Aria’s cheeks pinked at the compliment. “I don’t know about that. But it’s what I know.” She looked at Belle directly. “What do you think? About the job?”

  This could get tricky… “I think you should do what you think is right. You know yourself better than anyone. If this job will give you happiness, security, or anything else that you are looking for, then take it, if you think you can make the commitment.”

  “What do you think the others will say?”

  She didn’t need to ask if Aria meant the other women, there was only one group of ‘others’. “I think they’ll be happy for you and support you. Why wouldn’t they.”

  “Well you did say he was handsome.”

  “I think you’ll be safe there. A few might not understand your desire to work, since we’re financially sound, but the rest of us will.”

  “Thank you.” Aria leaned in and hugged Belle tightly. “I couldn’t have gotten luckier…” Her brows furrowed. “Well, my mail-order groom could still be alive, could’ve only sent for me, and I could already be happily married. But besides that.”

  They both laughed.

  Belle gave her one more hug. “Let me know what you choose. I’ll smooth over any bumps with the others.”

  “You might have to hog-tie Violet,” Aria said, already anticipating that the woman who’d come from money, and had been the most volatile and spoiled of them all, would object.

  Belle winked. “Just leave her to me.”

  Chapter 10

  As the sun set, the crowds in town slowly dispersed. Residents had enjoyed the Festival for as long as possible, drawing every ounce of excitement out of the celebration as they could. Reluctantly, they slowly made their way home.

  Belle was shocked that Asher had decided to stay after his conversation with Ronan. She hadn’t asked him what they’d talked about, didn’t think he’d tell her anyway, but something seemed different. He appeared…younger, a little more carefree. He didn’t go out of his way to make conversation with others, but he didn’t answer in one or two words and promptly leave either.

  Something had changed.

  Belle yawned and tried to cover the action with her hand. She was exhausted, but didn’t want to leave yet. She wanted to enjoy it until the bitter end.

  “You’re tired,” Asher noted.

  Belle moved her hand and smiled mid-yawn. At least, she tried. The amusement in Asher’s eyes made her embarrassment worth it. “I’m all right.”

  “How late do you plan on staying?”

  “Not much longer. The others have already gone on home without me.”

  He frowned. “You’re riding home alone?”

  “Yes. I’ve done it before. I won’t get lost.”

  “I’m sure you won’t. But there’s more to worry about when a woman rides alone. Especially at night.”

  She patted her gun. “That’s what this is for.” She might have a few reservations about going alone, but she was certain she could handle herself with the rifle well enough if anyone, or anything, threatened her.

  “And you’ve proven you’re more than capable. Still, I would feel better if you’d let me take you home.”

  “Oh, you don’t have to do that.”

  “I want to.”

  He wanted to escort her home—well, he hadn’t said it like that—he wanted to make sure she got there safely, there was a difference. Even if the line was slimmer than silk thread, there was still a difference. “All right. Thank you.”

  His shoulders sagged a little as if he’d geared up for more of an argument from her. “Good. Shall we?”

  He held out his arm and her heart fluttered at the gesture. He’d never done anything like that before. It had always been ‘follow me’ or ‘watch where you’re going’ or ‘hurry up’. She was worried she’d be in a lot of trouble if Asher did things like this more often.

  She tucked her hand through his arm and he brought her even closer to his side as if to warm her with his body heat. It wasn’t cold out exactly, but this was more of a crisp night than they’d had in a while. She should’ve brought a shawl with her.

  “Is your horse at the livery?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why don’t you leave it there for the night and come back and get it in the morning?” He looked up at the dark sky. The moon was completely black and the stars gave off little light. “The visibility isn’t great tonight. I wouldn’t want your horse to step wrong and throw you.”

  “How will I get home? There’s no wagon.”

  “Ride with me.”

  She stopped walking. “With you? Aren’t you worried your horse would do the same thing?”

  He shook his head. “He’s used to these conditions. At least, as used to them as any horse can be. It’s darker where I live. We’ll be just fine.”

  She glanced back at the group. She wasn’t worried about her safety with Asher. If she had been, she would’ve felt that way a long time ago when she’d begun visiting him alone. But something was different about him tonight, and she didn’t quite know how to handle it. Regardless, she wanted to go with him. She wanted to ride with him at her back. “All right. If you think that’s best.”

  “I do.”

  A burning started low in her belly when he lifted her onto his mount, before swinging up behind her. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled her closer to him, aligning their bodies to move easier with the horse’s gait. “This all right?” he asked, and his warm breath next to her ear sent tingles through her body.

  She cleared her throat. “Mm hmm.” It was the best she could manage with the fireworks exploding inside her.

  His body warmed her back through her clothes, and as the horse moved, she relaxed more into his hold until he supported her completely. His arm wrapped around her middle, holding her securely, tenderly almost.

  Who was this man? She’d seen glimpses of this part of him when they’d kissed during the scavenger hunt, but there’d been an edge of urgency there, of desperation. This wasn’t like that. It wasn’t a moment that burst into flame and died a moment later. This was gentle, tender…loving.

  She gasped.

  She loved Asher!

  Her heart raced and she worried he could feel it pounding, now that his forearm nestled under her chest.

  I love Asher. The thought kept tumbling through her mind, pushing, whirling, and coming back into focus. And she kept bringing the feeling closer, cherishing it. She’d known she would fall in love someday. She didn’t know how or when, since it’d never happened before, but she certainly didn’t think it would happen in an instant.

  But had it really happened that quickly? She had to admit that it’d been coming for some time, since the moment he’d first let her in his cabin and into his life.

  The reminder of what she’d had to do to wedge him out of the house and their agreement that once he attended the dance he’d be free to live his life, unnerved her. Would she really never see him again? She’d promised him she’d leave him alone after that, that it would be his choice if he wished to socialize.<
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  What had she done? Dread settled like a lump of lead in her gut. She’d just found the man she loved, the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, and the dance was in two days from now. How could she ever convince him he wanted to spend the rest of his life, not only living in the world, but married to her?

  There had to be some way to convince him, some way to make him realize how much he wanted this life, at least enough where he chose to come off his mountain and into town on occasion. If she could get him to do that, perhaps in time, he would come to love her as well.

  Asher settled Belle a little closer to him on his horse, and when her body aligned perfectly with his, his eyes almost rolled back in his head from the pleasure she gave him.

  They fit together perfectly—every angle, every curve—like they had been designed exactly for the other.

  He breathed deeply in an attempt to get his body under control. But the moment he inhaled, he realized what a mistake he’d made. Her scent enveloped him, searing him down to his soul with want...desire...need.

  He’d never craved anyone or anything more than he did Belle in this moment. Their kiss had lit him on fire, but still he’d been able to pull back. Having her this close, feeling their bodies move together in unison with the horse, did things to him he never thought possible.

  Just having her in his arms overwhelmed him.

  It both pained him and relieved him when they were close enough to see lights in the distance. He didn’t want to leave her, but he didn’t trust himself a moment longer with her. They were better off if he dropped her off quickly and left. It was safer that way.

  “Asher? Can you stop a moment?”

  She’d asked the question with barely a whisper, but he’d heard her clearly. “We’ll be at your home in just a moment—”

  “No. Please stop now.”

  Frowning, he brought the horse to a stop. “Are you all right?”

  “Can we get down?”

  A part of him—a part he wasn’t proud of—wanted to deny her request, because he was worried that being around her a second longer was a terrible idea. The things he wanted to do…

  He wouldn’t disregard her wishes though; he didn’t care what more he had to face. He didn’t respond verbally before dismounting and reaching up to help her down. His body ached with need, but he was strong. He could endure this. His body had endured all kinds of trials, and it was certainly capable of withstanding this.

  Her arms wrapped around his neck, her hands threaded through his hair, and before he could fully set her on her feet, her lips landed on his.

  Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around her waist, anchoring her to his body. He fought his desire, allowing her to give and take as she pleased, and he held nothing back from her. But when she went to deepen the kiss, his brain shut off completely.

  Changing to the aggressor, both hands swept up her back and into her hair, holding her exactly at the right angle to kiss her as he wanted, as he’d dreamed.

  He took and took and took. And heaven help him, she gave.

  She poured herself into the kiss, holding nothing back, clinging to him as fiercely as he did to her. Nothing had ever been so honest, so real, in his entire life. They were communicating on a level so much deeper than words.

  She touched places in his soul, places that were battered and scarred, and healed them with her tenderness, her passion, her need. He’d never known that a man and woman’s connection could be like a communion of their souls, never knew that there was anything more than the instant gratification one could get from the other.

  He never wanted to live without it—

  He broke his mouth from hers, but he held her close, searching her eyes, hunting for the pieces of himself that he’d given to her.

  What was he doing? He looked away from her, unable to bear the feelings she aroused in him. He couldn’t have her. He couldn’t have this. He couldn’t—

  “Don’t,” she whispered, and her hand tightened on the back of his head.

  His eyes met hers again.

  “Don’t shut me out. Stay here; stay with me. Don’t think, Asher, just feel.”

  With an oath, his mouth crashed back on hers in a frenzy. The last thread of control had snapped. He licked, kissed, and sucked on her lips until low moans sounded in her throat.

  As if he could taste those sounds, his lips kissed down to her neck—biting, licking, and coaxing even more from her.

  He wanted to bare her to his eyes, feed on every inch of her, know her as no other had. Make her his—

  He wrenched himself out of their embrace. Both their chests heaved, gulping air and sanity with each deep breath.

  As he looked back at her—her eyes glazing with passion, her chest rising and falling with the burning need left between them—and he wanted to kneel down in surrender, worshiping at her feet.

  He’d never seen anyone or anything more beautiful than Belle in this moment, completely open, completely trusting. Emotion shone from her eyes and filled him with thoughts and desires of a future that could never be.

  He hated himself right then. He hated that he couldn’t give her anything more. He resented his life and the way he was forced to live.

  He would resent every day he spent apart from her forever.

  “You should head the rest of the way home.”

  “You’re not coming?” She touched her lips with two fingers, as if remembering his kiss.

  He groaned. Heaven help him, he did. “I’m not sure touching you is such a good idea right now. If I did, I wouldn’t stop at kissing you.”

  Her cheeks flushed even warmer at his meaning and she nodded.

  He pointed toward his horse. “Go on. I’ll wait here and call for him once you’re inside.”

  “All right.” She stepped toward the horse, but turned to him before mounting. “Asher—”

  “Not tonight, Belle.” If she said anything, did anything, touched him in any way, he would explode. There’d be no stopping what was swirling inside him.

  She swallowed hard, while nodding as if she understood, then climbed up on the horse.

  She didn’t glance back.

  Chapter 11

  While Belle tidied up her room, Aria knocked on her open door and leaned in the doorway.

  Belle smiled in greeting at her friend. “Hi.”

  “Hi. I heard you didn’t return with your horse last night. Wonder how you got home?” Her green eyes twinkled.

  “Stop teasing me.”

  Aria chuckled. “It’s too fun, especially after the way you teased me yesterday about Mr. Grant.”

  Belle’s lips twisted into a smile. “I guess it’s fair then.” She finally let out the laugh she’d been holding back. It felt good, the sound echoing the happiness inside her. “Was there something you needed?”

  “I was sent up to fetch you.”

  “By who?”

  “Everyone.”

  That bubbly feeling inside dimmed ever so slightly. “Now?”

  Aria nodded, but a smile was on her face, so it couldn’t be too bad. Maybe they all needed to discuss finances or something. “I’ll be down in a minute.”

  When Aria left, Belle finished cleaning her room, leaving the bed unmade as Sylvia, their housekeeper, requested. Apparently, Belle wasn’t allowed to make the bed because she didn’t do it right. Oh, how she wished her mother had felt the same way. She snorted at the thought.

  Belle started down the steps, admiring the beauty of their home. Ivan had truly done a magnificent job on it. She’d always recognized it, but for some reason, it stood out even more today. Everything looked prettier, better, fresher, and brighter than yesterday.

  “Someone got home late last night,” Willow called out from one of the living room chairs.

  Belle paused at the bottom of the stairs and looked at six pairs of eyes watching her. “News travels fast around here.” She wanted to roll her eyes, but restrained the movement, though just barely. She couldn’t stop
the smile from blooming however.

  Except for Clara and Olivia, they were all here. While it was overwhelming when Ivan’s brides were all together, she enjoyed it in small doses. “We’re all here. Is there something we need to talk about?” she asked as she stepped into the room.

  Rosalie shrugged as Aria winked. Sadie, Juliette, Willow, and Violet all waited quietly.

  Finally, Juliette interrupted the silence. “You were with Asher, right?” she asked gently. There wasn’t anything biting in the comment.

  “Yes.” There wasn’t any point in denying it. She’d done nothing wrong, and she wasn’t ashamed of the time she’d spent with Asher.

  “You’ve been spending a lot of time with him lately,” Rosalie said as she took a seat on the couch next to Sadie. “Is it getting serious?”

  Aria spoke before Belle had the chance. “She’s been visiting Asher as a kindness. After what he did for Clara, she’s been trying to help him.” Her eyes turned back to Belle. “Isn’t that, right?”

  Belle wanted to hug her friend for the support. But she had to admit she knew the others were being supportive in their own way too. Even Violet, who was keeping her mouth shut. That, in itself, was a kindness. “It’s true. I’ve been taking him baskets and speaking to him from outside his cabin. And now, we’ve done a few things in town together.”

  “And it’s serious?” Violet asked.

  Belle hesitated a moment. Violet’s bright blue eyes pierced hers, a startling contrast to the woman’s dark black hair that curled down and over her shoulders. Belle had never truly grown accustomed to.

  She could say that they were just friends, or that she was still only helping him, perhaps even tell them of the agreement she and Asher had come to. But all of that would be misleading, and these women deserved so much more. “It started out just as Aria said—I was helping him. But something changed. I’m not sure when it happened or why, but it did.”

  “You care for him now?” Rosalie asked.

  “Love him?” Sadie offered.

  She hadn’t even gotten one morning alone to relish the feelings brewing inside her. But she wasn’t about to lie to them and tarnish something so beautiful. “I do. I love him.”