The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter

it doesn’t?”
    He didn’t like her pessimism. “ If it doesn’t . . . I’ll leave. I’ll give you an annulment—if that’s still an option . . .”
    She was shaking her head, clutching the pillow against her stomach like her life depended on it. “No.”
    What did he go and say that for?
    â€œDon’t need your answer now. Mull it over.” He put his hat on his head.
    â€œDon’t need to.”
    He glanced out the window. “Olivia’s ’bout done with the weeding. All right if I keep my promise?”
    Her lips pressed together. She was tempted to say no, but she wouldn’t. “Fine. Have her back in an hour. And not one word of this.”
    â€œYes, ma’am.” He touched the brim of his hat. “Stay off that foot now.” He left just in time. The pillow hit the door right behind him.

14
    M r. McCoy showed me how to skip rocks.” Olivia moved her bowl closer on the TV tray. She’d fixed a corn and black bean salad for them after Shay had insisted that Travis finally leave.
    Shay hadn’t had a pain pill in hours, not wanting to doze off again, but she was taking one before bed, that was for sure.
    â€œHe can make ’em skip, like, ten or twelve times. I’m not that good yet, but he told me if you pick a real flat one . . .”
    Shay set the fork on her empty plate and resisted the urge to roll her eyes. All she’d heard since Olivia had returned was Mr. McCoy this, Mr. McCoy that . She was going to gag at the next mention of his name.
    â€œ. . . and Mr. McCoy said . . .”
    Heaven help me .
    She’d been napping when they returned—hadn’t woken until afternoon. By then Travis had fixed the corral fence, organized the tack room, and apparently held the world on its axis.
    She couldn’t get his offer off her mind, crazy as it was. She even called the county clerk’s office, making sure it was just as Travis said.
    Still, they could file for an annulment. A little paperwork, a little time, and all this would be over. Only one thing had stopped her from doing it.
    Her ranch. She needed the money and the help. They’d only managed today because of Travis. Her friends had ranches of their own, financial problems of their own. The recession had hit everyone hard.
    Everyone except Travis, apparently.
    One minute she’d find herself thinking this was the perfect solution. It would give them half a shot at stability, if only for five months. But if she was smart, she could set them up for the future. Could make some investments that would pay dividends down the road and give her enough operating capital to keep things going long term.
    Then she’d remember the look in his eyes.
    She didn’t need that. Didn’t want his . . . whatever it was. How could she protect her heart for five long months? Waking to him every morning, working side by side, sitting across from him meal after meal after meal.
    And then she’d decided, no. She couldn’t do it. Wouldn’t risk her heart with a man who’d already cut and run once before. Wouldn’t face the whispers when everyone thought they were together again. The looks of pity when—
    The lights went out, and the whirring fan of the air conditioner went quiet.
    â€œMom?”
    The tray rattled as Shay set her spoon in her bowl.
    â€œWhat happened, Mom? It’s not storming . . .” Her daughter’s voice sounded younger than her years.
    Maybe it was a breaker. Or someone hitting a pole. “I’m not sure.” Shay pushed her tray back. Who was she kidding? It wasn’t a breaker, and there was no accident. “We’re a little behind on the electric bill.”
    And the mortgage. And the phone. And the credit card. Did she really think they wouldn’t follow through on their threat to shut it off?
    â€œWhat are we gonna do?”
    Shay had exactly $72.54 in the bank. She was saving that