They made it to the first level of the home, and he led them into the spacious living room. He motioned to the couch that still looked new. Hesitantly, she sat, not wanting to get anything dirty. After all, she’d been traveling on a stagecoach, and she was quite dusty.
He sat beside her and turned slightly to face her better. He was quite attractive, yet, her mind wouldn’t let go of Maverick and the memory of their kiss.
She nodded, letting him know she was listening to him and not caught up in her thoughts. “Will your grandfather allow you to keep your positions if you don’t get married?”
Bryan shrugged. “That’s a very good question, but I don’t want to go against his wishes just to find out.”
“The man does sound very controlling.”
“That’s an understatement. The only reason I’m still working for him is that he is rarely ever in Stumptown.”
“What does your grandmother have to say about his treatment?”
“She died ten years ago.”
Hannah arched an eyebrow. “And he hasn’t remarried?”
“No. I think it’s because he’s too grumpy. What kind of woman wants a man who is like that?”
“True, but perhaps you and your brothers should find him someone to love. That might change his attitude.”
He didn’t say anything for the longest time as he stared into her eyes. It didn’t take long before she shifted uncomfortably. Finally, his smile softened, and he chuckled.
“You’re a romantic woman.”
At first, she wasn’t sure how to answer him. Nobody had ever said that to her before. “If you mean that I want to see people get a happy life, then yes, I am romantic.”
“I’m glad you’re like that.” He chuckled again. “Maybe after we find a woman for my grandfather, we can find one for Maverick. He needs an attitude adjustment. Not only that, but he also needs a woman in his life to keep him busy so that he stops causing mayhem to my life.”
Find Maverick a woman? How could she accomplish that? Not more than an hour ago, she had thought that she would be his wife.
“Maverick told me there aren’t many single women in this town.”
“He’s right. We have slim pickin’s here.”
“He also mentioned,” she added, “that he doesn’t have time to look for a wife in the surrounding towns, either.”
“Another fact.” He leaned closer, touching her arm. “I want to apologize for what Maverick did. It was selfish of him to make you think he was the man you were going to marry.”
Her heartbeat quickened. How could she tell Bryan that she didn’t want to talk about his brother? If only she could turn back time and not ever meet him. She had a feeling in the pit of her stomach that Maverick Easton would put a kink in her plans.
“There is no need to apologize,” she said softly as her heart clenched. It should be Maverick who needed to apologize for making her think of him this way.
“You would let me know if my brother did anything to offend you, right?”
“Yes, but I was not offended in any way by his actions.” Only because she had welcomed them. Thinking that he was the man she would soon wed, she didn’t want to prolong the wedding night any more than necessary. And now... she must try to do the same with Bryan.
Inwardly, she groaned. She felt like a harlot. No wonder the people in town had spread gossip and ruined her. Perhaps she was exactly as they had labeled her.
The knock at the front door pulled her thoughts from her ruined past. She glanced toward the hallway, wondering if he had a servant who would get the door.
“I’ll be right back.” Bryan quickly stood and strode out of the room. She heard him talking with another man, but she couldn’t hear the conversation. However, by the tone of his voice, the man sounded panicked.
“I’ll be there shortly,” Bryan said before he closed the door.
Hannah sat up straight in the chair and waited for him to walk in. His frown let her know that he wasn’t too happy about whatever had been said at the door.
“I hate to do this to you since you just arrived, but there is an emergency at the sawmill. Only I can fix it.”
“I assure you, I understand completely.”
“Mrs. Whittle will be here within the hour. Meanwhile, feel free to roam the house and get acquainted with everything. I’ll be home for supper.”
Smiling the best she could even though her heart wasn’t in it, she nodded. “I’ll be fine, Mr... um, what should I call you?”
“Bryan.” He smiled.
He had a nice smile, but still, it wasn’t like... Stop comparing! “I shall see you later, Bryan. We’ll talk more tonight.”
He turned and left quickly. Once the door was closed, she released a sigh of relief. Why did she feel as though she couldn’t breathe when Bryan was around? He was a nice man and very accommodating. But, she didn’t have that relaxed feeling with him as she’d had with Maverick...
Growling, she stood, marched out of the room, and hurried up the stairs. This needed to stop. She couldn’t keep thinking this way about a man who she wasn’t going to marry.
Because she hadn’t brought a lot of clothes, it didn’t take her long to unpack her trunk. She changed from her dusty, traveling clothes to a prettier gown. After all, she needed to start impressing Bryan and turning his thoughts to the wedding night. Sighing, she placed her hand on her still-flat belly. She was determined not to make this child fatherless.
She brushed her hair, pulling back the bulk of her hair with a leather tie, letting the thickness cascade down her back. She even added a little perfume to take away the outdoorsy smell that surrounded her from her travel. Now, she was ready for anything, and especially, ready to charm everyone who lived with her. She desperately wanted them to love her.
Just as Bryan had
