by Anna Zogg
“What about her?”
“Her? Her who?”
“Her.” Brandon tipped his head toward the window.
Confused, David followed his friend’s meaningful look. All he saw was an empty field with a few trees. It was the same field where David had been only a few minutes ago...holding Caroline Murray in his arms while she cried on his shoulder. Heat spread across his face. He met Brandon’s steady, amused gaze. “You saw that?”
“Sure did.”
“Why didn’t you come out to help me?”
Brandon shrugged. “You seemed to have everything well under control, so I didn’t want to intrude.”
“You wouldn’t have been intruding.”
“Are you sure about that?”
David glanced out the window and frowned. “Of course I am.”
“Who is she?”
“Matthew Murray’s sister, Caroline. She’s just here for a visit.” He shook his head. “There has to be someone I can hire.”
“Maybe, but not locally. Have you checked the newspaper? That’s where you found the first nanny, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s the first thing I did. I found the latest papers from Houston and Waco at the general store. None of the personal ads mentioned anything remotely close to a nanny, nurse or governess.”
“Governess.” Brandon held up a finger, then rounded the desk to open a drawer. “I saw something in an Austin newspaper about a governess.” He pulled out a newspaper and rifled through it. “Here it is. ‘Former governess of good reputation and character seeking Christian...husband.’ Oh. She’s a mail-order bride.”
“I didn’t say anything about marriage.” His ma had, though, countless times. She wanted her son to be happy and for her granddaughter to have a mother. Why she thought marriage would ensure his happiness after what he’d been through was beyond him, but there was no denying Maggie would love to have a mother.
“Now hold on. Don’t reject the idea without thinking about it first. You need someone to take care of the triplets until they find a permanent home, but you also need someone to help out with Maggie. This woman may have the experience you’re looking for.”
David gave him a doubtful look. “What else does the ad say?”
“‘Please inquire at—’ She doesn’t give a name. Just a PO Box in...” A wistful look flickered across his face. “Boston.”
“Well, that’s certainly straight to the point, isn’t it? Almost businesslike in a way. It doesn’t mention anything about love or feelings.” Hope started building in his chest. “Maybe I don’t have to, either.”
“What do you mean?”
“If she’s willing, we could have a marriage in name only.”
Brandon frowned. “David, I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
That was too bad because the idea had real merit—not the least being the woman wouldn’t be able to run away as soon as Maggie got into trouble. If she did, she wouldn’t take his heart with him. Of course, there was a chance Maggie would get hurt if that happened. He could do his best to rule out that chance, though. In talking to this potential bride first and laying out all the parameters, they would both know from the start where they stood with each other and the marriage. There would be no passion or emotions getting in the way to confuse things. It would be a nice, straightforward marriage of convenience.
Decision made, David glanced up at Brandon. “May I borrow a pen and paper? I have a letter to write.”
Copyright © 2017 by Harlequin Books S.A.
ISBN-13: 9781488017643
The Marshal’s Mission
Copyright © 2017 by Anna Zogg
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