by Amber Miller
He spoke the truth, so Raelene forced herself to remain calm. “I am more than capable of hiring the help I need to make my farm successful. But be forewarned, just because your presence here might make Mr. Harvey decide in my favor, I intend to prove that your help is neither needed nor wanted. I am aware of your true intentions.”
“If you think you know, good.” Instead of being angry, Gustaf leaned toward her, appearing mildly amused.
Raelene’s breath caught in her throat at his nearness. He smelled of sweat from his hard labor, but it was a manly scent that did anything but repulse her.
“If not,” he continued, “you might need me more than you think.”
“I don’t need you, Mr. Hanssen—I need a hireling who knows his place.”
With a snort that implied he knew more than she, Gustaf leaned back in his chair, lazily taking up her challenge. “We will see.”
“Do you have anyone who might vouch for you or act as an overseer to your lands?” Mr. Harvey asked, entering the room and curtailing their debate.
Something shriveled inside Raelene, despite her stiff reply. “Why do I need someone else to speak for me, Mr. Harvey?”
“You are no doubt aware, Miss Strattford, that young women do not normally conduct business and are not involved in its discussions. The situation would be different if you were a widow, but you are barely an adult, and as such, the assembly requires an assurance on its investment.”
Raelene met the councillor’s gaze directly, hoping the collision wouldn’t lead to the end of her plans. “Mr. Harvey, I have no intention of allowing my farm to fail and will do whatever it takes to ensure that.”
“I applaud that determination, Miss Strattford, but we cannot always foresee the future. You must have someone who can be listed with you on the loan as an overseer in the event any problems occur.”
Raelene opened her mouth to reply, but Gustaf spoke instead. “Mr. Harvey, I think we have that.”
“Ah, yes, so you said upon your arrival.” The councilman perused the papers on his desk once more. “But that doesn’t solve the other matter.”
Apprehension increased Raelene’s heartbeat. “What other matter?”
Mr. Harvey pressed his fingertips together. “Your father’s will contains one other requirement for you to maintain ownership of the land.”
“What is that requirement?”
“You must be married by your eighteenth birthday, or you forfeit the land to the assembly, thereby making it available for purchase.”
Raelene pressed a fist to her mouth, fighting back the pain that seized her chest. The room and its inhabitants blurred before her eyes. No. This couldn’t be happening. This couldn’t be possible. Papa would never require that of her. He loved her and the land too much to put that kind of price on it.
“If you were married or betrothed,” Mr. Harvey continued, “this wouldn’t be a problem. However, since you are neither. . .” He shifted his gaze to Gustaf. “Or are you?”
“No, but—”
“Yes, she is.”
Raelene jerked around in her chair. To suggest they were partners was one thing, but this went beyond the pale. When she met Gustaf’s gaze, a contrary rush of assurance flowed from it. Trust me, it seemed to say.
She wasn’t sure she could.
“Mr. Hanssen, I—”
“Please, forgive us, Mr. Harvey.” Gustaf seemed to sort out his words before he continued. “We spoke to each other a short time ago about the future. This news brings shock, and with all that has happened, Miss Strattford is not herself. I hope you understand.”
Panic seized Raelene’s thoughts. Every fiber in her being wanted to refuse the same way she had scorned his offer of marriage last year. But everything was different now. She didn’t have the protection of her parents. And if she didn’t go along with Gustaf, she couldn’t keep her promise to her father. Mr. Harvey would take back the land. But if she allowed the councillor to believe they were betrothed. . .
She could save the land and break the engagement later. “It—it has been a most difficult time.” Raelene sniffed, drawing out an embroidered handkerchief to dab at her eyes. Her tears were real, even if their motivation was suspect.
“Raelene, my dear.” Gustaf reached out and took her right hand between both of his, rubbing his thumb against her skin. “The councilman is here for business. We can talk of our future later.”
The sound of her given name for the first time on his lips and the warm touch of his strong hands caressing hers set Raelene’s reason and emotions spinning out of control. She cleared her throat to speak, but no sound came forth.
“So, Mr. Hanssen, you are in accord to sign your name alongside Miss Strattford’s to signify that you will assume all responsibilities should any problems occur?”
“Yes, sir. I am.”
“And the details of your marriage will be worked out between you two.”
“Yes.”
Gustaf’s voice sounded strong and sure. Raelene wished she felt the same.
“Very well. Let us proceed.”
Raelene watched the exchange in dismay. These two men were deciding the fate of her farm without her say. She wanted to remind them the land had been left to her, but she knew she needed Gustaf in order for her father’s dream to be realized. She tugged her hand free from Gustaf’s.
“Pardon my interruption, but I need to clarify one part of this arrangement.”
Mr. Harvey shot her a questioning look. “And what would that be?”
“While you have made it clear that Mr. Hanssen is my assurance that the land agreement will be honored, the land is still legally in my name only.”
“Until we wed,” Gustaf put in.
As if that would ever happen. Nonetheless, Raelene summoned a saccharine smile.
“Of course, dear,” she said. “But until then, I would like to be consulted on the major decisions pertaining to the farm. I hope not to be considered incompetent.”
Mr. Harvey clasped his hands in front of him. “It is not your ability or any lack thereof that is in question, Miss Strattford. It is merely the practice of this assembly to conduct negotiations with men.”
“Mr. Harvey, I am aware of the standard protocol. Negotiate all you will with Mr. Hanssen, but solely in my presence. Is that too much to ask?” He started to object, so she hastened to continue. “I only ask out of deference and respect for my father—and the fact that I am legally the owner.”
Harvey scowled, clearly vexed at the legal technicality. “Very well,” he said at last. “I hardly see where your presence will be an issue, as long as you and Mr. Hanssen are in agreement,” he added, with an awkward glance at Gustaf. “And I do not expect that to be a problem, since your father was as practical as he was honorable.” The look he sent Raelene’s way suggested more warning than observation. “I have no doubt that he would raise his daughter with the same level of honesty and practicality.” He gestured toward Gustaf. “Your Mr. Hanssen has been raised on a farm his entire life. He is knowledgeable about the workings of one and will be a great asset in your endeavors.”
Raelene pursed her lips, holding back her rankled thoughts. But her displeasure must have shown despite her effort to hide it.
“How much time have you spent running a farm, Miss Strattford?” Harvey challenged.
“Only the past few months after Papa purchased it, but—”
“Exactly my point, and forgive me for interrupting. The facts remain.” He released a measured breath and regarded her for a moment. “We do not often change the way things are done. Considering the circumstances, however, we can make an exception. But you must understand this does not negate Mr. Hanssen’s primary position when addressing our assembly.”
Whether she liked it or not, Harvey spoke the truth.
She was no more ready to assume the responsibility thrust on her than she was this new twist fate had thrown at her.
Gustaf shifted his stance next to her. To her surprise, instead of triumph, a hint of tenderness kindled in his gaze. She preferred triumph. It was easier to deal with. That his concern for her might be genuine undermined the foundation of distrust upon which her feelings toward Gustaf were built.
Had she been wrong to judge him so fast? Was it possible that the only reason for his presence today was for her and not her land?
Gustaf cleared his throat, making her aware that she’d been searching the depths of his deep blue gaze longer than was proper. Embarrassed, she lowered her gaze.
Papa, what would you do? Not for the first time in the past week did she wish for her father’s and mother’s counsel. They had always been there to help with advice and provide answers for her many questions.
It wasn’t like she had a choice, reason reminded her.
She raised her eyes to Mr. Harvey, who waited patiently for her answer. “Very well, Mr. Harvey. I accept.”
“Excellent. Now, if you both would sign your names to this agreement, we shall complete this matter and allow you to be on your way.”
Raelene stood along with Gustaf and listened to Mr. Harvey briefly reiterate the terms of the agreement before handing her the quill. Raelene dipped it in the inkwell and scratched her signature on the parchment with the distinct feeling that she was putting more at risk than her land.
She watched Gustaf sign his name next to hers. The sight of their names side by side filled her with an odd mixture of uncertainty and assurance. She stole a glance at Gustaf and found him looking at her with the same mixture of emotions. She felt an unfamiliar flutter, although whether it came from her stomach or her heart was impossible to tell. It rose fast, sending her senses scrambling.
What had she done?
Five
The morning sunlight blinded Gustaf as he offered Raelene his arm and escorted her onto the sidewalk in front of the town meeting hall. Once beyond the entrance, she cast a glance at him, causing him to step away. He walked silently beside her, twisting his hat in front of him as though it were his tongue. She looked as nervous as he felt.
Could she be regretting her agreement to accept his help? Gustaf couldn’t understand why he had offered and why he had pretended a relationship between them that didn’t exist. He had simply opened his mouth, and out came the words.
Gustaf had good intentions, but he knew he’d have to prove them to Raelene. Trust didn’t come easily to her. That much became obvious last year when she refused his suit and assumed he wanted only her land. Why should she believe any differently now? Why think that he wanted more than her farm?
“Miss Strattford?”
He caught sight of the soft leather pouch Raelene held that contained the agreement they’d just signed. The specifics of the controversial stipulation Mr. Harvey had discussed helped Gustaf emerge from his inexplicable stupor. “Before we talk about work, we need to talk about something else.”
Her face paled and her lips parted. He wanted to reach out and comfort her, but he’d be overstepping his bounds.
“I still cannot believe he would ask this of me. Why would he be so cruel?”
Moisture gathered in Raelene’s eyes. She tried to blink it away.
“Miss Strattford,” he began in a soft tone. “Your far loved you. He wanted someone to care for you when he could not.”
She blinked several times while retrieving her handkerchief to wipe the dampness from her cheeks. “But this gives me only six months! I cannot possibly meet and find a husband in that amount of time.”
When she raised her head, dismay shone in her eyes.
Ignoring propriety, Gustaf grasped her fingers and held firm. “Miss Strattford, it is not hopeless. I make promise to your father to take care of you, and I will.”
“When did you make this promise?”
“When I find them the day of the accident.”
Raelene jerked her hand from his. “So, that is the meaning of all this? You saw another opportunity to get to the land, and you took it.” She glared at him. “I should have known you would try something like this again. You were probably waiting for the right moment to pounce. Then you stayed nearby to make sure I would not forget it was you who made it possible for me to keep my land. You probably spoke with Mr. Harvey before I even—”
Gustaf rammed his fist into the nearest tree trunk, startling Raelene into silence. His knuckles throbbed. A person could only take so much. “Miss Strattford, you think me to be full of deceit. But I am involved only to help you. I spoke with others who talked about Mr. Harvey. My father and Stefan know them, too.” He ran a hand through his hair and tried to calm his anger. “When I saw you in town this morning, I did not wish to get involved, but I made a promise to your father. I will honor that promise.”
He waited for her to interrupt again, but she remained mercifully quiet.
“And to find a husband in six months, that will not be difficult. You are beautiful, and your farm has great promise. You will have all men from here to Philadelphia interested.” He frowned. “If they can get around your prickly outside.”
Raelene stiffened. “If you think it is so easy, then you find me a husband!” She folded her arms in smug victory. “I am not interested in a husband. What I want is to fulfill my own promise to my father and make this farm successful.” She extended her right arm in his direction, palm up. “You wanted to oversee the problems? They are yours.”
Gustaf opened his mouth to protest, but the words died in his throat. It wouldn’t do any good to match fire with fire. Although her body spoke of anger, her eyes showed hurt. He couldn’t bring himself to wound her further. But now, not only would he be an overseer, he had to play matchmaker, as well. How far was his promise going to take him?
“You wish me to take care of that, Miss Strattford? I will.” He forced his voice to remain even, but his tone brooked no argument. “My way.”
❧
His way. And just how was she to know for sure Gustaf’s way would work? At the steely resolve in his eyes and the firm set of his jaw, Raelene realized he was the only chance she had. In a huff, she marched the remaining steps toward her buggy. Gustaf followed in silence.
She turned to face him as they reached the conveyance. He had returned to worrying the brim of his hat. Perhaps regretting his heated outburst?
His blue gaze ventured to hers. “May I help you up?”
With a hesitant nod, Raelene placed her gloved hand in Gustaf’s. She could feel the roughened evidence of his toil through the soft material. These were not the hands of a lazy man. She took small comfort in that.
“Thank you, Mr. Hanssen.”
He slapped his hat on his head and tipped the edge of it. “I am happy to serve, Miss Strattford,” he replied, forcibly calm.
“Mr. Hanssen, if you wish to address me as Miss Raelene, you have my permission.”
Now she’d done it. Why had she made that suggestion? She was inviting an intimacy that could only spell disaster. At Gustaf’s long pause, she wished she could take it back. He must think her brazen, at best.
“I do not think that is right. Far will not be happy if he learns I do not treat you with respect.”
Raelene barely managed to stifle the giggle that rose to the surface at the image of his father scolding a grown man. She covered her lips with her hand and glanced away. After a moment to compose herself, she managed a reassuring smile.
“Respect is not the issue. I simply cannot see us calling each other miss and mister while working together. Not only would it be awkward, but it also would be quite unnecessary.”
Gustaf considered the request. “I will think first before deciding.”
If only her p
apa had done that last year, instead of thrusting the idea of marriage to a complete stranger onto her. Had he considered everything, perhaps her relationship with Gustaf wouldn’t be so strained. But that was the past, and she had to think about the future.
“Of course.” She reached for the reins. “If you will excuse me, I have other things I must accomplish before I return to the farm.” She did her best to hide her uncertainty about their situation. “I am certain we will see each other soon to discuss the arrangements that will need to be made.”
“Yes. If it is all right, I will come after I finish work here in town.”
She drew her eyebrows together. “Do you not work on your farm?”
“Yes, but I work at the town hall to fix loose bricks and anything that is broken. The father of a good friend is a member of the assembly. They asked me to help and”—he spread out his arms—“I help.”
“How do you find time to work on your farm?”
“I have three brothers, and Far works harder than all of us. So I can take other work.”
Raelene tried to piece together this bit of information with what she knew of Gustaf from her brief encounters and what her parents had told her about the Hanssen family. He seemed to be a decent man who knew how to work hard to earn a living. That still didn’t mean she trusted him.
“I see you this afternoon?”
His voice broke into her thoughts, and she straightened, hoping the warmth that crept into her cheeks couldn’t be detected.
“This afternoon,” she replied, all business.
With a slap of the reins, she set off for the granary. She was tempted to turn around and look at Gustaf once more, but she resisted the urge. Instead she focused on the tasks she had yet to complete. Something told her that the granary’s manager would be no more receptive to doing business with a woman than Mr. Harvey had been.
❧
To allow time to gather her nerve, Raelene completed some minor errands so that, by early afternoon, only securing seed for her farm remained to be accomplished. She could have retrieved Gustaf from his work, but pride would not allow it. Yet her pride wilted as she stared at the granary sign overhead.