Mail-order bridegroom Read Online Free PDF Page B

knew. You need me, Leah. And soon—very soon—I'm going to prove it to you/
    'I don't need you!' she denied passionately. Til never need you.'
    'Yes, you will.' His voice dropped, the timbre soft and caressing, but his words were as hard and chipped as stone. 'Because you won't get any cooperation from the bank without me. I guarantee it. And by tomorrow you'll know it, too.'
    She caught her breath. 'You can prove that?'
    Til give you all the proof you need. Count on it.' He lowered his head, his mouth inches from hers. 'Seems I've qualified after all.'
    She glared, slipping from between him and the rail. 'I disagree. You've already admitted that you aren't kind or gentle. And since that is one of the qualifications...' She shrugged. "Fraid I'll have to pass.'
    'And I'm afraid I'll have to insist. In the business world all negotiations are subject to compromise. You'll have to compromise on "kind and gentle".'
    'And what will you compromise about?' she shot back.
    'If I can get away with it... nothing.' He edged his hip on to the rail and glanced at her. 'Tell me something, Leah. Why haven't you sold the ranch?'
    She shifted impatiently. 'I think you can guess. Hampton Homestead has been in our family for '
    'Generations. Yes, your father made that point quite clear. Along with the point that he wouldn't allow his ranch or his daughter to fall into the hands of some penniless mongrel whose bloodlines couldn't be traced past the orphanage where he'd been dumped.'

    She stared at him, genuinely shocked. 'He said that to you?'
    'He said it. But that's not the point. You're out of options, Leah. Soon you won't have any other alternative. My sources tell me that either you sell or you go bankrupt. At least if you sell you'll walk away with enough money to live in comfort.'
    She lifted her chin. 'There is another alternative.'
    His mouth twisted. 'The ad.'
    'Don't look at me like that! It's not as foolish a decision as you might think. The banks will loan me the money I need to stay afloat if I have a husband who's both a businessman and a rancher.'
    He stilled. 'They've guaranteed you the money?'
    She shook her head. 'Not in writing, if that's what you mean. But Conrad Michaels is the senior loan officer and an old family friend. And, though he hasn't been in a position to help us in the past, he feels our business reversals are correctable, with some work. He's a bit... old-fashioned. It was his idea that I find an appropriate husband. He hasn't been able to get the loan committee to approve financing so far, but he's positive he can if I marry.'
    She'd never seen Hunter look so furious. 'Are you telling me that this Michaels instructed you to advertise in the paper for a husband and you went along with his hare-brained notion?'
    'It's not a hare-brained notion,' she protested. 'It's very practical. Conrad simply suggested I find a husband with the necessary qualifications as quickly as possible. Once I'd done that, he'd get the loan package put through.'
    'He suggested that, did he? In his position as youi banker?' Hunter didn't bother to conceal his contempt. 'Did it ever occur to you he could have trouble living

    up to that promise? He has a board of directors to answer to who might not agree with him any more now than before. And then where would you be? Bankrupt and married to some cowpoke who'll take whatever he can lay hands on and toss you over when the going gets tough.'
    'You should know,' she shot back. 'You're a past master of that fine art.'
    'Don't start something you can't finish, Leah,' he warned softly. 'I'm telling you—marry the next man who responds to your ad and you'll sacrifice everything and receive nothing but trouble.'
    'You're wrong,' she said with absolute confidence. 'I have faith in Conrad. He'll put the loan through.'
    She could tell Hunter didn't agree, but he kept his opinion to himself. 'What about the ad?' he asked.
    'The ad was my idea. I needed results and I needed them fast.' She folded