The Rancher's Christmas Proposal

Tessa drummed her fingers. Perhaps if she approached this from another direction. “And you can’t possibly hire anyone because folks will gossip.”

“Exactly.”

“I thought before...” She inhaled deeply. “On the trip back from Wichita, the children and I did well together.”

Maybe if she backed up the conversation and reminded him of the time they’d spent together already, he’d catch the drift of her thoughts. Once he recalled the past, maybe he’d look to the future.

He fumbled for the coffee mug the server had set before him. “You did real fine with them.”

Though she’d never been around small children before, they’d got along well. There’d been the usual tantrums and spills. She’d even scolded Owen and he hadn’t appeared to hold it against her. Children didn’t seem to hold grudges.

Owen teetered and Tessa instinctively steadied him. Yep. She was definitely developing her instincts with the children.

She folded her hands before her. “And we got along well, too, didn’t we?”

“You know I’d hire you in an instant,” he blurted. “After meeting Mrs. Stuart, you can understand the difficulties. I won’t let you endure that sort of gossip. That doesn’t mean you can’t see them as often as you want.”

“Don’t misunderstand me,” she added quickly. “I realize now how impossible it would be for you to hire me as a housekeeper.”

“Exactly,” he declared. “I couldn’t put you in that situation. There’d be talk. There’s always talk. You’re a fine-looking woman.”

A jolt of pure feminine pleasure surprised her.

She’d never much thought about her looks one way or the other before. Discreetly rubbing her damp palms against her skirts, she caught sight of Owen and Alyce peacefully rearranging their table settings. Those two never got along for this long.

Shane jolted upright. “You need money, don’t you? I should have realized that sooner. What with losing out on the reward and all. You just have to ask. I’m happy to help.”

Tessa nearly pounded her fists on the table. He’d picked up on the clues, all right. The wrong clues. “I don’t want to borrow money from you. I want to help out with the children. But not as your housekeeper.”

He frowned. “I can talk to JoBeth. I’m sure she’d appreciate the help.”

Nope. He was not catching the drift of her meaning at all. Not even close. Worse yet, they were drifting further off point with every word.

“All three of you get along real well.” He rushed ahead before she could say anything else. “Both Owen and Alyce adore you. If you settle here, the Cains will let you visit as often as you like.”

“I’d like that.” Her knuckles whitened around her own coffee mug. “Sometimes we have to change our plans. Sometimes things don’t work out as easily as we think they should.”

“No. They don’t.”

Shane cleared his throat. “I think I know what you’re hinting at.”

“Excellent.” She resisted adding a hallelujah. “I was beginning to think we’d be here all day.”

“You think I should consider Cora’s suggestion.”

“Yes!” Finally. At last they were on the right track.

“I can’t send for a mail-order bride,” he declared forcefully. “Even for the children. I know you’re all trying to help. I appreciate it. Truly, I do. But it’s out of the question.” Owen tipped a cup and he lunged before the liquid spilled. “I’m not really the mail-order bride kind of fellow.”

Tessa covered her face with her hands. What did a woman have to do to get a marriage proposal around here? She lowered her hands and sucked in a restorative breath. If he wasn’t catching the hints, she’d have to do this herself.

“Why don’t we get married?” she declared just as forcefully. They’d be here all afternoon if she waited on Shane to decipher her hints. “We already know each other. Sort of. And you said it yourself before. We each have something the other needs.” Before he could speak, she rushed ahead. “No one could take the place of your first wife, I’m sure.”

Something flashed across his face, an emotion she couldn’t read. “I wouldn’t expect anyone to.”

“It’s what you said before,” Tessa went on, relieved they were at least finally speaking on the same topic. “Things are different out West. Marriages are arranged for practical reasons. We’re simply being practical.”

“I just want to get this straight,” he said, not appearing at all eager. “You’re saying we ought to get married? You and me?”

Her enthusiasm deflated, and she pressed two fingers against her temple. This had seemed much more logical back in the marshal’s office. Sitting here before Shane, trying to think of a good way to convince him that she was the perfect choice for a bride, nothing seemed clear. What qualifications did she have? She could pick a pocket and spot a cardsharp from across the room. Not necessarily what most men were looking for in a bride.

Now that the words were out, her courage fled. Covering her unease, she snapped, “Of course you and me!”

* * *

“You caught me off guard.” Shane forced the pent-up air from his lungs, remembering to breathe. “Just making sure. You see, um, you said you had a small matter you’d like to discuss.”

“Yes. Marriage.”

“I think I see the problem,” he replied, still feeling a bit dazed. “Maybe next time you should say that you have something important to discuss rather than something small. That way I’m prepared.”

For a moment she appeared annoyed, but her expression quickly shifted to one of uncertainty. The sudden change left him even more confused.

Tessa sighed and studied the tines on her fork as though they were the most fascinating things on earth. “When Cora spoke of mail-order brides before, I couldn’t help but think about the children.”

“The children?” He was still catching up with the conversation. And who could blame him? Usually when someone wanted to discuss a small matter, they meant a broken heel on a shoe or an overdue bill at the boardinghouse.

Something small.

A marriage proposal was not a small matter.

“Clearly they’re better off with their father,” Tessa said. “They’re better off with the person who loves them most.” Her eyes took on a misty appeal. “This all must be very confusing for them. Losing their mother, moving from the only home they’ve ever known.”

Her reasoning put him at ease. She liked the children. Maybe it was because they were twins that they had that effect on people. But was affection for Alyce and Owen enough for a lifetime together? He’d been down this road before with disastrous results.

Her too-pale lips pinched together. “I realize we haven’t known each other very long, and this is an enormous decision, but I really think we could make this work.”

While he was busy reeling from the unexpected announcement, she’d obviously thought through the details already. Any man would jump at the offer, himself included. Except he didn’t want her making a lifelong decision because she was backed into a corner. He didn’t want her to do something she’d regret later.