Free Gabrielle: Bride of Vermont (American Mail-Order Bride 14) by Emily Claire Page A

thought I meant when I asked you about changing your mind? I’ve a suspicion that maybe I didn’t express myself very well.”
    His large brown eyes were tender toward her.
    She swallowed her mouthful of food and nodded hesitantly.
    She put her fork down and sat up straight in her chair. She looked as though she was ready to receive bad news. “You were saying that I’d had enough time to decide whether or not I like being married to you, weren’t you?”
    “I was afraid that’s what you thought. Will you allow me to explain it differently now?” he asked.
    Gabrielle winced slightly, and bit her bottom lip on one side. “Okay,” she said.
    “What I meant to ask was whether or not you’d like to change your mind about the terms of our agreement. You know, about being married in name only, as partners.”
    Gabrielle’s jaw dropped, and her mouth fell open as she looked at him questioningly. “You weren’t asking if I wanted to change my mind about being married, but rather about the conditions of our marriage. Is that right?”
    It was his turn to nod now.
    Boone took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I didn’t know how hard it would be. I had no idea you’d be so alluring and so, so—.” He searched for the right words.
    “So what?” she asked, sincerely curious.
    He looked at his empty plate and said convincingly, “So good at being a wife.”
    She blushed at his compliment.
    “I like everything you’ve done here. You’re taking good care of me, even though I haven’t done anything to deserve it. I just thought you might want to change the agreement, that’s all. So, that’s why I was asking.”
    Gabrielle stood slowly and reached over to stack his plate and utensils on top of her own plate. She moved them from the counter to the sink, obviously thinking about how she would respond to what he’d told her.
    There was a kettle on the stove, already filled with hot water. She prepared to wash the dishes. He stood, as if to help, but she gestured, making it clear that she wished him to remain seated.
    “My mother married my step-father when I was a young teenager. He wasn’t a good man, Boone. I’m not saying you’re anything like him, please understand that. But, the reason I wanted the marriage I agreed to, the kind that you also said you wanted, was because I… well, I just don’t need, or want, romantic affection. I’ve known this for a long time, and I’d always planned to remain unmarried.”
    He spoke quietly, “Yet you chose to marry anyway. Why?”
    Her voice was strained. “I assure you that it was through no choice of my own. My plan was ruined, and I was devastated.” Efficiently, she finished washing the dishes.
    Boone stood and unfolded a small towel next to the wet dishes. She stepped aside to let him dry what was there.
    “Hot cocoa?” she asked, reaching for two cups.
    “Yep. Why don’t you fix those and we’ll take them out on the porch?”
    She smiled at him. “To watch the sunset together?”
    He laughed, nodding. “Just as promised in my letter. I guess we could call that my proposal letter, couldn’t we?”
    Moments later they sat in rocking chairs on the porch. The sky was filled with puffy cloud waves of red and purple hues, which grew more vivid as they watched in silence.
    “You realize, don’t you, that it wasn’t really my first choice to make this move to Texas and marry you, don’t you?” she finally asked.
    He responded gently after taking a sip of his drink. “Yes, I do. And you’re wondering what my reasons were for seeking a wife who didn’t want anything more than companionship, aren’t you?” he asked gently.
    “I am,” she spoke hesitantly, as though she might not be sure she really wanted to know.
    “I was married before. Her name was Amanda, and we were married for seven years before she died. I didn’t want to marry ever again after that. But, these last months have shown me that I need someone else around me.” Boone’s