Free To Love a Stranger by Connie Mason Page A

get ranch hands without money to pay them.”
    “You’ll have your ranch hands,” Pierce promised with grim determination.
    No matter how he might feel about this forcedmarriage, he couldn’t up and leave Zoey without solving at least some of her problems. He was alive because of her. He had money in the bank, the Delaney ranch was on solid ground, and he had two brothers to rely upon. Zoey had no one except … her husband.
    Damn, what a tangle.
    Accused of seducing and beating Cora Lee, railroaded into marriage by Zoey, and pursued by vigilantes who really didn’t care what he had done as long as they could hang a Delaney. And as if that weren’t enough, Cora Lee named him the father of the bastard she carried.
    Pierce mounted the stairs slowly, tired but satisfied with his recovery thus far. As he prepared for sleep, he wondered what Zoey would do if he burst into her bedroom to claim his bride. The thought brought a smile to his lips. She’d probably scream like an outraged virgin. He wondered how long it would take before she welcomed him, nay, invited him into her bed.
    Zoey’s thoughts were poles apart from Pierce’s. She really didn’t know if Pierce would return from town tomorrow. There was a good chance he would simply ride away and keep riding. His failure to return would mean that she’d lose her land, but at least Willoughby could no longer force her into marriage.
    Zoey finished the dishes and dragged herself up the stairs to bed, weary to the bone. Rounding up stray livestock from the hills was hard work. Nearly impossible for two people to accomplish. Eight to ten men would be the least she could makedo with to run the ranch efficiently. A dozen would be better.
    Who was she kidding? Zoey chided herself. If Pierce managed to hire two or three men, she’d count herself lucky. It was certainly more than she had now.
    Zoey’s steps faltered when she neared Pierce’s room. Was he sleeping? she wondered. His first day out of bed had been quite eventful. Forcing her mind to release the strangely arousing image of Pierce reclining in bed, Zoey continued on to her room. She undressed, washed, and donned a prim white nightgown that enveloped her like a shroud. Then she sat at her dressing table, unwinding her braid and brushing out her hair. Her thoughts wandered as she stared dreamily into the mirror.
    Suddenly her thoughts scattered when the door to her room opened and Pierce stepped inside. She leaped to her feet, her eyes wide with uncertainty.
    “What do you want? Don’t you believe in knocking?”
    “I did knock, but you didn’t hear me. I saw a light coming from beneath your door and knew you weren’t sleeping yet.”
    She stared at him. He was wearing trousers and nothing else. His feet were bare and so was his chest. “You shouldn’t be here.”
    Pierce sent her a mocking grin. “I’m your husband. Who has more right than I?”
    “You’re my husband in name only,” Zoey countered. “What do you want?”
    He gaze traveled the length of her. “You look like a nun, wrapped in that white shroud.”
    “What does it matter to you what I wear to bed?State your business and leave. I’m tired.”
    He raised a dark brow. “I’ll buy something in town more appropriate for a bride.”
    “Don’t bother. What’s your purpose in this visit? I know it wasn’t merely to taunt me about my choice of nightwear.”
    “You’re right, my love. You don’t mind if I call you that, do you?” he asked. When he received no answer, he continued. “I changed my mind about riding to town alone. I think you should accompany me.”
    “For what reason?”
    “Being seen together will help to convince Willoughby and the townspeople that you have a husband now to see to the running of the ranch.”
    She eyed him suspiciously. “Why do you care? You can’t wait to leave.”
    “True, but you did save my life despite the high payment you demanded in return. I do concede, however, that I owe you something