Free High Plains Promise (Love on the High Plains Book 2) by Simone Beaudelaire Page B

hands over her face. “When?” she croaked.
    “Tomorrow? Sunday? Whenever Cody can do it.”
    “Oh, Lord, Wes. You want the pastor to perform a wedding, the day after his own?” She dissolved into hysterical giggles.
    He turned away and regarded the window. Outside, black night had settled over the town. Of course she would say no. It had been a stupid thought.
    She pulled him back around again, making him look into her eyes. She had always had the most beautiful eyes.
    “Yes, Wesley.”
    A loud buzzing sounded in his ears, as her delicate pink lips formed the words. “Yes?”
    “Yes. On one condition.”
    Wesley rubbed his jaw and temples, trying to get the buzzing to stop. It sounded like a thousand bees were inside his head. “What condition?”
    “It has to be a real marriage. I refuse to be your glorified housekeeper. It's all or nothing, Wes.” Her pink cheeks told him she knew what she was saying. Then, for the first time in four years, she leaned forward and kissed him, briefly.
    “Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked.
    “Oh yes,” she replied. “I agreed to marry you five years ago. A year later, I lost you. Now I have this opportunity. I'm not letting you go.”
    Wesley nodded.
    “But if you go to bed with another woman, ever again…”
    “I won't. I swear!” He grabbed her and kissed her, trying to tell her everything, all the confused contradictory emotions that were roiling through him. She was the solution to all the problems he had, and several he wasn't ready to admit to.

    That night, Allison knocked on her sister's door. Becky answered, her long, blond hair tightly braided and hanging over her shoulder.
    “Is everything all right?” she asked.
    “Can I come in?” Allison pleaded. “I need to talk to you.”
    “Of course, Allie.” Becky ushered her inside, shutting the door and urging her to a seat on the bed. “What's happening?”
    “It's…Well, it's Wesley.” Allison's hands were shaking. Becky noticed and grasped them.
    “What about him?”
    “He… asked me to marry him.” She gulped.
    Becky seemed completely unsurprised. “Well, when's the wedding then?” she asked, her eyes glazing over as she contemplated… something. Probably dresses.
    “Sunday, after church, if Cody will agree.”
    That got her sister's attention. Becky blinked. “Sunday? Like, the day after tomorrow? What will mother say?”
    “Oh, please, Becky, don't tell her,” Allison begged. “She'll make a big fuss. This is meant to be, and exactly what I want.”
    Becky seemed to consider for a long time. Allison began to feel like squirming with nerves.
    “Fine,” she said at last. “Far be it for me to get in the way. Just be careful, please?”
    “All right,” Allison agreed, though exactly what she was supposed to be careful about, she wasn't sure.

Chapter 7
    Allison wasted no time putting their rash plan to work. First thing in the morning, she hurried into a warm woolen dress, called to her parents that she was going to work and stepped onto the porch, waiting outside. She had not discussed the plan with them and had no intention of doing so until it was irrevocable. They would not be best pleased. But Allison had waited far too long for Wesley. Now that he wanted to marry her, she was going to make it happen, no matter what anyone said.
    Away down the street she saw his door open, and his familiar dark head appeared, hair instantly blown into disarray by the Kansas wind. He held Melissa's hand. Allison crossed the street heedlessly and ran to him, taking his free arm. The three of them walked the three blocks to the vicarage, in the shadow of the big church steeple.
    As they approached the door, Allison began to realize the awkwardness of their actions. Cody and Kristina had married yesterday. They might well be… busy, doing intimate things together.
    It didn't stop Wesley from knocking. Blessedly, when Kristina opened the door she was dressed and looking… almost her usual