Free A Husband for the Holidays (Made For Matrimony 1) by Ami Weaver Page B

Uncle Joe was okay. Should she tell Mack?
    She stuffed the phone in her pocket. No. They’d already crossed too many lines. If he wanted to know he could call her. Or better yet, call Marla.
    She started the coffee and poured a bowl of cereal, pulling the books out to peruse over breakfast. She was surprised Marla hadn’t strong-armed him into computer records. The records were very complete and organized, but that would have to change— She stopped the thought. It didn’t matter now. She wasn’t going to use a computer when she’d only be here another week.
    The schedule was spelled out in detail. Today she had to oversee the cutting of a fresh load for a big box retailer a couple towns to the south. If they’d had more of that kind of order, maybe the farm would have been okay.
    The slam of a car door brought her head up for a moment from the books and her cereal. Must be Aunt Marla. When no one came in and a second door slam got her attention, she stood up and walked to the window.
    Aunt Marla was just now being dropped off. So who had come before her?
    Her gaze landed on the truck. Oh, no. That couldn’t be—could it?
    Marla and Carol came in before she could go stomping out in the snow to make sure it wasn’t Mack, skipping work to help out here.
    Her aunt enveloped her in a hug. Her skin was gray and she looked exhausted, but the little brackets of tension were gone around her eyes. “He’ll be okay,” she said, and Darcy squeezed her eyes shut against the sting of tears.
    “Of course he will,” she agreed. Those doctors had better be right. She didn’t think her aunt could take losing her husband of so many years this early.
    Marla gave her a little squeeze and stepped back. “I see Mack is out there.”
    Darcy sighed. “There’s no need. I can handle it.”
    Marla exchanged a look with Carol and patted her arm. “Accept his help, honey. The farm needs it. It’s nice of him.”
    Nice.
Darcy nearly snorted. He wanted this place for his own purposes, to expand his vet practice. His brother was going to build houses on it.
    Marla slipped off her coat. “Besides, it’s going to take some doing to convince Joe to relax and let the farm be managed by someone else. Mack will go a long way to easing his mind.”
    There was nothing to say to that, so Darcy didn’t try. Instead, she pulled her aunt in for a hug. “Are you going to catch some sleep now?”
    “She’s going to try,” Carol answered firmly, and shook her head when Marla opened her mouth. “The doc told you to get some sleep, Marla. Joe needs you to be strong. I promise I’ll be back for you in a few hours.”
    Marla tugged at the hem of her shirt, which was wrinkled. Exhaustion was etched clearly on her face. “I’ll try.” Then she pointed at her friend. “You, too.”
    “Me, too,” Carol agreed. “I’m going home now. I’ll see you this afternoon.”
    She left and Darcy steered Marla toward the stairs. “Let’s get you settled in,” she said.
    “Did you sleep?” Marla asked.
    “I did. You will, too.”
    Marla paused in the bedroom doorway. “Accept Mack’s help, okay, Darcy? I know you’d rather not be around him, but—”
    “I’ll be fine,” Darcy said, and smiled at her aunt. “We’ll make it work. Now go. Sleep.”

Chapter Seven
    M ack looked up from his conversation with one of the employees to see Darcy striding toward him, a frown on her face. He excused himself from the conversation, not missing the other man’s interested expression. No doubt this was best done without anyone overhearing. He met her halfway.
    “Why are you here?” The anger in her tone caught him off guard, as he took in her flushed face and fisted hands. She wore a green fleece and a red vest, with a red knit cap over her hair. She looked festive. And angry. And hot.
    He took a second to focus on something other than the
hot
part of the equation.
    “I’m here because your uncle needs help,” he said carefully.
    She narrowed her