Free His Heartbroken Bride (The Brides of Paradise Ranch - Spicy Version Book 4) by Merry Farmer

began. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered her today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”
    All through the short service, panic shone from Libby’s eyes. It could have been one of the wild emotional swings that women went through when they were expecting. But no, it was far sharper and more immediate than any of the worry or distress he’d felt from her in the last few days, since she’d gotten off the train. It was almost as if a clock was ticking somewhere behind her and Libby was waiting for the hour to strike. By the time Rev. Pickering reached the vows themselves, Libby was shaking.
    “Do you, Mason Curtis Montrose, take this woman, Elizabeth Chance Sims, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, ’til death do you part?”
    “I do,” Mason said as if he was promising to avenge someone’s death, staring straight into Libby’s eyes.
    “And do you, Elizabeth Sims, take this man, Mason Montrose, to be your husband, to love, honor, and obey, ’til death to you part?”
    “I—”
    Libby’s mouth hung open. Her desperate eyes pleaded with Mason for…something. She looked as though she was about to weep…or run. Mason squeezed her hands in his, nodding subtly, willing her to feel his love for her and his unspoken promise to support her, no matter what.
    At last, Libby swallowed and said, “I do. I promise, I do.”
    Mason burst into a smile as Rev. Pickering said, “Then by the power invested in me by God, the Territory of Wyoming, and the town of Haskell, I now pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.”
    Mason was so relieved that he surged forward to kiss Libby, eyes closed. She fell, limp, against him, her mouth soft and pliable as she accepted his kiss. He wrapped his arms around her when he was done, more grateful than he’d ever been for anything now that she was his wife. Miracles truly did happen. He’d been given a second chance with the woman he’d loved and lost ten years ago. Whatever weighed on her soul, he would dedicate himself to helping her overcome it. He would raise Teddy’s boys, bring the new baby into the world, with all the devotion of—
    The church door banged open like a gunshot. A swirl of brown leaves blew into the church along with the cold wind and a man Mason had never seen before. He wore a long, wool coat and held a hat in his hands. His square jaw, dark hair, and expressive eyes were just the sort of thing that women turned to butter over, but something about the stranger set Mason’s teeth on edge.
    “I’m sorry,” he said, stepping to the side to shut and secure the church door. All present stared at him as he did so. When at last he faced them again and started down the aisle, he wore a charming smile that displayed straight, white teeth. “Sorry to interrupt, but I’m looking for my fiancée.”
    Libby gasped and sagged against Mason. Mason had had his arms around her from the moment the stranger threw open the door, shielding her from sight. Now he loosened his embrace. Libby continued to cling to him for a moment, her trembling doubled. Then she stood straight, facing the stranger.
    The stranger’s charming smile faltered. “What is the meaning of this?”
    Libby brushed her hands on her skirt and tilted her chin up, but her eyes struggled to meet those of the stranger. “Hector.” She nodded.
    “Libby.” The stranger—Hector—pursed his lips. “Why are you standing up at the front of a church with a man?”
    Tiny, sickening pieces of the grander puzzle that was Libby began to fall into place. Mason knew the kind of possessiveness in this fellow Hector’s gaze as he looked at Libby. He knew it because he felt it himself. This man wanted Libby.
    At the back of the church, Pete Evans, Luke, and even young Freddy stood, stepping forward, ready for action if action was needed.
    “She’s standing up here because we’ve just gotten married,” Mason