Free Mail Order Mishap: Christian Romance (Kansas Brides Book 1) by Barbara Goss Page A

could answer one way and lose his brother and his home forever, or answer another way and pave the way for him to go along with what Charles wanted him to do. He felt perplexed.
    “I’m sorry,” she said. “I can tell by your hesitation that I’ve asked something I shouldn’t have.”
    “No, it's all right,” Garrett said quickly. “I’m just trying to figure out how to tell you this,” he said. After another long pause he said, “My brother is a bit shy about intimate things. I know for a fact that he’s never been with a woman in that way, and he probably isn’t sure how to go about it. I could have a talk with him if you’d like.”
    “I would be grateful. I so want to have a happy marriage and children. It’s always been a dream of mine to become a mother,” she said. Tears began to form in her eyes.
    “I’ll talk to him as soon as I can. I’m ashamed to admit this, but I’ve had some experience with women, although not lately. I’ll tell Charles exactly what to do. Just be patient with him.”
    Amber let out a sigh of relief. “Is that all it is?”
    Garret hated lying, so he just nodded.
    “I’m so relieved. I’d thought he just married me for my dowry. It’s such a relief to know he’s simply shy. Thank you so much, Garrett.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You’re the best brother-in-law.”
    Her simple peck on the cheek sent a quiver through him. He’d been truthful with her in one respect: he did have a deep need for love. His mother had showered him with constant affection during his youth, but after she’d given birth to Charles, she was confined to bed most of the time. He’d greatly missed her attention, but being just six at the time, he was forced to grow up quickly. But he never did outgrow the need for love and affection.
    Garrett stood. “I’ll do my best,” he said. As he looked down at her, she smiled up at him again, and he knew, in that instant, that he’d do what Charles had asked him to.
     
    Rather than be overheard at home discussing this, Garrett went to Charles’s office at the hotel and found him bent over construction blueprints on his desk.
    “So, how do I pretend to be you and consummate your marriage?” Garrett asked.
    “You’ll do it, then?” Charles asked with wide eyes.
    “Yes, but not for you. I’m doing it for her, and there is one more stipulation.”
    “What’s that?”
    “I want you to put twenty percent of the hotel profits into a bank account until you’ve replaced Amber’s dowry. You will then present it to her, and tell her the truth, that the marriage was a sham, and set her free. She has a right to find a good man and have a happy marriage and children.”
    “What if you get her with child?” Charles asked.
    “I doubt that will happen only being with her once, but if it should happen, then, I’ll marry her myself, then pray to God I can make her happy without us loving each other,” he said.
    “It doesn’t have to be just once. You could—”
    “Once!” Garrett said, pounding on his desk.
    “All right. I agree,” Charles said. “Whenever you're ready, just sneak into her room after she’s turned off her lamp and pretend you’re me. Don’t speak unless you have to and even then, just whisper.”
    “Then sign this.” Garrett removed a formal document from his pocket.
    “What’s that?”
    “A legal contact to what you just agreed to. You will return every penny to Amber.”
    Charles scribbled his name on the contract. “All right. How soon can you do it?”
    “The sooner the better,” Garrett said. “I’ll see that you get a copy of this contract.”
     
    The thought of making love to Amber was anything but distasteful. In fact, his growing admiration for her may have been paramount in his decision to go along with it. He definitely felt an attraction for her so he wouldn’t be pretending his feelings. The only thing left for him to question was what would happen afterward?
    He shook his head.