Read Online Worth The Price (Hart's Fall, Montana) by Delilah Hunt - Free Book Online Page A

galloped a mile a minute as she listened to Brandon recite his vows. She wasn’t naïve enough to believe the words were authentic reflections of his heart.
    “And you, Danika Prescott,” Pastor Jones began, “do you promise to love, cherish and honor this man?”
    “I do.” Wholeheartedly, she asserted her vows then held out her hand for Brandon to encircle her finger with the rings they had chosen together. Her hands trembled in return as she did the same for him. She didn’t need to know Brandon was staring down at her. She could feel his eyes on her, heating her skin and lower belly.
    Despite the rush of elation thumping in her ears and the throbbing between her thighs at Brandon’s heated stare, Danika heard loud and clear the words “man and wife”. Even louder, was the pastor’s innocent encouragement for Brandon to “kiss his lovely bride”. Her mouth went dry. It felt like the sun had eclipsed all else, focusing all its energy on heating her blood. There wasn’t a sound save for the whistle of wind she felt against her face as she lifted it to Brandon’s. He was eyeing her with a grim demeanor that spoke volumes.
    Laying aside her own fears and anxiety, Danika rose on the balls of her stiletto-clad feet. Her eyes fluttered closed the moment she pressed her lips to his. The heady sensation took her breath away as soft, firm lips crushed hard against her mouth. She felt the cragginess of the scar that scored the topmost edge of his upper lip.
    Pastor Jones cleared his throat in a loud, exaggerated fashion, or if it wasn’t exaggerated she hoped he would contact his doctor before the end of the day. Either way, she separated from Brandon and inhaled the breath his nearness had so wonderfully stolen.
    His head lifted, revealing a guarded expression devoid of any hints they had moments ago shared a passionate kiss. Surprisingly, she didn’t mind. In the past week she had learned so much about him, including his need for privacy. Danika traced two fingers across her tingling lips then intertwined their hands together. The ranch hands dispersed from their seats, chatting among each other. She glanced at Brandon, convinced she had felt the palpable tension leaving his body now that he was no longer the center of attention.
    “Never thought I’d live to see the day the boss here got himself hitched.”
    Danika spun around to see the man who had served as Brandon’s best man during the ceremony.
    “Well I never thought I’d live to see the day he asked me either.” That much was the truth since she had no clue if the newcomer was privy to the underlying reason for the marriage.
    “I suppose you’re itching for an introduction. Danika, this is Clint Rivers, my foreman. Clint, this is Danika. Now how about you give me a minute with my bride?”
    Brandon’s lips slanted into a scowl, which she figured had no bearing on the aging ranch hand. And she suspected Brandon knew it too.
    Clint chuckled and held up a hand. “A minute eh?”
    Brandon’s face was a study in the various shades of red. He muttered an oath to Clint who was well underway in his hasty retreat to the rest of workers.
    “You scared him off,” she chastised, biting back a grin.
    He returned her smile. “Don’t worry about Clint. He’s headed over to the house with the other guys. I hired a catering company to come out and make sure everyone was fed.”
    Danika grew still amid the feelings of guilt bombarding her. Brandon was going above and beyond to engrave this day into her memory, and for what? To turn around and pay her for his lavish and considerate treatment. She wanted to hang her head in shame.
    “You didn’t have to do all of this, Brandon.” The weight of the elegant, solid white-gold wedding band, embedded with diamonds, threatened to weaken her to the knees. Danika sighed. “I feel like all I’m doing is taking, taking, taking. I’m blinded as to how marrying me will benefit you.”
    “Then don’t think about it.