Read Online And Cowboy Makes Three (Cowboys To The Rescue 2) by Martha Shields - Free Book Online Page B

thought I would love the man I married. Love is important in my family. My parents were so in love with each other they died together. Hank loves Alex. I just...feel like I’ve failed somehow.”
    “Failed at what? I like you, Claire. A lot. And you like me, don’t you?”
    “I...guess so.”
    He shook her gently. “Look at me.” When she complied, he said, “We’re starting out with a whole lot more than other couples do. We have so much in common—our backgrounds, our work, our goals, friendship, passion. Who knows? Maybe love will grow between us.”
    “You say that like you don’t believe it.”
    “I can’t help it if I think love is a fairy tale.”
    “Didn’t your parents love each other?”
    “I don’t know. I suppose they thought they were in love at some point. I was only three when my mother died. My father rarely mentioned her.”
    Claire pulled air deep into her lungs, then slowly released it. Mentioning her family hurt more than it helped. She knew exactly what each one of them would say about her marrying a man who didn’t love her. They’d tell her to come home because they all loved her. They didn’t understand that being around the love they shared with each other made her feel like an outsider, like someone unworthy of being loved like that herself.
    She studied Jake’s earnest face. There was such power in his chiseled features, such determination. He didn’t frighten her—not physically. Far from it. Her hands ached to run through his short, nearly black hair. Her lips longed to trace the slight cleft in his chin.
    Suddenly, Claire knew she could love this man if she let herself. Despite his ruthless reputation, with her he’d been kind and thoughtful, smart and generous, passionate and tender. What he’d told her of his background sounded as if he didn’t know how to love. Maybe she could teach him. Maybe they could learn togeth —
    Claire stopped herself there. Alex told her once that the only time a woman could easily change a man was when he was in diapers. No, she had to go into this with her eyes open, knowing they would never share the kind of marriage her brother Hank had with Alex. The best thing she could do would be to protect her heart, to maintain control and avoid falling in love with Jake. Then it wouldn’t matter if he didn’t love her.
    She had to think of the baby. Having a baby of her own was worth just about any sacrifice she had to make. Her child’s love would make up for what she didn’t get from her husband.
    “All right,” she said quietly.
    “All right...what?” he asked.
    “I’ll marry you.”
    “Don’t look so scared, angel. It’s not a death sentence.”
    A shiver rippled through her at the endearment. “No, it’s a life sentence.”
    One black brow arched. “I’ll take that to mean you’re planning to spend the rest of your life with me.”
    “Is that what you want, Jake? The rest of my life?”
    His eyes narrowed. “That’s what the vows say.”
    “Yes, but fifty percent of all marriages—”
    “End in divorce. I know. That doesn’t mean ours will.”
    “What if it just doesn’t work?”
    His arm tightened on her waist. “It will work if we make it work. If you go into this expecting us to fail, then we will.”
    “How can you expect a marriage like this to succeed?”
    “Anything can succeed with enough determination.”
    “I just...” She trailed away. “Never mind.”
    Jake gently rubbed his hands up her back. “I promise you won’t regret it.”
    “I hope you don’t.”
    “I never regret a decision once I’ve made it. It wastes too much energy.”
    Claire envied Jake the confidence that years of taking nailbiting risks gave him. The biggest gamble she’d ever made was moving away from Wyoming. Only her determination to get away from cowboys and the firm offer of a job bad given her the courage.
    “Come with me.” He took her hand and led her back to the table. He fished around in his computer bag and