Read Online Duncan's Bride by Linda Howard - Free Book Online

the receiver was picked up and that warm, faintly raspy voice said, “Hello.”
    â€œMadelyn.”
    There was a pause; then she said, “Yes. Reese?”
    â€œYes.” He stopped as a truck roared by, waiting until he could hear again. “You’ve been out here and seen what it’s like. Are you willing to marry me?”
    The pause this time was longer, and his fist tightened on the receiver until he thought the plastic might crack under the pressure. Finally she said, “The other two didn’t work out?”
    â€œNo. What’s your answer?”
    â€œYes,” she said calmly.
    He closed his eyes as the almost unbearable tension eased. God, he might be making a mistake as bad as the one he’d made with April, but he had to have her. “You’ll have to sign a prenuptial agreement giving up all rights to the property I own prior to marriage andwaiving any right to alimony or a lump sum settlement in case of divorce.”
    â€œAll right. That’s a mutual agreement, isn’t it? What’s yours remains yours and what’s mine remains mine?”
    Irritation lashed at him. “Of course.”
    â€œFine, then.”
    â€œI want a certification from a doctor that you’re in good health.”
    â€œAll right. I require a certification from your doctor, as well.”
    The irritation threatened to become rage, but he held it in control. She had as much right to be reassured about his health as he did to be reassured about hers. Sexually transmitted diseases didn’t stop at the Montana border, and AIDS wasn’t the only concern people should have.
    â€œI want the wedding within two weeks. When can you get out here?”
    â€œHow long is the waiting period?”
    â€œFive days, I think. I’ll have to check. Can you get here next week?”
    â€œI think so. Give me your number and I’ll call you.”
    He recited his phone number; then silence crackled along the line. He said, “I’ll see you next week.”
    Another pause. Then, “Yes. I’ll see you then. ’Bye.”
    He said goodbye and hung up, then leaned against the booth for a minute, his eyes closed. He’d done it. He’d asked her to marry him against all common sense, but this time he would protect himself and the ranch. He’d have her, but he’d keep her at a distance, and all the legal documents would keep the ranch safe.
    He lit another cigarette and coughed as the acrid smoke stung his raw throat. In his mind’s eye he sawher incredulous face when she’d looked at him and said, “ You smoke ?” He took the cigarette out of his mouth and looked at it; he’d smoked for years, and usually enjoyed it, but he’d been smoking too much lately.
    You smoke?
    Swearing again, he put out the cigarette. As he strode angrily back to the truck he passed a trash barrel, and without giving himself time to think he tossed the cigarette pack into it. He was still swearing as he got into the truck and started it. For a few days he was going to be in the mood to wrestle grizzlies, and he didn’t look forward to it.
    M ADELYN SLOWLY REPLACED the receiver, numb with shock. She couldn’t believe he’d called. She couldn’t believe she’d said she would marry him. She couldn’t believe anything about their conversation. It had to be the most unromantic, businesslike, insulting proposal on record. And she’d still said yes. Yes! A thousand times yes !
    She had to be in Montana in a week. She had a million things to do: get packed, get the apartment closed up, say goodbye to all her friends—and have a physical, of course. But all she could do right now was sit, her thoughts whirling.
    She had to be practical. It was obvious Reese wasn’t giving the marriage much of a chance, even though he was going into it for his own reasons. She wondered why the other two hadn’t worked out, because he’d