Marry Me for Real, Cowboy - Valerie Comer Page 0,31

of them. But, even though her heart seemed to be falling for the suave cowboy, her head grabbed the knowledge that they’d made an agreement.

He was only playing a part. Convincingly, yes, but still acting.

She, on the other hand, was starting to tumble into the fantasy. She could envision a future where they actually loved each other, had kids together, rode out on Running Creek — their own ranch — together.

Fool, Riley. He’s got a lot to lose if anyone suspects the truth. You’re just a pawn. Don’t forget it.

She tugged off her down parka and hung it on its hook before prying her cowboy boots off her feet. She added a couple of split logs to her little wood stove, trying not to think how Adam brought in a few armloads for her every day.

Tonight would be a great night to surf the web, but it was not to be. No way was she going back to the main house. Instead, she’d pull up a book on her ereader and get lost in a story.

It might be best if she read something besides romance. Something with no kissing.

Chapter Twelve

“Thanks for taking time for me, son.”

Adam kneed Jupiter up beside his mother’s horse now that the trail had widened some. “My pleasure. I don’t feel like we get a lot of time together.” At least not where he felt comfortable speaking his heart. Who knew if Declan had bugged Mom’s suite? Probably not. That would require him to consider there might be something not-quite-perfect going on in his kingdom. Although a guy would think having one’s wife live on a different level of the house than he did would be a pretty big clue. That had happened after Adam left Rockstead, but his brothers had let him know. They’d helped with the construction.

“It’s a beautiful day after all that cold rain.”

“It is.” Had they gone for a ride just to discuss the weather?

“Your fiancée is a lovely girl. I’m so happy for you both.”

Adam shifted in his saddle. Man, he hated lying to his mother. But maybe it wouldn’t end up a lie? Because he was starting to feel something new for Riley. Something akin to hope. Something he dreamed might be reciprocated. “She’s great,” he said at last.

“Have you talked to your stepfather about Running Creek?”

“I have. He was noncommittal, of course.”

Mom nodded, her lips tight as she stared straight ahead.

“Why did you sign everything over to him when you married him?” The question burst out, but better this one than the one about why she’d married him at all. Mom and Declan hadn’t ever even tried to convince anyone of their deep love. Not like he and Riley were doing... and apparently succeeding at.

“It was for the best.”

Adam clenched his jaw and shook his head. “Could you dispense with the brick wall and help me understand what happened back then? Because for the best doesn’t cut it. I’m twenty-eight, Mom. I deserve real answers.”

If he hadn’t been watching, he wouldn’t even have noticed the quick, tight shake of her head.

“You can’t say it’s none of my business. You signed away my inheritance.”

“Declan will do what’s right.”

“You have a lot more faith in him than I do. He completely brushed me off with that old ‘I’ll think about it’ line. Like he hasn’t had fifteen years to figure out his plan. Or like it’s all up to him and not up to you as well. It was your ranch. Yours and Dad’s, and you just gave it away.”

“Ours and the bank’s,” Mom corrected, still not looking at Adam.

“Lots of people have mortgages.” Wait. Did this mean Declan would expect Adam and his brothers to pay him for what he’d invested in Running Creek? Adam grimaced. That would probably be fair. Not that Declan needed the cash. Well, Adam had money in the bank, even after he paid Riley off. Noah was making a steady income as a circuit farrier. Nathaniel might have been saving, too, if he’d planned to get married. Maybe the three of them could pull it off, regardless of the strings Declan attached.

“This is true, but it did affect my decisions. Your father’s life insurance didn’t cover everything, not with all his medical bills.”

“Surely you had options besides Declan.”

“I did, but his was the best offer by far.”

“So, you married him and signed Running Creek over to him, even though you didn’t love him.” Not that this was a huge shock. Adam had never seen any