two days were filled with hard work, she’d had hot meals and a warm, dry place to sleep at night. It was a nice trade-off, even though none of it was fun. She’d be stupid to give that up. Besides, she liked these people. She knew very little about them but they seemed kind. She’d not heard a hateful word from any of them. Caleb didn’t appear to have a lot of money, but his food pantry was full enough they’d not starve.
A fine dusting of blonde whiskers lined his jaw and his eyes were so green, they reminded her of the summer grasses and fields in Charleston. Her gaze lingered on the features of his face. He really was a handsome man. And he wanted to marry her.
No, he doesn’t. He wants to marry Diana Hale.
She looked away. Would he still want her if he knew who she really was?
The desire to tell him was strong. Every time he called her Diana, she wanted to correct him but fear kept the words from spilling out. There wasn’t any harm in him continuing to think she was Diana. None that she could see. All she had to do was convince him she was the woman he’d sent away for. That shouldn't be too hard. She just needed to figure out what he’d wanted in a wife and make sure she lived up to his expectations. She had four weeks to prove to him she was wife material. All she had to do was learn how to cook, be a proper mother, and make her future husband happy.
Telling Diana that he’d already decided that he was ready to marry her today was on the tip of his tongue, but Caleb held it. He didn’t want to pressure her. It had only been two days and with his luck as of late, sounding too eager might scare her off.
She looked pretty today. Not that she hadn’t been the past two days, but her pale lilac dress complemented her fair complexion and her dark hair, which was in a loose braid, the tail falling over one shoulder. He couldn't stop staring at her. She was lovely, his soon-to-be wife. More lovely than anyone else he’d seen in some time.
“Well, who do we have here?”
Willie’s booming voice had all three of them turning around. He was smiling, his gaze locked on Diana’s as he crossed the stable. “This must be your new bride,” he said, hurrying to their side. “Well, as soon as you two tie the knot. I still don’t know why you decided to wait but it ain’t none of my business.” He gave Diana a quick glance before grinning. “I’d not let this pretty little filly get away, Caleb. Hogtie her if you have to.”
His face heated at the remark but he’d be lying if he said he hadn’t thought the same thing. Keeping Diana there was his only concern now. He just didn’t know how to go about doing it. How did one woo a complete stranger? He didn’t know what sort of things she liked or disliked.
Then you need to find out.
“I hadn’t planned on sending her away,” he said. “I never would have sent away for a wife if I didn’t need one so I’ll do my best to keep her here.”`
“Good, good,” Willie said. “I knew you were a smart man.” He laughed before turning toward the front of the barn when someone came inside. He faced Diana again and tipped the front of his hat up at her. “Nice meeting you Ma’am.” He nodded toward Caleb. “He’s a keeper. Hard worker and a perfect gentleman. He’s worth staying around for.” Willie reached out and pulled on one of Amanda’s curls. “This one ain’t so bad either.”
He walked away before anyone could reply. Diana was smiling when he looked over at her. “If there’s one thing to know about Willie, it's that he’s about as blunt as any one person could be.”
“I could tell.”
Caleb leaned against the stall rail. “So, what have you two been up to this morning?”
“Nothing much, Pa. We just got into town. Diana saw you walk in here so I brought her over to show her where you work.”
He looked around the stable. “It’s not the best paying job, but it keeps us fed.”
“That’s all that matter's end of the day, isn’t it?”
“Yes, I suppose it is.”
Amanda was getting bouncy, popping up on her toes and Caleb knew she was getting twitchy. The