A Bride’s Deal for Love (Preview)

Chapter One

“I will not do this,” Lily Kelsey shouted at her father.

“Yes, you will. Your sister was prepared to do it to save this family from ruin and you will do the same.” 

“How can you throw the memory of Missy at me like that. I miss my sister so much, and you are just thinking about the money. You are cruel and I refuse to do it.”

“You can’t refuse. You are under twenty-one and will do as I say.”

“I will refuse to say anything, and they will not be able to make me speak and agree,” she said with tears streaming down her cheeks.

“The man is a wealthy rancher, Lily. You will be well looked after and live in a fine house. He is prepared to pay a large dowry for your hand in marriage and your mother and I need that money very much.”

“You were prepared to send Missy off to this man and now that she is, she is,” the memory of her sister who had only died a few weeks before, stopped her being able to speak. She took a deep breath. “Now that she died in the riding accident, you are sending me in her place. I don’t know this old man. I haven’t written to him myself. It is all done with you selling me off. I hate it.”

“Lily,” her mother interrupted. “This man seems like a real gentleman. He is lonely and there are very few women out in the ranching areas. He needs company and his wife died a long time ago in childbirth. He would like someone to keep him company and help around the ranch.”

“That is alright for you to say, but you’re not the one going off to spend the rest of your life with a stranger. He might never wash himself. He might have horrible men on the ranch who would have to be fed and looked after as well as himself. Did you ask any of that? No, you did not because you only care about the money. Other people marry someone that they fall in love with. I am not allowed to do that.”

“When you are married, I will not need to give you an allowance because your husband will do that. If you are silly and refuse to go, I will have to stop the money and the clothes anyway. You will need to find a proper job.”

“I work in this house. You will need to pay for help if I am not here.”

“We work hard but still have almost no money at all,” her mother added.

“And you should love your daughter. It should matter to you where I live and if I’m happy. You don’t care.”

Lily stamped her foot and then ran from the room. She slammed her bedroom door and threw herself onto the bed.

The door opened, and her mother came inside and sat on the bed. She put a hand on Lily’s shoulder.

“He is trying to save us from ruin,” Lisa Kelsey said.

“He’s saving you, while sending me to a life of being under an old man’s thumb. He doesn’t care what happens to me or what a terrible life I will have.”

“He is worried that we will have no money to live and will lose the house. We both work hard but times are really hard. The dowry that Mr. Harlow is offering will make things better.”

“Better for you but my misery will be keeping you in comfort. I hate him and you are backing him up. If I had children, I would love them and not expect them to give up their life for me.”

Her mother patted her shoulder.

“It will work out. You’ll see.” She went out and closed the door behind her. Lily buried her head in the pillow and wept tears of anger, frustration and fear for what might lie ahead. She would fight it, but she well knew that her father wanted that dowry more than he wanted her. It was a horrifying thought. She had to think clearly about what to do.

“Oh Missy. How I wish you were still here. I miss you so much. Why did you say that you would go to marry this old man with a ranch? Did it seem that he wanted you and they didn’t? How I wish we could talk to each other again.”

In the end she fell asleep and woke in the early hours feeling cold and shivery. She tiptoed down the stairs and warmed herself some milk and honey. Then sat at the stove for a little while thinking over what her father had said.

In the morning, she made herself look tidy and made sure that her father did not see that she was upset. She straightened her shoulders and held her head high. She would have to make sure that what happened to her in this life was not something inflicted on her. She needed a plan.

“Mornin’,” her mother said as she made breakfast. How did you sleep?”

“I came down for some warm milk at the stove, and after that, I was okay. Thanks for asking,” she added with a hint of sarcasm that was lost on her mother. “Do you know when Pa plans for me to leave here and meet this rancher?”

“Next week, I think. You can ask him yourself.” She put the breakfast on the table for Andrew Kelsey, and he said thanks as he sat at the table.

“What were you asking?” her father queried, and Lily put on her best acting face.

“This trip to meet the rancher, I wondered when it is to be.”

“One week tomorrow. I’ll put you on the railroad and give you some money to take with you. You’ll need to buy food as you travel.” Her father tucked into his breakfast and then looked up. “Have you decided to come to your senses and help the family out?”

Lily looked him directly in the eye. She was determined to do this on her terms, and she saw that he had taken in that she was going to comply with his arrangements.

“I don’t really have any option but to do as you say. If Missy was prepared to go ahead with this marriage, then I will do this in her memory.” Lily felt the tears try and start up again when she thought about her sister, but she pushed them firmly away. She reminded herself that this was going to be on her terms.

“That is the right thing to do,” her mother added and sat at the table. “We will keep in touch by letter.”

“I will go to the stores today and buy some things to take with me,” Lily announced. “Everyone dresses smartly to travel on the railroad.”

“And Mr. Harlow will meet you at the other end. Your father will buy the ticket and book a sleeper for you. You will be on the train for three days.”

“It might be quite exciting,” Lily told them. “Going by rail is always interesting.”

“That is the right attitude. I am sure the ranch is very comfortable, and Mr. Harlow seems to be a real gentleman,” Andrew told her before finishing his breakfast. 

“I’ll get the ticket today,” he said as he stood up, and made his way off to work.

“Help me with these dishes, would you?” her mother asked. Lily nodded and took over the task. As Lily began working, her mother took a cup of coffee and sat by the fire.

Lily knew that when she was gone, her mother might have to do the housework herself. She’d been helping those for a long time. She finished the chores and tidied herself up to go to the shops and the bank. That was the part that she had not mentioned to her parents.

“My life, my terms,” she muttered as she pulled on a coat, and took a basket with her to carry back her goods.

Before she went into the shops, she turned off the main street, into a quieter area of town, and stepped into the doorway of a small shop with artwork in the windows. Julia Martinez stopped working on the painting set on her easel and smiled as she saw who was calling. She stood up and the two girls hugged each other.

“Lemonade?” Julia asked and Lily accepted. 

“Okay, Lily, what is wrong… the rancher?” Lily nodded and took a seat.

“Pa has made it clear that if I do not do this, I will not be given money or clothes, and he will more or less disown me. He says that Missy knew her duty and I have to do the same.”

“What are you going to do? And can Carlo and I help at all?”

“How wonderful to be married to a man that you love,” Lily commented ruefully, and Julia smiled.

“I’m lucky. I know that. He lets me run this little shop so that I can keep on doing my painting.”

“He is a lovely man,” Lily agreed. “I decided yesterday that if I am to be made to do this, I will take charge of it and do it on my terms.” She paused. “I have some money that my father has given me as an allowance since I was a little girl. I am going to the bank to ask them to give it to me in cash because I am going away to be married.”

“That sounds like a good idea. I don’t suppose that your father will check on the account for some time, and you need some money to make sure you can look after yourself.”

“Exactly. Then I am buying clothes and a traveling trunk to make sure I have enough to take with me. I will charge them to Pa’s account. It may be that this rancher is a decent man, and he appears to have a lot of money because the dowry he is promising is enormous. That is all my father can think about at the moment.”

“Can we write to each other? If things are really intolerable, Carlo and I will come and find you.”

“Thanks, my wonderful friend. I will miss you so much. We must stay in touch! This is the address of the ranch.” Lily handed over a piece of paper and Julia tucked it away in a drawer.

“You know, Lily, you haven’t got over losing Missy either. This is one thing on top of another,” Julia observed.

“I have to be strong and think about what is best for me. It might be that I am happier with this Harlow man than I am with my parents—who are exchanging me for money. If he is unbearable, I will use the money to leave and go somewhere else.”

“Oh, Lily,” her friend exclaimed and came to put her arms around her. Lily let some tears escape, and sat for a while with her drink, before summoning the courage to put her plan into action. 

“You are the only person who knows how I feel and what I am doing.”

“And I meant what I said, Lily. Carlo is your friend as well, and we will come and help you if we need to.”

“That is such a relief to hear. It gives me the confidence to do whatever I have to do. Thank you, Julia.” She stood up and the friends clutched at each other again.

Lily headed for the bank first, as that was the part that was worrying her. She asked the clerk if she could speak to the manager. 

Mr. J Railton came out of his office.

“Come in Lily, and tell me what you need.”

“I am going away to be married to a rancher, and I need to take the money that is in my allowance account with me. I don’t know what I will find when I get there and if I have the money, I can stay at a hotel.”

“That seems eminently sensible. Your father did mention that this dowry might be coming soon.”

“My sister was the one going, but unfortunately she… she had the horrible accident.”

“That was terribly sad. And I am truly sorry for you.” He stood up, “I can make the money in the account available to you. Sit still and I will bring it in here.”

The money was put into an envelope and handed over. She signed for it, and Mr. Railton shook her hand.

“Good luck, my dear,” he said. Lily went and bought two dresses and some other things as well as a trunk that she asked the store to deliver. Then she went home prepared to act the part of excited traveler for the next few days.

“I only hope,” she thought as she went into the house, “that Pa does not go to the bank and find I have taken out the money.”

Chapter Two

The next week passed surprisingly quickly, as Lily prepared for the long journey. 

“I do like traveling,” she told her mother. “The railroad has made it possible to reach places that we could never go to before. I will visit Julia tomorrow and tell her that I will write when I reach the ranch.”

“The town might be interesting as well. I think there’s a lot of history there. There were pioneers, ranchers, farmers and miners looking for all sorts of easy money. I think Mr. Harlow has been there since the town was founded.” Her mother seemed to be quite knowledgeable about it all.

“He must be quite old,” Lily said quietly.

“Well, if that is the case, then he will have learned a lot and will treat you well. I don’t know his age. I do know he lost his wife in childbirth. And I imagine that is something that leaves someone very sad,” her mother replied. 

Lily noted that her parents had settled down again now that they knew that the dowry would soon be in the bank account. It was unpleasant to think that the two folks who should love you wanted money more than they wanted you.

The next day, she said as much to Julia.

“Oh, Lily. You are right. It must be awful to be sent away in exchange for money.” She thought for a moment and smiled. “Maybe he will not send them as much as they think. That would serve them right.”

“I suppose, I might really like life on a ranch. There will be horses to ride. And it will be better to be away from Ma and Pa.”

“And I have a gift for you,” Julia told her, and produced a small picture that she had painted of the older sister that Lily had lost.” 

There was a stunned silence as Lily gazed at the small but beautiful picture of Missy. Then the tears flowed, and Julia hugged her friend. “I didn’t want to make you sad, but Missy should always be with you.”

“I love it. I will treasure it forever. If things are good at the ranch, maybe you’ll be able to come and visit.”

“I certainly hope so,” Julia answered.

“The big adventure starts tomorrow,” she said with a sigh, then wrapped the portrait in its small frame using a piece of soft material. “This will help me be brave. Thank you, Julia.”

“Remember that Carlo and I love you and I am sure we will be able to meet up.”

“I love you too, my friend!” Lily cried, allowing her tears to fall as they separated. Lily tucked away the precious picture and vowed not to tell her parents. 

They did not deserve to see a picture of the daughter whom they had planned to sell off.

She spent the evening packing the last of her things and preparing herself for the journey. In the morning she kissed her mother on the cheek. It wasn’t the emotional parting that she’d had when she parted from Julia. Her father drove the wagon, taking her and the trunk of her belongings to the railroad depot, then lifted the trunk on board for her.

“Write when you arrive and tell us what the place is like,” her father told her. 

Lily kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll find a comfortable seat,” she said and noticed that her father didn’t stay to wave as the engine steamed away. He drove off, leaving Lily to whatever fate he had condemned her.

My life. My terms. My decision, she thought fiercely to herself. I would rather take my chances than stay where I was not wanted. How could you choose money over your daughters?

 She stared out the window at the passing landscape and finally settled in to read a book, and take her mind off what she had left behind and what might lie ahead.

There were passengers who struck up conversations. Some left at other places and new people climbed on board. The journey was interesting. The landscape changed constantly and there were fewer homesteads and small towns. There was vast landscape and Lily thought that it was majestic. She said as much to a lady called Barbara who joined the carriage on day two.

“I love the wild west,” Barbara said. “It lets you live the life that you choose. Everyone tends to be more easy-going because they live off the land, and it’s physical work that the women do as well as the men.”

“That is one of the things that I am looking forward to,” Lily replied, then hesitated. Then she thought that this woman was friendly, and they would not meet up again. “I am going to a ranch to be married,” she confessed, “and it is both frightening and exciting. I think living on a ranch will be a whole new experience for me.”

“Can I ask which ranch you are going to?”

“The Harlow one.”

“Ah, they do have a very comfortable lifestyle even though they live out of town. Mr. Harlow has been around since the town was founded and knows just about everyone.”

“Is he a nice man?” Lily queried.

“Actually, he is, and he is generous with help for building up the town.”

“What sort of town is it?” Lily asked. Barbara laughed.

“The place is a hodge podge of all sorts of buildings. Some of them were thrown up when miners found some gold. Some of them were made to supply services like blacksmithing, and now that the railroad has arrived, there are new buildings going up in stone and wood but with turrets and fancy entrances. Greenland Crossing is turning into a successful place to live and work.”

“That sounds as if people want to make the place succeed.”

“They do. People that arrive are usually made welcome. Some of them move on, of course and head out into the parts that can still be claimed, and cultivated to produce the food that is needed.”

“And I guess the railroad brings goods that cannot be found locally,” Lily observed.

“All I can say is enjoy it,” Barbara told her. “I am just visiting my brother there. We might meet in the town.”

“That would be lovely,” Lily answered.

“We will be there in the morning. I am going to get some sleep.”

“Me too,” Lily added, and both women went to the sleeper compartments. She thought that she would not sleep but she did, and woke to a lovely morning. The train was slowing down as it neared the next stop, Greenland Crossing.

“This is it, Lily,” she told herself, and took a deep breath. “Make yourself look good and remember though you are taking this on, you can easily walk away if you have to.”

The train slowed and rolled under the cover of the depot and hissed to a halt. The porters raced to open the doors to the passenger carriages, which had steps that allowed the passengers climb down into the yard. 

The containers with goods or stock cars with animals were left further away. A porter came to see if help was needed and Lily asked him to lift down the trunk, giving him a coin for his trouble. Lily stood beside the trunk and waited to see who was around, as the other passengers met their relations and moved away. Barbara was greeted by a man who picked up her bag. She waved to Lily and mouthed ‘good luck.’ Lily waved back and then the yard cleared as folks moved away, and the new passengers climbed on board. The depot did seem to be busy but at the entrance, she saw a man with a buggy who was doing the same as herself and waiting until there was space to look around.

The man seemed to register that she was a woman alone with a trunk and strode across the yard toward her. She saw that he was dressed in a smart coat and hat. She could see that the hair escaping from the hat was grey. He was clean shaven and as he approached her, he raised the hat and then offered a hand to shake.

“Lily Kelsey?” he asked.

“I am,” she replied and shook the hand he offered.

“Jack Harlow Sr.,” he told her and waved for a porter to lift the trunk. The man brought a cart on wheels to move the heavy trunk to the carriage. Jack Harlow Sr. offered her an arm and she took it. She thought that so far it was not so bad. The man was polite and well dressed. He helped her into the carriage and stepped in beside her. The man in the driving seat moved the buggy away and she sat back beside the man to whom she seemed to be engaged.

“How was the journey?” he asked her.

“Quite pleasant. I like traveling,” she told him. 

“You have arrived in Greenland Crossing. It is a mixture of all sorts of buildings and people. I guess because it has been made up of those who want to build something in a new place.”

“It looks interesting,” she answered. “I suppose some of it was put up when there was a bit of a gold rush.”

“Yes, and now there are new buildings, that are more handsome, as the railroad brings whatever is needed. It is just under half an hour’s drive to the ranch. It is less than that if you are riding.”

They sat back and Mr. Harlow pointed out some of the landmarks that they passed.

“It is beautiful,” she observed. “I am glad to leave the busy town behind me.”

“You will enjoy the ranch, in that case,” he told her, and the carriage turned off the trail and onto a smaller track that led to the Harlow Ranch which was impressive as the carriage rounded a clump of trees and a large ranch with lots of barns, stables and corrals came into view. The house had a very large, covered porch, and a wide veranda that ran around the whole building. The garden around the area close to the house had a variety of pretty flowers and as it extended further away from the house, she could see vegetables growing. There were some seats under a tree to sit in the shade and the whole scene spoke of a successful and thriving business.

The driver pulled up at the front door and ran to open the carriage door. Jack stepped down and held out a hand for Lily. 

“Come inside and meet my son and some of the staff who help me run this place.”

They went up the steps, under the portico and into the house through a double door that was hand carved in the Spanish style. Inside the place smelled of furniture polish and a faint hint of food cooking somewhere. There were tapestries on the walls and lots of rugs on the floor. They went into a living room and Lily found herself face to face with the most handsome man that she had ever seen in her life. She felt it almost like a physical force and was reeling slightly as the man to whom she seemed to be engaged introduced Jack Harlow Jr.

This handsome man seemed to be as surprised to see her as Lily was to see him. He shook her hand and looked at his father.

“I did not know that we were to have a visitor.”

“This is not a visitor,” the older man explained. “This is Lily Kelsey who has come to marry you.”

There was a stunned silence from both of the younger people for a few seconds and then Jack Jr. exploded.

“What?” he shouted. “You bring a woman here to marry me and did not even ask if I would be happy about that? I am perfectly capable of choosing a woman for myself.”

“You would have refused,” his father told him.

“You are darn right that I would. How dare you interfere in something as personal as that?” He glanced at Lily. “I am sorry that my father has put you through this. I have nothing against you personally.”

Lily saw that his reaction to the marriage was the same as her own. It struck a chord of sympathy with this man that she had just met and been told that she had agreed to marry.

“How on earth did you manage to bribe someone to do this?”

“Bribe is the right word, I am afraid. We both seem to have parents that do as they see fit with their children. My own father took a huge amount of money from your father to send me here. He wanted the money more than he wanted me. And I came thinking that he had sold me to your father.”

“You mean that my father told them that he had a ranch and money and never said that it was to marry the son?” Jack Jr. was incredulous and furious all at the same time. It almost stopped him getting out the words to argue.

“You need a wife to carry on this ranch. Lily seemed to be the right choice to help you.”

“If we’re being honest, I was the second choice. My older sister was the first choice,” she paused, “but… but she died, and I was made to take her place.”

Both men looked at her and she saw the family resemblance.

“But you came anyway. Why?” the older man asked. She shook her head.

“Would you stay where you were not wanted and you would not be given clothes, food, a roof over your head? Or anything else?”

“So, you came to somewhere that you did not know and were prepared to make a new life?”

“Exactly. But now I find that your father had lied to my father as well. I hope that if I am ever a parent, I will love my children more than either yours or mine.”

“I agree there,” Jack told her and then faced his father again.

“Well, Lily and I have both been treated very badly. I suppose you will say that we will have money and a large ranch to inherit.” He turned to Lily. “I don’t want this ranch. I want my own ranch and my own place. I do not want to be the boy who was handed his ranch on a plate. Pa knows that full well.”

“But you like to be able to buy guns, horses and other things that cost money to feed and keep.”

“I have to work this place or not be fed myself. I do not notice you ever out there herding in cattle and doing the hard work of the place. The Sr. Mr. Harlow who gives money to places in town to keep them sweet.”

“The spoiled son, they will say about you. How about doing something for the family. Marry the woman and give me grandchildren to carry on this place even if you won’t do that.”

Lily saw the fierce nasty words between father and son, and something snapped. She stamped her foot and folded her arms.

“For heaven’s sake, stop fighting with each other. I suppose that I will have to stay here tonight. Show me to a bedroom and I will let you fight it out between you. I have traveled for three days to meet a so-called gentleman. Turns out he is a liar and no wonder the two fathers came to an agreement. I am a human being. I have some money and tomorrow I will go to a hotel.” She gave a short laugh. “Good luck with getting your money back from my father.” Lily picked up her bag that she had put down when she came inside. “Now. A bedroom and some manners, if you please.” 

Jack Sr. paused as he moved to the door.

“Maureen,” he called in a normal voice. “Take our visitor to a bedroom and see if she would like something to eat. Lily, this is our housekeeper, Maureen.” A woman appeared and asked Lily to follow her. She went up the stairs and opened a bedroom door.

“Make yourself comfortable. There is hot soup on the stove, if you would like some.”

“Thank you,” Lily said. “I would love that.” The housekeeper went away, and Lily sat on the bed. The scene that she had just witnessed was almost too crazy to take in. She wondered what the two men were saying now that she was not in the room. There was a knock at the door, and she called to come in.

It was not Maureen that brought the soup, but Jack Jr. Lily was taken aback but watched as he put the soup onto a side table with bread to have with it and two coffees.

“I brought myself some soup and coffee. I hope that you don’t mind but I think we need to talk.”

He handed her the bowl of soup and put a small plate with bread on it beside her.

“Have something to eat and I will do the same.” He took the soup and sat on a chair. The bedroom was quite large and well-furnished. “I owe you an apology first of all.”

“It was not your fault. You don’t need to apologize for your father. Though thank you for doing it anyway.” She gave him a sympathetic look. He was as much a victim as she was.

Jack looked at the woman eating her soup and he smiled.

“What makes you smile?” she asked.

“Your bravery, courage, temper, and the way that you can look after yourself.” That made her smile in return.

“I can understand the shock that you felt, as you knew nothing about it.” 

He nodded. “What do you want to do now that you know the truth about the arrangement?”

“I am still trying to come to terms with it. I did bring some money in case it was awful, and I had to get away. Your father has paid out a huge sum of money. I know that was his own fault but if I run away, he will have lost it all and my father will be enjoying the benefit. There is one thing for certain, I will not go back there, ever. My wonderful sister is dead, and my parents cannot even wait for the horror of it to pass before selling me off. I am twenty. I suppose he had to do it before my next birthday.”

“How awful for you,” Jack said and meant it. 

She finished her soup and waited to hear what else he wanted to say. Jack cleared his throat.

“Just speak up,” she said with a smile.

“You heard me say that I do not want to inherit this place. I have a great desire to start my own place somewhere. I am not so stupid that I think that I can do that with no money. My father knows that as well. Yes, he pays me a good wage but not enough to let me save and move away. He is not a fool and clever at getting what he wants.” Lily listened, and nodded.

“I would like to prove to him that I can make my own way and I…” He hesitated. “I wondered if you and I could look as if we were agreeing to the arrangements but have a partnership that works for you and me rather than him. That is maybe putting it bluntly, but I am sure that we can work out how to make the situation work for us. What do you think?”

“Gosh,” she said. “That takes some thinking about.” She looked at this good-looking cowboy and laughed. “It is like a plot from a story. I am still reeling from the fact that I don’t have to marry an old man. Now that I know what he has done, I am even more relieved.”

Lily suddenly had to contemplate a completely different situation, but there was something about him that was drawing her to him like a magnet. She pushed that to one side.

“You see, I would like to have someone that is on my side and somebody that I could plan the future with.” He paused again. “I am not begging here but it could work out well for both of us. My father will think we have both seen sense, and then we can put off the wedding until we know each other. If you hate it, you can leave with my blessing.”

Lily made a decision. This man was wanting her help and cooperation, and she liked him. She also liked the thought of making his father pay for the situation that he had put them in. She laughed unexpectedly, and stood up.

“That is the best offer that I could have, Mr. Jack Harlow Jr. I would like to be your partner in crime. How good an actor are you? Because we will have to make it look real.” 

Jack laughed as well, and she took the hand he offered.

“Deal,” she said.

“Deal,” he replied, and they both broke into a fit of laughter. 

***

“Let’s go and tell him that we are both sorry for what we said, and let him think that he has won.” Lily’s voice held a hint of mischief.

The two went downstairs, and Jack noticed the trunk was still in the hallway. 

“I’ll get that hauled upstairs after we’ve talked to my father,” he said as they headed into the living room together. The older Jack looked up from a newspaper that he was reading.

Saying nothing, Jack Sr. put the paper to one side. Jack Jr. took a breath. 

Jack really felt for this woman who had been thrust into a terrible situation. Whether it was the fact that they were both being treated badly by their parents of something more than that, he didn’t know. He did know that he liked her on sight, and he knew that she showed more courage and fire than most men would be able to summon up. The folks in Greenland Crossing treated his father with a sort of peasant-bowing to their lord situation and Jack didn’t like that. It was time to turn the tables.

“Lily believes that we should go ahead with the arrangements, because you’ve already paid out a lot of money, and judging by what she says, you’re unlikely to get it back.”

“I am sorry that I lost my temper,” Lily added, on cue. “Truly. It was such a dreadful shock to find that it was all different than what I had imagined.”

“I will apologize as well, Pa. It was a huge shock to me, too, but you have been right in the past. I will go ahead and agree to what you arranged.”

“Well, that’s more like it. It does make sense for both of you.” Jack Sr. stood up.

“Might we have a little time to get to know each other before making the arrangements for the wedding?” Lily asked.

“Of course you can. How about three weeks? That should do it.” 

Lily was about to say more but Jack took her hand and gave it a light squeeze.

“Three weeks it will be,” he said. “I’ll show Lily around the ranch and have her trunk taken upstairs.”