She Was Forced to Marry a Poor Rancher — Not Knowing He Owned Half the Valley
Chapter 10
They returned home before dawn.
Margaret could not sleep.
She sat beside the fireplace.
Thomas stood by the window.
“You should rest,” he said.
“So should you.”
“I’ve rested.”
She looked at him.
“You said you were afraid of losing me.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He turned.
“Because somewhere between the wedding and tonight, you became my wife.”
“I was your wife from the beginning.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“Legally, yes.”
His voice softened.
“But not in the way that matters.”
Margaret stood.
“What way matters?”
“The way where you choose to stay.”
She walked toward him.
“I am staying.”
Thomas’s breath caught.
“You don’t have to.”
“I know.”
She stopped before him.
“I choose to.”
He closed his eyes briefly.
Then he touched her cheek.
This time, she did not move away.
Their first kiss was gentle.
Almost uncertain.
But it changed everything.
When they parted, Margaret smiled.
“You waited.”
“I promised.”
She touched his coat.
“You’ve kept every promise.”
“Not every one.”
“Which one?”
“Making you love me.”
She smiled.
“You never promised that.”
“No.”
“Good.”
She kissed him again.
“Because I think that’s one I’ll choose for myself.”
