Harvest Moon (Borrowed Brides 2)

“If you ever really need to use that gun, don’t try to pull it out of your pocket,” he advised. “Shoot through it. That way you won’t waste valuable time.”

“I’ll remember that.” She walked over to the sink and filled the kettle. “Tessa’s in her bedroom, packing. First door to your left.” She gestured toward the hall.

Lee holstered his Colt and followed Mary’s directions.

Mary waited until Lee went down the hall, then moved closer to the door in case Tessa needed her.

* * *

Lee Kincaid paused in the doorway of Tessa’s bedroom. “Going somewhere?” he asked.

Tessa turned at the sound of his voice. “Anywhere but here.”

“You’re running away from your problems instead of facing them? That’s getting to be a habit, isn’t it?” Lee commented, moving into the room and seating himself on the bed.

“What are you doing here?” Tessa demanded. “What do you want?”

“I

’ve come to fulfill my promise to your brother,” Lee told her. “I’ve come to ask you to marry me.”

Tessa couldn’t have been more astounded if he’d walked up and pushed her. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

“Had any better offers lately?”

“No,” Tessa snapped. “I haven’t had any offers at all.”

Lee held out a handful of lingerie. Tessa quickly shoved it into the borrowed suitcase. “No?” He paused, considering. “I thought you’d have had at least one.”

“Well, I haven’t.” She folded the canary-yellow wool dress and placed it in the suitcase.

“Don’t forget this one.” Lee took the green calico out of the box.

Tessa snatched it out of his hand.

“So what’s the problem?” Lee wanted to know. “I’m asking you to marry me.”

“That’s the problem,” Tessa told him. “You’re asking me to marry you. What makes you think I’d even consider it?”

“I’m handsome, intelligent, trustworthy ..

“Modest?” Mary suggested from the other room. She mentally added: arrogant, conceited, and unbelievably appealing.

Lowering his voice, Lee spoke for Tessa’s benefit. “I was your brother’s closest friend.” He sounded completely serious. “I’ll make you a grand husband, Tessa.” Lee reached out to touch a lock of her red hair. “Eamon would’ve wanted it.” He shot the boy sitting on the opposite corner of the bed an amiable glance. “And I’ll take Coalie.”

That stopped Tessa. “You’ll take Coalie? And what? Turn him in for a reward?” She attacked him with words.

“Ouch!” Lee held up a hand as if to ward her off. “That hurt.” He tried to look wounded. “I’ll take Coalie and raise him as my own.” He reached to ruffle Coalie’s blond hair. “He’s a fine boy. And I’ve got a real nice apartment in Chicago big enough for the three of us.”

“Apartment?” Tessa glared at him. “You’ll have to do better than that. I’m sick to death of apartments.”

“Then you’ll think about it?” Lee pressed her for an answer.

An idea occurred to Tessa. “Only if you agree to do something for me.” She had no intention of marrying Lee, but she had no qualms about using his position as a Pinkerton detective to get the information she needed. For David. “Agreed?”

“That depends on what you want.” Caution was second nature to Lee.

“Tessa?” Coalie spoke up.