“Who then?” I was going to press her on this. We needed to know why she was so skittish, so reserved. So doubtful.
“I have a stepmother who married my father for his money, not for me. She has two daughters, twins, who are a year younger than I. They hate me.”
“Hate’s a harsh word,” Knox countered.
She did glance at him then. “Yes, I’m aware. Trust me, I don’t mix my words. Marina and Tara have always hated me, been cruel. While I am accurate with what I say, they are vicious. Why do you think I’m here?”
Yes, we didn’t know why she’d become a mail order bride.
“Tell us,” Knox replied.
The story she shared then had my fists clenching. We remained quiet as she outlined her stepsisters’ stunningly devious and cruel actions. Spreading lies, ruining her chances with the town council, her virtue in tatters, condemnation. Forced marriage. The list was long. “I don’t hit women, but if I ever lay eyes on those two, I won’t be held responsible.”
Eve finally lifted her gaze to mine. Perhaps it was because I said I’d be her champion that had the smile form on her lips. “I should think, based on what I know of your sister, that she’d be first in line.”
Knox laughed. “She would be. But she’d have to put her gun down to do it.”
“Then I might have to take some pointers from her.”
We both shook our heads. “Oh, no. We don’t need you to be anything like Piper.”
“Enough about her,” Knox said. “You’re beautiful, sweets and it’s our job to make you believe it. You’re smart. Witty. A good kisser.” Knox continued to list her positive attributes, clearly leaving out the plump curve of her breasts or the lush swell of her ass. I felt that delectable roundness when I stood behind her and my cock pressed against my pants in her direction.
“You know the Thomkinses. Why is it they are so eager for me to marry one of them? There must be some solid reason.”
Yes, she was smart. She’d barely met them and could sense their deviousness. Perhaps it was because she’d lived with her stepsisters, conniving in their own way. “The one that looks like a big toad is already married. Has children, even. Curtis wants you because their brother—your dead husband—was quite wealthy.”
The frown appeared again. “Ah.” She looked up at me through dark lashes. “Is that why you are so eager for me?”
I should have been offended by the question, but she had good reason to be wary, especially after her stepmother and the Thomkinses making their appearance for just that reason.
“We didn’t approach you as they did. You’re the one who said we were marrying. Sealed it with kisses, too.”
She blushed. “True.”
I liked the way she accepted responsibility instead of deflecting.
“Eve, you tempt us like your namesake from the Bible.” I stroked a finger down her cheek. So soft. Warm. “We don’t want you for the money. We have enough of our own. You won’t want for anything, even without Melvin’s funds.”
We’d come to Slate Springs to find Piper, who’d gone off on her own, citing brotherly o
verprotection as her reasoning. She’d taken the place of a woman who’d died en route to marrying Spur and Lane as a mail order bride. It had taken us longer than we’d imagined to find her; her trail had gone cold in Eastern Colorado. When we finally did track her to Slate Springs, we decided to remain. Learning as much as we could about mining, we’d become partners with the town mayor—and mine owner—Luke Tate, on a piece of land that held promise for silver. We’d dug and found a solid vein. The Dare All mine was doing well, better than we ever imagined. Better even than Melvin Thomkins’ mine, the one Eve now owned.
“Oh.”
For once in her life, most likely, she’d done something bold, something daring, and now she was having second thoughts. The discussion was over. Action would prove more valuable. “Hold onto your glasses,” I said.
Putting her hand up to her face automatically, she didn’t get a chance to question the reason why before I leaned down and tossed her over my shoulder.
“Mr. Dare!” she cried. “Put me down.”
She was small, lush… and wiggly. Putting one arm over the backs of her thighs, I held her securely.
Spur, Lane and even Piper with the baby came from the kitchen at the sounds Eve was making.
Knox grabbed both our hats hanging from hooks by the door.
“We’re off to get married,” Knox said.