Page 16 of The Hunted Wife

“Hey, Millie, we’re hungry here and the bacon is smoking.”

“Oh!” She reluctantly pulled away and moved the bacon off the gas burner. “Sorry, gentlemen. I’ll have to start a new batch, although this isn’t inedible, just a little crisper than usual. I know it’s not as good, but it will do. Now, tell me your name and how you want your eggs.”

Adam watched the homey scene and wondered if Millie would stay or move on. Then he wondered why he was even questioning what she would do. She would stay. She wanted children and a home and for some reason, he thought she might also want safety. He questioned if there was more to her acceptance of his offer than just the desire for children. And not for the first time, he wondered if she was seeking shelter from something or someone.

After the breakfast dishes had been done, Adam took her out to the chicken coop. There he was teaching Millie how to feed the chickens when she looked up at the road connecting to the ranch driveway. Did the car slow? It was a large black SUV, just like something that Ricard would rent. Had he found her? Was she imagining it? “Did you see that vehicle?” she asked softly.

She knew by his slow response, he hadn’t.

Did he wonder what she was running from?

She couldn’t wait to get back into the house. Millie quickly spread the rest of the corn in her can. Then she practically ran back to the house.

Adam watched her hurry away and questioned again what she could be running from. He had no doubt she was running and that Millie Watson probably wasn’t her real name, which meant their marriage wasn’t valid. But from the moment he saw her he knew he had to try to make her his. And when he heard her agreement to marry him, he felt his heart pound in his chest and he didn’t care what her reasons were for accepting his proposal.

Now, he wondered what kind of trouble she might be in and if he could protect her from it. Even though their marriage had become more than just a marriage of convenience, he knew it was still temporary…but did it have to be? They still talked about having kids. Was she just putting on a show? What if she wanted to stay?

How could he even ask her if she wanted to if he didn’t know who she was or why she was running? Why was she so fearful of vehicles she didn’t recognize? Who was after her?

At lunch, Millie watched the men from her seat at the table. They were boisterous, chaotic, and loud. They talked about everything under the sun. From farm chores, server problems, a tractor that had apparently developed a personal vendetta against Daniel, and whether the sow named Peggy had intentionally broken the gate or was merely expressing herself.

“I think it was on purpose, in an attempt to escape her offspring. Mama Peggy had merely needed some time alone.” Millie laughed adding her opinion to the conversation. Being part of this family was more wonderful than she’d ever thought possible. She loved the comradery and the love that flowed to and from each brother.

The men laughed, all except Adam. He was looking at her,

Not casually or politely, but staring directly at her. Her breath caught as he held her gaze for a beat too long, and then Christopher asked him about a computer problem, and the moment was over.

But what was it? Why was he staring? Was he wondering about her reaction to the car this morning? What would she say if he asked her? Should she tell him the truth?

After lunch, the brothers scattered. Some headed to the barn and some to the home office located in the building next to the barn. They also had offices in Denver.

Millie cleared plates before anyone could stop her.

Though Adam tried.

“You cooked.” He reached for the stack in her hands. “You don’t have to clean.”

“I don’t mind. I need to keep busy and wasn’t this part of the reason we got married? So you’d have someone to take care of the family?”

“You’re not staff, Millie. You don’t have to earn your place here.”

“Okay. I know that.”

“It doesn’t sound like you do. Besides it’s my day to help you around the house. I’ll start with these dishes.”

Millie sighed. “I like being useful. I like knowing what to do with my hands. I like having chores, and one of the chores I have is to cook…and clean for the family. Remember?”

He sidled next to her. “That was before we became truly married. Now, I…” he ran a hand through his hair. “Now, I want to protect you and keep you happy.”

“Then let me do my work. That’s what makes me happy. I want to know that I’m pulling my weight around here. I want to be part of this family. Can you understand, Adam?” She set the stack of plates on the counter next to the dishwasher.

He sighed. “Yes, I do understand, but you and I need to have a talk about this and other things. Our relationship has changed, and I think we both need to realize exactly what that means to one another.”

Her heart pounded in her chest but she kept her composure. “Yes, I guess we do. Tonight, after dinner, we can take some wine out onto the porch, sit in the swing, and discuss our problems like adults. What do you say?”

He smiled. “That sounds like a plan.” Then he pulled Millie into his arms and kissed her lips lightly, first one corner and then the other corner before finally meshing his lips with hers. They both were breathless when Adam finally broke the kiss. “I love the way you kiss me.”

She ran a hand through his hair, loving the feel of the silky strands. “I feel the same about you.” Millie pulled back out of his embrace. “Now, you go do your work and leave me to do mine, please.”