Page 3 of The Hunted Wife

“You’re one of the Sullivans I hear the locals talking about. The eccentric ones.”

“I am.”

“CEO and founder of Sullivan Technologies and Sullivan Security,” she said mildly. “Rancher by choice.”

“Yes.”

She smiled up at him. “That’s an interesting choice.”

“So is marrying a stranger, but here we are.”

“Excuse me?” She blinked.

He sighed. “I believe it’s time to marry. I want children and a home that doesn’t smell of burned bacon. Look, Millie, I’m thirty-seven years old. I want a wife and family. I can provide for you and I’ll be faithful. What about you? You said you did, too. By the way, how old are you, Millie?”

Millie looked to the side and then down at her feet, anywhere but at Adam. Finally, she gazed up, lifting her chin. “I’m thirty-one. And yes, I do want children and my time is growing shorter. I know women can give birth into their forties, but I don’t want that to be me. Do you understand?”

“I believe I do.” He definitely understood. Mom had Fred and Gabriel when she was forty-two and always felt they got shorted because she was older and didn’t give them as much time as she thought they deserved. “So, Millie, will you marry me? I’ll give you whatever you want.”

She tilted her head and observed him for a moment before she held out her right hand to shake. This would save her in more way than one. She was Ricard Sokolov’s fiancée but there was no way in Hell she would marry him. She’d die first and she didn’t want to die. “I believe we have a deal, Adam Sullivan.”

His heart pounded as blood rushed in his veins when he heard her agreement. He shook her hand, holding it gently so as not to hurt her. “I believe we do, Millie Watson. I believe we do.”

I’m going to make you mine forever, Millie Watson, just wait and see if I don’t.

Adam paid for his groceries after throwing a bouquet of peach colored roses in the cart.

Millie waited while he checked out.

Then he followed Millie to her apartment. Once inside, he took a good look around. “I hope you’re not planning on taking the furniture.”

She’d gone down the hall when they entered.

He found her in the bedroom shoving things into two suitcases. “Did you hear me?”

“Yes. No, I’m not taking the furniture. The apartment came furnished including the artwork.” She used finger quotes.

“Good. I’m glad you don’t want to take those pictures. They’re hideous.”

She laughed. “They really are. I used to like velvet paintings when I was younger, but now I hate them. Besides they look like they were done by his children. I just moved in a month ago, and it’s on a month-to-month lease. This will save me eighteen-hundred dollars.”

“Rent is expensive in Steamboat but even to me, that’s a lot of money for a one bedroom apartment.”

“Not in Steamboat Springs.”

He raised his eyebrows. “I’ve never had to rent anything and now I’m very glad.”

She went back to packing her suitcases. When she had all of her clothes in one, except for the sweater dress she wanted to wear for the wedding ceremony, she closed it. “I don’t have a lot. You can take this one out.” She pointed at the one she’d just zipped up.

While he was gone she quickly changed into the blue sweater dress and put the clothes she was wearing in the suitcase.

When he’d returned he saw she’d placed her shoes in the second suitcase along with all her toiletries and make-up. He looked her up and down. “You look very pretty.”

“Thank you.” She blushed at the compliment. Then she looked around the room, checking the closet and the drawers once more before zipping the second suitcase. “That’s it.”

“That’s all you have?” He was incredulous. He’d never seen a woman with so little stuff.

She chuckled. “Yup. I’ve learned young to travel light.”