Summary

It’s 1854, and the south is thriving on agriculture. Men do the hard work, and women raise the babies. I feel like I’m being smothered. I’ve always been too smart for my gender. Too eager to learn. Too expressive. I want too much. At least, that’s what my father says. The oldest son of my father’s friend is home from college, and he’s looking for a wife. And his sights are set on me. Will I be too much for a man like Easton Abernathy to take as a wife, or will he be intrigued by the knowledgeable woman my father keeps suffocating?

Character Background

Easton Abernathy is twenty-four years old. He comes from a wealthy southern family that thrives in the lumber business in Atlanta, Georgia. His brother is one year younger than him, and his twin little sisters are both seven.

Catherine Garner is eighteen years old and should have been married already. Her mother passed away when she was ten in a boating accident. Her father raised her with her older brother’s help. Catherine loves to read and write, and she’s hoping that she will be married one day, but does not have high hopes.

Easton’s brother: Ethan Abernathy

Easton’s twin sisters: Emma & Evangeline

Easton’s father: Clyde Abernathy

Easton’s mother: Abigail Abernathy

Catherine’s brother: Jack Garner

Catherine’s father: Henry Garner

**I will not be writing any kind of slavery into this book, and not all elements of this book may be correct with the time-period.**

Chapter One

**This has not been edited or proofread.**

Easton

Not much had changed since I’d been away for school. The white house in front of me still stood tall, and I knew without even having to see it that the back lawn would be well-tended-to. My father would not settle for anything less, drunk or not.

My older brother walked out of the house onto the front porch that spanned the width of the house, and he jerked in surprise at the sight of me standing in front of the gate that would lead me onto the walkway that headed for the front steps.

“Easton? Is it time for you to be home already?”

I chuckled and pushed open the gate, stepping through before closing it back behind me. The white picket fence was still standing sturdily, but I could tell a couple of boards had been replaced since I’d been gone.

I’d only come home long enough to spend major holidays, like Christmas, with my family. I enjoyed my time away from home up north. My brother had opted to stay down south, going to school locally. He didn’t mind being here too much, but he was alsomuchbetter at compartmentalizing than I was.

He knew how to tune my father out, and he knew how to ignore my mother when she got in one of her foul moods. I did not, and more often than not, I fought with my parents because of it.

But regardless of my feelings, I was the oldest. I was expected to return home and take over the lumber business, Abernathy Lumber. Something in my gut told me my old man didn’t have much longer, and my gut rarely ever let me down.

“Is that kind of greeting I get?” I teased once I was on the porch. Ethan chuckled and wrapped his arms around me, clapping me on the back. I dropped my bag and did the same to him, squeezing him to me. Despite our parents, I was glad to be back home with my siblings. I knew Ethan had taken over a lot when I left, like caring for our little sisters, Emma and Evangeline, but now that I was home, I intended to take over as much as I could so my little brother could live his life.

“Nah. I’m glad you’re back home.” He sighed. “Dad is going through some changes, I think. He’s been grumbling a lot about you not being home yet. You might want to go ahead and deal with it. He ain’t talking to me.”

I clapped a hand to his shoulder. “Let me get my bag upstairs, and then I’ll head to his office.”

Ethan nodded. “I’m heading into town. You need anything?”

“Nope,” I assured him. “All good here.”

He tipped his hat at me before slipping out the front gate and strolling up the road, his hands in his pockets. The perfect picture of comfort and unbothered.

Sighing, I lifted my bag from the porch and headed into the house. It was quiet, which meant Emma, Evangeline, and my mother were more than likely down for their afternoon naps.

After walking up the stairs to my room, I set my bag on the floor by my bed before walking back down the stairs to my father’s office. He was sitting behind his desk, his whitened hair a mess on his head, wrinkles prominent in his skin from years of drinking and old age. He looked up at me when I walked in, grunting in disapproval because I hadn’t knocked.

I hadn’t knocked on his door since I was sixteen. I mostly did it to annoy him.

“Ethan said you probably want to talk to me.”

Pa nodded. “Yes. Now that you’re home from college, you can take over everything here—the estate, the business.” He grabbed a stack of papers and pushed them toward me. “I just need you to sign these, and it’ll put everything in your name.”

“Why the rush?” I asked as I grabbed the stack of papers and began to read through them. I didn’t sign anything without reading it first. Pa had drilled that into our heads. Someone could tell me one thing, and the paperwork could say something completely different. Many families had lost their homes or their businesses because they didn’t read the fine print.

“I’m getting old, Easton,” he snapped. “I don’t wanna be dealin’ with this on my deathbed.”

I refrained from rolling my eyes at his snappish tone. The day he died would be a blessed one. That was one thing I was sure of.

“I’ll take these up to my room,” I told him, standing from the chair, already tired of being in his presence. “Once I’ve read through them and signed them, I’ll take them to Mr. Jeffries.” Mr. Jeffries was our family attorney and had worked for the family since before even I was born.

He waved me away like I was nothing more than a pesky fly buzzing around his ear. I physically bit my tongue from giving some smart-ass remark. Turning on my heel, I quickly strode from the room and headed up the stairs, tension already riding my shoulders.

If it weren’t for my siblings, I would have never come back to this place.

~*~*~

A light knock sounded on my door, and I glanced up from the book I was reading. Abigail Abernathy, my mother, was standing in the doorway. Her hair was done in perfect ringlets, and she was wearing one of her fancier gowns, a hat already tied onto her head.

“You have one hour to meet us at the front door,” Ma said.

“Why?” I asked. “What’s going on?” I’d already turned the paperwork in to Mr. Jeffries yesterday evening. As far as I was aware, there was nothing else on my agenda.

“Tonight, you’ll begin your search for a suitable wife,” she sniffed. I sighed. I hated this part of being the head of the household. “You need a proper wife to take care of the home,” she reminded me.

Because God forbid she ever did her part. I’d lost count of the number of nannies and live-in help we’d had run through this house.

I waved her away, and she closed my door. Grumbling under my breath, I heaved myself up from the chair I’d been lounging in and prepared myself for a night of absolute hell. I had no doubt these women had not changed in the four years I’d been gone.

They were hungry for a wealthy husband, and I was nothing more than a piece of bloody meat to them.

~*~*~

The gathering was held on the Garner’s plantation, which wasn’t all that surprising considering Henry Garner and my father, Clyde Abernathy, were basically the best of friends. Both of them drank too much, had no respect for their families, and were wealthy.

I didn’t interact with the Garners much growing up. Ethan and I tended to mostly keep to ourselves, especially since Jack Garner, Henry’s son, was a real prick while we were all growing up. He was two years older than me and a jackass through and through.

People were already sitting around small, round tables in the grand ballroom to eat before the festivities began. And the possible courtship. Definitely couldn’t forget the main reason my mother wanted me to attend this shindig.

I followed my parents to a table, where Henry was sitting with Jack and a young woman Ivaguelyremembered. It was possible she was Henry’s daughter, but she looked different from the young girl I remembered.

Henry and my father clasped hands, greeting each other jovially, and then he pressed a kiss to the top of my mother’s hand before nodding at me. “Easton, it’s good to have you back in the south again.” I didn’t miss the distaste he expressed when he thought of the north. “You remember my son, Jack, and my daughter, Catherine, don’t you?”

Ialmostchoked on my spit. So, shewashis daughter. Holy shit. She wasstunning. Breathtaking.

Her dark hair hung in perfect ringlets, framing her delicate features. A light coating of freckles dusted her nose and upper cheeks, and her full lips were curved into a shy, tentative smile as she met my gaze. And those eyes—a stunning shade of blue that threatened to knock the breath from my lungs.

“Hi,” I breathed, reaching out for her hand. She placed it in mine, and I pressed my lips to the back of hers. A shiver raced through her, and my lips tingled. I gently placed her hand on the table. “You’re quite different from what I remember,” I chuckled as I took my seat.

A light blush stole over her cheeks, but she didn’t say anything. Food was brought out to us, and we all began to eat, light chatter stealing over the room. Catherine never spoke a word as we all ate and talked, despite both me and Jack trying to drag her into a conversation.

Once our plates were cleared, the tables were removed, and everyone began flocking to the dance floor. I walked up to Catherine and held my hand out to her with a warm smile on my face. “Care to dance with me?”

Her teeth sank into her bottom lip, and she ducked her head, placing her hand in mine. I led her onto the dance floor before pulling her into my arms, swaying us around the room. She was an exceptional dancer, easily keeping up with me.

“You don’t talk much,” I noted.

“It irritates my father,” she quietly explained. I frowned down at her. A tight smile pulled at her lips. “You should know that I’m not the kind of woman most men want to take as a wife.”

“And why’s that?” I questioned, truly curious. So far, she seemed perfect—once I got her talking, that was. Any wife I took, I wanted her to be vocal. To trust me enough to be open with me and call me out when I was acting like an asshole.

She cleared her throat, her steps faltering for a moment. I easily led us until she got her footing again. Her warm breath fanned across my neck when she blew out a shaky breath. “I crave to learn. I read everything I can get my hands on, and I have a good business head. It drives my father crazy that Jack comes to me when he needs a solution to a problem. And I like to write.”

“That doesn’t seem bad at all, Catherine,” I told her honestly, looking down at her. In fact, to me, all of that sounded perfect.

She flushed. “Well, it doesn’t until I open my mouth out of turn.”

I chuckled. “Please always open your mouth out of turn around me. I’ve never been one for a seen-not-heard kind of woman.”

A little giggle left her lips. “You mean that?”

I nodded. “I do. Truly.” I moved us into a waltz when the music changed, and she easily followed. “How would you feel if I asked your father to court you?”

Her eyes brightened. It was the most beautiful sight I’d ever had the pleasure of witnessing. It beat every sunrise and sunset. It beat the sun shining down on the water on a warm, summer day.

“Yes. Please. I’d love that,” she breathed.

I traded her off to her brother with a wink as he strode toward us, and then I headed off to find Henry Garner.

I wanted Catherine as my wife.

Chapter Two

**This has not been edited or proofread.

Easton

I smoothed my hand down my vest, nervous about my outing with Catherine. I really liked her from the little bit of time I’d gotten to spend with her a few nights ago at her father’s gathering. I honestly wasn’t sure if Henry would give me his blessing to court his daughter when I’d asked, but surprisingly, he had without a fuss. I was guessing it was because I was Clyde’s son.

Muted conversation that sounded a bit like arguing reached my ears as I passed my father’s office. A woman’s voice filtered through the door, sounding damn near hysterical, and she certainly wasn’t my mother.

My father had lost his damn mind bringing another woman into this house.

Gritting my teeth, I shoved open the door and stepped inside, quietly shutting it behind me. My father and a woman I didn’t recognize both turned to look at me. My father’s face was red with rage, his eyes bloodshot from the liquor he’d already spent the morning consuming. The woman’s face was pale, tears on her cheeks, her red curls a mess. Her dress was almost indecent, and immediately, I knew she had to be from one of the brothels here in Atlanta.

“What is going on?” I demanded to know as I looked from her to my father.

“Nothing. She was just leaving,” he bit out before he turned and grabbed a cigar from the box on his desk. The woman began to cry all over again as he carelessly lit it, shooting her a disgusted glare as he inhaled the tobacco.

“No one is leaving until I find out what the hell is going on inmyhouse,” I bit out, glaring at him.

“Your house?” Father seethed, straightening up. I was sure he was trying to be threatening—intimidating—but it wasn’t working. Not on me. He’d stopped putting his hands on me when I was fourteen because I fought back. He knew touching me would only embarrass him in front of the stranger sitting here in his office.

“Yes, my house,” I snapped. “I signed the papers. They’re filed, naming me the owner of everything you once I had. So, again, no one is leaving until I find out what in the hell is going on.” I looked at the redheaded woman silently crying in one of my father’s chairs. “Will you be more cooperative than my father is currently being?”

She sniffled. “I’m pregnant,” she cried. “And your father has kept me on a sort of retainer for the past three years, so it can only be his.”

I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath, my hands clenching into fists at my sides before I forced my body to relax again. My father scoffed, and I opened my eyes to glare at him. “She’s fucking lying,” he told me harshly. “And even if she isn’t, that child is a bastard, and I will not claim it.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I shouted at him. “You would throw away your child because you decided to stray from your wife? From the family you already have?”

“This is no concern of yours, boy.”

“This is every concern of mine!” I barked at him. “This affects my house. This family that I am now responsible for!” I shoved my hand through my hair, ruining the dark tresses I’d worked to get perfectly into place. It was too late for it now. I’d just been blindsided by yet another sibling. Someone else I inevitably had to take care of.

All because my father couldn’t keep his dick in his pants.

I held my hand out to the woman, and she shakily placed her palm against mine, allowing me to help her up from the chair. “I will take you back into town,” I gently told her. God, this was not her fault. She was doing her job, and while I knew prostitution was a sin, not all women were born privileged. I knew nothing about her, and I wouldn’t pass judgment. “Come. We can talk on the way.”

“Easton, you will not bring shame on this family,” Pa sneered as I pulled open his study door. My mother was sitting in the open sitting area, and while I was sure she’d overheard just about everything, or at least enough to understand her husband had produced a bastard child, her face did not change. She just continued to idly read her book of poems as if this was an everyday occurrence.

“You already did,” I bitterly reminded him. “Now, I’m cleaning up your mess.”

I led the woman out of the house and onto the carriage I’d had pulled around a little while ago. I would be late picking up Catherine, but there was nothing I could do about that. I could only hope she forgave me and gave me a second chance. As the man of the house now, it was my responsibility to take care of everything and everything.

Including unexpected women with their even more unexpected babies.

“What’s your name?” I asked her after I climbed into the seat and grabbed the reins for the horses. With a click of my tongue, they slowly began to move forward.

“Lottie,” she quietly told me. “I’m sorry for barging into your home like I did. I thought—” She broke off on a sob.

I sighed. “My father will not take responsibility for this baby, Lottie,” I told her, hating to have to be the one to tell her. “But I will make sure my little brother or sister is well cared for. You will never have to worry about that.”

“I have nothing right now,” she told me, her breath hitching from her tears. “I live in the brothel, and no one with rooms will take me on because of my profession.”

I clenched my jaw and gently steered the horses to take the turn further into town. “I’ll put you up in the hotel for now until I figure out a more permanent solution for you. Will that work?”

She nodded and swiped at her cheeks. “You’re too kind, Mr. Abernathy.”

I snorted. “I’m just trying to be decent, Lottie.” I reached over and gently squeezed her hand as I came to a stop in front of the hotel, which was only two businesses down from the brothel. I stepped down before walking around and helping her down as well. “Go on and get your things while I get you a room set up.” I gripped her wrist before she could slip away, and she turned to look up at me again. “But Lottie, if I’m going to do this, the brothel stops. No Abernathy child, bastard or not, will grow up around it. Understand?”

She nodded. “Very clearly, Mr. Abernathy.”

I released her and walked into the inn, smiling at Mr. Clarks. “Hi, Mr. Clarks. I need to book a room. Let’s start with a week.”

He nodded and grabbed his book. I filled in my name, paid, and he handed me a room key. I tapped the counter, dragging his attention back to me as Lottie walked in, carrying a small bag that contained her things. “Miss Lottie will be treated as if she is an Abernathy, am I clear?”

Mr. Clarks glanced over my shoulder at Lottie before roughly clearing his throat and nodding at me. “Yes, sir.”

I smiled, patted the countertop again, and then turned to face Lottie, holding the key out to her. “I will be in touch. If you need me, please send a message. Do not make that trek again by yourself in your condition.”

“Of course, Mr. Abernathy.”

I tipped my hat at her before quickly walking out of the hotel and getting back in the carriage, quickly steering the horses in the direction of the Garner plantation.

Hopefully, Catherine wouldn’t be too upset with me for being too late.

Chapter Three

**This has not been edited or proofread.**

Catherine

I knew Easton was late, and while my brother was growing agitated with his “lack of respect of my time”, I was trying to give Easton the benefit of the doubt. It might have been naive of me to do so, but he was the first guy to not be turned away by how different I was to other women.

I so desperately wanted to be accepted by a good man. And I knew without a sliver of a doubt that Easton was that kind of good man.

The sound of horses and a carriage coming toward the house had me standing to my feet. My brother shot outside like a bullet, and when I came to stand beside him on the large, wrap-around porch, I saw Easton jumping down from the seat of the carriage.

It was clear in his body language that there was a huge weight settled on his shoulders, and it deeply bothered me. Something had happened, and it made me worry for him. It was probably the reason he was late, honestly.

“I am so sorry,” Easton immediately apologized as he came to a stop in front of me. He held his hand out for mine, and without a beat of hesitation, I gave him my hand. He placed a tender kiss to my knuckles before resting his forehead there. “I had a family emergency I had to deal with before coming here.”

“It’s quite alright—”

“It is notquite alright,” my brother growled. Easton turned to look at him. A lesser man would have been intimidated. Easton just met my brother’s gaze with a stern one of his own. “My sister’s time is valuable and should not be wasted, Abernathy.”

“And I apologized,” Easton told him calmly. Something stirred low in my gut at the power he held in his voice, and he hadn’t even raised his volume. He spoke sensibly. Steady. A show he was a force of his own. “I do not want to waste your sister’s time, Jack. I truly do want to get to know her, but I cannot help when situations arise that are out of my control. I made it here as fast as I could.”

Jack looked at me. I knew he was angry on my behalf, but I wasn’t upset. Sure, having to wait and weather the unknown had drastically sucked, but Easton had still come. That meant something to me.

Jack finally sighed, nodding once at Easton. “If you do not mind, I’d prefer if the two of you stayed on the plantation for your first outing. I do not want the gossip mill spreading if I let her out with you without an escort. I, unfortunately, cannot step away right now.”

“That’s fine,” Easton told him, smiling easily at Jack. “We’ll have a picnic right over there,” he informed my brother, pointing to the Willow tree out by the small pond next to a cotton field. “And feel free to come over and check on her as you please. She is safe with me.”

Jack sighed. “I don’t doubt that, Easton.” Jack pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Enjoy yourself, sister.”

Easton held his hand out to me, and I placed my hand in his, allowing him to lead me down the steps to his carriage, where he helped up into the seat. Once he was settled beside me, he grabbed the reins for the horses and gently began to steer them toward the pond and the Willow tree.

“Again, Catherine, I am very sorry about what happened. I didn’t mean to stand you up for any length of time.”

I gently laid my hand on his arm. He looked over at me, warmth shining in his eyes. “I know, Easton. I believed you the first time you apologized,” I assured him.

We eventually came to a stop near the tree, and Easton helped me down before he grabbed a picnic basket and a blanket from the back. Once the blanket was spread over the ground, he helped me down to sit before taking a seat beside me and unpacking the food—fresh fruit, sandwiches, and cookies.

“Oh, this is wonderful, Easton,” I gushed.

He grinned at me. “I’m glad you like it.”

We ate in silence for a little while, enjoying each other’s company and the peacefulness of nature surrounding us. Once we were just snacking on cookies, Easton turned his upper body slightly in my direction. “Have you attended college at all, Catherine?”

Sadness stole through my chest as I shook my head. “I wanted to, but Father said no. He was very firm on it, even with Jack trying to persuade him to let me go.”

Easton sighed. “I’m very sorry to hear that, Catherine,” he said softly. I turned to look at him. “I don’t believe in suppressing women like so many other men do. It’s not right. You deserve the same opportunities men are given.”

I smiled at him, his words softening the ache of my dreams being dead. Crushed and smothered into dust. “You’re so different, Easton.”

He chuckled. “Not really,” he assured me. “There’s plenty of other men like me out there. We’re just sadly outnumbered by the ones who share the same views as your father.” He reached up and brushed a tendril of my brown hair back from my face. “What do you like to do in your free time?”

My cheeks warmed. “I like to read…and write,” I bravely added.

Easton’s eyebrows shot up onto his forehead. “Write?” I nodded. “What about?” he asked, genuinely riveted.

I fiddled with my fingers, unable to help myself. It was a habit Father would have smacked my knuckles for, but I was extremely nervous to be talking about this with Easton. The only other person who knew I liked writing stories was my brother, and that was only because I trusted him with my life. With my every secret. My brother and I knew everything about each other.

“Love,” I told Easton softly. “Women who get to chase their dreams without the oppression of men telling them what is right for them and what is wrong. I write about worlds where love knows no bounds, and women get to choose their husbands rather than their husbands being chosen for them.” Sadness lingered in my chest. “I went to school with a girl who was forced to marry at sixteen to a man twice her age. She died during childbirth, and she was miserable her entire marriage, however short-lived it was.”

Easton curled an arm around my shoulder and tugged me against his side. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I want you to know I’ll never force your hand into marriage. With me, you arealwaysfree to choose, Catherine. And if you choose to one day become my wife, I hope I can give you all the space you need to freely spread your wings and fly.”

I tilted my head up to look at him, my eyes flickering to his lips for a moment before my cheeks pinkened and I forced myself to look away. Easton sighed, his warm breath fanning my skin.

“Don’t worry,” he murmured. “I’d love to kiss you too, Catherine.”

Dear Lord, my heart.

Chapter Four

**This has not been edited or proofread.**

Easton

It was barely four in the afternoon when I got home, but that didn’t matter to a drunk bastard like my father. I could hear the yelling from outside when I came to a stop. Closing my eyes, I drew in a deep breath and tucked away all of the warm, fuzzy feelings spending time with Catherine had given me. Then, I stepped out of the carriage, passed the reins off to the young man waiting, and headed into the house to deal with whatever was wrong.

My mother was holding her cheek when I walked inside, but otherwise, she seemed unaffected by the hateful words my father was spewing at her. My little sisters and Ethan were missing, so I could only assume Ethan had taken them somewhere safe so they weren’t faced with his wrath.

Because when he got angry and drunk, everyone was a target. And my little sisters didn’t deserve that.

“What is going on?!” I barked. I latched my hand around my father’s frail wrist when he raised his hand to smack my mother again. She quickly took the opportunity to escape and made her way up the stairs to her room. I released Father’s wrist, glaring at him. “I could hear you all the way from the street.”

“Caught your mother eye-fucking one of the workers,” he sneered.

I scoffed. “You think you have any right to judge her for what she does when you have another woman pregnant with your child?” I demanded. “You think she doesn’t know that? Mother knowseverything. You haven’t figured that out after all these years of marriage?”

He waved me away, stumbling toward the stairs. “This is none of your business,” Father muttered.

“My house, my business,” I reminded him. “Don’t walk up those stairs. You’ll break your damn neck.” He ignored me, still determined to walk his drunk ass up them. “Pa!” I snapped, calling him the name I hadn’t called him since I was a mere boy. “Stop!”

He raised another foot, and that was all it took. He swayed, and I couldn’t move in time to catch him. The audible snap of his neck rang through the room just as my brother emerged at the top of the stairs. He stared in horror at the crumpled form of our father before quickly rushing back to the room I could hear the girls chattering in.

“Stay in here,” I heard Ethan tell the girls as I stared at my father’s lifeless form on the stairs.

Mother came to the top of the staircase and shook her head, muttering, “Good riddance,” before she made her way down, walking past his body like it was just another day in the Abernathy house.

Years of abuse had made her indifferent to just about anything happening. Ethan and I had never been deaf, and the walls in this house were thin. We heard every time he raped her. Every time he beat her. Every time he yelled at her.

And as I stared at him, I realized I didn’t feel much different than she did. Though there was a sense of relief at having him gone, the weight of my family now rested heavily on my shoulders. The countdown for me to get married was now ticking loudly inside of my head. Courting Catherine would become tougher since I now had to work more. Ethan was good at handling it, but it wasn’t his responsibility.

Ethan came to stand beside me, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “What do we do?” he quietly asked me.

I sighed and stepped forward. “Help me get his body into his room,” I told him, keeping my voice down so Emma and Evangeline wouldn’t overhear us. “Then, I’ll head into town and get this taken care of.”

Ethan moved to grab Father’s feet, and I grabbed his shoulders. Grunting, I lifted him up, and with Ethan’s help, we got him laid out on his bed. I shut the door behind us, and Ethan followed me to the front door.

“Keep the girls out of that room,” I told him. “I’ll break the news to them when I get back. And keep Ma away.” I shook my head. “She’s doesn’t need to be around them anymore. Just because we have years of abuse hardening us doesn’t mean our little sisters do, and she will ruin his image in their eyes.”

Ethan nodded in agreement. “I’ll keep them occupied,” he assured me. “Stay safe, brother.”

I nodded, clapped a hand to his shoulder, and slipped back out into the hot summer sun, heading for the stables at the back of the property.

“Heading out, Mr. Abernathy?” Jule, our stable worker, asked me as I walked into the shaded area.

“Yes. Any chance Blue is saddled up?” I asked him, referring to the horse I’d gotten on my fifteenth birthday. It was the last gift Father had ever gotten me. Blue was a stallion—big, black, and sleek. He could’ve been a prize-winning horse, but I refused to run him ragged like that.

Plenty of men enjoyed it, but I just found it to be cruel.

“Sure is,” Jule told me. He unlocked Blue’s paddock and led him out by the reins, handing them to me. “Ride safely now, you hear?”

I smiled at him, surprised it came easy with everything that had happened in the past few days since I’d been home. “I will. Thank you, Jule.”

He tipped his hat at me as I slung myself up into the saddle, and then I headed into town, going straight for the coroner to get my father’s body out of the house.

Chapter Five

**This has not been edited or proofread.**

Catherine

Jack stood at my side as we watched four men slowly lower Easton’s father into the ground. The casket was wooden and plain brown, and judging by the look on Easton’s mother’s face, there was no love lost between them, which meant that box was probably the cheapest one she could pick out for him.

I had no doubt their marriage had been orchestrated by their parents, but an arranged marriage did not have to be horrible. It could be beautiful. I firmly believed if two people really tried to make a marriage work, they could be truly happy.

But there were enough rumors of the way Mr. Abernathy had treated his wife, and it hadn’t been kind. Unfortunately, that was the norm. And it terrified me to one day become married to a man who could be that cruel.

I squeezed my brother’s arm. “I should pay my respects to Easton,” I said softly.

Without a word, Jack led me over toward Easton, where he was standing a couple of feet back from the hole. Ethan, his younger brother, was standing with their little sisters, consoling them through their tears.

It seemed Ethan and Easton had done a good job protecting those girls from the cruelty of their father, and for that, I was thankful. Little girls didn’t deserve having such horrible fathers.

“Easton,” I quietly called as I neared him. My brother released my arm and stood a little ways back from us—enough to give us privacy but to also make sure I still had an escort. He was overprotective but in a very sweet way. He was the only man in my life who had never let me down nor trampled all over my dreams.

Easton turned to look at me. He looked tired. Bags resided under his eyes, discoloring his skin to a darker color. My heart wrenched in my chest. It was so clear he had the weight of his entire family and their business resting on his shoulders. And he had no one to truly share the weight of that burden with.

“I am sorry about your father,” I gently told him, daring to take a single step closer. “I wish I’d known sooner. I would have come to check on you. See if you needed anything.”

He smiled at me, and it brightened his eyes the tiniest bit, burning away some of the dimness that had been residing in them. “Seeing you here today is more than enough,” he told me. “Did your father come?”

I shook my head, leaving it at that. Easton frowned but nodded in understanding. My father was still too drunk this morning to drag himself out of bed, so he mourned the loss of his dear friend by himself in his lonely bedroom.

“Are you okay?” I quietly asked him.

He made a low humming sound in his throat before holding his elbow out to me. I immediately placed my hand in the crook of his arm, allowing him to lead me away from the small crowd gathered by the deep hole in the ground. Jack fell into step a few paces behind us as Easton and I began to walk through the massive cemetery.

“My father gave me everything when I came home from college, but I haven’t had time to prepare,” he began. My soul hurt for him and what he was going through. What he was about to have to learn to navigate by himself with no guidance from his father. “I’ve now got my entire family to take care of. My mother may as well be a ghost with how much she does to help out. My brother needs to find his own way. My little sisters still need to be raised. And on top of all that, I still have a business to run.” He blew out a soft breath. “I don’t know how I’m going to do this.”

He looked down at me. “And please never repeat this, but my father got another woman pregnant.” I gasped in horror, my eyes widening. He swallowed thickly. “I still have to care for her and her child. She needs a place to live. Financial support.” He shook his head. “It’s so much.”

“Oh, Easton,” I said quietly, my voice filled with anguish for him. “I’m so sorry.”

He shook his head. “Just your presence makes the burden a bit easier to manage,” he told me quietly. “So, thank you for coming today. Because I was silently drowning over there.”

I glanced at my brother. He was watching us, but I wasn’t sure how much he could hear. I had an idea, but I wasn’t sure what would happen if Jack decided to protest it. Not only would it be embarrassing, but then Easton may not take me up on my offer.

But this was something I wanted. Something I’d been hoping for since the very first moment Easton didn’t go running from me when he found out how different I was from other women.

I looked back at the handsome man next to me. His dark, curly hair was gently blowing in the breeze, and his blue eyes were cloudy with indecisions and struggles.

If we married, I could take on the home, as a wife should. I could raise his little sisters, which would give him more time to focus on the family lumber business, and his brother could also find his own way. His own wife and family. He wouldn’t have to try to rely on his unreliable mother to help him. I would be able to take care of all the family meals and provide the structure and support he and his family needed.

“What if we got married?” I tentatively asked.

Easton immediately drew to a stop and turned to face me. I turned as well, my skirts swishing around my legs. I tipped my head back to look up at him, thankful his taller body blocked the sun from beaming into my eyes.

“You mean that?” he asked incredulously. “You’d marry me, Catherine?”

“Catherine,” my brother rumbled, coming over to us, no longer trying to preserve the distance. “Little sister, what are you doing?”

I tilted my chin up stubbornly at my brother, and I watched his lips twitch in amusement. He wasn’t truly angry—just wanted to make sure I knew what I was agreeing to.

“I know what I’m doing, Jack. I promise,” I softly assured him. I looked back at Easton after my brother nodded once and backed off a couple of steps. “Yes, Easton, I will marry you, if you’ll have me as your wife.”

He clasped my shoulders, his fingers trembling. “You do understand what you’d be taking on, correct?” he asked me.

I nodded. “I do. And I wouldn’t have mentioned marriage if I didn’t think I could handle it. Please let me help you, Easton.”

He blew out a soft breath, his eyes softening, so much admiration and adoration shining in his blue eyes for me. “I will do my best to make you the happiest, most fulfilled wife on this earth,” he swore.

I leaned up on my tiptoes and pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips. To anyone looking on at us, it would only seem as if I’d kissed his cheek, but he and I—and my dear older brother—would know differently. Once I was flat on my feet again, I smiled at him. “I believe I need a ring, Mr. Abernathy.”

He chuckled and clasped my hand, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. “I will have one ready to put on your finger tonight after I speak to your father.” He looked at Jack. “Do you think he will have any disagreements?”

Jack grunted. “I will make sure he won’t,” he assured Easton. Jack held his hand out to me. “Come, Catherine. Let’s get you home so I can make sure nothing stands in the way of your happiness.”

I beamed at my older brother as I placed my hand in his. Easton gently squeezed my other hand before releasing me. “Until later, Catherine.”

“Until later,” I whispered, smiling softly at him.

Chapter Six

**This has not been edited or proofread.**

Easton

The Garner plantation was quiet as I rode down the dirt lane to the massive house. The sun was high in the sky, making me sweat, but the trees offered cool shade. Wind lightly blew, rustling the leaves, and birds chirped overhead.

It gave me hope that Henry would give me the answer I desperately wanted—just about needed.

I slowly drew my horse to a stop in front of the house before dismounting, thanking the older gentleman who took the reins from me and led the stallion over to a small watering hole. I ascended the steps to the wide, wrap-around porch, and just as I reached the last step, the door opened, and Jack stepped outside.

“I saw you through the window,” he explained at the surprised look on my face. “I told Pa you would be coming either today or tomorrow. He’s waiting on you.”

I blew out a soft breath. I didn’t get nervous over much anymore, but I wasn’t sure if I could accept no as an answer to Catherine becoming my wife. She deserved so much better than what he was giving her, and I was hoping I could help her chase her dreams. Make her the happiest wife on this side of the Mississippi.

“Is Catherine here?” I asked him.

“She is napping,” Jack told me. “Probably best, honestly. She’s been a nervous wreck, wondering when you might show up and if Pa will actually give his blessing to you.”

I couldn’t blame her. I was a wreck, too.

I slipped past Jack into the house, and he led me straight to Henry’s study, where he was sipping at dark liquor and reading a book. He looked up at our entrance and cleared his throat, setting down his glass and shutting the book after marking his page. He stood to his feet and held his hand out to me.

“Good to see you, Easton. I’m very sorry to hear of your father’s passing. He was a dear friend to me.”

“He was a good man,” I lied, wanting to do everything I could to stay on Henry’s good side. “I was hoping to talk to you.”

“So, I’ve heard,” he commented, taking a seat and gesturing for me to do the same. Jack slipped out of the study, shutting the door behind him with a quiet click to give us some privacy. As soon as we were alone, Henry dove right in. “I hear you want to marry my daughter.”

“I do,” I said instantly.

He grunted. “You do realize she is…different, don’t you?”

I bristled but managed to keep myself in check. Getting on Henry’s bad side would do nothing to help my case. “I believe she’s a spectacular woman with a good, bright head on her shoulders. My mother has not been well lately, and I need a woman like Catherine to help around the home, as well as to raise my little sisters.”

“And you believe Catherine is a good fit,” he stated.

I nodded once. Firmly. “Yes.”

He sighed. “Well, then I give my blessing, Easton. You may marry my daughter.” He leaned back in his seat and lit up an expensive cigar. God, I hated the smell of those things. “Do you have a date set in mind?”

“I’d like to be wed as soon as possible,” I told him. “I understand how that may look to the rest of Atlanta, but to be frank, Mr. Garner, I do not have much time to waste.”

He nodded. “I understand, son. Talk with my daughter, and have my son inform me of anything I need to know. I will foot the bill for the wedding.”

I stood to my feet as he did and held my hand out for him to shake. He nodded once at me. “I wish you the best of luck with my daughter. She is very headstrong.”

I smiled—thankful it was genuine. I loved how different Catherine was, and there was nothing anyone could tell me that would change my mind about her. “Thank you, sir.”

~*~*~

Jack was waiting for me on the porch. He stood from the rocker as I shut the front door behind me. “Well?” he asked.

“He gave his blessing,” I told him, unable to keep the smile off my face. “I assume my bride-to-be is still resting?”

He nodded. “If you’d like, I can give her the good news when she wakes.”

“Please do,” I told him. “I need to get home and take care of some things, but I will come by to see her as soon as I can so she and I can work out details. Your father has agreed to pay for the wedding.”

Jack scoffed. “It’s just about the only decent thing he’s done for Catherine in years,” he muttered. I clenched my jaw, vowing I would never suppress her in that way. “Just…take care of my little sister, will you?” he asked me. “She’s not had it easy, and she deserves to be happy. She’s the sweetest girl to ever grace this earth. Just no one will give her a chance.”

“I plan to give her everything her heart desires, Jack,” I said quietly so our voices wouldn’t carry. “Whether that be college or children or even something as simple as a shopping spree. I will do everything I can to make every dream of hers come true.”

He drew me into an unexpected hug. “Thank you,” he rasped. “And welcome to the family, Easton.”

I clapped my hands to his back. “Don’t ever thank me for taking care of your sister,” I told him. “She means a great deal to me.”

We stepped back, and he tipped his hat at me. “Safe travels back home, Easton.”

I inclined my head to him in thanks before making my way off the porch and to the worker holding my stallion’s reins. “Thank you, sir,” I told him, handing him a tip.

He smiled at me. “Have a good day, Mr. Abernathy.”

Oh, I was going to have a fantastic day. I didn’t think anything could ruin my good mood.

Catherine Garner was going to become my wife.

Chapter Seven

**This has not been edited or proofread.**

Catherine

I had never witnessed a wedding get put together as fast as ours did. Within the week, I had a dress, my father had everything paid for, and I was standing behind the doors of the church, about to walk down the aisle to my soon-to-be husband.

I blew out a soft breath, trying to steel myself before my father came to take my arm. I wanted so badly for Jack to walk me down the aisle instead, but Pa would hear none of it. Apparently, not walking me down the aisle would tarnish his reputation and also make me seem even more different than I already was.

I refused to feel ashamed of who I was, especially since Easton so clearly adored me for it.

The doors to the church opened, and my throat closed up at the sheer number of guests in the room. Every seat was filled, and every head turned to watch as we began to move down the aisle. My hand trembled in he crook of my father’s arm.

I was going to throw up. There were so many people here. I didn’t know over half of them! Why were there so many?

Panicked, I searched the room, hoping for the comforting gaze of my brother. But before I found him, my eyes met Easton’s.

He smiled at me, and my chest loosened. I was able to fill my lungs with air again. A tentative smile tilted the corners of my lips, and Easton’s widened.

That all the sign I needed to know I truly was doing the right thing. No, we weren’t marrying for love, but I had no doubt I would one day learn to love this man.

I barely heard the minister as he spoke, and before I knew it, my father was handing me over to Easton. I allowed the minister and all the people to fall to the background, and I just focused on this man in front of me and how his hands felt wrapped around mine. They were roughened, and they trembled the tiniest bit.

No doubt, he was nervous, too. And that helped. We were both make a life-changing decision today. A divorce had never been heard of in Atlanta. From this moment forward, it was just the two of us and what we could make of our life together.

“Please repeat after me…” the minister began.

Easton quickly repeated the words the minister spoke. “I, Easton, take you, Catherine, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy law, and this is my solemn vow.”

My eyes blurred with tears, and I rapidly blinked, trying to clear them away. He released one of my hand and stopped one about to roll down my cheek, a soft look entering his eyes.

Yeah… absolutely no doubt now that I would fall head over heels for this man. I just hoped that my love for him would not be one-sided.

“And now you, Catherine…”

Easton grabbed my hand again, and I tightened my hold on him, drawing in a deep breath.

“I, Catherine, take you, Easton, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy law, and this is my solemn vow.”

Easton roughly cleared his throat, a thousand emotions running through his eyes too fast for me to really catch them. The minister spoke a little more about our partnership, and then he said those words that made my heart race.

“Mr. Abernathy, you may kiss your bride.”

Easton stepped closer to me, one of his arms binding around my waist. His eyes searched my face for a moment, seeking my consent, and I subtly nodded my head. Blowing out a soft breath of relief, he leaned down and molded our lips together in a soft, quick, chaste kiss.

But I felt that kiss all the way down to the depths of my soul.

“Ladies and gentleman, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy!” the minister exclaimed.

Easton cupped my cheek. “I promise I’ll make you the happiest wife in Atlanta,” he promised.

“You probably won’t have to try that hard then,” I teased, relaxed now that the biggest part of this was over. Now, we would just gather in the reception hall attached to the church, where people we barely knew would celebrate our coming together.

Easton chuckled and pressed a kiss to the tip of my nose that made me flush all the way to the tips of my ears. “Come on, Mrs. Abernathy. I believe we have a dance to get to.”

He gave me his elbow, and I placed my hand in the crease of his arm, allowing him to lead me out of the church. My brother grabbed my hand as I passed him, and he gave it a gentle squeeze. I glanced at him, and Easton slowed.

“Chase your happiness, little sis,” Jack whispered.

Tears glistened in my eyes. I nodded at him before allowing Easton to continue walking me out of the church.

“I will do my best to give you everything your heart desires,” Easton whispered to me.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat, but it didn’t dislodge it a bit. So, instead of opening my mouth and possibly making a fool of myself, I just squeezed his arm to let him know how much I appreciated it.

Judging by the soft smile he sent me, he understood what I couldn’t bring myself to say.

Chapter Eight

**This has not been edited or proofread.**

Easton

I was nervous for tonight. Extremely. While I wasn’t a virgin by any means, I knew my beautiful, new wife was. It was clear that while she was extremely knowledgeable and brilliant, she’d been sheltered in many other ways. Her brother was clear proof of that. He was overprotective of her.

My nerves didn’t come from being inexperienced. My nerves came from not wanting to hurt her. I’d had sex with one virgin while in college, and she’d cried from how badly it hurt. She’d failed to tell me I was her first time, but I still should have been more careful and asked all the questions.

I really didn’t want to hurt Catherine, even though I knew it might be inevitable.

The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of my house, and I quickly opened the door. After stepping out, I turned and held my hand out to Catherine, a warm smile on her face. Her hand was clammy as she placed it in mind, and I gave it a gentle squeeze in encouragement.

We had to consummate our marriage, and I knew everyone would be expecting her to be with child soon. But even though I was scared of hurting her, I didn’t want her to be nervous, too. I would do everything I could to make tonight amazing for her.

“You okay?” I asked her once her feet were planted firmly on the ground. I kept her hand clasped in mine as I led her up the small walkway to the porch. My brother had taken my mom and little sisters to one of the hotels in town to give us some privacy tonight, but he’d been nice enough to make sure a lantern was lit on the porch so we could see.

I made a mental note to buy him some of his favorite muffins from in town.

Catherine drew in a deep breath as I unlocked the front door and opened it. I turned to face her. Dropping her hand, I reached up and cupped her face, leaning down to rest my forehead on hers. “Breathe,” I gently ordered. “I know you’re nervous, but I’ll do my best to make tonight good for you.”

She nodded. “I know,” she said softly. “Can we go on inside?”

I released her face and then kneeled, lifting her into my arms to cradle her against my chest. She shrieked in alarm before giggling, a bright smile on her face now. I chuckled and stepped into the quiet house, gently kicking the door closed behind me. Leaning my head down, I pressed my lips to hers.

Nothing could have prepared me for the fireworks that exploded behind my closed eyelids or the way my heart raced or the tingles that shot through my body and headed straight for my stiffening rod.

She tentatively moved her lips with mine, trying to follow my lead. She was so inexperienced, but it was absolutely perfect. Kissing Catherine, my gorgeous bride, was so much better than I ever thought kissing could be.

A deep groan rumbled from my chest before I forced myself to pull back from her. My chest was heaving just as fast as hers was. Her lips were red and kiss-swollen, and my cock jerked at the sight of them.

Fuck, I needed to get her to bed.

“Hold on,” I rasped as I headed for the stairs. I quickly climbed them as her fingers played with the hair at the nape of my neck. I could feel the beat of my heart all the way in my throat. I drew in a deep breath as I walked into my bedroom, trying to calm down. I had to slow down. I couldn’t rush things with Catherine. She deserved to be worshipped. She deserved to make love her first time.

I needed to take care of her.

I gently set her on her feet and then cupped her jaw, my other hand settling on her waist. Leaning down, I pressed my mouth to hers again, gently coaxing her lips apart. I kissed her softer this time. Slower. Took my time learning every curve inside of her mouth and the addicting taste of her. She tasted of our wedding cake and champagne with a hint of red wine, and I couldn’t get enough of her.

She softly moaned when I nipped at her bottom lip before trailing my lips across her jaw, inhaling the sweet scent of her as I went. Her fingers trailed over my broad shoulders and down my biceps before tentatively walking over my chest. I’d lost my bowtie early on during our reception, so it was easy for her to undo my top button, even with her shaky fingers.

“You’re so addicting,” I growled as I licked a path down her neck. She whimpered, her head leaning back a bit. “God, I don’t know how I’m going to be slow with you,” I rasped.

She unsnapped another button of my shirt before she slid her hands inside, running them over my chest, her fingers sliding through the light dusting of hair there. She sighed at the feel, and I couldn’t resist coming back to her plump lips for more.

Sliding my fingers to her back, I slowly began to unfasten each of the pearl buttons on her ivory wedding gown as our tongues slowly danced together. She was whimpering and moaning into my mouth nonstop, and my shaft was straining against my trousers, begging to be freed. To get inside of her tight body.

She shivered when her dress was fully unbuttoned and it fell apart in the back, the cooler air of the room washing over her heated skin. With my lips still on hers, I slowly peeled her sleeves down her arm. Once the dress pooled on the floor, I untied the petticoat around her waist, letting that fall to the floor as well. Her hoop skirt went next, but I didn’t dare pull back from her mouth yet. I didn’t want to see her until she was completely bare.

I untied her corset and let it fall down between us. I could feel her hard nipples pressing against my chest now, and after drawing in a deep breath, I took a step back, running my eyes over her.

She was so beautiful. Her waist was narrow, but it flared out to wide hips and luscious thighs that were perfect for wrapping around my head and my hips. Her breasts were the perfect size to fit in my hand, her nipples a light, dusky color that I couldn’t wait to wrap my lips around.

“You’re so beautiful,” I rasped. I trailed the back of my fingers over her shoulder, around the curve of her breast, and down the dip in her waist until I could grip her hip. Gently, I led her backward to the bed until the back of her thighs hit the mattress.

“Lay back for me,” I coaxed, releasing her.

She drew in a shaky breath and then slid back on the mattress, laying her head back on the pillows once she was in the middle of the bed. I couldn’t take my eyes off her and how beautiful she looked laying there. Running my eyes over her, I undressed, loving the way her eyes raked over me as I bared my body to her. It was clear she was still nervous, but she was trusting me.

I didn’t take that trust lightly.

Once I was naked, I crawled onto the comfortable, soft mattress and gently eased her thighs apart so I could settle my shoulders between them. “Drape those thighs over my shoulder, love,” I softly commanded.

Her cheeks colored a beautiful, dark shade of red, she did as I said. I lowered my head, inhaling the scent of her with a deep groan. “Wh—what are you doing, Easton?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“About to make you feel good,” I promised, looking up at her beneath my lashes. “Trust me, sweetheart.”

She drew in a deep breath and then closed her eyes. I swept my tongue over her slit before swirling it around her clit. She cried out, her eyes flashing open. I threw her a wicked grin before diving back in, taking the time to learn what set her off, what drew those beautiful moans from her throat.

She tasted sinfully delicious. Something this good couldn’t be biblically okay to indulge in. But if I got to have her like this for the rest of my life, I’d gladly go to Hell for it.

“You taste so good,” I groaned.

“Easton,” she sobbed, her thighs tightening around my head. “Oh—oh, please.”

I focused back on her clit, and she shattered, flooding my face with her sweetness. I quickly moved up and gripped my cock before gently beginning to push inside. I was hoping it would be the least painful for me to rip through her hymen if she was still coming. Maybe the bliss she was experiencing would dull the pain some.

Leaning down, I kissed her, and she moaned at the taste, her body still trembling. Her center was still pulsing as I slid inside of her. She tensed when I reached that spot inside of her. I kissed her harder and reached between us, rubbing her clit. When she lost herself in the pleasure again, I pushed forward, officially taking her virginity as my own.

She cried out, her nails digging into my shoulders. I locked my legs, keeping still, and kissed her soft and slow, still circling her clit with my thumb to hopefully ease the pain as quickly as possible.

“Easton,” she moaned, pulling her lips from mine.

“You ready?” I asked, pressing a kiss to the shell of her ear.

She nodded. “I’m okay.”

I eased out and pushed back in, still working that sweet little nub. She wrapped her legs around my hips, locking her ankles together. I groaned at the new angle and began to make sweet, slow love to her.

“I’m going to make you the happiest wife in the world,” I whispered.

Her walls tightened around me as she came, and with a groan, I followed, spilling inside of her.

Chapter Nine

**This has not been edited or proofread.**

Easton

The front door opening reached my ears, and a moment later, the sound of my twin little sisters running into the house filled the otherwise quiet air. I sighed, leaning back in the office chair. I was hoping Catherine would be able to sleep in a little longer, but with two rambunctious little girls running around, it was highly doubtful.

My brother poked his head around the doorframe and then stepped in when he saw me sitting there. “What are you doing?” he asked, looking down on the desk. The books were laid out, and before he’d brought the girls home, I’d been working on the budget.

“Working,” I told him, a little bit of a ‘duh’ note in my voice. He chuckled and sat in the chair on the other side of my desk just as one of the girls squealed with laughter.

“You know I can still handle the books, Easton.”

I shook my head. “I can handle it, Ethan. It’s time for you to focus on your future and what you want.”

He sighed and scratched at the light stubble on his face. “The lumber business, Easton—it’s all I know. All I want to do. I’m asking you not to take that from me.”

I leaned forward and braced my elbows on the desk. Steepling my fingers together, I rested them against my chin. “Ethan, I’d never take the lumber business from you. If that’s what you want, then we’ll enter into an agreement. Make it both of ours. I’ll call up the lawyer later and get the paperwork drawn up.”

He stared at me for a moment before saying, “You really mean that?”

I nodded. “You’re my brother, Ethan. Family. And you’ve always had my back. You held down home while I went off to college. Yes, I’ll split it with you. Fifty-fifty okay?”

He blinked at me. “Easton, fifty-fifty is more than okay,” he told me.

We both looked over at the doorway when a glimpse of white entered our vision. Catherine was standing in the doorway, a long, floor-length, white robe. Her dark hair was hanging in curls around her shoulders, her cheeks rosy, her eyes bright. God, she was beautiful. I was lucky to call her my wife.

“Good morning, love,” I murmured, pushing back from the desk so I could stand. I made my way to her and slid my hands along her waist. I pressed a kiss to the corner of her lips. “Did you sleep well?”

She nodded just as two rambunctious little girls sprinted through the house. I sighed and looked at my brother. “Where’s mother?”

“In town,” he told me. “She wanted to go shopping.”

Catherine smiled at me. “I’ll have the cook start breakfast, and I’ll get those two settled so you two can resume business.”

I cupped her cheek and kissed her properly this time. She smiled against my lips. “You’re so perfect.”

She laughed softly. “It’s only our first day married, Easton. I’m sure I’ll make lots of mistakes.”

I shook my head. “Doubtful.”

“You guys make me sick,” Ethan teased as he stood from his chair. He clapped a hand to my shoulder. “I’m going to head up to the lumber yard and make sure everything’s good. I’ll be back later, and we can hash out more details, yeah?”

“Sounds good,” I told him.

Catherine moved to the side, and he pressed a kiss to her cheek before he passed. “Welcome to the family, Catherine. We’re proud to have you as our newest Abernathy.”

Her eyes glistened with tears, and she rapidly blinked them to keep them back. I gently squeezed her waist, offering my silent support. “Thank you, Ethan,” she rasped.

He inclined his head to her before slipping out of the office. Catherine smiled at me, her eyes still shimmery, but none of her tears had spilled over. “Finish your books. I’ll come let you know when breakfast is ready.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Grabbing her hand, I pressed a kiss to her palm, then reluctantly let her go. And I didn’t stop staring after her until she disappeared from my sight, calling out for Emma and Evangeline.

I was excited for home to become normal again, like a family was supposed to be, though we would of course be a little unconventional since Catherine would be taking care of my little sisters.

But I was even more excited for Catherine to fill her role in my life as my wife.

Everything already looked brighter, and I knew it would only continue to be filled with light.

Chapter Ten

**This has not been edited or proofread.**

Easton

I pushed away from my desk around lunchtime. The house was peaceful and quiet, and when I emerged from the study, Catherine was sitting in the lounge on an armchair, her legs primly crossed with a book in her hands.

“Hey,” I murmured, walking over to her. “How were the girls?”

She smiled at me and closed her book, setting it on the small table beside her. “They were great,” she assured me. “We practiced their writing and math before I put them down for their nap about fifteen minutes ago.”

I leaned down and softly kissed her. She had no idea how much she was already helping, especially since my mother was still missing in action, as far as I was aware. “Thank you.”

A pretty blush was staining her cheeks when I pulled back. “You don’t have to thank me,” she told me quietly.

I held my hand out to her. “How does a picnic sound?” I asked as she placed her hand in mine.

“I think it might be getting ready to rain soon,” she told me. I glanced over my shoulder toward the window, sighing. I’d been so engrossed in the books that I hadn’t even noticed the storm clouds rolling in.

Dropping a kiss to her forehead, I stepped back. “Can you have the cook prepare us something?” I asked her. “I need to make sure everything is prepared outside.” Thunder suddenly rolled, and my lips tightened, my mind on my mother, even if she did drive me nuts. “And I need to see if anyone’s gotten word from my mother. Has she been home yet?”

Catherine shook her head at me, worry shining in her eyes. “I haven’t heard a word,” she told me. “I’m sorry, Easton.”

I cupped her cheek. “There’s no need to apologize, sweetheart. Please go have the cook prepare us lunch. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

She nodded and smiled at me, brightening my mood a little bit. She was so beautiful. Every time I looked at her, I was incredibly humbled. Any man would be lucky to have her, and I was the one she’d chosen to marry.

Catherine, my beautiful wife, was a rare and precious gift that I would cherish always.

Once she disappeared into the kitchen, I quickly made my way outside. The wind was already picking up. I quickly hurried to the stables around the back of the house, the wind blowing my hair all over the place. If I’d been wearing a hat, I would’ve already lost it, no doubt.

“Mr. Abernathy!” one of the workers called as I drew closer. “I was going to bring this in to you just as soon as we got these horses put away,” he said, handing me a piece of paper.

I quickly unfolded it, frowning as I read Lottie’s message to me.

Dear Mr. Abernathy,

I was sorry to hear about the death of your father. But I hear congratulations are also in order. I hope your marriage is filled with happiness and good times.

I look forward to hearing from you again,

Lottie Reeds

I sighed. With everything going on lately, I hadn’t been able to get Lottie set up in one of the lofts above one of the businesses in Atlanta. But I needed to get a move on that. Lightning flashed across the sky, and thunder rumbled through the clouds right after.

Lottie was going to have to wait another day. Going out in this storm was just asking for trouble.

“Thank you,” I told him. “Make sure everything is secured and then seek shelter. I don’t want any of you trying to travel home in this mess. Clear?”

“Yes, sir,” the three of them replied.

I quickly made my way back to the house. I’d just stepped onto the porch when the sky opened up and rained poured down. My mother’s carriage rolled to a stop in front of the house right after. With a muttered curse, I rushed down the steps and swung open the gate, ushering her through. Ethan came in right behind her, riding his horse straight to the stables, his clothes already sticking to him.

“Where have you been all day?” I asked mother once we were on the porch.

She huffed and yanked her elbow from my grasp. “I am your mother. I do not answer to you, Easton.”

I stepped closer to her, water droplets dripping from my hair and trailing down my damp skin. “You do when you live under my roof,” I coolly warned her. “And when you still have responsibilities to two little girls who still need to be raised.”

“That is your wife’s job,” she snapped, turning away from me.

I grasped her elbow and yanked her back around, not even caring that she stumbled. “While my wife is more than happy to care for Emma and Evangeline, that is not her job as my wife,” I warned her. “If you want to go off gallivanting all over town and spending the money you were given when father passed, then you can use some of that to hire a nanny as well.”

“He is right,” Ethan said as he rushed up the porch out of the rain. His hat was missing, no doubt blown off by the wind on his way home. “It’s not Catherine’s duty to care for your children.”

“Well, what else is she going do?” she snapped at us, but her gaze was settled heavily upon me. She tried wrenching her elbow away again, but I just tightened my hold. “No one in town likes her. Everyone is appalled that you even married her, Easton. She’s not fit for a man of your class.”

“Watch your fucking mouth,” I warned her, my voice dropping a couple of degrees. She shivered, casting her eyes down. “Everyone’s opinions of my wife do not matter to me. But if you think you can turn against her and belittle her because she’s smarter than you and the women you like to surround yourself with, then you’ve got another thing coming. I will make you poor, do you hear me? I will boot you out of this house without a penny to your name.”

She paled. Shopping and putting on an air of indifference had saved my mother all these years from losing her mind under my father’s abuse. Without it, she was nothing.

“Now, I suggest you pretend to love my wife and treat her with the respect she deserves. Or so help me, God, I will make you absolutely miserable. You will help her adjust to the life of being a wife. Clear?”

She stiffly nodded. I released her. “Lunch is being made. I suggest you change into some dry clothes and get something to eat.”

“Okay,” she said quietly.

Ethan came to stand beside me as I worked on calming myself down. I didn’t want Catherine to see the ugly side of me, especially when she’d done nothing to warrant seeing it.

“Well, that was unexpected.”

I shook my head. “It’s beyond time she started being the mother she is,” I told him. “And my wife needs time to prepare for becoming a mother.”

Ethan blinked at me. “Already?”

I smirked. “If I have my way, soon.”

He chuckled and clapped me on the back. “Let’s get changed into some dry clothes, yeah?”

Catherine opened the front door, her eyes widening at the drenched sight of us. Then, she sighed. “Please go change. Both of you. You’re going to catch a cold.”

I stepped forward and leaned down. Cupping her cheeks, I softly kissed her. “You wouldn’t happen to want to come help, would you?” I murmured.

Her face turned a beautiful shade of red as her eyes comically widened. “Easton!” she hissed.

I chuckled and kissed her again. “I’ll meet you in the dining room, sweetheart.”

With that, I strode away, ignoring how tight my pants now felt. But man, teasing my pretty wife was one hundred percent worth it.

Chapter Eleven

**This has not been edited or proofread.**

Easton

The past two weeks with my wife have been absolute bliss. We quickly settled into our day-to-day lives together. I was always out of bed before her, and normally by the time she got out of bed, I was getting ready to head into town and make an appearance at the lumber mill. Mother took over with the girls once she got out of bed, though when it came to reading and learning, Catherine took over.

Emma was standing on the porch when I rode up to the house, wringing her little hands together. I frowned and quickly dismounted from the horse, passing the reins off to the worker standing there. “Emma? What is it?” I asked, quickly rushing up the steps. It wasn’t like my little sister to get nervous, but something was definitely clearly bothering her.

“Catherine is really sick,” she told me. “She’s throwing up.”

I pressed a kiss to the top of her head and rushed around her. My feet thumped up the stairs as I quickly made my way to our room. She was laying in bed, and one of the housemaids had obviously helped her out of her dress she’d had on earlier and into a nightgown. Her hair was tumbling loose about her shoulders, and her eyes were closed, her face a bit pale.

“Catherine? Sweetheart?” I asked softly.

She moaned before turning her head slowly to face me. “Easton?” she mumbled.

“Hey,” I said softly. I eased onto the mattress beside her and cupped her cheek, rubbing my thumb over her soft, smooth skin. “Emma says you’re throwing up.”

She nodded. “Yeah,” she mumbled. “Started during lunch.”

I stood to my feet and toed off my shoes and slipped off my jacket before sliding in the bed beside her. Gently, I tugged her against me, circling my arms around her once she was settled against my chest. “Get some rest, sweetheart,” I murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m here if you need me.”

She splayed her fingers over my chest, letting her eyes slide shut again. I got comfortable and crossed my feet at the ankles, shutting my own eyes. I wasn’t much of one for sleeping during the daytime, but I could definitely doze off.

~*~*~

Catherine threw up two more times before she began to get some color back in her face. When she was feeling well enough to move, I had someone draw her up a bath, and I spent a little while bathing her and doing my best to take care of her.

But the next morning, she woke up even before I normally made it out of bed, throwing up again. This wasn’t normal. No one should be throwing up like this.

“Lay back,” I gently ordered. Once she was comfortable, I strode out of our bedroom and went down the hall to Ethan’s room, knocking on his door. He swung it open, his shirt in his hand. “Yeah?” he asked, frowning at me.

“I need you to get the doctor,” I told him. “Catherine is ill. I thought it passed yesterday evening, but she’s throwing up again.”

He nodded, worry sliding through his gaze. “Yeah. I’ll head out in just a minute,” he promised.

“Thanks, brother,” I said quietly, clapping him on the shoulder. Then, I headed back up the hall to our bedroom, pushing open the door. Catherine was asleep again, so I just settled into a chair next to the bed, not wanting to chance accidentally disturbing her by trying to slide into bed.

I just prayed she didn’t get sick again. Ihatedseeing her ill and not being able to do anything about it.

I hated it with every fiber of my being.

~*~*~

Praying didn’t work. Catherine got sick two more times before my brother returned home with the doctor. I was dressed for the day, and when Catherine tried to get dressed, I put my foot down and forced her back into bed, assuring her the doctor would not care if she wasn’t dressed.

“Thanks for coming, doc,” I greeted, standing to shake his hand.

He smiled at me. “Good to see you again, Easton. I just wish it was under better circumstances.” He moved around me to the bed. “I hear you’re ill, hun. Can you tell me how you’re feeling?”

“I’m not nauseous a lot. Just normally a few minutes before I throw up. And I’m not running a fever.”

He hummed. “Have you bled yet this month?” She shook her head. “How many weeks has it been since you bled?”

Her cheeks colored, but she answered, “Um, almost five.”

“Well, hun, I don’t think you’re ill, per se. You’re with child.”

Her wide eyes snapped to mine, but before either of us could react to the news, she gagged and threw up all over herself before I could put the bucket in front of her. Then, she burst into tears, sobbing. I thanked the doctor, and Ethan ushered him out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

“I want my brother,” Catherine cried as I began to strip her out of her nightgown.

My heart ached for her. I hated that she was so ill, we couldn’t even be happy about this child. And I knew she would’ve been. She’d been talking about giving me a son or daughter for the past week, so excited over the idea.

But instead, her being pregnant just made her sick.

“I’ll send for him, sweetheart. I promise. Just let me get you dressed, okay? Then, I’ll take you downstairs while someone changes our bed sheets.”

She sniffled and nodded. Once she was in clean clothes—another nightgown—I wrapped her up in her robe before lifting her into my arms, carrying her down the stairs to the sitting room. Ethan came into the house, concern glimmering in his eyes.

“Go fetch her brother,” I told him.

Ethan nodded once and left back out the front door. I settled onto the couch and cradled her in my lap, wishing like hell I could do something to make her feel better.

~*~*~

Chapter Twelve

**This has not been edited or proofread.**

Easton

The front door swung open, and my brother swept into the house with Jack right behind him. Catherine had stopped crying about fifteen minutes ago, but she was silent—completely unresponsive. I didn’t know what to do, and I hated it. I hated this lost feeling. I hated not being able to console my wife—the woman I was falling madly in love with.

I was already failing in my duties as a husband, and that didn’t sit well in my gut.

“Catherine,” Jack breathed. Immediately, he rushed over, tossing his hat on the table in front of us. Crouching, he ran his hand over her hair. “Tell me what’s wrong, and I’ll fix it. I swear.”

She swallowed thickly, and with trembling lips, she turned her head to look at me. I tightened my hold on her. “Would you like for me to tell him?” I quietly asked.

Sniffling, she nodded. Even with bloodshot eyes and red, tear-stained cheeks, she was still the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid my eyes on. And I was so lucky to call her my wife, even if I wasn’t being the best husband in the world at the moment.

At least, that was how it felt.

I blew out a soft breath. “Your sister is with child,” I quietly told Jack. “And she’s not taking it well.”

He settled onto the couch next to us and held her hands in his. “You’ve always wanted to be a mother, Catherine. What is going on?”

“We didn’t discuss this.” Her voice trembled. She looked at me, her eyes filled with worry. “You have your sisters and your mother to take care of. A baby—”

“God,” I rasped, squeezing her to me and burrowing my face in her hair. “Thisis what you’ve been working yourself up over?” I asked into her hair. She hiccupped and nodded, curling her fingers into my shirt. “Sweetheart, I was so happy about this when the doctor announced it. But then you burst into tears, and I didn’t know what to think.”

She moved her head, and I lifted mine, letting her look up at me. “You mean that?” she croaked.

I nodded. “Yes, love, I mean that. I want it all with you. That includes children of our own.”

“Sis,” Jack sighed, and her cheeks colored as she turned to look at him, “you’ve got to learn to communicate better. Your husband was panicking.”

She flushed even more and burrowed her face in the curve of my neck. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled.

I rubbed my hand down her side. “Nothing to be sorry for, sweetheart,” I assured her.

Jack gently squeezed her hands. “Are you okay now?” he asked her. When she nodded, he released them, setting them gently on her lap before standing to his feet. “I need to head back home, but if you need me again, sister, just reach out, okay?”

She lifted her head from my neck, nodding at him. “I will. Thank you for coming, Jack.”

He bent over and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I will come back tomorrow to see how you’re doing. Just rest. Ethan said you’ve been very sick. You need to take care of yourself.”

She nodded again. “I will,” she promised him.

~*~*~

Days passed before the cook managed to find a tea that kept Catherine’s nausea at bay. It was delivered to our room early in the morning with a slice of toast, and she would recline back in our bed with pillows propped behind her while she had her morning tea and bread. After an hour longer of relaxing in bed, I would help her dress. The housemaids didn’t like it, but Catherine relished in the extra attention I was giving her.

And honestly, I liked running my hands over her body as I helped her into her clothing for the day. She was addicting, and I couldn’t get enough of her.

“I’m riding into town today with Ethan,” I told Catherine as we made our way down the stairs. “I won’t be back until dinnertime. Will you be okay with the girls until then?” Mother had been holed up in her room for two days now, so Ethan had been shouldering the responsibility of our younger sisters while Catherine was ill. But now that she was mostly doing okay, she had begged me to allow her to take back over care of the twins.

She gently squeezed my arm where her hand rested in the crook of my elbow. “I will be fine,” she assured me. Once we emerged into the sitting room, she leaned up on her toes and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “The girls and I will have a fantastic time. Go work. You’ve been holed up with me for far too long.”

I cupped her cheek, brushing my thumb over her smooth skin. “Never long enough, sweetheart.”

Her cheeks colored a pretty red. I pressed a tender kiss to her lips before releasing her just as the girls came rushing out of the kitchen, screeching my wife’s name. They hugged me quickly before grabbing her hands, leading her to the library. I chuckled and donned my hat before going to meet my brother outside.

“I believe the whole street heard those girls yelling for your wife,” my brother teased.

I chuckled and swung up onto my horse. “They adore her.”

Ethan grinned. “As they should. She’s going to make a fantastic mother, Easton.”

I nodded in agreement. “No doubt about it.”

~*~*~

When Ethan and I walked into the house, my mother was standing in front of my wife, who was ushering the girls into the kitchen with urgency. They hadn’t noticed we’d walked in yet, and I made a motion for Ethan to remain quiet as I eased the front door shut behind us.

“Did you have something you wanted to say to me?” Catherine coolly asked as she stood back to her full height, tilting her chin up. She was a couple of inches taller than my mother, forcing my mother to look up to meet my wife’s gaze.

“You and that baby are a curse,” my mother hissed at her as if she were trying to keep anyone else from overhearing the vile words she spewed at Catherine. “Your entire marriage is a sham. A wedding that happens that quickly only happens for one reason, and it was because you just couldn’t keep your legs closed. Trapped my son in a marriage with you because of that wretched thing.”

I cleared my throat, thankful my temper was in check. But damn if I didn’t have the urge to backhand my mother across the face for what she was saying to my wife. If I’d been my father, I would have. But I knew to never touch a woman.

My mother paled. Catherine took a step back as I neared her, and I pressed my hand to her lower back. “For your information, Mother,” I said calmly, “Catherine and I wed so quickly because you could not be trusted to care for the girls, and Ethan and I both have responsibilities that keep us away from home and locked up in the study. I needed a woman who was reliable and could care for the home. Guide everyone as the woman of the house should. And you have proven time and time again that you are not that woman.”

Mother opened her mouth to speak, but I cut her off. “You’re dismissed to your room for the rest of the evening. Someone will serve you dinner there. If you want to act like a petulant child, I will treat you as one.” I led Catherine around her. “You’re dismissed,” I told her as we passed.

Catherine’s shoulders slumped as we neared the dining room, and I stopped, turning her to face me with my hands on her shoulders. “Sweetheart—”

“Does everyone think that?” she asked quietly.

“No,” Ethan spoke up for me as he neared. “The way you were suddenly so violently ill… Every woman who has heard knows you conceived after wedlock. Mother is just being… well, Mother,” he said with a shrug. “When she gets like that and Easton and I are not around, put her in her place, Catherine, or she will walk all over you.”

“He is right,” I gently told her. I smiled and brushed my hands down her arms to capture her delicate hands in mine. “And many people have sent their congratulations.”

Catherine smiled, her eyes brightening. Leaning in, she placed a soft kiss on my lips. “Let’s go eat. I’m sure the girls are hungry.”

I chuckled. “When aren’t they?”

“Hey!” Emma shouted from in the dining room. “We can hear you, you know.”

I snickered and led my wife into the room, where she immediately greeted the girls as if she hadn’t just seen them both mere minutes ago. I smiled as I watched, my heart fuller than it ever had been in my life.

Catherine… she was absolutely perfect. And every man who turned her away was a fool. But still, I thanked them. Because if they hadn’t been so put off by her, I wouldn’t be as happy as I was, standing there watching her.

Chapter Thirteen

**This has not been edited or proofread.**

Easton

I ran my hand over my horse’s flank, admiring his smooth coat after the brush I’d given him. Normally, I let the stable hands brush him after a day of riding, but I wanted to be out in the sunshine and the warmth just a little bit longer. It wouldn’t be too much longer before the cold weather began to move in for good and winter bore down upon us.

“Easton?” I looked over in surprise at my little sister, Evangeline. She was supposed to be inside reading.

“What are you doing outside, little one?” I asked her. I beckoned over one of the stable hands, and he quickly made his way over to put my horse in his stable so he could be fed and watered. “You’re supposed to be doing your reading for the day,” I gently reprimanded her.

She fiddled with her fingers. “There’s a lady I don’t know in the house. She came knocking, and she looks really upset.” I frowned. “Catherine is with her.”

I grabbed my little sister’s hand in mine and quickly led the way to the backdoors of the house. Once we were inside, I ushered her back to the library to finish her reading for the day and quickly went in search of Catherine and whatever strange woman was in our house.

I didn’t like the idea of my wife being around someone I was unfamiliar with or inviting this person into our home.

I was surprised to see Lottie sitting next to Catherine in the lounge room. Lottie was much too pale, and her hands were trembling around the teacup in her hands. They both looked up when I walked into the room, and Catherine quickly stood to her feet. When Lottie began to stand as well, Catherine quickly beckoned for her to stay seated before making her way over to me.

“What’s going on?” I asked quietly, clasping my wife’s hips and running my eyes over her face as if her expression held all the answers to my questions.

“Lottie had an incident last night. A lot of cramps. She’s also not feeling well. Barely able to hold anything down. I sent for the doctor already. She didn’t know where else to go.”

I pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Can you check on the girls for me?”

She nodded and quickly left the room, her skirts rustling around her feet as she made her way out of the room. I headed over to Lottie, taking a seat beside her. “Lottie? Can you explain to me what’s going on?”

“I can’t afford a doctor.” Tears swam in her eyes. “I know you’re doing so much. Both you and your brother are. I can’t ask for more, but if I lose my baby—”

“Easy,” I soothed, patting her hand. “If you need a doctor, then we’ll pay for one. And until you’re better and we know you’re going to be okay, you’ll stay here where we can keep an eye on you and help you.”

“But your family. Your wife.” Her eyes pinched shut. “Your mother,” she added in a whisper.

“My mother has no say in what happens in this house, and she hasn’t since my father passed,” I told Lottie calmly. “What I say goes. And I say you need to stay here until we know you’re okay. And I know my wife will agree.”

A tight smile pulled at Lottie’s lips. “She’s so nice. So kind. Any other woman would have turned me away.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Catherine is one of a kind, and she means the world to me. I’m an incredibly lucky man to have her as my wife.”

My brother entered the house, pulling his hat off his head, his boots thumping across the hardwood floors. The doctor followed him in, and I quickly got up so the doctor could take my spot. He settled his bag on the table before offering a kind smile to Lottie. “I hear you’re having a bit of a rough day,” he started as he took a seat next to her.

My brother came to stand next to me. “Is she staying?” he asked me quietly.

I nodded. “Until we know she’s okay, I don’t want her by herself. Bastard child or not, that baby is part of this family.”

My brother clapped his hand to my shoulder. “Understood. I’ll get a couple of the housemaids to head over to her place in town and clean it up and stock it with food so when she can go home, she doesn’t have that added stress.”

“Good idea,” I murmured, watching as the doctor spoke quietly with Lottie, inspecting her belly with his hands. “It might be a good idea to hire a permanent housemaid for her as well. She’ll need one as she gets further along in her pregnancy and especially after the baby comes.”

“Agreed,” Ethan said softly.

“She’s not bleeding,” the doctor told us as he began to pack his bag back up. “I’d like to come back tomorrow and see how she’s doing, but resting will be her best friend for the time being.”

“Not a problem,” I assured him. “She’ll be staying here with us until she’s feeling better and you give her a clean bill of health.”

The doctor held his hand out to me, a smile tilting his lips. “You always have been a good man, Easton.”

I shook his hand. “I have a responsibility to that child and to Lottie,” I said with a shrug. “I’ve never been one to shove aside my responsibilities.”

He chuckled. “You tell yourself it’s just a responsibility then, Easton. You gentleman have a good evening. I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon after lunch.”

“We’ll see you then.” After I let him out, I turned to Ethan. “Can you put Lottie up in a room?” I asked him. “I need to check on Catherine and the girls.”

Ethan rolled his eyes. “Where’s Mom?”

I just shrugged at him. He grunted before walking over to Lottie, a kind smile on his face. “Let’s get you settled upstairs,” I heard him tell her as I headed toward the library.

When I got to the entrance, I stopped in the doorway and leaned a shoulder on the door jamb, a small smile titlting my lips as I watched my little sisters lean against Catherine, both of them taking turns reading to her from the book in her hand. And they were rubbing her belly absentmindedly as they did so.

There was so much love in that massive room that it just about did my heart in.

Our mother might have been a pretty crappy one, but my little sisters would never have to go without the love of a mother. Not with Catherine around.

I sent a silent thank you to every man who ever thought she was too much as I quietly slipped away so I wouldn’t disturb the girls or Catherine. It was because of those dim-witted men that I was able to marry my beautiful, loving wife.

Chapter Fourteen

**This has not been edited or proofread.**

Catherine

Quietly, I stepped out of Evangeline’s room, shutting her door behind me with a barely audible click. Turning, I gasped, running right into my husband’s broad, hard chest. My cheeks pinkened as I stumbled, but he quickly reached out and steadied me with his hands on my waist.

He was dressed down today in simple clothes, and his smile was relaxed—happy. He was happy to see me, and that always made my heart race and my soul light up.

Who knew I could make a man like him happy?

“Easy,” he quietly soothed. “Can you spare me a moment of your time?”

I smiled and nodded. “Of course. I can spare all the time in the world for you.”

He chuckled and released my waist, only to grab my hand in his. “How’s the nausea today?” he asked.

“There hasn’t been any.” A couple of months had passed since we found out about my pregnancy, and the nausea, as the doctor promised, seemed to be disappearing. Today was my first day not even at least feeling sick, and it was glorious. I was hoping the sickness would now stay away.

“Well, thank God for that,” he murmured as we made our way down the staircase. “I’m assuming my mother is MIA again?”

I sighed. “Unfortunately. The girls are getting to the point that they’re not even asking where she is anymore. It breaks my heart.”

Easton gently squeezed my hand. “At least they have you, Catherine. Hopefully, with you in their lives, they won’t miss her too much.”

“I’m doing my best.”

He smiled down at me. “I know you are, sweetheart.” Pushing open his study door, he dropped my hand and placed it on my lower back, gently nudging me inside. Frowning, I walked inside and turned to face him, wondering what was on his mind. He gestured to a stack of books. “For you.”

He swallowed nervously. Stepping forward, I ran my fingers over the cover of the book on top, my eyes becoming wet with tears. “They’re educational books,” Easton quietly told me. “I know you wanted to go to college, and maybe we can figure something out further down the road when you’re not pregnant and the baby isn’t an infant, but I figured for now, you could teach yourself, and if you have any questions, you can ask me.”

My lips trembled. A tear ran down my cheek. Turning to face him, I croaked, “Easton…”

He drew me into his arms. I curled my fingers into his shirt. “No one has ever done anything like this for me before,” I cried. “It means so much.”

Easton tightened his arms around me. “I want to give you the world, but until I can do that, sweetheart, I’ll give you things like this.”

I sniffled and leaned up, pressing my lips to his. “This is… this is amazing, Easton. I don’t need the world.” I cupped his cheek. “I just need you.”

His lips tilted up into a soft smile, his eyes holding nothing but adoration for me. “You’re incredible,” he whispered.

Curling my arms around him, I rested my head on his chest, inhaling the scent of him. “I love you,” I whispered.

A breath shuddered out of his lungs, and he buried his face in my hair, holding me so tightly, I almost couldn’t breathe. But as long as he held me, I wasn’t sure if oxygen was needed.

“I love you, too,” he rasped.

~*~*~

FOUR MONTHS LATER

“We’ll publish her book, Mr. Easton, but unfortunately, we cannot publish under her name. It’s just not… suitable for a woman of her status to publish books, you see.”

I looked away from the editor in front of me, my shoulders slumping. Even though I’d written a novel that so many publishers wanted to get their hands on, none of them would sign me since I was a woman. And now that we found one that would despite my gender, I had to take a male pen name.

It just wasn’t fair. And with one look at my husband’s clenched jaw and steely-eyed gaze, I knew he felt the same way.

Reaching over, Easton grabbed my hand in his. “What do you want to do, sweetheart?”

I sighed. “This sucks. And it’s not fair,” I grumbled. I didn’t care about etiquette right then. My feelings were hurt, and I was angry. Upset.

His thumb brushed over my knuckles. “I know it’s not, but this is the last chance you have.”

Blowing out a soft breath, I finally nodded my head. “Okay.” I looked at the editor. “Please forward the contract over to our family attorney so he can look over it. If the terms are agreeable, I will sign and have him send it back over. And if it’s not, then we can discuss again, if you’re open to that.”

He smiled at me. “Of course, Mrs. Abernathy. And for the record,” he said as Easton began to help me out of my chair, “I really wish it wasn’t like this. But the company will never let it happen otherwise. It’s out of my hands.”

I rested my hand on my swollen belly. “I understand. Thank you for your time today.”

Once I was settled in the carriage, Easton wrapped an arm around me and pulled me against his side. “I’m sorry it had to be like this, sweetheart.”

I rested my head on his shoulder. “I know, just as I know if there was another opportunity, you would have taken it for me.” I pressed a kiss to his cheek. “But at least I can sign with someone and focus on writing my next book now before the baby gets here.”

He caressed my swollen belly. “Lottie is bringing by Carter later.”

I looked up at him with a beaming smile. “Really? Oh, I’ve been dying to see that sweet baby.” Lottie had given birth to Carter a month ago, and Easton had given that baby a huge gift by giving it the Abernathy name. Lottie had cried so much, she’d soaked the shoulder of my dress. But she was so grateful to Easton for not treating Carter as a bastard child, no matter his origin.

Easton had even offered for her to move into our home, but she’d declined and promised she would instead bring Carter around as much as possible once she was feeling better and had acclimated a bit to motherhood. But despite her not moving in with us, that hadn’t stopped Easton and Ethan from hiring a full-time live-in nanny to help her.

“Ethan will fetch her and Carter once you’ve had your nap.”

I sighed. “Do I have to nap?” I grumbled.

Easton chuckled and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Yes, sweetheart, you have to nap. Rest is vital at this point in your pregnancy, remember?”

I huffed. “I will be just fine.”

Easton hummed. “No arguments, sweetheart. When it comes to your health, I will always win.”

Groaning, I rested my head on his shoulder. “Fine. You win. But that means you get to read the bedtime story to the girls.”

He chuckled. “Deal.”

Epilogue

**This has not been edited or proofread.**

Easton

“Sir, you can’t be in here. We need all the space possible,” a nurse told me gently, doing her best to urge me out of the room.

Swallowing thickly, I met my wife’s pain-filled eyes over the nurse’s head. I didn’t want to leave her. Not when she was in this much pain. But when she screamed again and bore down to push, I allowed the nurse to shove me out of the room and slam the door shut so she could get back to helping my wife.

“Come have a drink,” Ethan said as he came from down the hall where the girls were hopefully still peacefully sleeping. “You look like you need one.”

I just nodded and followed him down the stairs to the study we now shared. After grabbing two glasses, he poured us each two fingers of whiskey before passing me one of the glasses. I quickly threw the liquid back, letting the alcohol burn down my throat.

Catherine’s scream rang out above our heads, and I clenched my jaw before reaching forward to pour me another. “Sounds like she’s in quite a bit of pain,” Ethan murmured.

I stiffly nodded my head. “I hate it. Hate it so much because I can’t do anything to help her. The nurses and the midwife won’t even let me be in the damn room.”

Blowing out a harsh breath, I began to pace back and forth. Ethan took a seat and silently watched me. I knew I was probably making him antsy, but I couldn’t sit still. That would be impossible until Catherine was out of pain and our sweet baby was born.

Catherine let out another scream, and then a moment later, a different sound burst through the silence.

The sound of a baby crying.

My eyes almost bugged out of my head, and then I was rushing out of the study, my shoes pounding up the stairs as I rushed to our bedroom. The door was opening just as I got to the landing, and the nurse that poked her head out beamed at me.

“Would you like to meet your son, Mr. Abernathy?”

My words stuck in my throat, I quickly nodded my head and stepped into the room when she moved aside. Catherine was propped against a bunch of pillows, cradling our sweet baby boy in her arms. Her skin was glistening was sweat, and her hair was plastered to her face and neck. But the beautiful, breathtaking smile on her face as she gazed at our precious gift told me everything I needed to know.

All the pain and discomfort she’d endured had been worth it. It had all been worth being able to hold him.

She looked up at me, and her lips trembled, tears glistening in her eyes. “She’s perfect,” she croaked. A tear ran down her cheek. “He’s so perfect, Easton.”

I eased onto the bed next to her. “Can I hold him?” I rasped.

She sniffled and quickly nodded her head before gently passing him over to me. The moment his tiny body was cradled in my arms, my chest opened, and my heart fell into his tiny hands. He owned every single part of me just that quickly.

Heart-shaped lips slowly opened before closing again, and his eyelashes fluttered, but he didn’t open his eyes. He was so quiet and calm, so almost unbearingly perfect.

“We need to try to get him to breastfeed, Mrs. Abernathy,” one of the nurses said quietly. She glanced at me after. “If you don’t mind, that is, sir.”

“Of course not,” I rushed out. The nurse helped Catherine unlace her nightgown until one of the sleeves slipped off her shoulder and a breast was bared. They were full of milk already, ready to nourish our baby and give it everything it needed.

Once he was settled back in Catherine’s arms, she followed the nurse’s instructions to settle him at her breast. A moment later, he was latched on. Catherine softly laughed in surprise.

“I thought it was harder to get them to latch on at first?” she asked.

The midwife chuckled from where she was helping get things cleaned up. “Some women and babies are absolute naturals at it, Mrs. Abernathy. Seems you and your little one are one of those.”

Catherine glanced at me, a beaming smile on her face. I leaned forward and softly kissed her, my hand cupping her soft cheek.

“What are we naming him?” I asked her once we’d parted.

She glanced down at our sweet baby boy and brushed a finger over his cheek as he suckled. “Oscar Jack Abernathy.”

I smiled at her, a chuckle rumbling up from my chest. “Your brother will be thrilled.”

She easily returned my smile. “Can you send for him?”

I grabbed her free hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. “I’ll send Ethan now.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

I pressed a chaste kiss to her lips before getting off the bed, being careful not to jostle her no-doubt sore body. “Anything for you, sweetheart.”