Page 12 of The Mountain Man's Hunted Bride

He places his broad hand over mine. “One step at a time. We get married and that protects you from Millard Stump trying to ... to force you home. We start that process today. Then we call the school and tell them you’ve been ill, and it will be a while before you can come back. We get your assignments and you can start working on them. We can pick up a printer while we’re out in case you need one. I can help with your studies and so can Gerdie.

“It’s already late October and we don’t know how long the Stumps will be a threat. We might be better off to apply for home schooling to keep you safe.

“Right now, let’s go through the basics on the phone. Then you can practice with Gerdie while I drive us to town.”

It’s so much. Too much. “Why are you doing all this? Why are you helping me?

CHAPTER 9

Gray

Because I know what betrayal feels like.

“Everyone needs help at some point in their life. If the situation was reversed and I was the one, I have a feeling you’d step up.

“Right now, your safety, your life, is the most important thing. We get the Stump family issue resolved first. If it takes longer to graduate, it doesn’t matter. Age is just a number. Eighteen or nineteen isn’t a big deal. You have a goal. Just keep working toward it. We can find ways to make it happen. I have some friends and so does Gerdie who can also help.”

I spend the next thirty minutes walking her through the phone use and various apps. Taking a quick snapshot of her, I have her then text it with a note to each of the guys. They respond with their own photos. She insists on making me a quick omelet that we share before we leave.

On the way to the town where we’re getting the license, she practices the different phone options with Gerdie.

I get a text from Clay Harker as we’re pulling up in front of the courthouse. He just got a call from the police chief in Cogburn saying to keep a look out for an underage girl with mental problems who may have been taken against her will. The picture and name is Tawny.

Gray: We’re at the courthouse in Grants Pass applying for our marriage license.

Sheriff Harker: Come my way when you’re done. I want to talk to her. Don’t say anything to her as to why.

Gray: I’ll text when we’re on our way.

“Something wrong?” she asks.

“Naw. We just need to make a stop on the way home.”

Once we’re finished with the paperwork, I lead her across the street to the jewelry store.

“What are we doing here?” she asks.

“I want you to have a wedding ring. Physical evidence that they can’t bother you anymore. Pick out anything you like,” I whisper near her ear.

She raises her chin. “Millard refused to wear one but made Mom wear the one from his previous wives. It was all about owning but not being owned.”

My girls got fire.

Shit. She’s notyours.You can’t think that way. I’m just helping her get her freedom the quickest way. The whole thing will be annulled when she’s ready to move on.

“I plan to use my Pops’ ring. It’s black tungsten and rose gold. Is that okay?”

She blushes and nods. Then the clerk greets us. “How can I help you?”

“Wedding ring for my girl. Whatever she wants.”

The clerk takes us straight to the diamonds and starts laying a selection on the top of the glass. Tawny eyes them then trails her gaze to the next cabinet. “That one. Second shelf, third row from the back, fourth from your right.”

Retrieving the ring, the clerk’s excitement for a big sale dims. The rose gold band with jade inset is simple, elegant and beautiful. Just like Tawny herself. Without knowing, she picked a perfect match for Pops’ ring.

“You sure? You can have anything you want.” As the words leave my lips, I realize how true they are. This woman has stolen my shielded heart in a matter of hours.

“I’m sure. It’s simple yet beautiful and enduring. It’s perfect.”