Read Aaron's Montana Bride (Sweet, Clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides Series) for Free Online Page B

never been simple.
    Aaron looked at her intently and there was a clear, genuine expression of sincerity written on his features. "What do you expect me to say, Eva?" he asked softly.
    Eva sighed. "I don't know Aaron. It's all as confusing to me as it is to you," she admitted.
    A wry smile creased his mouth. "Boy, you sure know how to rattle a man," he said.
    Eva clenched her fists. "Look. Forget what I just said. Forget the whole thing. It was a crazy thing for me to even suggest," she blurted out rapidly.
    Aaron shook his head. "It wasn't crazy, Eva. It's just that it's so sudden," he said.
    "I don't expect an answer from you today. Lord knows I've had more than enough to deal with."
    Aaron frowned. "That's putting it mildly," he said. He sighed and bit on his lower lip. Although it was merely a demonstration that he was thinking deeply about her proposal, when she saw him do that, Eva found it strangely alluring and even vaguely unsettling. Now that she was so close to him, the moment so intense and intimate, the subject of their conversation so personal, his every gesture and movement seemed charged with meaning.
    "Look, Eva. Are you sure this is what you want? Have you thought this through?"
    Eva gasped. "Of course I haven't thought it through. How could I?" she admitted. "It's just that I don't seem to have an overwhelming number of options."
    Aaron shook his head slowly. He didn't say anything for a very long time. Eva could feel her heart thudding inside her chest, and she was sure she could even feel the blood coursing around her veins. What was he going to say? Was he even going to give her an answer?
    Eventually he spoke. "Can you give me some time to think about it? To say this has been a surprise is an understatement," he said.
    Eva had the sudden feeling that he would refuse her, that there was no way on earth he would consider marriage to her, even if it meant he could save her from an unthinkably miserable life. She leaned across and took his hand in her own. Eva had never been one to beg and, even now, she wasn't going to make an exception to that rule. But, she had to be sure he knew how much this meant to her.
    Eva squeezed Aaron's hand slightly. His eye widened and she was sure she saw his lips crease in approval, a smile that looked like he was struggling hard to hold in check. "Please, Aaron. Consider it carefully. I know I can't expect an immediate answer from you. But I know you understand why I'm suggesting it. I don't know what kind of marriage it would be," she said noticing his eyes darken, become more serious. "But at least we would have an... understanding. We have so much in common. The ranch life. Being brought up in Montana. And, we've known each other a long time."
    Aaron nodded and placed his hand over Eva's. "We have known each other a while, haven't we?"
    He paused for what seemed like an eternity. Then he spoke. "Give me some time to think it over, Eva. Can you do that?"
    Aaron looked at Eva. She could see so many questions lurking in his intense gaze.
    "I can understand if you need some time to think it over," she said.
    Aaron's mouth creased into a smile and he nodded. "I promise I'll give you my answer. Maybe tomorrow. Okay?"
    Eva nodded wordlessly. She'd said enough. The hole she'd fallen into today seemed to be getting deeper by the minute.
    Eva worried she had gone too far in pleading with him. But, she was sure he understood the situation she was in. Although she was asking him to make one of the biggest sacrifices of his life, there was a part of her that harbored a lingering hope that Aaron Stewart would ultimately come to her aid. Given the circumstances, Eva felt there was something right about it, after all.
    Eva stood and clasped her hands tightly. Her mother had drummed into her the importance of maintaining dignity, no matter what the circumstances. It was more important now than at any time she'd ever known.
    Aaron stood up next to her. Until this moment she'd never been