Read His Passionate Pioneer for Free Online

not want to move.
    "Call me Richard, Anna. I don't have either the inclination or the time to worry about all that 'proper' nonsense right now. I need to speak to you about our future."
    "Our future?"
    He grinned and pulled her a bit tighter to his body. The fluttering in her stomach increased, and the heat in her face seemed to be spreading all throughout her body.
    "Yes, our future. I've loved you for years—ever since you were a girl. I've been working on preparations to be prepared to offer for you when you turned eighteen. Anna, it would be my greatest honor if you'd consent to be my wife."
    She was very rarely speechless, but this was one of those times. Though they'd known each other for years, today had been the first time she'd ever been alone with this man. He'd left for parts unknown three years prior, only returning in the last week. The only reason she had known he was even back was because her Pa had mentioned it at the dinner table one evening. And now, if she'd heard him correctly, he was proposing marriage!
    "But we haven't courted, and don't really know each other," she said softly.
    "I know all I need to know," Richard said, his lips close to her ear. Despite her bonnet, she could swear she felt his warm breath as he talked quietly. "I know that you are everything I've always dreamed of. You have grown up into a woman of exquisite beauty and yet have not become vain. Your eyes still flash with that spirit that keeps you seeking answers and adventure. You, Annabelle, are the only woman I wish to share in those adventures with."
    She felt a rush of pleasure at his words and the opening of possibilities. He continued to speak of his preparations, explaining that he'd spent years working on other ranches, going from one to another to gain knowledge and experience, until he felt ready to begin taking the first steps towards his own dreams.
    "But, why don't you build that dream right here? I mean, your ranch is on good land, and the cattle you've purchased and brought home seem to be doing well, from what you said."
    Richard leaned against the tree trunk, adjusting her so that her cheek could rest against his chest. "That's just it. The ranch isn't mine. Roy inherited it, as he's the oldest son," he said. "I know he wouldn't mind my staying and working with him, but that's not what I want. I want to start my own place out west. I've got a hundred and fifty head of good, sturdy stock. I've arranged for three experienced hands to travel with me. My hope is that they'll want to stay once I find land, but even if they don't, they've promised to stay until I'm settled and have hired new men."
    He paused, and she could imagine him picturing what he had dreamed of for so long. "I won't ever lie to you, Anna. It won't be easy. The trip alone will be arduous—but together I have every faith we can do this. Even if I managed to build that ranch, it would be nothing without you by my side." As twilight began to darken the day, she listened to his words and discovered that, not only could she visualize all he was saying, but she wanted to take every step with him. As the first fireflies began to glow along the riverbank, she had her answer.
    "I think I've loved you for a long time," she admitted softly. "I think I've been waiting for you to come home. I want to share in your dream." She turned to look directly into his eyes. "Yes, I'll marry you."
    He didn't speak as he smiled, the look in his eyes causing a rush of heat to spread from her tummy to settle between her legs. She began to tremble even before his lips moved to hers. The kiss was unlike any other she'd ever experienced, opening her heart to the deep, intimate love shared by two people who had discovered the other half of their soul. She clung to his shirt, pressing herself as closely to him as she could. When he pulled away, she gave a soft mewl of distress.
    "I guess it's a really good thing we need to get hitched quickly," Richard said, kissing her lightly. "I