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been with Sonny, she’d had nothing but a toothbrush and two changes of shirts. If he allowed it. Most of the time, he required her to sit around in her underwear until he told her what chores to do or when to make him food. Or when he wanted to screw.
    Closing her eyes against the memories, Kelsey breathed in slowly through her nose and then out through her mouth. She leaned her head back in a silent plea to the sun to take her past away from her. And even though it wasn’t right, wasn’t something taught in the Salish culture, Kelsey wished – for the thousandth time – that the sun would also take Sonny’s life.
    Because now that she was off the reservation, he’d be able to find her. And most likely kill her.
     
    ~~~
     
    Leaving the room took guts, but not finding out what was going on left Kelsey out of control. She was more afraid of that than anything.
    She straightened her shoulders and closed the door behind her. What she owned might be crap, but it was her crap and she didn’t want it getting stolen while she was gone.
    The overall splendor of the ranch confused her. She’d only ever been in one house that reeked of money and taste. And – oh, there it was, a flash of Ronan James in the casino, again on her lawn, and finally at some diner smiling his damn-I’m-undressing-you-with-my-eyes smile – well, now she knew where she was.
    A little more confident, Kelsey padded down the hallway into a great room that was nothing less than splendid. She’d only been to the house a few times, but it was ingrained in her memory. Plush cream carpet ate up her footsteps past the dark brown leather couches, antler lamps, and log tables. The James family nailed opulent Adirondack without tacky overabundance.
    C reaking wood off to her right made her whirl, the end of her ponytail curling over her shoulder.
    “I wondered when you’d join me. Are you hungry?” Ronan leaned gracefully against a wrought-iron railing beside the fireplace mantle. He watched her, his eyes dark and unreadable.
    Kelsey hid her nerves under a tight smile. “Starved, thank you. Do you have any cocktails?”
    “Later. We need to talk first.” Ronan straightened from his position and held out his arm, pulling her to his side while they walked. “I hope you slept well.”
    She nodded, untrusting the situation and unsure what he wanted from her.
    Pushing her gently toward a tall stool at an even taller counter, Ronan took a seat beside her, angled just so as he watched her sit down.
    Kelsey rested her arm on the counter and waited.
    Ronan lifted his ankle and placed it across his knee. He tilted his head. “I offered you marriage last night, but we didn’t get a chance to discuss the details and you never answered me. I would like to remedy both of those right now.”
    “Okay.” Kelsey struggled not to giggle. He’d always gone into super-formal mode when he wanted something. Getting her to date him had been hilarious w hen she’d received notes filled with his near-Shakespearean language.
    “Okay.” He paused, the air filled with sudden expectation and tension. “I need you to marry me because I can’t lose the land. I already told you that, but I’m repeating it just in case.”
    Good thing, too. She pushed at the cuticle on her thumb. She desperately needed a drink.
    “But I don’t only want you to marry me.” He forged ahead, his words heavy. “We’ll get married in the next week and then we need to have a child.”
    Kelsey scoffed, holding up her hands. “You want to have a baby the next week? Is that it? Sure, why not?” She slapped the counter. “Are you out of your mind? Nobody does this. People will know and they will riot. Or something.” She pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose. “Actually, I don’t know what will happen. I need a drink. Do you mind if I make something while we discuss this?”
    Ronan placed a hand on her forearm. “I do mind, Kelsey. I’m sorry, but if we’re going to make a deal,