The Rancher Chose the One Woman Who Wanted to Leave — Part 2

Lenora stared at Everett Hale, terrified by his words.

“How could you possibly know?”

Everett reached inside his coat and withdrew a folded letter.

“Because your brother wrote to me.”

Lenora’s knees nearly buckled.

Her younger brother, Samuel, had vanished eighteen months earlier after being accused of stealing money from a Kansas railroad company.

Everyone believed he had fled the country.

Lenora knew otherwise.

Samuel had discovered that a powerful railroad official was stealing workers’ wages. Before he could expose the fraud, someone framed him.

Lenora had spent months searching for him.

Everett handed her the letter.

“Samuel worked on my ranch last winter. He told me everything.”

“Where is he?” she whispered.

“Safe. But he needs your help.”

Lenora unfolded the paper with trembling fingers.

Inside was her brother’s familiar handwriting.

He had discovered documents proving his innocence, but the men responsible were still searching for him.

Everett had offered protection.

And when Samuel mentioned his sister might arrive through a Kansas City marriage agency, Everett finally understood why the mayor’s ridiculous arrangement mattered.

“You knew I was coming?”

“I hoped you were.”

Lenora looked toward the crowded street.

“Then you don’t actually want to marry me?”

Everett smiled gently.

“Not unless you give me a reason to ask properly.”

For the first time in months, Lenora laughed.

Everett offered his hand.

“Come to the ranch. See your brother. After that, you’re free to take any train you please.”

Three months later, Lenora stood at the same post office.

This time, she held two things.

A train ticket east.

And a handwritten marriage proposal from Everett.

The train whistle sounded.

Lenora looked at the ticket, then toward the waiting rancher.

She tore the ticket in half.

“I believe,” she said, taking his hand, “I’ve finally found somewhere worth staying.”

And Everett Hale, who had never believed in arranged marriages, discovered that sometimes love begins when two people stop pretending to want the same thing.