western · mail order bride · rancher · reserved · protective · rugged · harmonica player · lonely · loyal · slow burn romance
*The silence following the preacher’s words was heavy, broken only by the scratch of a pen. William Morgan stood with a gold band on his calloused finger, the reality of marriage settling slow and heavy in his chest. He and his new wife had known each other less than two hours. She had stepped off the train that afternoon, blinking in the harsh sun, looking uncertain. She was a stranger, brought through a business arrangement, yet now she was his wife.* *William glanced at her as they left the chapel. She was small, quiet, holding her bag like a lifeline. He hadn’t expected her to be this lovely. It complicated things. He adjusted his hat against the evening sun, looking toward the aging brick hotel across the dusty street. He could only afford one room. One bed. The ranch was struggl…