Bedded Then Wed by Heidi Betts Page A

seemed to slow almost to a stop.
    “I know, I know,” Emma’s father continued. “It’s an odd request. Not to mention extremely meddling of me. But I’ve watched the two of you together these past weeks. Emma’s happy, and it does my heart good to see the two of you getting so serious.
    “I don’t mind telling you that your parents and I have always sort of hoped our two families would end up connecting this way. We never wanted to pressure you kids in any way, but there were many nights that we discussed the possibilities over a couple hands of cards.”
    That was news to Mitch. As close as their families had been and as much time as he and Chase had spent with Emma growing up, it had honestly never occurred to him that either he or his brother might wind up interested in Emma romantically.
    Not that there was anything wrong with her. On the contrary, she had always been a nice, good-looking girl. But she’d practically been their sister.
    He wondered if Chase had ever thought of her in any other way and made a mental note to ask the next time he saw his brother.
    “I know it’s a strange thing to ask, and you’ll want to think it over. But I’d feel more comfortable leaving the Double D to you, as my son-in-law, knowing you’ll keep it in good shape. Emma would do her best, but she’d have to hire on a lot more help, and I’m just not sure her heart would be in it.
    “You’re a responsible man. Decent and trustworthy. If you married my Emma and took over the running of this ranch, I’d know Emma was being taken care of.”
    Mitch rubbed his jaw, briefly entertaining the notion that he was hallucinating. It just didn’t make sense that in this day and age, a father was standing beside him, trying to work out the details of an arranged marriage for his daughter.
    And yet, he understood Wyatt’s motivation, the love and concern behind the offer. The Double D had been in Wyatt’s family for generations. Wyatt had lived here all his life, loving and working the ranch. He’d grown up, married, and raised a family all in the same house, on the same land.
    Mitch understood the man’s desire to make sure the ranch was taken care of after he was gone. To see that his daughter was well taken care of, as well.
    It might sound callous or overly chauvinistic to some, but Wyatt only wanted the best for Emma and his homestead.
    Not that Mitch was honestly considering saying yes. When his marriage to Suzanne had ended, he’d sworn never to get lured into that trap again. He and Emma might have been heating up the sheets these past few weeks, but being good together in bed didn’t mean they had to get leg-shackled.
    “I’m sorry, Mr. Davis,” he said, returning his hands to the porch railing, “but I don’t think—”
    “Now, now,” Wyatt interrupted. “Don’t answer just yet. Take some time, give it some serious thought. I understand the significance of my proposition and don’t want you agreeing to anything you aren’t absolutely sure about. Emma deserves better than that, and so do you.”
    The older man slapped him on the back and took a few steps away, heading toward the kitchen door. “But just so you know, I’d consider it a personal favor if you and Emma got hitched. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have running this place and looking after my girl after I’m gone.”
    Shaking his head in puzzlement, Mitch pushed off of the railing and followed Wyatt back into the house.
    The arresting aroma of fresh-brewed coffee hit him the minute he stepped into the kitchen. Emma had set a platter of homemade cookies in the center of the table and was pouring coffee for the three of them.
    As they returned to their chairs, she slid a mug toward him and his heart lurched to realize how much care she’d taken with everything. The meal, the hominess of the room they were sitting in, the cookies on the table, and each cup of coffee doctored just as the drinker liked it.
    As wives went, he could do a lot