Lauren Canan - Marriage At Any Price

Soon the correct bags of feed and two mineral blocks were loaded into the back of the truck. As she walked to the driver’s side, she again heard someone call her name.

“Ms. Kincaid?” Seth Masters stood at the back of the truck. “Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”

The question was so unexpected, it took her a few seconds to realize he was waiting for an answer. “Ah...actually, I have prior commitments. I hope you find your tractor and whatever else you need.”

She wasn’t used to lying. It made her feel horrible. She didn’t trust the man, but he hadn’t really done anything to her—other than almost run her down. He was here alone and probably just wanted a little company. Still...he was a Masters.

“Thanks. I think I have. Well, good to see you again.”

“Yeah,” she mumbled as she climbed into the driver’s seat and started the truck. The day did not exist that she would have dinner with a Masters. Today’s lunch had been bad enough. Then, she hadn’t known who he was. He may or may not be closely involved with the clan of thieves who’d stolen her family’s land, but she wasn’t about to take the chance. He’d said he was related. From his apparent age, and given that he looked exactly like Wade Masters, he could very well be their brother. But he hadn’t grown up around here, otherwise she would have heard of him before. It made her wonder what he was up to.

As she backed out and headed for the main road, she noticed him still standing next to the fertilizer. He looked up and nodded as she passed. He seemed nice enough, but there was still the question of why he was here. Calico Springs was barely a dot on the map. It certainly wasn’t the vacation capital of the world. Probably he was here visiting his family. But they were all out of town, according to Mr. Rucker. While it was none of her business, overall it was a bit suspicious. She didn’t like suspicious. Especially when it involved the name Masters.

* * *

Seth decided time was on his side to do some house hunting. It was just over a week until his brothers were due back, according to Ben Rucker. It would give him a chance to find a local place to call home; he already had penthouses dotted around the US and the UK. Now that his business was well enough established that he could take some time off on occasion, having property in this area would afford him the chance to see more of his family.

“We have several ranches that fit your description, Mr. Masters. Shall we plan on a time to go and see a few of them?”

Seth sat across the desk from Kathy Chisum, the broker for Chisum Real Estate. Ben Rucker had recommended her as one of the better agents in the county representing the largest number of farms and ranches. He figured while he waited for Wade, Chance and Cole to return, he might as well look at some properties. He hadn’t been lying when he’d told Ally Kincaid he was thinking of buying in this area. So far he liked what he’d seen. The quaint town sat in the center of rolling hills and far-reaching pastureland dotted with groves of pine and oak and a number of small lakes.

“That’s fine. Any time. Any day,” he replied. “I’ll be here for a couple of weeks, and my schedule is pretty much open.”

“What about right now? I’ve had a cancellation.” Her voice was sweet and sincere.

“Works for me. Thanks, Ms. Chisum.”

“Kathy.” She smiled and rose from her chair. “Shall we take my truck?”

“Sure.”

The first two properties they saw had most of the things he wanted in a ranch, but he found something wrong with both of them. He didn’t want an old dairy farm. He didn’t want a house with two bedrooms that would require major renovation. But the third ranch was almost perfect. White pipe fencing ran along both sides of the driveway. The house was a charmer. It was an example of antebellum architecture that was in remarkably good shape, although it could use a good paint job. Across the front and sides of the house, large white columns rose to the top of the second story, and a portico in the center drew the eye to the magnificent front door. Someone had cared a lot for the house and property. A deep porch surrounded the home on the first floor, and second-story balconies overlooked the pasture and hills on all four sides. Two chimneys peeked over the roof. Inside, a grand staircase led to the second floor, which contained four bedrooms and a larger room with a sitting area that he assumed was the master. The kitchen and baths had been completely remodeled with granite countertops that complemented the hardwood floors.

From the back porch, a path led to the barn. There were approximately twenty stalls, tack room, wash rack and a large open area where hay could be stored for the winter. The smell inside the wooden structure was amazing. He recognized alfalfa and the scent of leather. It brought Ally to mind.

“Kathy, would you happen to know who owns this farm?”

“Sure, let me look that up.” She tapped something into her phone. “Oh, wait. It’s owned by the Masters family.” She stepped back and eyed him closely. “Any relation?”

“Yeah, as a matter of fact.”

“Then you know they have a large ranching operation on the west side of town, just over ninety thousand acres. This was a repossession and doesn’t border their property, so they put it up for sale. But I guess you knew that.”

“No, actually, I didn’t. I’m not involved with the family business.”

“The price they’re asking is really good for this area. Well below market value. We’ve had a lot of interest. It won’t be on the market very long.” She turned to look at him. “I guess you want something away from the family compound?”

He nodded. “Would you happen to know who owned it before them?”

“Mmm. I’m afraid I don’t know any of the history for sure. I could try and find out for you if you like.”

“No. That won’t be necessary. I like this place. I should talk to my brothers about it.”

“Sure. If you’re seriously considering it, don’t wait too long.”

He nodded. “I understand.”

“It’s getting late. If you have no plans, would you like to have dinner?”

“I’d like that.” He smiled.

Kathy was a pretty, shapely brunette who appeared to like what she saw in him, and it wouldn’t hurt to have a friendly meal with her. The problem was, he already had his mind wrapped around a certain perky redhead. And he was positive this last ranch had been Ally’s.

On the way back to town, while Kathy chatted away, an idea began to form. Ally wanted her home back. He needed a wife. They both had a chance to get what they wanted with no strings attached. The ranch’s low list price was certainly worth it if it ensured he would be included in the will where billions were at stake.

It was a crazy idea. He smiled to himself at the thought of her reaction. He suspected only the name Masters had prevented her from accepting his dinner invitation earlier. Would she dare dance with the devil and say yes to marriage? Become Mrs. Seth Masters? On the irony scale, that had to take the cake.

It would have to be a real marriage. One on paper for a few months. With the proper prenup, it shouldn’t be a problem. He had developed a knack for reading people, and Ally did not fit the particulars of a gold digger. She had given no sign of wanting to know him better. In fact, she seemed to hate him, as much as someone could hate a person they didn’t know. But she’d also impressed him as an honest person who only wanted what, in her mind, she was entitled to: her ranch.

* * *

When Ally got home the next day, Seth was waiting for her on the tiny front porch of her small cabin. It hadn’t been hard to find; in fact, Ben Rucker had told him where she lived and provided directions. Seth had also confirmed since yesterday that the ranch Kathy had shown him used to belong to Ally’s family. He’d been right about that.