The Marriage Bargain. Angel Moore

don’t think so, Doc.” Edward seemed to be laughing at her from his place in the corner of the room. First he’d insisted on bringing her here, and now he was a party to her ridicule. She wouldn’t stand for it.

      “I don’t need a doctor.” Anger gave her fresh strength, and she turned her eyes to the blacksmith. “Or a husband.”

      “As you wish.” Dr. Willis backed away from the table. He turned toward the curtains where he’d made his entrance.

      Another coughing spell overtook her. Between coughs Lily said, “Wait a minute, Doctor.”

      The doctor stopped with a hand on the curtain and raised an eyebrow. “Don’t got all day, missy.”

      “I’m sorry. Can you give me something for the cough?” She hated to submit to the man but had no time for setbacks. Her father and sister would arrive in a few short weeks. She needed to have her shop open and bringing in business before then.

      The doctor went to a glass cabinet against the back wall. Lily caught Edward looking at her with a grin of satisfaction. He was enjoying having been right about insisting she see the doctor.

      “I want you to use this flaxseed to make a tea.” The doctor handed her a bottle. “You can do it several times a day. It will help with the cough and clearing your lungs.”

      She took the bottle reluctantly. “Thank you.”

      Dr. Willis nodded. “Sensible, too, Edward. You need to reconsider this one.”

      Lily might submit to his ministrations but not to his attitude. “Really, Doctor, I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to discuss me as if I’m a prize horse.”

      “I didn’t say you were a prize. Just worth a second consideration.” He looked at Edward standing with his back to the door. “But only if she’s given to moments of quiet.”

      The blacksmith laughed then. “I haven’t seen one yet, Doc.”

      Lily scowled. “If you’ll tell me your fee, Doctor, we’ll be on our way.” She hoped this ordeal was drawing to an end. How was it possible for her to be at the mercy of not one, but two belligerent men?

      * * *

      Edward waited while Lily paid the doctor, then held the door open for her to walk through before him.

      “I’m coming back to the shop to get started on the repairs.”

      “Thank you for being so eager. I’m going to have to work harder than ever to get ready to open.”

      “Just don’t try burning the candle at both ends.”

      “Very funny.” She gave a tiny giggle. Then, in a fashion he could only imagine a cactus flower able to perform, her prickly expression transformed into beauty with a smile like none he’d ever seen. Golden hair framed her face. Vibrant blue eyes sought him out. His heart jolted. Nothing could lessen the power of her grace.

      He shook his head. What was he thinking? She was beautiful all right. A rare beauty. But gentle and graceful? Not with the sharp tongue and feisty resistance he’d witnessed in the short time he’d known her.

      Lily Warren might be named after a gentle spring flower, but her cactus-like thorns could prove dangerous, if not deadly, to a man not on his guard.

      And Edward Stone was a man who would not let his guard down. Ever again.

      “Possum run over your grave?”

      “What?” He had to pay better attention.

      “You’re shaking your head and shivering.” Lily’s expression teased him, but he wouldn’t tease back.

      “No. Just a bad thought.” He turned away from her and continued down the sidewalk. “Nothing to worry about.” He’d make certain of that.

      Lily picked up her pace and left him to follow. When they arrived at the shop, she opened the door, and the bell announcing their arrival clanged to the floor and bounced.

      She sighed. “Great. Something else to be fixed.”

      “Be careful not to break anything else.”

      Her eyes widened in question. “Oh, so that’s my fault? I see. Looks like our relationship will be one of blame and accusation.” The smile was there again, but Edward was determined to thwart its power.

      “Our relationship will be landlord and tenant.” He stooped to retrieve the broken bell from just inside the doorway. “And the fault of this was mine, so I’ll be responsible for the repair.”

      “You think it can be fixed?” Her uncertain gaze met his.

      “Sure. It’s a simple repair.” He turned the bell over in his hand. “I should have made it stronger in the first place.”

      Blond brows lifted. “You made it?” Disbelief crossed her face.

      “Don’t look so surprised. I am a blacksmith.”

      “I’m sorry. The blacksmith in East River made horseshoes and wagon wheels. Not art.”

      Was she complimenting him? Did she realize it?

      “I make horseshoes and wagon wheels, too. And iron gates, and farm tools...”

      “I understand. Sort of a jack-of-all-trades, are you?”

      “Are you suggesting I’m master of none?”

      “Well, the bell did break...” Her smile was the only clue she was teasing him. Tormenting might be a better word, given the tightening of his gut when she looked at him.

      “I wouldn’t call myself an artisan. But I do enjoy creating unique things.” He drifted into the past looking at the bell. It had been a gift for his sister, Jane. One she’d never taken the time to enjoy.

      A swift movement had the bell in his pocket. Hidden with the memories it evoked.

      When he raised his eyes, he found Lily staring with open curiosity.

      “I best get to work, Miss Warren.” He stepped into the center of the room. The late-morning sun lit the street beyond the deep windows. Windows Jane had dreamed of filling with pastries and cakes.

      Lily breezed through the opening, which led from the large front room into a work area, with a lightness he’d never seen in any woman. If he’d had to describe it, he’d say her steps floated across the floor.

      He followed her, and together they came up with a plan for the repairs. He would tear out anything damaged beyond repair. She proved a strong helper by toting all the charred boards out to the alley behind the shop.

      They stopped at midday, and he made a list of the supplies he’d need to get the shop back in good shape.

      He prepared to leave. “I’ll stop by the lumber mill and order what I need before I go to the general store. I’ll get a quick bite of lunch and come back.”

      “What about your coat?” she asked.

      “That’s why I’m going to the general store.”

      “Let me come with you so I can pay for it. You wouldn’t need a coat if there hadn’t been a fire.”

      He shook his head. “No.”

      “I insist.”

      Edward turned to look her full in the face. “Miss Warren, what do you think Mrs. Croft would think of that? After all she insinuated last night?”

      Lily’s cheeks went pink.

      He looked over his shoulder out the front window. “I’ll bring my wagon when I come back. We can use it to haul away the debris.”

      “I can help with that.” She was unlike any other woman of her type, and Edward was impressed by how determined she was to help. At first glance, she