Marriage At Any Price. Lauren Canan

something not found in many kitchens today.”

      She turned to face him, her arms wrapped around her chest. “I can tell you unequivocally that this ranch has everything a person would need to be successful in any horse venture. Whether you’re looking to breed, train and raise or merely have a few horses to enjoy, you won’t go wrong. From the house to the barn to the foaling paddock to the land...it’s all here.” She swallowed back the tears and tried to talk through her throat that wanted to close. “Are you serious about buying it?”

      “I am.”

      “I guess I’m a little confused. Being part of the Masters family, don’t you already own it?”

      “In a manner of speaking. It’s owned by the family conglomerate, Masters International, LLC. If I decide I want it as my own personal property, I contact my brothers, usually Cole because he handles all property management, and put in a request. He’ll pull it from the market and transfer the deed to my name. He’s done it for me one other time. Of course, if I do nothing, it can and probably will be sold to someone else outside the family.”

      She didn’t know if that idea made her happy or sad. It would still belong to a Masters, but maybe he was different. It was the best she could hope for. Seeing her home again drew the heartache into a large black mass inside her chest. The pain returned as sure and quick as the day she’d received the notice of foreclosure. But she refused to cry even though the tears filled her eyes. She wouldn’t let them fall. It was pointless. She didn’t want Seth Masters to think she was using a ruse or poor-little-me syndrome to get her house from him. If it was meant to be hers, she would find a way to get it back without relying on sympathy.

      “It really depends on you.”

      She frowned at the absurd comment. “What? How could you buying this ranch have anything to do with me?”

      He hesitated before walking over to lean against the kitchen cabinet then looked at her deeply.

      “First of all, you were right in suspecting I was kin to Wade, Cole and Chance. They are my half brothers.”

      “I knew there was a relation.” At least he was admitting it. Finally.

      “What you don’t know is about a month ago my brothers and I were notified of the probate of our father’s will.”

      “I still don’t see what any of that has to do with me.”

      “I have the plans ready to start building a research facility in California. The money I get from the estate could put me well ahead of the game. The center is badly needed. The research will primarily focus on finding a cure for leukemia.” He paused. “My problem is, according to Mr. Rucker, any of the heirs who aren’t married by the time the will is probated won’t receive an inheritance.”

      “So...let me get this straight. You need someone to pose as your wife long enough to obtain money.” She thought she saw him grimace.

      “Put that way, it sounds underhanded and conniving. But most of what I inherit will go to the center. You can see the plans if you have any doubt of that. Or I can put you in touch with my partners, who are doing their part to get this building up and running.” He paused, giving that time to soak in. “And it wouldn’t be just pretending to be my wife. It must be a legal marriage.”

      “Surely you know someone who would agree to marry you.”

      “No. Because of my schedule, there’s no time or place for a woman in my life on a permanent basis. I don’t know of anyone I would trust to say ‘I do’ then walk away a few months later, not expecting anything more than what was stipulated in our original agreement.”

      “But you think you can trust me?” she said, picking up on his idea. “You don’t even know me, Masters.”

      He shrugged. “Call it a gut feeling. When I realized this was your home, I felt it worthy of asking just how badly you want your ranch back. And if you’d be willing to marry me for a few months in order to get it. It would fulfill the terms of my inheritance, and you would have your ranch.”

      “It’s preposterous.”

      “It’s a crazy idea,” he agreed. Silence settled over them before he continued. “So, will you marry me, Ally Kincaid?”

      That took the breath from her lungs. The man really was crazy. Like she would ever marry a stranger. The very idea was ludicrous. Insane.

      “Of course,” he began, “it would be temporary. I figure about three months should do it. I’ll need to check with Mr. Rucker on that. But when it’s over, I head back to LA with some money to go toward my research center, and you have a clear deed to your ranch in your name. We both win.”

      “I thought you wanted a ranch or a small farm for yourself.”

      He shrugged. “I do. But I can always find another one.”

      He made it sound so simple. She looked at Seth Masters for a long time. “How do I know I can trust you? How do I know if I agree you will give me my ranch when you get your money? How do I know if you’re a decent, honorable man? You could up and walk out and leave me with nothing. Hell, I would be worse off than I am now.”

      “Mr. Rucker,” he stated. “He can attest to who I am. And I can fly my legal staff in to prepare the document. Exactly like a prenuptial agreement, in writing and completely aboveboard. You won’t lose this time, Ally.”

      “What about you? What if we do this and it ends up that you don’t receive any money from the estate? I mean, do you know for sure you’ll get any funding?”

      “It’s a gamble. But I’m willing to risk it.”

      “That research center is really important to you, huh?” She frowned, only now realizing what Seth was willing to put on the line.

      “It’s become my life. It’s worth taking the risk.”

      She looked around the familiar room, the walls calling to her. “How soon would you want to do this?”

      “As soon as documents can be prepared. Kathy Chisum, the real estate agent, said they have already had quite a lot of interest. If we don’t make a decision—correction, if you don’t make a decision—pretty quick, the ranch might be sold to someone else and we both lose. The probate hearing is on the eleventh, which is eight days from now.”

      She thought about his offer. Without it, she knew realistically she had little to no chance she would ever come home again. Was thinking his plan might work merely a measure of desperation?

      “No,” she said finally. “Thanks for the offer, I guess. But no. I’ll have to pass.”

      For the longest time, there was silence in the room.

      “Then, if you’re ready, I guess we should head back.”

      Why did she feel as though the breath had been knocked from her lungs? As they made their way to the front door, the walls seemed to call to her. She remembered the last time she’d walked out of this house, fearing she would never see it again, leaving behind cherished childhood memories. Memories of her father. Her mother. Even her first horse. And now she had the chance to come home permanently and she’d turned it down.

      It still wasn’t too late. She could have it...if she believed in Seth Masters. If she trusted him. Something she had no reason to do. He is a Masters, she reminded herself. You’re making the right decision.

      Why, then, did it feel so wrong?

      He dropped her at her little house without mentioning it again. There was no attempt to convince her to go along with his plan, no telling her she was making a huge mistake, no pleading with her to change her mind or give it additional thought. He bade her good-night, thanked her for her time and disappeared back down the driveway through the trees.

      It occurred to her she didn’t know how to find him. But why would she want to find him?