A Bride for Adam by Barbara Goss (speld decodable readers .TXT) 📗

to her until we’re married. I want her to love me in return and to respect me, so I’ll play by the rules.”

Adam wasn’t sure how to proceed. He couldn’t shoot the man without knowing where he’d hidden Greta, but his finger was sweating on the trigger. He’d never wanted to kill anyone as much as he wanted to kill Miles Tanner. The man smirked, and Adam was both furious and confused. He didn’t know what to do next.

“Please, Miles,” Adam said. “We have a daughter who needs her mother. I’ve adopted the child, so even if you marry Greta, I’ll always be in her life.”

“I could kill you after she marries me.”

“Good luck with that,” Adam said. He turned his horse and rode away.

Adam stopped at his parent’s house, sent Bethany with a maid, and told them about Miles having kidnapped Greta. They both gasped.

“Where could he have taken her?” Rhea asked. “We need to find her.”

Adam gave a defeated shrug. “He said he’s hidden her well.”

Sam pounded his fist on the table. “I’ll go and talk to Amos Tanner. He might know where Miles would hide Greta.”

“I’ll take care of Bethany,” Rhea said.

Adam felt too choked up to speak, but he managed to say, “I don’t know what to do. I feel helpless not being able to find my wife.” He fought back frustrated tears and stormed from the house.

As Adam galloped home, he realized how much he loved Greta. He knew he loved her—had known it back on the ship—but now that he realized the depth of his love, he didn’t think he could live without her now. She was the sunshine of his day. He woke up with her, and she was always waiting for him to return from work with open arms. What had he done for her lately? He had a hard time expressing himself, and he hoped that settling in Texas and getting a job would be enough to show her how much he loved her. Why did he find the words, “I love you,” so hard to say?

His mother was an extremely affectionate woman and he’d grown up in a home where he knew he was loved. His father had shown his love by the little things he did for his boys, but neither one had ever told their children that they loved them. The words had never been necessary, but they had been taken for granted. He’d heard his parents tell other people how much they loved their boys, but they’d never said the words.

Adam knew he’d told Greta that he loved her a few times, when he’d felt emotional with his great affection, but he should have told her more often. Now, he may never have that chance. She was making the ultimate sacrifice to prove her love for him. She’d agreed to marry Miles if he didn’t kill him. The thought of her sacrifice sent a wave of warmth through him. He had to find her. He promised himself if he ever got her back, he’d tell her that he loved her every day.

He felt so helpless. A madman had his wife, and he had no idea where to find her. How could he rescue her?

That’s when an idea came to him. He changed the direction of his horse and sped off into the night.

Chapter Eighteen

Greta looked around the room into which she’d been locked. It was an upper bedroom, unfurnished except for a soiled mattress on the floor and a window that had been nailed shut. As Miles led her into the place. It looked like a small empty house.

Miles Tanner was insistent she get the annulment and marry him, or he’d get her the easy way by shooting Adam. She pondered whether to tell Miles she was with child, for she was now fairly certain that she was. Would that change his mind, or would he do something to cause her to lose the baby? So far, he’d been gentle with her. He’d surprised her by promising he wouldn’t try to make love to her until they were married. He claimed that he was a moral person despite his actions, which made her feel relieved. She hoped he wouldn’t change his mind.

Greta leaned against the wall and sighed. Miles had gone to pick the annulment papers up from her attorney, telling her she had to sign them and marry him or he’d kill Adam—she had no choice but to comply.

She closed her eyes and imagined herself aboard Eve with the sun shining and the wind blowing her hair. The peace and serenity of the sea had been so relaxing. She wished herself back there on the deck.

~~~***~~~

Adam walked into the sheriff’s office and addressed the man wearing a badge, sitting behind the desk.

“Hello, I’m Adam Sutherland, and I wondered—”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Harley Tucker, deputy.” The man stood and held out his hand. “I’ve heard good things about your family.”

Adam thought the man a bit too cumbersome to be a deputy. He doubted he’d even be able to chase down a crippled rabbit, but he smiled and shook his hand.

“It’s my pleasure, Harley.” Adam continued with what he’d tried to say before he was interrupted. “I wonder if you know of any hunting cabins or otherwise empty structures in the area.”

“You looking to buy one?” Harley asked.

“No, I’m looking for my wife. Miles Tanner kidnapped her today. He isn’t at his flat, and I need to find where he’d take a hostage. You know, a place to hide her.”

Harley picked up his hat, moved toward the door, and said, “The sheriff will need to know about this.”

Adam put his hand on the man’s chest to stop him from leaving. “That’s fine, but I need to know if there is a place around the area where