The Marriage Bargain

Marriage by Necessity

Lily Warren’s new hat shop is her ticket to self-reliance…until a fire threatens to destroy her dreams. And when Edward Stone—her landlord and the town blacksmith—bursts into her private rooms to rescue her, Lily’s reputation is tarnished. So Edward proposes a solution that could save her good name—even as it puts her independence at risk.

With an orphaned niece who needs a mother, Edward believes a marriage of convenience is the answer to his and Lily’s problems. But he didn’t plan on developing feelings for his new wife. And now he can’t quell his urge to protect impulsive, kindhearted Lily. Perhaps it’s time for the wary blacksmith to try forging something truly precious—a real family...

“I’m not your responsibility.”

“It’s not just about you.” Edward drew in a breath. “Ellen needs a mother.”

“I can’t mother her. I won’t know what to do.”

“I think you will. You’re strong. She’ll need to be strong.” He hesitated. This was not the way he ever imagined proposing to someone. For that matter, he hadn’t really imagined proposing to anyone. His solitary life had suited him just fine. “But you’re also gentle. She needs a woman’s hand.”

“I can’t think why you’d do this for me.” Lily bit her bottom lip.

“It’s like the verse.” He pointed to her needlework. “We’re taking care of the needs of others. Ellen needs us both.”

Lily’s face turned pink, and she met his gaze. “What kind of relationship do you expect the two of us to have?”

He could tell it cost her a great deal to form the words. Then he felt the same heat rushing into his face. “Miss Warren, I’d expect for you to care for Ellen as a mother. This arrangement will be strictly for the sake of my niece.”

Edward watched her as the breath she’d been holding seeped out of her to be replaced by relief.

“For the sake of Ellen?”

“Yes. And you.”

ANGEL MOORE fell in love with romance in elementary school when she read the story of Robin Hood and Maid Marian. Who doesn’t want to escape to a happily-ever-after world? When not writing, you can find her reading or spending time with her family. Married to her best friend, she has two wonderful sons, a lovely daughter-in-law and three grands. She loves sharing her faith and the hope she knows is real because of God’s goodness to her. Find her at angelmoorebooks.com.

The Marriage Bargain

Angel Moore

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

— Philippians 2:3–4

To my editor, Emily Krupin. Your encouragement makes me work harder.

To my mother, Mary Ellen, for sharing her love of reading. Thank you for celebrating with me at every step along the way and for teaching me to be brave.

To Lisa, for the love only true sisters know.

To Austin, my first editor and reader. Your insight and knowledge are priceless.

To Jason, for understanding when Mama has to work.

To Bob, who taught me everything I know about Happily-Ever-After.

And, as always, to God, Who makes it all possible.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Pine Haven, Texas

January 1881

The sound of shattering glass snatched Lily Warren awake. She bolted upright in bed with a gasp, only to feel her lungs fill with acrid smoke. Coughing uncontrollably, she threw the quilt back and tugged on her dressing gown.

Unfamiliar with her surroundings, she fumbled about in the darkness, searching for the doorway to the stairs that led to her new shop.

Heavy footsteps pounded on the staircase outside her room. Lily turned toward the sound, desperate for fresh air. The coughing racked her chest, and she was getting dizzy.

She cried out between coughs. “Help!”

The door burst open, and the orange glow of flames gave her enough light to stumble toward her rescuer.

Her landlord, Edward Stone, came into the room with an arm across his face in an apparent effort to keep from breathing in the smoke. “Do you have something to wrap up in? A blanket?” His voice was intense.

She reached for her mother’s quilt on the bed, though the coughing hindered her movements.

He snatched it up and, before she knew what he was going to do, wrapped it around her shoulders and picked her up like a child.

She stiffened and argued, “I can walk.”

“Try to keep your mouth closed until I get you outside.” He kicked the doorway open wider and started down the stairs.

“What?” Pressed against his chest, she couldn’t hear over the roar of the growing fire.

“Quiet! The smoke.” He reached the bottom of the stairs and turned toward the back door.