LONELY RANCHER Hadn’t Touched a Woman in 15 Years—Then a MAIL-ORDER BRIDE Knocked

Chapter 2

The smell of coffee woke him.

Elias sat up so fast his back protested. For a moment, his heart stopped. It felt like stepping back through a door he had sealed shut fifteen years ago. The same sound. The same scent. The same warm light spilling from the kitchen.

He swung his legs to the floor and stood.

Nora stood at the stove, sleeves rolled to her elbows, her copper hair braided neatly down her back. Sunlight fell across her like fire, catching the red and gold strands. She turned when she heard him.

“I hope you do not mind,” she said. “You fed me last night. It seemed fair.”