His Chosen Bride. Rhonda Gibson

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СКАЧАТЬ off Levi’s favorite table, which was in the far corner of the room. From this vantage point he could see everyone who entered and exited the dining room. Levi smiled his thanks and moved to pull out the chair that would sit to the right of him.

      Millicent took the seat Levi pulled out for her. “Thank you, Mrs. Winters. I’m sure the room will be fine.”

      Beth handed Millie a menu once she was seated. “You can call me Beth. Everyone does.”

      Millicent took the menu and smiled. “Please, call me Millie.”

      Millie. The name had a sweet ring to it. So far everything about the woman screamed sweetness—her name, her fragrance and the way she tilted her head when she seemed to be thinking of something, like now as she studied the lunch menu.

      Levi pushed the thoughts away. He would not become enamored with Millie. Having his heart broken by Lucille Lawson had hurt too much. Even before his mother’s contest, he’d asked Lucille to marry him, but once she’d found out he wasn’t going to take over the ranch, she’d broken off their engagement and their friendship. No, his heart couldn’t take another breaking.

      “Millie it is. Are you planning to stay long in Granite?” Beth asked.

      “I was considering it.”

      Levi heard the doubt in her voice. He knew she’d come because of his invitation so what had changed? Had spending an hour with him changed her mind? Maybe she didn’t want to be his mail-order bride. He hoped that was the case.

      “That would be nice. Granite doesn’t have a lot of young women. Another one is always welcome.” Beth assured her. “What can I get you to drink, Millie?”

      “Tea, if you have it.”

      Beth nodded. “Iced? Or hot?”

      Levi got some satisfaction in seeing the amazement in Millie’s face at learning that they served iced tea. He loved cold beverages and had made it a point to get ice delivered every morning. It cost a pretty penny but was worth it to him.

      Millie’s expression turned from surprised to pleased. “I’d love iced, if it isn’t too much trouble.”

      “No trouble at all. Levi, coffee? Or iced tea?” Beth waited.

      He pulled his gaze from Millie. “I’ll have the same. Thank you, Beth.”

      “You’re welcome. I’ll be right back with your drink orders.” Beth turned and hurried back to the kitchen.

      Millie went back to studying the menu so Levi looked about the dining room. Only one other couple was there, and he recognized them as Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan. They were passing through Granite on their way to Austin and were staying at the hotel.

      “You seem familiar with this restaurant. What would you recommend, Mr. Westland?” Millie asked, bringing his attention back to her.

      Levi smiled. “I’d recommend the roast beef sandwich. The bread is always soft and buttery and the beef tender.”

      She laid the menu down. “Sounds wonderful, I’ll order that.”

      For the first time, she smiled at him, and it reached her eyes. Beautiful blue eyes with thick, light-colored lashes. Her face reminded him of a doll he’d once seen sitting in a store window while visiting Austin.

      Beth arrived at that moment and set down their drinks. “Did I hear you say you’d like the roast beef sandwich?” she asked Millie, as she stood and pulled out a small pad of paper and a stub of a pencil.

      “Yes, please.” Millie picked up her tea glass and took a small sip. “Mmm, this is very good.” She smiled up at Beth.

      “I’m glad you like it. What about you, Levi?”

      He handed the menus back to Beth. “I’ll have the same.”

      Beth nodded and wrote their orders down on the small pad. “I’ll have that right out.” She smiled, then left to make the sandwiches.

      Millie pulled the napkin from the table and smoothed it out over her lap. “Mr. Westland, I hope you don’t take what I’m about to say the wrong way, but I really feel we need to settle this now.” She paused, but when he didn’t answer, Millie continued. “I’ve changed my mind. I no longer wish to marry.” Before he could respond, she pressed onward. “I want to return my travel fare to you.” Millie pulled the money from the handbag she carried and laid it on the table in front of him.

      He admired her spunk. Levi pushed the money back to her side of the table. “I can’t accept your money.” He held up his hand to stop her from protesting. “I, too, have changed my mind about marriage and so it would be unfair for me to take the money back.”

      When he lowered his hand, she asked, “You have changed your mind also? Honestly?”

      Levi offered her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “Yes, when you didn’t arrive on schedule I was relieved because I wasn’t ready to get married. I should never have placed that advertisement.”

      She took a sip from her tea, then gently set the glass back down. “I’m glad to hear that. I was worried you wouldn’t understand and I imagined you would wonder why I answered you in the first place.”

      He pushed forward in his chair. “It has crossed my mind. I mean, you are still here even after you’ve decided not to marry me. It’s only natural that I wonder.”

      Millie looked him straight in the eyes. “I have a scheming mother. She controlled me to the point that I lost all signs of independence. I had to get away, but once I left, I realized I couldn’t marry someone who would be the same way.”

      Levi felt his jaw drop. They’d just met. How could she have formed an opinion of him so quickly? Or was she talking about not marrying any man, not just him?

      Her soft laughter surprised him. “I’m not saying you are controlling, although since our first meeting you have taken charge of my life.”

      He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “How so?”

      It was her turn to lean forward. “First, you sent my bags here, told Beth which room to put me in, and then proceeded to drag me off to some business meeting. Halfway there, you changed your mind and turned me around and now here I sit at your table ordering lunch. It never dawned on you to ask what I wanted to do.”

      Levi felt his ears turn red. She was right. He’d taken over the situation and not once had he stopped to hear her out or see what she wanted to do. How could he have assumed he knew what she wanted or needed? Had he turned into his mother?

      He shook his head. “You’re right, and I’m sorry.”

      She tilted her head to the side and studied him. “It’s all right. You were working on the assumption I still wanted to get married.” Millie lowered her gaze and, with her fingertip, traced the pattern on the tablecloth.

      “Thank you for understanding.”

      Beth arrived at the table with two steaming plates. Levi was pleased to see she’d added fried okra to their meal.

      “I СКАЧАТЬ