The Heavenly Surrender Read Online Free Page B

continued his instruction. “I like me house to be clean…well kept.”
    “Does that include your personal room?” Genieva asked, grinning.
    “Me room is me room, Genieva. Ya can leave it to me.”
    “Don’t you worry about things taking root in there and growing into wild, uncontrollable vines…creatures that will gobble you up in the middle of the…”
    He quirked an eyebrow and looked at her inquisitively. He seemed puzzled by her exaggerated description of the possible consequences of bad housekeeping.
    “Me room is mine, lass,” he firmly repeated.
    “Yes, sir,” Genieva agreed, nodding. She was puzzled. For some reason she enjoyed teasing him. She liked the look of barely controlled irritation that crossed his face when she did. At the same time, however, she knew she would not want to be involved in a serious battle with him. She did not doubt the repercussions would be tempestuous—in the least.
    “Brenna has shown ya the room that will be yars now, hasn’t she?” he asked.
    “Yes.”
    “Then I’ll be bringin’ yar trunk in for ya,” he stated. He turned, leaving Genieva alone to consider the consequences of her rash decision making. Married to a complete stranger? What had she been thinking? Still, a more attractive, more interesting stranger there had never been. At least she was sure of that.
    
    Brevan McLean had eventually ceased in giving instructions, and Genieva found her first quiet moments to reflect on the day. The sun was setting—sending waves of pink and lavender radiance across an endless ocean of sky. Travis, Brian, and Brevan sat on the front porch talking—their low, masculine voices lending a warm sense of safekeeping to the evening. Yet this sound did little to settle Genieva’s uncertainty—for the deep, commanding intonation of Brevan’s voice only served to remind her of the far-reaching consequences of her actions.
    Brenna seemed to notice the look of uncertainty no doubt blatant on Genieva’s face.
    “It’ll be fine, it will,” Brenna whispered kindly as the three women sat at the table. She placed a comforting hand over Genieva’s.
    Genieva forced a smile and said, “Thank you, ladies…for the fine dinner. It was so kind of you to…”
    “We’re not ladies, amiga,” Lita explained, placing her hand over Brenna’s. “We’re your sisters now—tus hermanas.”
    Brenna nodded—smiled at Genieva with reassurance. “He’s brought up his battlements, he has, Genieva,” Brenna whispered. Lita nodded and smiled in agreement. “He does it when he’s tryin’ to close himself away, ya see. He’ll soften up, he will. Believe me—’tis well I know me brother.”
    Genieva shook her head—tried to smile. “He’s fine. He’s just fine. A little bossy, but…I’ll learn to work around it.”
    “Brevan,” Lita spoke softly. She dropped her gaze for a moment. “He would not have married with you if he had not liked you at once.”
    “Yes. He would’ve,” Genieva argued. “He’s not the kind to go back on his word.”
    “That is true,” Lita confirmed. “Still, Brevan would not marry with someone he did not want to. Yes, Brenna?”
    Brenna nodded. “He talks as if he’s a heartless soul, Genieva…but he’s not. You’ll find it in time. He would not have brought ya home if he hadn’t taken to ya right off.”
    
    An obsidian sky glistening with stars replaced the lavender of sunset, and Genieva Bankmans McLean lay in her new bed in her new home. Unable to sleep—for uncertainty gripped her in its cold, heartless fist—Genieva thought on the assurances of her new friends. Still, she felt so terribly alone—frightened. Days ago, when she’d left Chicago, it had all seemed so clear in her mind. This was her chance—her only chance at the life she wanted. In truth, it hadn’t really been the life she had wanted—only better than the one previously placed before her. Yet now—now that she was here—married to the man who, through his