She stood next to Chad as they waved goodbye to the last departing family members.
"Sorry about that, Bree. When your family makes up their minds, there's no stopping them. That's one of the things I love about them most," Chad told her as he led her inside. Bree collapsed in the comfortable chair, feeling like her eye lids weighed fifty tons.
"I loved it. They're a bit overwhelming, but it's obvious they love me. I think my memory will come back. I have a good feeling about it … " she trailed off.
Her words sent an arrow of panic through Chad. When she realized he'd lied to her, she was going to be furious. He would just make sure she fell in love with him before that happened so she wouldn't want to leave.
"That's great. I need to go tend the animals," he said, sounding short as he strode out the door. He tried to ignore the startled look in her eyes, and the flash of hurt his words caused. He mucked the horse stalls until his muscles were screaming and sweat dripped from his brow. He pushed himself hard, hoping by the time he went inside, he'd be able to fall face first into bed and pass out.
It didn't work. After a hot shower, he crawled into bed, where he laid for hours, his mind filled with thoughts of Bree, and wishing she were lying next to him. He would've most likely caved and went to her, had she not been sleeping so soundly.
She wanted her own room until she felt more comfortable in their relationship. She'd laughed about it, patting her stomach, but she said it felt wrong for them to sleep together when he was too much like a stranger still. Though he may not survive it, he hadn't argued with her. But he didn't think he was going to get any rest with her sleeping only a few short feet away.
Chapter Ten
Chad took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. He wanted to marry her, and preferably before she got her memory back. She carried his child – he wouldn't let the baby be raised without a father. He'd be there to always protect them both.
Bree was sitting in the kitchen when he came around the corner. She gave him a tentative smile, unsure of why he'd stormed away from her the night before.
"Let's get married now," he blurted, then wished he could take back his words when her eyes widened and she sat with a stunned look on her face. He should have gently approached the subject.
He could see a myriad of thoughts running through her mind. He knew she thought he was probably insane. Hot, then cold. She wouldn't know what to think.
"Did we discuss marriage before the accident?" she asked, not taking her eyes from his. He could lie but he wouldn't go that far.
"No, but things were good between us."
"I don't want a marriage of convenience. I know, I don't know how, but I know I can only marry for love. I can barely comprehend being pregnant, and I wish I had my memory back, but I'm not going to marry you just because we slept together. Every time I ask you about the past, you hedge around it. Why?"
"The doctor said not to force anything on you."
"That's a cop-out and you know it," she replied, getting irritated with him.
"It's the truth," he insisted.
"Would you have asked me to marry you if I wasn't pregnant?"
Chad stood there like a deer caught in headlights. All he needed to say was 'yes' but he knew it was a lie. Maybe eventually he would've asked her, he tried to reason with himself. But he'd always vowed never to get married. Having a baby changed things, though. They needed to put the needs of their child's welfare ahead of themselves. She should understand that.
"That question doesn't matter – it's irrelevant," he hedged.
"I disagree. I think it's completely relevant."
"I want to raise my child. Does that make me a bad guy?"
"You can be active in your child's life without marrying me. I don't even know you, not really. Maybe I'll feel differently once my memories come back, but you're not helping matters by acting like a Neanderthal," she scolded.
"You're my responsibility. I don't shirk on what's right."
"So, now I'm nothing more than a responsibility. One more daily chore for you to take care of."
"You're twisting my words," he huffed in frustration. Chad moved around the room, running his fingers through his hair, trying to figure out how to get through to her. Why did she have to be so stubborn?
He walked to the fridge and started pulling items out. He had to do something with his hands or he feared he may place them around her small neck and strangle her. He smirked at himself. He would never, in a million years, hurt a woman. He wanted to kill the men who'd dare to harm her. Until they were caught, she was still in danger. If she'd just agree to marry him, he could protect her and the baby. Even with amnesia, she was pure Anderson, stubborn, even to the point of self-sacrifice.