She Married the Cowboy Everyone Rejected—But on Her Worst Night, She Found Him Hiding a Cradle He’d Built for a Child That Wasn’t Yet Born.
Catherine sat down slowly.
That night, lying awake staring at the ceiling, she made a decision. By morning, she had a plan.
When James came in from the field, she met him at the door.
“I am going with you to Denver.”
He stopped.
“What?”
“To the cattle auction.”
“No.”
The answer was immediate.
“Why?”
“Because it is not a place for a woman.”
“Neither was your storm-broken barn, apparently.”
His eyes narrowed.
“Elena—”
“James,” she said, “they will not take you seriously if you go alone and desperate. But with a wife beside you, one who can speak clearly, read a room, and make buyers feel they are fortunate to deal with Stone Creek, they may listen.”
He stared at her.
“What if you embarrass yourself?”
Catherine lifted her chin.
“What reputation do I have left to ruin?”
The answer struck him silent.
Slowly, he nodded.
“Three days. We leave in three days.”
