Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Matthew is ten years older than I am. Two years ago, when I was almost sixteen, he tried to take what I would never freely give a man who wasn’t my husband. He put his hands on me in violence and I will never let another man touch me like that. He’s a monster and there was no way I could raise a family with him. Though I try to push it from mind, it sometimes haunts me, especially while I sleep. I can still smell the hay bale he shoved me down on. First he slapped me. I was stunned by this. No one had ever dared touch me like that, not even my parents. I was a good girl. I never did anything that would require punishment. He then proceeded to pummel his fists into my belly and my ribs, my thighs, anywhere covered by prim clothing. He knew just where to hit me so that no one else would see that he’d hurt me. He called me a little bitch and cock tease. I had never heard language like that before. He told me that I was his, just as soon as my father signed me over to him. He told me no one would care if he sampled his purchase first. I refused to cry even though I was in so much pain, but I was fighting with all I had, which admittedly wasn’t much. I remembered that when we were younger, my twin Lavinia and I kind of knew when something was wrong with the other. I called out for her in my head, not really believing that she’d hear me.
The barn was so far from the house, my screams wouldn’t be heard. I knew that and didn’t waste my energy on that. Matthew looked so angry as he pushed my skirt up my legs. He fumbled with his pants and when they were down around his ankles, the door to the barn ripped open. Lavinia burst into the room, breathing heavily. She’s not the most athletic girl but I knew she ran here. To save me. Matthew was so rude to her, calling her mean thing about her weight, but she didn’t care. Nothing phases Lavinia. She’s the bravest one of all of us.
She yelled at him and told him to get his tiny prick, which was yet another word I didn’t know, away from me. When he didn’t move, she beat him with the rolling pin in her hand. He reached out and punched me in the chest again before running off with the promise that one day I would be his and there wouldn’t be anything anyone could do about it. Lavinia cleaned me up since my hair was messed up and my lips split and bleeding. She didn’t leave my side for two years after that, not until we came here. She kept my secret because we both knew if we told anyone my parents would have made me marry him sooner for fear of being ruined and in turn ruining my sisters. Luckily, Matthew didn’t say anything either. When we arrived in Hollow’s Hollow, I finally felt safe. I felt like this is where I am meant to be. Great things will happen to me hear. Only great things.
My experience with Matthew didn’t break me though. I refuse to give him the satisfaction. I am determined to get married. I want to be a mother more than anything. I want to be the best wife and mother. I want to be in love. I want to be loved. I want to be needed by my husband. I want a husband who would never hurt me in any way. I want so many things that I never thought I would get to have. I don’t think I am asking for too much. I’m glad I didn’t have to wait too long; I think as I prepare to marry a stranger. I have seen him around town and when he’d come over to the ranch.
Geeb Hearst.
I noticed him right away. The day Jasper and Sadie got married he came to the house for the little party Jude arranged. He’s handsome, tall, and big. A shiver of anticipation rushes through my body as I begin to walk down the aisle toward him. He doesn’t look happy, but maybe that’s just nerves. He makes me feel things I’ve never felt before. Things I can’t wait to explore with him.
Only him.
Chapter One
Geeb
“This is bullshit!” I tell my sister who is currently fixing a tie I wouldn't need if she had minded her own damn business.
“Shut up, big baby. You should be thanking me. If I hadn't answered the ad for you, you’d be dying an old man and alone.” Sounds good to me.
“It’s better than being married to someone who can’t look at me.” I tell her trying to loosen the tie she just tightened. She smacks my hand and fixes it.