A Noble Groom (Michigan Brides #2)(37)

Besides, he could never marry a woman like Annalisa. They were from two completely different worlds. She was a peasant, the widow of a farmer, and the land meant everything to her. He was a scientist and inventor, a nobleman’s son. His destiny included much bigger prospects than life on a small farm in Michigan. Lord willing, he would eventually return to his home to claim his position and fortune.

And he couldn’t forget the fact that Peter hated his father, and that if Annalisa ever discovered his true identity, she and her entire family would despise him—if they didn’t kill him first.

He gave himself a mental slap and avoided looking at Annalisa and the sweet girl imitating her every move. This wasn’t the best time in his life to lose the carefree spirit that had always held him in good stead. He’d always been content being single. Now wasn’t the time to think of more, not when his life had been turned upside down.

Lord, help this dog and help me, he prayed.

He rubbed harder, scratching the dog’s head, neck, and chin.

The pup gave a soft whine.

Gretchen’s head shot up.

“Come on, Snowdrop.” He gently shook the dog. “Come on, boy.”

“Bitte,” Gretchen said, talking to the puppy. “Don’t die. I love you.”

Annalisa lifted her head, and her stricken eyes collided with Carl’s and begged him to do something.

He had to find a way to help. Frantically he glanced around the barren room searching for something that could assist his efforts. His neglected plate sat on a stone near the hearth where Annalisa had been keeping it warm for him.

“My supper,” he said, his mind churning. “Get my plate there.”



Surprise flickered in her eyes, but she rose and moved to do his bidding without a word.

When she handed it to him, he pushed the plate of quail and gravy under the dog’s nose. He dipped his finger into the gravy and then wedged it into the dog’s mouth. If only he could awaken the dog’s senses.

For a long moment, Snowdrop remained motionless. But then his nose began to twitch—slowly at first, then faster until finally his eyes popped open. His slobbery tongue was suddenly at work, licking the gravy off Carl’s finger.

Gretchen squealed and a smile danced to life.

She reached eagerly for the dog, but Annalisa held her back. “Nein, liebchen. Let him wake up first.”

Gently Carl helped the puppy to sit up and directed his nose toward the quail. When the pup bent his head and began to eat, Carl grinned. “I always say, there’s nothing like a good meal to win a man’s heart.”

Gretchen giggled.

Carl couldn’t imagine a sweeter sound.

And when Annalisa looked at him, this time tears pooled in her eyes. The gratefulness there took his breath away. As her lips curved into a smile—a smile meant just for him—he couldn’t think of anything more he wanted.

His gaze lingered on her lips, the gently rounded curves, the sweet fullness, the tantalizing strawberry red . . .

Maybe he could think of something more he wanted.

Her smile faded.

He lifted his eyes to hers, expecting revulsion, or at the very least the cold distance that was normally there. He was surprised when instead he found her staring at his lips, her head tilted and curiosity brimming in her eyes, almost as if she’d never been kissed.



Undoubtedly she’d been kissed plenty of times—by her husband. But even as the thought crossed his mind, he just as quickly dismissed it. He wasn’t naive. He knew kissing wasn’t necessary for mating, that plenty of loveless marriages lacked passion and intimacy, like his parents’. In fact, he couldn’t recall his father ever once kissing his mother.

Annalisa glanced up, and seeing that he’d caught her looking at his mouth, she dropped her attention to her hands. Shyness flooded her face.

He fought the urge to pull her into another embrace. Even though he’d stolen kisses from women in the past, he knew this was neither the time nor place.

Annalisa was not like the frivolous women he’d known. She was hardworking, determined, and resourceful. She loved Gretchen with a passion he admired. And she was beautiful, with echoes of strength deep inside waiting to be released.

She didn’t deserve a shallow, flirtatious relationship with him. She didn’t need a man toying with her emotions. Especially a man like him who couldn’t give her the kind of commitment and stability she needed.

Besides, even if there weren’t so many differences between them, there was still one very big, unmovable obstacle standing between them.

Her groom. And he’d be arriving any day, expecting to marry Annalisa, take over the farm, and have a better life here in America.

He shifted his attention to Snowdrop, who was chomping on the quail that was to have been his supper. Gretchen stroked the puppy, joy shimmering in her eyes.

Carl pushed away from the bedstead and rose, unwinding his stiff limbs, stifling a groan of frustration. He’d only be setting them all up for misery if he didn’t keep his distance.



He glanced to the door. Everything within him urged him to leave, to run away, just as he’d done in all the difficult situations in his past.

But deep in his heart he knew he couldn’t run. Not now. Not when Annalisa was in so much danger with Ward, not when she needed his help and protection.