A Bride for Noah

she was coming along nicely. At least that’s what Noah told her, so she had to believe it.
Tonight they would have a beef stew with dumplings for supper. Noah’s favorite.
With supper organized, and the laundry on the line, it was time for a break. Mary pulled a mug down from the cupboard. It was then she heard the commotion out front. The chickens were making quite a racket, and she ran to the front door.
“For goodness sakes, go away,” Seth was saying, chasing the chickens away with his hat. He glanced up at her, frowning. “How do you stand the horrible creatures?”
She couldn’t help but smile. “I don’t like them either,” she said. “But I need their eggs. Occasionally one will lose their head.”
He appeared shocked at her words and studied her. “Seriously?”
Mary’s smile disappeared. “Of course. Sometimes when you have no food to eat, you have to sacrifice future eggs. It’s the way of the world.” She shrugged her shoulders, then held the door open for him. “Noah’s not here.” She glanced back over her shoulder at him, curious as to why he was here.
Seth followed her into the kitchen and slumped down at the table. “I was in the area, and longed for a coffee,” he said. “I didn’t think you’d mind.” He suddenly grinned.
Mary chuckled. It wasn’t her coffee he’d come for, but her baking. “I just happen to have an orange cake. Freshly baked yesterday.” She didn’t bother to ask if he’d like some – she already knew the answer.
She pulled the tin down from the overhead cupboard and the cake on the wooden board. She placed a plate laden with sliced cake in front of Seth. He reached over and took a bite. “This is delicious,” he told her. “If you ever decide you no longer want Noah, I’m your man.” He grinned cheekily and Mary knew he was joking.
She stared at him over the top of her mug. “You should get yourself a wife. Make sure she can bake first.”
He almost spat his coffee out, then became suddenly serious. “I do have to find a wife, like Noah did. At least I have more time, but still, it has to happen eventually.”
Mary swallowed. Another woman would be put in the same situation as her. “Make sure you love her, Seth.” She blinked rapidly, trying to force her tears away.
He stared at her curiously. “Noah loves you.”
She was too overcome with emotion to speak, and shook her head instead.
“Mary,” he said, reaching across to cover her hand. It was big like Noah’s and every bit as work roughened. “Noah loves you. It is very plain to everyone who sees the two of you together.”
She tried to swallow down the lump in her throat. “The truth is,” she said quietly. “Noah only tolerates me because of the will. If he didn’t have to keep me here because of the contract, he would have rid himself of me by now.” Tears rolled down her cheeks, she couldn’t stop the flow.
Seth stared at her. “You can’t mean that. Noah loves you, he does.” Seth stepped toward her, and pulled Mary to him. His arms were comforting, but she knew she shouldn’t allow herself to be held by a man who was not her husband. What if Noah came home? She didn’t want to be the cause of a rift between the brothers.
His fingers under her chin forced Mary to look up at him. It was almost like staring at Noah. “Do you love him, Mary?” He looked sad, as though he really cared for her. “Do you want to be Noah’s wife?”
Her voice barely audible, she answered him. “I do.”
“Then…”
“What are you doing holding my wife?” The door slammed and Noah stormed in. Mary’s heart pounded and her head hurt.
“It’s not what you think,” Mary told him.
He dragged his wife from Seth’s arms. “Are you alright?” He stared down into her face. “You’ve been crying. What did you do to her, Seth?” Noah stiffened and glared at his brother.
“It’s not what I did,” Seth said, extending himself to his full height, which was taller than Noah. “It’s what you didn’t do.” He turned to Mary. “Thanks for the coffee and cake. Sort it out – for both your sakes, sort it out.” He snatched up his hat from the rack at the door, and was gone before Mary could say another word.
Noah held her away and stared at her. “Did Seth hurt you?”
She shoved herself away from him. “Of course not. That’s what you did.”
Noah looked confused. “What I did? I don’t understand.”
“I can’t do it, Noah. I can’t continue to be your wife.” She took a long, shuddering breath. Her husband studied her. He truly didn’t understand what was going on. “I know when I’m not wanted, so I’ll pack my things and go.” His face was devoid of all color.
“I don’t understand,” he whispered. “I know I don’t say it enough, but I love you, Mary. Don’t leave me.” She’d never seen him look so utterly devastated.
She stared at the floor. “You’ve never said it, so how do I know you’re not just saying that?”
He reached out and pulled her against him. “I do love you, Mary. I have from that first day.”
Did he? Did he really, or was he only trying to appease her? “You don’t act like it,” she snapped. “All these months, and you only recently took me to your bed.”
“I don’t force women,” he said, staring down into her face. “You didn’t seem to be willing, so I left you alone.” His thumb swiped at her tears. “Please don’t cry. You’re breaking my heart. I don’t want you to leave either. I want you to stay.”
“Until the contract is up,” she whispered.
He frowned down at her. “No…I