11
LAUREL
"But....but why?" I asked. I felt lightheaded from everything that had happened in the past ten minutes. Everyone had been so upset with me, and now that I think on it, rightly so. I should have let them know who my father was, but I was protecting myself. I wasn't used to considering others, nor did I think there actually were others on the ranch when I'd originally lied, especially a baby. "Marrying me will only make an enemy out of my father. He'll know you were fooling him today and will make him angry. Besides, you've met Mr. Palmer. He's not one to trifle with either. Marrying me might keep him from doing the same, but he'll exact revenge somehow."
Brody placed his hands on his hips. "Your father already is an enemy, sweetheart, and that started long before your return."
