I Chose the Rugged Colonel
Holding the recommendation letter that would secure a return to the city, my fiance, Wesley Dalton, came to find me. Right behind him stood the fake heiress, Madelyn Hart, quietly wiping away her tears.
Without hesitation, he ordered me to give up Willowville's only spot at Ashford Textiles.
Madelyn was too fragile, he said. There was no way she could endure being sent to work in the countryside.
Every elder in Willowville urged me to be sensible. Certain I'd do anything to save this engagement, they waited for me to break down in tears and give in.
Instead, I smiled and tore our marriage contract to pieces right in front of both families.
"She can have the position. And I won't be marrying you either."
Everyone laughed, convinced I'd gone mad. They bet I wouldn't last three days before begging Wesley to take me back.
Defying them all, I went to register my marriage with Logan Cross, a rugged retired veteran whom everyone else looked down upon.
Three months later, Wesley kicked open my front door, his eyes red. He dropped to his knees and choked out that he regretted everything.
But when he looked up and saw Logan kneeling on one knee, washing my feet, he instantly snapped to attention.
"Sir!"