The Billionaire’s Bargain Bride

The Corbins

SADIE

“Oh, my God!” I peeked my head out of the window of a running SUV. I always dreamed of living on a farm full of cattle, horses, sheep and having freshly gathered eggs from the chicken coop for breakfast. “This is awesome! Marry me, Beck!”

“You didn’t just say that while you’re beside your husband.”

“Wow! This is vast.” I ignored Cenric just spanked my butt.

“200 hundred acres,” Beck said proudly. He was sitting on the passenger’s seat while he let Devin drive.

It was a fantastic trip. We chatted and played scrabbles, and I never won while my husband was on his laptop the entire trip.

Beck was full of surprises. He was kind of chatty and had won all the time when not on the clock. He was smarter than any of us, I guess.

“Nice house, bro,” Devin commented as we entered the iron-wrought gate. The two-story ranch-style house with a devoted patio came to view.

“Thanks. Been for Corbin for generations.”

“So, you eat meat every day?” What a stupid question to ask. I sat back in. “I think I’d stay here if you don’t mind. I can clean dung. Are you looking for help?”

The truck drove by a thick mustache guy parked before us. Apparently, Linden had a thing with trucks like monster-type ones.

I was the last one to come out of the SUV. Then a gray-haired older man came out from the house. That must be Beck’s father. Then a blonde woman followed. I would not miss the resemblance to Beck. I didn’t even know he had a sister.

“Paps.” He pulled the old man in a hug.

“Ah, son.” He patted Beck on the back.

“I know, I know. Don’t embarrass me in front of Cenric.”

His father just laughed it out. I wondered what it was all about.

“Sis?”

“You get a spank in your little butt if Cenric is not around. Come here.” His sister gestured. “I miss you.”

My eyes misted. I wished we had this kind of relationship. Unfortunately, my brother was an asshole.

“Cenric, my boy.”

“Austin.” They hugged each other. I guessed this family was huger. “It’s been a while.”

“You mean almost four years, son. I thought you lost your way down here.”

“Never. You’re a family. And this is my second home. It just took me a while.” He smiled sadly. “I want you two to meet someone. This is my wife, Sadie.”

I smiled shyly, offering a handshake.

“We don’t do handshake down here, girl.” He smiled back. “Come here.”

“Oh.” He squeezed me into a hug.

“Forgive Paps. He considers everyone around me his children,” Beck murmured.

“Finally, it’s good to meet the woman who makes Cenric swoon. I’m Becka. Beck’s big sister.” It went the same thing, hugging.

Cenric introduced Devin. Linden, they knew him already.

Even if my family had mansions, I was still amazed. The ambiance didn’t feel like this was so welcoming, even in my own house.

The spacious home had a long slab table in the center and a grand piano beside the staircases.

The dinner was like a huge party, with plenty of food on the table. From steaks to potatoes, a bunch of side dishes, and vegetables. The Tomahawk steak alone could feed me the entire weak. The bone was bigger than my radius.

“That’s how Beck eats.” Becka was friendly and so kind with a big sister vibe.

“I would say I’m not surprised.” I looked at Beck. He was homey. I felt like he missed his family a lot.

“Taste the meat from our very own cattle,” Austin said. The pride glittered in his eyes.

“Thank you for having us here on short notice.” I sliced my meat.

“I missed these guys around. My son barely called home. When he called last night, I thought he’d come home with a tiny Becker in his arms.”

“Paps.” Beck groaned.

I didn’t even know his name was Becker. I always thought Beck was just short for Beckett.

“I’m sure he’ll find someone.”

“Hopefully, soon before—”

“Paps, you’re not that old,” Becka said. I wondered if she was single. It seemed that there were only the two of them who lived here.

The medium-rare was perfection. Even Gordon Ramsay would agree with me. The time and temperature of cooking steaks were meticulous, but judging by the look alone and the tenderness of the meat, this was by far the best steaks I ever had.

I chewed with a nod. I might have just closed my eyes to savor the delicious piece of meat melted in my mouth. When I opened my eyes, they were all looking at me.

“Sorry. Did I gobble?” I looked at my amused husband.

“That’s exactly the reaction I wanted to see.”

“And they thought I starved you, Sadie. This is so good, Austin.”

“I’m glad you like it.” Becka smiled delightfully.

“When Becka lost her husband, and my son barely came home, the place seemed so desolate. I want to see them both—”

I thought I just heard myself gasp in shock. My lips parted as I just realized something.

“Paps.” Beck groaned again. This time his face in melancholy, so did Cenric. Becka smiled sadly.

Realization hit me hard in the chest. I just realized Becka’s late husband was their friend. A member of their team?

“Let me finish. As your father, the last thing I wish for the two of you is to be both happy and have a family. When you grow old, you’ll realize that it’s not so happy to be alone anymore. I had a great life with your mother—that’s what keeps me going, and of course, you two. I might have given up this ranch if those good memories didn’t happen here. I wouldn’t have them if I did not find the love of my life. Trust me, son, and all of you who are still single. Take it from my experience.”

I didn’t know I cried until I wiped the tears on my face.

“Then don’t die until I find a woman,” Beck replied with a little bit of harshness in his tone. “You’re stronger than a horse, Paps, you know it. And you can’t just force someone to fall in love with me, and you know that.”

“Then how did Cenric, the last person I think of settling down, find his wife?”

Okay, now this dinner was getting awkward. I looked down. I wished I could tell them the entire story.

Linden and Devin remained calm and silently listened to the heated conversation between the father and son.

“That’s not fair. Cenric and I are different, Paps. And when you find the right person for you, or when fate brought you together, you didn’t have to find her. You, of all people, should know that. You believe in destiny, for God’s sake.” He threw the napkin on the table and rose from his seat. The chair screeched against the floor. “I’m full. Thank you very much for dinner. That was delicious.”

“Come back here, Becker Winston!”

“Let me talk to him,” Cenric volunteered, rising from his seat.

When Cenric was gone, I cleared my throat. “I know the pressure of settling down. My marriage to Cenric isn’t that kind of fairy tale. I was arranged to him as soon as I turned nineteen.”

“Oh, sorry to hear about that,” Becka said.

“Oh, it’s okay.” I smiled back. “He’s nothing but kind. You know, I was engaged to him for almost three years, and he never came to visit me, called me, or sent me flowers. And the feeling of disappointing him was so gut-wrenching.” I toyed with my engagement ring. “All I have at that time was this ring. I always wondered how my life would turn out after we got married. What if he found someone else in that entire time, or if he had someone that I might break a heart. All I knew about him was he was wealthy. I wasn’t expecting a charming prince fiance. What if he’s fat, ugly, bald, or short? But I never had the guts to search him online until my friend showed me his picture.” I chuckled.

“You’re in good hands. He’s the kindest person I know. And you look perfect together.”

My eyes watered as I smiled and nodded at Becka. “Yeah. I wouldn’t have had this second chance if not for him. I’m sure Beck will find the right woman. He’s kind, thoughtful, and I always dream of having a big brother like him.” I wiped my tears. “Sorry.”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“You had a rough past.”

I looked at Austin. Words of my husband about my family sprung in my mind. “Yes. You have no idea.”