The Golden Rules of Love: Western Romance by Tammy Andresen Page A

through his hair.
    She took a deep breath. “Collin, thank you for yesterday. It was a beautiful gift. I know it isn’t new for you and it wouldn’t mean the same thing but I,” she took a deep breath and then rushed through the next part. “I would return the favor.” A blush stained her cheeks.
    Mack stared at her with his mouth open for a full three seconds. Annie started to squirm under his gaze. “Can you tell me why it was a beautiful gift?” he finally asked.
    “Oh.” She paused collecting her thoughts. It was difficult to share her feelings that way but something in his eyes told her this was important. And if she wanted any future with Mack she had to answer honestly. She took a deep breath. “I didn’t know it could be like that for a woman. And I know you gave to me without taking for yourself because you care and…” she paused again. “I didn’t know this before but I know now that I can trust you to do what’s best for me.”
    “Annie,” his voice was a husky whisper.
    “Thank you for giving me the time to figure that out. Mack, I will try to find a way to show you that I can put you first. I won’t be like Garrett. I will…” her voice choked.
    “Annie, thank you for saying those things. It meant a lot. We’ve got all the time in the world to make this work.” He gave her a beautiful smile.
    She nodded. They both stood and headed back for the camp. Mack grabbed her hand and held it tight. “Thanks,” she squeezed his hand as she spoke.
    “You’re welcome. Besides, I think you’ve forgotten. We’re getting married, remember?”
    “How can I forget our engagement? Rake is downright irritated by it. He thinks you’ve gone mad for me.”
    “He’s probably right.”
    Annie gave him a beautiful smile. She didn’t know what the future held for her and Mack but she knew she was going to try.

THE GOLDEN RULES OF LOVE

    CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    Annie’s first day of work was a disaster. The only saving grace was that Mary Beth was there with her.
    It was crowded and busy. The captain’s quarters had been turned into a dining room of sorts with mismatched tables and chairs. The stench of cigar smoke hung in the air. Men were drinking stale whisky and playing cards.
    Annie tried to keep her face neutral but her nose kept wrinkling in distaste. When men weren’t barking orders, they were pinching her bottom or leering at her. She would have loved to disappear into the kitchen but Ed, the owner, insisted that she and Mary Beth wait on the tables. “Pretty women are good for business.”
    Annie shook her head. “How could a restaurant on a boat be so crowded?” she mumbled to Mary Beth.
    “The next boat over is an inn. If there is a stranger place in this country, I’d be surprised.” Mary Beth grimaced as she scanned the boats with her eyes. Giving her head a shake, she ran back down the galley for her next order.
    “Hey Red, why don’t you join us? More than food, I could use some company.” A dirty miner smiled at her to show missing teeth.
    Glowering at him, Annie moved to her next table. She wasn’t sure how long she could do this job. She might actually shoot one of the clientele.
    Annie must have seen two hundred miners pass through and she asked a hundred of them if they knew a Fergal Mackinnon. She didn’t even bother to ask about Jasper. Apparently deciding to try to have a future with Mack had helped her to let go of her past. She didn’t care about the gold or about her questions. She knew why Garrett had left her. He was a selfish ass. Jasper was worse. She didn’t need to speak with Jasper to know the truth.
    She didn’t turn up any leads on Fergal but she would try again tomorrow. By the end of the day, the till was stuffed full with gold and coins. Ed kept his promise and paid each of them five dollars and fed them a meal.
    It was a handsome wage compared with many jobs but it was barely a pittance compared with what Ed had made that day. “Will you ladies be