Entwined by E.C. Land (top android ebook reader .TXT) 📕

here, at the same time, I miss home. I miss my da, and I miss my sister Bridget. Though she’s no longer at home but in America with her husband, a man my father had her marry, Dean.

I didn’t think she’d be happy but the last time I spoke with her she seemed genuinely happy to be with Dean. This makes me happy for her, and she deserves all the happiness in the world. I, for one, knew this day would come for me. I knew my father was looking at contracts for me as well. Unlike my sister, my contract seems to have come a lot sooner. Then again, Dean’s father and mine agreed to a specific date.

Sighing, I stand to my feet and take the letter in hand while thinking of my sister. After my sister’s wedding, my da sent me here to the abbey not wanting me alone in the house while he attended to business. This was perfectly fine with me. I did my studies and continue to read my books. I’ve always preferred the literary world to the real one. Why can’t we have men who act like those in the books? I mean the heroes who show their love and devotion.

Opening the letter, I read through my da’s words slowly. Seems he’s found me a match that he deems a good choice for me.

Closing my eyes, I tilt my head up to the sky.

“Alison, my dear, you know who your father is, the type of man he is. The sisters and I agree we have our duty as you have yours to your family name,” Sister Caitlin murmurs, taking the letter to read it for herself.

“Yes, I understand I have a duty for myself, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have my own hopes and dreams to fulfill. I mean, could he possibly at least let me know who this man is?” I murmur. I already know what my job in this family is supposed to be. I’m to marry and be the meek, docile wife that listens to her husband.

Unlike my sister, I’m not full of drama. I can’t find it in me to make a big fuss about anything. For one, it seems like a lot of work, and two, my sister does enough of it for the both of us. Her escapade of trying to get out of her engagement to Dean is one for the books as she’d tried to get away the very same night he showed up at the house a day or two early.

Now, if the man, my father has agreed to marry me off to were to look like that my brother-in-law or one of his men, I wouldn’t complain as much. Those men seem to be extremely gorgeous.

“I understand where you are coming from. Maybe possibly ask him to be able to meet this man and have a long engagement. Get to know him.” I wouldn’t balk at Sister Caitlin’s advice, but I know my father wouldn’t go for it.

I could possibly speak to him about allowing me to finish my studies here at the abbey until I turned twenty. I’m advanced in school and have been taking university courses online since I turned sixteen. I only have two years left of schooling that I’d like to finish.

If I’m lucky, my husband will be similar to Dean and at least allow me the freedom to work. To have some independence of my own. Bridget, I admit, was extremely lucky to have been set to marry Dean from the time they were children. Even if she didn’t know about it until right before the marriage.

“Do you think my da would be angry with me if I were to ask him for time to finish school?” I ask without opening my eyes.

“I’m sure your da will grant you the time you are asking for. He adores you and would give you the world if he could, but he’s also a powerful man and he does have his limits,” she advises.

This is true. He does have his limits, even though he loves my sister and me.

“I will write him. Tell him that I accept but request that the wedding not be until I’m twenty. This way I’m allowed to finish school before going back home. Besides, I won’t know where I’ll be going after, and there’s no way Da will tell me who I’m marrying until right before the day is upon us,” I murmur. This time opening my eyes to gaze up at the beautiful bright sky.

I’m sure Da would agree to my request, and if he does, that means I’ll have two years to not only finish my schooling but to be driven mad with the knowledge I’m to wed a man I do not know as if I were from the middle ages.

Maybe I can picture myself being wedded to a Highlander or Viking. Oh, I know, my very own Celtic warrior who would cart me off to the abyss of unknown. Yes, that would be lovely.

Chapter One

Mitch

Present Day

What the hell was I thinking when I agreed to go along with this contracted wedding bullshit? I swore to never marry again to stick to being a single man for the rest of my life. I didn’t want to ever go through another situation where I could potentially lose someone that I love or care about.

Maybe that’s why I agreed to this marriage to Bridget’s sister, Alison. She’s young and not the type of woman I’d typically go for. I prefer to stick to women that are blonde, thin, and aren’t all that smart. This way, I can walk away without feeling an ounce of regret.

Ten years ago, I married the woman I knew I wanted to be with. Michelle, she was the love of my life even if we were only married for two years before she was taken from me. Her and our son both. All in one split second my world was