Marriage by Arrangement

Chapter 2 - Arrival

Sarah stepped off the plane, her nerves buzzing with anticipation and anxiety. She had never been to Texas before, let alone America. Everything felt foreign and strange - the heat, the accents, the sheer size of everything.

As she waited for her luggage, she couldn't help but feel a sense of dread settling over her. What if this whole arrangement was a huge mistake? What if her intended groom didn't like her? What if she didn't fit in?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a gruff voice behind her. "Miss Kuznetsova?"

Turning around, Sarah found herself facing a tall, broad-shouldered man wearing a black leather jacket and sunglasses. His square jaw was covered in stubble, and his dark hair was styled in a short, neat cut. Despite his intimidating appearance, there was something kind in his brown eyes.

"Yes, that's me," Sarah confirmed, extending a hand tentatively. "You must be Jack."

He shook her hand firmly, his grip warm and reassuring. "That's right. I'll be your temporary protector while you're here in Texas."

Sarah blinked, taken aback. "Protector? Why do I need a protector?"

Jack hesitated, clearly debating how much to tell her. Finally, he sighed. "There was a bit of a mix-up with the mail-order bride service. Your intended groom got cold feet and backed out at the last minute. But don't worry - we've already found a replacement."

Sarah's heart sank. So much for her grand escape plan. She had hoped that coming to America would allow her to start fresh, to leave her troubled past behind. But it seemed that trouble had followed her across continents.

"Come on," Jack said gently, noting her distress. "Let's get your bags and head home."

Home. The very concept sounded alien to Sarah. She had left home years ago, after her parents' tragic death. Since then, she had lived in various places, never staying in one spot for too long. The idea of having a real home, even temporarily, was both exciting and terrifying.

As they drove through the picturesque countryside, Sarah couldn't help but marvel at the beauty surrounding her. Rolling hills stretched out as far as the eye could see, dotted with grazing cattle and ancient oak trees. It was a stark contrast to the concrete jungle she had left behind.

When they finally arrived at their destination, Sarah was speechless. Nestled among acres of land stood a stately mansion, complete with wraparound porches and tall pillars. It looked like something straight out of Gone with the Wind.

"Welcome to Magnolia House," Jack said proudly, noticing her amazement. "It's been in my family for generations."

Sarah nodded mutely, still trying to absorb the sight before her. As they entered the house, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. High ceilings, elaborate moldings, and crystal chandeliers greeted her at every turn.

"Make yourself comfortable," Jack instructed, showing her to her room. "We'll have dinner soon."

Left alone, Sarah wandered around the massive suite, her fingers trailing over velvet drapes and polished wood furnishings. This was definitely not what she had expected when signing up for the mail-order bride service. But then again, nothing about this situation was ordinary.

Just as she was starting to relax, there was a knock on the door. Expecting Jack, Sarah opened it only to find herself staring at a tall, blond stranger. He was handsome, with chiseled features and piercing green eyes, but there was something cold and calculating about his stare.

"Hello, Miss Kuznetsova," he purred, extending a hand. "I'm Alexei Petrov, your new intended."

Sarah recoiled at his touch, her skin crawling. Something told her that this man was not who he appeared to be. But before she could protest, Jack appeared behind her, his brow furrowed in annoyance.

"What are you doing here, Alexei?" he demanded.

Alexei shrugged nonchalantly. "I heard about the mix-up with the mail-order bride service. Thought I'd introduce myself to my future wife."

"Well, now you have," Jack snapped. "Leave us alone."

To Sarah's relief, Alexei disappeared down the hall, leaving her alone with Jack.

"Don't worry," he reassured her, noting her trembling lip. "I won't let anyone hurt you."

Sarah believed him. Despite their rocky start, she couldn't help but feel safe with Jack. Maybe it was the way he looked at her, or the steady cadence of his voice. Either way, she knew she could trust him.

"Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

For the first time since arriving in Texas, Sarah felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps this wouldn't be such a disaster after all. Perhaps, just perhaps, she had found someone worth trusting