She’s not getting married. She’s only engaged!

Marley Roman should have already known that romantic plots hatched with her best friend Dede were doomed. But a fake engagement seemed like the only way for her, as the last old maid in the bunch, to endure her youngest sister’s wedding. Armed with a phony ring and a plausible story about a fiancé loosely based on her overly friendly cowboy-turned-actor neighbor, Brant Westfield, she was ready to face—and fool—her family. But between her ex-boyfriend Richard’s unexpected role in the wedding party and Brant’s sudden arrival to join the fun, the holes in her plan were growing…and multiplying!

“That our audience?”

Brant pointed to the porch, indicating the people collecting there.

Marley nodded.

“Break a leg,” he said and pulled her into his arms. “Relax,” he whispered against her ear. “You want to convince your family we’re engaged, you’ll have to loosen up. I may be good, but you’ll need to cooperate a little. I can’t carry the whole show by myself.”

“You arrogant…” She stopped when his lips brushed hers. The kiss, if that’s what it was, turned out to be very short. A disappointment, actually. “You call that a kiss?” she asked breathlessly.

He turned, dragging her toward the porch. As he smiled and waved, he said under his breath, “That’s what I give mannequins. You want something better, you’d better put some life into those bones.”

Dear Reader,

Thank you for choosing An Act of Love. I started this story a long time ago with Marley going back to her hometown in Pennsylvania for a wedding and reconnecting with Richard, her love in college. Well, by about chapter seven, I was in love with Brant and couldn’t figure out how I could continue with my first premise. I put the story aside. But the idea kept coming back to me, and I decided to try again. Eventually, Marley came around and fell for Brant as well, but you can see through the story it was a difficult challenge to get her on board. With Brant’s help, we showed her he was the one for her even though Richard wasn’t such a bad guy.

In the first go-around, I didn’t include Brant’s viewpoint. Can you imagine not letting an “actor” with an ego keep his opinions to himself? The reasoning behind not having a male viewpoint was simple: if I included one then the reader would know immediately who the hero was. I wanted everyone, including Marley, to think Richard had possibilities. Brant got a little pushy so I gave in and let him have his say.

Do I sound as though my characters rule what goes on in my books? The best possible scenario is yes. I love it when their voices take over in my mind. I can see them, hear them and empathize with any problems they may be experiencing. However, they never let me strong-arm them into something they know is wrong and often won’t allow me to sleep.

Marley plays my favorite music on her guitar, and I share her delight that Brant is able to sing and play music with her, as well.

I hope you’ve had a few laughs as well as poignant moments and maybe shared some similar experiences. Reach me through marionekholm.com or heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com. I’d love to hear from you.

Marion

An Act of Love

Marion Ekholm

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MARION EKHOLM

was writing stories and reading them to her friends back in fifth grade, in Plainville, Connecticut. She always wanted to be either a writer or an artist. Neither one seemed like a possibility in her day, when most women became either teachers or secretaries. But she had determination on her side and a mother willing to help with her dreams. She earned her BFA at Rhode Island School of Design and became a lace designer in New York City, met her husband and moved to New Jersey. Years later, she took stock of her life. She had a career, two children, a beautiful home and opportunities to travel extensively—but she’d never written anything other than letters. She began writing for real and eventually became an editor of a newspaper and sold numerous short stories and magazine articles. Thanks to Mills & Boon Heartwarming, she’s now a novelist. Her second novel, An Act of Love, follows her first, Just Like Em. She’s found signing her books and talking to people who’ve read them an absolute delight.

This book is dedicated to Jane Toombs who died this March, 2014. Jane introduced me to Romance Writers of America when RWA was in its infancy by sponsoring a romance writers conference with Ruby Frankel in New York state. Thanks to their efforts, Hudson Valley Romance Writers came into being. Jane asked me to be the newsletter editor for the group. There I learned about deadlines, writing articles, interviewing and a host of other skills necessary to becoming a writer. Over the years, she not only critiqued my writing but also offered friendship that led to many delightful trips as roommates to RWA national conferences. Thank you, Jane, for your dedication in helping people learn their craft.

Acknowledgments

I have wonderful opportunities to take classes at Glendale Community College where I work. David Thibodeaux, my instructor at GCC for The History of Jazz and Rock Music and Culture, instilled in me a passion for all types of music.

Chuck Hulihan taught my acoustic guitar class at GCC. Even though I should have started a hundred years earlier, I learned about the dedication and enthusiasm required to play well. So much of Marley’s love for playing the guitar comes from those lessons.

Hank Glogosh, who helped with his knowledge of Pennsylvania.

Sheryl Zajechowski, the acquisition editor for Brilliance Audio, answered all my questions about narrating books, Brant’s profession.

To Shelley Mosley and Sandra Lagesse—my best friends, mentors and critique partners—a heartfelt thank-you.

Additional thanks to Mills & Boon and its editors whom I’ve been fortunate to meet or work with over the internet, especially Paula Eykelhof, Victoria Curran, Kathryn Lye and Beverley Sotolov. I really appreciate all your help and encouragement.

Love to my daughter and granddaughters for their support. And special thanks to my son, David, who answered so many of the questions I had about acting. His experiences in the theater in college and after were very helpful.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Acknowledgments

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

AFTER WORK ON Friday night, Marley Roman and her friend Dede Sanchez met for drinks at a downtown bar in Phoenix to escape the July heat before heading home. Marley pushed her long hair away from her neck to let the cool air-conditioning sweep around her.

“Here’s to you, Lindy.” Marley lifted her oversize margarita to her lips and licked at the salt before taking a sip. “Thanks for beating me to the altar.” Saturday morning she’d be flying to her youngest sister’s wedding. Memories of the last sister’s ceremony still haunted her. How could she handle the next week and keep her sanity?

“I’ve never seen you so glum.” Dede placed her glass of wine on the bar. “Why not avoid this ritual? Tell your family you’ve come down with the plague or something.”

Marley leaned toward her friend. “Right. Like anyone would believe me.” She hastily readjusted herself on the bar stool to catch her balance. The drink hadn’t helped Marley’s funky mood one bit. Maybe skipping supper hadn’t been such a great idea.

“I’m the first of six girls, five of whom...who...whom...” After pausing, she took a deep breath to clear her thinking. “Why do I have to be the last one?”

“Since when has marriage become one of your priorities?” Dede dusted a speck off her black dress, which was the same shade as her long hair. “I thought you liked being single.”

“I do, but everyone in my family questions it. And they keep asking me when will it be my turn.” Marley tried to focus. “Well, maybe someday I’ll meet someone—and then...then I’ll think about it.”

“It won’t happen. Not when you refuse to accept the drink that cute guy at the end of the bar is offering.” Dede smiled at him and waved a finger; Marley ignored him. He didn’t appeal to her. For that matter few men had since she’d finished college more than a decade ago.

Dede continued where she’d left off. “You won’t date anyone in your office, and you completely blew it when I tried fixing you up with the guys I work with.”

Marley propped her cheek against her hand and leaned her elbow on the bar to support her head. “Jerrod was ten years younger than me—”

“Nothing wrong with being a cougar.”

“And Lincoln looked like the original Lincoln, minus the beard.”

Marley finished her drink and motioned to the bartender.

“Want the same margarita, Red?” He reached for her glass.

Red. She hated that reference to her hair color. Did he call other customers Black, Brown or Blonde when he addressed them? Her father was always called Red. Anyone calling her that brought back memories of him. She didn’t need reminders of all the pain associated with her father’s abandonment.

“The name’s Marley, and, yes, I’d like the same.”

“You sure?” Dede attempted to shoo the bartender away. “You rarely ever finish one, let alone two.”

“I’m not driving, so it’s okay.”

The bartender hadn’t moved. He jerked his thumb toward the end of the bar. “He’d still like to buy you one.”

Marley glanced at the man, gave him a halfhearted smile, placed a bill on the bar and shook her head. The motion momentarily destroyed her vision, making her realize she’d already had enough. “No, thanks. Don’t fix another. Your margaritas are way too potent.”

“You know, you’re avoiding the real problem.” Dede stood and went through her purse in search of money.

“Which is?”

“Guilt.”

Marley furrowed her brow. “What guilt?”

“You moved away from your family, and every time they bring you back, you try to make it up to them.” Dede dropped a bill on the bar. “Like this wedding. You’ve practically paid for most of it yourself.”

Marley shrugged. “Maybe so, but this is the last wedding so...no more guilt.”

“Yeah, right. Until the next baby is born.”

Hesitantly, Marley placed her foot on the floor, got off the stool and held on to the bar for support. “See, no hands.” Marley lifted both palms, only to lose her balance and grab the back of the stool.

“At some point, you’ll have to say no.” They started for the door. “Practice. It could make your life so much simpler.”

Now that the sun had gone down and the night air felt tolerable, they walked the few short blocks to the light-rail station. Marley slung her jacket over her arm and hiked her purse’s strap onto her shoulder. Her feet ached in her open-toed heels. Getting home, then into a bath, was her only priority.

“What you need is a fiancé, not a marriage.” Dede slipped her arm through hers.

Just a fiancé. That’s all I need, Marley mused.

“A fiancé you can talk about and get rid of the moment you return to Phoenix.”

When they reached the red light and stopped, a city bus with a giant poster on it also stopped. The poster had recently popped up all over the city—an advertisement for a special business symposium to be held at the Civic Center. Here it was again, Brant Westfield smiling at them.

“You see that guy?” Marley said, pulling back and pointing at the bus.

“Yeah. Cute.”

“He’s my neighbor.”

“Really?” They both turned to face yet another announcement of “The Convention No One Should Miss,” this one posted at the bus stop. And this one with another smiling Brant Westfield.

When Brant had first introduced himself, she’d been welcoming but had kept him at arm’s length. For several reasons. First, she avoided relationships where she worked or lived because problems arose when the people became too involved or they broke up.

Second, and more important, she’d seen Brant with a parade of women. Obviously a player, he brought a lot of gorgeous females home with him. Better to avoid potential problems. Problems likely to occur with a man whose smile left her breathless.

Now that smile was plastered everywhere.

“Give me your phone.” Dede held out her hand and snapped her fingers.

“Why?”

“I’m taking a picture of you with your new fiancé. Stand over there.”

Laughing, Marley did as Dede ordered. After several unsuccessful shots, Dede handed the phone back. “I don’t know if there’s too much or too little light. Sorry it didn’t work, because he sure makes a decent fiancé.”

After reaching the Metro station, the women took seats to wait for the next light-rail that regularly made trips up and down Central Avenue. A breeze had picked up. Instead of offering relief, it felt more like a hair dryer blasting them. At least Marley wouldn’t have to deal with the Phoenix summer once she reached Pennsylvania.

“To create a make-believe fiancé, it’s better if you focus on someone specific, so you’ll be able to remember the details.”

A make-believe fiancé. Was she really going to invent a guy? Marley nodded slowly. Who? She went through all her acquaintances, including the few men she’d dated. No one stood out. Certainly no one she’d like to be engaged to.

Another poster of Brant flashed by.

Maybe...

Brant could be her fake fiancé, especially since he’d never know about it.

* * *

WHEN BRANT SAW the woman approaching his condo building, he backed under a tree out of sight. Since his picture had started appearing in all the ads for the convention campaign, everyone who recognized him accosted him. Particularly women he didn’t know. Better to be safe and not broadcast his address by walking in. His three-day beard and grubby clothes provided some disguise, but the celebrity status the poster afforded made anonymity nearly impossible.

When he could finally see her clearly under the streetlight, he recognized his neighbor—Marley. And she was obviously feeling no pain.

Beautiful she might be, but beauty was a common sight in his profession, and often the women had little more than their looks going for them. But he’d heard Marley play the guitar. He’d wanted to talk to her about possibly jamming together. Unfortunately, she shot him down before he could even suggest it.

He stayed put as water from the yard’s sprinklers hit his calves, refreshing after the day’s heat. He watched, waiting for her to go inside. Instead of entering the building, though, she took out her cell phone and paused in front of his picture on a bus stop billboard. It was an older likeness, from when his hair was shorter—

Great. His flip-flops were getting soaked. He stepped onto the sidewalk.

In the British accent he’d been practicing for his next gig, he asked, “You’re taking a picture of my picture?”

She screamed and tossed her phone in the air.

He managed to catch it before it hit the cement. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to alarm you, love.” Reverting to his natural voice, he asked, “Why are you taking my picture’s picture?” If it was to become rich on Facebook or Twitter, it was a wasted effort, since his image was already all over the internet. He held out the cell phone and waited. Finally, he took her arm and placed the phone in her hand.

* * *

MARLEY’S HEARTBEAT CONTINUED to race. How on earth could she explain this? She might as well be truthful, since she couldn’t think of any plausible reason. “I needed your picture to show my family.”

“Why?”

“I...I needed a fiancé and decided you’d do.”

“What?” After a moment’s pause, possibly to focus on what she’d said, Brant held his sides and roared with laughter. “Lady, you’ve absolutely made my day.”

That annoying accent again. What was it, anyway? British? Australian? She knew he’d spent several months in Australia doing a movie and had returned only a few weeks ago. And she knew he was an actor. But that’s all she really knew about him—well, that and his propensity for cowboy outfits. Usually he wore boots and a cowboy hat; today, though, he looked more like a hobo. His chambray shirt no longer had any sleeves and his shorts were cutoff jeans with white threads hanging around his knees. Instead of boots he wore grungy flip-flops.

“So we’re engaged?” Brant said as he continued to gaze at her. The accent was gone but not the smile in his voice. “When’s our wedding?”

“I’m leaving tomorrow to attend my sister’s and...” She stopped and took a deep breath.

“And?”

“And I have five sisters, all younger and married or about to be. You have no idea what it’s like when everyone gangs up on you and asks when you’re getting married.”

“Oh, but I do. I’m asked the same question by my family. Okay if I tell them I’ve finally found the woman of my dreams and plan to tie the knot?” He took out his cell phone. “Here, let me take your picture so I can show them.”

“No!” Marley held her hand in front of her face.

“All these weeks you’ve barely given me the time of day, and now we’re engaged.” He grasped her hand.

Marley pulled free and pushed past him.

“We’re not having a spat now, are we, love?” he said, returning to that accent. “Our engagement is only minutes old, and you’re already breaking it off. What will your family think? That you prefer to remain a singleton?”

Marley halted. Every nerve in her body fired. Feeling queasy, she faced him. “I’m not in the mood, Brant, and one more word in that phony accent and I’ll—”

“It doesn’t sound genuine?” He raised his eyebrows and stared in disbelief.

“I haven’t the slightest idea if it is or not. I just know it’s not you, the Willie Nelson cowboy I see every day.” She walked past him and continued to their condo building.

“Oh, so you have noticed me.” Slipping back into his usual voice, he pushed the door open for her. “But Willie Nelson? I look that old? I always considered myself more of a young Tim McGraw.”

Once in the elevator, Marley removed her shoes and leaned against the metal wall. The coolness seeped into her skin, a delight after the warmth outside. She closed her eyes. When she heard Brant drop his backpack to the floor, she opened them. He had one hand on the wall above her head and was bending over, getting way too close.

“Hmm. Brown. Aren’t redheads supposed to have green eyes?”

She placed her palms against his chest and pushed him away.

He grinned—that smile that thoroughly unnerved her. “Why pick me? We’ve never even been on a date.”

“I didn’t pick you. My girlfriend Dede did when your picture passed by on a bus.”

“Not that I haven’t tried. I asked you out for coffee and a walk in the rain. Both times you refused. Really did a number on my self-confidence.”

Marley stared down at her feet and wiggled her toes. She remembered. Only someone who lived in Phoenix would consider a walk in the rain a fun thing to do. “You’ve obviously recovered.”

“What is it? You’ve got a thing against actors?”

“No.” She looked up into very dark eyes only inches from her own. “I don’t like dime-store cowboys.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? You think I’m not for real?”

Oh, he was for real, all right. And promised nothing but trouble on a grand scale.

He backed off but still kept eye contact. “I’ll have you know that unlike most of the residents in this fair state, I’m a native Arizonan. I own my own ranch and raise horses.”

They got off the elevator on the seventh floor, and Marley put her key in her door. “Sure you do.” Before opening the door and walking into her living room, she faced him. “I can smell the horse manure emanating from your condo every time the wind shifts.”

Laughing, he stood in her doorway, his hand braced against the doorjamb.

“This engagement will be over by the time I get back.”

He pulled his hand away before she could close the door on his fingers.

Brant stayed in her thoughts for some time while she packed for her trip. As long as the engagement was in her imagination, why not stick with him as her fiancé? He did have some qualities she found attractive. That smile, for instance. Yes, she could definitely wrap a fake engagement around that.

Marley glanced at her watch and decided Dede should be home by now. When she answered, Marley said, “You’ll never guess what. I met Brant coming into our building.” She choked back laughter. “I can’t believe he caught me taking his picture and...” She paused to gain control of her voice. “I told him I needed a fiancé, and he’s it.”

Marley would need a ring, she suddenly realized, something concrete to show her family so they’d believe she’d finally found her man.

“Meet me tomorrow, Dede, before I catch my plane, and help me pick out an engagement ring.”

CHAPTER TWO

BRANT HARDLY SLEPT. When he did Marley Roman appeared in his dreams with the guitar he’d heard her play on occasion. In fact, he was quite sure he’d heard her playing the previous evening. Maybe it was his imagination. The condo was pretty soundproof, and he’d only heard her the few times she’d gone out onto the balcony they shared. And she had been good, progressing through chords he’d struggled with for years. Not to mention her riffs. She could certainly teach him how to improve his technique.

His sister Elaina, oddly still dressed in the fancy outfit she’d worn the previous night, had coffee ready when he came into the kitchen. She used one of his guest rooms whenever she came into Phoenix. “Morning,” he said as he took a seat on the stool in front of the bar, deciding not to ask her why she hadn’t changed clothes. “How was the concert?”

“Perfect. It was a duo with a cello and guitar. Got to meet both the man and woman after and thought I might take up the cello again.” She pushed a full cup of black coffee over to him.

“I remember you playing back when I was in grammar school. You sure you want to put my poor nieces and nephews through that torture?” He moved away from her attempt to swat him. “Usually you’re out of here before the rush hour. Who’s minding the ranch while you’re away?” Elaina managed their father’s ranch a good 50 miles northwest of Phoenix. His two other sisters were also involved in the family’s large holdings. Something he’d managed to avoid.

“I delegate.” Elaina took the stool next to him and watched over the brim of her mug. “Dad wants to talk to you.”

Brant swiveled around so that he faced a window. “You know what about?”

“No, but I think you do. He expected to see you when you finished that last picture. You’re on hiatus now, aren’t you?”

Brant got up and walked over to the sink. “Yeah. I have a few things to take care of and then I’ll come up.” Brant had dreaded the day when he’d have to give in to his father’s wishes and take over the responsibilities at the ranch. If only he could delay the inevitable. He excused himself and headed to the vestibule.

Brant had every intention of meeting Marley again this morning, and this time it wouldn’t be by accident. After opening his door, he picked up his tablet and a book, the former to read and the latter to keep the door ajar so he wouldn’t miss her. Then he sat in his foyer, facing the door.

“What are you doing?”

“Waiting to see my neighbor.”

Elaina laughed. “Why not ring her doorbell?”

“It’s awkward. We got engaged last night and—”

“You what?”

Brant held up his hand when he heard Marley’s door open and placed his finger against his lips. He stood, tossed the tablet onto the chair, pulled open his door, and kicked the chair with the tablet aside before entering the hall.

“Well, what have we got here?” In a Texas twang, another accent he’d perfected for the detective book he had to read for his next gig, Brant added, “My lovely fiancée. Aren’t you just the morning sunshine.”

That elicited a dirty look from Marley. Maybe he was being too obnoxious. “Sleep well?” She didn’t answer as he walked her to the elevator.

Reverting to his normal voice, he asked, “Care to join me for that cup of coffee?”

“No, thank you.” Finally a response. “I’m meeting someone.”

“It better not be a male acquaintance. I can be ferocious if another man shows my fiancée any attention.”

“I’m meeting my friend Dede to pick out a ring for my false engagement.”

“Well, then I have to come, too. How else would you know what I’d choose for you?”

As they got off the elevator, he put on his straw cowboy hat, hoping it would offer some concealment. He still hadn’t shaved, and his beard was starting to itch, but it did help hide his face.

For what felt like the hundredth time, he wished his face wasn’t plastered all over Phoenix.

* * *

SHE’D SPOTTED HER before the door closed. A woman in Brant’s condo. Brant the player, with beautiful women at his beck and call. No matter how much Marley tried to focus on something else, she couldn’t. An attractive woman had closed Brant’s door, and it wasn’t the maid. Marley had glimpsed chiffon and glitter, dressy for a Saturday morning.

What did she care? As a bachelor, Brant could have a dozen girlfriends. Since his return from Australia, Marley had noticed him with at least two.

Brant stayed right next to her every step of the way to meet Dede. Still unshaven, he wore another chambray shirt, this one with long sleeves rolled up to the elbow. The shirt had its breast pocket ripped off, the stitching visible around the square of unfaded blue. The jeans must have been new, though, since they didn’t have any observable holes. Marley herself was dressed in black pants and a white shirt for comfort on the plane.

Any thought of losing Brant disappeared when they reached the restaurant where she and Dede planned to meet.

“Hi, there,” Dede said to Brant. “I’m Dede Sanchez and you must be Marley’s fiancé.”

Brant stuck out his hand. “That I am. Glad to meet you, Dede. Shall we get some coffee before buying the ring?” He put his hand on Marley’s shoulder, aiming her toward the entrance of the restaurant.

She stopped. “We don’t have the time. Need to get that ring before I catch my plane.”

Brant pointed down the street. “There’s a great pawnshop a block from here with a large selection. I know the owner, and I’m sure he’ll give us a deal.”

Why did he include himself in everything as though they really had a relationship? Annoyed, Marley said, “I’m buying the ring, Brant. This engagement is fake, remember?”

“Precisely, love.” Again with that British accent. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Once inside the store, Brant shook hands with a man who was clearly the owner. “Gee,” the guy said, “I haven’t seen you since two seconds ago when you sailed down the street on that bus.” Amused at his own joke, he turned to Marley and Dede. “Going to introduce us?”

Brant placed an arm around each of them. “Gus, this is Dede and my fiancée, Marley.”

Marley shuddered. How can he do that, tell someone he obviously knows well that we’re engaged?

“We’re looking for rings. Have you got anything suitable?”

“Inexpensive,” Marley interjected.

“Isn’t she wonderful?” Brant removed his arm from Dede but continued to hold Marley. “Won’t let me spend a dime on her.”

“Over here.”

Marley managed to slip from Brant’s grasp as they followed Gus to a display case with jewelry. Brant leaned over and pointed to an elaborate ring. “What about that one?”

“Excellent taste.” Gus reached under the glass, took out the ring and placed it in Brant’s hand.

Brant eyed the tiny tag that dangled from the ring and his eyebrows went up before he reached for Marley’s hand. “Try it on for size, love.”

Marley grabbed the ring and put it on herself. It fit. And it was gorgeous. Something any potential bride would want. White gold, with a large diamond surrounded by several smaller ones. And a price of over five thousand dollars! Marley managed to pull it off and place it on the counter before it scalded her finger. “I want a ring as fake as our engagement.”

With a sigh, Brant turned to Dede. “You talk to her. I can’t deal with this constant change of heart. The engagement’s on—the engagement’s off.” He motioned to Gus. “I’ll let her decide what she wants. You have any new instruments to show me?”

Gus directed another salesclerk over to help Marley while he and Brant headed to where various musical instruments hung on the wall.

In a rush, Marley settled for a similar ring costing less than fifty dollars and was out of the store before Brant had a chance to involve himself again. Left with barely enough time to catch her plane, she shouted a thank-you to Dede and raced home.

Quickly, Marley slipped into sandals that would be easy to take off at airport security. Thank goodness she’d had the foresight to pack the night before.

How was she going to manage transporting everything? She left the guitar and pushed the two pieces of luggage into the hall, planning to return for it once she parked her gear at the front entrance. She was locking her door when Brant stepped off the elevator.

“Let me help you.”

“I can handle it,” she said as he reached for one of her suitcases.

“Darlin’.” He took off his battered cowboy hat and placed it against his chest. “I know you can, but my ancestors would rise from their graves if I permitted my fiancée to do any manual labor.”

While putting his hat back on, he placed his hand over hers, trapping her fingers around the handle. “I’m catching a plane, Brant. Let go of my hand.”

“Just protecting that gorgeous ring I gave you. So, may I help you with your luggage?”

Again Brant interfered with her thought process, jumbling her concentration. She drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. Realizing he wasn’t about to let her alone, she yanked her hand free and said, “Take it.”

He grabbed her two bags and rolled them to the elevator, leaving her with a small carry-on and an extra-large purse. Afraid he might run off with her belongings, she decided to stay glued to him every step of the way.

“Why so much luggage? Dede said you were going for a week. I didn’t have this much when I spent three months in Australia.” Probably because he wore the same rags Marley saw him in every day.

The doors opened and he greeted a man leaving the elevator and finagled the luggage inside. “You got a dead body in here? This weighs a ton. Want me to come to the airport? I could fly out with you to...Where we going?”

Totally frustrated, Marley pressed her hand against her aching forehead. At some point, all the tension had turned into a headache. She said authoritatively, “I am flying—alone—to Pennsylvania.”

Brant leaned against the wall, studying her. “I see pain in those beautiful brown eyes. Headache?”

She nodded but didn’t go into detail.

When the elevator stopped on the fifth floor, he moved to give the woman entering some space. “You’re breaking my heart. You know that, right? How can I exist a whole week by myself?” He smiled at the newcomer and waved offhandedly at Marley. “We’re newly engaged, and she’s taking off without me. After I gave her that gorgeous ring.”

Marley compressed her lips and tried her best to ignore Brant. She would not talk to him. She would not acknowledge his remarks. The elevator stopped at the fourth floor and the woman got out. The doors were closing when he raised his voice and said, “She’ll probably hock it as soon as she gets to Transylvania.”

Marley finally shook her head and turned to stare at him directly. “You’re a real nutcase,” she said before the door opened on the first floor.

“So when are we going on a date? Engaged for twelve hours, and we haven’t even shared chopsticks.” The door started to close, and Brant pushed one of the suitcases forward to stop it. He rolled the other bag into the lobby, pushed both out the front door and down the ramp into the parking area.

“Where are you going with those?” Was he about to make off with her luggage? Marley gripped her purse and carry-on even tighter as she started after him. “I have a taxi coming.”

“I’ll drive you. I’ve got my truck parked right here.”

“Stop.” She grabbed one of his arms, accidentally whacking his chest with her purse. “I mean it, Brant.” She backed away to put some distance between them. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you.”

He leaned against the white truck, hooked one scuffed boot over the other and folded his arms across his chest. “May I have a serious word with you?”

“Are you capable of being serious?”

He stared her down. If she missed her plane...

“What do you want to say?”

“I’m between gigs right now.” He paused. “No work for maybe a couple of weeks.”

Defeated, she let out a sigh. Given the panhandler outfits he wore, he had to be broke. Probably hadn’t had work since they’d first met and wouldn’t get more till that convention, which was still weeks away. She wasn’t about to start lending him money. But...if he was desperate. “How much do you need? I don’t have a lot with me but...”

Brant frowned, lines puckering his forehead. “I don’t need money. Let me finish what I have to say, okay? I have work coming up later this month, and I’d like to get away from my picture posted on every free space in Phoenix while I wait for the assignment.” He looked away. “And I have personal reasons to disappear for a while.”

He put his index finger to his lips when she tried to interject a comment.

After another pause he said, “You need a fiancé, and it could be fun to act the part. My upcoming job is in New York, so if I stop off in Pennsylvania, I’ll be more than halfway there.”

Marley’s heart raced. No way could she ever have him show up in front of all her relatives and embarrass her. She held her breath and hoped the panic she felt wasn’t visible. “My turn?”

He tossed a hand in the air.

“I don’t want to hurt your feelings, Brant.” He straightened slightly. “But you’re not the type of person I want to present to my family as my fiancé.”

He edged away from the truck, and she backed off so he couldn’t get too close. Since last night when they’d become “engaged,” he had begun to take up too much of her space. And that casual touching of his when he got near her played havoc with her sense of well-being.

“As an actor, I can make myself into anything you want. A Texas billionaire?” he twanged. “How about an English count related to the royal family?” he asked, switching to a British inflection.

The accents rankled. Unable to think rationally, she attacked an obvious fact to distract him from the truth: that his very presence had begun to mess with her comfort level.

“You don’t have the wardrobe to carry it off. I doubt either the billionaire or the member of the royal family shops for clothes at the local Goodwill.” When he looked as though he might continue to argue, she said, “My taxi’s here,” and motioned to the yellow cab pulling to the curb nearby.

Brant shook his head, rolled the luggage to the cab and put the bags in the trunk once the cabbie had flipped the lid. When Brant opened the cab door for her, he said, “It’d be fun, and you’d be saving me from a week of boredom.”

“No way, mister.” She got into the cab, grabbed the door handle and shut the door. The last thing she wanted to do was provide him with entertainment.

“I have other clothes,” he shouted as the cab took off.

It was only when Marley was on board her plane for Pittsburgh that she realized she’d forgotten her guitar.

The one thing she could rely on to get her through this pending wedding.

CHAPTER THREE

MARLEY SAT BACK AND WATCHED the young women, relatives and friends, gathered for Lindy’s shower on Sunday. She had intended to remain nonchalant and not mention her engagement. And she managed it, right up until Chloe, the sister closest to Marley in age, noticed her ring.

“You’re engaged!” Chloe grabbed Marley’s hand and nearly pulled her arm out of the socket.

Questions flew at her from her other sisters. “What does he look like?” from Jen. “How long have you known him?” asked Morgan. “When do you plan to get married?” squealed Franny. “How come you never said anything before?” The last from Lindy, who looked very upset. Marley managed to answer questions by showing Brant’s picture on her cell phone. Her well-rehearsed lies seemed to satisfy everyone and eventually, when the spotlight returned to Lindy, Marley thought she could finally relax.

No such luck. Lindy took her hand and examined it. “Your nails are so...so stubby.” She looked up. “People will notice it, Marley, when they look at the ring.”

Marley glanced down at her left hand. Had Brant noticed her fingers when he’d held her hand a few nights ago? “I play the guitar, remember? I can’t have nails touching the strings.” Her hands never matched, the right one having longer nails because she used them as picks.

“Well, you’ll need to do something about them for my wedding. Maybe some fake nails.”

Once Lindy finished with the examination, her focus turned to the ring. “He must be very rich.”

The large cubic zirconia that served as Marley’s engagement ring overshadowed the half karat wrapped in a Tiffany setting on Lindy’s hand. Marley cringed from the comparison and slowly pulled her hand out of her sister’s grasp. If only she could soothe Lindy’s pride and tell her the obnoxious stone had no value compared with her genuine diamond.

Why had she created this bogus engagement? Why? She never meant to hurt Lindy. Marley tried to remain inconspicuous and concentrated on crafting a bouquet of all the ribbons from the gifts for the wedding rehearsal.

With Chloe’s help Marley took the many presents from the bridal shower and placed them in her rental car. Keeping the gifts dry had turned into a nightmare, thanks to the unending rain. It would have been welcomed back in Arizona, but since she had arrived in Pennsylvania the previous day, it had become nonstop depressing.

“Why have you been so secretive?” Chloe asked. She added another group of packages to the collection. “When did he ask you to marry him?” Chloe’s short blond hair had lost its stylishness and now hung limply because of all the rain, whereas Marley’s hair had begun to curl, a problem she always had in high humidity. Marley pulled her sister under the protection of her umbrella.

“It just happened.” Marley really wanted to avoid the subject, fearful she might not be able to keep her false story straight.

“Well, I expect a great deal more explanation.” Chloe dragged Marley into the open garage. “We talk, email, text nearly every day, and Brant’s name never came up.”

Marley crossed her fingers. “I don’t have secrets, honest.” She hoped this would end the discussion.

“Well, I do.” A warm glow brightened Chloe’s features. “I’m pregnant.” She clutched Marley’s arm. “Now, don’t go saying anything. We want to be sure before...” Chloe paused and a shadow crossed her face. Two years ago, into her second month, Chloe had lost her baby. Marley empathized, remembering the struggle her sister had gone through.

“A baby! That’s so exciting.” Marley drew her into a hug. “Does Al know?” A small part of Marley wished she was the one having a child. No chance of that when she’d had to create a fiancé and her biological clock was running out.

“Of course. I don’t show, yet, and Lindy will absolutely kill me if I can’t fit into that form fitting bridesmaid dress.” She paused. “But we haven’t mentioned it to Michelle. She’s been dying for a sister, so once I start to show, we’ll tell her.”

“When’s the baby due?”

“In seven months.” Chloe pressed her lips together. “And I have a favor to ask.”

“Sure, what?”

“Could you watch Michelle?” When Marley hesitated, Chloe added, “Not all the time. Just on those days I have morning sickness. Which has been a freaky misnomer this pregnancy. I spend more time with nausea at night. We end up exhausted, and Michelle tires us out even more during the day.”

“Of course. I’d love to.”

“Wonderful.” Chloe gave Marley a quick kiss on her cheek. “Michelle adores you. I’ll bring her over tomorrow and tell everyone...tell them you want a chance to...I don’t know, see what it’s like to have kids. Since you’re getting married and you want the practice.”

Great. Another lie. Only this one had some truth. She really would love to have children.

* * *

AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS carrying the shower presents through the living room of her family’s house, Marley met her grandfather. “You haven’t even given a decent hello to your poppy. When you plan on doing that?”

Marley smiled. “Soon as I get these gifts upstairs. Want to join me?”

“Can I help?” he asked, following her.

“Thanks, but this is the last of it and this one’s lightweight.”

Once she deposited the package on the stacks collected in the large playroom, she turned to her grandfather and threw open her arms. She welcomed his strong squeeze.

Although his thin white hair gave away his age, he still had the trim shape and posture of a much younger man. She grasped Poppy’s arm. “Come with me to my room.”

When they reached her old bedroom, Poppy glanced around. “Looks like this has turned into a storage area.” He pointed toward a collection of dressers piled on top of each other. Several other pieces of furniture, including her old desk and chair, stood stuffed in a corner. “And I don’t see your grandmother’s favorite rocker.”

“It’s my favorite now. I took that and the antique treasure chest to my place in Phoenix.” She paused. “And you know that because you helped me get them into my car.”

Poppy chuckled. “Sure wish you’d had room for some of this other stuff. But at least you left me some place to sit.” Poppy lowered himself into a wooden rocker, and Marley sat on the patchwork quilt that covered the double bed. He started rocking slowly.

“Honestly, when you and your sisters get together, it turns into a regular hen party, and us old roosters never get to see you.”

“What do you mean? I’ve been here for every wedding, baptism and special birthday.”

“It’s not enough. I’d rather have you close by so you could play the guitar for me.” He lifted a gnarled hand. “Since Mr. Arthur Ritus took over my hands, and you moved away, I gave the guitar to one of the great-grandkids. Don’t know as I’ll ever hear it again.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t bring mine. Too much luggage this time. I’d love to play a few songs for you.” She felt really down, not being able to give him that tiny pleasure. Darn Brant.

Poppy rocked several times, staring past her. “You’re not upset with me, are you?”

Leaning toward him, she asked, “Why would you say that?”

“You wanted to major in music, and I...I should have kept my mouth shut.” He looked away and pressed his lips together.

“Poppy. You didn’t steer me wrong. I asked for your opinion because I knew you’d give me good advice. I love mathematics, and it’s led to several excellent jobs.”

“You still teach math?”

“No longer in the high school. But I work as an adjunct, a part-time teacher, at a local community college in the evening.”

“Pay well?”

Marley chuckled. “No. I make my real money as an accountant. See, another reason math was a good choice. And I never gave up on my music. Play every day and often with some bright young men who live in my building. They’re forming a band.” Marley fluttered her fingers in front of him. “Lindy says I need to do something about my nails. Can you imagine me strumming away with false nails?”

Poppy shook his head and grew thoughtful. “So I hear you’re next in line...” Good, the rumor mill was already working. “...if your mother doesn’t beat you to it.” He chortled. “You going to show me that ring?”

Marley hesitated. If her mother didn’t beat her to it? Was her mother seeing someone? Maybe so. Marley hadn’t seen much of her since she arrived.

Marley kneeled in front of him, lifting her hand so that he could grasp it.

He nodded several times before releasing her hand. As she stood, he said, “Sure hope you found someone stable.”

Marley was momentarily unable to speak. She hated deceiving her grandfather. He had always been forthcoming and honest with her. Finally, she said, “I certainly hope so.”

“What’s he do? Heard he had a horse ranch. Those things cost a pretty penny. Sounds like you’ve found yourself someone with money.” Visions of Brant in his threadbare clothing momentarily clouded her thoughts. But then he did have a unit in her high-rise condo building, and those didn’t come cheap. Hers had cost every last penny of the inheritance from her grandmother.

“He manages.”

“Well, you bring him around here so I can check him out. I can tell if he’s a prowling alley cat.”

* * *

MICHELLE ARRIVED MONDAY before lunch, and after a busy day Marley and Michelle went to bed early. Sleep was a sometime thing with a four-year-old kicking and squirming through the night in Marley’s double bed. A crack-of-dawn riser, Michelle was already up, poking and pulling Marley’s hair to get her attention.

Marley dragged herself to a seated position, barely able to open her eyes. Since Chloe had dropped Michelle off the day before, Marley had spent every hour with the girl, playing games, puzzles, hopscotch and anything else she could think of. Again she cursed herself for forgetting her guitar. If Brant hadn’t distracted her...Marley playing the guitar had always worked at occupying her sisters’ attention.

“Let’s play hide-n-seek,” Michelle said and bounded for the bedroom door.

Didn’t Michelle ever tire? Marley wondered. “Wait. Wait till I’m up,” she told her niece. “Go down and see Granny and get breakfast. We’ll play when you come back.”

When Michelle took off, clunking down the stairs to the kitchen, Marley flopped back on the bed. At least she’d have a few minutes of undisturbed sleep...

She awoke to someone screaming in the hallway.

“I could kill you!” Lindy yelled.

When Marley made it to the hall, she found Lindy staring at Michelle, who was sitting crying on the floor in the spare bedroom. The room Lindy had her wedding dress in. A room that was usually locked.

Lindy turned on her in fury. “Aren’t you supposed to be watching her? She just ruined my wedding dress!” A bright red blotch ran down the back of the gown where the plastic covering had been ripped away. An empty pink child’s cup decorated with princesses lay on the floor.

Marley rushed in and picked up the child.

“I tripped,” the little girl said, burying her tear-streaked face in Marley’s neck. “I’m sorry.” Lindy came into the room, and Michelle tensed in Marley’s arms.

“Sorry doesn’t cut it.” Lindy turned to Marley. “Why is she here, anyway?”

“I’m...” What was the reason? “I wanted to see what it would be like taking care of children...now that I’m getting married.”

“Well, my solution is don’t have any!”

CHAPTER FOUR

THE NEXT TWO DAYS didn’t improve as tempers ran hot, especially the bride’s. At least the woman at the cleaners promised to do her best and return the dress by Saturday morning in time for the wedding.

Marley’s babysitting assignment turned into several days of dealing with Michelle while Chloe suffered through bouts of nausea. And her mother, who usually could be found in the kitchen when she wasn’t serving meals to clients in her catering business, had disappeared. Maybe she was dating someone.

Lindy avoided her and Michelle, and everyone else managed to disappear into their own activities. On Wednesday morning, Michelle again woke Marley by pulling her hair.

“We have to get ready.”

Marley opened one eye. “Why?”

“We’re going to Kenny.”

Instantly, Marley felt revived. Kennywood Park. Her sisters and their children had planned a day trip to the park, including Chloe, provided she was up to it. As much as Marley adored her niece and enjoyed the park, she wouldn’t have to go. And that meant she’d be free! After several days of watching the munchkin, she’d have some time to herself, even if it only meant catching up on her sleep.

Marley pawed through the girl’s clothes that she’d washed the night before. “Shorts?” Marley held up the red ones and saw a frown settle immediately on her niece’s face. “Great! I’ll put on my red shorts, and we’ll be twins.” Magically, Michelle’s expression brightened. Marley packed all the girl’s cleaned clothes into her Dora suitcase.

Was it only Wednesday? Four more days, not counting today, to go before she could take off for home. Home. She missed Phoenix and its low humidity. Marley forced a comb through her hair, endless curls that had assumed a life of their own. Her constant companion started to laugh and pointed at the uncontrollable bush on top of her aunt’s head.

“You look funny.” After some tickles, the giddy girl dropped the subject.

The rain had subsided for the present, and the dreaded daytime heat hadn’t started yet. Marley dressed in red shorts, a sleeveless T-shirt and her sandals, grabbed Michelle’s hand and headed for the kitchen staircase. They passed the assortment of gifts stacked in the playroom on the second floor while Michelle pulled her pink suitcase with Dora emblazoned on the side.

Buster, the family’s old mixed-breed dog, bounded over, and Marley leaned down to pet him, roughing his neck and ears the way he liked. Michelle went to her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck. “He’s glad to see me.” After the watchdog wagged his tail and pulled out of the embrace, he rambled toward the stairs that led to the living room, where he usually stayed.

Michelle started after the dog, and Marley had to rush to reach her. “Come with me. We’ll get some breakfast.” She pulled the girl in the opposite direction and headed toward the stairs that led to the kitchen. Having two staircases had provided easy access and escape for her and her sisters but had often proved a bane to their parents and grandparents.

Michelle pulled back. “I don’t want to. I want to go to Kenny.”

“Your mother will take you later.” Marley sighed. This experience with her niece had been a wonderful revelation. Children were tolerable in small doses.

As they passed Lindy’s room, Marley had another idea. Should she risk waking her? Had Lindy finally forgiven her for the stained dress? Hesitantly, Marley knocked on the door. “Lindy, you decent?” They’d had little time to talk since her arrival thanks to the spilled juice.

“Marley? Sure, come in.”

Lindy sat in the middle of the bed, dressed in summer pajamas, rubbing sleep out of her eyes as Marley entered the room. Lavender violets covered the white walls as well as the curtains, bedspread and canopy bed. A menagerie of stuffed animals lay strewn around the purple rug and topped every available surface. Marley pushed several aside to sit on the edge of her sister’s bed, while Michelle warily glanced at her aunt. When Lindy didn’t appear ready to scold her, Michelle dived into a group of bears on the floor and began to play.

Although twenty-one, Lindy still looked like a child hardly old enough to take on married life. Her long blond hair was swept over her shoulder in loose abandon. Marley had always considered Lindy—the baby of the family—a little spoiled. But then hadn’t she contributed, always giving in to any demands made by her sister or the family.

After making a face at Michelle, Lindy leaned across the bed to greet her niece. “Hi, Shelley.”

“My name’s Michelle.”

“Oh.” Lindy straightened, suppressing her amusement. At least she wasn’t scolding any more. She turned to Marley. “You’re sure an early riser, all dressed and everything. Did the past few days make you decide to have kids?”

“This one has been way more active than any of you were.”

“As I recall, you always calmed us down with your guitar. Why didn’t you bring it this time?”

My fake fiancé made me forget it! “Too much luggage.” As the firstborn, Marley had received lessons in guitar and dance, an opportunity that dried up as more and more daughters joined the family. Lindy patted the mattress close to her. Marley moved over and was immediately entrapped in Lindy’s arms.

“Oh, I’m so excited for you,” Lindy said as she squeezed.

“Me? Why me?” Marley asked, returning the hug. She avoided entangling herself in the long blond hair. Memories flooded back of trying to brush out her sister’s snarls and listening to her scream. During their early years, they had been devoted to each other.

“Your engagement, silly.” Lindy pushed away, flipped her hair behind one ear and focused those blue eyes on her. “If only we could have made it a double wedding. When am I going to meet this Brant? He’s coming to my wedding, isn’t he? The best man can’t get leave from the army. I know it’s last-minute, and we’re devastated, but I was hoping maybe Brant could fill in.”

Marley choked on her own saliva and started to cough so hard, Lindy gave her a couple of whacks on the back until she was able to catch her breath again.

Michelle walked over carrying a large gray rabbit and attempted to climb onto the bed between her aunts. Marley quickly picked her up and placed her on her lap, relieved by the distraction. Lindy pulled the little girl away and handed her another stuffed toy before setting her back on the floor. “Your aunt Marley and I want to talk.” She turned to Marley. “So tell all. I want every detail. Can you get him here for the wedding?”

Marley smiled in an effort to match her sister’s gush of joy over Marley’s engagement, which every member of their family had duplicated. The struggle at false effervescence strained her cheeks, and she fought to remember what she’d spent hours rehearsing on the five-hour plane trip. The double wedding bit was something she hadn’t anticipated.

Marley cleared her throat. “Unfortunately, Brant has to work.” She tried to swallow without choking this time. “He really felt bad about not being able to attend.” Another lie. She’d nearly had to hog-tie him to keep him from joining her.

She had fabricated him to suit her family: a businessman and mechanic for Marley’s pragmatic grandfather; a traditionalist and financier for her conservative mother; an outdoorsman and athlete for her active brothers-in-law; and a cowboy for her romantic sisters. Only the cowboy part bore any semblance to the truth. That acting career? She’d never speak of it. Not to mention that Brant’s scruffy beard and worn-out cowboy attire would have sent her mother into a fit.

Lindy reached for Marley’s hand. “Where’s your ring?” Marley had placed it in her pocket, not feeling it necessary to always wear it, especially when she washed her hands or worked in the kitchen making meals.

Lindy watched as Marley slipped her ring back on. “Where did you meet him? At his ranch?”

“He...” Marley hesitated, not willing to continue the deception. Clearing her throat, she replied, “Enough of that. I’m here for your wedding, not mine. Give me the rundown on the future Mrs. Dennis Kellner.” Marley had met Dennis when she’d first arrived. She’d helped all her brothers-in-law before their weddings and, at Lindy’s insistence, taught Dennis some fundamentals in dance. Marley liked him, a nice man who obviously loved her sister.

Marley forced herself to relax as Lindy accepted the spotlight and elaborated on the details of the big event only a few days away. Most of the rest of the conversation blurred as Lindy made glowing statements about Dennis, the love of her life.

“Oh, and you’ll get to meet Denny’s older brother.” Lindy’s shoulders dropped, and she looked a forlorn heap in the middle of the bed. “I had planned to pair you off with him, but now that you’re engaged...”

In an attempt to avoid discussing her engagement again, Marley asked, “So what’s Denny’s brother like?”

Lindy leaned closer. “Looks to die for,” she said in a conspiratorial whisper. “He told Den he’d steal me away from him if I wasn’t a blonde.”

“Sounds like you’ve got a crush.”

“On him? No way. He’s too old. Besides he likes redheads. When Denny mentioned that you were a redhead, Rick sounded interested. Maybe you know him. He went to your college.”

“PITT?” Marley asked, referring to the University of Pittsburgh. “Sorry. It’s a pretty large campus, and I don’t remember any Rick Kellner.”

“His name’s not Kellner. His mother remarried after divorcing Rick’s father. His last name is Brewster and most people call him Richard, but I know him as Rick.”

“Richard Brewster,” Marley said, drawing the name out. It couldn’t be. Not her Richard.

Marley held her breath, waiting to hear more about Richard. Maybe getting engaged to Brant hadn’t been such a good idea after all. It would create a few obstacles if flames from her earlier romance with Richard fanned to life. Then again...their romance had been brief. Both had drifted away, and she hadn’t seen or heard from him since his college graduation.

Marley drew her fingers through her hair, only to get the ring caught in the curls, something her hairdresser back in Phoenix had managed to control. Walking over to the mirror, she concentrated on freeing her finger, wanting with all her might to find out more about Richard.

A knock on the door startled her.

“Time to get up, sleepyhead. Lots to do before the big day,” a man shouted through the closed door.

Michelle bolted for Marley and hid her face in her aunt’s lap.

Marley stiffened, then turned to face the door, enclosing her niece in a tight hug. Was that their father’s voice? Why was he here?

“Yeah, Daddy. See you later,” Lindy called.

Slowly turning around, Marley stared openmouthed at Lindy.

“Don’t be mad. He’s giving me away.” Lindy knelt in the middle of her bed, clutching a large panda bear. She added in a whisper, “Please don’t make a scene, Marley.”

“He’s back?”

Lindy nodded. “He moved his things in with Poppy last night, and I really want him to give me away instead of Poppy.”

Michelle glanced up at her aunt. Had the little girl picked up on Marley’s tension? Her niece’s face began to twitch.

Marley picked her up and cradled her in her arms. “It’s okay, honey.” She brushed kisses along the girl’s forehead to calm her down. A few moments later, Marley placed her on the floor and said, “See if you can find the baby kangaroo for me.” Distracted, Michelle went searching through the menagerie.

“Is he just here for your wedding?” Marley kept her voice cool for Michelle’s benefit and hoped the disapproval boiling inside her wouldn’t erupt.

Lindy jumped off the bed and deposited her bear on the crowded dresser. “I hope not. He and Mom have been talking, and who knows? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if after all these years Mom and Dad discover they’re still in love?”

Marley swallowed the bile rising in her throat. Was that what Poppy had meant when he said her mother might beat her to the altar? Were her parents getting back together?

She’d seen her father only occasionally since her parents’ divorce. When he’d returned the first time, she’d been in college. To her relief, he had left without getting involved in her life. As the eldest, she’d witnessed all the torment during her parents’ breakup. And she couldn’t conceive how they could ever get back together.

Marley picked up Michelle and her suitcase and backed out of the room. “I’ve got to get this one off to Kennywood Park. I’ll talk to you later.”

How could Mom put up with the man? Marley thought as she headed toward the front staircase. The trauma from his return and departure a dozen years ago had left her mother inconsolable, yet she continued to love Red and want him back? Marley hadn’t been able to stay and watch back then any more than she wanted to be around now.

Upon graduation from PITT, she had moved to Phoenix and accepted a position teaching math in a high school, even though the same opportunities were available in Pennsylvania. And then she began building her fences.

She would never love a man to the extent her mother loved her father.

No man would ever be allowed to hurt her that way.

CHAPTER FIVE

BRANT ARRIVED HOME after several days at the ranch visiting with his sisters and their families. His father, who had asked to speak with him, had taken off with Brant’s mother, so Brant never did have the opportunity. Now he was back in the Phoenix heat, dodging people who recognized him. Several actually asked for his autograph. He didn’t look forward to hiding in his condo until his gig in New York.

His answering machine had several messages, and, for a moment, Brant hoped one might be from Marley. Wishful thinking. She wouldn’t know his number. Plus their last meeting pretty much put the kibosh on anything neighborly between them. Tough, because she intrigued him, and he’d really like to know her better.

Three messages were from Gus, and he sounded stressed. Maybe he’d found another musical instrument Brant could add to his collection. Brant picked up his home phone and dialed Gus’s store.

“What is it, Gus? Another instrument? I liked that mandolin you showed me the last time, but I still feel it’s a little pricey.”

“No. This is something different. Could you come down to my shop?”

Brant checked his watch. It was nearly nine, and Gus rarely kept his store open this late. “Can’t it wait until tomorrow?”

“No. It’s important you see this tonight.”

“Okay. It’ll take me a few minutes.” Might as well see what he wants, Brant thought as he locked his door and headed for the elevator. In the few years he’d known Gus, the man had sold him several beautiful instruments, including a banjo and guitar. Gus opened the door when Brant arrived and led him to the back. A policeman stood at the counter where Marley had purchased her ring.

“There’s a problem,” Gus said, not making eye contact with Brant. “When your fiancée paid for that ring?”

Brant chuckled. “She’s not my real fiancée.”

“Let him finish,” the officer interjected.

Brant turned to him, aware that the usual relaxed atmosphere in the shop had disappeared. He looked back at Gus. “What about my fiancée’s ring?”

“She paid for this one.” Gus held out one that looked exactly like the ring Brant had pointed out to Marley. “It costs less than fifty dollars. She walked out with the one for five thousand.”

“How...?”

“I don’t know.” Gus held up a hand and glanced at the officer. “I’m not saying she stole it.” He swallowed. “But if you could pay for the ring, there won’t be any...problems.” He cleared his throat.

“And if I return it?”

“I’ll take it back. No questions asked.”

Brant stood there for several moments, his hands braced on the glass counter. Wow. Five thousand dollars. An okay price to pay for a real fiancée, but not for a possible thief. What did he know about Marley? For that matter, what did he know about Gus?

Swiftly coming to a decision, Brant pushed away from the counter, reached for his wallet and handed Gus his credit card. “Put it on this.” Gus had never cheated him in the past, and Marley owing Brant wouldn’t hurt one bit. She played a guitar better than most professional musicians he knew. If she wouldn’t return the ring, she could teach him a few things about playing the guitar—a good five thousand dollars’ worth of lessons.

But he had no intention of waiting until his “fiancée” returned to Phoenix to acquire that ring.

By the time he reached his condo, Brant had a plan. He’d follow Marley and trade the expensive ring for the one she actually bought. Besides, he wanted to get out of the city, and, as he’d told her, Pennsylvania was a lot closer to his New York gig. Well, it might be a plan if he knew where she had gone. Pennsylvania was a large state, and there had to be hundreds of people with the last name Roman. Still, there couldn’t be that many Romans marrying in Pennsylvania this coming weekend. He turned on his computer and began searching social media.

* * *

MICHELLE WAS NEARLY finished with her pancakes when her mother came into the local restaurant and gave her a quick kiss. “How was it?” Chloe joined them in the booth next to her daughter. Dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, she in no way looked pregnant. “You ready to have a dozen kids?”

“Only if I can drop them off on someone else occasionally.”

Chloe reached over and gripped Marley’s hands. “Thank you, a thousand times over.” She leaned back and sighed. “I feel good today, and, hopefully, I’ll make it through to the wedding.”

“He’s at the house.”

Chloe turned, her forehead puckered. “Who?” Then in delight she blurted, “Brant!”

Startled, Marley immediately shook her head. “No. Red. Our father.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Chloe glanced at her daughter. “Oh?” She leaned over and wiped some syrup off her daughter’s chin.

“He’s giving Lindy away. Did you know about this?”

Chloe studied her hands and swallowed. “Yes.” She looked up. “We all did.”

“I don’t believe this.” Marley shifted in her seat and glanced at her niece. Instead of having the screaming fit she felt entitled to, she controlled herself so as not to disturb the little girl with her outburst.

“When was anyone going to tell me?” Marley stood, choking back tears. She bent over and kissed her niece on top of her head. “You have fun, sweetheart. I’ll see you...” She turned to Chloe. “When will I see her? You dropping her off when you get back?”

“No. She’ll stay with us.”

Marley went for the door, ignoring all the pleading calls behind her.

* * *

MARLEY FUMED. How could she avoid her father during her stay? Why hadn’t anyone told her he’d be there? That question she could answer herself. Because you’d never have come. Well, the family was right on that score. She drove to the house and parked in the driveway. Easy access in case she wanted a quick escape.

Poppy sat in the living room with a newspaper when she entered. “Hi, Poppy. May I speak to you a moment? In my room?” She headed for the stairs after he nodded.

Marley took a seat on the bed and waited for him to take the rocking chair. “You heard?” he asked as he took the seat.

“Are you okay with this?”

Poppy sighed. “If there’s one thing my old age has taught me—you can’t force people to do what you think is right for them. You’re parents are grown and maybe they might even have developed a little maturity over the years.”

He looked past Marley and his expression neutralized. Poppy got out of the chair and started for the door, acknowledging the man standing there. “Hello, Red. I guess you and Marley may have some catching up to do. Well, see you around,” he said over his shoulder as he stepped through the doorway.

Basil Roman hesitated in the door frame. “Heard you had returned from Phoenix.”

For a split second, Marley could only stare. “Dad?”

“Have I changed that much?” he asked, moving into the room.

The puffy quality in his jowls and his additional girth hardly resembled the athletic man she remembered. “Red,” as family and friends called him, had provided the genes that gave her hair its distinctive color and curl. What little he had left no longer resembled its former brilliance. She wouldn’t have recognized him if she’d met him on the street.

When she didn’t answer, he said, “Lindy asked me to give her away.”

Marley cleared her throat. She moved over to the rocker and stood behind it, not only distancing herself but also providing a barrier between her father and herself. “She mentioned you were coming to the wedding.”

“I’m staying here with your grandfather until the wedding.” When Marley didn’t respond, he added, “He invited me.”

Marley couldn’t handle it. Not when painful memories impaired her ability to see straight. She gripped the back of the rocking chair so hard her knuckles turned white. Why Lindy? Marley’s thoughts screamed. Why had he chosen to give Lindy away, when he’d never bothered to even attend any of his other daughters’ weddings? Lindy was the youngest, the one he’d abandoned soon after her birth along with the rest of his family.

He must have honed in on her thoughts because he said, “I was hoping to give you away, as well. Sort of make up for lost time.”

Coldness slithered down her spine. No way would she ever allow that to happen. “Thanks for offering, but I don’t plan on marrying for quite a while.”

“No? I thought your mother said you’d just gotten engaged.”

Of all the stupid... Marley twirled the ring around her finger with her thumb. How had she forgotten that minor detail? “Right. I...I...” She looked down at her hand. The fake diamonds caught the sunlight and tossed rainbows around the room. Placing her hand in her pocket, she tried to think of something to say that wouldn’t jeopardize her engagement and still keep her father out of any future wedding. “We haven’t set a date.”

“I look forward to meeting your young man.” He nodded and walked toward the hall, only to retrace his steps. “I know you took all the problems between your mother and me hard. We pushed a lot of responsibility on you because you were the oldest, and I’m sorry for that. I hope you can forgive me and let me make it up to you.”

Like that’s ever going to happen. She remained silent until he left. Marley tried shaking off the unwanted thoughts. More than half her life had been spent despising her father for destroying their family and hurting her mother.

She paced her room, feeling drained emotionally by having to participate in yet another wedding. Just once she’d like to see a wedding from the front pew and not have to deal with all the backstage drama. Then to top everything, her father had to show up asking for her forgiveness? She couldn’t face it. Not now. Maybe never.

She took out her cell phone. A little after nine o’clock. The three hour difference from Arizona switching to Pacific Time when everyone else went on Daylight Saving Time meant Dede might still be at home before heading for work. “¡Hola!” Marley said. “I really need to talk.”

“You sound horrible. Didn’t the engagement thing go okay?”

“Yes and no.” Marley paused, hoping to control her voice. “Everyone’s happy about that, but my father’s here!” She ended on a high note, unable to contain her frustration.

“What?”

“He’s staying with Poppy and giving Lindy away.” Dede knew all the details of Marley’s past; she’d understand her friend’s dilemma.

After a short pause, Dede chuckled. “So the soap opera goes on.”

“It’s not funny.”

“Right. But there’s nothing you can do about it, so chill out.” After another pause, she continued, her voice lilting. “I saw your betrothed.” When Marley didn’t offer any remark, Dede added, “He asked about you. Sounded very concerned. Wanted to get in touch.”

Marley collapsed onto the rocker and began to rock. “Right. The guy’s an actor, remember? Did he give you his ‘I adore you—let’s make love’ smile?”

“No.” Dede giggled. “He must save that one for you, although it comes close on that poster you see everywhere. He’s having a hard time dodging all the people who recognize him.” After another short hesitation, she said, “He hopes to connect with you, maybe go out on a date. He wasn’t specific, but he asked for your cell phone number.”

Marley stopped rocking. “You didn’t give it to him, did you?”

Dede sighed. “No. I don’t do that without people’s permission.”

“Thank you.”

“What do you plan to do? Move to avoid him?”

Marley loved her condo, but... “If I have to.”

“Forget your ditsy rules. This guy could be the one. Give him a chance.”

Remembering how much Brant’s nearness had upset her, Marley shuddered and said, “No way.” Totally flustered, she stood up, headed for her bed and flopped onto it. “Getting engaged was a mistake. The groom’s brother is in the wedding, and he’s Richard Brewster, my old flame from college. If I wasn’t in this fake engagement, I might be able to start something with him.”

“Oh, so there is some man around who intrigues you? I was beginning to worry.”

Even though she hadn’t heard from or seen Richard in years, he still brought back fond memories. “You got me into this mess with Brant. Now how do I get out of it?”

After a long pause, Dede said, “I have the solution.”

“I’m listening.”

“Tell everyone you broke off your engagement with Brant. That frees you to start something with this new guy. Then you move back to Pennsylvania so you’ll never have to deal with Brant again. Problem solved. And I’ve got to run.”

Agape, Marley just lay there. The call hadn’t helped one bit. She had to come up with a solution, but telling everyone she’d just broken her engagement? No. That would require fabricating a whole new set of lies.

CHAPTER SIX

FOUR MORE DAYS, not counting today, and she’d be back in Phoenix. How would she avoid Brant once she returned? Did she want to avoid him? What should she do once she met with Richard? Annoyed, Marley tossed her phone into her purse and glanced out the window. Her father was getting into a car, heading out. Good. She wanted to talk with her mother and see how she felt about Red’s return.

Marley found her mother standing at the kitchen counter, wearing a skirt and blouse covered by the ubiquitous flowered apron.

“Morning, Mom.” Marley considered mentioning her father’s presence and decided to wait until her mother brought up the subject.

Nora Roman turned with a warm smile. “You’re here? I thought you’d take off with your sisters and their families to Kennywood Park. The weatherman promised a few sunrays.”

“No. Michelle’s back with Chloe and they plan to go. I’m way too tired. The tyke exhausted me.” How had her mother managed to take care of five girls, for the most part all by herself once Marley left for college?

“Aunt Effie will be arriving soon. Do something with your hair, dear. You know how she always hated that kinky look.” Aunt Effie was ten years older than Nora’s fifty-five years and the matriarch of Nora’s side of the family. Aunt Effie rarely had a problem with anything, yet whenever her mother didn’t approve of something, Aunt Effie suddenly became very opinionated.

Kinky? Marley automatically touched the springy curls. It had taken a long time to get her stubborn tresses to grow, and she liked how her hairdresser had managed to control the curl.

“Your hair looks like you put your finger in a light socket.”

For the hundredth time since she arrived, Marley felt trapped in a time warp. The years of living alone as an adult in Phoenix, plus those spent in college, were whisked away the moment she returned home. “I’ll tame it into a tight French twist by the time Aunt Effie gets here.” But it wasn’t kinky, never had been. It was merely curlier than usual, thanks to the high humidity. And a real pain in the neck to control.

“You know how critical Aunt Effie can be. I want everything perfect for...for everyone.”

Marley picked up a box of cereal, took out a handful of small cubes and began eating them dry. “Where’s she staying?”

“Here, of course. Use a bowl.”

“Here where?” Marley reached into the box again and took out another handful. The three bedrooms upstairs were full. So was her grandfather’s with Red staying there.

“I thought she could use your room, and you can stay with me.”

“Why not have her stay with you?” Marley really needed her sleep after dealing with the squirming Michelle. If her mother planned to discuss her present situation with Red, Marley knew sleep would be impossible. Her mother would want to talk all night.

“She snores, and I’d never get any sleep.” Nora looked pointedly at the box of cereal and pushed a clean bowl in Marley’s direction. “Can’t you use this? I thought I raised you to have some manners.”

“The cereal’s all gone.” Marley placed the last handful in her mouth. “Empty.” She turned the box upside down over the trash to show only a few crumbs remained before depositing it.

“Can I help with anything?”

“Thanks for asking, but everything’s under control. Actually, there’s little to do since your sisters refused to let me handle the wedding.” Nora eyed her daughter accusingly, knowing full well that Marley had instigated the rebellion.

Convincing her mother to relax and enjoy the festivities this time around, instead of wearing herself out with the catering, had been a fight. But Nora not doing the work also meant her sisters, who helped Nora in her catering business, would be able to enjoy the wedding, as well. Marley had been so concerned about her sisters. Why had they backstabbed her and not told her...? Oh, stop this. Just get through it.

“You work too hard. You need to enjoy a wedding, for a change.”

“Since it won’t be the last, I hope you’ll let me cater yours.” Nora gave her daughter a hopeful smile, and Marley inwardly cringed. No way, she thought. No way.

“There is something you can do.”

Marley wavered. If it had anything to do with her father...

“You’re the organized one in the family. Could you help Lindy with the thank-you cards? She’ll never get to them without help.” When Marley nodded, Nora continued, “She sure got a lot of presents.... You can expect the same.”

Not wanting to discuss her own wedding plans again, Marley left. She’d have to pack her things and take them to her mother’s section of the house. As children they had referred to the two additions as “mouse ears.” The additions stood on either side of the main building, one for Poppy and Nana when she was alive, the other for Nora and Red until the divorce.

When Marley went upstairs, she found Lindy on the floor of the playroom, sitting among all her gifts. “Mom said you haven’t written any of your thank-you cards.”

“I thought I’d do it after my honeymoon.”

“Why not get it over with now? I’ll help.”

Lindy rose and shook her head. “Nah. It can wait. Come on back to my room so we can talk.”

“Okay, but I need to get my things out of my room before Aunt Effie arrives. She’ll be using it.”

“Where are you staying?”

“Mom asked me to stay with her.” Marley followed her sister into her room.

“That’s no fun. Why don’t you sleep with me?”

Marley took in the bed surrounded by a few hundred beady glass eyes and shook her head. “Mom probably wants to talk.” She grimaced. Her mother would probably want to talk about Red. Maybe she should reconsider Lindy’s offer.

“I’m so glad you’re getting married,” Lindy said while climbing onto her bed. She turned around. “I didn’t want you to end up alone like Aunt Effie.”

Marley picked up a giant teddy bear off the only chair in the room, intending to toss it at Lindy. Instead, she plopped down on the seat, holding the bear to her chest in a death grip. For several seconds she hid her face against the back of the bear’s soft neck. Well, what had she expected? Hadn’t the family breathed an audible sigh of relief when she’d told them about the engagement?

Once she felt composed enough to show her face again, Marley peeked out from behind the bear’s head. “I better get going before Aunt Effie gets here.”

“No, no. Wait! Silly me!” Lindy shouted, bounding off the bed and reaching for her purse. “I got them right here. Ta-da.” She lifted a bunch of keys and jingled them in front of the bear. “They belong to Rick. You can use his place. He won’t be home till Friday, another two days.”

Marley hesitated. A night at Richard’s place sounded too intimate. “Why on earth do you have his keys?”

“I feed his cat when he’s away. You can do it so I won’t have to.” She handed the keys to Marley. “At least you’ll get one good night’s sleep while you’re here.”

“Are you sure he won’t mind?”

“Who will tell him?” Lindy grabbed Marley’s shoulder and pushed her toward the door. “Use his guest room. That’s the one I always use when I want to get away from the family. It’s on the right when you enter the townhouse.” Marley hesitated. “Just change the sheets and leave the room like you found it.”

Still undecided, Marley asked, “What’s the cat’s name?”

“The Baroness. But she answers to ‘Kitty, Kitty.’ Now go. I’ll explain to Mom.”

* * *

WITH RICHARD’S ADDRESS punched into her cell phone’s GPS, Marley drove to his townhouse in her rented Toyota. Rain had started, again. Normally, Marley loved the sound of rain in Phoenix because it was infrequent and so welcome. But the intermittent downpours since her arrival in Pennsylvania had become annoying. She hoped the rain would end before the wedding.

What would it be like to see Richard again? Had he changed much? Did he still have that golden hair, those eyes that melted any resistance? Did every woman he came in contact with still swoon and long to be in his arms?

Their short romance had occurred while he was a senior at PITT and she a junior. Because he’d been popular with the women, Marley had felt special when he singled her out. Just as things between them had begun to heat up, her father had reappeared unexpectedly in her mother’s life. Nora accepted the situation, but Marley refused to.

No way would she be like her mother, chattel, used by a man who tossed her aside when something better arrived. That promise to herself ruled Marley’s life. All her relationships had turned into slow fizzles the moment she detected any resemblance between the man and her father. At the time, she’d seen all the signs in Richard.

She parked across from Richard’s townhouse in a guest parking space and dragged her one suitcase up the front steps. The Baroness, a solid gray short hair with a white bib, greeted her at the door and rubbed against Marley’s ankles. After cleaning the cat’s box and providing fresh water and food, Marley ran a bath for herself. The Baroness followed every step, demanding constant attention, which Marley gladly provided.

Marley picked up a crocheted ball, one of the many cat toys scattered on the floor, and tossed it. “Here, chase this.” The Baroness ran after it, and Marley could close the door and slip into the tub. However, the cat scratched at the door, determined to get back in the room.

When bubbles trapped around the cubic zirconia made a radiant rainbow of color, she thought of Brant. What made that man tick? He liked being engaged to her way too much. She hoped it wouldn’t create more problems for her when she returned to Phoenix.

Marley slipped off the ring, wiped it dry and dropped it into her shoe. Once back in her T-shirt that served as a nightgown, she bustled about with a need to straighten the bathroom and destroy any evidence of her presence. Spotting underwear in the corner, Marley retrieved them, only to realize they weren’t hers.

She dropped them into a hamper. The discovery of something so personal made her feel uncomfortable. What did she really know about Richard or his lifestyle? He could be having a steady relationship with someone. What a depressing thought. How could she resolve her muddled feelings for him if he already had commitments?

Determined to get some rest, Marley closed the guest room door on the Baroness. She had no intention of sleeping with the cat, especially one whose purr had to equal Aunt Effie’s snoring.

Oh, what quiet, what solitude. Climbing between the sheets, she relished the cool, smooth texture. Finally, a peaceful sleep.

* * *

THE BED UNDULATED, bringing Marley from a dreamless rest to semi-consciousness. When something hit her head, she woke completely. Ominous epithets from a masculine voice brought her back to her surroundings.

I’m going to be murdered! Marley thought as the overhead light turned on. She pulled the sheet over her face and prepared for death.

“What are you doing here?” a man shouted. “Sheba, get out!”

Marley dropped the sheet to her nose. As her eyes adjusted to the light, she took in more and more of broad shoulders and flat waist. She gulped. Richard Brewster. His long pajama bottoms were covered with Pittsburgh Steelers logos.

“Richard! What are you doing here?” She sat up, keeping the sheet protectively under her chin. His expression turned from questioning to incredulous.

“Marley?” he asked. “Marley Roman?”

“Yes,” she said, wishing she was facing a serial killer instead. Anything was preferable to having Richard discover her in his home. She gulped again and stared back as he breathed deeply, dropped his arm and relaxed his shoulders. “Who...” She faltered. “Who did you think I was?”

Oh, the years had added more muscular weight, and his hair had a trimmer cut. Laughing, teasing, virile. The same old Richard, she thought as she clamped her teeth into her lower lip.

“Sheba.” The single word came out in a whisper. Obviously not one of his favorite playmates. The Baroness jumped on the bed and came over to be petted. A welcome distraction.

He still appeared stunned, so she asked, “Who’s she? Some exotic belly dancer?”

“No.” He stared right into her eyes. “My mother’s poodle.”

Marley’s stomach knotted at his easy admission. He didn’t even have the grace to look disconcerted. She bristled. “A dog? You thought I was a dog?”

“Yeah. It’s your hair.” He flipped his fingertips through his own blond waves. Another reference to her hair. One more time and she’d shave it all off. “I thought my mother left her dog here.” His voice got softer as he continued to stare at her. “She sometimes brings her when she takes care of my cat.”

“Really?” Adrenaline poured into her from her aborted fear. “Lindy said she was taking care of the Baroness.”

Richard collapsed against the wall, rubbed his head and closed his eyes. “Right, I forgot. When the Baroness was scratching at the closed door, I came over to see why.”

“The dog and cat get along?”

He nodded, straightening, his eyes still on her. “So why are you here? I hoped we’d have a chance to get together. I just never figured you’d take the initiative.”

“Hey, wait a minute.” Marley jolted upright. If he thought she’d planned this... “You’ve got the wrong idea here. I didn’t expect you home.” She paused. “I needed a place to stay, and Lindy gave me the key.” Had Lindy planned this so that Richard would discover her this way?

Richard rubbed his head again. “I should have told her I changed my plans.” He faced Marley. “I’m in charge of Denny’s bachelor party tomorrow night...tonight, actually...I think. Tonight’s Thursday, isn’t it?”

Marley reached for the clothes she’d placed at the end of the bed. “I should go.”

“No. Stay. The room’s available. Not exactly how I planned our first meeting but...”

“You had something planned?”

Richard chuckled. “Not really. Just figured us meeting again would be a surprise. Figured you probably weren’t aware of your sister marrying my brother. I know it certainly shocked me.”

The humor in Richard’s voice helped ease her tension. “Say, I’m wide-awake now. Want to talk?” He started out, but at the door he turned. “I’ll meet you in the living room.”

After dressing in her shorts and another blouse, Marley settled on the brown leather couch, her legs curled under her. Richard had added a white T-shirt. After flopping onto a leather recliner, he sent the bottom out to support his legs.

“Not much has changed with you, has it?” Marley said.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“That woman’s stuff in the bathroom, the discarded lace underwear. I remember you were quite the ladies’ man in college.”

“What should I have done after you brushed me off?” He pushed the handle on the side of his chair and his legs came down. He leaned toward her. “Why did you? I thought we had something good going.”

Marley sighed. “I don’t know. Immaturity, I guess.”

“I was immature?” He looked about ready to jump out of his chair.

With another sigh, Marley fluttered her hands to indicate he should stay seated. “Don’t get your hackles up. I was the immature one. You were this real popular guy, and I didn’t know how to handle you.”

Richard leaned back in his chair. “That’s great. I had to be handled in some special way.”

Marley bit her lower lip. “I’m not saying any of this right. Back then, I was having issues with my father returning.”

“I remember.”

“And I thought you might be like him.”

His voice nearly exploded. “You thought I was like that womanizing cheat you complained about all the time?” He gripped the chair arm, getting control of himself before adding, “I wouldn’t do that to you. It wasn’t until you ended it that I even looked at another woman.”

“I was young and naive.” Marley averted her gaze. “It wasn’t my grandest hour.” Oh, if only she could relive those days with some maturity. “The issues I faced got in the way, and I confused them with you. I didn’t want to go through what my mother did. What she’s going through now,” she added in an aside.

Richard glanced at her, then looked away. “He’s back?”

“Yes. Lindy wanted him to give her away. This is the first time he’s been at any of the weddings, and he’s staying in the house.”

After a long pause, Richard asked, “You have any extra room in your luggage?”

Perplexed, Marley nodded.

“Then you might want to pack the other things you mentioned. They belong to Lindy. She stayed here a few times when I was gone while taking care of the Baroness.” As if prompted by the sound of her name, the cat jumped onto Richard’s lap.

“Did your brother stay here with Lindy?”

“I wouldn’t know. I haven’t been invited to watch the videos.”

“Oh, you!” Marley tossed one of the cat’s toys at Richard, but he managed to catch it in midair and gave it to the Baroness.

After a long pause, Marley asked, “So how many times have you made it to the altar?”

“Once. No kids, and it ended several years ago. What about you?”

About to say never, Marley sat up with a start. With nervous energy, she tucked her hands between the cushions and found an earring and some change but not the ring. Where had she put it? After a quick search around the couch, Marley headed for the bedroom.

Brant sat forward. “What are you doing?”

When she didn’t answer, he followed her.

“I lost it.”

“Lost what?”

“My ring. I took it off and put it in my shoe while I was taking a bath.” She paused before sputtering, “My open-toed, you-can’t-put-a-ring-in-it shoe!” On her hands and knees, Marley crawled across the plush rug, sweeping her hand around.

“This it?”

Marley turned to find Richard standing above her with the ring. She accepted his offered hand and got to her feet. “Yes. Where was it?”

“By the tub.” He dropped it into her hand and returned to the living room.

She slipped it on the proper finger before following him. “You’re engaged?” Without waiting for an answer, he continued in an emotionless voice, “I’m going to bed. See you in the morning.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

MARLEY COULDN’T SLEEP, not after seeing Richard’s disappointment. More than a decade ago, she had loved this man, and at one point had expected to marry him. Now...now she was “engaged” to Brant. Marley turned over and pounded her pillow. Why was she stuck with Brant when Richard was available—and interested?

Marley tossed again. An engagement bound two people. She had to respect that...mainly because the truth would make a liar out of her. Still... She flipped again, unable to dislodge her thoughts. And why did Brant have to continually invade them?

Brant, needling, flashing that smile. She hated this engagement. She hated him for his utter enjoyment in being engaged to her. She hated him....Finally, exhaustion set in, and she fell asleep.

Marley awoke to a light tap on the door and the smell of bacon and coffee. Richard peeked in. “Breakfast’s ready. I have to make a quick trip to the office.”

She joined him a few minutes later. “Nice,” she said, taking a tall chair at the bar. An array of jams in jars plus wheat toast sat on the counter along with two plates filled with scrambled eggs and bacon. The Baroness came over and rubbed against Marley’s ankles.

“If the cat’s bothering you, I can put her in my room.”

“No, she’s fine.” Marley reached down and petted the cat’s soft fur until she purred.

“You like anything in your coffee?” Richard poured, then pushed containers of sugar and cream toward her. “Can’t remember if you even like coffee.”

“I do.” She added cream. “You cook like this on a regular basis? I usually grab a breakfast bar and pick up coffee at a local coffee stand when I’m off to work.”

“I like breakfasts. My specialty is omelets. Not enough time this morning.” He took a sip of coffee, put his cup down, then placed his hands on the bar, leaning slightly toward her. “As I recall, you made a few breakfasts for me back when—”

“Let’s not go there, Richard.”

“Sure.” He smacked the bar and turned back to his plate. “So when are you getting married? Is this the first time?”

Marley slowly chewed the bacon before speaking. “First time. Haven’t decided when, exactly.”

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