The Texan's Contract Marriage - By Sara Orwig Page 0,12
it too much because that’s your worry,” Jess said, lifting the saddle off the horse.
“It’s worrying Ginny, and I can’t sleep nights for trying to come up with a workable answer. I can’t imagine Camille letting me have Noah for any significant amount of time.”
“I agree with you.”
“Ginny reminded me of how take-charge she thinks I am and how she thinks I’ve spent my life getting everyone to do what I want. I don’t quite see it that way, but she’s told me this time I won’t be able to do that.”
“Sometimes we just have to adjust to what life hands us.”
“Jess, I don’t go into things expecting to fail. I’ve looked at this every way I can think of. There’s no easy answer, but I may have something workable if I can persuade Camille to cooperate.”
“All you can do is try. And if she says no, try something else,” Jess stated shortly, beginning to groom the sorrel.
“I don’t think you’ll like it.”
“All right. Tell me. How do you plan to get her to agree?” Jess asked, frowning slightly as he studied Marek.
*
The following Friday night, a spring evening with the sun slanting in the sky, Camille sat across from Marek. They were on his patio at his Dallas home. Steaks had just been put on the grill. She was sipping her glass of wine while Marek had a barely touched martini. She had dressed with care in a red cotton sundress with high-heeled sandals and her hair was up on her head. She suspected she could have worn a gunnysack and Marek would not have noticed. She still didn’t think he ever saw her as a woman, which was just as well because she didn’t want to get into a relationship with any man at this point in her life.
Tonight, it seemed he was taking his time because he had not brought up the subject of what arrangements he hoped to make with her regarding Noah, which he had said was the purpose of asking her to dinner. She had no intention of rushing him, either. She had mulled it over constantly and the most workable plan she and Ashley could devise was for her to always get a home large enough for the Rangels to come visit when they wanted. They would be welcome wherever she lived, either here or abroad. If she could get a wing where they could stay off to themselves, she thought they might be happier. She couldn’t imagine leaving Noah behind in Texas. She and Ashley had agreed on that one and she had constantly reassured Stephanie she would stick to that decision.
Taking a deep breath, Camille hoped to calm her nerves. A steady uneasiness plagued her because she had big doubts that he would agree to what she intended to offer.
She watched him stand over the steaks, which were sending a spiral of gray smoke into the air. When he had arrived at her house to pick her up in a limousine, he had looked as commanding and successful as ever. Wearing a charcoal suit and red tie, he looked ready for an evening out. Had the suit been meant to be a reminder of his wealth and power? Enticing smells of the grilling meat would usually tempt her, but her stomach churned. Marek seemed strong willed, a man totally accustomed to getting his way. His fortune held a possible threat like a twister spinning on her horizon.
Marek picked up his drink and returned to sit near her. “Steaks will be done soon. I hope you have an appetite.”
“I’ll admit I’m nervous, and that’s killing my appetite. I’m far more anxious over this than going onstage.”
“Don’t be disturbed,” he said quietly. “We’ll work something out, hopefully to the satisfaction of all and in Noah’s best interests as well. He can’t participate in this, but he has the biggest stake.”
“That’s true,” she said, feeling better that Marek sounded as if he would put Noah first.
Marek leaned forward to take her hand lightly in his. His compelling dark eyes made her breath catch. Why was she having this reaction to him?
“Relax, Camille,” he said in a gentle tone. “We’ll try to find a solution that will be in everyone’s best interest.”
“I hope so. That’s what I’ve prayed for,” she replied, aware of the jump in her pulse. She was certain it was a very one-sided attraction that she shouldn’t have to him. And she couldn’t guess what he was going to ask her to