The Texan's Contract Marriage - By Sara Orwig Page 0,20
a millionaire.”
“Ashley, get around the money. It’s a plus and you can’t ignore it, but that isn’t what’s critical here. I think Marek should be in Noah’s life. I also think a marriage of convenience might work and benefit Noah, which is the paramount criterion.”
“True, but I cannot stop thinking about the possibilities the money would give us.”
Camille listened to Ashley talk while part of her thoughts were on Marek and his proposal. Was he happy with the prospects? How much of the time would he want Noah at the ranch with him? Could Ashley live in the isolation of a ranch on the Texas plains?
She didn’t have answers to those questions, and she tried to focus on Ashley, who was still chattering about Marek’s offer. Camille couldn’t see how she could have any answer except one.
*
The next morning Marek sat over coffee with Jess, who had hung his hat on a hook at the door in the back entrance. Jess studied him as he sipped steaming black coffee. “What did Ginny say?”
“You can guess. She’s totally opposed, thinks I’ll regret getting locked into a loveless marriage. She’s certain I have a lot to lose. As you can imagine, she was wild.”
Jess merely nodded. When Marek’s phone rang, he glanced at the number. “Here she is again. I’ll have to listen to all her arguments this morning.”
“Hi, Ginny,” he said. He nodded. After a moment, he ended the call. “She’s on the drive coming in. The whole Dalton family came with her so the girls can ride while Ginny talks to me. Frank will stay with the girls. She wants to talk to me in person. For her to drive all the way out here from Dallas is even more serious.”
Jess drank the last of his coffee and stood. “That’s my cue to get the horses ready. I’ll see about Frank and the girls. You can deal with Ginny. She’ll come around, but you’ll have to listen to her vent about it. She’s just looking out for you and your best interests.”
“I know.” Marek walked out with Jess and watched Ginny and her family spill out of their van. Jess greeted Ginny, and they talked a moment with Ginny waving her hands before she walked toward the house. Jess shook hands with Ginny’s husband while the girls stood waiting for his greeting.
Frank Dalton, Ginny’s husband, was a no-nonsense accountant with his own business. Marek liked him and thought he was a good match for his sister. Jess hunkered down to say hello to the little girls, and they all headed toward the barn. Ginny sailed through the back gate, her short, shaggy black hair blowing in the wind.
Marek told himself to hang on to his patience with her.
She swept into the kitchen, her face almost as red as her shirt. “Marek, have you lost your senses? You can’t marry someone you don’t love.”
“Hi there, sis. You look a little hot and bothered. Want a cool drink?”
“No, I don’t. We drove all the way out here so I can talk some sense into you. Pray she turns you down.”
“Ginny, I’ll have the cool drink. And I hope she accepts. I think this is the solution to the problem. I don’t think it will create a bigger problem.”
“And when you fall in love again?”
“There is still something called divorce if this marriage becomes a burden. But I do not expect to fall in love again. Sometimes someone falls in love for a lifetime. He loves that one person and that is the only love of his life on this earth. You don’t believe that happens?”
“Maybe sometimes, but I don’t think that will be the case with you. You hurt now, but you’re strong and young and you’ll love again.”
“Is your crystal ball out in the car? You think you know me better than I know myself?”
“I don’t want you locked into something where you get hurt.”
He smiled at her. “Relax, Ginny. I appreciate your concern. I’ve thought about this and I think it’s a workable solution,” he said, retrieving a cold beer and opening the bottle. “Want to sit where it’s comfortable?” he asked, motioning toward the living area adjoining the kitchen. “You can see the girls riding around in the corral from there.”
“They brought their swimsuits because they’ll be hot after they ride. They were overjoyed to get to see the horses. Marek, please do not do this. I know you will be unhappy.”
“Stop worrying. I’ve looked at this every which