The Texan's Contract Marriage - By Sara Orwig Page 0,58
and shook his head. “That was a fun time. One of the good memories.”
He glanced at the shelf as she replaced the picture next to one of Jillian.
He picked up the picture to fold the back and lay it flat on the shelf. “I’ll put away Jillian’s pictures.”
“You don’t need to,” Camille said, turning to him. “I truly don’t mind. You loved her and you were going to marry her. I’ll feel better because I imagine you like to see them.”
“That’s past and gone. I don’t need the pictures to remember her and I can look at them if I want. I’ll put them away. It’ll probably help me to move on.”
She didn’t think he would have done any such thing before their wedding and honeymoon. He was changing, coming out of the shell, but how much would he open his heart in the future?
She walked around the room and roamed into the masculine bedroom, with a bed that had an old-fashioned high headboard and navy-and-white pillows and comforter.
“This room looks like you.”
“You can change this however you want as long it isn’t pink or purple. I can’t do purple or pink.”
She grinned. “Aw, shucks, imagine that,” she said, teasing him, unable to imagine Marek sprawled in a pink bed.
They heard Ashley and went out to find her in the sitting room. She held out Noah and Camille took him.
“Give him to me and we’ll have a quick tour,” Marek said.
Marek showed them the gym, with an indoor pool of pale blue tiles with white Corinthian columns on each side. Next they went to the entertainment room. “Both of you—this is your home, too, now. Ashley, you and Camille both feel free to use these rooms, the gym, the entertainment center, the kitchen, the pool, anything you want whenever you want, middle of the night or whatever. This is your home now,” he repeated, gazing at Camille.
“Thank you,” Camille said.
“Come on, we’ll continue this tour,” he said. By the time they stepped outside on a patio that was as big as the central part of the house, Camille wondered if she would ever find her way around. She stopped and looked around at the outdoor living area stocked with what looked like indoor furniture with a well-equipped kitchen. Beyond the chairs and furniture and outdoor rooms was a fenced area with a cabana, a dazzling pool that had slides and fountains and beds of flowers and palm trees.
To one side of the yard was another waterfall, as well as a fish and lily pond that was equally gorgeous.
There was a play area with a portable fence already set up for Noah. It was large enough for adults so Ashley took Noah from Marek. Holding the baby she stepped into it with him and set him down, giving him his toys. She sat near him, playing with him.
Marek declared happy hour and served everyone the drink of her choice. When they all had drinks, Ashley lifted her daiquiri. She sat in the fenced area on a blanket with Noah beside her and toys spread in front of him. Rising to her feet, she said, “Here’s to the best brother-in-law ever, besides being the only one I have,” she added, smiling at Marek. “Thank you for coming into our lives. Noah will thank you a few years from now.”
Marek stood and crossed to her, leaning over the plastic fence to touch his glass to hers. “I’ll drink to that,” he said, turning back to Camille to toast her glass as well. She sipped, looking over the rim of her glass at him and wanting to be alone with him. His dark eyes held her gaze, conveying a sensual promise for later that night.
Marek’s cell phone rang, and he excused himself to answer it.
When he was out of earshot, Camille smiled at her sister. “That was a nice toast, Ashley.”
“I meant it, Camille. He’s been incredible.”
“I think so,” Camille answered.
“Don’t let him break your heart,” Ashley whispered, looking at Marek, whose back was turned.
“I just hope for the best, but he’s being very good to us.”
“Amen to that.”
Marek returned with phone in hand. “Ginny’s on the phone. The girls want to have Noah back. Any chance of them keeping him again anytime soon? And feel free to say no.”
“It’s fine with me.” Camille looked at Ashley, who glanced at Noah.
“If you two don’t mind, I’ll fly home to Saint Louis again this weekend. I could leave on Friday and get back Sunday night