Marriage at Any Price

by Lauren Canan

  “Ally, is that the guy you were telling me about?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you in love with him?” he asked quietly.

  “No,” she immediately responded. “I question if I ever was. How can you love someone when he’s never around? He hit on half the women in this town before I found out about it.”

  Seth started the truck and backed out of the parking space. He was glad he’d insisted on coming along with Ally. There was just something about the man he didn’t like, other than the obvious.

  “Again, thank you for being there, Seth.”

  “Not a problem.”

  Ally was quiet on the drive home. The housekeeper bustled out and helped bring in the groceries. Ally looked lost. Clearly it had something to do with meeting Wayne Burris.

  Suddenly she turned toward Seth. “Are you up for a ride this afternoon?”

  “I would be if I had something to ride.”

  “You have three very well-trained mares to choose from. I’d like to see the property and double-check the fences. Thought it might a good outing.”

  Seth grinned. “Sounds like a plan.”

  By two o’clock Ally had saddled the chestnut and bay mares and they were on their way. Seth was impressed by his horse’s training. They let themselves through the large back gate and headed north. The recent snow had melted and the trees were showing their tiny buds of spring. Though still early in the year, the sun was shining down and the sky was a clear blue.

  They rode through open pastureland then followed a trail into the trees until they eventually came to a small lake surrounded by large boulders. Ally dismounted and led her mount to the edge, where it splashed in the water. Seth followed, and they let the horses drink. Ally took a canteen from her saddle and offered it to Seth.

  “How many acres do you have here?” he asked, handing the canteen back to Ally.

  “Almost five hundred, but as you can see, not all of it is suitable for grazing. There’s a lot of timber. Still, it’s enough. I prefer to do hands-on with the horses I get in for training so I never have more than a dozen here at any one time.”

  “They do training at my family’s ranch, too.”

  “As I understand it, the Masters Ranch has several trainers and a manager that oversees their breeding program. Then there are the cattle. It’s a magnificent operation.”

  “It’s big,” Seth added. “As kids we never thought about the size and all that went on. We had chores, but once those were done, we were off searching for some adventure that most likely would land us in trouble.” He chuckled. “Good memories.”

  Ally tied her reins to a nearby tree limb and climbed to the top of a boulder that overlooked a spot where the river flowed into the small lake. Seth followed suit.

  “This used to be my favorite place. Dad always knew if he couldn’t find me around the barn or house, this is where I’d be.”

  “Your thinking place.”

  “Yeah. When I was little, nothing seemed as bad up here. Problems had a way of disappearing for a while.”

  “Speaking of problems,” Seth ventured. “I’m going to need to go back to LA for a couple of days. Something has come up with the research center sooner than I expected. I want you to come with me. I have a place right on the beach. I think you’ll enjoy it.”

  “I don’t know... There are so many things I need to do here. I’m barely moved in and—”

  “And it will still be here when we get back. You have a housekeeper to oversee the house and four good cowboys to take care of the horses and any other ranching issues that may come up. Past that, there are now two security men to keep an eye on things. Frankly, security or not, I don’t want to leave you here until they find whoever tried to break into your house. Granted, my security team is good, but there is always room for mistakes. I don’t want to take the chance.”

  “What would I do in California?”

  “What can’t you do in California?” he countered and grinned. “It’s only for a couple of days. Come with me. Let me take you out to my favorite restaurants, show you the places that are special to me like this place is to you.”

  * * *

  Ally looked again at Seth. He seemed to hold the world in his hands. So strong and capable. It had been years since she’d taken any time off. Doubt and worry had plagued her ever since her father had gotten sick and died and the ranch had gone into foreclosure. Having a few days to cast her worries aside sounded almost too good to be true. If she had any sense at all, she would just thank Seth and accept his generous offer without questioning if there was an ulterior motive. Seth was not Wayne. And although it was hard to let go of the grip of caution she’d always carried, she wanted to trust Seth.

  “Okay. I’ll go,” she told him. “Thanks for the invitation.”

  “You’re welcome. If you have nothing in particular keeping you here, we’ll head out in the morning. My plane is fueled and standing by at the local airport.”

  He had a plane? Oh, of course he had a plane. Probably more than one.

  “Do you like what you do?” It was a question that begged asking. She loved working with the horses, but Seth was on a completely different playing field. If she made a mistake, it might mean a sprained wrist or loss of a week’s work. If Seth made a mistake, it could cost millions, and that pain would have to be a good deal worse.

  “Yes,” he answered. “My businesses are diversified enough that it isn’t the same thing week after week. I get to meet new and interesting people, go interesting places. And I’ll probably be doing even more traveling once everything is in place and I officially join Masters International as a working partner. I’ll have not only my own companies to oversee but new assignments with the family corporation as well.”

  “It’s not going to leave you much downtime.”

  Seth’s intense brown eyes held hers for a moment. “No, it’s not.”

  He’d be here one day, gone the next, with no end in sight. At least he wouldn’t have to worry about leaving a family behind. He and Wayne were alike in that way. Always anxious to see what lay around the next bend or just over the far hill. Relying on quick wit and skill to achieve their goals. Risk takers. Full speed ahead.

  The thought made her sad.

  They climbed back in the saddle and veered east, following the fence line. Over the next rise, they saw where a large tree had fallen, landing on top of the fence. Ally made note of the location and they continued on. Eventually the sun began to set and they turned toward home. The cowboys were waiting on them to return and kindly took the reins. Each horse would receive a good brush down and their nightly feeding. And she and Seth would return to their own rooms. Another day would have passed. Then a new assignment would take Seth away. Tomorrow, it would be Burbank. After that, the world.

  * * *

  The private jet was ready for takeoff when they arrived at the airport at seven the next morning. Ally couldn’t believe how luxurious the main cabin was as she took her seat next to Seth and buckled her seat belt. Within a matter of minutes, she was watching the world grow smaller as the plane shot into the cloudy sky. Breakfast was served by a flight attendant, and in under two hours they were circling the airport in Burbank, ready to land.

  A limo was waiting to pick them up in front of a small avionics hanger near the private landing strip. Everywhere Ally looked, there were palm trees and flowers. The sky was bright blue, dotted here and there with wispy white clouds. It was as different as you could get from the still brown landscape of home.

  Once their luggage had been transferred and they’d settled into the back seat of the limo—which was larger than her cottage on the Triple Bar—they were off, turning onto a busy road with more palm trees, flowers and blooming hedges edging the highway.

  “It’s beautiful here,” she said, staring out her window. Before Seth could answer, h
is cell began to ring. He spent the rest of the trip in conversation with one person or another. Eventually the limo pulled up under a large portico, and the driver walked around the car and opened the door. Ally stood up and waited for Seth. He ended his call and accompanied her past the building’s security and into a waiting elevator. At the top floor, a soft ding announced they had arrived, and the doors silently swooshed open. They stepped out into a foyer decorated with a mixture of potted plants and ferns.

  “Good morning, Mr. Masters,” said a uniformed servant. “Welcome home.”

  “Good morning, Brewster.” Turning to Ally, he added, “this is my wife, Ally.”

  “Of course.” Brewster smiled.

  With fluid precision, the houseman opened another door and stepped aside to let Ally and Seth enter. It was a world she’d only seen in magazine articles about the wealthiest people in the world. The main living area was open, the room as big as her entire barn, with a view of the Pacific Ocean framed by floor-to-ceiling glass panels.

  “Put Mrs. Masters’s luggage in my suite,” Seth instructed, watching Ally for a reaction. “Ally, I have to go downtown for a short meeting. Make yourself at home. The kitchen is through there. If you don’t find what you want, ask Brewster. Order anything you want. Feel free to wander. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Promise.”

  He stepped up to her and slowly pressed his lips to hers. “I’m sorry to drop you off and leave. I’ll make it up to you tomorrow.”

  “I’ll be fine. Don’t hurry on my account.”

  He kissed her once again, this time with more passion. Too soon he broke it off.

  “Derrick?” he called out.

  “I’m here, Seth,” a tall, imposing man replied as he stepped into the room.

  “Derrick, I’d like you to meet my wife, Ally. Ally, this is my head of security, Derrick Johnson. He’ll accompany you wherever you want to go. The car is available if you’d like to see the local sights or do some shopping. The beach is just a few steps from here. Just tell Derrick and he will make sure to set up anything you need.”

  “Oh, well... I’ll be fine here until you get back...” she said and swallowed hard. “Sweetheart,” she added, not knowing how to address Seth in front of other people. It seemed to tickle Seth. With one last kiss, he walked out the door, closing it behind him.

  Derrick handed her a cell. “This is a phone with a pager. Just push the red button and I’ll be here as quickly as possible.”

  “Okay, and please, call me Ally.”

  “Let me know if you need anything, Ally.” And with a polite nod he disappeared into the foyer.

  Holy crap. She couldn’t get her head around this. She walked to the far side of the room and opened the sliding glass doors to the large balcony. The ocean was a blend of dark blues and turquoise. A few beachcombers walked along the edge of the incoming waves. Colorful umbrellas dotted the sand as far as she could see. It was as different from the pasturelands of Texas as one could get. Still, as beautiful as it was, a longing for home surged through her.

  Seth was back by seven o’clock that evening and seemed happy to see her. She was definitely glad to see him. He was her link to home and despite her denial she was ready to head back. She met him at the door with a hug, which seemed to surprise them both.

  “What did you do with your day?” he asked, removing his tie and jacket.

  “I sunbathed out on your balcony and watched the ocean. It was nice.”

  “Good. You need some downtime.”

  “Well, I sure got some today. I almost fell asleep,” she grinned at him.

  Seth smiled back. “Ally, the good folks who are involved in the research center want to have a gathering tomorrow night at one of the local hotels. Nothing big, just cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. I really want you to go and meet the people. I’ve arranged for Karen to take you shopping tomorrow while I’m at the office. I thought you might like a new dress for the occasion. She knows the stores and said she would be delighted.”

  “That’s very nice but I don’t need to go shopping.” She didn’t know what to say. She didn’t have the money for an expensive dress she would only wear once. Panic began to work its way up her spine.

  Seth must have noticed her reaction. He came over to her and cupped her face in his hands.

  “Ally, if it’s about money, please don’t worry about it. I want to do this. I want you at the party. I want to introduce you to everyone there. I don’t care if you wear jeans, but I thought you would feel more comfortable wearing a cocktail dress. That’s usually what the other ladies wear to these things.”

  She took a step back and his hands fell to his sides. “Introduce me as what? An old friend from Texas? A casual acquaintance? An associate? You surely can’t introduce me as your wife.”

  “Why not? That’s what you are.”

  “That’s ridiculous.”

  Seth bit on his lower lip, then continued. “Ally, it would mean a lot to me if you would attend...as my wife. No one has to know our marriage is temporary or the reason for it. I can always explain that it didn’t work out at the end of the three months.”

  Hearing him say those words made her sad. It shouldn’t have, but it did. Seth approached her again, this time lowering his lips to hers.

  “You are a very beautiful woman,” he murmured against her lips. “Go shopping with Karen. You’ll like her. Have a good time. See some of the sights that I won’t have time to show you. Buy a dress. Buy ten.”

  “Attending a special event was not part of our bargain.”

  “It’s part of being my wife. We have to keep up appearances here as well as in Texas. Because of the center, there will be reporters asking questions and taking pictures. I guess you should prepare yourself for that, too.”

  “But—”

  “I want to kiss you.” He saw her eyes fall to his lips and he couldn’t stop from placing his mouth against hers.

  It started as an innocent kiss but immediately the tenderness and warmth turned it into something more. Seth raised his head and looked at her expression. Her eyes were closed, her face upturned toward his. He kissed her again, and this time she couldn’t help but respond. Feeling that response, Seth immediately deepened the kiss. She felt his arms go around her as his lips moved to her ear then down her neck. “Or if you don’t want to go shopping, I can think of something else a husband and wife could do.”

  He raised his head and watched her as confusion filled her. At times like this it was as though Seth was treating her like a real wife, like theirs was a real marriage. She didn’t know what to make of it. Or how to respond.

  “All right. I’ll go. But your bank account will be sorry, and I make no promises to repay you.”

  He laughed. “None needed. What shall we do for dinner?”

  Nine

  “Do you like Italian food? Or seafood? What’s your favorite?”

  “I rarely get great seafood.”

  “Okay.” Seth grinned. “There’s a new seafood restaurant in Malibu I have yet to try. It’s getting rave reviews. Does that sound like something you might like?”

  “Sure,” she said, looking down at her jeans and boots. “Can I have a minute to change?”

  “It’s casual.” Seth indicated his own attire. “But, of course, take all the time you need.”

  She ventured down the hall where she’d seen Brewster take their luggage earlier. At the end were double doors to what must be the master suite. When she stepped inside, her jaw dropped. The high ceilings and painted-linen walls gave the room an airy, spacious feeling. Three arches led out to another terrace that provided exquisite views of the sea. And she couldn’t help but notice the bed, fit for the master. With its brown, blue and off-white bedding, it was masculine yet very luxurious.

  Ally roamed through the massive expanse until she came to another set of double d
oors. They opened to a walk-in closet filled with suits and shirts and casual clothes. In a smaller section to the right, someone had hung the dresses and blouses she’d brought with her. She stepped forward and selected a navy blue dress and matching sandals.

  Through still another door was the powder room and bathroom with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and a hot tub that would easily hold six. Across the room a rain-forest shower with ferns and an assortment of foliage tempted her. But the shower would have to wait. The small bit of makeup she’d brought was laid out by the sink along with her hairbrush and other toiletries. She quickly brushed her teeth, freshened her mascara and lipstick, and declared herself ready to go.

  Soon they were on their way to the Sand and Sea. The restaurant was repurposed from an old distillery perched on the edge of a cliff that overlooked a lighthouse and the ocean below. Seagulls flew overhead, occasionally dipping low toward the water. The scents of salt water and cedar filled the air around them.

  A tall man with a ready grin pushed open the rustic door and welcomed Ally and Seth. “Mr. and Mrs. Masters, your table is ready,” he said and led the way across the room to a table by the window looking out on the water. The soft illumination of a single candle added an enticing glow to the darkness around them.

  “How does he know who we are?” she whispered to Seth.

  “Does it really matter? He might have seen my face before, and I told him our name when I made the reservations.”

  “You mean he’s seen you on the news or in the papers, don’t you?” To be recognized in public like that must mean Seth had quite a high profile.

  “Come on, Ally. I’ve heard the lobster here is truly delicious.”

  “I don’t care for lobster,” she snapped.

  Seth gave her that grin that would no doubt melt any female heart. But not hers. She felt slammed into this unreal world, off balance and totally unprepared for what might come next. When Seth had asked her to accompany him to California, she’d thought...well, she hadn’t thought it would be like this, and she was not prepared for such luxury, such opulence. She didn’t like feeling off-kilter, and to make it worse, Seth knew it and was laughing at her although he tried to hide it.