by Sara Orwig
“Then I think you’ll have to seriously consider my offer.”
“I suppose I will,” she said, gazing beyond him, watching the splashing water in the fountain in the pool. “This is a beautiful place.”
“This is my Dallas home. The best place is the ranch.”
“I know very little about ranches.”
He reached over again to take her hand. “Camille, Kern was drawn to you, and I feel certain he would have proposed. I think you and I can have a workable arrangement that will benefit Noah. I’ve tried to do what will benefit you. This million a year I’ve offered—your monthly allowance will be enough that you shouldn’t need to touch that money. You should be able to invest it and I can help you and make it grow. I want what will make you happy—as happy as I will be if you accept.”
“Suppose you fall in love with someone later?”
“Divorce still exists, but I don’t expect to fall in love again in my life. I gave my heart to Jillian.” He looked away, and she instantly regretted bringing up a subject that would open his wounds.
This time she reached out to touch his arm, placing her hand on him. “Marek, I didn’t mean to cause you hurt.”
He inhaled deeply. “Sometimes it just comes out of the blue, and I feel weak in the knees. Don’t apologize. You had no way of knowing.”
“You talked about a physical relationship. I won’t have a lot of time, and I’m not about to jump into one when we’re strangers,” she said. “I did that once in my life, and I won’t do it again. Your brother charmed and captivated me that night. Now, a physical relationship will have to come later, maybe much later.”
“I keep busy at the ranch and try to do the hard, physical jobs. That’s helped. Remember, we’ll be married. You’re a beautiful woman, Camille. You’re getting shortchanged here, but you’ve told me you don’t have time for a man in your life and I won’t be in the way or demand your time. A physical relationship will have to be mutual.”
His answer reassured her. She smiled. “You’ll probably hope I’ll disappear for months on end.”
One corner of his mouth lifted in a crooked grin that she realized was about the best he would do for a smile most of the time. “I won’t be hoping any such thing,” he said. “We can work out a schedule. You think about what you’d like for a schedule.”
“I can’t even imagine. What about when I’m in New Mexico this summer?”
“You decide what you want, and I’ll look at it and we’ll go from there.”
She thought about all he had said to her as they sat in silence. “How different this might have been if Kern had lived,” she remarked, going from memories about Kern to thinking the two brothers were so different in looks, personalities, in nearly every way. The only similarity was their blood tie and their shared love of ranching.
“I still think he would have proposed and done something to convince you to marry him. He wouldn’t have wanted to leave Texas, either, any more than I do.”
She studied Marek’s handsome features. Mrs. Marek Rangel. The idea took her breath away and seemed totally impossible. Millions would be hers. She thought of all the things she could do for Noah and for her family. Marek would do so much for Noah that she wouldn’t have to factor in what she could do. It was staggering to try to deal with his proposal. But this was about so much more than money. It would give her a father figure for Noah. It would make him close with the Rangel family, and he would know ranching and a cowboy’s life. These were all things she wanted and the reason she had contacted Marek in the first place.
She had to think about his offer, discuss it with her sisters and with her family. Silence stretched between them. He sat watching the fountain, sipping his iced tea. How much had his solitary life contributed to this proposal? To lose his brother and his fiancée—the two people he was closest to and loved—that would be devastating for anyone. She could see why he had latched on to Noah so swiftly.
She studied his profile, his full black hair and thickly lashed eyes. What if she married him and fell in love with him? She didn’t want that distraction to her career. Even worse, Marek wouldn’t return her love, and that would be devastating. There were no doubts he would be agreeable to a physical relationship, but anything more? She believed what he said, that he would never love again. The pictures of Jillian had been breathtakingly beautiful.
“I guess I should go home and think about this. We’ve discussed it tonight, and I’m at least getting adjusted to thinking about your offer.”
“Good,” he said, giving her a bigger smile. “You’ll have to give up Noah sometimes, but you’ll be busy. You would have to anyway because of your career.”
She nodded and stood. “I think I really should go.”
He stood to take her arm. His slight touch caused another jump in her pulse. “I’ll see you home. Take as long as you need to consider my proposal and to talk to your family about it. When would you like to go out again?”
“Tomorrow I want to be with family. This is Friday. I’d prefer to wait until Tuesday to see you,” she said, thinking this would also give her time to talk to her attorney. “This will send my sisters into orbit. If I accept your proposal, our lives will have major changes.”
“Not anything you can’t live with, I hope. I tried to find something that would benefit all of us.”
Marek climbed into the limousine with her. As the limo pulled away, her gaze roamed over the colonial house with massive Corinthian columns along the front porch. This would be her home, too, if she married him. Dazed, she couldn’t envision that ever happening.
“Your parents will be all right with our marriage if I accept?” she asked as the limo drove through the tall iron gates.
“I’m a grown man. Yes, I expect them to be all right with it. They’ve made a life for themselves in California and are busy all the time with social and charitable activities. Dad plays golf and recently fell and broke his ankle, so he’s on crutches right now, which will slow him down about traveling to Texas. My mom hates to fly and they usually drive, but that’s out until Dad’s ankle heals.”
“I’m sorry about that.”
“You’ll definitely pass inspection. Although they loved Jillian. They were heartbroken over the crash besides being so hurt over the loss of Kern.”
“That’s understandable.”
“I’ve thought this proposal over. You’re beautiful, and you’re a rising opera star. They sounded impressed.”
“This is their first grandson. Is that correct? Your sister has two girls.”
“That’s right. My parents are not into grandchildren as much as a lot of parents or they wouldn’t live over a thousand miles away.”
“So your sister is the person you’ll be concerned about. I assume she’s happy with this.”
“She doesn’t know about it yet. I wanted to talk to you first.”
“Have you told Mr. Grayson?”
“Yes, I discussed it with him. Jess approves.”
“That surprises me. You’re very close to him, aren’t you?”
“Sometimes I think he’s more my dad than my own father. He taught me a lot about the ranch. He’s been around as far back as I can remember. I’m closer to him than I am to my parents. They were always busy, but Jess had time for me and Kern. Actually, for Ginny, too, but she didn’t hang out with him when she became a teenager. I did a lot. Now Jess is a best friend, maybe sometimes still a dad.”
“You can’t beat that combination,” she said, smiling at him. “I’m glad you have someone like that even though no one can take away your grief or replace your brother. But your sister may not be happy to see you marry without love.”
“Ginny will adjust. She knows I’m doing what I want. I take it you’re close to your sisters.”
“I’m closest to Ashley,” Camille replied. She lapsed into silence for a time. “My head is spinning with all this. I can’t believe this is happening.”
“My offer is real, and I hope you accept. I know yo
u didn’t have it in your plans to share Noah a lot of the time, but I think when we do this, it will work out where both of us are happy. I hope you’d rather have him with Jess and me out on the ranch some of the time than backstage going from pillar to post.”
“Backstage is exciting to me, but backstage will not begin to hold the draw for him that your ranch will.”
“If you accept, the Circle R will be his ranch, too,” Marek replied. Startled, she stared at him, thinking about all the changes in their lives. If she married Marek, Noah would become Marek’s heir.
She shook her head. “The whole thing is staggering. You’re a very wealthy, powerful man. I forget about that when I’m with you, but then moments come when I’m reminded about your status. Is this a command instead of an offer?”
“Of course not. We’ll negotiate, but I’ve tried to be generous.”
“You’ve been generous far beyond my imagination. When I met Kern, I didn’t know how wealthy your family is. I’m not from Texas and at that time had never heard of the Rangels. Your brother was so down-to-earth and unpretentious. He was filled with fun and he was sort of happy-go-lucky. I didn’t dream he had this fortune. I didn’t know that until after the weekend.”
“That was Kern absolutely. Money meant little to him. We were born into wealth, and I’ve increased it. Kern worked for me and he helped. I’ve been lucky, but after a point where you’re comfortable and fed and have necessities, the wealth is not what makes you happy.”
“Whatever it was, your brother was a happy man.”
“If Kern had lived, you would have been Mrs. Kern Rangel. He would have charmed you into accepting. Kern wouldn’t have given up.”
They both became silent for the rest of the ride. At her door he took her hands. “Listen to me. Don’t worry. I want you to be happy. You’re Noah’s mother, and Kern would have done anything he could to make you happy. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. We’ll work out something here. This is a start, but I thought a marriage, even though it is definitely a marriage of convenience, would be the best solution for all. Especially for Noah.”
She nodded, aware of him standing close, holding her hands, trying his best to be nice to her while trying to persuade her to accept his offer. If they married, could she avoid losing her heart to him? Or letting the marriage destroy her career?
“I’m a little overwhelmed. Actually, a lot overwhelmed. I’ll talk to my sisters and my family and try to get accustomed to the idea. Start thinking about a few more details regarding when Noah would be with you and when he would be with me,” she said, realizing before the words were out of her mouth that he had probably already planned what they would do.
“You tell me what you want on that,” he said, surprising her.
“He’s too little to leave with you.”
“One more thing to think about—when I have him, will Ashley stay? I’ll need a nanny.”
Startled, Camille stared at him. “I hadn’t thought about that, but she would stay with Noah. I’d want her to continue as his nanny. I’ll have to ask because she may not want to do so. Staying on your Texas ranch would be entirely different for her than traveling with both of her sisters.”
“That’s right. But if she’ll do it, I’d prefer her to remain his nanny. I think everyone will be happier, including Noah.”
“If she stays, it’ll completely change her life.”
He gave that faint crooked smile again. “I hope it’s not that big a change. We have a great ranch and I’m usually working from sunup to sundown, so I won’t be underfoot. I’ll pay her salary. Whatever it is, you can promise her a raise.”
“You’re generous.”
“If you let me have Noah part of the time, you’ll be the most generous.”
Once again he framed her face with his hands. “Camille, I’ll try my best to make you happy. I just want to be part of his life and so does Ginny.”
“I understand. I want you to be in his life. That’s why I contacted you in the first place.”
She gazed into his earnest dark eyes and wondered about their future. She had tied her life to his and there was no turning back now. He was unbelievably handsome, and her heart drummed. He leaned forward to brush a light kiss on her forehead, and then he stepped away. “I’ll call you about Tuesday.”
He turned and headed to his limo in long strides.
Dazed, Camille stepped inside, locked the door and leaned against it. Ashley stood waiting farther down the darkened hallway.
“I didn’t think you were ever coming inside. I know you weren’t smooching out there, so what was going on?”
“I have to talk to you. I assume Noah is asleep. Where is Stephanie?”
“Stephanie is out with the latest guy. Noah is asleep. You’re later than I thought you’d be. We can go anywhere to talk. The baby monitors are on.”
“Let’s go to my room. Let me see Noah for just a second. I promise I won’t wake him.”
“Sure. What did you do tonight?” Ashley asked.
“We went to his Dallas home and he cooked steaks. He had a staff to do everything else.”
“I can’t even imagine. What’s the home like?”
“Not as fancy and elegant as I expected. Upper scale, nice, but not knock-your-socks-off elegance. Very comfortable with everything you could want. Pool, patio, outdoor living area and kitchen,” she replied as they paused in front of the nursery. “I’ll only be a minute.”
“I’ll be in your room,” Ashley said, walking ahead.
In the rosy glow of a small night-light Camille tiptoed across the nursery to the high-sided white crib and looked down at her sleeping son. Her heart felt squeezed, and she longed to hold Noah close. Tears stung her eyes. No matter what they did, she would lose Noah some of the time. He would have Marek’s influence now. He would spend part of his life with Marek. Stephanie had been right. Momentarily, bitter regret enveloped her, and she wished she could go back and undo telling him about Noah. She reached out to touch his hand lightly, feeling the smooth, warm skin that was so soft. She had never loved anyone the way she loved Noah. Even though it would be difficult to live with, deep down she felt she had done what was right by revealing his existence to Marek.
Hopefully, Marek would be a good influence for her baby. And the Rangels deserved time with Noah just as Noah deserved a dad and his ranching heritage. She wiped her tears and took a deep breath. “I love you, sweetie,” she whispered, touching a wispy lock of his hair. She wiped more tears and turned away, glancing back once at the sleeping baby.
She paused in the empty playroom, picking up a stuffed pink pig that Noah loved. Camille ran her hands over the pig while she tried to get her emotions under control. She didn’t want to go to Ashley in tears. Her sisters loved Noah, too. Stephanie would be furious, but the money might calm her. Stephanie had a profound appreciation for money.
After taking a deep breath and trying to think about something else for a few minutes, she went to the master bedroom.
Ashley was curled up on the sofa, quietly waiting.
“Let me change quickly and I’ll join you,” Camille said. “Do you want anything to drink before we start talking? We may be here awhile.”
“Now I’m getting really curious. I’ll go get us both something. How about lemonade?”
“Sure. I’ll be right back.”
When she returned in a turquoise T-shirt and plaid pajama pants, Ashley was waiting with two tall glasses of lemonade on the table near the sofa. A plate of cookies rested between them.
“Let’s hear what’s up.”
“Get ready for a shock. I’m talking a really big shock,” she said. Ashley nodded. “He’s proposed a marriage of convenience.”
“No!” Ashley’s brow furrowed while her eyes widened. “You turned him down, didn’t you? You can’t do that—”
“Ashley, listen to me. Remember, I contacted him in the first place because I wanted Noah to know his paternal family. I wanted Marek to
be a father figure to Noah. I haven’t given him any answer. He asked me to think it over, and I told him I would get back with him next Tuesday after talking to my family.”
“You can’t even give his proposal a moment’s consideration. You don’t have any reason to agree and you have every reason to say no.”
“Do you want to hear everything or not?”
“I want to hear. Marriage is impossible. He would have far more legal claim on Noah. You’d be tied into a loveless union. Even though he is handsome, wealthy and sexy. I’ll give him that much. You’d have to share Noah. Big-time. Marek wouldn’t love you. He would interfere with you in every way. You can’t even consider it.”
“Do you want to hear his proposal or not?” Camille went through all Marek had offered. When she relayed how much money he would give them, all the color drained from Ashley’s face and her mouth dropped open.
Camille grasped Ashley’s hand, which was cold as ice. “Ashley. Are you all right?”
“Five million now and a million a year plus an allowance?” Ashley repeated breathlessly, sounding dazed.
“That’s right. I’m trying to avoid thinking about the money, but it’s impossible. With funds like that I can send you to school. I can give Mom and Dad financial help in taking care of Grandma. I can pursue my career without feeling I have to make it to be able to survive and help my family. Ashley, that money would lift a huge burden off my shoulders.”
“I knew he had money, but I didn’t know he had that much,” she said, still sounding dazed as she stared beyond Camille.
“It will change your life and mine, for sure. It will change Noah’s. He’ll have a trust fund set up for him, and I’m sure it will be generous. Marek will be a father to him. We’ll lose him some of the time, but definitely not all of the time. And Marek asked if you would stay as Noah’s nanny. That’s what he wants, and he said he would pay your salary, which, I’m certain, would be larger than what you’re getting now.”
“My word. I can’t imagine all this, Camille. Mom will faint. She doesn’t do well with surprises.”
“I know. I’ll break it to her slowly.”
