Ready-Made Bride

by Janelle Denison

  Oh, it was, and her body was responding in ways that made her ache for a more intimate contact than the two feet separating them allowed. There was no way she’d refuse something she wanted so badly. He made her hot and restless, and feel more desirable than she had in years.

  “Are you agreeable with my terms?”

  She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

  “Any stipulations of your own?”

  Only that you trust me, and in time learn to love me. She tucked her coveted wish away, knowing he wasn’t ready to hear something so forthright. “Only one.”

  He arched a dark brow. “You want your wifely rights?”

  Sensing him relaxing and growing comfortable with her, she took a gamble. “Kane, I don’t want any lies or secrets between us.”

  His body visibly tensed. Dark shadows passed over his features, drawing him into his protective shell where no one could trespass. “Everyone has secrets,” he said roughly.

  “And I shared mine with you, about my divorce and my past.”

  His bitter laughter grated on her nerves. “You know that I killed my wife.”

  She didn’t bother correcting him. “I think there’s more.”

  As if she’d crossed a fine line, he narrowed his gaze. His eyes flared with emerald heat. He leaned toward her, his lips curling into a feral smile that should have sent her bolting into the house. It would have, if he hadn’t reminded her of a wounded animal trying to ward off an enemy. But she wasn’t the enemy, and that thought kept her rooted to her seat.

  “They call them secrets for a reason, Megan-because they’re better left buried,” he said, his voice harsh.

  “And sometimes you have to trust someone enough to share them.”

  “Trust me, Megan. There are things about me you don’t want to know. Just remember that, and we’ll get along fine.” He abruptly stood, ending the conversation. “If it’s convenient for you, I’ll make an appointment on Friday with Judge Griffen for a civil ceremony.”

  She looked at him. Her heart sank at his grim expression. This certainly wasn’t the romantic proposal of her first marriage, but then Phillip hadn’t turned out to be the prince of her dreams, either, she reminded herself. “That’ll be fine. I’ll start settling my affairs in Seattle.”

  He nodded curtly and opened the door, but paused on the threshold to glance at her. “Be sure about your decision, Megan,” he said in a flat tone. “Divorce isn’t something I’ll consider in the future.”

  He walked into the house, leaving her feeling cold and lonely but not regretting her resolution to remain in Linden as Kane’s wife and Andrew’s new mother. Life and time, she’d learned, had a way of working out all the rough spots.

  “I can’t believe you talked me into this,” Kane muttered as they walked up the cobblestone walkway to the Lindens’ elegant two-story Victorian home.

  Megan smothered a smile. Kane would never admit it, but she knew he was nervous about attending the annual birthday party the Lindens threw in Andrew’s honor, especially since the Lindens didn’t know they were coming.

  “If we’re going to be a family, we need to start acting like one.” Switching Andrew’s birthday present to her other arm, she hooked her hand through Kane’s elbow and gave him a light squeeze that did nothing to ease his rigid posture. “So smile and try to make the best of it.”

  He glowered at her, trying to hide the dread in his gaze. It seemed to increase the closer they came to the Lindens’ front door. “Kinda hard to do when I’d rather be anywhere but here.”

  She didn’t doubt that, but if Kane didn’t already realize it, she was relentless when it came to something she believed in. And more than anything, she wanted Kane and the Lindens to put the past aside and reconcile. “Look how happy you’ve made Andrew.”

  Kane’s expression softened as he watched Andrew skip ahead of them. Since learning that morning before going to school that his father and Megan planned to get married, he’d been blissfully happy. After a boisterous “Yippee!”, he’d skipped around the living room proclaiming, “This is the best birthday present ever!”

  Megan’s heart swelled at the memory, and at the warm way Kane had smiled at her. And for one perfect moment, she believed he truly could love her.

  “Hurry up, Megan and Dad!” Andrew waited at the double oak doors with etched glass insets, fidgeting impatiently.

  Megan grinned. “Don’t worry, the party can’t start without you.”

  As soon as they climbed the porch stairs, Andrew flung open the front door without knocking and rushed inside. “Guess what, everyone!” he shouted gleefully.

  As they stepped in, Megan kept a firm hold on Kane’s arm so he couldn’t retreat at the last moment. The house was packed with adults and children. Balloons and streamers decorated the entryway, and in the adjoining living room a clown was busy entertaining the kids with magic tricks.

  Patricia Linden smiled at her grandson, unaware of the extra guests who’d arrived. “What is it, Andrew?” she asked, fussing unnecessarily with the collar of his shirt.

  Excitement wreathed Andrew’s face. “Megan and my dad are getting married!”

  Megan cringed, and the muscles in Kane’s forearm twitched, the only indication of his unease. Andrew’s broadcast caused a hush to fall over the general area. The adults standing nearby stopped their conversations to stare. They didn’t seem surprised, merely curious, which confirmed Kane’s claim that Mrs. Henderson would spread the news.

  Patricia straightened and finally looked beyond Andrew. Her mouth pursed into a thin line of displeasure. “So we’ve heard.”

  Smiling despite the uncomfortable atmosphere, Megan moved forward, propelling a stiff and reluctant Kane with her. She figured the only way she’d beat Patricia at her own game was to overwhelm her with kindness. Since Kane wasn’t inclined to be hospitable, it would be up to her to extend the first greeting.

  “Hello, Patricia” She gave the other woman Andrew’s present, a subtle gesture to let her know they planned to stay for the festivities. “What a lovely home you have.”

  “Thank you,” she said stiffly, then turned and headed into the next room, calling over her shoulder, “Come along, Andrew, your guests are waiting.”

  Nobody went out of their way to welcome them. She saw Harold, and although he gave her a slight smile and a nod of acknowledgment, he made no move to approach them, nor did Kane make any attempt to be friendly, either. It was as if Patricia had set the precedence for her guest’s behavior around her and Kane.

  Frustrated with everyone’s attitude, Megan left Kane talking to Gus-a foreman at the sawmill and apparently the only one brave enough to risk Patricia’s wrath-and went in search of something to drink. Stubborn people, she thought, wondering what it would take to get the town to accept Kane.

  A lavish catered dinner of salads, chicken and ribs covered a long picnic table in the landscaped back yard. She poured herself a cup of punch from a large cooler, took a sip and watched Andrew and his friends take turns hitting a piñata filled with treats.

  “This is a first,” a throaty female voice said.

  Megan turned to see Joyce, who must have just arrived. Megan counted the young woman as an ally admist all the discord, despite her penchant for spreading rumors. “What’s a first?”

  “Kane coming to Andrew’s party.” Joyce dipped a carrot stick into ranch dressing and crunch into the vegetable. “You must be quite an influence.”

  It had been like pulling teeth. “He wanted to be here,” she said, taking another sip of punch while making a mental note to talk to Kane about Joyce not tutoring Andrew once they were married.

  “Umm.” Joyce dipped her carrot again, a sly smile lifting her lips. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

  Had Mrs. Henderson posted the news of their pending nuptuals in the Daily Register? “Yes, thank you. Kane and I are getting married tomorrow.”

  Corey, Andrew’s best friend, split open the piñata, and the k
ids squealed in delight. Candy dropped to the ground, and they scrambled after it. Megan smiled at the scene, thinking next year they’d have Andrew’s birthday party at their house, and the Lindens would attend. Willingly, she hoped.

  “I don’t know how you did it, but it looks like you landed quite a catch,” Joyce said, interrupting Megan’s thoughts.

  “Yes, I did,” she said, meaning it. Over Joyce’s shoulder, Megan watched Kane walk toward them, looking cool and standoffish. How did he expect to win over these people when his body language said back off? He stopped next to her, and she offered him a smile he didn’t return.

  “Hello, Joyce,” he said brusquely.

  “Hi, Kane,” she said, ducking her head guiltily. She waved at a young blond man across the yard and started to back away, seemingly anxious to go. “Well, good luck to the both of you.”

  Kane frowned after her. “What was that all about?”

  Megan finished her punch and tossed the paper cup into the trash. “Joyce just wanted to offer her congratulations.”

  A tight smile creased his lips. “How… sweet.”

  Tired of his unreceptive behavior, she gave him a pointed look. “You know, Kane, if you insist on keeping everyone at a distance, they’re going to have nothing to go on but their own speculation.” She leaned close and pressed a hand to his chest, deliberately giving everyone watching them the impression that they were intimate. His heartbeat quickened beneath her palm, granting her a small measure of feminine satisfaction. “I know you’re not the man they think you are, but you have to make the effort to prove it to them.”

  He covered her hand with his, stroking the sensitive skin connecting each of her fingers. Instant heat spiraled through her body, contradicting the chilling intensity of his gaze. “I don’t need to prove anything to anyone.”

  Of course he didn’t, she thought unkindly. His bitterness about the past got in the way of his pride. With a sigh, she let the subject drop.

  Patricia announced it was time to cut the cake, then open presents. Megan dragged Kane to a crowd of people gathered around Andrew. They wove their way to the table so they could stand next to the birthday boy. All eyes were on them.

  Kane shifted uncomfortably as they sang Happy Birthday to Andrew, who beamed at them with a dimpled grin. As soon as the song was over, Kane slipped away, preferring to sit by himself rather than stand in line with Megan for a piece of cake.

  After giving Andrew a big birthday hug, Megan picked up two slices of cake. On her way to Kane, she saw Patricia standing alone at the picnic table and approached her, forcing down the sudden knot of nervousness forming in her throat.

  “Patricia?”

  The older woman turned and saw Megan. Undisguised hostility flared in her pale blue eyes. “I don’t believe we have anything to say to one another.” She continued to cover salads with plastic wrap.

  Megan wasn’t discouraged. “Maybe you don’t think so, but I’d like to thank you for giving Andrew such a special birthday party.”

  Patricia straightened and leveled her gaze at Megan. “He’s my grandchild,” she said in a low voice. “My only grandchild, and I’d do anything to be sure he has everything he might want or need.”

  Megan’s fingers clenched on the paper plates in her hands as she attempted to keep her rising ire at bay. “Kane is a good father, and Andrew certainly doesn’t lack for anything.”

  Patricia slanted a cold glare in Kane’s direction. “Except maybe his rea/ mother.” She obviously placed the blame on her son-in-law’s shoulders.

  Megan managed to maintain her composure by sheer force of will. Anger wouldn’t bridge the chasm between families, just inflate it. “Patricia, I’m sorry about the loss of your daughter, but I’d like to think we could be friends. Especially since I’ll be part of the family.”

  “Part of the family?” She looked down her nose at Megan. “If you think you can replace Cathy-”

  “I’m not trying to replace her,” she cut in, appalled that anyone would think that was her intent. And then she caught a brief glimpse of sadness and pain in Patricia’s eyes and knew Patricia wasn’t ready to give up her daughter’s memory to a stranger, felt threatened that Andrew would forget any wispy recollection he might have of his real mother as a result of Kane marrying her.

  Megan’s heart went out to Patricia, and she searched for a way to offer her a little peace of mind. “I care for Andrew a great deal, and although I would like to be his mother in an emotional way, he will never forget who his real mother is.”

  “I’ll be sure of that,” Patricia said coldly. Picking up the potato salad, she marched past Megan with her head held high.

  Feeling mild defeat, Megan headed to Kane, grateful that a shade tree had kept him from witnessing her exchange with Patricia. No sense upsetting both parties, she thought wryly.

  “I brought you a piece of cake,” she said, bribing him with a slice.

  He took a plate and picked at the butter-cream frosting with his fork. “Don’t you think we’ve overstayed our welcome?”

  After my run-in with Patricia, definitely, she mused. But she couldn’t let one unpleasant encounter deter her from her goal. “Nope. Andrew’s opening his presents as we speak. Or should I say tearing into them.” She glanced at her watch. “Another hour ought to do it.”

  Kane groaned. “I could be home in an hour if I walked.”

  “Megan!” Andrew shouted, barreling toward them with the book she’d written for him in his hands. “I love my new book about the tooth fairy.”

  She smiled. “I’m glad. Maybe we can get your dad to read it to you,” she said, remembering Kane’s tale about his tooth fairy blunder, the basis of the book.

  The pure panic reflected in Kane’s face puzzled her, as did his paling complexion. “I, uh, I don’t think-”

  “Dad says I’m too old to have books read to me,” Andrew cut in, hanging his head and scuffing his sneaker in the grass. “But every once in a while he lets me read one to him, just to make sure I’m keeping up on my reading level.”

  Just like he insisted on Andrew having a tutor who made sure he brushed up on his reading skills. Megan wondered why Kane thought it so important, but she knew now was not the time to press the issue. “Then you can read the story to both of us.”

  “Okay.” Seemingly content with that idea, Andrew grinned and glanced at Kane. “So, are you having fun, Dad?” His voice rose a level, and he clutched the book to his chest, waiting for his dad’s approval.

  Kane hesitated, looking beyond his son to all the people who should have been friends but were merely acquaintances. Megan nudged Kane in the side with her elbow. Hard.

  After shooting her a quick, disgruntled look, Kane smiled at Andrew, obeying Megan’s silent prompting. “Yeah, sport, I’m having a great time.”

  “Married? Are you out of your mind?”

  Megan cringed and pulled the receiver away from her ear as her best friend’s high-pitched voice traveled over the phone lines. “I’m perfectly sane, Judi.”

  “Cripes, Megan, you hardly know this guy.”

  Megan wrapped the phone cord around her wrist and leaned against the kitchen wall. She’d thought she’d known Phillip, and look where that had gotten her. “Kane’s a good man, and you know how I feel about Andrew.”

  “Yeah, I do,” Judi said, her voice soft with understanding.

  She explained what had happened with Mrs. Henderson, and how Kane’s in-laws wouldn’t hesitate to file for custody after they’d been caught in such a compromising position. “I…I love Kane,” she admitted, “and I know he at least cares for me. He’s giving me the opportunity to raise a child I love with all my heart.”

  “Megan,” Judi said, sounding exasperated. “This just isn’t like you to do something so…”

  “Spontaneous?”

  “Crazy was the word I was looking for.”

  Megan laughed. “I’m not crazy. For once in my life I finally feel like I’ve found a place I
belong. I love it here in Linden. No crowds, no hassles, just the kind of simple life-style I’ve always yearned for. And now I’ll have a family, too.”

  “Then I’m happy for you, but I’m going to miss you,” Judi said, her sentiment genuine. “What do you want me to do with your stuff?”

  She was going to miss Judi, too. They’d shared so much, but she was confident a strong friendship like theirs would remain constant. “You can keep all the furniture in the apartment.” Most of it had been hers, from her marriage to Phillip. Furniture and fixtures that had no sentimental value. She much preferred Kane’s handcrafted things and down-home furnishings. “If you don’t mind, could you ship my personal items and writing supplies overnight air?”

  “No problem. I’ll have them out by tomorrow.”

  They spent another half hour on the phone, talking about the past and what the future might hold for both of them. Tears filled Megan’s eyes when it came time for them to hang up.

  “Megan, be sure that this is what you truly want,” Judi said, always the friend who tried to protect Megan from heartbreak.

  Megan smiled while wiping a sentimental tear from her cheek. Judi had nothing to worry about “I’ve never been so sure of anything in all my life.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  “BY THE power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Judge Griffen smiled at the small gathering of people in his private chambers. “You may kiss your bride.”

  Kane turned and looked at the woman standing by his side. His wife. The title sent a warmth rippling through him, filling him with a possessiveness he hadn’t expected. The sensation wasn’t all that unpleasant.

  Dressed in a simple cream suit, her auburn hair swept into a fancy twist at the back of her head, Megan exemplified a bride in every sense of the word. She looked radiant and beautiful. Joy shone in her drown-in-them-forever blue eyes, and a deeper emotion he didn’t take time to analyze. A pink blush colored her cheeks. In her right hand she clutched the small bouquet of flowers Andy had insisted he buy for her. The pale pink baby roses and tiny white flowers trembled with every breath she took.