The Billionaire's Marriage Promise

by Melody Archer

  Rory expelled a breath she’d been holding. “You know, like at the gala last night. People that have class, who are wealthy and have a lot of knowledge about how things should be done properly and with class.”

  Gabe shook his head, and sent Rory a small smile. “Rory, if truth be told many of those people are just real good at looking sophisticated on the outside, when on the inside they are struggling.”

  “Well maybe, but my point is that you could have married someone with more beauty and more class, who wasn’t naive like I was. So why didn’t you marry a woman like that?”

  “All the other women were superficial. You’ve always been honest and real about what you needed, Rory. I’ve always liked that about you.”

  “And you wanted to save me from the whoever was setting the fires.” Rory realized the part about her needing Gabe to protect her from the person setting the fires wasn’t true anymore.

  “Yes, I wanted to protect you.” Gabe spoke quietly. “I still do Rory.“

  “Maybe, but you still could have married someone who was better for you. Someone who understands how to do everything right and to be the wife of someone like you who has the influence and fame you have.”

  “I don’t care about all that. I just wanted to do the right thing and be helpful to you.”

  “This may surprise you Gabe Stevenson. But I do care. I have never wanted your pity. Just because I’m the Island girl who is poor and unsophisticated like the women friends you’re used to dating, doesn’t mean that I need you to feel sorry for me.” Rory wrapped her arms around herself rubbing her arms, feeling a sudden chill.

  “Rory, I didn’t marry you because I felt sorry for you. Your my friend. I care about you and wanted to protect you.”

  Rory looked out the window of the airplane, swallowing back the frustration she felt. Her hands balled into a fist under the table.

  “Well now it looks like I don’t need protection anymore. Now that we know who is behind the fires, you don’t need to save me anymore.”

  “What are you saying Rory?”

  “I’m saying maybe it’s time we go back to our original agreement.” Rory felt numb inside as she spoke. “We should decide that this is strictly a marriage-in-name-only and leave all emotions out of it.”

  “Is that really what you want, Rory?” His voice held a chill, cool and detached.

  “I think we would have less arguments that way. So yes, I think it would be better.” The walls were up around her heart and she couldn’t take anymore pain or heartache. Something had shifted in her when Maddie had told her she wasn’t good enough for Gabe. She realized it really was true. Maybe she would never fit in.

  Gabe looked at her for a full minute before he spoke, his tone crisp and cool. “If that’s what you want Rory.”

  A sudden sadness swept over her. She didn’t want it to be like this, but she didn’t know what else to do.

  Her mind flooded with chaos, confusion and anger.

  Tight knots of fear coiled in her belly, at the thought of being abandoned again. She’d experienced the pain of that once already and was scared that it would happen again.

  She desperately wanted her husband to love her. But that was not to be.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Sweat dripped down from his brow as Gabe heaved another shovelful of ashes into the containment bin near the Health Spa. The construction crew thought he was crazy for volunteering to cleanup the ashes from the fire but he needed to do this.

  He’d been doing cleanup since they got back from seeing Rory’s half brother.

  Something had been nagging him every since they had talked with Ned. Something about Rory’s Aunt? He needed to call Max Harrison today and have him look into it.

  Meanwhile he would finishing cleaning up these ashes.

  This was something that was easy to fix.

  The broken relationship between him and his wife was not.

  His fake wife.

  Rory had reminded him of that. She wanted things to go back to their original agreement. A marriage of convenience. Strictly business.

  He didn’t want that.

  Gabe was beginning to realize he wanted a whole lot more.

  He wanted the old Rory back. The woman who laughed at his jokes, played with dogs on the beach, and sat close to him and walked beside him listening to his passions and plans for the future.

  This distant and emotionless Rory — the woman she had become since their talk — was a stranger to him.

  Since returning from their trip to Oregon five days ago, they had hardly talked. Their meals together were stilted and silent. Mrs. O’Toole still made her delicious meals but Gabe hardly noticed his thoughts were so wrapped up in how to fix things with his wife.

  As he finished shoveling the last of the ashes into the bin he stood still for a moment staring at the huge pile of cinders. Right now his relationship with Rory looked that. Black and grey with no color. Could beauty still come from something that looked dead and lifeless?

  He hoped so.

  Hurrying toward home Gabe decided needed to talk to Jack. His brother might look like a pirate with his scarred cheek, but he had an uncanny sense about people. Grand said Jack was born with good horse sense. He had gut feeling about people and an uncanny insight into what made them tick.

  He was counting on Jack’s good horse sense today.

  Entering through the side door by the kitchen, he heard their cook humming softly like she usually did. Somehow it made their house a little more cheery.

  Following the scent of freshly baked cookies Gabe walked into the kitchen and grabbed a warm one off the counter.

  “They smell delicious, Mrs. O’Toole.” Gabe smiled as he took a bite. “And taste even better.”

  Their cook swatted him with a spatula. “Oh go on with you, Gabe Stevenson.” He liked that she swatted him and liked listening to her Irish brogue.

  Gabe winked at her, smiling as he ate the rest of his cookie. Turning he went down the long hallway toward his office. Passing Rory’s office, he stopped for a moment. The click-clack of her fingers typing away on the computer was all he heard. He decided he wouldn’t disturb her as she was probably in the middle of a train of thought and wouldn’t appreciate the interruption.

  Walking into his office at the end of the hall, he closed the door. Pulling out his phone he called Jack.

  “Jack here.”

  “Hey pirate.” Jack’s good-natured chuckle at the end of the line reminded him of the strong bond of family.

  “Gabe. It’s good to hear from you.” Jack’s voice was unhurried and helped to settle Gabe’s nerves.

  “It’s been awhile. Do you have time to talk?”

  “My time is yours, bro.”

  Gabe explained the heated conversation between Rory and him on the way back from seeing her half brother. “I just don’t understand why she would feel like I should’ve married a model or a woman with more sophistication or a better pedigree. I like Rory because she’s real and doesn’t put on airs.”

  “Did you tell her that?”

  “Yes, but it didn’t seem to change anything. She still feels like I married her because I felt sorry for her.”

  Jack was silent for a moment. “Sounds to me like your wife is running scared. Seems like she’s backing away from you because she doesn’t feel like she fits into your world of influence and wealth. She’s like a skittish colt who has ran through a fire before and is terrified of it happening again. Maybe everything that’s going on with her half brother Ned combined with the newness of being married to you has been emotionally overwhelming.”

  “That’s sounds about right.” Gabe paced his office floor realizing that was probably true. “So, how do I fix this Jack? How do I get my wife to learn to trust me and get back to growing that close bond we began?”

  “Be kind and patient with Rory. From the sounds of things she’s just been hurt one too many times.” Jack continued, “And most important of all? Show
her in every way you can how much you love her.”

  Gabe stopped pacing, staring out the window. He was silent for a full minute.

  Jack chuckled on the other end. “Don’t be shocked. It’s as plain day that you love her. Show her that. And when the time is right, tell her.”

  Expelling a slow breath, Gabe closed his eyes as he realized the truth of Jack’s words. “You make it sound easy. It’s really tough to lay your heart on the line. There’s always the possibility that it’ll get trampled.” He rubbed the back of his neck as he stared out the window at the water below.”

  “True enough. But that’s why you need to dig deeper and ask yourself if you can live without her. When you know the answer to that, you can run after what you really want.”

  “Jack, you have an uncanny sense about people. Thanks for your advice.” It was at times like this, that Gabe appreciated his brother more than words could say.

  “Anytime man. Oh and we’ll see you at the pier around noon?”

  “Yes, we’ll be there.”

  “See you later then.”

  Gabe hung up grateful for Jack’s advice. Now all he had to do was take it. It might be one of the most difficult things he’d done yet.

  He wanted to tell Rory how he felt about her right now, but that would need to wait. They had to hurry to the Yacht. Tonight was her surprise birthday party and they needed to be away from the Lodge for a few hours so the people he hired could set things up.

  Her actual birthday wasn’t until tomorrow, but he needed to have the party a day ahead because he had to fly out tomorrow. He’d agreed to go on a six week speaking tour for Cyrus Noble’s hotel and resort chain. Problem was, he still hadn’t told Rory.

  There would be time to talk to her tonight. Mentally Gabe began to rehearse all the things he wanted to tell his wife.

  He wanted to tell her that since he’d met her, his life had changed. It was true. Rory had a way of bringing him down to earth. She made him feel like he was grounded and rooted in something strong, something meaningful and something worth fighting for.

  Something like the love he had for her.

  He hadn’t told her yet, but he would. He would show her how much he loved her, expressing all the deep emotions of his heart.

  Somehow he needed to let his wife know how much she meant to him, even if she was convinced they were done sharing their messy emotions.

  Rory stood beside Gabe standing on the bridge of his Yacht. He had convinced her that they should take advantage of the sunny day and go boating.

  At first she didn’t really want to go, because that would mean she would need to be in close quarters with her husband. Already these past five days since they returned from talking with her half brother, Gabe and her had barely spoken.

  She didn’t know how much longer she could go on in this chilly atmosphere between them. And the sad part was, she didn’t have anyone else to blame but herself.

  Yet, she needed to guard her heart. She didn’t want to be hurt. Getting close to Gabe only to be rejected or abandoned again, would lead down the path straight to heartache.

  She sighed heavily.

  This afternoon, Gabe seemed to be in a good mood and was being very attentive and kind to her.

  How much longer she’d be able to keep her heart aloof?

  “Do you want to take the helm?” Gabe grinned at her and stood back from the wheel.

  She hesitated for a moment. “Are you sure? I’ve only ever steered the sailboat.”

  “Being behind the helm here is similar, at least for what we’re doing today.” Gabe assured her and stepped back.

  She stepped behind the wheel and took over. Gabe’s state-of-the-art modern yacht was incredible. The bridge sat higher up and when she was at the helm she could see for miles across the water.

  “This feels amazing.” She breathed out a happy sigh and looked at him.

  Gabe eyes were riveted on her a warmth in his eyes. “It is.”

  Feeling disconcerted, Rory turned back to look straight ahead. “Where are we headed?”

  “To Paradise Island.” Her husband’s blue eyes sparkled.

  “Is it a surprise?”

  “You might say that.” Gabe chuckled. “You’ll find out soon enough. I can see Paradise Lake just up ahead.”

  Tingles went up her spine starting from where Gabe placed a warm hand on the small of her back.

  Before long they were docking at the long pier for yachts.

  Hearing loud voices she looked up.

  “We’d better get outside to greet them.”

  “Surprise Rory! Happy Birthday from all of us.” Bella was waving at her and Gabe as they stepped from the yacht onto the pier.

  “Aww, thank you everyone. This is a wonderful surprise.” Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. She’d never had this many people telling her happy birthday in her life.

  Gabe’s whole family was there as well as her friend Raz.

  “But don’t get too comfortable, because we’re all coming back with you to Walker’s Island.” Raz giggled, giving her a hug.

  “You are?”

  “She’s right. We’re headed back. Your aunts will be waiting at the Lodge when we get there.” Gabe grinned.

  “Oh this is so much fun.” Rory grinned happy to see Raz and Gabe’s family.

  They got onto the yacht and it was a little more than hour before they were stepping off the yacht on the Island walking toward Grand’s Hunting Lodge.

  Rory could hear country music as they neared their home.

  Rounding the corner, she peered into the large back yard to see one of her favorite country bands warming up. She saw all sorts of things setup in the backyard.

  She was reminded of the fact that she’d told Gabe of her dream to have a big birthday party where there were all sorts of fun things to do.

  “Did you plan all of this?” Rory turned to Gabe, a her eyes big and round.

  Gabe chuckled, “Of course. With a little help from your friend Razelle and your aunts.”

  “Thank you. This looks like so much fun.” Rory gave Gabe a kiss on the cheek and hugged Raz.

  All three of her aunts stood in front of a large table with snacks and drinks.

  “Thank you.” She hugged them each in turn.

  Aunt Merrie soon called everyone to attention. Telling them it was time to start. They had set up a small mini-golf course, there was also a few games like backyard game of Jenga, donut-eating on a string, a photo booth area that hung from a tree and a giant piñata.

  Luke and Zach, Gabe’s younger brothers were soon having a great time trying donut eating on a string while Bella and Elle tried the large-sized game. Gabe had joined Adam and Jack to play a round of mini-golf.

  Rory and Raz joined Bella and Elle with a game of Jenga. Trying to pull out a piece of two by four wood without letting the tower fall. First time through Rory was the player who made the tower fall, but got better the more times they played.

  Before long Aunt Merrie announced that it was time for the scavenger hunt. She gave each person a paper with a picture on it. Everyone had ten minutes to find the item and get back in time. First person back won the game.

  Rory’s picture was a pine cone, a flower and something blue. She hurried toward the back of the house and into the area where there were a lot of trees she was certain she would find a pine cone there.

  It was still light out as she walked into the bushes. She continued walking deeper into the frosted area until she found a pine tree. She grabbed the tree to bend it over and out fell a few pine cones onto the dirt.

  Bending over she picked up a pine cone only to see a shiny gold bracelet with a heart shaped locket around it. She picked up the both items. The gold bracelet seemed quite old, she wondered where it came from. Turning it over she read the inscription on the back. To our daughter Mallory Murphy, love Mama and Papa.

  Standing there suddenly the hairs on the back of her neck bristled. Suddenly she felt like she wa
s being watched. Hurrying out of the forested area, she went toward the sounds of laughter in the backyard.

  Raz was already celebrating her win when Rory got back. She stopped and read the inscription again and memories of what she’d read in her mother’s diary this morning came back to her.

  I don’t know if I should invite my sister Mal to Rory’s sixth birthday party. The last few birthday parties she’s attended, she was so mean to me and to our little Rory. She always calls Rory, Delanie’s precious princess who gets everything. Mal is constantly complaining about how much I fuss over Rory and that Mal never had anyone to fuss over her.

  Sometimes I wonder if all those years when my sister Mal had to deal with our father’s drunken rages, caused something to snap inside her. Maybe resentment and bitterness from all those years, have built up to the point and she’s decided she wants her revenge.

  I’m worried about Edward, me and Rory and our safety. I don’t think I’ll invite her to our daughter’s birthday party.

  Rory shivered as she thought of the implications. If this bracelet belonged to Aunt Mal, it meant that at some point she had been here on the Island. She’d been near their house.

  Her fingers traced the contours of the heart-shaped locket that hung around her neck as she stared at the bracelet that matched it.

  Why is Aunt Mal here? And if she was here, why didn’t she visit her sisters?

  “Hey birthday girl, are you okay?” As Gabe walked up to her, Rory quickly put the bracelet into her pocket. She didn’t know why she hid it, maybe because she didn’t want Gabe to worry about her and feel like he needed to protect her even more.

  She forced a smile, desperate for Gabe to believe that everything was normal. “Yes. This is a fun day.”

  A furrow formed on his forehead. “Hmm, you seem a little worried about something.”

  “I’m good. Oh, look. Mrs. O’Toole is bringing out the birthday cake.” Everyone started singing happy birthday and Rory was grateful for the distraction.

  She blew out the candles and still had one candle leftover.

  After all the fun and games were over, the country band started playing again.