Harlequin Special Edition July 2013 - Bundle 1 of 2: Marooned with the MaverickHer McKnight in Shining ArmorCelebration's Bride

by Christine Rimmer

  “Good afternoon,” he said.

  Katherine Hart indicated a chair. “Have a seat.”

  “Thanks.”

  One didn’t refuse an invitation from royalty, and that was what it felt like. They were as impeccably dressed as the last time he’d seen them, and that was impeccable enough for an InStyle magazine photo shoot. This wasn’t a social call and they didn’t offer him refreshments. It set a certain tone and not one likely to work in his favor.

  “Thank you both for agreeing to see me.”

  “We wouldn’t have except my son Sam told us what you did yesterday.” There was coolness in the man’s tone and he had to be feeling something. This was about his only daughter. The ability to control emotion would be a valuable business advantage. No wonder the company was so successful. “It took guts to face my sons.”

  “Less than you give me credit for. It was the right thing to do.”

  He felt more like an awkward teenager than when he’d actually been one. This face-to-face meeting with Ellie’s parents felt like the most important of his life. Everything was riding on it.

  “Still,” Katherine said, “The boys can be very intimidating. They’re like their father in that way.”

  After several moments passed, Mr. Hart said, “You asked for this meeting. So what do you want?”

  Alex met the man’s narrow-eyed gaze and knew exactly what his wife had meant. There was no attempt to put him at ease and every effort to keep him off balance. Their daughter was the first priority and he could respect that.

  “First I want to assure you that I’m not after money. McKnight Construction is very successful.”

  “That’s what my investigator said.”

  “Good.” Of course the man would check him out, Alex thought. “I’m here to ask your permission to marry Ellie.”

  “You don’t beat around the bush.”

  “There’s no point, sir. It’s why I came.”

  “According to Sam,” the other man said, “you already asked Ellie. Twice. And she turned you down. Even if we gave you our blessing, I don’t think it would buy much with her. She doesn’t listen to us often. Has a mind of her own, that girl.”

  “Yes, she does. It’s one of the things I like best about her.”

  Hastings Hart nodded almost imperceptibly. “So you think you know what you’d be getting into.”

  “I do, sir.”

  “And you’re willing to take her on?”

  “Yes, sir.” He sat up straight; there was no win in relaxing.

  “She’s a lot like her mother, so believe it when I say that she’s a challenge.”

  “He’s completely serious,” his wife said. “I’m not easy, and neither is my daughter.”

  “I look forward to that.”

  Anyone worth having was worth working for and Ellie was worth everything. He’d known that as soon as she’d left Blackwater Lake, although it took some time to admit it.

  “I’m just not sure we should get involved.” The man looked at his wife, who also appeared uncertain.

  “Your sons were all in favor of a marriage. It was Linc’s idea,” he said wryly. “It’s what I want, too.”

  The other man frowned. “So you say.”

  “Ellie told me her family was on her side, but if I can change your mind, I think that could go a long way toward getting her to accept my proposal.”

  “At least the baby would have a last name legally, no matter what happens.”

  Mrs. Hart meant if they divorced. Alex knew from experience how sudden and unexpected change could be, but this time he was less concerned. Ellie was nothing like his ex. Stubborn she was, there was no quit in her, but she was also kind and honest.

  “The baby is and always will be mine, too. That’s not a legal obligation, but a real privilege.” He looked at Ellie’s mother. “No matter what happens.”

  A look of agreement passed between her parents, a couple’s communication nurtured and developed over many years of marriage. That’s what Alex wanted with their daughter.

  Finally Hastings Hart said, “All right. If you can find a way to convince her to say yes, we’re on board.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “Don’t thank me yet.” The man’s eyes turned hard and cold and protective. “If you do anything to hurt my little girl, I promise you’ll regret it. Lincoln punching you out will seem like a day at the park and it will be the least of your concerns.”

  “Understood, sir.”

  “Really?”

  “She told me about the jerk who lied to her. If there’s any justice in this world, he and I will cross paths and I’ll be the one doing the punching.” He looked from one to the other. “I’ll never let her down or disappoint her. Most important, I will always tell her the truth.”

  “Even if she wants to know whether a pair of jeans makes her butt look big?” Her mother’s eyes danced with amusement.

  “I can’t imagine that ever happening.” It was the absolute truth. In his opinion, her backside was a work of art.

  All humor disappeared when she said, “I’d like to believe what you’re saying, but it’s difficult. Did she or did she not run away from you?”

  “She did, but—”

  “No buts.” Hastings held up his hand. “She told you no and came home. What’s changed?”

  “I realized I’m in love with her,” he answered simply. “And the first two times I asked, I didn’t tell her that.”

  “Not smart, Mr. McKnight.” Mrs. Hart tsked sympathetically.

  “I couldn’t agree more. The whole thing was badly handled, and I’m the first to admit it. I never told her how I feel and it was a big mistake.”

  “Does that sound familiar, Hasty?”

  The older man rolled his eyes. “Are you ever going to let me forget that?”

  “Not if I can help it.” She smiled fondly at him. “It’s a failing of successful men who are accustomed to getting everything without working for it.”

  “I worked for you, dear.”

  “And do you regret it?”

  “Never.” He took her right hand into his own.

  “I’m not opposed to working for Ellie,” Alex said. “And she’s what I want. More than anything, I want a family with her. It’s my goal to open a branch of my business here in Dallas so I can be near her and the baby.”

  “Plan B?”

  “Absolutely, sir. It’s what a successful man does.”

  Ellie’s father fought a laugh, but couldn’t pull it off. “Damn it, son, I like you. The boys were right.”

  “I’m glad to hear that, Mr. Hart.”

  “Call me Hastings.”

  “Would you care for tea or coffee?” His wife asked.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Hart. I’d like that very much.”

  “And I’m Kate.” She stood and headed for the doorway.

  After his wife left the room, Hastings sat forward, an aggressive posture. “Okay, son, you’re going to need a plan to get through to my daughter.”

  “Do you have something in mind?”

  “You bet I do.”

  “Excellent, sir. I need all the help I can get.”

  Alex had managed to pull off the practically impossible feat of getting the entire Hart family on his side. These people knew her better than anyone and it would be foolish not to hear them out.

  Most important, he wouldn’t leave anything to chance. He loved Ellie Hart. and if standing on his head at a Dallas Cowboys football game would convince her to marry him, he’d do it.

  He just hoped it wasn’t too late.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Really, Miss Ellie, you don’t need to help me with the dishes.”

  “I want to, Ina.”

  Still hiding out with her parents, she’d just finished having dinner with them. Now she was helping with cleanup. She’d gotten used to doing the dishes every night with Alex and missed it—not the dishes so much as him. She’d wade through mud up to her knees and go fish
ing in the rain if it meant she could spend time with him.

  It hurt to think about that. Talk about something else. “How’s your family?”

  “They’re good.”

  This plump woman with short dark hair and hazel eyes had worked here for at least twenty years. After her husband died suddenly, leaving her with four small children—two girls and two boys—Ellie’s parents had given her a job. One of her daughters was a year or two younger than Ellie, and they’d played together as children.

  “How’s Delaney?”

  “Really good. She’s getting married.”

  “That’s wonderful.” Ellie meant that, even through the sharp stab of envy. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me when I first got home.”

  “The time just didn’t seem right.” She abruptly turned away and started drying a platter.

  “What is it, Ina?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Come on. This is me. I’ve known you a long time. Y’all are uncomfortable about something. Give it up.”

  The housekeeper met her gaze. “She’s going to have a baby, Miss Ellie.”

  So, she was uncomfortable about the parallel situation. The only difference was that Delaney was going to marry the father of her baby. “Who’s the guy? Do I know him?”

  “Your brother Sam introduced them. Peter Scott. He’s in banking. Or investments. Something like that.”

  “Are they in love?” What Ellie really wanted to know was whether or not he was “doing the right thing” or if this was where they’d been headed even if there wasn’t a pregnancy.

  Ina smiled. “It sure looks that way to me.”

  “That’s wonderful.”

  “I like Peter very much, but how could I not? He genuinely seems to adore my daughter and makes her happy.”

  “Then I’m happy for her. And congratulations to you. Y’all are going to be a grandma. Have they set a date yet?”

  “I don’t know. This just happened.”

  “If I don’t get a wedding invitation, I’ll be very unhappy.”

  Ellie hoped she put just the right balance of sincerity and enthusiasm into her voice. She was happy for her friend and so envious that it must be a sin big enough to send her straight to hell. She wanted to be with Alex, but not out of duty. That would only make him resent her, and she couldn’t stand it if he did.

  “So, what else is going on?” Ellie asked.

  The other woman was putting the dried platter into the cupboard. “Your Mr. McKnight came by yesterday.”

  “Alex? Here?”

  Ina quickly turned to look at her. “Yes. Is there something wrong?”

  Good question. “Did he come to see me?”

  “Not as far as I know. He called and spoke to your father, and the next thing I knew he was here.”

  “They talked to him?”

  “For a long time. He stayed for dinner.”

  “What?” She’d gone to Hart Industries to clean up her office, then had dinner with Linc. When she got back to her parents’ house they didn’t say a word about him being there. Staring at the dinette in the kitchen nook, she asked, “My father, ruthless businessman who gives no quarter, sat at the table and actually ate with Alex?”

  “Mrs. Hart requested that they eat in the dining room,” Ina confirmed.

  The world had gone mad. Her parents, the two people she was counting on to circle the wagons around her, had invited him to dinner?

  “What did they talk about?” she asked.

  “I was so busy cooking and serving.” Again the woman wouldn’t look at her.

  “Y’all put bits and pieces of information together better than anyone I know. You could be a covert operative for the CIA. Nothing goes on in this house that you don’t know about and everyone is aware of that.” Ellie put the last plate in the dishwasher then waited for an answer.

  “Okay. I heard enough to figure out what happened.” She looked proud. “After all, I have a reputation to maintain.”

  “Tell me.”

  “This is something you need to talk to your parents about.”

  “Oh, I intend to. But I’d like to be armed with information before I do.”

  “Miss Ellie—” There was a maternal expression in the other woman’s eyes, a look saying she cared about Ellie as if she were one of her own. “This isn’t a business deal or a battle. Miss Kate and Mr. Hastings just want what’s best for you. And their first grandchild.”

  “They have a funny way of showing it by sharing a meal with the man who—”

  “Go talk to them about it,” Ina suggested. “I’ll bring you some tea.”

  “Thank you.” Ellie wished it could be something stronger, but she was pregnant.

  She marched into the family room. Two empty dessert plates were on the coffee table. Drinking coffee from china cups, her parents were sitting side by side in the wing chairs. It struck her that they’d done this for years. They were like bookends, holding the family together, presenting a united front.

  “How could you?” she said to them.

  Kate took a sip from her cup. “What did we do?”

  “Threw me under the bus, that’s what.”

  “You heard about Alex being here.” Her mother was completely calm, as if she had dinner every night with her daughter’s baby daddy.

  “Did you think I wouldn’t find out? Was it a state secret?”

  “Of course not.” Hastings put his cup and saucer on the coffee table. “Sit down, Ellie. I have some things to say to you.”

  “Me first. For starters, what happened to you guys turning Alex away?”

  “About that—” Her father crossed one leg over the other, completely relaxed. “It was my plan to do just that until your brothers told me what he did.”

  “Alex?” It couldn’t have been bad, or they wouldn’t have fed him dinner. And Linc hadn’t said a word to her about anything. “What did he do?”

  “He showed up at Hart Industries and faced the boys man to men.”

  “Unarmed,” her mother added.

  “Why would he do that?”

  “To take responsibility. Declare his intention to be a father. Assure them he hadn’t taken advantage of you,” her father said.

  That was completely true, she thought. One kiss and she’d been his for the taking and there was no doubt in her mind the same thing would happen if he walked in right this minute and took her in his arms. She loved him so much and wouldn’t be able to resist him. That was why she’d needed her family to run interference for her.

  “So, Sam, Cal and Linc have gone to the dark side, too.” It wasn’t a question. Obviously her brothers had convinced the folks to see him and hear what he had to say. Must have been good, she thought bitterly.

  She looked at her father. “I was counting on you to protect me from him, Daddy.”

  “Look, Ellie, you made it clear that you don’t want me hovering. You said it was time to rehabilitate your career and build your reputation without my help. When your mother and I expressed our doubts about you going to Montana, you told us in no uncertain terms that you wanted to stand on your own two feet.” Her father leaned forward and met her gaze. “You can’t have it both ways.”

  Darn it all, he had a point, she thought. But since when had he started really listening to her? “That was business, this is personal.”

  “You don’t need protection from him, Ellie. He’s a good man.”

  She knew that better than anyone. He’d taken her in and nursed her when she’d had no one and no place to go. For goodness’ sake, he’d washed her hair.

  “How did he get to you guys?”

  “He said he loves you. And I believe him.” Hastings Hart was nothing if not a good judge of character.

  “Is love enough?” She hadn’t realized she’d said that out loud until her mother answered.

  “Love is everything.” Kate put her cup down on the table and slid forward on the chair. “Sweetheart, I know you never understood why I gave up my
acting career for marriage and motherhood. And I know why you don’t get it.”

  “Good, because I haven’t a clue.”

  “You grew up with three brothers and a father who are high achievers in the business world. You saw them wheel and deal, build things, make money, and all of that is revered and praised in the Hart family. You just want us to be proud of you.”

  Ellie nodded, her mouth trembling. She sat down on the love seat closest to her mother’s chair. When she could speak, she said, “It’s really important to me.”

  “We are proud of you and we love you very much.” Kate reached over and took her hand. “The only achievement we want is for you to be happy. That makes us proudest of all.”

  “It’s not enough.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. I made the decision I did because I was deeply and completely in love with your father. And I am still head over heels about him to this day. I never had a single regret. It never occurred to me that I gave up anything when Hastings Hart asked for my hand. He’s all I ever wanted.”

  “Really?”

  “Truly.” She smiled when her husband leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Ellie, if you want a career, there are ways to make it work, but you need to start with a good supportive man. A man like Alex.”

  “He asked me to marry him, but never said a word about his feelings. He’s just trying to do the right thing.” She was so used to living in the bad place it was dangerous to let herself believe in anything good. If she did that, she’d have to admit that she blew her chance to be happy. So much for making her family proud. “I won’t settle for less than love.”

  “He’s trying to do the right thing because he does love you. A person would have to be completely clueless not to see it,” her mother said. “The thing is, sweetie, men like Alex McKnight don’t come along every day. Maybe once in a lifetime if you’re very, very lucky.”

  “I don’t know,” she said. “Before the baby we agreed that this wouldn’t be serious. I have no reason to think he’s changed his mind about that.”