Bride in Training. Gail Martin Gaymer

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СКАЧАТЬ style="font-size:15px;">      The vision made her ache for what might have been if she’d had a different life. She drew in a long breath, and instead of letting the mood affect her, she grasped the package and left the car. The closer she strode to the front door the more her nerves came out of hiding. He’d asked her to come. It wasn’t as if she was making a surprise visit.

      Emily stood for a moment to gather her confidence, then pushed the bell. She heard a pleasant chime from within and waited.

      The door opened, and Martin gaped at her a moment before he spoke. “That was fast.” He pushed open the screen door. “I didn’t know you were so close.”

      She took a step backward. “If it’s a problem, I can—”

      “It’s not a problem.” A faint grin slipped to his mouth. “Come in.”

      Emily stepped inside, her gaze lowering to Martin’s stockinged feet against the stone-tiled foyer. Her stomach tightened. The image of Martin Davis looking as homey as his house seemed unreal. She’d never pictured him in jeans and a pair of socks looking like a regular homebody. He’d even flashed her a smile. The vision rushed through her.

      Past the foyer, a family room lay in front of her where she could see patio doors leading outside. When he motioned her to come in further, she clamped her jaw to hold back her reaction. The foyer flowed into a huge living room with a stone fireplace and cathedral ceiling. Across the thick carpet she spotted a dining area. She loved the large open room, and when she looked at him, she couldn’t help but tell him. “This is wonderful for entertaining.”

      “I wouldn’t know.”

      She winced at his abrupt response. A distant sound distracted her followed by a scratching noise that caused her concern. “What’s that noise? Nessie?”

      “I locked her in the laundry room where she can do less damage.”

      Emily’s back tightened. “No.” She gave him a piercing gaze before she could stop herself.

      He staggered back a step and looked at her with wide eyes. “What?”

      “That’s not the way to train a dog.”

      “No kidding.”

      His sarcastic tone didn’t stop her. “Then why did you do it?”

      His looked soften. “Emily, I don’t know how to work with a dog. That’s why I called Molly.”

      She looked away, startled that she’d gotten so mouthy. “Let Nessie out of the laundry room. Then we can talk.”

      He nodded and headed for the doorway off the dining room, his expression more like the man she’d seen when she walked into the house.

      Although he hadn’t invited her, Emily followed. When she stepped into the kitchen, she quelled an appreciative moan. Expansive cabinets were highlighted by a large island. On the far side, a breakfast nook sat beside broad windows that looked into the backyard. She could imagine eating there in the morning, watching the birds flap their wings in a birdbath and squirrels skittering in the trees. She’d dreamed of a comfortable home with a pretty yard.

      The scratching noise stopped, and Nessie darted into the room, her nails tapping against the wooden floor. She skidded to a stop beside her.

      Emily lifted the terrier in her arms. Nessie’s tongue lapped across her hands before swiping her cheek. She cuddled the terrier, feeling her heartbeat pounding against her palm. “You poor little thing.” She nuzzled her face in the dog’s fur.

      When she lifted her head, Martin watched her, a troubled look etching his face. “I didn’t think putting her in the laundry room was cruel.”

      “No, but she’s frightened.” Nessie’s heartbeat slowed and she squirmed to get down. “Remember, she lost her owner, then spent two days with us, and now she’s with you. Can you imagine how you’d feel being taken from your home and locked in a cell like a prisoner, and then when you were bailed out and thinking you were saved, you were locked up again?”

      Martin ran his fingers through his hair. “I didn’t think of it like that.”

      His contrite expression wrenched her heart. When he lowered his hand, she gazed at his dark hair now ruffled by his fingers. He wore it with no part, short and thick with a natural wave. She longed to bury her hand in its thickness.

      As if he heard her, Martin smiled.

      Smile? She didn’t want him to smile. The pit of her stomach fell and rose, pressing air from her lungs. This yo-yo man vacillated from intolerable to lovable in the blink of an eye.

      Her frustration weakened. “Can we talk?” She lowered Nessie to the floor.

      He motioned behind her. “Let’s sit in the family room.” He pointed to the doorway.

      As she moved ahead, he stopped in front of the refrigerator. “Iced tea?”

      Emily thought of saying no, but nerves had dried her throat. “Yes, please. No sugar.” Though eager to view the family room, she watched him pull out glasses and pour the drinks. He looked comfortable in the kitchen, his stockinged feet padding along the oak planks. Who would have thought that Martin had a homey side in him? But he did, and she liked it.

      Martin tilted his head toward the family room. “You didn’t need to wait.”

      “I like watching you work in the kitchen.” The words sailed out with a mind of their own.

      His grin brightened as he handed her the tea. “I find that interesting.”

      She shrugged, wishing she had a snappy response. “I don’t have much of a kitchen. It’s a studio apartment.”

      His grin faded, and she wished she hadn’t admitted it. She took one last sweeping gaze of his spacious kitchen before moving into the family room. When she did, sunlight filtered through the glass door onto the carpet, leaving sunny splotches and changing its color from beige to gold. Sunshine also radiated from above, and she lifted her gaze to the cathedral ceiling with a skylight. Ultimate luxury. She’d never known anything like this. She turned in a circle, searching to see if he’d thought to purchase a doggie bed for Nessie, a place she could call her own. She saw none.

      Across from another fireplace—how many did one man need?—she eyed the wide patio door.

      Martin stood in the doorway, watching her, but she didn’t care. She’d never been in a house like this. None of her clients had a home of this size. Nessie pit-patted beside her as Emily ambled across the room and looked through the glass. The large yard spotted with shade trees and shrubs looked inviting but lacked the flowers she loved.

      She glanced over her shoulder. “I know it’s cool, but could we sit outside? Nessie probably needs to run, anyway.”

      “Why not?” He followed her as she unlocked the door and pushed it open.

      Nessie shot through the doorway, sniffing the ground and heading for an area in the back of the property.

      “How about there?” Martin motioned toward the chairs arranged around an umbrella table.

      Emily СКАЧАТЬ