Texan’s Wedding-Night Wager / The Oilman’s Baby Bargain: Texan’s Wedding-Night Wager. Michelle Celmer

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СКАЧАТЬ the direction of his gaze, Cara gasped at the view below. “Oh, Kevin. This is amazing.”

      A small, well-kept cottage on the TCC property was lit outside by at least a hundred pillar candles. A table, dressed in white linen, was set with fine china, crystal wineglasses and lilies of every variety.

      “It’s beautiful.” Tears stung her eyes. Why couldn’t he have done something like this years ago when their marriage was shaky, when she needed attention, when she needed to know she was more important than his business? Oh, Kevin, she thought, why are you doing this now, when it’s too late? The question plagued her, but she pushed it out of her mind.

       Lighten up, Cara. This is temporary.

      “I’m glad you like it.” Kevin pushed his horse on, and Dream Catcher followed him down the other side of the rise. When they reached the cottage, Kevin dismounted. He walked over to Cara and reached for her. She slid down the left side of the horse into Kevin’s arms. He held her, their gazes entwined, as luminous candles lit the background.

      “You were always gorgeous in candlelight, babe.”

      Cara smiled, the compliment warming her heart.

      Kevin tilted his head, the brim of his Stetson grazing her forehead. She braced herself for the kiss, tightening up inside in anticipation.

      Kevin brushed his lips over hers in the lightest feather-touch of a kiss, then backed away. Cara blinked, a little surprised.

      He took her hand. “Have a seat.” He guided her to the table and pulled out a chair for her. “I’ll see to the horses.”

      She watched him take the reins of both horses and go behind the cottage. When he returned and sat down, a chef appeared at the table wearing a white coat and tall hat, a waiter standing just behind him. “I hope you enjoy the meal Mr. and Mrs. Novak,” the chef said.

      “I’m sure we will,” Kevin returned, with a nod.

      Cara sat quietly while the waiter served their first course, a little pastry puff filled with light cheese and raspberries. She took her first bite and closed her eyes. “Oh…this is heaven.”

      When she opened her eyes, Kevin’s gaze was on her, watching her enjoy the pastry with a gleam in his eyes. “The chef came highly recommended.”

      Cara was again tempted to ask, why was he going to so much trouble? But she’d already decided that she would just go with the flow and see where that would take her, so she remained silent on the subject. “I can see why. He’s already got my vote for Chef of the Year.”

      Kevin poured them each a glass of wine.

      “You said something about needing my advice?” Cara sipped her wine and the smooth liquid warmed her inside. “But you haven’t said a word about it yet.”

      Kevin lifted his glass to his lips and sipped. “It’s not a pleasant subject, Cara. I hate to spoil the night, but yes, I do have something I’d like to tell you. It’s regarding Alex Montoya and the recent fire at Brody Oil and Gas. I think it was set deliberately.”

      “You think Alex did it?” Cara’s voice elevated with disbelief. Sure, the Brody brothers had issues with Alex, and vice versa, from their teen years, but Cara never thought Alejandro Montoya capable of something as criminal as arson.

      “I do, Cara. I’d like your opinion about this. Hear me out.”

      Kevin gave a detailed description of what had transpired between Lance, Mitch and Alex through the years, and then added a final note about how Alex had managed to hamper his newest revitalization development. He explained how Alex had helped back a faction that had that particular area in Somerset declared historic, thus killing the project. “I have no proof regarding the fire, but you know everyone involved. What do you think?”

      Cara shook her head. She thought about the accidental meeting she’d had with Alicia just yesterday. Alicia would be devastated if her brother was involved with the fire in any way. “My gut instincts tell me Alex wouldn’t do anything so drastic. It’s not his style, Kevin. Yes, I can see him behind the scenes, working to preserve the Somerset area. He may have even done that to spite you, but that’s not a criminal act.”

      “No, it just caused me a major headache and financial losses.”

      “You may not agree with me,” she said with a shake of her head, “but I don’t think Alex had anything to do with the refinery fire.”

      “Okay, noted. You and Darius are the only ones. Lance, Mitch, Justin and I all think he’s behind it.”

      Cara sipped her wine. “Maybe you’re not being objective. Maybe you want to blame Alex. Maybe you’re so pissed at him, you want him to be guilty.” Kevin winced and Cara continued. “Revenge can be sweet, isn’t that what you always said?”

      “No, I never said that.”

      Cara blinked and leaned forward. “Oh, sorry, that must have been the other husband I married nine years ago.”

      “Must have been.” With a smug look, Kevin lifted his glass and finished off his wine. He poured himself another glass as the waiter cleared their dishes and brought the next course.

      “So, is that all you wanted to ask me?” Cara dived into her asparagus salad, her appetite flaring to life.

      “Yes.”

      “Are you sorry you asked for my opinion?”

      “No.” Kevin spoke with an earnest tone. “I always valued your opinion. That hasn’t changed.”

      Cara sat back in her seat and stared into Kevin’s eyes. “You can be so charming—when you want to be.”

      “I want to be. Right now. With you.”

      Why? Cara didn’t understand it, but the voice in her head told her to go with it and enjoy these last few days with Kevin. Soon enough, their marriage would be over.

      When they finished all four courses of the main meal, Kevin suggested they go inside the cottage for coffee and dessert. “The chef made us something special.”

      “I should be full, but I can always fit in dessert,” Cara said, feeling the zipper of her jeans expanding a bit. She was slender and, at five foot eight, she could afford to eat a decadent dessert once in a while.

      Kevin stood and reached for her hand. With fingers entwined, they entered the cottage, climbing the steps, their boots scraping the wooden floors. Cara made a quick tour of the quaint cottage, noting the rustic stone fireplace, cozy chintz sofa and several swag-draped pane windows. “It’s lovely here.”

      “It was the groundskeeper’s home at one time. TCC let it go to ruin, practically. I renovated it and now it’s available—”

      “For impressing your dates?” she blurted, in a teasing tone.

      Kevin whipped around and grabbed her by the waist, bringing her flush up against him. “You have a mouth on you, don’t you?”

      Cara pulled her head back to look at him fully. “You always liked my sassy mouth.”

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