An Act of Love. Marion Ekholm

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ

      “I’m leaving tomorrow to attend my sister’s and...” She stopped and took a deep breath.

      “And?”

      “And I have five sisters, all younger and married or about to be. You have no idea what it’s like when everyone gangs up on you and asks when you’re getting married.”

      “Oh, but I do. I’m asked the same question by my family. Okay if I tell them I’ve finally found the woman of my dreams and plan to tie the knot?” He took out his cell phone. “Here, let me take your picture so I can show them.”

      “No!” Marley held her hand in front of her face.

      “All these weeks you’ve barely given me the time of day, and now we’re engaged.” He grasped her hand.

      Marley pulled free and pushed past him.

      “We’re not having a spat now, are we, love?” he said, returning to that accent. “Our engagement is only minutes old, and you’re already breaking it off. What will your family think? That you prefer to remain a singleton?”

      Marley halted. Every nerve in her body fired. Feeling queasy, she faced him. “I’m not in the mood, Brant, and one more word in that phony accent and I’ll—”

      “It doesn’t sound genuine?” He raised his eyebrows and stared in disbelief.

      “I haven’t the slightest idea if it is or not. I just know it’s not you, the Willie Nelson cowboy I see every day.” She walked past him and continued to their condo building.

      “Oh, so you have noticed me.” Slipping back into his usual voice, he pushed the door open for her. “But Willie Nelson? I look that old? I always considered myself more of a young Tim McGraw.”

      Once in the elevator, Marley removed her shoes and leaned against the metal wall. The coolness seeped into her skin, a delight after the warmth outside. She closed her eyes. When she heard Brant drop his backpack to the floor, she opened them. He had one hand on the wall above her head and was bending over, getting way too close.

      “Hmm. Brown. Aren’t redheads supposed to have green eyes?”

      She placed her palms against his chest and pushed him away.

      He grinned—that smile that thoroughly unnerved her. “Why pick me? We’ve never even been on a date.”

      “I didn’t pick you. My girlfriend Dede did when your picture passed by on a bus.”

      “Not that I haven’t tried. I asked you out for coffee and a walk in the rain. Both times you refused. Really did a number on my self-confidence.”

      Marley stared down at her feet and wiggled her toes. She remembered. Only someone who lived in Phoenix would consider a walk in the rain a fun thing to do. “You’ve obviously recovered.”

      “What is it? You’ve got a thing against actors?”

      “No.” She looked up into very dark eyes only inches from her own. “I don’t like dime-store cowboys.”

      “What’s that supposed to mean? You think I’m not for real?”

      Oh, he was for real, all right. And promised nothing but trouble on a grand scale.

      He backed off but still kept eye contact. “I’ll have you know that unlike most of the residents in this fair state, I’m a native Arizonan. I own my own ranch and raise horses.”

      They got off the elevator on the seventh floor, and Marley put her key in her door. “Sure you do.” Before opening the door and walking into her living room, she faced him. “I can smell the horse manure emanating from your condo every time the wind shifts.”

      Laughing, he stood in her doorway, his hand braced against the doorjamb.

      “This engagement will be over by the time I get back.”

      He pulled his hand away before she could close the door on his fingers.

      Brant stayed in her thoughts for some time while she packed for her trip. As long as the engagement was in her imagination, why not stick with him as her fiancé? He did have some qualities she found attractive. That smile, for instance. Yes, she could definitely wrap a fake engagement around that.

      Marley glanced at her watch and decided Dede should be home by now. When she answered, Marley said, “You’ll never guess what. I met Brant coming into our building.” She choked back laughter. “I can’t believe he caught me taking his picture and...” She paused to gain control of her voice. “I told him I needed a fiancé, and he’s it.”

      Marley would need a ring, she suddenly realized, something concrete to show her family so they’d believe she’d finally found her man.

      “Meet me tomorrow, Dede, before I catch my plane, and help me pick out an engagement ring.”

CHAPTER TWO

      BRANT HARDLY SLEPT. When he did Marley Roman appeared in his dreams with the guitar he’d heard her play on occasion. In fact, he was quite sure he’d heard her playing the previous evening. Maybe it was his imagination. The condo was pretty soundproof, and he’d only heard her the few times she’d gone out onto the balcony they shared. And she had been good, progressing through chords he’d struggled with for years. Not to mention her riffs. She could certainly teach him how to improve his technique.

      His sister Elaina, oddly still dressed in the fancy outfit she’d worn the previous night, had coffee ready when he came into the kitchen. She used one of his guest rooms whenever she came into Phoenix. “Morning,” he said as he took a seat on the stool in front of the bar, deciding not to ask her why she hadn’t changed clothes. “How was the concert?”

      “Perfect. It was a duo with a cello and guitar. Got to meet both the man and woman after and thought I might take up the cello again.” She pushed a full cup of black coffee over to him.

      “I remember you playing back when I was in grammar school. You sure you want to put my poor nieces and nephews through that torture?” He moved away from her attempt to swat him. “Usually you’re out of here before the rush hour. Who’s minding the ranch while you’re away?” Elaina managed their father’s ranch a good 50 miles northwest of Phoenix. His two other sisters were also involved in the family’s large holdings. Something he’d managed to avoid.

      “I delegate.” Elaina took the stool next to him and watched over the brim of her mug. “Dad wants to talk to you.”

      Brant swiveled around so that he faced a window. “You know what about?”

      “No, but I think you do. He expected to see you when you finished that last picture. You’re on hiatus now, aren’t you?”

      Brant got up and walked over to the sink. “Yeah. I have a few things to take care of and then I’ll come up.” Brant had dreaded the day when he’d have to give in to his father’s wishes and take over the responsibilities at the ranch. If only he could delay the inevitable. He excused himself and headed to the vestibule.

      Brant СКАЧАТЬ