About the time she’d started to ask Tim if he would walk her to the truck, Morreston had folded his napkin, placed it on the table and leaned toward her lunch date to strike up a conversation. If they’d tried to leave, she’d known Morreston would have followed. Pleading a headache, she’d excused herself and asked Tim if she could call him later.
Now apprehension increased with each step as she made her way to her vehicle. Her time was almost up. It was down to a few short hours before she would lose the home she loved forever. She’d almost been tempted to stand in the center of the restaurant, loudly declare her problem and ask if there were any takers. If she didn’t come up with a plan very soon, it just might come to that.
As she drove toward the parking lot exit, the front doors of the restaurant swung open and out walked Morreston—with Tim at his side. Seemingly engaged in light banter, only Morreston noticed her as she passed. He tipped his head to her in silent acknowledgment. She clutched the steering wheel in a death grip. Her hands itched to slap that arrogant smirk from his face once and for all. In the rearview mirror, she saw him turn to Tim, nod and laugh.
In that moment, she knew she never would have a second chance to speak with Tim. Morreston would see to it. That was why he was here. He knew what she was attempting to do, and he was determined to see her fail. The devil had just sprouted horns.
In the same instant, she also knew she’d reached the limit of her patience with the man and this bizarre situation. She slammed on the brakes and, without pausing to give her actions a second consideration, threw the truck into Reverse. It quickly roared backward before grinding to a halt directly in front of the two men. Their conversation immediately stopped and they both peered at her with curiosity.
She rolled down the window, a phony smile pasted to her lips. Alec watched her with guarded interest.
“Sorry to interrupt you gentlemen. But, Alec—?” She used his given name, implying a familiarity that was not there and never would be if she had anything to say about it. She gave him a look of pure innocence.
“You know, I’ve had a chance to think about our meeting earlier in the week. About the little problem we discussed?”
She had his attention.
“And, well, I think your attorney was right when he pointed out your family’s unwavering concern that a single, unmarried woman can’t possibly run a ranch...all by herself.” The sarcasm dripped from her voice. Her tone was venomous.
Tim looked from one of them to the other, as if struggling to understand any part of their conversation.
“Since Mr. Long was so kind as to explain my alternatives and well...since you’ve gone to all the trouble to stay here in case I needed you, and in light of all the care and understanding you’ve shown, I think you’re absolutely right.” She looked directly into the golden depths of his eyes, an effort that challenged her sanity. “I will marry you, Alec. Under the circumstances, how can I possibly refuse?”
Only Alec comprehended the true meaning of her words. His head drew back, his eyes narrowed and her phony smile almost became genuine as she saw the flare of annoyance in those chiseled features.
“If you’ll meet me at Ben Rucker’s office in, oh, about an hour? I’m sure he can help us sort out any little details we need to address prior to the ceremony.”
Before she switched her attention to Tim, she noted with satisfaction that the smirk was finally, effectively wiped from Morreston’s face.
“Tim, I’m sorry I didn’t have a chance to discuss this with you inside,” she apologized. “But my reason for asking you here was to solicit your help in convincing your father to perform the ceremony on such short notice. Would you mind speaking to him for me?” She surprised herself at how quickly and convincingly the lie rolled off her tongue.
“No,” Tim shrugged. If he believed this conversation to be as bizarre as it sounded, he managed to hide it well. “I’ll see him this afternoon. When is the wedding? And where?”
“This evening. At my house.” Her eyes returned to Alec’s face and she noted, with immense gratification, he clearly showed signs of irritation. His jaw worked convulsively as he made a futile attempt to remain calm.
“Will eight o’clock be all right?” she asked.
For a long moment, Alec didn’t answer. His eyes searched her face as if attempting to discern what she was up to, as though he couldn’t believe what she had just said.
“Eight will be fine,” he said finally.
If he’d refused, she’d have been surprised. She knew instinctively that Morreston was not the type of person to back down after the first stone was cast.
She put the truck in Drive and smiled at Alec. His amber eyes narrowed in a silent declaration of war. While she suspected her triumph would be short lived, it would certainly feel good while it lasted.
“I can’t let you do this,” Ben Rucker stated for the third time. “Suppose the man doesn’t refuse to marry you? What then?”
“Then we’ll get married,” she said firmly. “At eight this evening. Don’t worry, Ben, you’re invited.”
“This is not a joke!” Ben pulled the glasses off his face and stood up from the desk. “For God’s sake, don’t do this, Shea. Take the money he’s offered and buy land elsewhere. I’ll help you. You can—”
“No, Ben. This is my home, my family home, for six generations. I can’t just pack up two hundred years of memories and close that door behind me saying, ‘Oh well.’ If Morreston wants this land, my land, he’ll have to fight for it.”
Ben’s eyes, full of concern, silently beseeched her to reconsider. “Is there no way I can talk you out of this?”
“Not unless Alec Morreston will renew my lease.”
“Which he is not willing to do.” The deep voice responded from the open doorway just behind her. Both Shea and Ben looked around in time to see the subject of their conversation walk casually into the room.
He had shed the sports jacket and tie, leaving his shirt open at the neck but still tucked into the navy slacks. They hugged his slim waist, hinting at muscular thighs beneath the fabric. Somehow, his shoulders seemed broader than they had only an hour ago. The strong line of his jaw was set in determination.
“Don’t do this, Morreston,” Ben pleaded.
“It’s not completely my doing,” he answered. His eyes focused on Shea. “Ms. Hardin had a choice, and apparently she decided on this option.”
“You gave her no choice at all and you know it,” Ben argued. “What kind of man are you to take advantage of her like this?”
Alec pointedly ignored the question. “I’d like to speak with Ms. Hardin in private.” His eyes never left her face.
“You can discuss anything that needs saying in front of—”
“No, Ben. It’s all right,” Shea interrupted. This was her battle now. If she had any hope of making Morreston back down, she couldn’t do it hiding behind her attorney. “Shall we step into the next room, Mr. Morreston?”
Alec followed her into the small, adjacent conference room and closed the door behind them with a resounding click. For a few moments they faced each other in silence.
“Are you really serious about this?”
“Yes,” Shea replied without hesitation. “I am.”
“You would marry a complete stranger in order to keep the land?”
“Yes.”
“There is other land.”
“Then perhaps you should go and find it.”
Alec stared at her. “How much more do you want?” he asked quietly.
Had this man never loved anything in his life that didn’t have a price tag attached to it? Could he not understand the legacy she was fighting to save?
“Two million,” she said flippantly, and immediately saw a knowing look cross his face. The slight nod of his head indicated his initial acceptance of her outlandish but bogus demand. She was tempted to see how far he would go to buy her off but common sense came rushing forward.
“I don’t want your money, Mr. Morreston. This is not about money. It’s about my home. My life. Family values and tradition. Things you, apparently, don’t know anything about.”
He shoved his hands into the pockets of his slacks and walked past her to stand gazing out the large window on the opposite wall. For long moments, he stood there, saying nothing. From the corner of her eye, she watched as he rubbed the back of his neck. His shirt did little to hide the muscular tone of his arms and back. The silky texture of his dark hair caught the subtle light coming through the window, accentuating deep auburn highlights. As he turned toward her, she quickly looked away.
“It won’t work, you know.” His voice had a slight raspy quality, which, under different circumstances, she might have found extremely sensual. “Even if I agree to this, no marriage can survive for a year under these circumstances. Eventually you’ll concede defeat and the land will revert to me. It’s inevitable. Why put yourself through it?”
“That’s a very chauvinistic attitude, Mr. Morreston. What makes you so sure I’ll be the one to call it quits?”
He didn’t immediately answer as a look of indulgent amusement crossed his features. Then all traces of humor disappeared. Slowly, he closed in until barely a foot separated them. Without any warning, he reached out and stroked the side of her face.