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As she drank her water, she was surprised to see her father enter the kitchen and close the door.
Crossing the room to her, he placed his hands on her shoulders. “You’re marrying Ryan because of the baby, aren’t you?”
“I suppose I have to answer yes,” she said quietly, not wanting to worry her dad, but finding it impossible to tell him anything except the truth.
“If there’s no deep love between the two of you, think about what you’re doing, Ashley. We’re here for you. We’ll help you with the baby, and you don’t have to have Ryan Warner or his money in your life to get along.”
“Oh, Dad!” she said, hearing the concern in his voice, and grateful for his support. She hugged him tightly, and he patted her back before she stepped away. “I hope we will learn to love each other,” she said in a low voice.
“That’s not much basis for marriage, Ashley. Think about it. It’s good that he wants to marry you, but marriage is a relationship that takes a lot of strong bonding and cooperation on both parts. If you don’t have that, you may be headed for disaster. Rethink this marriage. He’s not the man for you. You’re not glowing with happiness and love.”
“I will think about it, Dad. And I have been. Ryan and I have discussed the situation at length,” she replied cautiously, wondering how her father would react when he discovered Ryan was paying off the mortgage on the farm and would send Jeff to college. She patted her dad’s arm. “Don’t worry. I’ll try to do what I think will be best for me and my baby.”
He studied her intently before nodding. “I hope so, Ashley. I want to tell Ryan that I’d like to talk to him soon. Just the two of us.”
“Oh, Dad, don’t start a war with Ryan.”
“I have no intention of doing any such thing. I just want him to know that he better not hurt you.”
“He’s not going to hurt me, and you’re not going to intimidate him, either.”
“I still want to talk to him. It won’t hurt him to know how important you are to us.”
She shook her head in exasperation, wondering why her life was filled with such strong-willed males. “Let’s join the others,” she said.
When she entered the family room again, she saw Ryan’s questioning gaze. But he looked relaxed and had her brother and grandmother laughing at some story he was telling.
It was almost ten o’clock when they finally told everyone goodbye and got away, even though Ashley’s dad kept urging them to stay the night and drive back the next morning.
“You have a great family,” Ryan said in the car as they sped through the darkness. “The feeling may not be mutual, though. Your dad wants to see me, which is fine, but I don’t think he’s happy about our upcoming nuptials.”
“No, he’s not, but he’ll change.”
“He isn’t prone to carrying a shotgun, is he?” Ryan asked lightly, and she smiled.
“No, he isn’t. He’s strong willed.”
“Aah, now I know where you get it.”
“That is really the pot calling the kettle black,” she exclaimed.
“I’ll be back to see your Dad Monday morning. He’ll probably warn me not to hurt you, and I’ll tell him that I’m paying off the mortgage on the farm.”
“He may refuse you,” she said.
“He won’t. He’s sensible, and it’s been a hardship on you to help him. Your brother’s sharp,” Ryan continued. “I’d give him a job in a minute if he ever wants to leave the farm.”
“Jeff is bright, and it’s nice to know you’d hire him, but Dad’s planning on Jeff taking over the farm. Jeff loves that farm more than anything on earth.”
“I’m glad you don’t,” Ryan said, clasping her hand again.
They talked as they drove to Dallas, and as they approached her neighborhood, he glanced at her. “We could just go straight to my place,” he murmured.
“No. It won’t take you long to drop me off at home.”
By the time they reached the door of her place, her desire for him was almost out of control, caused by his flirting, by spending the day and evening with him, by his touches and light kisses on her hand and cheek.
“Well, tomorrow morning I’ll see your church. One thing at a time—”
He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hard, his tongue plunging into her mouth. Ashley’s heart thudded and she wrapped her arms around him, kissing him back. She moaned softly, wanting his lovemaking, aching for him in spite of all he’d done and his high-handed ways. She trembled in his arms and arched her hips against him, feeling his erection press against her, knowing he was ready for her.
Finally, she pushed against him and he released her. Both of them gasped for breath as she stepped away. “I’ll see you in the morning,” she said, and hurried inside, afraid that in another moment she might relent and invite him in.
She closed and locked the door, burning up with longing. She would be more than ready for the wedding night. What about all the honeymoon nights to follow? Was she going to toss aside her demands and give in to him?
Would love ever come for them? A deep, true love? Ashley suspected she was falling in love with Ryan, in spite of his arrogance and demands. Could he love her?
Wondering about her future, she switched off the light and went to bed.
Sunday evening, Ashley sat beside Ryan in his car again and looked at the residential area they drove through.
His father’s condo was nestled in a gated area in a Dallas suburb. The place overlooked a large pond with fountains and elegant landscaping of willows and water birch.
“This is beautiful, Ryan.”
“Dad seems to like it, which makes me happy,” he said. “I’m happy to do things for your family, too, Ashley.”
She studied him, wondering if she would ever figure him out. He glanced at her and his eyebrows arched. “What? Why the puzzled scrutiny?”
“You can be so determined and cavalier, and then turn around and be so kind and generous.”
“Makes life interesting, doesn’t it?” he teased. There was a twinkle in his eyes, and she shook her head.
As they walked to the door, she hoped any nervousness she felt didn’t show.
When the door swung open, she was surprised. Ryan’s father was five inches shorter than his son. He was broad shouldered, barrel chested and had a deeply tanned face that was creased with wrinkles. His smile appeared genuine, and curiosity lit his thickly lashed green eyes as he took Ashley’s hand and shook it.
“Ashley, meet my father, Zach Warner. Dad, this is Ashley Smith.”
“Come in. I’m happy to meet you, Miss Smith.”
“Please, just call me Ashley,” she said, although she knew she couldn’t address him as anything except Mr. Warner.
“For once your brothers are here ahead of you. I suppose you’ve got them curious to meet your friend,” Zach said.
They walked through the entryway, with its polished hardwood floor, into a large family room with leather furniture and a wide-screen television. Two men stood and she knew she wouldn’t have picked them out to be Ryan’s relatives, either.
“Brett, this is Ashley Smith,” Ryan said, as a tall, thin man with blond hair came forward to shake her hand. The shared family characteristic was their green eyes. Ryan turned to a brown-haired man, who was much shorter and stocky. “This is my baby brother, Cal.”
“Welcome, Ashley. We’re already impressed, because you’re the first woman Ryan has brought home to meet us. We’ve never figured out whether he’s embarrassed about us or embarrassed about the women in his life.”
“I’m going to be embarrassed about you if you don’t stop,” Ryan joked, and they all laughed.
“Please have a seat,” Zach said, and then Brett offered drinks. Ashley requested her usual glass of water.
After they politely asked about her family and job for a while, Brett crossed the room to her. “Well, lookie here,” he said, taking her hand, with the engagement ring. He glanced at her and then at Ryan, who shifted closer to her on the sofa and draped his arm around her shoulders.
“You’re as observant as your brother,” Ashley said, smiling at Brett.
“Dad, y’all, we’re engaged. Ashley is going to marry me,” Ryan announced, and from his tone and manner, she didn’t think anyone would guess their true situation.
Ryan’s dad let out a whoop and came to hug her. “Welcome to the family!” he exclaimed, with so much warmth, she hurt. Everything that happened made her yearn for true love. This sham marriage was a cheat, robbing Ryan, as well as her. Why couldn’t he see that?
“That’s the best news I’ve had in years,” Zach declared.
The brothers congratulated Ryan, good-naturedly gave her condolences, and their mood became more festive.
Finally, everyone sat down again and they talked about the wedding, then moved on to other topics.
As she listened to the brothers chatting, Ashley felt more reassured about Ryan. He had a good relationship with his father and siblings, with a lot of light bantering going on. Yet they included her in the conversation. She enjoyed them all and knew she had one less worry, one less blank spot about her fiancé.
Finally, Ryan glanced at his watch, stood and reached for her hand.
“Before we leave, folks, we have one more announcement that, at this time, is for family only.” Ryan looked down at her and his green eyes were warm, surprisingly filled with pride. His expression would convince anyone that he was happy over the announcement he was going to make.
“Dad, you’re going to be a grandfather! You guys will be uncles.”
Chaos ensued with the brothers whooping and congratulating them, and Ryan’s father giving Ashley another hug. He had tears in his eyes as he gazed at her. “I can’t tell you what this means, Ashley. I had given up on these guys and resigned myself to never having grandkids. I can’t tell you how happy this makes me.”
“I’m so glad,” she said, smiling at him. “We’re excited about it, too.”
Cal and Brett slapped their brother on the back, thanking him for getting them off the hook with their father, while Ryan beamed with such convincing joy that she felt another pang, wishing they were truly in love, wondering what his family would think if they knew this marriage was taking place because Ryan had coerced and bribed her. As she watched him with his family, it was difficult to reconcile the friendly, relaxed son and brother with the determined, arrogant male who would go to such lengths to get his way.
It was another two hours before they got away, and as they drove off, all the men stood in the yard, waving at them.
“You have a great family, Ryan,” she said with sincerity.
He grinned. “You sound surprised.”
“No, I just didn’t know.”
“So now maybe I’m one small degree more acceptable.”
She didn’t answer, thinking about all that had happened between them. He picked up her hand and brushed a warm kiss across her knuckles. “Stop worrying so much, Ashley.”
“I’m trying, Ryan,” she answered. “It’s difficult,” she said, thinking about his father and brothers.
“It’s obvious that at some point in time, about four months back, you found me likable,” he said dryly. She started to pull her hand free, but he tightened his grip.
“Calm down, Ashley. You’re annoyed because you want to make every single decision yourself. Let me hold your hand.” He raised it to his lips to brush another kiss there.
“By the end of two weeks, I’ll be a wreck with wanting you,” he said in a hoarse voice that set her nerves humming.
“The two weeks will fly by,” she said, thankful for all she had already accomplished.
“Not quickly enough for me.”
At her door he gave her a light kiss and left. As she moved around, getting ready for bed, she thought about all that had happened during the weekend. Ryan had a great family, and she was more relieved over that discovery than she’d let him know. She realized that the more she was with Ryan and the more she learned about him, the more likely it was that she would fall in love with him. She paused with her nightgown in hand.
Was she already in love with him? They were together constantly now, and everything she learned seemed to increase his devastating appeal. They were opposites in so many ways, yet they were compatible, too, about families, schools for their baby, dancing and even being together, when marriage wasn’t the issue. He had always made her heart pound just by being there. But were her feelings for him stronger now because she was more involved with him? Was she already in love with Ryan, when he didn’t love her in return?
Seven
Two weeks later, on Saturday morning, Ashley stood in front of an oval mirror in the bride’s dressing room at Ryan’s church. She gazed at herself, while her grandmother stood beside her smoothing out her veil. “You look so beautiful, Ashley. If only your mother could see you!”
“You look pretty, too,” she said, thinking her grandmother did look lovely in her slim-fitting rose silk dress, her silver hair turned under. On her shoulder was a gardenia corsage from Ryan. “I can’t believe this day is actually here.”
“It is, and it’s time for me to go, since I’ll sit in front, in your mother’s place.” She placed her hands on Ashley’s shoulders. “I wish you all the happiness in the world. You must be marrying a fine man, Ashley. He’s been amazingly generous and kind to us. I know about the mortgage and about his offer to send Jeff to college.”
“Dad seems to be happy and grateful. I was afraid he would refuse to let Ryan help.”
“I think Ryan convinced him that we’re part of his family now and he’s part of ours, so it’s all the same. But of course, it never really is. You’re fortunate, Ashley. You’re marrying a fine man.”
“I am, Grandmother,” she answered, feeling thoroughly insincere, wanting to cry that she really didn’t know Ryan that well, and they didn’t love each other. Or at least, he didn’t love her.
She turned to hug her grandmother, wondering what would have happened if she had told Ryan no. It was too late for such speculation now. She stepped back, and Laura straightened Ashley’s train.
“This is a gorgeous dress and perfect for you. Now c’mon, girls, it’s time,” she said to the bridesmaids, who wore yellow sheath dresses and carried bouquets of mixed spring flowers with huge yellow tulips.
They filed out with her grandmother, and Ashley turned back to the mirror to look at herself, unable to believe what she saw in the mirror. She fingered the exquisite gold filigreed necklace entwined with diamonds and pearls that Ryan had presented to her last night.
Ashley knew her father was waiting, and in minutes it would be time for her entrance. But she wanted a moment to compose herself.
There was a knock on the door, and she assumed someone had come to get her. She turned, expecting her father. “Come in,” she called. The door swung open and Ryan’s redheaded friend, Kayla Landon, entered.
Startled, Ashley felt a chill as she turned. “If you’re looking for the sanctuary, it’s down the hall to the right.”
“No, I’m looking for you,” Kayla said in a soft voice, and again, Ashley was amazed that Ryan had wanted so badly to marry, because this woman was stunning. She wore a gorgeous, skintight white silk dress with embroidered red rosebuds along the neckline and the hem. Her hair was curled, hanging to her shoulders. She had flawless skin; rosy cheeks; a full, pouty mouth; thick eyelashes; and a figure that should turn all male heads at the wedding.
As Ashley looked at her, she suddenly no longer felt so pretty, and her dress seemed incredibly plain and simple in comparison.
“I wanted to congratulate you on catching Ryan,” Kayla said, coming into the room and closing the door behind her. “That’s quite a coup. You’re not in his social class and you’re definitely not his type. We all know that he’s marrying you out of pity,” she said with a smug expression.
Ashley had started to reach for her bouquet, preparing to leave, but she halted abruptly in shock.
Kayla came close enough for her perfume to reach Ashley. “I never dreamed a pregnancy would do it,” Kayla continued. “You know he doesn’t love you. That’s the only reason a man like Ryan would marry you.”
Ashley clamped her jaw more tightly as a knot closed her throat. The only way Kayla could know about the pregnancy was from Ryan. He had broken a trust, and at that moment she hated him for it.
“Of course, he’ll marry you, but if you think he’ll stay faithful, think again,” Kayla purred, smiling slyly. “If he can’t stay faithful before the marriage, he won’t stay true after, and you might as well know now what you’re getting into. I’m sure you don’t care, though, as long as you get some of his money. He ought to insist on a paternity test, however, to make sure he’s the father.”
“Get out, Kayla!” Ashley snapped, hating the tears that threatened. “Get out!” She looked around for something to throw at the woman whose eyes widened before she turned to yank open the door again, her laughter floating behind her.
“Of course, it’s never too late to back out. And I’m definitely not out of his life.” She closed the door.
Shaking in dismay, Ashley dabbed at her tears, knowing she was streaking the light makeup she wore. Ryan hadn’t been faithful. He had shared the secret of her pregnancy with Kayla, when only their families were supposed to know. That hurt worse than anything.
Ashley clenched her fists. She couldn’t go through with this sham wedding! It wasn’t too late. She could run away right now, and explain to her family and friends later. It would prevent this wedding from happening, and save her from marrying a man she couldn’t trust.
She reached behind her to unfasten Ryan’s necklace and throw it against the wall. She hurt all over and didn’t want to marry him, no matter what he did or what happened.
She was reaching back again to free the top button of her dress, when she paused. Could she hurt so many people—Ryan’s family, her family, the baby? Or marry him and take his financial support and have an easier life—would that be better?
Someone rapped on the door. “Ashley, it’s time,” her brother called. “Everyone’s waiting.”
Numbly, she picked up her bouquet of white orchids and white roses. She walked slowly to the foyer, while her father came forward with a somber expression. He tilted her chin up.
“You don’t look happy,” he said gruffly, unable to hide his worry. He dug in his pocket and withdrew keys. “Honey, you can walk right out the door now. Take my car and go, and I’ll explain for you. Don’t enter into a marriage that’ll make you miserable. You can back out this minute and I’ll stand by you. Take my car keys.”
With a heavy heart she stared at the keys in his open palm. She could walk away and her father would give her his support. Did she want to escape this marriage to Ryan? Because here was her last chance before taking a vow.
Had something gone wrong? Ryan knew time was passing.
While he stood at the altar, he reminded himself to be patient. Maybe it was something with Ashley’s dress or hair that had delayed her.
The bridesmaids were in place and the organist was improvising, playing the same music repeatedly.
Right now, their wedding night seemed a thousand hours away instead of the end of the day. Ryan’s father stood beside him, and Nick and Jake were lined up beyond his dad and brothers. Ryan glanced over the large crowd. His church was beautiful, with rock walls, a vaulted ceiling and a huge pipe organ. The carpet was a brilliant blue and sunshine poured through the stained glass windows, which glowed like multicolored jewels, but he barely noticed his surroundings. He wanted to glance at his watch. Ashley was late, which was uncharacteristic of her.
Where was she? Had something happened? Was she having cold feet at the last minute? Worries plagued him and he thought about the moment this morning when he had been seized by the feeling that he had pushed Ashley too hard into this wedding. But then he’d come to the same conclusion he always had, that marriage was the best for all concerned.
Should he have waited and courted her, and married her after the baby’s arrival?
Too late now, unless she had run out on him. He shifted his weight slightly, wanting to leave and go find her. He’d heard of runaway brides.
And then he saw her appear in the narthex and take her father’s arm. They stood talking, and Ryan wished they would begin. Finally, the organist received the signal that the bride was ready.
As Ashley walked toward him down the aisle, all of Ryan’s worries and apprehensions vanished. His mouth went dry and his heart pounded. He remembered the first hour he’d met her at a party, and how he’d been drawn to her easy smile and open friendliness with everyone. The attraction between them had been instant and intense.
Today she looked stunning, incredibly beautiful, and he didn’t have a qualm or doubt that he was doing the right thing. He couldn’t imagine that they wouldn’t fall deeply in love.
She was ravishing, sexy, independent. So far as he could discover, she had great qualities. He liked her family. Reassured they were doing the best possible thing, he watched her. He wanted her to himself, and knew this would be one of the longest days of his life until he could get her away for their honeymoon.
As she drew closer, he frowned. She was pale as snow and wouldn’t look at him.
Surely this wasn’t her anger stirred up all over again. Last night at their rehearsal dinner, she had seemed to have a great time, and had kissed him thoroughly before she’d told him good-night. Yet as her father placed her hand in his, Ryan knew something was dreadfully awry. Her father’s expression reinforced his suspicions.
When they turned to repeat their vows, Ryan clasped Ashley’s icy hands and glanced at her bare throat. Where was the diamond-and-pearl necklace he had given her the night before? She had seemed thrilled with it, and said she’d wear it today, but no necklace adorned her throat now.
Ryan couldn’t wait to talk to her, and tried to concentrate on their wedding, knowing he should pay attention. Yet there was no way that Ashley was enjoying one minute of it. What had happened?
Finally the minister pronounced them man and wife. He introduced them to the crowd and they swept up the aisle. Ryan held Ashley’s arm and motioned to an usher. “Tell the photographer that we’ll be right back for pictures,” he said, before turning to her. “Come here,” he ordered, and tugged lightly on her arm. She went with him down a long hall, and the first empty room he could find, he stepped inside. Closing the door behind them, he gripped her shoulders and leaned down to look directly into her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
She gazed at him with a glacial expression. “I don’t know why I thought I could count on you. This marriage isn’t built on respect and trust.”
“What are you talking about? Trust me about what?”
“To be faithful. To not announce that I’m pregnant and that you have to marry me.”
Shocked, he frowned. “What on earth are you talking about? I haven’t done any such thing. There hasn’t been another woman in my life since you came into it. The only people I’ve told about your pregnancy were our families, when you were with me.”
“Please!”
“That’s the truth! Where’s all this coming from?”
“Kayla came to see me before the wedding—”
“Dammit!” Fury boiled in him over a woman from his past that he couldn’t shake out of his present. “You listened to her?” His anger intensified, hot and swift and blinding, but was followed instantly by common sense and relief. “Ashley, there’s not one shred of truth in anything she said to you. I swear, there isn’t. I wish I’d never met her.”
Ashley’s eyes widened as she searched his gaze.
“Kayla is over and out of my life, whether she likes it or not,” he insisted. “There hasn’t been anyone—”
“How’d she know that I’m pregnant?”
Surprised, he slid his hands down Ashley’s upper arms. “Darlin’, I don’t know what she said to you, but I’d say that she was guessing. If you’d denied being pregnant, she would’ve shrugged it away. Knowing you, I doubt you contradicted her. I swear to you that I didn’t tell her that you’re pregnant, nor have I been unfaithful to you.”