Fortune's Proposal Page 7

  In glorious, God-given, high-definition detail.

  Maybe he should be running Hades instead of just moving in. It might suit him better even than running Fortune Forecasting.

  Drew Fortune, vice president of hellfire and damnation.

  “It’s just the situation,” she said, drawing him back to terra firma. “It’s making me a little—or a lot—crazy.”

  He would have sat down beside her, but common sense warned him it would be better all around if he didn’t.

  And because his common sense felt in dangerously short supply, he figured he’d better pay attention when it did rear its head.

  “It’s only for a few days,” he assured, speaking to himself as much as to her. “Then we’ll go back home and things can get back to normal.”

  “Until we have to come up with a wedding and move in together,” she countered in a low voice. “What if people ask if we’ve set a wedding date? What are we supposed to tell them, then?”

  “We’ll tell them we’re still deciding on a date. Hell, we’ll tell them we’re planning a quick trip to Vegas. I don’t know, all right? We’ll think of something.”

  She gave him a quick, narrow look. “You’re not breaking out into a rash or anything are you? I mean, we are tossing around the terms marriage and wedding quite a bit here.”

  “Smart aleck.” But at least she’d recovered her equanimity enough to razz him about it.

  That at least was something they were both comfortable with. He teased her about being completely anal when it came to details around the office and she gave him heck about everything else.

  It was the constant in their relationship.

  And now, now he’d had to go and remember what he’d spent nearly four years trying to forget.

  That Deanna Gurney wasn’t just a stellar assistant.

  She was a desirable woman.

  And as far as everyone else in Red Rock was concerned, she was ostensibly his woman.

  It was ironic as anything in life could be that she was even more off-limits than she’d ever been, thanks to the agreement they’d struck.

  Not only could he still remember how it had felt to kiss her four years ago, but now he had the Technicolor image of her body indelibly etched in his head, and his skin still felt singed from the heat of her body in his arms.

  “We’ll work things out,” he finally said.

  She was looking down at her hands, spread flat on her lap. “Promise?”

  “I do. Promise, that is.” He smiled crookedly when she looked at him and was glad to see the small one she gave him in return. “Drink your coffee if it’s not gone cold,” he urged. “I don’t know what Isabella puts in it, but it’s pretty good.”

  She pressed her lips together for a moment. “Okay.”

  “And I’ll go find something to do for thirty minutes. Is that enough time for you to finish dressing?”

  At that, her smile did widen. Wryly. “Five minutes would do.”

  In his experience, he hadn’t met a woman who could dress that quickly.

  Undress, sure.

  His gaze kept straying to the hollow at the base of her throat. He’d never realized before just how sexy that spot was…

  “Drew?”

  He shook off the haze that encroached on him way too easily and reached behind him for the door. “Fifteen minutes, then. After I shower and change, we’ll probably have to head off for the church, but you can still grab some food from the kitchen while I’m getting ready. There was stuff left after I ate, and I know Isabella is looking forward to meeting you.”

  Which just had her looking worried all over again.

  “Don’t worry. There’re all gonna love you,” he assured. And before he could say anything else that would either worry her more or set them back on the sex track where they had no business running, he let himself out of the room and closed the door.

  The sooner they got through his father’s wedding and the next few days and they could get back to San Diego and some normalcy, the better.

  “So there’s the newly engaged!”

  The loud greeting was called across the expanse of lawn between the crowded parking lot and the church when they arrived nearly two hours later.

  Deanna felt Drew’s hand tighten around hers as they crossed the grass leading up to a lovely, old-fashioned-looking church. It was white with a tall steeple, and outside, the building was surrounded by an expanse of emerald-green lawn and lush greenery dotted with pink and red flowers. There were garlands of green and white wound around the railings of shallow steps leading up to the wooden double doors, which were bedecked with wreaths of even more flowers.

  And for the first time since the debacles of the morning, she was able to forget everything but that moment.

  Mostly.

  The feel of Drew’s hand wrapped around hers wouldn’t let her completely forget.

  Still, the sight of the church was like something out of a magazine. Or a fantasy. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed.

  “Too bad it’ll be the sight of Dad’s worst mistake,” Drew said in a low tone.

  “Judging by the happy looks I’m seeing on people’s faces, they don’t share your view,” Deanna pointed out, just as low. “Just promise me you won’t stand up and shoot off a flare gun when the minister asks if there’s anyone present who objects.”

  They’d driven into town by themselves, using one of the trucks from Molly’s Pride and judging by the scarcity of available parking spots and the number of people milling around on the grass outside the church, they weren’t exactly beating any early arrival records.

  Not surprising, given Drew’s continuing displeasure with the entire affair.

  “That’s Nick,” he told her as he lifted his free hand in a wave toward the guy who’d called out the greeting.

  She would have guessed that, from the description that Drew had given her of his brothers. Nick was about the same height as Drew, although a little more leanly built. But he had the same brown hair and as they got closer, she realized, the same brown eyes. More specifically, though, it was the pretty redhead who stood beside him with a baby on the hip of her narrow blue sheath dress that helped identify him.

  “And Darr, presumably, is standing beside him?”

  “Yeah.”

  The youngest Fortune brother was not quite as tall as Nick, but he was stocky and muscular. He was also wearing a string tie with his blinding-white shirt and dark suit, while his brothers wore traditional ones with theirs, and he had a cowboy hat on his head.

  Drew had told her that Darr was the most “Texan” of the Fortune transplants to Red Rock, and the seriously good-looking man was definitely living up to that. Particularly when he doffed his hat once she and Drew stopped in front of him and greeted her with a “ma’am,” an up-and-down look that told her he was taking her measure and a grin that she hoped meant he wasn’t entirely disappointed with the results.

  She shouldn’t care so much whether Drew’s family liked her, but she did, and hoped her smile was not as shaky as it felt when they reached the group. All eyes seemed to turn toward her as Drew began naming off the players before lifting her hand that he was holding. “And this is Deanna Gurney.”

  “Your fiancée. That news made it around the family by the time the sun came up this morning.” Bethany, the petite blue-eyed blonde holding Darr’s hand, gave her a dimpled smile.

  “Thank God we had time to get over the shock,” Nick drawled, giving Deanna a quick, charming wink, and everyone laughed.

  “Oh, you.” Bethany shushed him with a wiggle of her fingers as she turned to Deanna and caught her unaware in a quick hug. “We’re all just so happy for you.” She stepped back and her eyes twinkled. She could have been made from spun sugar, she had such a sweet face. “You look radiant. I love that shade of pink on you. I can never get away with anything darker than this.” She dashed her hand over her soft pink dress. “I just look all washed out.”

  Deanna managed
to get out a “Thank you.” She thought that “neon” might be more appropriate than “radiant” given the vivid color of her dress, but it was the only compliment she’d received since she’d put it on. Drew had only given her a sort of stunned look when he’d joined her in the great room after he was finished getting ready himself.

  Because she’d been a little busy trying not to swallow her tongue at the sight of him in his perfectly tailored black suit, white shirt and pale gray tie with his hair ruthlessly combed back from his handsome face, she had just quickly set aside the hot tea that she’d made for herself and pointed out the keys that J.R. had left behind for them, and they were off.

  Bethany had turned to Drew, pulling his head down to plant a kiss on his cheek. “But you’re a rascal, Andrew. You had me convinced that you were positively allergic to marriage!”

  Deanna’s gaze collided with his over his sister-in-law’s softly waving hair and she hoped that she was the only one who saw the irony in his eyes. “What can I say?” He patted Bethany’s shoulder as she stepped back to make room for Charlene—Nick’s red-haired wife—and her similar greeting.

  Drew gently chucked the baby Charlene was holding under the chin, earning a chortling giggle, and Deanna barely managed not to stare.

  For some reason, she’d never thought what Drew would be like around little ones, but to watch him now, he seemed much more natural than she’d have expected.

  He looked at Bethany. “And where’s your munchkin?”

  “She’s off with Josh. You get Randi anywhere within ten feet of Brandon and Maribel and she wants nothing more to do with her own mama and daddy.”

  Bethany turned to Deanna again. “Randi is actually Miranda. Our two-year-old. But she moves so fast these days, we started shortening up her name.” She grinned. “And Brandon is Josh’s little boy. He’s—Josh, that is—is Frannie’s oldest and Maribel is Frannie’s youngest.”

  Even though Deanna had tried to get a primer on the family names from Drew, she still felt lost.

  “Frannie’s one of my cousins,” Drew provided, evidently recognizing her failure to keep up. “Josh is her son. Frannie and her husband, Roberto Mendoza, have been helping Josh raise Brandon.”

  “Ah.” She nodded, managing to follow the branches of the family tree her mind was drawing. “Mendoza? Isn’t that Isabella’s—”

  “Yeah. They’re distant cousins. And those are the rest of the Fortune cousins over there. Frannie’s brothers.” He pointed toward a trio of men and a woman standing near the steps leading up to the church doors. “The guy leaning against the railing is Ross. He’s Aunt Cindy’s oldest. He’s the P.I. I told you about, and the brunette with him is his wife, Julie. They got married a year ago. Cooper’s next. Brown hair, no hat. He’s worked on ranches all around the U.S. pretty much, but doesn’t spend a helluva lot of time here. So I understand anyway. And then there’s Flint. Black hat. Has a spread in upstate New York. And, I don’t see Frannie anywhere around.” He slid his arm so casually around Deanna’s shoulder that she almost didn’t startle. “She’s the youngest of them and the only girl,” he added.

  “You talking about Frannie? I just saw her inside with Lily,” Jeremy provided, walking up to them.

  Deanna had already met him at J.R.’s while Drew had been getting ready and had immediately liked the somewhat soft-spoken surgeon. She had the feeling he didn’t say anything until he knew exactly what he was talking about.

  It was something Deanna practiced herself, and usually succeeded at, except when she was dealing with Drew.

  Only then did that particular trait seem to completely desert her.

  “Has Dad arrived yet?” Jeremy asked. He shot his cuffs and glanced around, his blond hair gleaming in the sunlight.

  “Haven’t seen him,” Nick provided.

  “Maybe he’s come to his senses,” Drew said.

  “Thought you’d have given up on that by now,” Darr said, giving Drew and Deanna a pointed look. “Dad’s in love with Lily. And she’s in love with him. Maybe if you spent more than two days a year around here you’d see that for yourself.” He looked down at Bethany when she put a hand on his arm.

  “Dad’s driving himself over from the hotel,” Nick said, his tone calm. “He probably went in the church through the back. J.R.’s in there already. There’s a room they quarantine the groom in so he doesn’t see his bride before it’s time.”

  Charlene swatted him with her hand. “Quarantine,” she chided with a smile. “I love it that William and Lily chose New Year’s Day for their wedding. I think it’s a perfect way to start their life together. And who could ask for a more beautiful day?” She started to shift little Matthew in her arms, but Nick lifted the tot and held him up to his shoulder.

  “You think any day is a perfect day for a wedding,” he teased.

  Deanna had to bite back a little sigh of envy. The fact that he adored his wife was as plain as the nose on his face. And holding that little baby just added to the appeal. “It is lovely out,” she said. “It’s warmer than I expected it to be.” She’d thought she might be chilly with only the sheer length of fabric that matched her dress wrapped around her shoulders, but the sun was bright in the mildly cloudy sky and there was barely even enough breeze to tickle the floating fabric of her skirt.

  “Well, well, cuz.” A deep voice came from behind them and Drew and Deanna turned to see Cooper Fortune ambling toward them, a grin on his ruggedly handsome, weathered face. “Ross just told me the news. Guess your claim that once was more than enough didn’t stick after all.” He swept up Deanna’s hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “You sure you know what you’re getting yourself into with this guy, little lady?”

  Her nerves prickled and she quickly glanced at Drew. She still hadn’t forgotten his comment about putting his head in a marriage nose “again” and felt shocked all over again at the evidence that he’d obviously been married at one point.

  But all he said was, “Don’t try charming my girl.” He was grinning at his cousin, either oblivious to or choosing to ignore Deanna’s questioning gaze. “Damn, Coop. You get uglier every year.”

  “Older, too,” Coop allowed wryly. He also had what Deanna was coming to think of as the Fortune brown eyes.

  “Honey, why don’t we go check on the groom?” Bethany looked at Drew. “It’s about time for things to be getting started, isn’t it?”

  “Actually—” Charlene was looking at the delicately jeweled watch on her wrist “—it’s a little late.” She looked around at the guests milling about. “Honestly, I don’t even recognize half the people here. Can you believe the turnout?” She tucked her hand around Nick’s arm. “Maybe we should start moving inside. Give people a start.”

  Thinking that Charlene had the right idea, Deanna took a step after them along with the rest, but Drew slid his hand down her arm from her shoulder—an act that made her shiver beneath her thin wrap—and caught her hand, staying her.

  “No hurry,” he said.

  No hurry for him, he meant, but considering the others who were still easily within earshot, she kept the thought to herself.

  But as soon as the others were far enough away, having reached the stone walkway circling the church, she pinned him with a look.

  “Once was more than enough?” she repeated. “You have been married before, haven’t you. When?”

  “Does it matter?”

  “Uh…yeah.” She wanted to pinch him. “If I had a former spouse around somewhere don’t you think it’d be odd if I hadn’t mentioned him to you, particularly now?” She held up her hand and nudged the diamond ring with her thumb. “What was her name? What happened?”

  He grimaced. “Paula. It was right after college. And it lasted for the sum total of three months.”

  Even though she’d been prepared, she still felt stunned hearing him confirm that he had been married before. Her mouth suddenly felt like she was sucking on a lemon. “Three months. The usual expiration date. Have
you ever been with a woman longer than that before tiring of her?”

  “Other way around.” His voice went flat. “She tired of me.”

  “Who on earth would get tired of you?” she exclaimed and promptly felt her face go hot.

  “The woman I married, obviously, which was made very plain to me when I found her getting busy in our bed with my best friend.”

  She was floored. “You’re serious.”

  His jaw canted to one side for a moment before centering again. “Unfortunately.”

  A wave of sympathy plowed over her for the young man he’d been. “And you were just out of college. How awful for you.”

  He just grimaced and looked as if he wished she’d drop the matter altogether.

  “And your family obviously knows what happened. I can’t believe your cousin was insensitive enough to bring it up like that.”

  “All they know is that it didn’t work out.”

  She stared. “You…didn’t tell them why?”

  “And prove what a miserable judge of women I was?”

  “Drew…”

  “It’s ancient history.” His voice was short. “I was briefly married. It didn’t work out. End of story.”

  “But it’s not.” She moved into his path when he took a step toward the church. “You know, ever since we arrived in Red Rock, I’ve been trying to figure out what instilled such a vehement dislike of marriage in you. I’d always just assumed it had something to do with your growing up—trouble between your mom and dad or something—but then I met J.R. and it’s obvious that there’s no tension between any of you. And aside from Jeremy—who hasn’t said much of anything about the wedding—you’re the only one here who isn’t openly happy for your father. But now it all makes sense. She broke your heart.”

  He smoothed down his tie. “Don’t start painting a sentimental glaze over it.”

  Her stomach tensed. “Do you still love her?”

  “Hell, no.” His voice rose and he glanced around, but nobody was paying them any heed. Everyone was still focused on filing through the opened double doors of the church.

  But then his eyes narrowed and Deanna turned to see what had garnered his attention. All she could see was the crowd of people.