“I will, but right now I’d like to show you more of the house. My room, where I grew up and stay whenever I come to the ranch.”
Elaina greeted them in the vestibule. “Dad’s playing some game on the TV with the grandkids. Lunch will be ready in about an hour.”
“Can I help?”
Elaina chuckled. “No. The kitchen staff handles everything for the house and ranch hands. But thank you. Brant told me you’re pretty nifty in the kitchen.”
Brant pressed his hand against her back. “I’m showing her my room.” He aimed her toward the staircase.
“Did you tell your sister everything about me?” she asked as they climbed the stairs.
“Of course. Didn’t you tell your family everything about me?”
“No way.” Marley chuckled. “I made almost everything up.” She stopped in front of an open doorway.
“This is it, where I spent most of my youth, except for summers when I went to Connecticut.”
The room, definitely done to suit traditional masculine tastes, had knotty pine walls and brown plaid drapes, with a matching bedspread on the double bed. Photographs of horses adorned the walls. Several photos were of Brant as a young boy, riding a horse and wearing full cowboy gear, including holstered six-shooters. Brant stopped in front of a large framed photo. “That’s me and Blackie.”
“Who were you pretending to be in that getup?”
“The Sundance Kid.”
“Are the guns real?”
“No. Cap guns. I wasn’t allowed to touch the real thing until my father took me hunting.”
“I thought you said you didn’t hunt.”
“I don’t kill. I learned how to shoot and became good specifically so I could avoid hitting the deer or antelope. Dad gave up on me and began taking Elaina. If there’s any venison in the freezer, it’s because of her skill.”
He led Marley to the desk with a laptop computer and turned it on. “It’s about time I educated you.”
“About what? Horses?”
“No. About me and what I do. Or did, I should say.”
While they watched the screen slowly take on color and icons, she asked, “What will I do if you give up everything to move here? I’ve always worked, first with my mother’s catering business, then—”
“You can manage me and my money. There won’t be as much, but I’ll have residuals on what I’ve already done plus my investments. And I’ll definitely need someone to control my spending.”
“You’re offering me a job?”
“Yes. On top of being my wife, and the mother of my children, which will probably take up a great deal of your time.” He gave her another one of those smiles of his that always softened her heart. “If you need to keep busy, be my accountant and charge anything you want for the service.”
Marley shook her head, as though she hoped to fling out the images that had come into her mind. “Is that how you hire people? You don’t know any of my credentials. I could rob you. I—”
He placed his hand loosely over her mouth. “You got your master’s at ASU at night and have worked at three different places since you moved to Phoenix, including those teaching jobs you mentioned. Good recommendations all the way around, by the way.”
“You looked me up, but you didn’t want me to check you out?” Miffed, she started to walk away, but he held her arm so she couldn’t. She attempted to break free, but Brant drew her against him and rubbed his cheek against hers.
“My love, you are a godsend. I find the one woman in the world who actually listens to me and isn’t consumed by curiosity.”
“Oh, I’m curious, all right,” she said, pulling out of his grasp. “It’s just I’ve been so worried about what I might find. To hear you and Elaina—”
“Hold that thought. Let’s go over everything now.” He sat in the only chair in the room and patted his lap, motioning her to join him.
“I know how to use a computer, Brant.”
“Yes, but this way I can have a little control.” He grinned. “Like placing my hands over your eyes or tickling you to distraction anytime something comes up I’d rather not have to explain.”
“Well, you’re not going to have that kind of control. You promised me you’d tell me everything, and that’s what you’re going to do.” Marley reached for the laptop and carried it over to the bed. “This could end up being a long session. We might as well both be comfortable.” She lay on her stomach and placed the computer by the pillow. As Brant lay down next to her, she said, “And this way, if I don’t hear a believable explanation, I can knock you off the bed.”
When Marley typed Brant’s name into the browser’s subject line, “England” came up. “What’s this?”
“I spent a year in England when I got the scholarship—” Brant flipped onto his back. “Oh, that’s right. You don’t want to know about that.”
Marley sat up and looked down at him. “Brant Westfield. You had a scholarship to Oxford? For real? It wasn’t something you were making up to impress my family?”
“For real.” He remained on his back, his eyes closed. “After Janise died, I pretty much lost myself in classes and the theater. It helped me get through that time. Paid off unexpectedly in excellent grades and recommendations.”
“What else should I know about you?”
He opened one eye. “You weren’t too interested before.”
“In what?”
“My scar.”
She sat back on her legs. “Tell me about it.”
He grabbed her hand and placed it near his waist. Propping himself on one elbow, he said, “When I was eleven, I went horseback riding with my sisters.”
“On Blackie?”
“Yes, on Blackie. I had been having some pain in my side, but I really wanted to go riding, so I ignored it. My appendix burst, and I had to be air lifted by helicopter to the Children’s Hospital in Phoenix. I almost died. My whole family was in a panic. Another reason I don’t believe in wasting the moment. You never know when your time is up.” He pulled her back on the bed and lay next to her with his arm wrapped around her.
They surfed the internet, entering Brant’s name in all the search engines, checking out the movies, TV shows and any other information they could find. Marley was fascinated, but for the most part, Brant merely supported his head and watched her. He brushed at her hair and curled a section around his finger.
“Your hair’s lost most of its curl. I like it curly. What will our children have? Straight, curly, black, red or possibly blond, if they get any of your sisters’ genes.” He tucked the curl behind her ear, and she swatted his hand. “I’m looking forward to creating our brood.”
He propped his chin on his hands. “Once I’ve talked to my father, we can live here. Move into the guesthouse on the property. When we have children, we can move into a larger place to raise our family.” He sighed.
Marley glanced at him before entering his name in Google. As she continued to scroll through information on the internet, he said, “You planning to have that cotton candy hairdo for your mother’s wedding?” He created another pipe curl and brought it up to his nose, but she refused to let him distract her. “As much as I liked it, I still prefer your hair down, wrapped around your shoulders.”
“Brant, stop that.” She drew her hair over to the other side. For the most part, he ignored the information she pulled up, but on occasion, he’d check out the screen when she asked a question. “So this last picture. What did you do in it?”
“I rode a horse. I may have mentioned before, I—”
“I know. You own a horse ranch.”
“Smart aleck.” Brant reached over and turned off the computer. “That’s enough for now. We better go join everyone for lunch.” He got up and carried the laptop over to the desk.
Marley kneeled on the bed. “Do you do anything else in that movie besides ride a horse? Like talk? Kiss the girl?”
“I don’t do much speaking in this picture, but I have a lot of riding.”
He hadn’t answered her last question, the one that interested her the most. “So, do you get the girl?”
“No.” He came over and helped her off the bed. “Might as well deal with this now,” he said, kissing her nose. “I have on occasion gotten to kiss a girl, but I’m more what people call a character actor, not the star of the show. I’m fortunate to have plenty of work, but I’m not the one who draws the crowds to the theater. So I don’t get to kiss the girl very often.”
“Has that been your goal? To be the star?”
“My goal is to be a star in my own life, marry the beautiful woman in my arms and make love with my wife every chance I get.”
“You haven’t explained the kissing part. Did you—”
“Does it matter? I won’t be doing it anymore.”
“Show me. How do you kiss the ladies in the movies? I want to see if it’s different from the way you kiss me.”
Brant gave her a quick smack on the lips.
“Oh, no you don’t. Show me.”
With a reluctant nod, he took her in his arms and supplied a satisfactory sample. Okay. But nothing great. “That’s how I kiss onstage. This,” he said, placing his hands on either side of her face, “is how I kiss my fiancée.” His demonstration turned all her bones liquid, and she melted in his arms. “Notice any difference?”
She nodded.
His voice deepened. “And this is how I kiss my wife.” He kissed her again with the same intensity.
Elaina knocked on the door. “Time for lunch,” she said with a knowing smile, then disappeared down the hall.
“You hungry?” Brant asked, still holding Marley tightly to him.
Barely able to form any words, Marley said, “Starved.”
After lunch, and extended hugs with the family, Brant walked Marley to his truck. He took her in his arms again and skimmed butterfly kisses across her cheek.
“You’ve got plenty to deal with, including that drama with your parents.” He paused, looking deep into her eyes. “I’ve handed you a lot to think about, as well.” Brant pressed his forehead against hers. “Next time we meet, you give me a definite answer.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
MARLEY MADE IT safely home, all the while curious about Brant’s meeting with his father. She sent a text message, but she didn’t expect an answer since Brant would be traveling. Hmmm. A private plane. How much had that cost him? Brant might have plenty of money now, but his funds would dry up once he no longer worked as an actor. Especially if he kept spending frivolously at such a rate.
Maybe she was too conscious of money and how it should be spent. She judiciously dealt with her employer’s costs and payments every day on a large scale. Her own money she managed equally carefully, budgeting it to the penny.
There would be no way for her to earn anything on the ranch. Acknowledging once again that she had always worked and provided for herself, she couldn’t picture a lifestyle where she didn’t. She could help on the ranch. However, cleaning out horse stalls held no appeal. Any other work would require an extensive commute. So many questions, and she had minimal information until Brant answered her text.
His reply finally came.
Glad you made it safely. Meeting with the author, going over his next book. Busy, busy. Lots to tell you, love Brant.
Marley looked at the words, which lacked any kind of answers, and felt totally frustrated.
She sent another message to him, stating she’d be flying back to Pennsylvania that Friday before her parents’ Saturday wedding. Although she’d complained about the wedding, possibly way too much, she’d never had a chance to discuss it with him. Would he be able to attend? He’d finished the book. What did he have to discuss with his manager?
Marley had no idea, and he hadn’t mentioned it in his last text. She took out her guitar for therapy and checked to see if any other strings needed replacement. If only Brant could be at the wedding with her to hold her hand and provide backup. Something she knew she’d most definitely need.
* * *
HOW DO PEOPLE disentangle themselves from their family? Marley posed this question to herself when her mother called a few days before she had to leave. Her nerves could barely handle the calls any longer. “Look what you’ve started. Now Chloe won’t be in the wedding. You have to take her place.”
“Why won’t she?”
“She’s started to show and can’t fit in any of the dresses.”
Impossible! Chloe couldn’t have gained that much weight since Marley last saw her. And when had she decided to tell everyone about the pregnancy?
“Mom, listen, please,” she said. “I’m trying my best not to be rude, but I do have a life here, and I can’t deal with every problem you have. Please, accept that I won’t be in your wedding.”
“You’re not coming?”
When her mother’s voice cracked, Marley made her hand into a tight fist and hit her thigh over and over. She wasn’t going to give in. This time around she was saying no and sticking to her resolve. “I didn’t say that. I’ll be there to see you and Dad marry again, but I won’t be in the wedding.”
Desperate once she’d hung up for someone to talk to, Marley called Dede and arranged to meet her for lunch at a local Subway near their offices.
“I need your help. My mother keeps asking me to be in the wedding, and, although I’ve told her no, she gets my sisters to nag me. I don’t want to participate, but I’m afraid they’ll wear me down. I can’t get them to listen to me.”
“Of course they won’t accept a no. You’ve given in and done everything they’ve asked in the past. They won’t let this matter go.”
“Well, they have to. No way will I stand up there at the altar and be party to this...I don’t even know what to call it. He’s only going to walk out on her again.” Marley placed her elbows on the table and rested her face in her hands.
“How can I help?”
Marley reached over and grabbed Dede’s hand. “Come with me.”
“Yeah, right.” Dede pulled away and picked up her sandwich. “I have no desire to be a third wheel to you and Brant.”
“He can’t make it. He’s having trouble dealing with his manager.” That’s what she’d learned in his last text.
“What kind of trouble?”
“I wish I could say. He won’t answer my voice mail and only texts me minimal information. He won’t tell me what went on with his father. I’m so frustrated. I understand he’s busy but...” Her voice faded. Finally, Marley asked, “Please. I need a friend.”
“I don’t know.” Dede looked down as she pushed her napkin around. “I haven’t met any of your family. You’ll be off with them and—”
“I’ll introduce you to Richard.”
Dede glanced up, her black eyes dancing. “Your Richard?”
Leaning forward, Marley said, “Your Richard. I’m giving him to you.”
“How can you even say he’ll be there? He’s not part of your immediate family.”
“I can because Lindy told me.” Although Dede continued to appear hesitant, Marley knew she’d won her friend over. The prospect of bringing her best friend and Richard together made Dede glow. But Marley was happy for herself, too. Because she needed all the support she could muster.
* * *
“GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE,” Al said when he met them at the Pittsburgh airport in the early evening on Friday. He had Michelle in hand, who immediately grabbed her aunt’s legs. Marley picked the little girl up and spun her in circles while she hugged her. Back on the ground, Michelle clung to Marley’s hand whil
e Al gave his sister-in-law a kiss on the cheek.
Turning to Dede, Marley said, “This handsome devil is Al, Michelle’s father and Chloe’s husband.” As Al reached for Dede’s hand, Marley continued, “And this is my best friend, Dede, who knows every intimate detail of my life.” She put her free arm around Dede’s shoulders. “She’s sworn to protect me from anyone who wants to force me into a bridesmaid’s dress.”
Al made a face. “Sorry about that. Chloe said she was sick of weddings and decided to play her pregnancy card.”
“Mom believes it’s all my fault.”
“It is. You think any of your sisters would have bowed out if you hadn’t insisted on watching from a pew?”
Marley gasped. “The rest of them quit, too?”
“No, just Chloe. And I expect you to stand together with her as an unbreakable unit.”
Once they reached his truck, Al threw their luggage into the truck bed and helped Michelle into the child’s seat, located behind the driver. “Sit here,” Michelle begged and Marley took a seat next to her.
Dede sat in the front. After Al got behind the wheel, he asked, “Has Marley ever told you anything about me?”
“Of course. She even told me you dated each other.”
“We were lovers,” he said, grinning from ear to ear. He gave Marley a wink in the rearview mirror.
Marley reached out and smacked his shoulder. “Why do you tell everyone that? It’s totally untrue.”
Al laughed outright. “It gets her going so much that I can’t help myself.” He continued to laugh as they headed toward her parents’ home. At least the weather had improved. No more rain.
Starting another topic, Al glanced in the rearview mirror again. “I take it you’re not too thrilled about this wedding.”
“True. I don’t figure my father’s changed, and I hate to think what this will do to Mom when he leaves her for someone else.”
“And your sisters aren’t too happy with you. They didn’t want to do this wedding without you. The only reason Chloe got out unscathed is that they sympathize with her condition. They’ve all been there.”
An Act of Love Page 21