“The subject is closed, Al, so don’t waste your breath trying to convince me otherwise.”
“It’s just...Your sisters. They want a father, and they’re ready to put up with Red.” Al stopped talking and concentrated on his driving. But within moments, he glanced in the rearview mirror again. “People can change, can’t they? I know your mother has. Why else would she take him back? She wants this, and she’s willing to make it work. She’s forgiven him. Why can’t you?”
“Like I said, I don’t think he’s changed.”
When Al spoke again, his voice was low and harsh. “If he hasn’t, the Warriors will take him behind the garage and take care of him.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Marley said with a grim smile.
After a short pause, Al spoke to Dede. “I hear you’re about to meet the great Richard Brewster.”
Her expression brightened. “That I am.”
“He’s one lucky man. First Marley and now you.”
Dede started to laugh. “Marley’s told me about you and the Roman Warriors.”
“Nothing bad, I hope.”
“No, just that you’re all full of meaningless flattery. I love it.”
As they got close to her hometown, Al turned into the parking lot of the motel Marley had stayed in, drove up to one of the rooms and stopped. Hadn’t Marley told him they planned to stay at her family’s home? “We’re not staying here, Al. I’m—”
Marley stared at the tall man leaning against the open motel door and gasped. As he starting walking toward Al’s truck she noticed that he wore the same black boots, black pants and Western shirt with pearl snaps he’d had on the last time she’d seen him. She definitely had to talk to him about changing his wardrobe. “Brant!” she said when she recovered her voice. She released the seat belt, opened the door and was in his arms before her feet hit the ground.
“Miss me?” he said as he swung her around.
Marley pressed her cheek against his and wrapped her arms around him as tightly as she could. “Yes, yes, yes,” she said. She kissed him before slowly sliding down until her feet touched the ground.
“Me. Me,” Michelle shouted.
They both turned to see the little girl stretching toward them, her fingers doing a wild beckoning dance.
Brant released Marley and reached in to Michelle. She grasped his hand and refused to let it go.
“Can she come out for a minute?” Brant asked, undoing her seat belt before getting an answer. “Hi there, Michelle.” He lifted her out of the truck. “My goodness, you’ve grown at least ten feet since the last time I saw you.”
She gave him an I-adore-you smile, and he grinned. He put his other arm around Marley and said, “My two favorite girls.” He noticed Dede in the truck and nodded in her direction. “I see you made it. Welcome.”
Al emerged from the truck and came over to them. “She’s here to meet Richard, who’s attending the wedding. Marley set it up with Lindy. We’re not going to have any trouble, are we?”
With a shake of his head, Brant leaned over to Marley and pecked her on the cheek. “Nope. I’ve got what I came for, and I’m sure the Warriors will take care of any flak.”
“You can count on that.” Al reached for Michelle. “Okay, honey. We have to go.”
Michelle put a stranglehold around Brant’s neck and faced away from her father. “No. No. I want Unky Brat.”
Choking, Brant began to cough. “Let her stay awhile,” he managed in a hoarse voice. “We’ll call you later.”
“There is no later. I’ve got a dozen chores that need doing before the wedding. Nora’s insisting on having the reception at her place, and tables, chairs, everything still have to be set up.”
“Isn’t there a bride’s dinner, dancing?” Brant glanced at Marley, a worried frown crossing his face.
“Nope. You missed it. Marley’s flight arrived too late.” Al checked his watch. “They should be through by now.” He reached for Michelle again. She still refused to leave.
“Either I get her now, or she’s staying the night with you two.”
Brant turned to Marley. “What do you say?” He moved closer and whispered in her ear. “We can do like the last time. I have a similar suite.” When Marley nodded, he said to Al, “We’ve got Michelle tonight. I don’t have a car, so can you pick us up tomorrow?”
What plans would they have beyond tonight? Marley had so many questions.
“Chloe and I’ll be here for breakfast. Eight o’clock.”
“What about me?” Dede asked, opening the door and preparing to exit.
“You’re with me. Richard awaits. He’s supposed to help the Warriors with tomorrow’s setup. If you play your cards right, you can get him out of it, and he’ll be eternally grateful.” Al closed her door.
“My things,” Marley said as Al took off in his truck. He’d stowed her suitcase in the truck bed and hadn’t bothered to leave it for her.
“You won’t need anything.” Brant looked down at Michelle. “What do you say we use my shirts for pajamas for you and Aunt Marley? Would that work?”
Michelle totally agreed, nodding and smiling as they walked into the motel room. Brant picked up Michelle, and bounced her in his arms to her glee. “You know, love,” he said in his British accent. “I’m going to remember this and make your life completely miserable when you start dating.” He turned to Marley and used his normal voice. “Usually these crushes only last a short time. She should be over me by now.”
Marley started to chuckle. “Oh, and you know this because?”
He strolled through the bedroom doorway over to the one bed, a king-size, and dropped Michelle on it, where she began to jump up and down.
“My nieces had this same infatuation, so I’m well aware Michelle’s affections for me will soon disappear, and I’ll just be old Unky Brat.” He placed an arm around Marley’s shoulders. “And as much as I enjoy being adored, I wish she’d gotten over it before I showed up. I had all my hopes on you adoring me.” He kissed her forehead and directed her to a chair. Once she was seated, he dropped to one knee and took her hand, only to have Michelle slide off the bed and come over to him.
Brant blew a puff of air through his teeth, turned to Michelle and said, “You want to help me?” She nodded. “Okay, get down on your knees.” She did. Brant started to laugh. “Maybe we should take a picture of this. I doubt if anyone would believe it.” Although Marley considered recording it for posterity, she knew this moment would never fade from her memory.
“Marley Roman,” he said, removing a ring from his pinky. She looked down at the ornate band of gold and silver encrusted with bits of colorful gemstones. “It’s not a diamond. Not even an engagement ring—” Michelle made a grab for it, and he pulled it out of her reach “—but a wedding ring that serves both purposes.” He placed it on her ring finger. “It says I love you with all my heart, and I want you to be my wife. Please say you’ll marry me.”
Marley grasped his hand and brought it to her lips. “Oh, Brant, I love you. Yes, I’ll marry you.” She slid off the chair and knelt next to him, throwing her arms around him. The unexpected exuberance sent them both sprawling. Michelle joined the mix, giggling joyfully. They remained on the floor in an embrace, laughing, too weak to pick themselves up.
“It’s beautiful,” she said, holding her hand above them so that the light caught the colors in the ring. “Exactly what I wanted.”
“David Wildhorse, a jeweler friend, made it from everything in Arizona. The gold is from my family’s ranch. After you returned the diamond ring to Gus at the pawn shop, I called there and got your size. And,” he said, propping himself up so that he could reach into his pocket, “I have one just like it for me.” He showed her a larger version of her ring. He cupped it in his hand, then closed his fingers over it when Michelle trie
d to get that one, as well.
“Then you must wear yours, too.” Marley took it and placed it on his finger.
Brant stood and pulled her to her feet. “I’ve made reservations. A flight for two to Las Vegas.” He paused. “If that’s okay.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow, after your parents’ wedding.”
Marley clasped her hands around his neck. “I can’t wait.”
Brant removed her hands, held them against his chest and watched her with somber eyes. “You didn’t even ask.”
“Ask what?”
“About where we’ll live...about anything.”
“I don’t care, Brant. I just want to be with you. On the ranch, in Phoenix, wherever.”
Brant picked her up off her feet and placed her on the bed. The moment he lay down next to her, Michelle began whacking his back. “If that young lady doesn’t give us a moment of peace, I’m going to lock her in the bathroom.” He flipped around and shouted, “Boo!”
Michelle backed away, fell on her rear and burst into tears. Immediately, Brant got off the bed and lifted her into his arms. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
She glared at him and pouted. He looked back at Marley, containing his laughter. “It’s over. No more infatuation.” When Michelle squirmed to get away from him, he put her on the bed. Immediately she crawled over to her aunt for comfort.
Brant dropped onto the chair. “Isn’t it her bedtime? I’ve got so much to tell you.”
Michelle directed all her affections at her aunt, entangling herself in Marley’s hair. The moment Marley freed herself, Michelle found something else to cling to. “Why don’t you go to the other room? I’ll call you when I’m available.”
With a sigh, Brant stood. “Goodbye, Michelle.” She turned and gave him the evil eye. Chuckling, Brant went to the door, paused there a moment, blew a kiss and was gone.
Once Michelle fell asleep, three stories and several drinks of water later, Marley went to the bedroom door. Brant arrived in seconds. Before he pulled her into his arms, he glanced at the sleeping child. “Will you get any rest with her flipping around?”
“A little. But then I’m sure I’ll make up for it on my honeymoon.”
“Not on our honeymoon.” He shut the bedroom door and directed Marley to the sofa, where he sat next to her, his arm around her shoulders.
“Oh, that voice.” Marley withdrew from his embrace for a moment so she could kiss him. “I’m trembling with expectation.”
“I’ll do my very best to live up to it.” The radiant smile he gave her told her how much he loved her. “We have less than twenty-four hours. I’ll answer all your questions now. Ask away.”
“So what happened with your father?”
“We’re not moving to the ranch.”
Marley’s brow furrowed. “What did your father say when you offered to take it over?”
With a sardonic smile, Brant gazed at the rug before glancing back at her. “He wanted to know where I got such a wacky idea. I did what any intelligent son would do. I blamed you.”
“Brant!” Marley punched his shoulder. “Stop playing games. What happened?”
“For the past few months, ever since I did that movie in Australia, Dad’s been after me to have a talk, as you know. I thought it would be a follow-up on what we discussed years ago—my taking over the responsibilities at the ranch. It wasn’t. He’s perfectly satisfied with how Elaina runs things. What he wanted from me was my name. I’m the only Westfield capable of having the name survive.” He smiled. “And I plan to make sure it does, if you’ll cooperate.”
“You realize there are nine females in our two families and you’re the only male. What are our chances?”
“We’ll just work at it until we have a son or you get too tired of having babies.”
Marley cuddled against him. “You’re nuts. So what else did your father say?”
“He wants the trust, which has the four children equally sharing in the property, put in my name. He wants to retire, take my mother on a world cruise, but he needed me to take over responsibility for the trust. We signed the papers with his lawyer before I left.”
“Okay. So where do we live?”
“You’ve seen my place.” Brant sighed. “Although I didn’t see all of yours, I like the decorating. Something mine totally lacks.”
“You have something I don’t.”
“What?” His expression sobered.
“A grand piano. When we talked about music, and I said I wanted to learn to play the piano, you said you wanted to learn, too. But you already knew how, since you played for your father. Why did you lie to me?”
“I didn’t lie. I’m always learning.” He brought her hands to his lips. “If you’ll recall, when we talked, I was more concerned with discussing the merits of music and how it affects us internally.”
“Right.”
“I totally stand by everything I said and plan to spend some time demonstrating it this coming week. I’m open to suggestions about the condo.”
“A walk-in closet is supposed to hold clothes, not a big-screen TV.” Marley pulled her hand free and brushed his hair back, enjoying its texture.
“It’s my office and keeps everything in one place. I close my door and don’t have to run around putting things away when other people use the condo.”
“Do you have any other clothes?” she asked. “Another closetful, maybe?”
“Nope. This is pretty much it. My sisters gave me the shirts for Christmas, and I left my jeans and work shirts back at the ranch. And you’ve seen all my casual stuff.” He grinned. “Do you think I need more?”
“Absolutely.”
“Okay, but I hate shopping. I’ll let you pick out anything you want me to wear...within reason.”
“As long as it’s Western-style?”
“Well, I do have that horse ranch.”
“Right,” she said laughing.
Brant leaned forward and pressed his forehead against hers. “We’ll decide where we’ll live when we get back from Vegas.” He continued to hold her. “There’s something else. Have you made plans for this fall?”
“Like what?”
“Teaching? You said you teach math at the community college.”
“No. I signed up for advanced math classes at ASU, and I can’t do both, teach and...” She paused, wondering why Brant’s expression had gone blank. “Why?”
“Production for Sam’s book starts this fall. I’m not sure when, but I’d like it if you could be with me.”
“The one about that great-looking detective who has to fight off all those women?”
“Sam’s doing a rewrite. I’ll be playing a hunchback with one eye and a limp.” He waited a moment and added, “And a beard and terrible acne.” He caught his lower lip between his teeth.
Marley closed her eyes and snuggled against him. “And a potbelly and a bald spot.” She looked up into his face. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
* * *
SOMEONE KNOCKED ON the door. Not another interruption. Brant had so much to discuss with Marley. If this was Richard...Brant strode to the door, determined to send the annoying pest on his way. When Brant opened the door, he stepped back, hesitated, then turned toward Marley. Her father? Why was he here?
“Okay if I come in?”
When Marley didn’t offer a protest, Brant moved aside, and Red walked slowly past him into the living room. He took the stuffed chair opposite the sofa, and Brant retook his seat next to Marley. Immediately, she pressed against him and held his hand.
“What do you want?” Brant asked.
“I’d like to speak with my daughter.”
Marley’s grip tightened, and Brant feared he might lose some fingers. “Whatever you have to say to her
, you can say to me, too. Since I’m a little bigger than she is, I can throw you out if we don’t like it.”
Red chuckled. Not exactly the response Brant had expected.
“I’m glad to see you have her best interests at heart.” Red pulled in a deep breath, then focused on Marley. “I came to reason with you. I know I don’t deserve it, but I hoped you, too, could forgive me. I’ve tried to correct my mistakes. Your mother is giving me that chance. I want my family back.”
Brant winced when she tightened her grip even more as she said, “The one you walked away from?”
Red hung his head and rubbed his hands together. “Yes, that one.”
Brant managed to unlock her fingers and free his hand. “I need a drink. Can I get you something?” He got up and went to the refrigerator, where he’d stocked several bottles of water. He returned to the couch, handed one each to Marley and Red. She looked ready to throw it at him. After retaking his seat, Brant placed his arm around her shoulders, tense boards that definitely needed a massage.
You need to forgive him, Brant thought, but he wasn’t about to butt in. The decision had to come from her. Whatever she chose to do, he’d stand beside her. He was her backup, after all, even if it forced him to back up bad choices.
Marley got up, walked over to the tiny kitchen and placed the untouched water on the counter. For several moments she stayed there, her back to the two men; then she turned and looked at Brant with an expression that pulled at his heart. He moved over to her, determined to support her through the turmoil. She clasped his hand again before facing her father. In an emotional voice, she said, “Okay, I forgive you.”
Red slowly got to his feet but didn’t make an attempt to get close to her. This wasn’t exactly a moment that included hugs and kisses. Brant hid a smile and felt his chest expand with love. She’d made the right choice: family over payback.
Red cleared his throat. “Chloe said she’d be in the wedding, if you’d—” He bowed his head again and started for the door. “Sorry. I promised I wouldn’t push.”
An Act of Love Page 22