Wherever home might be.
Dane was about to go out and hunt for Suzy. The idea that maybe she'd been in a car accident wreaked havoc with his good sense. Ever since he'd seen Suzy drive off with Jack, his gut felt as if a hole had been burned into it. The hole was deep and unfillable, and it screamed hunger. Insecurity. Mine.
Dane drew hard on his rational side, forcing himself to remember that brothers were brothers no matter how long they'd been separated. Family ties ran deeper than anything, although perhaps not Morgan ties. And maybe that's what was bothering him the most. He
didn't feel secure in any way, not with Suzy, not with
his family.
He sat down in the den in front of the TV, then decided the last thing he needed to do was fester. Putting on a jacket and gloves, he headed out to the barn to work off the strangest sensation that Su/y was slipping away from him.
Suzy was just about asleep when she heard a soft knock on her door. "Suzy?" her mother said quietly. "Are you still awakeT
Su/y sat up. "Yes. Come in."
Her mother came in, wearing a deep-green velvet robe. She left the door a bit ajar, and Suzy turned on the lamp on her bedside table. For a moment her mother stood awkw ardly at the foot of her bed, then settled on the edge as she'd done many times in Suzy's childhood.
"Suzy, your father and I have been talking."
Suzy waited, not knowing what to say.
"We want you to know we're sorry for the things we said to you. We've lost a lot of time, precious time, by being more concerned about our reputation than your welfare. I, especially, am to blame because I should have encouraged your father to bend. Frankly, we didn't know what to think, and we let our pride rule us." Her mother shook her head, wiped at her eyes. "I would give anything to turn back time and do it all over. Be a better mother to you. Know my grandchildren:' She shook her head. "But I can't. All I can do now is ask your forgiveness"
"Oh, Mom," Suzy murmured. She basked in the emotional warmth she'd so badly missed. "Everything works out for the best."
"I'm not so sure." Her mother peered at her intently. "I'm afraid you're marrying this man because you feel you must. I'd just like to know that the lack of family support isn't making you do something you'll regret later. It's easier to cancel a wedding than get a divorce." She swallowed, nervously wringing her hands in her lap. "Not that I'm saying your intended didn't seem like a very nice man. But the mother in me would like to see you and my grandchildren have the very best you can, a marriage that you will treasure forever, a man who means to be a wonderful husband and father."
Suzy hesitated. Nothing about the short-term marriage she and Dane were planning fit her mother's description. The truth was—and Dane would agree— they weren't getting married for the right reasons at all.
"In the morning, your father and I would like to have a financial discussion with you." Her mother looked at her. "You are our only child, and your children arc our only grandchildren. I realize we're asking a lot of you at the last minute, but we think it's best to have this conversation before your wedding."
Suzy looked into her mother's eyes, seeing regret and hope for the future. 'It's going to be all right. Mom." she said, and her mother's eyes filled with tears again.
"I know," her mother finally said, trying for a brave
smile. "But only if you're getting married to this man with all your heart and soul. I just want you to be sure, because you'll always have a home right here/*
Chapter Eighteen
In the morning, Suzy learned she was an heiress. The amount of money in trust for her alone would make her wealthy beyond her wildest imagination. What she would one day inherit was staggering. Never again would she know need. Her girls would never worry about where the next meal was coming from, how she would pay for their health insurance, or a thousand other worries that had haunted her.
Before Josiah Morgan's generous gift, she'd wondered how her children would ever go to college. It was almost surreal, Cinderella-like, to go to bed one night wondering about her children's future, and the next morning wake up and find that all her worries had been waved away like magic.
"You don't have to get married, unless you're truly marrying for love," her father said. "We want you to be happy."
She wasn't marrying for love. Dane did not love her. He might love her children, but he was not in love with
their mother. They had talked about this being a short-term marriage. "Thank you. Mom, Dad," Suzy said. To be honest, it means more to me that you want to be with my children."
They sat quietly together for a few moments thinking, Suzy knew, about all the harsh words that had been spoken. Maybe she wouldn't have thought about marrying Dane if she hadn't felt such a great need for a family connection; if she hadn't felt an enormous sense o[' gratitude to Josiah.
That all seemed very far away as she sat in the house she'd grown up in.
"Tell us how we can help you," her mother said. "I know there must be so many things going through your mind."
Suzy took a deep, bracing breath. 'There is a lot to think about, but in the meantime. Dad, I need you to give me away tomorrow night."
Tears sprang into her father's eyes. T already gave you away once, because of my stubbornness."
That doesn't count." Suzy said quickly. "We're not ever going to think about that again. We're a family again, and that's all that matters."
"I don't know if I can give you away to a man I don't even know. I wish you'd take some more time to think about it." His tone was pleading. "Your mother and I believe that if this is the right thing for you, a little time won't make any difference."
That was true. But Suzy knew that when she'd had nothing, Josiah had been there. Josiah wanted his boys
married, he wanted grandchildren—she could admit to herself now that the old man probably had schemed a grand matchmaking plot to get some of his sons to marry, carry on the family name while he was still alive to see it. She felt a special fondness for Josiah, rascal that he was, because she knew even the best families hit rough patches. Even before he'd gifted her children with college educations, she'd known he was a good man—she loved him like a father. She knew he was sick.
Some gifts weren't monetary. "I'm going to marry Dane," she said softly. 4, For him, for my daughters and for me, I think it's a good match."
Her father nodded. Her mother wiped away some tears with a lace hankie, though she tried to smile. *Tm sure you've given great consideration to your marriage," her mother said. wi We support your decision and know you've chosen a man who will be a good father to your girls. I'm pretty sure that's what's driving you now, Suzy, and I completely understand "
"Thank you." Nicole and Sandra and Josiah—there were so many reasons Suzy knew she would say / do at the altar tomorrow night.
"In the meantime," her father said, clearing his throat, "could we invite your fiance out here for a spur-of-the-moment luncheon?"
Suzy looked at him. "I'm sure Dane would be glad to come out, but is there something more than the usual welcome to the family greeting on your mind'/"
"In light of your financial situation," her lather said.
"we think it's best to ask Dane to sign a prenuptial agreement. I'm sure you understand why we feel this way. No matter whom you marry, we would advise that in the interest of estate and succession planning. There's simply a lot at stake, and it's our responsibility to secure your future, and that of the children."
Suzy blinked. "You want Dane to come out here to sign some papers? Meet with lawyers the day he marries me?"
"Suzy, we didn't have a lot of notice," her mother reminded her. "It's not about Dane, it's about your security, and the twins' future."
"I understand," Suzy said slowly, thinking that Josiah of all people would understand the necessity of legal documents. "But it's a very difficult thing to spring on someone right before their wedding."
"I should think that if he really loves you, he'll understan
d our desire to protect you," her father said.
Dane would sign the papers without complaint—she just didn't want to ask him to be so cold and businesslike about their future. She wanted.. .romance? Mystery? The feeling of me-and-you-against-the-world? Why did this request of her parents seem so cold and calculated?
The past haunted her. She'd had one man leave her without looking back as soon as he'd learned she would have no part of her family's fortune. Yet Dane was not a man to whom money mattered greatly—he had none, he said he wouldn't take his father's money for marrying her. So why was she bothered by a practical request?
Their "simple" marriage plan was getting complicated. In fact, it had begun to get more involved as soon as they'd applied for the marriage license. Josiah had plans, her parents, her friends—everybody wanted to act in the interest of their marriage. She supposed she was being irresponsible to not appreciate the many facets of joining two people together— but marrying Dane at one time had seemed more like an adventure than a business plan. "I'll invite him," she said slowly, "but not for an afternoon of lawyers and documents. I want you two to just spend time with him and get to know him."
"You need more time to think," her mother said.
To that, Suzy simply said, "Yes."
"It's a lot. It can be overwhelming, I know," her mother replied. "Your young man is taking on a lot of responsibility for you, which I admire."
Dane was getting a wife, two children and legal documents. It was a lot, for a man who wanted to spend his life parasailing in Mexico.
Why was he doing it?
Dane handed Mrs. Ross a bouquet of flowers when she opened the door to let him in.
"Thank you," she said, surprised. "For the lady of the house?"
"No, for you " Dane said. "It's a bribe so that you'll always open the gale for me whenever I'm in town."
Mrs. Ross smiled. "I work at the behest o( my em-
ployers, but if it were up to me. you would gel the code to the gate."
"Excellent. One convert to my charm. Show me in to the ice room/ 1 he said.
Dane could see Mrs. Ross was fighting against it, but he saw her smile before she went back to being her formal self. "Please follow me."
She escorted him into the white room where Suzy's parents, Suzy and the two girls waited. Dane grinned as the little girls ran unevenly to throw their arms around his legs. "Hello, baby dolls! Have you missed me?" He stood, holding his hand out for the Winterstones. This time, Dr. Winterstone shook his hand, and Mrs. Winterstone smiled at him. Dane felt as if he was making rapid progress.
"Thank you for coming out," Dr. Winterstone said.
Mrs. Winterstone added, "Especially on such short notice."
Dane smiled at Suzy, reassured now that he saw she was fine. She looked pretty, if a little worried, which bothered him, but he figured she was nervous about her big day. What bride wouldn't be? He had a few butterflies himself. He was just glad she seemed to have worked things out with her parents. It boded well for their future.
"We're sorry to have to ask you out here on business matters " Dr. Winterstone said, "but I'm sure you appreciate the importance of—"
"Dad," Suzy said. "Could I have a moment alone with Dane, please?"
"Certainly, Suzy," her mother said. "Why don't you take Dane into the library? We'll watch Nicole and Sandra."
Dane's sense of apprehension grew as he was walked into a massive library, with floor-to-ceiling shelves of books arranged in dark paneling. Flowing curtains tumbled gracefully down the casements of long windows; expensive artwork graced the walls. "Wow," he said, "just like a presidential library."
Suzy didn't smile. "Dane, my parents' invitation today wasn't just about lunch and getting to know you before the wedding."
He smiled at her. "Your father has agreed to give us his blessing? Tell me I can have your hand in marriage? Whatever it is, smile, Suzy. We've survived a lot of family interference up till now."
"I know," she said, "but this is a bit different."
He leaned against a very senatorial-looking writing desk and pulled her toward him. "So shoot"
"My parents would like for you to sign a prenuptial agreement."
That caught him by surprise. "Sign a prenuptial agreement? For what purpose?''
"It will say that everything I have before the wedding remains mine...should we divorce. And of course, we are divorcing, although I didn't tell them that, so it does make sense to legally—"
He held up his hand. "Suzy, I don't want anything of yours. I want you and the girls. Is that going to be
in the agreement, or do I have to sign off rights for that, too?"
"No, of course not," Suzy said, pulling slightly away from him, distancing herself, and suddenly, Dane realized what he was really up against. It wasn't so much the legalese; it was the specter of divorce a year from now that had Suzy tightening up on him. Almost freezing him out with her face turned from him. Body language that said / have to protect myself.
"Suzy," he said, "I don't know what to say. I'll sign the damn papers, I don't care, although I think my word alone should suffice. I don't even want the money my father would give me for living in his house for a year. If I want money, I'd like back what I lost to my partner." He let her go because he sensed she needed space and Suzy sat down in an oversize leather chair, looking defenseless.
"Dane, what are we doing?" she asked.
He shook his head. At that moment, he wasn't certain anymore.
After the lawyers arrived—two of them—and every paper had been signed, Dane and Suzy's entire marriage had been wrapped in businesslike terms. Although he'd proposed a formal merger to Suzy in the first place, he'd certainly learned today what a real business transaction was.
Stiffly, he extended a hand to Dr. and Mrs. Winter-stone. "I'll be on my way, then."
"You won't stay for tea?" Mrs. Winterstone asked.
■I
Dane shook his head. "We're having fried chicken and ribs from the Trusty Bucket at our rehearsal dinner. Suzy and I would love to introduce you to our friends and my family, what little family is in town."
Mrs. Winterstone shook her head. "Thank you, but we must decline. Suzy, may we keep the girls for the night? You must have an awful lot to do for tomorrow."
Dane let out a long breath he'd been holding in, glad to hear her parents ask about Nicole and Sandra. The girls deserved family who adored them as much as he did.
"They'd love that. Dane, I'll be back at the ranch soon." Suzy barely met his gaze as Mrs. Winterstone walked him to the door.
"Thank you again for coming by," Mrs. Winterstone said. "We will, of course, be at the wedding tomorrow night."
Dane inclined his head, not sure what to say to this woman who would now be his mother-in-law. Shouldn't he hug her? Kiss her cheek? What did one do when called out to sign off on prenuptial documents? "It's a very informal wedding," he finally said.
To her credit, Mrs. Winterstone didn't wince. "I'm sure it will be lovely. Dr. Winterstone and I will give you two our wedding gift then."
She smiled, a little wobbly, and Dane realized how hard it was for her to give away her only child when she'd just gotten her back. Swiftly, he leaned down to gently hug her. "I'm going to take good care of her," he said.
Mrs. Winterstone added, "If she'll let you," and they
both laughed a little so that Dane felt better as she closed the double doors behind him.
Then he realized Su/y hadn't walked with him to say goodbye and didn't feel better at all.
"You're leaving, sir?" John asked. "May I get your vehicle for you this time? If you're going to be part oi' the family. I should acquaint myself with it. My employers won't be happy if I'm not doing my job."
Dane glanced back toward the house and handed John the keys. "Til be here often. And when you see Miss Wintcrstone-soon-to-be-Morgan, will you please tell her Til get my goodbye kiss from her later?"
The attendant grinned as he jogged t
o get Dane's truck. "Will do, sir," he called over his shoulder.
Dane whistled to himself, biding his time, knowing that soon, he'd be kissing Su/y Winterstone at the altar.
She would be all his.
Chapter Nineteen
Dane returned to the Morgan ranch first, finding Cricket and Priscilla in the kitchen in a mad rush to finish the cakes. "Your father ordered more," Cricket told him.
"Why didn't you just order them from Valentine's bakery in town?" Dane asked. The women were working up a storm, and he wondered if his father knew how much effort the ladies were putting into their creations.
"Because your father is paying us," Priscilla revealed. "Enough to make us think we should go into the catering business. Seriously. And it beats making drapes."
He dipped his finger into a mixing bowl, tasting the frosting with appreciation. "Maybe you should open a catering business. This is tasty stuff. I know a certain bride and groom who are very lucky to have such good friends."
The ladies smiled at him. "For a first-time effort, we feel pretty good," Cricket told him. "By the way, how did it go with the Winterstones?" Her tone sounded as if she didn't expect much from that meeting.
Dane shrugged. "They were very nice. wSu/y seemed
tense, but she frequently does." He grinned. "I have her to myself tonight, however, and I intend to loosen her up."
Cricket and Priscilla glanced at each other. "Where are the girls?" Priscilla asked.
"Suzy's parents are keeping them so we can attend the rehearsal dinner;' Dane smiled his most charming, the-devil-made-me-do-it grin. "They couldn't have given me a better wedding gift than a night with my bride-to-be."
"That's wonderful," Cricket said, looking at Priscilla, "because we had planned to stay at Suzy's cottage for the night so you two could be alone."
The two of them were up to their elbows in flour and sugar and didn't look as if they'd planned to leave the kitchen anytime soon. "This is a lot of cake."
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