Smooth talking stranger

by Lorraine Heath

  No, he didn’t like, but he figured it would earn him points, and he could probably use all the points he could earn. “I’ll tell him then.”

  She reached over and squeezed his hand. “Good. I’ll break the news to Kevin.”

  “Kevin?”

  “My brother. He’ll be the more difficult of the two.”

  “I didn’t know you had a brother.”

  “A fancy lawyer up in Dallas.” She grinned at him. “Maybe you should have brought some toothpicks for yourself.”

  He was beginning to think he should have. “Do you have any other surprises waiting in the wings?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  He turned the jeep onto the dirt lane that led to the house. The outside light was on, and he thought that was a habit he’d get into—leaving a light on for his family.

  He brought the jeep to a halt, got out, went around, and opened the door for her. Once she stepped out, he kissed her—to shore up his courage and simply because he enjoyed kissing her.

  She took hold of his hand and led him to the house, and he thought from this moment on, he’d always have this—her hand to hold, this house to be welcomed into. It was as comforting a thought as it was terrifying. He didn’t want to let her down, didn’t want to disappoint her.

  He’d never had a single person that he’d cared this much for.

  She opened the door and walked into the house. A lamp was on in the living room, images were flickering on the TV.

  “Dad?”

  Her father got out of his recliner. “Well, you’re home earlier than I expected.” His gaze dropped to their joined hands. “I take it things went well.”

  She looked over at Hunter, and he realized that was probably his cue to break the news.

  “Yes, sir. Your daughter said she’d marry me.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “She did? Well, I’d say that calls for a little celebrating. Come on in, have a seat. I’ll pour us a little comfort.”

  She patted Hunter’s arm. “You go on. I’m going to check on Riker and then I’ll call Kevin.”

  “I’ll come with you.”

  She shook her head slightly and whispered, “You should probably talk with Dad for a minute.”

  He didn’t particularly want to do that, but he figured it was part of the process. He watched her disappear up the stairs, before he walked into the living room and took a seat on the couch.

  “Here you go, son,” her father said, offering him a glass of Southern Comfort.

  Hunter downed it in one long swallow.

  Larry chuckled as he returned to his recliner, popped up the footrest, and settled back.

  “Not easy asking a girl to marry you.”

  “No, sir, it’s not.”

  “Harder still to face her father.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “You seem like a decent enough fella.”

  “I try to be.” Leaning forward, he placed his elbows on his thighs. “ Barnett, I care for your daughter. I realize that the circumstances being what they are that it might not be evident that I only want what’s best for her.”

  “If Rena hadn’t gotten pregnant—”

  “But she did. I’m not a big believer in speculating on the destination of roads not traveled.”

  Based on the way Larry settled back in his chair, Hunter thought he might have finally said something the old man could approve of.

  “What the hell do you mean you’re getting married?”

  Serena moved farther into the kitchen so no one in the living room would hear her conversation with Kevin. She and Hunter had looked the calendar over and decided a week from Saturday would work.

  “You have a college education, Kevin. Surely you can decipher the meaning of ‘I’m getting married a week from Saturday—’ ”

  “To whom?”

  “His name is Hunter Fletcher—”

  “Hunter? What the hell kind of name is that?”

  “It’s his mother’s family name.” Thank goodness for the twenty questions—even though she hadn’t used them all.

  “Who is he?”

  “What do you mean who is he? I told you his name.”

  “I mean who is he? Where does he live? Where did he come from? How did you meet him? What does he do for a living? Why is he marrying you? How long have you known him? Did you run a background check on him? Did you sign a prenup? I don’t want you signing a prenup that I haven’t prepared. Why the hell are you getting married next Saturday? What’s the rush? This is the first I’ve heard of the guy. What do you know about him? Has Dad met him?”

  Finally silence on his end.

  “Do you honestly expect me to answer all those questions?” she asked.

  “Only the important one.”

  “Which would be what?”

  “Why are you marrying him?”

  She picked up a damp cloth and began wiping a counter that didn’t need to be wiped. “I don’t remember hearing that question in the list you just spouted off.”

  “Come on, Rena. You call me out of the blue to tell me you’re marrying some guy I’ve never heard of. I want to know why.”

  “I called you because I thought you’d want to know.”

  “Damn it, Rena, I’m not asking why you called, and you know it. I’m asking why you’re marrying this guy.”

  She desperately wanted to say because she loved him. Wasn’t that really the only reason to get married? Because you loved the person, wanted to build a life with him, wanted to hold his hand when you were both old?

  She turned and there was Hunter standing in the doorway. Tall, proud. So damned sexy, so incredibly serious.

  “Need me to talk to him?” he asked quietly.

  And that was all it took. Those few words, earnestly offered, and although she couldn’t say that she was marrying him because she loved him, didn’t want to say she was marrying him because she was pregnant, she did suddenly know why she was marrying him. Probably not the best of reasons, but it was an honest reason.

  “I’m marrying Hunter because I want to,” she said succinctly, her gaze holding his, feeling a thrill skid through her when satisfaction hit his eyes. “Are you coming to the wedding?”

  “I’ll check my calendar. Hell, yes, I’m coming,” he barked, not sounding at all pleased that he was. “I want some time alone with this guy before the ceremony.”

  She considered Hunter’s broad shoulders, his muscular arms, his wide chest, his determined stance. She almost laughed. Kevin would be a toothpick standing next to a mighty oak. “No, Kevin, I really don’t think you do.”

  And then she let her irritation with Kevin’s third degree float away, and she recognized what was behind the interrogation. “I love you, Kev.”

  He sighed. “I love you, too, Sis. I just hope you’re not making a mistake.”

  He hung up, denying her the satisfaction of hanging up on him. She returned the phone to the cradle and gave Hunter an impish smile. “He wants some time alone with you.”

  “Based on what I overheard of your end of the conversation, I’d say I need some time alone with him.”

  She patted his arm. “Go gentle with him.”

  “Only if he deserves it.”

  “He does. He’s simply being an overprotective brother.”

  “Overprotectiveness seems to run in your family.”

  “Yeah, it does.” She knew it was late, knew she should let him go home, but it had been such an overwhelming day. “Will you sit on the porch for a while before you leave?”

  “Sure.”

  The night was warm, only slightly humid, as they sat on the bench swing. His arm seemed to automatically come around her, and she thought there was a tenderness to him that he didn’t even know existed. The silence between them contained a comfortableness…nothing forced. No pressure to converse.

  With a sigh of contentment, she settled her head within the nook of Hunter’s shoulder. And decided this marriage had a chance of working.

/>   Chapter 19

  The silver Jaguar screeched to a halt inches from the front porch where Hunter stood waiting. He hadn’t flinched, blinked, or tensed. He’d trusted Dan Becker with his life too many times to think that the guy couldn’t judge the braking distance he needed not to hit the porch.

  Dan smoothly unfolded his body as he got out of the car. Like everyone assigned to Hunter’s group, he was deeply tanned with black hair, dark eyes. Diversity enthusiasts would probably have a fit if they ever caught sight of the men Hunter worked with. They all looked like clones—but then fair haired, blue eyed people tended to get too much attention in the places they frequented.

  Dan grinned. “Damn, I kept telling myself the whole way down here that this was a practical joke. It is, right? You’ve suddenly sprouted a sense of humor, and thought you’d yank my chain? Because there’s no way, man, that you’re getting married.”

  “I’m getting married.”

  “Man, I can’t wait to meet this lady who sunk her claws into you.”

  “No claws. She’s definitely not your type.”

  Dan shook his head, his grin growing even wider, as he walked up the steps and clapped Hunter on the shoulder. “Wait until you see what I have in mind for the bachelor party.”

  “Since the wedding is this evening, I’m afraid you’re going to be doing that solo.”

  Dan shrugged. “Works for me. I have a list of local gentlemen’s clubs. I plan to start with the Yellow Rose. I like the dancers.”

  “Why don’t you come in, get settled?”

  He led Dan inside, went straight to the refrigerator, and pulled out two beers.

  “Your timing’s lousy,” Dan said, all humor gone. “They’ll pull you off—”

  “Not this one. I’ve put too much into it, and I’ve already gotten permission to finish the job.”

  It was a requirement that the men in his group be single, no family affiliations. The risks were too great, and they needed men who could stay focused, and if necessary, stay out of the country for a long time.

  “That surprises me, and I’m not very often surprised.”

  “At this point, it’s not a traditional marriage. We’re getting married because she’s pregnant.”

  “Shit. You gonna be thinking about that—”

  “No. But if something happens to me, I want her and the kid taken care of.”

  “And if nothing happens to you, then you’re latched to a ball and chain. I’ve been there, man—”

  “Three days. You were married for three whole days.”

  “And it’s hell. I’m telling you. Marriage isn’t for guys like us.”

  “Maybe not.” But being an unwed mother wasn’t for women like Serena either.

  “What time does this shindig get started?” Dan asked.

  “Seven. And we need to get down to the coast before then.”

  When Serena’s grandfather had passed away, his will had stipulated that his retirement home would be left to his descendents, along with a trust fund with enough capital in it to ensure the interest would handle the upkeep and maintenance costs required to keep the waterfront property manageable. He’d written that he wanted a place where his family could always gather.

  Kevin managed the property and the trust, but he rarely took time to enjoy their grandfather’s legacy. Serena on the other hand, loved to spend time here. She’d spent long weekends here with her parents. She often invited Jack and his family to join her. It was simply a place that cried out for company.

  The three-story house with a crow’s nest sat on an inlet that jutted into the bay. Following a sand and shell trail, she would reach the beach, where the Gulf of Mexico washed over the shore. She was tempted to go there now but people would soon be arriving, and in a couple of more hours she’d be married. She couldn’t believe it, as she gazed in the mirror in the main bedroom on the second level, trying to determine what was missing.

  The dress was pale, pale lavender with a scooped neck and a scooped back that gathered into folds. The dress flowed without a waist into a hem of tiered ruffled layers, cut at an angle that swooped down from her knee on one side to her calf on the other. Elegant, a little sexy. Nothing traditional.

  But then this evening was probably more for her than it was for Hunter. She imagined he would have been content to slip down to the Justice of the Peace’s office with no one else in attendance.

  But she needed the ceremony, the gathering of family. Kevin had flown into Houston Hobby from Dallas, rented a car, and arrived at the beach house with a card in hand that she was certain contained a generous check. He’d hugged her, glanced at his watch, and announced he was catching the last flight out that night—the ceremony would take place on time, right?

  She’d wanted to smack him. Instead she’d come into the room to get dressed. Jack and his family would be arriving at any time, as would a few other family members and a few very close friends. She’d hoped the groom would have arrived by now, but he’d needed to wait for the arrival of the best man. Everything seemed so unorganized, so last minute. Until the groom showed, she was going to worry.

  She turned at the knock on her door.

  “Come in?”

  Kevin stuck his head inside. “You sure?”

  She smiled. “Yeah.”

  He had her fair coloring, brown eyes. He slid his hands into the trouser pockets of a suit that probably cost more than her entire wardrobe.

  “You were peeved at me earlier because I’m not staying,” he said.

  “It’s your life, Kevin. I’m glad you were able to make it for the ceremony.”

  “Me, too. He’s here. We talked.”

  “Hunter?” she asked, surprised. “He’s here?”

  “Yep. Him and the best man. Dan Becker. Pair of bookends I wouldn’t want to get between.”

  “I know Hunter can be intimidating.” And she assumed his friend was chiseled from the same block of granite.

  “Tell me about it.”

  She stepped nearer, not accustomed to seeing her usually confident brother exhibiting any self-doubts. “Other than that, what was your impression of Hunter?”

  “That he cares a great deal for you.”

  His words surprised her almost as much as his guarded expression. “Why do you look like that’s a bad thing?”

  “It’s not. A guy would be insane not to be crazy about you. He’s just a little different than I expected, that’s all. I think you’ll be all right with him.”

  Well, that wasn’t exactly a glowing endorsement but she didn’t really need it. She trusted her own judgment on the matter, and she was certain things would be fine.

  “Oh”—he reached into his jacket and brought out a small white-wrapped box with a white bow—“he wanted me to give you this.”

  She took the gift, pleased beyond measure that Hunter had given her a wedding present.

  She removed the ribbon and the paper. Nestled inside the box was a heart-shaped pendant encrusted with diamonds. She wondered if he’d given her the necklace because he couldn’t give her his real heart. Or was he offering his heart without words?

  She took it out of the box and started to put it around her neck.

  “Here, I’ll clasp it for you,” Kevin said as he came around behind her. “I want you to be happy, Rena,” he said quietly.

  “I want that, too, Kev.”

  She looked in the mirror, touched the heart-shaped pendant that looked perfect just below her throat, and she realized with astonishing clarity what was missing from the day.

  A man who loved her.

  “Oh, man, I should have brought a date,” Dan lamented as he and Hunter stood off to the side, near the storage shed that provided part of the support for the stilted house. “Doesn’t your bride know anyone under the age of fifty?”

  Hunter grinned. “I think most of these people are her family. I wouldn’t want you getting involved with any of them anyway.”

  “What was up with the brother?” />
  “Protective.”

  “He know what you do for a living?”

  Hunter shook his head. “Only Serena knows. Anyone else asks—I’m in security.”

  “Computers,” Dan said. “I’m in computers.”

  Which he was. The magic he could work with computers was truly amazing.

  “Hunter?”

  Turning, he smiled at Serena. Sweet Lord, but she looked lovely, and the necklace he’d given her was perfect. “Hey.”

  Reaching out, he took her hand and drew her near. “This is Dan, a good buddy of mine.”

  Dan winked and gave her his million-dollar smile. “You wouldn’t happen to have a sister would you?”

  “Afraid not,” Serena said. “We’re glad you could come.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it. I had to meet the lady who reeled this guy in. He’s been slipping off the hook for years.”

  She turned to Hunter. “You don’t have to wait over here, away from everyone else.”

  “It’s a good place to people-watch.”

  “Has Dad introduced you around?”

  “Yep.”

  “If you forget who someone is, just ask,” Serena said. “No one expects you to remember all the names.”

  “Are you kidding?” Dan asked. “He’s not going to forget names. He has a memory like a steel trap. You could line everyone up and he could tick off their names without missing a beat.”

  “Thanks, Dan, for that commentary,” Hunter said, a little irritated that Dan was jabbering. As a rule, he tended to be as quiet as Hunter was.

  “Hey, I just call it like I see it,” Dan said.

  Serena angled her head to the side. “You’re not the buddy who married the stripper are you?”

  Dan continued to smile. “I can’t believe he told you about that. I was drunk and she was hot. Drive-thru wedding. Best six days of my life. Knew her for three, was married to her for three.”

  Serena laughed lightly. “I’m hoping ours will last a little longer.”

  “It will. I have a good feeling about all this,” Dan said.

  Another minivan pulled into the yard. Riker and his dog were running toward it. Serena smiled as though she’d never been happier.

  “There’s Jack and his family. Come on, I want to introduce you.”