An Act of Love. Marion Ekholm

man in college.”

      “What should I have done after you brushed me off?” He pushed the handle on the side of his chair and his legs came down. He leaned toward her. “Why did you? I thought we had something good going.”

      Marley sighed. “I don’t know. Immaturity, I guess.”

      “I was immature?” He looked about ready to jump out of his chair.

      With another sigh, Marley fluttered her hands to indicate he should stay seated. “Don’t get your hackles up. I was the immature one. You were this real popular guy, and I didn’t know how to handle you.”

      Richard leaned back in his chair. “That’s great. I had to be handled in some special way.”

      Marley bit her lower lip. “I’m not saying any of this right. Back then, I was having issues with my father returning.”

      “I remember.”

      “And I thought you might be like him.”

      His voice nearly exploded. “You thought I was like that womanizing cheat you complained about all the time?” He gripped the chair arm, getting control of himself before adding, “I wouldn’t do that to you. It wasn’t until you ended it that I even looked at another woman.”

      “I was young and naive.” Marley averted her gaze. “It wasn’t my grandest hour.” Oh, if only she could relive those days with some maturity. “The issues I faced got in the way, and I confused them with you. I didn’t want to go through what my mother did. What she’s going through now,” she added in an aside.

      Richard glanced at her, then looked away. “He’s back?”

      “Yes. Lindy wanted him to give her away. This is the first time he’s been at any of the weddings, and he’s staying in the house.”

      After a long pause, Richard asked, “You have any extra room in your luggage?”

      Perplexed, Marley nodded.

      “Then you might want to pack the other things you mentioned. They belong to Lindy. She stayed here a few times when I was gone while taking care of the Baroness.” As if prompted by the sound of her name, the cat jumped onto Richard’s lap.

      “Did your brother stay here with Lindy?”

      “I wouldn’t know. I haven’t been invited to watch the videos.”

      “Oh, you!” Marley tossed one of the cat’s toys at Richard, but he managed to catch it in midair and gave it to the Baroness.

      After a long pause, Marley asked, “So how many times have you made it to the altar?”

      “Once. No kids, and it ended several years ago. What about you?”

      About to say never, Marley sat up with a start. With nervous energy, she tucked her hands between the cushions and found an earring and some change but not the ring. Where had she put it? After a quick search around the couch, Marley headed for the bedroom.

      Brant sat forward. “What are you doing?”

      When she didn’t answer, he followed her.

      “I lost it.”

      “Lost what?”

      “My ring. I took it off and put it in my shoe while I was taking a bath.” She paused before sputtering, “My open-toed, you-can’t-put-a-ring-in-it shoe!” On her hands and knees, Marley crawled across the plush rug, sweeping her hand around.

      “This it?”

      Marley turned to find Richard standing above her with the ring. She accepted his offered hand and got to her feet. “Yes. Where was it?”

      “By the tub.” He dropped it into her hand and returned to the living room.

      She slipped it on the proper finger before following him. “You’re engaged?” Without waiting for an answer, he continued in an emotionless voice, “I’m going to bed. See you in the morning.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

      MARLEY COULDN’T SLEEP, not after seeing Richard’s disappointment. More than a decade ago, she had loved this man, and at one point had expected to marry him. Now...now she was “engaged” to Brant. Marley turned over and pounded her pillow. Why was she stuck with Brant when Richard was available—and interested?

      Marley tossed again. An engagement bound two people. She had to respect that...mainly because the truth would make a liar out of her. Still... She flipped again, unable to dislodge her thoughts. And why did Brant have to continually invade them?

      Brant, needling, flashing that smile. She hated this engagement. She hated him for his utter enjoyment in being engaged to her. She hated him....Finally, exhaustion set in, and she fell asleep.

      Marley awoke to a light tap on the door and the smell of bacon and coffee. Richard peeked in. “Breakfast’s ready. I have to make a quick trip to the office.”

      She joined him a few minutes later. “Nice,” she said, taking a tall chair at the bar. An array of jams in jars plus wheat toast sat on the counter along with two plates filled with scrambled eggs and bacon. The Baroness came over and rubbed against Marley’s ankles.

      “If the cat’s bothering you, I can put her in my room.”

      “No, she’s fine.” Marley reached down and petted the cat’s soft fur until she purred.

      “You like anything in your coffee?” Richard poured, then pushed containers of sugar and cream toward her. “Can’t remember if you even like coffee.”

      “I do.” She added cream. “You cook like this on a regular basis? I usually grab a breakfast bar and pick up coffee at a local coffee stand when I’m off to work.”

      “I like breakfasts. My specialty is omelets. Not enough time this morning.” He took a sip of coffee, put his cup down, then placed his hands on the bar, leaning slightly toward her. “As I recall, you made a few breakfasts for me back when—”

      “Let’s not go there, Richard.”

      “Sure.” He smacked the bar and turned back to his plate. “So when are you getting married? Is this the first time?”

      Marley slowly chewed the bacon before speaking. “First time. Haven’t decided when, exactly.”