“I hope things are all right here. And that your mother has recovered,” Ginny said.

  “The filing is up to date and the correspondence logged, I’ll find my way around. My mother is recovering. Her sister is going to stay with her. So I have returned.” It was a dismissal, loud and clear.

  “I’ll be at the house. Let me know if you can’t find anything,” Ginny said, turning around abruptly and retracing her steps head held high.

  There was no reason to remain on the ranch, or in Texas beyond tomorrow when Joey had the bandages removed. Their doctor in Florida would be well able to take care of him over the next few months. Thanks to Mitch’s generosity, Ginny still had some of her surgery fund which should cover medical follow-up expenses.

  Of course there was the still matter of owing him for the operation, but she’d deal with that once she was back home and sure about a job. Maybe she could work out a repayment plan. It would only take two or three lifetimes at her wages. Still, something might turn up.

  After Helen’s comments however, she might reevaluate her desire for office work. Maybe she wasn’t cut out for that after all.

  She entered the house and went up to her room. The lilac room, not the rose room which might have made her look flushed. She smiled sadly, remembering Emaline’s convoluted conversation that first day. She would miss her so much!

  Drawing her suitcase from the back of the closet, she began to pack. She’d take care of Joey’s clothes next and they could drive to Dallas in the morning, have the surgeon check him and then head for Florida. With any luck, her old car wouldn’t break down on the return trip and they’d be home within a few days.

  She’d have to call Tom and see if she still had a job. Once home she planned to look into community college courses in business. She liked working in an office. If she could find the time, she’d like to learn more.

  Gently folding her business suit, she brushed her fingers over the soft material. It would be perfect for interviews, once she had some skills. Every time she wore it, she’d remember Mitch and their whirlwind trip to Los Angeles.

  Would Mitch give her a reference?

  “What are you doing?”

  Mitch stood in the doorway holding a Stetson in one hand. His jeans were dusty, his boots muddy. Ginny could smell horses and cattle from where she stood. And her heart flipped over.

  “Packing. Helen is back.”

  “I saw her before I went out to check on the bore that’s giving us trouble. She said you had come to the office, but she hadn’t needed help.” He looked at the opened suitcase. “Leaving?”

  “I thought it best. You don’t need me anymore now that Helen’s here. I’ll take Joey in to Dallas tomorrow for the follow-up visit to the surgeon, then head for home.”

  He stared at her for a long moment. Ginny wanted to fidget under his gaze, but held onto her composure. Unable to meet his eyes, however, she resumed folding and packing.

  “Don’t go.” Mitch said in such a low voice she thought she had imagined it.

  “What?” She looked up. He was studying the carpet.

  “Don’t go. Stay here. We’ll find something for you to do.”

  She hadn’t imagined it. “Like what? I’m no cowboy. And we both know I was a makeshift secretary. I’d need more training if I wanted to do that full-time. You don’t need more than Helen here. Each office has a full staff, there’d be nothing for me to do.”

  “We’ll find something.”

  “I can’t stay. We’ve imposed enough.” And she didn’t want to feel like a charity case. She hoped she’d pulled her weight at the office. But there was nothing left for her to do.

  “You haven’t imposed. Joey likes it here. Emaline likes having him around. He’s almost old enough to have a pony.”

  “Which I can’t afford.” Why was he making it so hard?

  “But I can,” Mitch said.

  She shook her head at his stubbornness and arrogance. Just because he could, didn’t make it right for her to accept. “We are already in your debt for the operation.”

  “You helped me out when I needed it. Consider us even.”

  Ginny did not consider them even, but she wasn’t going to argue with him. Once home, she’d figure out how much she could pay each week and send the money.

  “You didn’t get to go to college. Stay and take some classes. See if you still want to be an architect. Joey can start school in Tumbleweed in the fall. Emaline and Rosita could watch him afternoons.”

  “Mitch, I can’t stay. I don’t have a job, no income. My savings won’t last for long and I can’t let you foot the bill for my schooling.” Joey’s operation was one thing, she’d do anything for her son, even swallow her pride. But Mitch was talking something totally different now.

  “You could stay and go to college if you married me.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  NOW she knew she was hallucinating. She stared at him, hope blossoming. Marriage? To Mitch?

  She cleared her throat. “Marriage?”

  He meet her eyes and nodded. “Marry me and stay here in Tumbleweed. Joey loves the ranch. You like it here, you said so.”

  A thousand questions flooded Ginny’s mind. But the happiness that exploded drove every one away. Mitch wanted her to stay—enough to marry her!

  She held his gaze as she walked toward him. “Are you sure?” Once, long ago, she’d thought a man would want to marry her, instead, he’d vanished from her life completely. Now she was grateful. The love she felt for Mitch was far stronger than any she’d imagined for Joey’s father. But marriage—it had been the last thing she’d expected.

  He reached for her when she came near, pulling her into his embrace.

  “I’m dusty and sweaty from riding,” he said, looking down into her eyes.

  “I don’t mind a bit,” she said, reaching up to kiss him.

  Would she always be breathless around him, always become instantly inflamed by his kisses? She hoped so.

  Winding her arms around his neck, she kissed him, pouring as much of her love into the embrace as she could. She loved him and he loved her. They were going to spend their lives together!

  Wait until she told Joey. And Emaline. And Maggie.

  “I love you, Mitch,” she whispered against his mouth.

  He pulled back a bit. “Then it’s settled. We’ll get married and you’ll stay here. Let me take a quick shower and then we’ll tell the others,” he said, brushing his thumb across Ginny’s damp lips. “Joey will be delighted, I suspect.”

  Ginny smiled, her arms still looped around his neck. He was hers! She could touch him whenever she wanted. See him whenever she wanted. She wished she could run up to the rooftop and shout the news to the world! Take an ad out in every daily paper in the country, plaster billboards with the news.

  “I’m sure he’ll be thrilled. But he’ll pester you to death now to let him be a cowboy,” she said, pleased he included Joey in the arrangement.

  She had to imagine the pain that flickered in his eyes. This was a joyful occasion.

  He nodded, gently pulling her arms down. “I’ll meet you for lunch and we’ll tell Emaline and Joey together.”

  Ginny watched him walk down the hall to his own room, wishing she dare follow him. She’d love to be there when he came out of the shower. Talk while he dressed. Their lovemaking in Los Angeles had been wonderful, how much more would it be now that they were planning to share the rest of their lives together?

  She turned back to her bed and quickly unpacked. The next move would be to Mitch’s room and she wouldn’t need the suitcase for that.

  Of course, there were her things in Florida. Maybe he’d like to take their honeymoon there and pack up her apartment. It didn’t sound that romantic, but it would be practical.

  She brushed her hair, her thoughts spinning. How soon could they marry? Would he stay at the ranch more, or move them to his penthouse in Dallas? Staring at the bright color in her face she just grinned, letting the delight blossom in her heart. Mitch loved her.

  Or did he?

  She paused, brush suspended midair, suddenly realizing he had never said the words.

  But surely a man didn’t ask a woman to marry him if he didn’t love her. Guys weren’t as mushy as women, hadn’t she always heard that? Of course he loved her.

  She stared at herself in the mirror, doubts crowded in. He had to love her. She loved him so much she couldn’t stand it if he didn’t love her back. But he hadn’t said the words. And she had—loud and clear.

  Was he shy. She almost laughed, except fear gripped her. She couldn’t picture Mitch shy about anything. So why hadn’t he said the word back?

  Because he didn’t love her. He was still in love with his first wife. Ginny was just—what? A convenience? Or was he offering her a place to live for some other reason?

  Mitch made the announcement as soon as they were seated, with Rosita present. Ginny hadn’t had a chance to talk to him and couldn’t now with everyone bubbling over with the news. But later, she’d corner him later and get some answers. In the meantime, she put on a happy face and tried not to let the doubts and fears gain dominance.

  “Oh, my dear,” Emaline rose instantly and came to give Ginny a hug. “I’m so delighted.” She moved to kiss her nephew and then Joey.

  “Are you my daddy now?” Joey asked.

  “I’ll be your stepfather,” Mitch replied.

  “And we get to live here forever and ever?” Joey persisted.

  “Yes, forever and ever.”

  “Can I have a pony?”

  Ginny laughed. “I knew it. We’ll wait to discuss that later.” Something else to talk over when they were alone.

  “I wish you much happiness, Señor, Señorita,” Rosita said, her face wreathed in smiles.

  “My goodness, after lunch, Ginny, you and Rosita and I will have to get together to begin wedding plans,” Emaline said when she resumed her seat. “A garden wedding do you think? Or since you’ll probably become a member of our church would you rather have it there? Oh dear, you didn’t want to have it in Florida, did you?”

  “We’ll probably have a judge marry us,” Mitch said, reaching for the plate of biscuits.

  Three pairs of eyes swung to him in dismay.

  He looked up. “No?”

  “It’s Ginny’s wedding, I think she should decide,” Emaline said primly.

  “It’s my wedding, too,” Mitch said.

  “I know, dear, but a second for you. This is her first.”

  “And only one, I hope,” she murmured, struck by the questions that wouldn’t leave. Why had he asked her? It was likely Mitch didn’t want to do anything to remind him of his first wedding. Had it been a garden wedding? Or a formal affair held in the church? He never spoke about Marlisse and rarely about Daisy. For a moment the sunshine seemed dimmer. They needed to discuss this in private and soon.

  “We’ll decide what we want and then make plans,” Ginny said. “He just asked me, there are a thousand things to decide. Let us get used to the idea first.”

  “Very well, but it’s already June, and a summer wedding is so lovely,” Emaline said.

  “Can I have a dog?” Joey asked, bored with the discussion about weddings.

  “We’ll see,” Mitch said.

  “Yea!”

  Mitch raised an eyebrow and looked at Ginny. She shrugged.

  “It’s almost a sure thing if I say I’ll see,” she explained.

  As soon as lunch was finished, Mitch rose and excused himself with having to go to the office. He brushed a kiss on Ginny’s cheek. “I need to talk to you,” she said.

  “We can talk after dinner, just the two of us.”

  “Sounds good,” she said, her heart rate increased with his casual kiss. Just as if they were already old, married folks. She was the luckiest woman on the face of the earth! For a few hours she kept that thought in the forefront, refusing to dwell on the doubts.

  After dinner, Ginny supervised Joey’s bath, careful not to let his head get wet, nor let him move suddenly which could cause a problem with the healing eye. Once he was in bed, they talked for a while about the changes in their lives. He didn’t mind leaving the ocean if he could have a dog and a pony and one day go on roundups.

  Ginny was delighted her son took to the changes, but wondered how strong the bond with Mitch would become. Would he have time for Joey? Or constantly be drawn to working long hours as he had in the weeks they’d lived at the ranch?

  Once Joey was settled for the night, Ginny went to find Mitch. Time to talk. She wandered down to the study. Emaline had already returned to her cottage for the evening. Rosita was in her room, so it would be just the two of them, with no chance of interruption. Ginny’s heart sped up in anticipation of what the two of them might find to do that went beyond discussion.

  She paused in the doorway, studying the man she loved. His shoulders were broad, strong enough to support the weight of the world, she thought whimsically. His dark hair beckoned. She wanted to run her fingers through it, claiming him as hers.

  He was studying a photograph. Curious, Ginny entered the room and crossed to the desk.

  He looked up, his face shuttered.

  “Hi,” she said softly, her eyes on the picture. It was of a young girl. “Is that Daisy?”

  He nodded and held the photo out for her inspection. She had been a darling child, bright and laughing in the pose. Ginny felt a clutch of sadness at the thought of this happy life being cut so short. She handed it back.

  “She was beautiful,” she said softly. “Do you have other pictures?”

  He nodded, slipping the photograph into the top drawer of the desk.

  “Ask Emaline. She kept them all. She can show you the whole clan. I’m sure she plans to invite them all to the wedding.”

  Ginny sat gingerly on the edge of the desk. “If you want to just stand up in front of a judge, that would work for me.” She had given up dreams of a white dress and formal church wedding after Joey’s father had vanished. The wedding wasn’t what was important to her, the marriage was.

  Mitch held out his hand, and Ginny took it. He drew her over to him and settled her in his lap, resting his head on the softness of her hair. He meant to go through with the wedding. Bleakly he gazed off into space, holding one woman, thinking of another wedding. Of the parties, the excitement, the surety they both had of love everlasting.

  Ginny deserved the same excitement, the same happiness. She didn’t know many people in Texas. It wouldn’t be the same. But he wanted her to be happy. To have memories she could cherish in the years to come.

  “What do you think of a garden wedding,” he asked. “Emaline will invite a few thousand guests and we could have an old-fashioned Texas-style barbecue for a reception.”

  “A few thousand? You’re joking, right?” The uncertainty in Ginny’s voice touched him. And once again affirmed he had made the right decision.

  “You know Emaline, she never met anyone who wasn’t an instant friend. But I do suspect thousands is a bit of an exaggeration. Maybe only several hundred. Once you get all the cousins and family, the entire town, and my business associates, it’ll be a crowd. You’ll have friends you want to invite.”

  “Not many, and I doubt they’ll be able to come to Texas anyway,” she said slowly.

  “Hey, for your wedding, we’ll send them airline tickets.”

  She shook her head. “Too expensive.”

  Mitch wanted to tell her she never need worry about money again. After years of fending off relatives and acquaintances interested in that money, Ginny was a refreshing change. Was that the reason he wanted to shower her with anything she desired?

  Or was it to make up for the lack in him? She wanted hearts and flowers and love everlasting, and he had only a home to offer and the ability to provide for her son. He hoped it would be enough. In the meantime, he’d get Helen to find out more about Ginny’s closest friends and make the arrangements—once they decided on a wedding date.

  “How soon would you like to get married?” he asked.

  “Tomorrow,” she replied promptly. “If you’re sure.”

  “Why wouldn’t I be?” he asked.

  “I don’t know.” She was afraid to ask if he loved her. What if he didn’t? She wasn’t sure she could face that.

  “Why do you want to marry me, Mitch?” she asked softly.

  “Why do people normally marry—to spend time together, to share their lives.”

  “I love you, but you’ve never said that back to me. You don’t say it at Emaline either.”

  “I care for my aunt.”

  “And me?”

  “And you.”

  “Love?”

  “Let’s not get into some philosophical discussion about love and other emotions,” he said. “We’ll be married, I will be pledging my life to yours. You’ll have stability, a home, and a place Joey can grow up. I’ll do my best by both of you.”

  Ginny felt a clutch in her heart. He was offering her more than she ever expected—was it enough? Did he love her and just not want to say the words? Or had he closed himself off so much that the offer of a home was all he had to give?

  What should she do? Could she take him on those terms?

  “Emaline is right, we want to do this properly. We’ll invite the town, friends, family and have the wedding in the garden. I’ll get some of the men to expand the grassy area. If we get sod, we can have it ready by the time our wedding date rolls around. How about August first?”

  “If you’re sure,” she said, nestled against his chest. Maybe men just weren’t as vocal about their feelings. He hadn’t had to ask her. Things could turn out for the best.

  And she wanted it so much, how could it be wrong?

  “A pretty wedding dress for you, and new clothes for Joey. Not a suit, but western attire, what do you think?”

  “He’ll love it. Especially if you suggest it.”

  She rubbed her fingertips across his biceps. She hadn’t forgotten one moment of their time in Los Angeles. Soon they’d have all their nights together. This was the right step. He wouldn’t have asked if he didn’t want her.

  “And I suggest you get a beautiful dress, white if you like,” he said.

 

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