Platinum Grooms: Pregnant at the Wedding

“Aah, now I know where you get it.”

“That is really the pot calling the kettle black,” she exclaimed.

“I’ll be back to see your Dad Monday morning. He’ll probably warn me not to hurt you, and I’ll tell him that I’m paying off the mortgage on the farm.”

“He may refuse you,” she said.

“He won’t. He’s sensible, and it’s been a hardship on you to help him. Your brother’s sharp,” Ryan continued. “I’d give him a job in a minute if he ever wants to leave the farm.”

“Jeff is bright, and it’s nice to know you’d hire him, but Dad’s planning on Jeff taking over the farm. Jeff loves that farm more than anything on earth.”

“I’m glad you don’t,” Ryan said, clasping her hand again.

They talked as they drove to Dallas, and as they approached her neighborhood, he glanced at her. “We could just go straight to my place,” he murmured.

“No. It won’t take you long to drop me off at home.”

By the time they reached the door of her place, her desire for him was almost out of control, caused by his flirting, by spending the day and evening with him, by his touches and light kisses on her hand and cheek.

“Well, tomorrow morning I’ll see your church. One thing at a time—”

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hard, his tongue plunging into her mouth. Ashley’s heart thudded and she wrapped her arms around him, kissing him back. She moaned softly, wanting his lovemaking, aching for him in spite of all he’d done and his high-handed ways. She trembled in his arms and arched her hips against him, feeling his erection press against her, knowing he was ready for her.

Finally, she pushed against him and he released her. Both of them gasped for breath as she stepped away. “I’ll see you in the morning,” she said, and hurried inside, afraid that in another moment she might relent and invite him in.

She closed and locked the door, burning up with longing. She would be more than ready for the wedding night. What about all the honeymoon nights to follow? Was she going to toss aside her demands and give in to him?

Would love ever come for them? A deep, true love? Ashley suspected she was falling in love with Ryan, in spite of his arrogance and demands. Could he love her?

Wondering about her future, she switched off the light and went to bed.

Sunday evening, Ashley sat beside Ryan in his car again and looked at the residential area they drove through.

His father’s condo was nestled in a gated area in a Dallas suburb. The place overlooked a large pond with fountains and elegant landscaping of willows and water birch.

“This is beautiful, Ryan.”

“Dad seems to like it, which makes me happy,” he said. “I’m happy to do things for your family, too, Ashley.”

She studied him, wondering if she would ever figure him out. He glanced at her and his eyebrows arched. “What? Why the puzzled scrutiny?”

“You can be so determined and cavalier, and then turn around and be so kind and generous.”

“Makes life interesting, doesn’t it?” he teased. There was a twinkle in his eyes, and she shook her head.

As they walked to the door, she hoped any nervousness she felt didn’t show.

When the door swung open, she was surprised. Ryan’s father was five inches shorter than his son. He was broad shouldered, barrel chested and had a deeply tanned face that was creased with wrinkles. His smile appeared genuine, and curiosity lit his thickly lashed green eyes as he took Ashley’s hand and shook it.

“Ashley, meet my father, Zach Warner. Dad, this is Ashley Smith.”

“Come in. I’m happy to meet you, Miss Smith.”

“Please, just call me Ashley,” she said, although she knew she couldn’t address him as anything except Mr. Warner.

“For once your brothers are here ahead of you. I suppose you’ve got them curious to meet your friend,” Zach said.

They walked through the entryway, with its polished hardwood floor, into a large family room with leather furniture and a wide-screen television. Two men stood and she knew she wouldn’t have picked them out to be Ryan’s relatives, either.

“Brett, this is Ashley Smith,” Ryan said, as a tall, thin man with blond hair came forward to shake her hand. The shared family characteristic was their green eyes. Ryan turned to a brown-haired man, who was much shorter and stocky. “This is my baby brother, Cal.”

“Welcome, Ashley. We’re already impressed, because you’re the first woman Ryan has brought home to meet us. We’ve never figured out whether he’s embarrassed about us or embarrassed about the women in his life.”

“I’m going to be embarrassed about you if you don’t stop,” Ryan joked, and they all laughed.

“Please have a seat,” Zach said, and then Brett offered drinks. Ashley requested her usual glass of water.

After they politely asked about her family and job for a while, Brett crossed the room to her. “Well, lookie here,” he said, taking her hand, with the engagement ring. He glanced at her and then at Ryan, who shifted closer to her on the sofa and draped his arm around her shoulders.

“You’re as observant as your brother,” Ashley said, smiling at Brett.

“Dad, y’all, we’re engaged. Ashley is going to marry me,” Ryan announced, and from his tone and manner, she didn’t think anyone would guess their true situation.

Ryan’s dad let out a whoop and came to hug her. “Welcome to the family!” he exclaimed, with so much warmth, she hurt. Everything that happened made her yearn for true love. This sham marriage was a cheat, robbing Ryan, as well as her. Why couldn’t he see that?

“That’s the best news I’ve had in years,” Zach declared.

The brothers congratulated Ryan, good-naturedly gave her condolences, and their mood became more festive.

Finally, everyone sat down again and they talked about the wedding, then moved on to other topics.

As she listened to the brothers chatting, Ashley felt more reassured about Ryan. He had a good relationship with his father and siblings, with a lot of light bantering going on. Yet they included her in the conversation. She enjoyed them all and knew she had one less worry, one less blank spot about her fiancé.

Finally, Ryan glanced at his watch, stood and reached for her hand.

“Before we leave, folks, we have one more announcement that, at this time, is for family only.” Ryan looked down at her and his green eyes were warm, surprisingly filled with pride. His expression would convince anyone that he was happy over the announcement he was going to make.

“Dad, you’re going to be a grandfather! You guys will be uncles.”

Chaos ensued with the brothers whooping and congratulating them, and Ryan’s father giving Ashley another hug. He had tears in his eyes as he gazed at her. “I can’t tell you what this means, Ashley. I had given up on these guys and resigned myself to never having grandkids. I can’t tell you how happy this makes me.”

“I’m so glad,” she said, smiling at him. “We’re excited about it, too.”

Cal and Brett slapped their brother on the back, thanking him for getting them off the hook with their father, while Ryan beamed with such convincing joy that she felt another pang, wishing they were truly in love, wondering what his family would think if they knew this marriage was taking place because Ryan had coerced and bribed her. As she watched him with his family, it was difficult to reconcile the friendly, relaxed son and brother with the determined, arrogant male who would go to such lengths to get his way.

It was another two hours before they got away, and as they drove off, all the men stood in the yard, waving at them.

“You have a great family, Ryan,” she said with sincerity.