Her Bachelor Challenge by Cathy Gillen Thacker

Author:Cathy Gillen Thacker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2002-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

“WHY LEAVE IT at just a gala in our honor?” Martin said, when Bridgett told him. “Why not make it something really special by announcing our wedding date that night?”

Bridgett sucked in a breath. No doubt about it. Her world, which for years had chugged along at a snail’s pace, was suddenly moving way too fast. “Because we’re not engaged yet,” she said calmly, wondering when these precommitment jitters would go away. Were she and Martin meant to marry? Or would they be better off as friends? Bridgett was too nervous to know. Martin, however, had no such qualms.

“All you have to do is let me buy you a diamond, and we will be.” Martin took Bridgett into his arms. Before he could kiss her or even attempt to, Bridgett found herself turning her head. Another first for her. Martin’s expressions of affection hadn’t been all that frequent, but she’d never rebuffed them—until now.

Then again, she’d never kissed anyone else since she and Martin had started dating each other—except for Chase. Guilt flooded Bridgett as she extricated herself from Martin’s tender embrace. She had been putting off telling him about the kiss, but she knew she couldn’t do it any longer. As the man who wanted to marry her, he deserved to be told the truth about her mistake. She put several feet of space between them, folded her arms tightly in front of her and struggled for the courage she needed. “There are things you don’t know about me, Martin,” she told him softly.

Martin smiled and sat on the edge of his desk in the Morganstern Gallery office, looking as relaxed and genial as ever. “I know everything I need to know. You’re smart and pretty and kind and loving, successful in your own right. You’re everything I ever wanted in a woman, everything I thought I’d never find. I know people have been filling your head with doubt because I waited so long to marry. But there’s no reason for you to be upset about that,” he told her firmly and straightforwardly. “The thirteen-year difference in our ages is not going to be a problem. I promise you, I’ll see to it you always have what you need, in every respect.”

Bridgett looked at Martin, trying to find strength in his cool self-assured presence. “I know you will.” She smiled back at him, still struggling with her conscience. Martin had been so good to her. The last thing she ever wanted to do was hurt or betray him.

Martin took her hand and led her to the sofa, where they both sat down. “Then meet me at King Street Jeweler’s tomorrow morning. And help me pick out a ring.”

Once again Chase disrupted her ability to make plans with Martin.

“I can’t,” Bridgett admitted reluctantly. “I promised Chase Deveraux I’d do this sea-kayaking photo shoot for his magazine.” Briefly Bridgett explained Chase’s plans to review and further publicize her latest bestseller.

Instead of being jealous or the least bit put out, Martin smiled. “That sounds like a great publicity opportunity for you,” he said, his approval evident.

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