Marriage in Name Only by Barbara McMahon

Author:Barbara McMahon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 1970-07-06T16:00:00+00:00

Marriage in Name Only

CHAPTER SEVEN

Connor watched the expressions chase across Jenny's face. He had to tell

her never to play poker, she'd give away every thought. He knew the

turmoil was taking its toll, but hoped her love for his niece would

swing the balance in his favor.

He wanted her. And he'd excelled in getting what he wanted over the last

few years. The kiss had been a surprise. Or rather, his reaction to her

soft lips, the sweet taste of her, had been the surprise. He couldn't

remember ever feeling so strongly for a woman he hardly knew. Or any

other woman, for that matter.

But this wasn't about him. It was about his past, his sister and the

niece he'd protect at all costs from his father.

"Jenny, Angie needs you. You've seen me and my father. He got all the

charm, I got none. I don't try to soft soap things, dance around things.

I go for the jugular. I shoot straight and don't lie. That's the lesson

I learned from my parents." He hoped the bitterness wouldn't notch up

another mark against him. He knew she didn't like him very much, but

he'd never been able to be anyone but who he was.

"If we go before a judge in this town, who do you think he'll give

custody to-me or my father?" he asked.

“Brian,” was her reluctant response.

"I've told you about him. Do you want Angie to be exposed to that?

Surely Cathy's never talking about our family told you something."

“I didn't speak much of my father. We just let the past stay behind.”

"For a similar reason-regrets. She didn't see him a lot even as a

child." He stood and ran his hand through his hair in frustration. He

didn't think he was getting through to her and time was running out.

“She mentioned you once, years ago,” Jenny said. "She had always hoped

you two would draw closer."

Connor looked at her, hope blossoming. "I wish we had, too. I want to

make it up to her by taking Angie. The child would be better off with

me. And with you."

She stared at him so long he grew impatient. But he let none of his

feelings show. He'd waited longer for other deals, but none had felt as

important as this one.

“Okay, Connor, I'll marry you for Angie's sake,” she said at last.

He felt a wave of relief surge through him, then triumph. She would be his!

“As soon as possible, I'd suggest,” Jenny added, standing and reaching

for her cane. “Your father has already filed custody papers.”

“What?”

“He told me just before the children came in.” Her eyes rested sadly on

the still-opened magazine.

Connor wanted to reach out and touch her. Offer comfort for the sadness

so evident. The thought surprised him. He wasn't into touchy-feely

stuff. Not that she'd find much comfort from him. She shied away anytime

he came near.

Not every time. The memory of their kiss mocked.

When she passed the desk, heading for the door, he stopped her.

“As soon as we can do it,” he said softly, leaning over to kiss her

again. She was going to be his wife. He could hardly wait.

Her lips trembled slightly when his pressed against them.

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