Shotgun Grooms by Susan Mallery & Maureen Child

Author:Susan Mallery & Maureen Child [Susan Mallery]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2001-02-22T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Emily waited for the world to stop spinning, or at the very least slow down enough so that she could understand what was happening. Her chest tightened so much it was impossible for her to breathe, and her stomach felt as if she’d been stabbed.

“Divorce?”

She could barely speak the word—didn’t want to speak it—didn’t want to make it real. No. No, this wasn’t happening. The man standing in front of her, her husband, could not be saying these things to her.

“Lucas.”

He wouldn’t look at her. “Emily, it’s time. You always knew we married because of the will.”

“At first,” she admitted. “But not now. Not after…” Not after he’d taken her into his arms, night after night. Not after… “Lucas, I love you.”

He shuddered and clenched his hands into fists. “Don’t say that. Don’t ever say that.”

Her eyes burned, but she refused to cry. She would not show weakness in front of him. Something inside told her that this was a time to be strong.

“I will say it. I’ll tell you as many times as I need to until you understand. I love you. You are my husband. I don’t want a divorce and I don’t want our marriage to be over. If you wish to sell the saloon, that’s fine. I’ll join you at the ranch.”

“Don’t you understand?” He spun toward her and slapped his hands down on the desk. “I don’t want you there. I don’t want to be married to you. You can keep your hotel. I’ve made those arrangements with the new owner. You may stay here for the next three years, giving him the same percentage of profits. That should give you enough time to save the money you’ll need to start your school for women.”

She stared at the man she thought she’d come to understand. His handsome face was familiar, yet she knew he was a stranger.

“So you have taken the time to secure my financial future,” she said slowly, barely able to speak past the pain. “How kind. If only you’d been as concerned for the state of my heart.”

He flinched. “I’m sorry.”

All she wanted to do was curl up in a ball and sob. The pain inside grew and grew until she knew it was going to swallow her whole. She welcomed the thought of oblivion but doubted she would be that fortunate. In some deep part of her being, she sensed that she would love him forever.

“I’m sorry,” he told her, still not looking at her. “I tried to warn you away.”

“You didn’t try very hard.” The bleeding wound sucked her strength, but she forced herself to stand straight and strong. “You once asked me who had been cruel in my life. I told you about my past and how I had come to realize that no man would want me for myself, just for what I could bring to the marriage. I married you understanding ours was a marriage of convenience.”

She had to swallow against the tightness in her throat, but she forced herself to continue.

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