A Marriage Takes Two Read Free Page A

And don’t make excuses for his behavior.”
    Her cheeks flamed. “That’s not why I need a husband.”
    The surge of adrenaline ebbed. Tony felt as though he’d run ten miles. “If you’re not pregnant, why do you need a husband?”
    “I…” She started to rise.
    He pulled her back. “You’re not laying this on me and bolting. Give.”
    “So I can provide Mom with the things she needs and only work one job.”
    “You’re not making sense. Does it look like I’ll be much help financially?” He waited for an answer and prayed he could endure one of her convoluted explanations.
    “I don’t need your money. Just your name. You see, my grandfather died and left me a lot of money.”
    “Didn’t he die before you were born?”
    “Mom’s dad did. This was my father’s dad. Just because he didn’t acknowledge me doesn’t mean he didn’t exist.”
    “Am I missing something here?  Why do you need to be married?”
    “The money can’t be used without the approval of the husband I don’t have. Archaic, right?” What she failed to mention were the nights when her grandfather had been her patient and the conversations they’d had about her life, and her love for Tony Flynn.
    He paused. He wanted to help her, but marriage? Especially one with a built-in failure factor? Could he risk ruining the tenuous bond he had with his son for the woman who’d been his best friend? “Carrie...I...”
    “Just until the money’s released and I have a trust set up for Mom. Then I’ll split. Please. You’ll hardly see me.”
    “As in you’ll be working two jobs?”
    She nodded. “I don’t even have to live here. I have an apartment in the city.”
    “How would we see if the marriage will work?” He groaned. Why had he said that? Had he gone crazy? The last thing he needed was another marriage and another woman to disappoint.
    “Why would you want to stay married?” she asked.
    “I don’t believe in divorce.”
    “But you are.”
    She had him there. Not only was he divorced, but Marilyn had had the marriage annulled. “When do you need to know? I can’t make this kind of decision on the spot.”
    “Tomorrow so we can get the license and have the wedding on Sunday.”
    “Why the rush?”
    “Because I’ve run out of time.” She stared at her hands.
    “And you waited until today?”
    “This hasn’t been the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”
    The answer to her question wasn’t any easier for him. How would Chad react? “I’ll let you know.”
    She rose. “I’ll leave my number. Call me early, and please say yes.”
    “Do you work tonight?”
    “I’m off. Why?”
    “Stay here. You’re beat and it’s a hell of a drive back. I’d worry about you having an accident.”
    “Thanks.”
    “One thing this house has is plenty of bedrooms. I’ll lend you a tee shirt. Oh, if I get called out, would you mind if I wake you?”             
    “No problem.”
    “Good. I’ll send Hazel home. She worries about leaving her husband alone at night. He has emphysema.”
    Carrie brushed his cheek with a feathery kiss. He clenched his hands to keep from grabbing her. She’d offered him what he’d wanted years ago and what he’d carelessly messed up.
    Marriage…Carrie…Chad!
    Oh Lord, what would he say to his son?

 
    Chapter 2
     
    Carrie slid beneath the covers in the guest room. Her thoughts bounced from hope to despair. She had asked him. He hadn’t said no, but he hadn’t agreed to be her husband either.
    She closed her eyes and visualized a scene that had been a feature of her dreams for years. A cathedral with sunlight streaming through a multitude of stained glass windows; a carpet of white rose petals covering the gray stone floor; Tony in a black tuxedo standing before the altar. He held out his hand and she floated toward him.
    With a moan, she cut off the fantasy. She couldn’t let him discover how much she wanted this marriage to last longer than the short time she’d