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The Texan's Contract Marriage
Sara Orwig


There is little billionaire rancher Marek Rangel can’t buy and he’ll stop at nothing to ensure his late brother’s baby is well taken care of. Even if it means marrying rising opera star Camille Avanole, a complete stranger. But when she agrees to his demand of a marriage of convenience, Marek certainly doesn’t plan on falling in love…










“I’ve waited long enough,” Marek said. “What’s your answer? Will you marry me?”

Her insides roiled and her palms became damp even though her hands felt icy as she gazed into his brown eyes.

Taking a deep breath, she nodded. “Yes, I will.”

He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them. He pulled her up and gave her a light hug. “Thank you,” he said in a voice that sounded choked with emotion.

He smelled of citrus and sandalwood and the fresh cottony scent of his immaculate dress shirt. He was warm, tall and his arms around her felt reassuring. He leaned away a fraction to look down at her and her only thought at that moment was how handsome he was. “We’ll make this work, Camille,” he said in a husky voice.

A pang racked her because his emotional reaction was not due to her, but to her baby. “I don’t want to fall in love,” she whispered, biting back the words that if she did, he would break her heart.




About the Author


SARA ORWIG lives in Oklahoma. She has a patient husband who will take her on research trips anywhere from big cities to old forts. She is an avid collector of Western history books. With a master’s degree in English, Sara has written historical romance, mainstream fiction and contemporary romance. Books are beloved treasures that take Sara to magical worlds, and she loves both reading and writing them.




The Texan’s Contract Marriage

Sara Orwig







www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)


To David with love




One


Marek Rangel glanced at his watch and pushed aside the papers in front of him. It was the morning of the second day of April, a sunny, spring day. Two minutes until his appointment with the opera singer. He had no idea why Camille Avanole had requested to meet with him or even how she had gotten through to his private line. He didn’t attend the opera and it wasn’t on the list of charities of his family’s foundation. He had been tempted to refuse to see her, but, out of courtesy, he had decided he would meet her briefly.

He gazed around his corner office on the twenty-second floor in the building that was headquarters for his company, Rangel Energy, Inc. His secretary was to interrupt them if Ms. Avanole ran over the allotted thirty minutes he had agreed upon.

A light knock on the door brought him to his feet.

His secretary thrust her head into the room. “Camille Avanole is here.”

“Tell her to come in,” he said, stepping away from his oversize antique mahogany desk.

A vivacious black-haired woman approached him with her hand extended. A smile revealed white, perfect teeth; she had a sparkle in her enormous, thickly lashed blue eyes. The plain black dress she wore with a black scarf wrapped casually below her neck was striking. She had an inviting presence, as if she were about to share a delightful surprise. Suddenly, Marek’s interest stirred.

“Mr. Rangel,” she said. “I’m Camille Avanole.”

Her warm hand was soft, yet her handshake was firm. At the moment of contact, he was jolted by an electric response, an intense awareness that he had not felt with any woman since he had lost his fiancée. Realizing he was staring, he released her hand.

“Please have a seat.”

Marek focused on her interesting walk. As she crossed the room, he noticed her tiny waist. Her beauty had to be an asset to her career.

“Just call me Marek,” he said, certain this meeting would be brief and he would never see her again.

Two antique velvet wingback chairs stood in front of the mahogany desk. Marek sat down facing her. She crossed long, shapely legs that had to be the best-looking legs on the opera circuit.

“Are you in Dallas for a performance or is this your home?” he asked politely, noticing she had the largest eyes he had ever seen. Striking, spellbinding eyes.

“I’m back in Dallas this spring for a performance I’ll have soon.”

He had the feeling of being studied as intently as a bug under a microscope.

“So what is the mysterious reason you wanted to see me that we couldn’t discuss on the phone?”

Her smile vanished and she straightened. He could add the word compelling to his description of her. He couldn’t imagine her playing any part on stage except the star; she would steal the show even in the background. Even while sitting still, she exuded energy.

“You lost your brother and your fiancée a year ago this March. I’m sorry for your loss,” she said.

“Thank you,” he replied stiffly, waiting and wondering why she had brought that up.

“I knew your brother,” she said quietly.

Surprised, he focused on her. “How’s that?”

“We met at a New Year’s Eve party. You had a very charming brother.”

“Yes, Kern was charismatic, fun,” Marek said, his mind racing. Had she and Kern secretly married? He dismissed that notion immediately. Kern would have told him. “Let’s cut to the chase here. What does your knowing my brother have to do with your asking for an appointment to talk to me?”

“I’m going to give you a shock and I’m trying to lead into it instead of just hitting you with it all at once.”

“At this point, I’m ready for you to hit me with it,” he said, unable to fathom what she might be about to tell him.

She pulled out a picture to show him. He looked at a baby boy with big dark eyes who was smiling. Marek’s breath left him as if he had received a blow to his midsection. The picture looked like dozens he had seen at his parents’ home. The baby had big brown eyes like his brother, tangled black hair, the same color his brother’s had been, the same color as his own. Marek looked up. “Who is he?”

“I think you already know,” Camille answered quietly. “He’s my son. Your brother was his father.”

Even though that was what he had already guessed, it was another hard blow to his midsection to hear her declare it. “I can see a resemblance, but Kern would have told me. I’m sorry, I find this difficult to believe. It could be a coincidence he looks like my brother. How old is this child?”

“He’s six months old now. Noah was born October 4, last year.”

“Six months old,” Marek repeated, dazed. He stared at the picture in disbelief, an icy chill setting in as he wondered if this was a play for money. “Kern never said a word about knowing you. He would have said something to me.”

“We met at a New Year’s Eve party over a year ago,” she said in her silky soprano voice. “Kern charmed me. We had mutual friends, so I felt safe leaving with him. It was an exception in my very structured life—two nights of passion that I’d never had before and never since. We used protection, but I still got pregnant. I’ve managed to keep the publicity low-key. It hasn’t been difficult to keep the baby out of the spotlight. An opera performer—at least at my current level—is not the same as a movie star. I have only recently had more success and more fame.”

“I find it difficult to believe this baby really is Kern’s.”

“He is. You can have a paternity test. The DNA should give you an answer.”

Marek could not stop looking at the picture of the baby. “What’s his name?”

“Noah Avanole.”

“I’m still amazed Kern didn’t tell me.”

“He said he was going to tell you, but he probably never had the chance.”

“You’re right.” Unable to sit still, Marek stood and walked to the window to stare at the picture while questions raced through his thoughts. “Kern had a baby. How long before the flight did he know?” Marek asked.

“The evening before he left I told Kern I was pregnant, so he didn’t know until the day before the plane crash.”

Marek drew a deep breath. “Was this on his mind when he flew to Denver?”

“I’m sure it was,” she answered.

Marek felt as if he had had another blow. A year ago in March, his brother had had a flight to a horse sale in Kansas City. Marek had intended to fly to Denver to pick up his fiancée, who had been there for a wedding. Instead, Kern had offered to pick her up after leaving Kansas City. On the way home they had been caught in an unexpected storm. When the plane had crashed, both had been killed. Now he wondered how much his brother’s thoughts and attention had been distracted by the news from Camille. Marek continued staring at the baby’s picture. He remembered Camille and turned to find her sitting quietly.

“Thank you for telling me,” Marek said, crossing the room. “I’ll think about the paternity test. Since you’re telling me now, I assume you want me to do something. We might as well get to the point of this meeting.”

“I’ve had time to think about this. I can support Noah. What I want is for Noah to know the Rangels. Kern was such a cowboy. I want Noah to have an appreciation for ranching, so he will understand his father better. I think he should know his father’s family.”

Marek had received one surprise after another. If she really didn’t want money, he would be shocked. He figured this was a ploy to get him to let down his guard.

“I’ll have to think about this and talk to my attorney.”

She smiled. “I hope you don’t need an attorney. I felt you should know, and there was no good way to tell you on the phone or by email. Even in person, it’s a shock. But what’s done is done.”

“The crash was a year ago last month. Why did you wait until now to tell me?”

“I was busy caring for Noah and undecided what to do. I was away from Dallas, and I wanted to tell you in person. I knew I would be back. Also, it’s given me time to really think this through. You could help by being a father figure for your nephew, too.”

Marek drew a deep breath at the thought of the responsibility she wanted him to take. Yet if this baby was Kern’s, a part of Kern, Marek wanted to know him and watch him grow up. A part of Kern—the thought twisted his insides. He looked at the picture again. Why hadn’t Kern told him? He probably had planned to when he returned from the flight.

“Kern never knew this baby. You’ll take good care of him. Maybe it would be better if I just stepped back out of the way,” Marek said stiffly. He still harbored a kernel of doubt that this was Kern’s baby and expected her to make an effort to pull him back into being part of the baby’s life.

“I hope you’ll come see him. Of course, what you do now is your choice. And I’ll take the best care of him I possibly can. If you ever want to see him, you’ll be able to contact me.”

“That’s good to hear. Do you have parents who are living?”

“Yes. My parents live in Saint Louis.” She smiled, remaining poised. “Your brother told me how different the two of you were. I supposed I’d hoped you would react the way Kern did, but you’re not Kern.”

She reached into her purse to withdraw a piece of paper. She held it out to him. “Your brother sent me an email, and I printed it out. This is a copy of it. I’ve made an effort to preserve it for Noah.”

For the first time, Marek began to believe what she had told him. He was reluctant to read the email. He was certain his life was about to take another unexpected turn. Drawing a deep breath, Marek quickly scanned the message.

Camille:

When I return from Denver, we’ll go to dinner. I want to be with you when Noah is born. Perfect name. I can’t get used to the fact that I’m going to be a dad. Super-mega-duper! I’m overwhelmed, overjoyed. I want to be a big part of his life. Already love him. I want to be with you. My deepest gratitude for telling me. I’ll call tomorrow night. We didn’t plan this. Miracles happen. I’m overjoyed.

Kern

Marek felt weak in the knees. This was Kern’s message. Marek looked up at Camille, who gazed back steadily. He was certain now that she had given birth to Kern’s baby. There was another Rangel in the world. Until this moment, Marek hadn’t fully believed the baby was Kern’s. Now he couldn’t doubt it.

Marek felt another tight squeeze to his chest, this time as if his heart had been grabbed by a giant fist. He missed Kern terribly, and this brought back all the incredible pain of his loss. With thoughts of Kern came remembrance of Jillian. He hated the knot in his throat. Making an effort, he struggled to get his emotions under control before he looked up or spoke. Finally, he raised his head and handed back the letter.

“That definitely sounds like my brother. Super-megaduper—one of his favorite expressions. Thank you for showing me the message.”

“That’s fine. That’s a copy. If you want it, keep it.”

“Thanks,” he said, dropping the paper on his desk. “I’ll take it to show my sister. I would like a paternity test just to settle any questions that would ever arise. This is Kern’s baby. That message is Kern talking. There’s no mistake.”

Smiling, looking happier, she nodded. “We can do a paternity test. I expected you to request one.”

“This has been almost as big a shock as if you told me I have a son. My brother and I were close. I assume you haven’t contacted my sister because I would have heard from her.”

“No, I didn’t because in what little time we were together, your brother talked far more about you.”

“She’s seven years older than I am. Kern and I were closer, but she’ll want to know about Noah.”

“If you and your sister decide you want to see him, we can arrange that.”

He nodded. He felt as if his breath had been knocked out of him. He needed to think about the baby and make decisions about what he wanted to do.

“You won’t always live in Dallas, will you?” he asked.

“I’ve only been in Texas three times in my life. I’ll leave here the end of June. I’ll be singing in New Mexico in August, so I’ll stay there.”

“And you’ll take the baby with you.”

“Yes, of course, but I still hope that he can get to know you and your family as he grows. If he does, you would be a good father figure for him, I’m sure. Kern would have been a wonderful one.”

“You could have gone on with your life and never told me,” Marek said, looking into her wide crystal-blue eyes. “There’s no way I would have found out. Now you’ll have to share Noah.”

She studied him intently. “It wouldn’t have been right. I couldn’t do it. I thought about doing that because it would have been infinitely easier, but I love Noah and want what’s best for him. The day will come when he’ll want to know his father. Since he can’t do that, he will want to know his father’s family. I truly think you’ll be a good influence. The ranching aspect has to be good for a growing boy. If he gets to know you and know ranching, I’ll feel as if he knows part of his father.”

“I agree with that, and I’m glad you made that decision,” Marek said in a tight voice, trying to control his emotional reaction to her statement. “Will you be in town if I want to get in touch with you?”

“Yes. In June I perform here in Dallas. Then in July I’ll go to Santa Fe for my August performance. After that I’ll go home to Saint Louis through September so I can be with my family. I have a voice teacher here in Dallas that I like very much, so I may be in Texas more often than I have been in the past.”

“You have a busy schedule. Thank you for calling me. You didn’t have to share with us at all,” he said again, still amazed she had done so.

“At first I was shocked by the news of my pregnancy. I thought it would end my career, and I was torn up over trying to figure out what to do. I felt uncertain about telling him. We only knew each other that one weekend. But the more I thought about it, the more I wanted Kern and the Rangels to be part of my baby’s life.”

As she walked to the door, Marek accompanied her. When she paused, he turned to face her, once again briefly caught in the blue of her eyes. She was a beautiful woman, and he understood why his brother had been attracted to her. “I’ll talk to my sister. Also, I’ll let my parents know. Thank you again for telling me,” Marek said.

“I’m sorry for both your losses, your brother and your fiancée.”

“Thank you,” he replied stiffly. “I’ll be in touch after I’ve talked to my sister.”

She nodded. “I’m glad to have finally met you and glad you know about Noah. I’m sure I’ll hear from you.”

He watched her walk away and turned to go back into his office with his thoughts swirling. How much had Kern had his mind on the fact that he was going to be a father instead of concentrating on his flying? Had that news been a factor in Kern’s crash?

And another baby in the family, and this time not only a little boy, but Kern’s baby. He thought how delightful his two little nieces were. Now they would have the girls and Kern’s little boy.

Marek canceled his appointments and called his pilot to fly back to the ranch to talk to the person he had been close to all his life.

Two hours later, Marek stood in the barn while his ranch foreman repaired a stall. Jess Grayson had pushed his battered, wide-brimmed brown hat back on his head and had his sleeves rolled high. While Jess drove in a nail, Marek held a board in place. “You can have a paternity test even with Kern gone.”

“I know I can and I will, but I don’t need to. That message is Kern’s. It sounds like him. The baby looks like him. I’ve asked for a paternity test just to be sure.”

“Good. So what are you going to do? Have you told Ginny?”

“Not yet. Wanted to talk to you first,” he said, looking at Jess’s weathered skin, which was the color of cowhide except for a pale band below his hairline where his hat shaded his skin from the sun.

“Ginny’s family. I’m not.”

“You might as well be. Your opinion still counts. I was all set to walk out of there and never look back when she pulled out Kern’s message. I want you to read it when you finish nailing this board.”

As soon as the board was in place, Marek fished the paper out of his pocket, unfolded it and handed it to Jess.

After a moment Jess looked up to meet Marek’s gaze. “Super-mega-duper,” Jess repeated. “That’s Kern.” He shook his head as he returned the paper. “An opera star.”

“A rising one. I don’t know if she’s a star yet. At this point, I don’t know anything about her. Except I’m sure she’s telling the truth about the baby.”

“You really think she’s not after money?” Jess asked, picking up another board and setting it in place below the first one. Marek stepped closer to help.

“She doesn’t act like she is. Doesn’t matter, really. Since I know this is Kern’s baby, I can’t walk away. He wouldn’t if this were my baby, and I can’t with Kern’s.”

“Even if he didn’t love the lady?”

“Even if. Besides, you read that message. I would bet the ranch Kern was running through his mind how he could get her to marry him.”

“Might be right. So you want this baby in the family?”

Watching Jess hammer, Marek thought a long time. “Yes, I do. Suppose he’s a lot like Kern or even a little like Kern? It would drive me nuts to think a little boy was out there, Kern’s son, who looked and acted like Kern and we didn’t know him and didn’t care. I can’t do that. She wants us in his life. She wants him to have an appreciation for ranching. I can’t argue against either of those.”

“Then you’ve made your decision. Tell Ginny.”

“I guess I have to.”

“Frankly, I’d kind of like to see the little fellow myself.”

“I’ll call Ginny and then I’ll call Camille and see if I can arrange to see her again, which will be easy to do. Per Kern’s usual taste, she’s a beauty,” he said, remembering his first impression of her. “Also, she said she’d like me to be a father figure for Noah.”

“That may be difficult if she doesn’t live around here.”

“True. She’s leaving Dallas in July and going to Santa Fe. She has a busy schedule. Until then, I’d like to know this child.”

“Have you called your parents?”

Marek nodded. “I’m going to call to tell them. I want this baby to know the Rangels and us to know him. I’ll go call Ginny. Thanks, Jess.”

“You might get a little bit of Kern back,” Jess said somberly.

“I’d like that, Jess, but I’m scared that’s too much to hope for. I’ll let you know what she says.” Marek jogged to the house and inside, letting the door swing shut behind him.

While he called his sister, he remembered Camille—her vivid looks, her energetic presence. Good genes with Kern’s genes. Should be a good combination. He talked for ten minutes, chatting briefly with each of his little nieces before his sister returned to the phone.

“Ginny, I have some news that will shock you. I can come back to Dallas to tell you or I can tell you on the phone, but you’re in for a giant shock.”

“You have to tell me now, Marek. Good grief, after that I can’t wait for you to get to Dallas. What is it?”

“Do you know who Camille Avanole is?”

There was a moment’s silence. “I don’t think so. I can’t think of a single Camille I know.”

“Do you recognize the name?”

“If you don’t tell me what you’re getting at, Marek, I’m going to reach through this phone and grab you.”

“Ginny, she called me and said she wanted to talk to me,” he said, recalling the sparks he’d felt when they had touched while shaking hands—something he hadn’t felt with a woman since the loss of Jillian. “She knew Kern,” he continued. “Camille and Kern went out on a weekend over a year and a half ago. She got pregnant with Kern’s baby.”

“Kern had a baby?” Ginny’s voice sounded faint and breathless.

“Yes, he did. He found out she was pregnant the day before he flew to Denver.”

“Oh, my word. Do you suppose that’s why he lost control and crashed? Was he thinking about the baby? Is it really Kern’s? Maybe it’s not and this is one of those women who try to take advantage—”

“Ginny,” Marek stated firmly. “Listen to me. She has a note Kern sent her right before the flight. It’s Kern’s message. It sounds like him. She gave me a copy of it, and I’ll show it to you.”

“Marek, I do need to sit. This is a shock. A baby.”

“A little boy named Noah. He’s six months old. I have dinner with Camille tomorrow night to talk about the future,” he said, realizing he was looking forward to seeing her again. Another first since losing Jillian. Maybe the numbness was wearing away. Or maybe it was Camille’s beauty and captivating presence that had stirred his reactions. “I can’t turn my back on that baby. I know he’s Kern’s son. She had a picture, and he looks like Kern.”

“We have to know this little boy. Will she let us? Is she famous? You asked if I know her.”

“She’s in opera. I’ve looked her up. She’s young. Only twenty-five. Her résumé is impressive to me,” he said, thinking her looks were just as impressive.

“Opera? How did she get with Kern?”

“A New Year’s Eve party where they had mutual friends.”

“No wonder I didn’t recognize the name. I’m country. What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. I’m thinking about options. I’ll let you know.”

“We have to keep this baby in our lives. If he’s Kern’s baby, we can’t cut him out. Does she live in Texas?”

“No. She’ll leave in July and take him with her.”

“Have you told Jess?”

“Yes. He’d like to see the baby, too. I guess we’re all hoping for a bit of Kern in our lives again.”

“Wouldn’t that be wonderful? You’ve given me a shock. You better break it gently to Mom and Dad.”

“I will. I’ll call Camille and see what I can set up to see him. I’ll let you know. We’ll both see him, I promise you.”

He told her goodbye and called his parents, spending the next half hour breaking the news to them and catching up on their news.

Finished with family calls, he phoned Camille. In minutes he had plans to pick Camille up the next day and take her to Houston for dinner.

“You’re not going out with him,” Stephanie Avanole said, glaring at her sister.

“Yes, I am. I’ve given this a lot of thought. We’ve talked about it. He’s Noah’s relative,” Camille replied, wiping her forehead and the back of her neck as she walked away from the treadmill. “I know you don’t feel the way I do about this, but I think the Rangels have a right to see their nephew.”

“They’ll want to take him from you or tell you what to do with him. They’re not going to ignore him. These are wealthy, powerful people, accustomed to getting their way. You said Kern said his older brother ran the family after he was grown. That he was much more serious than Kern.”

“Tomorrow night Marek Rangel can talk and I’ll listen. Stephanie, he’s had a terrible loss and this is a shock.”

“I still say you’ll be sorry. You should never have told them about Noah, much less have agreed to go out with Marek Rangel tomorrow night. He’s a tough cowboy and tougher businessman. I’ve heard a few people talk. He’s had big losses—his fiancée as well as his only brother. He doesn’t sound like the lighthearted, I-don’t-care type.”

“I had to tell him.”

“I’m warning you,” Stephanie said, frowning and placing her hands on her hips, “you’ll regret this day. Marek Rangel will want to be part of Noah’s life.”

“I think he’s entitled to be. I don’t think he’s any threat to me at all.”

“You’ll never convince me that this is good.”

“Then you have a closed mind about it. He’s not an ogre,” Camille replied, remembering a handsome man with troubled brown eyes, a man who appeared hard, closed in a shell, inscrutable and preoccupied. A man who was nothing like his charming, devil-may-care brother.

Late afternoon Wednesday she dressed carefully in a deep blue dress with a vee neckline and long sleeves. Hoping to look successful, attractive and poised, she twisted and combed her hair to one side of her head, fastening it with a blue scarf. She had butterflies in the pit of her stomach and she didn’t know why, unless deep down, she was more worried about what Marek might want than she had told her sister.

The moment he arrived at her house, dressed in a navy suit, a white Stetson and boots, he looked like the successful Texas rancher that he was. He also appeared powerful, commanding and threatening to her future. Stephanie’s warnings haunted her.

In spite of the veiled look on his face, he was handsome enough to cause a jump in her pulse. For a fleeting moment she had a jittery dance of nerves and wanted to reach up to pat her hair. With a deep breath, her confidence returned.

“Come in,” she invited, stepping back, feeling as if she had stepped into a new world where her life would never be the same. “Noah is still awake.”




Two


As he entered a hallway his boot heels scraped on the polished oak floor. To his right through a wide-open archway, he glimpsed a piano in the corner of a large room with a hardwood floor and a brown leather sofa. To one side stood a large wooden desk. Marek drew a deep breath. An uncustomary nervousness plagued him, and he hoped he hid it. “I would like to see Noah,” he answered in a voice that deepened and sounded strange to his ears.

She closed the door and motioned with a wave of her hand. “Come with me to the nursery. Both my sisters are here.”

As he walked beside her, his pulse quickened while uncertainty grew with each step. “My nieces aren’t babies any longer. I’ve forgotten how to deal with a baby. I don’t remember much about them.”

She laughed, a soft, delightful sound that made him relax slightly. “I’ll admit, I had moments before he was born when I felt terrified and overwhelmed. I’ve found out that you learn very fast when you have a baby to care for.”

He placed a hand on her arm. “I’m sorry you were alone when he was born. I’m sorry Kern didn’t live to be there. He would have been a huge support for you. I’ll try to do what I think Kern would have wanted, but I can’t take his place. Kern was unique.”

“I hope you will, and it’ll be wonderful if you do,” she said.

He followed her into a playroom in shades of blue with paintings of animals hanging on the walls. Two other attractive women faced him. One was a pretty brunette in a red sweater and matching slacks, who stood looking at him with curious blue-green eyes. “Ashley, meet Marek Rangel, Noah’s uncle. Marek, this is my sister Ashley Avanole.” Camille turned slightly to another woman, who bore little resemblance to Camille or Ashley.

He was momentarily startled by the hostility in her cold gaze and assumed she didn’t want him involved in Noah’s life. “Stephanie, meet Marek Rangel. Marek, this is my sister Stephanie.”

Marek greeted her, lost in thinking about being an uncle. His gaze shifted to the baby in a tire-shaped cushion on the floor.

Camille swept the baby up and held him, smiling and speaking softly to him. “Marek, meet your nephew, Noah Avanole.” Noah waved his arms, blowing bubbles. She held him out to Marek, who took him carefully. He pulled the baby close, cradling him in his arms and looking down into twinkling, wide brown eyes that were filled with mischief as Noah blew bubbles and drooled. Marek felt weak-kneed as he had a moment of déjà vu. It was as if he were looking into Kern’s eyes after he had played a joke on Marek. How could a little baby look like a grown man? If Marek had had a doubt before who had fathered this baby, it vanished now.

“He’s Kern,” he whispered without realizing he was speaking aloud. For a moment, he had a flash of the future, thinking this child and Ginny’s girls would be the children in his life. Since the loss of Jillian, he never expected to marry or have a family. His arm tightened slightly around Noah. He felt a warmth toward the baby while they looked into each other’s eyes; it was as if a tangible bond formed, which Marek knew was foolishness. From the first glance there was no way he could keep from loving this baby.

“He does seem to have a resemblance, but I’m going from memory and I thought maybe it was my imagination,” Camille replied.

“There’s more than a physical resemblance. He’s like Kern. Is he always this happy?”

“Yes, he is,” Camille answered, smiling and stepping closer to look at her son with Marek. “He’s a wonderful baby.”

Babbling unintelligible sounds, Noah blew more bubbles and Marek’s smile broadened. “He’s so tiny.”

“He’ll grow. He’s gained weight and gotten much bigger since his birth.” She gave him a moment longer. “If you’re ready, I’ll take him and we can go.”

Marek handed Noah to her, brushing her arms and catching a whiff of an enticing jasmine scent. He hated to turn loose Noah, whose brown eyes gazed intently at him.

“And you’re his nanny?” he asked Ashley, glancing at her and trying to politely include her.

“Yes. When he was born, I had to learn fast. Camille hired a nurse for the first month, so she taught me quite a bit. Being his nanny right now is a good job to have.”

“And I help manage my sister’s career,” Stephanie interjected. “We love Noah very much.”

Her tone was polite, but Marek’s caution returned. Her glacial dark blue eyes held a warning, which reemphasized what he guessed was worry about his claims on Noah. For the first time, it occurred to Marek he might not ever have easy access to his nephew.

It was obvious the sisters were not in agreement about sharing Noah with his paternal relatives.

“It was nice to meet you,” Ashley stated. Stephanie merely nodded perfunctorily, and Marek was certain about her feelings toward him. At the door he couldn’t resist turning to glance back at Noah, who was playing with a rattle, kicking his legs and enjoying himself.

Marek’s glance rested only briefly on Stephanie, who glared at him. Her mouth was set in a hard line. Marek followed Camille into the hall.

“I take it your sister Stephanie doesn’t share your feelings about allowing Noah to know the paternal side of the family. I couldn’t get a reading on what Ashley felt.”

“Don’t worry about Stephanie. Noah is my child, and I want you to know him. I told you, I want him to know the Rangels and ranching. I want you as an influence in his life. Ashley is all right with letting you see Noah.”

“I’m glad,” he said, “because we all want to know him. It’s startling to me to look at him. There’s something about him that really resembles Kern.”

As they walked toward the front, he caught another whiff of the perfume she wore. When they passed the room with the piano, he glanced inside. “Is this where you practice your voice lessons?”

“Yes. It’s an office of sorts, too. Stephanie wanted an office this spring to work on taxes. Noah disturbs her sometimes, so this room is the farthest from the nursery. I study languages every day, trying to improve my grasp of Italian, French and German. Wherever we go, I take my own furniture, so that’s why we have such a minimal amount. I like having my own bed. But I rent the piano. I can’t practice in a hotel.”

“Good idea. I don’t blame you. It sounds like it works out well,” Marek said, thinking she must not have much time in her life for Noah.

In minutes they were in his black limousine, headed toward the airport. He sat facing her. “I feel as if my life is changing and I don’t have control over the changes,” he said. “That’s unusual. I’d like to work out something before you leave Texas. Something that’s permanent as far as seeing him periodically,” he added. He’d like to see more of her. She interested him and seemed different from other women he had known.

“We may have to have those lawyers yet,” she replied.

“Let’s try to work it out between us,” he urged, thinking she had a flair for the dramatic in her manner and her dress. Once again, she stood out with her midnight hair secured with a blue scarf and her deep blue dress that emphasized her lush curves and narrow waist. Her startling pale blue eyes were a vivid contrast to her thick, black lashes.

He had never associated with women in show business, much less in opera. She was an unknown in many ways. His gaze rested on her full, enticing lips. What would it be like to kiss her? His question startled him. He hadn’t noticed any women in a personal way since losing Jillian, but Camille was bringing him back into the world without any effort to do so. She had been forthright, businesslike about Noah. Yet his physical response to her was becoming more personal. “I have a lot of resources. I have a plane available at all times. Most of the time I can come and go as I please. We should be able to adjust schedules,” he said.

“We’ll try. I might be out of the United States some of the time.”

“Let’s take it as it comes,” he suggested, wondering whether they could ever work out an acceptable plan for sharing Noah. “Tell me about your life,” he said, his curiosity about her growing. “I’m sorry I don’t already know about you, but I haven’t been into opera.”

She smiled at him. “Then I believe you are in for a treat, but that’s because I love it. You will either love it or not care for it at all. To me it’s the most beautiful music possible.”

Her enthusiasm made him smile. “So you’ve always dreamed of this career?”

“Yes, actually. I started singing early and began voice lessons when I was young. Now, looking back, it seems like forever.”

He listened while she talked about growing up in Saint Louis and singing, and he wondered about her past. When she paused in her talk, he leaned closer.

“Have you ever been in love?”

“Not really. I thought I was in college, but it was never that serious. I really haven’t had much time for a social life since.”

“Maybe you should take some time.”

She laughed. “With a baby now? I don’t think this is the time. There’s no room for romance in my life. A baby plus an opera career—those would send anyone running.”

“Maybe running with you, but not from you—take another look in your mirror.”

“Thank you,” she said, smiling at him. “Seriously, I haven’t given a lot of thought to what I’ll do in the future. I need to start looking into schools for Noah.”

Marek smiled. “You have time.”

“It flies past, and I may pick a school where he has to go on a waiting list.”

Marek’s thoughts shifted to Noah. He had to think of a way to keep the baby in the family. He couldn’t sit by while she went to France or Germany or Italy for a year and took Noah with her.

He took Camille to a quiet, elegant dinner club in Houston. The decor was dark blue, with dark walnut paneling and dimmed crystal chandeliers. It was a place he had gone often, and he felt they would not be disturbed by fans or his friends, but he had forgotten about the dancing. There was a small dance floor; out of courtesy he felt he needed to ask her to dance. he remembered holding Jillian in his arms, laughing at something she had said. He didn’t want to dance with this woman who was so alive and who made him feel so alive.

He realized he had ceased talking during dinner.

“You’re thinking about your fiancée,” Camille remarked. “Again, I’m sorry for your loss. It’s understandable for you to think about her. My guess is that you both came here to eat occasionally.”

“You’re right. Sorry if I got distracted. That’s past, but there are moments it comes rushing back. Would you like to dance?”

“You don’t have to dance,” she said, smiling. “This is fine.”

Relieved, appreciating her understanding, he wanted to accept her reply and forget dancing, but he had to pick up the pieces and go on with life. He stood. “C’mon. It’ll do me good to get out there and move around.”

It was the first time he had danced since he had been with Jillian. He took a deep breath and focused on Camille, smiling at her.

“You really don’t have to dance if you’d rather not,” she said gently, startling him.

“It shows that much?” he asked, focusing on her more intently.

“Maybe a little. I can also imagine,” she added gently.

“Do you like to dance?” he asked, leading her to the dance floor.

“Yes, but if you want to stop, I’ll understand why.”

He took her lightly into his arms. “You’re sensitive to other people,” he said, studying her large, thickly lashed eyes. “You look beautiful tonight,” he added, and she smiled.

“Thank you.”

“I mean it.” As he danced the first few steps, he had another moment when pain stabbed him. He missed Jillian, her slender body, her laughter. He focused on Camille and the moment passed. “I just know how I would feel if I were in your position.”

“You never saw Kern any other time?”

“No. The weekend I met your brother was the only time I was with him. While I had a wonderful time with him, we really weren’t that close.”

“Kern was the embodiment of charm and fun.” He realized she was as easy to dance with as she was to talk to. Her perfume was enticing, and the low vee of her neckline revealed the beginning of full, soft curves.

“Do you want a bigger family—a husband, maybe a sibling for Noah?”

“Yes, at some distant future point in my life. But right now I have a career to pursue, and it’s on the rise. I have a baby to take care of and he’s most important.”

A fast number began, and, in seconds, he was dancing with enthusiasm. It felt good to move, and he liked to watch her. She was an energetic, sensual dancer. While he moved, cares and heartaches dropped away and burdens lifted from his shoulders.

A samba followed and they continued dancing. He shrugged off his suit jacket and draped it over an empty chair at the edge of the dance floor. He looked at Camille’s mass of black hair and wished she had left it loose. She was enticing, melting away some of his hurt and numbness. As the dance ended, he pulled her close to lean over in a dip.

When he gazed into her blue eyes, desire stirred, feelings that had ceased after his loss. Startled he swung Camille up, smiling at her.

The realization that he was beginning to get over his loss shocked him.

When a slow ballad started, he drew Camille into his arms to dance. “I have to admit, the Dancing is fun. I haven’t done this in a while. Maybe it’s therapeutic.”

“Actually, it probably is,” she said. “Dancing is definitely good for me. It’s relaxing, and you’re extremely good at it.”

“Thanks. You’ve made it easy for me,” he said. Once again, he had a flash of awareness of her. He held her in his arms, and they gazed into each other’s eyes. The moment changed, became personal. Feelings that had been dormant in him for over a year stirred again, stronger this time. He looked at her full, sensuous, curving lips.

The number ended, and they returned to the linen-covered table. By the time he sat facing her, his thoughts were partially on the baby again.

“Do you know your schedule for the rest of the year?”

“Yes. After Dallas, Santa Fe and Saint Louis, I leave for Budapest in October, and I will be there until December. Next March I will be in New York at the Met, where I’m not the lead but thrilled to perform.”

“Budapest, New York—hell of a long way from Texas.”

“I’m sorry, but that’s my life at this point.”

“I understand. We’ll work on it as long as you want us to be part of his life. In the meantime, can we arrange a meeting where my sister can see Noah?”

Before Camille could answer, white china plates with greens were placed in front of them. When they were alone again, Camille set down her water goblet. “I’m sure we can work out a time for your sister to see Noah. Actually, the weekend is coming up. Saturday morning would be a good time for us. Mornings are better because Noah will be awake. He’ll nap in the afternoon. I’ll have my voice practice, and I schedule time regularly for exercise, but I won’t stay with you anyway, so that won’t matter.”

“I’ll let you know about Saturday morning. I need to run that past my sister because she has a family. I’d like to bring someone else with me, if I may. My ranch foreman has been with us all my life. He’s like a member of the family to me, and he was to Kern. I’d like him to see Noah.”

“Of course,” she said, smiling warmly. “You’re not exactly like I thought you’d be,” she added, studying him. “You’re not like Kern, either.”

“Definitely not like Kern,” he said. “So what did you expect?” Marek asked, amused and curious. When her cheeks turned pink, his curiosity grew. “You’re blushing. Your opinion must have been not so great. Now I’m curious.”

“You’re more friendly than I thought you’d be,” she said, her cheeks growing even more red. “I thought you would be like you were the first few minutes at your office.”

He smiled. “I’ll have to improve my image. I’ll have to admit, I wasn’t friendly at my office. I thought you wanted a donation for something to do with the opera.”

She laughed, a light, inviting sound, making him want to cause her to laugh often.

Conversation shifted to other topics. For the next hour over dinner, he enjoyed her company and enjoyed being out for the evening with a beautiful woman again.

Later, when they returned to the dance floor, he found it was easier. He still thought of Jillian, still missed her badly, but he had better control of his emotions and he was happier about dancing. “I really would like to see Noah again before Saturday. Is there anytime that would be convenient for me to drop by when he’s awake?”

“Of course. Just call ahead. Come tomorrow when you want. I’ll be home. I have a voice lesson, a workout and a French lesson, but I can break away briefly. We’ll be happy to see you.”

“When do you have free time?”

“I have some to be with Noah. There are moments my life is like everyone else’s. We’re all busy.”

“Very well. I’ll come in the morning if that’s all right.”

“It’s fine. It might give Ashley a bit of a break. Stephanie will vanish with errands, so you won’t cross paths with her.”

“She feels that strongly about me,” he said, shaking his head.

“She’s just scared.”

“She doesn’t need to be afraid I’m taking your baby. I would never do that. No judge would let me anyway.”

“Oh, one might. I think you have a lot of influence in this state.”

“How I wish. Where was Noah born?”

“Oddly enough, I had a special performance here and he was born in Texas. I had excellent care. I was in a Dallas hospital.”

Marek smiled. “So we have another Rangel who’s a Texan. That would please Kern.”

“I think it pleases you.”

“Yes, it does,” he said.

“I don’t think I’ve mentioned it, but I named him Noah Kern Avanole. I hope you don’t object.”

“I’m glad you did. Did you tell Kern what you planned to name him?”

“Of course, and he was delighted.”

“I’ll bet he was. I’m still amazed he didn’t call me. Usually Kern didn’t keep things to himself. Noah Kern Avanole. Good name.”

“Thank you. I thought so. Right now is a good time for everyone to see him. When I’m performing, I won’t be as free.”

“That’s what I figured,” Marek said, thinking she had a face and figure to have gone into movies instead of opera. They danced until she mentioned the time and said she had to get home.

They talked all the way during the flight back to Dallas and by the time he brought her to her condo door, he realized he had enjoyed the evening. Impulsively, he took her hand.

“I’ve enjoyed getting to know you. I still can’t tell you how much I appreciate you sharing Noah with us. There aren’t words for that.”

“I’m glad you’re happy about him and interested in him.”

“I hope your sister stops worrying. I’ll never try to take Noah from you.”

“Stephanie will be all right. She’s just scared right now because you can do more for him than we can. I don’t think she understands how I feel as a mother, wanting him to know his father’s family, to know ranching. That’s important to me.”

“I’m glad,” he said lightly, leaning forward to brush a kiss on her cheek, catching the scent of her perfume again. Her skin was soft and smooth, and he was grateful to her for making the evening enjoyable. “I’ll see you in the morning. I’ll call before I come by.”

“Fine,” she said, smiling at him. She stepped inside and closed the door.

On the drive to the ranch, he had time to consider the evening. the vision of Camille dancing around him remained indelibly etched in memory. He thought about Noah and holding him in his arms. Camille would be in Santa Fe this summer, Budapest in the fall. How could he keep Noah in their lives in Texas when he would be far away with his mother? Noah was too tiny now to take him away from her for a long visit.

Saturday morning Camille showered and dressed in blue slacks and a matching shirt. As she pinned up her hair, Ashley stood watching her. “You’ve gone out with him three nights this week, and he’s been here to see Noah every day. He’s crazy about Noah.”

“He’ll be a good father figure for Noah,” Camille remarked.

“I’m beginning to wonder whether Steph is right. Is Marek going to want to have custody of Noah? Or is there any chance part of it is he’s coming to see you, too?”

Camille laughed. “No. He’s interested in Noah.” Her smile faded. “He’s still having difficulty about losing his fiancée, although he seemed to get a grip on those feelings when we were dancing.” She pulled a brush through more long strands of hair before pinning them up. “As far as Noah is concerned, Marek has told me repeatedly that he won’t ever try to take Noah from me. I know he wants to be part of Noah’s life, and I think he should be. I want Noah to be part of the Rangel family. He needs to know them. Marek can show him a cowboy’s life.”

“Some cowboy,” Ashley said, laughing. “He’s a billionaire.”

“Ashley, he’s a good guy. He truly likes the baby, and he’s promised me he won’t try to take him. We’ll work out something everyone can live with.”

“Let me have Noah before you have to change again,” Ashley said, taking Noah from Camille. He went willingly, happy to be carried. Camille brushed a kiss on his cheek.

“I won’t let anyone take him from us,” Camille said quietly, feeling fairly certain Marek meant what he said. What little Kern had said about his brother indicated that he was a man of his word, yet that might have been the man Kern knew.

Thursday when Marek had come to see his nephew, she had watched him hold the baby and talk to him. All the hesitation and uncertainty Marek had shown that first time he had held Noah had disappeared. She left them alone for a time, and, when she returned, Marek was seated on the floor, holding Noah and talking to him about a large, brightly colored ball and rolling it around for him.

Marek had glanced at her and smiled, his attention quickly returning to Noah. She was constantly reminded of Marek’s loss because he seemed cool and distant in many ways. She suspected he rarely saw her as anything more than Noah’s mom, which, under the circumstances, was just as well.

“Camille, you haven’t heard a word I’ve said to you,” Ashley said as she finished changing Noah.

“Sorry, Ash, I was lost in thought about Marek.”

“I can see why. He’s a good-looking man. Even more so than his brother. I never really saw his brother in person, just pictures, so maybe that’s not fair.”

“He’s more handsome, but he has none of the laid-back charm his younger brother did. he’s far more serious.”

“You each have serious issues to deal with—how Noah will be raised, plus the personal issues. Can you trust Marek and will he ever get over his loss? Maybe he’s charming when there’s nothing at stake.”

“You’re probably right. His fiancée was stunning, constantly in society pages, and I’m sure photographers loved to take her picture. No woman can be as beautiful as she was.”

“I have to agree with you. Her pictures look like she was a movie star or top model.”

“He’s still grieving for her, but now Noah is a distraction from his loss.”

“The crash was dreadful. His grief is understandable. I’ll have Noah ready when they come. I want to get him fed now before I try to clean him up or dress him.”

“I can feed him,” Camille said, reaching for her baby.

“Not if you don’t want to have to change again. You’re dressed and ready. Let me run the risk of him blowing breakfast or spitting up.”

Laughing, Camille shrugged. “He’s yours. I’m nervous about meeting Marek’s sister.”

“Why on earth would you be nervous?”

Camille shrugged. “I suppose since she’s the mother of two. I feel like she knows more about babies. I’m still a novice at this.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Besides, Marek is nice. A little fierce-looking sometimes. And a heartbreaker. I pity anyone who falls in love with him. Since he’s still grieving over his fiancée and brother, he isn’t going to want to lose Noah, too. I still think Steph may be right on this one.”

“Time will tell, but I don’t think so,” Camille replied, feeling a tiny knot of worry surface. In spite of his reassurances and his brother’s good opinion of him, the nagging fear wouldn’t go away.

Two hours later, after introductions had been made and she and Marek had talked briefly, she gathered her sisters and left Marek and his sister and foreman with Noah.

At the end of their visit with Noah, Marek flew back to the ranch with Jess and worked beside him the rest of the day, finding release for pent-up feelings in sheer physical labor. He did the same on Sunday, mulling over his options regarding Noah. Sunday evening he saw Jess in the corral riding a new horse.

Marek grabbed his Stetson and went out, stretching out his legs as he walked to the corral. He perched on the fence to watch Jess work with the quarter horse. Jess turned, riding close and swinging down out of the saddle. “This is a fine horse.”

“You’ve got him as gentle as a lamb.”

“That’s what I mean. He’s a good one. You made an excellent purchase. Want to ride him for a minute?”

“Sure,” Marek replied, jumping down from the fence and climbing into the saddle. He circled the corral, urging the horse to a trot. When he finished, he returned to Jess to dismount.

“Here he is, as good as you said.” He handed the reins to Jess and walked beside him as he led the horse into the stable. In the cool shadows Marek leaned against a post to watch Jess unsaddle the horse.

“I’ve been thinking what I can do about little Noah. Whatever we do, we can’t take him from Camille. Her sisters are crazy about him, too. I don’t want to hurt anyone, but we have to be part of his life and be able to watch him grow. He’s a tie to Kern that I want in our lives.”

“I can’t see any simple solution, but I’m not thinking on it too much because that’s your worry,” Jess said, lifting the saddle off the horse.

“It’s worrying Ginny, and I can’t sleep nights for trying to come up with a workable answer. I can’t imagine Camille letting me have Noah for any significant amount of time.”

“I agree with you.”

“Ginny reminded me of how take-charge she thinks I am and how she thinks I’ve spent my life getting everyone to do what I want. I don’t quite see it that way, but she’s told me this time I won’t be able to do that.”

“Sometimes we just have to adjust to what life hands us.”

“Jess, I don’t go into things expecting to fail. I’ve looked at this every way I can think of. There’s no easy answer, but I may have something workable if I can persuade Camille to cooperate.”

“All you can do is try. And if she says no, try something else,” Jess stated shortly, beginning to groom the sorrel.

“I don’t think you’ll like it.”

“All right. Tell me. How do you plan to get her to agree?” Jess asked, frowning slightly as he studied Marek.

The following Friday night, a spring evening with the sun slanting in the sky, Camille sat across from Marek. They were on his patio at his Dallas home. Steaks had just been put on the grill. She was sipping her glass of wine while Marek had a barely touched martini. She had dressed with care in a red cotton sundress with high-heeled sandals and her hair was up on her head. She suspected she could have worn a gunnysack and Marek would not have noticed. She still didn’t think he ever saw her as a woman, which was just as well because she didn’t want to get into a relationship with any man at this point in her life.

Tonight, it seemed he was taking his time because he had not brought up the subject of what arrangements he hoped to make with her regarding Noah, which he had said was the purpose of asking her to dinner. She had no intention of rushing him, either. She had mulled it over constantly and the most workable plan she and Ashley could devise was for her to always get a home large enough for the Rangels to come visit when they wanted. They would be welcome wherever she lived, either here or abroad. If she could get a wing where they could stay off to themselves, she thought they might be happier. She couldn’t imagine leaving Noah behind in Texas. She and Ashley had agreed on that one and she had constantly reassured Stephanie she would stick to that decision.

Taking a deep breath, Camille hoped to calm her nerves. A steady uneasiness plagued her because she had big doubts that he would agree to what she intended to offer.

She watched him stand over the steaks, which were sending a spiral of gray smoke into the air. When he had arrived at her house to pick her up in a limousine, he had looked as commanding and successful as ever. Wearing a charcoal suit and red tie, he looked ready for an evening out. Had the suit been meant to be a reminder of his wealth and power? Enticing smells of the grilling meat would usually tempt her, but her stomach churned. Marek seemed strong willed, a man totally accustomed to getting his way. His fortune held a possible threat like a twister spinning on her horizon.

Marek picked up his drink and returned to sit near her. “Steaks will be done soon. I hope you have an appetite.”

“I’ll admit I’m nervous, and that’s killing my appetite. I’m far more anxious over this than going onstage.”

“Don’t be disturbed,” he said quietly. “We’ll work something out, hopefully to the satisfaction of all and in Noah’s best interests as well. He can’t participate in this, but he has the biggest stake.”

“That’s true,” she said, feeling better that Marek sounded as if he would put Noah first.

Marek leaned forward to take her hand lightly in his. His compelling dark eyes made her breath catch. Why was she having this reaction to him?

“Relax, Camille,” he said in a gentle tone. “We’ll try to find a solution that will be in everyone’s best interest.”

“I hope so. That’s what I’ve prayed for,” she replied, aware of the jump in her pulse. She was certain it was a very onesided attraction that she shouldn’t have to him. And she couldn’t guess what he was going to ask her to do regarding Noah.

“Relax, have some wine, eat some steak. Let’s have dinner and then we’ll talk about Noah.”

She nodded, unable to speak. Smiling, he patted her hand and sat back to raise his drink. “Here’s to a happy solution and to you and Kern having a beautiful, adorable son.”

She had to return his smile as she touched his glass lightly. “I’ll have to drink to that,” she said, taking a tiny sip.

“And I have to say, my brother always had great taste in his female friends,” he added with an uncustomary smile as he raised his glass to her.

It was the closest he had come to flirting. “Thank you. I’m not sure about great taste. Perhaps we were thrown together on a festive occasion and everything clicked.”

“You have a great little boy. Thank you for letting me know about him.”

“I’ve told you why. I’m pleased that you’re responding in a positive way.”

He smiled and sipped his drink before glancing at the cooker. “I’ll get the steaks.”

They ate outside at a glass-topped table with dinner served by his staff. After dinner they moved back to the lawn chairs overlooking the pool and yard. The staff quietly cleared the table, and, when they were left alone, Marek turned his chair to face her.

“Tell me what you propose,” he said. He listened as she talked about getting a place wherever she went that would be large enough for all of them and how he and his family could visit whenever and however long they chose.

Marek simply listened and nodded, and her heart raced as she talked. Her palms had grown damp.

After she finished, he sat quietly, sipping a tall glass of iced tea. She waited in silence, letting him take his time. It seemed eons before he set down his drink and spoke.

“That’s a feasible plan,” he said, and she let out her breath. She couldn’t relax completely because she was certain he had something else in mind.

“I have another idea. All I ask is for you to listen to what I propose. Don’t give me an answer tonight—we can talk about it. I want you to think it over before you answer.”

“That sounds reasonable but scary.”

He smiled again, a smile that softened his features and made him slightly less intimidating. “Good. You are totally tied up in your career and Noah, right?”

“Yes. You know that.”

“I lost my fiancée, and I’m not interested in a deep commitment. Jillian had my heart. I enjoy women and the day will come when I won’t be so numb with grief, but I can’t imagine ever loving again. What I’m getting at is both of us have set loving one special person on hold, more or less.”

“You’re right,” she said, her curiosity soaring.

“Camille, will you marry me? A marriage of convenience would help both of us and should be so much better for Noah.”

Stunned, she dropped her glass of tea, barely aware of it shattering on the patio.




Three


“Please don’t answer me now because I want you to think about it. Any answer you give me immediately will be a knee-jerk reaction. Marry me—it’ll be a marriage of convenience in the fullest sense,” he repeated. “At some point I would expect us to have a physical relationship. I think it would be unrealistic to expect otherwise.”

His voice sounded as if it came from far away, and she felt light-headed. Marry him! “Sorry, I think I’m going to faint.”

He stopped talking instantly and stood. “Put your head down for a moment.” She did as he said and soon felt a cold wet cloth being placed gently on the back of her neck. His warm fingers on her nape were disturbing in a far different way than his proposal had been.

As her head cleared, she sat up.

“Take a deep breath or two and just relax.”

“I broke your glass,” she said, glancing at the sparkling shards at her feet.

“Forget that. Just relax a moment. The proposal is a surprise, and that’s why I want you to think about it. When you feel clear and are ready to hear them, I can give you reasons I came up with this solution.”

“I suppose I’m ready.”

He studied her, and she gazed back, trying to calm down enough to listen to him. She wanted to blurt out a refusal now. Why would she have to think it over? How could he have ever expected her to accept?

“Marriage will give Noah the Rangel name. If we’re married, I think you’ll feel better about leaving him with me. We’ll work out times you can live with. I’ll be a dad for him. I would like to adopt him.”

“I’ll lose him,” she whispered. “He’ll be your son in every way except one. You’ll have far more claim over him than you will as his uncle.”

“You won’t lose him—I promise. And we will have a prenuptial agreement, a contract that you will approve. I will work with you on when I can be with him. I will see to it that financially you and Noah are completely taken care of. You’ll have a private plane whenever you want. You’ll have a generous allowance. You’ll be more financially free to pursue your career. I know you’re doing well, but I can help you do better, and I can definitely do a lot for Noah.”

“I don’t need money.”

“I know you don’t, but this will make it easier. Definitely better for him.”

“I want to do well with my career.”

“I expect you to,” he said. He took her hand again. While his hand held hers, his thumb brushed her knuckles lightly, keeping her aware of his contact. Married to him. Even as the proposal seemed impossible, the prospect made her pulse race.

“I hope to be part of Noah’s life,” Marek continued. “I want to be an influence in his life, to get to know him. By proposing, I feel I’m doing what Kern would have done if it had been my baby. I loved my brother. I just want to watch Noah grow up. I feel as if it gives me a tie to Kern,” Marek said, his voice deepening.

Camille’s eyes filled with tears.

“Camille,” he said quietly. “I don’t want to hurt or worry you. I want you to be happy with whatever we do.”

“How can I be happy with this? You’ll have Noah, and I won’t be able to do anything about it?” she cried, standing and walking away in embarrassment that she couldn’t control her tears.

He came up behind her to place his hands on her shoulders and turn her to face him. He framed her face with his hands and wiped away her tears with his thumbs.

“Stop crying. I promised I wouldn’t hurt you,” he said gently. “Causing you distress is not what I intended. If I were Kern and had just proposed—the two of you were not in love—wouldn’t you consider his proposal?”

Startled by his question, she gazed up at Marek while silence stretched. What would he do if she refused to marry him? He was far more powerful and had more resources. “I suppose I would give it thought,” she replied.

“I’m not Kern, but, believe me, I have his interests at heart.”

Mulling over what he said, she decided she would have given some serious thought to a proposal if it had been from Kern. “You’re a little more serious and forceful than Kern.”

Marek’s faint smile lifted one corner of his mouth, calming her slightly. “I’ll try to be less ‘forceful.’ All I ask is for you to think about the possibilities. Now, are you ready to hear what I propose in the way of finances?”

“Another surprise,” she said without thinking. “Finances are really incidental. That’s not the issue here.”

He released her. “I know it’s not the issue, but I think we ought to look at all aspects of this. Finances, arrangements, a physical relationship. Want some more tea while we talk?”

His voice deepened, and that surprising fire he could ignite effortlessly between them sent a shiver to her toes. With the flicker in the depth of his dark eyes, she guessed he felt the same sparks, too. “Yes, thank you,” she said, walking to the outdoor kitchen with him and watching while he poured another tall glass of tea for her. This handsome, wealthy Texas rancher intended to marry her. The idea was impossible.

After retrieving his tea, he directed her to a chair away from the broken glass and slid his chair close to hers.

As she sipped the icy tea, she focused on him. His eyes gave away nothing about his feelings. He could have been discussing the weather as far as his demeanor and expression were concerned.

“We will draw up papers so our arrangements are as binding as any contract. If you accept, I will pay you five million dollars.”

Her shock returned full force. What were his real intentions? To offer that much money, was he working toward getting custody of Noah? “If I marry you, I get five million dollars from you,” she repeated.

“That’s right,” he said quietly. “You’ll get one million when we sign the papers and four million as soon as we are husband and wife. You will get a million each year we are married, plus a generous allowance. I will set up a trust for Noah and pay for everything for him. You can spend the money I give you as you please because there will be no strings.”

Her shock mushroomed over the fortune that he was dangling as an inducement to accept what he wanted. She could only stare at him, speechless over his offer that would transform her life and the lives of every member of her family. The money was both frightening and dazzling. “Now I see why you get your way so often,” she whispered without even realizing she had spoken aloud.

She had been counting on her career to help her family. With this money she wouldn’t have to worry whether she made stardom or not. Life should be far easier, and yet…

“That’s a huge amount of money,” she said, thinking it was an even bigger power play. Marek looked relaxed, as if accustomed to bargaining with such high stakes, but these were the highest possible as far as she was concerned. This cool rancher had thought this out and come up with an offer that she might be unable to refuse.

“I can afford it and I’d want to do it. If you say yes, you’ll be giving me far more because I know I will become a permanent part of Noah’s life.”

“You hardly know Noah. How can you feel this strongly about him?”

“It’s easy,” Marek replied. “I feel this strongly about my brother. This baby is a definite tie to Kern.”

She nodded, touched and aware how vulnerable he was where his heart was concerned. “I can understand that.” She rubbed her forehead. “Wow. You’ve turned my life topsyturvy. Actually, if I accept your offer—my whole family will be topsy-turvy. That fortune will change all our lives. You’ll want Noah a lot of the time. I’m sure you’ve thought about how much.”

“You and I would live in the same place some of the time. I don’t want to give up being a rancher or living on my ranch. But I don’t do that all the time now, and I can give up some of the time. When Noah gets to school age, you’ll have to give serious thought about how much he will travel with you.”

“I know, but I can’t foresee what my career will be. It’s filled with uncertainties at this point.”

“You’ll have enough money that you can give it up completely if you want.”

Momentarily, her tension lightened, and she smiled. “No, I’ve dreamed of this all my life, and things are beginning to open up for me. At this point, I definitely do not want to toss aside what I’ve gained. I want to sing. I want to be a star. I love opera. But I love Noah and I want what’s best for him.”

“Then I think you’ll have to seriously consider my offer.”

“I suppose I will,” she said, gazing beyond him, watching the splashing water in the fountain in the pool. “This is a beautiful place.”

“This is my Dallas home. The best place is the ranch.”

“I know very little about ranches.”

He reached over again to take her hand. “Camille, Kern was drawn to you, and I feel certain he would have proposed. I think you and I can have a workable arrangement that will benefit Noah. I’ve tried to do what will benefit you. This million a year I’ve offered—your monthly allowance will be enough that you shouldn’t need to touch that money. You should be able to invest it and I can help you and make it grow. I want what will make you happy—as happy as I will be if you accept.”

“Suppose you fall in love with someone later?”

“Divorce still exists, but I don’t expect to fall in love again in my life. I gave my heart to Jillian.” He looked away, and she instantly regretted bringing up a subject that would open his wounds.

This time she reached out to touch his arm, placing her hand on him. “Marek, I didn’t mean to cause you hurt.”

He inhaled deeply. “Sometimes it just comes out of the blue, and I feel weak in the knees. Don’t apologize. You had no way of knowing.”

“You talked about a physical relationship. I won’t have a lot of time, and I’m not about to jump into one when we’re strangers,” she said. “I did that once in my life, and I won’t do it again. Your brother charmed and captivated me that night. Now, a physical relationship will have to come later, maybe much later.”




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