Paper Marriage Proposition (Gage Brothers 1)

Beth’s hand trembled as she sliced into the top folded edge, her pulse jumping in fear. “We agreed on this, you know,” she said, to the kitchen in general. But had they agreed on kissing each other senseless? On telling each other secrets, fears, opening themselves up for heartbreak?

The memory of Landon telling her—Before you give me anything else, Beth, I want your trust—made her eyes start to burn. He’d given her his own trust, clearly. And she’d proved it a mistake.

“Well? Are those divorce papers?”

“Yes.” Beth clutched them to her chest as though they were a declaration of love, while in her mind she imagined ripping, stomping on or losing them. Landon thought this was it, then? That she’d just take the papers and not be allowed an explanation? Not allowed a formal goodbye other than that brief, angry visit he’d paid her room last night? “Mom, can I borrow Dad’s car for a bit?” Beth said, loudly enough for her mother to hear.

“Oh yes yes, of course!”

She fell deep into thought as she drove, the envelope her only passenger.

>

Now with her business up and running, she could find a place—nearby, in the same school district. And buy a car. She could start over as she’d always wanted to. Her and David, against the world.

But not before she saw Landon.

Dread coiled around her throat as she was led into his office. Then, coming around the desk in all his glory was Landon Gage. His was a face she would not see every day again, a voice she would not hear again. Here was a man who wanted to get rid of her.

On tenterhooks, Beth lowered herself on to the chair across the desk from his. “I thought I’d personally bring you these,” she said, then cleared her throat and slightly raised the envelope to his attention.

“Not necessary.” His timbre was about as inanimate as a lamp.

Beth bit her lip, then, trembling, set the papers on his desk. “I also thought you’d want this back.” The small diamond on her finger flashed as she twisted off the ring.

She laid it over the envelope with a tiny but deafening “click”.

Neither could bear to look at it.

Landon reclined in his seat and clasped his hands behind his head, his eyes slowly raking her body. “How are you? How’s David?”

She smiled, tremulously, and wondered how she could even manage it. Just as you managed to sign the divorce papers, Beth. Very grudgingly.

“Happy. David’s happy. Landon…thank you. You did as you promised and you were so good to me.” So good for me…

She counted the prizes hanging behind his wall, recognitions of him as a newspaper genius, and tried to calm down. Once, when she was little, she’d shattered her tiniest, most prized crystal figurine into what seemed like a hundred little pieces. It was a swan her mother had given her, and she had treasured it. But no matter how much she prayed, the figurine was beyond repair, the shards so tiny they only cut and cut at her fingers when she tried to mend it. Was that the case with Landon? She could wish and pray and want but she would only cut herself more. He didn’t look at her with warmth. He looked at her not like a husband, but an enemy. They. They were beyond repair. But she had to try.

“If that’s all…” He shuffled some papers—and Beth got the message clearly, even though he spoke again in interest. “Kate tells me you’re officially a partner in her business.”

She waited for him to say more, something about them, words welling in her throat. No. She should not do this. She would divorce him and she would bury her past and start a new life for herself. But she did not want a divorce. She wanted, needed forgiveness. Her own and his. And love. It still thickened her veins, danced in her thoughts and in her heart. Her nerves quivered. Inside, she screamed. Love me back. Have pity on me and hold me…like before…like when you loved me with your body….

“Business, yes. We’re doing great with online advertising on our recipe section.”

“Good. Very good, Bethany.”

“Landon, why are we doing this?” she blurted. “Why won’t you listen to me?”

One eyebrow lifted, as though he could not for the life of him have heard correctly. “We had an agreement. We’ve fulfilled both our ends.”

“So what happened between us…? We’re to pretend it never happened at all?”

“Beth,” he said with a significant pause, and she could see him grapple for words. “I expect…things of my wife.”

He left them unsaid, the things he wanted.

His voice dropped a decibel, became a terse, quiet confession. “Is it wrong that I expect you to be loyal and truthful with me?”

Beth gulped as she watched him rise, eager to dismiss her. She leapt to her feet. “What if I was trying to protect you? What if you have me all wrong? I’m not who you think I am, Landon! If you’d only let me show you…”