Goody Two Shoes (Invertary 2)

Her cute little brows frowned with confusion, and Josh wondered when the last time was that he saw a woman frown. Every other woman he knew had been paralysed with Botox. There was silence in the room. Caroline looked around, giving every item her full consideration. Only the pulse throbbing at the curve of her jaw gave away the fact that this was anything but a normal conversation.

Caroline’s blood was pumping so fast that it made her feel dizzy.

“Is this real?” she said.

Josh laughed. He had a good laugh. It was deep and full of joy. From the sparkle in his eyes and his easy, laid-back attitude, she bet he was a man who laughed a lot. She almost envied his ease, and wondered what it would be like to be so relaxed about life.

“I’m afraid so,” he told her.

He leaned forward to put his elbows on his knees. He clasped his hands as he stared her in the eye. Her heart thudded loudly under the spotlight attention. She licked her lips.

“What do you say, Caroline Patterson,” he drawled. “Want to marry me?”

Caroline swallowed hard as a cool sweat broke out on the small of her back.

Mitch lobbed a small blue cushion at Josh. “How about you give the girl some time to think about it?”

Josh tossed the cushion back. “Why don’t we let her decide what she wants to do?”

The two men stared at her. Josh all shoulders, blue-black hair and luminous blue eyes. And Mitch with his wavy golden hair, hazel eyes and tall, lean frame. You didn’t see many men like these in Invertary. There was more testosterone in the room than in all of Scotland.

She studied Josh, hoping for some clue as to whether this was some sort of joke. But all she saw was complete conviction and determination. His full lips softened into a mischievous smile.

“I promise.” His voice was a low vibration that worked its way across her skin. “You won’t regret it.”

Caroline knew, from scanning the tabloid magazines in the library, that there were women queueing up for a chance to marry Josh. Women who fancied themselves already in love with him. Or women who wanted his money and fame. Caroline wanted neither, and she definitely wasn’t in love with him. In all her thirty-one years she’d never been in love. And, as far as she was aware, no one had been in love with her. She’d been waiting to be swept off her feet. She was still waiting. She clasped her hands tightly as they began to shake. What if this was her only chance at a family? She glanced at Josh. His children would be beautiful. No, their children would be beautiful. Her heart stuttered and her mouth dried. Children. She’d given up all hope of ever having any.

Avoiding Josh’s eyes, Caroline worked at steadying her breathing. Her gaze roamed around the grand room, and she automatically detailed every missing feature and hidden piece of history. His words rang in her ears—they would be partners, what was his would be hers, she’d get to live in the castle. Her palms began to sweat. She eyed the cracked single-pane windows that he’d no doubt replace with aluminium double glazing. She shuddered. What if this was her only chance to save the castle?

She shook her head to clear it. It didn’t help. What she was thinking—what she was considering—was wrong. So very wrong. She looked at Josh’s smiling face, and then at the TV where the fireplace should be. That beautiful old fireplace. Knowing it was hidden tipped her over the edge. She felt her decision rush at her like a high-speed train. There was no avoiding it. She’d decided subconsciously. The deed was done.

“I have some conditions.” Her voice was a croak. She cleared her throat.

Her heart was beating so loudly she could hardly hear anything else. Part of her brain was screaming for her to shut up. The other part was cheering her on. Josh shot Mitch an excited look. He beamed at her while his friend slumped down into his chair in resignation.

“Shoot.” Josh spread his hands wide.

“If I agree, I want to be in charge of the castle restoration. I don’t want any complaints. I want to be able to restore the place without interference. What I say goes.”

“Done. The castle is yours.”

Adrenalin shot through her. The castle was hers. She took a deep but shaky breath. She’d just sold herself—and the price was a castle. The room blurred in front of her as her heart pounded hard enough to be p

ainful.

“I want to get married here, in Invertary.” She was pleased her voice didn’t waver.

“Fine by me.” He was practically bursting with enthusiasm. “But I don’t want to hang around. We’ll go to the registrar tomorrow and get it done.”

Caroline swallowed hard. “No. I want a proper wedding. With friends and family. In a church.”

Josh stared at her for a moment. “Fine. You have three weeks.”

“My sister is eight months pregnant. If it’s in three weeks, she won’t be able to attend.”

“We’ll do something else for her later. If we’re going to do this, I want to do it fast. I’m done waiting. I want to be married. Three weeks is long enough.”

Caroline stared at his determined expression. He smiled softly. Something inside of her calmed. “Okay.”