Bought: One Bride

Buy her this shop. Hell, he already owned the damned thing.

“The contracts haven’t been exchanged yet,” she went on. “All you have to do is contact the real estate agency and gazump the bid. My stepmother will drop that other buyer like a hotcake. Contracts haven’t been signed so it’s still up for grabs.”

Richard could not believe things had turned out this well.

And yet…

“You said you wouldn’t marry for any reason other than love,” he threw at her.

Her eyes softened, reminding him of the warm, loving, sensual girl he’d spent the weekend with. But then, suddenly, they hardened again.

“Don’t argue with me, Richard. Will you do this for me, or not?”

“I’ll do it today.”

She breathed in deeply, then let it out in one long, shuddering sigh. “Good. One other thing.”

“Yes?”

“Take me away somewhere. I…I have to get away from here for a while.”

He saw it then, the fragility behind the superficial hardness. She was like a thin sheet of glass. One little shake and she would shatter. Getting her right away would be a good idea. He wouldn’t mind a break himself.

“Where would you like to go?” he asked gently.

“I don’t care,” she said, desperation in her eyes. “Anywhere, as long as it’s a long way from here.”

“Do you have a current passport?”

“Of course not,” she said with a bitter laugh. “You’re looking at a go-nowhere nobody. A fool and a dreamer.”

“I don’t think you’re a fool,” he said, making his way slowly towards her. “And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being a dreamer, as long as you dream nice dreams.”

“I dreamt of owning Dad’s flower shop,” she said, her voice breaking off with a sob.

“I know, darling,” he said softly, and gathered her into his arms. “I know.”

“Oh, Richard,” she cried, and buried her face in his chest, her hands clutching at the lapels of his suit jacket. “She was so horrid. So hateful! I don’t understand people like that.”

“Don’t think about her any more, Holly. Put her out of your mind and out of your life. People like that are poison. And don’t worry. This shop will be all yours by the end of the day. I promise.”

“And I’ll be all yours,” she returned on a whisper, then began to cry again.

Richard tightened his hold on her, telling himself that he was doing the right thing. But he knew he wasn’t.

She’d once said how corrupting it must be to be able to buy anything you wanted. It seemed it was. He’d wanted Holly as his bride. And he was about to buy her, even though he knew it was wrong.

“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to love you and leave you, Holly,” he said, putting her at arm’s length. “I have to get onto the real estate agent before they shut up shop today. I suggest you get busy as well. You said you have a girl who comes in sometimes to help you?”

“Yes, Sara. She comes from Wednesday till Saturday.”

“Would she look after the shop for you if you went away tomorrow?”

“I’m sure she would. Did you say tomorrow?”

“Yes, I’m going to see if I can get tickets on the Spirit of Tasmania. I know it leaves Sydney for Tasmania every Tuesday afternoon.”

“Tasmania!” Her lovely eyes lit up. “Oh, I’ve always wanted to go there. I saw a segment on a holiday programme on TV about that trip. You can take your car on the ferry and they have proper cabins and everything. It’ll be like a mini cruise.”

“I’m glad you like the idea.” Richard was struck with a momentary crisis of conscience. “Are you absolutely sure you want to do this, Holly? The shop, and the marriage, and everything.”

Her eyes cleared. Her chin lifted. “Absolutely.”

“So be it,” he said.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“LOOK, Richard!” Holly exclaimed. “We’re going under the Harbour Bridge! Doesn’t it look fabulous from down here?”

“It sure does,” he agreed.

They were standing out on the back deck of the Spirit Of Tasmania, along with several other passengers, enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sunshine and the wonderful sights of the city as the ferry made its way slowly from the wharf at Darling Harbour towards Sydney Heads.

“I still can’t believe how quickly you did everything,” Holly said, with an awed glance up at the handsome man next to her. “The shop. This trip. My ring…” She looked back down at her left hand, and the glorious diamond engagement ring sparkling on her ring finger.