His words contradicted his expression, but she was relieved anyway.
“Congrats, sis,” Jeff said. “I’m going to be an uncle! That’s sweet!”
They talked about the baby and the wedding, and then moved on to other topics.
Finally Ashley stood. “Anyone want a glass of water?” she asked. When no one did, she went to the kitchen. Jeff had discovered that Ryan played football, as he had. They both shared an interest in pro teams, and she left them talking avidly.
As she drank her water, she was surprised to see her father enter the kitchen and close the door.
Crossing the room to her, he placed his hands on her shoulders. “You’re marrying Ryan because of the baby, aren’t you?”
“I suppose I have to answer yes,” she said quietly, not wanting to worry her dad, but finding it impossible to tell him anything except the truth.
“If there’s no deep love between the two of you, think about what you’re doing, Ashley. We’re here for you. We’ll help you with the baby, and you don’t have to have Ryan Warner or his money in your life to get along.”
“Oh, Dad!” she said, hearing the concern in his voice, and grateful for his support. She hugged him tightly, and he patted her back before she stepped away. “I hope we will learn to love each other,” she said in a low voice.
“That’s not much basis for marriage, Ashley. Think about it. It’s good that he wants to marry you, but marriage is a relationship that takes a lot of strong bonding and cooperation on both parts. If you don’t have that, you may be headed for disaster. Rethink this marriage. He’s not the man for you. You’re not glowing with happiness and love.”
“I will think about it, Dad. And I have been. Ryan and I have discussed the situation at length,” she replied cautiously, wondering how her father would react when he discovered Ryan was paying off the mortgage on the farm and would send Jeff to college. She patted her dad’s arm. “Don’t worry. I’ll try to do what I think will be best for me and my baby.”
He studied her intently before nodding. “I hope so, Ashley. I want to tell Ryan that I’d like to talk to him soon. Just the two of us.”
“Oh, Dad, don’t start a war with Ryan.”
“I have no intention of doing any such thing. I just want him to know that he better not hurt you.”
“He’s not going to hurt me, and you’re not going to intimidate him, either.”
“I still want to talk to him. It won’t hurt him to know how important you are to us.”
She shook her head in exasperation, wondering why her life was filled with such strong-willed males. “Let’s join the others,” she said.
When she entered the family room again, she saw Ryan’s questioning gaze. But he looked relaxed and had her brother and grandmother laughing at some story he was telling.
It was almost ten o’clock when they finally told everyone goodbye and got away, even though Ashley’s dad kept urging them to stay the night and drive back the next morning.
“You have a great family,” Ryan said in the car as they sped through the darkness. “The feeling may not be mutual, though. Your dad wants to see me, which is fine, but I don’t think he’s happy about our upcoming nuptials.”
“No, he’s not, but he’ll change.”
“He isn’t prone to carrying a shotgun, is he?” Ryan asked lightly, and she smiled.
“No, he isn’t. He’s strong willed.”
“Aah, now I know where you get it.”
“That is really the pot calling the kettle black,” she exclaimed.
“I’ll be back to see your Dad Monday morning. He’ll probably warn me not to hurt you, and I’ll tell him that I’m paying off the mortgage on the farm.”
“He may refuse you,” she said.
“He won’t. He’s sensible, and it’s been a hardship on you to help him. Your brother’s sharp,” Ryan continued. “I’d give him a job in a minute if he ever wants to leave the farm.”
“Jeff is bright, and it’s nice to know you’d hire him, but Dad’s planning on Jeff taking over the farm. Jeff loves that farm more than anything on earth.”
“I’m glad you don’t,” Ryan said, clasping her hand again.
They talked as they drove to Dallas, and as they approached her neighborhood, he glanced at her. “We could just go straight to my place,” he murmured.
“No. It won’t take you long to drop me off at home.”
By the time they reached the door of her place, her desire for him was almost out of control, caused by his flirting, by spending the day and evening with him, by his touches and light kisses on her hand and cheek.
“Well, tomorrow morning I’ll see your church. One thing at a time—”
He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hard, his tongue plunging into her mouth. Ashley’s heart thudded and she wrapped her arms around him, kissing him back. She moaned softly, wanting his lovemaking, aching for him in spite of all he’d done and his high-handed ways. She trembled in his arms and arched her hips against him, feeling his erection press against her, knowing he was ready for her.
Finally, she pushed against him and he released her. Both of them gasped for breath as she stepped away. “I’ll see you in the morning,” she said, and hurried inside, afraid that in another moment she might relent and invite him in.
She closed and locked the door, burning up with longing. She would be more than ready for the wedding night. What about all the honeymoon nights to follow? Was she going to toss aside her demands and give in to him?
Would love ever come for them? A deep, true love? Ashley suspected she was falling in love with Ryan, in spite of his arrogance and demands. Could he love her?
Wondering about her future, she switched off the light and went to bed.
Sunday evening, Ashley sat beside Ryan in his car again and looked at the residential area they drove through.
His father’s condo was nestled in a gated area in a Dallas suburb. The place overlooked a large pond with fountains and elegant landscaping of willows and water birch.
“This is beautiful, Ryan.”
“Dad seems to like it, which makes me happy,” he said. “I’m happy to do things for your family, too, Ashley.”
She studied him, wondering if she would ever figure him out. He glanced at her and his eyebrows arched. “What? Why the puzzled scrutiny?”
“You can be so determined and cavalier, and then turn around and be so kind and generous.”
“Makes life interesting, doesn’t it?” he teased. There was a twinkle in his eyes, and she shook her head.
As they walked to the door, she hoped any nervousness she felt didn’t show.
When the door swung open, she was surprised. Ryan’s father was five inches shorter than his son. He was broad shouldered, barrel chested and had a deeply tanned face that was creased with wrinkles. His smile appeared genuine, and curiosity lit his thickly lashed green eyes as he took Ashley’s hand and shook it.
“Ashley, meet my father, Zach Warner. Dad, this is Ashley Smith.”
“Come in. I’m happy to meet you, Miss Smith.”
“Please, just call me Ashley,” she said, although she knew she couldn’t address him as anything except Mr. Warner.