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„You’ll never guess what’s happened. Stacy’s finally going to get married!“

    Leana blinked, masking her astonishment almost at once, but Stacy sensed dismay. The poor girl really had already been weaving a few daydreams around Hunter!
    „Congratulations,“ Leana murmured politely. „This is all rather unexpected, isn’t it?“ The long-lashed gaze went directly to Hunter, who appeared totally oblivious. What kind of a man, Stacy wondered in grim silence, could flirt with a woman one moment and spring a fiancee on her the next? Even though Leana certainly had no business getting remotely involved with Hunter Manning, Stacy had to admit her sister-in-law had some justification for resentment at this high-handed treatment. ‘ „When did you two meet?“ Eric asked curiously, looking first at one and then the other.
    „Shortly after I moved into town a couple months ago,“ Hunter responded glibly. He knew practically nothing about her, Stacy thought, wondering how Hunter would bluff his way past all the probable questions. They hadn’t even discussed a story that would cover all the little details. But Hunter was nothing if not fast on his feet, she acknowledged a moment later as he grinned cheerfully at her brother. „Look, I know you’re all bursting with questions, and we’ll give you all the answers in time. Just now, though, I feel like celebrating very privately. Would you two excuse us? I’d like to take Stacy out for a glass of champagne. I deserve it. You don’t know how hard I had to work out there on the patio just now! We wanted you to know, though, before we left. So if you don’t mind…“ Hunter was already edging himself and Stacy away through the eager crowd.
    „Hey, wait a minute,“ Eric called after them. „When’s the wedding?“
    „As soon as I can manage it. Probably the end of this week,“
    Hunter told him bluntly with just the smallest hint of challenge. „It’s going to be a very small business, I’m afraid. I’m not in the mood to wait for a major social event. We’ll let you know the details----“ By now Hunter had his victim halfway out the front door. Stacy’s last impression of the party was a ring of expectant, amused faces and her brother’s bemused expression. There was one other image that stayed in her mind, she admitted as Hunter bundled her down the steps toward a sleek, expensive-looking foreign car parked at the curb, and that was the resentful, angry look on Leana’s pretty face.
    She must be wondering why Stacy hadn’t admitted knowing Hunter when she’d mentioned him while Stacy was arranging the flowers.
    „Wait a minute,“ Stacy finally got out breathlessly, trying to dig in her heels prior to being ushered unceremoniously onto the rich leather seat of Hunter’s car. „I’ve got my own transportation, and I’m not leaving it behind. I’ll need it for work in the morning!“
    „It’s done,“ Hunter was saying, clearly not listening to her. There was a blaze of triumph in his face, which alarmed Stacy. It was a kind of savage satisfaction that made her wonder about the virtue of being single-minded. „It’s done and there’s no going back. Not after announcing it in front of all those people! The Rylans have lost a daughter. A fair exchange, wouldn’t you agree? Sufficient payment for destroying my father….“
    Stacy was forced to fling out a hand and brace herself against the low-slung roof of the vehicle in order to prevent herself from being tossed absently into the front seat. Her resistance finally seemed to penetrate Hunter’s consciousness.
    „What’s the matter with you?“ he demanded, a quick frown darkening his face. He glared down at her as she gritted her teeth and refused to move. „Get into the car! Oh, for God’s sake, I’m not going to hurt you, you little fool. But we do have some things to talk about, as I’m sure you can understand….“
    „You amaze me!“ Stacy snapped flippantly, still not