assumption that the marriage would be a real one. As you took such pains to point out last night, you and I have a lot to offer each other. But I have no interest in contracting a purely business arrangement. I want a real marriage.“
„Oh, it will be real, all right. My mother’s got a guest list with nearly two hundred names on it and my father has told every one of his golfing buddies that he’s going to have three different brands of champagne at the reception plus a full bar. My sisters called yesterday to say they’ve found the perfect gown and that my little nephew is going to be the ring bearer. Believe me, that sort of pomp and circumstance makes everything very real!“
Jake stopped and put his hands on her shoulders, turning her to face him. Something softened in his expression. „You’re getting nervous, aren’t you?“
„I am not nervous.“ She tried to twist out from under the strong grip of his fingers and found it impossible to move. In rigid annoyance she stood quite still and lifted her chin challengingly.
„Are you sure you’re not starting to wonder just what you’ve gotten yourself into by coming back to Tucson to play the role of the returning prodigal daughter?“ Jake went on gently.
„I’m not playing any role. I’m home, Jake, because this is where I want to be. This desert and those beautiful mountains are in my blood. They’ve always been a part of me. Just as my family is a part of me and just as the Hacienda Strand is a part of me. I had to leave at eighteen or all these things that are a part of me would have smothered me. I didn’t know which battles were worth waging and which simply weren’t important. I had to rebel against almost everything because I didn’t know which factors would control me and which I could control. I could not accept my father’s money then because I had to prove I could earn my own. I couldn’t accept Hacienda Strand then because I had to prove I deserved to be in charge of it. I couldn’t accept the love of my family because I didn’t know how to keep my family from controlling me.“
„But now you can handle it all? Is that what you’re saying?“
„I’m a woman now, not a child. I’ve proven myself.“
„And you know which battles are worth fighting.“
„Yes.“
Jake regarded her intently. „Heather, this battle over the clause I crossed out of the contract is not worth fighting.“
„And if I happen to believe differently?“
„Then I shall have to decline your kind offer.“ He smiled rather wistfully. „You’re not the only one who’s come home, Heather. The Hacienda Strand is my home now, too. Your parents have made me feel almost like a part of the family. Your father trusts me completely. Your mother thinks I’m going to make you an excellent husband. You yourself plan to work with me day in and day out running the Hacienda. And unless you plan on running off again with some punk on a motorcycle, we’re committed, you and I. We’re in this together for the duration. But if I’m going to link my life and my career with yours then I want a full, 100 percent commitment. I don’t want a ridiculous sham of a marriage. I want the real thing. Hearth, home and family. In exchange for agreeing to all of your terms, I expect you to agree to mine.“
Heather caught her breath, suddenly fiercely aware of the strength in his hands and the unyielding intensity of his eyes. The morning sun beat warmly down on the gardens, coaxing an earthy scent from the rain-moistened ground. That scent seemed to combine with Jake’s clean masculine essence, making her overwhelmingly conscious of him in a way she instinctively knew was dangerous. It was difficult to marshal her thoughts into logical arguments.
There were many things she could have said; should have said. She ought to have pointed out that his career at the Hacienda could be terminated at any time by her. She could have argued that she hadn’t actually ruled out
„Oh, it will be real, all right. My mother’s got a guest list with nearly two hundred names on it and my father has told every one of his golfing buddies that he’s going to have three different brands of champagne at the reception plus a full bar. My sisters called yesterday to say they’ve found the perfect gown and that my little nephew is going to be the ring bearer. Believe me, that sort of pomp and circumstance makes everything very real!“
Jake stopped and put his hands on her shoulders, turning her to face him. Something softened in his expression. „You’re getting nervous, aren’t you?“
„I am not nervous.“ She tried to twist out from under the strong grip of his fingers and found it impossible to move. In rigid annoyance she stood quite still and lifted her chin challengingly.
„Are you sure you’re not starting to wonder just what you’ve gotten yourself into by coming back to Tucson to play the role of the returning prodigal daughter?“ Jake went on gently.
„I’m not playing any role. I’m home, Jake, because this is where I want to be. This desert and those beautiful mountains are in my blood. They’ve always been a part of me. Just as my family is a part of me and just as the Hacienda Strand is a part of me. I had to leave at eighteen or all these things that are a part of me would have smothered me. I didn’t know which battles were worth waging and which simply weren’t important. I had to rebel against almost everything because I didn’t know which factors would control me and which I could control. I could not accept my father’s money then because I had to prove I could earn my own. I couldn’t accept Hacienda Strand then because I had to prove I deserved to be in charge of it. I couldn’t accept the love of my family because I didn’t know how to keep my family from controlling me.“
„But now you can handle it all? Is that what you’re saying?“
„I’m a woman now, not a child. I’ve proven myself.“
„And you know which battles are worth fighting.“
„Yes.“
Jake regarded her intently. „Heather, this battle over the clause I crossed out of the contract is not worth fighting.“
„And if I happen to believe differently?“
„Then I shall have to decline your kind offer.“ He smiled rather wistfully. „You’re not the only one who’s come home, Heather. The Hacienda Strand is my home now, too. Your parents have made me feel almost like a part of the family. Your father trusts me completely. Your mother thinks I’m going to make you an excellent husband. You yourself plan to work with me day in and day out running the Hacienda. And unless you plan on running off again with some punk on a motorcycle, we’re committed, you and I. We’re in this together for the duration. But if I’m going to link my life and my career with yours then I want a full, 100 percent commitment. I don’t want a ridiculous sham of a marriage. I want the real thing. Hearth, home and family. In exchange for agreeing to all of your terms, I expect you to agree to mine.“
Heather caught her breath, suddenly fiercely aware of the strength in his hands and the unyielding intensity of his eyes. The morning sun beat warmly down on the gardens, coaxing an earthy scent from the rain-moistened ground. That scent seemed to combine with Jake’s clean masculine essence, making her overwhelmingly conscious of him in a way she instinctively knew was dangerous. It was difficult to marshal her thoughts into logical arguments.
There were many things she could have said; should have said. She ought to have pointed out that his career at the Hacienda could be terminated at any time by her. She could have argued that she hadn’t actually ruled out
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