Free Marrying the Enemy by Nicola Marsh Page B

cause a relapse.
    ‘Yeah.’ Ruby pointed to the right. ‘You can park there.’
    Jax followed the long, winding driveway shaded by towering pines before pulling up to the side of the main entrance.
    Nerves pinched her gut as he killed the engine.
    ‘You sure you don’t want me to come in with you?’
    She wasn’t sure of anything, least of all the wisdom of marrying the enemy and then having to tell her sister.
    She gnawed on her bottom lip and nodded. ‘It’ll be easier if I see her alone.’
    Lord, she could just imagine the look on her sister’s face if she walked in with him and introduced Jax Maroney.
    Ruby herself had nearly collapsed from the shock that first night at the showroom, so what would it do to Sapphie?
    She fumbled the seat-belt release and he reached across and pushed the button, stilling her shaky hand. ‘Take as long as you like, I’ll be waiting.’
    She’d never heard him anything other than cool and in control, so the sudden hint of emotion in his voice almost undermined her completely.
    She bit her bottom lip and nodded, hoping she wouldn’t cry, hoping he wouldn’t ask her again if she wanted company because this time she might capitulate and say yes.
    Before he could show another glimpse of his surprising tender side she opened the door, wobbled on her stilettos for a second, straightened her sheath and rushed inside.
    * * *
    Ruby had been thankful Jax had offered to drive her here after the wedding but after glimpsing his unexpected caring side, she wasn’t so sure.
    She could handle being married to a recalcitrant grump. A sexy guy with hidden depths? Not so much.
    The last thing she needed was to feel anything other than reluctant lust for her new husband.
    It wasn’t worth the angst falling for someone unattainable and that label fitted Jax Maroney exactly. Emotionally repressed, a loner, who guarded his heart as much as his past, he’d be the last guy she’d fall for.
    Being grateful he had a soft side was one thing, mistaking it for anything other than a guy looking after his investment was another.
    With a wistful sigh she didn’t dare interpret, she entered the foyer, the peace instantly enveloping her.
    She’d initially been wary about her citified, savvy sister spending time at a health farm to recuperate, but her doubts had been assuaged when she’d dropped Sapphie off.
    An appealing mix of five-star hotel and luxury health retreat, Tenang oozed tranquillity, the perfect place for stressed-out executives to find their zen.
    Being surrounded by all this muted music and pastels and soft voices would drive her nuts but Sapphie seemed happy and that was all she cared about.
    Saph had been here five weeks and every time they spoke her go-getter sister seemed stronger and brighter and more like her old self: confident, fit, ready to take on any challenge and win.
    After checking in with the smiling receptionist, Ruby slipped a visitor’s lanyard around her neck and headed for the sprawling rear garden where her sister would be reading by a mineral spring.
    It was Sapphie’s favourite spot and she didn’t blame her, the cushion-covered wrought-iron bench strategically placed beneath a weeping willow offering solitude and privacy.
    She ducked under the branches and spotted her elegant sister wearing a designer leisure suit, sprawled across the bench, the autobiographies she favoured shielding her face.
    ‘Hey, bookworm.’
    Sapphie peeped over the top of her book, her eyes lighting with pleasure. ‘Hi, Rubes, good to see you.’
    ‘You too.’
    Sapphie shifted and Ruby sat and hugged her. ‘You didn’t have to get dressed up to come visit.’
    Ruby mumbled, ‘You don’t know the half of it,’ before pulling up her big-girl panties. Sapphie deserved the truth. Now.
    ‘I’ve got something to tell you, Saph, and I want you to promise you’ll hear me out.’
    Sapphie frowned. ‘This doesn’t sound good.’
    Ruby fixed a bright smile. ‘It’s all good.’
    Sapphie