Free Theirs to Treasure (Beyond Monogamy Book 1) by Marissa Dobson Page A

stared out at the mountains, wishing she was skiing down one of them. “I just got home, but I’ll get started in the morning and will be in touch soon.” After one last deeper background check is complete on all three of you.
    “That’s not why I called. The guys and I were talking after you left, and we think in order for you to find a perfect wife for us, you need to come back.”
    “I’ve gathered the answers I need for the search.” She pushed the sliding glass door open and stepped inside. Immediately the heat began to warm her and she was able to focus. “There’s no need for another visit at this stage.”
    “This upcoming Saturday we’re having an informal family get together with my parents and Kain’s parents. I think if you met our families, because they’re the people we’re closest to, it will give you another insight on what we need in a spouse.”
    “Mr. Dalton…Aiden, I’m not sure I’m available this weekend.”
    “I understand you have other clients and commitments, but I think it will give you a better idea of us. A different side of each of us you couldn’t see in an interview.”
    “It’s been a long day.” She rolled her shoulders. “Can I get back to you tomorrow? Once I check my planner and talk to my family. With London going out of town tomorrow I need to make sure things are covered here.”
    “Very well.” He paused and she heard his desk chair creak forward. Instantly her thoughts were filled with him behind the grand desk, the pastures, and mountains in the background, before her imagination took a more erotic turn, his voice pulled her back. “There are rumors that your mother is sick again.”
    She stayed quiet. The family had decided to keep the fact that her mother’s cancer had returned quiet. They didn’t want anyone focused on that, especially not with Mathew currently prosecuting the woman who killed her own daughter while on vacation.
    “Shall I take your silence as an admission?”
    “Mr. Dalton, my family business is just that, my business.” She knew she couldn’t afford to be snippy with this client but she needed to set up boundaries.
    “Very well. I’ll give you a call tomorrow night and see if you will grace our gathering with your presence. Until then, Paris, I hope your dreams are full of wonders of the future.” With that, he clicked off, not giving her time to say goodbye or anything else.
    She stood there holding the phone, wondering why she didn’t agree to the family gathering. At least then she’d be closer to him and the others, even if it was only for a short time before she matched them. Soon her time with them would be over and she’d be able to get back to her normal life and try to forget them. You’ll never be able to forget them.

Chapter Seven
     
    The dark and threatening sky matched Paris’s mood. She sat behind her desk, the work piling up, but she couldn’t keep her thoughts on anything. How did one deal with knowing death’s long fingers were closing in for the kill? If she could discover the answer for that, she might be able to get back to the things that needed to be completed by the end of the day.
    London had taken the news as she expected he would and hadn’t wanted to catch his plane. After countless promises to call him and send Jake for him if anything happened, she had managed to get him out the door and on his way. Now that he was gone she half wished he’d stayed. There was nothing he could have done but at least she’d have someone to talk to, to confide in. Her dads were too busy caring for Mom and didn’t need to be bothered by her fears.
    “Busy?” Paul stood in the door frame in the jeans and t-shirt he favored when he was around the house.
    “Not really. What’s up?” She tried to keep her tone light and not let her emotions show through.
    “Mom wants to see you.”
    “How is she?” She laid her pen aside and pushed her chair back.
    “Tired but at least she’s been able to eat