Free Marry in Haste... by Karen Rose Smith Page A

weeks,” he remarked.
    â€œI, uh, we haven’t talked about a whole lot yet,” Mallory said, feeling guilty because everyone was being so nice.
    Zane chuckled. “Newlyweds aren’t supposed to do a lot of talking. And speaking of being newlyweds, I think Gwen and I will turn in. Our kids will be up at the crack of dawn.”
    Gwen told Mallory, “He became an instant dad of three when he married me six months ago.”
    Zane clasped his wife’s hand and gave her a little tug toward him. “See you later,” he said, then added, “or maybe not. How about the four of us go out sometime? We can show Mallory some of San Antonio before Dawson gets back.”
    Reed nodded, and Zane and Gwen left the great room, going down a hall toward a suite of rooms. After speaking to them a few minutes longer, Ryan also moved away to mingle.
    Looking down at Mallory, Reed asked, “Would you like to get something to eat? Or go back to the cabin?”
    Pretense wasn’t her style. At least back at the cabin, they both knew where they stood. “It’s been a long day. If you don’t mind, I’d like to go back.”
    â€œEveryone will understand if we leave.”
    Because they were supposed to be on their honeymoon.
    After a round of goodbyes and winks and smiles, they left. A full moon lighted their way as they drove back to the cabin. Once there, Mallory climbed out of the truck and took a deep breath of the night air. It was much different here than in San Francisco, starker in some ways, the beauty more primitive. But she liked it.
    As they walked up the path to the front door, she made sure her elbow didn’t touch Reed’s, and as he opened the door and she passed by him, she made sure she didn’t breathe in his scent or glance at his rugged profile. There was too much about Reed Fortune that she found as primitive as the Texas landscape.
    Reed followed Mallory into the cabin. She had been quiet all evening, and he felt he had to address the reason. Apparently her mind had been on the same track as his because she stopped in the doorway to the bedroom. “How long were you engaged?”
    Since he’d met Mallory, Stephanie had definitely gotten pushed to the background, and he was beginning to wonder why. After all, he’d planned a future with the woman and now, only a few days after their breakup, he seemed to be over her. The loyal, committed type, he’d waited a long time to settle down. He should be more upset, but he didn’t know how to explain that to Mallory.
    â€œA year and a half,” he answered, hanging his Stetson on the rack by the door.
    â€œWhy did she break it off?”
    â€œShe married another man.”
    â€œI see,” Mallory said quietly, and he could sense exactly what she was thinking—that she’d been absolutely right about him marrying her in a fit of pique or using her to salve a bruised ego. He couldn’t tell her she was wrong.
    â€œDo you want to take a shower?” she asked, changing the subject. “If you do, I’ll go outside and wait.”
    â€œGoing outside alone at night isn’t a good idea.”
    â€œThen I can wait in the kitchen,” she said.
    She was making it clear she didn’t want to be anywhere near him. That not only annoyed him but made him angry, as well.
    â€œYou can wait in the living room and be comfortable while you’re doing it. I’m not going to throw open the door to the bathroom, toss you on the bed, and have my way with you. Didn’t I prove that already?”
    â€œAlthough you explained what happened when we got back to your motel room, I don’t have to believe it. Maybe you’re the one who passed out first.”
    Exasperated with the tension between them as well as with his desire for her, he snapped, “Wait where you want, Mallory. Just don’t go outside alone, and keep the door locked.” His voice was rough