Free Newlywed Games by Mary Davis Page B

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    “If you give me your key, I’ll have a copy made.”
    Meghann shook her head. “You don’t have to do that.”
    “That’s all right,” he said. “If you’re not comfortable with my having a key to your cottage, don’t worry about it. We’ll work around it.”
    “No, that’s not it at all.” She reached out, putting her hand on his arm. “I already have a spare key. It’s under the front lip of the porch by the top rail post on the right. But you have to watch out for spiders and crawly things.” She shuddered at the thought and realized she was still touching his arm. As casually as her suddenly racing pulse would allow, she pulled her hand away and picked a couple of minimuffins and a half of a bagel from the plate. “I’ll get it later when I check on Lucky.” She meticulously spread cream cheese back and forth on her bagel until it was completely covered.
    “You missed a spot.” Bruce’s voice broke in. The bagel came into focus, and she set it aside. She looked straight at Bruce and held his gaze.
    “Mr. Halloway, is there anything I can do or say to get you to change your mind?”
    “Call me Bruce,” he said in a voice designed to disarm her, “after all, we
are
married.” He gently lifted his eyebrows.
    Oh no you don’t. You’re not going to distract me with charm.
    Not completely, anyway. With pure force of will, she shook off the haze of attraction his tone had created and pulled herself together.
    Kind of.
    She stared at him, then frowned. She’d been sayingSomething…something important…what was it—
    “You wanted to change my mind.” His smile was broader now, and just a bit smug.
    Crossing her arms with a huff, she nodded. “Would you
please
reconsider a business trip? It’d be simpler for everyone, especially you.”
    “But not nearly as much fun.”
    Fun!
Her mouth went dry. “Won’t you please go away?”
    “Are you trying to get rid of me?” He leaned back in his chair, effecting a perfect wounded little boy expression.
    Her reply was without hesitation. “Absolutely.”
    He clutched his chest as if a mighty blow had struck him in the heart. She was going crazy here and he was playing games! When she didn’t laugh or even smile at his antics, he sobered. “Meghann, you aren’t still worried I’ll impose myself upon you, are you?”
    “Let’s see…you spent the night on my living room floor with a black Lab as a companion, and last night you slept on a sofa. I just have to wonder how long you will put up with it. You can’t be sleeping well.”
    “You don’t trust me?” He sounded mildly offended.
    “No, it’s not that.”
    “You don’t trust yourself then? Should I be worried
you
will try to take advantage of
me?”
    “No. Yes.
No.”
She took a slow, deep breath. “I mean, I feel like I’m already taking advantage of your
kindness.”
How had the conversation gone astray so quickly?
    “I’ll take a room at the hotel, then. Will that make you feel better?”
    No! “A month in a hotel room would be very expensive.”
    “There are generally always a few empty rooms. I’ll use one of those until we fill up just before the ball and won’t have to pay a thing. Feel better?”
    Not really.
    “Meg.”
    At the soft word, she focused on him, taking in the sincerity in his eyes, the slight smile on his lips. He reached out to give her hand a light squeeze. “Everything will work out. You’ll see. Just relax.”
    She nodded, swallowing against the tears his gentle words had sparked. As though sensing she needed some time to herself, he excused himself and disappeared into the bedroom. A minute later, her mother came out of her room. Meghann hoped she hadn’t overheard any of her conversation with Bruce.
    Speaking of the devil, he reappeared a few minutes later, dressed in a crisp suit. “Sorry to desert you ladies, but duty calls.” He came up behind Meg and rested both warm hands on her shoulders. All her senses came alert and she had to