Free Orchard Valley Brides by Debbie Macomber Page B

pinched his lips closed. Norah suspected it was to prevent himself from unleashing some blistering invective.
    â€œI do have one small piece of information for you, however,” she said matter-of-factly.
    Rowdy’s eyes met hers, his expression inquiring.
    â€œValerie and Colby got home this afternoon.”
    Rowdy reached for the bar and sat upright, his face eager. His eyes sharpened the way they did whenever he felt strongly about something—or in this case, someone. “I need to see her right away,” he said. “See what you can do to arrange it, would you?”

Five
    â€œV alerie is just home from her honeymoon,” Norah felt obliged to remind Rowdy. “You don’t really expect me to drag her up here, do you?”
    Rowdy seemed surprised by her question. “Of course I do. Valerie and I have unfinished business.”
    Norah’s stomach tightened into hard knots. She’d been a fool, standing guard over Rowdy all afternoon, protecting him the way she had. Hurrying to his side the moment her shift ended… That had been her first mistake. She was determined not to make a second one. It wasn’t Norah he wanted doting on him, it was Valerie.
    â€œValerie’s married, Rowdy. Nothing’s going to change that.”
    Pain flashed into his eyes and there was no mistaking the reason. Now, more than ever, Norah realized what a calamity it would be to risk her heart on a man in love with someone else. Especially when that someone was her own sister.
    Suddenly the mist cleared in Norah’s mind. Rowdyhad had her transferred to his floor, not out of any desire to be near her but to have a source of information about Valerie. Even the kiss, the one she’d treasured, had been nothing but a ploy.
    With her heart aching, Norah walked around to the other side of his bed, being careful to avoid the office equipment positioned in every available space.
    â€œI never asked what you expected to accomplish when you flew into Orchard Valley. I assume you were hoping to do more than celebrate Valerie and Colby’s happiness.”
    â€œOh, yes,” Rowdy admitted with an abrupt laugh, “I had to be sure Valerie knew what she was doing.”
    â€œYou couldn’t have believed Valerie would cancel the wedding!”
    â€œThat was something I had to find out. Everyone has their price.”
    His words stunned Norah. “You really think that, don’t you?”
    â€œWhy shouldn’t I? It works. I didn’t want to lose Valerie, but at the same time I wasn’t willing to give her what she wanted. So I gambled. She took me at face value, unfortunately, and I lost, but I might not have—except for the plane crash.”
    Norah shook her head. “What do you mean, you weren’t willing to give Valerie what she wanted? What was that?”
    â€œMarriage.”
    If she’d been shocked before, Norah was completely astounded now. She needed to sit down before her legs gave out. She sank, speechless, into the bedside chair. The man was insane. He apparently believed Valerie had contrived her engagement to Colby with the intention of prompting Rowdy into a wedding proposal.
    â€œI’m not the marrying kind, Norah. Valerie must have known that. I can’t say we ever actually talked about it, but I figure anyone who’s worked with me knows I don’t have time for a wife or family. Don’t need ’em.”
    â€œI’m sure that’s true,” Norah said tightly.
    Rowdy studied her closely. “Are you upset about something?”
    â€œNo. Yes!” She jumped to her feet. “Let me see if I understand you correctly. You want me to bring my sister to you, but as far as I can tell, your reasons for wanting to see her are entirely self-serving. You don’t care about Valerie and Colby. The only person you care about is yourself.”
    He hesitated and his brows knit together as he mulled over her words.