Free Promoted to Wife (Destiny Bay) by Helen Conrad

against the notebook she carried. Think professional , she told herself. “Not the way you do it,” she snapped out crisply.
    Devilment lit his eyes as he leaned back in his chair to observe her. “This disturbs you. What an old-fashioned girl.”
    As she hesitated in the doorway, he rose suddenly, coming to take her hands and lead her into the room. “I have on exactly three layers of clothing, you little idiot,” he said smoothly as he deposited her in the chair opposite his. “What could I possibly do to you without calling a time-out of at least five minutes to change?”
    She flushed, crossing her legs nervously. “That's not the point. It's the principle of the thing. I don't think you should be in these... bedroom clothes when we meet.”
    He grinned. “Are you concerned about your reputation—or mine?”
    “Both.”
    He nodded, pursing his lips. “Five minutes,” he muttered hopefully as he resumed his seat. “Want to time me?”
    Avoiding his gaze, she flipped open her notebook and wrote the date at the top of a blank page. “We have some things to discuss.”
    “Do we?” He made a face as though he thought this was going to be bitter medicine. “Your tone of voice does not entice me.”
    Ignoring him, she went on. “We should get plans straight. I need a list of the guests expected, the parties you plan to give, the people you want to entertain.”
    He groaned. “Now?”
    “Now.” She gave him a steely look. “I need time to prepare.”
    His mouth turned down at the corners. “It's going to be more work being the so-called master of the house than I'd thought.”
    She glanced up at him. “You haven't actually done it before?”  
    He shook his head. “No. I don't have any servants at my own house. Only ranch hands. And they're a different breed.”
    “I'll bet.” So, they were both new at working out the boundaries of this relationship. She took in a deep breath and frowned. The good thing was, he wouldn’t know when she was messing up. The bad thing was, he wouldn’t be able to help her avoid it.  
    “Don’t you have a couple of sisters?” she asked, suddenly remembering.  
    He nodded. “Kathy is the Olympic swimmer. She’s in training for an international meet later this summer so you probably won’t see her around. And Shelley, my baby sister, is a psychologist right here in Destiny Bay. She’s a doll. She might drop by at any time.”  
    Suddenly she remembered that it was a special day. “Oh, by the way. Happy birthday.”
    He looked surprised that she'd remembered, surprised and pleased. Every time he showed his vulnerability that way, she found herself weakening toward him. If only he were consistently arrogant, it would all be so much eas ier.
    “Thanks,” he said, his gaze searching hers as though hoping for some pleasurable surprises.  
    That helped put things back into perspective. Casting him a frosty glare, she looked back down at her note book. “We can go over the details of your entertainment schedule later, if you prefer,” she said. “But why don't you fill me in on Aunt Julia right now? I had no idea you were expecting to have a guest so soon.”
    From the twinkle in his eye she could see that Aunt Julia was a favorite of his. “Julia isn't a guest,” he exclaimed. “She stays here more often than I do. She's my grandfather's sister and you'll love her. She won't cause you a bit of trouble.”
    There was trouble, and then there was trouble. If Aunt Julia took a liking to her, that was all well and good. But if not—Grandfather might get called in, for all Terry knew. She'd reserve judgment on this one, and try to be ready for anything.
    “There is one problem, though,” he mentioned, then he laughed. “She'll be bringing someone along with her. She always does.”
    “Oh? Who is it?”
    He shrugged. “She's different every time. You see, Aunt Julia is sort of a traveling smorgasbord of marriage prospects.”
    Totally at sea, Terry shook her