Free The Outsider by Rosalyn West Page A

smile lingering on his face with a confidence she couldn’t quite share.
    But she couldn’t argue with his logic, nor could she deny that what he offered was far better than any of the alternatives.
    She took his hand gingerly. His fingers closed about hers in a careful press, but even so, she was quick to pull away.
    “I think you should start calling me Starla rather than Miss Fairfax. What do I call you?”
    “Call me Dodge. Tomorrow you can call me husband.”
    “You’re what?”
    Patrice had none of Reeve’s trouble accepting the incredible news. With a squeal of “That’s wonderful!” she threw her arms around first Starla then Dodge while beaming in self-congratulation.
    “Are you both insane?” Reeve demanded. “You don’t even know each other! When did this happen?”
    “Just now.” Dodge’s hand curled protectively over Starla’s, containing it for a show of support, and also to hide how his own were shaking.
    “Tell me it’s going to be a long, long engagement.”
    To his friend’s dismay, Dodge said, “Tomorrow.”
    Reeve threw up his hands and stalked across the room, muttering, “Are you sure you weren’t shot in the head instead of the back?”
    Patrice scowled at her husband, then went on totake full credit for the match. “I knew you two would be right for one another. Didn’t I tell you, Dodge? Didn’t I tell you she’d be worth holding on for?”
    He smiled. “Yes, you did.”
    Obviously she had no trouble accepting their announcement as fated, but Dodge could see Reeve wasn’t going to be as easy to convince. Starla stood at his side, her hand still and cold within his, her face void of expression. No help there in convincing his friend that she’d fallen blindly in love.
    “We’d like to do it here,” he went on hopefully, “with the two of you as our witnesses.”
    Reeve narrowed a stare at him. “What’s the hurry?”
    “She’s pregnant.”
    He heard Starla’s gasp and tightened his grip on her hand. Both Reeve and Patrice were looking between them in unabashed shock.
    “Who’s—” was all Patrice could manage.
    “Mine.” He spoke the word so firmly and forcefully that to question further would be calling him a liar. Neither challenged him, though both knew he wasn’t the father. Starla’s fingers squeezed through his as she held up her head and stared at the other couple boldly. It didn’t take any more explaining for them to understand what was behind the Sudden decision.
    “Dodge, have you thought this out?” Reeve asked at last.
    “If you don’t want us to get married here, just say so,” he growled, bristling up with unexpected belligerence.
    “That’s not what I said.”
    “Then just what the hell are you saying?”
    Reeve glanced at Starla in awkward apology. “Excuse us a minute, Starla. The best man needs a word with the groom.”
    When he gripped Dodge’s arm, the banker balked, but when Reeve wouldn’t relent, Dodge finally went with him, following him down the hall to Squire Glendower’s study, where Reeve poured them both glasses of whiskey. Reeve gulped his down before speaking.
    “What the hell are you doing?”
    “Getting married.”
    “To a woman you don’t know? Who doesn’t even like you?”
    Dodge gave a wry smile. “I’ll grow on her.”
    “I’m glad you think this is so damned amusing.
    “I don’t.” He faced his friend with a deadly seriousness. “I know exactly what I’m doing. I’m doing her a favor and she’s doing one for me.”
    “Taking marriage vows isn’t the same as trading favors, Dodge.”
    “Don’t you think I know that?”
    “I don’t think you’re thinking at all. Starla Fairfax isn’t the kind of woman—”
    Dodge glared at him. “Starla isn’t what? The kind you marry? Is that what you were going to say?”
    Reeve sighed in exasperation. “I’ve known her all my life. There isn’t a man alive she hasn’t made eyes at. She’s always had a reputation as a tease, and now she