Yesterday's Bride (20 page)

"You do!" he cried exultantly, enveloping her in a swift hug. "Then why didn't you say so?"

The smile she gave him was dazzling. "Because I didn't think you cared."

He groaned. "Not care! God knows, I tried not to. How I tried! The trouble was, ever since I saw you at your grandfather's funeral I haven't had a moment's peace. My dreams kept being invaded by a tempting blonde. I would find myself thinking about you at odd times of the day and night. That's never happened to me before. I cursed myself for being all kinds of a fool, but it didn't matter. I still wanted you."

Leigh cuddled up to him. "You certainly hid it well," she teased.

He pulled her over to sit on the bed, keeping her close in the circle of his arms.

"I was scared," he admitted. "I didn't want to let myself in for what my father had suffered, putting my happiness in the hands of a beautiful woman." When he paused, Leigh nodded to let him know she understood about his father. Her fingers went up to tenderly cup his cheek.

"You were right, you know," he said slowly. "I didn't love you when I married you. Oh, the germ of attraction was there, but I was looking for a docile wife, one who wouldn't make demands. When you ran away, I was furious, but decided I was better off without you. Then I saw you again and got knocked for a loop." His eyes dwelt lovingly on her radiant features. "Your wanting an annulment gave me the perfect excuse. When I forced you to come here to take care of Jody, I intended to get you out of my system once and for all. Instead, you wangled into my heart. The way you cared for Jody, taking an interest in that old cottage." Wryly he shook his head. "You are some woman, Leigh. I was hooked but I didn't know how much until Dan Morgan appeared and tried to talk you into going back to New York with him. When I thought I might lose you, I realized how much I love you." She trembled in his arms.

"I had to make you stay—I couldn't wait for you to fall in love with me. But you had to stay willingly, because once I took you, I'd never let you go."

"My darling," she breathed, kissing him lightly, "this is too wonderful to be true."

"Believe it. It's true all right." Fiercely he pulled her to him. "As soon as Bob and Clare have taken Jody, we'll go away—to an island somewhere. It's time we started our life together," he said huskily.

Pressed so close to him she could feel his heartbeats, Leigh couldn't have agreed more.