A TEMPORARY MARRIAGE: PART ONE (AVALON BAY ROMANCE SERIES Book 1) by Vicky Dean Read Free Book Online Page A

me money, with which I can loan you, plus I know where you can get some excellent, affordable labor.” He laughed at his joke, which made Cassie laugh. It helped open up the gateway to a better, more relaxed conversation.  “Maybe as the owner of Primrose House and my wife they might loan the money direct to you. I don’t know, really, but seeing if you like the idea is really what’s most important.”
    His words made her heart leap. They were kind and thoughtful, concern for her, not his inheritance. “I love the idea, and I’m in,” Cassie blurted.
    “In? Like ‘in in’?” Richard said, fumbling on his words.
    “Yes,” she replied, laughing at how he’d responded.
    “Oh my gosh, this is great,” he said, sounding so relieved.
    “Well, to us,” Cassie said, lifting her wine glass.
    “To us and this crazy venture, may it work the way we both want,” Richard said. They clanked glasses and drank the wine. Cassie couldn’t help but get wrapped up in the moment. She was engaged, technically, she guessed.
    “Are you going to want a ring?” he asked.
    She almost choked on the bite of food she’d just taken. “I have no idea, I hadn’t thought about it. Seems silly to spend that much money for something temporary,” she said. “Maybe just a platinum band since it has to look convincing.”
    “Anything you need,” Richard said.
    “I can keep my name, right?”
    “Grandfather said nothing about that, although I’m certain he would have put something in there if he’d thought of it.”
    “So, we’ve put one over on him,” Cassie said with a laugh.
    The rest of the night was fun and relaxing, more like a first date than a getting engaged date. But it was getting late and she had to get some sleep.
    As Richard walked her back to her apartment building, hungry taxis looking for fares prowled the darkened streets. They stood at the front stoop, again, and it was a bit of a more intense feeling this time. There was this energy there, but now acting on it meant something significantly more than just testing the waters. Richard leaned in and gave her a quick, disappointing kiss on her cheek and then she walked in, the smell of his spiced cinnamon scent lingering.
    ***
    “Mom, it’s me,” Cassie said when her mother answered the phone.
    “Is everything all right?”
    “Everything is good, Mom. I’m sorry to phone so late, but I wanted you to know first.”
    “Did you get your promotion?”
    “Yes and no. They are going to be giving me the promotion, but not for another year or so because the Royal Oak is going to be renovated,” Cassie said before taking a deep breath. “So, I’ve asked for a year’s leave of absence and I’ve accepted Richard’s proposal.”
    It was so silent on the phone that Cassie couldn’t hear even a breath. Finally, her mother asked, “Are you sure about this, Cassie?”
    “Yes Mom, I am. It’s an arrangement that will help everyone.”
    “So you got engaged by phone?” her mother asked.
    “No, Richard came to see me today and suggested I turn Primrose House into a boutique hotel. I’ll own my own hotel, Mom. A dream come true.”
    “But will you be able to keep up the pretense of been married, when it’s not a proper marriage. I worry it will be a strain on you. Richard, although I like him, is well known for been a playboy.”
    “Well, if he wants people to believe the marriage is for real, he’ll have to curb his play for a year,” Cassie said and laughed.
    “Oh Cassie,” her mother scolded.
    “Mom, it’ll work out because it has to. Why don’t you just think about the wedding? You and Aunt Maggie will have a wedding to arrange.”
    “Wow, sweetie, okay,” she said. “Your Aunt Maggie wants to talk with you, too.”
    “Cassie,” her aunt trilled down the phone. “I couldn’t help but hear you’ve accepted Richard’s proposal. I am so excited…for you, of course.”
    “I’m going to turn Primrose House into a boutique hotel.”
    “What