Million Dollar Marriage by MAGGIE SHAYNE Read Free Book Online Page A

she opened her eyes to see him staring at her, one eyebrow
     cocked. “‘Babe buffet’?”
    “Sure. I’ve heard you have a different course every night and still haven’t managed
     to sample every dish in Texas.”
    “Sheesh. My reputation is that bad, huh?”
    “Worse,” she said.
    “Well, it’ll probably surprise you to know I’m thinking about settling down. Getting
     married, even.”
    Her eyes popped open wider and she sat up in the chair. “You’ve got to be kidding
     me.”
    “Nope. I’m dead serious.”
    Something in her belly clenched just a little. “I…didn’t realize you were seeing anyone…special.”
    “I’m not.”
    “Then…then who’s this woman you’re planning to marry?”
    Holden shrugged. “I haven’t decided yet.”
    She frowned at him. “Excuse me?”
    He sent her a look of exasperation. “My father’s will came with a catch. I can’t inherit
     until I marry a—and I quote—‘woman of good reputation.”’
    She tried to stifle a snort of disbelief, but it came out all the same.
    “Yeah. I thought it was pretty unbelievable, too,” he said.
    “Hell, Holden, what’s unbelievable is that any woman of good reputation would have
     you.”
    He slanted a narrow gaze on her. “I’d take offense at that remark if it wasn’t the
     God’s honest truth.”
    “At least you admit it.”
    “So, you wouldn’t even consider it, huh?”
    It was not a proposal. She knew that. It was sarcasm. But it still made her heart
     do an odd little flip-flop in her chest. “Not on your life,” she replied, her tone
     level.
    He shrugged. “Hell, it was worth a try.” He sighed deeply, shaking his head. “So what
     would I have to do to make a woman of good reputation give me a shot, do you think?”
    “Oh, come on. The greatest Romeo in Texas is asking me for advice on how to win a
     woman?”
    “Well, yes. A real woman. I don’t need any help with bimbos, you know. Real women
     are a whole other breed.”
    She tilted her head to one side. “At least you’re aware there’s a difference.”
    “So?”
    Lucinda leaned back again. “So…you’d have to change your ways, I suppose. Promise
     not to cheat. Real women, as you call them, are not fond of sharing.”
    “It would be an effort, but I could give it a try.”
    She rolled her eyes. “I imagine this woman you choose would have a lot of trouble
     with all the others you’ve had. You know, she’d probably believe you were constantly
     comparing her to them. You’d have to convince her she was…special. So special that
     thefirst time you were with her you forgot every other woman you ever had.”
    Holden’s brows lowered. “That would be piling it on a bit, don’t you think?”
    “Maybe. For you. I guess the most effective thing you could do would be to actually
     love the woman, but I suppose that’s beyond your…range, as well, hmm?” He only stared
     at her blankly. She sighed. “I thought so.” Then she shrugged. “I guess my best advice
     to you, Holden, is to make a business arrangement with some woman. Find one you think
     you might be able to stand for, uh, how long would you need to be married to inherit?”
    “A year,” he said.
    “A year, then. I’m sure some woman somewhere would be willing to play the part of
     happy bride for a year, then let you off the hook. For the right price, I mean.”
    He nodded slowly. “So you think the only way I could get a decent woman to marry me
     would be to pay her?”
    She shrugged. “It was just a thought.”
    Soft footsteps outside made Lucinda look up. The door opened and Lily peered inside.
     “Holden, Sheriff Grayhawk would like to speak to you now.”
    He glanced at Lucy, then at the two in the bed. “I don’t really want to leave you
     here alone,” he told her. “If they wake up again…”
    “I’ll stay with her, Holden,” Lily said softly. Holden looked at her, looked at Lucy,
     lifted his brows.
    “We’ll be fine,” Lucinda assured