My Heart's Desire by Jo Goodman Read Free Book Online Page B

order since you appear rooted to the floor."
    Rennie was indeed rooted. The arrow of hair on his belly drew her eyes as he stood, and the outline of his groin in the towel held her attention. The words came rushing out hoarsely. "We've been invited to a wedding," she said. "My sister's marrying your friend within the hour." Turning on her heel, Rennie fled.
    "Wait a minute!" Jarret called after her as she disappeared into the hallway. By the time he reached the door, Rennie had already vanished into one of the neighboring rooms.
    Jarret dressed quickly and sought out Moira. He found her in the front parlor using the beveled mirror above the fireplace to adjust the brooch on her shawl. Her concentration was such that his first words frightened her.
    "I'm sorry," he said as Moira lifted her index finger to her mouth, "Did you hurt yourself?" He approached and drew out her hand, examining the injured finger.
    "A scratch," she said. A pinpoint of blood clung stubbornly to the tip. She accepted the handkerchief Jarret offered her as well as his assistance in fastening the brooch. She noticed his large hands were not at all clumsy when it came to delicate tasks.
    From the doorway Rennie took note of the same thing. Over Jarret's shoulder Moira caught her daughter's bemused expression; then she caught her daughter's eye. Moira was not surprised when Rennie's immediate response was to throw up her guard and pretend she had never been observed in a moment of vulnerability. Rennie liked to believe her thoughts were impenetrable. Perhaps that was the case in the boardroom, Moira thought, but not here, not with her family.
    Jarret smoothed the shawl over Moira's slender shoulders; then his hands fell to his side. "Your daughter told me Mary Michael and Ethan are marrying tonight. Can that be true?"
    Before Moira could answer, Rennie interrupted from the threshold. "I'm not in the habit of lying, Mr. Sullivan."
    Moira leveled Rennie with a stern look and a no-nonsense tone. "I don't think that's what Jarret meant, Mary Renee." She turned her attention back to Jarret. "Apparently it's quite true," she said. "I confess I was surprised myself when the messenger arrived with the invitation. Michael's timing leaves something to be desired."
    "Better now," Rennie said, quickly rising to her twin's defense, "than after you've all left for the summerhouse."
    "Yes," Moira said, sighing. "You're right, of course. It's only that I can't see the sense of rushing now."
    "She's seven months pregnant, Mother."
    "That's just it. Rushing would have been in order seven months ago." Moira went to the sideboard and poured herself a small glass of sherry. "I can't help but wonder if that man's marrying her because of the baby."
    Now it was Jarret who spoke up in defense of his friend. "Ethan's about the bravest man I know, save for where your daughter's concerned. That baby may have given him the courage to ask Michael for her hand, but don't think for a minute he's not stupid in love with her."
    Rennie smirked. "Stupid in love," she said, offering Jarret a sherry. "What an apt expression."
    Moira watched her daughter and Jarret over the rim of her glass. "No possibility of that happening to either of you," she said solemnly.
    Neither of them heard the faint sarcasm in Moira's tone or caught the mocking gleam in her eye. They answered in unison. "No possibility."
    As far as Moira was concerned, their chorus meant they were already working together.

 
     
     
    Chapter 2

     
    Everyone was gathered in the judge's darkly paneled chambers. Jarret appreciated anew the power and influence of even the illegitimate side of John MacKenzie Worth's family. Judge Halsey was a long-time friend of Jay Mac's as well as Mary Michael's godfather. He seemed to be taking circumstances quite in stride, as if it were not at all unusual to perform a wedding in his private chambers shortly before midnight.
    In the hush before the ceremony was ready to begin, Jarret asked Rennie,