One Week in Your Arms by Patricia Preston Read Free Book Online

there will be two art galleries in the center building. Rotating exhibits will be featured upstairs. The courtyard leads to an open theater for concerts, ballet, and summer plays,” he explained as she bent to get a closer look at the model.
    â€œThe two buildings on either side of the main building will feature first-floor classrooms and studios for art, music, dance, or writing classes. The second floor of these buildings will be housing for artists-in-residence.”
    She marveled at the style and detail. A small pond was located in the center of a garden. Perfect for an artist. For a moment, she imagined Sophie as a young woman, sitting on one of those benches, sketching.
    â€œWhere are you planning to build it?”
    â€œIn the Dallas area, I hope.” He rounded the table and stopped beside her. He was close enough that she caught a whiff of his sandalwood aftershave. Within, her body hummed and she made an artful step away from him. Distance was always a good thing when it came to danger.
    â€œListen, I don’t mean to be taking up your time like this. I do have some reports I’d like you to see—” she began, and he cut in.
    â€œI know you’re not familiar with Truman Crawford,” Carson said. “But he’s a man of considerable wealth and influence in Texas.”
    Carson gestured toward the model. “I need Truman to help me make this project a reality. It’ll take Truman to pull strings when it comes down to acquiring land and permits, selling the project to local officials, helping find investors. That sort of thing. It’ll be no small feat to make this happen.”
    â€œI see,” she remarked with a perfunctory nod.
    â€œThe thing about Truman is that he and his wife, Julia, think it’s their duty to look out for me. They were very close to my parents. Like family,” he explained. “They are my godparents, and they think it’s time for me to settle down and get married. Julia is trying to find me Mrs. Right.”
    â€œOh.” Now she knew he was unattached at the present, but she refused to let her heart rejoice.
    â€œI’m sure you’ve been subjected to matchmaking disasters, haven’t you?”
    â€œSome.” They weren’t actually disasters. A few of the men were great, but there was no spark. None of them had given her tachycardia. None of them had made her heart bounce in her chest like now.
    â€œTruman and Julia are at Kingsford, a resort I built on the island of Kauai, and he wants to meet with me about this project. The problem is that Julia has found another candidate for Mrs. Right.”
    Marla blinked. She knew all about being Mrs. Wrong.
    â€œI need to win Truman’s support for this project without having to fool around with some woman I could care less about,” Carson said bluntly.
    She decided to offer advice. “Just tell Mrs. Crawford that you aren’t interested.”
    â€œI’ve tried that. It doesn’t work.”
    â€œI see.” Marla studied him for a moment. “Oh, I know! Tell her you have mononucleosis. It’s a virus that most people think is transmitted through kissing, but that’s not always the case, and it does take a while to get over it.”
    â€œI know what mono is,” he retorted, annoyed.
    She sighed. “I don’t have any other suggestions, and if you don’t mind, I’d like to go ahead with my presentation about the clinic.”
    â€œAm I boring you?” He was definitely annoyed.
    â€œNo, but there’s nothing I can do about your personal dilemmas.”
    â€œThat’s where you’re wrong.” He smiled slowly like a poker player about to lay down four aces, and a strange sense of uneasiness spread through her.
    â€œTruman just called a few minutes ago, and I told him I had found someone special.” Carson gave her a pointed look. “You.”
    â€œWhat?” she gasped.