Wed on His Terms: Million-Dollar Marriage Merger. Charlene Sands

been years since she’d known what it was like to simply have something she wanted without guilt.

      Next they took the trolley to Fisherman’s Wharf and ate clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls, then stopped at an ice cream parlor and ate sundaes until Rena thought her belly would expand out of her pants. “Oh, I’m so full.”

      â€œMe, too,” Tony said, looking at her empty dish. “I guess you never get over loving hot fudge over strawberry ice cream.”

      â€œWith nuts on top.”

      â€œHmm and whipped cream. Remember the whipped cream fight we had?” Tony asked.

      Rena remembered how they’d each taken out a can of Reddi-wip from Tony’s refrigerator. No one was home and they’d just finished eating sundaes. “Yeah and you cheated!”

      â€œI did not. I fight fair. I couldn’t help it that your nozzle got stuck.”

      â€œYou took advantage then and squirted me until I was covered with it. That stuff even got in my hair.”

      â€œYou were sweet from head to toe,” Tony said with a nostalgic smile.

      The memory popped into her head of Tony kissing it off her until kissing wasn’t enough. He’d taken her to his bedroom then, stripped her down and licked every bit of the whipped cream off. They’d made love in the shower, deciding that strawberry sundaes were their favorite dessert.

      â€œI never have whipped cream without thinking of you,” Tony said, his eyes fixed on hers.

      Her cheeks heated and she inhaled sharply. “That was a long time ago.” What she didn’t add is that the same held true for her.

      â€œBut a good memory.”

      â€œI don’t think about the past anymore,” she fibbed.

      He watched her intently. “Maybe you should. We had something special.”

      â€œ'Had’ being the key word.” She refused to let Tony get to her.

      Tony leaned over and kissed her on the lips. “Let’s go,” he said abruptly, taking her hand again. They rode the trolley back and checked out of the hotel. Rena took one last look around, feeling oddly sentimental. She blamed it on her fickle hormones.

      When Rena thought they’d head back to Napa, Tony drove her to a four-story shopping mall and parked the car. “What are we doing here?”

      He grinned. “We’re getting baby things.”

      â€œBaby things?”

      â€œI promised you a fun day, and I figured a new mother-to-be would enjoy picking out furniture and clothes and whatever else the baby might need.”

      â€œReally?” Tempted by such an elaborate offer, Rena’s heart raced with excitement. Offhand, she could think of dozens of items she’d need for the baby’s arrival, and quite frankly, she didn’t know how she’d manage to pay for all of it. Other than shopping at thrift stores, she was truly at a loss.

      â€œI haven’t a clue what a baby needs,” Tony said, getting out of the car and opening the door for her.

      â€œI’m on new ground here, too.” She took his outstretched hand. “We’d always talked about having children, but—” Rena stopped and slipped her hand from his, her heart in her throat. How could she do this? How could she look at cribs and bassinets and baby swings when this was a dream she and David shared together? They’d always wanted a family. The time had never been right. She refused to think of the life growing inside her as an accident, but they hadn’t really planned on this baby.

      Rena ached inside thinking that David would never know his child. He’d never change a diaper, kiss its face or watch it take its first step. He’d never go to a ballet recital or little league game. He’d never know the joy of seeing his child develop into a smart-alecky teen or fall in love one day. David would have been there for his child. He’d have seen his son or daughter through the good times and the bad, because David was loyal and devoted. He would have made a wonderful father.

      Rena’s legs went weak suddenly. Her body trembled, and she knew she couldn’t do this. She glanced at Tony, her voice a quiet plea. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I’m ready for this.”

      Tony drew in a breath. “Right.” He closed his eyes briefly, and Rena noted genuine pain there. “Okay, we’ll do this another time. When you’re ready.”

      She sighed with relief. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate—”

      â€œI get it, Rena. I’m not the baby’s father. Enough said.”

      Tony got back into his car and revved the engine, waiting for her to climb inside. She bit her lip and held back tears as she sank into the car. They drove to Napa in silence, Rena glancing at Tony’s stony expression every once in a while.

      She knew in her head that David was gone. He was her past, while this angry man sitting beside her was her future.

      The irony struck her anew.

      How many times had she hoped to be Tony Carlino’s wife? Only to find now she should have been more careful what she’d wished for.

       Six

      Tony drove to Napa, a debate going on in his head. On one hand, he knew Rena still grieved, but on the other hand, he’d taken responsibility for her. She was his wife now. He couldn’t let her dictate the terms of their relationship, not if he planned to really honor David’s dying wish. So he drove past Purple Fields and down the highway leading to his home.

      â€œWhere are we going?” she asked.

      â€œTo my house.”

      Rena slanted him a dubious look. “Why?”

      â€œJust stopping by to pick up some of my clothes to bring to Purple Fields.”

      Rena blinked before realizing his intent. “This was supposed to be a secret marriage, Tony. We can’t live together.”

      Tony expected this argument. He pulled to the side of the road and stopped the car. Immediately, Rena’s shoulders stiffened. She sat up straighter in the seat and faced him. Before he spoke, he searched her face for a long moment, reining in his anger. “Rena, we’re not announcing to the public we’re married. But I can’t possibly work with you at Purple Fields and—”

      â€œWatch out for me,” she finished for him with a twist of her full lips.

      She tried his patience, but Tony held firm. He’d made up his mind about this and decided it was best for both of them. “We’ll be discreet. Purple Fields isn’t exactly bustling with crowds.”

      â€œThanks for the reminder.” “Rena, listen. All I’m saying is that you don’t have a big staff that will spread gossip through the county. The place isn’t on the main highway. In fact, you’re in a remote location.”

      Rena’s voice held quiet concern, and she refused to look at him. “I didn’t think we’d live together.”

      Tony reached over to gently turn her chin his way. She lifted those incredible eyes to him. “You’re my wife. I’m your husband. We are married. We’ll keep the secret for a while, but make no mistake that I intend for us to live as man and wife. Now, if you’d rather move into the Carlino estate with me, we can—”