A TEMPORARY MARRIAGE: PART ONE (AVALON BAY ROMANCE SERIES Book 1) (4 page)

“And if Richard doesn’t inherit, who gets it all?”

“There’s a potential buyer, a capitalist firm that buys up ranches at deep discounts, strips what they can from them, and then resells a few years later.”

Philip’s words made Cassie’s stomach knot up. “Why would your grandfather do this to the town or you? It’s so manipulative.”

“He always boasted about being a good judge of character. I think he was counting on you saying yes,” said Philip.

“What, and Richard and I would automatically fall in love just because we spent a year together? That’s not the way it works,” Cassie said in a scornful voice.

“I’m sure he meant well; he was a romantic at heart,” Philip said with a smile, as he attempted to lighten the mood.

Cassie looked at Richard, who was so quiet and it ticked her off. It was like he’d hired an attorney to negotiate a marriage. She wasn’t so certain that she could live with that.

“It’s not fair that my grandfather expected us to do this, especially you,” Richard said. His words were hardly comforting to her.

It’s a lot to take in, guys.”

The waiter came and quietly set the seafood platter on the table and Cassie looked at him and smiled, but it was weak. She was so confused and rightfully so. They wanted a life changing decision from her, one that was cast upon her by someone else. She hadn’t looked for this.

“Tell her about Primrose House.” Richard shot a look at Philip.

“Right, of course,” Philip said, lowering his fork. “Mr. Gallagher didn’t expect you to give up everything and receive nothing in return. For your trouble, he wanted to compensate you with a piece of land and a house that has been in the family for years. It needs renovation, but it’s a prime location with plenty of potential.”

“Isn’t that...” Cassie began.

Richard cut her off. “Yes, it’s where my grandparents first lived, and where I lived after my family’s accident. Grandfather was there until Grandmother passed away, about ten years ago.  Then he moved in with me at the ranch. He said Primrose House was too big for one person. Really, he didn’t want to be alone and I enjoyed the company, too.” His voice broke a bit and she reached out for his hand, feeling so bad for him. Just as it touched his, he pulled away and started to eat again. How could these two have an appetite, she wondered.

“When do you need an answer by?” Cassie asked.

Both men lowered their forks and turned to face her.

“Would you actually consider this, Cassie?” Richard asked, his eyes coming alive.

“It’s a big decision and I need to process it, especially if it impacts more than just us. I’ll also need to discuss it with my mom and aunt.”

“Absolutely,” Philip said, “discuss away. However, only  to your mother and aunt. Mr. Gallagher realized that you would want to do that, but part of the deal is that it must appear to be realistic. No one can know that it’s a marriage of convenience. Can you make a decision in two weeks? End of the month?”

“So quickly, don’t I have three and a half months?” Cassie asked, feeling that anxiety swell up inside her again.

“I know, but we need to update the bank on ownership status as soon as possible,” Philip said.

Cassie took another sip of wine. Her head was spinning. “I honestly don’t know what my answer will be.” She looked at both of them. “I’m up for a big promotion at work. The job I’ve always wanted. It’s a hell of lot to give up.”

“Just think about it,” Philip said.

Barely eating a thing, Cassie felt as heavy as a lead balloon when she walked out of Delfino’s that day, receiving a whole lot more to chew on than a tasty lunch.

Both Philip and Richard stood up, giving her a hug and kiss on the cheek, and thanked her for coming. It was what Richard whispered in her ear that haunted her though. He said, “Well it would seem my life is in your hands.”

“It would seem,” she whispered. Then she walked out without looking back.

Cassie’s drive back to the cottage was almost like a dream. She just didn’t know what to make of it all. Her head was pounding, but was it from the wine or the ultimatum? The whole thing was completely insane. Mr. Gallagher seemed smarter than to think that a forced marriage could lead to a happily ever after, but he’d put the idea in motion. Now, if she didn’t agree an awful lot of peoples’ lives were going to be disrupted, even ruined.
Geez, what a position to be put in
, she thought.

And then Richard, that had been a shock. Whenever she’d imagined him over the years she’d always remembered the acne faced shy guy, not the Adonis that she’d instantly been drawn to.

Upon arriving at home, Cassie was glad to have silence in the cottage. She decided to take a nap. Yes, that was what she needed to clear her head. She slept and slept, waking up to find it was after 6 PM.

She walked downstairs and heard laughter on the front porch. When she peaked out the window, she saw her mom and aunt, sipping on some wine and showing amusement about something. How would they react to this news?

Opening the front door, Cassie walked out onto the porch. Both ladies turned their heads. “Oh Cassie, there you are. We were worried. You feeling okay?” her mother asked, looking up at her from over the rim of her wine glass.

“No need to worry, Mom. I just got so tired, must still be a bit of jet lag.”

“Wine?” her mother asked.

“Okay,” Cassie replied.

“And right when your mother gets back, it’s time to tell us all about your lunch,” Aunt Maggie said eagerly.

Cassie sat down on a wicker chair while her mother got her the wine and then accepted it.

“So…” Aunt Maggie encouraged.

Her mother stared at her, eyes alert and she leaned forward so she didn’t miss a word.

Well, here we go
, Cassie thought. Then she laid out the entire plan behind Richard’s proposal and what the will said. Honestly, she couldn’t even look at them when she said it because their reactions likely would have startled her too much. As it was, their gasps followed by intense silence were unnerving.

After a few long minutes, her mother finally spoke first.

“I honestly don’t know what to say. I’m shocked I’ve never heard of such a thing in this day and age. What was Douglas thinking?”

“Is it that dreadful? Richard’s the most eligible bachelor for miles around, devastatingly handsome and charming and you’ll gain a property for your trouble. And we’ll have you living nearby,” interjected her aunt.

“But Cassie’s life and career are in Manhattan. She’s just about to get the promotion she’s always wanted, and worked so hard for,” her mother countered back.

“Where is the property you would receive for your trouble?” asked Aunt Maggie.

“Primrose House, it’s just outside the town on the cliff overlooking the harbor. It’s certainly a prime location. I only visited it once, years ago,” Cassie said.

“That home is lovely. Sounds like a dream come true!” Aunt Maggie exclaimed. “Plus, maybe you really will fall in love. It could happen.”

“Neither one of us is looking to fall in love,” Cassie corrected. “I mean, I’d love to find Mr. Right someday, but right now my life is in Manhattan, and Richard made it very clear that he has no interest in marriage, to anyone, either.”

“So what are you going to do?” her mother asked quietly.

“I have no idea. So many people’s lives will be affected by my decision, but should I have to marry someone for everyone else but me? Give it all up.”

“How long do you have to decide?” her mother asked.

“Two weeks.”

“It’s an awful burden he has put on you, and Richard, too. It’s so manipulative,” her mother said as an angry flush crept over her face.

“Cassie, what did you think of Richard? He’s drop-dead handsome, isn’t he?” Aunt Maggie asked. She was certainly focusing on the positive. Cassie had to hand it to her.

Cassie felt her face redden and avoided her aunt’s penetrating glance. “Yes, he’s nice.”

“Nice is hardly adequate, dear,” said Aunt Maggie. “I’d say sexy and devastatingly handsome are far more appropriate words. As for your big decision, go with your gut and do what your instincts tell you is right.”

“I think I’m going to go for a walk on the beach,” Cassie said.

She got up and made her way to the sand, eager for the therapeutic feeling of the sand squishing between her toes.

By morning, Cassie wasn’t any more certain and she was plenty tired. It had been a rough night’s sleep, but it was a big day. It was her mother’s birthday.

After clearing away the breakfast dishes, she brought out the present she’d gotten for her mother and handed it over.

As she unwrapped the gift, Kathleen smiled. “Oh Cassie, you bought these at The Stormy Sea. I was admiring them last week, so beautiful and unusual. Thank you.”

“I’m so glad you like them, Mom. I was drawn to them, too, and Jacqueline said that you’d been admiring them. Must have been meant to be. She’s really nice, by the way.”

“Yes, she is. Moved here from San Diego about six months ago. She’ll be coming to the BBQ today,” her mother said as she checked the time. “Speaking of which, we have a lot to prepare.”

The rest of the day and night were devoted to her mother and her birthday celebration. There was no mention of proposals, wills, or big decisions, although the presence of such thoughts was constantly at the back of her mind. She’d decided to think about it properly the next day, on her way back home.

***

Since Cassie’s departure, Maggie Byrnes had been deep in thought. She would love to have her niece living nearby and knew that it would make her sister Kathleen very happy, plus she had to agree with Douglas Gallagher, Cassie and Richard would make a wonderful couple. Without mentioning anything to Kathleen, Maggie phoned Philip and set up a meeting with him and Richard in Philip’s office for that afternoon.

Philip’s office was on Main Street, mingled in with all the small shops and businesses of the town. When Margaret arrived at his office, Richard was already there. She saw the nervous looks on their faces, likely curious about her reaction to their proposal. She smiled warmly at them and said, hello, shaking their hands.

Once they were back in Philip’s office, she sat down in a plush brown leather chair and then didn’t waste any time getting down to business. “One of Cassie’s dreams has always been to own her own small hotel.”

Both men looked at each other with puzzled expressions and only nodded, wishing for her to continue.

“Of course, she has always thought this may be a rather impossible goal to achieve. But, I am wondering if Primrose House might be turned into a small boutique hotel,” Maggie said, looking from Philip to Richard. “If it was, it would certainly sweeten your proposal for her.”

Richard’s face brightened as the sense of what Margaret was saying dawned on him. He started to tap his fingers on his leg slowly, thinking about what she’d said. She could sense him thinking what she’d said through.

“It certainly would be an incentive for her,” Philip said, looking at Richard. “Surely, a more attractive proposition for her than a job promotion working for someone else. Richard, you know that home best, do you think it would work as a small hotel?”

“It’s certainly possible,” Richard said. “Would you like to drive up there Margaret and take a look. See what you think.”

“Yes, I’d like that very much,” she replied.

“You don’t need me for this, do you?” Philip said, looking at the two.

“We’ll be just fine on our own,” Maggie said, smiling brightly.

On the ride over, Richard turned to Maggie. “I’d better warn you, it’s not been lived in for years and is in need of a complete overhaul,” Richard said, turning to look at Margaret.

“Then it’s a good thing that you’re an architect and have a construction company, right?” Maggie said.

“Right,” Richard agreed.

They drove up a narrow, tree lined lane to the top of a hill and stopped in front of tall black metal gates set in ivy covered brick wall. Richard reached over to the glove box in the truck and pulled out a set of keys and then climbed out of the truck and walked over to the gate, unlocking it and then swinging it open.

A grand driveway with a large imposing looking house situated high on the cliffs overlooking the ocean stood there, majestic and proud, despite its age.

“Wow, what a stunning location,” Margaret said as she looked around.

She noticed Richard smile at her and it was that devastatingly handsome smile that made most girls instantly melt in his presence, but not Cassie. She’d always marveled at the type of strength she’d shown. “The view is beautiful, isn’t it?” he said. “And over there,” he said pointing, “are small steps that take you down directly to the harbor below. I can install lighting so guests might use them in the evening instead of having to drive into town or perhaps even a small lift,” he said already getting excited at Margaret’s idea. After all, it would be an expensive renovation, but an overall small price to pay for what he got in return.

“Ready to go inside?” he asked.

“Indeed, Richard.”

He ran around and opened the door for Maggie, which she adored. Great manners were always something she loved.

When the front door swung open, it creaked and the instant waft of musty air flooded Maggie’s senses. But the overall appearance was truly stunning.

As they walked around the house, Maggie had the sensation of stepping back in time. Most of Douglas Gallagher’s stuff was still in the house. When he’d moved in with Richard he’d left everything exactly as it was when his wife had been alive. Maggie guessed it would have been too hard, too much emotionally, to empty the house after living here for so many years with his wife.

The kitchen area counter tops were all covered with Formica, that had once been so fashionable, and the appliances looked original.

“There’s so much potential here,” she said, looking around.  The rooms downstairs were large and airy and each one had stunning views. The living and dining rooms had French windows opening up onto a covered terrace. Large overgrown clay pots of begonia lay scattered about on grey flagged stones.

Upstairs there were six large bedrooms which Maggie considered might possibly be made into ensuite rooms. The more she looked around, the more excited she became at the idea of Cassie turning this into her dream hotel. And with Richard and Cassie working closely on the project together, who knew what would happen, Maggie deliberated.

“There are also some outbuildings, which could be converted into more guest quarters, and a large room over the garage,” Richard said, evidently sharing her excitement and enthusiasm for the idea.

“Well, it’s clear that this could make a spectacular hotel,” Maggie agreed. “So when are you going to travel to New York and tell Cassie?”

“Go to New York?”

“Yes Richard, go there! Get creative if you want this. Make some plans up and go and talk with Cassie in person,” Maggie said, glad to lend her Cupid’s hand to the proposal.

“Are you sure that wouldn’t be too invasive?” he asked.

Maggie shook her head, almost like it was a tragic statement. “Do you want her to accept your proposal or not?” No more needed to be said.