Page 43 of Bride By Committee

He proceeded with care. “Yes, it is. And yes, it would be, if we were dealing with sensible people. But since we’re not, Ithink you need to consider the possibility that there’s another reason for their request.”

“You mean your matchmaking theory.”

“Yes.”

She shook her head and her hands balled into fists, warning that her control was more fragile than it appeared. “It’s ridiculous to think Sunny’s request is motivated by a desire to set us up.”

“It’s ridiculous to think that’s not her reason,” he argued. “She has no business acumen, from what you’ve said. It isn’t logical to believe she’d acquire it at this late date. If you want to find out the real reason for her interference, it’s simple. We’ll ask her.”

“No! Iwon’t put Sunny in such an embarrassing position.”

“Honey, Sunny doesn’t know the meaning of the word embarrassing. Iguarantee she’d be very upset to think you’d misinterpreted her actions.” He could tell he hadn’t convinced her. “Okay, fine. We won’t mention our discussion to your grandmother. Instead, I’ll take a look at your setup. And you’ll cooperate.”

“Why should I?”

“Because it’s what your family wants and it will put paid to your suspicions. If they continue to push us together, even after I’ve completed my examination, you can safely assume that’s why Sunny concocted this scheme. Fair enough?”

“Is that my only choice?”

“No.” He tugged her into his arms, pleasantly surprised when she wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted her face to his. “You can accept what your relatives are offering without complaint or argument.”

“And what are they offering?”

He lowered his head until their mouths were a mere whisper apart. “Me.”

Her lashes fluttered closed and he kissed her. She was so soft, so giving, so eager. And yet, he knew it wouldn’t last. Too many secrets remained that would drive a wedge between them when they ultimately came out. But at least the first one had been dealt with and he hadn’t losther.

Time would tell how she handled the others.

“I don’t know how we’re going to top Dell and Harley,” Daniel announced, slumping into the chair next to Rosy’s desk. “They’ve been quite helpful. Thanks to them, Harry and Madison have spent the last week working together without a single argument.”

“Oh, there have been plenty of arguments. They’ve just led to these long, disgusting silences.” Rosy scowled, drumming her three-inch, neon-green-spackled fingernails on her desktop. “I just know they’re doin’ it on her desk. Try and find that rule in Jones’s book.”

Daniel squirmed in his chair. “I’m sure I don’t recall anything about desks.”

“Trust me, I’ve looked—twice—and it isn’t there.”

“Oh, dear.”

Rosy tossed her telephone headset onto the desk in utter disgust. “You’ve got that right. Who’d have thought Harley and Dell could have pulled off so much as one rule, let alone two. And so successfully. Those idiots are a prime example of incompetence stumbling into disaster and falling flat onto success. Unbelievable. They really fry my a—” One glimpse of Daniel’s wide-eyed stare had her changing her phrasing. “They really fry my acorns.”

“What should we do?”

She gave it some thought. “I suppose it’s too much to hope that we can stumble from incompetence to disaster and fall flat on success, too?”

“I’m afraid it might be.”

“That’s what I thought you’d say.” She drummed some more. “But if we don’t butt in and soon, Harry and Madison might not even need our help.”

Her uncle shook his head. “I’m sorry, my dear. Idon’t see how we can top your cousin and aunt.”

“Well, we’re gonna try.” She shot him a warning glare. “And we’re gonna do it without you ending up in jail for being too helpful. Understand?”

“But I like helping.”

“Tough. That judge told you to knock it off and you better listen to him and not that slimy lawyer.”

“Mr. Bryant doesn’t seem to mind it when I get into trouble.”

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