Page 29 of Close to My Heart

“I’ve been making lists for both my career and my potential relationship.”

Wes paused. “Is walking away an option?”

I knew he was referring to the Rosesmith Estate, and my heart clenched. “Yes. No. I don’t know.” I felt miserable. Why hadn’t I already figured out my life? Wes was settled in his career. He loved his job as a Department of Natural Resources police officer. He spent most of his time in the outdoors and still got to work the law enforcement job he’d always wanted.

“I know it seems like your choices and time are limited, but I wouldn’t rush into a decision. This is a big deal.”

I nodded miserably. “And I have to be realistic. I don’t see myself marrying any of those guys. I’m not sure I have anything in common with them.”

Wes’s jaw was tight, and I wondered if he didn’t like hearing about me going on dates. But I needed someone’s advice, and I couldn’t go to my mother. “On my dates this week, I mentioned my plans for the estate to see how they’d react and almost all of them were shocked. They thought I’d want to live in the house and eventually raise my family there.”

“It’s hard for other people to believe that you wouldn’t want to live in a place that grand.”

I’d confided in Wes many times over the course of our relationship. He encouraged me to work outside the family, but I hadn’t. The love for the estate itself always drew me back.

“What if there was another way?” Wes asked.

“You have any ideas?” I couldn’t imagine what other possibility there was.

Wes looked around and then dipped his head slightly as if we were sharing a secret. “What if you married me?”

The room around me started spinning. “What are you talking about?”

“Think about it. You can trust me. We’re already friends. You know I don’t want your money or the estate. You’d be safe with me, and I wouldn’t have to worry that you’re with an asshole who’s going to take advantage of you. And I know you can take care of yourself, but why should you when you have me?”

I felt guilty for drawing Wes into my family drama, but I was intrigued by his suggestion. “You’d marry me because we’re friends?”

“You know I’d do anything for you.”

I shook my head even as I turned the possibility over in my mind. “I can’t ask you to marry me. You have a life. What if you met someone and wanted to be with her, but you couldn’t because you were married to me?”

“I’m not dating anyone, and I want to do this for you. Besides, you said it was only for a few months.”

“I can’t be sure about the timing. Grandma’s been vague about why she did this now. She’s eighty-five, so it could just be her age, or maybe she has an illness that she’s not revealing.” I enjoyed sharing a bed with Wes and having him nearby. But it brought up mixed feelings. I wanted him as more than a friend. Wouldn’t that only intensify as we spent more time together? I’d be in danger of losing my heart to him, and what if he didn’t feel the same way?

I was risking a lot with this arrangement, yet at the same time, I was excited. What would it be like to live with Wes? Would we share a bed? Would we act like husband and wife? Would he want to have sex with me? My body was humming with possibilities. “Where would we live?”

“We could live at your place, but staying at mine would give us more privacy. Your family will expect us to act like a couple. It has to look real, or your grandmother won’t believe it.”

I chewed my lip. “You know my parents want me to marry someone in our social circle.”

“But I don’t want your money or the estate. I’m the safe choice.” Wes twirled me.

“I believe you.” Wes had always thought it brought more problems than it was worth. Hence why I had to get married.

“So what do you say? Do you want to do this? We could present ourselves to our families as an engaged couple tomorrow. We could say we’ve always liked each other, and this forced us to confront our feelings. I was jealous of you dating other guys.”

Was he? “That could work.”

“We’d move in together right away, saying we couldn’t be away from each other now that we finally admitted our feelings for each other, and then schedule the wedding in a few weeks.”

There was a buzzing in my ears. “This is moving fast.”

“I’m just trying to come up with a solution that will help you.”

I looked up at him. “But what do you get out of it? This doesn’t seem fair to you.”

“I won’t have to worry about you marrying one of those guys you were dating. I’d know you were safe.”

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