Page 44 of The Texan's Baby Proposal

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That morning, when she stirred Marc had already gone. Lara slipped out of bed and went to her suite to shower and dress. She moved routinely, her thoughts on her husband. She was falling in love with him and every night she spent in his bed made that love just a bit stronger.

She had to end it before she was so in love with him it would hurt forever. He was everything wonderful—handsome, intelligent, sexy, caring, fun, strong and filled with energy and enthusiasm for life. She had intended to guard her heart, and then she had turned around and fallen into his arms and into his bed, and now she was in love with him.

He didn’t want a lasting marriage and she had to follow her plans, ones that he really didn’t like. She had to get off the ranch, get her life together. Marc wouldn’t change. And neither would she.

She knew he didn’t approve of the time she put in to become a doctor. But she’d never give up her goal because it was so tied to her love for her mother. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d failed her mother when she hadn’t been able to stop the disease that killed her. Mark didn’t get how important her career was to her, yet his career was essential to him. He thought she was a workaholic like his mother, but ironically he was one himself, but he didn’t recognize that.

She needed to go back to Dallas for a while and get some space between them before she was hopelessly in love with him. And she prayed that hadn’t already happened.

* * *

A few days later Lara was pouring over a book when the phone rang. It was Marc’s landline and only his mother and grandparents used it. She answered and thought someone had the wrong number because the noise was garbled. She started to hang up and then realized someone was crying. There were scrambling noises, words she couldn’t catch, but then someone spoke clearly. “Is Marc Medina there?”

“No. Have you tried his cell phone?”

“Yes, and he didn’t answer. This is the nurse and we need to get in touch with him.”

“I’ll text him right now and get him to call you,” Lara said, replacing the phone. She grabbed her cell phone to send Marc a text. She couldn’t shake the chill that overcame her, afraid that something had happened to his grandfather.

In minutes Marc called her. “I’m on my way home. My grandpa died this morning. I’ll come home and get you, and we’ll go over there to see Grandma. Mom’s on her way, too. You don’t have to go, Lara, if you don’t—”

She interrupted him. “Marc, I’m getting ready now. I’ll be ready when you get here. I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do for you?”

“No. See you soon.”

Then he was off the phone and she quickly went to change, pulling on a tailored black dress and putting her hair up in a bun at the back of her head the way she used to wear it to the office.

She heard his pickup and heard him running to the door. He swept inside and she ran to him. “I’m sorry, Marc.”

“Thanks. I want to get over there as soon as I can and I hope I can get there before Mom does. Someone is driving her out here. I’ll be ready in ten minutes.”

“Can I do anything?”

He just shook his head as he left the room.

They spent the next couple of days with relatives and getting ready for the service. It was a whirlwind of activity leading up to what was a solemn funeral.

When they walked into Marc’s darkened house after the burial, he switched on the lights. She crossed the great room to him and slid her arms around his waist. “There’s nothing else I can tell you, Marc, except that I’m sorry for your loss. I know how much you loved him.”

He placed his head against hers and stood in her embrace. “Thank you,” he whispered, and from the sound of his voice she realized he was finally giving in to his grief.

After a few minutes he raised his head while he still held her. “Thanks for going with me and for all your help through this.”

“Of course. I’m glad I got to know him.”

Marc released her and wiped his eyes. He walked over to the window and looked out at the lighted pool. “I think he hung on to get home to the ranch and to see me married. You’re probably right. He probably guessed we just had a marriage of convenience. He seemed happy enough, though. You impressed him. He liked you.” As he talked, Marc shed his coat and tie, and partially unbuttoned his shirt while he kicked off his shoes.

“We didn’t have much time with each other, but I hope he liked me. I liked him.”

“I promise he liked you. I think he wanted you to stay in the family.”

“That’s nice, Marc. Well, now you’ll have your ranch and your inheritance. And your mom will, too. Will she retire?”

“Put yourself in her place. Would you retire?”

She smiled. “Be glad she’s active.”

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