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Her head whippedaround to glare at her mother. “I am not apologizing for notbeing a pushover.”
“You areconfrontational and argumentative,” Marjorie told her mildly.“You insist on having things entirely your way, and you speakwithout considering the consequences.”
“Are yousaying that I should lie?”
“No. But thereare ways to bring across the truth without being rude and aggressive.I think we both know that you owe that man an apology.”
*****
“You aretroubled,” Caitlin murmured as she handed her brother thescotch.
“I have thingson my mind.” He forced a smile as he stared at her. “What’sthis I hear about you and Brad?”
He grinned as thecolor washed into his sister’s pale cheeks.
“We are justtalking. It’s no big deal.” She shrugged her thinshoulders. “He is a nice enough man, and we have several thingsin common.” She looked at him as she poured herself a glass ofwine. Their mother had retired to her office to make some phonecalls.
“I am not likeyou, Coop. You always had it easy when it came to the opposite sex.You are incredibly handsome and charming, so dating was never anissue. I am just a plain Jane; men only look at me because I am aRochester.”
“I hate whenyou do that,” he said with a frown.
“Do what?”
“Put yourselfdown. Some guy, and if it’s Brad, would be lucky to haveyou.”
“Speaking ofhaving, I could not help but notice that you and Brooke seem to be atodds.”
Walking over to thewindow, he looked at the two women sitting in the garden. A slightsmile crossed his lips as he stared at her. They seemed to be in somesort of heated conversation.
“Are you sureshe is the right person for you?”
Caitlin stifled agasp when he turned suddenly, a fierce expression on his face. “Sheis the only person for me. I understand that you do not care much forher, but you need to get to know her.
She is annoying, butI can deal with it, even if I have to freeze her for a few minutes tomake her understand that I will not allow her to roll over me. Butshe is it for me, Cait. She is crazy, wonderful, and caring forpeople in need. And she loves me, even though she has not said thewords-”
“I am sayingthem now.” The soft voice had them turning toward the doorwayto see the woman under discussion standing there. “Could yougive us some room, please?” she asked, turning to Caitlin, whonodded immediately and left.
“I was anidiot.”
“Noarguments here.” He stayed where he was, determined she wouldhave to make all the moves.
“Okay,”she said as she took a breath. “This is not easy for me, but Ican do it.” Walking into the room, she stood before him and hadto tilt her head to look into his face. “I was an ass. I wasdefensive and said some things I regret now.”
“Did Marjoriehave to coach you on what to say?” He asked with lifted brows.
“I see thatyou are determined to make me work for this. But I don’t care.For the first time, it’s not about winning an argument, beingright, or standing up for myself. It’s about you - about us,about knowing when to argue and not to.
I love you so damnmuch, and I am scared. I have no idea what to do or how to behave forthe first time in my life.”
“You think Iwant to control you.”
“Yes. No.”She shook her head. “I know you love me too and are willing todo anything for me.”
“I am happy youhave come to that conclusion.” He was still not touching her,and she needed to feel him. Taking another step, she walked into hisarms, and that was all it took for his hands to wrap around her likesteel bands.
Chapter 16
“You areleaving the hospital?” She stared at him with a frown. It was acouple of days before their wedding, and she was trying not to freakout.
