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Sheila shook he head, tears of happiness welling in her eyes. He misread them.
“Then what is it? Certainly you’re not satisfied with a casualaffair?”
“No, no, of course not.”
He crossed his arms over his chest, his blue eyes intent on hers. “Has this got something to do with Coleridge? Damn it! I knew he was still in your blood.”
“He isn’t. . . . It’s just that I’m overwhelmed, Noah. I didn’t expect any of this . . . I don’t know what to say.”
“A simple yes or no will do.”
“If only it were simple.” She wrapped her arms around herself as if protecting her body from a sudden chill. “I’d love to marry you . . .”
“But?”
“But I think it’s all a little sudden.” Why was she making up excuses? Why couldn’t she just accept his vow of love?
As she looked into Noah’s brooding eyes and honest, angular face, Sheila’s doubts fled. If she knew nothing else, she realized that Noah Wilder wasn’t the kind of man who would stoop to deceit. She shook her head as if shaking out the cobwebs of unclear thought that had confused her. “I’m sorry,” she apologized shakily as she touched her fingertips to the solid wall of his chest. “It’s just that you surprised me. The truth is that I love you and I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Thank God,” be declared prayerfully. He folded her into the strength of his arms and pressed his hungry lips to hers. A warm glow of happiness began to spread through her as her lips parted to accept the promise of his love. She closed her eyes and sighed against his mouth as she felt the robe slip off her shoulders and the chill of morning touch her skin when Noah guided her to the bed.
“Woman,” he groaned against her skin, “I need you so desperately.” She shivered in anticipation as she fell against the cool sheets and was warmed only by the gentle touch of the man she loved.
* * *
Sheila’s life became a whirlwind. Between scanning blueprints submitted by architects, attempting to organize the interior designers sent by Wilder Investments and working with Dave Jansen on the fall harvest, Sheila had little time to dwell on the distance that kept her apart from Noah. She fell into bed exhausted each night and was up at the crack of dawn each morning. One hot summer day bled into another as June flowed into July.
Though Sheila was working herself to the bone, it was worth it. Everything seemed to be going her way. Jeff had called earlier in the week, and when Sheila had explained that Emily had reservations about visiting with him in Spokane, Jeff didn’t press the issue. In fact, he had almost soundedrelievedthat he wouldn’t have to entertain his child until later in the summer.
Emily missed Sean, but Sheila took that as a positive sign. She prayed that the two children would continue to get along after the marriage, whenever that was. Noah had been pressing Sheila for a date, even had gone so far as to suggest eloping. Sheila admitted to herself that running off to get married might be the best solution for all involved. She had once been married in an elaborate ceremony; it hadn’t guaranteed success.
Perhaps this weekend, she mused to herself as she pressed her foot more heavily on the throttle of the car. The auto responded and climbed the Cascade Mountains more quickly. For the first time in four weeks, there had been a break in the work. The interior of the château was nearly completely restored to its original regal design. Only a few details remained unfinished. The fabric for the draperies was woven in Europe, hence the delay. But the walls had been resurfaced and painted, new wallpaper hung and the old stained burgundy carpet replaced by a new, elegant champagne-colored pile.
Emily was spending the weekend with her grandmother, and Sheila decided to visit Noah. He would be surprised, no doubt, as he hadn’t expected to see her until all of the legal papers surrounding the refurbishing of the winery were complete, but when she hadn’t been able to reach him by telephone, Sheila had thrown caution to the wind, packed a few clothes and jumped in her car·
It was a beautiful summer day, the mountain air fresh with the scent of wildflowers and pine trees, and Sheila had the confident feeling that nothing could ruin the feeling of exhilaration that claimed her. The prospect of spending a quiet weekend alone with Noah made her smile to herself and hum along to the pop music coming from the radio.
Nothing can possibly go wrong, she thought to herself as she turned up the circular drive of the Wilder estate. This weekend is going to be perfect. She smiled when she saw the familiar silver Volvo sitting near the garage. At least she had caught Noah at home.
She knocked on the door and waited for it to be answered. The mysterious smile that had spread across her face froze in place when the door was opened by a well-mannered, gray-haired man of near fifty. He was dressed in formal livery and displayed not one shred of emotion as he inquired as to the nature of her call.
A butler, Sheila thought wildly, not really understanding. Noah employed a butler? He hadn’t mentioned hiring any servants in his telephone conversations. An uneasy feeling began to grip Sheila. Something was wrong.
“I’m here to see Mr. Wilder,” Sheila explained to the outwardly skeptical butler.
“Is he expecting you?”
“No. You see, this is kind of a surprise.”
The butler cocked a dubious gray eyebrow and his lips pressed into a thin, firm line. “You do know that Mr. Wilder isn’t well. He isn’t seeing visitors.”
Sheila’s eyes widened, and her heart leapt to her throat. What was this man saying? “What’s wrong with him?” she demanded, fear claiming her emotions.
“Pardon me?”
Sheila forgot all sense of civility. “What’s wrong with Noah? Was he hurt in an accident?” Her hands were shaking. “What happened?” How could this character out ofUpstairs Downstairstake Noah’s health so casually? She looked past the butler into the stone house, her eyes searching for some evidence that Noah was all right “Miss, if you will calm down! I wasn’t speaking of Noah Wilder, but his father.”
Sheila’s eyes flew back to the butler. “Ben? Ben’s here?”
