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“How do you like your cottage?” Rick asked while he stood next to her on the veranda.
“I must say, I’m already beyond impressed with the architectural design of this place. Really.” She took out her camera and took a few pictures.
“You like taking pictures too?”
“It’s a hobby.” She smiled while slowly panning the area through her lens.
Rick moved into her line of vision and posed like a pro for her. His body angle together with the scenery as his background did look great on her camera and so she took a picture of him. When she checked the result, she was left with awe. He had taken off his shades revealing two beautiful hazel eyes that accentuated well with his roughly combed copper hair.
“Did you like what you see?” He asked after seeing her expression.
“Huh? Uh, yes. Here.”
She showed him the picture which he gladly looked at, holding her camera at the same time. The slight brushing off of their hands sent chills along her arms which made her gasp. What was wrong with me?
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” She stepped back a little to place a distance between them. Suddenly, she felt uneasy around him.
She discreetly glanced at him and found him staring closely at her, watching every expression and movement she was making. His gaze held a more sensual look. She breathed deeply before asking him a question in the hopes of diverting his attention to something else.
“I haven’t seen the future Mrs. Maverick Lane. When can I meet her?” She flashed him her business-like smile, happy and interested yet professional.
There was amusement in his eyes, she could see it lingering at the corner while he remained composed.
“She’s not here yet. She will be arriving two days before the wedding.”
He walked back inside the cottage with his hands in his pocket. He then sat on the couch in the living room which was directly connected to the kitchen. Marly was forced to sit down on the other seat, directly facing him.
“This marriage isn’t the conventional one. I’m not seeking for an everlasting love or the perfect marriage. I need an heir, a boy I can take to horseback riding or a Daddy’s girl who I can spoil.”
“All marriages will eventually lead to having children, I suppose. Married couples want that.” At least that was her observation after being in the business for years.
“But not all couples marry for love. Some do it for convenience.”
“But mutual trust is a very important factor. Without it, even an arranged marriage or a marriage for convenience, for that matter, will never work.”
“Are you saying this based on your experience?” He held a serious look, waiting with great interest for her answer.
“I don’t believe it matters where I am basing this on. The matter at hand, Mr. Lane, is conceptualizing both you and your bride’s idea of a perfect wedding. It would be of great help if you can give me an idea of what those are.”
There was something odd about how he addressed his bride. He seemed distant and unattached from her and she wondered what his real motivations were for getting married so quickly. She found it strange that his future wife had no involvement in the preparation and planning of their wedding.
“I can guess what you’re thinking just by looking at your expression.” He chuckled while shaking his head. “Versatility. I am a person who can adapt to anything. My future wife is a sweet and lovely woman and I love her dearly.”
“She must be one lucky woman.” For a minute, she felt envious of his bride. Though he wasn’t crazily in love with her, he knew her worth and valued it for who she was.
He stood up. “I guess I should be going and leave you to settle in.”
Marly made sure there was enough distance between them when she followed him as he went out of her cottage. She halted right away when he suddenly turned around.
“Have you been in love, Marly?” His asked in a serious tone. “Like madly in love?
“Mr. Lane.”
“Rick. Just call me Rick.”
“Okay. I don’t see how my personal love affair can be, in any way, related to planning your wedding.”
