Husband Wanted: Will Train

"We'll have to take that chance. Stall them. I'll get out there eventually. It will just take a while."

After a moment of angry silence, Henry spoke. "How long?"

"A couple of weeks. Maybe more."

"You're crazy," he said again.

"Probably so." Ross grinned to himself. "Maybe it's catching," he murmured.

"What?"

"Never mind."

Charity had come into the room and was walking toward him again.

"I'll talk to you later," he said, re placing the receiver despite the outraged squawk that emanated from it. Drawing Charity into his arms, he was full of the coup he'd just pulled off, full of his own prow ess. He wanted to tell someone how wonderful he was, and it hit him that Charity was the one-the only one-he wanted to tell.

And the only one he couldn't tell.

She reached up to him. "Kiss me like a husband," she whispered, eyes sparkling.

He pulled her close and kissed her like a lover, but she didn't complain. Still holding her, his hand touched her hair, which she'd twisted into a sleek style.

"Wear it down for me," he murmured.

She smiled but backed away. "No. I can't."

"Why not?"

Would he understand?

"Because this is me. The me I want to present to the world."

He frowned, watching her, not really sure what she was saying. "It's not the you I first met," he reminded her.

She smiled quickly and turned away. "I know." She bit her lip. "It's time to rally the troops for our picnic," she said brightly. "I'll go see what's holding everyone up."

He watched her walk away, her step light, her body graceful. This charade had gone on for a ridiculously long time. He was going to tell her tonight.

They picked up fried chicken and took it to Destiny Park, a beautiful area on a hill overlooking the ocean where redwoods covered the grounds. The filtered light spread dappled patterns on them as they strolled among the redwoods, their feet scuffing redwood shavings along with the fallen brown leaves and small cones. Aunt Doris was enchanted with the mystic feel of the place; so were Faith and her clan.

Mason didn't come because he had business to take care of downtown, and besides, redwoods made him sneeze. That suited Faith just fine. She didn't like the way he was looking at Mandi, and she especially didn't like the way Mandi was blushing every time her eyes met Mason's.

"Perhaps therapy could take care of that libido of yours," she'd snapped at her brother at one point.

Mason had laughed. "Then I would hardly be the sweet, loving brother you care so much for."