The Wedding Ransom by Geralyn Dawson

up.” He wiggled a finger at the architect who spread a set of blueprints over the desk.
    Maggie’s eyes narrowed. Had Hill found a subtle way to get back at her for her cooking? Did he have any way of knowing how much she hated the idea of his building a home at her beloved Lake Bliss?
    She approached the house plans with a sour taste in her mouth. When she saw what he had planned, nausea swam in her stomach. It was perfect. A dream house. Three stories high, gables and verandas, and literally dozens of windows. Maggie couldn’t hold back her sigh of envy.
    “It’s magnificent.” The words dragged from her mouth. “You’ve done an excellent job, Mr. Knight. It will be the showcase home in Texas.”
    Barlow Hill preened. “I quite agree. Knight has done a superb job, using my ideas, of course. I plan to build on the far side of the lake from the hotel. We’ll construct a dock, and I plan to put a rowboat and possibly a small sailboat on the water. Eventually we may add other amenities to those you have already established at the spa. I envision an English country home atmosphere. What do you think of my idea, Maggie dear?”
    Maggie dear?
She wished he wouldn’t call her that. She backed away from the desk. “It’s a fine idea, Mr. Hill,” she said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, my grandfather needs my help.”
    “No.” The word shot from Hill’s mouth like a bullet. “I have a matter to discuss with you.” He speared the architect with a look. “If you’ll excuse us?”
    “Certainly, certainly,” said Mr. Knight, rising from his chair. “I need to be on my way if I’m to make it into town before dark.” He looked at Maggie and added graciously, “Thank you for the cookies, ma’am. They were quite…” He faltered just an instant before adding, “Delicious.”
    As the visitor departed, Maggie inched closer to the door. Hill frowned, shook his head, and gestured toward the chair Mr. Knight had vacated. Maggie took a seat on the horsehair sofa near the doorway. Hill smiled smugly and sat down beside her. “Maggie,” he said, leaning toward her. “Maggie, my dear.”
    Good Lord,
Maggie thought. Tell me he’s not batting his eyelashes. He was so close that she could smell on his breath the onions he’d had at noon.
    “While our case was before the court, I watched you closely. You impressed me. I recognized loyalty and integrity in your character. I admired your tenaciousness, your spirit, and your mettle. And through it all, faced with losing the home that appeared to mean so much to you, you never lost your poise, grace, and refinement. That impressed me. And of course, your beauty captivated me.”
    Oh, no. Oh, heavens, no.
Maggie pressed back against the cushion wishing the sofa could swallow her whole. “Mr. Hill, I appreciate your kindness, but I really must be going.” She tried to stand. “My grandfathers—”
    “Can wait. I am building my manor house, Maggie, my dear. Such a home needs a lady in residence. My home will not be complete until I live there with my wife.”
    She forced a breath past the lump in her throat. “Well, um, how nice. I am certain your lady will love it here.”
    “I am too. Because, you see, she already does.”
    Maggie’s stomach dropped to her feet. “Uh, Mr. Hill.”
    “Barlow, please.”
    “I couldn’t,” she replied to more than the use of his Christian name.
    “You must. Think of how nicely it all works out. It’s true I would have preferred to establish my residence in New York, but my funds stretch further here in Texas. However, I have high hopes that in the not-too—distant future one of my investments will pay off and allow me to relocate, but until then, Bliss will be my home. As it is yours. I didn’t enjoy the thought of evicting you, my dear. This solution means I’ll not be obliged to do it. And with you as my lady of the manor, I wouldn’t think of forcing your grandfathers to leave the spa. They will spend their declining