A Wife by Accident (21 page)

“Thank you,” the recorded Gary replied with that firm, quiet look on his face that said he’d already analyzed his interviewer and taken a dislike to him.

“I’ll get straight to the point,” Mel continued and leaned toward Gary with beady eyes glinting in the hot, overly bright studio lighting. “We have been told that you bought your wife in a sordid business deal more than six months ago and are no longer even married at all. Is this true?”

“No.” Gary rested his arms on the sides of his chair and looked confidently at his interviewer. Even seated, he seemed to tower over the other man.

Mel cleared his throat as he learned the hard way not to ask yes-no questions of Gary Tarleton. “Can you explain why these allegations have been made?”

“No.”

Mel almost grimaced as he nervously slicked back his heavily
moussed
,
greying
hair with the palm of his hand. He’d done it again. “What I mean,” he recovered, “is that I’d like you to explain to all our viewers out there what your current marital status is.”

“I’m married,” Gary answered and to Mel’s great relief, continued, “to a wonderful woman named
Hayely
. I think quite a few people had the chance to meet her at the Chamber Banquet a while back. It’s true that we married more than half a year ago and we couldn’t be happier together.”

“That’s wonderful news, Gary. I’m sure we’re all very happy for you. But what about these rumors that she’s just another hired hand, so to speak?”

“I learned long ago never to listen to rumors,” Gary said darkly. “They never tell the whole story. The real truth of the matter is, I met
Hayely
and hired her to do the interior design work on my new house. We got to know each other and fell in love.”

“So there’s no truth to the rumors that
Hayely
is only an employee?”

“Nope.”

“So how do you explain your wedding? I understand it was impromptu at best. No friends, no family present to watch the two of you exchanges vows. How do you explain that, Gary?”

He shot the man a dark, serious look that made the reporter nervously clear his throat again. Then Gary paused for a moment before answering, “My thoughtlessness. That’s how I would explain it. That’s partially why I wanted to do this interview, to make an announcement and redeem myself. I didn’t give
Hayely
a chance to start our marriage with all the trimmings. She deserves so much more than what I gave her. I can’t rewind time, but I think I can make up for my impatience.”

“Go on, tell us how,” Mel almost pleaded. His panicked expression said that if Gary stopped talking, he was afraid he couldn’t make him start again.

“I’d like to ask my bride to renew our wedding vows. We’ll do it in a big church ceremony full of friends and family, if that’s what she wants.
The white dress and everything.
Cake.
Flowers galore.
The works.”
He looked directly into the camera with a twinkle in his hazel eyes. “What do you think,
Hayely
Tarleton? Marry me all over again?”

Carla and
Hayely’s
mother let out a collective sigh and looked with misty eyes at
Hayely
. There was even a tear or two lurking in her father’s eyes, though he tried his best to look brave. It was clear Gary had taken a potentially nasty situation and was walking away from it looking like the most romantic hero in town.

As Mel did the wrap-up, the off-the-television Gary took the remote control from Charlie’s fingers and turned down the volume. He took
Hayely’s
slender hand in his own and asked, “Well? Is that a yes?”

“What do you think?” she answered with a laugh.

“I think you’ll do.” He suddenly looked her up and down as if surveying merchandise before making a great purchase. He ran a hand through his tousled brown hair and then across his chin, but there was no mistaking the amusement on his face this time.

She fought a smile, but her eyes had already smoked over with emotion. “I’ll do what?” She recalled all too well their first meeting and said a silent prayer of thanks. This time, she had no trouble meeting his gaze. In fact, she wanted to spend the rest of her years doing just that.

“Here’s the deal. I want a real, permanent wife. I want conversations and plenty of questions. I’ll be requiring friendship and silver-eyed children—and more pot roast while I’m at it. Not to mention a companion for the honeymoon to Pompeii I’ve just booked.”

Hayely
tucked her hair back behind her ear and whispered with a smile, “Well then, Mr. Tarleton, I suppose I’ll—I do.”

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