The Contract by Marsh, Nicola (read aloud books .txt) 📕

She laid a calming hand on his forearm. “I know this is hard for you to understand but we hit it off. I’ve never felt like this about a man before.” She had that right. “I think he’ll make a good husband.”

She could’ve sworn her father aged ten years before her eyes. He sat there, shaking his head from side to side, with his mouth gaping open. She continued, giving him time to compose himself and before she lost any of her momentum. “It’s a quick decision but it’s for the best.”

Finally, her dad spoke. “Honey, you’re making a big mistake. I’ve let you live your own life and supported you but aren’t you taking this free-spirit attitude a bit far? For heaven’s sake, you hardly know this man.” Her dad wasn’t prone to theatrics, so his fist thumping into his opposite hand shook her more than she let on.

She’d known this would be difficult but there was no way she would back down now. She owed her dad, though she could never tell him the truth behind her marriage. “You hadn’t known Mum long before you married.”

“That was different.” Her father shrunk back, his shoulders sagging and she wondered if he’d ever get over his grief at losing Sophie Lawrence.

A pang of sorrow pierced her heart. “I’m just like her, Dad. Mum instilled her love of life, her live-for-the-moment attitude into me. I’ve followed in her footsteps so far and it hasn’t steered me wrong.” A lone tear trickled down her cheek and she dabbed it away. “I can’t change who I am. Marrying Steve Rockwell is what I want to do. It’s the right thing to do.”

Her father opened his arms and she leaned into them. “Having you by my side has been a godsend. Ever since I lost your mother, you’ve been my reason for living.” He stroked her hair, just like he had when she’d been a child. “I’ve trusted your judgment and you’ve never let me down. Are you sure this is what you want?”

She pulled away slowly and nodded. “Yes.”

“Has this got anything to do with the business?” Her father’s shrewdness had always been a problem; he’d grilled every potential date as a teenager and hadn’t changed when she’d grown up. She’d known he might put two and two together and come up with five.

“No, it hasn’t. Though Steve did mention that money wouldn’t be a problem once we married and I could use it any way I see fit.” He hadn’t used those words exactly but she’d got the general gist of his business-like proposal.

A glimmer of hope lit her father’s eyes. “Do you think that’s true?”

She patted his hand and breathed a sigh of relief. All the fight had drained out of her dad. Now all she had to do was tell the man in question she’d agreed to his proposition and prepare for a life-change that still had her head spinning. “Everything will be fine, Dad. You’ll see.”

Amber wished she felt as confident as she sounded.

* * *

As the plane touched down at Coolangatta airport, Steve unbuckled and reached for his briefcase. He didn’t have time to waste, all his carefully arranged plans hinging on an answer from Amber, and it better be the correct answer, otherwise God help them both.

He didn’t bother hiring a car this time. If Amber said yes, he’d whisk her away in the limo and back to his hotel before she had a chance to change her mind. And there was more than one advantage to that little scenario; having her ensconced in his bed would prevent her from running away and have the added bonus of easing the terrible ache which hadn’t subsided since he’d met her.

Amber had to say yes. Time was running out for his grandmother and he wanted to present his new wife to her as soon as possible. When he’d spoken to his grandma last night her frailty had shocked him. He’d promised to visit in the next week, hopefully with his wife in tow.

As Col’s Carnival came into sight, Steve rummaged through the necessary paperwork he’d brought along for a marriage licence. Once again, he’d gone behind Amber’s back and obtained her required documents so they could marry ASAP. For once, he’d been grateful for the power his family name held and the influence that extended farther than he’d thought possible.

Confident everything was in order, he snapped the briefcase and it’s precious contents shut as the limo slid to a halt.

“Wait for me, Sam. I won’t be long.”

The polite chauffeur tipped his hat in acknowledgment as Steve strode through the gates and turned in the direction of Amber’s van.

He’d been shocked when he’d first discovered she lived in a caravan but had hid it well. Not everyone had the privilege, or as he liked to see it at times a burden, of endless family wealth. Besides, the quaint van with the hand-painted mural of dolphins swimming in the ocean fit the image of the spirited woman who had snuck beneath his guard.

He knocked twice, running a finger beneath the collar of his shirt and wishing he’d worn something more comfortable. The humid Gold Coast climate wasn’t conducive to suits though he’d be damned if he ever dressed like some of the locals, who favoured shorts above all else, even for business.

The door flung open and his heart picked up tempo at the sight that greeted him.

“Hey there, Hotshot. How was the trip?” Amber stood in the doorway, wearing a pair of skimpy, cut-off denim shorts and a tie-dye top that bared her midriff. He’d been right, she sported a navel ring, with a glittering purple