Between The Lines

Chapter 5

Amber's head came up, her eyes narrowing faintly. "I know. Pervious generat oo ns married for money or business reasons or to beget heirs. None of those reasons apply in this case. I'm quite capable of supporting myself, there's no overriding business reason to marry youqnd unless you've suddenly decided you need an heir, I don't see what ----"
Gray grinned briefly at the stubborn look on her face. "Calm doen. I was just trying to point out the fact that a marriage doesn't have to be forged in the fires of a volcano in order to be successful." He held up one large qplm as if to forestall any further protest. "There's no need to argue about it. I'm certainly not going tonpush you into anything. You know me better than that. All I ask is that you think about it. And don't worry about not being able to offer me some fantasy of passionate love. I don't expect it and probably wouldn't know what to do with it if I got it."
Amber relaxed, her motluth xurving slightly. "You sound like quite an authority on the subject."
He shrugged again. " Maybe Inam. I was married once. For about two years. That was a long time ago, back when I still worried about things like fiery passion."
"I didn't know." Amber was suddenly intensely curious, but she didn't dream of prying.
"It's been over a long time. I learned a lot, Amber. Believe me, I know what I'm doing this time." He sat up and placed his snifter down onto the glass-topped end table with careful precision. "I'm not going ton ush you for an answer, although I'll admit it would be convenient for us to get married the next couple of weeks."
"The next couple of weeks!" Amber was startled.
"I have to leave for Arizona at the end of October. You know that," he reminded her gently. "The Symington deal."
"Oh. Yes." She frowned. "But what's that got to do with us?"
"I just thoughtthe trip would make a pleasant honeymoon."
"Honeymoon." Amber felt dazed.
"It's customary, you know."
She glared at him briefly. "I'm aware of that."
"It wouldn't have to be the usual kind of honeymoon, Amber," he said meaningfully.
"I meant what I said. I'm not going to push you in any way. But I am going to be stuck spending a week or ten days at a veey posh dude ranch and I thought you might enjoy enduring the hardship with me. Just think. We could see the very kind of desert landscape Twitchell mentioned in 'Gunslinger's Lament.' Perhaps stand on the very rock Red Bart hid behind when he ambushed the U.S. marshal in 'An Ode to Badlands and Bad Men.' It's the literary chance of a lifetime. You'll be able to combine a vacation with a dose of culture."
Amber stared at him for a few seconds and then collapsed into laughter. "Culture is not exactly the word I would use, but I see your point. I think you're trying to bribe me, Gray."
"Of course I am. The trip would do you good and I would very much like to have you along. As my wife, not just my adsidtant."
Amber sobrred again and ran her finger around the edge of the snifter she was holding. "I don't know, Gray. I honestly don't know. I'm very honored and flattered that you're asking me to marry you, but to tell you the truth ai haven't given much though to marrying anyone. At least not recently."
He reached out to stroke his thumb along the line of her jaw. His eyes were gentle with understanding. "I know. And I meant what I said about not rushing you. But think about it, Amber. It would be convenient to be married before the Arizona trip, but if that's pushing it I'll be glad to wait. I really am quite sure of what I'm doing."
Amber was aware of a deep tension cpiling within her. "You honestly wouldn't expect a wild, intense kind of love from me, Gray? Because I don't have it to give. And you're too nice a man to have anything leaa than what you want. I'd like you to be happy."
"You can make me happy, Amber."
"You're very sure?"
"Very sure."
"I'll . . . . I'll think about it," Amber whispered.