LITMIR.BIZ

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again. “He’s got a housekeeper, a perfectly competent woman. She never had children of her own, though, and she’s certainly not the twins’ mother. That’s who’s going to take care of these girls if my brother has his way. Is that the mark of a man who loves his nieces? I’d say he was thinking more of himself than of them.”

      The unfairness of this remark brought gasps from several people, including Dr. Abby, who had witnessed Mason’s devotion over the past two months. Megan Maitland glowered. But what could she or anyone else say?

      “That’s not true.”

      Gina’s sweet voice carried over the crowd with surprising strength. Before anyone else could react, and no doubt before Margaret even figured out who had spoken, Chelsea snatched back her microphone and hurried over. “What makes you say that, Nurse?”

      “I’m the one who’s going to take care of Daisy and Lily,” Gina announced. “Mason and I are getting married.”

      Chapter Four

      She hadn’t meant to say that. Until a minute ago, Gina had had every intention of declining his offer.

      However, as Katie had pointed out yesterday, she couldn’t help flying to the defense of people she cared about. And after hearing for herself how ruthless Mason’s sister was, Gina had made the only move that could preserve his right to the girls.

      On Mason’s face she saw relief. If only he would put his arms around her and tell her that he cared about her, she would feel so much better. However, she reminded herself, he had proposed a practical arrangement, and she’d just agreed to it for practical reasons.

      Her statement rang in her ears, through the buzz of congratulations from Katie and Abby and Megan Maitland. It took a moment to realize that Chelsea Markum was asking another question.

      “When did this come about?” the reporter said.

      “Very recently. We weren’t going to announce it quite yet.” Gina wasn’t exactly lying. “Mason and I got to know each other over the past two months. I’ve been the primary-care nurse for Lily and Daisy.”

      She could hear reporters’ pens scratching, and besides, the camera had captured every word. There would be no going back. She swallowed hard, a little afraid of the events she’d impulsively set into motion.

      “Well!” Even the imposing Margaret, who looked as if she normally brooked no opposition, seemed at a loss for words, “This is a surprise!”

      “I wish someone had told us sooner,” her husband grumbled. “I’m missing an entire day’s work.”

      “Stuart!” his wife reproved. “Just because—that is—we don’t know anything about this young lady. Or how qualified she is to take care of our nieces.”

      “You’re doubting the qualifications of a neonatal-care nurse?” Chelsea Markum asked. “Mrs. Waldman, how much experience do you have with premature babies?”

      “That isn’t the point!” Margaret blustered, and stopped, unable to define exactly what the point was.

      “I’d like to know more about the upcoming nuptials,” said one of the print reporters, finally getting a word in edgewise. “When and where are you two going to be married?”

      Oh, help. “We hadn’t discussed…”

      Margaret butted in headfirst when Gina hesitated. “Exactly my point! Who’s going to care for the girls in the meantime? Obviously, my kid brother hasn’t thought far enough ahead to plan his wedding. Why, it could take months!”

      “We don’t need anything formal. I don’t have any immediate family,” Gina said wistfully. She’d always dreamed of a big wedding, with lace and flowers and lots of friends and relatives. It was hardly appropriate under the circumstances, though.

      “Nonsense!” When Megan Maitland spoke, everyone else hushed. “Since there’s no time to arrange for a facility, they’ll be married at my mansion. The grounds are beautiful, and it’s high time we used them for such a joyful purpose!”

      The Maitland mansion, ten blocks from the clinic, was a stately white structure out of Gina’s dreams. She’d often strolled past the four-story house, sneaking peaks at the Southern-style building and luxurious gardens.

      The prospect of having a wedding there filled her with excitement. But what about Mason? Wouldn’t he be upset, since he intended to stay married only long enough to adopt his nieces? Their marriage would be enough of a sham, without dragging so many other people into it.

      He was smiling broadly, she saw through the crowd. Probably the implications of having a big splashy wedding hadn’t dawned on him. Well, he appeared to have won at least the first round against his sister, and that was reason enough for elation.

      MASON WAS ALMOST GRATEFUL to Marge. If she’d spoken with more diplomacy, Gina might not have felt compelled to declare that she was marrying him.

      He didn’t harbor any illusions about her being in love with him. It was the girls she cared about, and that was fair enough.

      “So,” he said to the press, “where does a guy rent a tux around here?”

      “I’ll tell you if you promise to invite me!” Chelsea Markum said.

      He shook his head ruefully. “This isn’t a media circus, it’s a wedding. However, I’m happy to invite as many private guests as Mrs. Maitland is willing to accommodate. Including the staff of Maitland Maternity.”

      “Most of them will be working, but I think we can make a few exceptions,” Megan said. “Starting with Gina, who is on paid vacation as of this moment.”

      “When is this event going to take place?” his sister asked suspiciously. “Despite your generous offer, Mrs. Maitland, it could be weeks!”

      “Would tomorrow be soon enough?” asked the CEO. “It’s all right with me if it’s all right with our happy couple.”

      Mason heard Gina’s sharp intake of breath. Was she regretting her decision, or simply worrying over logistics? As for him, the sooner the better. It gave her less time to change her mind.

      “Suits me,” he said. “How about you, Gina?”

      His bride-to-be had gone pale, or perhaps it was the effect of bright sunshine on her ivory skin. “I don’t know. I’ve never been married before. I mean…don’t we need a license? And I’ll have to buy a dress. Not to mention arranging for a minister and flowers.”

      “I’ll put my staff on it immediately.” Megan Maitland beamed at the prospect. “Don’t you worry about the details. Just get the papers and the gown, and we can even assist with that if you like.”

      “Can I be your maid of honor?” Katie asked.

      “Of course! I was just about to ask you!”

      Mason had to admit he hadn’t considered how complicated weddings were. His cousin Ed, the ranch foreman, and his wife, Linda, had gotten married on the Blackstone spread twenty years ago, when Mason was fourteen. All he remembered was a lot of music and colorful clothing.

      Marge, who had been unaccustomedly silent, found one more tiny point to seize on. “And where are my precious nieces going to sleep tonight?” she cried. “In some hotel room where they won’t even have proper cribs?”

      Her concern might have been more touching, Mason reflected, had she gone over to see Lily and Daisy instead of remaining rooted in place. She hadn’t even held them in her arms once, or gazed into their eyes, or touched their cheeks.

      “They’ll stay at my house,” Megan declared. “We’ve got plenty of baby supplies and furniture, and I’ll hire a special duty nurse for tonight. The bridal couple need to get ready!”

      Suddenly the impact of what was happening flooded over Mason. These important people,

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