Victoria Chancellor - Coming Home to Texas

“If we get married, I want to stay married period. That’s how marriage is supposed to work.”

“But often doesn’t.”

“True. I’m a perfect example of how it’s sometimes necessary to end a marriage.” Getting a divorce was the best thing possible, given his ex-wife Tiffany’s priorities. He wasn’t about to be labeled a two-time loser, especially not now that he’d set down roots in a place he loved. If he married then divorced Jodie, people who cared about him would be understanding, but they’d still know he’d failed twice—either by choosing the wrong women to marry or by being unable to compromise and care enough to hold them.

“This time, I’m older and wiser. If I stand before a minister or an official of the state and say my vows, I need to mean them.” He looked deeply into Jodie’s troubled eyes. “I need to know you mean them, too.”

“Travis, you’re making a bigger issue out of this than it needs to be. There’s no reason to make this into a big production with lifetime consequences.”

He pulled back, his anger rising until he told himself that Jodie was scared. He could see it in her eyes. She felt as if she might lose the career she’d built based on her image. She was pregnant and single. And she didn’t want a lifetime commitment from him because she didn’t believe in the feelings they’d shared for one weekend in Monte Carlo.

Not that he believed in love. Depending on that fleeting emotion would be like building a house on shifting sand. Anyone could say they loved you, swear that they’d love you forever, without it meaning anything. The attraction, the mutual respect, the companionship he and Jodie shared—those were real.

He was convinced they could get those feelings back. He knew it when he looked at her sleeping in his guest room or in unguarded moments when she allowed her vulnerability to peek through the polished veneer she showed the rest of the world.

“Like it or not, we’ve made a lifetime commitment by creating a child together.”

“We can have a responsibility to the child without having one to each other.”

“Maybe you can. I don’t think so, but I might be wrong. But I can’t function that way. We should have a commitment to stay married or we don’t get married at all.”

“You’re giving me an ultimatum?”

“Just like you handed me one when you walked in the door.”

“That was different. I was trying to be considerate. I never wanted you to think that I was trying to trap you into marriage. You must know I didn’t plan to get pregnant. That’s why I still believe a temporary marriage would be best.”

“Jodie, I’m absolutely serious when I tell you this. We’re getting married on Saturday, which is Valentine’s Day, at Bretford House in Ranger Springs. That’s where we normally have receptions for local weddings. I would suggest having the ceremony in the church, but they’re refinishing the floors right now.”

He paused to take a breath. “It takes three days in Texas to get a license and make the arrangements. The date will seem romantic when your publicist prepares a press release about our whirlwind courtship.”

“Three days to plan a wedding!”

“You’ll have one day to decide, then we need to go to the county clerk’s office to apply for a license. I suggest you call your relatives, friends and business associates tomorrow and make travel arrangements for them. I’ll take care of the rest.”

She looked completely stunned as she sat upright in the chair, framed by the window. In the dark glass he saw a reflection of the room. He saw himself, looking stiff and determined. Well, fine. That’s how he felt. His decision was firm—he wasn’t getting married again unless it was for keeps. Maybe he and Jodie didn’t have enough in common to build a marriage, but maybe, just maybe, they did.

At least this time his wife wouldn’t beseech him to tell her he loved her one more time. To prove that he loved her by giving in to her demands for more, more, more. Jodie wasn’t insecure and clingy; she wouldn’t need constant reassurance.

He turned away from his austere image, then remembered an earlier conversation. “Oh, and by the way, we’re having dinner Wednesday night with Hank and Gwendolyn McCauley. Seven o’clock.”

“Travis, you can’t just come in here and turn my world upside down like this!”

“Funny you should say that, sweetheart, because that’s exactly what you did to me earlier today.”

She ignored his sarcasm. “I need time. I need to consult with my attorney and agent. I have plans to make!”

“Jodie, if you want to get married to me, you’d better make those plans in a hurry, because come Saturday, there’s going to be a wedding. It’s not going to be the biggest or the most elaborate wedding ever, but it’s going to be public, it’s going to be legal and it’s going to be ours.”

Jodie had slept little after Travis’s dramatic announcement last night. She’d barely dozed off when her travel alarm buzzed. Now, showered and dressed, she felt ill prepared for what today would bring.

Still, she walked with as much confidence as she could muster down the second-floor hallway, pausing to look at the great room below. There was no fire in the large hearth, but she smelled coffee and sensed warmth coming from the kitchen. Apparently, Travis was already up, or he had a housekeeper. To take care of this large residence, Jodie wouldn’t be surprised if he had live-in help—not that she’d seen anyone yesterday.

She and Travis needed to talk about his ultimatum and she’d much rather do that in private, without even a one-person audience. She still thought a temporary marriage was best. Certainly they needed a whole new plan if he insisted they stay married. Not that she believed they would, of course. They had separate lives and might find that they weren’t compatible if they spent months rather than days together. The one thing they had in common was the baby, and she was willing to share the child with Travis. Surely they could be civilized and compromise on custody.

She hadn’t spent too much time thinking about marriage—although like many women, she’d fantasized about the perfect wedding. She’d been too busy rising in her profession. She’d always assumed one day she’d fall in love, get married and have children. In that order. Now she was doing it in reverse, only there was no guarantee of “falling in love.” But how could she get what she needed—a cooperative husband—without giving up on her dreams?

She couldn’t even call her mother, sister or publicist in California yet. They wouldn’t appreciate being awakened at six o’clock in the morning, West Coast time. But as soon as she and Travis talked again and came to a realistic agreement on their marriage, she’d let her people, family and friends know.

Perhaps a small private ceremony with a minister or justice of the peace wouldn’t be too bad. But Valentine’s Day? That was certainly quick, which was one of her needs, but was it too quick? When she’d told him they needed to get married right away, she was thinking of flying off to Vegas or Reno. Having a quiet ceremony. Perhaps with one photo that could be released to the press.

She had the perfect dress in her closet in Newport Beach. A creamy silk organza with embroidery that she’d purchased in India last year. The dress was beautiful, but she hadn’t found the perfect place to wear it…yet. She’d add medium-height Ferragamo’s and some polished capiz shell and pearl jewelry from her favorite Los Angeles designer. She’d look romantic yet sophisticated, especially on the arm of such a handsome, tall man dressed in black, classic Ralph Lauren.