Читать книгу Marriage On Demand - Susan Fox, Susan Fox P. - Страница 9

SUPPER was somber and quiet. The silence in the big dining room was measured by the heavy tock-tock of the ancient grandfather clock at the side of the room. Ford sat at the head of the long table, with Rena to his right.

The polished surface of the glossy dark wood reflected the soft lights of the ornate candelabra that had been placed near their end of the long table. A bowl of cut flowers sat at the base of the candelabra.

The look, as Zelly must have intended, was romantic, right down to the delicate china she’d laid out and the champagne Ford had poured and toasted them with. They both still wore their work clothes from that day, and the odd mix of romantic refinements and common clothes seemed symbolic of a marriage made for ranch land.

Except that no true romance existed beyond the candles, the flowers and champagne. The sight was a startling depiction of the truth: their marriage agreement was focused almost entirely on land, and the only romance in the deal amounted to table decorations put there by a well-meaning third party.

The food was excellent, and Rena got more of it down than she’d expected, but she felt self-conscious every moment. It was a huge relief when they finished and Ford suggested they take their champagne to the chairs on the front veranda.

Ford waited until she’d chosen a seat, then dragged one of the other chairs closer to hers and sat down. He’d angled his chair so they faced each other a bit. Rena took a sip of the champagne she still had left, but was too tense to relax.

“We’re gonna need to talk to each other, Rena. I enjoy the sound of your voice and I’d be interested in anything you’d have to say.”