Page 102 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Oscar caught hold of her arm. “Hear him out,” he urged.

“Fine,” she huffed. “Say what you have to say.” She was cold and empty inside.

“I didn’t know about your inheritance.” Anger flashed in his eyes. “It’s astounding to think that you’re being forced to get married.”

“Yes, it is,” she snapped, surprised and grateful that Roman was acknowledging the unfairness of her situation.

“I’d be lying if I said it didn’t sting to know that you intended to marry me so you could get your inheritance.”

“And I’d be lying if I said it didn’t sting that you two-timed me,” she retorted.

His eyes widened before he pressed his lips together in remorse. “Like I said yesterday, I’m sorry.” His dark eyes brimmed with tenderness. “I know you don’t think that you ever loved me, but I love you.” He gave her a hopeful look. “I’ll love you enough for both of us.”

Her brows furrowed. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way,” she said tartly. She knew from sad experience that no matter how much she loved Lucas, it wasn’t enough. If he couldn’t commit, then they were doomed.

Roman’s gaze held hers. “You need a husband so you can get your inheritance.” There was a tremor in his voice. “I need you. Please, marry me.”

Magnolia had to fight the urge to start laughing hysterically. “This is ludicrous.”

“Think about what he’s offering,” Oscar cut in. “I know you’re upset right now, but do you really want to lose your inheritance?”

Magnolia chewed on her inner cheek. No, she didn’t want to lose her inheritance, but all she could think about right now wasLucas. Her heart squeezed, a wall of tears pressing behind her eyes.

“You don’t have to give me an answer right now,” Roman said. “Just think about it.” A reminiscent smile curled his lips. “We had fun together, remember?”

She gave him a curt nod in response. Roman was a handsome man. She’d been drawn to him once. Could she grow to love him? Everything in her repelled the idea as Lucas’s face flashed before her. Her heart ached. Would the hurt fade? She’d lost Lucas. She didn’t want to lose her inheritance too. “I’ll think about it,” she finally said.

“Don’t think on it too long,” her father inserted. “You’re running out of time.”

Chapter Fourteen

“Start at the beginning, and tell me everything that happened,” Lillian prompted as she shifted on the plush couch as if trying to find a comfortable spot. Her eyes were kind, her voice soothing.

Lucas’s head was throbbing like he’d been beaten with a baseball bat. He felt sluggish from lack of sleep. He wished he could sink into the couch and let it swallow him whole. His emotions were such a tangled mass that he felt like he’d lose his mind. After leaving the Bentley estate the night before, he’d intended to drive all night back to Franklin. But he couldn’t fathom the thought of going home without Magnolia. Before his head even realized what was happening, he found himself back in the town of Remember. He didn’t know what he hoped to find by coming here. He only knew that he wasn’t in any shape to go home. He’d pulled into the inn and slept in his truck. This morning, when he’d gone inside, he was greeted by a surprised Sam who quickly ushered him back to Lillian’s office. Forty-five minutes later, Lillian shuffled in, apologizing that he’d had to wait for her. She explained that she’d hosted a Christmas Eve party the night before for some close friends and members of the town. Lucas apologized for interrupting her Christmas, butshe brushed away his comment with a wave of her hand saying that she had all the time in the world. Lillian had on a Christmas sweater. This one was of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. Rudolph’s nose was a fluffy red pom pom.

“What happened?” Lillian prompted.

“Benjamin Bentley,” for starters, Lucas grumbled.

“Ah,” she said sagely, “but you knew that going in. Benjamin can be a grumpy old codger. He’s like a dog that won’t let go of a bone.”

“Grumpy is one word for him. I can think of a few other choice words.” He clenched his jaw as the anger resurged.

Lillian chuckled. “Let’s not go there. I don’t like to speak ill of the dead, but Carol Bentley was a cold fish. She and Benjamin did a number on poor Oscar.”

“Tell me about it,” Lucas growled.

Lillian propelled her hand in a circular motion. “Don’t keep me in limbo here. Tell me what happened.”

“Do you know about the conditions attached to the trust fund?”

“Yes, Benjamin told me when I called him. Magnolia has to be married by her twenty-seventh birthday, and it has to be someone that both Benjamin and Eric Stanford approve of.”

“Don’t forget the part about Magnolia having a child within five years of the marriage.”

Lillian blinked in surprise, a look of outrage turning her face deep red. “Are you serious?”

“Yep,” he clipped.

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