Page 51 of Landry
He blinked at her response, though he had been determined to mow over any more objections she might have. "What?"
She grinned at his dazed expression. "Yes."
"You're agreeing to marry me?" he asked, wanting clarification.
"Unless you've changed your mind."
With an excited yell, he swung her into his arms, crushing her to him. "We're getting married!"
"If you don't squeeze the life out of me first," she told him breathlessly.
"Sorry." Putting her back down, he kissed her soundly. "How about next weekend? It doesn't have to be a big ceremony, something intimate with family and a few friends."
"Landry- "
"I will take care of all the arrangements. My assistant is a whiz at getting things done." His eyes turned pleading and had her going weak. "I want you as my wife, darling. I want to see my ring on your finger and know that you bear my name. Give me that. I want it as soon as possible."
"This is crazy," she muttered.
"Next Saturday."
"All right, fine. I can just imagine the look on my mother's face, but what the hell! The answer is yes."
Swinging her into his arms, he carried her back to bed.
***
"This is utter and complete madness. We're in a crisis here," his father said.
"One that you and mother created," Landry pointed out with a touch of grimness to his tone.
"All we're asking is that you wait- " his mother said.
"Until when, mother? Do you have a time frame on when this mad man will make his move?" He shook his head. "We're not asking for your permission. With or without you, we're getting married next Saturday. It will be a small ceremony, family, a few friends." His eyes turned icy. "We were forced to be apart because of something you did, and it almost destroyed us. We will face this thing as a married couple."
"I for one think it's delightful," Kathy purred, aiming a dazzling smile at Kady. "I've always wanted a sister and you fit the bill, darling."
"Thank you." Kady's dry tone had her laughing.
"It's the only bright spot in this awful set of circumstances. Have you told your brother?" she asked casually.
"I've asked him and my mother to lunch." Kady looked at the couple, who were still staring at them as if they had taken leave of their senses. "I'm sorry if you think we just landed this on you, Mr. and Mrs. Crenshaw, but I love your son, have loved him since I was a teen, and I have no intention of letting this 'mad man' dictate my happiness for a second time."
"Good for you." Kathy shrugged when her father aimed a cool look in her direction. "We deserve some sort of happiness," she continued determinedly. "And for the horror you went through, darling, I'm rooting for you." Walking over to her brother, she went on her toes and kissed his cheek. Turning to Kady, she squeezed her hand and added saucily, "I'm voting myself matron of honor."
"Naturally."
The three of them turned toward the couple, unwittingly forming a unit.
"A week," Jessica murmured, realizing that they either had to get on board or run the risk of alienating their children even more.
"You don't have to do anything," Landry told her swiftly.
"Nonsense." Moving forward, she held out her hands, the smile not reaching her jade green eyes. "Welcome to the family, my dear, and under the circumstances, I think you should call us by our given names." She turned to look at her husband, brows lifting. "I'm your mother, and both your father and I would be honored to be part of the entire planning."
"I've already contacted Leonora. You can liaise with her. I-" He turned to smile at the woman at his side. "We want complete intimacy. Just a quiet ceremony. We've decided not to take our honeymoon yet, until this is all over." Leaning down, he brushed his lips on hers. "Massey took something significant from us and almost destroyed us in the process; we're not going to allow him that privilege again. We're prepared to fight."
Chapter 14
