Alex glanced over at the doorway again. The skinny canine skulked behind the corner and peered at him with those yellow eyes. The week was almost up, and the mutt would finally be gone. He didn’t like the way the dog followed him around and watched every movement. He didn’t act like a normal dog who barked and wagged his tail and slurped water. This onereminded him of a ghost. Maya forced him to eat, drink, and taught him how to be walked. The mutt went through all the motions but his eyes remained distant, as if waiting for the real truth to be revealed. As if waiting to be dumped back on that highway. Alone.Alex shook his head, annoyed at the shiver that raced down his spine. He’d been having dreams lately of the dog Jed had made him get rid of,dreams that haunted him until he reached for his wife in the middle of the night to exorcise the lingering images. He found himself doing that a lot lately. Losing himself in her body, in her warmth and heat, until the deep chill he carrie

Memories from his past dragged him back. With long practice, his heart chilled, along with his tone. “Jed. What do you want?”His father laughed. “Is that the type of greeting I’m warranted from my own son? How’ve you been?”Alex dropped the letter in his lap and went through the motions. “Fine.Back from Mexico so soon?”“Yeah, I got married.”Wife number four. His mother would pop out of hiding to make trouble that seemed to be the pattern. and he was only a pawn to make thegame more interesting. Nausea clawed at his gut. “Congratulations. Listen,I gotta go, no time to chat.”“I have something to discuss with you, Son. Meet me for lunch.”“Sorry, I’m busy.”“I just need an hour, tops. Make the time.”The warning pulsed through the phone. Alex squeezed his eyes shut as he fought instinct. He better meet him, just in case Jed had some twisted idea to go after Dreamscape and challenge the will. What a mess. “Fine. I’llmeet you at three o’clock. Planet Diner.”He clicked off the pho

8 Months ago Alex Smith had a fortune at his fingertips. But to get the one thing he wanted he needed a wife.Alex believed in many things, working hard to accomplish a goal. Controlling anger and resorting to reason when a moment became confrontational. And creating buildings that were solid and beautiful. Smooth angles and sharp lines blending together. Bricks and concrete and glass attesting to the solidity that people craved in ordinary life. The Short moment of wonder when a person looks upon the final creation for the first time. All of these things made sense to him. Alex did not believe in marriage, love or even family. This things made no sense to him, and he had decided not to incorporate them into his life. Unfortunately, uncle Billy had changed the rules.Alex 's guts coiled, and his sick sense of humor almost caused a laugh to spill from his lips. He rose from his leather chair and stripped of his jacket. He quickly changed into his gray sweatpants and matching tshirt.

“I got the contract.”She let out a whoop and jumped into his arms. He laughed and swung her around, then bent his head and kissed her. The familiar warmth and heat coursed through her, and she dug her nails into his shoulders and hung on.When he’d kissed her deep and thorough, he eased away and beamed down at her. Her heart pumped up and filled with so much joy Maya worriedshe’d burst.“We’re celebrating, baby. We have an extra bottle of champagne frombNew Year’s Eve chilling in the fridge. Let’s get drunk and crazy.”She paused and wondered when to spring her news. A normal woman would wait until dinner was served and they basked in the news of thewaterfront deal. A normal woman would bide her time and ease her husband into the idea.Maya admitted she’d never been normal. The news of his success bode as a good omen to spring her own news.“I can’t drink anymore.”He smiled at her and resumed seasoning the salmon. “Trying to lay off the sauce, huh? It’s not this stupid diet, is it

Two weeks Later. Alex stared out the window in the kitchen. Old Yeller lay by his feet. A cup of steaming coffee sat at his elbow.He wandered his days like a ghost. Work kept him busy, so he poured all his energy into his designs, then tossed and turned in bed all night. He thought of Maya, and his unborn baby.The bell rang. He shook his head and made his way to the door. Jim and Maria McKenzie stood outside.Grief overtook him at their familiar figures, but he pushed the emotion back and opened the door. “Jim, Maria, what are you doing here?”He assumed they came for one reason to completely demolish him. He prepared for Maria’s tears and pleas for his unborn child. He expected Jim to punch him and curse him for hurting his baby girl.Alex straightened his spine and got ready to take it all. He was surprised they’d waited so long. Hell, maybe her parents’ rage would help. He needed to feel something he’d even welcome pain. Eventually, he needed to contact her regarding the rest of