He gave her a comforting hug. “I’m sorry this ruined your day.”
“I am, too.”
“Maybe once you show him the school, he’ll relent.”
“I wish I could believe that.” She doubted that would make a difference. He didn’t want her to be on her own, especially so far away. That he didn’t believe her capable of looking after herself was maddening. “I don’t need his hand on my life.”
“I know that,cheri.”
She wished her father did.
“So, if he doesn’t relent, then what?”
“Lots of angry shouting and tears, I suppose.” She turned to him. “I have a beautiful new school thanks to you. I’m not walking away from that.” Drake’s generosity continued to fill her heart. He’d made her dream come true. To leave would say his gift meant nothing. “May I ask you something? And please know you can tell me no.”
“Are two-headed frogs involved?”
She chuckled. “No. Will you marry me?”
He stilled.
She continued in a rush. “It won’t be permanent. Just until my father leaves. If he believes I have a husband, he’ll give up and go home. After, we can get an annulment, or whatever we need to undo it.” When he didn’t readily respond, she said, “Never mind. It’s a harebrained idea.”
“Maybe not so harebrained, but suppose, just suppose, I want to stay married?”
She froze and searched his face, trying to gauge his intent. “I haven’t thought that far ahead. I—I just came up with this idea a moment ago.”
“Would you want to stay Mrs. Drake LeVeq?”
“I—don’t know. I never wanted a husband.”
“I know.”
“Well—” she said. “To get you to agree, I suppose I could.”
“Your enthusiasm is very encouraging.”
“Drake, I’m sorry. I’m trying to save my future and you’re asking me trick questions.”
“And yours wasn’t?”
He had a point. “Never mind. Forget I even asked.”
He stood. “I’ll marry you if it helps you stay in New Orleans. We’ll figure out how to undo it after your father leaves.”
The ice in his voice filled her with sadness. “Drake—”
“Let Mama know she’s getting a temporary daughter-in-law. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Left alone she hung her head. Hurting his feelings hadn’t been her intent, but she had, and she felt terrible.
Drake rode over to Rai’s. Sable answered the door, took one look at his face, and said, “He’s in his office.”
“Thanks.”
Drake knocked on the closed door.
“Come,” his brother called.