The Gift-Wrapped Groom Read Online Free Page A

once you are married.”
    He watched her hands moving uneasily by her sides, as though too full of internal agitation to stay still. Obviously, she also lacked discipline.
    â€œThis can’t possibly be legal. When Bud Winer wanted to marry a Filipino woman, he had to go to her country to meet her first. I’ve never been to Russia to meet this man.”
    Winsome beamed at her. “Not to worry, child. When my friends at the State Department who arranged this matter for me explained to officials at the Immigration and Naturalization Service that because of the political unrest in Russia, it would not be prudent for you to visit, that condition was waived. So you see, those annoying minor details have been seen to and properly dealt with. Nicholas is legally here on a fiancé visa. You can be certain of it.”
    Nicholas could see that the certainty was indeed making itself painfully felt. Those hands moved in ever-frantic sweeps. He didn’t know how it was possible, but her face got even paler as the desperation grew in her voice.
    â€œYou would force me to do this?”
    Winsome beamed again. “Me? Force you? Noel, this is the middle of the 1990s in the United States of America. Forcing women into marriage went out at least a century ago.”
    Nicholas was glad to hear that the grandfather had no intention of forcing her. He liked William Winsome. He would not want to find cause to change that opinion. And no matter how desperate his own straits, he would not be party to taking an unwilling bride.
    â€œNoel, if you don’t have the good sense to accept this perfect husband I have scoured the earth to find, then simply say the word and Nicholas will be back on the next plane to Moscow.”
    â€œYou’ll still let me give you the money?”
    Money? She had paid her grandfather to find him?
    More beaming from that perfect smile with those perfect teeth before the charming voice continued. “My dear child, I don’t want your money. You’ll find your old grandfather as generous as always. I will be delighted for you to continue to work at my store and come to live here with me in my home. We’ll use that old shack of yours as firewood this winter.”
    Nicholas watched as absolute horror absorbed Noel’s face at the images William Winsome’s seemingly loving words evoked. His confusion deepened. What was so terrible about her grandfather’s freely offering to take her into his home—this beautiful home—while expressing so much love?
    There was a tug-of-war going on between this grandfather and granddaughter—one that Nicholas was at a loss to understand. Then, in a flash, the look of horror on Noel’s face was replaced by that hardness again. A fierce determination underlay her next words.
    â€œI want to speak to Mr. Baranov alone.”
    Winsome’s smile dimmed not one watt. “I’m afraid leaving you two alone would be inappropriate. You are affianced, yes. But I am an old-fashioned man, and until the two of you have tied the knot, Nicholas will stay here and I will be present whenever you’re together. And, if you’re going to insist on using last names, Noel, please address our guest properly as Dr. Baranov.”
    â€œI have the right to question him, and I intend to.”
    The old man’s smile dimmed and definite annoyance crossed his face. “Are you saying you don’t believe me about Nicholas’s qualifications? Since when have you ever found me to be less than truthful?”
    â€œI’m not trying to impugn your veracity, Grandfather. But a man—and particularly a husband—must have far more important qualifications than those you delineated in our agreement. I will question him. This is a major life decision, the most important one I will ever make. And, ultimately, despite your considerable efforts in affecting it, this is my life, and this is a decision only I can