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“It depends on the season and the workload. I'm just giving you notice there'll be occasions where you'll spend more hours alone than you might like. Can you handle that?”
“It shouldn’t be a problem. Ihave art commissions I can work on when I’m at a loose end.”
“You’re an artist?”
“On the days I’m not managing the family farm.”
She’d surprised him. “Then you’re familiar with the lifestyle?” he asked in relief. “You understand it’ll be isolated.”
“I understand going to town is an all-day affair.” At least, it had been on Rafe’s coffee finca in Costa Rica. “I assume many of the chores will be similar, even though I doubt our farm is the same as your ranch. If so, Ican handle your accounts, schedule employees, take care of payroll, and run a household.”
“Anything you can’t do?” he asked in amusement.
“Well, there is one rather notable failing. But I’ll give just about anything a try. Is that good enough?”
He folded his arms across his chest and lifted an eyebrow. “Care to tell me what that failing is?”
She shook her head. “Not really.”
Instead of annoying him, he must have found her confession amusing. Abroad grin revealed the tiny chip in his tooth, achip she’d found quite by accident when they’d first kissed. “I’m supposed to marry a masked woman with one serious failing. More and more interesting.”
“It’ll give us plenty to learn about each other over the course of our marriage.”
“So I’ve found a woman who likes mystery in her relationships.” The amusement died. “Okay. Have it your way.”
Astonishment held her silent for a split second. “Then, you agree?”
“Fair warning. Ihave a few secrets of my own. If a bit of mystery between a husband and wife doesn’t bother you, it doesn’t bother me.”
A nerve wracking thought struck. “This secret of yours isn’t anything illegal, is it?”
To her astonishment, his mouth tightened. “Nothing I can be jailed for.”
“Oh, Chaz,” she whispered, moving close enough to touch his arm. “Is your secret really that serious?”
“Serious enough, masked lady.”
What in the world had he done? “Do you regret it?”
“No.” His answer was swift and unconditional and all the response necessary in order for her to make her decision.
“Then that’s all that matters.”
“Not quite. I’m willing to take you sight unseen and accept this serious flaw you possess. But there’s one important aspect of our relationship we have to explore before we make a final commitment.”
She could guess what that might be. “Is that why you brought me here?”
“Yes.”
“So we’d have some privacy?”
“Yes.”
She refused to be coy. “Privacy to make love.”
He didn’t back down beneath her direct gaze. “We need to know for sure. It’s an important aspect of a marriage.”
The sex had to be good, but wasn’t to involve emotions. Didn’t he see how wrong that was? “And if we’re not compatible?”
