The Virgin's Secret Marriage Read online

  “We can’t share a bed!”

  Joe came over to take her hand. “You have to do it, because we have to make this marriage of ours look as real as possible.”

  “Well, I’m not going to.” Emma jerked her hand away from his. “You are not the boss of me.”

  A challenging glint appeared in Joe’s amber eyes. “I am, however, your husband,” he pointed out.

  Her heart began to speed, but Emma refused to give ground. “So?”

  “So I’m too tired to argue about this anymore, Emma.” Without any warning, Joe scooped her up in his arms and held her against his chest.

  “What are you doing?” Emma demanded, incensed.

  “Exactly what you think,” Joe said, turning sideways to go through the bedroom doorway. He looked down at her determinedly. “I’m taking you to bed.”

  Dear Reader,

  All moms want their kids to grow up happy, healthy and secure in the knowledge they are loved. Given their druthers, they also want their children to be happily married one day, with loving families of their own.

  Helen Hart, the owner of The Wedding Inn in picturesque Holly Springs, North Carolina, is no exception. Helen was lucky enough to marry her true love and have six children with him. When her husband died, she went on to rear her brood alone. They’ve all grown up now, but not one is currently happily married, and Helen worries her five sons and one feisty daughter will never find the love they so richly deserve, unless they begin taking some risks. It won’t be easy. Hockey star Joe has never gotten over his secret love, and seems to care only for his career. Bakery owner Janey is still reeling from the death of her husband and struggling to bring up her sports-obsessed son. Orthopedic surgeon Cal won’t admit it, but he and his physician wife seem to be separated. Easygoing veterinarian Fletcher spends more time tending to animals and making everyone laugh than pursuing the woman Helen suspects is the love of his life. The inveterate observer/sportscaster Dylan seems to prefer to watch life from a distance in lieu of getting into the thick of the action himself. Sheriff Mac is so busy keeping law and order that he nearly misses a chance to help the damsel in distress who could be right for him.

  As you might have guessed, the path to love is never easy for the members of the Hart family, but it is fun and exciting and yes, oh so romantic. I hope you enjoy all six of these books as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them! For more information, visit me at www.cathygillenthacker.com.

  With warmest regards,

  Cathy Gillen Thacker

  THE VIRGIN’S SECRET MARRIAGE

  Alexander John Hodges, this one is for you.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Cathy Gillen Thacker married her high school sweetheart and hasn’t had a dull moment since. Why? you ask. Well, there were three kids, various pets, any number of automobiles, several moves across the country, his and her careers and sundry other experiences (some of which were exciting and some of which weren’t). But mostly, there was love and friendship and laughter, and lots of experiences she wouldn’t trade for the world.

  Books by Cathy Gillen Thacker

  HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE

  37—TOUCH OF FIRE

  75—PROMISE ME TODAY

  102—HEART’S JOURNEY

  134—REACH FOR THE STARS

  143—A FAMILY TO CHERISH

  156—HEAVEN SHARED

  166—THE DEVLIN DARE

  187—ROGUE’S BARGAIN

  233—GUARDIAN ANGEL

  247—FAMILY AFFAIR

  262—NATURAL TOUCH

  277—PERFECT MATCH

  307—ONE MAN’S FOLLY

  318—LIFETIME GUARANTEE

  334—MEANT TO BE

  367—IT’S ONLY TEMPORARY

  388—FATHER OF THE BRIDE

  407—AN UNEXPECTED FAMILY

  423—TANGLED WEB

  445—HOME FREE

  452—ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE

  456—THE COWBOY’S MISTRESS

  472—HONEYMOON FOR HIRE

  483—BEGUILED AGAIN

  494—FIANCÉ FOR SALE

  506—KIDNAPPING NICK

  521—BABY ON THE DOORSTEP

  526—DADDY TO THE RESCUE

  529—TOO MANY MOMS

  540—JENNY AND THE FORTUNE TELLER

  556—LOVE POTION #5

  568—MISS CHARLOTTE SURRENDERS

  587—A SHOTGUN WEDDING

  607—DADDY CHRISTMAS

  613—MATCHMAKING BABY

  625—THE COWBOY’S BRIDE

  629—THE RANCH STUD

  633—THE MAVERICK MARRIAGE

  673—ONE HOT COWBOY

  697—SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT MARRIAGE

  713—SNOWBOUND BRIDE

  717—HOT CHOCOLATE HONEYMOON

  721—SNOW BABY

  747—MAKE ROOM FOR BABY

  754—BABY’S FIRST CHRISTMAS

  789—DR. COWBOY*

  793—WILDCAT COWBOY*

  797—A COWBOY’S WOMAN*

  801—A COWBOY KIND OF DADDY*

  837—THE BRIDE SAID, “I DID?”†

  841—THE BRIDE SAID, “FINALLY!”†

  862—THE BRIDE SAID, “SURPRISE!”†

  870—THE VIRGIN BRIDE SAID, “WOW!”†

  937—HER BACHELOR CHALLENGE**

  941—HIS MARRIAGE BONUS**

  945—MY SECRET WIFE**

  949—THEIR INSTANT BABY**

  973—TAKING OVER THE TYCOON**

  997—THE VIRGIN’S SECRET MARRIAGEΔΔ

  HARLEQUIN BOOKS

  TEXAS VOWS: A MCCABE FAMILY SAGA*

  THE HEIRESS**

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter One

  Joe Hart had made one crucial mistake in his long climb to success, and now finally—seven years after being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time with the “boss’s daughter”—he was finally being given the chance to undo the damage caused by his foolishness.

  He figured if he could come to terms with the heiress who had deliberately misled him and crushed his heart, see her for the deceitful manipulator she really was instead of the starry-eyed virgin he recalled every single night in his dreams, he might finally be able to move on. Because if there was one thing Joe wanted, it was a wife and kids of his very own. And to achieve that, he had to put Emma Donovan out of his heart and his mind once and for all.

  In the meantime, though, he had the rest of the Hart clan to satisfy his craving for a family. His mom, his four brothers, his sister and her son. Now that he was back in the United States, back in his hometown of Holly Springs, North Carolina, he would be able to see a lot more of them. Joe was looking forward to interacting with them on a daily basis—as an adult, instead of a kid. That was if this meeting ever ended, he mused, in mounting frustration.

  The Carolina Storm hockey team owner—multimillionaire Saul Donovan—seemed to have no end to the rules and regulations he wanted to go over, before he and Joe signed their names on the dotted lines of Joe’s contract. “All team members are expected to give back to the community that supports them and participate in local charities. You can select your own. Or my wife, Margaret, and the rest of the team’s public relations staff will help you.”

  “No problem,” Joe said, looking over at his new boss. The fifty-something man was just under six feet, and a little sof
t around the middle. But there was nothing soft in his light green eyes. “That’s something I’ve always done whether it was required or not.”

  Saul looked at Joe over the rim of his half glasses. “And the team sponsors a hockey camp for young kids. You’ll be expected to help out with that this summer, as well.”

  Joe nodded, not sure why he felt as if he were being called out on the carpet like an errant teenager. Although Saul had been nothing but businesslike and professional thus far in his treatment of him, he was waiting for the proverbial ax to fall.

  Swallowing around the tension in his throat, he looked Saul in the eye and imparted sincerely, “I have a nephew who might want to participate in that.” Assuming, Joe amended silently and ruefully to himself, if he could convince his older sister a burning interest in athletics was a good thing for her twelve-year-old son. Not an easy task, given the way Janey’s marriage to Christopher’s dad had turned out.

  Saul nodded approvingly, then glanced down at the sheet of paper in front of him. “And that brings us to the last item on our agenda.” Saul put down his pen, set his jaw.

  Ah, shoot, Joe thought. Here it comes. The dressing-down I’ve been waiting for.

  “I’m willing to overlook what happened years ago on one very important condition,” Saul continued sternly. He took off his glasses and dropped them on the desk, giving Joe the full benefit of his decidedly lethal glare. “You stay away from my daughter.”

  Like he wanted to get in that kind of mess again? And be sent back to the minors or benched? At the height of his pro career? “Believe me, I intend to keep my distance, and then some,” Joe promised. He not only wanted to exorcise Emma from his soul, in the most expedient practical way possible, he had no desire to speak to the beautiful brunette heiress ever again.

  “I mean it,” Saul reiterated, frowning. “I don’t want Emma hurt.”

  Joe didn’t want to be hurt, either. And Emma Donovan had torn his heart apart. To the point Joe had more or less sworn off love ever since the night he had been caught trying to sneak a sobbing, angry Emma and her suitcase back into her college dorm. Only to come face-to-face with her equally angry father. To this day, Saul Donovan still did not know the full extent of what had happened—or almost happened—that night. When Joe had learned the truth, he had come immediately to his senses, much to the rebellious Emma’s chagrin.

  As the increasingly uncomfortable staring match between Joe and Saul continued, Coach Thaddeus Lantz leaned forward and interrupted. “I think Joe gets it, Saul.”

  Joe nodded obediently, indicating that was indeed the case. Boy, did he get it. If he screwed up this time, there would be no second chances. Saul would do everything in his power to see Joe was finished in the world of professional hockey. And as owner of one of the best teams in the NHL, and soon to be solely in charge of Joe’s destiny, Saul was powerful enough to accomplish it.

  Saul Donovan backed off only slightly. “Given the line of work Emma has chosen, and where she has located her office, it may not be so easy to avoid her,” he warned Joe.

  No kidding, given the fact Emma had chosen to work alongside Joe’s mother, who still did not know that Emma and Joe had ever been personally acquainted or even dated!

  “You leave that to me, sir. I have no intention of running into your daughter at the Wedding Inn. Or anywhere else.”

  His mother owned and ran the premier wedding location in all of North Carolina. And Emma was now—according to his mother, anyway—the best, most sought-after wedding planner in the state, as well. The two women worked side by side more often than not. But that did not mean Joe had to get involved in the family business. Or ever put himself in a position where he actually had to speak to the impulsive heiress.

  “Emma is over there this evening, you know.”

  One of many reasons why Joe hadn’t told his mother he was in town. Yet. “I’m planning to crash at a hotel in Raleigh, until I can get the rest of my stuff moved here,” Joe said. He already owned a home. He had purchased one a year ago in his hometown as an investment, but he’d never gotten around to furnishing it. Mostly because he hadn’t expected to be living here again quite so soon. And wouldn’t be now if Saul hadn’t come through with the offer to play right wing for the Carolina Storm.

  “Have you checked in at that hotel yet?” Saul asked, a little more kindly.

  “Uh, no.” Joe had been picked up by his Raleigh-based sports and entertainment attorney, Ross Dempsey, and come straight to this meeting from the airport.

  “Then stay here,” Saul encouraged, accurately reading Ross Dempsey’s wordless entreaty to be more cordial to his newest player.

  Joe cast a confused look at his attorney, who nodded encouragingly, then turned back to Saul. Making sure he had understood the invitation correctly, Joe asked, “You want me to stay here, at your estate?”

  Talk about going hot and cold and hot again. He was beginning to see where Emma got her mercurial changes of mood.

  Saul nodded, all cordial businessman and paternal kindness once again. “We’ve got plenty of guest rooms upstairs.”

  Joe hesitated. He knew from the talk among other athletes that this was par for the course for any new players on the Carolina Storm hockey team. Saul Donovan wanted the team to feel like family. And he did everything in his power to keep morale high and engender player loyalty, to him personally, as well as the team. His methods worked. The Storm had the highest re-signing statistics, and best player-satisfaction survey scores, in the league. The mess with Emma aside, Joe knew he was lucky to be signing on here.

  “You’d be doing us a favor,” Saul continued. “My wife and I are going to Southern Pines for a golf tournament. And—given the rash of mysterious break-ins in Holly Springs lately—I’d prefer the house not be empty.” Saul paused. “There is only so much a state-of-the-art security system can do.”

  Joe knew from his brother Mac, the Holly Springs sheriff, that the savvy bandit—or bandits—recently plaguing the central Carolina area were able to get past electronic security systems with ease.

  “I’d be glad to look after the place for you,” Joe volunteered. He figured, given past mistakes, it was the least he could do.

  “We’ll be back tomorrow evening, so it would just be for the next twenty-four hours,” Saul continued.

  “No problem,” Joe said easily. “Emma…?”

  “Is rarely here. When she does come over, she calls first. She knows we’re going to be out of town, so she won’t be stopping by the estate.” Otherwise, Saul made it pretty clear by the look he gave Joe, there would have been no invitation.

  Joe breathed a sigh of relief.

  Saul nodded at the general counsel for the team. He handed over the contract that Joe and Ross Dempsey had already scrutinized, and a pen. Joe glanced through the pages, too, and noted it was just as they had agreed. Five years, with a no-trade guarantee. Aware again of the enormity of the risk he was taking, but equally aware of the jump in salary and chance to play on a better team, under a much better coach, he signed on the appropriate line. Saul Donovan followed suit.

  It was done. He was now a member of the Carolina Storm hockey team. The two men stood, shaking hands in a way they never would have done seven years ago, when Saul had nearly derailed Joe’s pro career. “The press conference announcing your return to Raleigh is set for Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. at the arena in Raleigh.”

  “I’ll be there,” Joe promised.

  Emma’s mother, Margaret, appeared in the doorway. Joe had never had any dealings with her, but he knew her by reputation. Margaret was a public relations whiz. She had helped her husband turn his sandwich shop into a franchise of successful restaurants nationwide, and now headed up the Carolina Storm’s PR department. With her dark hair and pretty green eyes, she was as beautiful as her only daughter. Margaret was dressed for the drive to Southern Pines in tailored yellow golf slacks and matching sweater set. “Saul, are you about ready to leave?”

  S
aul nodded. “Just let me get my suitcase and golf clubs.”

  They all said good-night and Saul walked Coach Lantz and the two attorneys out.

  Margaret smiled at Joe. If she blamed Joe for what had happened with him and Emma when they were just nineteen, she wasn’t showing it as she handed Joe a piece of paper that held the security code for the house. “Let me show you around.” She escorted him upstairs to the guest room she wanted him to use, then back down, through the back hallways, into the kitchen. Along the rear of the house was a separate wing that included a personal gym, weight room, indoor swimming pool with retractable roof, whirlpool tub and dressing rooms. “Feel free to use any of this that you like,” Margaret told him graciously.

  “Thanks,” Joe said.

  Margaret paused.

  “What is it?” Joe asked, reading the worry in her soft eyes.

  Margaret sighed. “I hate for you to be all alone in this big place, given what has been happening lately.”

  The break-ins again. He wished everyone would stop talking about it. But Joe supposed that was a hazard of living in a small town, some thirty minutes out of Raleigh. The residents weren’t used to crime. So to them it was a very big deal.

  “Not to worry, Mrs. D. I’m a big guy,” Joe told her reassuringly. He could take care of himself.

  “WELL, THAT WENT VERY WELL if I do say so myself,” Helen Hart murmured, shortly after nine-thirty, as the last of the Shephard-Crowley wedding guests drove away.

  “I think so, too,” Emma Donovan agreed wholeheartedly with Joe Hart’s mother. “Everything was just perfect, down to the last detail.” And thanks to the fact that the two families involved were socially and politically prominent in the state of North Carolina, and had possessed the foresight to time the ceremony for maximum press coverage, the highlights of the celebration were going to be on the eleven o’clock news.