Wildest Hearts

would appear to be the only way I can protect my investment and my future profits as well as the only way of fulfilling my obligations as Daniel's friend.”

    “Don't you need time to think it over?”

    “I have thought it over. It's not a difficult problem. The options are clear-cut. You'll hang onto the firm until it goes into bankruptcy if I don't marry you. Everyone will lose if I allow you to follow that path.”

    Annie went limp with relief. “I don't know how to thank you. Don't worry, I'm sure we won't have to stay married for long.”

    “You're quite certain Daniel will turn up, aren't you?”

    Annie nibbled nervously on her lower lip. “I have to believe he will. But even if he doesn't, I've still got to try to hold onto Lyncroft.”

    “Because of the future potential of the company?”

    “No. Because Joanna's pregnant with Daniel's baby.”

    Oliver grasped the implications immediately. “In other words, if Daniel doesn't come back, you're going to try to save the company for his child.”

    Annie raised her hand in a small gesture. “What else can I do?”

    “Nothing. I understand completely. I once found myself in a somewhat similar situation. One does what one must.”

    “I had a feeling you'd understand.” Annie smiled. “Not everyone would go along with an idea like this. But there's something about you that's different. You're not the usual sort of business executive. And I know Daniel trusted you. He told me so.”

    Oliver ignored that. “Once more, I have to ask an obvious question. What happens to our little business arrangement if your brother doesn't return?”

    Annie sighed, not willing to deal with that issue. “Naturally you want to know how long you're going to be stuck with a fake marriage.”

    “The marriage will be very real, won't it, Annie? Your scheme won't work if it's not legal.”

    “Oh, sure, it'll be real in the legal sense.” She hesitated. “I suppose we could put a time limit on it if you'd like, but I really don't think there will be problems. The thing is, I believe Daniel will return any day.”

    “But if he doesn't?” Oliver persisted.

    “Even if everyone's right and Daniel's gone forever, I think I could eventually learn to run Lyncroft on my own. But I'm certainly not qualified to take the reins now. The only business I've ever operated is Wildest Dreams, and I've only been running it for a year. I'd need time to learn the ins and outs of a high-tech firm like Lyncroft. It would also take time for the investors to learn to trust me.”

    “Yes, it would. Given your lack of background in the field, it would probably take a lot of time. Perhaps a couple of years. And that's assuming you're a fast learner.”

    Annie eyed him speculatively. “I couldn't ask you to stay tied up in a fake marriage for two years. Good grief, I don't want to be trapped in one that long myself.”

    “No, I don't imagine you do.”

    Annie came to a decision. “All right, let's set an outside time limit. Say six months. We'll reassess the situation at that point. If Daniel isn't back and if you want out of the arrangement, I won't try to convince you to stay.”

    “That sounds reasonable.”

    “I'm sure it won't come to that,” Annie said more cheerfully. “Daniel will be found. You'll see.”

    “I hope you're right.”

    Annie smiled again in gratitude and relief. She felt better already. Things were under control. Oliver Rain could handle Lyncroft Unlimited. “You're really being very decent about this. I don't know how to thank you. I realize my plan must sound a little off the wall, but I really think it will work.”

    “It might at that.”

    “I just had a thought.” Annie studied him closely. “Excuse me for prying, but are you, uh, romantically involved with anyone at the moment?”

    “No.”

    Annie relaxed again. “Well, that makes everything much easier, doesn't it? I mean, it might have been a little difficult to explain our arrangement to another woman. Not that I would have even asked you to do it in the first place if you were involved with anyone else. After all, there are limits to the claims of friendship as well as business.”

    “What about you?” Oliver asked slowly. “Are you involved with anyone?”

    “Nope. Starting up a small business takes up a lot of time, you know.”

    “I know.” Oliver looked at her. “So there's no one else concerned here. Just you and me.”

    “Right. But if this thing drags on