A Bride Worth Fighting For Read Online Free PDF Page B

were engaged, did you remember getting engaged?”
    Tugging her hand free, she shook her head.
    “If I tell you about us, our relationship won’t feel any more real to you. Let it evolve on its own. When you’re ready, you’ll remember.”
    He didn’t relish her transition from pure sweetness to conniving manipulator or furious hater. His best hope was she’d remember he’d treated her well while they’d been together, but he couldn’t blame her if she’d scorn him for betraying her either.
    Green eyes simmering with frustration, she flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Everyone tells me to let the memories come back on their own, rather than searching for facts to fill in the blanks. But everything is blank. I don’t have a single concrete fact to start with.”
    He could offer some truths, even if they weren’t the pieces she cared most about uncovering. “Would you think I’m egotistical if I talked about myself?”
    She returned her hand to the table, squeezing his palm. “I already know you’re not egotistical. Tell me what Tucker Wilde does when he’s not babysitting me.”
    “I’m a naturalist. I got my undergrad degree in environmental science and botany, which basically means I love plants and I love the outdoors.” He paused to let his words sink in.
    The nerdy-outdoorsman image turned off most women. They wanted a man with a career that offered more money or a passion they could relate to, preferably both. Adding in the probability that Darlene had corrupted Gwen to believe people who cared about the environment personified evil, his neutral topic presented more pitfalls than lying about their romance.
    Her brow wrinkled. “So, do you grow plants, or are you the guy who puts signs along trails warning people not to pick the flowers?”
    The tightness between his shoulders lessened at the sincere question. “A little bit of both. I work with a few conservation groups. Our goal is to reintroduce native plants in what used to be prairies and wetlands. We emphasize educating people and bringing them closer to nature while still preserving the plant life we’re trying to restore. Once the plants return, the animals and birds and fish can make a comeback, as well.”
    Gwen’s face relaxed, and she leaned toward him. “This is important to you.”
    “Yes.” Because she recognized and respected it, his chest swelled. His life’s work brought him in direct opposition with most land developers. His father was the only industry insider who’d understood and respected his passion. “I’m also an environmental-impact assessment specialist. Towns or government agencies hire me to study how new developments and urban expansion will affect their natural areas.”
    “Can it have a good effect?”
    He shrugged, accepting the inevitable consequences of so-called progress. “No. But the right choices can provide people with the amenities they want while minimizing the footprint we leave on the environment. By educating people on conservation efforts, I can instill a passion for saving our natural areas. Then when those people make business decisions, they have the power to make a positive impact.”
    “Exactly what are conservation efforts? Reintroducing native plants as you mentioned earlier?” she asked, as the staff whisked away their empty soup bowls and set out the main course.
    “That’s part of it.” He started to explain, haltingly at first, but the more he talked, the more questions she asked, each more thoughtful and engaged than the last. Too soon, the staff had cleared their empty plates away, and they sat at the table with only their tepid teacups.
    He’d dreamed of finding a woman he could talk with for hours without boring her to death, a soul mate who would care about protecting the natural environment as much as he did. They would challenge each other to do more and see more possibilities.
    Gwen wrapped her hands around her mug and lifted it to her lips. “So I already knew all