Test of Time Read Online Free PDF Page A

behind the wheel, and he had loosened his tie before he'd started the car. It was obvious Garrett had merely been tolerating the formal clothes he had been obliged to wear. "A wedding is just something a man goes through to get to the other side. No point getting worked up about one. A wedding is nothing more than a formality."
    "A very pragmatic thought." Katy wondered if he had heard the underlying sarcasm in her voice. Probably not, she decided. Garrett wouldn't be expecting any sarcasm from her. She was almost never sharp-tongued, least of all with him. She leaned her head back against the headrest and contemplated the hours of planning, preparation and decision making she had put into the elaborate event he had just labeled a mere "formality." The task of arranging the perfect wedding had consumed her for weeks.
    "You're tired," Garrett told her, as if that explained her unfamiliar mood to his satisfaction.
    "I suppose so." She didn't feel tired, however. She felt keyed up and on edge, as though she were waiting for the other shoe to drop.
    "Why don't you try to nap until we reach the hotel?"
    "I can't sleep in a car."
    "Try."
    "I said," she repeated, spacing each word out carefully, "I can't sleep in a car."
    "All right," Garrett said calmly, "why don't you talk instead? You haven't said more than a handful of words since we left the reception."
    Katy drew a deep, steadying breath and blinked away a hint of painful moisture from her eyes. She was acting like an idiot. Nothing was wrong. She was married to the man she loved and he was trying to conduct a pleasant conversation as they approached the intimacy of their wedding night. She must calm down and relax. Everything was all right.
    "It was a lovely reception, wasn't it?" Katy tried to sound relaxed and casual.
    "Uh-huh," Garrett replied absently, his mind clearly on other matters. "You know, honey, I'm anxious for you to see your new home. You're going to like it. It fits you."
    "I'm looking forward to seeing it," Katy said politely.
    Garrett was momentarily reflective, unusual for him. "Maybe I should have let you see the place before I bought it."
    "You bought the place before you asked me to marry you," Katy reminded him, mildly amused by his mood of momentary doubt. She knew it wouldn't last long. Garrett was invariably very sure of himself. "In fact, you'd already hired the craftspeople and the interior designer before you even mentioned that you'd bought a house. There wasn't any opportunity for me to get involved in the process."
    Garrett frowned, his short flicker of uncertainty vanishing quickly. "I couldn't wait for the deal. When Atwood finally decided to sell, I had to act immediately. I couldn't risk losing the place. As far as the interior design part was concerned, I already knew what I wanted."
    "I know." Katy half smiled to herself. "You told me you wanted a home that looked like my parents' home."
    Garrett nodded. "I like that Southwestern stuff. It suits me and it suits you. You're going to be happy in your new home."
    "I'm sure the designer did a fine job." Katy's brief flash of amusement disappeared. Now she wanted to cry. This was her wedding night. If she and Garrett were going to talk, they should be talking about themselves, not the work the interior designer had done. Normally Garrett's enthusiasm for his new property charmed and delighted her. His desire to create a real home of his own was touching. But tonight she couldn't summon the sense of anticipation she usually felt when she talked about such things with Garrett. She wanted him to talk to her on a more personal level.
    " I was telling your dad there's still some work to be done on the stables before I have Red Dazzle delivered, but I don't think it will take too long to get one of the stalls in shape. I've got Bracken, the caretaker who's been living on the place, to help me."
    "I'm looking forward to meeting the Brackens." Katy tried to keep her voice neutral. She propped her elbow