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me like he's done a good job of it.”

    Sybil smiled without much warmth as she stepped forward. “It's not as though we have much choice, is it? Welcome to the family, Ms. Lyncroft. I certainly hope you know what you're doing by marrying Oliver.”

    “Annie knows exactly what she's doing,” Oliver said coolly. “Don't you, Annie?”

    “Definitely,” Annie agreed. She was acutely aware of Oliver's big hand wrapped around her arm. He was holding onto her as if he thought she might try to flee.

    Nathan looked at Oliver. “I'd better warn you that you're not going to be allowed to sneak away after the wedding. We've planned a little surprise of our own.”

    “That's right,” Heather said. She smiled at Oliver. “Don't worry. Just a small reception. Family only. We know you wanted to keep this low-key, but you can't expect us to ignore your wedding altogether.”

    “After all,” Sybil drawled, “your marriage is a major event in the family, Oliver.”

    Oliver accepted the news with apparent equanimity. “I don't mind if Annie doesn't.”

    “Well,” Annie said cautiously, “I hadn't really planned on making a big deal out of this. It's just a little wedding, after all.”

    Everyone, including Oliver, looked at her.

    “Just a little wedding?” Sybil repeated dryly. “Come now, Annie. It's a bit more than that, isn't it? You're marrying one of the wealthiest men in the state. Some might say this kind of alliance is more of a business move than a romantic one.”

    Annie flushed.

    “I think we're ready.” Oliver started forward with Annie in tow.

    “Yes, let's get this over with,” Annie muttered.

    The formalities were completed in a blur as far as she was concerned. She realized that Joanna was on one side casting worried glances at her during the short ceremony, and she was very conscious of the assembled Rains hovering nearby. But mostly she was aware of Oliver. He seemed very large and substantial standing there next to her.

    And then it was over. Annie breathed a sigh of relief as they all trooped back outside onto the sidewalk. She was telling herself that she had done the right thing and that this marriage was the only viable means she had of holding onto Daniel's company when a camera was suddenly thrust into her face.

    “How does it feel to be Mrs. Oliver Rain?” A hard-eyed woman held up a microphone. “Does this marriage have anything to do with the fact that your brother has disappeared?”

    Annie realized abruptly that she and Oliver were surrounded by a handful of reporters. Microphones and minicams were everywhere.

    “Mr. Rain, how long have you two known each other?”

    “Is it true you're going to take immediate control of Lyncroft, Mr. Rain?”

    “Is it true you now own half of Lyncroft Unlimited?”

    Oliver looked at the man who had asked the last question. “Yes.”

    “You're a partner in the firm, then?”

    “The controlling partner?” another reporter demanded. “What does this mean for the company?”

    “It means,” Oliver said calmly as he and Bolt forged a path through the throng, “that Lyncroft Unlimited is safe and stable. We will proceed on schedule with Daniel Lyncroft's plans to bring the company's new technology to market.”

    “That's going to be good news for Lyncroft's investors,” a woman said quickly. “Can you tell us if there will be any delays because of the loss of Daniel Lyncroft?”

    “There will be no delays,” Oliver said. “And now you'll have to excuse us. If you have any further questions, you can contact Lyncroft public relations tomorrow.”

    “But, Mr. Rain…”

    “Wait a second, sir, this is major Northwest financial news. There were rumors Lyncroft was under pressure to sell or merge.”

    “Not any longer,” Annie said swiftly.

    “No,” Oliver agreed. “Not any longer.”

    Richard caught Oliver's eye. “You two take the limousine. We'll bring Joanna with us. See you at the penthouse.”

    “All