by Cindy Stark
"Nice place you've brought me to," she said, hoping the tease would relieve some of their tension.
"Like it, do you? Now that we're married, I've been thinking we should get a home of our own. Should we make an offer on it?"
"Oh, definitely." Even though her situation was temporary, she was determined to be grateful for the moments she had.
Ariana twisted his grandmother's ring that graced her finger and allowed herself a moment to dream. What if this was all real instead of pretend? What if they really loved each other and had run away to Vegas to get married? What if Nancy was her new mom, and Ariana gave her the grandchildren she longed for? Ariana could teach school part-time and help Milo with his garden, and they could make sweet love every night if they wanted to. It would be heaven compared to the hell she'd grown up with. Her children would never know the palm of their father's hand. They'd have a loving grandmother, and they'd only know a gun as a means to protect, not as a vicious weapon of destruction.
"Hey." Milo's voice brought her back to the present. "Where did you go? One second, you're laughing, and now…" The truck bumped as they left the smooth drive and followed the dirt road that led along the edge of the old farm toward a tangle of trees on a small hillside.
She shook her head, clearing out the emotional thoughts, and focused on the sexy man sitting next to her. "Sorry. I got sucked into old memories, but I'm good. Today is a good day."
"I agree." He reached across the console to give her hand a quick squeeze. "Let's enjoy it."
He put his hand back on the steering wheel, and she wished he would have left it longer.
The deep rutted road tossed them about in the front of the vehicle, leaving a dust trail behind. Milo shouldered the sides of the biggest ruts to steady their travel, but it didn't help much. She bounced and grinned as they crossed a small dry river bed. This world was a far cry from her father's house in Chicago. She knew it was an exaggeration, but it seemed this place had claimed everything wonderful and good, while her father's world had been coated with death and darkness. There was no doubt which she preferred.
As they crested the hill, they reached a line of trees. Milo maneuvered his truck along the narrow path that cut through the aspens and pines. "Not many know this road is here. We cleared it back when we were teenagers."
"So you could sneak out here and party?"
He grinned. "More or less."
The sight waiting on the opposite side of the trees captured her heart. A pristine mountain pond took center stage with the sentry of pines and aspens as its captive audience. The late-summer sun cast a golden glow over the whole production, giving it a surreal quality. "I can't believe how beautiful it is here. I mean, I've seen similar settings in movies, but they pale in comparison to actually experiencing a place like this first hand."
Milo chuckled as he parked his vehicle a good hundred feet from two other nearly identical big trucks. The only difference she could see between them was one was as black as an inky river, and the other gleamed red like a stop light. A silver SUV and a smaller pickup rested a short distance away.
Not far from the vehicles, several people had set up a day-camp of sorts. Their little group was completely isolated, and all of the members currently stared with interested gazes, making her more than a little nervous. She was sure Scott had spread the rumor by now, and of course, they'd be curious about the woman who'd married their friend on a whim in Vegas.
Really, what kind of sane people did that?
Milo opened his door and climbed down, walking around to get her door for her. "I hope you don't mind helping me carry some stuff."
"Of course not."
At some point, he'd filled the back of his truck with the necessary party items and covered them with a tarp. He pulled out two camp chairs and slung one over each of her arms. "This okay?"
She nodded, capturing his smile.
Next came two old quilts which he pushed toward her chest. She wrapped her arms around them. "I'm not overloading you, am I?"
"Do I look like a wimp?"
He paused to give her a once over. "Wimp isn't exactly the word that comes to mind." He held her gaze for a half second longer before turning away. She wasn't sure what had resuscitated his flirting, but knowing they weren't at odds while his friends were around was a comfort to her.
He slid out an ice chest, sitting it on the ground while he closed the tailgate. He held up his keys, jingling them in front of her. "Keys are going in the pocket." He slipped them into his jeans.
"Okay," she said with a questioning laugh.
"It's important to note. There has been an occasion or two where they've gone missing."
"Would this occasion be another time when you were out here drinking?"
"Quite possibly. But just know, that's all the information you'll get out of me concerning this subject. All you need to know is that the keys are in my pocket, and no one will be driving drunk."
She tried to contain the happiness that resulted from their friendly bantering. As they neared camp, the warm energy rushing through her chilled, the tension in her nerves tightening like the line on her fishing pole when she'd snagged her first fish.
Coolers and camp chairs surrounded the large, roaring fire pit. Someone had carted in a small table which now held a variety of chips, hot dog buns and marshmallows.
But the crackling fire and food held no interest for the occupants of the camp. All eyes were on her. She recognized Luke and Scott and was supremely grateful they both had smiles on their faces. The rest wore pleasant, almost amused expressions, except one girl with long mahogany hair who'd pressed her lips into an unfriendly line.
Milo dropped his cooler and relieved Ariana of her items before taking her hand, tugging her forward. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet Anna." He wrapped a protective arm around her, making her feel a little better. "Honey, I'd like you to meet Lily, Luke's new wife."
A beautiful, blond woman in cutoff jeans and a black tank top stepped forward along with Luke. She hugged Milo, and then surprisingly extended the same greeting to Ariana. "So happy to meet the woman who finally captured Milo's heart. I have to say, I'm impressed. He's kind of like a tiger. Cute, but always on the prowl."
"Hey," Milo and Luke both said at the same time.
"Don't call him cute." Lily's husband tugged his wife's long hair, earning him a narrow-eyed warning.
"Yeah. I'm not a tiger. I was nice to you when you first came to town, remember?"
Lily winked at Milo. "Didn't say you weren't nice. Just said you're always on the prowl. Don't deny it."
He glanced at Ariana as though he'd been caught cheating. "I don't prowl."
"Not anymore." She squeezed his hand and smiled into his eyes, playing the part of a newlywed, but she knew once she left town, he'd be back to his old hunting ways.
"Anyway, congratulations. I'll call you in a few days, Anna. You'll need someone to show you the ropes in town."
"She's got me," Milo said, pulling her close to him again.
"A woman, Milo. She's going to need girlfriends. Someone to talk to when you piss her off."
"I'm not going to piss her off."
Both she and Lily raised their brows at him.
"You women are vicious when you get together." Milo laughed and shook his head.
"You'll have to call me on Milo's phone until I can get a new one. Lost it in Vegas." Ariana didn't know how else to explain her lack of a cell phone.
"Must have been a wild night." Lily laughed. "Lose a phone, gain a husband. I can't wait to hear all about it." She slid her hand into Luke's. "Right now, we're hogging your time. We'd better let the others have a chance to meet you."
As Luke and Lily walked away, another cute couple, both with midnight dark hair approached. The tall, lanky cowboy walked as though he'd spent most of his life on a horse, and his cute little wife carried a very round belly. Milo introduced them as Jerry and Kim.
"Looks like congratulations are in order
for you, too," Ariana offered after they'd all shook hands.
Kim rested a hand on the top curve of her stomach. "Four weeks left. It feels like an eternity."
She could totally relate to the dragging time. "But then you'll have a beautiful baby. Do you know if it's a boy or girl?" An unexpected jealousy burrowed, leaving a void inside her. It was obvious the couple shared a deep love for each other, and soon, they'd be welcoming a precious soul into the world. She ached to feel that kind of love, that kind of belonging.
"It's a girl." Kim smiled. "I guess you and Milo will want to start a family before too long, too. I know he's always wanted kids."
Milo's gaze jumped to Ariana. She swallowed a sharp tug of regret. For a cruel second, she wanted to be the one who would give him that family. But she couldn't be. The choices her father had made, the choices she'd made would never allow that. "I'm sure we won't wait long. I've always wanted a family, too." Milo, of course, would think she was playing her part.
"Glad you guys could make it." Scott interrupted their conversation, and Ariana was relieved. A few more minutes down that vein, and she might not have been able to keep her feelings buried.
Milo and Scott shook hands, and Ariana received her second hug from Scott.
"You keep hugging my wife, and I'm going to start wondering about your intentions, dude." Milo punched him in the arm.
Scott laughed. "Yeah, right, man. Hey, I want you to meet Jen." He motioned to a voluptuous woman still sitting in a camp chair.
"Always a boob man," Milo whispered to Scott. Ariana elbowed him.
Jen was cute with her dark-haired pixie cut, and Ariana was certain none of the men minded her low-cut pink t-shirt that showcased her ample breasts. Her green eyes fired every time Scott teased her. After her, an auburn-haired man with intense brown eyes introduced himself as a life-long friend of Milo's.
"I guess Sierra's not talking to me?" Milo asked Tyler.
"Nope. She's pretty pissed."
Ariana slid her gaze toward the redhead with large brown eyes. She, too, watched them, and when her gaze connected with Ariana's, she turned away. Sierra left her seat by the fire and walked to a blue cooler where she retrieved a bottle of beer. She twisted off the cap and chucked it toward the burning logs.
Milo winced. "I should go say something to her." He glanced at Ariana. "You okay for a minute?"
"Of course." Sierra was obviously one of Milo's girls who now suffered because of the story he had concocted to protect Ariana. The thought weighed heavily on her. If the romance between her and Milo was real, then that would be one thing, but Sierra's pain and suffering were for nothing. For all Ariana knew, Sierra and Milo would reconnect after she was out of the picture.
The whole situation was messed up. She turned and headed toward the pond, needing a moment to align her emotions. Her initial lust for Milo had morphed into something deeper each day she spent with him. He was willing to put his life on hold for her. But when the end of the month and the trial rolled around, her life and the lives of these caring, decent people would be tossed around again. Without a doubt, there would be another gaping hole in her heart. Not that Milo had meant to make her care. On the contrary. He could only be accused of being himself, a kind, funny, and far too sexy man.
A soft breeze skittered across her bare shoulders and sent ripples racing across the surface of the pond, wrinkling the reflection of the setting sun. The scent of burning wood mingled with a woman's laughter. Probably Jen. She seemed the most vivacious of the group.
"Hey." Milo had come up from behind and took her hand. "You okay?" The concerned look in his eye only increased her melancholy.
"Of course. I'm just playing the part of the new wife, jealous that you're talking to an old girlfriend."
He lifted one side of his mouth, giving her a crooked grin, but there was nothing genuine about it. "I didn't think about how that might appear to everyone."
"I'm sure they wonder if you still care for her, and as a new bride, I shouldn't be very happy about it." She winked, burying her sadness beneath a layer of teasing.
He widened his grin, becoming more sincere. "Great. I'm in the dog house. Now I'm going to have to spend the rest of the evening trying to win you back." He glanced at his friends, and she followed suit. No doubt, the newlywed couple was the talk of the evening. "Guess I'd better start now."
Before she could question his intentions, he pulled her toward him, wrapping his arms around her waist. Her hips bumped against his, and she inhaled a surprised breath as hot desire spiked her blood.
"What are you doing?" It was one thing to tell everyone they were married. It was quite another to act the part.
"Trying to make up with you." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles, as his bright blue eyes sparkled with mischief. "I'm so sorry for talking to my old girlfriend. I promise, you are the only one for me."
Her chest compressed against her heart. Her brain knew he was acting, but her heart questioned if there was a hopeful spark of truth in his words. The spot on her fingers where his soft lips had been moments before burned, and she was immediately transported back to their passionate kiss beneath the raging stormy sky. She couldn't speak even if she could find the words.
He lifted a hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Please don't be angry with me."
She looked down, afraid her expression might give her away. "Okay. You're forgiven."
He chuckled. "I'm glad you're so easy to please. All wives should be like you."
She flashed him a warning look that made him laugh again. "If we were truly married, you wouldn't get off near as easy." He still held her, belly-to-belly. The caution bells firing in her head advised her to back away, but he wouldn't let her go.
"Yeah? Are you the jealous type? What would you do?"
She swallowed. This was all a little too real for her. "Who wouldn't be jealous? If we were in a committed relationship, I would expect you to respect me, to respect us. If you were flirting with your old girlfriends, I would have a problem with that. Don't tell me you wouldn't if I flirted with other guys."
His expression softened. "I wasn't flirting with her. I only felt I owed her an explanation, since we had been pretty friendly in the past."
Was he really apologizing to her? "It's okay. You can talk to her."
He ran a thumb down her cheek.
"This feels like more than acting." His action affected her as though it was real.
He traced a finger across her bottom lip, scaring her. "Does it?" He leaned in and brushed a soft kiss across her lips. "I must be doing a good job then."
She pulled away and headed along the edge of the pond, away from Milo, away from the others.
He caught up to her within a few seconds. "Okay. I admit it. That was a dumb move on my part. I thought it would look good for the others."
She kept walking. She needed distance. Distance from the man who protected her life, but endangered her heart.
He tugged her to a stop, but she refused to meet his gaze. "I apologize. I lost my head there for a minute. I thought it would make things look more authentic."
She jerked her gaze upward. "You promised. We promised we'd keep things professional, for both our sakes. That kiss was anything but professional."
He scrubbed a hand over his jawline, turning his gaze toward the pond. "You're right. I let myself get caught up in the fun, but that's not an excuse." He looked back at her. "I truly was trying to give them a good show, but I lost my head and took it too far. Maybe we should make our excuses and head home. They'd all think it was because we had a fight."
"No." She crossed her arms, trying to ward off a chill. With the sun so close to the horizon, the breeze rolling across the water had nothing to warm it. As difficult as it was pretending with Milo, she craved the company and the chance to be out of the house. "I'm sorry, too. I overreacted. It was just a kiss, right?" She needed to ground herself in reality and fast. "These are your friends, and I
don't want to make things more difficult for you. You caught me off guard with that kiss, but I'm good now. I'd prefer it if we go back and try to have fun. I want to roast a hot dog and drink a beer and forget about the world for a while. Besides, I like your friends, and it beats sitting home."
* * *
Ariana stood at the tailgate of Luke's truck, using the light from the full moon and Lily's cell phone to help her sort through the songs on her iPod, trying to create a playlist of music appropriate for their wild ass party as Lily called it.
"What do you think about Jason Aldean?" Lily tossed her long blond ponytail over her shoulder as she eyed Ariana.
"I don't think I know him."
Lily laughed. "Oh girl, you are missing out. When you get home, you'll have to look him up on the internet. He is one hot cowboy. Kind of reminds me of my Luke."
Ariana smiled. Luke could definitely hold his own in a room full of handsome men, but Milo had him beat hands-down. "I'll check him out tomorrow."
"Okay, but in the meantime, we're definitely putting My Kinda Party on the playlist, and don't feel bad. I didn't really know country music until I met Luke, either. I'd always listened to pop and rock, and I was surprised at how many songs I could relate to."
"Thanks for being kind to me, Lily."
"What are you talking about? Why wouldn't I be?"
"I'm a virtual stranger who stole one of Luke's best friends when no one was looking. I'd expect you all to be a little leery of me, maybe even a little hostile." Although it seemed Sierra had that area covered. She no longer shot Ariana visual poisoned arrows, but she'd steered clear of her the entire evening, clearly preferring to spend her time talking to Tyler and Kim.
"You're crazy, Anna. From the second Milo introduced you, I could see how much he loves you. It doesn't always take people eons to know they're meant for each other."