Make-Believe Fiancé

by Vivi Holt

  She arched an eyebrow. “Sorry, I should’ve called first. I’m sure you’re busy.”

  “It’s fine – come on through.” He gestured toward the doorway, then followed her down a long hall, with offices on one side and cubicles filling a large open space on the other. Windows covered the far wall, and she could see directly into the building next door where office workers scurried around just as purposefully as they did there.

  “Your offices are really great,” she said, then winced, wanting to slap her forehead for her lame attempt at conversation.

  “Thanks. We’ve been here about five years now, so it’s definitely home.”

  “I thought you said you were in the ranching business. What are all these people doing?”

  He chuckled. “We’ve diversified a bit. We have over a dozen ranches plus ancillary businesses related to ranching, and many of those are franchised as well. So we keep pretty busy.”

  She nodded, working hard not to gape at the size of the operation. She hadn’t expected this. Obviously he was well off – the company jet had made that clear enough – but she hadn’t realized just how big Montgomery Ranches was. And he was the CEO and heir. Her stomach twisted into knots. There was no way he’d be interested in a real relationship with her. Not that it stopped her from daydreaming.

  She followed him into a large square office, and he shut the door behind them and offered her a seat. She sat, glancing around at the vibrant artwork that hung on two walls. One wall held a depiction of a bronco bucking as a cowboy held on tight; the opposite wall, a picture of the city of Billings. Behind his desk hung various business documents, accolades and awards. She swallowed hard and brushed her hair back. “It’s good to see you, Heath.”

  He grinned. “You too. I’m glad you came in. I’ve been wondering about you …”

  “Oh?” Him too?

  “Just wondering how you are, how your job’s going, that sort of thing.”

  She smiled and inhaled slowly, trying to calm her fluttering heart. “I’m fine. Things are going well. I absolutely love my new job – the kids are adorable and we’re settling into the school year pretty well. It took me a week to figure out the lunchtime schedules, where the nearest bathrooms are and where the children go for gym, music and library, but I think I’ve got it down now.”

  He laughed. “I’ll bet it can be tricky at first.”

  She found herself keenly aware of how well his suit fitted his lithe physique, and wished she could come up with something witty to say. “How are things here?”

  “Good. Actually, I don’t think I’ve spoken to you since Dad retired and nominated me as the new CEO. The board approved it immediately and made the announcement. Now I’m just trying to settle into the role – well, I’ve had the role for years, but now I get to relax in it.”

  Her smile widened. “That’s great. I’m really happy for you.”

  He nodded. “Thank you. I’m scrambling to get a few things under control, but that’s business, I suppose.”

  “I’m sure you’ll be fine. I should take you out to celebrate – let’s have dinner somewhere.” Where had that come from? No doubt he’d already have plans. She wiped her hands on her skirt again.

  “Dinner? That would be really nice, actually. I’m basically finished for the day, or at least there’s nothing that can’t wait for tomorrow. We could go now.”

  Now? Gwen would kill to be able to go home, shower and change into something pretty first. But her wrinkled blouse and skirt with sensible flats would just have to do. She nodded. “Great. Now is perfect.”

  Gwen leaned against the door in Heath’s old blue pickup, but its rattling rhythm was giving her a headache. She sighed and moved back against the headrest. Where should they eat? She’d just offered to take him to dinner but hadn’t been paid yet, so she couldn’t take him to the kind of restaurants he was used to patronizing. “How about the Lucky Diner?” she asked, squinting into the afternoon sun.

  He grinned. “The Lucky Diner it is. Are you still working there?”

  She shook her head. “Nope. But I probably will over Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Because the pay is so great?”

  “Because I need the money.” Her throat tightened. She hated having to admit that to anyone, especially Heath. Obviously he knew things were tight – she’d agreed to pretend to be his fiancée for rent money. But it was hard to open up and share just how bad things had gotten.

  His eyes clouded with concern. “I can lend you some if you need more.”

  She shook her head and forced herself to sound light-hearted. “Oh no, thank you – I’m fine. I’ll get paid soon and things will get better from there. At least that’s the plan.”

  As he parked in the Lucky Diner’s lot, he glanced her way several more times, his brow furrowed. She forced herself to look straight ahead. If he showed sympathy, she might just collapse in a puddle of tears. She had to hold herself together.

  Inside, they sat in the same booth as the last time they were there. Gwen’s mind flashed over the memory of their first encounter and her cheeks blazed at what she’d thought of him. A scruffy, cocky cowboy who hadn’t showered in days – she hadn’t wanted anything to do with him. But now … she sighed and looked over the menu she knew by heart.

  They ordered, and when the server took their menus she folded her hands in her lap to give them something to do other than fidget with the ketchup bottle in the middle of the table. She noted the pink of his cheeks and the way he smiled politely at the waitress. “Heath … I wanted to talk to you about something. I …”

  “Hello, Heath Montgomery.” A breezy voice interrupted and she looked up to see a perfectly primped blonde woman leaning on their table with two manicured hands.

  Heath’s eyes darkened and he looked distracted before focusing on the woman. “Chantelle. How nice to see you.” He didn’t sound like himself. “This is Gwen Adler. Gwen, this is Chantelle, an old …”

  “Girlfriend,” Chantelle finished for him with a satisfied smirk.

  “Pleased to meet you, Chantelle.” Gwen offered her hand.

  Chantelle eyed it with disdain before turning back to Heath and smiling coyly. “Actually, I can’t stay. But I saw your truck pull in here and I wanted to congratulate you.”

  “Oh?” Heath’s smile faded.

  “Yes. Imagine my surprise when your mother told me you were engaged. I couldn’t believe it – after all, you said you weren’t the marrying type. I thought she must be mistaken … Heath Montgomery engaged so soon after we broke up …”

  Heath sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “We broke up a long time ago, Chantelle. And I told you I wasn’t the type to marry you – we weren’t suited to each other …”

  Her eyes flashed. “Well, never mind – it’s all in the past.” She glared at Gwen, her gaze dropping to where Gwen had settled her hands on the table. She grinned predatorily. “But I’d love to see your ring.”

  Chantelle strode for the diner door, almost hissing as the bell rang overhead. She hated those bells. Hated diners even more. Who would eat in such a place? She’d always known Heath Montgomery wasn’t good enough for her. And to marry that plain Jane in the flat sandals with her hair drooping around her face. There was nothing special about her, that much was clear.

  A man pushed past her through the doorway, and she spun on her Jimmy Choo stilettos to glare at his retreating back. What was wrong with everyone? Was she suddenly invisible? She stamped her foot angrily against the ground and felt one of her heels buckle. Just great! All she needed was to break a six-hundred-dollar shoe. Now she’d have to hobble across the uneven lot to her car. With an angry grunt she bent to retrieve the heel, then stared at it in dismay.

  She fought back the threatening tears. What was wrong with men? She was so careful about the ones she dated, yet they all eventually tossed her aside. She couldn’t understand it – she worked so hard to take care of herself, to build up a
network of friends in the right circles. She was educated, gave to charity and even volunteered occasionally … or thought about it, at least.

  She glared at Heath and his new fiancée through the tall window beside their booth and frowned. The man who’d pushed through the door and into the diner past her was standing at their booth, gesturing wildly. She could hear his raised voice through the glass. Who was he?

  He stomped toward the door, and she pushed herself up against the wall to make way for him as he rushed by. Then Gwen ran past, caught up to him and grabbed his arm. He spun around to face her with a snarl. “What do you want?”

  Chantelle felt exposed where she stood and scooted to the right until she was hidden in the crook of the wall. She leaned forward to peer around the edge. She could see them well enough and their voices hummed just above the rush-hour traffic.

  “I should ask you the same. Why won’t you understand?”

  The man crossed his arms over his thick chest. “Oh, I understand – my wife’s having dinner with another man. How could I not understand that?”

  “Ex-wife,” corrected Gwen. “How can it possibly matter to you who I eat with? We’re divorced! And what are you doing here, anyway? How did you find me?”

  His cheeks colored. “I found out you worked here. What does it matter how …?”

  Gwen clenched her fists at her sides. “You’ve got to stop this. Just leave me alone, Ed. We’re through, we’re divorced, I wish you all the best in life, but it’s time for you to move on.”

  “Well, you’ve certainly moved on quick enough.” For a big man, he sure pouted a lot. Chantelle suppressed a smirk. No wonder she dumped him.

  “It’s not what it looks like.”

  “Oh, it’s not?”

  “No. Heath and I are just friends.”

  “You and Mr. Business Suit in there are just friends? You think I’m that stupid? Well, let me tell you, I don’t care if you marry him, but don’t think that means I won’t go for alimony. In fact, looks to me like you’ll be able to afford a whole lot more. You cry poor, but I don’t buy it.” He grinned.

  Chantelle’s eyes widened. He was shaking her down! What a scumbag.

  Gwen sighed and put her hands on her hips. “I’m not marrying him. We were just pretending to be engaged so he could get a promotion at work.”

  Ed’s face turned red. “And what do you get out of it?”

  She paused. “He paid first month’s rent for my new apartment. Anyway, what does this have to do with you? I’m not marrying him, I’m not coming into any money, so you can just go home and forget about me.”

  He barked a laugh. “Aw, Gwen, you know I’m never gonna do that. Not while you still owe me.” He turned and walked away.

  “I don’t owe you anything!” Gwen yelled as he walked away, still laughing. She growled and marched back into the diner.

  Satisfied that she hadn’t been seen, Chantelle wobbled on her one good heel across the lot to her Mustang. So Heath and Gwen were only pretending to be engaged? What a joke! She should’ve realized something was up the moment she laid eyes on Heath’s fiancée. He wouldn’t dump her only to propose to someone who looked like that. A last glance over her shoulder revealed Heath and Gwen in deep conversation, leaning forward across the table between them. Heath didn’t look happy.

  Chantelle smiled to herself and slid into her convertible. It was a beautiful evening. Maybe she’d ride home with the top down.

  Heath tapped the pen against his desk like a woodpecker, then sighed and set it down. He couldn’t focus, couldn’t stop thinking about Gwen and her ex-husband. He’d known she was divorced, but hadn’t expected him to show up while they were eating and berate her about alimony. Alimony? How on Earth would a primary-school teacher owe alimony? And what kind of man would seek it when he was perfectly capable of working? It didn’t make sense.

  And she wouldn’t talk to him about it. He’d asked her point-blank what was going on and she’d assured him she was taking care of it. But what did that mean? Obviously she didn’t have the best legal representation to help her out if she’d gotten into such a jam in the first place.

  He stood and took a quick breath. Dan should be back from lunch by now – he’d just pop into his brother’s office and ask him a quick legal question.

  Sure enough, Dan was seated at his desk going over contracts they’d just signed with a breeder in Wyoming – Heath had approved the deal. “Dan, have you got a minute?” he asked, sliding into a chair.

  Dan looked up with a grin and nodded. “Sure, big brother. What can I do for you?”

  “I don’t know if you knew this, but Gwen’s divorced.”

  Dan opened his mouth to respond, thought better of it and closed it.

  “Anyway, her ex is hounding her about alimony.”

  “Alimony?”

  “Yeah, I thought it was strange as well.”

  “Do they have kids?”

  Heath shook his head. “No.”

  “Okay. You want me to look into it for you?”

  “Would you? It’s just that he’s giving her grief and I know she’s struggling to make ends meet as it is. I think maybe she got a raw deal in her divorce settlement. But she won’t talk about it … what? I can tell you’re dying to say something.”

  Dan chuckled. “Are you really still fake-engaged to her?”

  Heath blushed. “Well, we didn’t want to upset Nana.”

  “Uh-huh. That’s all it is? Come on, Heath, you’re acting like this isn’t a big deal, but it is. You’re lying to everyone and now you’re getting interested in her life. You like her and you’re going to get hurt.”

  Heath rubbed his eyes and sighed. “I know.”

  “So end it. Or don’t. But do something.”

  He stood and shoved his hands in his pockets. “So you’ll look into her situation?”

  “Sure. Just get me her lawyer’s contact details and I’ll give them a call.”

  “Will do.” He headed for the door, then stopped. “And thanks, Dan.”

  Dan smiled. “What are little brothers for?”

  Back in his own office, Heath stared at Gwen’s name and number on his cell phone screen as his heart pounded. What should he do? He was in too deep emotionally. He knew Dan was right – he’d get hurt, his family would get hurt … Gwen could be hurt. But all those would happen if he backed out, too. He sighed, jabbed the screen and heard her pick up on the first ring. “Gwen? It’s Heath. Hey, can you text me your lawyer’s details?”

  Gwen’s voice was bright. “Fran? Why?”

  “Dan just wants to ask her a few questions. Oh, and can you call her to give permission for Dan to look into your divorce settlement as well?”

  “Does he think he can help?”

  “He does. But he’ll have to talk to Fran first to get all the details.”

  “Okay. Thanks, Heath. You don’t have to do this.”

  “I know, but I want to help. Oh, and Nana and Mom want to meet tomorrow to plan the engagement party. They’ve basically got it all worked out and just want to get our okay.”

  He heard her sharp intake of breath. “Sure. That sounds fun.”

  With a chuckle, he shook his head. “I know it’s awkward, but as far as they know we’re engaged.”

  “I just hope they haven’t spent too much money yet.”

  He squeezed his eyes shut. “Knowing them, I’m sure they have. But hey, at least they’re happy.”

  After he finished the call, he wondered if it was enough. Would these moments of joy cover the pain that’d come later when he and Gwen faked their break-up or, worse still, if Nana and Mom discovered their engagement was make-believe?

  Heath sighed and rested his chin in his hand, studying the computer screen in front of him, but the numbers all jumbled together. He shook his head. He had to focus on work – it was the only thing that made sense anymore. Somehow he’d managed to turn the rest of his life into farce. He couldn’t let the business suffer because of
it.

  12

  Heath peered through the window into the hotel lobby, but he couldn’t see the restaurant from there and wasn’t sure if Mom and Nana had arrived yet. Likely they were already holed up in a corner of the room plotting the biggest, most outrageous engagement party Billings society had ever seen.

  He took a quick breath and walked through the door and across the marble floor. The elegant black-and-white decor of the Princeton Hotel was a familiar sight – the family and company had held many a function there over the years. Their high tea was one of his mother’s favorite things to do on a weekend.

  He found them quickly, seated at Mom’s favorite table, one that looked out over the terrace. Gwen was there already, giving him a look that said, where have you been?! He simply nodded hello and sat.

  She jumped up to kiss him softly, making his heart skip a beat. “Hi, pumpkin. You look nice.”

  He glanced down at his T-shirt and torn jeans, shrugged, then set his Stetson on the table and kissed his mother on her cheek.

  His mother’s nostrils flared as she eyed his jeans. “Hon, I told you it was high tea at the Princeton, didn’t I?”

  He chuckled. “Yes, Mom, you did. But I have to put up with suits all week long. I want to be comfortable on the weekend.”

  “Well, I hope you don’t dress like this to attend that church of yours.” She arched an eyebrow.

  He smiled. She always called it that church of yours. She didn’t approve and she never missed an opportunity to make sure he knew when she didn’t approve of something. “I do, Mom. Which is one of the reasons I love going there. They don’t care how I dress.”

  She shook her head and made a tutting sound.

  Gwen giggled, but quickly hid her smile behind a hand. “This looks delightful, Arlene – thank you so much for inviting me. I don’t think I’ve ever had high tea before.”

  “It’s so much fun, isn’t it?” added Nana with a grin.