The Country Bride: Billionaire Marriage Brokers Book 4

by Lucy McConnell

  So she told him everything. Unloading the story took a lot less time than she thought it would, and she ended by shrugging her shoulders and saying, “So I’m not sure if I’m cut out for this, but I feel like it’s the right thing for me to do. Does that make sense?”

  “No.” Noah leaned back on his hands. “And yes. I felt the same way about the police academy and look how that turned out.” Tipping his head up, he watched the clouds roll across the sky. “I always thought one day you’d meet this guy and you’d just know he was the one and we’d all be trying to catch up. I figured you had a picture of him in your head—you just had to find him.”

  “I still can.”

  “Yeah, but … never mind.” Noah lay back with his hands behind his head. “Remember when we used to come out here and make shapes out of the clouds?”

  Paige copied him, positioning herself so their elbows touched. “You always saw dinosaurs and dragons.”

  “And you saw horses.”

  “They’re the best,” said Paige.

  “I think you have to do it.”

  “Why?” Paige knew her reasons, but she could always use another one.

  “Because if you don’t, you may never buy your stables or horses.” Noah’s tone carried a hint of warning. “Look, a dragon.” He pointed to the southernmost cloud.

  Paige squinted and tipped her head to the side. She didn’t see a dragon. But despite her doubts, she felt like that cloud—light and willing to go where the wind sent her. She’d have to carry those with her. “I’m going to sign a prenup tomorrow.”

  “I know,” said Noah. “I’m coming with you.”

  Chapter 8

  Everything that could go wrong on Wednesday morning did. Addison woke up in a grouchy mood and fought Cody every step of the way as they got dressed and out the door. His car had a flat, so Cody had to borrow Christopher’s truck or risk missing his appointment at BMB altogether. And when he got there, his bride had called to say she was in traffic and would be late.

  “If you’ll have a seat in our waiting area, I’m sure she’ll be here any minute and we can get started,” said Tina. “Would you like an apple juice?” she asked Addison.

  Addison shook her head and clung to Cody’s leg. “Maybe this isn’t a good idea,” he told Tina. “She’s been upset all morning and I’m afraid she’s not ready for this.”

  Tina nodded. “We can certainly reschedule, if that’s what you’d like.”

  “Mr. Walker, it’s good to see you again.” Harrison strode into the waiting room and offered Cody his hand.

  Cody shook it and said, “You too. Listen, I think we may need to rethink things.” He pointed discreetly to Addison tucked behind him.

  “Of course. I’ll take you down to see Pamela and we’ll see what we can work out.”

  “Daddy, I need to go to the bathroom.” Addison barely spoke loud enough for Cody to hear her.

  “Can I show you the ladies’ room?” Tina asked. Addison nodded and allowed Tina to take her hand. “I’ll bring her back when she’s done.”

  “Thanks.” Cody breathed a sigh of relief. He loved his daughter with everything he had in him, but this morning she had tried every last nerve. A few minutes to collect himself was appreciated.

  He and Harrison made their way to Pamela’s office, where Cody expressed his concerns about his daughter acting out. Pamela listened with patience.

  ***

  Paige recovered from her almost collision with the lobby security guard and pressed the elevator button several times. “If you didn’t drive like a grandpa, we’d have been on time.”

  “If you didn’t have to load up on makeup, we could have left on time.” Noah scowled.

  The elevator doors opened, and Paige all but jumped inside. “Do you think it’s too much?” She rummaged in her purse for a tissue and came up with a napkin from Dairy King. Leaning into the mirror, she went to blot off her pale pink lipstick.

  Noah reached out and stopped her. “You look beautiful, and if this jerk can’t see that, I’m going to have to pound some sense into him.”

  Paige rolled her eyes. “If you pound him, he’ll sue.”

  “Joke’s on him, I’m broke.”

  “Play nice,” Paige commanded as the doors slid open. Tina wasn’t at her desk, so Paige motioned for Noah to sit in the waiting area. She chose to pace and work off some of her energy.

  Within seconds, Tina was back with a little girl in tow. “I saved your book from the other day. Do you want to color while you wait?”

  “Sure.” The little girl looked anything but sure. She shuffled along and kept her chin down as she took the book.

  When she turned, her eyes landed on Paige’s boots and traveled up until she stopped at Paige’s hair. There was a small gasp before the box of crayons dropped to the floor, the crayons scattering across the tile.

  “Here, let me help you with that.” Paige bent down and scooped up the box. The girl continued to stare at her, open-mouthed and wide-eyed. Maybe Paige did have too much makeup on if it caused children to stare. She gathered the rest of the crayons and returned them to the box. “There’s a table over here; do you want to color there?”

  “Yes.” The girl broke into an apple-pie smile. “Will you color with me?”

  Paige looked at Tina. “Do I have time to color?” Spending a few minutes with this sweetie would take her mind off her future husband and hopefully help her relax.

  Tina nodded. “I think we can squeeze that in.”

  Noah scooted over on the couch, and Paige and her new friend sat down. “What’s your name?” Paige asked as she dumped the crayons on the table.

  “Addison.” She looked up. “What should I call you?”

  Noah leaned over. “We call her Penny Paige.”

  “Penny Paige? That’s a silly name.”

  Paige pouted out her lip. “I can’t change it now. It’s been there my whole life.”

  “I’ve been Addison my whole life.”

  “Really? You mean you weren’t a Roberta or a Trudy before?” Paige asked seriously, although she was just having some fun. She knew from experience that kids loved to be experts at things.

  “No. Never.”

  “Well, then we’re just the same.”

  They colored a picture of a horse for a moment. Paige’s thoughts went to her own little herd. She hadn’t found a place to stable them yet, and her concern was growing.

  “What’s your favorite color?” asked Addison.

  “Pink. What’s yours?”

  “Pink or purple, and sometimes it’s red.” She reached up and touched Paige’s hair.

  Paige exchanged a smile with Noah. What a darling! “I once had a cupcake with pink and purple frosting,” said Paige.

  “I like cupcakes.”

  “What’s your favorite kind?” asked Noah.

  Addison considered him for a moment. “Your hair isn’t red,” she said, not answering his question.

  Noah tucked his chin down and tugged on a section of his auburn hair. “It’s kind of red.”

  “I think it’s brown.”

  Noah chuckled and rubbed the top of Addison’s head, messing up the girl’s ponytail.

  Paige scowled. “You never mess up a lady’s hair.” She leaned down to look at Addison. “Do you mind if I fix it?”

  “You want to do my hair?” Addison asked with bright eyes.

  “Sure.” Paige giggled at how serious Addison looked. “Here.” She turned Addison’s head around and gently removed the loose elastic. Fingering out the bumps and smoothing things down, she arranged the dark brown hair into a high ponytail and secured it once again—this time tight enough that it would stay. “There you go.”

  Addison’s hands went to her head and she felt all around. “Thank you.” She threw her arms around Paige’s neck.

  Paige laughed and hugged her back. “You are welcome.”

  “Well, perhaps we were a little too quick to change things,” said Pamela, wh
o stood behind Paige.

  Addison bounced out of Paige’s arms and over to the handsome stranger standing next to Pamela. Paige stood to greet her new employer and nearly fell back into her seat. If Paige had thought Harrison would look good in a black cowboy hat, this man would be a dream. He was clean shaven, with a dimple that appeared when he smiled down at Addison. It was a good thing he only had one dimple, because two would have done Paige in—and any woman in a ten-mile radius!

  Paige took in two short breaths. It was all she could manage with her stomach flipping and flopping around at the very sight of her dream guy. He lived! He breathed! He had that perfect chin she’d always wanted to brush her fingertips over. And those lips? Scrumptious! She could well imagine his gray eyes brooding under the brim, and that brown, almost black hair curling around her fingers.

  Whoa there, girl…

  Paige focused on the silver tips of her favorite boots. Life was so unfair. Here she was, about to get married, and all she wanted to do was throw herself into this guy’s arms and see where the world would take them. Cursing her overactive imagination, Paige wished she could hide behind Noah or disappear behind Tina’s desk. However, hiding was out of the question with everyone staring at her and Mr. Perfect. Was her attraction to him so obvious that they could feel it too? Why didn’t someone say something?

  Addison finally saved her. “Daddy, this is Penny Paige, and she did my hair just like a real mommy. See?” She bent at the waist to show off her ponytail.

  Paige clasped her hands behind her back. She didn’t dare touch him. Her dream guy needed to stay in her dreams, and if they placed palm against palm, she’d never get the memory out of her head. “I hope you don’t mind. It got a little ruffled.”

  Their eyes met, and Mr. Handsome stuttered. “I ... I ... I ...”

  Addison grabbed Paige’s hand between both of hers and pulled her towards the elevator. “Come on, it’s time to go.”

  “Go where?” Paige asked.

  “Home.”

  Wouldn’t that be lovely? Paige wished it was true. She wished she was marrying this hunk of deliciousness for real. Unfortunately, Paige was due to meet some high-powered executive, real estate mogul, doctor, lawyer, or trust-fund baby and begin the year-long process of making over his life. Surrendering to her fate, Paige bent so she could look Addison in the eye. “I’m sorry, hon. I can’t go home with you.”

  “But mommies have to live with their family.”

  “Yes they do, you are one hundred percent right.” Paige looked around for some help, but Tina had her hand over her heart and looked like she was melting at Addison’s adorableness. Pamela beamed. And Addison’s dad was opening and closing his mouth like a giant bass. Noah was texting and absolutely no help at all. Brothers!

  Addison’s lower lip stuck out. “But … you’re my new mommy. I saw your picture on her computer.” Addison pointed at Pamela.

  Paige absentmindedly pushed Addison’s hand down so she wasn’t pointing at Pamela. Her mind raced. New mommy. New mommy. New mommy. No one said anything about being a mommy! I’m not ready to be a mommy.

  Paige looked once again at the handsome stranger who created visions of riding double and passion-fruit-colored sunsets, hoping he’d jump in and tell Addison that she was wrong and there was another bride waiting to be her mommy. When he didn’t move, Paige’s questioning gaze shifted to Pamela, who gave her a slight nod as if nudging her forward.

  Holy cow! Mr. Handsome was her fiancé? “Mr. Walker?” Paige asked nervously.

  After a moment’s hesitation, Addison’s dad stepped forward.

  ***

  By mustering every ounce of self-control in his body, Cody propelled himself toward the absurdly beautiful woman before him. Any movement was something of a miracle, because he couldn’t feel his body. When he’d come down the hallway and found Addison hugging the lady with copper-colored hair—this pixie with eyes bigger than a half dollar, a petite nose, and lips that were full and tempting—it was as if someone had grabbed both sides of his face and said, “Pay attention.” Not that he’d needed that much encouragement; he couldn’t seem to look anywhere but right at her.

  Cody had experienced moments that were like standing in the middle of a deserted freeway and knowing exactly which direction to go. Everything inside of him knew he was supposed to be with Penny Paige, but that surety was frightening enough to make him want to turn around and run. However, Cody was no coward.

  Stopping a good three feet away, Cody was relieved that Addison slid her arm around his knee. She grounded him and kept his thoughts from running away with Penny Paige, allowing him to handle the situation with a little dignity.

  Well, as much dignity as one could muster when meeting their fiancée for the first time in an office full of strangers who continued to stare at them as if they were on the inside of a fishbowl. Cody knocked his head from side to side like a fighter warming up for the next round before saying, “I’m Cody Walker, and I see you’ve met Addison.”

  Before the woman could respond, a beefy hand was on Cody’s shoulder. Cody followed the hand up the arm and across the shoulder to a stern face. “Mr. Walker. Noah Baker, Paige’s big brother.”

  Cody took a step back, thankful beyond measure that Noah had stepped between him and Paige. He offered his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  Noah took it. “You too,” he said without a smile.

  Cody looked from Noah to Paige. Paige. Not Penny Paige. Just Paige. It was a pretty name with a little spunk, just like the woman herself. In fact, the spunk came through loud and clear as she positioned herself between Noah and Cody, offering Cody her hand and a subtle elbow to Noah’s gut. No one else noticed, but Cody saw the way Noah’s jaw went slack and heard his soft grunt.

  “Behave,” she said under her breath to Noah. Turning on a thousand-watt smile, she told Cody, “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Cody grasped her hand and was stunned by the feeling running up his arm. It was warm and comforting, and at the same time it did funny things to his insides. Like his heart. His heart was beating too fast

  He’d expected a delicate little shake and instead received a welcoming grasp, Paige holding onto him as if he were the only thing holding her up.

  He felt he could trust her—that he knew her. The honesty in her countenance was as unmistakable as the color of her hair. Although her gray-green eyes held a hint of indecision. She might not be sure about him, but she was sure as heck not going to let him know she wasn’t confident in the situation. Aware that he’d never read anyone so clearly, Cody muttered, “You too.”

  Pamela stepped forward. “Cody, if you don’t have any objections, I’d like to move this into Kimberley’s office. She has all the paperwork for the prenup, and I believe everyone would be more comfortable.”

  Objections? Cody had hundreds. Not five minutes ago, he’d laid them out for Pamela, the biggest one being Addison’s change in behavior this morning and his worry over her ability to handle the situation. He looked down at her now and found her staring at Paige with nothing short of childlike adoration. There went my delay tactic. “No objections.”

  “Wonderful. This way.” Pamela went first.

  Noah cleared his throat, and Paige pulled her hand away slowly, her fingertips leaving behind trails of fire on his skin. Cody motioned for her to go first, hoping she didn’t see the way she affected him. Noah fell in step beside her, and Cody followed with Addison.

  This is bad. Paige was much more than Cody had signed up for, and he was very much afraid that if they made the whole thing official, he might just enjoy being paired with this captivating sprite.

  ***

  Paige ran her hand up and down the arm of the chair to keep from bursting out of her seat. Kimberley was calm, but since Pamela had left the room, she was the only adult that wasn’t freaking out on one level or another.

  Noah was wound tighter than a steer in the shoots waiting for the doors to fly open. At any moment, he’d sp
ring forth and tear across the room, running over everyone and everything in his path.

  Paige’s thoughts scattered like dandelion fluff with every look, glance, or peek at Mr. Walker. When she tried to gather them in, he’d shift in his chair, drawing her attention, and her heart would pound with the sound of a thousand stampeding horses.

  And Mr. Walker, her fiancé, didn’t look as if he fared much better. He crossed one ankle over the other knee and then switched them twenty seconds later. His hand constantly reached down to touch Addison’s head, as she was sprawled between their chairs, coloring. It appeared to be a nervous habit he used to calm himself down.

  “Wait,” Noah held up his palm. “It sounds like this is all about him.” He jerked his chin toward Mr. Walker.

  Paige about died at the confrontational tone he used in front of her future husband. She didn’t mind Noah tagging along or asking questions; however, she would mind if he ruined her opportunity at BMB. The more Kimberley talked about money and income, the more Paige wanted this position. And it helped that her fiancé was good-looking enough to model for a romance novel cover. Trying to be subtle, Paige glared, hoping Noah would get the hint and back off.

  As Noah was rarely subtle, she wasn’t surprised when he pressed on. “I know he’s the one with the big bank account and all, but my sister shouldn’t get the short end of the stick in this.”

  Paige fought against the desire to slouch down in her seat. Of course the prenup had mentioned that Paige wasn’t entitled to any of Mr. Walker’s money other than the salary she was paid each month and the bonus at the end of the marriage. She wasn’t expecting more, and he would be an idiot to marry without a prenup. However, she did have one big, brown, beautiful asset back in the barn that she wanted to make sure Mr. Walker couldn’t take away.

  “The prenup is in place to ensure that what is yours now will be yours after the divorce.” Kimberley turned to address Paige. “Paige, any assets you bring into the marriage, you will have when it’s over. If you’d like to seek legal counsel, we can reschedule the signing.”