by Rita Herron
"What am I looking forward to?" Kimberly sauntered into the room wearing a gauzy green skirt that swirled around her ankles and a soft beige sweater top. The top and skirt were modest and demure, surprising him. But still the top hugged her curves and teased him to wonder what lay beneath.
"Austin?" Kimberly paused beside the table.
"Uh, getting to know my parents," he said hastily.
Philip jumped up and pulled out her chair. "Mom makes the best breakfasts in town," Philip said. "We always told her she should open a cafe."
"Oh, you two hush," Mrs. McDane said, blushing.
Kimberly eyed the assortment of pancakes and fresh sausages. "It looks wonderful. Maybe your sons are right, Mrs. McDane."
Austin's mother laughed good-naturedly. "Call me Mom, sugar. It won't be long until we'll be family."
Kimberly sipped her juice, her gaze troubled as she glanced at Austin. He squirmed uncomfortably. He was beginning to feel guilty about this deception.
Maybe Kimberly was, too.
Kimberly stabbed a blueberry pancake and quickly added syrup. Rebecca and her crew joined them and the kitchen bustled with noise as everyone dug into the pancakes, passed syrup and sausages and wiped up spills from the children.
Austin was surprised at how relaxed Kimberly seemed with his family, especially the children. They seemed to love her.
"You need to get fitted for your tux." Mrs. McDane patted her son's hand. "And Rebecca, you'll have to meet Kimberly and me at the bridal luncheon."
Kimberly paused, her fork in midair. "The bridal luncheon?"
"Of course," Mrs. McDane said, starting to clear the dishes. "They're expecting us. Marilyn specifically told me to invite you."
Austin's fork clanked against his plate. "You don't have to go if you don't want, Kimberly," Austin said.
Maybe he should have told Kimberly about his history with Marilyn. He hadn't thought his family would be so insensitive as to throw the two of them together. Then again, Kimberly was only a pretend fiancée.
What difference would it make to her?
"Oh, but she should go," Mrs. McDane said. "Marilyn said she wanted to get to know Kimberly better. Especially since she's going to be part of the family."
The syrup glued Austin’s throat together. He might not be engaged to Kimberly, but for a while he had dated Marilyn, even entertained the possibility that some day...
Then she’d run off with Josh for a long weekend and he'd become history. Josh had apologized, saying he and Marilyn couldn't help themselves.
What would Marilyn tell Kimberly about him?
* * *
Kimberly frowned as Austin's mother steered the family Buick toward the mansion where Marilyn's bridal luncheon was to be held.
Why didn’t Austin want her to talk to Marilyn?
Oblivious to her turmoil, Mrs. McDane chattered away, giving her all the highlights of the farmland they passed and regaling her with stories about each of her children.
"April was kind of a tomboy—loved to play soccer. That's how she met her husband, he was on a soccer scholarship at State. And Philip, he's my wild one. Girls just love him, but he wants to play the field. Don't know yet what he'll do with his life."
"And Austin?"
Mrs. McDane grew thoughtful as she turned onto the little street leading into the small town. "Austin was always a serious boy. Thought his dad was destined to do bigger things."
"Mr. McDane wasn't happy with his job?"
"Oh, yeah, he was fine," Mrs. McDane said. "But Austin thought he should be moving up. He didn't understand Jerry was happy where he was. See, Marilyn's dad owned the bank, and Josh's dad is an airplane pilot."
"I see," Kimberly said, not sure she did.
"Working in a tobacco plant wasn't exactly impressive."
"But he was a good father?"
"Mercy, yes. Never missed one of the kids' games or school plays. Coached Little League and Becca's soccer team. Some people are content with the simple life—Jerry's one of them."
He sounded like a perfect father to her.
"But Austin was smart, always building things. Didn't surprise me one bit when he decided to be an architect. I’m so proud of him sometimes I could bust.”
Admiration for Austin stirred in Kimberly's chest. He'd set his goals and followed through.
"Well, we're here," Mrs. McDane announced.
"This is lovely," Kimberly said, impressed with the outside of the Victorian house.
She admired the gardens while she and Mrs. McDane strolled up the sidewalks. Daylilies bloomed in the neatly trimmed yard and petunias blossomed in colorful flower beds in front of the huge porch. Mrs. McDane hesitated before they went in. "Kimberly, can I say something before we go in?"
Kimberly studied her face, her stomach suddenly a bundle of nerves. "Sure."
"Marilyn is a nice girl and we've known her for ages."
"I know," Kimberly said. "I saw the picture of Marilyn and Austin and Josh in Austin’s room."
Mrs. McDane exhaled audibly, as if in relief, and fanned her face with her hand. "I guess Austin told you Marilyn dumped him and ran off with Josh."
No, he seemed to have forgotten to mention that detail. "Hmmm," was all Kimberly could manage to say.
"Well, now she and Josh are getting married and Austin has you. I'm sure it's all forgotten."
Kim’s chest gave a pang. Was it forgotten or did Austin still carry a torch for Marilyn?
Mrs. McDane ushered her up the steps. "Anyway, I just wanted you to know Marilyn wasn't right for Austin. It's better it worked out like this."
A sinking sensation snowballed in Kimberly’s stomach. Why hadn't Austin told her the truth about Marilyn?
Then the truth dawned on her. Because he was still in love with her.
Chapter 4
Just pretend you're going to be Austin's blushing bride. Only thirty-six more hours to go and you'll be single, free, and back home in Atlanta. And you'll probably never see Austin McDane or his sweet family again.
For some reason, that last thought triggered an unsettled feeling in Kimberly’s stomach. But she shrugged away the feeling when the front door of the mansion where the bridal luncheon was being held swung open and she was ushered inside.
"Don't be shy now, dear," Mrs. McDane said in a conspiratorial whisper. "Most of these are Marilyn's friends, but there's a good many ladies here who know Austin. Everybody knows everyone else in Sugarloaf."
"It seems like a really nice community," Kimberly said, clenching her hands to hide the perspiration dampening her palms.
Mrs. McDane waved at a group of elderly women already seated at a lace-draped table, and Kimberly scanned the young women, wondering how many of them had actually dated Austin.
Why hadn't Austin warned her she'd have to socialize with his old girlfriends?
The dining area boasted of days gone by with its heavy velvet curtains and ivy-embossed wallpaper. Antique tables were set with crystal and china plates and a silver tea service shimmered beneath the teardrop chandelier.
"Why, there's his first grade teacher," Mrs. McDane announced. "And there's Trina Culpepper. She and Austin went to grade school together." Kimberly smiled at the pregnant woman, pausing as Mrs. McDane introduced her.
"This is my daughter-in-law to be," Mrs. McDane gushed.
"Don't tell me Philip's decided to get married?" one of the blue-haired ladies shrieked.
Several women laughed, and Mrs. McDane pressed her hands to her face in animation. "No, it's Austin. He's finally decided to settle down. He brought Kimberly all the way from Atlanta to meet us." Mrs. McDane curved her arm around Kimberly's shoulders affectionately. "Isn't she the sweetest thing since molasses?"
The women nodded in agreement and Kimberly smiled until her teeth ached, feeling guiltier with each passing second.
Marilyn suddenly noticed their arrival and made a beeline for them, her silk blouse clinging to her slender figure, the gold color accentu
ating the highlights in her shiny blond hair.
"Mrs. McDane, Kimberly, I'm so glad you made it." Marilyn pulled her toward the table. "Come on, Kimberly, sit with me. I want to hear all about you and Austin."
Kimberly blanched and took her seat, her hands trembling when she unfolded her napkin and placed it in her lap. Austin's mother seated herself across from Kimberly, and Marilyn quickly introduced her to the three bridesmaids.
The caterers delivered plates of chicken salad, steaming croissants with honey butter, and fresh fruit.
"So, tell me more about you and Austin," Marilyn said. "Have you two set the date?"
Kimberly sipped her iced tea, the engagement ring weighing heavily on her left hand. "No, not yet."
"I just can't believe it, Austin is finally settling down." An odd look crossed Marilyn’s face as she bit into a strawberry. "I thought he was going to be the last bachelor left in the South."
Kimberly buttered a croissant, avoiding Marilyn's probing gaze. "I guess he changed his mind."
"Obviously," Marilyn's friend Becky put in. "Because he was a confirmed bachelor when he lived here. Or else one of us would have snagged him." The exchanged vigorous nods.
"Tell us how you caught him," Marilyn coaxed.
Kimberly toyed with a forkful of chicken salad. "I don't know. I guess it was just—"
"Love at first sight?" Diane suggested with a giggle.
Kimberly made a non-committal sound, "I suppose it was."
"And we heard he was married to his job." Lynn rolled her eyes. "Guess that was just a rumor."
"Well, that is what I thought," Marilyn said. "Every time Josh tried to call Austin he was at his office. I thought he was a workaholic."
"He's a talented architect, isn't he?" Lynn asked. "Have you seen some of his work in Atlanta, Kimberly?"
"Er... he's got so many projects going..."
"They probably don't have time for that," Diane teased. "They're too busy romancing like you and Josh."
"I'm soooo jealous," Lynn said dreamily.
Kimberly groaned inwardly.
"Marilyn, are you and Josh really going to Bermuda for your honeymoon?" Diane asked.
Marilyn nodded. "Kimberly, where are you and Austin going?"
"Uh, Aruba," Kimberly hedged.
"Wow, I heard they have nude beaches," Lynn shrieked. "You won't have to worry about tan lines!"
"If they see the beach at all," Diane said with a wink.
Kimberly gulped her water, wishing she'd kept silent.
"So, when is all this happening?" Marilyn asked.
"We haven't gotten that far in our plans," Kimberly said slowly.
"Or maybe they just want to be secretive," Lynn suggested with a sly grin. "So nobody disturbs them on their honeymoon." Everyone laughed good-naturedly and Kimberly's face was engulfed with heat at the ribbing that followed.
"Come on, you can tell me," Marilyn whispered.
Kimberly straightened her napkin in her lap, searching for an answer that would satisfy Marilyn. "Well, actually, Austin wanted to get married right away, but I thought we should wait."
Marilyn's eyes widened, and Kimberly babbled on. "We didn't want to take anything away from your special day with Josh."
"You're kidding." Marilyn waved a hand. "You don't have to worry about that." Marilyn turned to Austin's mother, her eyes dancing with excitement. "Mrs. McDane, did you hear that? Kimberly said Austin wanted to get married right away, but she was holding off so they wouldn't take away from my wedding."
"Goodness," Mrs. McDane said. "There's nothing our small town likes better than weddings!"
"That's right," Marilyn agreed. "Josh and I wouldn't have minded if you'd gotten married on the same day!" She clutched Kimberly's hand. "I think it's cool we all got engaged so close together!"
Kimberly’s stomach knotted. What had possessed her to make up such a story?
"I'm so glad Austin found you," Marilyn whispered a little too smugly for Kimberly. "I really was worried about him, what with our past and all. But now he has you, I know he'll be all right with Josh and me getting married. Everything's working out perfectly!"
Kimberly once again forced her mouth into a smile that was so false she wondered if her cheeks might crack.
"You know, he was so anti-marriage when we were dating I just couldn't wait around." Marilyn waved her hand. "Then he went out of town on that interview, and Josh and I wound up together at another friend's wedding. Things just took off from there."
"Really?"
"Then Austin took the job in Atlanta right away." Marilyn looked thoughtful for a moment. "I always felt responsible, as if I'd forced him to move away from his family." She squeezed Kimberly's hand. "But I have a feeling inviting you home has brought him closer to them."
Kimberly attacked her dessert, deciding she'd worry about the extra calories later. She had to do something to occupy her mouth. If she said too much, she might slip up and reveal that she really knew nothing about Austin. Other than the fact he was the sexiest man she'd ever met.
But his family was so nice, guilt gnawed at her.
"Josh was worried Austin would never forgive us, that he wouldn't even come to the wedding," Marilyn continued.
"Things usually work out for the best," Kimberly whispered, feeling vaguely embarrassed to be learning about Austin from his former girlfriend.
No wonder he had wanted a fiancée for the weekend.
He was determined to convince Marilyn that he wasn’t hung up on her. If he’d warned her, she would have been more prepared.
Marilyn nodded. "That's good. I'm glad he's happy now."
"He's the sexiest, most considerate man I know," Kimberly said truthfully. After all, she had dated a lot of frogs.
"Sounds like she's in love all right," Diane teased.
"Is Austin still a stuffed shirt the way he used to be?" Marilyn asked. "When I knew him he never did anything spontaneous."
Like paying a waitress to pretend to be his fiancée? "I guess he has changed," she said. "He's always doing wild things—"
"Austin is?" Marilyn leaned forward, her eyes narrowed. "Like what?"
She was in deep do-do now. "Well, on our second date, we went skinny-dipping in the river at midnight."
"Wow," Marilyn exclaimed. "Sounds like he's really changed." She squeezed Kimberly's hand. "You must be good for him."
"Yeah, who knows, maybe we'll stop and get married on the way back to Atlanta."
"You mean elope?" Diane said breathlessly.
"Oh, dear me." Mrs. McDane fluttered her napkin. "I do want you two to have a real wedding so all the family can witness your vows."
Kimberly silently chastised herself for her comment. For some reason, Marilyn was getting under her skin and making her say crazy things. But she didn’t want to hurt Austin’s mother so she gave her an apologetic look. "It was just a thought, Mrs. McDane, don't worry."
Marilyn's mother tapped her glass with her silver spoon to get everyone's attention. "Welcome, everyone. We’re so glad you’re here to celebrate with our Marilyn. Now, it’s time to see what's inside these gorgeous gifts. Marilyn, are you ready?"
"Of course," Marilyn squealed. "This is so exciting."
The girls clapped as Marilyn ripped into the first package. "It's beautiful," Marilyn said, showing off a white bridal peignoir set. Moments later as Marilyn opened one present after another, Kimberly realized the women had chosen nightwear as their theme, not toasters or linens or potholders or place settings.
She would have preferred to give Marilyn something practical. Like a wet dishrag, she thought, and immediately told herself not to be mean.
For goodness sake, she barely knew Austin. What did it matter if he did still want Marilyn?
"Just think, Kimberly. Next we'll be having a bridal shower for you."
A blush heated her neck as she imagined receiving a sexy piece of lingerie like the one Marilyn had just opened. Then she envisioned wearing it for Aust
in on their wedding night, seeing desire and passion light his dark eyes when she modeled it for him, feeling his fiery touch when he stroked her through the black lace, and a ripple of excitement skittered through her.
But her excitement quickly faded into disappointment as she remembered her engagement was a fake.
Austin was either a confirmed bachelor, or he was still hung up on Marilyn; hence, the reason he'd paid Marci to come along for the weekend. Just fun and games, and sex, maybe—but no commitments. That was Marci's style.
But she was not Marci.
* * *
Austin paced the length of the porch watching for Kimberly's return. The thought of Kimberly with Marilyn and his mother and all those other gossiping, nosy women had his stomach in knots. What if they saw through her act?
Thankfully his father had finally gone to check on his garden, and Philip had disappeared into his room. He didn't think he could stand one more minute of hounding about his upcoming nuptials and his bride-to-be, especially since he had no idea how to answer the questions.
He should be working, but he'd tried to concentrate on blueprints when they'd first arrived home from the tux shop, only to find his mind wandering to Kimberly and the realization that he missed her. He wiped perspiration from his forehead. Dammit, that was crazy.
Still, he wished they’d hurry home. Anything could be happening.
Marilyn or his mother could be relaying any number of humiliating stories about him, tales he'd rather Kimberly didn't hear. His inability to hit a baseball the first time he'd tried it, his crush at age four on a Sunday school teacher with pink-frosted hair named Minerva, the time he'd been stung on the butt by a bumblebee when he was two...
Finally his mother's big blue Buick rolled into the gravel drive, and he sucked in a deep breath as he watched Kimberly climb from the car. Momentarily forgetting his concerns when one slender bare leg emerged from the car, he simply drank in the sight of her. God, she was gorgeous.
The late afternoon sunshine glinted off the russet strands of her curly hair and highlighted creamy skin that looked as if it needed to be touched. Her rosy lips formed a smile as she swung her gaze up and found him standing on the porch, and his body automatically hardened with desire.