by Lori Wilde
April remembered the fuss that ensued after Stella had refused to name Nicole’s father on the birth certificate. When Stella’s young boyfriend had denied paternity, she’d insisted she’d rather her daughter have no father at all than to be rejected by the real one.
“Of course, people have become more accepting than they were twenty years ago,” April suggested. “Haven’t they?”
“Baby Sis, this is Bliss County you’re talking about.” She tossed the pillow to April. “I suggest you marry that good-looking Colton Radway and start doing the natural with him.”
April moved across the bed and sized up the situation. It was scary for both of them because she’d never let him go this far before. All this time she’d been able to keep him in his place, and he’d stayed there without argument. But now, all of a sudden, he had decided he was no longer willing to stay in her pocket.
She should have seen it coming … should have known that things couldn’t remain the same forever. They had to grow or die, and now he was much more than she could comfortably handle. Their relationship had changed completely, and April was no longer the one in control. She resigned herself to letting nature take its course.
“Please come now,” she begged, reaching a hand out to stroke his fur-covered body. He trembled, and she knew that even though he was the one who’d set things topsy-turvy, he was also a little afraid of taking that first step to her.
And topsy-turvy they were. In his frenzied dash into the bedroom, he’d overturned the lamp on her night table, knocked the jewelry box off her dresser, and almost pulled the curtains down on top of them.
He gazed down at her now, his eyes wide with excitement.
“Now!” April insisted more vehemently this time, but it was plain to see he was in his own little world and wasn’t quite ready to satisfy her command. “Fine,” she told him at last. “If you won’t come to me, then I’m coming to you.”
With that, she shifted her position, trying in vain to get closer to him. No luck.
“Look, I’ll stand on the headboard if I have to.”
Finally, in frustration, she gave up. Sprawling back on the bed, she covered her eyes with one hand.
“You males are more trouble than you’re worth,” she said more to herself than to the squirrel who peered down at her from atop the curtain rod.
For a moment she indulged herself in a fantasy of a world without men. Women would no longer endure wars, salary inequities, or television channels zapping by at the speed of light. Of course, there would also be no babies, no boy-cut jeans, and no one to stomp the big icky spiders that are too large for a woman’s shoe to cover.
And no Colton. Suddenly this little fantasy didn’t seem like much fun anymore.
The bedroom door opened, and Colton stepped inside. “I brought the pet carrier you asked for,” he said, holding the tiny crate aloft.
“I thought you’d never get here,” she said.
With a clarity that made her uncomfortable in its truth, she realized her relief at Colton’s arrival had less to do with the squirrel’s current dilemma than with her own personal feelings. Rather than examine that insight any further, she turned her attention back to the reason she’d called her friend.
“Rocky jumped out of my pocket and went tearing like a maniac through the apartment. I think he broke my potpourri jar.”
“Where is he now?”
“Up there.” She pointed to the top of the curtain rod where the tiny gray animal sat unsteadily, twitching his tail. “I’ve tried to get him to come down, but he just stares at me with those little black eyes of his.”
Colton set the carrier on the floor and slipped his arm around April’s waist as he helped her down off the bed. “Looks like your ‘baby’ is claiming his independence,” he said with a chuckle.
“Well, I hope he has the good balance to go with that independence. I’m afraid he might lose his footing and fall.”
This time Colton stepped up on the bed. With his long arms, he easily nabbed the squirrel and deposited it in the carrier. “You can’t keep him locked up forever.”
Maybelline sauntered into the room and stopped at the crate to sniff the creature inside.
April nodded reluctantly in response to her friend’s comment. This happened every time she mothered a young animal. She knew the time was coming when she’d have to turn him loose, but it always seemed to come too quickly.
“And speaking of being locked up,” Colton continued as they went back to the living room, “your favorite deputy stopped by to tell me Steven is serving room detention because of what happened at Mrs. Turner’s. He won’t be back to work for a week.”
“Poor Steven.” April dropped a wedge of apple into the pet carrier and then plopped herself onto the couch. When Colton took the seat beside her, she moved her bare feet to make room for him. “The poor kid somehow manages to get himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Her partner nodded his agreement. When they’d decided to give the boy a part-time job and a chance to learn the satisfaction of working hard and doing a job well, they first asked about the circumstances of his incarceration. Steven’s biggest crimes had been poor judgment and the lack of stability at home. He’d started running with rough friends. When one of them announced that he’d bought a used car, Steven had foolishly believed him and gone cruising with some of their friends. And when they were stopped by police, several plastic bags of illegal drugs were discovered on the back floorboard. Although Steven insisted he knew nothing about the drugs, he was unable to prove his innocence.
Once again, he was the victim of his own poor judgment. There was nothing she or Colton could do to help him out of this jam. Nothing except wait out the week and hope the experience didn’t leave the boy with a desire to lash out in anger.
“What makes it worse,” she added, “is that we really need him to help prepare for the reunion. He had even made a list of the chores he would do between now and then.”
Colton rubbed the day’s growth of stubble on his chin. “On that list, did he happen to mention ordering a wedding cake?”
April looked down at her lap and idly rubbed the brown spot on the back of her hand. “I’ve been giving your suggestion some thought.”
He grinned and sat up straighter. “So, you’ve decided to marry me?”
“Mock marry you,” she reminded him.
“Whatever.”
“I think we need to discuss the conditions before we jump into anything.”
“You want to sign a prenuptial agreement?”
“Not exactly. But I do think we should discuss the arrangements first.” She paused. “Just so there are no surprises for either of us.”
He studied her for a moment before responding. His pale-brown eyes seemed to search her soul. “Name your terms.”
April pulled her feet up onto the couch and hugged her knees to her chest. It was kind of him to do this for her, and she didn’t want to insult him by laying down rules. On the other hand, she wanted to prevent any misunderstandings that could arise later.
“If your offer still stands, I’d like you to be my child’s donor father.” Then, lest he have any misunderstanding about that, she quickly added, “But I think we should keep that aspect of our pretend marriage purely businesslike. Which means conception will take place at the clinic.”
She wasn’t sure, but she thought she saw a flicker of disappointment cross his face.
Colton nodded. “Anything else?”
“Once I get pregnant, we’ll get a so-called divorce before the baby is born.”
“And have your family think I’m a creep for leaving you and my unborn baby in the lurch at a time like that? I don’t think so.”
She laid a hand on his arm. “It’ll be easier on the baby if the transition takes place beforehand rather than after.”
He didn’t say anything, but she could tell from the way the muscle flexed in his jaw that he didn’t like this particular term. She had a
feeling he wouldn’t like the next one any better. But it was better to get the air cleared about it now.
“And I want sole custody of the child.”
That muscle in his jaw clenched again. “I’m not going to abandon my own kid.”
Regardless of whether the child was biologically his or not, and despite the fact that this was only a pretend marriage, Colton was not the kind of man who would take his duties as a father lightly. It suddenly occurred to April that his offer to shield her reputation with a mock marriage was more than a temporary acting role. It was a gift that would last the rest of his life. Her baby’s birth certificate would not have a blank space where the father’s name should be. Nor, she was certain, would there be a blank space in the child’s life where a father should be. She knew without a doubt that he would be there for father-son camping trips or father-daughter dances, as well as birthdays, holidays, and many days in between.
“I’m sure we could work out a satisfactory visitation arrangement,” she hastened to assure him.
“Then it’s a deal … you’ll marry me?”
She could see the tension leave his face as she nodded her assent. Offering her outstretched hand to the man who’d been her best friend for as long as she could remember, April smiled. “It’s a deal.”
Colton took her hand in his, but he didn’t shake on the pact as she had expected. Rising from the sofa, he pulled her to her feet to stand in front of him. “This is the kind of deal that’s supposed to be sealed with a kiss.”
April hesitated. “Look, I don’t think—”
“I know it’s awkward for you,” he conceded, “but you’ll have to get used to it if we’re to convince your family that we’re really husband and wife.”
She supposed he was right, but it did seem as though things were becoming more complicated than she’d originally anticipated. Tilting her chin up, she resolutely closed her eyes and pursed her lips in a prim pucker.
His big hands went around her wrists where they dangled by her sides. April opened her eyes to see her friend smiling down at her as he placed her arms around his neck. Then his arms went around the small of her back, effectively trapping her in his embrace.
“Buddy, I—”
“Don’t think of me as your buddy,” he insisted. “Picture me as your husband.”
There was something about the way he spoke the words, something so earnest and sincere, that the depth of it frightened April. She was still reeling from the intensity of his statement when he touched his lips to hers.
It was a warm kiss, tender and full of promises. Promises that April wasn’t sure she was ready to accept. But, despite her reluctance, she found herself succumbing to the expert exploration of his mouth on hers.
She had to stand on tiptoe to avoid breaking the loop of her arms around his neck. In doing so, that brought their bodies closer, and she became aware of the heat where her torso touched his chest. A shiver of anticipation swept down her spine.
Apparently, their closeness was affecting him in a similar manner. His desire for her was evident, and it occurred to April that they were playing with fire. Her brain told her to step away from the man who was threatening to turn her life upside down, but the rest of her wanted to stay right here in the comforting circle of his arms.
She’d been behind closed office doors with Colton before, but until now she’d never imagined being behind a closed bedroom door with him. Well, maybe she had imagined it once or twice—or even three or four times – during their long friendship. But she’d never imagined herself following through on that particular daydream.
And she wouldn’t, she reminded herself firmly. This marriage was to be in name only, and she would proceed with the artificial insemination, just the same as if Colton weren’t the donor.
Breaking the heated contact of their lips, April looked up into the eyes of the man who’d always been her best friend and protector. He gazed back at her, his eyes full of patience and something else. Something that she wasn’t sure she wanted to identify … not just yet. For the first time since they’d known each other, she imagined Colton Radway as her husband. And the picture she saw was pleasing, in a frightening sort of way.
She hoped she was doing the right thing by pretending to marry him. More than that, she hoped they’d be able to distinguish between their pretend lives and the real ones.
“How could you let them do this?” April whispered to Colton who sat beaming beside her. “It feels like we’re committing fraud.”
He balanced a plateful of cake, peanuts, and butter mints on his lap. “We are,” he admitted. “But we may as well enjoy it while we can. Besides, I think I heard your sister say she got a remote control caddy for me.”
“We’re not keeping any of this stuff. Everything stays in the box, and we’re giving it all back in a few months when this charade is over.”
“Spoilsport.”
“Well, look at the lovebirds sitting over here whispering sweet nothings to each other,” Cousin Ardath said. Then she turned toward Colton and added, “It isn’t traditional to see the groom-to-be at a bridal shower.”
Some men might have taken the comment as a hint that he didn’t belong there, but April had long ago learned that Colton was not a typical male. He practically preened under the attention of all these women.
“April couldn’t keep me away.”
“Oh, what a sweet thing to say.”
“No, really,” April insisted. “I couldn’t keep him away.” She’d tried to discourage him from coming, but he wouldn’t hear of it. In fact, she believed he may have even hinted to Nicole that she throw the shower. Because of that, turnabout required that April host a baby shower for her niece in a few months. She hoped that she herself would be pregnant by then.
“You two are something else,” Ardath said with a giggle. Then she swished past them to get another piece of cake.
It wasn’t long before the shower games started, and, of course, Colton insisted on being in the middle of them. He surprised them all by winning the prize for listing the largest number of romantic song titles, and he entertained April’s relatives and friends by telling them funny stories about things April had done as a child.
And then the innuendos began. It started with a party game that required Colton to kiss her whenever she said anything relating to the bedroom. April had tried to put a stop to that, but he had insisted that she go along for fun. She gave him a glare that let him know he was wrecking what was already a sham of a bridal shower.
Once she started opening presents, the kisses increased. The set of tatted lace doilies Grandma Cole had given her for the nightstands brought a chaste peck on the lips and some amused grins from the guests. April blushed, the masquerade making her feel more and more foolish as she set about opening the next gift.
“Oops, she broke a ribbon,” announced Nicole. “That means she’ll have at least one baby.”
April dropped the package. It seemed as though her niece had found her out, her secret exposed.
“It’s a pink ribbon,” Colton said with a smug smile. “Maybe that means it’ll be a girl.” He picked up the box and finished unwrapping it. It was an organizer rack for remote controls, and there was a pocket for holding the TV listing. He flashed a high-wattage grin at Stella and held the caddy up in a sort of salute.
Her sister shrugged. “I don’t know what good it’ll do you since the TV in April’s living room only picks up two channels.”
“That’s okay,” April piped up, innocently forgetting the game they’d been playing. “I have another TV in the bedroom.”
At that, Stella rang a bell, and the room broke into rousing commands to “kiss the bride.”
Only this time Colton’s kiss was less perfunctory. April tried not to notice how soft yet firm his lips were against her own. Tried to focus on playing the act of blushing bride until the shower was over.
But Colton had another idea. Once his mouth touched hers, he was in no hurry to qu
it. When April tried to pull away, he slid his hand behind her neck and urged her to stay and linger a moment with him.
He was determined to win her over. With persistence and a bit of luck, she would get used to the idea of pretending he was her husband. Then it was only a matter of time before she would open her eyes to the possibility of a real marriage, complete with all the bells and whistles.
“Go, Colton,” said Ardath.
By now, he could see there was no acting involved in playing her role as blushing bride. A bright-pink stain crept up her face. Apparently aware of the eyes upon them, she self-consciously averted her face. “We’re embarrassing Grandma Cole,” she whispered.
He glanced over at the elderly woman and gave her a good-natured wink. Her charcoal-and-snow hair in a tidy bun, Grandma Cole sat in the recliner, smiling and nodding at them. Unfortunately, it wasn’t clear whether she was nodding her approval or having a spell of the palsy.
Colton handed April the next package. He had to be careful not to move too fast. It wouldn’t do to let a moment of haste and carelessness undo his carefully laid plans. “Here, break another ribbon,” he said, turning her attention back to the motivating force behind their make-believe union. “This one’s blue.”
The ribbon would have slid off without trouble, but Colton was thinking that two children—one of each sex—would be perfect. He guided her finger under the colorful strip and snapped it loose.
It was a pair of ornate silver candlesticks. Delicate silver vines wound their way up the sides, their leaves forming the well where the candle sat.
“Oh, Ardath, they’re beautiful,” said April. It was such a shame she’d never get the chance to use them.
Her cousin smiled shyly. “When I saw them, I thought they seemed perfect for a romantic candlelight dinner. I hope you both enjoy them.”
“We will,” Colton promised enthusiastically.
April glanced at Colton. He seemed to be enjoying this role he was playing. She considered suggesting he tone it down some, but there was no opportunity for her to say anything out of earshot of the others.