A Ring for Cinderella

by Judy Christenberry

  “Not really.”

  Kate raised one eyebrow as she joined them. “That man clearly said you were his wife.”

  “There was a ceremony, but it’s not real.”

  “I think you’d better explain,” Maggie ordered.

  Susan tried to remember all the intricacies of the past two days.

  “You needed money and didn’t come to us?” Kate demanded, partway through.

  “Kate, I know you’ve offered, but Megan and Paul are my responsibilities. And I still have to pay some of Mom’s debts off. I can’t ask you—”

  “I know. You’re hardheaded. Go on.”

  When Susan had finished, Kate and Maggie stared at each other, then looked back at her.

  “What happens now?” Kate asked.

  “I don’t know. I mean, we have to keep pretending until...until there isn’t any need.” That question had occurred to Susan several times that morning, when she’d let down her guard.

  “You mean until his grandfather dies,” Maggie said.

  “Yes. But he’s the dearest man. It’s so hard to think about... I mean, I can’t hope for him to die!”

  “No, of course not,” Kate agreed, “but what about Zach? What’s he like?”

  “What difference does that make?” Susan asked, uneasy about answering. She didn’t want her sisters to know about the attraction she felt.

  “Will he keep his word?” Maggie asked.

  “Of course I will, if you’re talking about me,” Zach said.

  Susan gasped. She faced the door, but she’d been so involved in the telling of her problems, she’d forgotten to watch for him.

  “Want to scoot over, honey?” he said, sliding into the booth even as she did so.

  Well, one thing was clear. The attraction hadn’t gone away. He was back in tight jeans and a plaid shirt today, his Stetson in place. She sat up as he promptly removed his hat and ran a big hand through his dark hair.

  “Now, I don’t want you to think I don’t have any manners, so I’ll just tell you that Susan only mentioned Megan, who’s in Nebraska. I didn’t know she had other sisters.” With a nod, he said, “I’m Zach Lower. ”

  Kate and Maggie introduced themselves. Then Kate asked, “Of the Lowery ranch?”

  “Yep. Susan didn’t tell you?”

  “I didn’t mention your last name,” Susan said, staring at the table. “There wasn’t much time.”

  “We’re Susan’s half sisters, actually,” Maggie explained. “We’ve only known about each other for a year and a half.”

  “I’m pleased to meet both of you. And I will keep my word to Susan. She’s doing me a big favor.”

  Kate frowned and opened her mouth, but Susan forestalled her. “Kate, I’m a big girl Everything’s going to be just fine.”

  “I know, but—”

  “No, Kate, I don’t want to discuss that now,” Susan hurriedly said, knowing somehow that Kate was going to talk about money and her finances. She certainly didn’t want Zach to know anything about her situation.

  Maggie supported her, much to Susan’s relief. “She’s right, Kate. We can get together and discuss those other problems when we have time. Zach and Susan probably want to spend some time alone.”

  Susan’s cheeks flooded with color. Zach was going to think she was pursuing him. “Yes, to plan our visits to the hospital. We have to coordinate a few things, that’s all.”

  Zach nodded, lifted his hat to his head and slid from the booth. “So, you’re ready to go to lunch?”

  “Yes.” She stood, too, eager to escape from Kate’s questions. And even more from the gentle understanding in Maggie’s eyes. She seemed to know Susan was attracted to the man beside her.

  “You could eat here. On the house,” Kate added.

  Zach clenched his jaw, as if she’d insulted him. “Thanks, but I’ve already made reservations.”

  “Then we’ll see you tonight. Susan knows the way,” Kate returned, staring back at him.

  “Damn it, how much more family do you have?” he demanded as soon as they were in his rental car.

  “That’s it, except for their husbands. Oh, and they have three darling children between them.”

  “Didn’t you explain to them that the marriage isn’t real? That we signed an agreement?”

  “Yes, of course I did,” she protested.

  “Then why were they vetting me? I didn’t expect that.” And he didn’t much like it. The redhead, Kate, had looked at him as if she didn’t trust him.

  “I didn’t expect anyone to tell them,” Susan retorted, anger in her voice. “If you hadn’t decided to announce to the world that we were married, it wouldn’t have happened.”

  He didn’t have anything else to say. He was guilty. But the woman had been reluctant to call Susan to the phone. Okay, so he’d been impatient. He wasn’t used to people telling him no.

  He particularly didn’t like being told no in regard to the woman beside him. He was having to tell himself no often enough. No, to touching her. No, to claiming her as his own. No, to taking her to bed. Why should he have to put up with a no from someone else?

  He parked the car outside an expensive restaurant on the Plaza, the famous outdoor shopping mall in Kansas City. No words were spoken as they entered the restaurant and an attentive waiter showed them to a table.

  He waited until they’d ordered before he spoke again. “Look, Susan, let’s put all this family stuff aside. There’s no point in arguing over things that don’t matter.” He drew a breath of relief when she nodded in agreement.

  “Okay. I’m going to the hospital after lunch. Then I’ll pick you up at your place at—I don’t know how far it is to your sister’s house.”

  “Not far. About fifteen minutes.”

  “Where do they live?”

  “Near the Plaza.”

  He frowned. “Pretty pricey digs. They have a lot of money?”

  “Why?”

  Damn it, the woman was staring at him with a suspicious expression on her face. “Just curious. Did you think I was planning a robbery or something?”

  She shrugged her shoulders and looked away, sinking her teeth into her bottom lip. “So...so you’ll pick me up around five-thirty or a little after?” She started to get up.

  “Yeah. Where are you going? We haven’t eaten yet.”

  “Oh. I—I forgot,” she whispered, revealing her nervousness.

  He reached out and covered her hand with his, feeling it tremble. “Hey, sunshine, quit worrying. You’re doing a good thing. I’ve already talked to Gramp this morning. He’s feeling better than he has the entire past six months.”

  She nodded and tugged on her hand.

  “Any problems at work this morning?”

  She seemed surprised by his question. “No, of course not.”

  “How long have you worked there?”

  “Just a little over a week.”

  The waitress brought their food, but Zach didn’t let the conversation drop. In no time, he’d wormed the information out of her about her previous job and the sexual harassment she’d suffered.

  “Hey, they’ve got laws against that!”

  “Yes, but I need a salary coming in. I couldn’t afford to fight that battle.”

  There was no whining or self-pity. Just a matter-of-fact explanation. He hated the thought that some man had treated her so badly, but he understood why it had happened. She was beautiful. More than beautiful, she gave the appearance of something gentle and...and precious. Strange word for him to use, but it described her.

  “Well, at least you know that won’t happen now, working for your sister.”

  “Yes, I’m quite lucky.”

  None of the women he’d dated—or married— would consider herself lucky to live in a run-down apartment supporting two siblings. Another interesting thought.

  “We’d better hurry. I need to be back at work.”

  “A half hour for lunch is ridiculous.”

  “No, I re
quested it. That way I get home earlier for Paul. I like to have as much time as possible with him.”

  “Say, I forgot, but after I visit with Gramp, can I pick Paul up? I’ve got a few things to do that I think he’d enjoy.” He waited for her response, unsure whether she’d trust him with her beloved little brother.

  “There’s no need—”

  “Susan, I want to. In fact, we might even invite Manuel along, too. Paul seems to enjoy his friend.”

  “Yes, they’re like brothers. If you’re sure you want both of them, I’ll give Rosa a call.”

  “Yeah, do that.”

  Pete Lowery was sitting up in bed when Zach got to the hospital. “Gramp, you’re looking good”

  “Yep. I’ve surprised the doctors. They thought I was a goner.” He beamed at his grandson.

  Zach muttered beneath his breath. “Me, too.” fortunately, while Gramp’s heart may have recovered, his hearing was still slightly off. “Glad to hear it,” Zach added.

  “You enjoyed the hotel suite?”

  “You bet. Susan loved it.”

  “She’s a sweet thing. How did you find her?”

  Zach drew a deep breath. “Well, I stopped off at this diner one day, when I’d come to town to check with our banker, and she served me coffee.”

  “She’s a waitress.?”

  “Nope. She works in public relations for the diner, and when she gets coffee for herself, she sometimes helps the waitress out by refilling everyone else’s cups.”

  “Public relations? I bet she draws a lot of attention.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Where is she?”

  “At work.”

  Pete glared at him. “You gonna make your bride a slave? She shouldn’t have to work the day after her wedding.”

  Zach decided to let Susan bear the blame for this one. “I told her that, but since we hadn’t planned on marrying this soon, she said she couldn’t leave them in the lurch. She’s very responsible.”

  “The minute she starts a baby, you make sure she stays at home and is taken care of. We don’t want anything to go wrong.”

  Zach rolled his eyes. “Gramp, I know how to take care of what’s mine. Susan and I are coming back to see you tonight, after we have dinner with more of her family that I just met. But I have to go now. I’m taking Paul shopping.” He leaned over and patted his grandfather’s shoulder.

  Then he remembered something else he’d better straighten out while he had a chance. “Oh, by the way, Paul is her brother, not her son. And she has an eighteen-year-old sister named Megan. She’s been trying to support them the last four years.”

  “She’s a good girl,” Pete said simply, still beaming at Zach.

  He nodded and left the hospital room. He hoped Gramp was right. But he still wasn’t sure.

  The next few hours, he had more fun than he’d had in a long time. After picking up Paul and Manuel, he headed for the stores. The two little boys were astounded when they discovered they were to be treated to new clothes.

  Zach did run into a little trouble when he suggested Paul and Manuel each choose several shirts.

  “I don’t think we should buy more than one shirt,” Paul said, his blue eyes serious.

  “Why not, buddy?”

  “I don’t think Susan would want me to.”

  Zach frowned. “Why not? Doesn’t she like you to have nice clothes?”

  “Yeah, but when Aunt Kate or Aunt Maggie want to buy me lots of things, Susan says just one, please.”

  Zach wanted to dismiss Paul’s worry, but the little boy’s serious face made him reconsider. “Okay, how about I buy you one pair of jeans and a shirt and shoes and, uh, maybe a cowboy hat for when you come out to the ranch, and Gramp buys you the other stuff.”

  Paul thought Zach’s idea was a brilliant one, but then they had to deal with Manuel’s concerns about strangers buying him things, too. Zach couldn’t remember working so hard to spend money. Once he’d satisfied both boys’ consciences, they made more rapid progress.

  He particularly enjoyed buying them cowboy boots and hats.

  “But I won’t be going to visit the ranch,” Manuel whispered to Paul.

  “Paul may want to invite you,” Zach said, having overheard the anxious whisper. “Wouldn’t you like to come with Paul? Don’t you like horses and cows?”

  Manuel beamed at him. “I love ’em. Paul said you had puppies, too.”

  “Oh, yeah. We’ve got puppies, and I think they love little boys.” He was rewarded with big grins. Ruffling first one boy’s hair and then the other’s, he decided he could get used to having kids around.

  “You know, by next month, it may be a little cold out on the ranch. I think we’d better check out those windbreakers over there, too.”

  Now that he’d convinced them there would be no problem with Susan and Rosa, the boys entered into the spirit of the shopping spree.

  “This is even better than Christmas,” Paul said, squeezing the packages against his little chest. “Can we buy something for Susan? She doesn’t usually get presents ’cause me and Megan don’t have much money.”

  “That’s a good idea, Paul,” Zach said. He wasn’t sure Susan would appreciate anything from him, but every bride should have a present. And Gamp would expect it.

  Since there was nothing in the children’s department for Susan, they swung by the jewelry counter. Zach, with both boys’ taste consulted, decided on a diamond tennis bracelet that would sparkle on Susan’s delicate wrist.

  Then they loaded all their packages in the trunk of his car and headed for the apartment. Once there, they reversed the procedure. Each boy carried several packages, but Zach bore the brunt of the shopping.

  Susan was already home. She came out on the landing as they started up the stairs.

  “There you are. We’ve been worried—” she broke off, her eyes widening as she saw the packages. “Good heavens, what have you done?”

  Chapter Six

  Susan couldn’t believe her eyes. Even the boys were loaded down with packages. She waited for an answer to her question.

  “A little shopping,” Zach said easily. “I thought the boys needed a few things.”

  “It’s okay, Susan,” Paul hurriedly said. “Zach only bought us one of everything. Gramp bought the other ones.”

  She struggled to compose herself. Since Zach had taken it upon himself to purchase clothes for her brother and his friend, she’d have to deduct that amount from the check he’d given her and repay him. She only hoped he’d been practical.

  “I see. And did you enjoy yourselves?” she asked, smiling at the boys. It would be mean to take away their pleasure.

  “Oh, yeah. And look at my hat!” Paul exclaimed, using the packages he carried to point to the hat on his head. “When we visit the ranch, we need hats, Zach said.”

  “I’m going to visit the ranch, too,” Manuel added in wonder.

  “That’s wonderful. It will be a great experience for you.” Then she looked at Zach and her smile disappeared. “We need to talk.”

  “Anything wrong? Did the hospital call?”

  “No. Nothing. Manuel, your mother is looking for you.” She waited as the little boy ran across the landing and opened the apartment door. Then she turned to Paul. “Why don’t you take your new things and put them away, sweetie.”

  “Don’t you want to see them first?” the boy asked anxiously, as if he knew she was upset,

  “Oh, yes, of course. Come in and show me what you bought” She led the way into the apartment and sat down on the lumpy couch. Five minutes later, Paul had torn open all the packages and had his riches spread around him.

  “You made some wonderful selections, Paul. They’ll be great for school this year.” She was sincere, but she also resented Zach having the pleasure of shopping with her little brother. He’d spent more than she’d planned for Paul, she noticed. And her shopping tour wouldn’t have been at the expensive stores named on the bags.

  “I’
ll go put them away now,” Paul said with a big grin.

  She was glad she’d convinced him of her delight. She didn’t want him upset.

  As soon as Paul left the room, Zach spoke. “Now, tell me the problem. Are you jealous?”

  Anger filled her. “Yes! I’m jealous that you spent all and more of the money I’d intended for Paul’s clothing. And that I didn’t get to... to shop with him.”

  “I didn’t spend your money!” he snapped.

  “Yes, you did. How much?”

  “None of your business!”

  She closed her eyes, then opened them. “Of course it’s my business. Why would you spend your money on my brother. And Manuel. How much?”

  Zach stood and began to pace around the small living room. “I’m not going to let you pay for what I purchased. It seemed to me that Paul didn’t have much in the way of a wardrobe, so I thought—”

  “How generous of you! If you’d told me he embarrassed you, I would’ve tried harder to find a sitter.” Bitterness filled her. This man could afford anything he wanted. He didn’t seem to understand how different their lives were.

  “Don’t you ever say that again! Paul never embarrassed me. He’s a wonderful kid.”

  Her heart swelled with his praise, but his opinion didn’t eliminate her difficulties. “Look, I appreciate what you did. You gave both boys a lot of please, but I will, of course, pay for the clothes. Except maybe the cowboy hat and boots.”

  “You don’t like them?”

  “They’re nice, but not too useful for school wear.”

  “I wore them to school.”

  The picture that appeared in her head of Zach as a little boy, clad in his Western wear, was sweet and melted her anger a little, but she didn’t agree with him. “You didn’t go to school in Kansas City.”

  “True. But maybe you should consider moving away from here. This isn’t a good neighborhood for a little boy to grow up in.”

  A lot of responses bubbled up in Susan’s throat, but she pushed them back. As if she didn’t know the dangers inherent in their situation. Hadn’t she had nightmares about both Megan and Paul and the possibilities that could occur?