by Judy Duarte
“It’s possible,” Adam said, “but I have a feeling she’s going to expect us to be legally married and have a household that’s already set up for the kids.”
“I don’t like the idea of lying, but what if you moved in with me for a while, and we just told her we were married?”
“That’s not going to fly. She works for the county, so it’d be too easy for her check out the records. Besides, I’ve learned that it’s better to be honest. It makes the story you tell easier to remember.”
Gosh, she loved that. Honesty was important in a relationship—even though she had no idea what he expected from the one that was budding between them.
“So where do we go from here?” she asked.
“The best and fastest thing to do would be to be married by a justice of the peace at the courthouse as soon as possible.”
She’d always envisioned a church wedding, but this one wouldn’t be real, even if she hoped that Adam’s feelings for her might blossom into love.
“All right,” she said. “When do you think we should do this?”
“The sooner, the better. How about Thursday afternoon?”
Wow. The day after tomorrow? Things were moving along so...fast. But if they intended to convince Ms. Kincaid that the kids would be better off with her than with the Stanfords, they didn’t have time to drag their feet.
“Sure,” she said. “I can meet you there.”
“Great. Now all we have to do is decide on a honeymoon.”
Her breath caught. “Seriously?”
“Are you opposed?”
She got to her feet and began to pace the darkened bedroom, trying to wrap her mind around it all. “Do you think we should actually...go someplace?”
“It would be more convincing.”
Maybe so. Was he suggesting that they should also experience all that went with a honeymoon? That idea both stunned and excited her.
“That sounds nice,” she said, “but we should keep in mind that we can only get an annulment if the marriage isn’t consummated.”
“Whether it is or not, who’d know the difference?”
Heat flooded her cheeks, her heart spun in her chest and nervous anticipation stirred up an ache in her core. Thank goodness they weren’t talking face-to-face. She’d hate for him to know how tempted she was to...
She returned to the bed and took a seat on the edge of the mattress. “I suppose no one would know.”
He paused a couple of beats. “We can talk about the perks of a paper marriage later. I’ll meet you on the courthouse steps at one o’clock.”
“All right.” She glanced at the clock on the bureau. In less than forty-eight hours she’d be a bride. And while the wedding wasn’t going to be anything like the one she’d once dreamed about as a girl, she couldn’t help looking forward to meeting him—and seeing how their honeymoon played out.
Just thinking about kissing Adam convinced her that it might be impossible to resist those “perks.”
* * *
By the time one o’clock on Thursday had rolled around, Adam had taken a leave of absence. He’d also told Jim Hoffman that he and Julie were getting married, an announcement that had pleased the man to no end.
“I’ll call Ms. Kincaid with the good news,” Jim said. “And I’ll follow up by emailing her a letter of recommendation for her files. Hopefully, that’ll be enough to convince her that Eddie and Cassie should be placed with you and Julie—and that you’ll both provide them with a loving home.”
Actually, Adam hadn’t planned to move into Julie’s house. The kids would live with her, and she’d be creating that home. But that was their secret. Once Ms. Kincaid retired, it wouldn’t matter anymore.
After talking to Jim, he called his sergeant and let her know that he needed to take a few days off—in case he and Julie decided to take that honeymoon.
A smile stretched across his lips. He’d only been teasing her when he first brought up the subject, but she’d taken him seriously, which surprised him. The moment he realized she wasn’t opposed to...whatever happened, all joking had ceased.
The jury was still out, though. And whether they decided to take a real honeymoon or pretend that they had, people would make that assumption.
He knew he’d done the right thing by offering to marry her, but he didn’t know squat about families. He’d never had a real one himself. Sure, he’d been in and out of fosters homes—some good, some not. But that wasn’t the same.
Still, he’d do what he could to help Julie and the kids. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t nervous or stressed about how that might change his life—and not in a good way. So, for that reason, he hadn’t slept worth a damn the past two nights.
Now he stood on the courthouse steps, fighting a yawn and waiting for his paper bride. When he finally spotted her heading his way, wearing a white sundress and shawl wrapped around her shoulders, his breath caught and his jaw nearly dropped to the ground.
She looked lovelier than ever. A little harried, he supposed, and her heels tapped as she hurried up the steps to meet him.
Their marriage was based on convenience rather than love, but you’d never know that by looking at Julie. Her hair was swept into a twist, and she wore pearl earrings and a matching necklace. Had she dressed like a real bride on purpose?
“I’m sorry you had to wait,” she said, her voice coming out in a nervous rush. “But there was an accident on the interstate, and it took forever to get here.”
“No problem. You look great in white.”
She shrugged a single shoulder. “I thought it would be appropriate.”
It was. All she needed was a bouquet of flowers. Too bad he hadn’t thought to purchase one for her. Of course, with the way her hands trembled, most of the petals would fall to the ground.
He brushed his lips across hers, thinking it would be a nice touch, a loving groom’s expected reaction to seeing his bride. This time, it was her turn to suck in a breath.
“I...” Her eyes grew wide. “Gosh, this is so...surreal.”
Yes, it definitely was. He’d expected to be nervous and fearful. Just the thought of marriage had always scared the crap out of him, but he wasn’t the least bit uneasy. Probably because he was doing it for the kids.
A honeymoon, though—if that panned out—wouldn’t have anything to do with the kids.
“Shall we do this?” he asked, reaching for her hand, which was clammy and trembling. He gave it a gentle squeeze, offering his support. Then they went inside.
It didn’t take long for the justice of the peace, a stoical man in his sixties, to pronounce them husband and wife. And within minutes, they held a handwritten marriage certificate that listed their names and the date.
“The legal document should be ready for you to pick up next week,” the clerk said.
Adam thanked him, then led Julie out of the courthouse. Instead of talking about receptions or a honeymoon, they walked across the parking lot to the county building that housed Ms. Kincaid’s office.
Once she invited them inside, Julie handed her the paperwork, the ink barely dry.
“This is only a souvenir certificate,” the woman said. “It’s not the legal document.”
“We didn’t want to wait that long to create a home for the kids,” Julie said. “So we thought you’d find this, along with Jim Hoffman’s email, sufficient.”
The straightlaced social worker studied it carefully, her nose pinched as if she could sniff out a phony marriage without a blink. Then she blew out a sigh. “All right. But before I sign off on the paperwork, I’d like to see the house where the children will be living.”
“We’ll be in Julie’s house,” Adam said. That way, he could still take refuge at his place if family life got too much for him and the walls began to close in on him. “And we’d be happy to let you check out ou
r living situation.”
Ms. Kincaid took a look at her day planner. “How about tomorrow afternoon?”
Wow. That wouldn’t give them much time to get ready for her visit.
“The later in the day, the better,” Adam said. “That way, we’ll be sure to be home.”
Julie merely stood there, letting him do the talking. Dang, she seemed more nervous about this thing than he was. But she didn’t need to be. He’d help her pull it off. As they left the office, Julie clung to his hand as if he had it all figured out and she couldn’t do it without her. Little did she know that he was pedaling as fast as he could, trying to pull it all together and keep their story straight while planning for that home visitation.
She probably wasn’t used to being deceitful, even when she had a good reason to be.
He’d just have to put her worries to rest once they were in the parking lot and were free to talk. Because if they had to have the house ready and the kids’ bedrooms set up for Ms. Kincaid’s visit, they wouldn’t be going anywhere tonight except to the shopping center.
Adam would also have to go home and get a few things that would provide evidence that he was actually living in Julie’s house, even if he wasn’t. After that?
The jury was still out. They’d just have to wait and see what the rest of the night might bring.
* * *
Shopping was exhausting, especially when a guy hadn’t slept worth a damn the past few nights, thanks to an unexpected stakeout over the weekend and his paper marriage to a beautiful blonde music therapist. But on the upside, Adam hadn’t had time to consider the ramifications of a honeymoon—at least, he hadn’t stressed about them.
And he certainly didn’t have time to think about any of that now, as he and Julie rushed through various stores at the Wexler shopping center, purchasing clothing and toys for the kids, not to mention room decorations, then lugging all the loot back to the cars, both of which were filling up fast.
Shopping was expensive, too. But that didn’t matter when the money was spent for a good cause.
“I just thought of something else,” Julie said, as they stood in yet another checkout line.
That didn’t surprise Adam. Each purchase they made seemed to lead to another. “What did you forget?”
“There’s a double bed in the guest room I’m converting for the kids, but Ms. Kincaid will probably insist that the kids each need to have their own.”
She was probably right about that. “I guess that means our next stop is a furniture store.”
“Yes, but what if they can’t deliver the beds before Ms. Kincaid arrives?”
“Just show her the receipt.”
Julie’s brow creased. “A reasonable woman might accept something like that, but I don’t want to take any chances with her.”
Adam didn’t blame Julie for being worried. They’d come too far to get turned down. But he didn’t like seeing her stressed. So he reached out and cupped her jaw, his gaze locking on hers. “Don’t give it another thought. I’ll figure out something.”
As she leaned her cheek into his hand, taking what little comfort he’d offered, he realized he could do better than that.
In spite of standing in the checkout line of a busy department store, he slipped his arms around her. As she rested her head against his shoulder, he savored the scent of her citrus shampoo and the way her body molded to his. A grin tugged at his lips. Shopping was also fun, not to mention arousing.
“I’ll try not to worry, but...” Julie took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “Ms. Kincaid probably expects the kids to have their own rooms. The least I can do is provide them with separate beds. I’m usually pretty good at coming up with options, but I’m drawing a blank.”
So was Adam, and time was running out on them. Luckily, an idea popped up. “I’ll call a furniture rental place and order two twin beds to be delivered ASAP. We can purchase something permanent later.”
Julie drew away from him, her smile lighting up her pretty green eyes. “That’s a perfect solution.” Then her brow furrowed, and her smile faded as she studied his face. “Your eyes are red. Are your allergies kicking up?”
Adam didn’t need a mirror to know what she was talking about. Each time he blinked, the lids scraped over gritty, sleep-deprived eyeballs. “It’s not allergies. I’ve been awake nearly two nights in a row.”
“Maybe you’d better take a nap.”
“What?” He feigned a shocked expression. “And leave you to do all the work?” He placed a finger under her chin and chuckled. “What kind of guy do you think I am?”
She laughed. “I think you’re amazing.”
Adam liked the sound of that coming from her lips. Sweet lips, kissable—
“Will that be all?” the cashier asked, drawing Adam back to reality and reminding him he wasn’t into public displays of affection.
Fortunately, Julie returned her focus to the task at hand and reached into her purse. “Yes, that’s it.”
Stifling a yawn, Adam whipped out his credit card, reached over Julie’s outstretched arm and handed it to the cashier. “I’ll pay this time. You got the last one.”
Before Julie could object, the cashier said, “That’ll be a hundred and twelve dollars and forty-five cents.”
Once the transaction went through, Adam grabbed the shopping bags—all three of them. “I’ll take this stuff out to the car. Then I’ll call the rental company and see if we can get two twin beds—and a quick delivery.”
“All right. Then I’ll drive over to Target and get the bedding.”
Dang. Another store and another purchase?
“Just how ready are you supposed to be?” he asked.
“I’m not sure, but I’d rather overdo it than have Ms. Kincaid think I’m not ready for those kids.”
Adam studied the purchases they’d already made. What else could they possibly need? They had a few toys, several outfits, underwear, socks, pajamas, a night-light...
“What about food?” he asked. “If she’s gleaned any investigative skills over the years she’s worked for the county, she’ll check the cupboards and the fridge. So I’ll stop by the grocery store and pick up a variety of stuff the kids will like.”
“Good idea. Make sure it’s healthy food. No candy or sweets. Ms. Kincaid would probably freak if she thought we’d let them load up on junk.”
“I suppose you’re right.” But that didn’t mean Adam wouldn’t pick up a few of his favorite snacks, even if he had to hide them from the fussy social worker in Julie’s garage. “I’ll meet you at your house in an hour or so.”
“Sounds good.”
In spite of his best efforts to hold back another yawn, it burst out, more pronounced than the last.
“Boy,” Julie said. “You really are tired.”
She had no idea. And it would get worse as the night wore on.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go home and take a nap?” she asked.
“No, there’s too much to do.” And while Adam didn’t make commitments to any of the women he dated, he’d made one to Julie, at least as far as helping her get custody of those kids.
Besides, standing back and allowing Eddie and Cassie to live with the Stanfords wasn’t an option.
* * *
Julie’s credit card had taken a big hit today, even though Adam had paid for more than half of their purchases.
She hadn’t realized how costly having children could be, but she would never complain about that. Providing Eddie and Cassie with a home and creating a family for them was well worth the expense.
On top of that, she’d had fun on today’s shopping spree with Adam. They’d become a team. And maybe, with time, they’d become lovers. He was proving to be a good friend, too. If things continued the way they seemed to be going, maybe their fake marriage would become real. She act
ually liked the thought of that, especially since the holidays were just around the corner.
Julie didn’t need to close her eyes to envision the four of them gathered in the dining room, her mother’s china adorning a candlelit table laden with roast turkey, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy.
And then there was Christmas. For the first time in what seemed like forever, she looked forward to wrapping presents, decorating a tree and hanging stockings from the mantel.
She’d no more than parked in the driveway when Adam pulled up to the curb in front of her house, the Bronco loaded down like Santa’s sleigh.
“Good news,” he said as he climbed from the driver’s seat. “The rental company will drop off those beds before nine o’clock this evening.”
“That’s a relief. I’ll wash the new sheets before they get here. Can you believe it? Everything is really coming together.” And more surprising, they’d been able to pull it off in less than twenty-four hours.
As Adam removed several grocery bags from the Bronco, his T-shirt stretching as his bulky muscles flexed, her heart skipped to a “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” beat. The guy was kind, helpful, handsome and strong, all wrapped up in one gorgeous, masculine package...
“There’s one thing we still need to do,” he said as he carried the grocery bags toward the front door.
Julie couldn’t imagine what that could be. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. I need to bring some of my stuff over here. Ms. Kincaid seemed to question our marriage certificate, so to make sure we’re not trying to pull the wool over her eyes, she might want to see evidence that I’m living here. As soon as I take the groceries and the other purchases inside, I’ll go home and get some clothes to put into your closet, as well as my toothbrush, shaving kit and cologne.”
“Do you think she’ll investigate that thoroughly?” Julie asked.
“If she’s as old-fashioned and fussy as you seem to think, I wouldn’t put anything past her. And since we’ve come this far, why take any chances?”
“You’re right.” Julie took her keys from her purse and opened the front door. She quickly scanned the living room, wondering what Ms. Kincaid would be looking for in here.