by Teri Wilson
“You wouldn’t dare,” Eleanor said indignantly, pressing a manicured hand against her chest.
“Actually I would,” Hannah said, hoping her mother wouldn’t call her bluff. Hannah didn’t want anyone in town, especially her friends, to know about her messed up family. She’d never told a soul about them or how Gerald had betrayed her. And she never would. But Eleanor didn’t know that.
“There’s no need for that,” Eleanor said hastily, trying to get back on script. “Hannah, just consider what’s best for the family. And for you.”
“How would it look if you, a successful dress designer to the stars, refuse to design a wedding dress for your only sister? It could harm your reputation if anyone ever found out how petty you’re being,” Dinah added.
“Was that a threat? That’s an interesting strategy for someone asking a favor.”
“I’m just pointing out the obvious. You like to pretend that you’re the victim. Poor betrayed Hannah. The truth is Gerald dumped you because he didn’t want you. He wanted me.” Dinah preened as if she were some sort of prize. “You’ve always been jealous of my beauty. I would have thought you’d gotten over it by now. Maybe if you could find a man, you wouldn’t be so bitter. But then, maybe you haven’t met anyone desperate enough.”
Hannah gasped. That was low even for Dinah.
The sound of a throat being loudly cleared filled the uneasy silence. Hannah closed her eyes. Just what she’d hoped to avoid—a witness to her family’s dysfunction and her personal humiliation.
She opened her eyes and turned to face her customer.
Russell Danielson. Her good friend’s brother. She’d met Russell this past summer when he’d been in Sweet Briar visiting his siblings and their families. They’d hit it off and spent a glorious evening together. He’d promised to contact her when he got back to his duty station. He hadn’t.
She’d been hurt when he’d ghosted her—disappointed even—but not surprised. She was still down on men. Besides, though they’d had a couple of good conversations, those talks hadn’t involved anything truly personal. Still, she’d thought they’d connected. Clearly she’d been wrong.
Russell looked around the room, taking in the scene, and then smiled. Did he find the way she was standing against the wall while they circled her like sharks amusing? “Sorry I’m late.”
“Uh.” Late for what? Until he’d stepped into her store, she hadn’t known he was in town.
He crossed the room, not stopping until he was standing an inch in front on her. Instinctively she inhaled and got a whiff of his delectable scent. He was wearing a woodsy cologne, which when mingled with his natural scent made her weak in the knees. Before she could utter a word, he put his arms around her waist and pulled her into a kiss. His lips were warm, and the pressure was perfect. He lingered for a few seconds before pulling away. Though he’d ended the kiss, he kept his arm firmly around her waist, which was good since her knees had turned to Jell-O.
He glanced at her mother and Dinah, ignoring Gerald completely, and then back to her. “Let’s take care of these customers and go somewhere to catch up.”
“I can’t leave. My assistant, Talia, called in sick, so I don’t have anyone to cover. The mornings are busy this time of the year.” How she managed to unscramble her brain well enough to formulate those sentences and force the words past her still-tingling lips was beyond her comprehension.
“Okay. I’ll stick around and help.”
“Who are you?” Gerald asked, as if he had a right to know.
Russell spun around slowly, drawing himself up to his full height. Though he had about six inches on Gerald, it was his demeanor that he’d perfected as a career military man that made him even more imposing. He stood erect, his powerful muscles evident under his black pressed shirt and faded jeans. He raised an eyebrow and looked Gerald up and down before grinning lazily. “Who wants to know?”
Though he spoke calmly, Russell’s demeanor was no-nonsense. Gerald recognized it as well and took two steps back away from Russell before answering. “I’m Gerald Hawkins, Hannah’s friend as well as her sister’s fiancé.”
“So we’re friends now?” Hannah asked. She was sick of this circus. “I don’t think so.”
“I’m Dinah,” Hannah’s sister said, sidestepping Gerald and holding out a hand. The predatory look she shot Russell turned Hannah’s stomach. Even though she and Russell weren’t an item, she didn’t want to stand by as her sister turned another man into a simpering fool, ready to fall at her feet. Especially since her body was still humming from that man’s kiss.
Russell shook Dinah’s hand and released it quickly. Dinah, who wasn’t used to being dismissed so blatantly, stumbled as she stepped away. “I’m Russell Danielson. Hannah and I are dating.”
They were? That was news to her. Obviously his definition of dating vastly differed from hers. But since he was standing beside her right now, looking good enough to make her sister green with envy, Hannah wouldn’t complain.
“Danielson?” Her mother had been silently watching up until this point. Now her eyes glittered with avarice. Eleanor was so transparent. “Are you related to Joni Danielson who married Lex Devlin, of the cosmetic empire Devlins, and Brandon Danielson, who married Arden Wexford of the hotel Wexfords?”
“I don’t generally refer to them that way,” he said drily, “but yes. Joni is my sister and Brandon is my brother.”
“Hannah, why didn’t you tell us you were dating this nice young man?” her mother asked, all sweetness and light. “We need to get to know each other better. Perhaps we can have dinner tonight?”
“We’re busy,” Russell said without missing a beat.
“Then tomorrow? I won’t take no for an answer. We’re staying at the Sunrise B&B for the next ten days. You can leave a message for us there.”
“We’ll see. But don’t cancel any plans you’ve already made.”
Russell was handling this so perfectly Hannah wanted to kiss him. But then after being kissed by him once, she’d want to kiss him even if he wasn’t making it plain to her family that he wasn’t going to be their link to the rich and famous. His lips had been the best thing to touch hers since...well, ever. But it was time to end the shenanigans. She had a business to run and customers could walk in at any moment. Real customers who wanted to buy gifts for friends and family or for themselves.
“I hate to bring this moment to an end,” she said, hoping she wouldn’t get struck by lightning for telling such a boldfaced lie, “but I need to get back to work.” She regretfully disentangled herself from Russell’s protective arm and half shoved her family through her boutique and to the front door. “Enjoy your visit to town. And Dinah, good luck finding a wedding dress.”
While Dinah gaped, Hannah flung open the door, giving them no choice but to exit. Then, although she’d just opened the shop, she switched the sign to Closed and then turned the arms on the cardboard clock indicating when she’d reopen to thirty minutes from now. Hopefully a half an hour would be enough time to regain her equilibrium.
Once her sister, mother and Gerald finally got the message that she wasn’t going to unlock the door and let them back inside, they walked away, no doubt regrouping and coming up with another plan. She may not have seen Eleanor and Dinah in years, but it was evident that they hadn’t changed. They were always looking to get ahead any way they could. Now that they’d met Russell, they were probably plotting a way to get their well-manicured claws into him. Gerald seemed oblivious to the fact that he might soon become disposable.
Not that Hannah felt the least bit of sympathy for him. After the way he’d betrayed her, he deserved whatever he got. Once Hannah had believed he was a good guy. He’d been charming and funny. She’d been so secure in their relationship and her belief that he’d truly loved her. Boy, had she been wrong. If she lived to be a hundred years old, she’d never forget the
agony she’d felt at seeing the man who’d sworn he’d love her forever in bed with her sister.
But enough of the past and its horrible memories. She had to deal with the man currently leaning against her counter near her cash register as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
Inhaling deeply and then slowly blowing out the breath, she turned. “What was that about?”
He blinked and she realized she’d snapped, taking out the frustration she felt for her mother, sister and Gerald on him. It didn’t take a genius to know that he’d been trying to help her. It wasn’t his fault that he’d stumbled upon an embarrassing moment for her. But she still felt humiliated, especially considering the fact that he’d gone radio silent after leaving town this past summer.
He shrugged his massive shoulders, then, unbothered, pushed to his feet. “I thought I was helping a friend. Maybe I was wrong.”
“What made you think I needed your help?”
“I don’t know. Maybe it was the hurt and slightly panicked expression I saw on your face when I stepped into the store. Or perhaps it was the way you were trying to back away from the barracudas encroaching on your personal space. Either answer is correct, so choose which one you prefer.”
She pressed her fingers to her temples, attempting to massage away a headache that was forming.
“Just how much of the conversation did you hear?”
“Enough to know that you dodged a bullet with that guy and that your mother and sister have serious issues. Coming from that train wreck of a family, it’s a miracle you’re as normal as you are.”
Normal. Average. Nothing special. She knew he meant it as a compliment, but it didn’t feel that way. It felt like he was saying she should thank her lucky stars that she was ordinary and not as messed up as she could be. Talk about damning with faint praise.
“But you think I’m pitiful and need a fake boyfriend.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Not with words. But your actions sure did. As we learned in grammar school, actions speak louder than words.” And though she was trying to ignore it, that kiss was definitely talking to her now. Too bad he’d kissed her out of pity.
“I thought I was helping. Your family was insulting you and I wanted to prove them wrong. Forgive me for caring.”
He started to walk away and when he passed Hannah, she grabbed his arm. This conversation had gone off the rails. She was wrong to let her personal issues turn what had been a gallant gesture into something negative. “Wait a minute.”
“Why?”
“I need to apologize. I understand why you pretended to be my boyfriend. To be honest, it felt good to have you stand up for me. The petty part of me was glad for them to come face-to-face with a man who was in love with me. Even if it was only pretend. But I’m not like them. I don’t judge my value as a human being by my relationship status. I’m a worthwhile person whether or not I have a boyfriend.”
“Of course you are. I’m sorry if my actions made you believe I thought otherwise.”
“You didn’t. It’s just years of being treated as if I was less than Dinah by my mother has made me sensitive.”
“I understand. And if you want, I’ll tell them that I lied. It shouldn’t be too hard to find them since we’re staying at the same bed and breakfast.”
“Why aren’t you staying with Joni or Brandon?”
“I came to town earlier than planned and I don’t want to inconvenience either of them. It’ll make straightening out things with your family easy.”
Hannah had the feeling there was more to it than he was letting on, but she didn’t think about it for long. She was too focused on the humiliation that would follow his confession. She might not judge herself by their values, but she didn’t want to be a laughingstock, either. As long as they were in town—and please let it be shorter than they’d said—she stood the chance of seeing them again. She couldn’t subject herself to one more smirk. “Well, actually...”
“Actually what?”
“Now that the lie has been told, there’s no reason to untell it, you know? You were trying to save me from humiliation, but setting the record straight will only lead to more.”
He nodded. “Believe it or not, Hannah, I was trying to help you. I’m usually not so impulsive. In my line of work, acting without thinking can have deadly results.”
“I know. Thankfully the consequences here aren’t so grave.” She paused for a second. “I know you probably didn’t expect this to be more than a ten-minute thing. But how do you feel about continuing to be my pretend boyfriend?”
* * *
Continue to be her pretend boyfriend? Russell looked at Hannah. She appeared to be holding her breath. That beautiful face had haunted his dreams over the past five months. They’d spent only a few hours together, but he’d enjoyed every second. He’d intended to keep in touch with her when he returned to his duty station, but nothing had gone according to plan.
He’d been on a mission in the Middle East when he’d been injured in a shelling near his base. Although no one had been killed, several soldiers had sustained traumatic brain injuries. The damage to his leg, though severe, had seemed relatively minor in comparison.
Russell rubbed his knee. Though therapy had helped his injury to heal and it wouldn’t hamper most civilians, he had lasting weakness from the surgery. He’d worked hard to regain his strength, but his knee had only improved so much, leaving him unable to meet the physical requirements to continue as a soldier. He’d failed his last physical and his career in the army was all but over. Once the discharge paperwork was completed, he would officially be retired from the army, his twenty-year career over. Now he was going to have to figure out what to do next.
He wasn’t going to think about that now. He’d spent enough time worrying about his future. Though his friends and superiors had told him repeatedly that he needed to face facts and prepare for a new life that didn’t include the army, he hadn’t been ready to give up. Up until the last moment, he’d believed his leg would heal. It hadn’t. Still, he didn’t want to spend the next weeks brooding.
Though he hadn’t planned to pretend to be Hannah’s boyfriend for more than that moment—indeed he hadn’t planned anything—it might be the distraction he needed.
He’d spent too much time worrying about his future and the reality that the life he’d loved was ending. He’d long ago grown tired of talking about his health with his friends but there’d been no way to avoid it. Everyone on his base knew about his injury.
He’d had his fill of people commenting on his life. His friends, commanding officers, the chaplain...the list went on. Everyone had an opinion and advice. He couldn’t take one more person telling him to just feel what he felt, to be in touch with his feelings.
Some, not content with that, had gone so far as to tell him what to feel. He was the first one to admit that he didn’t know what he felt or where to go from here. But one thing was certain. The decision was his and his alone. If there was too much chatter, he wouldn’t be able to hear his own voice. That would only lead to confusion. And he didn’t want to be confused.
He’d had to get away for his peace of mind, which was why he’d come to Sweet Briar early. He hadn’t told his family he was in town because he didn’t want to endure listening to their advice. Or worse, their pity. Staying at the bed and breakfast temporarily would give him the privacy he craved.
“Forget I asked,” Hannah said.
He’d been lost in thought so long he hadn’t answered. He was the one who’d set this whole thing in motion so he should see it through to the end. “I’d love to continue to be your pretend boyfriend. How long do you need my services?”
She looked away. “My mother said they’ll be in town for ten days. I have no idea if that’s the truth or just a threat.”
“A threat?”
“I’
m not close to my mother and sister. It might seem strange to someone who’s as close to his family as you are, but I’d be perfectly happy to never see them again. I really don’t think they’re going to stay here for that long. They’re just trying to intimidate me. Once they realize that I’m not going to break down and design a dress for Dinah, they’ll leave town. At least I hope they do.”
“Ten days takes us up to December 23. Two days before Christmas.”
“Is that okay? I know you came to town to spend time with your family. Hopefully this won’t interfere with that.”
“It won’t.”
“I’m surprised Joni didn’t mention that you were here.”
“She doesn’t know yet. I just got here an hour ago. You’re the first person that I’ve seen.”
“Really?” She seemed surprised. But not nearly as surprised as he was.
“Yes.” He hadn’t planned to stop by to see Hannah so soon. But as his rental car neared Sweet Briar, the need to see Hannah had overwhelmed him. He’d checked into the B&B and then made a beeline to the boutique.
“Do you think your family will have a problem with any of this?”
“Why would they? They like you. We’ll let them believe we’re dating.”
“Sort of a holiday fling?”
Her voice sounded odd, but he couldn’t figure out why. But then, she was good friends with his sister, Joni, and their sister-in-law, Arden. She probably hated deceiving them. But pretending to be involved with Hannah would help him, too. His family wouldn’t pressure him to spend time with them when his time in town was limited. They’d believe that he and Hannah wanted to spend time alone.
“Yes.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“I’m positive. I started this and I intend to see it through. I’m a soldier. I’ve never left a mission unfinished and I don’t intend to start now.”
“So I’m a mission?”
“Yes. But it’s top secret, okay?”
She pondered that for a moment and then held out her hand. As he shook it, something inside him that he hadn’t felt in a long time stirred to life. It felt like a combination of happiness and anticipation. Both had been missing from his life for a while, so he welcomed the feeling with open arms.