Ellie hadn’t wanted to go along with Steven’s scheme, but she’d just fallen into it. Now here she was, sitting behind the mayor’s desk, nodding in agreement like a dumbstruck schoolgirl rather than a competent city leader.
“You’re engaged?” Papa asked, his voice sharp, his brow furrowed. “And you haven’t even introduced your mother and me to the man?”
Mama eased a step closer, her soft brown eyes wounded. “Why didn’t you? Were you ashamed of us?”
“Oh God. No, Mama. I’ve never been ashamed of you! I never will be. It’s just that…” Flustered, Ellie shot a tight-lipped frown at Steven that all but said, You and your big ideas. Now what?
As if reading her thoughts, Steven placed his hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Ellie and I wanted to surprise you.”
“When?” Papa remained in the doorway, his shoulders straight, his chest expanded, his expression a cross between anger and disappointment. “After the wedding?”
“Later today,” Steven said.
Papa shot Steven a look of disapproval. “My wife and I don’t run in the same wealthy, highfalutin social circles as you, so I don’t know how you people handle things. But in my family, in my culture, a man is expected to approach a young woman’s father first and ask for his blessing.”
“I’m sorry, sir. You’re right. I should have done that.” The contrite expression Steven wore was one Ellie hadn’t seen before. She rather liked it today, especially since his crazy idea had just blown up in his face. Hers, too. Yet at the same time, sympathy fluttered in her heart and up to her throat.
“Steven planned to ask for my hand, Papa. But things happened rather quickly. I’m afraid it’s a little complicated.”
Papa nodded at her desk, where the newspaper lay open to the gossip column. “I can see how things got complicated.”
Guilt warmed Ellie’s cheeks. Her parents had read the morning paper and then they’d marched right over to city hall to ask her if it was true.
“Are you really expecting a baby?” Mama asked.
Ellie tried to hold her head up while kicking herself for not telling them sooner. “Yes, it’s true. I’m so sorry you had to find out like this.”
“When were you going to tell us?” Mama asked, her eyes watering.
Soon. Maybe tonight. But before Ellie could respond, Iris, the lobby receptionist, peered around her father’s back and said, “Excuse me. I don’t mean to interrupt.”
Ellie cringed. How long had she been standing there? How much had she heard? “What do you need, Iris?”
“I wanted to remind you of that meeting at the water district this morning. It’s at eleven.”
Ellie didn’t forget meetings, although that one might have slipped her mind today. “Thanks. I didn’t forget. It’s on my calendar.”
Iris scanned Ellie’s office, taking in the three people who stood in the room while Ellie sat at her desk. “Is everything okay?”
Heck no. Ellie’s fairy-tale life had taken another hit. A big one. And she didn’t want the Rambling Rose rumor mill getting wind of it. “Everything is fine, Iris. Please close the door on your way out.”
The friendly—sometimes overly so—receptionist took a step back. “Oh. Of course.”
When the office door snapped shut, Steven cleared his throat. “Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez, this is partially my fault.”
Papa chuffed. “Partially?”
Undaunted, Steven continued. “Ellie wanted to tell me about the baby before she told you, but we hadn’t been dating very long. We’d also kept it on the down low for political reasons. And even though we had strong feelings for each other, she wasn’t sure how I’d feel about her pregnancy—or how she wanted to break the news to me. So she’s been dragging her feet.”
“How do you feel about it?” Mama asked him.
“I’ll admit, the baby took us both a little by surprise. But I’m happy. We both are. In fact, I got on bended knee and proposed just before you two arrived.”
Mama looked first at Ellie, then at Steven. “Have you set a date?”
“Not yet,” Steven said, “but under the circumstances, I don’t think we should wait very long.”
“The sooner the better, I’d say.” Papa raked a hand through his thinning gray hair.
“A wedding takes time to plan.” Mama took another step into the room. “You’ll need a dress. And invitations will need to be ordered. Then there are the flowers. Cake tastings. It can get expensive, mija. But don’t worry. We’ve been setting money aside to pay for your wedding, just like we did for college. It’s there for you now.”
Another pang of guilt struck Ellie. Her parents had been saving and going without vacations, new cars and God only knew what else to provide for what they assumed would be a special day. “Thank you, Mama. I promise not to use it all. It’s going to be a small wedding. Just family and a few close friends.”
Papa chuffed. “The Fortune family alone will take up the entire church.”
Mama had softened and gotten on board, but Papa was clearly not happy and still had a long way to go. If this was his reaction to a fiancé on one knee, how would he have reacted if she’d faced him without a husband in sight and told him she was pregnant?
“Will you let me help you plan it?” Mama asked.
“Of course. I’d love that. Daria is going to be my maid of honor. So the three of us can plot and shop together. It’ll be fun.”
Mama’s sweet smile offset the tension in the room. “I can’t wait. I’ve been dreaming of this day for a long time. I’ve also dreamed of holding a grandbaby in my arms. When is it due? Have you seen a doctor yet?”
Ellie smiled, happy to have her mother’s full support. “The baby is due in mid-August, and the doctor said everything is going well. I have another appointment next week. Would you like to go with me?”
“I’d love that!” Mama turned to Papa, her eyes watery but bright. “Mi amor. We’re going to be abuelitos. Isn’t that wonderful?”
Papa let out a humph, announcing that he wasn’t as delighted as Mama. At least, not now. He could be tough at times, but he had a good heart.
“I can’t wait to tell my bunco group,” Mama said. “They’ll want to throw a shower for you. Actually, two of them. One for the wedding and then for the baby.”
Ellie looked at Steven, wishing they could speak telepathically. If they could, she’d tell him that his solution to her problem had gotten way out of hand. And now she felt like Sandra Bullock onboard that runaway bus with Keanu Reeves. She just hoped that the two of them would end up living through it all and saving the other unwitting passengers.
Like Keanu, Steven might be a gorgeous, sexy hunk. But that didn’t mean he could help her save the day. They’d have to talk more later, when they were alone and could put their heads together to slow the bus and steer it in a better direction.
“Mama,” Ellie said, “for political reasons, I’m not ready for the news to leak out until I have a solid game plan in place. So would you and Papa please keep it to yourselves for a few days?”
“Of course, although it’s going to be hard to keep quiet. It’s all so exciting.”
Papa didn’t look too excited, but hopefully, after Mama worked on him and he had a chance to cool down, he’d come around.
“By the way,” Ellie said, “you didn’t ask, but I found out two weeks ago that the baby is a boy.”
Mama lifted her hands to her face, placed them together as if in prayer, then she gave a muffled little clap and turned to Papa. “Did you hear that, George? We’re having a grandson. Now you’ll have someone to take fishing. Maybe he’ll help you fix up that old car you’ve been storing in the garage.”
Papa had wanted to restore that 1973 Bronco for ages, but since he couldn’t seem to tell his boss at the auto repair shop that he was going to retire, Mama had feared it would sit there for years.
Ellie got up from the desk chair, slowly and carefully so she wouldn’t risk getting light-headed again. Then she crossed the office to embrace each of her parents. “I love you both so much. I hope I haven’t disappointed you too badly.”
“We were a little taken aback at first,” Mama said. “But we’re not disappointed. Are we, George?”
Papa offered up a smile. “No, Ellie. You’ve always made us proud.” Then he turned and eyed Steven carefully. “You’re the one who’d better not disappoint me, young man.”
“I won’t, sir.”
Steven’s lie didn’t sit well with Ellie. When the time came for them to announce their divorce, Papa wouldn’t be pleased at all.
She glanced at the clock on the wall. “I hate to rush everyone off, but I have a meeting at eleven. Can we talk more about this later?”
“Yes, of course.” Mama kissed Ellie’s cheek. “Call me tonight after you talk to Daria. Then we can plan our first shopping trip.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Mr. Hernandez,” Steven said, drawing her father’s attention. He extended his arm, and Papa, thankfully, took his hand to shake. “You’ve raised a fine daughter, and we both have the utmost respect for you. When the baby gets here, we’re going to name him George.”
Papa blinked back his surprise. Or was it a tear welling his eye? “That would…” He cleared his throat. “That’d be… Well, I’m honored.”
Ellie had known her father wouldn’t stay angry very long, and he seemed to be feeling better about the situation already, which was a huge relief. At least the hardest part of the announcement had been made. And tomorrow morning, she’d call a press conference and ask Steven to stand beside her.
His phony marriage plan wasn’t going to work out in the long run, but they were too deep into the pretense to change course now. Still, she wasn’t looking forward to facing the community.
George and Alma Hernandez weren’t the only Rambling Rose residents who read the San Antonio newspaper, and not all of them were on Team Fortune. At Mariana’s Market, Jackson had implied that Ellie was a traitor for fraternizing with the Fortunes. So news of their upcoming marriage might not go over very well. And when everyone learned she was pregnant, they’d conclude that she’d actually slept with the enemy, even though she and Steven had barely kissed.
On the upside, Ellie always had been able to charm the press, as well as the community at large. So she wasn’t overly worried, especially if Steven was at her side.
If he could handle Papa, the rest of the town would be a piece of cake.
* * *
After Ellie hurried to her meeting at the water district, Steven left city hall and returned to his office at Fortune Brothers Construction, where he spent the afternoon going over spreadsheets and blueprints, meeting with the accountant, and then taking part in several lengthy conference calls.
Finally, at a quarter to six, he called it a day, locked his office door and headed to his SUV. He’d barely reached the parking lot when a tall, lanky reporter and a short, squat photographer rushed toward him.
“Is there any truth to the rumor that you asked Mayor Hernandez to marry you?” the reporter asked.
Oh, for Pete’s sake. He’d known that word of his and Ellie’s engagement would get out, but he hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly. “No comment.”
The camera flashed.
As Steven continued toward his vehicle without missing a beat, the reporter tried to match his strides. “Mr. Fortune, have the two of you set a date for the wedding?”
Ignoring the men and that blasted camera, Steven climbed into the SUV and drove away, his grip tight on the wheel. He’d like to throttle that damned gossip columnist. This was all her fault.
Ellie ought to sue the newspaper for printing that woman’s salacious words, although the case would probably get thrown out based on a technicality. The columnist hadn’t actually mentioned Ellie by name.
He suspected that Iris, the city hall receptionist, had contributed to the spread of gossip. She’d been curious when Steven had breezed past her on his way to Ellie’s office this morning. And when George and Alma arrived with troubled expressions, her interest had probably been piqued, so she’d followed them.
She’d claimed to be standing outside the doorway so she could remind Ellie of a meeting, but Steven didn’t buy that lame excuse. And now the Rambling Rose rumor mill was running amok.
If the newshounds were bothering him, he couldn’t imagine what Ellie must be dealing with, so he called her cell.
She answered on the second ring.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
“It’s been a rough day, to say the least. That blasted gossip columnist has been stalking me. And apparently, there’s a reporter camped in front of my house, too. Daria told me to stay away until he leaves, but he’s not going anywhere until he get some answers.”
“You’re right. They’re not just after you. When I left the office, a reporter and a photographer tried to corner me.”
“This is getting out of hand,” Ellie said. “We need to talk and work out a game plan.”
“Where are you?” he asked.
“In my car. I was going to spend the night with my parents, but my mom told me there are a couple of local bloggers parked in front of their house. Apparently, the fact that a small town mayor is going to marry into the Fortune family has set off local interest. So I’ve been driving around town until I figure out where I can have some privacy.”
“Come to the ranch. It’s not only remote and a little difficult to find, we also have security. No one can get in the front gate without us knowing about it.”
“Is your family okay with that? I mean, do they know what’s going on?”
“Not yet, but they will. I’m going to call them now and give them a heads-up.”
Ellie sighed. “This thing is snowballing on us, Steven.”
True. They’d have to do some fast thinking. “Don’t worry, Ellie. It’ll be okay. We’ll work it out.”
“I hope you’re right.”
To be completely honest, so did Steven. But he’d always been able to think himself out of a corner.
“I have a guest bedroom,” he said. “You should stay with me until we get everything figured out.”
Silence stretched across the line for several pensive beats. Finally, she said, “Okay. I’ll see you shortly.”
With Ellie on her way to the ranch, Steven called Callum and briefed him on the upcoming wedding, as well as the nosy press. He’d expected his brother to be surprised, but he seemed to take the announcement in stride.
“I realize things came together pretty quickly,” Steven said, “but don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”
“It didn’t take me long to fall for Becky,” Callum said. “And we all saw the sparks between you and Ellie.”
Sure, there was chemistry, along with physical attraction. But they’d bumped heads since day one for political reasons. Even their arguments and disagreements were passionate, in the broadest sense of the word.
Ignoring his brother and the suggestion he didn’t want to deal with tonight, Steven said, “Ellie’s right behind me. She’s going to be staying with me.”
“I’ll let Becky and Dillon know.”
Ten minutes later, Steven arrived at the gatehouse, where he greeted Stan Hawthorne, the guard.
“I’ve invited Ellie Hernandez up to the house again tonight. She’s a few minutes behind me. There might be some snoopy reporters on her tail, but don’t let them through.”
“They won’t get past me, Mr. Fortune.”
Steven thanked him and drove up to the house. He hadn’t told Callum everything. So, for all the family knew, the marriage would be the real deal, and they’d assume that Ellie would be sharing his bed. Instead, she’d sleep in his guest room, just across the hall.
The sleeping arrangements could prove to be a challenge, though. Their chemistry was strong. Hopefully, unlike the news of their engagement, his attraction to Ellie wouldn’t get out of hand.
* * *
After parking next to the expansive main house at the Fame and Fortune Ranch, Ellie popped open her trunk to get the spare outfit and toiletries she carried with her for emergencies. A change of clothing and makeup had come in handy on more occasions than one, but she’d never been so glad to be prepared for the unexpected as she was today.
She removed the canvas gym bag she used for yoga and her aerobics class, as well as a garment bag that held another outfit. She had enough to get her through the night and the next day. Daria had promised to pack a suitcase tomorrow and bring it to the ranch.
Hopefully, she wouldn’t need to be here long. Once the news was out, the reporters and bloggers would back off, she could go back to her house and life would go back to normal. Only trouble was, with a fake wedding and a baby on the way, her life was changing at Mach speed. And she was going to have a new normal, whatever that might be.
When she reached the front entrance, she shuffled the bags she carried, giving herself a free hand to ring the bell, but she didn’t need to. The door swung open, and Steven greeted her with a warm smile that lit his blue eyes.
“Here,” he said, reaching for her tote bag. “Let me carry that.”
“Thank you.” She stepped into the large foyer that opened to a formal living room, but rather than scan her surroundings, she studied the man who’d offered her refuge.
His hair was still damp from a recent shower, and the clean and musky scent of soap and man filled her lungs. He’d shed the Western wear he’d had on earlier, replacing them with a casual look—a black T-shirt and a pair of worn jeans. He’d kicked off his shoes, too.
She tore her gaze from the gorgeous sight and scanned the empty room. “Where is everyone?”
“I told them you’d had a rough day and that we needed some privacy tonight.”
She hated to admit it, but she really would appreciate some peace and quiet.
“I don’t want you passing out on me again,” Steven added.
“I didn’t pass out. Not all the way.”
“Close enough to worry me.” Steven nodded toward the hall that led to his quarters. “Come with me.”
“I would like to have some quiet time,” she said, as she followed him down the hall, “but I feel bad about chasing everyone off.”
“You didn’t. Dillon’s busy working on a project in his quarters, and since the twins didn’t get a good nap today, Callum and Becky are getting them ready for bed.” Steven stopped and opened the door for her. “If it makes you feel better, Becky told Manny, the cook and caretaker, that he could sleep in tomorrow morning. She wants to fix breakfast for us. That is, if you don’t mind.”
“No, that’s fine. We’ll need to face them together soon, and we may as well get it over with.” Ellie entered Steven’s small living room, with its leather furniture and southwestern artwork on the pale green walls.
“You didn’t see the guest room when you were here last,” he said. “It’s across the hall from me.” Steven led her to the room in which she’d be sleeping and placed her bag on a queen-size bed covered with a white goose-down comforter. She would’ve found it to be cozy and restful if Steven hadn’t been standing so close, if his warm gaze and blood-stirring scent weren’t so alluring.
“Do you want to take a rest before dinner?” he asked.
“Actually, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll take a shower and put on something more casual.”
“No problem. I hope you don’t mind sharing a bathroom with me.”
“I’m just glad to have a peaceful place to stay tonight.”
“It might be a little steamy in there, but I left clean towels on the counter. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks, but I have everything I’ll need.” She pointed to the bag on the bed. “I came prepared.”
“I can see that.” He offered her a heart-strumming smile, then left her on her own.
Twenty minutes later, she came out of the bathroom clean and refreshed. She wore black yoga pants and a white T-shirt, which she’d have to wear to bed tonight. Her emergency preparedness kit didn’t cover sleepovers. She left her sneakers in the gym bag, opting to go barefoot.
She padded down the hall and found Steven in the kitchen, chopping lettuce for a salad.
He turned and smiled as his gaze swept over her from head to toe. “I’ve never seen you without shoes. Pretty toes.”
Her cheeks flushed, embarrassed by the compliment, by the intimacy of their new living arrangement, but she stood tall. “I can dress casually when I want to.”
“I’m glad you did.”
He’d kicked back for the evening, too, and if anything, the barefoot cowboy was even more appealing that way. And sexier than ever.
“What’s for dinner?” she asked.
“Nothing fancy. Just turkey sandwiches, a tossed salad and chips. I hope that’s okay.”
“That’s fine.” In fact, it was perfect. He was perfect. And the friend she’d come to appreciate more than she’d ever expected. “Need some help?”
“Nope. I got it all under control. I thought we’d eat indoors tonight. The sandwiches are made, and the salad is almost done. It’ll just be a minute.” Steven turned back to add cherry tomatoes to the greens.
Ellie pulled out one of two bar stools, then glanced out onto the patio and into the backyard. The same small white lights twinkled on the trees outside, and yet again she couldn’t help but think how the whole scene appeared to be more romantic than it should.
“I’ve been thinking about the wedding,” he said. “We need to set a date, and the sooner the better. What about next Sunday?”
Talk about soon! But he was right. She sighed. “All right. That’ll work. But there’s so much to do. Where do you suggest we have it?”
“Let’s have it here. There’s bound to be a few newshounds trying to crash the ceremony, and we can easily step up the security. I’ll just add a second guard at the gate that day.”
He had a point. A good one.
“There’s a large grassy area behind the main house,” he added. “We can rent chairs and a gazebo. It’s up to you, though.”
“That would be a nice touch, I guess. But I don’t want the guest list to get out of hand.”
“I can keep my number at a dozen or so,” Steven said. “My parents will want to be here, and I’m sure Wiley, Ashley, Megan and Nicole will come with them. Then there’s my sister Stephanie and her fiancé, Acton Donovan. And, of course, Dillon, Callum and Becky.”
“There aren’t too many people I’d need to include. My parents have a lot of friends and coworkers, not to mention my mom’s bunco group, but I’ll insist that we keep it a family affair. And, of course, Daria. She’s like a sister to me.”
“And she’ll be the maid of honor.” Steven reached for a pair of tongs and placed them in the salad bowl.
“Who will you ask to stand up with you?” Ellie asked.
Steven set the bowl on the bar, between the two stools. “If I go with one of my brothers, it would be a hard choice to make. I might ask my dad.”
“That’s kind of cool.”
“I think so. I don’t have a favorite brother, although I do have only one father.”
Steven set two place mats on the bar, as well as silverware and a couple of napkins. He then took a bottle of water from the fridge and filled two glasses.
“Have you set up a shopping trip yet?”
“I would have done that this evening, but when I was talking to both my mom and Daria, we’d been more focused on avoiding the snoopy reporters. But I’ll call the office and let them know I’m taking a few days off work. Hopefully, we can go shopping tomorrow.”
“There’s a store that sells formal wear at the Shoppes. It’d be nice if you can find a dress there.”
To support the store owner, she assumed. And it was a nice thought. “I’d do it, but I don’t think I’d be able to afford anything there.”
He circled the edge of the bar to take his seat next to her, but he paused for a moment, just inches away, his eyes locked on hers. “Consider the dress my treat.”
The offer, as well as the way he was looking at her, sent her senses reeling and her thoughts scampering to keep up. “Stop trying to be so nice.”
“Can’t help it.” He grinned, then winked. “I am nice. You’ll see.”
They remained like that for a moment, bonded by an invisible tie, gazes locked, her heart thumping.
He reached out and cupped her jaw. His thumb skimmed her cheek, caressing her skin. She should stop him, push him away, jump out of her chair and run for the hills. But for the life of her, she couldn’t move. As his lips brushed hers, she leaned into him and kissed him back.
His tongue swept into her mouth, and a wave of desire nearly knocked her to the floor. This was not good—the kiss, the desire for more, their current living situation.
Ellie let the heated kiss continue until her brain finally took control over her body, and she drew back. “I’m sorry, Steven. This isn’t a good idea. We can’t let it happen again.”
He raked a hand through his hair, sucked in a deep breath, then slowly let it out. “You’re probably right.”
Then he winked at her again. “But you have to admit, it was nice.”
It had been better than nice. And if things were different, she might be tempted to kiss him again, right here, right now. But the last thing she needed to do was fall for her fake fiancé.
And something told her she was getting too damned close to doing just that.