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Harlan sighed. He’d been responsible for every ounce of gossip. She’d always been an awkward social butterfly because of the past her mother bestowed upon her, but she had been an active part of the community. She had organized parties for friends and had even been on the church’s social committee alongside her grandmother. All of that ended eight years ago to the day when he left her at the altar. And then her life burst in flames once more when he married Molly. Belle had become a rebel who’d rather spend her time with animals than people. The rumors rolled off his back, but she shouldn’t have to endure them. Not again.
“Then we stay married.” Harlan said the words without thinking twice. He owed her. “I’m not saying we have to stay together forever.” Although he’d willingly spend the rest of his life seeking redemption. “But a few months longer than we had intended. Then we can say we gave it a shot and it didn’t work. I’ll take the blame.”
“I want to argue with you, but I can’t think of a better solution right now.” Her shoulders slumped in defeat despite the smile she wore for their guests’ sake. “I am grateful to you and for all of this, but I should get home. I’ve already been gone longer than I had anticipated.”
“Is someone waiting for you?” An uneasiness swept over him. Okay, maybe there was a twinge of jealousy in there, too. But why? He had no claim to Belle, except for the fact he was legally her husband.
“Time for cake,” Samantha interrupted before Belle answered him. “I realize it’s not big and multitiered, but when the kitchen learned you didn’t have a cake, they insisted on making one.”
If that didn’t amp up the guilt factor, Harlan didn’t know what else would. He vowed to make an anonymous donation to the nursing home to cover all the expenses for the event. The least he could do was pay for one of his weddings to Belle.
After they cut the cake, Belle fed it to him with a bit too much enthusiasm. Her uninhibited laughter more than made up for his face full of frosting. He had missed that laugh as much as he had missed her.
His phone vibrated in his pocket. He’d set an alarm for two o’clock so he’d be home when Ivy got off the bus. Their neighbor across the street watched her after school, but he didn’t want to chance her hearing what happened today from somebody else. He hadn’t expected news of their wedding to become public knowledge or else he would have told Ivy last night...if he had found the words. How was he going to explain to a seven-year-old he’d pretend-married the woman he once jilted? He was about to find out.
“I’m sorry, Belle. I have to leave,” Harlan whispered in her ear as their guests mingled. “I need to have a little talk with Ivy.”
“I’m sure that won’t be easy.” Belle twisted the ring on her finger. “I shouldn’t have gotten you into this mess.”
“I talked you into marrying me, remember?” He covered her hands with his own. The warmth of her skin caused his heart to still. In that briefest of moments, everyone around them faded away. Their wedding should have been spectacular. They should be sharing their first dance and celebrating the rest of their lives. Instead the woman he’d never stopped loving had been forced to settle for a charade of a marriage. “It will be okay. We’ll get through it...together.”
She lifted her gaze to his as happiness dissolved into reality. “Sure, okay.” She withdrew from his grasp and gathered up her skirt, rebuilding the wall between them. “I’ll walk out with you. I want to bring my grandmother a piece of cake before I leave.”
The two of them managed to sneak away and head down the hallway to Trudy’s room unnoticed. She was already asleep and Belle told him to go on ahead. She wanted to stay a little while longer. He sat beside her and took her hand in his as they watched Trudy in silence. Pretend marriage or not, Harlan had meant his vows. In sickness and in health was the reason they were together again, for however long. He wouldn’t leave Belle. Not with a garden full of wedding guests and not when she needed him most.
* * *
IT WAS CLOSE to five o’clock by the time he picked up Ivy. He’d called his neighbor and filled her in on some of the details. Between her chiding tsks, he persuaded her to keep Ivy inside and away from any of her friends until he arrived home. He’d run into some of her playmates’ parents at the wedding and by now they were aware Ivy’s father had remarried.
“Hey, pumpkin.” Harlan scooped his daughter into his arms and swung her around in a big hug. “How was school today?”
“It was good. Why are you all dressed up? Did somebody die?”
Mental note: he needed to take his daughter to more events where people wore something other than jeans and cowboy boots. “Daddy went to a wedding.” He set Ivy down and grabbed her backpack. “Let’s head home and I’ll tell you all about it.”
After he changed out of his tuxedo and made dinner, he asked his daughter to join him in the living room. “You might hear things from your friends and I want you to know the truth in case someone tells you a bunch of made-up stories.” Ivy’s eyes grew wide in fear.
“Relax, honey. It’s nothing bad. The wedding I went to today was my own.”
“You got married? Without me?” She pouted. “Daddy, why?”
“It’s not a happy-ever-after wedding like in your fairy tales.” Even though that’s what Belle had deserved. “My friend’s grandmother is sick and she doesn’t remember that Belle and I had dated and broke up years ago. We got married today so her grandmother would feel better. But it isn’t a real marriage.”
“Is it legal?” Ivy asked. “You always tell me I have to obey the law.”
“Oh, it’s legal, all right.” Now that the wedding was over and he was home with his daughter, the day’s events seemed like a distant dream. If it hadn’t been for the rented tuxedo hanging by the door, he might’ve doubted his own sense of reality. He’d been all for it this morning when he woke up, but he hadn’t realized how much he wanted to marry Belle. Or how deeply invested he’d become in their marriage. Outside of raising his daughter and becoming a deputy sheriff, nothing else had felt more right to him.
“Is her grandma dying?”
“Yes, she is.”
“Then you did the right thing.” Ivy climbed onto his lap and threw her arms around him.
“Thank you, sweetheart. In a month or so, Belle and I will get what’s called an annulment and the marriage will be like it never happened.”
“Is Belle moving in?”
It certainly hadn’t been part of their original plan, then again, neither was a very public wedding. Harlan wasn’t sure he was open to Belle moving in with them, regardless of how much he owed her for the past.
“We haven’t discussed it.” Ivy sighed and flopped against the back of the couch. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“I thought you getting married would mean I’d get a mommy.”
Harlan covered his mouth. As much as he hated what he did to Belle, and as much as he despised Molly for walking out on their daughter without a second thought, he’d never resent or regret their relationship. If the series of events hadn’t happened, he wouldn’t have his daughter. She was the best thing that ever happened to him. He wished he could give Ivy what she wanted. His relationship with Belle was only temporary and he hadn’t dated since Molly left. Not that he didn’t want to, he just hadn’t found a woman he wanted to spend time with or introduce into his daughter’s life.
“Why do you look so sad, Daddy?”
Before he could answer, his phone rang. He looked at the display. It was one of the other deputy sheriffs. “Hey, Bryan, what’s up?”
“Harlan, you need to come down to the station right away.”
He stood and motioned for Ivy to grab her shoes. “Why, what’s going on?”
“Well, we arrested your wife. And she’s not alone.”
Chapter Three (#u1795bda1-ab1e-50c1-8ac0-7ade2a87a786)
“Where is she?” Harlan stormed through the front door of the station after dropping Ivy off at his brother’s house. “And what did you mean she isn’t alone? Who’s with her?”
“It’s not a who. It’s a what,” Bryan said.
“Again?” Harlan’s shoulders slumped in relief. Marriage of convenience aside, the thought of Belle with another man tore his gut in two. “What are the charges?”
“Trespassing, breaking and entering, and theft.” Bryan laughed. “You sure know how to pick ’em. Did my wedding invite get lost in the mail?”
“I’ll explain that later.” Harlan headed to the back of the station, swiped his access card and walked through two sets of double doors to the prisoner holding area. There she was. Wet, muddy and clutching something tucked inside her shirt.
“Hey, sweetheart. I forgot to tell you...our marriage comes with one stipulation. You can’t get arrested while we’re together. You’ve racked up three charges within two hours. That must be a record, even for you. It’s time to aim for some new goals.”
“Get me out of here, Harlan.” Belle hurried to the bars and angled her chest toward him. “This piglet needs milk replacer and fast.”
“Oh, it’s a pig this time. That explains the mud. Tell me the story first.”
“There’s no time,” Belle pleaded.
“Tough.” Harlan gritted his teeth. He gripped the bars and lowered his face to hers. “You need to tell me what happened so I can attempt some damage control.”
“Fine.” Belle huffed. “I received a call shortly after I got home. There was an eighteen-wheeler delivering pigs to the Johnson farm way out on Back Hollow Road. This person who shall remain anonymous said they saw the pigs herded off the trailer into holding pens and the piglet tossed in after them. They said it was a life-threatening condition. I couldn’t ignore the situation. I had to do something.”
“So instead of calling me or another deputy sheriff, you put yourself in danger and stole it.”
“It’s a she and I rescued her. I couldn’t wait for you or anyone else,” Belle hissed. “It was too big of a risk. Especially out there. This pig isn’t even a week old and she’s sunburnt from being in the back of that trailer for heaven only knows how long. I don’t know the last time she ate or even if she’ll live. Harlan, either you get me out of here or you call Dr. Presley to come take her. I don’t care what happens to me, but you have to help this poor animal.”
Harlan slapped the side of his thigh, hating the position she’d put him in. Belle’s fierce stare starkly contrasted the piglet’s weak gaze. Rescuing animals had always been her greatest passion and he wouldn’t have expected anything less of her. Unfortunately, it was bound to adversely impact his job. It had been one day and he already felt powerless around her. Between his past mistakes, a terrifying prospect of a future together—however temporary—and a muddied present, second thoughts crept into his brain. Lucky for Belle, his heart controlled the moment.
“I’m not sure I can get you out of this mess tonight.” He reached through the bars and stroked the top of the piglet’s tiny head. “But, I’ll do what I can. Stay here.”
“As if I have a choice.” Belle rolled her eyes.
After promising to pay triple the price of a full-grown pig, Harlan persuaded the farm owner to drop the theft charge. She was still on the hook for the B&E and trespassing, but at least it meant he’d get her out of jail tonight.
“Where am I going to put you?” Harlan looked her up and down. “You’re not getting the front of my cruiser all dirty. Oh, I know.” He strode over and opened the back door. “Hop in. It’s not like it’s your first time.”
“So you’re going to treat me like a criminal?”
“Are you serious? Where are we right now? It’s either this or you walk.”
“You’re such a charmer.” She scowled as she climbed inside. “I already miss the man I married.”
“Speaking of that.” Harlan slid behind the wheel. “I would like to be elected sheriff one day and that means my wife can’t run around getting arrested. As long as we’re husband and wife, I implore you to stay out of trouble. I mean it, Belle. Not just for my sake. It’s for my daughter’s, too. Whatever you do now reflects on her. This isn’t the little secret wedding you and I thought it would be. Everyone knows and I can’t allow anything negative to affect Ivy. Do we have an understanding?”
“Yes. I’ll be more careful next time.”
“Oh, okay. I can see you paid close attention to that conversation.” He steered the SUV onto Belle’s street.
“Please don’t be mad. I did the right thing.”
“I’m not mad. You frustrate the hell out of me. Always have. It’s like you’re permanently under my skin. I made a commitment to you and I’ll honor it. My daughter even asked if you’d be moving in with us.” Belle’s gaze met his in the mirror. “Not because she’s scared of you. She was hoping you’d be her mom. Do you have any idea what that did to me?”
“I’m sorry Molly turned out to be such a jerk. I never expected that of her.” Her voice softened. “I never expected a lot of the things she did. And I don’t wish abandonment on anyone. Child or adult.”
Message received loud and clear. First Belle’s mom had abandoned her, and then he had, too. If any man ever treated Ivy that way, Harlen would probably be behind bars and Belle would be the one bailing him out.
Harlan parked beside her truck, shut the engine and opened the back door for her to exit.
“How did my truck get here?” Belle asked as they walked past her red Chevy.
“I had it towed here instead of the impound lot. Consider it and the piglet a wedding present.”
“Honey, you shouldn’t have.” She reached up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He wasn’t sure if she meant to be sarcastic or sincere, but he wasn’t about to turn her away.
Belle glanced at her front door. “What’s that?”
Harlan recognized the fluorescent orange notice without even having to read it. “You’ve been served your walking papers.”
“They can’t evict me. I pay rent.” Belle ignored the paper and unlocked the door.
Harlan reached above her head and tore it off. “This is from the board of health.”
“Whatever. Stand back when I open the door. Sometimes Olive gets a little aggressive when I come home.”
Harlan followed her in. “It says you’re harboring livestock?” Before he had a chance to look up, a tiny goat hurled into him, almost taking out his shin in the process.
“I warned you.” Belle stepped over a baby gate and flicked on the kitchen light.
Now he understood the livestock. “Belle, please tell me you didn’t steal these animals.”
“First, I’m not a thief.” She set a spoon and a bowl on the counter next to a large container of instant milk replacer before disappearing into the other room and returning with a towel. “I’m a rescuer. When people call me, I go. And second, I’m fostering these guys until I can find a home for them. It was one thing when I lived at my grandmother’s house. We had room in that big yard of hers. I don’t have that luxury anymore.”
He had to give her this much—between the small kiddie pool of hay the goat happily lay in, the tiny black lamb standing on his hind legs in a playpen, a duck waddling around the entryway and now a piglet, the rest of the apartment was relatively clean.
“I need you to take her while I mix the formula.”
Harlan joined Belle in the kitchen. She lifted her shirt up so he could take the piglet tucked between her breasts. He froze, not knowing how to handle the animal without touching her.
“Hey, don’t judge. It was the safest and warmest place I could hold her.”
“It’s not that.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Harlan. They’re just boobs. I have a bra on.”
He lifted the piglet into his arms and Belle immediately wrapped the towel around the little girl. She mixed the formula before withdrawing an oral syringe from the drawer. She tore open the package and pulled the plunger until it filled halfway with the off-white liquid.
“Here you go, sweetie.” The piglet hesitated at first, then readily took the mixture. “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Belle repeated under her breath. “I don’t know what I’ll do with you.” She nuzzled the little critter, then looked around the room. “Or any of you, but I’m glad you’re safe.”
“Oh, Belle.” Harlan looked to the ceiling and prayed for strength. “You know exactly what you’re going to do. You and your menagerie are coming back to the ranch with me.”
* * *
AFTER A SHOWER and a change of clothes, Belle and Harlan packed up what they could from her apartment, crated the animals and drove to his ranch. She always thought you had at least thirty days to vacate once you received an eviction notice. Turned out it was only three days in certain cases—livestock being one of them. She pulled in behind him, still trying to wrap her brain around the day. This morning she was single and independent. Tonight, she was married and relying on her worst enemy to put a roof over her head. Maybe worst was a little harsh. He had earned significant brownie points during the past twenty-four hours. That still didn’t mean she forgave him for what he’d done. She doubted that would ever be possible.
Harlan leaned in her passenger window. “Are you coming?”
“In a minute.” Belle glanced up at the white farmhouse. It should have been her house. They had picked it out together and Harlan’s uncle Jax had fronted them the down payment until they could afford to pay it back. She loved the house. Had envisioned exactly how she would decorate it. Only she never had the chance to spend a single night in it. Molly had had that honor.
She needed to get it together. The ranch was a much better place for her wards. The previous owner had rebuilt the stables, along with the apartment above it. At least there had been an apartment eight years ago.
“Come on, let’s get them settled, and then we’ll get you situated in the house.”
“I don’t think so, Harlan.” Belle looked up at the main house again. “Where’s your daughter?”
“She’s staying with Dylan and my uncle Jax at the Silver Bells Ranch. I’ll pick her up tomorrow.”
“Is there still an apartment over the stalls?” Belle dug the tip of her boot into the hard dirt drive. “I’d rather be near the animals. Lillie needs constant care.”
“Lillie?” Harlan furrowed his brows. “Ah, you named the pig already.”
“I’ll have to take her to work with me.” Belle began unloading the truck. If she kept moving and talking, she wouldn’t have a chance to change her mind. “She needs to be fed every couple of hours and that will wake up you and Ivy. So if that apartment is available, I think it’s best if I stay out here. I’ll pay rent until I can find another place. I don’t want to upset your routine, or raise Ivy’s hopes.”
