Married By Mistake!

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He stepped inside the door and lifted his arms as though he expected her to run to him in a spasm of joy. “Lucy, my pet!” His fine bass voice echoed as though he were speaking to an enraptured audience. “What a pleasure it is to see you again!”

He took a step into the room, then stopped, his cultivated smile faltering. Lucy was confused for a second, until an arm came around her waist, gathering her against a sturdy torso. She could detect Jack’s cologne as well as the light, underlying tang that was his alone, and she breathed deeply, hoping that filling her lungs with his essence would infuse her with at least a little courage.

It was too late to run.

“Our sentiments exactly, Stadler, old buddy.” Jack extended a hand toward the gaping man who had gone still. “Really—a pleasure. Isn’t that right—darling?”

Lucy felt wretched. The fraud had begun.

CHAPTER THREE

A SANDY eyebrow lifted, the only indication of Stadler’s misgiving. Though his smile had wavered temporarily, it was radiant again. “Why, Lucy-pet? What does this mean?” His arms slowly began to lower to his sides, giving the impression of a deflating plastic doll.

A rustling came from outside the door. “Staddie?” Another rustle and a thump-thump. “Staddie? Can you open up a little wider?” After one more dubious glance at the entwined couple, Stadler swung the front door wide to allow a petite woman to struggle in, a big leather suitcase in each hand. “I told the cabbie we could get the cases, Staddie. Save a penny, save a...” She looked up, smiling brightly at the room in general. “Well, whatever. I can never remember those old sayings. Hi, everybody.”

Lucy stared at the young woman who was barely five feet tall. Her dark hair sprouted up and out, away from her head in a punk-pixie style that somehow suited her. By her beaming smile, she clearly didn’t know the minefield she was stepping into. Apparently, Stadler hadn’t thought the poor thing needed any preparation for what could very well be awkward—if not violent. He obviously didn’t make a practice of giving bad news face-to-face. Not a particularly heroic trait, Lucy mused.

“Hi, there.” It was Jack who broke the silence. With gentle fingers at Lucy’s back, he prodded her reluctant body forward as he stretched out a welcoming hand. “I’m Jack Gallagher and this is my fiancée, Lucy Crosby. Nice to have you visit us, Miss...”

The pixie woman with huge hazel eyes let go of one of the bags. Instead of extending her hand, she began to rub her palm on the thigh of her mutilated jeans, seemingly cleansing it before the handshake. Lucy’s glance was drawn to her red T-shirt, taut over pert, unfettered breasts that jiggled as she moved. The shirt read, “I am woman, hear me charge.”

After a thorough polishing of her palm, which now had to be raw if not entirely germless, the pixie extended her hand. “Sareena Green. Pleased to meet you, Jack—Lucy.”

“Fiancée?”

Three heads turned toward Stadler, who had now lifted both eyebrows in conspicuous incredulity. His smile was gone. “Fiancée?” he repeated, this time in a deeper timbre, intimidating enough to make Lucy quake.

If not for Jack’s arm around her, and his body to lean against, she would have sunk to her knees. She swallowed hard, but found that all she could muster in answer was a panicked widening of her eyes.

“Exactly when did this happen?” He slanted his head toward Lucy, one eyebrow cranked upward as though he were saying, “Not a funny joke!”

“It was sudden,” Jack offered, squeezing her waist reassuringly. By his voice, she could tell he was smiling and she turned to gape at him. His expression was amazingly believable. “I came for a visit and—well, the next thing Lucy knew, she was engaged.” He gazed down at her, his smile tender. “Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”

She nodded numbly. She had to give Jack credit. That little speech was about as close to the truth as this ghastly fiasco was ever going to get.

Startling her, he lowered his mouth to her temple. His lips against her skin were warm and pleasant. His mouth moved to caress her at her hairline as he added, “I don’t regret what I did, Tinsley.” Lifting his lips away, he faced Stadler. “I’ve loved her for a long time. This was all my doing, so you mustn’t blame Lucy.” His jaw clenched, then clenched again as though he were making a guilty admission. “I felt like a jerk—until your letter came.” He grinned. But the expression wasn’t particularly friendly. More cunning. “But then, you know something about jerks, don’t you, old buddy.” It hadn’t been a question.

Stadler’s eyebrows snapped down in a grimace, and he peered sideways at Sareena. The poor thing’s features were pinched in confusion. “Ena, my pet, why don’t we get settled? You look wan.” He turned back to Lucy and managed a real smile. “May we have a key? Perhaps we can chat about this later.”

Lucy felt a rock form in her stomach, so hard and painful she wanted to cry. Later? That one word held a horrid reality—Stadler had no intention of staying only five minutes. As she nodded, moving in a daze behind the reception desk to get him a key, she felt a sudden urge to feed Elissa piece by piece to the neighborhood squirrels. Five minutes, she’d said. She’d practically promised! Why, oh why, am I not safely on my way to Kansas City right now?

With a frail excuse for a smile, she handed Stadler a room key. Her fingers shook so badly the metal latchkey clattered against its plastic holder, sounding like a tambourine solo. When he reached out to take it, he startled her by engulfing her whole hand in his. “What is it, pet? You seem agitated.”

She stilled, feeling caught. She couldn’t lie! Didn’t know how. She had told Jack and Elissa she couldn’t carry this off. What was she going to do? Blurt out the truth! That seemed like the only answer. As the ugly facts scrambled to the tip of her tongue, she cast a helpless gaze toward Jack.

Almost as though he could read her mind, Jack moved forward, instinctively protective. With a casual maneuvering of his hand, he separated Lucy from her ex-fiancé and gave Stadler the key, all the while smiling easily. “You know our Lucy,” he said. “She hates to hurt anyone’s feelings, and she’s upset about having to spring our engagement on you like this.” He enclosed her limp hand in his so that her fingers were exposed. Rubbing them against his jaw in a loving gesture, he continued to smile at Stadler. “I told her that you—of all people—would understand how these things happen. You do understand, don’t you?”

Stadler inhaled, lifting his regal, if slightly inadequate, chin. His narrowed glance shifted to Lucy. However, when he opened his mouth to speak, Sareena touched his sleeve. “What’s going on? Why would you care if they got engaged?”

Stadler shot a look at his fiancée, his expression troubled for an instant before he could adjust his face in a tolerant smile. He tweaked her pointed chin. “Ena-pet, you look tired. Perhaps we should rest before luncheon.” He lifted his scrutinizing gaze to Lucy. “We’ll see you later, then?”

She nodded, apparently the only thing she was capable of doing in Stadler’s self-assured presence. She couldn’t recall opening her mouth once since he’d arrived.

Skimming Sareena with an offhand glance, Stadler indicated the stairs. “Come, Ena-pet.”

He headed for the staircase, but was halted by Jack’s hand on his shoulder. “This is a do-it-yourself place. Luggage won’t get up there by itself. Or did you expect the lady to carry all the bags?”

Though Stadler was six feet tall, he was shorter than Jack by three inches. He gave Jack a fleeting glower, then backtracked to retrieve one of the bags. “I apologize, Ena-pet. I’m afraid I’m tired, too. I’ve forgotten my manners.”

Sareena seemed startled, as though she carried bags quite a bit without help. “Uh—thanks, honeybun. My guitar case is on the porch.”

Looking put out, Stadler went outside and grabbed the instrument, then stalked past Jack without glancing his way.

Once the two newest guests had disappeared upstairs, Lucy planted her hands on the reception desk, half-sprawling across it, weak and sick to her stomach. She dragged her gaze to Jack’s. “I can’t do this.”

He seemed to contemplate her for a moment, his features thoughtful. Finally, he lounged against the opposite side of the desk, placing a hand over hers. “You can, Luce. It’s important.”

She closed her eyes, gaining strength from his touch. Inhaling raggedly, she faced the fact that she had to follow through now that the lie had begun. Besides, Stadler deserved a little ego bruising—the mewling, letter-writing cheat! Slipping her hand from beneath Jack’s, she rubbed her eyes, feeling caught between a rock and a hard place. “Okay...” She nodded, letting out a resigned sigh. “What’s next?”

“We play it by ear. Just follow my lead.” His comment was soft-spoken and solemn, drawing her trusting glance.

The strange glimmer she saw in his slumberous eyes had to be a trick of the lighting.

“The twins look wonderful!” Lucy entered Helen’s hospital room and hurried over to the bed, hugging her younger sister. “What are you going to name them?” Before Helen could speak, Lucy reached across her and squeezed Damien’s hand. “Hi, Daddy. How are you feeling?”

He grinned. “My stitches are killing me and I hate the food, but otherwise I’m good.”

Helen laughed, then winced at the discomfort it caused. “Actually, the food’s very tasty. And to answer your first question, we have no idea about names yet. What do you think of Gladiola and Goldenrod?”

Lucy stiffened, staring, not knowing what to say about the dreadful names. Damien’s rich laugh made her realize Helen was joking. “Oh, thank heaven. I know we all have flowers for our middle names, but—there is a limit!” She sank into a nearby chair. “Really, what are you naming them?”

“We don’t know yet,” Damien said, standing. “I’m afraid we need help. I favor political names like Kennedy and Reagan, and Helen likes movie titles like Sabrina and Twister.”

Elissa breezed in with Jack on her arm. “Okay, what did I miss?”

Joining in the fun, Lucy kidded, “We were discussing names for the girls. I think Twister and Hurricane might be nice. They’re unique without being too outrageous. Right, Jack?”

He grinned at her, flashing straight white teeth. “What would you consider outrageous, Luce? Calling them after microbes with megasyllable names—say, for instance, Plasmodiophora brassicae?”

“Why, Jack,” she teased, “that’s really unique.” Placing a hand to her cheek, she pretended to fall into deep thought. “Now what can we call the other one? Everybody think. What rhymes with—Plasmodio what’s-it?”

“Jack, you made that up,” Elissa said with a laugh.

He looked her way. “No, I didn’t. It’s a cabbage fungus.” When his attention returned to Lucy, his smile was playful and elegant at the same time. “You’d be surprised what you can learn in the restaurant business.”

Lucy’s cheeks heated, and she had no idea why. “I’m impressed.”

“Me, too,” Helen chimed in.

Their shared laughter was a pleasant sound generated by a close family. Lucy relished this time of being together. Such moments came so rarely since Helen had married and moved away. And Jack was gone for years at a time. Lucy cherished the experience.

“Well, you all keep right on thinking,” Helen said. “There’s a slight chance something better might come along.”

“I’m hurt,” Jack kidded.

“You should be, wanting to name my beautiful girls after a cabbage fungus.” Helen motioned him over to the bed. “But I forgive you. Now where’s my kiss?”

He cast a roguish glance toward her hovering husband. “Does he bite?”

Damien took a seat in a chair beside his wife’s bed, enfolding her hand in his. “How can I refuse a kiss to the first man my wife ever slept with?”

Jack’s expression grew charmingly shocked. Helen reached out to him, urging him forward. “Damien heard how you let Lucy and me climb into your bed during thunderstorms. Remember?”

“Fondly.” His smile reappearing, Jack gave Helen a kiss on her forehead. “You’re a beautiful mother. But I always knew you would be.”

“Damned beautiful.” Damien shifted in his chair to kiss Helen’s cheek. He whispered something in her ear, and Helen nodded as though urging him to say something. When he sat back, he scanned his blond sister-in-law with a grin. “So, Lucy, how’s the engagement going?”

Lucy felt herself blush and grew tongue-tied.

“Great so far,” Elissa said. “Lunch was interesting, Lucy even managed to talk a little. And she gazed into Jack’s eyes once without turning a neon pink. I’m sure she’ll get better with a little practice.” The redhead took Jack’s hand. “But our boy here is the natural actor. I’d swear he’s really in love with Lucy.” She nuzzled his knuckles against her jaw. “I always knew your bad-boy past would come in handy for us Crosby girls.”

He smiled, and Lucy noticed a vague ruddy tinge to his cheeks. Jack was embarrassed. Her heart went out to him. “Jack’s a good friend,” she said. “Don’t tease him, Elissa. You’re such a troublemaker.”

The redhead spread her hands in a helpless gesture. “Hey, if you’ll remember, this engagement story was Jack’s idea.”

“And how’s Stadler reacting to the news?” Damien asked.

Elissa shook her head. “Who, Mr. Denial?” She paused, looking reflective. “You never met him, did you, Damien?”

“I never had the pleasure.”

“What pleasure?” Helen mumbled, then clamped her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry,” she said. “That just slipped out.”

Lucy felt a twinge at her words and automatically defended him. “Stadler can be enchanting and dear.” She gave her baby sister a dark look.

“I said I was sorry.” Helen looked contrite.

Elissa walked behind her sister’s chair and began to rub her shoulders. “You have to stop defending the guy, Lucy. He’s not worth it. Just remember we love you and we want you to be happy.”

“I hope Stadler and his new fiancée don’t leave before they can see our gorgeous baby girls,” Helen said.

“Bite your tongue!” Lucy cried. In the ensuing silence, she realized how rude she’d sounded. She shook her head, aghast at her uncharacteristic show of temper. “I—I don’t know how long I can carry off this lie. The sooner Stadler leaves the better.”

“Your muscles are all knots, honey.” Elissa rubbed and massaged, glancing at Jack. “Do you think— maybe—this trick we decided to play on Stadler is too much for Lucy?”

“You finally figured that out?” Lucy admonished, jumping up. “Fine timing! Now that it’s too late!”

The redhead looked stricken at her sister’s rare explosion of fury. Her lips moved, but no sound came, and her green eyes began to glisten. It was clear from her expression that she finally understood what an ordeal this was for Lucy. Tears shimmered on Elissa’s lower lashes. “Oh—oh, honey, please forgive me. I sometimes forget...” She stopped and swallowed as though trying to steady her voice. “I didn’t understand...”

When Lucy saw how badly her sister felt, she began to hurt right along with her. She knew Elissa well enough to understand that she rarely cried, so her turmoil was deep and real. Unable to stay angry in the face of Elissa’s distress, she rounded the chair and hugged her. “It’s okay, Liss,” she murmured brokenly. “He’ll leave—soon. I can manage.”

Elissa hugged her back, wiping her eyes with the heel of her hand.

Damien cleared his throat, sounding uneasy. “So, Jack, how long are you going to be in Branson?”

Lucy was grateful for the subject change.

“I’m not sure,” Jack said. “I have a real-estate man looking at properties for me. I’m thinking of opening a Gallagher’s Bistro here.”