I Do…. Dani Wade

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       Chapter Nine

      Julia dabbed on a bit of lip gloss just as the doorbell rang. She picked up Charlie, who was petting Casper through the wire crate.

      “Let’s go.”

      “’Bye, doggy.”

      Casper whined softly.

      “We’ll be back soon,” Julia told him. The doorbell rang again. “Coming,” she called.

      She grabbed the diaper bag off the table and opened the front door, adjusting her short, flowing minidress as she did.

      “We’re ready.”

      “Sammy,” Charlie said, bouncing up and down in her arms.

      “Hey, bud.” Sam held out his hands and Charlie dived forward.

      Julia worried for a moment about Charlie bonding so quickly with Sam. In a way it worked to their advantage, at least as their pretend engagement went. But she had concerns about Charlie’s clear affection for Sam. She didn’t want her son to be hurt once their time together ended.

      “You don’t have to take him.”

      “My pleasure.” Sam looked her over from head to toe then whistled softly. “You look amazing.”

      Julia felt a blush creep up her cheeks. “You, too.”

      It was true. Tonight he wore a light polo shirt and dark blue jeans. His hair was still longer and her fingers pulsed as she thought about running them through the ends. He hadn’t shaved, and the dusting of short whiskers along his jaw made him look wilder than he normally did as police chief.

      It excited her more than she cared to admit. She hadn’t been on a real date in over two years. This wasn’t real, she reminded herself. This was showing off for the town, convincing people their relationship was genuine.

      Not that being in this relationship had helped her earlier. She’d barely said two words in her own defense as the Johnsons’ attorney had put forward more and more information about her deficiencies as a person and how they might be detrimental to raising her son.

      The mediator, an older woman who was all business, hadn’t said much, nodding as she took in everything and occasionally looking over her glasses to stare at Julia.

      Sam was right. She needed to get her mind off the custody case. So what if this night wasn’t a real date and Sam wasn’t her real boyfriend? It wouldn’t stop her from enjoying herself.

      Because of Charlie’s car seat, she drove. Once they were close to the high school, she could see the line of cars. Half the town was at the carnival. She knew Lainey and Ethan would be there along with her mother.

      “Is your dad coming tonight?” she asked, a thought suddenly blasting across her mind.

      Sam nodded. “I told him we’ll meet him.”

      “My mom is, too.”

      Sam made a choking sound. “Okay, good. They can get to know each other. It’ll be great.”

      “That’s one word for it.”

      “Does your mom believe the engagement? I haven’t seen her since she walked in on us.”

      “I think so.” Julia slowed to turn into the lower parking lot. “It’s not the first time she’s seen me be impulsive.”

      Sam shook his head as she turned off the ignition. “You never give yourself a break.”

      “Why do I deserve one?” She paused then said, “It’s fine. I’m repairing my reputation with my family. It’s a long progress, but I’m getting there. What makes you ask about my mom?”

      “I saw Ethan downtown yesterday and he gave me the third degree about my intentions toward you.”

      “Ethan?”

      “His big-brother routine was going strong. Told me how special you are and that if I hurt you or Charlie I’d have him to answer to.”

      “I don’t know why he’d care. He went through hell because of me, although it’s ancient history now.”

      “There you go again with the self-flagellation. We’re going to need to work on that.”

      “Whatever you say.” She got out of the car and picked up Charlie from his car seat. As she turned, she took in her old high school. It looked the СКАЧАТЬ