A Ring For Cinderella. Judy Christenberry

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СКАЧАТЬ tired. Tired of the money problems that had been her mother’s legacy. Tired of being a single parent to her younger half siblings, Paul and Megan. Tired of putting up a brave front with her older half sisters, Kate and Maggie.

      Since her older half sisters had discovered her existence a little over a year ago, the pair had offered her assistance with her problems. As much as she’d come to love Kate and Maggie, she was too proud to shift her burdens to their shoulders. They said she was too hardheaded.

      And she was tired of men thinking she was hot to trot because she had a well-endowed figure and blond hair.

      But she wasn’t going to be rude to a customer at the Lucky Charm Diner, even if he had just proposed to her. She wouldn’t do that to Kate.

      “No, thanks.” She even added a smile as she turned away.

      “Wait!”

      “You need something else?” She kept her words and her gaze cool, daring him to come on to her again.

      “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.” He ran a large hand through his dark hair. “Look, I can explain.”

      “Not necessary. Enjoy your meal.” Again she turned away and reached the safety of the counter. “You’ll have to serve that guy next time,” she told Brenda, the waitress. “He wants to marry me.”

      “I should have such luck!” the middle-aged waitress exclaimed. “’Course, Jerry might object if I threw him over for some cowboy, even if he is handsome.”

      Susan smiled and went through the swinging door, past the kitchen to the small office behind it. She helped Brenda when there was a rush at the diner, or when Susan wanted a cup of coffee herself, but her real job was public relations.

      She settled into her office chair with a sigh. She’d just started this job a week ago. It certainly beat her old job. She’d received propositions there, too, but they hadn’t involved marriage. She gave a rueful smile and picked up the brochure she was designing.

      Maybe she should ask that cowboy to pose for the front cover. They’d get a lot of female customers for the catering business if he did. With a sigh, she tried to dismiss his broad shoulders and hazel eyes. A man wasn’t part of her plans, business or otherwise.

      “Susan?” Brenda called as she pushed open the door. “That cowboy’s insisting he talk to you. And I’ve got my hands full with customers. Want me to call the police?”

      Susan needed to avoid such a scene if she could. It wouldn’t do the diner’s reputation any good to be associated with a police incident. “I’ll see if I can talk him into leaving.”

      When she reached the counter where the cowboy, his Stetson on his head, was waiting, she noted his stern features, his square jaw. He wasn’t going to be easy to dismiss.

      “Yes?”

      “Susan, I need to talk to you.”

      “We serve good food, but conversation isn’t on the menu.” She tried to keep her expression pleasant, but the steeliness of his stare made her uneasy.

      “I’m not looking for conversation. I have a proposition for you.”

      “Yes, I’ve already heard it, and my answer is no.” She turned around to return to her office, but he reached out and caught her arm before she could get away.

      His hard, calloused hand held her firmly but not tightly. “All I’m asking yon to do is listen to what I have to say. Give me ten minutes, in that booth,” he said gesturing to the last booth in the back, the one he’d earlier occupied. “If the answer is still no, I’ll leave and not bother you anymore.”

      Susan debated her options. She could refuse and call the police. But she’d rather not. Maybe she could listen, then say no, and hope he kept his word. If not, then they’d definitely have a disturbance on their hands.

      “Okay. Would you like more coffee while we talk?”

      He stared at her. “You’re not going to run away?”

      “No She was glad she was used to hiding her feelings. She didn’t want this cowboy to know she was trembling inside.

      He released her arm, drawing his hand back slowly, and nodded. She picked up the coffeepot and two clean cups and saucers. Then she walked the length of the counter, slipped through the opening and continued on to the back booth.

      He was right behind her. When he slid into the booth, their knees knocked together and she jumped in surprise.

      “Sorry. I’ve got long legs,” he said.

      She’d realized that. The man was easily over six foot. She filled the cups of coffee, saying nothing. But she did check the time on her watch.

      “I’ve got ten minutes,” he reminded her, his jaw clenched.

      She nodded.

      

      Zach couldn’t figure out how to start. Finally, he blurted out, “My grandfather is dying.”

      He’d shocked her, but he didn’t know how else to explain his sudden proposal. “He’s been wanting me to marry, have babies.” He stopped and stared out the windows, ashamed of what he had to confess. “I lied to him. I told him I had a woman...a fiancée. He seemed pleased.”

      He stopped to take a sip of coffee, but he avoided looking at the beautiful woman across from him. “Then today he had a massive heart attack.” He paused again, this time to swallow the emotion that filled him.

      “I’m sorry,,” she said softly, in that husky voice.

      His gaze hardened. He’d been misled before by a beautiful face and a sweet voice. Women used their softness to trap a man.

      “He wants to meet my fiancée.”

      He watched her carefully as comprehension filled her gaze. “I see. And you want me to—”

      “Pretend to be my fiancée.”

      “I appreciate your predicament, but—”

      “I’ll pay you!” He was desperate. She was a beautiful woman, the kind Gramp would expect him to choose. And he didn’t have much time.

      “No, I—”

      “Ten thousand dollars.”

      He watched cynically as the amount he’d offered penetrated her brain. Then he leaned back against the cushioned bench. “Not bad for one night’s work, is it?”

      She stared at him. “Define ‘night.’”

      He gave her a look of disgust. “Lady, I don’t have to pay for that kind of evening. I’m talking about a visit to the intensive care unit at the hospital. It won’t take long. He—he doesn’t have a lot of strength.”

      “You’re serious?”

      Suddenly, weariness hit him. What had he been hoping? That СКАЧАТЬ