The Rancher's Cinderella Bride. Sara Orwig

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СКАЧАТЬ she stood. “I’ll be back in a minute. I’m going to the ladies’ room.”

      “Yeah, I know. You’re going so more people will see you.”

      She smiled and left, knowing that Gabe would be good-natured about this fake engagement. Excitement bubbled in her and she wondered how much of it was knowing her problem would soon be a thing of the past—and how much was just pure excitement from being with Gabe.

      When she returned to their table, they ordered and shortly had platters with piles of ribs covered in red barbecue sauce, a mound of curly fries and thick, buttered Texas toast. While they ate, she tried to catch up on his current life.

      As they laughed over a recent incident, Gabe took a sip of his beer and when he set it down, he smiled. “You’re right—it’s good to be together again,” Gabe said.

      “I’m surprised there’s no woman in your life right now, but I’m glad there’s not, otherwise you couldn’t have gone out with me. Why don’t you hold my hand,” she suggested. “That would look good.”

      His grin widened. “This is the first time my date has told me how to come on to her.”

      “Well, I just want you to look as if you’re falling in love and really want me. So far, with all the fun we’re having, we look just like what we are—two old buds out together.”

      “Oh, darlin’,” he drawled. “I think I can get beyond just buddies without you having to coach me,” he said in a husky, breathy statement that was barely above a whisper. He stood, drawing her to her feet while he watched her intently. He slipped his arm around her waist, pulled her tightly against his side as they walked to the dance floor.

      “Oh, my,” she said, gazing up at him. “That’s definitely on target.”

      “Just wait, darlin’.” He leaned down to whisper into her ear, his warm breath stirring tingles that surprised her.

      On the dance floor she turned to face him, winding her arms around his neck and gazing into his eyes as they moved in unison. Her satisfaction climbed over how well they fit together.

      “Gabe, this is positively a dream come true,” she said, dancing closer so he could hear her over the music. “Tanya is here, Justin’s ex-girlfriend, and she’s seen me. She can’t stop glancing at me. When this dance ends, try to be near her and we’ll go talk to her. I’ll introduce you.”

      “Dare I hope she’s the one in the skintight jeans and low-cut blue blouse that reveals a lot of her ink? No wonder his parents have focused on you. They’re not the type for tats and blouses with vee necklines to the waist. As adorable as you are, I’m surprised Justin gave in so easily.”

      “I think I should feel insulted, but I don’t. Justin’s dad gave him incentives to give in. If he marries me, he gets a partnership in the firm after the first year of our marriage. If I’m pregnant, he gets an even bigger deal,” she said, shivering.

      “No wonder you want out of that. Damn. My dad gets an F in fatherhood, but he hasn’t pulled anything like picking a wife for any of us.”

      “Until this, my parents have been wonderful. So have my grandparents, and I love them all dearly.”

      “We’ll head Tanya’s way. I won’t protest meeting her,” he said, dancing Meg her way.

      The music stopped and she turned, smiling at Tanya and pulling lightly on Gabe’s hand. Tanya’s straight, waist-length blond hair fell loosely around her face. She wore a tight blue silk top with bling along the neckline that dipped in a deep vee, revealing half of a butterfly tattoo on the curve of her full breast. Curiosity filled her eyes as she watched Meg and Gabe approach. She glanced back and forth at each of them until Meg greeted her.

      “Tanya, meet Gabe Callahan. Gabe, meet Tanya Waters.”

      Smiling, Tanya touched the arm of the man beside her. “Hi. This is Bobby Jack Lawrence.”

      As the men greeted each other, Gabe held Meg’s hand lightly. They talked a moment until the music commenced again and then Gabe pulled her to his side for a two-step.

      “That was absolutely perfect,” Meg said. “I’m so glad we came here. I see Cassie Perkins from Justin’s office. I think she’s interested in Justin, so I’m sure she’ll get the word out around his office.”

      Gabe looked down at her. “I didn’t know you could be so plotting and devious.”

      “Only because I’m desperate,” Meg said. Then she became quiet, enjoying dancing with him and thinking the evening had been a huge success.

      “How in the world did you get involved with Justin in the first place?”

      “Friendship. The way I am with you. We go to the same places and see each other. We like the same things—symphony, opera, contemporary art. His folks were giving him a terrible time about seeing Tanya and we talked about that. I just didn’t realize what it would lead to and suddenly he was talking a marriage of convenience.”

      “Lesson learned there, I suppose.”

      “There’s no danger of our families trying to push you and me into a marriage of convenience. Actually, this ought to set family tongues wagging about us going out together and get Justin out of the conversation.”

      “This fake engagement sure as hell isn’t going to endear me to any of your family.”

      “I’m sorry about that, but they don’t like any Callahans anyway, so it isn’t like you’re losing their friendship.”

      “Somehow, your logic doesn’t cheer me,” he said and she smiled.

      It was after midnight when a number ended and Gabe spun her around, catching her and pulling her up against him. She looked up into his eyes and her laughter faded, her grin giving way to a sultry smile.

      He gazed back and took her hand. “That look should convince the most doubting spectator. If I didn’t know better, I’d be on fire now,” he remarked.

      “Well, I’m thankful you didn’t laugh because that definitely kills the effect.”

      “What I felt wasn’t laughter,” he said. The smoldering look he gave her made her tingle, which surprised her. How shocking that she found him so appealing.

      “I think we can leave now,” he said, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her close against his side.

      She slipped her arm around his waist, looking up at him and smiling, as if they were about to go home and make love. She hoped that’s what others thought.

      “That was fun, Gabe. You’re perfect for this. You would convince anybody that we’re a couple.”

      “Anybody who doesn’t really know you,” he remarked drily. “Otherwise, I think there will be suspicion.”

      “No, there won’t,” she assured him, supremely happy with the way the evening had gone and looking up at him as if she thought he was the most adorable man on earth. At the moment that wasn’t even pretend.

      Gabe drove to her small home in Downly in an older СКАЧАТЬ