Caleb (3 page)

A nervous shiver teased Rachel’s senses as she assessed the man sitting across from her. He’d taken off his leather coat and slung it across the back of the couch, looking relaxed and confident, quite the opposite of what rattled around inside her. The pushed up sleeves on his dark gray t-shirt revealed muscular forearms that constantly drew her attention no matter how hard she tried to stay focused on his face.

“Do you have a problem with lying?” she asked. It was the most important part of his job.

He regarded her with a solemn gaze. “It’s not something I make a habit of.”

She swallowed, the weight of her untruth lying heavy on her conscience. “Me, either. There were extenuating circumstances in this instance, and ultimately, it will lead to fulfilling my uncle’s genuine wishes.”

“Would you like to know why I agreed?”

“That might be reassuring since I’m placing my future in your hands.”

He dipped his head. “I’m honored you would trust me with something so precious.” He trapped her with his engaging eyes. “I can sum up my interest in this position with a short sentence. I don’t like assholes. Also, I have annoying Robin Hood tendencies. From what Elle told me, you’re trapped in an unfortunate set of circumstances that were never meant to be.”

She grabbed a nearby throw pillow and hugged it to her chest to keep her emotions intact. “I wouldn’t ask you to do this if I had another option.”

He leaned forward in his seat, resting his forearms on his thighs. “There’s nothing wrong with asking for help, Rachel.”

She nodded, unable to speak. Vulnerability had been her constant companion since her uncle had died, and the fact that she might have a champion overwhelmed her.

“As well as being completely discreet with my services, I’m intelligent, strong and very capable, which I would assume would all be good qualities when looking for a husband, whether it be pretend or otherwise.” His wink soothed her vulnerable side.

“Very good qualities.”

“I can see that you’re nervous and maybe frightened, and with good reason. No one would want to be in your predicament.”

She shook her head as tears puddled in the corners of her eyes.

“Ah, shit.” He stood and navigated past the coffee table to her side where he held out a hand to her.

She hesitated and then took it. He pulled her to her feet and then grasped her shoulders and waited until she met his gaze.

“Things are going to be all right, Rachel. You mean the world to Elle, and I’m not going to let anything happen to her friend, okay?” With that, he tugged her against his chest and wrapped strong arms around her. “Sorry if I’m being too forward, but you look like you could use a hug.”

She froze for a moment and then surrendered to the powerful need to be held. Slipping her arms around his waist, she sought the warmth and kindness he offered that she so desperately needed.

His cotton shirt was soft against her cheek, and his woodsy cologne flirted with her better senses. No one could blame her for lingering in his embrace. She’d had little comfort during the past week, and she’d certainly never had a man like him take her in his arms.

By all appearances, he was her hero riding in on a white horse. She would not reject what the fates offered her.

When time faded to awkwardness, she reluctantly pulled away. He took her chin in his hand. “As long as I’m around, I’ll do whatever I possibly can to protect your assets from that jerk, okay?”

She laughed to keep from crying. “Only because I’m paying you.”

He snorted. “For you, I’d do it for free.”

She flicked her gaze back and forth between his intense eyes looking for signs of deception. Rare honesty was all that met her, and that knowledge lit a strange and vibrant fire in her heart.

Overwhelmed by her feelings, she took a step back. “Thank you, but I insist on paying. This is a business arrangement, and both of us have obligations to meet.”

His lips slid into a sexy smile. “All right. But the terms of the deal are that you’re to pay me whatever you believe my services are worth at the conclusion of our business.”

“That’s not what we discussed on the phone.”

He shrugged. “Take it or leave it, sunshine.”

Sunshine? Her heart smiled. “That’s not fair. You know how desperate I am.”

“Yes, I do. A shrewd businessman knows how to work a deal.”

“But the deal is not in your favor.” If he hadn’t come highly recommended by Elle, she might have changed her mind. Elle had warned her, though, that Caleb could be a big flirt, and she was certain he was playing with her now.

“That remains to be seen.”

Oh hell. “Fine. I accept your terms.” She held out her hand for him to shake.

Instead, he lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed. The sigh that slipped from her mouth surprised her and brought a seductive smile to his lips.

In an effort to keep from flailing at his feet, she laughed and slipped her hand from his. “Elle told me about you.” She said you love to flirt with the ladies.”

“Me?” He put a hand on his chest as his eyes lit with affection. “I’m just a good ol’ boy who likes to have fun.”

“Uh-huh.” She nodded, unable to erase the smile from her face. “So, back to the details.” While she could still remember them.

“I expect this process to take two to three months. When the appropriate time comes, you can leave. I’ll make up a reason. Maybe you grew tired of my overbearing ways, and you never returned. At some point, I’ll let people know we’re no longer married, but those issues won’t be your concern.”

He chuckled, his gaze unnerving her. “Who’s going to believe you’re overbearing?”

She snorted. “Trust me, plenty of people in town.” Jackson at the feed store. Everyone at Lenny’s Hardware.” She did what she needed to keep this place going.

He dug in his pocket, placed the small box on his palm, and held it out to her.

“What’s this?”

“Open it.” He smiled, his eyes twinkling with pleasure.

She lifted the lid and revealed a gold ring with a sparkling round diamond in the center. Beautiful in its simple and elegant way. She lifted her gaze to his in question.

He gave her a warm smile and took the box from her hand. His big fingers dwarfed the small ring. “I wasn’t sure if you had something suitable. I’d thought you’d wear it as a wedding ring if needed after our pretend wedding.”

“You brought me a ring?” Not that it meant anything, but it seemed like a thoughtful gesture all the same.

“I’m a man who likes to be prepared, and I knew we’d need a prop.” He shrugged. “Don’t get too excited. It was my ex-wife’s.”

The beautiful ring lost its shimmer. The setting was opulent, but now tainted by a failed love.

“I figured once we pretended we were married, you could wear it until the end of our arrangement. Consider it a symbol of goodwill and trust as we begin our
life
together. Naturally, when you break up with me, you’ll return it.” He chuckled. “Just don’t throw it into the river in a show of grandeur. I’m sure I can get some money out of it.”

“I thought you were going to be the one to call it quits when all was said and done.”

“Nah.” He shook his head as he pulled the ring from the box and took her hand. An unexpected sizzle of attraction claimed her as he separated her ring finger from the rest. “Let’s see if it fits.”

“I figure you’re the one who has to stay in town,” he continued as he slid the ring onto her finger. A strange and uncomfortable weight surrounded her skin. “You might as well blame me. I’ll never see these people again, and also, you’ll gain more sympathy if you can pin the entire mess on me.”

He held her hand for a moment as he inspected his work.

Apparently, he intended to earn his pay, which provided a small measure of assurance. “It’s very pretty,” she said, touched that he’d taken their arrangement as seriously as she had.

“Not as pretty as the lady wearing it. Here’s the box. You can put it away until later.” He smiled as though he had no idea how much her heart gobbled up his words. “So, do you have a contract I need to sign or what?”

A smart person would have, but… “I didn’t have anything drawn up. I couldn’t use a lawyer in town, and I haven’t had time to search for anyone out of the area. Elle vouched for you, and I trust her. If you’re the man she said you are, I figured a good, old-fashioned handshake would be enough.” She prayed she wasn’t wrong.

“I like it.” He held out a hand, and she grasped it for a firm shake. “I agree to abide by our terms.”

“I do as well.” She slid her fingers from his warm hand, but was unable to look away from his direct gaze.

“Great. I expect I’m staying in the house with you. If so, could you show me my room? It’s been a long drive, and I’m beat.”

“Of course.” Her laugh came out nervous and uneven. She’d been so worried about finding someone that she hadn’t considered the logistics of actually living together. “You can take the room next to mine. It has the most space, and a lovely view of the mountains to the west. You can’t see much in the dark tonight, but I think you’ll like it here. There’s nothing like a misty morning right before the sun peeks over the hills.”

He gave her a look that melted her wooly socks. “It sounds amazing. I know you think I’m doing this for the money, and I’m always willing to help a lady, but really, I was eager to spend time in Wyoming. Wide-open land like this is where I belong. I was thinking of heading to Montana next.”

She narrowed her gaze just the slightest and studied him a little deeper. She couldn’t deny there was something about him. What exactly she couldn’t say, but she was thrilled Elle had sent him her way. She smiled. “I couldn’t agree more. I often say it constantly whispers my name, and everyone thinks I’m crazy when I tell them that in the dead of winter. To me, it doesn’t matter what time of year it is around here. This place will always be home.”

His eyes grew serious. “I don’t think you’re crazy.”

Not for loving the land. Her sanity in other areas, however, could be questionable. “Thank you. It’s nice to meet a kindred spirit.” As she stared at the incredibly sexy man standing before her, peace filled her heart. He seemed confident and reliable. This might actually work.

“Go grab whatever you brought with you, and I’ll reheat some of the chili I made for dinner. I’m sure you’re hungry as well as tired.”

A wide grin lit his face. “Yes, ma’am.”

He settled his hat back on his head, gave her a cursory nod, and strode to the door, letting a gust of refreshing mountain air sweep through the room as he left.

Rachel stood dumbfounded for a few moments after Caleb shut the door behind him, trying to process what had taken place over the past few minutes. She’d wanted a stand-in husband. Now she had one. A handsome stranger in her house that she would live with for the next couple of months.

She wasn’t quite sure how she felt about that.

As she prepared his dinner, she heard him re-enter the house and head upstairs. She thought of running after him to show him which room was his and then realized he could probably figure it out because it was obvious which was hers. He’d take the one next to her or pick one of the others. It really didn’t matter.

When he hadn’t returned downstairs by the time she finished heating his dinner, she piled everything on a tray and headed to the second level of the house. He was probably as uncertain and tentative about everything as much as she was and would appreciate taking his meal in his room where he could unwind and process just as she craved to do.

Having a man other than her uncle or Franklin underfoot would be a new experience. She couldn’t ignore him as she’d done with her relatives when she’d wanted to. Caleb was a guest in her house. A guest that, despite the fact she was paying him, was doing her a huge favor. She’d be responsible for his comfort above hers.

“Hello?” she called when she reached his closed bedroom door. He’d managed to find the room right next to hers after all.

A second later, he opened the door, his expression brightening as he surveyed the tray of food. “Oh, wow. That’s more than a bowl of chili. You didn’t need to bring this up here. I could have come to the kitchen.”

“I thought you might like a chance to unwind without me hovering.” She slipped past him, her gaze snagging on the way his long-sleeved dark gray t-shirt outlined the muscles in his upper arms. She set the tray complete with bread, butter, a bright red apple and a cold glass of milk on the small table next to the chair in the room and turned, surprised he was only a few steps behind.

“Sorry,” she said as she stepped aside. “Let me know if there’s anything else you need.”

“Nah, this looks great. Really great.” As he spoke, his stomach grumbled, impatient for food. He splayed a hand across his abs. “I guess I’m hungrier that I thought.”

“Then you’d better eat,” she said and followed her comment by a lighthearted laugh which sounded forced rather than natural.

The echo of wolves howling drew Rachel’s gaze to the closed bedroom window. Caleb’s reflection appeared in the glass behind hers.