Page 14 of Sweet Beginnings

“To help save the ranch.”

He wished Sarah had sounded a little more sure of her answer.

Jill crossed her arms and shook her head once from left to right. “To play footsies with my brother.”

The words “It’s not like that,” spilled from Preston’s mouth at the same time Sarah Sue protested, “It wouldn’t be like that.”

Jill held up her hand. “Maybe not when you’re home, but if you’re going to convince the bank, the town,andMom that you’re enough in love to want to marry and marry fast, you’re going to have to play the part in public—a lot.”

This plan was not the same as being a fill-in for one night. This would be an entire year—after they married. “She’s right.” Preston shrugged.

Sarah Sue seemed to be making an effort just to nod.

He didn’t like that. “We should probably talk.”

She nodded again.

Rachel pushed to her feet. “And I should check on Mom.”

“Yes,” Jill followed her sister, “she may be feeling hungry. With all the commotion, we sort of forgot about dinner.”

“I’ll help you.” Carson hurried after Jill, leaving Preston and Sarah Sue alone.

He considered whether or not he should remain across the room or move closer, unsure if that would make the talk they needed to have easier or more difficult. The internal debate almost made him laugh. How was he supposed to play house with a woman who he was afraid to sit next to? “Are you hungry?”

Pretty blue eyes widened with surprise, blinked, and one side of her mouth tipped upward in a half-hearted smile. “Actually, I am.”

“Good. Grab your purse. We’ll talk in the car on the way to the café. That should give you twenty minutes to decide whether or not you want to go through with this hare-brained idea.”

Chapter Six

Out the door and climbing into the front seat of Preston’s car, since she and Preston had never actually dated—not even close—any moment Sarah expected a wave of awkward discomfort to settle in. They were four years apart and he treated her the same way he had his kid sisters. The day before senior prom her date had broken his ankle. She’d been so upset at the idea of going without a date that Ms. Alice had turned to Preston, who, of course, had stepped in to save the day. He’d been a good sport about it and had gone the whole nine yards to make the night special. And proved to be a much better dancer than her at the time boyfriend. For months afterward a handful of townsfolk who’d seen them together had made it a point to let her know she shouldn’t have let him get away. As if she’d ever had him.

Those same gossips were fueled when the year before she’d moved to Austin, he’d needed a last-minute date for a couples event at his then-new job. After all, one good turn deserved another, and she volunteered. Considering how often he’d saved her, it seemed only fair she should do the same at least once, though the truth was, she was more than happy to spend some one-on-one time with Preston. They’d had a great time catching up and she’d had the best time since her prom. Nice guys were hard to find and he was genuinely a nice guy. Considering his willingness to marry anyone to save the family ranch, he’d remained a nice guy.

The passenger door slammed shut and a knot formed in her stomach. Preston circled the hood and settled in the driver’s seat. Her palms grew moist. Even though Alice Sweet had stepped in as absentee mother after the accident that took the life of Sarah’s mother, maybe marrying the woman’s son to save the ranch that meant so much to all of them wasn’t the brightest idea she’d ever had. Not that giving up a year of her life would matter much. Her last date had been over six months ago and nothing worth repeating. Wiping her hands down the side of her jeans, she dared to look over at Preston. Hand on the steering wheel, he wasn’t quite smiling, but he appeared way more calm than she felt. Like he was thinking about some long-ago pleasant memory. A time when life was good, easier, maybe even happier. Then again, for all she knew about him, he could have been thinking about the final score of last night’s ball game.

Either way, he turned the ignition key and twisted to face her. Deep blue eyes settled on hers, and he seemed to quietly promise everything would be fine. Like he’d done so many years ago, he’d take care of her. The tangled knot in her stomach quickly unraveled. Any anxious thoughts faded away.

“I admit, I’m not sure where to start.” He chuckled softly. “Not every day I have to hash out a temporary life on the short drive to town.”

“Temporary life,” she repeated. “I suppose that’s as good a definition as any.”

He reached over and threaded his fingers with hers, settling their joined hands on the console. “We’re going to have to do this a lot if we go through with the plan.”

Staring down at their laced fingers, she nodded, a little surprised at how comfortable, almost normal, the small gesture felt.

“Whenever we’re in public I’ll be expected to hold your hand, occasionally put an arm around you.”

She nodded. When she realized he was continuously glancing in her direction to read her reactions, she blew out a soft sigh and found her words. “I understand. We’re playing a part. Like a very long-running play.”

“Yes.” He nodded. “I suppose that’s exactly what it’s like. But, we don’t have to decide everything on this ride, or even tonight, but we should get a few generalities out of the way to help you make up your mind.”

She’d already made up her mind. Though some might feel it was too late to make any decisions as she’d already lost whatever little bit of mind she might have had left.

The next few miles were driven in silence. She imagined they were each scanning their thoughts for potential problems and pitfalls, though she couldn’t really come up with anything. Instead she shifted her thoughts to logistics. “Where will we live?”

Eyes wide, he blinked and then blew out a deep breath. “It had been my intention to move into the ranch house to help with the early morning work load. But under the new circumstances, even if the commute is going to be a bear, my apartment makes the most sense. Though, fair warning, I haven’t ever really gotten around to…um, decorating. The place still has the furniture from my college apartment, but it’s our best option.”

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