Page 17 of A Cowboy's Bride
An enormous sigh lifted her shoulders. “Damn good,” she warned. “Also, I understand the need for secrecy, but this is nonnegotiable. My brother and sister-in-law need to know the truth. Because otherwise, this deception will not fly.”
Tangled, but he got it. “You trust them?”
“More than I trust you,” Petra offered dryly.
Aiden snorted. “Valid. Anyone else? I mean, we won’t be shouting that we’re engaged from the rafters, but it’s a small town. I get how things work.”
She made a face. “You had no choice in the matter, what with Declan running off at the mouth like that, but here’s the twist. I was seeing someone, but broke it off recently.”
Shit. He eyed her carefully. “Really? Damn, I’m sorry.”
“No need to be sorry, but this is why my brother needs to know the truth. And my two best friends, who are rock solid. When others in town hear you’re my fiancée, they won’t blink. That part might work to your advantage. Some people will assume you’re the guy my brother mentioned in passing. My ex isn’t local, but from Manitoba where I used to live.”
Which was good news for High Water, but still. “You’re okay with this, though? After being that close to someone, pretending to be with me might suck.”
“Only if you turn out to be a jackass.” Petra lifted a brow. “I called things off when I discoveredhewas a jackass, and that’s all you need to know about that. But it means I’m a free agent. I wouldn’t have kissed you the other day if I wasn’t. Don’t waste energy feeling sorry for me.”
“Deal.” His mind still flew through the possibilities of what the guy did to screw up that badly and how good it would feel to clock the bastard. “Which means I’m pulling us back to logistics because we have a deadline ticking. First priorities. You need to move in, and we need to make sure the new ranch hand—which is what we’re calling our guests—has a comfortable room to claim as her own.”
Petra offered a wry smile. “I was just talking to Tansy about my living options. I guess this makes that decision easier.” She stood, pulling out her phone. “Instead of our picnic, does supper with my brother work for you?”
God. “Sure.”
Her grin turned downright evil. “Did I mention I’m the youngest in my family?”
“Great. With a protective older brother?” Aiden winked. “It’s fine. I can handle him.”
“Oh, I’m sure you can talk your way around Zach. It’s my four older sisters you need to worry?—”
“Four?” Aiden’s gut fell. “Maybe I should start running now, just to be safe.”
She snickered then patted him on the cheek. “Zach is the only one who lives here in Heart Falls. The others we can ignore for a while because we will not be shouting to the universe about the engagement. I need to get my stuff together, but that won’t take long as I haven’t unpacked. So first, let me help you get the new hand’s room set up. Plus, you can give me a tour so I know where stuff is. If I’m going to help, and I plan to, I need to know the lay of the land. I’m not signing on to be chief housekeeper and cook, but I’ll do my share. Just as if I were a roomie.”
“Deal. And I promise to keep this as simple as possible for you.”
“I promise to make sure my brother and sister-in-law listen while you explain the situation, although I can’t promise they won’t toss threats your direction.”
“I get it. I have brothers too,” Aiden tilted his head toward the window where Jake and Declan were visible unloading boards from a truck. “Threats of death and dismemberment are like love taps.”
They worked together smoothly for the next hour, Petra’s sharp wit making Aiden grin multiple times before she called it quits.
“I’m going to run interference ahead of time so that supper goes smoother.” Petra made a face. “I hope you don’t have too many skeletons in your closet, dude.”
Aiden frowned. “I thought you’d want me there to explain things to your family?”
“Oh, you’ll do your share of explaining. But giving Zach a couple of hours to dig into your history will make him far more reasonable to deal with. Unless said skeletons cause issues.”
One area where Aiden had zero worries. “He won’t find anything.”
Her gaze narrowed. “That’s interesting wording.”
Aiden tossed her a grin but didn’t mention that Jake’s contact from his police force days had made certain all their records were clean as a whistle and very,verynondescript. “Have fun, and I’ll be there a few minutes early. If it’s safer to escape the country, text me.”
Petra laughed as she walked away.
He still wore a smile when he tracked down his brothers in the barn.
They weren’t as cool and collected as they paused and gave Aiden their full attention.
