Page 35 of The Fake Fiance's Billionaire Adversary
Hunter’s jaw dropped. “No way.”
She laughed. “Son, there is no chance you’d be engaged to a woman like that and take this long to introduce us to her. I don’t know what the details are or how this arrangement came about, but I do know it’s fake.”
He slowly let out a breath he was holding. “Mom.”
“I like her. You do too.” A smile stretched on her lips. “Why do you think I told her about the lottery?”
“What?” He scoffed. “Why would you do that?”
“Because you boys use that money like a shield, holding it up so no one can get close. I get it. You don’t want to be used and abused. That’s understandable, but that young woman upstairs is too kind to be like that.” His mom sat back in the chair. “You should have seen the look on her face when I told her. That poor thing had no idea what to do with the information.”
His mom knew the whole time, and shedidtell Reagan about the lottery. “Mom, why would you do that?”
“Because I wanted to be sure I was right. If she’d already known about the money, the color wouldn’t have drained from her face, and it did. With the kind of tan she’s got, it was like a white flag flying in a tornado.” His mom chuckled. “And I also know she told you she knew.”
Hunter blinked, trying to process everything. “How do you know she told me?”
“Honey, you don’t go from smiles and winks to cold fish for no reason. Why do you think I’m telling you this?” She crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head. “That poor girl is hurting. She’s trying not to show it, but you can feel it in her spirit.”
Nodding, he slouched in his seat and palmed his forehead. He couldn’t refute it. He’d seen the look in her eyes. She was heartbroken, still trying to keep going, and her light was going dim. “I know. I told her I’d get her roof fixed.”
His mom rolled her eyes. “Hunter, you can’t fix this with money. That’s what messed it up to start with.” She shook her head and stood, stopping next to his rocker. “With the little bit I’ve learned, Reagan has been on her own most of her life. Reagan needsyou. She needs a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on, and most of all, she needs someone who won’t bail the first chance they get.” She patted him on the shoulder and left him alone on the porch.
The second Reagan told him she knew about the money and how she’d found out about it, he should have just believed her. Whyhadn’the just trusted her? She had a list of people who’d let her down, and he was no better. Now, how was he going to make it up to her? What could he do to show he was sincere? Not things, that’s for sure.
Man, he’d messed up so bad. And things had been going so well.
He rubbed his face with his hands and stood. Hopefully, she didn’t hate him so much she was unwilling to hear his apology. He had a sinking feeling she did, but for once, he’d show her someone was willing to fight for her.
Chapter 16
Reagan groaned and walked to her bedroom door. The West-Fredericks Christmas Eve traditions would start in a few hours, and she wasn’t ready yet. It had been over two weeks with Hunter trying to talk to her, but she wasn’t ready to deal with him. Why was it that whenheneeded time to think, that’s just how it was? But her? Oh, no. No one could ever give her the space she needed.
If it weren’t for the hurricane, she’d have already gone back home, but according to Naomi and Kaylee, no one was being allowed back yet. Crews were still working on getting the electricity back to the island because of downed trees hitting power lines. Add to that, hotels even as far as four hours away were booked solid.
She whipped the door open. “Hunter, I’m—” She stopped short. “Uh, hi, Carrie Anne.”
“Hi, I was wondering if you’d take a walk with me. I promise I asked others and this isn’t a sly move. I just need a little fresh air.” Hunter’s sister smiled.
How could Reagan refuse that? Especially when she liked Carrie Anne. That girl had her brothers running scared, and it was hysterically funny to see four grown men cower in fear of someone who barely weighed a buck-twenty.
“You know what? I’d really like that.” Reagan moved to get her coat.
“Oh, honey, this is West Texas. You can blink and the weather’s changed. You don’t really need a coat today. Do you have a sweater?”
Reagan shook her head. “Um.” She did, but it was ratty. Money for clothes wasn’t a luxury she had.
Carrie Anne waved for her to follow. “Come on, sister. I’ve got plenty.”
“Okay.” Reagan chuckled, and they walked to the room she shared with Israel.
Carrie Anne pulled the closet doors open and turned to Reagan. “Anything I have is yours, so take your pick.”
Reagan smiled. “Uh, are you sure?”
“Sure, I’m sure.” She tilted her head. “I bet you’d look great in a deep green or something like that. I love the color, but it makes me look like a bleached pickle with blonde hair.” Carrie Anne dug through the clothes and pulled out two hands full of clothes. “If you like these, take them. My husband will love you.”
Laughing, Reagan followed her to the bed where she laid out a couple of sweaters, a cardigan, and some shirts. Carrie Anne held them against herself and said, “See? Awful. And I don’t tan. I burn, just burn to a fried crisp.” Hunter’s sister eyed her. “I bet you tan just thinking about the sun, don’tcha?”
