Page 5 of Dirty Secret Love

“Does it matter?” she snaps.

“How long are you staying?” I ask, praying for a miracle that it’s only a few days.

“As soon as the misunderstanding with the bank gets resolved,” she states, leaving no room for more questions.

“There’s no misunderstanding, Ruth,” Dad states. “We don’t have money to pay the mortgage, and they’re foreclosing on the house.”

“How did that happen?” I ask, almost terrified. Not because I care about their finances, but because they’re threatening to come back to Heartwood Lake—forever.

We don’t need the Ashers in this town.

“Your father is wrong. We’ll fix this soon,” she assures me. “Just make sure that the old house is in good condition for us to move in.”

“As I said, I won’t be in town, so you’ll have to deal with that yourself. See you when I’m back.” I hang up the phone.

Fuck, I’m screwed. I glance at Jez. “Are you sure we can convince someone to play my fake fiancé?”

ChapterTwo

River

My lifein Heartwood Lake is too fucking boring.

When I first set foot here, I clearly didn’t know what to expect. In fact, I half-hoped it was some twisted joke, and that I’d soon be boarding the next plane back to Washington, DC. Instead, I found out my father had been killed, and we were under the protection of Crait Quantum Shield, a high-intelligence security company.

My life has changed drastically. Instead of waking up, stretching my arms, and reaching for my phone to check stocks from around the world, now I wake up too fucking early, and the cold breeze before the sunrise hits my face as I prepare myself to help with the ranch chores. The city’s state-of-the-art gyms? Replaced by milking cows—my hands chapped and raw—dragging hay bales with sweat trailing down my forehead, and herding cattle.

By noon, my muscles ache, and I’m technically done with my day. There’s no television or electronics—the security company doesn’t allow them. The only way to entertain myself is by watching my brothers and making fun of them when they fuck up. It’s childish, but there’s nothing else to do.

When everything else fails, I head to the library. I do whatever is necessary until my five o’clock shift at the Mountain Range Bar and Grill starts. There, depending on the day and crowd, I’m either a glorified busboy or a waiter.

Today is so slow that I decide to swing by the library hoping to steal some computer time while Sutton, the hot librarian, is busy putting away books. To my dismay, most of the time, Bach, one of my older brothers is also there reading or scribbling in his obnoxious journal. Seriously, that guy needs to either find a teaching position somewhere or . . . well, get laid.

I’ve been trying to play matchmaker between him and the librarian. I mean, it fits, right? They could be fucking in her office while I use the computer by the registration desk. It’s a win-win-win situation. I know, it’s usually win-win, but if three people are benefiting from it, shouldn’t it be a win to the third power?

In any case, since telling my brother to make a move hasn’t worked so far, I’m now changing tactics. Instead of telling my brother she’s hot and he should ask her out, I’ll convince her that my brother is exactly what she needs in her life.I just need to charm her before my next move.

The library’s entrance chimes as I step in. I’m relieved when I don’t see Bach around. But then there’s Sutton, her face lighting up. Was she expecting him? My smirk grows wider. Maybe, just maybe, she’s into him. Fuck, this is perfect.

She probably has hots for the professor. Let’s start operation match-the-bookies part two. This time, I won’t fail.

“Hey there, Sutton,” I greet her, leaning casually against the counter. I note the faint blush on her cheeks as she looks up. “Seems like a lovely day to be outside, doesn’t it?”

She smiles at me. “Hi, River. If you’re looking for new sci-fi books, I haven’t shelved them yet. The thrillers should be here in a couple of days.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Umm, you know what I read?”

Her lips curl into a knowing grin. “Of course, it’s my job.”

Instead of bringing up Bach, I take a deep breath and subtly roll my shoulders back to compose myself. If she knows me that well, maybe we can start working out something else, like letting me use the library as it’s supposed to work.

“So, when will you let us check out books?” This is more pressing than matchmaking her with my brother. The library has that cute cabin in the woods feeling, but I’d love to have the freedom to choose where I read.

Her eyes dart to her computer screen before meeting mine again, her expression a mix of amusement and professional indifference. “When you check them out withyour library card, of course.”

I lean in slightly, trying to maintain a calm, confident demeanor. “I could if you’d give me one.”

In my other life, things would be different. When I wanted service, I could demand it and get things done fast. In fact, I could afford to buy any book I wanted. With one click I owned them and could start reading right away. Here, everything is so much different. I have to keep my head down and try to behave like the rest of the people in this town.

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