Bride by Chance

by Marilyn Shank

  He gripped her shoulder. His touch sent electricity squiggling through her body and distracted her from the fury she’d felt a moment ago. “I know you will, honey. You and your twin are very close. The two of you have a special bond, in spite of your differences.”

  Liza exhaled deeply. At least those statements were true.

  As she and Martin drove along the tree-lined streets of Meadow Springs, Liza tried to calm her frazzled nerves by staring out the window. Scores of children played outside. In Kansas City, kids seemed addicted to air conditioning, computer games, and all forms of electronic entertainment.

  But not here. Some kids Rollerbladed down the sidewalks while others shot baskets in their driveways. Liza spotted a couple of lemonade stands run by young entrepreneurs. And farther down Main Street, they passed two little girls pushing their dolls in strollers. She even saw laundry hanging on clotheslines in several backyards.

  By the time they’d reached the historic town square, Liza decided she could sum up Meadow Springs, Illinois, in two words: sleepy and quaint.

  And light years behind the times. People lived this way in the 1950’s, but not today. Had she stumbled into a time warp? What was Meadow Springs, anyway? A modern-day Pleasantville?

  They climbed out of the SUV, and when Martin gripped her elbow to escort her into the café, Liza didn’t know whether she felt like an eighteenth-century lady or a feeble old woman. But to her dismay, his touch generated the same sizzle it had earlier.

  And then some.

  She sighed. Becoming Meg was a tougher assignment than she’d anticipated. Especially since Martin had shown up at the cottage. Having Meg’s intended around would make the playacting much harder to pull off.

  And the biggest obstacle would be controlling her powerful reaction to this man. She’d have to pretend his dark eyes didn’t send tingles up and down her spine. And that his touch didn’t set off explosions inside her body. But most challenging of all would be erasing Martin’s kisses from her memory bank.

  That would take serious effort -- maybe even a miracle.

  * * *

  Martin escorted Meg to their favorite booth and watched her slide into the side where he normally sat. He cocked his head and asked, “Okay, what’s the deal?”

  She looked at him as if he spoke Russian. “What do you mean, what’s the deal?”

  “Why are we trading places today?”

  “Trading places?”

  “Why are you sitting on my side of the booth?” He shrugged. “Oh, never mind. Change is good,” he said as he settled across from her.

  She cleared her throat. “Sorry, Martin. I’m a little absentminded today.”

  Felicia hurried in from the kitchen, and when she saw them she stopped cold. “Meg O’Malley! You’ve bragged for months about going to Kansas City to visit your famous attorney sister. Why are you back so soon?” She eyed her critically. “Did you and Liza have an argument?”

  Martin watched Meg’s cheeks turn an appealing shade of pink. “Of course not. Liza was called out of town on business.”

  Felicia nodded knowingly. “Aha. That’s what happens when you’re a big city lawyer. Other people get to run your life.”

  “It’s not that bad. Besides, Liza is very career-oriented.”

  “So it seems. Well, it’s always good to see you. Are you having the usual for lunch?”

  Meg squirmed again and stared at Felicia as if she spoke Russian, too. Finally, she nodded. “The usual is fine.”

  What was with Meg? Martin wondered. She seemed spacey and distracted.

  “How about you, Martin?” Felicia asked. “The blue-plate special is a barbecue beef sandwich with fries.”

  “Sounds great to me.”

  As Felicia hurried off, Martin turned to Meg. “Are you feeling all right? You don’t seem like yourself today.”

  She stiffened. “I’m perfectly fine.”

  “Look, I know how badly you needed a break from the ballet school. Now you’ll probably go right back to teaching your classes and--”

  “What?” The flush in her cheeks deepened to a bright shade of rose.

  “I figured you’d start teaching ballet again.”

  She held up both hands and shook her head. “That’s out of the question. As you said, I need a break. Ballet lessons will have to wait.”

  “You’re not one to lounge around, watching television. So what will you do with your free time?”

  Meg jutted out her chin, and her green eyes sparkled. “Maybe nothing at all. That’s what vacations are for, isn’t it?”

  “I suppose so. Listen, if you get bored, I sure could use some help getting ready for the installation on Thursday. I’ve got tons of work to do.”

  Meg stared blankly again -- as if she’d forgotten all about his installation at the town meeting. He waited for her to chime in and say she’d help him out but she just sat there staring.

  “Never mind. I shouldn’t have asked.”

  While he may have been out of line, Martin couldn’t believe Meg’s response. She was always willing to help with any project. Usually she volunteered for things even before he asked. But not today. Meg sat there staring at him as if he were a total stranger.

  “Um, will you excuse me a minute?” she asked. “I’m going to the ladies’ room.”

  “Sure thing, babe.”

  As he watched her walk away, Martin struggled to understand what was happening. Meg seemed radically different today. She’d traded her light lavender perfume for a heavier gardenia fragrance. And her hair wasn’t as curly as usual. But it was becoming, he had to admit.

  And while he was sorry she’d lost out on her vacation, at least she would be in town for Thursday evening’s event. When they’d realized the installation would take place during her trip to Kansas City, Meg offered to cancel, but Martin said no. She’d been far too stressed by the demands of the ballet school and needed time away.

  When he’d kissed her at the cottage, he couldn’t believe his response. Her kiss sent his heart racing like a psyched-up greyhound at the starting line. If he didn’t know better, he’d have thought he was kissing her for the very first time.

  Felicia brought out their meals and set them on the table. “Is Meg all right?” she asked. “She’s not her bubbly self today.”

  “She’s disappointed about missing the time with her sister, but otherwise she’s fine,” he replied, not at all sure that was the case.

  “Why don’t you do something special for her, Martin? Since she lost out on her vacation?”

  “Good idea, Felicia. I’ll give that some thought.”

  As he waited for Meg to return, Martin’s mind flashed back to a conversation he and Meg had last week when they’d discussed the possibility of getting engaged. He’d been taking his time, wanting to be sure the heartache and resentment from his broken engagement to Melissa Jackson had passed before proposing. But if things continued this way with Meg, he’d be ready to commit.

  He and Meg had always had a great relationship, even if it was rather platonic. This time Martin wanted to go into marriage with his head engaged, as well as his heart. But after those kisses in the cottage this morning, he wondered if there would be more passion in their marriage than he’d expected.

  Hmm. The possibility was enticing.

  * * *

  Liza felt like Alice in Wonderland when she fell down the rabbit hole. Like Alice, Liza had tumbled into another world—Meg and Martin’s world. While the White Rabbit and Mad Hatter confused Alice, Liza was baffled by more trivial things, like which side of the booth Martin Landsburg normally sat on. Or what Meg usually ordered at Felicia’s Café. How could she possibly know these things?

  And what was Martin having installed, anyway? An air conditioner for his log cabin? A computer system for his office? How could she offer to help him when she had no clue what he was talking about?

  Heat rushed to her cheeks as she remembered Martin’s kisses. And to her chagrin, she’d kis
sed the man back. Twice, in fact. What would Meg think if she knew her twin sister was smooching with her boyfriend? A chill zipped down Liza’s spine. She didn’t dare think about that.

  She spotted a copy of the Meadow Springs Messenger lying on one of the tables and glanced at the headline. Mayor Pro Tem Martin Landsburg to replace injured Mayor Sam Franklin. Installation at Town Meeting Thursday evening.

  So Martin wasn’t installing equipment, at all. He was being installed! She took a deep breath and thanked her lucky stars they’d announced the event in today’s paper. Otherwise, she’d still be in the dark.

  She tucked the paper under her arm and hurried into the ladies’ room. Once inside, she read the article. When she finished, she wondered what kind of help Martin needed. She’d shrugged off his request because it made no sense to her.

  Liza sighed. After the way she was messing up Martin’s life, the least she could do was help him out. And while Lancelot was a good dog, she needed more stimulation than long conversations with a Shi Tzu could provide. Having a project to work on during her stay might save her sanity.

  But she’d have to keep her relationship with Martin platonic. No more of those mind-boggling kisses. While Liza wasn’t sure how she could manage that, she’d find a way. She tackled tough cases in the courtroom every week. Surely she could find ways to make her brief stay in Meadow Springs manageable.

  In her work as a trial attorney, she spent hours collecting information and searching for clues. If she put those skills to work, maybe she could make Mayor Pro Tem Martin Landsburg believe she was her twin sister. Then she could buy Meg the time she needed to fall in love again.

  This time, with the right man.

  CHAPTER 2

  Liza inhaled the scents of fresh coffee and apple pie as she made her way back through the small café. Yellow tie-back curtains hung at the windows, yellow-and-white gingham cloths decked the tables, and each table had its own vase of fresh flowers. The owner herself wore a flowered dress topped with a crisp white apron. Felicia’s was a Meg O’Malley kind of place, but was foreign territory to Liza.

  You can do this, she told herself firmly. Forcing a smile, she slid into the booth across from Martin. But when she spotted the thick slices of meatloaf on her plate drenched in thick brown gravy, she winced. “Oh, dear,” she said, unable to hide her disappointment.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “Oh, um, nothing. Nothing at all.” Liza couldn’t very well tell the man she was a vegetarian. Not when Meg ate meat and lots of it!

  He shot her a questioning glance. “Felicia asked if you wanted the usual, and you said yes. Should we change your order?”

  “Of course not.” Liza lifted her fork and attacked the mashed potatoes. Maybe if she rearranged the food on her plate it would look like she’d eaten some of the meatloaf.

  “Martin?” she said as they began to eat.

  “Yes?”

  “I’d be happy to help out with your installation. Really I would.” She flashed an encouraging smile, hoping she didn’t look totally clueless.

  He arched an eyebrow. “Are you sure? Because if you’d rather not, I’ll manage.”

  “I’m positive. I’d love to help.”

  When he smiled, relief flickered in those appealing eyes. “Thank you, honey. I sure can use your help. And I’ll make it up to you -- I promise.”

  Liza’s heart fluttered wildly. That killer smile was payment enough. “When do we start?”

  “Why don’t you drop by my office later this afternoon? After you’ve had time to rest and unpack?”

  Easier said than done, since Liza had no clue where Martin’s office was located. “Are you going straight to your office after we finish lunch?”

  “No. I need to stop by my cabin to pick up some brochures first. I’ll drop you off at the cottage and you can drive to my office later.”

  Liza suppressed a sigh. How would she know where to go? She could look up his business in the phone directory except that she didn’t know what it was called. Asking around town wouldn’t work either. Liza was Meg now, and Meg would know these things.

  “I’ve unpacked already, and I’m not the least bit tired. Can I ride along with you?”

  “Sure.”

  Relief hit like a tidal wave. “Oh, that’ll be great.”

  She pushed the meatloaf aside and as she chewed a forkful of overcooked peas, she tried not to cringe. Like it or not, she lived in Meg’s world now. That meant she had to dress like Meg, think like Meg, behave like Meg, and, sigh, figure out a way to eat vegetarian without being noticed.

  Yeah, right.

  Martin finished his sandwich and the last of his fries. “You barely touched your meatloaf. And you always say Felicia’s is the best in town.”

  Obviously, her food rearranging skills needed some work. “I wasn’t as hungry as I thought. My stomach’s a little upset so I’m better off eating light right now.” Liza sighed. She’d told another blatant lie. Her stomach felt perfectly fine.

  “Are you ready to go?”

  She nodded. “I sure am.”

  She wanted to go, all right. She’d like to hop the next plane back to Kansas City. Then she could return to her flower-free condo with its neutral walls and contemporary decor. And as soon as she got home, she’d head for her office and lose herself in one of her cases—probably Anderson v. Loran. That would take her mind off log cabins, quaint cafes, and a certain handsome man who made her heart race when it shouldn’t.

  But she couldn’t leave yet. Not when Meg needed time to fall in love with Zach. She’d give her sister that time if it killed her.

  Martin paid the check, and as they left the café, a warm breeze ruffled Liza’s hair. The air smelled sweet, and she admired the flower boxes of purple petunias mounted under several shop windows. She glanced up and down Main Street, with its small stores housed in brightly painted buildings resembling Meg’s cottage. Where were the upscale clothing stores? And where did the citizens of Meadow Springs do their serious shopping?

  As she climbed back into Martin’s SUV, Liza wondered where the next adventure would lead.

  She was about to find out.

  “I can’t believe the installation is almost here,” Martin said as he drove out into the country. He followed a winding, tree-lined road that had very little traffic.

  “It’s all pretty exciting.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say that. I know you’ve been hesitant about my added responsibilities as mayor pro tem. And now that Sam got hurt, my workload will increase.”

  Liza figured if she just played along everything would be okay. After they’d traveled several miles, she saw a sign that said, Pine Forest Hills. Martin turned left onto another winding road, and about a mile later, swung the Cadillac into a gravel driveway. Whew, finally! Had they reached the ends of the earth by now?

  As they proceeded down the driveway, she spotted a house just ahead and stifled a gasp. The sprawling two-story structure surrounded by maple trees took her breath away. Built of glistening golden logs, it had a wrap-around front porch displaying rattan rocking chairs and an abundance of flowering plants. “Oh, Martin, it’s amazing.”

  He turned to look at her. “What’s amazing?”

  “Your, um, roses are amazing. I love the way they climb up the side of the porch.”

  He smiled, and his gaze turned mischievous. “You have to say that. You suggested I plant them there.”

  Uh-oh, another near miss. Well, Meg had been right about where to plant the roses. They looked lovely by the side of the porch. Listen more and talk less, Liza told herself sternly -- a true challenge for a trial lawyer.

  When they entered the cabin, Liza stifled several more outbursts. Martin’s home was furnished with brown leather couches and black marble end tables. Paintings by Western artists, including Remington, hung on the walls, and cream-colored area rugs accented the polished oak floors. And with that open staircase on the far side of the room, the cabin coul
d be a cover story for House Beautiful.

  When Meg had told her Martin built log cabins, she’d pictured small structures with stubby chimneys and outhouses in the back. But this place looked like a log cabin mansion! She’d underestimated this man’s skills by a country mile.

  “I’ll grab those brochures and be back in few minutes, hon. Shall I bring you a soda?”

  “No, thanks.”

  He took the stairs two at a time. And as Liza watched him go -- all six foot and several inches of solid muscle -- she drew a shaky breath. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect Martin to be a designer/builder, a savvy businessman, and a civic leader, to boot. Neither had she thought he’d be tantalizingly handsome and built like a lumberjack.

  She just wished being near the man didn’t make her heart pound. Guilt hit her like water pouring over a dam. Martin was Meg’s boyfriend, not hers. At least he had been until Liza butted in and started rearranging everyone’s lives.

  She dropped onto the couch and buried her face in her hands. Did she really know what was best for her sister? And for the first time since she’d concocted this little scheme, Liza had second thoughts.

  After all, her choice for a husband had proved disastrous. When she’d accepted Travis’s diamond, she’d thought happily ever after lay just ahead. If she’d chosen so badly for herself, did she really know what was best for her sister?

  After leaving Travis, Liza had become a focused, career-driven woman who planned to stay single forever. Not even a bright, handsome, creative man like Martin Landsburg could pull her off-course.

  * * *

  Martin stepped onto the deck that jutted out from his bedroom and breathed the fresh, pine-scented air. He needed a break to think about his puzzling lunch with Meg. He was surprised when she’d barely touched her favorite meal. And when he’d asked her to help with his installation, she’d appeared indifferent. Normally, Meg was generous to a fault.

  Then later, she did offer to help. What changed? Why was Meg suddenly an enigma to him?