The Maverick's Baby Arrangement

by Kathy Douglass

  A knock sounded on the door and her father poked his head in. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good.” He stepped inside and then kissed her cheek. “You look positively radiant.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “Daniel is a fine man. I know you’ll be happy with him.”

  Brittany, Daniel and Hailey had gone to visit her parents three more times over the past two weeks. It had been Daniel’s idea. He’d wanted her parents to know him better. She’d teased him that he’d only wanted to eat more of her mother’s cooking, but inside Brittany had been pleased. Though their marriage was a sham, Daniel had behaved like a real fiancé, which had put her parents at ease. Unfortunately, it had had the opposite effect on her.

  Reese stepped inside. “It’s time to start.”

  Brittany’s breath caught in her throat. She might be entering into a marriage of convenience, but it was still a marriage. Her marriage. It might not be a permanent union, but she was going to do her best to make Daniel happy.

  Brittany and her bridesmaids filed into the back of the dining room. A curtain hung from the ceiling, so they were out of sight of the guests. The chairs had been arranged in two sections with a wide aisle down the center. Though they’d planned to have a small wedding with only immediate family, the guest list had ballooned to seventy-five, which included their closest friends as well as the Bronco elite.

  Her cousin’s three-year-old twins, Leo and Natalia, were serving as ring bearer and flower girl. Leo kept checking himself out in his tiny tuxedo and grinning. Natalia spun in a circle, making the skirt on her pink dress fly into the air.

  All at once the quiet talk stopped and the quintet began to play the song Brittany had selected for the entrance of the bridal party. Tiffany walked down the aisle beside Rodney, followed by Stephanie and William. Amanda walked down next, followed by Leo and Natalia.

  And then it was time for Brittany and her father to enter. As she took his arm, she began to tremble. He covered her hand with his and gave it a gentle squeeze. She glanced up and saw Daniel standing at the end of the aisle. Dressed in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo that emphasized his broad shoulders and trim waist, he looked like every dream she’d ever had come to life. His eyes were riveted to her as if he’d never seen her before. He smiled and she smiled in return. Just looking at him soothed her. What had she been so worried about? This was Daniel.

  She and her father had reached the middle of the aisle when Daniel took a step in her direction. And then another one. What was he doing? He was supposed to wait by the floral arch, beside his best man, until she reached him. But he kept walking and didn’t stop until he stood in front of her.

  “I’ll take it from here,” he said to her father.

  “All right now,” one of her cousins called out. “Go get your woman.”

  Several people laughed and a murmur filled the room. Brittany was so focused on Daniel that she couldn’t make out the words.

  Her father kissed her cheek and then relinquished his hold on her. Daniel held out his elbow and she wrapped her arm around his. Smiling, they walked to the front of the room and stood before her pastor. The room and everyone in it faded away as she became acutely aware of the man beside her. The man she was about to join her life to.

  “Dearly Beloved,” Pastor King intoned, his baritone voice filling the room, “we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”

  Brittany had heard the familiar words many times in her life, yet now they took on new meaning. This time she wasn’t witnessing two other people become husband and wife. This was her wedding. Daniel was about to become her husband and she was about to become his wife. This was real.

  Before long they reached the place in the ceremony where they were to exchange vows. Though Daniel had been indifferent to most of the choices, he’d wanted to write his own vows. Initially, Brittany hadn’t understood his reasoning. Then it occurred to her that he hadn’t wanted to vow to love, honor and cherish her. The thought had pinched her heart a little, but she’d forced the pain away. Why should he say words he didn’t mean?

  Maybe he was onto something. She didn’t want to swear before God and everyone that she would love Daniel forever, so she’d come up with her own vows, too. They hadn’t shared what they’d written, so they’d each be hearing the words for the first time now.

  Daniel took her hand and looked into her eyes. His voice was firm and steady. “Brittany. You came into my life when I least expected it. Your heart is so pure. So beautiful. You’re a treasure I know I don’t deserve. I’ll do everything in my power to be worthy of you. I can’t promise to never make a mistake, because I know I will. But I can promise to learn from them and to do better. Of all the good things in my life, you are far and away the best. Thank you for giving me a chance to experience real love.”

  Brittany’s vision blurred as she listened to Daniel’s words. He sounded so sincere she could almost believe that he was in love with her. Though she didn’t need a man in her life to complete her, she suddenly wished this was real and that they really were joining their lives and becoming one.

  But this was playacting. He’d said his part. Now it was time to deliver her lines.

  When she’d written her vows, she’d tried to imagine how a bride who was marrying the love of her life would feel. The words she would use to convey those emotions... After listening to Daniel, her vows suddenly seemed inadequate, but they were all she had.

  “Daniel.” Her voice was a trembling whisper, so she cleared her throat and started over. “Daniel. I had my entire life mapped out before I met you. I knew where I was going and when I would get there. And then we met. Suddenly my life took a turn along a different path. I’m not certain where the road will lead, but as long as you’re by my side, I’m eager to discover what awaits us.”

  When she finished reciting her vow, she was as breathless as if she’d just run a mile. Reminding herself that none of this was real only worked for so long. She heard people murmuring about true love, and how romantic their vows had been, and she felt a twinge of guilt. That feeling grew as they lit the unity candle, signifying their eternal love for each other, but there was no turning back now.

  It was finally time to jump the broom, signaling the end of the ceremony. Tiffany and Stephanie hadn’t decorated any old broom, but rather had created one from a branch they’d found in a park near their home. They’d tied ribbons and flowers on it, making it a one-of-a-kind work of art. One of the ushers carried it into the room and handed it to Pastor King.

  The pastor turned and spoke to the guests. “In the tradition of our ancestors, the bride and groom will now jump the broom. This symbolizes crossing the threshold into the land of matrimony. It marks the beginning of a new life, sweeping aside the old, and welcoming a new beginning.”

  When the broom was set before Brittany and Daniel, they joined hands. Then, looking at each other, they hopped over the broom.

  “You may salute your bride,” Pastor King said.

  Brittany had thought about this moment from the time she’d agreed to marry Daniel. Somehow, in all of her imagining, she hadn’t gotten the emotion right. As she stared into his dark brown eyes, all thought fled, leaving only one sincere feeling behind. Desire. More than anything, she wanted to feel Daniel’s lips pressing against hers.

  Her longing must have showed on her face because his eyes flashed for a moment before he lowered his head, bringing his lips into contact with hers. Electricity shot through her body and her knees buckled. Instantly his arms were around her waist, supporting her. Of their own volition, her arms encircled his neck and she moved more closely to him, deepening the kiss. Feelings she’d never experienced—didn’t know she could experience—flooded her body and she didn’t want the moment to end.

  Daniel began to ease away and she moaned in protest. She fe
lt him smile against her mouth and her senses returned. They were in front of their nearest and dearest and she was behaving as if she was a sixteen-year-old in the back seat of her boyfriend’s car. She and Daniel eased away from each other and the roaring in her ears was replaced by the cheers of the crowd.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, I present for the first time anywhere, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Dubois,” Pastor King said.

  While everyone clapped, Brittany did her level best to regain control of herself. Daniel grabbed her hand and winked at her. He was cool as a cucumber. Apparently, the kiss was one-sided, only scorching her lips and all but roasting her insides. Fortunately, there was no time to brood about her embarrassment. That would have to wait until after the reception was over and the well-wishers had gone home. Now there were pictures to pose for and hugs and congratulations to accept.

  Reese whisked the bridal party outside to pose for pictures in the glorious, sunny day. Meanwhile waiters served the guests from trays of appetizers and beverages.

  “Smile,” the photographer said, pulling Brittany’s attention to the here-and-now and away from what was going on inside the restaurant. As they posed for one picture after another, she couldn’t help but wonder what the photographs would reveal. Would her inner turmoil show on her face? Would her unexpected desire be revealed in her eyes? Whatever the case, she silently vowed to hide the wedding album forever.

  Thirty minutes and hundreds of pictures later, the wedding party went back inside the restaurant. The altar had been replaced by a gorgeously decorated table where Daniel, Brittany and their attendants would sit.

  Daniel led her through the maze of tables, greeting their friends and family with an ease that Brittany envied. She was still trying to get a handle on her renegade feelings and could barely manage to smile.

  As they reached their table, DJ Traub, the owner of the restaurant, approached them to offer his congratulations.

  “Thanks for letting us have the restaurant on such short notice,” Daniel said.

  DJ smiled. “Your wife is very persuasive and very hard to say no to.”

  “I know.” Daniel gave Brittany a sexy smile that had her toes curling. “I don’t think I’ll be able to say no to her for at least a hundred years.”

  “It really is my pleasure to host your wedding and reception. We’ll start serving in about fifteen minutes. Is that okay with you?”

  Daniel and Brittany exchanged a look. Daniel nodded. “That’s fine.”

  Brittany was able to see all of their guests from her chair. Her parents were seated nearby. Although this was an adults-only affair, Hailey had been included. They’d requested and received a high chair for her, but she was currently seated on Mallory’s lap, contentedly playing with a stuffed horse. Brittany had no doubt that if Hailey became fussy, one of her brothers would entertain her. Lucas and Ethan were currently locked in a battle to become her favorite uncle.

  Reese stood in the back, conferring with the new restaurant manager. Brittany wondered if there was a problem. The marriage might not be real, but she still wanted the reception to go off without a hitch.

  “Relax,” Daniel said, leaning close and whispering into her ear. The warmth from his body caressed her bare shoulders, making her shiver. How could he expect her to relax when his nearness awakened everything feminine inside her? Did he think she could be calm when being close to him made her nerves jangle like wind chimes in a tornado? Of course, she couldn’t say that. He was clearly unaffected by her and she needed to find a way to become just as indifferent to him. Until that time arrived, she’d have to fake it.

  She couldn’t let him know that this whole wedding and the kiss was wreaking havoc with her common sense. Not when, to him, this was simply a part of doing whatever it took to keep Hailey. Brittany did have her pride. She told herself that the feelings she was currently experiencing weren’t real. It just turned out that she was a method actor. Pretending to be a besotted bride had turned her into one. Once this was over, she’d go back to being Brittany Brandt—er, Brittany Dubois, calm, cool and collected.

  “I’m trying to relax,” she told him. “I guess it’s the event planner in me.”

  “But you hired your friend to do that. And she’s doing a magnificent job. This room looks like one of the ballrooms in the fairy tales that I read to Hailey.”

  Brittany looked around. “It really does look magnificent, doesn’t it?

  “Yes. So smile and enjoy your dinner.”

  Brittany bared her teeth and Daniel laughed at the face she’d made. “You are so silly, Brittany.”

  She smiled for real this time, amazed that he’d managed to ease her worry.

  Brittany enjoyed every course of the delicious food. She’d worked with DJ to create a special menu for this occasion. Though the restaurant didn’t ordinarily serve red wine braised short rib and pan seared salmon, they’d managed to prepare it to her satisfaction.

  Suddenly, Brittany became aware of a tinkling sound that clashed with the soft music. When she recognized it as silverware clicking against the crystal glasses, the universal signal guests gave when they wanted the happy couple to kiss, anticipation mingled with dread.

  This time she was determined not to make a fool of herself. And she definitely wasn’t going to go overboard as if she and Daniel were engaged in a make-out session. Smiling, she leaned over and pecked him on the lips. The guests groaned in protest.

  “Surely we can do better than that,” Daniel said.

  Before she could respond, his lips were on hers in a searing kiss. It only lasted a few seconds, but during that brief time, the earth moved, shifting on its axis. Her heart fluttered and jumped around her chest before settling in its original place.

  “I told you we could do better,” Daniel said before picking up his fork and turning his attention to his baked potato. Brittany, on the other hand, tried to douse the flame of desire raging inside her by downing her glass of ice water.

  Once the meal was finished, the wedding cake, wheeled out on a small table, was set in front of Daniel and Brittany. Grabbing the decorative knife in their hands, they sliced into the cake then set the piece onto a crystal plate. They each picked up a portion and, interlocking their arms, fed each other.

  Brittany had never done anything so intimate, much less with an audience, and her hand trembled as it brushed against Daniel’s bottom lip. His tongue darted out and touched her finger and she sucked in a breath. He had to know what he was doing to her. But then again, he was playing a role. After all, he had the most to lose if they failed, so he had to give an Academy Award-winning performance of a happy groom. Brittany had no idea how the court case would play out, so it was possible that any of the people in this room could be questioned about their marriage. After watching Daniel’s act, the guests would be able to say that she and Daniel may have had a whirlwind courtship, but their relationship was authentic.

  After the ever-present photographer snapped even more pictures, the cake was returned to the kitchen where it would be cut and served to the guests.

  Amanda approached them. She smiled at Daniel and then hugged Brittany. “Everything is so beautiful. I hope Holt’s and my wedding is as perfect as this.”

  Daniel caressed Brittany’s cheek. “I’m going to check on Hailey. I’ll meet you back at the table in a few?”

  Brittany nodded.

  After he left, she turned to Amanda, who suddenly looked sad. Her smile had faded and the light in her eyes had dimmed. “What?” Brittany asked.

  “Nothing. At least, nothing I can talk about in a room filled with your wedding guests.”

  “Come on. If you can’t talk to your best friend, who can you talk to?” Brittany led Amanda to a secluded area of the restaurant. “Talk to me.”

  “It’s just that this wedding is so beautiful. And everyone is so happy.”

  “So why would that
make you unhappy?”

  “I was thinking about Winona Cobbs and Josiah Abernathy and their long-lost baby, Beatrix. They never had the chance to be a happy family. Josiah has dementia now and rarely speaks so it was a big deal when he said he wanted someone to find his baby. And from what I understand, Winona isn’t doing too well physically. Beatrix would be in her seventies now, so she might not even be alive.”

  Amanda had been using her social media skills to help their friend Melanie and her fiancé Gabe Abernathy try to locate Beatrix. “I thought that you’d gotten a response to your query. You were so excited that you might have found Josiah and Winona’s child.”

  Amanda’s shoulders slumped.

  “Well, it turns out that Bernadette Jefferson wasn’t Beatrix, after all.”

  “Oh. How disappointing.” Amanda was really invested in finding Beatrix.

  “Infuriating is more like it. Bernadette was a fraud. She knew she wasn’t Beatrix. She was just an imposter hoping to shake down the Abernathy family for money.”

  “That’s awful.”

  “Yes. Frauds and liars are the lowest of the low.”

  Brittany winced.

  “I didn’t mean you. You aren’t a fraud or a liar.”

  “I’m pretending to be a bride,” she whispered.

  “You are a bride. And you’re married to Daniel Dubois. That’s the truth.”

  “You know what I mean. We aren’t in love.” She was tempted to shield her mouth when she spoke but refrained.

  “Maybe not. Yet.”

  “What do you mean yet?”

  “There were some serious sparks flying between the two of you. And that kiss?” Amanda waved her hand in front of her face. “There was so much steam, I’m surprised your hair is still curled.”

  Brittany’s face grew hot and she looked around to be sure they weren’t overheard. Nobody was near and they were not attracting unusual attention. “You’re imagining things.”

  “Remember. I’m the one who told you there was something between you and Daniel before any of this occurred. You denied it rather quickly, so I let it go. Maybe I was right all along.”