by Renee Hart
Jane's eyes lit up. “You mean?”
He nodded.
Jane squealed, holding him tight.
“Is that a yes?” he asked.
She looked deep into his eyes, a beaming smile on her face. “Yes.”
Chapter 20
Later in the afternoon, they went to Shea's family Christmas party, where they made the big announcement about their engagement before his entire family. And this time, Jane didn't feel the least bit weird about it. It was no longer just for show.
They spent the afternoon with Shea's family, while Jane tried to remember the names of all of his cousins and their children. Shea's sister insisted on getting her phone number, so they could get together and go out to lunch, or go shopping, or any number of other things to get to know each other better. They made her feel so welcomed that it was like she really was a part of the family. And to her surprise, there were even some gifts waiting for her.
“This is from Anna and me,” Jeb said, handing her a wrapped box.
Jane looked up at him wide-eyed. She hadn't been expecting anything from anyone, let alone from Jeb. He'd only known her for a week, and even if he didn't realize it, she'd spent most of that time lying to him. “Mr. Gordon...I...I don't know what to say.”
“Well, you can start by calling me Pops. Everyone else does.” He grinned at her, standing there with his hands in his pockets while he waited for her to open the gift.
While she was tearing off the wrapping paper, Anna said, “We weren't sure what to get you, since we've just met and all, but I thought this was a fitting way to bring you into the family.”
When Jane opened the box, she found a photo album inside. She pulled it out and flipped through the pages. Most of the pictures were of Shea, from when he was a little boy, on up through his teenage years. There were some pictures of him and Jeb working together in a workshop, and others at birthday parties and other holiday gatherings. The pictures were so sweet they brought tears to her eyes.
“Now, the back half of that book is empty,” Jeb said. “I want to see it filled with pictures of the two of you, along with my great-grandchildren. And don't give me any of that instant-gram online stuff, or whatever it's called. Real photographs are pictures you can hold in your hand.”
Jane clutched the album to her chest, nodding. “I'll buy an old fashioned camera just for this.”
“I suppose this is a good time for this,” Shea said, pulling a small box out of his pocket and handing it to her.
Jane's eyebrows shot up as she took the box. “Haven't you given me enough already?” she asked. Between the ring on her finger, the clothes, and the emerald bracelet, she was starting to feel spoiled.
“Nonsense,” he said. “It's Christmas.”
She opened the box and found a stunning pair of emerald earrings, which were a perfect match for the bracelet he'd given her. “Oh, Shea. They're beautiful.” She gave him a kiss and hugged him tight, then passed the earrings around to Shea's female cousins to show them off, garnering a round of jealous oohs and ahhs.
Later in the afternoon, Shea and Jane got ready to leave so they could go to Brittany's house to announce the engagement. Jeb walked them to the door, shaking Shea's hand, then giving Jane a warm hug.
“I've got one more gift for you,” Jeb said, grinning at his grandson with a twinkle in his eye.
“Oh?” Shea pulled on his coat, looking around in confusion.
“Yes. I was going to wait until New Year's for this, but...” Jeb rubbed his chin, a mischievous look in his face.
Shea got a wary but excited look on his face. “Pops...”
“Congratulations, my boy,” Jeb said, clapping Shea on the shoulder. “Starting January first, you will be the new President and CEO of Gordon Orthopedics.”
Jane clapped her hands over her mouth, trying to hold back an excited squeal. “Really?” she asked.
“Really.” Jeb chuckled. “Oh, and there's a job opening in the main Philly office, Jane, if you're interested. You seem a bit too bright to be stuck down on the factory floor.”
“Oh, I couldn't,” Jane said. “I don't want any special treatment. Besides, I never finished college.”
“Don't worry about that,” Jeb said, winking at her. “I'm sure we can work something out. Not that I'm letting you off the hook about finishing school.” He waved a finger at her admonishingly. “You've got too much potential for it to go to waste. We'll talk after New Year's. Work something out. I insist.”
Shea gave Jane a wry grin. “Don't argue with him. This man never lets up when he's set his mind to something.”
Jane thought about protesting, but she knew she couldn't stay stuck in the same job for the rest of her life. “Thank you...Pops,” she said, giving the old man a hug.
“You can thank me by—”
“By giving you a great-grandchild, I know,” Jane said, smirking at him. “Give us a couple of years on that one, okay?”
“Not too long, now. I'm not getting any younger.”
They said their goodbyes, then got into Shea's car and headed for Jane's sister's house.
While they drove, Jane leaned her head against Shea's shoulder, trying to get her head around how much had changed in her life since she woke up that morning. She'd gone from a woman being paid to play the part of a fake fiance, to a woman who was actually getting married to an amazing and supportive man who was going to change her entire life.
“You know the craziest part about this whole thing?” Jane asked.
“What's that?”
“Last night, when I was having dinner with my mother, I told her I wasn't even dating anyone right now.”
“Well, that's easy,” Shea said.
“How? How am I supposed to break the news of the engagement after I already told her I was still single?”
“Easy,” Shea said, grinning at her, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “You were waiting for the right moment...just tell her you lied.”
THE END
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