Paige couldn’t imagine putting off the signing. It had been hard enough to get out the door this morning and face all this; having to do it twice would be worse. Besides, Mr. Walker had nothing to gain by marrying her. He didn’t even know about Annie May, Kitty, or Buttons, so he couldn’t be marrying her for her small but valuable herd. No. The reason the young, wealthy, attractive Mr. Walker was looking for a bride lay on her tummy between their chairs, humming a nonsensical tune.
“I’d like to continue,” said Paige.
Noah grumbled but remained silent—a small miracle if there ever was one.
Mr. Walker gently touched her arm, and Paige’s heart thundered. “Are you sure?” he asked.
There were dozens of questions loaded in that simple phrase. Paige lifted her eyes to meet Mr. Walker’s. She couldn’t bring herself to think of him as Cody. Using his first name was cozy and affectionate—two lines she couldn’t cross with this man if she wanted to maintain any sort of professionalism. Mr. Walker he was, and Mr. Walker he would stay.
Mr. Walker was waiting for an answer, his gray eyes revealing a level of vulnerability that touched her core. He was asking if she was sure she wanted to care for Addison, to be her new mommy and take all the responsibility that came with it. With all of that there was the question, Are you sure about me? Though that inquiry came from someplace deep inside, and Paige wasn’t convinced Mr. Walker knew he’d asked it.
How confident could she expect to be about marrying a man she’d known for less than an hour? She was positive that she was interested and attracted enough to Mr. Walker to find out more about him, about his life, about his hobbies, his passions ... With the amount of chemistry pulsing through her veins, why wouldn’t she want to get to know him on a more intimate level? Working with him on a professional level and keeping her absurdly romantic daydreams to herself would be harder than driving a fence post into a cement slab.
Paige glanced at Addison, an almost carbon copy of her father. If she could focus on the daughter and not the dad, she would indeed make it through the year without embarrassing herself. Drawing in a breath, Paige pressed on. “I’m sure.”
Mr. Walker searched her gaze before blinking heavily with relief and removing his hand. The current that had pulsed through Paige during their contact stopped, and she felt an odd buzzing sensation before returning to normal.
Noah settled back in his seat with a sigh. Obviously he had his doubts. Paige just hoped he’d keep them to himself until they were in the truck on the way home.
***
Cody pulled against his shirt collar. They’d set the wedding for Friday morning, making this whole thing seem all too real, too fast, and too uncomfortable. Paige had an energy about her, something that drew him in, and he was powerless against it. He’d tried not to touch her. Tried, and failed miserably. The contact was enthralling, and he had to force himself not to touch her arm again for the duration of the meeting. He couldn’t go there. Not with Paige. Not with anyone.
He glanced at the band Kylee had placed on his finger. A physical relationship with another woman was beyond his comprehension; the guilt would crush him.
Addison gave his hand a squeeze.
Cody didn’t miss the way Paige had considered Addison on the floor before she made up her mind about marrying him. Thankfully, her eyes hadn’t traveled up and down his body, or to his lips, or even to her brother for confirmation. She’d looked at the one person in the room who should be her focus every day for the next year, and she’d softened. Right there before his eyes, a part of Paige had fallen in love with his daughter, and it gave Cody all the answers he needed to place his signature next to Paige’s.
Now, their soon-to-be related group waited at the elevator, making small talk. Paige spent most of the time listening to Addison plan a tea party, so Cody turned to Noah. “Are you Paige’s only brother?” He recalled Pamela saying something about Paige coming from a large family.
Noah lifted one eyebrow. “We’ve got one older and two younger.”
“Are they all coming to the ceremony?”
Noah glanced at Paige. “We’ll see.”
A thin stick of a woman with pink hair burst into the lobby, cutting off all communications. She strolled directly to Paige, lifted a strand of Paige’s hair, and said, “This is a gift.”
Paige laughed. “Thanks.”
Cody had to agree with her assessment of Paige’s locks. They were downright stunning. Several times during their meeting, he’d had to school himself against brushing his hand down Paige’s curls. The desire was so strong, it was almost as if they’d cast a spell over him. Maybe Paige had cast a spell over him, because he had a hard time keeping his eyes off her.
“I’m Trish. I’m over brides.” She linked her elbow through Paige’s and glanced around the group; her eyes dashed over Cody and lingered on Noah before she turned back to Paige. “Clear your schedule; we’re going shopping tomorrow.”
“Shopping?”
“You need a wedding dress,” Trish said.
“Um.” Paige looked helpless for a moment. Her gray-green eyes paled right, along with her cheeks. Cody had never seen anything like it before and caught himself leaning closer for a better look.
“Like a princess!” Addison grinned.
Paige looked down and stared at Addison as if she were the answer to all her worries. Cody had used that same look many times, but he was taken off guard by the easy way in which Paige affectionately cupped Addison’s head with her hand. He had hoped Addison would bond with the woman he married, but he hadn’t planned on it happening so soon. Something low in his gut warmed, and he averted his eyes for fear of someone seeing the admiration coursing through him.
“Would you like to come?” Paige asked Addison.
Addison’s eyes widened. “Yes,” she whispered, as if she didn’t dare put all the hopes in her heart into that one word.
Addison’s usual shyness was easily overcome by Paige’s openhearted invitation. How many women would take a six-year-old who was not theirs shopping for a wedding dress? Or for anything, for that matter?
Did Paige have any idea what she was in for? Addison could be a handful. The last time they’d gone to a department store, she’d hidden inside the racks, giving Cody a heart attack as he ran through the aisles, calling her name, believing she’d been kidnapped.
Stepping forward, Cody held up a hand. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Why?” Paige asked. Her voice held no frustration or challenge, only an honest desire to understand.
“You two will be busy, and Addison might slip away.”
Paige swallowed and exchanged a look with her brother, who, despite his bursting to introduce himself and interrupting during the prenup signing, had been quiet. Noah rolled his eyes as if Cody’s concerns were completely illogical.
Paige’s eyes, having returned to their normal color, were laced with patience. “Mr. Walker, I assure you, Addison will be my top priority throughout the day.”
Cody scanned his memory for things he knew about Paige. Hadn’t she been a camp counselor or something? Pamela said she was chosen specifically for her experience with children. “Fine.”
Trish clapped her hands, giddy at the idea.
Cody pressed the elevator button, ready to get them out of here and back home, where things would seem normal—at least for a day or two.
“Do you like princesses?” asked Trish.
“Yes!” Addison hopped from one polka-dotted shoe to the other.
“I know the cutest little boutique that specializes in girls’ gowns. We simply have to go, and you must come along.”
Addison beamed at Trish, and Trish winked at her.
The elevator doors slid open, and Cody motioned for Paige to go first. Noah went in after her, giving Cody a warning look as if Cody were about to devour his sister. Though Cody had noticed Paige’s winsome attitude and engaging personality—and okay, he’d noticed her breathtaking beauty
as well—he had his reasons for keeping his distance. If only he could explain them to Noah. Then he’d surely relax about leaving Paige in Cody’s care.
Addison followed, now talking about the type of dress she wanted to wear, and Cody finally got in, with Noah and Addison standing between him and Paige.
Trish gave them a wave as the door shut, sending a whisper of anticipation skimming the back of Cody’s neck. They were going to take this elevator ride again in just a few days—only next time, Cody and Paige would be married.
When he’d started this, he’d planned on taking whatever Pamela threw at him. Paige was more than he’d bargained for when he called BMB. The idea of being married to a woman like her sent jolts of electricity firing in his fingertips. He needed to get his mind off of Paige and back to being a dad. “Are you coming to the wedding?” Cody asked Noah.
Noah folded his arms across his broad chest. “You bet your boots I am.”
“Great.” Cody forced a smile.
“I can pick Addison up tomorrow. What time do you leave for work?” asked Paige. She pulled her newly issued BMB phone out of her purse.
Cody ran his hand across his jaw. They’d all been surprised to find out they lived in the same town. Cody wondered if they would have met eventually. Things have been different if they’d bumped into each other at the grocery store or the gas station. Cody probably would have checked her out—he was male—but he wouldn’t have asked her out, and he definitely wouldn’t be marrying her in two days. They could have been next-door neighbors and Cody wouldn’t know it. He’d been holed up at work or at home for so long, he wasn’t even sure if he had neighbors.
Taking his mind off the depressing state of his social life and putting it back on the issue at hand, Cody said, “I’m so far behind …” How early did he dare ask her to get up? “I’d like to leave at seven.”
Paige’s phone dinged, and she squinted at the screen. “Apparently, Miss Addison and I are meeting Trish at ten-thirty at a salon not far from here. I can be there at seven, let her sleep in a little, get her ready, and then we’ll head about nine.” She scrolled down the calendar on her phone. “We’ll be gone most of the day.”
Cody was relieved to have time to focus on his business. He desperately needed to go over some marketing with Brad at the trailer dealership. They were considering sponsoring someone who competed in the National Finals Rodeo circuit to increase exposure of their product. With several ropers and bulldoggers to consider, it was a big decision. The guy needed to have the right kind of reputation as well as the ability to sell their product. Cody had hours of video to review and bios to read. All of this would be much easier without Addison, and he appreciated Paige’s consideration of his schedule when she hadn’t officially started and tomorrow was supposed to be all about her. “Do you have my address?”
Paige wiggled her phone. “It’s all in here.” She chuckled.
Noah jerked his chin. “BMB is thorough, I’ll give them that.”
Cody ducked his head to hide his smile. It was the nicest thing Noah had said all day.
The elevator doors slid open. “I guess we’ll see you tomorrow morning.” Cody paused. Should he shake her hand? Give her a hug? A hug would be too much, and a handshake seemed out of place between two people who were about to get married. However, Paige looked soft and feminine in her long dress and flowing top. It had been too long since he’d held a woman in his arms. A woman who held him back and took just as much comfort and love from the embrace as she gave through her touch.
His thoughts must have run across his face, because Noah put his arm protectively around Paige’s shoulders. “See you at the wedding,” he growled.
“And I’ll see you tomorrow.” Paige opened her arms for Addison, and the girl stepped right into them. “We are going to have a great day.”
“Okay.” Addison squeezed Paige’s neck with her skinny arms before letting go and taking Cody’s hand.
Together, they stood in the middle of the lobby and watched Paige walk away.
“I miss her,” said Addison.
Cody laughed. “She just left. And she’ll be back tomorrow.”
“I know, but I still miss her.” Addison’s chin tucked under, and she swung Cody’s hand back and forth.
Cody nodded, because somehow, someway, their twosome didn’t feel whole—the way it had just hours ago. As they turned and headed toward the parking lot, Addison began to chatter about owning a gown, and Cody worried about feeling lost without a woman he’d known for less than a day.
Chapter 9
Paige yanked hard on Noah’s passenger door. The ’57 Ford was built like a tank, and opening the door was just as tough as pulling up the hatch on an armored personnel carrier. The truck had been their grandpa’s, and Noah spent every spare minute in high school restoring the one-time clunker to its former glory, including new, shiny black leather on the seats and a turn dial radio in the dash. Paige used her chore muscles to pull the door shut behind her, buckled her seatbelt, and wilted into the corner. The morning had been a whirlwind of information and new developments that had Paige wound tight. She’d had no idea Mr. Walker would affect her the way he had, and she hadn’t recovered. Getting out of the office without drooling over him was a herculean effort. She rested her elbow on the door and her forehead in her hand.
Noah slid behind the steering wheel and glared through the windshield. “What a load of—”
“Noah!” Paige dropped her hand and her head snapped up.
“I can’t believe you’re going through with this.” Noah slammed his door.
Paige fiddled with her purse. “You didn’t like him?” she asked quietly. Her gut instinct was that Mr. Walker was a good guy who cared deeply about his daughter. He’d had a ring of sadness about him that tugged at her heartstrings. She wondered if all his days were colored by his melancholy. She hoped not. With his short-cropped hair and clean-shaven good looks, he could light up a room, or an office, or a stadium …
Noah started the car, his jaw grinding. “I don’t like the situation. I mean, in two days you’re going to be married with a kid. That’s insane!”
Resentment mixed with stubborn pride filled Paige’s chest. “Becoming a BMB bride is a low-risk opportunity. Did you hear how much money I’ll make in a year? One year and I’ll be able to buy a house with my own barn.”
“I could almost understand the marriage thing. Almost ... but becoming a mom? You’re not ready to be a mom.”
Paige felt a lot more prepared to be a mom than she did to be Mr. Walker’s bride. “It’s one kid. I take ten kids that age for seven days at a time at camp.”
“Yeah, but you get weekends off. A mom is full-time, all-the-time, round-the-clock, never-ending work.”
“I’m doing this, Noah.”
Noah narrowed his eyes. Paige could see him running through his options. He could continue to harass her about it, tell their parents, lock her away in the hayloft, or raise his hand when the honorable judge asked if anyone objected.
Not that Paige didn’t have her doubts. They were there, all big and scary-looking, but with Noah pushing against the idea, Paige felt a need to dig in her heels. Noah knew that, too. She could see him come to an amiable conclusion as he scrutinized her. His grip on the steering wheel loosened. His jaw muscles relaxed.
Paige folded her arms, determined not to let her own fears show through.
“I liked him well enough,” said Noah as he pulled away from the curb.
Paige let her hands fall into her lap, and she gave Noah a small thank-you smile. She’d liked Mr. Walker too.
***
At ten to seven the next morning, Paige rolled slowly down Longhorn Lane, looking for house number 1459. The sun had been up for forty-five minutes and Paige had been up for three hours. She did her morning chores, ate a yogurt and banana, and hurried out before anyone asked questions—Noah included. After his fit in the truck the day before, Paige was sure he’d insist on riding along
for the day, and the last person Paige wanted around as she tried on wedding dresses was her ornery brother.
The funny thing was, Noah wasn’t usually one to hover over her shoulder. He’d rarely weighed in on her dates in high school, and barely managed a s’up for anyone she’d brought home since. Of course, she’d never been serious about someone before—not marriage serious.
Spying a black mailbox with gold letters on the right side of the road, Paige swerved closer. This was the place. She let out a huff of air as she turned down the tree-lined driveway, which went on for a good half mile.
When she reached the end, she gasped. To her right was the house, which she barely glanced at, because directly in front of her was a competition-sized arena!
It was beautiful, with shoots, iron rails painted white, and weed-free sand. Squealing, she shoved her truck into park and scrambled out for a better look. Next to the arena was a two-story metal barn that made her insides quiver, it was so beautiful. The whole place was meticulously landscaped with local plants, some of them sharp and pointy and others broad-leafed and deep green. She recognized a line of rose bushes along the far side of the parking area and wondered what color they’d bloom.
There wasn’t any grass in sight, but the desert, xeriscaping look was popular and would maintain its beauty even in the drought that was sure to hit this California summer. She took a moment to breathe in the scent of dirt, dust, and trees. It was glorious. She couldn’t wait to introduce Annie May to the arena. Life could be heaven on earth with a setup like this. With the barn on site, there would be no need to leave her horses in some faraway stable at the mercy of strangers. They could move in on the same day she did. It was perfect.
“You made it,” called Mr. Walker from the other side of an iron gate.
Paige’s heart, already lightened by the solution to her stabling problems, trilled a happy little beat at Mr. Walker’s voice. Fifteen minutes of professional—I can do this.
The Country Bride: Billionaire Marriage Brokers Book 4 Page 6
