Closing her eyes as Evelyn worked salve and goop and who knew what else into her hair, Paige ran through their conversation this morning. It wasn’t like she’d asked to wallpaper the room or add a Jacuzzi. All she’d wanted to do was put a colorful blanket on the bed, maybe add a few throw pillows and some art on the wall. Nothing permanent, and nothing that couldn’t be undone when she left. Yet Mr. Walker refused, and that grated.
“Okay, Addison, I think we have the perfect match.” Cloe held up a bright pink bottle of nail polish. She pulled a rolling chair next to Addison’s and fished her hand out from under the drape. When she swiped the brush across Addison’s pinkie nail, Addison let out a squeal.
“Hang on,” Paige told Cloe. She dug her phone out and videoed Addison’s joy as her fingernails became hot-pink jewels. When Cloe moved to the other side, Paige stopped the recording and sent the video to Addison’s dad with a note that asked, Is she always this excited? She’s so cute!
Paige held the phone in her hand so she’d feel it buzz as Evelyn began the long process of blowing out her hair. After several minutes, she checked, but there was no reply. Bouncing her leg, she checked again a few seconds later. No answer came back, and Paige wondered if she was bugging her fiancé. He had said he was behind at work. She tucked the phone away and set back to let Evelyn finish with her hair. The last thing she wanted to do was beg for his attention. Though it would have been nice if he could have at least responded.
***
Paige sucked her stomach in and stepped out of the dressing room in a pale blue wrap dress. “What do you think?” she asked Trish and Addison, who sat on a chevron couch outside the dressing rooms.
Addison scrunched up her face. “Don’t brides wear white dresses? All the ones here are white.” Addison held up the bride magazine she’d picked up from the coffee table when they’d first come in. Paige didn’t see any harm in letting her look at the dresses, floral arrangements, and jewelry in the pictures, and it had kept Addison busy while she and Trish looked for a dress that was dressy but not too dressy and pretty but laidback, and, if the stars would align, would not clash with her hair.
“Brides can wear whatever color they want,” said Trish as she hopped off the couch.
Since Trish had been the expert on all things clothing related today, Addison took her word for it and went back to staring at flowers.
Trish made a circle around Paige. Her lips pulled down in an uncharacteristic frown. “I like the cut and the color. I’m just not sure it’s what you want. You don’t look happy in this dress. You look—” She leaned in. “—uncertain.”
Paige glanced at Addison and then motioned Trish over to one of the full-length mirrors a few feet away. “Cold feet?” she said.
Trish folded her arms. “I thought things were going well.” She jerked her head toward Addison.
Paige nodded quickly. “She’s a dream. Mr. Walker is ... I don’t know, aloof isn’t quite the right word. More standoffish. This morning he got weird when I asked him if I could change my room around, and then he ignored my video message.”
Trish tapped her fingernail against the wall. “I know Mr. Walker came to BMB looking for a mom for Addison—not a bride, like the majority of our clients. I think he’s marrying for Addison’s sake, not for his. Maybe you should focus on her, and your long-term plan, and not worry about him so much.”
Paige squeezed her eyes shut. Trish made sense. Addison was the focus of this union, not her and Mr. Walker. It was just so hard to get the idea of her and Mr. Walker out of her head. Perhaps if he wasn’t the spitting image of her dream guy, she wouldn’t be having this dilemma. Frustrated with herself for letting her hormones do the thinking, Paige tugged at her hair. She wasn’t in this to win a man’s affection; she was doing this to jump-start her life. A life she should have been working toward for years. “Okay. I can do that.”
Trish put her hands on Paige’s forearms. “And you might want to start calling him Cody.”
Paige shook her head so fast her newly straightened hair bounced against her cheeks.” I don’t think I can do that, it’s too—personal.” Calling her fiancé “Mr. Walker” was just enough of a reminder to Paige to keep her thoughts on the job and not on the man. Once those thoughts rode off, focusing on the man—and what a specimen of a man he was—she had a hard time bringing them back into the corral.
Trish laughed. “You’re marrying him. It’s bound to get a little personal.”
“I’m marrying him as a professional bride—not a doe-eyed Bambi.”
“Not without a dress, you’re not,” Trish said gravely.
Paige had to smile at her seriousness. She’d never met someone who considered shopping a full-time job.
“This one!” Addison announced as she held a hanger above her head. The dress dragged behind her on the shiny wood flooring, and Paige heard Trish gasp in horror.
Hurrying to meet Addison, Paige lifted the hanger from her hand and pressed a finger to her lips. “Pink,” she said to Trish with a sigh. “Redheads don’t wear pink.”
“Normally I would agree with you.” Trish picked up the edge of the skirt and watched the fabric move. “But this shade is … well, it’s unique. Try it on.” She practically shoved Paige into the dressing room with the dress.
Paige heard Trish say something to Addison, and then they high-fived.
Shaking her head, she slid out of the blue dress and into the pink one without much hope. Whipping the door open, she held her hands out and said, “See?”
Addison’s chubby hands went to her mouth.
A slow smile filled Trish’s face. “Come here,” she demanded, and she placed Paige in front of the mirror.
Paige’s jaw dropped. The dress had a vertically gathered bodice that gave her just the right amount on top without making her look top-heavy. The soft, sheer over layer brushed her knee. The lining, made of the same dusty rose color, was an inch shorter. The hem had been finished so that it waved, creating volume. There was a touch of lace around the circular neckline, giving a nod to elegance. But it was the color that took Paige’s breath away. Had the material been shiny, it would have been too much. With the matte finish, it graced her completion with a rosy glow.
She turned to see her hair brush the back of the bodice and noted that even though it was red on pink, it worked. She stopped holding in her stomach, finally relaxing into a dress.
Trish stepped forward. “This is the one.”
Paige turned to Addison. “This is the best dress ever!”
Bubbling over, Addison ran right into Paige and wrapped her in a hug. Paige held the little girl close.
Maybe it was the fact that Paige was wearing a pink dress for the first time in her life, but Paige decided anything was possible. Even if she spent the whole year in a white room—she mentally gagged—being ignored by her husband, she could spend that year happily caring for Addison. Then, she would buy her little ranch and get on with her life. This job, this marriage, was the first step toward her dream, and no one, not even a standoffish Mr. Walker, was going to deter her or distract her.
Chapter 11
Cody hurried out of the house at the sound of tires on the driveway. Ever since Paige’s video message, he couldn’t wait for his girls to get home. The first time he thought of them as his girls, a grin spread his cheeks so wide they ached. From that moment on the reference stuck, and try as he might, he couldn’t dislodge it. He had no claim on Paige and needed to remember that.
He hadn’t shared the video with anyone at work. But that had more to do with the feelings it stirred inside of him than it did with the content. If he hadn’t seen Addison happy and free like that, he wouldn’t have believed it. She was surrounded by strangers, and yet there wasn’t an ounce of the shyness she usually exhibited. Her laugher and giggles were bold, her face open, and her eyes filled with light.
Her happiness stung, because it reinforced his thoughts from earlier that his grief cast a shadow over the two of
them. He’d thought he’d kept Addison from the deeper areas of his sorrow, that he’d allowed her the freedom to be happy even if he didn’t allow himself. With one thirty-second video, he learned how delusional he’d been. He wanted to hold Addison, to apologize to her, tell her he loved her, and share in her joy.
He threw open the iron gate and rushed to the passenger side of Paige’s beat-up Ford, where he found Addison asleep amongst piles of shopping bags and tissue paper. There would be no heart-to-heart discussion tonight. Paige smiled across the cab, and Cody’s heart warmed despite his initial disappointment.
Paige hopped out and came around, her hair swinging long and loose. She’d straightened it, and without the curl it almost touched her belt. In the light of the setting sun, it looked like liquid gold—hot and untouchable. Cody was at a loss for words.
“Hey.” Paige ducked her head and tucked her hair behind her ear.
“Hey. Hi.” For a moment Cody wondered if she was some kind of siren, able to draw in men with a flick of her hair. His blood burned and his stomach tightened at the sight of this delightful woman. Reminding himself that he was a father first and foremost, he scrambled for the door handle. Addison was his charm to ward off enchantments, and he needed her right now. “How do I get her out?” He pointed through the window.
Paige came alongside him and looked through the glass. She smelled of honeysuckle, and Cody was reminded of long afternoon horseback rides he’d taken on his grandpa’s ranch. Paige smiled ruefully, completely unaware of the tranquility she brought with her and the enthralling chaos she invoked. “I’ll go through the other side and see if I can unearth her.”
While Paige carefully removed bags, placing some on the driveway and others on the hood, Cody extracted Addison from her seat. Settling her on his hip, her head tucked under his chin, he made for the house.
Paige was right behind him, her arms full of shopping bags. “I’m going to leave these here so I don’t have to haul them back and forth.”
“Good idea,” Cody whispered over his shoulder. That family feeling, the completeness that followed Paige around like a puppy, filled the house the moment she entered. Cody cringed, realizing how empty it had been only moments before.
They climbed the stairs, and Cody ducked into Addison’s room to tuck her in bed. He brushed her hair away from her face, noting that she too smelled like honeysuckle, though the scent was more subtle with Addison. He kissed her temple before tucking the blankets around her shoulders. Her cherubic face was so peaceful. Cody wondered if he’d ever be contented like that again in his life.
When he came out, Paige was walking past with another armload of bags. She disappeared into her room and returned a moment later, carrying a black garment bag and a small gift sack. “This is Addison’s gown.” She handed it to Cody. “And this is her hairbrush. Don’t wash her hair in the morning. Just brush it out with this and she’ll be good to go.”
“Okay.” Cody stared at the items. The brush looked like a porcupine on a stick.
Paige considered him. “Her shoes are with the dress.” She paused before asking, “Are you okay with doing her up in the morning? I could come over and help …”
Cody shrugged. “I think we can handle it.” He was looking forward to their last morning with just the two of them, though it now seemed quite empty. And he had planned a special breakfast of aebleskivers—Addison’s current favorite. Besides, how hard could a dress be?
Paige dug her fingers into her hair and slowly ran a hand down its length, causing Cody’s breath to catch. He desperately wanted to try the same move, and therefore gripped the bag tight.
“Listen, I’m sorry about the texts today. I didn’t mean to pester you. I won’t do that in the future.”
“You have to,” blurted Cody.
Paige’s hand paused at the end of her locks, where she twisted it around her fingers, making Cody groan internally. “When you didn’t respond … I thought …” She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I’m confused.”
Cody looked behind him to Addison’s open door. She’d snuggled deeper under the covers and her breathing was even, but he didn’t want to wake her up. “Let’s take this downstairs.”
Paige nodded and moved to go first. Out of instinct, Cody reached out to touch the small of her back. His fingers grazed her hair, and he yanked back, shocked at the heat that shot up his arm. Paige didn’t turn or respond, and he hoped she hadn’t felt his touch—he’d only brushed her hair, after all. Staring at his hand as if it had betrayed him as he plodded down the staircase, Cody couldn’t remember the last time he’d wanted to guide a woman with his touch, wanted that connection. He hadn’t even thought about it—his hand instinctively moved, like it wanted to be a bridge between them.
He was still staring at his hand when his feet touched the living room floor. Paige cleared her throat. “You were saying?”
“Oh.” Cody made a fist and shoved it behind his back. “I was in meetings, but your texts—about Addison,” he added hastily, “—were the bright spot in my day. Please feel free to send them whenever you like and as often as you like. I may not respond, but that doesn’t mean I’m not happy to have them.”
“Oh.” Paige’s head bobbed. “I’ll keep that in mind.” It was her turn to glance behind her. “I’d better get going. I still have to pack and there’s so much to do before tomorrow.”
“Big day,” Cody agreed. He was equal parts thankful to have her go and remove temptation from his living room, and saddened by her departure and the inevitable loneliness it would bring.
“Yeah.” Paige turned to go.
“Paige?” Cody called to stop her. He just needed one more minute of her before he could break away for the night.
“Yeah?” Paige paused with her hand on the door.
“Thanks for taking Addison today. You gave her something I can’t, and—thanks.” Cody didn’t mean the shopping trip or the nail polish or the nice-smelling hair. Paige had given Addison the ability to let her soul shine through.
A smile bloomed on Paige’s face. “It was a wonderful day.” She slipped out the door and into the twilight.
He blinked as his eyes stung. Pamela was one hundred percent correct in her assessment: Paige was the woman intended to be Addison’s mom—even if it was only for a year.
He stared down at his hand. A year. He’d need to be hyper aware when he was around Paige so he didn’t muddle things by overstepping the boundaries of a professional relationship, like he’d almost done tonight. There could be comradery and even friendship between them, as long as the physical boundaries stayed clear.
Cody fell into the sofa and pressed his fist to his mouth. He shouldn’t have thoughts like that about another woman. Living with Paige should have been easy, because his heart was still committed to Kylee. He wouldn’t betray his late wife by thinking about touching, holding, or even kissing another woman.
He would have to be vigilant, but he could do that.
Chapter 12
Paige stopped to get gas and a candy bar on her way home, and then she watched the stars come out. Searching her feelings, Paige couldn’t sense dread, worry, or even a misgiving about going through with the wedding. There were feelings of excitement, nervousness, and an overall sense of wonder. Watching Mr. Walker carry Addison up to bed had been one of the most adorable things she’d ever seen. The tenderness in which he handled his daughter hinted at some major potential for deep and abiding love in his heart. He appeared to be the kind of man who fell and fell hard for a woman.
Oh, how Paige wished she could be that woman! Instead, she was the hired help. Paige loved a good Cinderella story as much as the next girl, but she was no damsel in distress, nor was she a pauper waiting for a prince. She had a goal, the drive to work toward it, and now the funds to get it off the ground.
The headlights swept the barnyard and landed square on her dad as he leaned against the faded red barn, his arms crossed. Dad had avoided her since she’d qu
it, and she hadn’t sought him out, either. Paige turned off the truck and grabbed her wedding dress off the seat. So far, all she’d told her family was that she had a new job. They’d flip if they knew she was getting married in the morning.
Flip wasn’t a strong enough word. They would have an all-out come-undone!
Having Noah trail her around was bad enough; she couldn’t imagine the havoc the Baker brood would inflict on BMB if they all decided to show up for her wedding. And they would all insist on coming. Shuddering at the thought, she used her hip to shut the truck door.
“You’re out late,” said Dad.
Paige held back the eye roll—it was barely nine-thirty. “I had things to do. Tomorrow will be busy.” To say the least.
“What’s the dress for?”
“First day of work. I wanted to look nice.”
Dad pushed off the barn. “What kind of job requires a dress like that?”
Paige blinked. “A nanny.”
“A nanny?!” Dad’s heavy brows came down so low she couldn’t see his eyeballs. “Do they know which side of the freeway you come from?”
Paige lifted her chest and squared her shoulders. “Yep, and they hired me anyway.” She spun on the heel of her boot and stalked toward the house.
Dad followed. “We work hard for what we have, Paige. There’s no shame in that. Don’t let people look down their noses at you.”
Paige stopped so fast, gravel skittered in all directions. “The only person who has ever looked down their nose at us is you. I’ve never felt inferior because of my truck, my clothes, or my family.”
Dad’s eyebrows exploded upward. “You don’t understand the way the world works.”
“No, Dad, you need to stop thinking the world’s out to get you. It’s not. And it’s not out to get me, either.”
Dad held his palm out. “If you want something in life, you have to take it.” He snatched his hand into a fist.
The Country Bride: Billionaire Marriage Brokers Book 4 Page 8
