Her Surprise Engagement (Sorensen Family)

by Ashlee Mallory

  Jack nodded in understanding. Rather than disappoint them, she’d swallowed her pride—which he could tell hadn’t been easy for her—and accepted Payton’s offer to stay here for free. “Don’t worry. Lily and I will leave as soon as we can make other arrangements.”

  Something that still gave him an inexplicable pang of disappointment. He liked it here. Had hoped to make some positive memories here with Lily. But if he were honest, he also had been enjoying his time here—as unexpected as it was—with Daisy Sorensen and her brood, as short as it had been.

  It was almost a shame they couldn’t figure out another way out of this predicament.

  A way that let them both save their reputations, his future political career, not to mention protect their kids from the hurtful gossip.

  All while letting them enjoy the next week at this beautiful lake house like they had originally planned.

  Maybe it was Stuart who’d planted the idea initially, even if his suggestion was a joke, but now the idea was beginning to take shape in his mind. It was crazy, but was it any crazier than what was already out there?

  He glanced at Daisy. She was going to think he was certifiable. Hell, maybe he was. But maybe he also had a solution to a tough situation that fate had brought them.

  He cleared his throat. “Actually. Maybe there’s another scenario we haven’t looked at.”

  She looked at him in mild curiosity, a soft smile on her face. “And what’s that?”

  “We could get engaged.”

  …

  Engaged?

  Daisy couldn’t help it. She started to laugh again, holding her belly as she did, because now he was just being ridiculous. “Who’d have thought? I went on vacation and came home engaged to the next governor. Well, if that’s your way of proposing, you’re going to have to do better than that.”

  She glanced at Jack, expecting to see him finding this as amusing as her. Only, he was looking at her in such a way that she was beginning to think—

  “You’re…you’re kidding, right?”

  “Not even remotely.” He studied her closely. “Think about it. Rather than try to fight the rising tide of public belief on this, why not just go with it? But put our own twist on it. Instead of this being about the soon-to-be governor trying to sneak away with his divorced, single-mom girlfriend, make it into something that everyone can rally around. Two people who fell in love and are trying to take their kids on their first vacation together to get everyone used to the idea of becoming a family. And of course it would make sense that we would have wanted to try and do this before the governor made his announcement and before the public spotlight was shining on us.”

  He really was serious. “That’s insane. No, you’re insane. I’m not going to marry you just because of one stupid little mix-up.”

  “It wouldn’t have to get that far. Just long enough for everyone to accept that we’re so crazy in love with each other that we want to spend the rest of our lives together. Then, once the rumors have been laid to rest, and our lives and careers are back on track, we can make up some story about how we realized that we aren’t compatible. Or that the stress of public life was too much on the relationship and, as sorry as we are, we decided to end things.”

  Crazy in love with each other? That would be a hard sell. This was Jack Harrison. Gorgeous, intelligent, powerful, and a legacy in Utah politics thanks to the long line of Harrisons before him. He was everything any woman could want in a man and she…

  Well, she was just Daisy Sorensen. Divorced single mother. College dropout. She wasn’t anything special. There was no way anyone would buy into this story—even if she were to consider it.

  Which she wasn’t.

  She shook her head. “Sorry. Not going to happen. I’m not going to perpetuate something that’s not true. I’m not going to lie to reporters or anyone who asks and say I’m engaged. More importantly, I would never in a million years tell my kids to lie. I am sorry if this hurts you and your political career, but I can’t do it.”

  He leaned forward. “I’ll admit that there is a level of concern with how this could impact my campaign. There are some more conservative members in the party who will be overjoyed to have this as ammunition against me. But the public’s opinion on my moral integrity and its effect on my campaign isn’t my only or even primary worry. Because this is bigger than just me. The rampant speculation won’t just affect me. It will affect my daughter. And most assuredly it’s going to affect you and those three kids as this all plays out in the media in the coming weeks. For me, this engagement plan really is the lesser of two evils.”

  She hadn’t really considered that, about how this might affect her kids. She was an adult, and as hard as hearing the innuendo might be, she could take it.

  But her kids?

  She remembered how hard it had been those first few months after Leo left her with nothing but debt and a tanked credit score that had brought her back home to Utah. It had been tough for her, that feeling of helplessness and abandonment and utter failure, but even worse for the kids. Especially after they started school. Because then the questions from the other kids about why they didn’t have a dad around made them wonder the same themselves.

  How would the kids handle the questions, the humiliation and shaming that might follow if people thought she’d shacked up with the soon-to-be governor even for a night? She could deny it until she was blue in the face, but it didn’t mean there wouldn’t be some who would still doubt her.

  She closed her eyes. “I would do anything to avoid having my kids hurt any more than they have been. This last couple of years with the divorce has been so tough on them.” On all of them, really.

  “Daisy, I know this proposal is more than a little crazy. But let’s look at it from a different perspective than only what we have to lose if we don’t do this. What about what we could gain from this partnership?”

  She looked at him skeptically. “Partnership?”

  “Of course. We can make this a business agreement of sorts. You agreeing to be my fiancée for the next few weeks won’t just save our children from nasty gossip and speculation, it could help me buoy up public opinion as I take my first steps as governor. Everyone loves a fairy tale, and a widow engaged to a tough and beautiful single mom has all the makings of one.”

  “Sounds like you have everything to win here,” she said drolly. Images of flashing bulbs and public attention on every facet of her life up until this moment as reporters delved into her background made the prospect of faking an engagement more like a horror story than a fairy tale. At least for her. “But I’m a fairly private person. Right now, all I am trying to do is provide for my kids as best as I can, make sure they’re not permanently scarred by the divorce. I’m not sure how shining that spotlight even brighter on us is going to be any better.”

  He smiled, not appearing the least phased by her less than excited response. “Like I said. This is going to be a partnership. We both need to get something out of this. That includes you.”

  “If you’re about to offer me a chunk of money, I can tell you right now that as hard up as I might be financially, I’m not going accept a penny of it. I don’t accept handouts. I want to be able to provide things to my family because I earned them. Not because they were given to me.”

  “I’m not talking about a payout.” He paused. “Tell me more about the small business loan that you’re applying for.”

  “My loan? What does that have to do with this?” she asked, trying not to sound defensive. She hated that she’d left those forms out. The fact that she was even considering applying for the loan was something she hadn’t really shared with anyone except her sister Benny.

  “I’m not a banking expert, but I do have some familiarity with the subject and I know that there are certain things that lenders like to see before they approve financing thousands of dollars. Things like assets, personal savings accounts, credit scores. How are you looking on those fronts?”

  O
uch. It was precisely the answer to that question that had her sitting on that application for the past month. Because her answer would be…nothing. Her savings was constantly being tapped for one emergency after another—such as whatever was going to be the cost of fixing her car this week. Her credit score was in the dumps thanks to her ex. As for assets, aside from the 1997 minivan, she had nothing. The house she and the kids lived in was rented from her sister-in-law.

  She hated his question, hated how futile he made her dream of getting a loan to finance her business sounded. He seemed to realize this, his blue eyes softening in sympathy. That was the worst. Having someone feeling sorry for her. And not just anyone, but this man whose pity she didn’t want.

  “I might not have everything in order right now, but it will happen one day.”

  He seemed to hesitate, as if measuring the impact of his words. “Have you considered a cosigner? If someone with deep pockets could guarantee the loan, the prospects would be better.”

  Even though she was certain every one of her family members would jump at the chance to help her, no questions asked, she couldn’t ask that of them. If her business failed, it would be her failure. “I get this loan on my own, or I don’t get it at all. I would never ask my family to risk so much.”

  He didn’t look surprised. If anything, he seemed only more satisfied as he sat up a little straighter. “Then don’t. Let me offer my name. My guarantee. Mind you, from the short time I’ve known you and seen your stubbo—determination”—he corrected, grinning again—“I’m left with zero doubt that your business will become a success, so I don’t think my agreeing to cosign will ever result in any loss. But if it should, it’s a small price to pay for the benefit I have to gain from your fulfilling your obligations under our agreement. Again, this is just all part of a business agreement. You help me, and I can in turn help you. This isn’t a handout.”

  Daisy would be lying to herself if she didn’t admit that the prospect of getting that loan approved, the wheels put in motion on getting her very own bakery finally up and running, didn’t fill her with hope and excitement. It was something she’d always wanted.

  “A business proposition,” she said, testing the words and the idea.

  “Precisely. You pretend to be my fiancée for the next few weeks, including doing any necessary public appearances to help maintain the story, and I’ll sign my name and offer the guarantee you need to get your business loan approved. No money will exchange hands at all. And in doing so, we can protect both of our families from the nasty speculation we’re currently facing.”

  She still hesitated, hating the risk he’d be taking if it should fail. “I couldn’t let you guarantee the loan without offering anything in return. Five percent. If you guarantee the loan, I insist that you take five percent of any profits.”

  “Okay,” he said, agreeing quickly. “It sounds more than fair.”

  Only leaving her to decide…

  A fake engagement.

  She couldn’t believe that she was seriously considering his offer.

  And she’d thought her brother Dominic had been insane when he and his now-wife had pretended to just be dating for reasons that had benefited both of them at the time.

  It looked like insanity ran in the family, because the more she thought about it, the more sense it made. At least in light of the options before her.

  She opened her eyes, ready to accept what felt inevitable. “Okay. What exactly would I be expected to do?”

  Chapter Four

  “Take a deep breath,” Jack told her half an hour later, keeping his eyes trained on Daisy, probably afraid she’d bolt if he didn’t. “And exhale. I promise, this will be over in just a few minutes.”

  Easy for him to say. He’d done this dozens of times. Stood up there in front of the microphone, cameras trained on his every move, as reporters plied him with tough questions.

  But she was a single mom with no political aspiration, just trying to take care of her family. Not give a press conference that every person she knew back home might be watching on their televisions.

  “Why do I even have to go out there at all?” she asked, hating the whining tone that had crept into her voice. “You could answer any of their questions better than I possibly could.”

  He smiled, pressing his hands on her shoulders and squeezing. “I doubt you’ll have to do much more than smile and nod occasionally. I’ll do all the talking. You just need to be there to help sell the story. Let them know we have nothing to hide. Are you ready?”

  Not in the slightest, but as he’d told her, the sooner they went out there and put the gossip to rest, the sooner the buzz would die down and they would be left to enjoy the rest of their vacation.

  At least until they returned home, but that was days away and she’d have more time to adjust.

  Her hands went to her hair. Crap. She hadn’t even had time to do anything with it, just pulling it up in a quick bun so it didn’t get in the way as she prepared breakfast before she’d dabbed her usual lip color on, sweeping her lashes with mascara.

  And her clothes? Well, at least she was wearing one of the few stain- and hole-free capri pants she owned. Her shirt was modest, too, a simple scoop-neck navy tee she knew complemented her coloring.

  “You look great,” Jack said, still smiling patiently. “We are on vacation at Lake Tahoe. They’re hardly expecting us to be dressed for anything but the beach.”

  It was true, and out of excuses, she resolved to grow a backbone and get this over. “All right. Let’s do this.”

  Aunt Glenda and the kids were upstairs again, since, after she’d explained the situation, the woman had promised she’d keep them from under their heels until after the interview. Something that was a huge relief since she didn’t want them to hear the bald-faced lie.

  At the front door, Jack turned, his hand held out to take hers. Another wave of panic surged through her as she stared at it. She was really doing this. Calling this man her…fiancé.

  He laughed. “You’re going to have to work on hiding your expression if we’re going to sell this. Flinching and grimacing at any ordinary contact is going to be a huge red flag.”

  He was right, and she squelched her nerves down again.

  This was her fiancé. This gorgeous undeniably charismatic man smiling so softly at her. They had to look like they were in love.

  She forced her face to relax and turned the corners of her mouth up in a smile.

  “Better. Now,” he said, his hand still out. “Come on. I’ve got you.”

  His hand was warm and dry compared to her clammy one, and his fingers tightened as if to reassure her.

  Then he opened the door, and they walked out together.

  …

  “You have got to be kidding. What is all this?” Daisy asked in disbelief as she stared down at the itinerary Stuart had emailed to them. Jack had to admit to feeling a sense of disbelief himself as the list was extensive.

  “I’ve taken the liberty of scheduling a few activities for you all this next week,” Stuart answered from the cell phone’s speaker that sat between them. Stuart had been surprisingly supportive of the engagement idea when Jack called to relay the latest turn of events. Actually, excited might be a better description. Almost as if he’d come up with the idea all himself. Which, come to think of it…might hold a kernel of truth.

  “A few activities?” Jack asked. Bowling, miniature golf, hiking, kayak lessons, sailing, summer concerts on the beach, fireworks display, hot-air balloon rides, parasailing, not to mention a black-tie fundraiser dinner. “This is supposed to be a vacation, Stuart. The campaign hasn’t started yet. I’ll give you”—he scanned the list again—“half of these activities. I’d like to enjoy some downtime, too.”

  Daisy, however, was still shaking her head, her jaw set in a now familiar stubborn line. “A day at Treetop Adventure Park? I can’t afford to take the kids there. In fact, most of the stuff on this list are way out of my price range.�
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  “You don’t have to worry about it. I’ll pick up the tab,” Jack offered. It was the least he could do under the circumstances and to be honest, he found himself feeling generous where this woman was concerned. A woman who could use a few good things happening in her life, things that he could easily provide if she let him.

  “Sorry. I’m more than happy with hanging out with you and your daughter, even doing some outside activities as warranted, as long as they’re within my budget. But no free handouts.” She met his gaze, letting him know she meant business.

  Her stubbornness and insistence on complete independence was admirable, even if it was, in his opinion, shortsighted. It reminded him more than he’d like of his late wife, who, even to the end, wouldn’t let him do everything he could for her until it was too late.

  For now, however, he’d compromise and let Daisy have that sense of control she needed. “Got it.”

  “And I doubt that kayak lessons, parasailing, or any kind of sailing are things I could swing, either, so you can cross those off the list, too,” she warned.

  “Okay, so no to the kayaking and parasailing. But maybe we can keep sailing on the table? The Vaughns already own a boat that is at our disposal, and I’m more than capable of taking it out on my own at no cost to anyone. As for the Adventure Park, I promised Lily that I would take her and we already have reservations for Monday. Why don’t we include this as a reward for the kids for getting dragged into this whole mess, just this once. It has zip lines, climbing walls, and tree rope courses for all levels. Your kids would love it, I promise.”