by Dee Burks
Frank leaned back and crossed his ankles. “I’ve thought about it all morning, and I think we’ll let it run for a little while longer.”
“You what?” The shock must have registered on her face as several passers-by stopped and stared. “What about the advertisers, the subscribers?” She leaned forward. “The porn police?”
Frank laughed. “You heard about that one? Gave me a chuckle for sure.”
A chuckle?
Frank sat up and smiled. “Oh, sweetheart, don’t take it so seriously. A wise old editor once told me that you’re not a real newspaper man until you get sued.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning we’re not doing our job unless we get a reaction out of people. Doesn’t matter if it’s positive or negative, it’s all good for business. The fastest way to kill a newspaper is with reader apathy, and everyone seems to have an opinion on this column.”
“How can it be good to lose all our advertisers?”
“We haven’t actually lost any, yet. But even if we do lose a few, we’ll pick up others. That’s the nature of the beast. No, I think we’ll let things go along as is for the time being. That sit good with you?”
Serena nodded as waves of relief flooded over her. Frank left her to her thoughts, and Serena shut the blinds over her glass partition closing out her curious co-workers. Let them wonder. This thing wasn’t over yet. Far from it.
Uncle Frank would have to rethink things if their revenue slipped too far. But for now, Serena had a temporary reprieve and a little more time to give her ideas a chance to actually become a plan. One that included keeping her job, helping Tyler, faking a romance, getting to New York as soon as possible, and a partridge in a pear tree. It was going to be about as easy as juggling Jell-O. She’d have to work fast, but with a little luck and some dogged perseverance, she could make this happen. All of it, she hoped.
Chapter 8
Tyler loaded Shadow into his Jeep and followed the directions to Serena’s house. He’d called this morning to make sure she really understood how bad he needed her to be. Hopefully, this would actually work, and he could have some peace in his life with no female interference for once. Serena came across as a really good sport and seemed to have a great sense of humor. She wasn’t bad in the looks department either. Not that he was interested. After all, this charade was supposed to get women out of his life, so he could focus on turning his business around, not open the door to any possibilities.
He drove down Serena’s street looking for the address he’d written on a small scrap of paper. Parking in front of a tan brick house, he noticed water running from the driveway where someone washed an old truck. Tyler looked the vehicle over as he walked up the sidewalk. A 1972 Ford, dirty white to rust in color, depending on where you looked, except for the right front quarter panel which was primer gray. Tyler shook his head. That kind of truck hardly seemed worth wasting water on.
“It may not look like much, but it rolls.” A teenage boy walked around the back of the truck toward Tyler. He stuck out a hand. “I’m Justin.”
“Tyler.” They shook. “That yours?”
“Yep. Got it off a farmer real cheap, but the engine’s good.” He gave Tyler’s Jeep a skeptical glance. “Nice wheels.”
Tyler followed his gaze. The bright yellow paint was chipped off both bumpers, and the roll bar had a good size ding in it. “May not look like much, but it rolls.” He grinned, and Justin grinned back. “Got it off my brother. He has a Jeep tour company in New Mexico.”
“Cool.”
Serena’s son didn’t look anything like her. Almost equal to Tyler in height, Justin sported a full head of dark hair, cut close, and a deep tan with no apparent tattoos or body armor in his nose or lips. That right there said a lot about Serena as a mom. The boy seemed a sharp contrast to her white complexion and bright red hair. The only feature they shared, as far as Tyler could see, was deep green eyes.
“You a friend of my mom’s?”
“Yeah, she’s helping me with a little project this afternoon.”
The front door opened, and they both watched Serena walk carefully down the front steps in the tallest stiletto heels Tyler had ever seen.
The black dress she wore was short and very tight, especially across her chest. She’d curled her hair and put it up on top of her head. She looked years younger.
Wow. Tyler hadn’t really noticed what a great figure she had, and this getup showed it off. Every bit of it.
She strutted up to him and smiled. “So what do you think? Do I look like a bar fly or what?”
Tyler had a hard time keeping his eyes on her face rather than staring at her deep cleavage.
“Y’all going to a Halloween party or something?” Justin laughed. “You look like a hooker.”
“I feel like one too. A hooker on stilts.” Serena looked down at her shoes, giving Tyler an even more distracting view down the front of her dress.
He cleared his throat and frowned. “I thought you were going for disgusting.”
“Oh, don’t you worry about that one.” She gave him a mischievous grin. “I’ve got it covered.”
“Was that why you had guacamole for breakfast?” Justin asked, then smiled at Tyler. “Oh man, are you in for it.”
Serena climbed into Tyler’s Jeep, and he joined her. “In for what?”
She smiled. “You’ll see.”
As Tyler navigated the Jeep toward the highway, Shadow stuck her nose into the back of Serena’s poofed-up hair. She jumped and turned, frowning until she saw the dog.
“Hey, you have a boxer?” Serena petted the dog’s ears. “You must be Shadow.” The dog rubbed her head under Serena’s hand, loving the attention.
Tyler nodded. “Have to warn you, she has a jealous streak. Doesn’t like any women coming around. Wants me all to herself.”
“She can have you.” Serena continued to scratch the dog’s ears.
The smile faded from Tyler’s lips. Not that he cared, but it would be nice if she were a little interested in him. Nothing hot and heavy or anything, but it would be easier if she at least found him attractive.
He frowned at Shadow. That dog never liked any girl. Figures she’d like this one since Serena wouldn’t be hanging around for any length of time. Tyler’s eyes gravitated to Serena’s enticing breasts again, and the Jeep swerved.
“Hey!” She shot him a glare. “I’d like to get there in one piece.”
“Sorry.” He stared at the road and tried to concentrate. This girl could be dangerous if he let his mind wander. Another incident like that, and some cop would pull him over for driving under the influence of great cleavage.
An awkward silence settled between them until Serena cleared her throat. “So, tell me about your sister. What do I need to know and what should I focus on?”
“What do you want to know?”
Serena thought a minute. “The standard stuff. How old is she? What does she do? What’s her relationship to you like? What do I need to do to really shake her up? That kind of thing.”
“She’s about thirty-three now. Five years younger than me, two younger than Sam.”
“Sam?”
“A brother. There are four of us. Jeff is the oldest, then me, Sam, and Chelsie. She’s been married for eight years to Jim Lohan.”
“What does Jim do? Do they have any kids?”
“Jim is a veterinarian. She’s a kindergarten teacher. Their first kid is due in a few months.”
“We’re antagonizing a pregnant person?” Serena made a face. “I don’t know about that.”
“She’ll be fine. Hasn’t had one problem and loves being pregnant.”
“What is her relationship with you like?”
He shrugged. “I’m kind of the bad seed. She did everything right, went to college, started her career, got married.”
She raised a brow at him. “And you?”
“Dropped out of college, went to work in a restaurant and liked it. So here I am.�
��
“And your brothers?”
Tyler inhaled. This was more information than he ever gave anyone, let alone a near stranger. But it was worth it to teach his meddling sister a lesson.
“Jeff’s an attorney. Sam runs a Jeep tour company. He might even be there tonight. I heard he’s in town.”
“They have families?”
“No. Jeff’s a workaholic, no time for anyone. Sam likes keeping his options open, if you know what I mean.”
“Oh.” Serena smiled. “A playboy.”
Tyler chuckled. “More like a boy who wants to play. He’s a good time though.”
“What about you? You ever been married?”
“Once. For four weeks.”
“Four weeks? What happened?”
“Long story.”
She frowned at him. “It couldn’t be that long if it only lasted four weeks. Didn’t you ever want a family and all that?”
“Not really.” She looked at him like she didn’t believe him. But it was the truth. No kid would want a father like him. And time had proven no woman wanted a steady relationship with him, let alone marriage. It’s not like he felt deprived in any way or like he’d missed anything. Besides he’d made a complete disaster of his own life; why be responsible for messing up anyone else’s? He glanced at her and tried to change the subject. “Justin seems like a good kid.”
“He is. Very.” She smiled.
Tyler rolled the Jeep to a stop in front of Chelsie’s house. Just the place one would expect a schoolteacher to live. Red brick cottage, white rail fence, the clay pots on the porch full of bright flowers. Serena leaned forward to get a better look.
“Cute place.”
Tyler got out and Shadow followed.
Serena walked up by his side.
He looked her over again and raised his eyebrows. “You ready for this?”
She grinned and leaned close. “I was born ready.” Serena slipped her hand into his, jolting a small charge up his arm.
Tyler squeezed her hand and they walked up the sidewalk. “We’re a couple now, remember? We have to act like we’re hot for each other.” Not that he would have any problem with that. His gaze scanned the back of her dress that showed skin almost down to her rear end.
“No problem.” She gave him a saucy grin. “I can fake anything.” Serena stumbled across a loose brick in the sidewalk and Tyler’s hands encircled her waist. He pulled her up against him. His fingers on the bare skin of her back sent tremors of pleasure through his body. They held onto one another for the space of three heartbeats. He pulled away first, forcing himself to concentrate on guiding Serena the rest of the way up the walk.
Tyler collected his scattered thoughts as best he could. One thing, however, had become crystal clear. The only one faking a hot attraction tonight would be Serena.
Chapter 9
The door swung wide, and a tiny woman with short blond hair leapt into Tyler’s arms. “Hey! I can’t believe you actually made it.”
“Hey yourself.” Tyler hugged her carefully. “This is Serena.”
Chelsie’s big brown eyes grew as she took in Serena from the top of her teased and puffy red hair to the bottom of her very short skirt.
Serena stuck out a hand. “Hey there, you must be Chelsie, or a paternity suit waiting to happen.” Serena leaned over to Tyler and pointed at Chelsie’s stomach. “You didn’t have anything to do with this, did you?”
Chelsie gasped, and Tyler tried to stifle his smile. “No, she’s my sister.”
“Heard that one before.” Serena elbowed him playfully, and then cocked an eyebrow at Chelsie. “So are we gonna stand here or what?”
“Uh, no. Please come in.”
Serena brushed past a stunned Chelsie and walked into the kitchen. Jim and Sam sat at the table, with a deck of cards between them.
Sam jumped up and rushed to Tyler. “Hey, bro.” He smacked Tyler’s back and they shook hands. “Long time no see.” His gaze shifted to Serena. “What have you been up to?”
“Serena, this is my brother Sam.” She smiled and strutted over to Sam, looped her arms around his neck, and planted a big kiss on his lips. “Hey, brother Sam.” She looked up at Sam’s battered cowboy hat, almost a duplicate of the one Tyler wore. “I just love cowboys.”
“Yes ma’am.” Sam backed away and frowned at Tyler.
Serena glanced at Jim, who had stood now too and was eyeing her with a deer in the headlights expression. “Well now, who is this?” she purred.
Tyler went on as if her behavior were completely normal and made the introduction. “This is Jim, Chelsie’s husband.” Serena walked around the table toward Jim, who moved too, keeping the furniture between them. Serena stopped and put her hands on her hips. “What’s the matter, Honey? Don’t you want a hug?”
Jim held up his hands and waved her off. “Uh, no. I’ve got a little bit of a cold, and I might be contagious.” He coughed to convince them. No one was fooled.
Tyler watched his three family members. They all looked like they expected Serena to leap across the table and pounce on Jim any second. And she just might.
He hadn’t ever seen them this scared. Or speechless. It was all he could do not to burst out laughing, but he wasn’t about to ruin this show.
Serena winked at Jim. “Too bad, I’ll have to be extra friendly when you get well.” She slinked over to Tyler’s side and gave him a little pout. “I thought you said we were going to eat. I’m hungry.”
“It’ll be ready in a few minutes, as soon as Jim gets the meat on the grill.” Chelsie smiled tightly.
Serena jerked back like she’d been stung and turned on Tyler. “Meat? We’re eating meat?” She glared at him. “Didn’t you tell them I’m a vegetarian?”
“Uh, no.” Vegetarian? He’d seen her scarf down a huge burger in five minutes flat.
Tyler wished he’d asked her to give him a playbook so he could keep up. He thought a minute and opted for the stupid guy act. “I guess I forgot.”
“You forgot?” Serena shouted. “You know how important it is to me. How could you forget? Don’t I mean anything to you?”
Her voice became a high squeal. Definitely one of the most annoying noises he’d ever heard. He saw Sam grit his teeth and cringe.
“It’s okay,” Chelsie rushed in. “We’re having grilled vegetables too and a salad. Will that work for you?”
A long moment passed as Serena continued to glare at Tyler. “I guess it will have to do, won’t it?” The whole room breathed a sigh of relief.
“Why don’t we sit down and play some poker for a little bit while the grill heats?” Sam motioned to the table. Tyler and Jim sat.
Chelsie pointed to the other counter where several large squash rested. “You can help me chop these up if you want, Serena.”
Serena gave her a disgusted expression. “Me? Touch raw food? Gross.” She plopped down next to Tyler on the bench and smiled at Jim. “So, can you teach me anything?”
Jim stared at her, and Chelsie banged a plastic bowl a little harder than necessary on the counter.
Serena‘s voice was smooth and sexy as she continued to smile at Jim. “About cards I mean?”
Jim said nothing. Tyler squeezed Serena’s hand. “I can teach you, babe.” He caught a disgusted roll of the eyes from Sam and a look of relief from Jim who dealt the next hand.
Serena peeked at her cards and tossed two. “So, Sam, what do you do?”
“I run a Jeep tour company in New Mexico.”
“Ooooh. That sounds exciting. I always wanted to see what the desert was like.”
“It’s up in the mountains, so it’s not really desert.”
“Have you ever been to the desert, Sam? I hear it’s really hot.”
“Most deserts are.” Sam tried not to let his annoyance show but failed miserably.
Tyler could tell Sam thought she was dumb as a stump.
“I went to Phoenix once, and it was pretty hot,” Sam offered.
Tyler motioned for Serena to bet and she tossed in a chip and looked thoughtful. “So how far is Phoenix from the coast of Arizona?”
Sam paused mid-motion, the poker chip still in his hand. Chelsie’s angry whacks with the knife on the cutting board ceased. Everyone stared at Serena.
Serena gave Tyler an innocent expression. “What?”
Sam smirked. “What makes you think Arizona has a coast?”
“Well, hello!” She gave him an exasperated huff. “You know the song about oceanfront property in Arizona.”
Tyler struggled not to crack a smile. The other two men looked at him like he was crazy.
Serena pointed to Sam. “You should read more, Sam. You know what they say; a mind is a terrible thing to waste.”
“No kidding.” Sam’s forehead gleamed a bright red. He tossed in a chip and called. They all showed their hands.
Serena clapped like a little kid. “Oh look, mine are all red!”
“That’s a flush, babe. Way to go.” Tyler hugged her shoulders and gave his brother a wink. “Beginner’s luck.”
Sam frowned and tossed his cards in. “Yeah, whatever.”
“Uh oh.” Serena leaned toward Tyler.
“What?” As soon as the word left his mouth a noise ripped through the kitchen, followed quickly by the worst odor Tyler had ever smelled in his whole life.
Serena grinned. “Excuse me.” She shrugged at their stunned expressions. “It’s part of being a vegetarian, you get a little gassy sometimes.” She casually went on playing cards like nothing had happened. Jim’s eyes watered, and Sam pulled his T-shirt up hooking it over his nose.
Tyler’s neck muscles and face ached from trying not to laugh. And here he thought she didn’t understand disgusting. Boy, did she.
The smell finally dissipated, and everyone relaxed again. Except that now there was little to no conversation.
Sam went to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of beer. “The iced tea isn’t cutting it.” He took a big swig and set it down.
