Her Stand-In Fake Fiancé

by Cindy Roland Anderson

  “You picked an amazing girl,” Jamie added, nodding toward Presley, who was holding Brooklyn close and shielding her eyes from the unpleasant scene. “You better not screw this up,” Jamie said in that don’t-mess-with-your-sister voice before taking her son to change his diaper.

  You better not screw this up. The words echoed through Kade’s mind as he cleaned out the trash can. Apparently, Devon’s stomach was as sensitive as Jillian’s so Kade volunteered for the hazardous duty.

  Presley and the kids had finished the game by the time he came back downstairs from taking a shower and changing into clean clothes. He knelt to help Presley put away the game since the kids had all ditched her.

  “Where’s an emesis bag when you need one, right?” she said with a tiny smirk.

  “No kidding.” He reached out for the dice at the same time Presley did and their fingers brushed. Electricity shot through him, and he froze as his eyes locked with hers. He hadn’t touched her all morning. On purpose. Now he knew why.

  “Whoops,” she said, pulling her hand away from him. “I guess you’ve got those.”

  It took a few seconds for Kade’s synapsis’ to start firing again. She’d moved on to gathering the cards spread out across the floor. “You’re good with kids,” he said, hating the strain between them and knowing he was the cause of it.

  “Thanks, but your nieces and nephews are so adorable.”

  “They are,” he said, sliding a few of the cards closer to pick them up. “Even when they’re stinky.”

  Presley bit down on her lower lip. He wished she wouldn’t do that. It gave him all sorts of thoughts about tugging on that bottom lip before claiming her mouth fully. “We shouldn’t make fun of her,” she said, barely holding back a laugh.

  “Yeah, that was brutal.” He handed her his stack of cards, purposely letting his fingers remain in contact a tad longer than necessary. “But out of curiosity, how’s your gag reflex when it comes to changing poopy diapers?”

  She lost the battle to control her amusement and giggled. His stepdad came in to retrieve his iPad, and Presley reined in her mirth. Once Ben left, she nudged Kade in the arm. “I’ll have you know I’ve done a lot of babysitting over the years and changed many dirty diapers.” Her lips twisted into a wry grin. “I’m happy to report I never once tossed my cookies.”

  “I’m impressed,” Kade said, handing her the last stack of cards. This time she was the one to let her touch linger, wreaking havoc with his sympathetic nervous system and bathing his brain with intoxicating feel-good chemicals. He totally got why Travis said and did stupid things because Kade asked Presley something he never thought he’d ever ask a woman. “So, do you want to have kids?”

  Presley held perfectly still and stared at him for the span of a heartbeat. “With you?” she asked in a strangled voice.

  Kade stifled a laugh, tempted to tell her that’s exactly what he was asking. Before he could say anything, her face turned bright red. “Oh my gosh,” she said, covering her cheeks with her hands. “You meant in general.”

  “Now you’ve got me curious.” He shrugged and gave her a playful wink. “But for the record, I definitely want a few kids.”

  “Ah, did you hear that, Greg?” Stacie asked, making both Kade and Presley jump. “They’re discussing kids.”

  “Yeah, one minute you’re discussing having kids, and the next thing you know you’re changing dirty diapers and puking in the garbage can.”

  “Greg,” Stacie said, swatting him on the arm. “Do not say anything like that around Mother.”

  “What?” Greg smirked. “Devon almost lost it just hearing Jamie recount the story.”

  As if on cue, Kade’s mom walked into the family room and stopped to look at them all through narrowed eyes. “Why do I get the feeling you all were just talking about me?”

  “Now, Mom, you know you aren’t supposed to ask any questions when it comes to Christmas.”

  Wow, that was smooth. Kade needed to take a few pointers from Greg on how to schmooze his mother.

  A warm smile spread across his mother’s lips. “You just might be my favorite son-in-law, but I’ll deny it if you ever tell Cody or Devon.”

  “My lips are sealed,” Greg said. “And I love you too.”

  His mom’s gaze flickered to Presley. Remarkably, her smile didn’t falter. “Presley, thank you for helping with the children.”

  A look of wonder crossed Presley’s features, her blue eyes sparkling with emotion. “Thank you so much, Mrs. Miles.”

  His mother nodded her head, and just like that, her smile faded away. “Maybe we should postpone the talent show until tomorrow evening.” She lifted her chin a notch as she met Kade’s gaze. “Obviously, Jillian doesn’t feel well.”

  “Obviously,” Kade agreed in a slightly sarcastic tone that made the corner of his mom’s eyes tighten with irritation.

  “Does she need to be quarantined?” Stacie asked. “The last thing we need is for everyone to start dropping like flies.”

  “No, she doesn’t need to be quarantined.” Mom tucked a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. “She just needs some rest and maybe some chicken noodle soup.”

  “Maybe we should take the kids to see the new Christmas movie tonight,” Stacie said. “That way Jillian can rest and the kids won’t go stir crazy.”

  “That sounds fun,” Kade said, loving the idea of not having Jillian breathing down his neck. “Presley, and I can come and help out with the kids.”

  Frustration flickered behind his mom’s eyes. “Don’t make any plans yet,” she said in a strained voice. “Jillian might feel better. Kade, perhaps you can look in on Jillian since you have medical training.”

  Kade resisted rolling his eyes. Jillian didn’t need medical attention, but he supposed there was always a chance that she was coming down with something and that’s why she’d reacted so strongly to the dirty diaper. “I’ve got Zofran in my first-aid kit,” he said, noticing the way his mom’s face lit up at the prospect of him spending some alone time with Jillian. “I’ll get it before we go to the movie.”

  “What movie?” Allison asked, coming out from the kitchen. It was her turn to cook today, and she wore an apron covered with splattered spaghetti sauce. “I thought the talent show was tonight.”

  Stacie jumped in with the idea of taking the kids to the movies if Jillian was too sick for the talent show tonight. Allie didn’t look quite as enthused. “Cody, and I already took Lucas and Brooklyn to it, and I’ll be exhausted after cooking dinner for everyone too.”

  “That’s okay,” Stacie said. “Kade and Presley volunteered to go with us.”

  Jamie had come back upstairs and caught the end of the conversation. “Blake doesn’t feel good, and I don’t want to leave him with Devon. He’s got a weaker stomach than Jillian.”

  “Jillian’s stomach isn’t weak,” their mom said in fierce defense. “She doesn’t feel well, either.”

  Jamie was still miffed over Jillian’s treatment of her little boy. She looked like a mama bear about to take on another mama bear. Before things got ugly, Kade intervened. “Mom, why don’t you go make some soup for Jillian.” He placed his hands on his mom’s shoulders and directed her toward the kitchen. “And I’ll run out and get the medication.”

  “All right, thank you.” His mom hesitated, and Greg turned back on his charm and escorted her to the kitchen with the promise to help her make the chicken soup.

  “Oh brother,” Stacie said, once they were out of earshot. “Have you two considered eloping?”

  “No,” Kade and Presley answered at the same time.

  “Well,” Stacie said, rubbing a hand over her stomach, “you should. Mom will start acting normal again, and Jillian will finally accept you are never going to marry her.”

  His sisters dispersed, Stacie promising to buy the movie tickets while Jamie and Allie rounded up the kids for supper.

  “Sorry my family is so crazy,” Kade said when he and Presley were alone
. “And I guess I should’ve asked if you wanted to go see the movie before I volunteered you.”

  “The movie sounds fun.” Kade noticed she didn’t say anything about his crazy family. She twisted her mom’s wedding ring and looked toward the staircase. “I feel bad about making fun of Jillian if she’s really sick.”

  Kade knew Presley was sincere and not just saying that to impress him or his mom. It was one more thing to like about her. “I’m sure she’ll recover quickly.” He could hear some of the kids coming up the stairs. “I better go get the Zofran for Jillian, and then I’ll meet you in the dining room.”

  “Good luck,” Presley said as Brooklyn ran to her and hugged her legs. “Call if you need backup.”

  “Thanks.” Kade grinned and started walking backward, watching as Maddie made a beeline for Presley too. “Save me a seat.”

  “I’ll try, but I’m kind of popular with your nieces and nephews.” A sassy smile parted her lips as she patted the two girls on the head. “I think they like me better than you.”

  “What?” He shook his head even though it was probably true. Presley took time talking and playing with the kids and truly seemed to enjoy it. “I’m their favorite uncle.”

  “I never said you weren’t.” She blew him a kiss before taking Maddie and Brooklyn by the hand to help them wash up for supper.

  Kade stood there for a few seconds, unable to take his eyes off her. He loved watching her with his family. She was beautiful, kind, and fun to be around. Presley stopped at the end of the hallway and looked back over her shoulder, catching him watching her. Those perfect lips of hers curved into a sexy smile, sending his pulse rate into overdrive.

  Presley had asked what they were going to do when they got home, and he’d given her a lame answer. But what were they going to when they returned home? Because Kade liked being with her. Liked her enough that if he wasn’t careful, he could fall in love with her, and that thought scared him more than running into a burning building that was about to collapse.

  Chapter 13

  Lunch was a noisy affair, but Presley loved every second of it. Especially since Jillian was still resting in her room. It was a welcome reprieve not to feel like she was in constant competition. Plus, it was nice not hearing any more cute stories about Kade and his ex-girlfriend.

  The only drawback was feeling like Kade’s mother was constantly taking Presley’s measure. While she wasn’t rude to Presley and had thanked her for entertaining the children, Marilyn still kept herself reserved and distant and always seemed to be watching her. Presley tried not to let it bother her and wondered if she would ever win the woman’s approval. Then again, maybe it was better this way. It was hard to remember that this was all for show and that in two days, the camera crew would show up to film the proposal, and then once the special aired, she and Kade would end the charade.

  Sneaking a look at Kade across the table, Presley bit back a smile as he demonstrated to his nephew Lucas how to properly slurp up his spaghetti noodles. Allison wasn’t very thrilled that her brother was teaching this particular skill to her son, but she kept taking videos of them so she must not be too upset.

  Kade met her eyes, giving her a smile that seemed reserved. She was confused about what was going on between them. Her feelings for him had only deepened, and her little crush was growing into something that felt an awful lot like love with every passing moment she spent with him. But he’d avoided being alone with her this morning so she’d reeled back in her emotions and pretended like she was only pretending to be in love with him. Playing with the kids was surprisingly fun as well as a great distraction.

  Sensing Marilyn was watching her again, Presley averted her gaze and finished off the last of her salad. She avoided unnecessary carbs and pasta was one of those items. She’d much rather eat a cookie or a brownie, and Allison had made homemade brownies for tonight. Some people were weird about her meal prepping, but not Kade’s sisters. They were so sweet about it and excited for the upcoming Ninja Champion season to start.

  “Can we build a snowman yet?” Jenny asked her mother for the third time in the last five minutes. “Presley is done eating now.” It had snowed during the night and finally let up an hour ago. The sun was shining, and the kids were anxious to go outside and play. None of the adults were too thrilled with the idea. But not Presley. She was just as excited as the kids were.

  “Sweetie, Presley might not want to play in the snow.” Jamie was holding a fussy Blake. The little boy sounded miserable.

  “I can’t wait to build a snowman,” Presley said. “But I’ve never done it before so I’m going to need lots of help.”

  “I’ll help!” Lucas said around a mouthful of spaghetti.

  “Me too,” Laura said.

  “Can I come too?” Brooklyn asked.

  “Sure,” Presley said with a laugh. “But first, we need to help with the dishes.” Presley stood up and picked up her plate.

  “Oh no you don’t,” Allison said, scooting back from the table to start clearing the dishes. “If you’re willing to play in the snow with the kids, then you get out of dish duty.”

  “That hardly seems fair, but okay,” Presley said, handing over her plate to Allison. The other kids scrambled away from the table.

  “I’ll help with the dishes,” Cody said. “Unless you need me to come outside to help?” he asked Presley with a look that said he really didn’t want to play in the snow.

  “Nope.” Kade stood up and grabbed his plate. “I’m on kid-duty with my fiancée,” he said, giving Presley a wink.

  It was silly to feel so giddy hearing him call her his fiancée. She hoped her stupid love-sick grin didn’t reveal how much she wished their engagement wasn’t temporary.

  “I hope you two don’t have kids right away,” Devon said, taking Blake from Jamie. “It’s really nice having the fun uncle and aunt team.”

  Presley saw Kade’s eyes widen slightly before he ducked his head to help Lucas clean up the spaghetti sauce from the little boy’s face. Each time one of his family members talked about the future, Presley’s guilt over their deception increased. She was growing to love this family so much. They would hate her when she broke off the engagement. Her gut twisted at the thought. She was totally making Kade do it. No way was she going to be the one to end things.

  “If they wait too long,” Jamie said, then their kids will be so much younger than ours.”

  “True,” Stacie said. “It would be nice to have a little cousin close to our baby’s age.”

  Color infused Presley’s cheeks as Kade’s siblings discussed their future children as if they were a done deal. Kade glanced up, and their eyes met. “Sorry,” he mouthed.

  What was he sorry about? Ignoring her this morning, or was he sorry because they were lying to his family? “It’s fine,” she mouthed back. It wasn’t really fair to make him the bad guy. Not when he was doing this as a favor for her. When the time came, she would take all the blame for ending their relationship.

  Allison chimed in with her own advice on when to have kids. The conversation needed to stop. Kade’s mother was so uptight she looked like she was about to snap.

  “Would you guys stop talking like we’re not here,” Kade grumbled. “And stop with the family planning too.”

  “Kade’s right, girls.” Marilyn scooted away from the table. “They’re not in any rush to get married,” she said, dabbing a napkin to the corner of her pinched lips. “So stop pushing them.”

  An awkward silence settled over the room. Even the kids were quiet as Marilyn took her husband’s plate that was still untouched and headed toward his office. Ben had gotten an important phone call before he could eat and hadn’t returned.

  “Sorry,” Jamie said. “We’re being way too nosy.”

  “Yeah, you are,” Kade said, throwing a wadded up napkin at Jamie, but it fell short and landed on her plate.

  “What did I miss?” Greg said, holding Maddie’s hand. He’d taken her to the bathroom
a few minutes earlier.

  “Nothing,” Kade said. “Presley and I are taking the kids out to build a snowman. Want to come?”

  “Is that a trick question?” Greg asked.

  “No,” Kade said, taking Lucas by the hand, “because apparently having kids makes you no fun.”

  “Huh?” Greg asked with confusion as Kade walked out of the dining room.

  “Somebody’s cranky,” Stacie said. She looked at Presley. “He must need attention from you since you’ve spent so much time with our kids.”

  Was Kade feeling neglected? Presley wasn’t sure why that made her so happy. “I love your kids.”

  “I know,” Stacie said. “We all love you too.”

  Warmth filled Presley’s chest like she’d swallowed a cup of hot cocoa. They loved her? She glanced at Jamie and Allison, who were both nodding their head in agreement. “That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me,” Presley said. Her voice cracked, and she blinked away the burning sensation pressing against the back of her eyelids. If only she could talk to Kade’s sisters to see if they had any advice to offer about how she could win their brother’s affections.

  “Can we go outside now?” Jenny said, tugging on Presley’s hand.

  “Sure, sweetie.” Presley took the little girl by the hand. “Let’s go get our snow stuff on.”

  “That is a job for more than one person,” Jamie said, standing up. “Stacie, and I will get the kids ready while you go get your stuff.”

  Presley was grateful for the chance to be alone so she could think. She headed upstairs to change into her winter clothes, wishing she had someone to talk to. Brynlee was doing wedding stuff with her mom while Travis went golfing with his future father-in-law. Presley knew Brynlee would call her back if she texted her. She would have to keep things to herself for now.

  Knocking on the adjoining bathroom door, Presley walked in when nobody answered. The last person she wanted to see was Jillian. Touching up her makeup, Presley braided her hair into two plaits and then put on a navy blue beanie. Grabbing her ski coat, she opened her bedroom door and saw Jillian standing outside as if waiting for her.