The Rancher's Fake Fiancée

by Amy Vastine

  Hadley didn’t like her options, but she had to tell the truth. No more lies no matter what the repercussions. She was about to call when her phone rang. It wasn’t her mom. Asher’s face smiled at her on the screen. Her brother never called her. It could mean only one thing. She must have given her mother a heart attack.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  “HI, ASH.”

  “Did you really do what I think you just did?”

  She had been kidding about giving her mom a heart attack, but Asher sounded a tad too serious. “Is Mom okay? I need to call her back.”

  “Do you know what happens on Thursday?”

  “Thursday?” What did that have to do with her mom’s thinking she was engaged?

  Asher’s sigh was definitely meant to convey his annoyance. “Of course you have no idea. I mean that little to you.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “The awards. The nominations are announced Thursday morning. It’s only quite possibly the biggest thing to happen to me.”

  She tried to feel guilty for not remembering that he might or might not be nominated in a few days but failed. She had some bigger fish to fry just then.

  “Sorry. But I’m unclear how I did something that impacts whether or not you get nominated for an acting award.”

  “Seriously? Mom and Dad flew out here to support me and celebrate with me if I am fortunate enough to be nominated and all mom could talk about for the last half hour is that you’re engaged. This is the biggest moment of my career and you just couldn’t deal with me getting some of the attention.”

  Some of the attention? Asher had been getting all of their attention since the second he came out of the womb.

  “You think I got engaged to steal your thunder?”

  “Why else would you drop this bomb on Mom right now?”

  Hadley barked a laugh. Was he serious? How could someone possibly be more self-absorbed? “I didn’t drop any bombs on Mom and I am certainly not trying to ruin your life. Heaven forbid Mom talk about me in front of you for more than one second. What will you ever do having to listen to her go on and on and on and on about me instead of asking you how you’re doing? I mean, not that I know what that’s like at all.”

  “Oh, don’t be so dramatic.” He was unbelievable. “I understand it’s hard being my sister. I am a very tough act to follow. You don’t have to go and do unexpected things to get attention. Mom and Dad love you. Please stop trying to make everything about you. I don’t get to see them as often as you do and I’d like this week to be about me.”

  Hadley had to cover her mouth so she didn’t let something slip that she’d regret. He had no idea what it was like to be her. “Is Mom there?”

  “She’s in the other room. She called Aunt Penny to tell her you were getting married. She plans on calling everyone and sharing the news. So much for the calls she was going to make on Thursday to tell them I was nominated. That’s going to feel a little bit like an afterthought now, isn’t it?”

  Her mom was talking to Aunt Penny about her? She planned to call everyone? Her mom never called family about Hadley. It was always to share news about Asher. This was what it felt like to be bragged about. Hadley leaned back on the couch. Her mom was...excited for her. This never happened.

  “Hadley? Are you still there?” Asher asked.

  “I’m here. I’m sorry if this is making you feel like your possible nomination isn’t as important as it is. I mean it’s not the same as something as life-changing as getting married, but it’s important.” This felt too good. But even though this fake engagement was going to end sooner than later, she couldn’t resist milking it for every bit of attention it was gaining her. “I’ll call Mom and remind her why she’s out there and encourage her to keep the focus where it should be.”

  Asher wasn’t as pleased with this role reversal. “Thanks.”

  “I’ll talk to you on Thursday! Good luck, big brother.” Hadley hung up and let what just happened soak in for a minute. For the first time in her life, she had managed to outshine the sun. It was a glorious feeling.

  She hadn’t wanted to keep up the lie. Her plan had been to come clean, but what was one more little lie in the grand scheme of things? This was the first time one of the lies actually made her feel good. It wouldn’t last forever, but it would be enough for now.

  * * *

  TYLER AND KATIE finished most of the chores on her list. The rest they’d have to tackle tomorrow. They had one more day before the buyer that Ben recommended showed up.

  “I always pictured you here doing this kind of stuff,” Katie said, taking a seat next to him on the weathered bench outside the tack room. She smelled like hay and sweat. It wasn’t surprising that she turned down the other ladies’ offer to go to the spa. That wasn’t Katie’s scene.

  “Really?”

  “For sure.” She took a swig of water. “I know Chance wanted nothing to do with this life, but you always were eager to help my dad out and get your hands dirty. He always liked that about you.”

  Tyler remembered spending time with Lochlan, but the old man never said much. He usually complained about Chance and the attention he was showing Maura. It felt nice to know Lochlan had appreciated his help.

  “Can I mow the field tomorrow? I really want to see that drum mower in action.”

  Katie smirked and wrinkled her freckled nose. “Can you get out of bed before nine? I know you got that pretty fiancée to snuggle with, but I’m sure you haven’t been gone so long that you forgot that work on the ranch begins at sunup.”

  Tyler couldn’t let his mind wander to what it would be like to cuddle Hadley. “I think I can manage that.”

  “Then you can mow.” She finished her water and pulled out a handkerchief from her back pocket to wipe her face. Katie reminded him of her dad. They both had the same work ethic and similar mannerisms.

  “How is your dad doing? I remember you said he was in Arizona, but I know he’s been struggling a bit health-wise.”

  Katie gave him a sad smile. “He has his good days and bad days. His heart is bad shape. I’m working hard to help him make some positive life changes, but he’s a stubborn old coot. Getting him to go away for some downtime was a huge accomplishment on my part.”

  “I’m sorry. I know it can’t be easy when those parent/child roles get reversed. I suppose we’re going through the same thing with Big E.”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  That was always a loaded question. With so many secrets to keep, it was hard to know if he could answer honestly. “Maybe.”

  “What is it about this place that makes you want to sell it so bad?”

  There were so many different answers to that question. Tyler’s reasons were layered. “I can’t stay and Ethan can’t run this place by himself.”

  “Why can’t you stay? I mean, I know you have a job and stuff in Portland, but people move and change jobs all the time. Something bigger is holding you back.”

  Tyler put his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together. The lie was easier than the truth on this one. “I’m marrying Hadley. We have a life in Portland. She doesn’t want to live here and wherever she goes, I go.”

  “You’re in love with her. It’s obvious. Anyone who sees you two together can tell.”

  Tyler wasn’t sure if he should be proud of his acting skills or worried that he was more smitten than he even realized. “That’s why we’re getting married.”

  “She loves this place. I see that, too. She isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Heck, she got a manicure this morning and was out in the field helping us with irrigation pipes this afternoon. Who else would do that?”

  “You.”

  Katie chuckled. “Nah, I wouldn’t have gotten the manicure in the first place.”

  “True. She’s one of a kind,” Tyler
said, meaning it wholeheartedly.

  “I bet if you asked her, she would consider staying here.”

  Tyler shook his head. Katie didn’t know his fiancée wasn’t real, so maybe he needed to be real. “It’s not Hadley that’s driving me away. It’s me. Being here cuts a little too deep. There’s too much pain buried out there in those fields.”

  “I know losing your mom and dad was hard—”

  “It’s not just that.” Losing his parents was incredibly hard, but it was how he had lost them and the fact that he couldn’t save them that was the greater issue. “I can’t stay somewhere I never truly felt loved.”

  Katie squared her shoulders to him. “What are you talking about? You were loved. Your brothers would all lay down their lives for you. Your mom and dad loved you. Big E has always been a little rough around the edges, but he loves you boys in his way.”

  “It’s nice that you think so, but I remember things a little differently than you do. My parents...” He couldn’t talk about his parents. The emotion was too raw. “Big E never seemed to be happy about having to take care of us. His behavior over the years speaks volumes, plus, where is he right now? He took off and refuses to contact any of us when we need him to help us get this ranch up and running.”

  “The guest ranch looks up and running to me. You and Ethan are doing a great job. He’s proud of you.”

  “Big E doesn’t know what pride is. Never has.” Tyler could list too many examples of Big E being the exact opposite of proud. He was impossible to please, which was why they all gave up trying.

  “Don’t give up on him. Maybe he’ll surprise you.”

  Tyler had to hold back a bitter laugh. He stood up and stretched his arms above his head. He needed to go finish a conversation with Hadley, and digging up the resentments he felt toward his grandfather wasn’t going to put him in the right frame of mind.

  “I can’t hold out hope that he’s going to change. A leopard can’t change his spots, Katie.”

  * * *

  HADLEY IMAGINED THAT this feeling she was experiencing was what being on cloud nine felt like. She turned up the radio and swayed to the country song playing on the only station that came in out here in the middle of Montana.

  “Someone’s in a good mood. Did you get into the wine that I bought the other day?” Tyler leaned against the doorjamb with his arms folded across that chest. A smile played on his lips. Those lips.

  She reached for him. “Dance with me. I’m celebrating being the favorite child for once in my life.”

  Tyler’s brow furrowed, but he took her hand and swayed back and forth with her. “How exactly did you become the favorite?”

  Hadley wrapped her arms around his neck. “I didn’t know until today, but my mom has been dreaming about my wedding since the day she found out she was having a girl.”

  “Really?” He placed his hands on her hips.

  “Finding out we’re engaged has her more excited than the possibility of Asher being nominated for an Emmy.” Saying it out loud made it that much more incredible.

  “Your mom still thinks we’re engaged? I thought maybe you would set the record straight.”

  “I was going to... I planned to, but then my brother called with the news that I was ruining his life by being more important than him and I couldn’t do it. I have never been more important than him. Ever. I decided lying for a little longer wouldn’t hurt anyone, even Asher. His ego needs a reality check.”

  Maybe that was mean. She was trying to care, but Asher had spent a lifetime being mean to her. Didn’t he deserve it?

  “I didn’t realize you and your brother were on such bad terms.”

  “I wouldn’t call it bad terms. Asher only thinks about Asher. My parents only think about Asher. They all think I should only think about Asher. It’s refreshing to be a blip on my mom’s radar even if it’ll only be for a few days.”

  Tyler stopped swaying. “You deserve to be more than a blip on someone’s radar.”

  Hadley swallowed hard. He was staring at her with those eyes. She brought her hand to his cheek. It was as smooth as silk, just like she had imagined it would be last night.

  “You scare me, Tyler Blackwell. I could fall under your spell and then what? Would you break my heart?”

  “Would you break mine?”

  She could feel his heart beating as fast as hers. She would never break his heart if he trusted her with it.

  “I won’t break yours if you don’t break mine.”

  The air between them felt electric. He breathed in and she breathed out. “Seems like a fair compromise,” he said, sliding his hand up to her neck. His thumb brushed against her bottom lip. “I’m going to kiss you now.”

  Kissing Tyler was like Christmas morning. Every kiss was a new present under the tree. They were all different but exactly what she was hoping for.

  He pulled back but tugged her closer against him. She felt safe and loved in a way she’d never experienced with anyone else. He began to sway back and forth to the music again.

  “I’m falling for you. I’m falling hard,” he admitted. “My family is falling for you. Heck, even Katie loves you.”

  “I love your family. I love Katie. Everyone here is amazing.” It was easy to talk about his family and friends. It was terrifying to say what she felt for him. “I could fall for you, too. I just don’t want to ruin everything.”

  His forehead creased with concern. “How would you ruin everything?”

  “You’re my boss, so I’m not sure how this plays out. Do we go back to Portland and you give me a promotion and become my boyfriend? How’s that going to look to everyone at the office? What’s Kellen going to say?”

  “I don’t have answers. I would hope that everyone at the office knows you’re the hardest-working person there and that my feelings for you have nothing to do with why you’d get promoted.”

  “And what’s your family going to think? What’s my family going to think? They’re all waiting for a wedding and I just want to know what it’s like to hold your hand and do this—” she kissed his cheek so she could feel the softness of his skin on her lips “—whenever I want to.”

  The happiest smile broke across his face. “You’re going to kiss me whenever you want to now?”

  “I think I might.” Her nerves made her giggle like a schoolgirl. “Unless that’s a problem for you.”

  “No, I have no problem with that because I think I’m going to be kissing you whenever I want, as well.”

  “Sounds like there could be a lot of kissing in our future.”

  “I hope so,” he murmured before gently placing one more on her lips.

  Hadley let herself enjoy the kiss a couple of minutes longer before she pulled back. “You need a shower and I need some food. Kissing is nice but it’s not going to fill my belly. Get ready and take me to dinner, Mr. Blackwell.”

  Tyler took off his hat and held it over his heart. He bowed his head. “Whatever you say, Miss Sullivan.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  WHO CARED WHAT the family thought? That was what Hadley and Tyler had decided over dinner the night they came clean about their feelings for each other. No one said they had to get married anytime in the near future. Maybe they wanted a long engagement. Even better, maybe Tyler would be okay with telling the truth and ending the engagement lie altogether.

  “Please tell me you have an amazing plan to sabotage this meeting today.” Ethan sidled up next to her as she watched the new guests feed the animals at the petting zoo. “And an even better plan to sabotage the meeting on Wednesday.”

  “I don’t know if I can do this,” Hadley confessed. She’d been thinking about it and now that Tyler admitted how he felt about her, there was no reason to keep up being a double agent. “I have to tell you something.”

  “Hadley, please. You promised
me you would give me time to work on him. I can’t work on him if he sells the ranch out from under me.”

  “Ethan, I’m falling in love with your brother.”

  “Great!” His wide eyes and broad smile made him seem genuinely happy for her.

  “And he is falling in love with me. There’s no big lie for you to reveal. We’re actually together.”

  Ethan laughed at the irony of the situation. “You’re telling me that while lying about being in love you both really fell in love with each other?”

  “I can’t explain it. He’s different here. Look at him.” Tyler was standing by the horse barn with Conner. He planned to take the buyer around the property on horseback. He was all smiles. “He’s never that happy at the office.”

  Ethan watched his brother for a minute and bounced on the balls of his feet. “That’s why you have to keep helping me.”

  Why wasn’t he listening to her? She didn’t want to do this anymore. The lies weren’t worth the risk of making Tyler miserable.

  “I’m not in this for the promotion anymore. I’m in it for your brother.”

  “Perfect! He belongs here, Hadley. You both do, especially now that you’re in love.”

  “Falling in love,” she corrected. She didn’t want him to misunderstand where they were in this relationship.

  “Especially since you’re both falling in love. Help me. Help me convince him to stay. All of us working together could make this ranch something amazing.”

  Hadley needed a second to process what he was offering. Stay in Montana? Permanently? That was an option that she had not bothered to consider because being together hadn’t been a possibility until now. She didn’t hate the idea.

  “I don’t know.”

  “But you’ll think about it?”

  “Staying has to be his choice.”

  “But you love this idea.”

  The more she thought about it, the more excited she got. She loved the ideas they had come up with already and had been disappointed that she wouldn’t get to see them through.