A Wife by Accident by Victoria Ashe Read Free Book Online Page B

surly look that told him he couldn’t comprehend why his being a boy at the time should make a hair of difference.
    Charlie smiled, stretching a few freckles across his cheeks. “Ah, I forget the great Gary Tarleton was never a mere boy.”
    “Absolutely right.” Gary thrust his hands into his pockets. “But the stubborn old guy is staying true to his word, too. He says he’d rather see it demolished than let someone disreputable get his hands on it.”
    “Did you tell him about Hayely ?”
    “Of course. I made it a casual, personal visit. But Charlie, we’re not even close to convincing him. You know, I didn’t even have a picture of my own wife in my wallet to show him when he asked.”
    “This is getting complicated.”
    Gary ran his hand along a new five o’clock shadow. What he wanted of Hayely had ballooned far above his original intentions. There was no way they could hide their marriage from the public and make it convincing at the same time. Even a media campaign would be to his advantage. If he’d had a real wedding, he’d bet photographers would have been all over it. But whatever benefited him would probably hurt Hayely more, and after hearing what she’d said in the kitchen, he didn’t want to make things worse if he could help it.
    Gary smiled to himself. “I’ve got an assignment for you tomorrow, Charlie.”
    “Just say the word.”
    “I want you to go out and buy a black—no, a silver BMW. Get one of those really expensive retro-designed models with the red leather interior. If I know her taste, she’ll like that.”
    “It’s for Hayely ? You like her, I think.” Charlie grinned broadly.
    “I couldn’t stand to have a good employee seen in that mess, much less one who’s supposed to be my wife. When I pulled into the driveway and saw her car parked there—the bumper is falling off, she’s got the hood held down with a piece of wire, and every time she drives off to work it takes ten minutes for the exhaust cloud to leave. And did you see the patch of rust holding the trunk on? It’s not even safe.”
    “So, in other words, you like her,” he pressed.
    Gary sighed. “Yeah. She’s a good person.”
    “You’re married to her. It wouldn’t be all that hard to make the relationship—”
    “Don’t push your luck, Charlie.” He shot his friend what was supposed to be a quelling look. “I’m off to bed.”
    Gary walked up the stairs, clunk after clunk. He’d forgotten to take his shoes off in the foyer and his boots weighed heavily with every step. Charlie was really rotten for bringing up the subject. The more he got to know Hayely , the guiltier he felt about their contract. And now Charlie had put ideas into head that had no business being there.
    The door to her room was most of the way open in front of him, so he placed his hand flat against it and pushed it back farther. Hayely was stretched out on her side in front of the red glow of the dying embers covering the bottom of her fireplace. From the way her head was rested against one outstretched arm, Gary knew she’d fallen asleep.
    Oh so quietly, he tugged another blanket off of her bed and stretched it out over her. As he tiptoed from the room, her drowsily slurred voice stopped him.
    “You’re home,” she said. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
    “I didn’t mean to wake you,” he answered softly.
    Hayely sat up underneath the blanket. “You don’t need to whisper. I’m already awake.”
    Gary walked back to her and sat down with her on the floor. Her face, softened by sleep, was flushed from the heat of the fire and just looking at her stirred something protective inside him.
    “Did you have a good trip?”
    “Yes and no. I met with the man I told you about—Mr. Bellmark .”
    “Ah. The one holding the power over your promise.”
    “That would be him, yes. I’m afraid our work might be for nothing. Our ruse isn’t fooling him a bit,” Gary said with a shake of his head.
    “What