Accidentally Married by Victorine E. Lieske Read Free Book Online Page A

“What do you want, then?”
    “Aunt Shelly’s in the hospital.”
    Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, no. What happened?”
    “She collapsed last night. They’re running more tests, but it doesn’t look good.”
    “I’m so sorry.” She fiddled with the tie of her robe. “Please tell your family I send my condolences. I hope she gets better soon.” She started to close the door, but he pushed it back open.
    “You don’t understand. She wants to see you.”
    She’d have been less surprised if he had said he was training monkeys to do the Macarena. “Me! Why me? I barely know her.”
    He leaned against the door jamb, a scowl forming on his face. “I think it might have something to do with the fact you told her we were engaged.”
    Guilt flooded her, but she didn’t want Jared to see it, so she forced an exaggerated sigh and said, “You make one mistake and no one will let you forget it.”
    “Funny. Get dressed. We’re leaving now.”
    She made a face. “Fine. It’s not like I have a job or anything.” She held the door open and motioned him inside. “Have a seat. I’ll just be a minute.”
    He seemed relieved she agreed to go with him. Like she was heartless or something and could deny a dying woman’s last wish.
    She froze.
    Oh, heavens, what if his aunt really is dying? What if she makes Madison promise to love, honor and obey Mr. CEO Pants? Can a person go to hell for lying to a dying woman?
    Pushing those thoughts away, she threw on some jeans and a blouse, spritzed a little perfume, and walked back into the living room. “Okay, I’m ready.”

    Jared tried not to stare at Madison, but it wasn’t easy. How she could look that good without any makeup was a mystery. Clad in a v-neck blouse and a pair of jeans that showed off her shapely legs, she could easily have come from a fashion magazine photo shoot. He motioned her outside.
    When they got to the parking lot, he opened the passenger door for her. She raised her eyebrows at him but didn’t say anything as she slid into her seat. Yeah, he had been rude yesterday. He probably deserved her silent treatment.
    As he pulled out onto the street, his stomach felt cold and heavy, like he’d swallowed a lead ball. Losing his aunt would be harder on him than he’d like to admit. She’d always been there for him. She’d been the one who consoled him as a child when his mother died, a constant in a world where he had to guard himself from feeling too much for each stepmother who came, showered him with love, then left, never to be heard from again.
    Madison played with the small clutch purse on her lap. “You said your aunt was sick. Do you mind if I ask what’s wrong?”
    His stomach rolled and he gritted his teeth. He didn’t want to talk about his aunt. That was none of her business. He liked to keep personal matters to himself. It was better that way. Safer. He hesitated, unsure of what to say.
    “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pry. It’s just—if we’re supposed to be engaged, I probably should know…” Her voice trailed off.
    He sighed. She was right. There was no good reason he should keep her in the dark. “She has been fighting cancer in different forms for years. She’s been in and out of the hospital. The cancer is gone, thank goodness, but now they think something’s wrong with her heart.”
    Madison nodded, her face grave. “You’re obviously close. Tell me about her.”
    Even though his instinct was to tell her to shut up, he swallowed and resigned to answer her questions. He was forcing her to come with him…to put on this pretense. She had a right to ask about his aunt.
    “I was only five when my mother died. Aunt Shelly lived close, so she came over a lot. Helped me through the hard times.”
    “Must have been difficult for your father, too.”
    Jared held back a sneer. “Yeah. So tough on him, he went out and found a new wife. Like replacing a light bulb. Here you are, Son. Here’s your new mom. Only she left