The Wedding Favor by Caroline Mickelson Read Free Book Online

moment’s hesitation, Ava slipped her hand into his and allowed him to lead her through the maze of parked cars. Once they reached the front porch, he waited while she settled herself on the top step.
    “Can you at least have a seat and not loom over me?” she asked. There was just a hint of lightness in her tone that gave him hope. He sat on the next step down and leaned back against the porch railing.
    “That’s better,” she said. “Thank you.”
    They sat in silence for a few moments, the sounds of the party next door carried over by a gentle breeze.
    “They’re probably wondering where we are,” Ava said.
    “I’m wondering where we are,” Mateo answered. He was careful to keep his voice low and gentle. Something about Ava McKenna made him want to protect her, shield her from anything uncomfortable. This, he realized, was terribly ironic considering that he’d been the one to put her in the uncomfortable position she was in now. He watched her as she stared out into the moonlit yard. She was gathering her thoughts and he owed her the courtesy of waiting.
    After a long moment, Ava turned to face him. “I can’t do it.”
    A deep and profound sense of disappointment washed over Mateo. “I understand.”
    Ava shook her head. “I don’t think you do.” She reached over and touched his arm. “What I meant to say is that I can’t turn my back on your family. Not after all the kindness you all showed my mother and me when she was sick.” She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, as if looking for the courage to go back in time to a place filled with painful memories. “I was young but not too young to understand that we had a delicious home cooked meal on the table every night because someone in your family cooked it and brought it to us. I remember your grandpa and some of your uncles driving mom to her chemo appointments like she was a member of your family.” She flashed him a quick smile. “I even remember you and your cousins doing yard work early on Saturday mornings when I know you’d rather have been sleeping in.”
    A warm feeling of gratitude spread through Mateo but he stayed quiet. He sensed Ava wasn’t finished saying what she needed to. He reached out and lightly, gently, placed his hand over hers.
    She looked up at him. There was just enough moonlight so that he could see the unshed tears that welled in her eyes. “The Ortega family stood by us during a painful and sad time. I left so quickly after my mom died that I couldn’t properly thank anyone. I couldn’t pay you back then, but I can now.”
    “I appreciate what you’re saying Ava but I never meant to make you feel guilty.”
    “No, you didn’t. I didn’t mean to imply that. Honestly, Mateo, I can’t see how this can possibly end well but if you think we can pull it off, I’ll go along with your plan. On one condition.”
    “Name it,” he said. “Whatever it is, I’ll agree.”
    Ava grinned. “I think you’d better hear what I have to say before you agree.”
    Mateo shook his head. “No need. If you can place this much trust me in me, I can do the same. No questions asked.”
    Ava nodded. “Okay, here goes. I’ll go along with your plan if we make one slight modification. We can start by becoming engaged but I want you to make me your wife. Legally, that is.”
    Mateo stared at her, unsure he hadn’t just imagined that last sentence. “Marry you? For real?”
    “Yes, for real,” she replied. “It’s a legal marriage or nothing, Mateo.”

Chapter Six
    Mateo’s reaction was exactly what Ava expected it would be. She waited quietly while he sat in stunned silence. He looked as broadsided as she’d felt this morning when he’d asked her to pose as his fiancée.
    “Ava,” he finally said, “that’s the last thing I thought you’d say.”
    She pulled back and shifted so that she was sitting a little further away but was better able to look into his eyes. “You just said that you’d trust me and