Wife for a Day by Patti Berg Read Free Book Online Page A

nothing devious there. As for being rich, I can’t help what I am.”
    He leaned back in the soft black leather and folded his arms across his chest. “All you have to do is dance with him, ask him a few questions, and maybe bat your eyelashes a time or two.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œI’ll give you a thousand more.”
    The money was tempting, but she couldn’t.
    She shook her head.
    â€œTwo thousand.”
    â€œI’m not a spy. Please don’t ask me—”
    â€œFive.”
    Her heart seemed to stop. She could pay offmost of what she owed Johnnie with five thousand dollars. It wasn’t right, but she was desperate. “All right. Five.”
    â€œYou drive a hard bargain.”
    â€œNo,” Sam said. “Sometimes I sell my services a little too easily. I always regret it in the end.”
    He leaned forward again, and lifted her hand. His felt warm; hers was freezing. “You asked me earlier if something was bothering me, and now I’m going to ask you. Are you in trouble? Something I might be able to help you with?”
    She didn’t know Jack Remington well enough to tell him her troubles. Besides, her foolishness was all too humiliating to talk about. Five months ago she’d confided in a rich man, she’d even asked for his help. In the end, she’d ended up with black eyes and a scar on her jaw. She didn’t like the thought of Jack Remington seeing her as a greedy, moneygrubbing con, but she wouldn’t be seeing him after tonight. His disdain was something she could live with.
    â€œThanks for asking,” she said, pulling her hand away, “but I don’t have a care in the world.”
    Â 
    Lauren Remington Chasen Lancaster looked radiant. Sam picked her out the moment sheand Jack walked through the massive double doors that led into a pink-and-white marble entry. With a devastatingly handsome fiancé at her side, she’d stood at the far end of the room greeting guests, dressed in a gold-colored gown covered with thousands of shimmering amber beads. A Paris original, Sam imagined. More than likely Christian Lacroix. She must have been close to six feet tall and looked more like a voluptuous Amazon princess than a willowy Palm Beach socialite. When she saw Jack, her face lit up like she’d just won a Vegas jackpot.
    She threw her arms around Jack’s neck, and he lifted her off the floor, spun her around, and every guest in the room stared, as if showing real, honest emotion was unrefined. Peter Leighton frowned, then instantly wiped the look of discontent from his face and put on a smile.
    Too late , Sam thought. She considered herself a good judge of character, and Peter Leighton was definitely a man to be watched. Her feelings about Jack and his gut instinct rose a notch.
    Jack caught Sam’s arm and drew her toward his sister. “Lauren, I’d like you to meet my fiancée, Arabella Fleming.”
    Sam took a deep breath, as the charade began in earnest.
    â€œI hope Jack told you how happy I am for both of you,” Lauren said, “but if he hasn’t, well, I’m just thrilled.”
    â€œThank you,” Sam said. She held out her hand, but suddenly found herself caught up in Lauren’s sisterly embrace.
    â€œYou’re perfect for Jack,” Lauren whispered. “Of course, you don’t look at all like he described you.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Jack said, obviously overhearing his sister. “She’s exactly how I described her. Beautiful.”
    â€œWell, she is beautiful. But she’s got red hair, not brown, you said something about her being average height when she’s nearly as tall as me, and, oh, what does it matter. You’re both here.” The smile grew even brighter on Lauren’s face as she linked her arm through Peter’s, drawing him forward.
    â€œNow it’s my turn to introduce my fiancé. Peter Leighton, this is my