A Ring for Cinderella by Judy Christenberry

better.”
    Susan noted another frown. “Is something wrong?”
    “No. By the way, I like your family.”
    “Yes, they’re nice, aren’t they?”
    “Why won’t you let them help you?”
    “Help me? They help me all the time.”
    “I mean, move you out of that apartment.”
    Susan bit her bottom lip. Finally, she said, “I’m responsible for Megan and Paul and myself. Not
     them. My mother was—was irresponsible, but I’m not.” She clenched her jaw to keep from saying any more.
    “I understand Megan and Paul had different fathers.”
    “My, you certainly learned a lot tonight. I didn’t know Will and Josh were going to spill every family secret.” And she’d have a word with them before they got within a mile of Zach again.
    “It just came out in casual conversation. After all. you haven’t been a fount of information.”
    “I never realized my personal life was part of the agreement. I agreed to be your temporary fiancée. I did not agree to your becoming my father confessor.” Her words came out much sharper than she’d intended. But she wasn’t happy with the events of the evening.
    “You’re not going to make it sound like we’re fighting when you talk to Gramp, are you? Otherwise, all our efforts will be worthless.”
    “Of course not,” she said, letting out a deep sigh. The thought of upsetting the old man wasn’t acceptable.
    Half an hour later, she kept her promise. Sitting on the side of Gramp’s bed, she showed him the tennis bracelet and threw loving looks over her shoulder at the handsome man standing behind her.
    “Not only did Zach buy me this incredible present, but he took Paul and his friend Manuel shopping. You should see Paul in his cowboy hat. He’s so proud!”
    “Good. It sounds to me like you and your brother
     could use a little pampering,” Pete returned, smiling as he held her hand.
    “No, Gramp, I think this is more spoiling than pampering. I’m going to have to insist that Zach not waste any more money on us.” She smiled broadly, hoping to establish some boundaries with a witness.
    Neither man responded well to that statement. Zach protested at once. “I think I should spend money on my new family whenever I feel like it.”
    “Well, of course you should, boy. That’s what a husband is for, little lady. To take care of you, provide for you.”
    In spite of her good intentions, Susan couldn’t accept such generosity. “But Paul and Megan are my responsibility, Gramp, not Zach’s.”
    Zach squeezed her shoulder. “We’ll discuss this later, honey. We don’t want to involve Gramp in our little disagreements.”
    His warning was clear. “Of course not. Though our spats are few and far between, aren’t they, sweetie?” She allowed just the slightest tinge of sarcasm in that last word.
    “When are you two going to move out to the ranch? That boy needs to be wearing his boots right now.”
    Susan almost choked. Moving to the ranch wasn’t part of their agreement, was it?
    Zach answered before she could. “We’re going to wait until you’re better. It’s easier to visit from here.”
    “But how’s the ranch doing without either of us there?”
    “Gramp, you know the guys. They’re doing their jobs. I check in by phone every day. Jesse keeps me informed.”
    Zach’s hands still rested on her shoulders, and Susan sat quietly while the two men discussed the ranch. But the skin under Zach’s hands was tingling with sensation.
    “Well, I think you should all go on back to the ranch. You’ll need to get Paul registered in school. I talked to Hester by phone, and she’s been getting a room ready for the boy. The one you used as a child, Zach.”
    “That will be perfect for Paul. Though I’m not sure how he’ll manage without his friend Manuel. They’re great pals.”
    “He can have him out for the weekends,” Pete suggested. “After all, we want Paul to be happy. You’ve done a good job raising him, Susan.”
    “Thank you, Gramp. Um,