A Suitable Wife: A Sweetwater Springs Novel by Carol Burnside, Emily Sewell, Kim Killion Page B

steering wheel where he gripped it tightly.
    God help him if she did decide to back out of their deal.

CHAPTER SIX
     
    “ H old on. Hold on! Stop.” Claire stopped Rosie in mid-sentence, shaking her head vigorously. The last rays of sunlight shone through a nearby window, glinting off her silver teardrop earrings, which swung wildly.
    “Let me see if I’ve got this right. You’re getting married to a guy you haven’t seen in years—until he moved into this house a few days ago. You’re having a civil ceremony at the courthouse. Two witnesses, no guests. Oh, and your family doesn’t know yet, so I have to keep it a secret until you tell them.”
    Rosie winced at the incredulous look on Claire’s face. “That about covers it.”
    “Not even.” Claire shook her head and plopped onto Rosie’s sofa, her purple slip dress riding high on her thighs. “This is messed up. I’m supposed to do the wacky stuff, and you’re supposed to talk sense into me. Not the other way around.”
    “I figured you’d have questions.” And she dreaded giving the answers. Rosie sat, facing Claire’s right with the middle cushion between them.
    “Duh. For starters, what’s the scoop here? The last time we talked, he was offering you a wad of cash for your business. Now you’re planning a quickie wedding, but there’s no talk of love.”
    Rosie plucked at the hem of her khaki capri pants. Somehow she had to show Claire that the arrangement with Sam was good for everyone concerned without revealing her attraction to him.
    “Sam agreed that since you knew about the loan, I could let you in on the secret. But you have to promise not to tell anyone. Not my family, not a customer in strictest confidence, not even your cat.” He hadn’t liked it, but he’d agreed.
    “I don’t have a cat.” Claire crossed her arms under her breasts and glared, daring Rosie to dispute the statement.
    She refused to be sidetracked with the ongoing debate as to whether the stray feline Claire fed twice daily had now become a pet. “Come on, Claire. I need your word on this.”
    “Not until you promise I can stand up with you. I’m your best friend. If you can trust me with your secret, you can trust me to be best maid.”
    “Best . . . Oh. You mean maid of honor. I told you. We’re not having attendants, only—”
    “Yeah, I know. Witnesses. So why can’t I be your best whatever and act as a witness, too?”
    Why not? One pair of attendants wouldn’t hurt anything. Sam hadn’t specified who they’d use as witnesses. Maybe she could wear a short white dress and flowers in her hair—just to make things look legit, of course.
    “I’ll promise if you’ll promise,” she said, hoping Sam wouldn’t have a conniption fit and could find a best man on short notice.
    “Deal.” Claire clapped her hands. “Now dish.”
    Rosie explained the situation, saying that Sam had “personal reasons” for not wanting to share custody with his ex-wife. As they’d agreed, she wouldn’t divulge details regarding Jasmine.
    Claire was quiet for a few moments after Rosie finished, a thoughtful look on her pretty face. “I know you said it’s temporary, but are you sure you want to get in the middle of this? Their divorce was tabloid messy. Maybe you could get the money—”
    “It’s not about the money, and Sam’s not acting out of spite over some past dispute. He has justifiable reasons to fight joint custody, but has no intention of keeping Jasmine from visiting her daughter here—if she wishes to.”
    “And he’s explained those reasons to your satisfaction? You’re convinced he’s not just getting even?”
    “Yes.” Rosie smiled, remembering the night he’d quieted the little girl’s night terrors. “You should see him with Lorelei. He’s a great dad. Believe me, he wouldn’t hurt his daughter to get revenge.”
    “Are you falling for this guy?”
    “No! Why even ask when I’ve told you how it is between us?”
    “Oh, I don’t