Page 10 of Fortune's Control
“What’s her name?”
“I don’t know.”
His brows lifted, but Shane didn’t otherwise comment. “We’ll be the source of gossip and rumors for a few weeks. Be prepared for questions about us, more than you expect.”
“What should I say?” The truth sounded awful, and I couldn’t figure out how to spin it into anything approaching romantic.
“Whatever you want. It doesn’t matter.” He shrugged, making clear how little it bothered him. “We’ll end this once it dies down. You can look for a job later if you decide to get one.”
This night grew from one form of unreal to another. No one knew I was here, and the pictures in my purse weren’t a threat, not anymore.
“Shane, can I ask you a question?”
“If you want.” He sounded as if he didn’t care.
“Why did you do all this tonight? I don’t mean this apartment, which I appreciate; please don’t mistake that.”
“You mean the marriage thing?”
The marriage thing. I couldn’t process that statement. “Yes, that.”
“You refused my offer to help. I decided you needed it, so here we are.” He tilted his head, hiding his eyes from me. “We’ll get your car in the morning. Sleep well, Lilah.”
Shane left before I could respond.
4-Lilah
I slept horribly and woke with a weight on my chest. After dressing, I left my borrowed garage apartment and stepped into paradise.
The previous night’s headlights from Shane’s truck illuminated a sign and palm trees lining a long driveway, but the late hour meant the rest of the property didn’t earn my notice. Now it left me breathless. It was big, with a capital B, with oaks, crepe myrtles, and more. The promised swimming pool beckoned me, although using it didn’t feel right.
Shane offered to rescue my car without suggesting a time. I could knock and ask, except last night’s questions painted an awful picture. A woman determined to make her many problems his. Give me the chance, and I’d find a few more. I’d go swimming and break his pool.
I waited on a deck chair as, other than some bird chirps, the silence enveloped me. No motor engines or people, just me enjoying the quiet. I tapped my sandal to create some noise and played with the cuff of my jeans.
“I could sing and chase the pretty birds away. Snap out of it, Delilah Mayberry. You’re safe, and a delicious man came to your rescue. You may be a giant imposition in his life, but it’s not all bad. You’ll find your grandmother and enjoy a pleasant vacation before finding a new job. Plus, you can make him cookies.” I grimaced. “That sounds sexual.”
I jumped to my feet to stick my hand in the cool water, and Shane appeared, as if my splashes were a summoning spell.
“You have a lovely home,” I said, rising to my feet.
“I’ll give you a tour when we get back.” Shane’s already deep voice was more guttural than I remembered, while his damp hair told me he had recently showered. Naked.
“It’s big enough to require a tour?”
“It does if you want to see the brook and spring. Let’s get this done. Aiden volunteered my time, and I promised to be there this afternoon.”
“Aiden?” I remembered their names, but not which was which. The weight on my chest pressed down.
“The one who placed us in this situation. Are you ready? We’ll stop by Willard’s gas station before collecting your car.” He waved towards his waiting truck.
*****
Willard’s grease-stained sign let me know the gas station was now open. The other sign reminding me that credit cards weren’t allowed, sat next to it. I rummaged through my purse, hoping some missing change would appear. It didn’t. “I need to go to the bank.”
Shane pulled a red gas can from his truck bed. “I have cash.”
I cringed and added another favor to the growing list in my head. “That’s unnecessary. I’ll pay you back.”
