Page 45 of Fairy Tale Husband

She eyed the flowers. “Are those for me?”

“Oh, right.” He held them out. “It’s a welcome to the neighborhood gift. Alittle late, I’m afraid. But they’re actually just an excuse to meet you before dinner tonight.”

Wynne laughed. “You didn’t need an excuse. And you certainly don’t need flowers. You’re welcome anytime.”

“In all honesty, Iwish I could claim I’d brought them out of the goodness of my heart. But the truth is I wanted to make sure we’re ready for tonight.”

She shot him a startled glance. Was this evening more important than she’d realized? “I think we are. Everything’s sort of hit at once—the move, the dinner party. Did you know this will be our first night staying here?”

“Jake mentioned something to that effect. Icouldn’t believe it when he said he planned to move you all over here.” Before she could ask why, he added, “But you haven’t answered my question.”

“About whether I’m ready for tonight?” She gestured toward the sideboard. “I’m setting the table right now. The meal won’t take any time to put together and—”

“The house looks beautiful, and I’m sure dinner will be perfect,” he interrupted, asmall frown furrowing his brow. “I guess what I really meant to ask was how you’re doing. You’re not worried about the real reason for tonight’s gathering, are you?”

“The real reason.” She stilled, something in his tone warning her to tread cautiously. “Would you care for a cup of coffee?” she offered.

“And some of those cookies I’ve heard so much about?” he suggested with boyish eagerness.

She managed a smile. “They certainly have helped cement my relationship with Dusty. It’s amazing what a man will do for a plateful of cookies.”

“They must be some cookies.” He followed her into the kitchen. Opening a cupboard with obvious familiarity, he removed two mugs and filled them with the coffee she’d just finished brewing. “How do you take it?”

“With cream and sugar.”

He poked his head in the refrigerator and removed the creamer. “I assume Jake spoke to you about tonight?”

“Sure.” She loaded up a plate with cookies and joined him at the table. “I was a bit surprised to hear Randolph is coming.”

Peter helped himself to an oatmeal raisin. “He wouldn’t miss it for the world. He still lives in hope that he can do Jake out of his inheritance.” He waved the cookie at her. “Hey, these are great. No wonder Dusty’s been jumping through hoops.”

“Thanks. So long as I keep the cookie jar filled, we’re the best of friends.” She hesitated. “I don’t understand something. Jake and I are legally married, right? So why would Randolph think he could win at this late stage?”

“Because Judge Graydon hasn’t recognized the marriage. He can’t until after he talks to you tonight and confirms that you... That you and Jake... You know.” He snagged another cookie. “I thought Jake explained all this.”

She buried her nose in the coffee cup, suddenly aware there was a whole lot she didn’t understand. “It must have slipped my mind.”

“If there weren’t so much at stake, it would be funny. Before Jake married you, it was all cut-and-dried. He’d pick out a plain, practical, levelheaded woman, marry her and then march her into court.”

“Practical? No wonder you were surprised when we first met,” she murmured.

“You don’t exactly fit the criteria,” he admitted, before hastening to add, “Not that it matters. The only vital requirement was that his wife be willing to stand up in front of the judge and half the world and make the necessary statement. But ever since he brought you home, he’s been all hot and bothered about fulfilling that particular condition.”

What condition? And what statement? She wished she could come right out and ask, but she didn’t dare. Peter obviously assumed Jake had explained it all to her. Which prompted yet another question: Why hadn’t he? “You said Jake was concerned about this part of the will. Why?”

“He doesn’t want you embarrassed. Told me to get the judge to agree to something more private.” Peter shrugged awkwardly. “At least you won’t have to stand up in court and inform the whole of Chesterfield that you consummated the marriage. Although doing it over dinner is bad enough, Isuppose.”

She paled, her mug clattering against the table. “I have to—”

“Unbelievable isn’t it?” Peter shook his head. “Mr. Chesterfield sure was a crazy ol’ coot. But he was desperate to have Jake married in every sense of the word.”

“Why?” she asked again.

Peter shifted uncomfortably. “You’ll have to ask Jake about that.” He finished his coffee and stood, snitching an extra couple of cookies. “Well, sorry to eat and run. But as I said, Ijust needed to confirm that everything’s set.”

“I appreciate your stopping by.” More than he’d everknow.

“Thanks for your hospitality. I’ll see you later tonight.”

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