Page 32 of Fairy Tale Husband

Wynne frowned. “I think you must have him confused with someone else. Jake does have dark hair, but he’s the kindest man in the world. And his eyes are the most beautiful shade of gold I’ve ever seen.”

Belle stared in disbelief. “Somebody’s confused, that’s for darned sure. Who did you say you were?”

“Wynne Hondo.”

“And you’re Jake’s...” She seemed to have trouble getting the appropriate wordout.

“Wife. Yes. We just got married.”

The woman eyed her suspiciously. “You have proof of that?”

“I think so.” Wynne dug in her purse, searching for the envelope the county clerk had givenher.

“Asa, come over here and listen to this,” the woman called out. “Jake’s gone and got himself a wife.” She shook her head in wonder as a tall, gray-haired man joined them. “And Randolph claimed there wouldn’t be time enough. He is gonna be fit to be tied.”

Locating the gold-leafed certificate, Wynne offered it to Belle, aware that a small, curious crowd had started to collect around the register. “This is just for decoration, you understand. It’s not a legal document and I’m not supposed to pass it off as one, but—”

“Honey, any woman brave enough to throw a lasso around a man like Jake Hondo deserves a frame for that piece of paper—legal or otherwise. Consider it a wedding present from me and Asa.”

“Why, thank you. That’s very kind of you.” Wynne’s smile wavered. “But I still have a small problem.”

“How can I help?”

“I only have fifteen dollars and sixty-seven cents on me and I wondered—”

“We’ll put your purchases on Jake’s tab. No problem.” She winked. “It’s not like we won’t know where to find you when the bill comes due at the end of the month. That Chesterfield spread sure is a beauty, isn’t it?”

Wynne stared at the woman in bewilderment. “Excuse me?”

“The Chesterfield spread. The ranch house where you’re living.”

“Oh, you must mean Lost Trail. The boys and I love it.”

Belle gave her a strange look. “You’re stayin’ at Jake’s old place?”

“Well, it does need a lick and a shine.” A small murmur ran through the crowd of shoppers. “But we’ll get it into shape in no time,” she hastened to reassure.

“Oh, you will, will you?” Belle shook her head and muttered, “That Jake Hondo is some piece of work.”

Wynne laughed. “He’s something else, isn’t he?”

“She’s... She’s something else,” Jake finallysaid.

“And this something else is a problem?” Peter guessed, still struggling to uncover the source of Jake’s displeasure. “I don’t understand. Didn’t she like the Chesterfield spread?”

“I don’t know. We’re living at my place.”

Peter stared, openmouthed. “You took her to that dump? Have you lost your mind? No wonder she’s upset. Take her to Chesterfield Ranch. She’ll cheer right up.”

If he took her to his grandfather’s house, she’d never leave—an untenable situation. Because one day soon the knight’s armor in which she’d sheathed him would begin to show its tarnish. He couldn’t bear to live with her eventual disillusionment when she finally saw the man beneath the chain mail. The realman.

“Wynne’s not upset,” he retorted. “In fact, she likes my place. She’s thrilled to be living in a house instead of an apartment. She’s even going to clean it for me.”

“What!”

“Not that I’d let her,” he added defensively. “Which reminds me. Ineed to hire somebody to knock the place into shape. Give me some recommendations, will you?”

Peter wrinkled his brow in confusion. “Let me get this straight. You don’t like this woman, right?”

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