Page 34 of Fairy Tale Husband

“And was it? Great, Imean?”

Fury darkened Jake’s face. “If you weren’t my lawyer, I’d knock your teeth down your throat.”

Peter grinned. “Good thing I’m your lawyer then, isn’t it? Wait a minute. One last question before you go.”

“What?”

“This is your temporary wife, right? The one who’s leaving you once the terms of the will are met? The one you’re not in love with?”

Jake scowled, pulling the brim of his hat low over his brow. “That’s three questions, Bryant, and not one of them is any of your business. Just arrange for the dinner. Got it?”

“Fine, but you’ll have to talk to Wynne, explain what’s expected of her.”

“I’ll tell her.”

Maybe.

Or maybe he’d arrange for the judge to ask a few subtle questions over after-dinner coffee. He strode down the hall and out into the warm November sunlight, considering the matter. Wynne would never have to know the true purpose behind the get-together. He could keep it a secret. He’d just warn her that the judge was a nosy old man and she should humor him. It might work, if he planned carefully.

He shook his head in disgust.

Wynne’s idealism must be rubbing off. Why else would he be casting himself in the role of her personal protector? When would he learn? He was the villain of the piece, damn it all, not thehero.

After signing the receipt for the groceries she’d purchased, Wynne offered Belle a cheerful farewell and pushed the loaded cart toward the exit. Before she’d reached it, aman planted himself square in front of her, blocking herpath.

“Rumor has it you’re married to Jake,” he said by way of greeting. “Is that true?”

An unnatural silence descended on the crowded store and Wynne studied the man. Anger marred what might have been an attractive set of features and she wondered what she possibly could have done to antagonize him. “If you mean Jake Hondo, I’m his wife, yes,” she admitted and offered her hand. “My name’s Wynne.” He pointedly ignored her gesture, instead hooking his thumbs in his belt loops and rocking back on his heels. She slowly dropped herarm.

“Jake only married you to get his hands on my inheritance,” he announced, eyeing her belligerently.

She lifted her eyebrows in surprise. “Your inheritance?”

“Randolph, please,” a sad-eyed woman behind him murmured, tugging on his arm. “Don’t cause a scene.”

He shook her off. “I’m Randolph Chesterfield and that ranch land he’s after rightfully belongs to me.”

“This land... it’s his inheritance?”

“Only if he’s properly wedded and bedded.”

Wynne laughed. “Then there’s no problem.”

It was the wrong thing to say. Her comment only served to infuriate him. His hands closed into fists and he stepped closer, shoving her shopping cart to one side. “You can’t know the man very well, or you wouldn’t say that.”

She lifted her chin, refusing to be intimidated. “I know Jake quite well and—”

“Then you know about the conditions of his grandfather’s will.” He shot the comment like a bullet. “You know he only married you to get my land.”

“His land,” she corrected with a sunny smile. “And of course I know why he married me. Not only is Jake an honest man, he’s also the sweetest, kindest, most generous husband a woman could want. If it weren’t for him, Iwouldn’t be able to keep my nephews.” She wrapped her arms around Buster and Chick’s shoulders. “Why, as far as I’m concerned, he’s an angel!”

Randolph’s mouth opened and closed as he fought to digest her analysis of Jake’s character. “He sure has you buffaloed,” he said at last. “I don’t know whether to pity you or congratulate him. But I’ll give you fair warning. He doesn’t give a plugged nickel for either you or those kids. You’re nothing more to him than a means to an end. Once he gets what he’s after, you and those kids will be out on your collective backsides.”

“Randolph, please,” the woman behind him said. “Let her be.”

“Hush, Evie. I’m only speaking the truth. Someone ought to tell her about Jake. Explain what a low-down, rotten snake he is before he hurts her or one of the kids.”

“Uncle Jake’s not a snake. And he wouldn’t hurt us, neither. He loves us!” Buster shouted, his face turning red with indignation. “Don’t you say anything bad about him or I’ll kick you.”

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