??
“You don’t have to worry about it. I’ll pick up the tab,” Jack offered. It was the least he could do under the circumstances and to be honest, he found himself feeling generous where this woman was concerned. A woman who could use a few good things happening in her life, things that he could easily provide if she let him.
“Sorry. I’m more than happy with hanging out with you and your daughter, even doing some outside activities as warranted, as long as they’re within my budget. But no free handouts.” She met his gaze, letting him know she meant business.
Her stubbornness and insistence on complete independence was admirable, even if it was, in his opinion, shortsighted. It reminded him more than he’d like of his late wife, who, even to the end, wouldn’t let him do everything he could for her until it was too late.
For now, however, he’d compromise and let Daisy have that sense of control she needed. “Got it.”
“And I doubt that kayak lessons, parasailing, or any kind of sailing are things I could swing, either, so you can cross those off the list, too,” she warned.
“Okay, so no to the kayaking and parasailing. But maybe we can keep sailing on the table? The Vaughns already own a boat that is at our disposal, and I’m more than capable of taking it out on my own at no cost to anyone. As for the Adventure Park, I promised Lily that I would take her and we already have reservations for Monday. Why don’t we include this as a reward for the kids for getting dragged into this whole mess, just this once. It has zip lines, climbing walls, and tree rope courses for all levels. Your kids would love it, I promise.”
She hesitated and Jack could see her struggle before finally relenting. “Fine, but I insist on paying half.”
He grinned. “Deal.”
Daisy set the list down and reached up to rub her fingers absentmindedly around a gold heart that hung on a chain around her neck. A long graceful neck, he noticed, framed by a few strands of dark hair that had fallen from her bun set high on her head.
“Another thing…” Daisy continued, unaware of his distracted attention. “What about my family? I can’t expect them to lie for us.”
Stuart took this one. “We think that, for the most part, once we’ve broken any illusions there’s some juicy scandal between you two, the attention will return to the real story—that of the governor stepping down and the new cabinet role he’ll be assuming. Jack’s qualifications as the next governor should be a close second.”
“But if they ask?” Daisy persisted.
Stuart sighed, his patience was clearly ebbing as he answered, “Should any reporter reach out directly to you, your kids, or the rest of your family, a simple ‘no comment’ should suffice. Or you can send them to me.”
From the other side of the door, the faint sound of raised voices could be heard as a new argument seemed to have broken out.
“If that’s everything, I should probably get out there to the kids,” Daisy said, heading toward the door. “I promised I’d take them down to the beach hours ago and they’re getting a little stir-crazy with the house confinement.”
“Sounds good,” Jack said. “I’m going to tie things up here with Stuart for a few more minutes. Would you mind if Lily hung out with you until I get there?”
“Of course not. She’s more than welcome to join us.”
“Thanks.” He watched her leave the room as if relieved to have a moment to escape.
He had to admit, that of all the women he’d met in the six years since his wife passed, he couldn’t think of anyone he’d want more to be his fake fiancée for the coming days. Weeks even. Not just because of the woman’s soft but fiery beauty, but also her strength and courage and the fact that he knew every minute with her was going to be a challenge.
Something he was looking forward to, probably more than he should.
…
Half an hour later, a large brimmed hat on her head and a book in her hand, Daisy following the kids down a landscaped pathway to the beach, Natalie and Paul racing in the lead. Jenna and Lily, she noticed, barely looked at each other, both determined to act as if the other one wasn’t there.
She cast a glance to her aunt who gave her a look as if to say she’d fill her in as soon as they were alone. Returning her attention to the landscape before her, Daisy nearly lost her breath.
Unbelievable. They’d been here since last night and this was the first time she’d fully had a chance to appreciate how beautiful it was.
The lake practically shimmered under the afternoon sun, almost brilliant turquoise, bordered by the sharp green of the pine trees. The bright blue sky, now clear of the gray rain clouds of yesterday, seemed bigger and bluer than it was at home. Vibrant. It all felt like a picture that Natalie had just drawn with her brightest crayons.
Daisy slipped out of her Payless canvas shoes and came to the edge to dip her toes in the water.
Freaking A! The water was practically arctic.
But the kids hardly noticed as they splashed around. Hopefully tomorrow the weather would be warmer and the cold water would be more welcome. In the meantime, she’d experience the activity from one of the lounge chairs scattered around a stone-enclosed fire pit, a few yards from the beach.
For a moment, Daisy inhaled the sharp fresh air that always seemed to hover after a storm. Standing here, her feet sinking into the still damp sand, she could finally believe that everything would turn out okay.