Cowboy SEAL Daddy by Laura Marie Altom

Author:Laura Marie Altom [Altom, Laura Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-01-11T19:02:01+00:00

Chapter Ten

For the moment in time when Wayne left her to open the door of the converted former grocery store, Paisley felt ridiculously bereft without him.

What was she doing here?

How had her life gotten so out of control?

The enormous space featured row upon row of clothes, books, household goods and furniture. Reggae played over the intercom and hand-drawn signs hung from the ceiling, declaring this week’s special—in celebration of Beach Week, all items with green and blue tags were 50 percent off.

She’d be hard-pressed to imagine a place more removed from the shore.

“Maybe we’ll get lucky and find you a bargain gown,” Wayne said.

“Great.” She blew him an acid kiss. “Not only do I have a fake fiancé, but he’s cheap.”

“I’m saving up for our imaginary honeymoon.”

“Uh-huh...” While Monica and Logan veered toward a vintage jewelry display, Paisley waddled to the women’s clothing section where she found a surprisingly great selection of gowns. From simple to elaborate, beaded or lacy or both, surely, she’d find something that worked.

“What kind of style were you thinking?” Wayne asked. He pulled a white sequined number with peekaboo cutouts at the belly and lower back. “How about this? Your baby bump could stick out the hole.”

She hoped her slit-eyed glare conveyed the full depth of her distaste for his ridiculous suggestion.

“It could be the perfect solution,” he persisted.

“Keep it up. You’ll be needing a good divorce attorney.”

“Ouch.” He clutched his chest, but returned the offensive garment to the rack from whence it came.

She swiped through dozens of gowns—white and ivory, satin and velvet and a shockingly ugly tan corduroy number that was so tacky it would have made for an awesome Halloween-or ’60s-themed party costume. Gown after gown just didn’t seem right. Too long or too short sleeves. Too many beads or not enough. Was she being too choosy for a dress that would only be worn to a pretend ceremony?

“Got it,” Wayne announced from behind her. His radiant heat did little to soothe her already frayed nerves. “Close your eyes.”

“Really?” She didn’t even want to imagine the horror of what he was no doubt on the verge of showing her.

“Yes. Do it.”

More because she knew he’d never shut up if she didn’t, Paisley squeezed her eyes shut. Cutting off her vision heightened her other senses. When he stepped around her, a whisper of warm air caressed her forearms and heated cheeks. She smelled his faint citrus aftershave. From somewhere nearby a little girl giggled and for a crazy instant, she wondered if the noise had come from the childlike hope in her heart for this to one day be real. Shopping for the perfect wedding dress with her perfect fiancé.

“Open them.”

She did. And then opened her mouth, only to quickly close it, swallowing the knot lurking at the back of her throat. He’d done it—found her the perfect gown. The gown she might have chosen even if she weren’t as big as a house or shopping in a thrift store.

“Well?” He wagged the garment on its hanger.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.