“Docile?” James offered. “I don’t think so. I saw that hot look between you two. I think she’s the perfect fit for you, give you a run for your money too.”
I sighed. “Alright, I’m going home. I’ve had enough of your abuse.”
“Awe now, don’t go getting your panties in a bunch. Don’t shoot me for pointing out the obvious. You two had something. It’s not a terrible idea.”
“It really is a terrible idea, though. I don’t want to spend one night with that woman, let alone six months or a year before Callus would sell to me.”
“Suit yourself, but I think you are full of it.”
With a few more shots at my friend back and forth, I headed home for the night. I’d already stayed out much later than I usually would. I couldn’t explain what had kept me there, maybe the hope of seeing Jennifer again. I couldn’t help but think about James’s suggestion. Perhaps it wasn’t such a bad idea to think about. Jennifer did have a temper, but for the right amount of money, I’d bet it could be turned around quickly.
She had enjoyed our looks back and forth as much as I did. The way her cheeks had flushed with each smile had all but driven me insane as I watched her. It made my heart race when the men surrounded her, but I knew she wasn’t interested. Not with the way she licked her lips for me and moved her hand up her leg beneath the table where only I could see from where I was sitting across the room.
When I reached my ranch, I climbed the steps to my front door and unlocked it. The space felt empty. Nothing had changed since I’d taken over the farm. I’d never seen the need. As I walked through the rooms, my fingers ran along the intricate molding until I reached the gas fireplace. I’d only ever seen it lit on holidays when John had been alive.
With a few twists, the flames were licking and cracking with age as I settled down on the unused sofa. I’d spent my adult life building an empire from the ground up. With no time to spare for relationships, I’d let my feelings and desires be placed on hold. Now I couldn’t seem to understand why. Jennifer had awoken something inside of me, the desire to have someone to come home to at night and hold close.
I wanted to share my days and evenings with one woman, and she was it. If nothing else, offering her the job of being my fake wife would get me the land Callus was holding. That alone would be worth and pain of living with a woman for six months. If there was anyone I’d be willing to be stuck with, it would be her. Tomorrow I would set my plan in motion, and within twenty-four hours, Jennifer would be there with me.
“So I called the cleaning company, and they are sending them both out this afternoon. Of course, I had to pay double for the short notice, but I don’t mind.”
“Holy shit,” James stammered. “I can’t believe you are really doing it. What changed your mind? I thought I was just giving you a hard time.”
I shrugged. “It’s a good plan. I want that land, and the only way I’m going to get it is if Callus thinks I’m starting a family.”
“What are you going to tell him about her sudden appearance? Don’t you think he’ll notice when you suddenly have a wife?”
“He’s a sucker for a love story. I’ll just tell him we met while she was cleaning the house and fell madly in love.”
James leaned back in his chair. Matching mugs of steaming coffee sat in front of us as we watched the farm waking up from my porch. My team led horses in and out of different pastures and into the stables where they would be brushed and fed. Some would start their mornings with training while others would be worked later in the evening. We rarely had a day where at least ten horses weren’t being bought, sold, or trained for a new owner. I loved my little slice of paradise, and I couldn’t wait to watch it grown.
“I have to say, I didn’t think you had it in you. You don’t feel bad at all for fooling an old fart like that?” James asked.
“What would be better for that land? Him selling it to me or his idiot some selling it to some big cooperation in five years when he’s dead?”
“Yeah, I guess you make a good point. Scotty won't like this.”
“Good, I hope it pisses him off so much he skips town and doesn’t come back. As a matter of fact, I cant wait to see the look on his face when I tell him.”
“You seem pretty sure that this young woman is going to agree to all this.”
“Why wouldn’t she? She’s obviously struggling financially; it will do us both good.” I said. “I don’t see what the problem would be; it’s a generous offer. She’d be an idiot not to take it.”
“What if she has a boyfriend?”
“Boy, you are just determined to put me in a bad mood, aren’t you?” I said.
James laughed and picked up his coffee cup. I’d briefly thought about Jennifer having a boyfriend, but I couldn’t see her with anyone else but me. Just because I knew that didn’t mean I would share it with James and sound like a crazy person. The best I could do was rub it in later on when Jennifer actually accepted my offer. Then James would have to admit that it was a good plan. His lack of enthusiasm ticked me off. The whole plan had been his idea, but now he wanted nothing to do with it.
“Listen, I just want you to be happy. You deserve it after the shit you’ve had to deal with. If you really think this woman is the key to that, then you’ve got my support.”
“And your silence, right? No one besides you can know about this. If Scott gets even the slightest hint that it might be a ruse, he’ll run right to his father.”
“You know I’m a little offended that you’d think I’d talk to anyone about your life. How long have we known each other?”
“A very long time. I know you won’t say anything. I guess I’m just nervous.”
“I can understand why it’s not every day you get to fake propose to a complete stranger.”
I laughed. “When you put it like that, it does seem a little ridiculous. I still think it’s going to work, though. There was something about her the other day. I know she’s got the hot’s for me.”
“So? That doesn’t mean she wants to be your wife. Listen, I know you think you are a catch and all –
“Oh, bite me. It’s going to work out, you’ll see.”
“I don’t doubt you for a second,” James said.
We sat in silence as we finished our coffee. The cleaning company couldn’t be sure when the two women would get there, so I’d cleared my schedule for the entire day. I didn’t plan on leaving for anything and risk missing them. Part of me had wished I could Jennifer alone, but I knew she’d already be nervous about coming back so soon. She was a smart woman. She had to know that my house wasn’t the only reason I’d asked for them to come back.
James rose. “Well, I guess I should be heading out. I’ve got some early deliveries today at the bar. You’ll have to tell me how it goes with your friend.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll get an invitation to the wedding,” I joked.
He laughed. “An invitation? If I’m not the best man at this circus, then I’m not coming at all!”