This information hung in the air like a grenade crossing a battlefield. Everyone visibly winced. Asher slammed his glass down and started pacing the room. Dad had already gone back to his file. No surprise there.
“Can I plan the wedding?” Murphy joked as usual.
“Is this your idea, Parker?” Asher demanded. “Maybe it was Mia’s idea.”
“Asher, it was my idea and you will do it,” Mom quietly demanded. “You will step up and protect the family, or I will have to go public with you being cut off from the family wealth.”
“You have to be kidding me with this. I’m not ready to get married, especially to a complete stranger,” Asher complained. “If you want me to get married, then I’ll pick one of the girls I date off and on.”
“No, you will marry the complete stranger that I buy for you. You will hide out in Australia with her for a few weeks, then come back a married man,” Mom said sternly. “People will see you’ve changed your way, and you only hurt the spoiled daughter because you were in love.”
“I think this is a great plan.” Murphy pulled her cell from her pocket. “I have to go now for a date. I’m in and agree to this plan. Let me know what I have to do to help.”
“Why does she get to leave?” Parker asked. “I have patients to check in on. I’m going to my suite.”
“Are you really going to do this to me, Mother?” Asher barked from the other side of the room. “You’re going to force me to get married? What if I say no?”
“It’s easy Asher, you’ve heard my ultimatum,” Mom said, not wavering at all. “I’ve taken the liberty to pick out two lovely girls that I think you will be pleased with.”
“Married, Mom?” Asher moaned. “What does August have to do with this?”
“Whoa, Mom just asked me to take you with me, for business reasons, so I agreed,” I clarified. “And if you care what I think, I think you should do it.”
“You think I should get married, to a stranger?” Asher asked, then turned to mom. “If I do this, how long do I have to stay married?”
“Now you’re thinking.” Mom hugged a stiff-bodied Asher. “I would guess a year should do it.”
“A year is a long time. I could lose my chance with a few girls I really like,” Asher complained.
“Exactly, my son. Now let’s get to the important stuff.” Mom opened her laptop. “I’m going to chat with the agency in a few minutes. I gave them your specifics on type, but if you want, here is the application. You go ahead and make any changes.”
At this point in the conversation everyone but me had left the room. I took this as my opportunity to escape to the library so I could look at the blueprints for the Hawthorne Australian hotels. Kellan was hoping I could change the look of the resorts, and I agreed that they needed it.
“Asher, I have to get back to some blueprints, but you can do this.” I slapped him on the back. “Trust Mom. She did a great job with Mia and Parker. I also think this will help you figure things out and settle down.”
“Yeah, yeah, says my traitor twin.” Asher half smiled. “When are you leaving for Sydney?”
“Sunday morning. I need to be there Monday morning for meetings.” I put my glass back on the bar to leave. “You should come take a look at the blueprints when you’re done with Mom. I’d like your input.”
Chapter 7
IMOGEN
“Imogen, are you dressed?” Sienna called out from the bedroom door. “Victoria is calling on group chat any minute.”
I stuck my head out of the bathroom door. “Am I supposed to be wearing the red wig still? And does she know about my face?”
“Yes, I mentioned your situation, but Victoria wants to meet you herself.” Sienna picked up the red wig. “You know what? Don’t wear the wig at first, then you can put it on after. We’ll let Victoria and Mia decide.”
“Who’s Mia?” I asked, over the sound of the blow dryer. “Should I put some makeup on my eye?”
“Hey, you two, Victoria is on the computer asking for you,” Poppy said from the doorway. “I heard you ask about makeup. Don’t worry about it, you can’t fool Victoria. Now hurry up.”
We hurried through the apartment. Victoria was a regal older woman and I felt intimidated immediately. She had plenty of questions that I was able to answer easily. Mia, on the other hand, was very friendly. I was going to like getting to know her.
“I could have sworn you had red hair in the picture Sienna sent earlier,” Mia said, looking down at her phone.
“It was a wig I borrowed from the hospital to sneak out, but I have the wig here. Do you want to see it on?” I asked, lifting the wig to my head. “I can make whatever hair color you want.”
I adjusted the wig in place and looked back into the screen.
“Is this better?” I asked. “I can even dye my hair whatever color you want.”
“I like the red on you,” Mia said. “I think you should dye your hair that red. Asher will love it.”
“I agree, he does love redheads,” Victoria added. “Can you get her hair dyed before Asher gets there? I want to insure he picks her.”
“Definitely, I’ll call my hairdresser to come in today,” Poppy cheered. “What kind of clothes will he like?”
“Go with a tight-fitting short dress, but not trashy,” Victoria said. “Did the doctor come in yet to check that eye?”
“Not yet. We wanted to speak with you first,” Poppy answered.
“Did you get the report from the detective yet?” Mia asked Victoria. “If not, I can handle that.”
“Detective? I don’t have a record, and I’ve never done anything bad except date a demented sheriff.” I unconsciously raised a hand to my eye. “Be careful asking around though, because he’ll find out and then figure out where I am.”
“Imogen is telling the truth. She has nothing negative in her report, so we are good to go,” Victoria smiled. “Please be sure that eye gets looked at today. I want to make sure she is up to this.”
The three women spoke around me, about me. Poppy was asking if this Asher was going to be grouchy or if he’d be over it. I was so confused. Why would he be grouchy? Didn’t he want a bride? I waited quietly, listening until I found a spot to ask.
“Can someone explain to me why this Asher will be grouchy or not?” I looked from one to the next, until Victoria responded.
“That’s a great question. Asher is being ordered to get married,” Victoria explained slowly. “He is a playboy with a big reputation, and I’ve given him an ultimatum to be kicked out of the family or get married to a mail order bride.”
“You mean I’m his punishment? I can’t be in this kind of situation. I’m sorry, I know you all helped me to escape, but I can’t be a wife that is forced onto someone.”
“Imogen, Victoria is letting him pick out of two women. So, you see he’s not being forced.” Sienna said. “Not completely anyway.”