The Rancher's Fake Girlfriend - Leslie North Page 0,12

bar, lots of drinking, a very good time, then a quick getaway in the morning. But running a 5k together? Never done that before.”

“Clearly. That’s why she kicked your ass. I saw how hard you were struggling at the end!” Shane teased.

“Shut up! That’s not what I mean.”

“You mean Hannah is a woman you can actually have a conversation with that goes beyond favorite beers and turn-ons,” Jett said gently, ever the big brother peacekeeper.

“Exactly. And hey, don’t forget that you two didn’t exactly have the best track records prior to settling down. Jett, you were a lone wolf after you got your heart broken. And Shane, Susanna screwed you up for a long time until you met Matilda.”

They both nodded.

“Are you saying that this fake relationship could become something more?” Shane asked.

“No, no, not at all,” Chad hastened to say. He wasn’t looking for a relationship—would have no idea what to do with one. Hannah deserved better than some guy fumbling through commitment. “But for now, it’s working. It looked really good having her beside me on the podium. I think I scored some major points with the Cattlemen’s Association members. Plus, I like keeping her safe from Tripp. He was at the race staring her down like a chicken hawk.”

“Be careful with him,” Jett warned. “He can get ugly.”

Chad nodded. “I know. But my side of this fake relationship bargain is keeping him away from her, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I need to make sure Hannah and her daughter stay safe. I’m heading to her place for lunch in a bit so we can figure everything out together.”

Jett watched Chad for a few seconds with a smile on his face. “This definitely feels like it could be something more. I think you’re already sweet on her.”

“What? No, absolutely not.” What on earth had given his brother that idea? Just because he said he liked her? He liked plenty of women! “I need to keep my head on straight so there’s not going to be any monkey business with Hannah.”

“Which head are you talking about?” Shane laughed.

Chad pretended like he was about to punch his brother.

But it was true. He knew that if he wanted to win the position, he had to prove that he could be taken seriously. And that meant no scandals or gossip of any kind. He had to keep the relationship stable and drama-free—and the fastest way to screw that up would be to get involved with Hannah in any way other than what they’d agreed to. Anything more than the quick kiss they’d shared at the race could lead to … complications. Horizontal complications. Before he eased back on getting serious with anyone, he’d endured fights in public, Facebook rants about him, and one time, a long, angry scratch etched into the paint on his truck. It made more sense to him to keep things casual and drama-free with women. Some guys were good at long-term relationships, but he just wasn’t one of them. Whenever he tried, it ended badly. So he’d decided that a night or two was all he needed.

But that had nothing to do with the situation with Hannah. They both had specific goals that didn’t require anything more of them than being seen together in public. Looking happy. And maybe holding hands. Like they were courting at church. Definitely nothing more than that.

Shame that the little, tiny, no-big-deal kiss they’d shared was all Chad could think about.

Chad pulled up in front of Hannah’s yellow cottage and was impressed that it already looked like a home. Blooming planters flanked the door, a cheerful wind chime hung on the corner of the house, and an adorable little face peeked out the window, waving at him.

“Hi, Aria,” he mouthed and waved hello as he walked up the brick path.

She disappeared from the window and Hannah met him at the door.

“We need to talk.” Her face looked pinched, and Chad immediately wondered if it was because of the kiss. They hadn’t had a chance to talk about it afterwards since Aria started fussing about lunch, and they had to say quick goodbyes. And they weren’t at the point where they were casually texting yet.

She stood aside and let him walk in without another word.

Aria ran over and stopped short a few feet away with her fist in her mouth. She was still too shy to say anything, but the fact that she came over to greet him, even wordlessly, meant