The Rancher's Fake Girlfriend - Leslie North Page 0,4

better.” Noelle laughed. “I think you should be his fake girlfriend!”

“Yes, love it,” Tania cheered.

Hannah was dumbfounded. Fake girlfriend?

“It’s perfect!” Noelle continued. “You guys pretend to be in a committed relationship and you’ll both benefit. Tripp will see that you’re off the market and move on, and people will start to realize that Chad is a stable, dependable guy. I think half of his problem is that people don’t see him as committed. He’s worked in a bunch of different places, traveled around a lot. Most of the ranchers around here are more … set in their ways. Moving around and trying different things seems flighty to them, so they don’t take Chad seriously.”

Noelle didn’t bring up Chad’s personal life … but Hannah was pretty sure that that was part of the problem, too, since “moving around and trying different things” also seemed to be his dating strategy. When viewed by a bunch of older, conservative ranchers, his playboy lifestyle was probably another strike against him.

“You can take over his social media and help change the public’s view of him,” Noelle continued. “And at the same time post all sorts of cute stuff of the two of you together to get Tripp off your case.”

A fake relationship with Chad Radford? Hannah already had too many secrets she was keeping—did she want to balance a lie on top of that?

But on the other hand, the Tripp situation really did seem to be getting worse all the time. She wanted the obnoxious rancher out of her life … and she didn’t mind the thought of getting to know Chad a little better. Nope, she didn’t mind that part at all. Maybe this could even be good for her—baby steps to help her figure out what she wanted in a relationship, once she was ready for a real one again.

And she could rehab his image in her sleep. That part might even be fun.

So all in all, she had to say that it was not the worst idea ever. As long as her own face wasn’t too clear in the photos on his feed, she’d be fine.

“But would Chad want to do it? He seems to enjoy his, uh … freedom. Is he willing to give that up?”

“He’s changed lately,” Noelle assured her. “I think seeing Jett and Shane in happy relationships is making him rethink what’s important. Besides, he’s had too much fun for too long. He knows it’s time to grow up.”

“Yeah, but with me?”

Noelle laughed. “Girl, he’s been watching you like a bird dog on the hunt. I practically had to wipe the drool off his chin this morning!”

Hannah blushed.

“I’m liking this,” Tania said from her perch. “I think the two of you would be good for each other. You’ll get him on track, and he’ll pull you out of your shell.” Tania’s words were blunt, but her smile was kind. Hannah flushed. Tania and Noelle had both been wonderfully supportive—and very tactful in not prying into her backstory—but she knew that it concerned both of them that she was so shy and easily rattled.

“And I happen to know firsthand that the fake relationship thing is a good plan. I’ll just leave it at that,” Noelle said with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

Hannah quickly weighed her options. Instead of fighting off Tripp at every pass, she could let Chad step in to be her white knight when needed. And in return, she knew she could provide Chad with the right kind of spin for his Cattlemen’s campaign, so it would be an even exchange, more or less.

“Does Chad have any clue you suggested this?”

“Nope!” Noelle said. “We’ll spring it on him together. Dinner. Tonight. Radford Ranch. Can you make it?”

“I … I guess. Aria can come too?”

“Of course, she’s part of the package! Chad needs to get to know his fake girlfriend’s real daughter. Can’t you just see the photos of her little hand in his big one?” Noelle pretended to swoon. “This is so perfect.”

Hannah envisioned how the plot would unfold and let herself hope that for once, everything would work out.

As long as she stayed “Hannah” and not “Amanda,” everything would be fine.

3

“Drew, please put the napkins out for me, sweetie.”

Matilda handed her seven-year-old stepson the pile of napkins, and he carefully placed them next to each plate. Chad noticed the table looked a little more crowded than usual as he headed into the kitchen.

“Hope you’re hungry,” Jett said as he stirred a massive vat of barbeque