“You realize everyone in town will know before nightfall.”
An irrepressible grin spread across his face. “Then that’ll pretty much solve our other problem, won’t it? It ought to bring the whole darn family running to us.”
For the first time in hours, she actually laughed. “You know, this could be fun. It’s been a long time since I’ve done anything to shock that crowd.”
“Then I’d say it’s way past time.”
They bundled up the baby, closed Dolan’s for the night and walked down the block to the jewelry store. It wasn’t big or fancy, but it did have a nice collection of expensive rings. Faced with the selection and the curious glances of Michael Trent, who owned the place, Sharon Lynn told herself it was perfectly natural that she felt jittery. Surely it wasn’t actual anticipation, not when this was all essentially make-believe.
Cord gestured toward a modest, but elegantly set solitaire diamond. “That one,” he said.
Sharon Lynn didn’t know a lot about jewels, but she knew that the one he’d chosen would be way too expensive given the circumstances. She smiled at Michael Trent.
“Excuse us a minute, would you?” She tugged Cord away from the counter for privacy. “You can’t spend that kind of money on a ring.”
He faced her defiantly. “Why can’t I?”
“You can’t use the money you’ve been saving for a ranch like this.”
“Darlin’, if we’re going to make this believable, then you have to have a ring that’s suitable. Now stop arguing and tell me if you like that one I picked out.”
“It’s beautiful, but—”
He gestured to the owner. “She’ll try that one.”
“Cord, simple wedding bands would do.”
“No,” he said succinctly and took the ring from Michael Trent. “Hold out your hand.” When she did, he slid the ring on her finger, then smiled, looking inordinately pleased. “Perfect fit. It was made for you.”
“Cord—”
Her protest was lost as he turned his back on her, chose matching wedding bands and concluded the transaction, practically before she could blink.
Outside, she scowled at him. “It’s a very good thing this marriage isn’t for real, Cord Branson.”
“Why is that, darlin’?”
“You don’t listen.”
“Not when you’re talking foolishness,” he agreed easily. “Let’s go buy some nonalcoholic champagne so we can celebrate when your family starts turning up.”
“You’re a blasted bulldozer, you know that, don’t you?”
He grinned. “If you say so, dear.”
“Agreeing with me now won’t get you off the hook. I’m going to remember the past few minutes for a very long time and I am going to make you pay.”
He actually had the audacity to laugh at that. “I’ll look forward to it.”
For the first time since this incredible turn of events had begun, Sharon Lynn wondered if she had any idea at all of exactly what she was letting herself in for. Shaking Cord Branson when the time came just might not turn out to be the breeze she’d been anticipating.
Chapter Fifteen
Cord had to work very hard not to appear triumphant as he and Sharon Lynn put together an assortment of appetizers for the visitors he had no doubt would be popping in before the evening was out. He had a hunch that rather than stuffed celery and carrot sticks, they could both use a couple of vitamin-enriched milk shakes and a thick, juicy steak for fortitude if they were going to withstand the intense scrutiny of her family.
“Want to take bets on who’ll show up first?” he inquired to try to coax a smile from her. She’d been looking a little panicky for the past half hour.
She sighed and sank onto a chair at the kitchen table. “Does it really matter?” She regarded him worriedly. “What am I going to tell them?”
“The truth, that you and I are going to get married just as soon as the necessary paperwork can be taken care of.”
“You know what they’re going to think, don’t you?”
“That it’s a shotgun wedding,” he guessed. He wasn’t about to tell her that her grandfather already knew otherwise. Harlan Adams might be proud of his matchmaking skills, but Cord knew for a fact that Sharon Lynn would rebel if she thought they’d conspired in any way.
He gave her hand a quick, reassuring squeeze. “Well, in a manner of speaking, it is. When it’s over we’re going to have a baby—Ashley.” When she didn’t seem persuaded, he hunkered down in front of her and rested his hands on her thighs. “You’re going to have to look happier about this. We