A Convenient Proposal(18)
Which wasn’t a lie—he and Arden had discussed pretending to be engaged to be married.
A long pause followed his announcement.
“Mom? You still there?”
“Yes. Yes, I’m here. Just surprised, is all. You haven’t mentioned meeting someone. When you called.” Which wasn’t nearly often enough, her tone implied.
“It happened pretty suddenly.” Now he felt guilty. His family didn’t keep secrets more important than surprise parties, or birthday and Christmas presents. “But I’m sure you’ll like her. She’s terrific.” He sounded like the dumb hero in a two-star romantic comedy. “I thought Arden could stay in the guest house and I could sleep at the house, in my old room.”
“Of course. That will work out perfectly.” Her voice had cooled from its usual warm tone. “Here’s your dad. I’ll see you tomorrow, son. Oh, I’m so glad to be able to say that!”
In the next instant, his father said, “It’s about time you called to say you’re coming home.”
Griff grinned, at the same time shaking his head over the familiar, irascible voice. “Better late than never.”
“You’re way past late. I’m too old to be working this hard.”
“Right, Dad. You’re so ancient.”
“Without a second vet in the practice, I’m feeling ancient. Be prepared to do some serious overtime, ’cause as soon as you get home, your mother and I will be taking a long vacation.”
“I’ll believe that when I see it. But we’ll show up tomorrow afternoon sometime.”
“We?”
“Mom will explain. See y’all then.”
“Griff—”
“Kiss the girls for me. Bye.” He hung up without letting his dad get another word in. Jake Campbell always knew when his children weren’t telling the truth. Griff didn’t want to risk blowing his cover before he’d even crossed the Georgia state line.
Walking back to the hotel room, he endured second thoughts about his “brilliant” plan for going home. Could he and Arden convince his family that they had fallen in love and decided to get married? Exactly what kind of charade had they agreed to perform?
He entered the room as quietly as the lock would allow. Igor’s hackles raised as Griff came near, but subsided when he stretched out on the empty bed. Turning onto his stomach, Griff studied the woman across from him, now curled on her side and smiling slightly—sure signs she’d fallen into a deep, restorative sleep. The thought allowed him to relax, too.
He wouldn’t have any trouble demonstrating physical attraction to his “fiancée.” Even knowing she needed her rest, he could easily have become aroused enough to wake her up to make love. And he had a feeling she’d be fun to talk to, if she would ever answer his questions.
But she obviously wanted to keep her life—past, present and future—a secret. Griff had to wonder why. Was she a criminal, hiding from the law? Did all that money come from a bank robbery or an investment scam? Embezzlement?
More likely, Arden was a victim hoping to avoid pursuit, perhaps even threats against her life. That would explain the pistol and the dog. Had she witnessed a crime? Or was a jealous ex-boyfriend—husband, maybe?—refusing to let her go?
Griff flopped onto his back. Jeez. He was going to have to get a few answers from the lady, if only so he could stay alert and protect them both.
During tomorrow’s drive they would have to talk about the information lovers tended to share, so they wouldn’t be surprised when questions popped up. With his mother and three sisters at the dinner table, an interrogation would definitely be on the menu.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jake would scan their faces with his sharp blue eyes and register every hesitation, every panicked gulp, every blank-minded pause. Griff might not reveal his thoughts right away, but he had never successfully lied to his dad.
He was pretty sure tomorrow wouldn’t be any different.
THE NEXT MORNING, Arden swore she had recovered completely, and left Griff no choice but to believe her when she downed a huge country-style breakfast.
“I’m always famished after a migraine,” she said, spreading jam on a corn muffin. “And we didn’t really eat yesterday, did we?”
“I had a sandwich last night. But I’m glad you feel better.” Griff had done a reasonable job of finishing his own platter of food. “So we’re ready to go?”