The Billionaire's Christmas Baby(39)

“Not funny. Look. Long story short. My sister had—” Jackson cleared his throat past the odd lump that formed in his throat whenever he thought of Louise and Emily. “My sister had a baby before she died. And this woman—Hannah—was Louise’s social worker. The most sure way for me to gain custody of the baby is by getting married.” Ethan knew all about his screwed up family, including his relationship with Louise. Jackson shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Any sympathy from Ethan would be revolting and awkward.

Ethan looked up from his empty glass, and whispered hoarsely, “You’re going to be a father, too?”

Jackson swore under his breath and leaned forward, pressing the button on Ethan’s phone to connect him with Ann. This conversation had gone on long enough.

Ann marched brusquely into the room. “Mr. Pierce, how nice to see you this time of year,” she said, sitting opposite him, notepad on her lap.

Jackson noted how formal and stiff her posture was. Did he make her nervous? Come to think of it, everyone around here was that way with him. When had that happened? Sure, Ethan had always been the easier going of the two of them, but when had people actually become intimidated by him?

“Thanks, Ann. Nice to see you as well. I have an odd project I need your help with,” he said, trying to sound relaxed and pleasant as she set her pen to ready position, her head tilted in his direction.

“I’m getting married tomorrow.” Jackson paused as Ann’s wrist jerked to the side and drew a jagged line across the blank page. She quickly blushed and looked up, turning the page. Jackson ignored Ethan’s not-so-subtle laugh and continued. “I need some help with the details.”

Ann nodded, looking panicked.

“This is the address,” he said, handing her a slip of paper. “I need lots and lots of white and red roses. And green Christmas bushy type things.”

Ann looked up at him in terror. Jackson tried to smile. “I trust you, Ann. Something nice.”

She nodded slowly, her eyes darting toward Ethan. Ethan held up his hands and leaned back in his chair.

“Oh, and what are those branch things, with red berries on them?”

“Um, I think you mean hollies, Mr. Pierce.”

Jackson snapped his fingers. “Yes, perfect. Some of those too. And candles,” Jackson said, again ignoring the loud noises coming from Ethan’s direction.

“Does Ann need to get the wedding dress too?” Ethan drawled.

Jackson scowled at him. “No, I’m getting that myself.”

“Oh my God,” Ethan said, shaking his head.

“Lastly, I need you to track down this couple near my cabin. Last name Sampson. Make sure they are at the wedding. Get a car for them or something. I don’t think they can get there on a sleigh.”

“What the hell went on at that cabin?” Ethan roared.

Ann looked nervously back and forth between them. Jackson ignored him.

“The wedding is at five o’clock. Okay? Got everything you need?”

Ann nodded slowly, and Jackson could tell she was trying her best not to ask any questions.

“Oh, Ann, one more thing. Did you give a woman my address to my cabin?”

Ann’s white face went bright red, and her chin wavered. “I, uh, I’m so sorry, Mr. Pierce. She was so persuasive and she said that it was a matter of life or death.”

Jackson swallowed his laugh. “Yes, I’m familiar with that line. It’s all right. Thanks for your help, Ann,” he said, rising and walking across the room. He had a ton of stuff to get done today, he thought, mentally checking the tell Ethan item off his list. He stopped at the door and looked back at his friend and Ann.

“Ann, give everyone the day off tomorrow.”

Ann looked from him to Ethan, her mouth hanging open. Ethan just shrugged.

“Ethan, make sure you’re at that address by four o’clock tomorrow. You’re my best man.” With that he walked out of his office.

…

“I can’t believe you’re getting married,” Allison said as Hannah slipped on her ivory heels in front of the full-length mirror at the entrance of her home.

Hannah shook her head. “Neither can I.” She hadn’t been able to sleep at all last night. All she could think about was her sham of a marriage that was about to happen. Of course, she understood they really had no choice if they wanted to adopt Emily. Did the thought of being Jackson Pierce’s wife send a tingle up her spine? Well, yeah, fine. But that still didn’t mean they were destined for a life-long marriage. She glanced over at Emily, who stared at her, sucking her pink pacifier. She smiled at the baby, laughing as Emily smiled back and the pacifier popped out. Looking at the adorable baby she had no doubts—she was about to secure Emily a real home. She was about to do what no one had ever been willing to do for her, and nothing, nothing mattered more than that.

“I didn’t know Emily was coming with us,” Allison said, crouching down to tickle Emily’s toes.

“Neither did I. Mrs. Ford called this morning, saying that Jackson had asked her if Emily could come to the wedding.”

“Wow, she agreed on such short notice?” Allison asked, rising.

“He can be very persuasive,” Hannah said, smoothing her hand over her simple winter-white suit. She bit on her lower lip as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She looked like a woman about to attend a business meeting. Sure, her hair looked okay, she left it loose and allowed it to tumble naturally around her shoulders. That had nothing to do with the fact that she couldn’t stop thinking about Jackson running his fingers through her hair. And the extra dab of lip gloss? Merely for the moisture protection against the harsh winter wind.