Undeniable (Cloverleigh Farms #2)(138)

I had to laugh a little. “She did.”

“And he’s got more charm than any one man should be allowed to have.”

“Agreed,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t know what it is about him, but he gets to me every time. Even when I know he’s not playing by the rules, I—”

“Can’t help wanting to play along?” Gran winked at me. “I know just what you mean. I was married to a charmer too. What they need is a good, strong woman to keep them in line.”

I nodded. “Exactly.”

“You know, everyone thinks I’m old-fashioned and stubborn about tradition, and maybe I am, but I’m a feminist in my own way. And I think you’re right to tell Oliver to go to the devil. How dare he assume he could prop you up as his fiancée and fool me in the process?” She clucked her tongue. “What a donkey’s ass.”

The curse word made me laugh. “I agree.”

“The question is,” she went on, “what are we going to do with him? Do you think this scheme of his with the Russian rye is malarkey or the real deal?”

“I think it’s the real deal,” I said honestly. “He’s onto something.”

“So you think I should give him the money?”

I blinked at her. Was she really asking me if she should give Oliver a million dollars? “I’m not sure I’m qualified to give that answer.”

“Sure you are. Be confident. Trust your gut. If it was your money, would you buy that land?”

“Yes. I would. Oliver has done the research. He’s got talent and experience, and he knows the market. He’s made mistakes in the past,” I hedged, not wanting to say too much.

She waved a hand. “Oh, I know all about the way he burned through his money in Europe, the damn fool.”

“You do?”

She tapped her head. “Ninety. Remember?”

I laughed. “Right. Well, like I said, he’s made mistakes, and this whole fake engagement thing is the worst idea he ever had, but he knows what he’s doing. If he could get that land, he’d achieve everything he wants to, I have no doubt.”

“With or without you?”

I thought for a moment. “I don’t know. When he approached me about partnering with him, he made me feel like he needed me, but … I have no idea if he meant what he said.”

“Oh, I think he did. I heard the way he went on about you last night. And I saw the way he looked at you. That wasn’t acting. But let me ask you this.” Gran regarded me thoughtfully. “If he had the money to buy the land, would you still partner with him?”

My eyes filled, and I shook my head. “I don’t think so,” I said, my throat catching.

“Because you can’t trust him?”

“That, and … because I love him,” I whispered, unable to speak.

She nodded once. “Well, you’ve given me a lot to think about. I’ll leave you now and take my siesta as well.” She rose to her feet with such ease that I almost wondered if the cane was for show.

Gran was one sharp cookie.

At the door, she turned around. “You’ll be at dinner tonight?”

“Yes. I wanted to leave today, but my mother refused. She doesn’t know …” I trailed off.

“What’s the plan for that?” she asked.

“I told Oliver I’d keep up the act while we were here, but that he had to come clean to you all once I’d left.”

“Awfully generous of you. More generous than he deserves.”

I lifted my shoulders, feeling my throat tighten again.

“I know,” she sighed. “He’s a donkey’s ass, but he’s the donkey’s ass you love. I’ll see you this evening.”

She pulled the door shut behind her, and I was alone again.

I lay back, but I was restless and fidgety, my thoughts a jumbled mess and my feelings even more tangled up. Finally, I gave up, dug my phone from my purse, and called April.

“Hey, Chloe,” she said when she answered.

“Hey. You busy?”

“Not too bad. We’re in sort of that afternoon lull. What’s up?”

I groaned and flopped onto my back. “I don’t even know where to start.”

She laughed. “Beginning?”

“That’s too far back—like the day I was born. It’s fucking Oliver.”

As quickly as I could, I got her up to speed on the last couple days, sparing no details. By the time I finished, I imagined her on the floor at the reception desk, open-mouthed in shock.

“Oh my God,” she said when I’d finished telling her about the conversation with Gran. “I can’t believe she knew he was faking it. And she still gave him the ring!”

“I know.” I sat up and looked at it on the dresser, sort of surprised she hadn’t taken it when she left. “I guess I have to keep wearing it too. At least for one more night. It just feels so wrong.”

“I’m so sorry, honey.”

“You know what the worst thing is?” The ceiling became blurry as tears filled my eyes. “I keep wondering if that stupid fake proposal is the only one I’ll ever get.”

“It’s not, Chloe.”