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I figure I need to get this over with quickly, especially since I’m not sure who could come in here at any time. So I raise my left hand in the air.
She grabs my hand, tugging me toward her, and I fall forward, almost face-planting between her legs. “Lottie!”
“Who?” she demands.
I wish I weren’t smiling so much when I look at it or think about it. This is a marriage of convenience, nothing more. “Jude.”
Her jaw slowly lowers, farther and farther. “Jude?”
I giggle. “Yep.”
“So, you went over there and told him and what? He just had this ring waiting to propose to you? This is like a movie.” She brings the ring closer to her eye as if she’s a licensed diamond grader. “And it’s so nice. Who would’ve thought Jude had taste like this? Not me.”
My lips tip further, knowing he didn’t have anyone help him since it’s a secret.
She drops my hand, stands, and throws herself on me, leaning us right and left. “I’m so happy for you. It’s everything you ever wanted.”
I hate to be the pin to her balloon. “Not exactly.”
She pulls back, her hands on my shoulders and eyes on mine. “What are you talking about?”
“I need a cosigner for the loan, and Bruce won’t allow Jude to sign it unless we’re married.”
Her nose crinkles. “What? My uncle demanded that you marry Jude? Since when did our family turn psychotic? Oh god, am I next? They’re going to auction me off… jeez. What if someone like Brooks wins?” She sticks her finger in her throat as if she’s seven.
“It’s not like that. Bruce doesn’t know. Well…” I look at the clock, knowing Jude was going to tell him this morning. “He might know now.”
“You have my mind everywhere. Tell me everything.”
“Jude asked me to marry him last night, but only so he can cosign and get me the loan. It’s not for love or because he really wants to. But I need you to keep that secret for us.”
“You’re going to marry him to save your farm?”
“It’s my only choice.”
She nods, and I wait for her thoughts. Rarely does Lottie not have an opinion. But she doesn’t speak for a long time, and I worry she disagrees. “Well, whatever it takes. But are you going to be okay?”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“I’m assuming you’re going to play house with him.”
“I have to.”
“And Mommy and Daddy sleep in the same bed, right?”
I look down at my stomach. “I’m not pregnant.”
“You know what I’m saying. I just don’t want you to get hurt in the end.”
Her lack of enthusiasm and the disappearance of her smile say what she really thinks of the plan, and I can’t say I blame her. I’ve had second thoughts about a hundred times since last night.
“As long as I save the family farm, I’ll be fine. That’s what’s most important.”
She nods a few times as if trying to convince herself. “Well, if he hurts you, I’m going to sneak into his place in the middle of the night and wake him with a quick fist to his junk.”
“I can handle myself, but we’re good? You can keep the secret?”
“Of course.” She pretends to zip her lips and throw out the key just like the first time I ever admitted my feelings for Jude to her.
