Two Loves for Christmas by Mona Risk
Tabloid
pictures of charming laywer, Josh Dutton, threaten his father's senatorial
campaign. The family decides he needs a sweet 'temporary fiancée' to repair the
damage. With only her German shepherd for friend, Emma struggles with problems.
Attraction sizzles between Josh and Emma but no one mentions the 'fake fiancée'
detail. When the truth surfaces will Josh be able to prove that his kisses were
not part of a charade?
Excerpt
About the Author
“We found you a fiancée.” Sitting behind his imposing desk,
Josh Dutton’s father didn’t even blink as he uttered his outrageous statement.
“Excuse me?” Genuinely puzzled, Josh stepped closer and
studied his dad’s expression.
Was the new campaign putting too much stress on Senator
Howard Dutton?
Deep lines crinkled the skin at the corner of his eyes, but
the senator’s lips showed his usual arrogant smirk. Had Josh been summoned to
his father’s office in the Wellesley mansion just to hear this nonsense?
To reassure himself that he’d misheard his father, Josh spun
toward his mother. Relaxing on the brown leather sofa she casually leaned
forward to rearrange the roses in a crystal vase adorning the glass and brass
cocktail table. The aromatic fragrance didn’t do much to soothe Josh’s mood.
“Mom, is he okay?” Josh jutted his chin out toward his
father.
“Of course I’m—”
“Your father and I found you the perfect fiancée,” Nancy Dutton
announced patiently. Usually her sweet voice agreeably counterbalanced her
husband’s autocratic decisions. Today, her soft words exacerbated Josh’s
headache.
“So kind of you, Mom. Frankly I’m not looking for a wife.
Even if I needed to consider a serious relationship I believe I have enough
willing women around me not to require your generous help.” He hoped his
sarcastic tone would end the annoying conversation and allow him to leave soon
enough to meet his gorgeous date of tonight. With a snort, Josh shoved his
hands in his pocket and fingered his car keys. Convinced he’d better not linger
around his father’s treacherous office he sidled toward the door.
“Too many willing girlfriends. Too many scandals,” his
father bellowed. “That’s exactly the reason why you need a steady woman at your
side. I’m fed up of seeing the tabloid magazines feature your scandalous exploits
on a weekly basis.” Senator Howard brandished a newspaper and opened it to the
middle page. “Look, look at this picture,” his father tapped the paper with a
furious finger. “Look at this person.”
A muscle jerked along Josh’s jaw. Determined to remain
unruffled, he took the paper and smiled at the photo of the blonde woman
dancing with him at the City Hall Gala. “Nice picture. That’s Tammy Burt, a
paralegal working at the court. Very pretty.”
“Who cares?” his father spat. “And this one?” He handed him
a magazine with another picture of Josh with a brunette in a bikini on a yacht.
“Another good shot with Annabelle on her father’s boat.”
Josh summoned his reserve of calm. “What’s wrong with it? We went out for the
day with a group of friends. Annabelle is a colleague, a lawyer and a
successful one at that.”
“A lawyer? All I see is an almost naked woman at your side.”
“Give me some credit, Dad. I have good taste. She’s not only
smart, she has a stunning figure.” Josh affected a nonchalant shrug. His charm
served him well in business and a beautiful woman on his arm never hurt. What
more could he ask for?
“I can see that. And she’s cuddling against you for the
paparazzi’s delight. Did you read the caption? Read it. Out loud.”
“Senator Howard Dutton’s son, attorney-at-law, Joshua
Dutton, enjoying an outing in style. Hmm...”
“And this one.” Dad shoved another paper in his hands. “Read
it.”
“Lovely Brooke McColey and Joshua Dutton in an amorous pose.
Senator Howard’s son entertaining himself with extra-curricular activities
while his father preaches hard work and good behavior to straighten our
economical crisis. Maybe we should follow Josh’s example to succeed in life,”
Josh read and examined the picture. “What a jerk. Anyway, don’t worry about
this one, Dad. It’s an old photo from last year. We broke up a few months ago.”
“That’s the problem.” Senator Howard banged his fist on his
desk and heaved a heavy sigh.
“Howard, let me explain the situation to Josh.” Nancy Dutton
raised an appeasing hand. “Josh dear, you keep dating different girls and
leaving them. Unfortunately this reflects badly on your father who’s running a
new campaign. You’re giving ammunitions to his rivals and they are having a
field day using all these pictures to snatch his voters.” She left the sofa and
came to stand near the desk, next to Josh.
Josh frowned. On one hand he understood his father’s
frustration, on the other hand Senator Howard’s endless campaigns tended to
restrict his children’s freedom to no end. “I promise I’ll be more discreet.”
Josh added a reasonable nod to appease his father and get him off his back.
“You already told us as much a year ago,” his father fumed.
Annoyed by his dad’s accusations, Josh opened his palms. “I
can’t always look over my shoulder for a hidden camera.”
Both parents rallied around him.
“That’s my point. If you’re in an official relationship you
don’t have to worry.” Senator Howard seized Josh’s arm in an iron clutch,
proving he was still the powerful man his rivals would like to defeat.
An exasperated huff escaped Josh. “But Dad do you realize
you’re asking me to sacrifice my chosen way of life for your damn campaign?
Aren’t you going too far?”
“It’s only for three months. You can break the engagement as
soon as I’m elected.”
“What?”
His mother pushed her husband aside and grabbed Josh’s
hands. “You know I volunteer at Newton-Wellesley hospital twice a week. Two
months ago, I met this woman, Maria Cassiero,
a patient, undergoing therapy after a difficult back surgery. Now she’s doing
her best to walk again. Well last week, I found her crying and refusing more
treatment. Apparently, the insurance hardly covered two-thirds of her expensive
procedures. Her husband died almost a year ago in a boat accident. A mechanic
by trade, he owned two thriving auto shops in the
Newton area.”
“So why can’t she pay for her treatment?” So
far his mother’s story didn’t hold much interest. “If you want to help her, I
can contribute.” He reached in his pocket for his phone to write an online
check.
“Thank
you, Josh. No need for that now. I already offered to cover her extra costs
when she mentioned that after her husband’s death the shops’ income greatly
shrunk. Her stepdaughter left law school to take care of her.”
“Ah.”
So there was a young woman in the picture. Obviously a good-hearted, loving
daughter, generous enough to sacrifice her studies for her stepmother. A
paragon of virtue, hardly his type. He bit back a derisive comment but gave his
mother an impatient glance.
“Poor
Maria, she sobbed while telling me she didn’t want her daughter to lose her
future because of her. When she showed me the young woman’s photo I had an
epiphany.”
Mom
smiled and Josh’s heart sank. He’d already guessed the conclusion his mother
had reached.
“She’s so pretty. I could easily see her with
you, Josh. But I don’t want to upset you by interfering in your life.”
“You
could have fooled me.” He snickered. “So what have you and Dad been doing for
the past hour?”
“Spare
us your sarcasm,” Senator Howard barked. “All we want is your cooperation for
three months. Only three little months with a beautiful fiancée.”
“She
accepted?” Talk about an opportunist.
“We
don’t know yet.” Mom sighed. “Stop bickering you two. I explained to Maria my
idea of giving you a fiancée for a few months to erase the lousy image caused
by your scandals—”
“Mom, I didn’t cause any scandals. I didn’t hurt any woman.
I didn’t create any unwanted kid.”
“Thank God. As if we needed that.” Mom crossed herself and
Dad’s cheeks turned a heavy shade of purple that worried Josh. He hated his
father’s politics but he still deeply loved his parents. After counting to ten
to recover his cool, he pledged to remain calm in front of any crazy
eventuality they came up with.
“Okay Mom, keep going.”
“Well Maria was so grateful for my help that she promised to
vote for Senator Howard and to bring Emma to meet you.”
“Emma?” Nice name. For the sake of his mother who’d never
let him down, Josh smothered his annoyance. “You have a picture? I should at least
see the face of the woman who’d be hanging on my arm for three months.”
“No picture, but you’ll meet her tomorrow.” A smile grew on his mother’s face.
“I knew you love you father enough to —”
“Of
course I love my father. And I love you.” He gently patted her shoulder.
“I
invited them for dinner here and told Maria our chauffeur will pick them up
around 5 pm.”
“Tomorrow?”
Just like that. He rubbed his neck already feeling an unwanted noose strangling
him.
“Will
you do it, sweetheart?” Mom pleaded. “It’s for a good cause. Two good causes
actually. Your father neutralizes the smear the tabloids have thrown on his
campaign and Maria continues her therapy.”
“I
see a third good cause.” Forgetting his usual diplomacy, Dad smirked. “Josh
gets a taste of monogamy for a while.”
Josh’s
mouth twitched at his father’s lousy joke but he swallowed his acerbic reply.
“Well
what’s your answer, Josh?” Mom squeezed his hand although her tone had turned a
tad impatient.
His
gaze flipped from his mother to his father. In spite of her easygoing manner
and charitable heart, Mom could be as manipulative as Dad. And often more
efficient. No wonder Senator Howard had maintained his senatorial seat for ten
years. He had her infallible support. How come Josh had never found a woman who
loved him unconditionally as Nancy loved her dictatorial husband?
“Josh?”
Mom repeated.
“Okay,
Mom.”
“Oh darling, I knew you’d accept.” Mom threw her arms around
his neck and hugged him. “You’re free to go now, but be here tomorrow before 5
pm. I’m counting on you.”
These were the same words he heard so often as a little boy.
I count on you
meant he should ace his classes, score goals in soccer, win his tennis match,
make sure his younger brother and sister behave. Yes, the same I’m counting on you. At ten or at
thirty, the middle child of Senator Howard’s five kids hated to disappoint his
parents.
Tonight the cost of his good behavior soared.
“Goodnight, Mom, Dad. See you tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Son.” His father gave him a hand and Josh shook
it, and then Dad pulled him in for a hug. “I really appreciate your effort.”
His back straight, Josh feigned an indifferent expression
and walked out of the office to the front door. These three coming months would
test his will power, but he’d consider them a contribution to his father’s
wellness, rather than his campaign. Maybe with a little blooming luck his engagement to Emma would prove to be a
charming interlude.
~*~
In the comfortable but messy living room of their two-story
house, Emma Cassiero helped her stepmother prepare for their
special evening. Crouched next to her stepmother’s recliner,
Rino, the golden-brown German shepherd, relaxed and watched her through half-open
eyelids.
With precise downward strokes Emma swept and blended the
makeup on Maria’s cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead. “Much better. This
foundation gives you some color.”
Maria chuckled. “You can’t transform a sick
woman who looks like a ghostly witch into Cinderella.”
“You’re beautiful, Mom. I just want you less
pale if you’re so determined to visit these people. To be invited to dinner by
a senator’s wife is not a daily event here,” Emma joked to lighten her own grim
mood. “Right, Rino?”
At the sound of his name, the dog slowly moved
his muzzle toward her, rubbed her leg and groaned his approval.
Maria slipped a pearl necklace around her head
and clipped on her earrings. Exhausted by the effort, she slumped against the
back of the recliner and closed her eyes.
“You look too tired. You sure you want to go?”
Mom seemed so preoccupied today. Several times
she’d started to talk about her new friend Nancy, and then stopped in
mid-sentence and mumbled under her breath. Emma had caught her crying a couple
of times which was normal considering...
“The least I can do is accept their invitation. Nancy Dutton
is a very nice lady. A generous soul the kind you don’t find anymore.”
“I’m grateful that she convinced you to sign up
for the second phase of your treatment. That’s why I agreed to go to their
house with you to thank her personally.”
Emma sighed at her reflection in the mirror
above the living room credenza. The blue color of her outfit suited her well.
She’d bought the silk dress when Dad took her out with Maria to celebrate her
good grades at the end of her second year of law school. Little did they know
that two weeks later his cherished boat would explode and kill him.
Mom had insisted she wear the fancy dress
today. What a waste, just to entertain an unknown politician and his wife.
“I want you to meet Nancy and her husband.
They’re good people we can count on if we need help.”
“I still wonder...” Emma sprayed a whiff of
perfume on her neck and then on her stepmother’s. “Since when does a hospital
volunteer, especially a senator’s wife, invite a patient to her house?”
“Nancy has become a good friend, always encouraging me. They
want to meet you. Maybe he can give you a job or...” Mom blinked several times
and bit her lip.
“Do you think so? A part-time job would be great. I’d still
have enough time to take care of you.” Emma exhaled with relief. “You’re starting to improve. You’ll walk again soon, Mom, with
the right therapy.” Emma repressed the pang of anxiety gnawing at
her stomach and blanked any sign of worry from her face. Bringing the walker
closer to the recliner, she held Maria’s elbow with one hand and slipped an arm
behind her back to help her stand.
“I’m doing my best, sweetheart. I don’t want you stuck to my
side forever. I often pray you meet a nice man and find happiness.”
“Nice man?” With a snort, Emma crushed her mom’s
daydreaming. Where would she meet a nice man who’d accept her and her mountain
of problems? So far she’d met more jerks than nice men, Scott Garett and the likes.
“Yes, a presentable man, educated and with good-manners.
You’re pretty enough to attract any guy you set your heart on. Nancy mentioned
she has four sons and—”
“For heaven’s sake, Mom, stop dreaming. Politicians or their
sons are not paragons of virtue. Far from it. They know how to take advantage
of people.”
“But Nancy is not like that. She wants to...to...” Maria
sighed. After she shifted to straighten her back, she rested a pensive gaze on
Emma. “We won’t have problem with payments.”
“Of course we won’t. I told you I’ll sell the small shop
soon. It’ll cover the first phase of your treatment, and then if necessary I’ll
sell the second shop. It’ll be more than enough.” She offered her dear mom a
reassuring smile.
Maria caught Emma’s hand. “Don’t sell anything. It’s your
inheritance. It should help you go back to law school.”
“I’ll resume my studies once you get better. I can get a
scholarship or a loan that I’ll repay later.” With a gentle hand she caressed
her mom’s hair.
Rino scrambled up to a sitting position and turned his head
to the left, his ears twitching.
The door bell chimed and he barked. Their ride had arrived.
Emma collected their purses, the box of chocolate wrapped in
silver paper for their hosts, and a silk shawl for her mother to add over her
suit.
A hiss escaped Maria’s lips as she slowly shuffled to the
door. “You’re not listening, Emma, I don’t want you —and I don’t need you— to
sacrifice the shops. Mrs. Dutton said she’d pay the medical expenses that are
not covered by insurance.”
“No way.” Emma’s hand stalled on the doorknob and she stared
at her mother, her eyebrows gathered in shock. “You can’t let a stranger pay
for your treatment. We don’t need her.”
“She’s a dear friend now.”
“A senator’s wife? What does she want in return? Our votes
for her husband?” Bitterness underlined her questions.
Maria shook her head and grabbed Emma’s arm. “Wouldn’t you
vote for a politician whose wife is so generous? I would do anything to thank
them.” She raised imploring eyes to her daughter.
“Why, Mom? We’re not paupers. Dad left us two auto shops.
Why would you accept charity from strangers when I can help?”
A couple of votes didn’t justify paying for the expensive
treatment. What else did they want from Maria and Emma? After her father’s
death, Emma had met her share of unscrupulous people. Many had tried to take
advantage of the sick woman and her young daughter.
“Enough, Emma. I want you to meet them before casting
unfavorable judgment.” Her labored breathing frightened Emma. She refrained
from more comments and opened the door.
“I’m Carl, the Dutton’s chauffeur.” In black suit and cap,
the man gripped the walker to lower it down the two steps. “Are you ready,
Ma’am?”
“As ready as can be.” Maria twisted herself to tackle the
first step.
Rino growled at the stranger and bared his impressive
canines. A bit on the defensive, the man jumped down two steps and stared
suspiciously at her protector. “Huh, your dog wouldn’t bite, I hope.”
Sure he would.
“Hmm.” He’d already done it to defend her. “Just a moment please. I’ll be right
back.”
Emma raked her fingers through Rino’s fur the way he loved
it and urged him inside. “Come, buddy, we’re going to the backyard.”
“Take your time, Miss. Meanwhile, I’ll help the lady to the
car.”
Emma led Rino to the fenced backyard and the doghouse where
he could nap in the shade. “Be a good boy.” She set out a bowl of water and
another with chow. “Have fun and guard the house.” After an extra dose of
caresses, she entered the kitchen and closed the door, then went to the front
hall entrance.
The driver had settled Maria in the backseat of a black
Mercedes waiting at the curb. After an indifferent glance at the luxurious car,
Emma locked the house and slid next to her mother. Lost in her thoughts, she
repeatedly cursed her stepmother’s tendency to match-make and barely paid
attention to the scenic drive or the time spent until the driver slowed down to
pass through a gate. The car rolled on a gravel driveway between two rows of
magnificent maple trees and stopped in front of an imposing mansion.
Good Lord, was that where they were having dinner?
Emma climbed out of the car while the chauffeur opened the
other side door to help her mother. Their hosts must have been watching for
their arrival. An elegant woman in a maroon dress, her strawberry blond hair
impeccably coiffed, glided down the five marble steps and bent to hug Mom. “I’m
so glad you were able to come, my dear Maria,” she greeted with a friendly
voice.
“Thank you for inviting us and sending your driver.” Maria
turned to Emma and proceeded with the introductions. “My stepdaughter, Emma Cassiero. Mrs. Nancy Dutton.”
“Emma, what a pleasure to meet you. You’re even prettier
than your picture.” Nancy hugged her with as much affection as if she had been
a long-lost niece.
Why had Mom shown her picture around? Was Emma making too
much out of a friendly gesture?
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Dutton. I’m very grateful for the
support you’ve given my mother. This is for you.” Emma gave her the box of
chocolate.
“Thank you. Very kind of you. And here is my
son, Josh Dutton.” Nancy waved to the striking man who’d followed his
mother outside. Gorgeous enough to be called Man of the Year on any
magazine—and make Emma’s heart beat erratically. Maybe she’d been confined at
home for too long caring for Mom and had forgotten some men could be attractive
enough to stir her blood.
Josh’s unfathomable
gaze swept over her from head to toe and backtracked, roaming over her legs,
skimming her waist and chest, and resting on her face for more appraisals.
Oh but he was so annoying... even conceited.
A flush warmed Emma’s cheeks but she raised her chin,
returned the once-over, and stared him down. “Mr. Dutton,” she said with an icy
tone.
Amusement glittered in his ocean-deep blue eyes shaded by a
fringe of long dark lashes. “So glad you came, Emma.” He had the audacity to
wink at her.
Yes, a perfect jerk.
In spite of his brazen arrogance, his smile confused her and
her gaze riveted on his chiseled jaws and nose in the hope of finding his
features lacking. Wistful hope. Physically he was close to perfection.
A queasy feeling filled her stomach and she slowly inhaled
to regain control of her senses.
Nancy guided Maria up a side ramp and through the front door
opening on a marble entry hall adorned with an antique credenza, gilded mirror
and a velvet love seat. “Please come inside. We have a lot to talk about.”
Was Mrs. Dutton planning to explain her generous offer?
Emma didn’t have time to delve into the question. A warm
hand settled on her back. Josh’s lemon scent surrounded her. He led her to a
huge family room furnished with two brown leather sofas, matching armchairs,
dark wood cocktail tables, and various knickknacks she couldn’t take in with
her mental faculties focused on the large palm stiffening her shoulders and
melting her insides.
Without waiting for an invitation she eased out of his hold and
scooted to her mother’s side. Nancy had already helped Maria into a comfortable
wingback chair and arranged a pillow behind her back, and then sat on a chair
close to her guest.
Ignoring Josh who observed her curiously, and determined not
to share a sofa’s closeness with her unsettling host, Emma sidled to the
matching wingback chair across from her mother’s and dropped there.
A robust man in his late fifties entered the room, a jovial
grin on his face. “Ladies, what a pleasure to meet you. Nancy talks so much
about you.”
“Here you are, Howard,” Nancy introduced her husband.
“Maria, I feel I already know you.” Senator Howard was as
friendly as they come.
His charisma filled the air and he outstretched both arms to
enfold Maria’s frail hand between his. With silvery hair at the temples and
thin lines underlying his eyelids, he presented a mature and pleasant
personality quite in line with his position. Emma flipped a glance from the
senator to his son and noticed the subtle smile hovering on Josh’s lips.
He’d settled on the empty sofa and seemed amused by his
father’s affable greeting.
Had she missed something?
NY Times and USA Today
bestselling author Mona Risk
A tireless traveler,
Mona lives in Florida and writes contemporary romance, medical romance, and
romantic suspense, simmering with emotion and sprinkled with a good dose of
humor. Her novels are set in the fascinating places she visited--or in Florida,
her paradise on Earth.
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