Free Microsoft Word - catherine mann - landis brothers 4 - rich man's fake fiancee.docx by Catherine Mann Page B

He backed a step. “I’ll just go help the driver with our luggage.”
    Ashley couldn’t miss how it didn’t seem to dawn on him to allow the chauffeur to haul their suitcases by himself. Yet another touch that made Matthew all the more appealing.
    Forcing herself to stop watching him lope down the steps with a muscled grace, she turned her attention to following Ginger back into the house. No mere magazine layout could have done the place justice.
    A wall of windows let sunshine stream through and bathe the room in light all the way up to the cathedral ceilings.
    Hardwood floors were scattered with light Persian rugs around two Queen Anne sofas upholstered in a pale blue fabric with white piping. Wingback chairs in a creamy yellow angled off the side. The whole décor was undoubtedly formal, but in an airy comfortable way.
    Ginger spun on her low heel. “I’ll show you to your room shortly. The view of the ocean is breathtaking.”
    Having grown up at Aunt Libby’s on the water, she appreciated the sense of home she would get from the sound of the waves lulling her to sleep. Come to think of it, this woman had an Aunt-Libby-like air of kindness to her.
    “Your home is gorgeous.” Ashley turned to the picturesque windows overlooking the pool and ocean. “Thank you again for letting me stay. I can’t wait to unpack my suitcase.”
    “Oh, my dear, don’t worry about doing that. You won’t need to use your sister’s clothes.”
    Ashley pivoted away from the windows to the room filled with the beauty and scent of fresh-cut flowers in crystal vases.
    “Excuse me, but I thought you said we weren’t going to do the makeover deal.”
    “I never said we weren’t going shopping.”
    “You didn’t?” This woman was as good at word-plays and nuances as Matthew. Ashley would have to watch her step around both of them. “What do you mean then?”
    “Your entire wardrobe was ruined. It’s obvious you need new clothes, even more so because of the predicament with my son and all the appearances you’ll need to make together.”
    “I can’t let him pay for my clothes.”
    Matthew’s mother planted her fists on her hips in a stance that brooked no argument. “Since he’s the reason you have to attend the functions, it’s only fair he pay.”
    Ashley stayed silent because she knew she wouldn’t win a war of words with this master stateswoman.
    Ginger smiled. “Prideful. I like you more and more by the minute.” She waved a manicured hand. “I wasn’t born into all of this. I didn’t even know about it when I met my first husband, an Air Force jet-jock who swept me off my feet so much we eloped in two weeks.”
    A sweet-sad smile flickered across her face as the soft sounds of someone turning on a vacuum in the next room filled the silence.
    Ashley touched her arm. “How long has he been gone?”
    “Nearly eleven years. I never thought I would fall in love that way again. And in a sense, I was right. Love built slower for me the second time around, but no less strong.”
    Ginger’s eyes took on a faraway look and Ashley realized the woman was staring at an old family photo across the room for at least half a minute before she returned her attention back to the present. “So, Ashley, about the shopping spree. I adore the general and my boys, but there are times I need a girls’ day out.”
    Wow, this lady had a way of working a person around to her side of the argument. “How about this? He can pay for the clothes I use at official functions, but I pay for anything else I wear.”
    “That sounds entirely fair and wonderfully honorable.”
    RICH MAN’S FAKE FIANCEE
    18
    CATHERINE MANN
    SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1878
    THE LANDIS BROTHERS
    “Matthew’s campaign manager says the media will eat me alive.”
    Ginger cupped her cheek, her charm bracelet jingling. “No one expects you to change who you are. We’re only here to help you be comfortable as yourself. We’ll be doing that with new clothes of your