Free Undercover Marriage by Terri Reed Page B

following up with the police department.”
    Josh hoped Bud and Burke had more success than he and Serena had had.
    By the time they returned to the cover house, Josh’s back was soaked with sweat. Serena, however, didn’t appear at all bothered by the heat or the fast-paced run.
    Linda greeted them with tall glasses of lemonade.
    The burner cell phone in Josh’s pocket rang. A glance at the caller ID sent his heart lurching. The call was coming from the Perfect Family Adoption Agency.
    “This is Jack,” Josh said.
    “Mr. Andrews, this is Matilda Munders of the Perfect Family Adoption Agency.”
    “Mrs. Munders, this is a surprise,” Josh said, his glance meeting Serena’s stunned gaze.
    “For me, as well,” Mrs. Munders stated. “I’ve recently been informed of an infant in need of a home. I was so taken with your wife that I immediately thought of you two. If there is any way you could fill out the application and bring it by first thing tomorrow morning I may be able to put a child in your arms by the end of the week.”
    Josh couldn’t believe his ears. Apparently his willingness to fork over a large sum of money so easily went a long way to securing a child quicker than expected. “We’ll get right on that. I’m sure Susan will be ecstatic.”
    “Wonderful,” Mrs. Munders said. “I look forward to seeing you again.”
    “We look forward to seeing you, too, and hearing more about this baby,” Josh said and hung up.
    Excitement revved through his veins. Things on this front were moving more quickly than they’d anticipated. By the end of the week, Josh hoped they would have enough evidence to put Mr. and Mrs. Munders out of the baby-stealing-and-selling business once and for all.
    And put an end to his and Serena’s fake marriage.

SIX
    “A ct as if you like each other,” Linda directed from behind the lens of the black camera set on a tripod in the middle of the living room.
    Serena chewed the inside of her lip. Morning sunlight streamed in through the curtains. Outside the window a bird chirped a happy tune. Serena didn’t feel at all happy. She felt overwhelmed.
    After breakfast they’d sat down to fill in the multipaged application and realized they needed a photo to attach to the paperwork. So she’d put on one of the outfits she’d purchased, curled her hair with hot rollers to soften her look and applied a touch of makeup. Now she and Josh were posing in front of the camera, trying to appear the happy, loving couple they were pretending to be. Apparently it wasn’t working.
    With a twist of her lips, Serena scooted closer to Josh on the couch and tried to ignore the spicy fragrance of his aftershave as he leaned into her, but his scent swirled around her, teasing her senses. She involuntarily inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with the pleasing aroma, and her insides melted a little. His arm was draped casually around her shoulders, heavy, yet comforting. His hand rested lightly on her biceps. The pads of his fingertips traced little circles on her skin, creating pleasant shivers to cascade through her. Was he trying to relax her? If so, his tactic wasn’t working.
    It was a good thing she’d changed into another summery dress rather than her work suit because she was growing warmer by the minute. She had to force herself not to fan her hot face. She was sure her cheeks would be bright red in the photo.
    “Smile, please,” Linda coaxed.
    Serena tried, but was sure the smile would appear forced.
    Linda snapped several shots. She came out from behind the camera. “I think I got one we can work with.”
    “Wonderful,” Josh said. His arm remained around Serena.
    She turned to look at him, suddenly loath to move. She couldn’t deny how nice it felt snuggled this close to him, to have his arm around her as if they really were a couple.
    But they weren’t a real couple. She couldn’t lose herself in some crazy fantasy. This, the touching and looks, this entire masquerade was a job