Free Calling Love: A Contemporary Christian Romance (Modern Conveniences Book 2) by Leah Atwood Page B

asked.”
    “Thank you.”
    His intense stare wreaked havoc on her already heightened nerves. She let out an involuntary uneasy laugh. “I never had problems saying no until I met you.”
    “If it makes you feel any better, I never proposed to anyone until I met you.” His comment, followed by a wink, broke up the nervous tension between them.
    “That’s a relief. I’d worry if you made a habit of that.”
    The light touch of his hand on her arm comforted her in an unexpected way.
    “Come on, let’s get you set up in the room, and then I’ll get Gran. Landon and Tanya are with her now.”
    “Your brother and sister are here?” She prayed her voice wasn’t as squeaky as it sounded to her. The confident woman within had taken a vacation.
    “We talked about that, remember?” His finger curved around her arm, strengthening the contact between them in a gentle way.
    She mentally ran through their previous conversations. A vague recollection moved forward, but with it, a moment of panic. “What will happen if they come to your house? They’ll know we’re not living under the same roof and put the pieces together.”
    “They rarely come to my house. If we’re doing something with Tanya, we go to her house because of Lacy, and if it’s just me and Landon, I go to his place because it’s usually to watch a game and he has the better television.”
    “I don’t even know what your house looks like, or where you live for that matter.” Her train of thought jumped around to keep from focusing on the soon-to-happen nuptials.
    “Do you have plans after we’re done here?”
    “No.” She didn’t mention she’d declined a dinner invitation from Anna, not trusting herself to keep the secret. Her sister wouldn’t understand, hadn’t even been comfortable with the fake fiancée act. One day she’d tell Anna, but it wouldn’t be today. Preferably a day far into the future when this was but nothing but a memory.
    “Gran wants us to stay for lunch, but if you’re up for it, we can go back to my place afterward and I’ll show you around.” Releasing her arm, he stepped away. “It’s supposed to storm this afternoon, so it’s a good day for a movie.”
    A slow smile formed. “I’d like that.”
    “It’s a date.”
    Archer scooped her dress and bags from the chair and carried them into the room. He eyed the back of the dress and the line of buttons. “I’ll send Tanya down to help you. I should have thought of that.”
    She should have as well. It never occurred to her that she’d need another person in the room. “I’d appreciate that.”
    “Your bouquet is on that console.” He pointed to the table under a window.
    “I’m impressed that you pulled this together.” She strode to the bouquet and picked it up. Traditional red roses with sprigs of baby’s breath. “These are beautiful.”
    Opening his mouth, Archer gazed at her with an indecipherable countenance. He closed his mouth without saying anything, then opened it again. “We’re running out of time. Tanya will be down shortly.” Pivoting abruptly, he headed out the door.
    Confused at his change in demeanor, she shook it off as nerves and unzipped the clear garment bag. She scanned the room for a place to hang her dress and settled on the curtain rod. There were no mirrors in the room, so she had to use the tiny one on her compact to apply her makeup. She hadn’t finished blending in the blush when someone knocked.
    Before answering the door, she finished her makeup at a record speed. She went to the door and pushed down on the handle to open it. A pretty brunette stood on the other side. Her deep gray eyes matched Archer’s.
    “Hi. Madison?”
    She nodded. “You must be Tanya. It’s good to meet you.”
    “Same. I couldn’t wait to introduce myself to the woman who convinced my brother to settle down.” Tanya pulled her into a brief embrace. “Gran is over-the-moon excited to see you and Archer marry.” She backed away with a