Michelle didn’t wince at the screech this time. Was she beginning to get used to it?
Silently they took the elevator to her floor and walked down the quiet hall. Stopping by her door, she fished out her keys.
“Thanks for coming with me,” she said, fumbling with the lock.
Josh’s hand covered hers, guiding in the key and turning it.
“I enjoyed meeting Caroline and Brandon. Are you all right?”
Michelle nodded and smiled brightly. “Sure.”
“You seem nervous. You did pretty good with the pretense, except you seemed startled every time I touched you.”
“Well—”
“Maybe all you need is practice.”
“What?”
“You know the old saying, practice makes perfect.”
With that, he covered her mouth with his.
Michelle was breathing hard when he lifted his head and gazed down at her, his expression giving nothing away.
“Better. See, practice is the key.”
“Good night, Josh,” she said and almost flew through the door, closing it in his face.
Her knees felt wobbly and her heart raced. She still felt the wonderful imprint of his lips against hers. Instead of acting like a scared schoolgirl, she should have pretended to have a certain level of sophistication and kissed him right back.
Leaning against the door, she sighed. She did need more practice if she was to pull this off and not give rise to speculation.
Just how much would be enough?
Chapter Four
Michelle was surprised at the anticipation that built as Wednesday afternoon progressed. Josh had called that morning to say he’d pick her up at six. Never a clock watcher, Michelle seemed to check the time every ten minutes. Giving in to the excitement, she left work early and hurried home to change into something more suitable for shopping than her business suit and heels.
Josh had reiterated the invitation to dinner, and she wondered where they would go? Another fast food place for Penny, or a family restaurant?
Wearing a loose, gauzy sun dress and sandals, Michelle was ready when the doorbell rang. From the incessant sound, she knew Penny was the one pushing the button.
“Hi,” Michelle opened the door and caught her breath. She hadn’t seen Josh since Sunday.
Why did looking into his eyes cause her heart to jump and then pound?
Forcing her gaze down, she smiled at Penny.
“Hi, Penny, ready to go shopping?”
The little girl leaned against her father’s leg and shook her head. Her shorts and shirt were neat and clean. The cap sat squarely on her head.
“Don’t gots to.”
“Don’t have to,” Michelle corrected gently. “But it would be a lot of fun. We’ll buy you a pretty dress to wear on Saturday, and maybe shiny shoes.”
Penny watched her warily and shook her head, clutching her teddy bear tightly. Her baseball cap shadowed her face, but Michelle caught the stubborn pout.
Josh picked her up and looked at Michelle. She saw the family resemblance, and the family solidarity. Hadn’t they worked things out yet?
“Ready to eat?” Josh asked.
“I am.” Michelle slipped her keys into her purse and slung it over one shoulder. Pulling the door shut, she tested it to make sure it was locked. “Where are we going?”
“There’s a nice place near the Quarter that’s fine for kids. That’ll put us close to some of the department stores on Canal Street.”
The place Josh chose was perfect for families. And it was early enough to be uncrowded.
Michelle made small talk until they ordered. The restaurant provided crayons and a black-and-white menu for children with a scene for them to color. Penny began industriously coloring in the background with bright blue.
“Any place special you shop for her clothes?” Michelle asked.
“No. I’ve only had her for a year. Some of the clothes her mother bought still fit. And we haven’t had any occasion to buy fancy dresses before this. Besides, she hates to shop.”
Michelle looked at the little girl, then her father. “Does she or is it you?”
Josh glanced at Penny. “I’m not so thrilled with it. Do you know how tiny the buttons are on kids’ clothes?”
Hiding a smile, Michelle nodded. “Maybe it’ll be easier with the two of us. I promise to fasten all the tiny buttons.”
“Most of the time shorts and a shirt are enough.”
“But not at a wedding,” Michelle said firmly.
“Speaking of which, did you make the arrangements?” Josh asked. They had agreed she would handle that aspect, and let her siblings know when and where.
She nodded. “At noon, at the courthouse. Judge Thompson. It’ll only take a few minutes and then we can all go to lunch. Abby and Caroline insist I have to stay with Caroline Friday night and have Brandon give me away.”
Josh looked at her. “You’re not wearing some fancy white dress with a veil and big bouquet of roses, are you?”
“I could,” she said, teasing.
He closed his eyes. “I thought this was going to be a small wedding, in and out, so to speak.”
Laughing softly, Michelle reached out and patted his arm, snatching her hand back when she realized what she’d done. “It will be. I have a nice white suit and a skimpy hat with a tiny veil. Maybe you’ll give me a corsage or something.”
“Yeah, that sounds great. Lunch and then we’re done, right?”
She nodded, feeling a pang with the thought of the ceremony. Once upon a time she’d thought she’d find a wonderful man to marry and raise a family with. There was still that possibility, but this would be her first wedding. And for her sisters’ sake, she had to make it seem as real as possible.
“You're not expecting a honeymoon, are you?” he asked.
“Of course not.”
He looked relieved. Michelle wondered what he really thought about this crazy plan.
“In fact, Josh, except for the few times you and I have to be with my family, you can continue to live your life just as you always do. I don’t plan to interfere.”
“For the last year, my life’s been pretty much tied up with Penny.”
“Before that?”
“Before that, Sylvia had custody and wasn’t really generous with allowing me time to see her. Something always seemed to
