Chapter Five
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride,” the judge finished.
Josh took full advantage. Michelle’s eyes widened as he pulled her into his embrace. She had a knack of always looking so surprised when he touched her or said something the slightest bit provocative. Unfortunately, the trait only had him finding more ways to surprise her to see that reaction.
Her lips were warm and soft. Whatever else, he liked kissing her. Far too much, he thought a moment later when he pulled back to the gentle laughter of their guests. Yet it seemed too brief.
Michelle’s face flamed with color. Feeling a certain sense of satisfaction to have caused that reaction, Josh grinned and turned to face the others.
“Congratulations!” someone called.
In no time, their friends and family surged around to offer felicitations and hugs. Josh endured them good-naturedly. At least for the time being he had his personal life under some control. Michelle would take care of Penny for him and let him concentrate on business.
Playing the role of devoted husband wouldn’t be a hardship. He threaded his fingers through hers and smiled, liking the feelings he experienced around Michelle. Except for a certain state of awareness that he hadn’t experienced since he’d been a teenager.
“Welcome to the family,” Abby said as she reached up to give him a hug, Penny between them. “We got a double bonus today, with both you and Penny. She's a sweetheart.”
Penny beamed at her father. “This is Auntie Abby.”
“I know she is.”
For a moment the term threw him. Doubt rose. Was he doing the right thing for Penny? Would she become attached to Michelle and her family? They were nice people, and without letting them know of the temporary nature of this marriage, would they become too much a part of their lives only to be missed when the marriage ended?
Maybe he shouldn’t have agreed to Michelle’s request for the entire charade.
Before he could think more along those lines, Bethany, one of Michelle’s friends from work, brought out her camera and began to organize a series of poses of the wedding party. Then the entire group moved to one of the restaurants nearby where Michelle had made reservations.
The luncheon was perfect. The guests brought gifts which were piled on a table against the wall. Toasts were offered to the newly married couple. Abby and Caroline had arranged for a wedding cake. Penny was enchanted with the small man and woman on top and claimed them for her own once the cake had been cut. She had her bear in tow, but had left the cap in the car.
“This is for you,” Caroline said, slipping an envelope to Michelle as she and Brandon came over when the guests were getting ready to leave. “We didn’t want to put it with the other gifts for fear you wouldn’t open it until tomorrow or something.”
“What is it?”
Caroline smiled broadly. “Brandon and I are treating you both for a night at Le Carillon,” she said. “Abby said she and her friends are moving your things to Josh’s this weekend, so we thought we’d treat tonight at the hotel. And I want to keep Penny, if she’ll come. Get me some practice.”
Michelle’s mind spun. She looked at Josh in panic. They’d done nothing about Abby’s plans to move her things. Now this. What could she do without giving away the reason for their arrangement? The terms of this marriage?
Caroline waited expectantly. Taking a deep breath, Michelle smiled. She hugged Caroline and then Brandon. “Wow, this is so great! Thank you. I didn’t expect anything like this.”
Desperately she sought for a reason to decline, but none came to mind.
Josh put his arm around Michelle and added his thanks. “We couldn’t take a honeymoon just yet, but this will be a start. We appreciate it.”
The touch of his arm on her shoulder almost short- circuited Michelle’s brain. She was aware of every inch of the man, of his rumbling laughter, of his muscles as he leaned forward a bit to shake Brandon’s hand, the warmth that radiated and enveloped her. How could anyone be expected to make decisions when thoughts of kisses and caresses dominated?
“We’ll help you take the gifts home. We can then pack something for Penny and be off,” Caroline said.
“I expect both you and Penny could use a nap,” Brandon said.
“You’re right. But this has been a wonderful day!”
Michelle’s cheeks ached with her smile. She felt like such a fraud. But it was for a good cause, she reminded herself. Josh would locate their father. And she’d make sure sweet little Penny was able to remain with hers.
The room at Le Carillon was luxurious, as would be expected from one of New Orleans’ five-star hotels. With a view of the old French Quarter and the slow-moving Mississippi River beyond, it appealed to the senses in every way. Bright blossoms filled vases around the sitting room. The thick carpet had Michelle wanting to slip off her shoes and walk barefoot. The muted colors blended with a soothing elegance.
When the bellman left, Michelle turned to look at Josh. They were alone in this lovely suite, and had to stay until morning!
“I didn’t know how to get out of it,” she began.
“Not without revealing all to your sister and brother-in- law,” he agreed, walking around examining the furnishings. Stopping by the window, he looked at the view.
“And Abby, she means well, too.”
“You’re lucky to have a close family. They’re happy for you and want to share that happiness.”
“I know. I feel like such a fraud.”
Josh turned around, leaned against the glass, his hands in the pockets of his trousers. “Why?”
“They think this is real.”
“The marriage is real.”
She looked surprised. “Yes, it is, isn’t it? But I mean they think we’re in love and will stay together forever. All the people at the wedding thought it was real. What do we do with all the wedding presents?”
“Write thank-you notes?”
Michelle frowned and moved
