Judy Christenberry - A Ring For Cinderella

She handed him the signed paper with no comment, and they stood in silence until Paul reappeared.

“You forgot to change your shoes, buddy,” Zach said as the little boy finished buttoning up his shirt.

Paul looked at Susan, a puzzled look on his face.

“Those are the only shoes Paul has,” she said softly.

Her cheeks flushed as he stared her up and down, no doubt assessing the cost of her attire. She didn’t try to explain that she’d used part of his money to look nice for the occasion.

“Sorry, Paul, you look fine. Ready to go? By the way, I’ve got those books I promised you in the car.”

The boy’s face lit up. “Wow! Really?”

“Really,” Zach said with a smile.

He might be a jerk with her, but he was kind to Paul. Susan swallowed her anger.

“Why do I have to go?” Paul asked. “Susan said tonight was only for adults.”

“Well, Susan was wrong. It’s for adults and one special little boy. I’ll explain all about it in the car.”

Zach was making plans to take Paul on a shopping trip before he walked out of his life again. The woman beside him, looking pure and innocent in her bridal attire, probably would spend all the money he’d paid her on herself.

“When are you going to explain?” Paul asked, drawing his attention.

“Sorry, Paul, I forgot. My grandfather really wants me to get married. But I don’t have time to find a real bride, so Susan is going to pretend to be my wife. To make Gramp happy. Can you keep our secret?”

“Sure. But why do I have to be there?”

“Well, if it were your mom’s real wedding, you’d be there, wouldn’t you?” He smiled in the rearview mirror.

“Yeah, I guess, if she was alive,” Paul said with a sigh. “All my family is dead ’cept Susan and Megan.”

Zach almost lost control of the steering wheel in his shock. Then he turned to stare at Susan. “You’re not his mother?”

“No, I’m his sister and legal guardian.” She never even looked at him.

“Why didn’t you say that last night?” It galled him that she’d kept the truth from him.

“You didn’t ask, and I didn’t think it mattered.”

“Who is Megan?” he snapped, too irritated to respond to her remark.

“She’s our sister,” Paul said from the back seat. “She’s gone away to school.”

“School?” Zach asked softly, looking at Susan.

“She’s a freshman at the University of Nebraska.”

“Damn it! We’re being married tonight. Don’t you think you could’ve told me these things earlier?” He felt like he’d been blindsided.

This time she looked at him. Then she coolly asked, “What difference does it make?”

Her question stumped him. She was right. Her family information would have no affect on him. This marriage wasn’t real. So why did it bother him?

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