Judy Duarte - The Rancher's Hired Fiancée

“Well, I guess that’s to be expected.” A grin tugged at one side of Dan’s lips, and his eyes lit up with mirth. “You’re not a bad-looking fellow. And you’ve got a little cash put away. I guess that makes you an eligible bachelor in anyone’s book.”

“Very funny.” Ray had never been full of himself, but most women considered him to be the tall, dark and handsome type. He also had a head for business, which had allowed him to parlay a couple of inheritances into millions. As a result, he had more money and property than he could shake a stick at, something that made every unattached female between the ages of 18 and 40 seem to think he was a prime catch.

He could always give them the cold shoulder, but his mother had taught him to be polite and courteous—a habit he found hard to shake. Besides, he didn’t know how to keep the women at arm’s distance without alienating half the voters in town.

“To top it off,” Dan added, “you being the mayor gives you a little more status than just being a run-of-the-mill Texas rancher, which the ladies undoubtedly find even more appealing.”

Ray sighed. “That’s the problem. I’m not looking for romance. And if the time ever comes that I’m interested again, I’m perfectly capable of finding a woman without help.”

Dan, who’d been biting back a full-on smile, let it go and chuckled. “There’s got to be a lot of guys who’d be happy to trade places with you.”

“Maybe, but only for a couple of days. Then they’d get fed up, too. This has been going on since… well, since word got out that my divorce was final. And now I can hardly get any work done—in town or on the ranch.”

“Why not date someone, just so word will spread that you’re already taken?”

Ray shook his head. “No, I’m not going to do that. After the marriage I had, I’m steering clear of women in general. But even if I wanted to ask someone out, I don’t have the time to add anything else to my calendar. As it is, I’ve been spending the bulk of my day driving back and forth to the ranch, making sure Mark and Darren have everything under control, then zipping back to town for one meeting or another.”

“I don’t blame you for not wanting to jump back into another relationship, especially after the hell Heather put you through over the past two years.”

Dan had that right. Ray’s ex-wife had not only cheated on him, she’d turned out to be a heartless gold digger. And after the long legal battle she’d waged, Ray wasn’t about to make a mistake like that again.

“You know,” Dan said, “it might not be a bad idea to spread the rumor that you’re already taken. Maybe that way, the matchmaking mamas and their starry-eyed daughters will give you a break and let you get some work done.”

“That’s an idea, but as simple and easy as it sounds, I’m afraid it won’t work.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’d keep showing up alone at all the various community events I’m required to attend, and people will begin to realize the woman is only a myth. And then I’ll be right back where I started. I’m afraid I’d need the real thing, and that would defeat the purpose of creating a fictitious woman.”

“Too bad you can’t rent an escort,” Dan said.

“Yeah, right.”

At that moment, Catherine reentered the living room and called Dan’s name. “Eva said to tell you that dinner’s ready. She’s already called Hank, and he’s heading over here now.”

“Thanks,” Dan said. “We’ll be right there.”

As Catherine returned to the kitchen, Ray watched the sway of her denim-clad hips. It was hard to imagine her as a woman who was at home on the stage, especially since she had a wholesome, girl-next-door appeal. But then again, she was an actress…

Suddenly, an idea began to form.

“How long does Catherine plan to be in town?” he asked.

“I’m not sure. Why?”

“Do you think she’d want a job?”

“Probably. Just this morning she mentioned that she’d like to find something part-time and temporary. Why?”

“Because I want to hire her, if she’s interested.”

“What did you have in mind? Something clerical?”

“No, it would be an acting job.”

Dan looked confused. “I’m not following you.”

A slow smile stretched across Ray’s face. “I’d like to hire Catherine to be my fiancée.”

After dinner and dessert had been served, Dan’s uncle thanked Eva for another wonderful meal, then headed back to his place so he could watch his favorite TV show.

Eva sent the older twins to get ready for bed, then she and Dan gathered up the preschoolers and told them it was bath time, leaving Catherine and Ray in the dining room.

“Can I get you another cup of coffee?” Catherine asked.

“That sounds good. Thanks.”

Minutes later she returned with the carafe and filled his cup, then her own.

“Dan told me that you might be interested in some part-time work,” Ray said.

Catherine had no idea how long she’d be in Brighton Valley, but it would probably be at least a month. So she’d thought about trying to earn a little cash while she was here.

Of course, if truth be told, she didn’t have many skills that would come in handy in a place like Brighton Valley.

“I’m interested,” she said, lifting her coffee cup and taking a sip. “As long as it was only temporary. Do you know of a position that’s open?”

“Yes, I do. And it’s probably right up your alley.”

Catherine couldn’t imagine what it might be. She was just about to ask for more details when she realized that Ray had zeroed in on her again, as if mesmerized or intrigued by her.

If she were in Manhattan, dressed to the nines, she might have taken his interest as a compliment. As it was, she didn’t know what to think.

“What kind of job is it?” she asked.

“It’s a little unorthodox,” he admitted, “but it’s only part-time, and the money’s good.”

“Who would I be working for? And what would I be doing?”

“You’d be working for me. I need an actress, and you’d be perfect for the part.”

“I don’t understand.” Catherine lifted her cup and took another sip.

“I need a fiancée,” Ray said.

Catherine choked on her coffee. “ Excuse me?”

“I want people in town to think that I’m in a committed relationship. And Dan thinks you have the acting skills to pull it off.”

“Why in the world would a man like you need to hire a girlfriend?” Once the words were off her tongue, she wanted to take them back. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m not sure I’m following you.”

“Okay, let me explain. I need a temporary escort to attend various community functions with me, and it would be best if people had the idea that we were serious about each other.”

Did he think that was an explanation? He’d merely reworded the job description.

“There are a lot of single women in town who’ve been making my life difficult,” he added. “And for some reason, they seem to think I’m actively looking for another wife.”

“But you’re not? ”

“No. At least, not for the foreseeable future. My divorce became final a month ago, although my ex-wife moved out nearly two years ago. So I’m not in any hurry to jump into another relationship. I’ve tried to explain that to people, but apparently they don’t believe me.”

“Maybe you should be more direct.”

“I thought I was. And I’d rather not alienate or anger any of my constituents.”

Constituents? Oh, yes. Eva had mentioned he was also the mayor of Brighton Valley. So that meant he was dealing with small-town politics.

Either way Catherine thought the whole idea was a little weird—if not a bit laughable. But then again, she could use the work—and she was an actress.