Married By Mistake!. Renee Roszel

      “I’m hurt,” Jack kidded.

      “You should be, wanting to name my beautiful girls after a cabbage fungus.” Helen motioned him over to the bed. “But I forgive you. Now where’s my kiss?”

      He cast a roguish glance toward her hovering husband. “Does he bite?”

      Damien took a seat in a chair beside his wife’s bed, enfolding her hand in his. “How can I refuse a kiss to the first man my wife ever slept with?”

      Jack’s expression grew charmingly shocked. Helen reached out to him, urging him forward. “Damien heard how you let Lucy and me climb into your bed during thunderstorms. Remember?”

      “Fondly.” His smile reappearing, Jack gave Helen a kiss on her forehead. “You’re a beautiful mother. But I always knew you would be.”

      “Damned beautiful.” Damien shifted in his chair to kiss Helen’s cheek. He whispered something in her ear, and Helen nodded as though urging him to say something. When he sat back, he scanned his blond sister-in-law with a grin. “So, Lucy, how’s the engagement going?”

      Lucy felt herself blush and grew tongue-tied.

      “Great so far,” Elissa said. “Lunch was interesting, Lucy even managed to talk a little. And she gazed into Jack’s eyes once without turning a neon pink. I’m sure she’ll get better with a little practice.” The redhead took Jack’s hand. “But our boy here is the natural actor. I’d swear he’s really in love with Lucy.” She nuzzled his knuckles against her jaw. “I always knew your bad-boy past would come in handy for us Crosby girls.”

      He smiled, and Lucy noticed a vague ruddy tinge to his cheeks. Jack was embarrassed. Her heart went out to him. “Jack’s a good friend,” she said. “Don’t tease him, Elissa. You’re such a troublemaker.”

      The redhead spread her hands in a helpless gesture. “Hey, if you’ll remember, this engagement story was Jack’s idea.”

      “And how’s Stadler reacting to the news?” Damien asked.

      Elissa shook her head. “Who, Mr. Denial?” She paused, looking reflective. “You never met him, did you, Damien?”

      “I never had the pleasure.”

      “What pleasure?” Helen mumbled, then clamped her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry,” she said. “That just slipped out.”

      Lucy felt a twinge at her words and automatically defended him. “Stadler can be enchanting and dear.” She gave her baby sister a dark look.

      “I said I was sorry.” Helen looked contrite.

      Elissa walked behind her sister’s chair and began to rub her shoulders. “You have to stop defending the guy, Lucy. He’s not worth it. Just remember we love you and we want you to be happy.”

      “I hope Stadler and his new fiancée don’t leave before they can see our gorgeous baby girls,” Helen said.

      “Bite your tongue!” Lucy cried. In the ensuing silence, she realized how rude she’d sounded. She shook her head, aghast at her uncharacteristic show of temper. “I—I don’t know how long I can carry off this lie. The sooner Stadler leaves the better.”

      “Your muscles are all knots, honey.” Elissa rubbed and massaged, glancing at Jack. “Do you think— maybe—this trick we decided to play on Stadler is too much for Lucy?”

      “You finally figured that out?” Lucy admonished, jumping up. “Fine timing! Now that it’s too late!”

      The redhead looked stricken at her sister’s rare explosion of fury. Her lips moved, but no sound came, and her green eyes began to glisten. It was clear from her expression that she finally understood what an ordeal this was for Lucy. Tears shimmered on Elissa’s lower lashes. “Oh—oh, honey, please forgive me. I sometimes forget...” She stopped and swallowed as though trying to steady her voice. “I didn’t understand...”

      When Lucy saw how badly her sister felt, she began to hurt right along with her. She knew Elissa well enough to understand that she rarely cried, so her turmoil was deep and real. Unable to stay angry in the face of Elissa’s distress, she rounded the chair and hugged her. “It’s okay, Liss,” she murmured brokenly. “He’ll leave—soon. I can manage.”

      Elissa hugged her back, wiping her eyes with the heel of her hand.

      Damien cleared his throat, sounding uneasy. “So, Jack, how long are you going to be in Branson?”

      Lucy was grateful for the subject change.

      “I’m not sure,” Jack said. “I have a real-estate man looking at properties for me. I’m thinking of opening a Gallagher’s Bistro here.”