Her So-Called Fiancé. Abby Gaines

cases of this nature.”

      “Dad, my legs are not technical evidence. I’m not suing anyone, I just want to get on with my life.”

      Unaware he was first on the list of people who would soon have to butt out of her affairs, her father beamed. “That’s very generous of you, sweetheart.”

      Jake made a gagging sound.

      “Jake, good to see you.” Jonah clapped him on the shoulder. Sabrina’s father thought Jake was the best thing since the First Amendment. The two men shook hands, both strong, tough and self-controlled. For both, reputation meant everything. It occurred to Sabrina belatedly that her father would be horrified at her faking an engagement. Jake was right, this was a bad idea. She could tell the trust they were dating, as he’d suggested, and that in her excitement she’d jumped the gun on the engagement…

      “Glad you’re running for governor,” Jonah said. “That takes guts in your situation. You’ve got my vote.”

      “Pleased to hear it.” Jake’s voice was strained. “There’s something else I’d like from you, Jonah.”

      “I told Susan I’d be happy to donate. My checkbook’s at home, but I can—”

      “No.” Jake spoke sharply. Then he smiled. A tighter effort than his vote-winning smile, one that didn’t engage his eyes. “I want to ask for Sabrina’s hand in marriage.”

      Chapter Four

      “I SHOULD SLAP YOU both silly for not telling me this was going on.” Susan Warrington tried to sound severe, but wasn’t this exactly what she’d wanted for Jake? For him to find the happiness he sorely needed? She couldn’t keep the smile from her voice.

      She couldn’t let them off scot-free, either. This campaign had enough problems to turn the rest of her hair gray, without secrets popping up out of the woodwork. She eyed Jake and Sabrina across the battered, lacquered table that took up most of the meeting room at Jake’s campaign headquarters and drummed her fingers, waiting.

      “I’m sorry, it’s all my fault,” Sabrina said, immediately contrite. The poor girl looked half-asleep; she’d had a horrible few days. But now she had Jake to look after her.

      “Sorry, Aunt Sue.” Jake usually called her Susan; she read his reminder of the family connection as an attempt to butter her up.

      Ah, well, it was working. She loved Jake almost like a son, and the news that he and Sabrina were getting married was…simply wonderful. And not just from a political perspective.

      “We weren’t planning to tell anyone other than Sabrina’s dad just yet,” Jake continued. “But Jonah made a public announcement in the middle of the Wellesley art show.”

      “Who would have thought the Journal-Constitution’s