His Pretend Wife. Lisette Belisle

on a precipice. He put every ounce of skepticism into the words, “Clue me in. What’s the wifely act all about?”

      “There is a logical explanation.”

      “Then, let’s have it.”

      She slipped her hands into her pockets. Despite the casual pose, Jack wasn’t fooled for a minute. She cleared her throat. “I don’t know how much you recall about the airlift. You were so terribly hurt, and someone had to go with you.”

      “Why?”

      Her eyes widened. “Well, because you couldn’t go alone. And since only immediate family are permitted on board the rescue helicopter, I told them I was your wife.” She ignored his muttered expletive. “It was the only way. When we got to the hospital, the situation simply got out of control.”

      Jack didn’t get it. Either his thinking was fuzzy, or Abby wasn’t making much sense. He needed to be absolutely clear on this. “So, you told them we were married?”

      She took a breath. “Once we got here, I never actually said anything, everyone just assumed we were married.”

      “And you let them believe a lie?”

      She sighed. “Well, yes.”

      He lifted his brow in amazement. “That’s it?”

      “Mmm,” she murmured to his added frustration. “I did sign the admission form.”

      “You put it in writing.” Jack took a much-needed breath. The movement hurt his ribs, but he didn’t reveal his discomfort. Getting to the bottom of this was more important than a few broken bones. Those would heal in time. But the emotions he was feeling wouldn’t go away in a hurry. What was he feeling? Confusion? What game was she playing at? “How did you manage to fool the entire hospital staff?”

      She stiffened. “No one asked questions. I really didn’t have any choice. The doctor was going to operate. He refused to rule out an amputation. I let him assume I was your wife. He finally agreed to wait until an orthopedic specialist could fly up from Boston. You asked me to save your leg. And I did. The only way I knew.”

      “By claiming we’re married?” he snapped in disbelief.

      “Exactly. There was no other way,” she said heatedly. “You don’t think I’d go through all this for any other reason?”

      His eyes narrowed. “Why would I think that? You’ve got Seth Powers back home on a short leash. The guy’s obviously nuts about you.”

      “He doesn’t own me.”

      “He acts as if he does. He’s going to be furious when he hears about this.”

      “I don’t see why he has to know. After all, I did what I thought necessary, now it’s over. And even if Seth should find out, I’m sure he’ll understand when I explain the circumstances.”

      Jack wondered about that—if she belonged to him, he wouldn’t be that understanding. “Then he’s a fool.”

      “Because he trusts me?”

      “You said it, I didn’t.”

      Abby sighed. “This isn’t getting us anywhere.”

      Abby didn’t know what else to say.

      Of course, there was no logical explanation for what she’d done. She must have lost her mind. How could she have claimed this man, even temporarily? Being in the same room with him was like entering a cage with a live tiger. Even in Jack’s weakened condition, he was still a major threat. His blue eyes, so often remote and indifferent, burned into hers, scouring her with a look that made her heart beat faster with alarm—and something more threatening.

      His face was gray, and his mouth tight with pain—it was there in his eyes. How could it hurt so much to see him hurting?

      His weariness apparent, he leaned back against the pillows and said dryly, “Did you ever think that maybe I’m not worth it? Maybe you should have left me on that mountainside.”

      She gasped at the words. “Don’t say that! Don’t even think such a thing. I’ve gone to all this trouble, don’t you dare let me down now!”

      “All right.” He laughed, obviously surprised at her vehement response, then gently mocked her with the words, “You may still live to regret it.”

      Was that a promise or a threat?

      They stared at each other, confused and conflicted.

      Abby broke the awkward silence. “In any case, the situation is only temporary until I go home.”

      “Right.”

      His easy agreement hurt, which made absolutely no sense at all! “Until then, telling the hospital would only prove awkward for everyone concerned.” Of course, she had no logical explanation for what she’d done. “We could keep up the pretense for now.”

      He taunted her. “And how do you suggest we accomplish that?”

      “You could start by calling me Abby.”

      “That should do it for the staff. If the news doesn’t leak any further, we should be able to keep a lid on it.”

      “I hope so.”

      He let out an exasperated breath. “If this gets back to Henderson, I’ll never live it down.”

      Abby stifled a laugh. He was worried about what his friends would say. What about her friends? Her family? Her mother didn’t even approve of Seth. What on earth would she say about Jack? With luck, her mother would never have to know.

      “Well, I’m not planning on telling anyone,” she assured him. “In the meantime, is there anything you need?”

      He nodded. “Some ice chips.”

      “What?” The simple request startled her.

      “The nurse said she’d bring some ice chips, she must have forgotten.” He looked pale, his patience with their situation obviously worn thin.

      With her own nerves on edge, Abby grasped the excuse and left. She found an ice machine in the staff kitchen, and filled a paper cup with ice chips.

      That didn’t take very long.

      His eyes were closed when she returned to his room. Assuming he must be asleep, she set the cup down on the rolling bedside table, edging it closer. She was startled when he opened his eyes and murmured, “Thanks.”

      “I promised the nurse I wouldn’t tire you. I should go,” she said, her emotions brittle, aware that she was looking for an escape from all the tension. Their relationship had always been strained. Now, it was almost to the breaking point. “I’ll just leave the ice.”

      His eyes flickered over her. “Sure.”

      Stung by his indifference, she rushed into explanations, more excuses. “I should check into a hotel. I’ll come by later, just to see if you’re okay.”

      His mouth twisted with a mocking, “Don’t go to any trouble on my account.”

      “No trouble.”

      That was an understatement.

      After the door closed behind her, Jack’s grin faded.

      Blocking everything out, he stared at the white ceiling. A light hung in the middle, casting a pale round yellowish glow. If he focused on that, he wouldn’t feel the waves of pain. He could ask for more painkillers, but he knew what those could do. He had enough problems without adding an addiction to the list.

      He’d been in a lot of fixes, there had to be some way out of this one. His gaze fell to his injured leg. He stared at his foot, willing it to move. Nothing happened.

      What weren’t the doctors telling him?

      There was swelling