Her Hired Husband. Renee Roszel

caught sight of Sally Johnson, trudging up the stairs, lugging one of the bags. He frowned as a bizarre thought struck.

      “Sweetie?” Jane’s query drew him back. “Where did you go?”

      “Put Sam on,” he muttered, the vague beginnings of an idea forming in his mind.

      “What?”

      “Put Sam on, Jane,” he repeated, working to hold his temper.

      He heard her call Sam. As he waited he ground his teeth.

      “Hey, buddy, can’t find the goggles?”

      “I found them.”

      “Good. See you soon.”

      “I don’t think so.” Noah was not ordinarily an impulsive man. But right now he was angry, so he wasn’t quite himself. “Your sister asked me to do her a favor,” he said, deciding to go with the impulse and let the chips fall where they may. “Tell Jane to enjoy herself. I’ll join her as soon as I can.” Literal translation, When I cool off.

      Sam laughed. “Very funny.”

      “I’m serious. I’ll mail your goggles.”

      There was a pause. “Jane’s going to be royally ticked.”

      “That’ll make two of us.”

      “She told you?”

      “Yeah.”

      Sam cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, man. I didn’t know what she’d done until we got here.” In the silence that followed, Noah sensed Sam was working to keep from speaking disparagingly about his best friend’s girl. “So—what’s this favor you’re doing for my sister?”

      “No big deal.” Angry and restless, he shoved a hand through his hair. “I’m just going to be her husband.”