.

was surprised to hear she had a child, he didn’t let on. His posture went rigid. “That’s ridiculous. She’s the boy’s mother.”

      “Dad, this isn’t the time or place—” Sam began.

      Joe wagged a finger at Lexi Preston and Maria Johnson. “Now listen here. I don’t know what all this nonsense is about, but I can tell you my son will take care of that child and Julia. He’s the law around here, for heaven’s sake.” He leaned closer and Lexi’s nervous swallow mimicked Julia’s. Joe Callahan might look like a teddy bear but he had a backbone of steel. “You’ll have to come through both of us if you try to hurt her. We protect our own.”

      “I’ve had quite enough of this town for tonight.” Maria pushed at the attorney, who stood quickly. “I don’t care who you’ve got in your backwater little corner of the world, we’re going to—”

      Lexi put a hand on Maria’s shoulder to silence her. “The less said tonight, the better. We have a court date next week.” She gave Julia a curt nod. “Ms. Morgan, we’ll see you then.”

      “Take care of the check, Lexi.” Maria Johnson barked the order at her attorney before stalking out of the restaurant.

      “Does that mean she’s leaving Brevia?” Julia asked.

      “For now. I’ll stay for the duration of the process. The Johnsons will fly back and forth.” Lexi leaned toward Julia. “I don’t want to get your hopes up, but a stable home environment could change the situation.” She clapped a hand over her mouth as if she’d said too much, then nodded to the group and scurried away.

      Julia reached forward to hug Joe. “Thank you, Mr. Callahan. For what you said.”

      “I meant it. Sam isn’t going to let anything happen to you.”

      Sam.

      Julia turned, but focused her attention on the badge pinned to Sam’s beige shirt, unable to make eye contact with him. Instead she looked out at the tables surrounding them. “Sorry for the commotion. Go back to dinner, and we’ll get out of your way.”

      “Wait a minute.” Sam’s voice cut through the quiet.

      Julia held her breath.

      “As most of you heard tonight, Julia and I have something to celebrate.” He grabbed her hand and drew her back to him. Her fingers spread across his broad chest of their own accord. “We need to make this believable for the gossip mill,” he whispered against her ear.

      A round of applause rang out in the restaurant followed by several clinks on glasses. “Kiss. Kiss. Kiss,” came the call from the bar.

      Julia froze as Sam gazed down at her, his expression heated. “Better give them what they want.”

      “It’s totally unbelievable and I had garlic for dinner,” she muttered, squirming in his arms.

      “I’ll take my chances,” he answered with a laugh.

      “Have it your way.” Cheeks burning, she raised her head and pressed her mouth to his, a chaste peck fit for the balcony at Buckingham Palace. When she would have ended the kiss, Sam caught hold of her neck and dipped her low. She let out a startled gasp and he slid his tongue against the seam of her lips. Ever so gently he molded his mouth to hers.

      A fire sparked low in her belly as she breathed in the scent of him, warm and woodsy and completely male. Lost in her reaction, her arms wound around his neck and her fingers played in the short hair along his collar. She heard his sharp intake of breath and suddenly he righted them both to a chorus of catcalls and stomping feet.

      “That’s what I’m talking about,” someone yelled.

      “Okay, folks.” Sam’s gaze swept across the restaurant and he smiled broadly. “Show’s over. I’m going to see my lovely bride-to-be home.”

      Julia pressed her fingers to her lips and looked at Sam. The smile didn’t reach his eyes.

      When she turned, Joe watched her. “You’re a breath of fresh air if I ever saw one,” he said and gave her trembling hand a squeeze.

      She led the group into the night but not before she noticed several members of the ladies’ auxiliary huddled in the corner. They’d have a field day with this one. The salon would be buzzing with the news by morning. Her chest tightened as she felt Sam behind her, frustration pouring off him like a late-winter rainstorm. Maybe he’d already come to regret his stupid proposal.

      This entire situation was his fault. She’d told him she didn’t need a hero, and that was the truth.

      Still, his announcement had rattled Maria Johnson and her attorney. She couldn’t figure out how a fake engagement would benefit Sam, but he wasn’t her problem.

      Charlie was Julia’s only priority. She’d do anything for her son.

      Right now she needed time to think, to figure out how to make this bizarre predicament work in her favor. “It’s been a long day, boys,” she said quickly. “Joe, it was nice to meet you. How long will you be—”

      “We need to talk,” Sam interrupted, gripping her arm when she tried to break away.

      “I thought I’d be around for a while. Give my boy some lessons in tapping into his feelings, finding his passion and all that.” Joe gave Sam a hearty thump on the back. “After that little display, I think he may have wised up on his own. You’re good for him, Julia. Real good.”

      Sam’s hold on her loosened. He studied his father. “You mean one kiss convinced you I can do without a dose of your emotional mumbo jumbo?”

      Julia swatted his arm. “That’s your father. Show some respect.”

      Sam shot her a withering look. “I’ll remember that the next time your mom’s around.”

      Joe laughed and wrapped them in another hug. “Not just any kiss. It’s different when you kiss the one. Trust me, I know. I bet they could see the sparks flying between the two of you clear down to the coast.”

      Looking into Joe’s trusting face, she couldn’t let Sam’s father pin his hopes on her. She had to tell him the truth.

      “Mr. Callahan, I don’t—”

      “You’re right, Dad,” Sam agreed. “It’s different with Julia. I’m different, and I don’t want you to worry about me anymore.” He pinched the tip of Julia’s nose, a little harder than necessary if you asked her.

      “Ouch.”

      “Such a delicate flower.” He laughed and dropped a quick kiss on her forehead. “What would I do without you?”

      “Troll for women over in Charlotte?” she offered.

      “See why I need her by my side?”

      Joe nodded. “I do.”

      Sam turned to Julia and rubbed his warm hands down her arms. “Where are you parked?”

      Julia pointed to the blue Jetta a few spaces down from where they stood, her mind still reeling.

      “Perfect. I’m going to walk Dad back to the hotel and we’ll talk tomorrow.”

      She didn’t like the look in his eye. “I’m kind of busy at the salon tomorrow.”

      “Never too busy for your one true love.”

      Julia stifled the urge to gag. “I guess not.”

      “Get going, then, sugar.” He pinched her bottom, making her yelp. She rounded on him but, at the calculating gleam in his eye, turned back toward her car. Sam and his dad watched until she’d pulled out.

      Despite this peculiar evening, his announcement had served its purpose. Lexi Preston had said having Sam in the picture might change things. That could be the understatement of the year, but if it kept Charlie safe, Julia would make it work.