Читать книгу The Substitute Fiancée - Rebecca Russell - Страница 11

Jessie Taggert reached into her locker at the health club for her swimsuit, eager to hit the whirlpool after an intense workout. The nearly scalding, bubbling water would feel great on her tired muscles.

An unfamiliar jingle erupted from her gym bag. She frowned in confusion as she retrieved her cell phone, then chuckled at the realization that her twin sister must’ve changed the ring again, an ongoing joke. Jenna was a true techie, while Jessie, who admittedly enjoyed the convenience of cell phones and computers, worked on a need-to-know basis. “Hello.”

“Jessie, thank God I caught you.”

Alarms went off in Jessie’s head. Her sister sounded frantic. Jenna didn’t panic easily. “What’s wrong?”

“Everything. Nothing. I mean, I need you to do me a favor.”

Jessie groaned. “Come on, Jenna, it’s my vacation.” She loved her job teaching third grade, but the summers off kept getting shorter every year for both teachers and students. “Can’t you get someone else to do whatever it is?”

“Not this time. I got called out of town. I’ll be back tomorrow morning, but it means I can’t make the final fitting for my wedding dress today. We’re the same size and since we’re identical, no one will know it’s not me.”

“But it’s only been two months since you bought the dress. Why would you even need another fitting?”

“It’s Brennan’s policy. Can you be there at noon?”

Jessie glanced at her watch. “You’re giving me an hour’s notice?”

“Please, Jessie. I really need you to do this for me. My wedding is in seven days. I’d do it for you.”

Jessie couldn’t argue that point. Two sisters couldn’t be more different, but they had always been there for each other. “I thought you were taking this whole week off to do nothing but get ready for the wedding.”

“I was, I mean, I am, but something important came up. You’re a doll for helping me. And one more thing, you absolutely cannot tell Mac or anyone else that I’ve left town.”

“But isn’t your trip business related?” Why else would her career-minded twin go out of town right before her wedding to the attractive but equally ambitious attorney?

“I’ll explain later. Just promise me.”

“Okay, I promise, but—”

“Thanks, sis.”

Jessie didn’t bother to protest, having learned long ago that her sister, older by two minutes, usually got what she wanted. Jenna had always possessed a penchant for intrigue, but a week before her wedding?

Jessie hung up and shoved the phone back into her bag, disappointed that she had to trade a relaxing soak and sauna for a quick shower, but at least it was for something worthwhile.

Since her engagement to Mac McKenna, Jenna had been busier than ever, but she seemed happy. She proudly claimed that Mac had finally met his match. He planned to stay on top as a trial lawyer who attracted Dallas’s most controversial cases, and her goal was to become every bit as successful.

They had begun the search for a house. No doubt, hired help would do the housekeeping, lawn and pool care so that the busy attorneys’ time and energy could be channeled into their careers. Neither wanted children—too much of a distraction.

They were perfect for each other.

Jessie couldn’t imagine a more empty existence, but this wasn’t about her. After a shower, she’d race the twenty or so miles from Plano to downtown Dallas. She’d take the tollway, the quickest route. Still, she’d be hard-pressed to make the drive to the bridal shop in an hour.

Jenna was going to owe big-time for this favor.

Jessie hurried through the front door of Brennan’s Bridal Boutique and her eyes immediately began to burn from the battle of heavy perfumes.

Women of all shapes and sizes decked out in Prada, Gucci and big hair milled about the room. A few customers even carried pets in designer totes.

Jessie suddenly felt self-conscious in her lightweight jogging suit, ponytail and no makeup, but at least she was clean.

Conversation competed with soft jazz that flowed from hidden speakers as she scanned the room for a glimpse of “the pearl lady,” Jenna’s description of her bridal consultant.

A petite woman in pearls seemed to appear out of nowhere and appraised Jessie over reading glasses. “Ms. Taggert, I almost didn’t recognize you.”

The woman’s scrutiny left Jessie squirming in her no-brand tennis shoes. “I had something come up at the last minute, so I either had to reschedule or come like this.”

“These things happen, I suppose. And since your wedding is next week, you made the right decision. I have a changing room all ready for you, so follow me.”

The consultant stepped into a short hallway that boasted thick cream carpet and white walls adorned with wedding portraits of local celebrities. “I double-checked that the fitter made the tucks in the waist just as you requested. I hope it meets with your approval, because we really are running out of time.”

Jessie smiled. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

The consultant stopped in front of the first door, gave Jessie a puzzled look, then motioned her inside.

Jessie entered a spacious room furnished with a couch, a huge trifold mirror and a circular raised platform in front of it.

A gown that screamed “Look at me” hung next to a plush white robe. Nestled below was a pair of off-white satin pumps dyed to match the dress.

Jessie frowned. Whatever happened to simple and elegant?

“Ms. Taggert, is something wrong with the dress?”

Jessie forced a smile. “No. Of course not.” Her opinion of the gown didn’t matter. “I’ll try this on and be out of your hair in no time.”

“Wonderful. Here, let me help—”

“Thanks, but I can manage.”

After another strange look, and obvious reluctance, the consultant left.

Jessie stepped into the fussy gown. The dress hugged and flared in all the right places, as far as she could tell. She checked the time. With any luck, ten minutes, fifteen tops, she’d be out of there and on her way home to play in her garden.

“Jenna, are you in there? I need to talk to you.”

Mac! She’d only met her sister’s fiancé once, but his deep, sexy voice was easily recognizable. “I’m sort of busy right now, Mac.” What was he doing at a bridal shop? “Later works better for me,” she offered. Much later.

“This is important.”

Oh, God. Mac didn’t sound as if he’d take no for an answer. What was she going to do? “But you can’t see me in my dress before the wedding.”

“Now I know something is wrong.” His voice sounded closer. “I saw you in it months ago. What’s going on?”

Why couldn’t her sister have been a more conventional, superstitious bride-to-be? “But that was before changes were made. I want it to be a surprise.”

“Forget about the dress. We need to talk. Now.”

An all-too-familiar queasiness erupted in Jessie’s sensitive stomach, her body’s typical reaction to stress. She had to come up with some reason to keep Mac out. Jenna never went anywhere without makeup and every hair in place.

“You’ve ignored my calls, Jenna. I’ve been trying to get ahold of you since yesterday when you missed your appointment to take the deposition for the Grant case. I had to send Adam to cover for you.”

Panic gave way to worry. Jenna always put work first. Something really must be wrong, but Jessie couldn’t ask Mac about it, since she’d promised to keep her sister’s absence a secret.

She needed to talk to Jenna, but first she would have to deal with the tenacious lawyer who would know she wasn’t his fiancée after one look at her fresh-scrubbed face. “Okay, Mac, but I need to see the consultant first. Will you find her and send her in?”

Silence followed Jessie’s request. What would she do if he just barged in? After all, she didn’t really know her sister’s fiancé, having met him the first and only time at the couples shower she’d hosted several weeks ago at the Green Room.

He had arrived at the popular Deep Ellum restaurant with Jenna on his arm. Every coal-black hair was in place, his manners polished, as he worked the room like a seasoned politician and flashed his winning smile.

Of course, a man that attractive, that perfect, would choose a woman like Jenna.

He’d kept his arm around Jenna’s waist or shoulders the entire time, an obvious sign of affection, but Jessie hadn’t been won over. Something wasn’t quite right about them as a couple, but she couldn’t define what it was and that bothered her.

“Don’t take too long, Jenna,” Mac warned.

The consultant rushed inside and Jessie shut the door. “I need your help.”

“Is something wrong with the dress?”

Jessie shook her head. “The dress is great. But I can’t let my fiancé see me like this. Do you have any makeup around here that I can use? I’ll be glad to pay you.”

The woman’s knowing smile might as well have been an “I told you so.” No self-respecting woman ever left the house not looking her best. “No need for that. Don’t worry, I’ll be right back.”

While waiting for the cosmetics, Jessie arranged her hair into an elegant knot. As kids, the sisters had often traded places to cover for each other when the need arose. While fooling others entertained Jenna, the charades usually left Jessie reaching for the closest bottle of antacid to calm her nervous digestive system.

Now that she was an adult, deception proved even more difficult to stomach.

“She’ll just be a minute, Mr. McKenna,” the consultant called over her shoulder as she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. “You’d best hurry, Ms. Taggert. He’s wearing a hole in the carpet.” She held out a small black vinyl bag. “My makeup should work. We have about the same coloring.”

Jessie hugged her. “You’re an angel. Thanks.” She dug through the cosmetics and pulled out concealer, determined to do the best she could, despite being makeup challenged.

“Don’t take this wrong, Ms. Taggert, but you’re like a different person this afternoon. When you were here a couple of months ago you couldn’t make up your mind about which dress you wanted, and today you barely look at it and say it’s fine. Are you sure? Because we want you to be happy with the gown.”

Jenna, indecisive? Not likely. The woman must have her customers mixed up. “I’m sure about the dress. It was just wedding jitters before.”

Jessie made an attempt to apply the mascara, not surprised to find her hand shaking. What if Mac barged inside before she was ready?

The “pearl lady” smiled. “It happens all the time. Here, let me help you. Your hands are shaking so much you’re going to make a mess of it.”

Jessie gladly let her guardian angel take charge of the impromptu makeover while she worried about the bigger problem of fooling Mac. Surely she could pull off the charade for such a short amount of time.

Minutes later, with her hair and makeup near-perfect, she felt ready to face the man on the other side of the door who had driven across town in search of answers, answers she didn’t have to give. After more heartfelt thanks, she sent the consultant outside.

Tomorrow, once her sister returned, life could get back to normal—calm and predictable—the way Jessie preferred it.

She closed her eyes and pictured in her mind how her sister stood, walked and talked, her facial expressions and gestures. Composed, glamorous, perfect.

Oh, God. She couldn’t do this, was crazy to think she could fool anyone, let alone Mac.

But she had to at least try. She took some deep breaths. “Time to begin the show,” she whispered, then opened the door.

Mac was already walking toward her, a frown etched on his tanned, handsome face. Tall, muscular and completely male, he looked terribly out of place in such a feminine setting, but not lost. Oh, no. The determined set of his jaw revealed he was a man on a mission and he’d reached his target.

She stepped back and gave him what she hoped was a sexy smile as she held out her hand in a stopping motion. “Don’t come any closer, Mac. This dress cost a fortune and I wouldn’t want any beads to come loose.”

She wanted to give him every reason not to touch her. She already felt bad enough about the deception and wanted to limit the contact.

As if he hadn’t heard, or simply didn’t care, he shut the door behind him and moved toward her until he stood close enough for her to notice flecks of gold in his brown eyes, reminding her of dark chocolate swirled with caramel.

His cologne made her think of fast cars, sure hands and slow, torturous kisses.

“I’ll pay for the repairs.”

He put his hands on her shoulders. An incredible warmth flooded her body. His intensity, completely focused on her, sucked all the air out of the room.

Her legs grew weak and she teetered on the borrowed high heels.

“Jenna, what’s wrong?” Strong hands guided her to the couch several feet in front of the trifold mirror and helped her take a seat. “Are you sick?” he asked as he sat next to her.

“N…no. I’m just frazzled, I guess.” And hating that I’ve been put into the position of deceiving you.

He held both her hands and studied her face for what seemed like hours. The innocent contact turned Jessie’s limbs more rubbery and useless than spending too long in the hot tub. Thank goodness she was already sitting down.

Why did the man have to be so gorgeous and sexy? Any woman with a breath left in her would have trouble remaining immune to his presence, she reasoned, and her own frantic pulse made it clear she was very much alive.

Jessie cursed her body for reacting to Mac, who wasn’t even her type. Bossy workaholics who had no interest in ever becoming a father held no appeal for her.

And besides, a hotshot lawyer such as Mac wouldn’t be impressed by a woman who was passionate about teaching, and preferred digging in a garden to attending a fancy party.

None of this even mattered, though. He was her sister’s fiancé, enough said.

“You never get frazzled, Jenna.”

Jessie thrust out her chin, the way she imagined her sister would. “Well, this is my first wedding. I’m entitled.”

“Okay, but that doesn’t explain why you missed an appointment yesterday, and didn’t return my calls.”

Jenna had arranged to have the following week off to focus on wedding plans; she would never start her vacation early without clearing it first. What was she up to? “Look, Mac, I’m sorry I let the firm down. It won’t happen again. I just needed some time to myself so I turned off all the phones. This whole wedding thing is making me a little crazy.”

“But why? You hired the best wedding planner in Dallas, all the choices have been made. And you’re already taking off next week to finalize the wedding plans.”

She sensed his patience was wearing thin. “I can’t explain it, Mac. Just accept that I’ll probably keep a low profile until this is all over, and that I might not be myself.”

“Since your desk is cleared, I don’t see a problem if you want to start lying low on Monday.”

Alarms sounded in her head once again. “I’m thinking I’d rather start now.”

He frowned. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

“Yes. Why?”

“It’s not like you to forget, let alone pass up, a photo op like the C.D.R. fund-raiser tonight or dinner with your family tomorrow.”

Jessie quickly dismissed the obligatory meal with her parents as a problem. Her sister would be back by then. But how could Jenna, who lived for the spotlight, have forgotten the Childhood Disease Research bash, the society event of the year? And it was tonight!

She’d get Jenna on the phone, remind her of the fund-raiser and insist she return home. Immediately.

Jessie forced a smile as her mind raced to find a believable explanation for “her” memory lapse. Of course he’d be surprised if her sister had forgotten an opportunity to rub elbows with the rich and famous, people she hoped would soon end up on her client list. “I guess I’m more frazzled than I realized, Mac. I completely forgot about the party tonight, and I just assumed you knew skipping the Sunday family dinner wasn’t an option.”

“I’ve never seen this side of you before.”

“Weddings will do that to a girl.”

“Are you sorry you let me off the hook and said you’d plan the wedding so that I could keep working up to the last minute, that all I had to do was show up?”

Jessie didn’t know which made her more sad, the fact he had zero interest in planning his own wedding, or that her sister preferred it that way. “No, not at all. You’d just be in the way.”

He smiled, but seemed distracted. “Now you’re sounding like the old Jenna. You were right. We do make a great team, and part of it is because you’re just as driven as I am.”

Jessie would never comprehend work being a person’s only priority, but guessed she didn’t have to. Jenna put her career first, as did Mac, and that was obviously the life they wanted. If her sister was happy, nothing else mattered.

He glanced at his watch and stood. “I need to get back to the office. I’ll pick you up at eight.”

Oh, Lord. The fund-raiser. If Jenna followed her recent pattern of not returning calls when it proved convenient, Jessie would have no choice but to continue the charade into the evening.

Her sister would know the appropriate attire for the gala, but Jessie had no clue. “What suit are you wearing? I don’t want to clash.”

“My Armani. Dark blue,” he said, then absently brushed his lips across her cheek, his mind obviously already focused on the work waiting for him. He opened the door, then disappeared into the hallway.

As Jessie closed the door, she fought back the urge to call after him and ask if he planned to work on his wedding day and during the honeymoon, then quickly reminded herself it wasn’t any of her business.

Besides, she had bigger, more immediate issues to worry about. The party was only seven hours away.

“Will you be taking the dress with you?” the consultant asked through the door. “Or do you want it sent to your apartment?”

“Send it, please.” Jessie had enough to deal with right now. With great care she hurried out of the dress, then grabbed the phone from her purse and called Jenna. Voice mail. Not a good sign.

Jessie left an urgent message for Jenna to call back immediately, along with a reminder about the fund-raiser that evening.

“Is there anything else I can do for you, Ms. Taggert?”

“Not unless this store sells fairy godmothers,” Jessie mumbled as she threw on her own clothes. She wasn’t a pessimist by nature, but she couldn’t summon much hope that her sister would call, let alone return home in time to attend the fund-raiser.

She never should have promised to keep her sister’s absence a secret.

“Did you say something, ma’am?”

“No. I’m all set. Thanks.”

All set for disaster, Jessie silently added, if her sister remained out of touch and out of town.

Jessie had to prepare for the worst, which meant that in the next seven hours she needed to come up with a plan for how to transform “Plain Jane” Jessie into “Glamour Gal” Jenna.