A Wife by Accident Read Free Page A

again. Hayely hadn’t seen Gary since the unfortunate incident with the watch, and maybe her panic and embarrassment had clouded her first impression of him. He was a larger man than she’d remembered. Tall and confident, he had the kind of smooth muscles earned from hard, honest work rather than evenings spent at a gym. The difference was easy to tell—her father had tried to set her up with enough card-carrying gym members.
    Gary wiped his hands off on his already dirty jeans and tucked in his white T-shirt. Her first thought that he was a construction worker sprung to mind again. He was certainly looking the part right about then. If it was possible, his chin was covered with even more stubble than before. Hayely couldn’t believe a man would grow a beard that looked that unkempt on purpose. He even had dust on his eyelashes.
    “Got delayed at the Turner site.” He turned a guarded expression toward Hayely and smiled wryly. She’d worn a casual white cotton dress that was buttoned tightly from the neckline and continued in a row of buttons all the way around her narrow waist. The demurely flowing skirt fell to her ankles.
    His gaze rested on her pretty face. “At least you look the part of the bride. Good. Best to be believable.”
    A small, balding man with rounded glasses appeared in the doorway behind Gary. “I was so surprised to get Mr. Tarleton’s call,” he said. “Such an honor to be asked into your home. Ah, you must be the future Mrs. Tarleton.”
    The minister crossed the floor to Hayely and took both of her hands in his. “You’re lovely. Just lovely. It’s no wonder he wanted to snap you up so quickly. Are you ready to begin the ceremony?”
    What had she gotten herself into? This was too much. Vows? She’d hoped to bypass the formalities and just sign the marriage certificate. She wasn’t sure she could choke out wedding vows to this man she’d really only just met. Monthly payments. Somehow she’d scrape by and figure out a way to send him something each month. Something. Anything. Even it if took twenty years to pay him off.
    •
    Gary narrowed his eyes as he watched Hayely freeze on the spot. The girl was absolutely terrified, he realized. Every muscle in her body had visibly stiffened. He shouldn’t have put her in this position. She wasn’t a money-driven corporate shark built to handle this sort of deal. For a moment he toyed with letting her off the hook.
    He studied her soft, pretty face and white dress. No, he needed someone exactly like her in this role. There was no way around it. This arrangement was the only way he could keep the promise he’d made years and years ago, and Gary Tarleton always kept his word regardless of the cost.
    He walked over and put his heavy arm around her small shoulders and gave her a quick squeeze. “She’s a little nervous. Why don’t we begin now?” he suggested.
    The minister smiled and frowned ever so slightly. “Don’t you want to change clothes first?” He pushed his round glasses up higher on his nose only to have them slip down again as soon as he moved his hand away.
    Gary shook his head. “We’d better start with the ‘I do’s’ now, I think.” He stood at her side and smiled innocently at the minister. Just get it done with already.
    Hayely leaned in closer to him. Her warm body felt good there, made him feel like he could give her all things secure and safe. She looked so small beside him that he had no doubt he could catch and hold her with one hand if her knees gave way.
    She didn’t look any more alert than a zombie as her lips formed a promise of marriage. He knew she could scarcely believe the sounds were coming from her own mouth. He couldn’t believe it either. The world blurred and then cleared when Gary took her hand in his and slipped the wedding ring onto her trembling finger.
    What sorts of lightning bolts would God use to strike him down for this? he wondered.
    She held out her hand and stared at the platinum