by: Elsie Davis
Series: Trinity River
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 8, 2020
Publisher: Entangled ~ Bliss
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It’s only temporary...until it isn’t.
To save her son, shy but determined waitress Becky McAllister would do just about anything. But she never expected “anything” to include the brother of the man who broke her heart.
Steve Parker needs a wife, now, if he has any hopes of winning his local DA election and becoming the advocate for the underserved he’s always dreamed of being. The sweet waitress seems like just the person—if he can get her to agree.
One year of marriage—no strings, no personal attachments. Becky gets the insurance funds she needs for her son’s surgery while Steve’s poll ratings soar. Neither planned on a commitment in their future, so they should have no problem making it through the year without getting emotionally involved, right?
Except Becky’s holding on to a secret from her past—one that would change everything.
The Trinity River Series:
Steve Parker needs a wife, now, if he has any hopes of winning his local DA election and becoming the advocate for the underserved he’s always dreamed of being. The sweet waitress seems like just the person—if he can get her to agree.
One year of marriage—no strings, no personal attachments. Becky gets the insurance funds she needs for her son’s surgery while Steve’s poll ratings soar. Neither planned on a commitment in their future, so they should have no problem making it through the year without getting emotionally involved, right?
Except Becky’s holding on to a secret from her past—one that would change everything.
“So exactly why are you here?” There was still the issue of her mother returning, and although she wasn’t averse to talking to Steve, it wasn’t a good idea. Not here. Not now.
“I have a proposition for you. I know it will sound crazy, but I promise you I’ve thought it through in great depth. I need your promise to hear me out…all the way. Will you promise me that much? In exchange for breaking our date.” Steve grinned. His gaze never left her face as he waited for her answer. Her curiosity was in full swing and there was no way she wouldn’t hear out whatever idea he’d concocted.
“It wasn’t an official date, and you know it. But yes, I promise to listen.”
“I want you to marry me.”
Nothing that could come out of Steve’s mouth could’ve surprised her more.
“What?” she spluttered. “I don’t understand why, but clearly, you’re joking. What kind of a person jokes about something like that?”
“The kind who isn’t joking. You promised to hear me out. Remember?” Steve took her hand, as if to keep her from bolting, which was exactly what she wanted to do. The warmth of his hand settled her a bit.
She took a deep breath and exhaled. “There’s nothing you could say that could make me believe you’re serious about this.”
“Here’s the thing—it wouldn’t be a real marriage. And it would only be a temporary one. An arranged, temporary marriage. One year max. Think of the benefit to Byron if you do this for me. You’ll have the Parker name and insurance for Byron’s surgery. Anything you need—for yourself and for him—it’s yours.”
“What’s in it for you, then? What’s the catch?” He was dangling a carrot in front of her face. A big, juicy carrot. Probably the biggest carrot she’d ever seen in her life.
“What I’m about to tell you, I prefer to remain a secret. I’m trusting you with the truth.”
Becky nodded, unable to form a coherent answer.
“My poll rankings are slipping, and my campaign manager thinks it’s because I’m not married and presenting family values to our constituents. I’m determined to win this election and willing to go to extreme lengths to make it happen.”
Marrying someone for personal gain violated every belief she had, and nothing could induce her to marry a Parker.
Except Byron.
Another thought occurred to her, and it was a strong enough argument that almost made her say yes right there on the spot. Marriage to Steve would give Becky the added measure of protection she needed if Judge Parker and his ex-wife ever found out they had a grandson.
No. No way. It still isn’t the right thing to do. “I can’t. Byron is my problem and I’ll figure it out, especially since what you’re suggesting could hurt and confuse him. I still have options and they don’t include marrying you. But out of curiosity, why the year?”
“I thought we should give ourselves a reasonable amount of time before splitting up. It would look better after the election and give you plenty of time to see to Byron’s healthcare.” Steve’s honesty was refreshing, even if what he was proposing was absurd.
The irony of the situation hit her hard. A Parker had just asked her to marry him. Her first marriage proposal wasn’t at all the way she’d planned when she used to do pretend weddings with Kayla as a child. “I’m sorry. I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“I have a proposition for you. I know it will sound crazy, but I promise you I’ve thought it through in great depth. I need your promise to hear me out…all the way. Will you promise me that much? In exchange for breaking our date.” Steve grinned. His gaze never left her face as he waited for her answer. Her curiosity was in full swing and there was no way she wouldn’t hear out whatever idea he’d concocted.
“It wasn’t an official date, and you know it. But yes, I promise to listen.”
“I want you to marry me.”
Nothing that could come out of Steve’s mouth could’ve surprised her more.
“What?” she spluttered. “I don’t understand why, but clearly, you’re joking. What kind of a person jokes about something like that?”
“The kind who isn’t joking. You promised to hear me out. Remember?” Steve took her hand, as if to keep her from bolting, which was exactly what she wanted to do. The warmth of his hand settled her a bit.
She took a deep breath and exhaled. “There’s nothing you could say that could make me believe you’re serious about this.”
“Here’s the thing—it wouldn’t be a real marriage. And it would only be a temporary one. An arranged, temporary marriage. One year max. Think of the benefit to Byron if you do this for me. You’ll have the Parker name and insurance for Byron’s surgery. Anything you need—for yourself and for him—it’s yours.”
“What’s in it for you, then? What’s the catch?” He was dangling a carrot in front of her face. A big, juicy carrot. Probably the biggest carrot she’d ever seen in her life.
“What I’m about to tell you, I prefer to remain a secret. I’m trusting you with the truth.”
Becky nodded, unable to form a coherent answer.
“My poll rankings are slipping, and my campaign manager thinks it’s because I’m not married and presenting family values to our constituents. I’m determined to win this election and willing to go to extreme lengths to make it happen.”
Marrying someone for personal gain violated every belief she had, and nothing could induce her to marry a Parker.
Except Byron.
Another thought occurred to her, and it was a strong enough argument that almost made her say yes right there on the spot. Marriage to Steve would give Becky the added measure of protection she needed if Judge Parker and his ex-wife ever found out they had a grandson.
No. No way. It still isn’t the right thing to do. “I can’t. Byron is my problem and I’ll figure it out, especially since what you’re suggesting could hurt and confuse him. I still have options and they don’t include marrying you. But out of curiosity, why the year?”
“I thought we should give ourselves a reasonable amount of time before splitting up. It would look better after the election and give you plenty of time to see to Byron’s healthcare.” Steve’s honesty was refreshing, even if what he was proposing was absurd.
The irony of the situation hit her hard. A Parker had just asked her to marry him. Her first marriage proposal wasn’t at all the way she’d planned when she used to do pretend weddings with Kayla as a child. “I’m sorry. I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”
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Elsie Davis discovered the world of Happily-Ever-After romance at the age of twelve when she began avidly reading Barbara Cartland, the Queen of Romance, and has been hooked ever since. After building her dream log home on top of a small mountain, she turned her attention to do what she loves most, writing. An award-winning author and active member of RWA, she writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She writes from her heart, hoping to share a little love in a big world. She will never forget the moment of exhilaration when she first got the email offering her a contract for publication. A moment that has repeated itself, and one that keeps her energized and moving forward.
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