“Tell them it was a security issue. That’s not a lie.” Josh indicated a right turn and pulled up in front of her office. “What time will you leave to go to the primary school?”
“Quarter past nine?”
Josh nodded. “I’ll be here.” He leaned closer and kissed her. A quick press of lips before he returned to his seat.
She blinked, raising her hand to finger her tingling lips. “Why did you kiss me?”
Josh chuckled. “I’m your fiancé. People will expect us to show affection. Come on. I’ll walk you inside before I meet with Louie.”
“You don’t have to escort me.”
“I want to make sure no one is loitering where they shouldn’t be.”
“It’s three steps to the entrance.”
In lieu of an answer, Josh opened his door and rounded the vehicle until he reached the passenger side. “Come on, sweetheart. You have work to do.”
Ashley unfastened her seatbelt and exited the vehicle into the circle of Josh’s arms. His lips twitched as if he tried to stifle his reaction. Epic fail. His grin burst out at her swift intake of breath. Heat crawled through her cheeks as her breasts flattened against his hard chest.
Josh kissed the tip of her nose. “You look gorgeous.” He urged her to the entrance. Josh shouldered open the door, theting-a-lingof a bell signaling their arrival.
“Good morning, Ashley,” Carrie trilled. Today she’d tamed her thick, frizzy hair with straightening irons. Curiosity shone in her brown eyes as her gaze zapped from her to Josh and back. “Who is this?”
“You must be one of Ashley’s volunteers,” Josh said, extending his right hand in greeting. “I’m Josh Williams, Ashley’s fiancé.”
Carrie’s mouth dropped open, and her eyes bulged until she resembled a bullfrog.
“Congratulations!” Sheryl spoke from behind them. “Is this recent?” Curiosity and speculation filled her gaze.
“Why didn’t you tell us you’re engaged?” Robert snapped. “You don’t wear a ring. We didn’t even know you had a boyfriend.”
“Ashley and I met through her brother. I’m ex-army. New Zealand Special Air Service. Since my job is sensitive, we decided it was better to keep our engagement private until I retired,” Josh said.
Ashley smiled, thankful to Josh for answering their questions.
“Oh, you’re wearing an engagement ring,” Carrie cried.
“I’d better go to meet Louie.” Josh kissed her on the lips and brushed his fingers on her cheek. “See you soon.”
Josh strode from her office, and the tinkle of the bell filled the silence that had fallen.
“He’s a babe,” Carrie blurted. “Why don’t you look happier?”
“I had car trouble last night. Luckily Josh had arrived at my place and was able to pick me up. It’s a problem having my car out of commission.” The excuse emerged without a blink.Whoa!She pressed her lips together in case she blurted an intruder had rifled through her lingerie.
“Oh! Let me see your ring.” Carrie reached for her hand and squeaked. She bounced in excitement. “It’s gorgeous. I adore diamonds. You’re so lucky. Congratulations!”
“Thank you.” Ashley smiled at Carrie’s excitement. “I’d better get to work.”
Robert followed Ashley into her office. “The polls are in.”
His voice held disapproval, and that irked her, caused suspicion. Did he have something to do with—no!
She gave her head a hard shake, forced a smile, and sat behind her desk. They’d worked together since the last campaign. He was hardworking and trustworthy.
To ease the discomfort that had fallen between them, she followed Josh’s suggestion and sought refuge in her job. “What do the polls indicate?”
“Not promising for us. The campaign manager is calling the entire caucus to the meeting tomorrow morning at nine.”
