The simple solution only allowed other concerns to surface. Justine was coming to meet his family, after all. And in doing so, she’d get a taste of what his future would look like.
In being among the Bentons, she chanced stumbling into the public spotlight. All of it could send her fleeing for the nearest exit, determined to keep her life of quiet and peace.
It was enough to grow that guard back into place. That shield of protection against his heart. Not fully, but just a bit. He brought their affections to a close, anxious to force his mind in new directions.
“Now,” he said with one last kiss. “How about we try out that swing?”
Chapter 21
Christmas lights outside the Benton’s family cabin played across Justine’s room as she sat on her bed and looked out the window. Traces of Burke’s incredible goodnight kiss clung to her lips, causing her to break into a silent grin.
My prince.She chuckled to herself.
She couldn’t help but admire the man he was. Strong, resilient. Generous and kind. As handsome as he was, the appeal of Burke Benton went far beyond his virile good looks. The same could be said about the other Bentons. The twins, Zander and Duke, were opposites in many ways, but what they had in common, along with their younger brother, James, was a genuine kindness and interest. Their sister, Betzy, was the same.
In the three days she’d spent there, Justine had gotten to know each member of the Benton family in a special way. And while it had been wonderful talking with all the newlyweds about their recent weddings and the fun ways they’d met, some of the most entertaining characters were Vivia’s twin boys, Dante and Diego. The pair had brought a unique sort of magic to each activity or event. The same went for Lilly and Link. Those two had come with their Grandpa Michael, the man Claudia had been dating for years now.
Justine hopped off her bed and hurried over to the window seat where a plush blanket rested on the bench. She pulled it over her legs and thought back on the night they’d decorated the Christmas tree. Betzy had insisted they put it up before Thanksgiving since neither Burke nor Justine would be there the day following.
Never had Justine expected the family with all their money and fame to be so… close-knit, connected, and casual. With the whole billionaire status, she’d pictured a sterile home with stiff butlers and formal dinners.
But the Bentons were down to earth. Perhaps, had she paid closer attention to the strand of recent weddings, Justine might have predicted they’d be that way.
As it was, each of Burke’s half-siblings—billionaires in their own right—had married outside of their social statusandmonetary scope. Betzy had married her childhood best friend, Sawyer. Their story was most like Justine and Burke’s. Not the best-friends-in-their-youth part, but in the way that Sawyer had lived many years on the East Coast. Even more, the pair had a situation that sounded a lot like Justine and Burke’s fake fiancé ruse.
As for the others, James’ wife, Claudia, was a personal chef. Zander’s wife, Kat, was an environmental chemist, and Duke’s wife, Vivia—she was the well-known writer, Verita. The women, along with Betzy, had put Justine at ease from the moment she got there. Treating her like she belonged.
Of course, it only took a glance at the massive cabin—three times the size of Piney Falls’ lodge—to see they knew how to live well too. They could call it a cabin all they’d like with its log walls and rustic touch, but at a dozen rooms and more than a dozen baths, it had to classify as a mansion too.
But it wasn’t designed for boasting or showing off. This big piece of heaven in the woods, with all its fireplaces, bedrooms, and wide, open spaces, was designed for gathering. Connecting. Enjoying life as a family, even beyond their loss.
It was the sort of family Justine had dreamed of belonging to. The sort Burke had dreamt of too. And being part of the action and fun—it had felt like a fairytale.
Back at home, while she and Burke had played the part of an engaged couple, she’d had to remind herself that it wasn’t real. The sad thing was, Justine couldn’t exactly stop the familiar mantra from recycling again at random, unwelcome times.This isn’t real.She only wished she knew why it came and how to stop it. The voice threatened to steal her joy, something she did not want to allow.
Yet even now as she glanced at the reflection of lights over the frosted ground, a nagging thought pressed at her mind. Where would she and Burke live if they continued to hit it off and wanted to marry one day? He could say he liked Piney Falls all day long; that didn’t mean he’d want to raise a family there.
Stop, Justine. You’re doing it again.And that she was, sinking into all of thewhat ifs. Letting fear get in her way. She shouldn’t do that. But it was hard not to get hung up on the unknowns.
Tomorrow, Burke would take Justine home so she could prepare for Thanksgiving dinner with Millie and Gramps. He’d come back to the cabin to spend the holiday with the Bentons, and then return to Piney Falls in time for the tree-lighting. She knew that much.
And though she looked forward to their dance as princess and prince, and though she’d enjoyed their time up to this point, there was still a very distracting unknown: was Burke investing in something long-term, or would he—once the world knew about him—regard Justine, along with the town of Piney Falls, as a mere piece of his past?
Chapter 22
Adeep wave of gratitude came over Burke as he walked Justine to the car. Her items had been loaded, the goodbye hugs had been given, and Dante and Diego were trotting with Lilly and Link with wild, waving hands.
“Bye, Justine and Burke,” Dante called out.
Diego stopped trotting and shot him a look. “Burke’s coming right back.”
“So,” Dante said. “He’s still leaving right now.”
Diego shrugged. “Bye, guys!”
The rest of the family had gathered on the porch out front to see them off. Zander and Kat, of course, were already outside with Sawyer and Betzy, hanging Christmas garlands and holiday lights along the massive porch banister.
“Have a safe trip back to Piney Falls,” Lorraine hollered.
