“Okay, the truth is…” She leaned forward and braced her elbows on the table. “I’m only pretending to be Austin’s fiancé because his ex-wife has threatened to sue for custody. She’s a despicable person who only wants to use the kids for her own advantage. He’s trying to protect his children from her.”
Dad and Mom both scowled.
Scott’s brow furrowed as he tilted his head to the side.
Rudy’s eyebrows raised. “The only way for you to truly help him protect his kids from his ex-wife is to actually marry him and provide a stable home life for the children.”
Trust Rudy who was smart as a whip and had a degree in criminal justice to put the pieces together in this manner.
“We’re hoping it doesn’t come to that.” Not that she wouldn’t mind marrying Austin for real.
“You’re hoping?” Dad said.
Debbie let out a long sigh. “We thought that once his wife saw that he had a wealthy fiancé she’d see that threatening him with a costly custody battle wouldn’t work.”
“So he’s using you for your money?” Contempt filled Rudy’s voice.
Scott squared his shoulders and doubled his fists.
“No!” Debbie said. “Well, yes he is but not like… The truth is, he doesn’t like rich people. If it wasn’t for my money, he might actually like me. I mean, like me for me.” Tears pricked Debbie’s eyes, because she wanted Austin to do more than like her. She wanted him to fall in love with her, like she had him.
She blinked away the tears and cleared her throat. “You guys can’t tell anyone. If his ex-wife finds out we’re not really engaged, it could cause a lot of problems for Austin, and the kids will be caught in the middle.” She stared at Rudy.
If anyone at this table was going to let the truth slip, it would be him. He was more social than most of the rest of the family, and he loved to talk. Mom and Dad may not approve of what she was doing, but they’d support her. And she definitely didn’t have to worry about Scott telling anyone. He wasn’t much of a talker, and he definitely didn’t gossip.
Mom’s hand found hers again. “What happens when the ex-wife is no longer a threat?”
Debbie shrugged. “We’ll probably break the engagement off.”
Why did saying those words hurt so badly?
“But you love him. And you love those kids.”
If Mom had formed it as a question, Debbie could have tried to deny it, but she couldn’t. So she just nodded.
“And what happens when Savannah’s done with her painting? Will they keep coming around? Is there a possibility this relationship can grow properly?” Mom held up a hand. “I mean in a few more months.”
Debbie shrugged again. “I have some other projects in mind that I want Savannah’s help with, but I meant it when I said he doesn’t like rich people. He’s been burned and manipulated too many times by them.”
“That’s stupid,” Scott said, surprising them all. “You’re doing a lot of good with your money. If he can’t see beyond your wealth, then he doesn’t deserve you.” He said the words with such conviction, they brought new tears to Debbie’s eyes.
She smiled at him. “Thanks, but he’s a really proud man who’s been through a lot.”
Mom squeezed her hand before releasing it. “If it’s meant to be, it’ll all work out.”
Debbie sure hoped her mom was right. And that it was indeed meant to be.
CHAPTER24
“What is she wearing?” Savannah asked in surprise.
Debbie stared as Cheyenne swept out of the car, as graceful as ever, in a skin-tight, full-body, burgundy jumpsuit that encased her right arm in one long sleeve but left the other shoulder completely bare. A gauzy split skirt flared out from her hips, billowing around her as she walked. Sparkly four-inch heels kept the skirt from dragging on the ground.
In any other setting, Debbie would compliment her on her attire, but here at the park, she simply couldn’t. Cheyenne’s outfit looked more appropriate for the red carpet than a grassy field. She couldn’t understand this woman. Was she so obsessed with flaunting her affluence that she had to show off every chance she got?
Debbie thought about the jewelry and expensive, form-fitting clothing she used to wear. Had she appeared that arrogant and pretentious?
“I don’t know,” Debbie said, “but I hope she doesn’t have to go to the bathroom while she’s here.”
