When everyone trickled out of the tent to head to their homes or the bunkhouse near the boundary of my property, I refilled our coffee cups and nodded toward the house.
"Come on."
I led Juliet to the porch at the back of the house. The fog was starting to lift, giving us a spectacular view over the fields.
"Do you need a coat?" The sun might be bright, but the air was still cool.
"No, thank you." Juliet offered me a smile. "I'm not cold."
She took a seat on one of the Adirondack chairs while I leaned against a pillar. I watched as she sipped her coffee and gazed out over the countryside. She didn't seem in a hurry to address the reason for her visit again.
"Why don't you tell me what that proposal was about?" I prompted her.
"Well, I haven't fallen madly in love with you." She grinned wryly.
"I assumed not."
She set her cup down on the table next to her and smoothed down her skirt. "I've been receiving unwanted attention froma…" Waving a hand in the air, she fished for the right word. "Suitor."
"Can't your family do something about him?" The Caldwells may not be as wealthy as me, but they weren't without influence.
Juliet grimaced. "My mother isn't opposed to the idea of me marrying him."
"Really? Who is he?"
Her mouth twisted in distaste again. "Garrett Kane."
My blood ran cold. Kane and I had clashed frequently in the past. The man was a snake. "I see why you came to me now."
She looked at me appraisingly. "I figured my enemy's enemy might be my friend."
"Kane and I have a history." I kept my voice even. "He sees himself as the biggest fish in this state. He's never enjoyed the competition."
"There are few people who can stand up to him," Juliet continued, "You're one of them."
She had that right. "I suppose you tried telling him you're not interested."
"In so many ways it's not funny anymore."
"And going to the police, getting a restraining order is out of the question?"
She shot me an incredulous look that was fully deserved.
"Yeah, all right," I conceded. "Not an option."
"Even if the legal route worked, going against a man like him publicly would be social suicide. He owns half the publications that cover my family. He could take everything apart with a few well-placed stories."
That was true. Juliet was well liked, and the press fawned over her, but Kane could wreck her image without breaking a sweat. He'd done it to others.
"So you landed on the idea of marrying me?"
Juliet nodded. "It wouldn't be a real marriage, of course. We would marry, pretend to be together for a while. I'd sign whatever you…"
I held a hand up. "Let me stop you there. I won't marry you under those circumstances."
Juliet nodded as though she expected a rejection. She got up from her seat.
"Well, thank you for your time."
