A Ring For Cinderella. Judy Christenberry
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situation was so bizarre, she couldn’t decide what was right or wrong. With a sigh, she crossed the landing and knocked on Rosa’s door.
When her friend answered, she told her Paul was going with her, instead of staying with them.
“Paul!” Rosa called over her shoulder. Then she turned back to Susan. “You look like a bride. Is there something you haven’t told me?”
Susan barely smiled. “I’ll have to explain later,” she said as her brother appeared. “Paul, there’s been a change in plans. You’re coming with Zach and me. I need you to hurry up and change.”
“Wow! You look neat, Susan,” her brother said, staring at her.
“Thanks, sweetie. Go put on the slacks and shirt you wore last night. I hung them in your closet.”
“But Manuel and me was gonna watch the baseball game,” he said, frowning.
“Now, Paul,” she said quietly but sternly.
His shoulders slumping, he crossed the hallway to their apartment,
“Huay, please,” she called after him. She said good-night to Rosa and headed back to her own apartment in case Paul needed her.
Zach caught her arm as she moved past him. “Thank you for giving in on this. I want things to be perfect for Gramp.”
“Yes, I know.”
“I need you to sign this, too,” he said, reaching inside his tux jacket as he followed her inside.
She frowned as he extended a paper to her. Taking it, she unfolded it and skimmed the contents. “I said you didn’t have to pay me any more money!” The paper was an agreement stating that she would marry him for an additional ten thousand dollars. When the marriage ended, she would not be eligible for any more compensation.
“That’s your only complaint?” he asked, one eyebrow rising.
“Why would I complain? I agreed to these terms last night without the extra money.” And she found his assumption that she would want more insulting.
“Okay. Here’s a pen.”
She snatched it from his hand. Fine. She’d sign his silly agreement. And if he really did pay her an additional ten thousand dollars, she’d be able to pay Megan’s room and board the second semester, too.
She handed him the signed paper with no comment, and they stood in silence until Paul reappeared.
“You forgot to change your shoes, buddy,” Zach said as the little boy finished buttoning up his shirt.
Paul looked at Susan, a puzzled look on his face.
“Those are the only shoes Paul has,” she said softly.
Her cheeks flushed as he stared her up and down, no doubt assessing the cost of her attire. She didn’t try to explain that she’d used part of his money to look nice for the occasion.
“Sorry, Paul, you look fine. Ready to go? By the way, I’ve got those books I promised you in the car.”
The boy’s face lit up. “Wow! Really?”
“Really,” Zach said with a smile.
He might be a jerk with her, but he was kind to Paul. Susan swallowed her anger.
“Why do I have to go?” Paul asked. “Susan said tonight was only for adults.”
“Well, Susan was wrong. It’s for adults and one special little boy. I’ll explain all about it in the car.”
Zach was making plans to take Paul on a shopping trip before he walked out of his life again. The woman beside him, looking pure and innocent in her bridal attire, probably would spend all the money he’d paid her on herself.
“When are you going to explain?” Paul asked, drawing his attention.
“Sorry, Paul, I forgot. My grandfather really wants me to get married. But I don’t have time to find a real bride, so Susan is going to pretend to be my wife. To make Gramp happy. Can you keep our secret?”
“Sure. But why do I have to be there?”
“Well, if it were your mom’s real wedding, you’d be there, wouldn’t you?” He smiled in the rearview mirror.
“Yeah, I guess, if she was alive,” Paul said with a sigh. “All my family is dead ’cept Susan and Megan.”
Zach almost lost control of the steering wheel in his shock. Then he turned to stare at Susan. “You’re not his mother?”
“No, I’m his sister and legal guardian.” She never even looked at him.
“Why didn’t you say that last night?” It galled him that she’d kept the truth from him.
“You didn’t ask, and I didn’t think it mattered.”
“Who is Megan?” he snapped, too irritated to respond to her remark.
“She’s our sister,” Paul said from the back seat. “She’s gone away to school.”
“School?” Zach asked softly, looking at Susan.
“She’s a freshman at the University of Nebraska.”
“Damn it! We’re being married tonight. Don’t you think you could’ve told me these things earlier?” He felt like he’d been blindsided.
This time she looked at him. Then she coolly asked, “What difference does it make?”
Her question stumped him. She was right. Her family information would have no affect on him. This marriage wasn’t real. So why did it bother him?
“Gramp thinks Paul is your son.”
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