Read Hired Bride for Free Online Page A

congratulations and best wishes. Since others were waiting to do the same, she and Zane didn’t linger. But she’d sensed something from Parker Malone that she’d felt with no one else today.
    â€œDoes your friend know I’m a paid date?” she asked sharply.
    Zane was startled. “Absolutely not! No one knows, and I’d just as soon keep it that way. What made you think Parker knew about our arrangement?”
    Gwen felt a little foolish. “Obviously I misunderstood his, uh, scrutiny.”
    â€œHe’s curious, Gwen, same as everyone else. He might be even more curious than most because we’re good friends and I never mentioned you to him. Which I couldn’t do, of course, since you and I only met yesterday.”
    â€œYou sound angry. I’m sorry if I upset you.”
    â€œI’m not angry. Look, we’ll be eating soon. Maybe you’d like to go to your bedroom and freshen up.”
    Gwen eagerly grasped at the opportunity to be alone for a few minutes. “Yes, I would. How do I find it?”
    â€œThere are people in the house directing traffic. Most of the family will be staying overnight. Just tell anyone your name and someone will show you to your room. I’ll go over and talk to Dad and Lily while you’re gone.”
    Grateful for his thoughtfulness, Gwen laid a hand on Zane’s arm. “Thank you.”
    Zane grinned. “Maybe I’m not as bad as you thought, huh?”
    Gwen flushed. “If I gave you that impression, I apologize. See you later.”
    Zane walked over to Ryan and Lily. “Great wedding, Lily,” he said. “Hannah is very good at her craft.”
    â€œYes, she is,” Lily agreed, obviously proud of the career Hannah had built around planning weddings and other special events.
    â€œZane,” Ryan said with a broad, approving smile, “your companion is a lovely girl. Is it serious this time?”
    The one person Zane didn’t want to lie to was his dad. Lily, with her usual tact, saved him from doingso. “Ryan, darling, why don’t we just wait and see?” She smiled at Zane. “We’re all very glad you brought Gwen with you today.”
    â€œThanks, Lily. So, when’s the big day for the two of you?”
    â€œShortly after Christmas,” Lily replied. “The invitations should be going out in a week or so. Oh, there’s Cole and Annie. Cole! Annie!” she called.
    In a few minutes there was a small crowd around Ryan and Lily, and Zane slipped away. He peeked into the second large tent and saw the many tables set up for the wedding feast, which he could see was going to be buffet-style. Waiters in white jackets scurried to get everything ready. The long tables of food were already laden, and more was being brought in as Zane watched. There was also a small stage where musicians were preparing to entertain the guests. Zane took note of the cases of champagne, scotch and bourbon stacked behind two different bars as bartenders readied glasses, napkins and cocktail mixes.
    Grinning, Zane shook his head. Obviously a Texas-style party was in the making. A Fortune-style party, he amended. Sensing someone behind him, he turned to find his sister Vanessa, whom he greeted with a hug.
    â€œHow are you, Zane?” Vanessa asked.
    â€œCouldn’t be better,” he said breezily.
    â€œYour lady friend took everyone by surprise.”
    â€œDid she really?”
    â€œI like her, Zane. She seems to fit you.”
    â€œYou mean that Gwen and I look like a couple?” Zane asked teasingly.
    â€œThe two of you strike me that way, yes, but you seem amused by the idea.” Vanessa sighed. “Is Gwenjust another short-term girlfriend? She appears to be so much more.”
    Zane braced himself for an out-and-out lie. “She means a lot to me, Vanessa.” But then he saw the sudden hope on his sister’s face and quickly added, “Of course, who