Read Microsoft Word - catherine mann - landis brothers 4 - rich man's fake fiancee.docx for Free Online Page A

this kind of world for real now that she’d married into an established Charleston family.
    The Landis’s Hilton Head compound might be more modern than this place—she’d pored over a photo spread in Southern Living—but his home proclaimed all the wealth and privilege of this Southern antebellum house that had been in Starr’s husband’s family for generations.
    Her artsy sister had put her own eclectic stamp on the historic landmark, mixing dark wood antiques with fresh new and bright prints. All the dour drapes had been stripped away and replaced with pristine white shutters that let in light while still affording privacy when needed.
    Like now.
    Ashley wandered across the room past the Steinway grand piano to the music cabinet beside it. Photos in sterling-silver frames packed the top. One of Starr and David on their wedding day. Another of David’s mother perched royally in a wingback chair holding her cat.
    And yet another of Starr, Claire and Ashley standing in front of the Beachcombers sign when they’d officially opened the business three years ago. Most restaurants failed in the first year, but they had defied the odds despite having no restaurant experience.
    Their clientele swelled as Charleston’s blue-blooded brought their well-attended bridal breakfasts and showers to Beachcombers, drawn by hosting their events in such a scenically placed historic home.
    Once Starr lured them in with her decorative eye for creating the perfect ambiance, their sister Claire’s catering skills sealed the deal and Ashley tallied the totals. Their foster mother may have used up her entire family fortune taking in children, but she’d left a lasting legacy of love.
    Ashley cradled a picture of Aunt Libby.
    Their foster mother had lost her fiancé in the Korean War and pledged never to marry another man. Instead, she’d stayed in her childhood house and used all her inheritance to bring in girls who needed a home. Many had come and gone, adopted or returned to their parents. Just Claire, Starr and Ashley had stayed.
    RICH MAN’S FAKE FIANCEE
    10
    CATHERINE MANN
    SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1878
    THE LANDIS BROTHERS
    God, how she missed Aunt Libby. She could sure use some of her cut-to-the-chase wisdom right about now. Aunt Libby had never cared what other people thought about her, and heaven knew there had been some hateful things said when Libby brought some of her more troubled teens to this high-end neighborhood
    The light tread of footsteps on the stairs pulled her from her thoughts. Ashley turned to find her fireball of a sister sprinting toward her.
    “Welcome! I’m so sorry I wasn’t here to greet you.”
    “Not a problem.” Ashley stepped into the familiar hug. This woman was as dear to her as any biological sibling ever could be. “Your housekeeper said you’ve been battling the stomach flu. Are you okay?”
    “Nothing to worry about. I’m fine.” Starr stepped back and hooked an arm through Ashley’s. “Let’s go up to my room.
    I’ve been sorting through my clothes to find some you can borrow until you get your closet restocked. I’m shorter than you are, but there are a few things that should work.”
    Starr pulled her sister up the stairs and into her bedroom…and holy cow, she’d meant it when she said she went through all her clothes. The different piles barely left any room to walk, turning the space into a veritable floordrobe.
    “Really, you’re being too generous. I don’t want to put you out.”
    Starr smiled and slid her hand over her stomach. “Don’t worry. I won’t be able to fit in my clothes soon anyway. I don’t have the stomach flu.”
    The hint flowered in her mind, stirring happiness and, please forgive her, a little jealousy. “You’re pregnant?”
    Starr nodded. “Two-and-a-half months. David and I haven’t told anyone yet. I would have said something sooner, but it was totally a shock. We weren’t planning to start a family yet, but I’m so happy.”
    “Of course you