Magical Weddings (116 page)

Gunther peered through the glass at Lindy. She was bright and beautiful in a unique sort of way, and she’d no doubt consider him an idiot or psycho once he presented the plan. He’d rehearsed the proposal a hundred times since leaving work. No matter how he worded the question, it reeked of stupidity and desperation. In hindsight, he should’ve thrown Anastasia’s name out there instead of Lindy’s.

Opening the door for Lindy, Gunther reminded himself not to be smug or pour on the charm. If he did either he’d get a no right away.

They assembled sandwiches and heaped asparagus on their plates.

Lindy smiled. “Do you mind if we eat by the fire?”

“Sounds great.”

Gunther stepped out of the way so Lindy could go first. He watched the sway of her slender hips as she walked and tried not to notice her shapely bottom.

Lindy turned and handed him her plate. “Just a sec.” She rushed off to the garage and returned with another canvas chair. “I’m not used to having company.” She sat the chair close to hers.

“Why aren’t you used to having company?”

“My folks live out of state and my list of friends is rather short.”

“Why is it short?”

Lindy’s expression tightened a little. If he hadn’t homed in at that very second he would’ve missed it. She shifted in her chair.

“Don’t get me wrong, I have friends. It’s just they don’t exactly like the things I like.” She looked down at her feet. “I’m clearly an introvert.” She took a big bite of turkey burger.

Gunther took a bite of his burger too, and the tomato slid from the bun onto his jean shorts. “I’m clearly a klutz.” He smiled. “You know, Lindy, in some ways we’re alike.”

The space between her eyebrows creased with confusion. “How so?”

“I’m a loner too. Don’t get me wrong, I play golf and bowl with my buddies, but the activities are geared around my job. Everything is geared around it. But I have a tendency to keep people an arm’s length away.”

Lindy nibbled the pointy tip of an asparagus spear while her brown eyes studied him. “No disrespect but I don’t see the person you think you are. You’re a confident businessman with a cocky swagger. You also have a great looking girlfriend.” She squinted ever-so-slightly. “By the way, where is the girlfriend? Is there going to be a problem if she sees you over here?”

Gunther snickered. “You think I have a cocky swagger?”

Lindy’s eyes glistened with amusement. “Don’t you?”

“Yeah, I guess I do. Again, part of the job.”

“Seriously?”

It was more of a mock than a question. Gunther raised his shoulders in a shrug. “It’s about perception. Do you want to do business with someone who appears to have it altogether, or with someone who seems unsure of himself?”

“Point taken.” Lindy tapped the ground with her toe. “What about the girlfriend?”

“She’s no longer in the picture. I’m not sure she ever was.”

“You broke up?”

“Anastasia moved out a month ago saying she needed space. She hasn’t called or texted, so yeah, it’s over.”

Lindy brought the burger to her mouth. Instead of taking a bite she put it back on the plate. “Does your breakup have anything to do with why you’re here?”

The tomato wouldn’t stay on the sandwich. He stabbed it with the fork and took a bite before answering. “Yes and no. Let’s finish eating and then I’ll get to the matter at hand.”

Except for the occasional snapping of moisture in the firewood, a heavy silence lapsed between them.

Between bites of burger and asparagus Gunther wrestled with walking away before he made a fool of himself. The best plan of action would be to save his dignity by quitting his job and starting over. Unfortunately, he wasn’t geared to give up. He lifted his eyes to Lindy’s and for the longest moment neither one blinked. “I have something very important to ask.”

“You want me to do what?” Lindy swallowed a chunk of asparagus at the same time she asked for clarification. She gasped and clutched the arms of the chair when the asparagus stuck in her throat.

Gunther yanked her up and wrapped his arms around her from behind. He placed his fists just above her navel and with quick upward thrusts dislodged the asparagus. It torpedoed into the fire.

Lindy was embarrassed all the way to her core. She stood trembling, for more reasons than having her life flash before her eyes. Gunther’s proposition and his touch evoked all kinds of sensations that turned her leg muscles to spaghetti. Feeling for the chair she carefully lowered herself back down. Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes when it hit her she could’ve died if it hadn’t been for Gunther’s quick thinking. “Thank you, Gunther.” She sniffed and put a hand over her face. “If you hadn’t…”

“I saved you.”

Lindy dropped her hand and stared at him with disbelief.

Gunther bounced with a laugh. He picked up the paper plates that had gone airborne in the abrupt move and tossed them in the fire.

“You caused me to choke.”

Gunther rapidly raised and lowered his eyebrows. “I still saved you. Don’t take that away from me.”

“You’re no knight in shining…” Lindy changed courses mid-thought. “You’re no prince charming.”

“Ouch. A guy keeps you from heading toward the light and you bite his head off.”

“Don’t twist this around. You proposed marriage. If the shoe was on the other foot you’d choke too.”

“But you’re not big enough to save me…at least from choking.” The amusement in Gunther’s voice faded. “I didn’t mean to shock you or make you choke.” He wrung his hands. “For the record, I didn’t propose marriage. I proposed an engagement.”

Lindy used the back of her hand to wipe the remaining moisture from the corners of her eyes. “Come again?”

“Instead of a marriage of convenience, I need your help with an engagement of convenience.”

“You don’t want me to marry you?”

Gunther inhaled and exhaled. “I did something rash and told my boss we’re engaged.”

Lindy opened her eyes so wide they could’ve easily popped out of their sockets. “Why would you do that?”

Gunther ran his hands over his face. “Did you ever have one of those moments when panic is stronger than anything else?”

Too many to mention.
Lindy nodded.

“I was up for a promotion. Not just any promotion; Vice President of Finndley Savings and Loan.” He explained the rider attached to the list of qualifications. “I felt my chance slipping away and the lie was out of my mouth before I could stop it.”

“You don’t even know me, Gunther. The only interactions we’ve had are the ones regarding my yard and Bankston. And your trash can. When you were backed into a corner why did you pull
my
name out of the hat?”

Gunther looked away. “I wish I could explain it.” He brought his gaze back to Lindy’s. “Possibly because you’re beautiful…and safe.”

“I’m not…” She stopped to swallow. “You might have to perform the Heimlich maneuver again if you keep talking like that.”

Gunther leaned to push a wisp of hair behind her ear and his chair almost tipped. “Just breathe, sweetheart.”

Lindy sucked in a breath and slowly blew it out. “I’m safe? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I don’t know. The rubbish that comes out of my mouth surprises even me.”

“You didn’t say
safe
for no reason. I know it. So do you. You assume once the deed is done–me saving your keister–you can resume your life where you left off without any serious strings attached.”

“You’re too analytical.”

“You’re too full of yourself.”

“Yes. I’m a calculating jerk. Now that we’ve established what an ass I am, could you call me Gun’, instead of Gunther?”

“I could call you crazy.”

Gunther snickered. “Those few seconds of lost oxygen loosened those incredible lips.” He shifted in the chair. “I know I’m coming off as a desperate lunatic but I swear I’m not.”

“Maybe not a lunatic, but you are desperate.” She had incredible lips?

Gunther stood to leave. “Would you at least give my offer some thought?”

Lindy also stood. “You’ve been stingy with the details. How long would I need to participate in the ruse? Once you get the job should I make a scene by throwing your ring in your face?” She half-laughed half-groaned. “Should I call my parents and advise them the engagement isn’t real?”

“I haven’t sorted things out yet.”

“Gunther. Gun’,” she corrected. “You’re a great guy but I’m not sure I can do this. I’m a sap who believes in the magic of true love and the institution of marriage.” Her voice made a weird cracking sound. “If I screw with something I hold sacred it might jinx my chances of finding the one I’m meant to be with.”

“It’s a pretend engagement that might last a month, max.”

“When do you need an answer?”

“The sooner the better.” He bent forward and kissed her forehead. “If you agree, the first thing we should do is pick out a ring you can throw.” The corners of his mouth tipped into a smile.

“I was joking about a ring.” Lindy felt lightheaded. She could blame it on the after-effects of having choked but she knew darn well it had everything to do with the kiss–even if it was an obligatory peck to the forehead. “Umm,” she stammered, “I…” She thought about having rubbed the lava lamp. “Your middle name isn’t Gene, is it?”

Gunther’s face skewed with question. “It’s Harrison.”

There was no way to explain the nonsensical correlation between Gene and genie. Lindy clenched and unclenched her hands. “I’m going to do this. I’ll be your make-believe betrothed. At some point, I’ll wish I’d said no, but hey, what’s life without a little risk?”

Relief raced across Gunther’s face. “Thank you! I promise not to be a huge pain-in-the-neck. When this thing is over, I’ll find some way to repay you.” He gathered her in a fierce hug.

She was suddenly smashed against Gunther’s broad chest. He had a hand on the back of her head to hold her against him. If Lindy was nervous before it was nothing compared to right now. She could hear the wild thump of his heart. Her own heart was beating in the same riotous rhythm. It felt good but strange to be this close; to smell his earthy-scent, to experience his warmth. The tips of her breasts instinctively hardened and a scuttle of desire robbed her of air. If she didn’t push away, Gunther wouldn’t have to administer the Heimlich maneuver but he might have to resuscitate her with mouth to mouth.

Lindy worked an arm between them and eased back.

Gunther’s blue eyes deepened to a darker shade. “In order to pull this off we have to know everything about one another. We should do it over a bottle of wine. I’ll be right back.” In a few long-legged strides he was out of view.

Lindy crumpled into the chair. “Note to self: get rid of the lava lamp.”

****

“Have you lost your freaking mind?” Gunther paced the kitchen with a bottle of sweet Moscato. He actually wanted the burn of whiskey but it would have to wait until later. For now, he and Lindy we’re going to seal their deal with a glass of wine and get to
know
one another. Providing personal details always made him uncomfortable, but without a few Lindy would unwittingly expose their engagement as a fake.

He studied his reflection in the kitchen window. If someone would’ve told him a day ago that in twenty-four hours he’d be engaged he would’ve laughed his ass off. But here he was, in a committed relationship–at least as far as the public was concerned. For a month he’d pose as the love of Lindy McPherson’s life. He drew his face tight with apprehension. All it would take to ruin them both would be for one person to figure out they were lying through their teeth. His reputation was one thing; Lindy’s was quite another. They either had to call this off or make it as convincing as possible.

Back at the campfire, he handed Lindy a wine glass. “Did you change your mind while I was gone?”

Lindy blinked up at him. “I thought of a hundred reasons why I should renege but I’m still going ahead with it. How about you? Did you have a change of heart?”

Gunther poured wine into her glass. “I have to admit I’m having second thoughts. I want the job more than anything but sacrificing my integrity and yours to get it, is wrong.”

“It’s too late. You have to go through with it, Gun’.” Lindy took a sip of wine. “Coming clean to your boss might make you feel better but in the long run you’ll be doing yourself a disservice.”

Gunther wet his lips with Moscato. “How so?”

“Your credibility is at stake. By confessing what you intended to do is as good as having seen it through. Your boss will never trust you again.”

“Shit.” Gunther kicked the stack of logs close to his feet. “You’re right.”

Lindy raised her glass. “To our engagement.”

“I’m giving you one last chance to back out. Think it through, Lindy. Once we make this official, I plan to parade you around town. We’ll be holding hands or doing other public displays of affection–like kissing.”

“You’re still trying to make me choke, aren’t you?”

“I’m glad you have a sense of humor, McPherson.”
Really glad
. He clinked his glass against Lindy’s.

Lindy stared into the crackling fire. “Should I get a notebook and pen?”

“For what?”

“To write down key points about each other.”

“We can’t pull out a notebook in public so it’s better if we etch the details in here.” He tapped his temple. “You start. Tell me everything I need to know about you.”

Lindy giggled. “If I see your eyes glaze over once we’ll go with my idea about a notebook.”

“Pfft. My eyes won’t glaze.”

“We’ll see.”

Gunther placed a hand on Lindy’s arm but quickly removed it and groaned inwardly at his sudden inability to keep his hands to himself. Drawing her into his arms earlier had been impulsive, and not like him at all. In fact, Anastasia had called him a cold fish for his lack of physical contact. Being touchy-feely was never his thing. Until now; apparently.

****

“Let the tell-all begin.” Lindy moved the chair to square herself in front of Gunther. “I love campfires.” Her cell phone buzzed with a text message.