Page 77 of The Rented Bride

“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t get back with you yesterday. Up here in the mountains, I occasionally don’t get reception on the cell. I saw I missed your call. If there’s ever an emergency and you can’t get me, call the main house or even call Meg. Someone will always know how to get in touch with me. Is everything all right with you? How’s the big party going?”

She sank onto the divan. “Good. Very good. I just spoke with your grandfather a few minutes ago.”

“Granddad called you?” He chuckled. “I didn’t know he had your number. I hope that was okay.”

“Of course, he can call anytime.”

Trent released an audible sigh. “Thanks. I really appreciate that.”

He acted as if she were doing him a favor instead of paying her to perform her duties as wife and granddaughter-in-law. Making James happy in his final days was a good thing, but somehow the way they were going about it suddenly felt wrong. Maybe she would need Father Victor, after all. With her lustful thoughts, lies and deceptions, she had plenty to confess.

Trent’s low laugh came over the phone. “All he’s done is talk about you. I don’t want you to be caught off guard, but we talked about kids. He figures we’ll have a whole passel in the next few years. I had to promise that we’ll name at least one of the boys after him.”

“That’s okay. It’s only natural he would be thinking about us having children.” Cassie closed her eyes and swallowed. Hadn’t that been exactly what she’d been thinking about earlier?

A knock sounded on the door and Cassie shot to her feet. The door opened and Sophia stuck her head inside the room. “You better make it quick if you want to pretend you’re on a business call. The oral arguments have started and it’s not going to take the jury long to convict. Your mom says she’s going to ground you if you’ve met a man and haven’t brought him home.”

Cassie shifted the phone away from her mouth and whispered, “I’ll be right there.”

Sophia started to pull the door shut, but stopped when Antonio stepped up behind her.

He flashed a smile. “Forgive me. Maria, she, eh, wants you.”

“I’ve complicated your life,” Trent said into her ear. “I’m sorry about this.”

Cassie frantically motioned for Sophia to take Antonio and go. Sophia turned toward Antonio, pulling the door shut.

“I’m just having dinner with the family,” Cassie said to Trent. “I’m not usually one for phone calls when I’m here and I’ve had two tonight. Big family. Is it any wonder no one can keep a secret?”

“We will,” he promised.

“I better go.”

“I wouldn’t want to be responsible for getting you grounded,” he said with obvious amusement.

“It may sound funny, but there is nothing more intimidating than my mother when she’s on a mission.”

“I’d like to meet your family.”

Her heart pounded and a shiver of fear sizzled along her spine. Meet her family? That would be a colossal mistake. “I’ll call you back later,” she said.

“Call if you need anything, Cassie.”

“Thanks,” she said. “It was nice talking to you. I’ll see you Saturday.” Without waiting for a reply, she ended the call.