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“That’s not funny!” she shot back. “How can I find someone to fulfill my commitment when I’ve got zero inkling of what you would find attractive in a woman? Don’t you think your mother will see through the ruse and use it against you if it’s obvious to her and everyone else that the engagement or marriage is a sham? I’ve got to do better than slap lipstick on a pig and stick it in a wedding dress.”
Bastien knew Charlotte was right, but he hardly saw the point in baring his soul when all he needed was someone who was plausible and amenable to their arrangement.
“Bastien, please. I’m not trying to pry or embarrass you, but we have little time and Ivy’s happiness and childhood are riding on making this work. The urgency isn’t lost on me. I’ve made a commitment and can move much more quickly if you give me something to work with.”
“For starters, she should breathe and be able to stand erect,” he joked.
“You’re not helping.” Charlotte frowned.
“Charlotte, if I knew what I wanted in a woman, I might already have one by now. To avoid a legal battle that might give my mother even temporary custody of Ivy, I’d marry the Statue of Liberty. We don’t have to waste time on what would make me happy. This pantomime isn’t about me. It’s about Ivy and the life she deserves.”
Charlotte persisted. “I see your point, but can you give me anything? I know we are not shooting cupid’s bow here, but I’d at least like to have a target. Who’s your ideal woman?”
The midmorning sun was filling the diner with a golden light that warmed the air and cast a gentle glow on Charlotte’s blonde mane and beautiful face. Bastien took in her soft features and saw her passion, earnestness, and her unbridled courage for the first time.
Without saying it, he thought, much to his surprise, my ideal woman could be you.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
Charlotte's hands trembled as she poured hot water into her mug. She glanced nervously around the kitchen, her gaze settling on the shiny silver tea kettle that was a gift from Emmaline last Christmas. With the flip of a switch, she could have hot water in a minute. Too bad finding Bastien's fake wife couldn't be as easy. She had less than two weeks to complete her task, but it was made harder because the hunt had to remain a secret. Add in that a five-year-old's life was riding on her ability to find a reasonable candidate, and she was as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
As she scoured the eligible women of the town for a suitable companion for Bastien, her list quickly dwindled to three. Margot, a single mother of three whose desperation for cash was written all over her face. Tilly, a friend of Charlotte's and a decent age range, but not necessarily Bastien's type. And Tiffany, a younger woman with a failing candy store, who had a small daughter in need of a playmate. Despite all their faults, they were the only options left, and Charlotte had to make do with what was available.
Guilt pressed on her heart as she lied to Margot to get her here, offering a free facial and fifty bucks in exchange for her time. Margot was desperate enough that Charlotte's offer was met without hesitation. Tiffany was easy to pull in with the promise of a wedding job. Charlotte offered to purchase boxed chocolates to sweeten the deal if Tiffany would meet with her and bring some samples. Tilly would prove a tougher task. She wasn't one to wear makeup or indulge in facials. Nothing appealed to her like retro baking equipment. So, Charlotte would spin a crafty story about getting rid of her mother's antique collection and promise Tilly first dibs on any items of interest. By week's end, Charlotte hoped she would have filled the open position.
The sound of tires on gravel sent her heart racing. Bastien had returned from taking Ivy to school. She didn't know why the thought of him sent her heart aflutter each time. It could have been the way he filled a cotton shirt or his jeans for that matter, but it seemed to be more than that. She liked him and that made finding him a wife even harder.
She would have volunteered for the job herself, but she'd never get married for money. If she were ever going to walk down the aisle, it would be for love.
She watched the seconds drag by as she forced down her tea, anticipation knotting in her stomach. Would Bastien arrive in a slick suit and tie, or downplay his success and appear in her favorite jeans and black T-shirt? Her heart rate spiked as she imagined the possibilities, and when the door opened, she rose with a rush of anticipation.
Bastien stepped through the door, and Charlotte felt every cell in her body awaken to his presence. He had dressed to impress in a suit, white shirt, and polished shoes that shone like stars against the dark night sky. His face was freshly shaven, and his hair looked just-styled.
“You look incredible.” She'd never seen him in anything that didn't look great. He could have been wearing a loincloth and bunny slippers and he'd still look like he'd just stepped out of a magazine shoot. He was built like a god, his jawline perfectly chiseled, and his eyes so blue they seemed to penetrate through you.
He smiled. “This is my uniform.” He shrugged. “This is a business deal—nothing more than a business deal. I dressed accordingly.”
“Shall we get started, then?” She'd made folders for all the candidates and handed him the one on top. She had pulled their social media profile pictures, printed them, and added what she knew about each candidate.
“The first contender is Margot.” She glanced at the clock. “She should be here momentarily. I imagine she's taking her children to school.”
Bastien's brows shot up like they were taking flight. “Did you say, children?”
Charlotte cleared her throat. “Yes, she has three.”
“Geez, Charlotte. I'm not interested in opening a daycare. I just need a wife for a short period of time. Besides, involving children makes it tricky. They'll think it's real, and then what?”
That was one of Charlotte's biggest worries. “What about Ivy? She's going to think you're getting married, and then what do you tell her when it all falls apart?”
He grimaced. “I can't speak to the other children, but Ivy is smart enough to know the truth, and I’ll tell it to her. She’ll understand that I need to do this to keep her and not because I actually want to marry someone. Maybe we should try to find a candidate who is childless, just in case.”
“We don't have the luxury of living in a perfect world. We live in this world, and we have thirteen days to make this happen. There are three candidates and two of them have children.”
“But one doesn't?”
Charlotte didn't want to explain that Tilly was their last hope. Bastien scrutinized the file, his eyebrows shooting up when he saw Tilly's photo. “You have to be kidding,”
Charlotte tried her best to ignore the feeling that she was failing horribly. Tilly may not have been naturally beautiful, but she had a kind of charm that made her attractive. “You need someone who’s available, and she's single, with no children,” Charlotte said, forcing herself to sound enthusiastic. “Plus, she has a nice smile.” Even as she spoke, Charlotte knew that Tilly rarely used that smile. She was short and stout and had zero fashion sense, but everyone in the kitchen loved her because of her honest and friendly nature. “And she can cook your pants off.”
