AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER 1
Casey: Old Flames & New Flames
As our car approached the end of the paved road, my older brother Brett and I exchanged skeptical glances. The GPS had led us to a destination that bore little resemblance to the picturesque ranch I had imagined. The gravel road ahead stretched deeper into the wilderness, and the run-down ranch house in the distance appeared weathered and forlorn.
I was expecting a nice ranch nestled in a beautiful countryside that I could overlook and relax. I wanted to get away from the stresses of the city for a bit, and exes who cheat. I briefly thought of Marley, my college roommate I’d left behind for the summer, and our cute plant-filled apartment we had together in the city.
Brett was excited. "You’re going to love it here, sis."
My brow furrowed as I double-checked the address on my phone. "Christian mentioned that the ranch needed some work, but this... This looks like it's been abandoned for years."
As we approached the ranch house, a lone figure caught our attention on the front porch. It was Christian, leaning casually against the porch rail, wearing dirty jeans and a well-worn cut-off shirt that accentuated his rugged, muscular appearance. Even against the backdrop of the deteriorating ranch, he seemed oddly at home.
He looked different. More serious. Handsome. It caught me off guard how attractive he was. I hadn’t seen him in at least two years.
Brett parked the car. With a deep breath, I look at Brett. "Well, here goes nothing," I said, and we both stepped out of the car.
Christian's smile widened as he approached us, nonchalantly dusting his hands on his jeans. "Casey! Brett! You made it! Welcome to the ranch!"
I felt a whirlwind of emotions as I hesitated before approaching Christian. I mustered an awkward smile and said, "Hi, Christian. It's been a while."
Christian's smile wavered slightly as our gazes met, but he quickly recovered, his eyes radiating warmth. "Casey, I can't believe you're here. It's great to see you again."
I couldn't help but return his smile, though it was tinged with a mixture of disbelief and curiosity. "Wow, this place is...great." I looked around in awe.
Christian chuckled, his eyes filled with excitement. "I know, I know. It looks bad. But, I promise, by the end of the summer, you won't even recognize this place."
"Hey man!" Brett rushed over and they hugged each other. It was kind of cute. They’d been best friends since Christian moved to our street when we were kids. We spent nearly everyday together, the three of us, for two years before Christian’s family moved here. When we got older, Brett came up here for the summer through our teenage years and college.
"Look at this place!" Christian smiled and looked around. "It'll be awesome when we finish!"
Christian nodded, his enthusiasm unwavering. "That's the plan."
I nodded, my heart fluttering with a mixture of nerves and joy. "I'm excited to help out this summer. How can I assist?"
Christian's expression shifted, becoming more serious. He glanced at Brett briefly before focusing on me. "Actually, Casey, there's something I need your help with—a big favor."
I was intrigued, but apprehensive. "Well, I’m here to help. I’m excited to learn more about the dessert. I want to see what life is like outside of the city. Really get my hands dirty, you know?” I smiled. “How can I help?”
Christian took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering. "I need you to be my fake fiancée."
I looked at him. “Huh?”
“Yep.” He said.
As Christian dropped that bombshell, my initial reaction was a mixture of disbelief and amusement. My laughter bubbled up despite the oddity of the situation. "A fake fiancée? Seriously, Christian? Is this some kind of bizarre ranch initiation or a prank?"
Christian's face remained resolute, his eyes never wavering from mine. "I wish it were, Casey, but it's not a joke. I'm in a tight spot here, and I really need your help with this."
I exchanged a baffled look with Brett before turning back to Christian. "Okay, you've got my attention. But why in the world would you need me to pretend to be your fiancée? How will this save the ranch?"
He nodded, his seriousness deepening. "You see, there's an investor who's willing to fund the renovations, but he has one condition. He wants to see that I'm...settled. I have to show I'm serious and on track. He suggested I get into in a stable, committed relationship."
I arched an eyebrow, still skeptical. "And you thought I'd be the perfect candidate for a fake engagement?"
Christian's eyes softened with a touch of vulnerability. "Casey, you've known me for a long time. We have history."
Brett chimed in, "And he believes that Christian is more responsible and focused when he's in a relationship. This could make or break the deal for the ranch."
