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“Thanks, Colin. Say hi to Peyton for me.”
She arched a brow at Jasper after Colin walked away. Who was Peyton? And why was she suddenly viciously jealous of the woman?
“She’s his wife,” Jasper explained. “Our families are close. I consider my cousins my brothers from another mother.”
And now she was jealous for a different reason. Because her family wasn’t close at all. “How many of your cousins are married?”
“They’re all dropping like flies. Gabe is married to Sophia. They have a little boy, Matthew, who is the spitting image of Gabe. Then there’s Dean and Sylvie. Emilia is married to Asher, the FBI Agent I told you about. Jase is married to Rose. They just had a little girl, Ella.”
“Is Xavier your only sibling?”
“Yep. He’s two years older than me. He’s married to Emma, and they’re expecting their first child any day now. They’re in Scotland, where the newest Campbell lad will be born.”
“Is that where your brother lives?”
“Aye, half the time. The other half they spend here. Emma owns an art gallery in the city.”
Anxiety filled her. They were all successful people in his family. And she’d been living a hand-to-mouth existence. “Are you sure they will accept me? I know this is a fake marriage. But Jasper, I’m a nobody. I don’t have a college degree. I mean, I graduated from high school, but I have no significant accomplishments other than Maddie.” She grinned back at her daughter, who was all smiles at hearing her name.
He put his hand on her forearm and waited for her to lift her gaze. She sucked in a breath at the fire raging in his cobalt gaze.
“You’re not a nobody to me. I don’t want you to talk about yourself like that. You’re a survivor with the fiercest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. You’ve sacrificed everything for your daughter. And that makes you a damn warrior. My family will love you and the little lassie.” He winked at Maddie happily munching on an apple slice.
An influx of warmth spread through her at the unexpected compliment. No one had ever looked at her the way Jasper did. He saw her, flaws and all, and didn’t think less of her. In fact, no one had ever called her a warrior and praised her for, well, anything. It was partly how Ian had swooped in, because she’d been starved for affection.
And she didn’t know how to take Jasper singing her praises. It made her happy but want to weep at the same time. Which she knew made little sense. But instead of mulling over it because it made her want to blubber, she focused on the fabulous meal Colin had made.
After lunch, Freya found herself at the center of attention again. This time in Bloomingdale’s with designer clothes she’d only read about in magazines at the local Piggly Wiggly. It was the most beautiful store she’d ever visited. If she wasn’t with Jasper, she was certain security would escort someone like her out. But she was proud of herself for not gawking.
Even Maddie’s eyes were wide as she stared at the store.
They made the design appear Western chic with hardwood floors and Western décor in an urban, industrial warehouse. It was super cute.
Jasper hugged the sales clerk, Sage. The chick was gorgeous, with inky hair in a straight waterfall down her back. She had some of the most gorgeous caramel skin with exotic brown eyes. Her makeup was sheer perfection. Freya rarely had time to put on more than lip gloss. And she wore a flowy blouse with periwinkle slacks on her willowy frame. She and Jasper grinned at each other in familiarity.
She turned pea green. Just how did Jasper know this woman? And why was she jealous? They weren’t two people in love who were getting married. They were using each other to get what they both wanted.
“Sage, this is my future bride, Freya.” Jasper turned her way with a megawatt smile that simmered with sexy undercurrents.
Heat rushed into her cheeks. She was in big trouble if he kept looking at her that way. Because she’d wind up tossing herself at his enormous feet and begging him to keep her.
Sage shifted with a kind smile on her face. “It’s a pleasure to meet the woman who brought down Jasper Campbell.”
Her smile felt tight as she responded, “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Jasper explained you need a new wardrobe. What are you, a size four?” She asked, her gaze roved over her form in a clinical, detached way.
“Yes. You’re good.”
Sage chuckled. “It’s what I do. Jasper, why don’t you and this cutie take a stroll—”
“We’ll be staying. I want to make sure we get everything she needs.”
Because Jasper knew she would stop it after a few pieces. Freya gritted her teeth. It was fine. She needed new clothes anyway. She should simply look at this as a once in a lifetime experience.
“All right then, we’ll make it a party.” Sage ushered her over to the dressing room. “Now, since Jasper had told me some things you would need over the phone, I already have a few selections ready in the dressing room for you to try on. Although now that I see your gorgeous coloring, I have some ideas. They’re bold, but I think you could pull them off.”
“Whatever you think is best.” She’d never been one for fashion. Mainly because she’d been shopping at the thrift store for most of her clothes for years. Even before she left Ian. She couldn’t say the last piece of clothing she’d purchased that someone else hadn’t worn before she owned it.
