“Did you buy a band to fit your prosthetic hand?” Bran dispensed a glass of water from the refrigerator door.
“I thought I’d just wear it on my right hand.”
“Guess it doesn’t matter,” said Finn, “since it’s not a real marriage.”
“It is real!” he argued, though Finn’s sentiments expressed his exact reasoning when he ordered the ring. “And I say our practical motives for marriage with mutual benefits is just as legit—maybe even more—than people who get married because of a physical attraction.”
“I’m on your side.” Finn lifted his palms. “I wasn’t trying to criticize.”
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to bite your head off.” Cole forced out a slow breath, hoping his steam would go with it. “I’m a little uptight, with Mom coming. She can be a bit overbearing.”
“I understand completely.” Finn chuckled. “You’ve met my mum, right?”
“Mine makes yours seem like a pushover.” Cole collapsed onto a white leather chair opposite Finn. “She has an opinion on everything. Take the wedding rings, for instance. It’s a good thing Brooke wanted something simple, because Mom would’ve had a fit if she’d heard I threw away my money on a huge diamond.”
“She does realize you’re filthy rich, right?” asked Jarrett.
“She knows, but it doesn’t matter. She reuses everything. This is the woman who’s been known to wash paper towels and lay them out to dry. To say she doesn’t believe in wasting money is a huge understatement. Almost every gift I’ve given her is still in the box, stored in a closet, because she’s saving it until she really needs it.”
His mother was also known for speaking her mind, and he worried what she might say to his friends if she saw any sign of extravagance. It was one of the main reasons he’d never invited his buddies to meet his parents.
“Ah-ha!” Finn exclaimed. “So it was your mom who made you so stingy you’ve had your cowboy boots re-soled multiple times.”
“Stingy is a harsh word. I call myself prudent.”
“What I don’t get,” Jarrett said, “is why you won’t buy yourself a new truck, but you’ll shell out $5,000 for a new Stetson.”
“You don’t get rid of a truck just because she’s getting a little older,” Cole said. “A good one will run 150-200,000 miles. As for hats, I have cheap ones I wear when I’m working, but a high-quality Stetson will last a lifetime… if you take care of it.”
A knock on the door interrupted them, and Cole leapt to his feet, praying it wasn’t his mother.
“I’ll get it,” said Bran, who was closest.
The door burst open and in came Cole’s sister, wearing a stunning sapphire dress that complimented her athletic build. She gave Bran a hug.
“Hi, Bran. Haven’t you talked my brother out of this harebrained idea, yet? I figured you have the most common sense out of this group.”
“That would be me.” Jarrett crossed to exchange embraces. “I’m the only one in here who hasn’t done anything insane because of a woman.”
“Be careful, it might be contagious.” Mariah chuckled, tossing her auburn curls behind her shoulder.
“I’m trying to keep my distance, just in case.” Jarrett threw his head back, laughing. “You look amazing, Mariah.”
“Thanks.” Her face turned red to match her hair.
“My turn.” Finn tapped on Jarrett’s shoulder.
She started to hug Finn but pulled back. “I’ve just been on an airplane with a hundred other people. I changed clothes and washed my hands, but I haven’t taken a shower.”
“It’ll be fine,” said Finn, though he kept his face turned to the side while he hugged her. “But thank you for being considerate.”
Cole was proud his sister had remembered how susceptible Finn was to infections. She came to Cole last, folding him in a bear hug. “Where is this poor unfortunate woman you’ve roped into your crazy scheme?”
“All the women are in Finn’s room, Suite B. But I—”
“Great! See you later.” She turned on her heel, heading for the door. “Good luck with Mom, by the way. She’ll be up here any minute.”
“Wait!” Cole caught her by the elbow before she could escape. “You can’t leave me alone when Mom comes. I need you to run interference.”
“No way! I’m done trying to cover for you. Three long hours, all the way from Kansas City to Vegas, and all she wanted to talk about was you and Brooke. She’s in Heaven right now. She’ll be crushed if she finds out the marriage is fake. And if she doesn’t, she’ll be devastated when you get a divorce.”
“We’ll hardly see her enough for her to get attached to Brooke.”
“Mom’s already attached.” Mariah finally succeeded in jerking her elbow from his grasp. “In fact, she’s planning for grandbabies. So, once she finds out Brooke is pregnant, she’s going to go ape.”
Cole’s stomach churned. “Do you think I should tell her the truth?”
“I gave you my advice,” said Mariah, backing out the door. “To call this whole thing off. But you didn’t listen. You’ve dug your grave. Let’s see if you can dig yourself out.”
“Where are you going now?”
“To meet my future sister-in-law and warn her about Mom.” She glanced to her right, down the hotel hallway, and whispered, “Speak of the devil… here she comes.”
Cole tried to shut the door. “Stall for me. I’m not ready.”
Mariah raised her voice. “Hi, Mom! Cole’s right here! He’s dying to see you.”
Her grin was pure evil.
