The Reading Garden - Short6

Important notice: All excerpts have been submitted by the author.

Author: Connie Flynn

*Author's intro: TWO REPORTERS, ONE STORY--ONE BED! It's the wedding of the year--a world-famous rock star marrying a gorgeous supermodel--and every reporter in the country wants the story. The only way to get it is to land a job on the secluded desert ranch where they're getting married--but only couples need apply . . . So Cissy Benton and Jack Cochran pretend they're married, without telling anybody they're reporters--not even each other! But just-marrieds--even fake ones who don't like each other all that much--have to get up close and personal. And these "newlyweds" are starting to feel a whole new kind of desert heat. Here is a sample of Jack and Cissy's first excursion as "just-married's and sets the stage for what's in store for them.

THE TABLES FILLED up fast and it took a while before Cissy and Jack found seats. They settled in, interrupting a spirited conversation in progress.

A man across from Cissy greeted them, then said, "Heard you two are newlyweds."

Cissy, mouth full of food, just nodded. Jack gave a noncommittal "Un-huh."

"So where'd you get married?"

Cissy swallowed. "Santa Barbara." Her words collided with Jack's simultaneously offered, "Las Vegas."

The man's laugh was joined by several others.

"They're already at it," remarked a dark-haired woman with a snide edge in her voice. "Can't even agree on where they got married."

"Actually," Jack explained, "Cissy wanted Santa Barbara, but I persuaded her to go to Vegas." Cissy felt his toe nudge hers. "You weren't too disappointed were you, honey?"

"No, no, sweetheart," she replied, grinning wickedly. "Especially after I talked you out of the chapel where the minister was an Elvis impersonator."

That sparked another burst of laughter and Jack smiled, then nudged Cissy harder.

"The important thing was that we did it." He lifted Cissy's ring hand and placed both of their hands on the table. "After all this time, we're now Mr. and Mrs. Jack Cook."

Cissy's hand rested loosely on top of Jack's, her diamond sparkling above his gold band in the magical lights of the patio. It occurred to her that they looked like a jewelry ad, one of those kind that declared 'diamonds were forever.' She knew Jack expected her to make a show of unity, but instead she said what popped into her mind.

"He's Mr. Jack Cook. I'm Mrs. Cissy Benton Cook."

"Ah," one of the men replied. "You've got yourself a modern woman. Boy, your work's cut out for you."

One of the women leaned over to touch the ring. "It's so beautiful," she cooed. "I always wanted a ring like that."

Cissy pretended to preen, but her foot began tapping, provoking another nudge from Jack. This had been the longest Monday of her life and the pretense was taking more energy than she could spare. When the woman let go of her hand, she relaxed, sure the group's attention would move elsewhere. Then the woman asked, "Do you have plans for children? They're so hard in our line of work."

"I was hoping for a baseball team," Jack said without missing a beat.

"H-he's k-k-kidding."

Before anyone could react, someone at the table whispered in awe. "It's him!"

A hush fell over the table. Cissy turned to see Bonnie approaching with their new employer, the legendary Hawke Faraday, who was pointedly staring in her direction.

Her mouth turned dry as sand. Had she been struck dumb by the prospect of meeting a star, or was Faraday's lascivious expression the cause? Surely, she was imagining the appreciative look in his eyes.

Not.

©: 1997
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*About the author: Connie Flynn divides her writing time between moody paranormal and light romantic romps. She has sold eight novels, (three earlier ones under the psuedonym of Casey Roberts for Harlequin Superromance). She lives in Arizona with her husband and a dog and teaches romance writing at a local community college. She enjoys hearing from readers! Write to Connie Flynn.
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