Daisy Does It All (Clover Park, Book 2) Contemporary Romance (The Clover Park Series) (5 page)

“You love ’em, and then they leave you. That’s the harsh truth. But, ooh-boy”—she slapped her knee—“what a trip!”

Daisy thought about the hell she put her parents through, especially as a teenager, and the bad-boy rep that Trav had as a teenager. They were in for it.

Maggie shook her head. “It’s about time you and Trav got married. It’s not like you’re buying a pig in a poke. You’ve already had a taste of the bacon.” She winked.

“We-well,” Daisy sputtered. She really didn’t want to talk about Trav’s
bacon
with his grandmother.

“What?”

“We’re happy.”

Maggie smiled widely. “I’m glad.”

Even if we don’t love each other. We can pretend.

Maggie patted Daisy’s knee. “Welcome to the family! In an official legal sense, since you’ve been family the minute you gave birth to Bryce.”

Daisy’s throat tightened. Maggie had treated her like family right from the beginning. Guilt stabbed at her for deceiving Maggie with a fake marriage at the same time as relief washed through her that Maggie was helping her out.

“Awww…thank you,” Daisy said. “I appreciate it.”

She hoped Trav would be as understanding.

~ ~ ~

Trav knew something was up when he got the unexpected call from Daisy. “Hey, Trav, can you stop by on my break at Garner’s? Around seven? I’ll save some meatloaf for you.”

Of course he’d said yes, no questions asked. She’d never asked him to stop by on break, though he’d shown up a few times to pick up dinner when he knew he’d run into her. Maybe Rico was right. If he backed off, Daisy would come to him. Course, he hadn’t exactly backed off. It was only two days ago that he proposed. She must want something.

That night, he walked briskly to Garner’s in the brutal cold. Temps below freezing and a lot of snowstorms had been good for his snow-plowing business, but he was looking forward to spring and all the work that meant for his landscape company Elegant Land Designs. He pushed open the door of Garner’s and walked into the always busy restaurant. Daisy’s parents had made it into a welcoming place for people in town to get together on any occasion. He spotted Daisy right away—who could miss that sunny smile as she chatted with a customer—her long, wavy, blond hair, her lips so full and lush. And her body, a perfect hourglass that always had his hands itching to run up and down those sweet curves. He raised a hand to signal her.

She held up a finger and pointed to the bar. He settled at the bar to wait. He glanced at the TV. The Knicks were clobbering the Grizzlies.

“What can I get ya, Trav?” the bartender Josh asked.

“Just some water,” Trav said. “I’m not staying long.”

Josh nodded and filled a glass, handing it over.

“Thanks.” Trav went back to the game. A few minutes later, someone tapped his shoulder. He turned, already smiling in anticipation of seeing Daisy. “Hey.”

It was Rico. His smile dropped.

“Not who you were hoping to see?” Rico asked with a smile.

Trav turned back around. Rico lived in the same apartment complex as Daisy on the other side of town, though not near her apartment. Thankfully. Otherwise Daisy might have been one of Rico’s long line of women. Trav didn’t like the idea of sharing her with his friend. Ever.

“What’s up?” Trav asked.

“Not much. Watching the game. Drinking beer. Chatting up the lovely ladies.” He signaled Josh. “Corona.” He turned to Trav. “No beer tonight?”

“I’m not drinking,” Trav said. “I’m meeting Daisy.”

Rico gestured for Trav to grow a pair.

Trav gestured to his middle finger.

Rico shook his head sadly. “We talked about this. Let her come to you.”

He smiled. “
She
called
me
.”

Rico’s beer arrived, and he took a long swallow. “Ahhh.” He pointed his beer bottle at Trav. “Yeah? What’d she want?”

“I don’t know. Who cares?”

“A guy with pride would care.” He flashed a smile over Trav’s shoulder. “
Hola, mamacita
.”

Daisy kissed Rico on the cheek. “
Hola, guapo
.”

Rico smiled widely. “Oh,
guapo
. Very good. And true.
Muchas gracias
.”

“I picked up a little Spanish one summer in Costa Rica,” Daisy said modestly.

“What’s it mean?” Trav asked.

“That’s between me and
mamacita
,” Rico said, putting an arm around Daisy.

Daisy laughed. “It means good looking.”

“Hey, you never call me
guapo
,” Trav said.

Daisy flashed him a sunny smile, and he actually felt his heart kick up. That’s what he’d been missing seeing from her. That sunny smile aimed right at him just about made his night.

“You never called me
mamacita
,” she said, handing him a takeout box with the meatloaf she’d promised. “I’ve only got a fifteen-minute break. Come with me.”

He rose from the bar stool and followed her.

“
Cojones
,” Rico stage-whispered behind him.

Trav turned halfway to slash a hand through the air in a clear gesture of
shut your trap
to Rico, but Trav never took his eyes off Daisy’s hips as they swayed in those snug black pants. She headed for the back door, stopping to grab her down parka from a hook near the exit, and the enticing rear view disappeared.

She headed for her Subaru. They got in, and she turned the car on, blasting the heat.

“This is cozy,” he said from the passenger seat. His breath came out in a cold puff of air.

“I needed privacy.”

Be cool. Don’t make a move without a sure signal. She has to meet you at least halfway, or you’re going to look like a complete fool.

He set the take-out container on the floor. “What’s up?”

She laughed nervously and licked her lips. His joystick perked up.
Down, boy. Nervous laughing is never a good sign.

“I, uh, got myself into a little jam, and I was hoping you could help me out.”

She bit her lip, and he stifled a groan
. Sure, I’d love to help you out…of those clothes
.

Daisy kept talking, but all he could hear was the imaginary sound of those pants sliding down to the floor. He wondered what kind of underwear she wore. It was probably black. She’d look so sexy in black. Black panties with those high-heeled black leather boots of hers.

“Trav, are you listening?”

“Mmm…”
Maybe a matching bra
. His eyes trailed down.

No, topless is better. No bra. Perky breasts, nipples at attention.

“It’s a pretty big deal.” She sounded annoyed.

Focus
. Was this a good big deal or bad big deal?

He quickly shifted his attention back to her face. Her brows were scrunched down as she regarded him with some irritation. He had to tread carefully. “That would be…”

“Awesome.”

He smiled. “Yes. And also—”

“Well, I’m a little worried. I’ve never been on TV before.”

TV?

He went for casual. “What’s the name of the show again?”

She narrowed her eyes. “I’m going to be on
Mornings with Jessica
this Friday.”

He let that sink in. “For…”

“Ergh! I knew you weren’t listening! You had this goofy smile on your face.”

He gave her a slow smile. “I was distracted by your beauty.”

“By my…” She jabbed a finger at him. “You’re not getting out of this by flattery.”

He leaned close to whisper in her ear. “You were wearing black panties, boots, and nothing else.”

She went quiet, and he took the opportunity to gently kiss the rapidly beating pulse point at her throat. She swallowed.

Her voice came out soft. “It’s because of my blog.”

He played with a lock of her hair. “Do you need me to watch Bryce?”

She pulled her hair out of his grasp and shifted further away; though the car wasn’t that big, he could reach her easily. “That’s the thing. I have this really popular blog on being a mom, and they want my whole family on. Here’s where you come in.” She grimaced. “I sorta let people believe I’m married, so will you play my husband on TV?”

Trav saw his opening like a flashing green Go sign. She needed him or she’d look the fool, or worse, a fraud. This could be a win-win-win. Win for Daisy, win for him, win for Bryce.

He smiled his sweetest, most charming smile. “Of course I’ll play your husband on TV.”

She blew out a breath of relief. “Great! Thank you. I knew you’d understand.”

She reached for the ignition to shut off the car. He placed his hand on hers. They weren’t done quite yet.

“As long as you play my wife in real life.”

She dropped her hand and slowly turned to him. “You want me to pretend we’re married?”

“No, I want a marriage for real.”

“Trav, come on.”

“Those are my terms. I promise we’ll look good for the cameras. Everyone will believe we’re happily married. But only if you promise we do it for real.”

She hesitated. He could see the wheels turning in her head, the battle between what she wanted and what he wanted. Fact was, she was in dire need of a husband right now. He waited for her to realize his terms were the only chance she had of pulling this talk show deal off.

She stared at her hands. “I don’t know.” She met his eyes. “It seems sorta rushed?”

“I’ve waited six months,” he said quite reasonably.

Her eyebrows crinkled, and she bit her lip. He played it cool, waiting her out. He could see the finish line. He didn’t touch her, barely breathed, just sat there willing her to cross that line with him.

She gestured with her hands as she talked. “We’ve been so busy raising Bryce. I don’t want to marry for the wrong reasons.”

“Bryce is the right reason.”

“Bryce, yeah.” She stared out the front window and started muttering to herself. “Well, it is his father
something something
duty
something
should, but
something
mom. Ho, wouldn’t that just be
something something
. Fucking perfect as if
something something
…never even had
something
.” Sigh. “Best thing for him really
something something
.” She finally ran out of steam and turned to him.

He raised a brow.

“Okay,” she said with zero enthusiasm.

He grinned. Not offended at all. “Okay, then.”

Should they shake on it? Kiss? He felt like they should mark the occasion somehow. He squeezed her hand, and she gave him a tight smile.

“It’s not a death sentence,” he said. “It’s marriage.”

“Yup.” Her eyes darted toward the door. “I’d better get back to work.”

“We’ll go for the marriage license at Town Hall tomorrow morning,” he said. “Ten a.m. good for you?”

Her shoulders sank. “Sure.”

“I’m thinking a small wedding with a justice of the peace. Then we’ll act like we’ve been married for…what? A year?”

She sighed. “Might as well call it a year and a half so Bryce looks like he came along after the wedding.”

He couldn’t help smiling. “You got it.”

She turned off the car and reached for the door handle.

“See you tomorrow…fiancée.”

She waved weakly and left the car.

This was the opening he’d been looking for since Bryce was born. Besides, Daisy laughed at his jokes, they agreed on parenting, and, when he pulled her close, she got flushed and flustered and all together irresistible. Sex, hell yeah, that was a good start. The rest would fall into place. He’d be a faithful and committed family man. Better than his old man. He’d never abandon her and Bryce. Daisy would soon appreciate what he offered as a husband and father.

He grabbed the takeout, exited, and made for home, a little bounce in his step.

Good talk.

Chapter Five

Daisy puzzled over how her life had gotten so wonky. One minute she was looking at a first-time-ever TV appearance and a possible new career, the next she was standing in line at the dinky Town Hall with an annoyingly cheerful Trav waiting for a marriage license. Trav held Bryce, and the two of them had an unending game of peek-a-boo going on. Trav kept peeking at him between his fingers to Bryce’s delighted squeals.

Things could be worse. Daisy shifted uneasily, nervous energy shooting down her legs. She fought the familiar urge to run. She
had
to stop running from her problems. That was part of the reason she never seemed to get on track. Every time the going got tough, or just uncomfortable, her fight or flight kicked in big time. Her instinct was for flight. But Bryce needed her. She had to stay and fight. Or at least just stay.

She paced a bit while her mind ricocheted from one extreme to another as they waited their turn for a license.

Just go with it. Everyone says you should be together. He’s a good dad, a good man.

Then the other extreme:
He doesn’t love you. Don’t marry for the wrong reasons.

The older man in front of them left with his dog license and gave them a smile on his way out.

“Next,” the town clerk, Sally Phillips, called. Sally was the eyes and ears of the town. She wore a pink fuzzy V-neck sweater, jeans, and her dyed black hair teased up in a style that screamed,
I never left the ‘80s
.

Trav grabbed Daisy’s hand and pulled her forward.

“We’d like a marriage license,” Daisy whispered, though they were the only people left in the office. “But we’re keeping it quiet. Okay? Out of respect for Bryce’s future.”

Trav nodded.

Good. Trav’s playing along.

“Oh, my, my, my,” Sally said, placing a hand on her heart.
Were those tears in her eyes?
“I’ve been praying for you. We all have. And now, look, it’s come true.”

“
A-men
,” Trav said, his eyes dancing with laughter.

Daisy bit back a sarcastic reply. She’d just bet that Sally and her friends were praying for them. More like gossiping about them. Sally didn’t hesitate to share the latest with anyone who came into Town Hall.

Sally crossed her arms over her ample bosom and continued smiling at them as if she alone were responsible for this wonderful turn of events.

“The license?” Daisy prompted.