Picture Perfect Lie Page 8

  Really? And how close are you to Quinn right now...?

  “How do you know you and Hazel aren’t exactly what they need, especially my momma?” If Campbell goes along with this lie, even for a little while, it could help ease the pain of losing Laird.

  Campbell looks up at the ceiling and then back at me. “She practically said the same thing—that you sent us to her because you knew how much she needed us.”

  “You want to pay me back?”

  She nods. “Very much so.”

  “Then lie, Campbell. Lie your tail off until my family can put Laird’s dea—disappearance behind them.”

  “Then what?” She swallows. “What do I do when they’re happy again?”

  “I’ll clear everything up—take full responsibility.” I lean forward, willing her to see the sense in my plan. “I swear to take care of you and Hazel. There’s nothing to fear from this, from me.”

  She places her hand against her throat. “I don’t know...”

  “Do you trust me?”

  “Yes.”

  She says the word with such conviction that I want to kiss her. “Trust me when I say that everything will be okay. Remember what I promised you and Hazel?”

  “That as long as we were with you, you wouldn’t let anything bad happen to us.”

  “I keep my promises, Campbell.”

  Chapter 12

  Campbell

  I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE but to trust Knight.

  After all, he knows his family better than I do, and maybe, just maybe, it’s the right thing to lie this time. Maybe our lie is exactly what his family needs to heal, or move past—not get over—the disappearance of their brother.

  I can only imagine what they’re going through right now. The waiting and wondering. The lack of answers that give birth to both false hope and the worst fears imaginable.

  Knight shared a little of what happened, so I wouldn’t be caught unaware if anyone talked about it. He warned me his brother Duke would be the one who’d be the most suspicious, ask the most questions, and generally be a doubting Thomas.

  Only Duke hadn’t shown up to eat and it’s their brother Barron who won’t stop staring at me... and not in a ‘I think you’re hot’ kind of way either. Behind his silver eyes, I can see gears turning, suspicion building, and an unholy glee as he peppers me with questions about my relationship with his brother.

  “How long did you know Knight before you started dating?” he asks.

  We’re in yet another warm room, a wall of windows facing east for an amazing view of the ocean, as we are served platter after platter of breakfast dishes until the table all but groans under the weight of it all. Knight’s momma assured me this isn’t normal, but I’m not so sure.

  “Not long,” I reply.

  “Care to be more specific?”

  Care to be more of an asshole? “Longer than one day and less than a year.”

  “Leave her alone, Barron,” their mother chides. “Can’t you see the poor dear’s exhausted from all that traveling?”

  I can’t hide my smirk, yet I know it won’t help endear myself to Barron. I’m not here to make enemies; I want to make friends. Honestly, I want to continue to sleep in a comfortable bed with my baby at my side, in a room that a has a working lock on the door.

  He narrows his eyes. “What his middle name?”

  Oh dear God. I have no idea. “A very sensible one, just like the rest of y’all.” I take a bite of eggs, and turn my attention to my daughter. She’s in one of those seats that enable babies as young as her to sit up. “Look at you, big girl, sitting up by yourself.”

  It wasn’t easy to come downstairs and face everyone at breakfast, but just like in L.A., it’s a ‘fake it until I make it’ situation. For me, it means I have to pretend to be Knight’s loving wife until he comes back and tells everyone the truth.

  A rush of warmth flows through me, just like it always does when I think of him. If I were actually his wife, it wouldn’t be hard at all to be loving. He makes it so easy, and I swear I’m jealous of a woman I don’t even know who will someday marry him.

  Quinn grins at me from across the table. “Once you’re all rested up, we can go shopping for Hazel.”

  “Um... that sounds nice, but you really don’t have to.” She really doesn’t, and I can’t shop as it is because I don’t have the extra money to do it. Crap. I forgot to ask Knight about getting a job. I’m surrounded by wealth, but none of it is mine and I only have five hundred bucks to my name. Four hundred more than what I started with thanks to my brother.

  He left right before breakfast, claiming he had to get back before our mother changed her mind. I think he left in such a hurry so no one would question him about my relationship with Knight.

  Lucky guy.

  “I know I don’t, but I adore baby clothes and have no one to buy them for anymore.” She wriggles her brows. “Until now.”

  “River doesn’t like to go shopping?”

  Barron arches a brow, but before he can say anything, Quinn laughs, taking over the conversation again. “She’s a tween, so cloudy one day and sunshine the next. Usually, I wait until she approaches me.”

  “Kinda like a cat.”

  “Exactly like a cat,” she agrees. “Good thing I love them and her to pieces. It also helps I own a salon and River is all about her nails. That will lift her right out of a bad mood.”

  “Can’t say I’m looking forward to that age.” I tickle Hazel’s foot, earning a toothless grin. My heart turns in my chest as love surges forward. “Maybe you’ll skip right over it.”

  “Knight was the sweetest boy, no matter how old he was, so you do have that on your side,” their mother says.

  “Sounds like I have nothing to worry about.”

  She beams at me, and I feel as though I’m shoving needles under my fingernails every time I lie to her.

  It’ll get easier, I tell myself.

  Knight will be home in eight months.

  That’s not that long... but it seems like an eternity.

  “Did you lose your wedding ring?” Deacon asks.

  Confused, I stare at him. “What?”

  “Your wedding ring.”

  Think, Campbell... My mind races... “I lost it.” As soon as breakfast is over, I’m emailing Knight. He says he can answer me no matter what, but that he might not always have access to take calls on his phone.

  “You lost it,” Barron repeats, then lowers his voice. “That’s convenient.”

  “Actually, it’s the opposite. I can’t tell you how nosy and mean some people can be when they assume things about you.”

  Jane Ellen pats my hand. “You won’t have to worry about anyone treating you that way here, honey.” She gives Barron a meaningful look. “As for you, I expect better from the next mayor of Castle Beach.”

  I burst out laughing. “You’re a politician?”

  “Did Knight forget to tell you that?”

  “He told me the most important things about his family—how loving they are. How they go out of their way to make strangers feel welcome, and that they would do anything to help one another.” I cross my arms, tipping up my chin. “In fact, he said you were his favorite second oldest brother.”

  Everyone at the table stops eating and looks at me, then Quinn starts to laugh, followed by Jane Ellen... A beat later, Barron joins in. His laugh is nice and when he smiles, I can see the resemblance to Knight. He’s not as handsome as my pretend husband, but he’s still attractive enough to turn heads.

  “I like you, Campbell. I can see why my brother married you so quickly.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He texted everyone to let us know you two were newlyweds and to go easy on you.”

  “Oh no...” I groan, smacking my forehead with my hand. Telling anyone to go easy on the new person is a sure-fire way to guarantee they’ll get hazed. “You mean the inquisition is Knight’s fault?”

  “Afraid so, little sister.” He give
s me an apologetic grin. “Sorry.”

  “That’s okay. I would have done the same thing if my brother turned up married without telling anyone,” I admit. “What other helpful information did he share?”

  Quinn nibbles on her bottom lip. “That you’d want to find a job right away, but to not let you until you were really ready and not dead tired from taking care of Hazel.”

  “He said that?” On one hand, swoon city, but on the other... how am I supposed to pay for anything?

  “Don’t worry, Campbell. I’ll take care of opening a bank account at the credit union for y’all.” He gets up from the table, kisses his mother and sister, then squeezes my shoulder. “I’ll text you when they’re ready for your signature.”

  “Bank account? Signature?” It’s going to look bad when I have hardly anything to deposit.

  “Yes, honey. You didn’t think Knight would leave you penniless, did you?”

  My cheeks grow even hotter under his mother’s gaze. “No.”

  Quinn leans forward, grabbing my hand and squeezing it lightly before letting go. “He said you had to quit your old job due to the difficult pregnancy, and you would be a little sensitive about money.”

  “But not too sensitive to discuss it over breakfast?”

  Jane Ellen waves a hand in the air. “Oh please, we’re family.”

  “I like that you’re sensitive over money and want to work. It means you didn’t marry Knight for his fortune.” Quinn is so plain speaking that no one on the planet ever has to wonder what’s on her mind.

  “His fortune?” I echo, giving them a blank look. “I didn’t realize the Army paid that much.”

  “It doesn’t.” Quinn flips her light brown hair over her shoulder, then tilts her head to one side and smiles conspiratorially. “Do you want to see your house today? I can give you the grand tour. It’s not that far from here, either, so we’ll be nearby to help you whenever you need it.”

  “Maybe after lunch and Hazel’s nap,” I say noncommittally. What have I gotten myself into? While I felt safe with Knight and by extension his family, they are so determined to make me feel at home that I want to run in the opposite direction because I feel so damn guilty.

  “Perfect. I have a color and cut at eleven, so I’ll be done by two-ish.”

  “May I take Hazel?” Jane Ellen asks, wiping her hands with a cloth napkin. “I’d love to spend more time with her. That is if you have no objections.”

  I can’t think of any and with the way Jane Ellen looks so hopeful, I don’t want to think of any. “I know Hazel would love to spend time with her... with her...”

  “Grandmamma.”

  “Yes, that.”

  Knight’s mother takes Hazel from her chair and my daughter shoves a fist into her mouth, perfectly content to go with someone, who only twelve hours ago—if that—was a complete stranger.

  Then again, she trusted Knight to hold her, too.

  Maybe I should trust Hazel’s judgment.

  Isn’t there a saying about kids and dogs being the only true judges of character? I mean, my past is riddled with mistakes when it comes to judging people for who they really are.

  “Can I be super honest with you?” Quinn asks, although I don’t know why she bothers. For her, a filter is only to be used when it comes to Snapchat or Instagram.

  Not that I mind. I’d rather she tell me she hates me to my face than whisper it behind my back.

  “Go for it.”

  “I have a job opening at my salon coming up next month. It’s for a receptionist. You can bring Hazel with you... although, I’m pretty sure Momma will watch her for you. Either way, I don’t think it’s up to Knight to decide when you can work.”

  “That’s not what he means.” Knight doesn’t strike me as the type to be that kind of man. I should know, Baylor was and still is that kind of man.

  “Does that mean you’re not interested?”

  Heck yes, I’m interested, but once again, I’d be indebted to the Kings. “You don’t even know me,” I point out. “I could be the worst receptionist ever.”

  “I’ll train you myself, so there’s no chance of that happening.”

  “You’re really tenacious.”

  She tips up her chin. “It’s one of my best qualities.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  She pouts a little. “You’re really stubborn.”

  I smile. “It’s one of my best qualities.”

  Chapter 13

  Knight

  After six days of waiting for transportation, our escort finally arrives to drive us to a village halfway between our drop point and Kandahar. We’ll be meeting with leaders in order to make it possible for roads to be built, for water and other supplies to be delivered, and to enhance our relationship with the locals.

  According to command, bringing everyone into the twenty-first century is our main goal now and the fastest way to get them on our side.

  Gee, why didn’t we think of that when the War on Terror first started? Instead of throwing candy, we should have offered them iPhones.

  I’m not bitter. I swear... Fuck it, I’m bitter as hell.

  I’m tired of the endless deployments. The setbacks... the nightmares. The way my hands are tied when I see things that can’t be unseen.

  Closing my eyes, I lean against the window as we bump along a mostly paved road. It’s foggy, cold to the touch, and if I wanted to notice the snow on the mountains in the distance, I could probably fool myself into thinking this is a ski trip.

  Only instead of wearing North Face, I have on my ACUs.

  Instead of a snowboard, I have enough ammo strapped to my chest and hips to wipe out the side of a mountain. Yeah, I might be exaggerating a little, but at this point, I don’t give a damn.

  Reason number two billion I’m done with the Army. My jaded ass isn’t needed anymore. They need fresh meat. Guys with a hard-on to do the right thing while humming the national anthem and saving eagles from the Russians.

  I open my eyes.

  My buddies are quiet, even Boston, as they sit with one earbud in, listening to music or watching movies and television shows they downloaded to their phones We’re not so far out from civilization that Verizon can’t get us a signal. In case it wasn’t obvious, they really take ‘can you hear me now’ seriously. So seriously they have an exclusive contract with the government to provide services for us.

  In any case, I have The Office queued up, but I’m not the mood for a good prank on Dwight by Jim.

  Too damn bad really, because I know I need the distraction.

  “Fuck it.”

  I grab my phone from my front pocket, but I go to pictures instead of my Netflix app. As soon as I see Campbell’s face, my chest eases and I swear to God my mind gets clear. I swipe through the pictures, grinning as she and Hazel appear in each one.

  There’s something about that woman. Something so sweet and pure I know she’ll be my good-luck charm while I’m here. Yeah, that’s a lot to put on a person, but it’s not like I’m going to tell her.

  She’d probably think it was weird or strange.

  Then again, I sent her to live with my family. Basically ordered them to take care of her and set up an account so she doesn’t have to worry about anything.

  On the off chance she’s emailed me, I check my inbox.

  Sure enough, there is an email from Campbell, dated two days ago.

  Hi...

  What’s poppin? (Is that a thing people still say—other than your sister, that is?)

  Anyway, I’m settling in quite nicely with your family. Well, nicer than I thought it would be—no offense, but my experience with family isn’t that great. Your mother adores Hazel and spends all her spare time with her, so much so I feel like I’m a lady of leisure since I don’t have anything to do.

  Which brings me to my good news—I got a job!

  Yes, it’s at your sister’s salon, but at least I’ll be earning my money and not taking from you. By the way,
there is no way I’m touching your account except to pay the bills on your house, whenever they come in, until I have enough money to take care of them myself.

  I chuckle. “Good luck with that, sweetheart. They’re on automatic withdraw.”

  By the way, I think your mail is still being forwarded to your address out in Texas. At Fort Hood, right?

  Speaking of addresses, I’m in love with your house. It’s so pretty, but in a completely manly way. Hazel and I like to watch the dolphins playing in the afternoons from the deck. As soon as it gets warm enough, I’ll take her for a picnic on the beach. I think she’ll like it, even if she’ll only be five months old by then.

  Right now, Hazel is trying to sit up on her own, and she can lift her head during tummy time. She’s getting chunky, too. Your mother made an appointment with your old pediatrician, and I was able to get an overdue checkup for Hazel. I tried to pay for the visit, but they said they’d bill me.

  Hopefully, they can wait until I get my first paycheck from work.

  Shit. I didn’t think about health insurance or medical bills for them. Technically, I can’t add them to mine because we’re not legally married and the government is pretty stringent about fraud. I back out of my inbox and text Barron some instructions for paying for doctor’s visits.

  Hopefully, it won’t set off warning bells in his head. Yeah, he works in government, but it’s local and his term doesn’t start until July 1st, on the first day of Blackbeard Days. Plus, the position of mayor does not offer benefits, just a straight salary, so I’m hoping his brain doesn’t take off in a direction it has no business going.

  I really think Hazel and I could make a life here. Maybe it’s too soon to say it, or even type it, but I’m tired of running, Knight. I want to put down roots, even if they’re—well, you know what I mean.

  Yeah, I know exactly what she means. She wants to make a life there, even if it’s under false pretenses.

  My gut churns. I know I’m supposed to fix everything when I get back, but I can’t imagine anyone in my family, or Castle Beach, enjoying the perfect lie we—no, I—came up with. And since Campbell’s not a local, they’ll assume she took advantage of me, or worse...