Page 6 of Just One Spark

"We're engaged."Rowan lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed it."Hattie's my fiancée."

There was something about my name on his lips that had my heart thumping.

She clapped her hands together."I'm delighted that you're engaged, and I can't wait to hear all about your relationship."

Hopefully, she wouldn't need to hear about it tonight, because we didn't have our stories straight.If anyone questioned us, it would fall apart.And no matter how annoyed I was about this arrangement, I didn't want to do anything to hurt Rowan.It was bad enough that I had to do it back then.I wouldn't do it again.

He was finally living his dream, and I wouldn't be the one to ruin it.

"We'll have to tell you about it at family dinner," Rowan said smoothly.

Judy nodded."That would be perfect."

"Do you need me to do anything now?"Rowan asked.

Judy nodded."You're supposed to take the first carriage ride around the property."

Rowan squeezed my hand."The carriage rides are a recent addition to the property.We offer them on special occasions, and tonight they are lit with lights.Would you like to join me?"

"Of course," I said, because it was expected that we would ride together as a couple.How would I survive being alone with him?At least on the dance floor, we were surrounded by watchful eyes.In the carriage, we'd be alone, and I wouldn't' be able to evade his questions.

I felt like I was going to pass out at any second.

"Let's get you some hot chocolate for the ride," Rowan said as he bid his mother goodbye and led me over to my table.

There was no line, because everyone was moving toward the carriages that were lined up.The horses were clopping their feet and snorting.

Jovie raised a brow."You two looked cozy."

I hoped I conveyed that we'd talk about this later.

Rowan drew me to his side."Can we have some hot cocoa for our ride?"

Jovie reached under the table and grabbed my thermos with two cups."Let me fill this up for you."

"We don't need the thermos," I said weakly.

Jovie's brows rose even farther."You're going on a romantic carriage ride.You'll need your sustenance.Speaking of which, I have those hot-cocoa cookies you baked earlier.Let me grab those."

Jovie dropped to her knees, rifling through the box we kept under the table.

"You make cookies too?"Rowan asked.

"It was just something I tried.We're not selling them or anything."I felt oddly exposed, having him know what I was doing for my business.

"I can't wait to taste them," he said as Jovie handed him the thermos, two cups, and a small tin of cookies."This is perfect, Jovie.Thank you."

He pulled out cash, and Jovie waved him away.

"You're family now."

"We're not—" I said as Rowan thanked Jovie and led me away from the table.

"Would Jovie charge your real fiancé?"

I rolled my eyes."I haven't been engaged, so I have no idea."

"If this is going to work, you have to go with the flow."