Page 29 of The Rented Bride

Chapter Six

Trent told Celina to return to the party and to take Annie with her. They needed to eat, have a drink and enjoy a moment away from this room. Now he waited alone with his grandfather. James lay beneath the covers. Trent’s chest tightened. He looked ten years older than he had an hour ago.

Trent pulled the chair from the small desk and sat next to the bed.

“I enjoyed myself,” his grandfather said. “It’s was a fun birthday party…even if I was hoping for something more.”

Trent wanted to laugh, but the feeling was bittersweet. “You promised me you would be good.”

“And you promised to introduce me to your future wife.” He spoke in a tired whisper that frightened Trent

Trent nodded. “I know. I need to talk to you about her. But you’ve had enough excitement for one day.”

“It isna’ excitement I want, but to see you settled. I wouldn’t mind the sound of children in this big house again. Can’t blame a man for wanting a great-grandchild.”

Fear rammed through Trent. How was he going to tell his grandfather the truth? Would it kill him? He had to stall, at least until after they’d seen the doctor. That meant he had to lie. His grandfather hadn’t built an empire without being able to spot a con job.

“Granddad—”

The door burst open and Trent twisted in his seat to find Ms. Adams standing just inside the doorway. She stood, back to them, staring into the walk-in closet. She started for the closet.

“Is that her?” his grandfather said.

Trent yanked his gaze onto his grandfather. The bare whisper was that of a man with barely the strength to speak.

His grandfather lifted a hand and motioned her over. “Come here, lass.”

Trent swung his attention onto her. She stared, eyes wide, but didn’t move.

His grandfather gave a raspy laugh. “Tell her to come here, Trent. I want to meet her.”

“I-I’m sorry for intruding,” she said.

“Family never intrudes,” his grandfather said.

She pointed a thumb toward the closet behind her. “I’ll just grab what I need from the closet. I’ll be out of here in just a moment.” She started to turn.

“No need to worry, darling.” Trent pushed to his feet and hurried around the chair. He grasped her arm. “Granddad is anxious to meet you.”

“I beg your—”

Trent turned his back to his grandfather. “Play along, Ms. Adams, and I’ll forgive our earlier meeting.” Her brows dove downward, but Trent didn’t wait for an answer. He pulled her toward the bed. “Granddad is a bit tired, but I did promise to introduce you.” They reached the bed. “Granddad, this is Cassandra Adams.”

His grandfather extended a hand. Ms. Adams glanced toward the door, and Trent thought she might bolt. To his relief, she accepted his grandfather’s hand. He tugged until she sat on the mattress beside him.

“You are very pretty,” he said.

“Thank you, Mr. Weston.”

“Call me Granddad, like Trent.”

She glanced up at Trent, a question in her eyes.

“He’s right,” Trent said. “He’ll soon be just as much your grandfather as mine.”

Shock registered on her face, and he feared she would blow the lie.

“We talked about this earlier, in the hallway,” he said. “Remember?”