Calling Love: A Contemporary Christian Romance (Modern Conveniences Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

truly I am, but what does this have to do with me?”
    “She thinks I’m engaged and wants to meet my fiancée,” he told her, leaving out the crucial element that he was the reason she thought that.
    “Are you engaged?”
    “No.”
    Her head bobbed in slow motion. “And you want me to stand in as your fake fiancée?”
    “Yes.” Leaning an elbow against the door, he drew in a breath.
    “Why me?” She inched closer to him, a subtle move that presented him with a whiff of honeysuckles from her hair.
    “When you called for a tow tonight, I’d just gotten home from visiting her. She told me before I left that she wanted to meet you, uh, my fiancée.” He met her gaze. “Here’s the big thing. I made up a name a few weeks ago—Maddie. Then, on the same night she asks to meet Maddie, I get a call from you, Madison. I have to believe it was a sign.”
    She pursed her lips, tilted her head. “What would this ruse entail?”
    “A few visits to the hospital, maybe only one.” He straightened in his seat. “The most important requirement is that you can act like we’re in love. We have to convince her it’s real, even though it’s not.”
    “How did she get the idea in the first place that you’re engaged?”
    Embarrassed to admit he’d lied, he fought the urge to glance away. “I told her.” The hint of a smile on her face encouraged him. “I know it was wrong, but I wanted to see an extra spark of joy in her.”
    To his surprise, Madison laughed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh, but it’s kind of cute you lied to make your Granny happy.”
    Archer gave a rueful grin and shrugged. “Gran. I call her Gran.”
    “It seems harmless enough, but let me think about it tonight, and I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.”
    Relief surged through him. It wasn’t a yes, but close enough. He couldn’t explain why, but in his heart, he knew her answer would be affirmative. “Thank you.”
     

Chapter Three
     
    Lifting the cup to her mouth, Madison breathed in the blissful aroma of her Kona coffee, a gift from Sean from a previous business trip. She had ten minutes to enjoy the brew and check her email before her sister, Anna, picked her up.
    After last night, she could have used an entire morning to herself, but her day was crammed with tasks to be completed, both at home and at work. She’d already called the insurance company and an adjuster would be at Archer’s shop by ten this morning. In the meantime, they’d authorized a rental which she would get on her way to work, thanks to Anna.
    She flipped open the cover of her tablet and checked her email. Tony had replied, authorizing her new strategy for Franklin’s. Once she got to the office, she’d call Tara and give her a heads-up about the email she would send which outlined the new plan, so she could get a feel for Tara’s response and adjust accordingly.
    Another client emailed with a question on their most recent bill. Madison made a note in her calendar to check their file later this morning and get back to them. She had a few more emails to read, but Anna pulled into the driveway several minutes early.
    Half of her coffee remained in the cup. She left the table and grabbed a travel mug from the cabinet, then filled it with the coffee from her cup and what was left in the carafe before screwing on the lid.
    Anna honked the horn.
    “Coming,” Madison yelled out, though Anna wouldn’t hear her from the driveway. Rushing, she threw her tablet into her tote already loaded with her laptop. Juggling her purse, tote, and travel mug, she left the house and struggled to lock the door with her hands full.
    “Need some help?” Anna came up behind her, grabbed her keys and locked the door for her.
    “Thanks.”
    “Sorry about honking, but Elise was in the middle of one of her epic stories that I didn’t think would ever end.”
    “Figured as much.” Madison chuckled. “What was it about this time? Sunday night she told me a thirty minute