The Heir's Convenient Wife. Myrna Mackenzie

then,” she said to herself. “When Dell shows up at the shop, the Belles are going to notice a change in the way we’re interacting.”

      That was bad. She had been distraught for so long, especially after she’d lost her child. Now that she was coming back to life her friends might think that she would do something foolish, like fall in love with another man who really didn’t want her in the ways that counted. So if Dell brushed against her or took her hand and she trembled, they would definitely notice. That was how well they knew her.

      Regina groaned. Her plan crumbled. She had agreed to give them a try, but she didn’t think this new, shaky marriage could hold up under too much scrutiny, especially not the scrutiny of the people who loved and knew her best. Dell had saved her when she’d needed saving. He wanted a real marriage. She couldn’t betray him by telling her friends the truth but she couldn’t lie to her friends, either.

      What if they asked him what was going on?

      He’s an honorable man. He’ll tell the truth, she thought. He might even mention how practical they were being by pursuing a marriage devoid of love.

      Then her friends would hate him. And if her friends hated Dell…

      “Things will be beyond uncomfortable,” she muttered. “Even a good marriage would suffer under those circumstances.”

      There was only one option. Keep Dell and her friends apart as much as possible until the marriage was either seriously settled or dissolved. But for today…

      CHAPTER FOUR

      “JUST so you know, Dell’s stopping by today,” Regina told her friends fifteen minutes before the shop was due to open.

      Her friends all turned to look at her. “Wow, twice in two days after never having been here before. Anything you want to tell us about?” Julie asked.

      Regina struggled for words.

      “I mean, besides butt out of my marriage?” Callie asked.

      That brought a round of laughter and helped Regina relax a little. “I know you’re just curious because you care about me, but he’s a good man,” she said simply.