Chapter 8 #2
"Wallace." He listens for a moment. "Silas. Yes, she's here." Another pause. "That's good news. When?" He nods at whatever the lawyer is saying. "We'll be there. Thanks."
He ends the call, expression brightening. "Silas has finalized the preliminary paperwork for the land transfer. Just needs our signatures on some additional documents, then it goes to the county clerk."
"That's great." I squeeze his hand. "Your land is safe."
"Not quite yet, but we're closer." He stands, pulling me up with him. "He also mentioned your lawyer called. The contested marriage claim has been officially dismissed. Your ex's father withdrew the challenge."
Relief floods through me. "Why would they do that?"
"Apparently your lawyer provided sufficient evidence of our legitimate marriage." His lips curve slightly. "Including our joint residence and witness statements from town regarding our relationship."
"What witnesses? We've barely been in town."
"This is Crimson Hollow." He chuckles. "People have been talking about us since the courthouse ceremony. Small towns run on gossip."
I laugh, the sound light with released tension. "So both our problems are nearly solved."
"Nearly." He pulls me closer, hands settling at my waist. "We still need to maintain appearances until December 26th."
The reminder of our deadline sends an unexpected pang through me. "Right. Including tonight's tree lighting."
"About that." His thumbs trace circles on my hipbones through the flannel shirt. "There's something you should know about Crimson Hollow Christmas events. The entire town will be watching us. Judging if we're really in love." His eyes hold mine. "We'll need to be convincing."
The prospect of pretending affection when my body is still humming from our morning together seems almost laughable. "I think we can manage that."
"Good." He glances at the clock. "We have hours before we need to leave. Any thoughts on how to pass the time?"
The heat in his gaze sends a fresh wave of desire through me. "I might have a few ideas."
The day passes in a haze of pleasure and unexpected conversation.
Between bouts of lovemaking on various surfaces throughout the cabin, we talk.
Really talk. About our childhoods, our dreams, our fears.
I tell him about my ambitions in public relations, how I want to create campaigns that change perceptions rather than just sell products.
He shares his vision for expanding his furniture business, possibly taking on apprentices to pass on traditional woodworking techniques.
By late afternoon, when we finally shower and prepare for the tree lighting, I feel like I know Dario Wallace better than I've known any man, including the one I almost married. The realization is both exhilarating and terrifying.
I dress carefully in jeans, boots, and a deep red sweater that complements my skin tone.
When I emerge from the guest bedroom I haven't slept in for two nights, I find Dario waiting at the bottom of the stairs.
He's traded his usual flannel for a dark blue button-down that makes his eyes appear even more intense.
The sight of him looking up at me, appreciation clear in his expression, sends a flutter through my chest that has nothing to do with physical desire.
"You look beautiful," he says simply.
"You clean up pretty well yourself." I descend the stairs, stopping before him. "Ready to convince a town we're madly in love?"
His eyes meet mine. "I've been thinking."
"That’s a dangerous pastime."
"Indeed." He takes my hand, surprising me with the public gesture even with no audience present. "What if we don't pretend?"
My heart stutters. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, what if we just be ourselves tonight? No act. No performance." His thumb brushes over my knuckles. "Just Dario and Judith enjoying a night out."
The suggestion terrifies me with its simplicity. Because being ourselves means acknowledging the connection that's grown between us. A connection that has no place in our temporary arrangement.
"Okay." The word emerges as barely more than a whisper. "No pretending."
His smile warms me more than any fire could. "Let's go light a tree."
The drive to town passes quickly, filled with comfortable conversation and the occasional brush of his hand against mine.
As we approach Crimson Hollow, I'm struck by the transformation.
The already charming main street has become a Christmas dream, with lights strung between buildings, wreaths on every lamppost, and garland wrapping the storefronts.
"It's like a movie set," I marvel as Dario parks near the town square.
"Told you they take Christmas seriously." He comes around to open my door, offering his hand. "Ready?"
I take his hand, stepping out into the crisp evening air. "As I'll ever be."
The square buzzes with activity. Families cluster around fire pits, children dart between adults with barely contained excitement, and the scent of hot chocolate and cinnamon fills the air. At the center stands a massive evergreen, currently dark but clearly the star of tonight's show.
"Dario!" A voice calls from our left. We turn to find Silas approaching, Jordyn at his side, carrying what appears to be a bundled infant. "You made it."
"Said we would." Dario's hand finds the small of my back, a gesture that feels protective rather than possessive. "Jordyn, this is Judith. My wife."
The word sends an unexpected thrill through me, despite knowing its temporary nature. I extend my hand to Jordyn, who shifts the baby to shake it.
"So good to finally meet you," she says warmly. "We were starting to think Dario was hiding you away on purpose."
"Just getting settled," I reply smoothly. "The mountain takes some adjustment for a city girl."
"Tell me about it." She rolls her eyes good-naturedly. "I thought I'd never get used to it after Toronto, but now I can't imagine living anywhere else."
Silas hands Dario a manila envelope. "The paperwork we discussed. No rush, but if you can get it back to me by next week, we can process everything before Christmas."
"Thanks." Dario tucks it inside his coat. "Judith's lawyer sent over her documents as well. I’m sure Dario’s told you, Judith, but the marriage challenge has been dropped."
"Excellent news." Silas smiles at me. "Congratulations to you both."
Before I can respond, we're approached by a petite Black woman and a tall muscular black man.
"You must be Judith." She extends a hand, her smile genuine. "I'm Sage, Bean & Bloom Café, and this is my boyfriend Jabari. Everyone's been dying to meet Dario's mystery wife."
"Pleasure to meet you." I shake her hand, surprised by the strength in her grip.
"Sage makes the best coffee in three counties," Dario informs me, his tone warmer than I've heard him use with anyone else.
"Rich coming from a mountain hermit who hardly tastes it." She grins at him. "Don't worry, I won't monopolize your wife. Just wanted to invite you both to the holiday cookie exchange next week. No pressure, but it's tradition."
"We'll think about it," Dario responds, neither committing nor declining.
"Good enough for me." She pats his arm before turning to greet someone else.
Over the next hour, I meet what feels like the entire population of Crimson Hollow.
Micah Kane with his quick wit and knowing glances at Dario.
Luna from the bookstore who slips me her card with a whispered "If you need reading material up on that mountain.
" Diesel from the garage who compliments Dario's truck modifications.
Each introduction comes with genuine welcome and barely concealed curiosity about the woman who somehow managed to marry Crimson Hollow's most notorious loner.
Through it all, Dario remains at my side, his hand rarely leaving some point of contact with me. The small of my back, my elbow, fingers intertwined with mine. Each touch feels natural, unforced. True to his suggestion, we're not pretending anything tonight.
The mayor calls for attention as darkness falls completely. The crowd gathers around the tree, anticipation building. Children sit on shoulders for better views, couples huddle together against the chill.
"Another year, another Christmas in Crimson Hollow," the mayor announces with practiced cheer. "Before we light the tree, I want to recognize our newest residents and visitors joining us for the first time tonight."
Several names are called, including "Dario and Judith Wallace," which earns us a round of applause and more than a few curious stares.
"And now, the moment we've all been waiting for. The countdown begins!"
The crowd joins in unison. "Ten! Nine! Eight!"
Dario's arm slides around my waist, pulling me against his side. I look up at him, finding his eyes already on me rather than the tree.
"Five! Four! Three!"
"No pretending, remember?" he murmurs, bending close to my ear.
"Two! One!"
As the tree erupts in thousands of twinkling lights to gasps and cheers from the crowd, Dario's lips find mine. The kiss is gentle, almost reverent, completely different from the passionate encounters we've shared before. When he pulls back, the reflection of Christmas lights dances in his eyes.
"Beautiful," he says, and I know he's not talking about the tree.
In that moment, standing in the glow of Christmas lights with this complicated man who's somehow become essential to me in less than a week, I face a terrifying truth.
This isn't just sex. This isn't just a convenient arrangement. This is something far more dangerous.
I'm falling for my temporary husband. And December 26th is coming far too quickly.