Under Kansas Skies

When making it to congress means faking a marriage . . . fake it 'til you make it takes on a whole new meaning. Apparently, conservative Midwestern voters want more than my brains, connections, and good looks to vote me in as a congressman. That's right, to appear as the all-American family man they want . . . I need a wife. ASAP. The lovely Odette Hastings seems to fit the bill. She's a wholesome small-town girl, and conveniently in need of cash. I'll give her the money to take care of her elderly parents, and she'll be the political arm candy I need. We both win, right? The only problem is Odette is a little too beautiful, a little too intelligent, and way too distracting. I have to keep my eye on the prize. Because there might be something I want more than a seat in congress.

Goals for a fresh start: 1. Move out of my parents' house. 2. Get my teaching career back on track 3. Join a widow support group 4. Don't fall in love with my dad's coworker/my new landlord. After losing my husband three years ago, I'm ready for a fresh start for me and my daughter. I appreciate all of my parents' help, of course, but I can't live with them forever (and I don't want to). Dr. Drew Reed, my father's coworker, informs me his basement (turned income-property) is available for rent. And he also needs a part time nanny. Lucky for him, I can do both! But living in such close proximity, seeing him in those dang sexy surgical scrubs, and watching him with our girls . . . is making my heart thaw in ways I never expected. But am I ready to love again?

How did I find myself sharing a tent with my obnoxious-albeit gorgeous-neighbor, Isabella Romero? It all started with a stupid bet. All I had to do in order to win was something unpredictable. (Which my brother thought was impossible for the ever-boring David Windell). Well, I showed him... by booking a trek in the Andes Mountains to see Machu Picchu. When the brochure for the expedition mysteriously appeared on my front porch, it was like fate interceded: I could win the bet while simultaneously getting a vacation from my irritating neighbor. Two birds, one stone. Except, it turns out that was Isabella's brochure... and she booked the same trip. So here I am, stuck sharing a tent with the woman who drives me crazy-and makes my heart race like never before.

When the woman of my dreams finally becomes available, all bets are off. I lost a bet to my older brother. My evil, life-ruining older brother and now I can't go on a date for FOUR months. I can't even touch a woman. No hand holding. Forget kissing. I'm walking the straight and narrow (AKA dateless and lonely) just fine. Until my best friend (the woman I've been pining over since college) gets her heart broken. How can I say no to those big, gorgeous blue eyes when she asks me to fly to Vermont to attend her sister's Christmas wedding with her? As her fake boyfriend. Yeah, all bets are off. (Don't tell my brother). It'll be easy... pretend to be my best friend's boyfriend without holding her, kissing her, or falling even more in love than I already am. But when we end up having to share a room at her family's cabin, the line between real and fake becomes very blurry... and very tempting.