Just for Appearances

By Jenna Rutland

Hot man for hire…

Rachel Clarke is a single mom with three boys, and she needs help. Now. Unfortunately, her only option is John MacDonald—her high school sweetheart and the disgraced hometown hero who's just returned to Lake Bliss. He's perfect for the job. He cooks, he cleans, and he's amazing with kids. He's also still far too sinfully hot for Rachel's comfort…

Rachel is just as gorgeous as John remembers. But in order for his new youth activity center to be a success, John needs Rachel's help to earn the town's trust back. In exchange, he'll take care of her boys for the summer while she works. Except keeping their relationship strictly business is harder than he imagined. But summer can't last forever, and when it ends, so will their arrangement—and John's time in Lake Bliss.

Each book in the Lake Bliss series is STANDALONE:
*Just for the Summer
*Just for Appearances

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Apr 14, 2015
• ISBN: 9781633750579

Book preview

Table of Contents

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

About the Author

Find your Bliss with these great releases…

Just One Kiss

His Reason to Stay

Unexpectedly Yours

You’re Still the One

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © 2015 by Jenna Rutland. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.

Entangled Publishing, LLC

10940 S Parker Rd

Suite 327

Parker, CO 80134

[e-mail]

Bliss is an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC.

Edited by Tracy Montoya

Cover design by Brittany Marczak

Cover art by iStock

ISBN 978-1-63375-057-9

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition April 2015

To Angie, who showed me what faith, family, and love can achieve.

You were a girl’s best mother-in-law.

Rest in peace.

xoxo

Chapter One

Rachel Clarke shoved another marigold into the freshly tilled earth. She didn’t want to think about her predicament. She wanted a simple afternoon to daydream and garden. Was that too much to ask for? Apparently so, since she couldn’t seem to concentrate.

The crunch of tires sounded on her gravel driveway, announcing she had a visitor. She used her shovel to dig a small hole and plunked another orange flower into the ground, enjoying its spicy scent. Even with her back toward the driveway, she knew who it was. Carol MacDonald, the closest thing to a grandmother Rachel’s kids had ever known. She was supposed to have picked up her new car today and probably wanted to show it off. What really had Rachel anticipating Carol’s visit was her promise of bringing along a prospective nanny. One that she claimed would be Rachel’s ultimate solution for her current dilemma. And, wow, did she need one. Like now.

Rachel twisted toward the driveway. And laughed. Count on Carol to improve a lousy mood. Instead of the expected bright yellow Beetle she’d been talking about all week, there sat a shiny black Ford F-250 pickup. A mammoth of a thing. The sun reflected off the driver’s side windshield and hid the passenger’s face. But it was comical to envision a pint-size woman behind the wheel of that beast.

A car door slammed, and with the last flower planted in its new summer home, Rachel stripped off her polka-dot garden gloves and tossed them on the grass. As she rose from her crouched position, she turned once again toward the driveway.

And froze.

Her stomach took a nosedive. Her heart beat erratically. She fought for breath as if she’d received a physical blow to the chest.

Even with the sun’s glare in her eyes, she knew him. John MacDonald leaned against the truck, arms crossed in a casual pose as if he had all day to stand around and watch. She’d always wondered if she’d see him again. Wondered what her reaction would be when she did. Her emotions whipped around like a tornado—a chaotic mess of memories, hopes, and pain.

John. His name came out a whisper. All she could do was stand and stare. The hot breeze ruffled the collar of her shirt. Escaped strands from the pile of hair on her head tickled her neck. Had the early-summer heat caused her to be delusional? Why would he be here after so many years?

He pushed off the truck and strolled toward her in that nonchalant way she had once memorized. This was no illusion. The easy, graceful stride belonged to only one man. The one man who had been the most important person in her life.

Until she’d sacrificed her feelings and convinced him to walk away.

He stopped a few feet in front of her. Hey, Einstein, he said softly. It’s good to see you.

She felt her lips curl into a smile at the nickname he’d given her years before. He’d been a high school football player struggling academically, who’d been given the ultimatum of bringing up his grades or leaving the team. His father couldn’t accept the possibility of John not playing, so she’d been hired as John’s math and English tutor. Somehow the pet name he’d given her back then had always managed to sound sexy, intimate, and she’d mourned his innocent teasing long after he’d left. Ridiculous how her knees went weak in response to one silly nickname. It also irritated her that he could still jumble up her emotions with a few words spoken in the deep, rich tone of his voice that had haunted her since he’d left town. The voice that had whispered tender words of love to her the last time they’d been together.

With a deep, unsteady breath, she wiped the sweat from her forehead. It wasn’t surprising her hand shook, only annoying.

He walked a few steps closer, and she had to tilt her head back to look at his face. Her body swayed in protest of the awkward movement.

He reached out and placed his large hands around her upper arms to steady her. Heat that rivaled the sun’s rays bore into her skin. Instinctively, she looked toward one of her arms and expected to see singed flesh.

You okay, Rach? he asked as he leaned down so they were at eye level.

She nodded. You’re not Carol. She knew she sounded like an idiot, and she attempted to back away from him but stumbled. His grasp tightened. She told me she’d be over later to show me her new car. I take it the pickup isn’t hers?

John laughed and shook his head. Mom decided on the Bug. She ran late at the dealer’s and suggested I come over alone.

With almost thirty years’ difference between them, the connection she had with his mom still amazed her. Carol had come along at a low point in Rachel’s life, and their friendship had flourished. In some odd way, their relationship may have been a comfort in that it somehow tied her to John.

As her gaze met his smile, she tried to decide which was more brilliant—the sun’s glare or his straight white teeth. She tried for a smile of her own as her brain scrambled to make sense of the situation.

This was crazy, like some scene straight out of her nightly dreams. Her first love, here in her backyard. He looked older than she remembered, but much sexier, and her mind couldn’t help but compare the boy she’d known to the man who now stood before her.

But she still didn’t have a clue why he was here. What exactly are you doing in Lake Bliss?

With difficulty, she tried to focus and not ogle. She scanned his face in an involuntary appraisal of his features. His lips were firm and sensual. Eyes the same startling blue as the summer sky bored into hers. Bronzed skin suggested he spent a considerable amount of time outdoors. He was devastatingly handsome.

She chewed on her bottom lip, conscious of where his warm flesh still connected with hers. She took a step back to remove herself from his grasp, her body quick to mourn the loss of his touch. She swiped a hand over the leg of her khaki shorts to remove a patch of dirt. A bead of sweat trickled down her throat and settled between her breasts.

He cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. Guess my mom didn’t tell you I’d be over.

Lately, her thoughts centered on her new job and the task of finding a nanny, but had a visit from him been mentioned? No way. Rachel definitely would have remembered that discussion. Bits of conversation swirled around her head. Carol had mentioned something about John, but as always, Rachel had done her best to tune it out. Even after all this time, it hurt too much to talk about him, to know about his current life.

Time to ask a pointed question. Why are you here?

I’m in town for summer on business. Mom thought…

Before he could say another word, she held up a hand in a stop position. She needed detailed answers, preferably from the woman probably responsible for the arrival of this hunk-and-a-half from her past.

Excuse me for a minute. I’ll be right back. Without waiting for a response, she marched past him en route to the back door while her irritation gained severity with each step. She detested surprises. She liked to be prepared and head into situations with all the information.

She snatched at the door handle, and it came off in her hand. Terrific. Add a handyman to her ever-growing list of hired help. She stuck her finger in the hole left by the handle and pulled the door open.

Carol answered her cell phone on the first ring. Gee, wonder if she was expecting a call?

Without bothering to identify herself, Rachel let loose. What in holy hell is going on? Why didn’t you tell me about him? She cradled the phone between her ear and shoulder, and stood with dirt-streaked hands on her hips while she waited for a plausible explanation.

A chuckle erupted from the other end of the phone. Settle down, dear. I take it John’s there? Hmm. Didn’t I tell you he’d be in town? she asked, doing a pitiful job of sounding innocent.

No. Not to town and definitely not to my backyard! Now, why is he here?

Because, Carol answered slowly in a you’re-not-getting-it voice, isn’t there something you need?

Ha! Needed? How about an orgasm that involved another person? Oh wait, she probably wasn’t thinking along those lines. What did Rachel need? Uh-oh.

A summer nanny, she whispered into the phone. I need somebody to watch my kids.

Got it in one, Carol said. The way I see it, you both need something the other can provide. Her voice took on a hint of pride. Sounds like win-win to me.

Rachel peeled the phone away from her ear and stared at it. Was there idiot juice in the Lake Bliss water supply? She put the phone back to her ear. "I don’t think I want to know what I would be expected to provide him."

I think he’d be perfect with the boys.

Interesting that the provide topic didn’t get a response. Rachel sighed. I know I need to find the right person. Somebody the kids will have fun with. I want them to have a great summer, and I don’t want to worry about them while I’m at work. But a man? John?

Carol continued to talk without a response to Rachel’s questions. Sit down and talk with him, honey. Discuss details about what the boys need. Ask him questions…

She heard herself groan. Why couldn’t life be easy? She closed her eyes and rubbed her temple with her fingers. Her head throbbed. Well, it could just join the crowd. The rest of her body throbbed in response to this man; why not her head, too?

All she had wanted out of this day was a little harmless daydreaming. She pinched the bridge of her nose. Daydreaming about him had always gotten her into trouble.

Carol, she moaned. The last thing I need around here is another male. Don’t you think there’s a testosterone limit for each household? Clearly, with John’s addition, the level would surpass my allotment.

Is there a problem, Einstein? Rachel whipped around in the direction of a deep voice. He stood in the doorway, and somehow the six feet she remembered had turned into six feet four. It should have been ridiculous to see him in this little room, yet he didn’t look out of place amid the soft blue and pale yellow country kitchen. He rubbed the dark stubble along his jaw with his huge hand as a devilish grin emerged from the corners of his mouth.

The phone conversation temporarily forgotten, Rachel stood near the sink and looked up at what she remembered to be a powerful set of shoulders. And for a moment, she lost control and admired his muscular frame. She couldn’t find the strength to look away. Were the wisps of chestnut hair that peeked out of his shirt as soft and silky as she remembered? She tore her eyes away from his chest, and their eyes met and held.

She put aside her inner turmoil as Carol spoke in her ear. Why don’t you two sit by the pool and talk, have a cool drink? It’s so peaceful by the water. She definitely hit the mark insinuating Rachel needed peaceful at this point. Could a glass of lemonade and pool water effectively deliver peace? She doubted it.

She turned her back and whispered into the phone. I’ll call you back later. Through gritted teeth she added, You’d better answer.

She hung up and shoved the phone into its base. She poured two glasses of lemonade and handed one to John before making her way out the door and toward the pool. With an outstretched hand, she motioned toward blue- and green-striped lawn chairs, a recent Mother’s Day present from her boys and ex-husband. Several hours ago, she had placed the chairs on the concrete walk around the pool where they would stay for the summer.

The acrid odor of chlorine drifted through the air as her ears buzzed. A sure sign that she was going crazy. Better yet, maybe any minute her alarm clock would blast, and this whole nightmare would come to an abrupt halt. A mosquito landed on her arm. She smacked it, then felt the slap to her skin. Damn. She was very much awake.

His well-built body moved with easy grace, and she couldn’t resist a peek at him when he chose a chair adjacent to hers. He oozed masculinity.

It didn’t go unnoticed.

She swallowed hard and squared her shoulders in a desperate attempt to compose herself, determined to keep from falling under his spell, fully aware that doing so was all too possible.

She leaned back in the lawn chair, then crossed her legs. The heated look in his eyes made her check to be sure she was still clothed. Could all blue eyes penetrate a woman like that, or only the ones that were currently checking out her lower extremities?

I can’t believe you’re in town after all these years. How long did he plan to stay? Even now, his presence could steal her breath and make her heart ache. How much of him could she take?

My mother says you could use some help caring for your boys, he said. I know we need to talk about the past, put it to rest, he continued when her stunned silence stretched out for too long, but for now let’s just start with what you want, Einstein.

Want? She could

Reviews for Just for Appearances

[ashpreads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After wasting 10 years in a one-sided marriage to which she sacrificed her education and youth, Rachel finally has the opportunity to make a career for herself, to stand on her own two feet and make her own life. But with 3 boys under the age of 8, she needs someone to help take care of them for the summer. With the help of some innocent meddling on the part of her friend Carol, who enlists her son John to watch her boys, Rachel has the ideal opportunity to fulfill her dreams. But the history between her and John, and her own insecurities get in the way. Because she was the who pushed him to leave all those years ago.

John was forced to leave his hometown by his father, to pursue a career in football, dashing the hopes of the townsfolk of a star athlete belonging to Lake Bliss. But the dream was never his own and when it didn't become a reality, he finally followed his own path, moving from town to town, living his own adventures and creating recreational centers for the children of those towns.

Now back in Lake Bliss after all these years has awoken memories and feelings he had for Rachel. She needs his help with her kids and he needs her help to restore the faith and trust of the townspeople in him as he sets up his recreational centre. Can they mutually benefit from this and come out of this deal hurt-free or will their feelings complicate their already complicated lives. Get yourself a copy of this book and find out because I'm not telling. ;-D

Free copy provided in exchange for an honest review

[bette_hansen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed this one! The characters really dug their way in to my heart. The kind loving way John handles Rachel's kids was beautiful and I felt badly for both John and Rachel as the truth of the past ending to their relationship is revealed. Single mom Rachel Clarke is in desperate need of help and it appears the only one who can give her the help is old flame John MacDonald. Now if she can just balance going back to work, the guilt of leaving her kids, and the attraction that is obviously still there for John. Oh yeah, and a royal pain of an ex...ugh

This is a good one and I definitely recommend it.