The Playboy's Pretend Fiancée: A Fortuna, Texas Novel, #6

By Rochelle Bradley

Welcome to Fortuna, Texas where the men read romance novels. This sweet, heartwarming romantic comedy is set in the small town of Fortuna and can be read as a standalone or as part of the Fortuna, Texas series.

 

When elderly Aunt Wanda announces she has cancer, Sawyer must wed in order to fulfill her dying wish and to receive his inheritance.

 

Stephanie accepts the playboy's proposal hoping to bring his aunt peace, but soon reality blurs and pretend feels real.

 

Can they keep appearances up while keeping their feelings at bay and will Wanda figure out it's a ruse?

 

The Playboy's Pretend Fiancée was orginally included in Beauty From Ashes: Authors & Dancers Against Cancer Anthology published July 27, 2020  

• Language: English
• Publisher: Epic Dreams Publishing
• Release date: May 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781947561120

Rochelle Bradley

Rochelle writes epic dreams. In her mind, they play like a movie with a cast of fun-loving, big-hearted people in a small-town setting. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Rochelle developed a love of nature, art and traveling. Snowbird grandparents first introduced her to Texas when she was a child. Her fondness for the state grew over the years. In college, she flip-flopped between interior decorating and creative writing. Alas, she chose decorating. She worked as a certified professional bra fitter through college and accumulated many interesting stories and a box full of goodies for her soon-to-be Prince. She made the long migration to Dayton, Ohio after marrying. Taking an early retirement as a decorator, she accepted the full-time position of mother. In 2008, when her youngest entered Kindergarten, she decided to get the stories out of her head. Midway through her first novel, hurricane Ike (yes, a hurricane in Ohio) rendered the laptop useless with a nine-day power outage. She didn't give up, but continued to pursue her dream.  Rochelle shares her home with one cat, two high schoolers, three lizards, and her Prince. To learn more about Rochelle and her books, please visit RochelleBradley.com. Don’t forget to follow her at Facebook.com/RochelleBradleyAuthor/

Book preview

The Playboy’s Pretend Fiancée

A Fortuna, Texas

Novella

Rochelle Bradley

The Playboy’s Pretend Fiancée was originally released in Beauty for Ashes: Authors & Dancers Against Cancer Anthology published July 27, 2020 benefiting DAC.

Copyright © 2021 by Rochelle Bradley

Cover Design © Christine Cover Designs

Edited by Maggie Kerns

Published by Epic Dreams Publishing, LLC

EpicDreamsPublishing.com

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission of the author/publisher. The exception would be in the case of brief quotations embodied in the critical articles or reviews and pages where permission is specifically granted by the publisher or author. For permission requests send a message to the publisher at: epicdreamspublishing.com

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

Visit: RochelleBradley.com

ISBN-13 978-1-947561-12-0

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks to my great beta team: Brandy G, Laura B, Aliya Dalrae, Dawn Paul, CJ Baty, and Jessica Luna.

Y’ all help make me a better writer.

Kudos to my friends who were brave enough to help me keep my sanity through quarantine. You are the best!

Special thanks to Sharon for putting up with my scatterbrained Zoom calls. I appreciate your friendship and all the suggestions.

DEDICATION

For Nik.

A NOTE FROM ROCHELLE

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Fortuna, Texas where the men read romance. This sweet Fortuna novella is Sawyer and Stephanie’s story. You can read this story as a standalone, but both characters are introduced in The Double D Ranch. Sawyer is quite the player and has moments in all the full-length novels.

If you’d like more of Sawyer and Stephanie’s backstory, please read the other Fortuna stories.

Thank you and happy reading!

~Rochelle

CHAPTER ONE

Stephanie

Hidden among the hedge shadows, Stephanie Malone waited for her aunt. Laughter from the manor house reminded her she hadn’t been invited to the gala. Unaccustomed to high heels, she shifted in the grass, keeping the spikes from sinking into the soft earth.

There you are, Amber hissed. She had straightened her wavy, blonde bob for the shindig. Why are you skulking in the bushes like a thief?

Stephanie stopped herself from rolling her eyes and blew out a sigh. Maybe because we shouldn’t be here.

It’s the best chance I have to speak to Gillian Nocker. You know how much I want a part in the play, Amber said, narrowing her gaze to study a couple ringing the doorbell. Besides, I know you want to see inside the house.

Stephanie grinned, her silence revealing the truth. She scanned the windows, watching the smiling people converse.

Come on. Amber tugged Stephanie’s elbow.

I don’t know about this, Stephanie said, following Amber.

What’s the worst that can happen? Amber threw a wry grin over her shoulder as she stepped onto the porch.

Well, we could get arrested for trespassing, for one, Stephanie grumbled, hugging herself.

You worry too much, Amber said. It’ll be fun.

You look like you belong, but… Stephanie glanced at her knee-length blue dress.

Ignoring the comment, Amber took Stephanie’s elbow and tugged again. You look classy.

I’d only wear a dress to help you, Stephanie said.

I know. Amber giggled. Your legs deserve freedom. Maybe you’ll dance with that gorgeous playboy tonight.

Stephanie froze, jerking Amber to a stop. "No way. He knows he’s hot and flirts with everyone. I will not