Her Very Fake Fiance: Penman Creek, #1

By Deidre - Ann Anderson

This was meant to be a two-step deal. She pretends to be his fake girlfriend for a weekend at his small-town family retreat and he'll invest in her B&B. But secrets and lies have a funny way of complicating things.

 

Mattias Hall, the Penman Tribune's most eligible rancher, is determined to keep his emotions in check. But when news of his brother and ex's engagement reaches his desk, he's forced to get a tad creative so that he's not the bud of every joke at his family's annual retreat.

 

Sloane Michaels has one goal, make her shared dream with her gran a reality and launch their dream Bed & Breakfast. But there's one thing standing in her way. Money. But when a mix-up of numbers leads to a unique investment proposal there's no way she can she's missing her one shot.

 

All she has to do is pretend to be the incredibly hot rancher's girlfriend while avoiding small town gossip for one weekend. That'll be easy, right?

She can take the only bed while he does a blanket.

She can pretend to like it when he compliments or kisses her.

Of course, she can, because at the end of the day it'll all just be pretend. Right?

 

Her Very Fake Fiancé Is a small town, fake dating, instalove romance that features forced proximity, one bed, and a whole lot of shenanigans. All books in this Penman Creek world are standalone and can be read in any order. Zero cheating, no closed doors, and a whole lot of sass.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DelaJea Press
• Release date: Jan 2, 2024
• ISBN: 9781989556627

Deidre - Ann Anderson

Deidre-Ann Anderson is a USA Today Bestselling author of everything romance with black women and the men who love them. She is a Jamaican-born Canadian author who firmly believes that with hard work and dedication, anyone can make a living from what they enjoy. Deidre–Ann has been a storyteller for most of her life and cannot wait to share all the rigorous love stories of the characters living in her head.  

Book preview

Also By Deidre-Ann Anderson

CONSUMED BY HEAT TRILOGY:

Sparked

Ignited

Engulfed

Falling For Heat - (Clean Version of The Trilogy as A Standalone)

NIGHT CAP NOVELLAS:

Willed to a Dom

The Dom She Needed

RULES OF LOVE:

Changing Her Rules

Breaking Her Rules

PENMAN CREEK:

Her Very FAKE Fiance

Chapter 1

Sloane

Ipushed open the heavy wooden door, the familiar antiseptic scent hitting my nostrils. Grammy was tucked into the hospital bed, her frail body swallowed up by the stark white sheets. But her eyes lit up when she saw me, melting away the sterile chill of the room.

There's my girl, she croaked, her voice paper-thin but still oozing warmth.

I leaned down to kiss her cheek, breathing in the comforting lavender scent of her lotion. I brought you some of that potato soup you like from Lou's Diner, I said, holding up the takeout container.

Grammy smacked her lips. You always know just what I need.

I picked up a spoon and opened the container, the rich potato aroma filling the small room. Grammy opened her mouth as I brought the first spoonful to her lips.

Mmm, now that hits the spot, she sighed after swallowing the hot soup.

Guess what Grammy? I finished the business plan for the bed and breakfast, I blurted out, unable to contain my excitement any longer. I crunched all the numbers and even made this beautiful vision board with photos of how I want the place to look.

Grammy smiled as I prattled on about floor plans and decor ideas and potential menu items, my words tumbling out in an enthusiastic rush. She's heard all this before, but she never tires of hearing me talk about our shared dream.

I grabbed her hand, careful not to squeeze the veins as I locked my eyes to hers. I'm gonna make this happen, Grammy. I promise you. Folks 'round here are gonna be chowing down on your famous buttermilk biscuits and staying in those cozy rooms we picked out.

Grammy squeezed my hand with surprising strength. I know you will, baby girl. Ain't nobody more determined than you. Her pride warmed me more than the soup ever could.

I lifted another spoonful to her mouth. I would do whatever it took to make our vision come alive - for both of us.

I'm interrupted mid-sentence by the jangling ringtone of my phone. Caller ID showed it was Cecilia.

Hold that thought, Grammy, I said as I wedge the phone between my shoulder and ear.

Hey girl, what's the word? Cecilia's overzealous voice filled the somber hospice room.

Oh, you know, just feeding Grammy her dinner and chatting about the bed and breakfast plans again, I replied, keeping my tone light.

Well get ready, cause I got some exciting news that's gonna get y'all one step closer to making' that dream a reality! Cecilia exclaimed. You know my cousin Jake, the one who's a banker? I was telling' him all about your plans and he said he might have a potential investor for you!

I nearly dropped the spoon, my hand flying to cover my mouth in shock. Shut the front door and slap my ass, are you serious right now? An investor - for real?

I shit you not, girl! Cecilia confirmed. Jake gave me the guy's info. He's some hot shot real estate tycoon passing through town. Wants to meet you day after tomorrow at his ranch.

My mind raced, possibilities swirling. This could be the breakthrough we've been waiting for. But panic crept in too.

What if I mess up the meeting?

What if he doesn't like the business plan?

Grammy studied me, noticing the emotions playing across my face. I tried to keep feeding her, but my hands started shaking. Can I really pull this off?

You've got this, Sloane, Cecilia said, as if reading my mind. Just turn on that Michaels charm and dazzle him with your brains and passion. Ain't no way he'll be able to resist investing' in you and Grammy's dream.

Her vote of confidence steadied me. I took a deep breath and nodded, even though she couldn’t see me.

You're damn right, I agreed, trying to pump myself up. We're gonna make this investor our sugar daddy.

I'm about to respond once more to Cecilia's encouragement when my hand slipped, sending the spoonful of soup flying onto Grammy's bed.

Oh shit! I cried out.

What happened? Cecilia asked, concern evident in her voice.

Sorry, I just spilled Grammy's food everywhere. Goddammit. I grabbed some napkins and started dabbing at the mess.

Grammy shot me an understanding smile, patting my hand. I felt awful for being so careless.

It's alright, girl, Cecilia soothed. Accidents happen. I'm sure Grammy ain't mad one bit.

I know, but I feel terrible. I should be more focused. I continued cleaning Grammy’s bed, shaking my head at my distraction.

Don't be so hard on yourself, Cecilia said. You got a lot going on. You’ve worked your ass of to build back a name for your self after the shitshow that was your last relationship. And this investor news is big! It's okay to feel overwhelmed.

I sighed. Cecilia always knew exactly what to say to make me feel better.

Anyways, let me give you this investor's info real quick before I let you go, Cecilia continued.

Still flustered from the spill, I scrambled to grab a pen and paper.

Alright, shoot, I said, poised to write it down.

The meetings at two in the afternoon. His name is Mr. Chad Robinson, and he's staying at the big ranch past Main Street Lot 415.

I scrawled down what I thought I heard Cecilia said, my distracted mind interpreting the details.

Got it. Mr. Chad Thomlinson, ranch off Main, 1415, 2PM I repeated.