Dad's E-Mail Order Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

she knew so much about him—even the name of his dog. In his situation, she would have felt violated, too. Particularly over his journal entries. She wouldn’t bring up the e-mails again.
    But maybe if she gave Graham the opportunity to ask a few questions about her, he might not feel so exposed. Deciding to give him that opportunity, Courtney left her chair and walked over to where Graham stood.
    “I can understand how unsettling it must be for me to know so much about you when you know nothing about me,” she said.
    Was it her imagination, or was he staring at her lips?
    “So?” Courtney offered. “Is there anything you do want to ask about me, Graham?”
    “Yes,” he said. “Why would a successful career woman from New York want to get involved with some deaf guy from Alaska and his bratty teenage daughter?”
    Courtney laughed. “Well, when you put it that way, it makes me wonder why myself.” She paused before she added, “You have an amazing daughter, Graham, even though you’re upset with her right now. In fact, for the past three months, Rachel has been the one bright spot in my day.”
    His expression softened slightly. “Even when she was complaining about her horrible life here?” he asked.
    Is that what was bothering him? Was Graham worried Rachel had aired all of their dirty laundry? If that was the problem, she could clear that misconception up real quick.
    “You have my word, Graham,” Courtney said, “never once has Rachel said anything but wonderful things about you.”
    He didn’t look convinced. “Only because she was trying to sell you on me.”
    “Believe me,” Courtney said, “it wasn’t a hard sale.”
    The words just hung there.
    Courtney couldn’t take them back.
    And Graham didn’t seem to know what to say.
    Thankfully a loud bark defused the situation.
    “Showtime,” Courtney said, moving closer to Graham and sliding her arm around his waist.
    “And how far are we going to take this?” he asked.
    “Far enough to be convincing until you tell her the truth.”
    Graham put his arm around her shoulder. And his arm did feel good around her—too good. Courtney breathed in his scent—all manly and intoxicating. And though she knew she was only torturing herself, Courtney couldn’t help but notice how perfectly they fit together.
    “Now what?” he asked, snapping her back to reality.
    “Smile and look happy,” Courtney said.

    B ROADWAY BOUNDED THROUGH the front door first and ran straight to her father. Rachel stopped dead in her tracks. She simply couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
    Her dad?
    Smiling from ear to ear?
    In a clutch with a woman he’d just met?
    Unfreakingbelievable!
    All Rachel could do was stare.
    “Well, aren’t you going to say hello to Courtney?” her dad asked as if she weren’t late getting home.
    “Hi,” Rachel managed, but it came out as a squeak.
    “Come here, you,” Courtney said.
    Before Rachel knew what was happening, Courtney flew across the room and engulfed her in a big hug. And when she let Rachel go, she stepped back and smiled.
    “I’m so happy to finally meet you, Rachel,” she gushed. “You’re even prettier in person than you are in your pictures.”
    “Thanks,” was all Rachel could think to say.
    Although Rachel doubted Courtney really cared. Miss So-Happy-To-Meet-You had already hurried back across the room to wrap herself around dear old Dad again.
    “We have every right to be angry with you, young lady,” her father said.
    Rachel held her breath, expecting the worst.
    What she got instead was another big smile.
    “But how can we be angry,” he added, “when you’re the one responsible for bringing us together?”
    “It was love at first sight,” Courtney said.
    “Totally,” her dad agreed.
    Huh?
    Rachel couldn’t believe it. Not only was her dad still grinning like some silly buffoon, but he had just said totally for the first time in his life. Had he completely lost his mind? That was the only