The Lawman's Agreement (Entangled Scandalous) Read Online Free PDF

want to be part of such a charming family? Fortunately for her, women who pursued a lifelong career in medicine were rarely thought of as sane.

    Suzanne sat back and took in the utter chaos of the after-dinner table. So far, the evening had been delightful with good food, fine wine, boisterous and engaging conversation, followed by, as Zack had hoped, Virginia’s prize-winning pecan pie.
    “I roast the pecans myself,” Virginia explained, “I use a special blend of spices to enhance the flavor.”
    “Whatever you use,” Suzanne said, pushing her empty plate away, “this has to be the best pecan pie I’ve ever tasted.”
    “She soaks the pecans in rum,” Matt said, his tone serious, his teasing only evident by the twinkle in his eye.
    “I do not soak them,” Virginia insisted, “I gently bathe them.”
    Jake raised his half-empty plate in the air. “If I remember correctly, that ‘bath’ lasts at least overnight if not longer.”
    Virginia raised her hand and wagged a finger in his direction. “Jackson Bellamy McCade, I’d appreciate it if you’d not give away all my secrets!”
    Laughter rang out around the table, and Suzanne welcomed the sound, relaxing among her friends. This teasing, the family camaraderie was nothing like her rather stilted Boston upbringing, and she reveled in the relaxed differences. Would it be so bad to have these wonderful people as impending family, even if hers and Zack’s engagement was only one of convenience?
    Suzanne raised her head and met Zack’s gaze. She smiled at him and nodded, his return smile telling her he understood that she’d decided in favor of his proposed agreement.
    However, before either she or Zack could raise the subject of their intended ruse, Jake motioned toward where Suzanne and Zack sat and said, “Now that we’ve got dinner out of the way, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask the both of you. There’s a rumor going around town the two of you are courting.”
    Suzanne could have sworn she saw both Felicity and Miri stifle an outright laugh behind their hands. Virginia, on the other hand, seemed incredibly interested in Zack’s answer.
    “We intended to tell you this evening,” Zack said.
    “It’s not what you think,” Suzanne added, quickly wanting to stifle any misconception.
    “It’s not?” Matt asked.
    Zack sighed deeply and then turned to face Virginia. Obviously, Suzanne realized, it was his aunt’s approval he sought the most.
    “Both Suzanne and I are being hounded by unwanted suitors. I can barely leave my office without tripping over some young woman bringing me cookies or wanting to mend my socks.”
    “Mend your socks?” Miri said in what Suzanne suspected was honest disbelief.
    “What can I say, cher ? They’re desperate. I had no idea there were so many unattached females in this small town.”
    “It’s the same for me,” Suzanne added. “I had a man actually walk into the exam room during a consultation with a pregnant woman just to bring me a hand carved gift.”
    “In order to avoid all these unwanted entanglements,” Zack explained, “Suzanne and I have come to an agreement.”
    “An agreement?” Virginia repeated in question, her frown not boding well for their plan.
    “We’ve decided to court. Not truly, of course,” Suzanne explained, “just for appearances. Then, after an acceptable time, we’ll announce our engagement. We both feel certain, once our ruse is in place, neither of us will have to worry about unwanted advances.”
    Felicity and Miri shared yet another glance among themselves and, for a second time, Suzanne noticed that her two friends were fighting back the urge to laugh.
    Over coffee in the parlor, both Zack and Suzanne took turns laying out the plan for their agreement, fending question after question from the ladies and outright bewilderment from both Jake and Matt.
    When Matt went upstairs to tend to little Molly, Zack stood and drew Suzanne to her feet. “We’d