Undercover Engagement Read Online Free PDF Page A

computer engineering?”
    “Yes.”
    I hesitated. The next question was soooo superficial. I had to know. “What about the money? Are you really rich?”
    Jason’s smile disappeared. “Does it matter? I mean, if I said I’m as poor as a college student would it matter to you?”
    Um, did it? If I had met and fallen in love with another man, a man like my dad who worked hard to raise specialty feeds for farmers, a man who drove dusty pickup trucks and preferred roast and potatoes for Sunday dinner, would I care that we honeymooned in Park City instead of Europe or drove a minivan instead of a Viper? If all I got out of this whole thing was Jason, without the gorgeous suites and fancy restaurants, would I still want him?
    Heck-to-the-ya I would.
    And that was the biggest problem. I would have lived in a cardboard box if it meant a life with Jason, but what kind of life could we have if he was constantly in danger and dragging me right along with him? I had to keep my wits about me and think of this as I would any other high-profile transaction. After all, it wasn't just my life I was trading here, it was my heart.
    “It only matters in reference to your character. I mean, I understand you had to play a part.”
    “The money is a perk. From my first assignment, I was given a huge expense account to play the wealthy child card. I got free investment information from the top money minds all over the world and I took their advice with my own money. It started out small, but grew with hardly any effort.”
    “Turn right, then at the bottom of the hill, take a left,” I instructed, as we drew closer to my parents’ house. He did and the ranch came into view. My dad was out on the riding lawn mower taming the half-acre of lawn. The day his last boy moved out, Dad gave away the push mower. He loves his horse power.
    My stomach did a little flip when Jason turned up the tree-lined drive. This was a huge step for me. The only other guy I’d brought home had run screaming when Dad started cleaning his guns. Really, it’s the oldest father-move in the book and the guy whimpered home. I glanced at the hiding spot where Jason had tucked a handgun earlier that day. At least he won’t be scared off by the arsenal in the basement; he might actually appreciate it.
    The lawn mower sputtered off.
    “Time for a tune-up, Dad!” I called across the lawn.
    He dismounted the mower a little slower than I remembered him moving. “What’s all this?” he asked as he wrapped me in a wonderful fatherly hug. I held on an extra moment, savoring the safety every little girl finds in her father’s arms. Holding back a sudden desire to cry, I smiled up at his weathered cheeks.
    “Dad, this is Jason Butler. Jason this is my father, Hank Eastman.”
    Dad raised his eyebrows and I gave a quick nod. They shook hands like two wrestlers about to square off, smiling with ease while they tried to crush the other’s fingers. Good. Things were going just like I'd planned.
    “How long are you two stickin’ around?” Dad kept Jason in his cat-like stare.
    “Just overnight, if you’ll have us.” I jumped in before Jason could answer.
    Dad wrapped his arm around my shoulder and turned me toward the house. “Let’s go find your mother. She won’t want to miss a minute with you. Bring the bags, will you Jared?”
    “Jason,” I hissed at Dad.
    “Oh, Jason.” Dad smiled down at me like he hadn’t done it on purpose. I glanced over my shoulder to see Jason moving the passenger seat to get to our bags. He didn’t look comfortable. It wasn't kind of me, but I let him squirm – this was his plan B after all.
    “Alyssa!” My mom wrapped me in her soft embrace. She complained about her extra twenty pounds, but I loved how it took the boney out of her hugs.
    “Surprise!”
    “She brought a boy,” Dad monotoned. Boy, he didn’t waste any time.
    “What?” Mom’s face lit up. She pulled back from the hug and gasped. I felt her check my ring