Chapter Six “Are you asking me to marry you!” Hayley stared at Jules, his words ringing through her head. The only way to convince Carolyn that I'm not available, is if I'm already married — to you. She sat there with her eyes wide, clutching the arms of the chair. She could no longer hear the sound of the fire crackling, or even see the light of the flames. But she did feel very warm, and she was certain it wasn't the fire that was causing that! To make matters worse, Jules started to smile, a smile that would melt any woman's heart — if Hayley wasn't already in such a state of shock. “No,” he said, and she felt herself relax slightly, and the breath course back into her lungs again. Then he continued. “I'm asking you to pretend that you already are married to me.” “Oh!” Hayley fell back in her chair and tried to calm her beating heart. Oh, of course! That was so very simple. The man caused her heart palpitations at the mere sight of him, and it took all the composure she could muster to make herself work efficiently around him, and all they had to do was pretend to be married. No big deal! “You think that will work? She wouldn't seek revenge or something would she?” Jules frowned. “I think it's my only shot. I don't think she would do anything to harm you, if that's what you're thinking. But if she tried, she'd have to get through me first!” Hayley gasped. She hadn't given any thought to the fact that Carolyn might do anything to her in revenge. She had been concerned about Jules, about the lodge. The fact that Jules had thought only of Hayley’s protection brought a warmth to her heart, and she blushed, and turned to look at the fire. “Oh,” she said again, for lack of anything else to say. Then she shifted in her chair and took a deep breath. “So, what all would be involved in this — pretending?” “For all intents and purposes, we would have to appear to be a married couple anywhere where Carolyn or her parents might see us. And I might as well warn you, Hayley, if I'm going to pretend to be married, I'm going to pretend to be happily married. I don't want Carolyn thinking there is any chance of coming between us, because believe me, she won’t be deterred that easily. If she thinks there is any way of breaking us up and collecting the spoils, she will try. Public shows of affection will be expected. Marty and Anna, of course, will know the truth, but no one else.” “I see,” Hayley said, thoughtfully. That would mean smiling at each other sweetly, and using loving little nicknames. Worse than that, it would mean hugs and kisses in public! She frowned, then looked around the lodge. If Carolyn Shellington really could do anything to make her father take actions that would take this beautiful place from Jules; if Hayley could do anything to help him keep it, shouldn’t she help? “And it would stay here at the lodge, right? I mean, we wouldn’t have to play this game in front of other people would we? That would mean either a lot of other people would have to be given the heads up, or you’d have a lot of explaining to do later.” “Just here at the lodge,” Jules assured her. “There should be no need for us to ever go anywhere else while the Shellington’s are here.” Hayley sat in deep thought for a while longer. “And at night?” she said, trembling a little at the question she was asking. But she needed to know where they stood on the subject. The lodge had five guest bedrooms, plus the one she was using and the one Jules used. Marty and Anna stayed in their own cabin behind the main building. It wasn't exactly a huge hotel where they could slip into their separate rooms and no one would know the difference. What if one of their guests came out of their room when Hayley was going into her own? What if they saw that the happily married couple slept in separate bedrooms? What if they all went up to bed at the same time, how could they explain each entering a different room? Jules frowned. “I am a man of honour, Hayley. We will need to let them think we share a bed, of course, but no one needs to see beyond the bedroom door. In order not to rise suspicion, we will of course have to appear to both be sleeping in the master bedroom. I'll bring a spare cot in, and for the three weeks the Shellingtons are with us, I will sleep in that. I promise you that I will be a complete gentleman.” Hayley nodded, but the thought of sleeping in the same room as Jules; having to go to sleep while listening to his breathing in the darkness, was a little unnerving. Still, she wanted to help, and surely three weeks of pretending to be Mrs. Jules Landon wouldn't be all that bad? Besides, maybe by then she would have gotten over this silly little crush she had for him. “Alright,” she said quietly. Jules sat staring into the fire as the orange flames licked the logs in the fireplace and shot upwards like feathers. After a long silence, he turned to face her, his expression one of surprise. “What did you say?” “I said I'll do it,” Hayley replied, sitting straight in her chair and folding her hands one on top of the other on her lap. To her surprise, Jules stood and crossed the distance between them, dropping to one knee and taking her hands in his. He looked at her like a boy who had just received the Christmas gift he had never thought he would be able to get. “Hayley, I don't know how to explain to you just how much this means to me. The lodge is the most important thing in my life! You won't regret it, I promise. “ For a few seconds she felt silly as he knelt there holding her hand in his. It almost looked like the pose for an old fashioned proposal, but for the effect his touch was having on her. The last time he had touched her hand like this was when he had told Sidney she needed warm mitts. The effect he was creating this time was much more intense than it had been then, and for a moment she wondered if she had made a big mistake agreeing to pretend to be his wife! Three days later, the plan was put to the test. Jules had informed Marty and Anna of the whole thing, and both had agreed to keep their secret. It seemed Carolyn Shellington had no friends at all at the GreyWolf Lodge! Marty seemed absolutely thrilled to be taking part in such a wicked scheme as this! And so, Jules headed off to Whitehorse in the plane, leaving Hayley in Marty’s capable hands, armed with a bare Christmas tree and several boxes of decorations. Although Jules wished he would be seeing Carolyn again for the first time with Hayley at his side, there wasn't room in his plane for her. Considering the amount of luggage he expected Hector and Dolores, and especially Carolyn, to bring with them, the small fifth seat area would have to be used for cargo. He would have to wait until they arrived back at the lodge to introduce his new ‘wife’ to his guests, but he certainly wasn’t going to keep it a surprise until then. He had no intention of enduring any of Carolyn’s advances for even half an hour. The sooner she knew he was out of the running, the better!. “GreyWolf!” Jules recognized Hector’s voice even before he saw the man coming towards him through the terminal of the airport in Whitehorse. Hector was a round, balding man, who didn't really look the part of one of the wealthiest men in Arizona, except that he dressed well, and always expected the best. That in itself was a compliment, Jules allowed himself to think, since obviously by choosing to stay at the GreyWolf, Hector was christening the lodge as the best. That’s why I have to protect it, he reminded himself. That’s why I can’t let Carolyn get any chance to do anything that might make Hector cause any problems for the lodge. That’s why, for the next three weeks, Hayley and I have to be man and wife. Dolores Shellington followed just a few steps behind her husband. With her blonde hair and fur coat, she was the picture of a rich executive's wife. When they came up beside him, Hector took Jules by the hand and shook it vigorously, greeting him with a big smile, while Dolores offered her fingers for a dainty lift. Jules welcomed them both, asked how their flight had been, then looked cautiously over their heads, before striking up a conversation. Jules smiled and patted his guest on the arm. “Welcome back Hector, it’s always good to see you!” Hector laughed. “No doubt, considering the rate you charge us to stay at your quaint little lodge!” Jules smiled. “Nonsense, I always enjoy your company, Hector.” “Oh, just teasing, my boy, just teasing. I wouldn’t dream of staying anywhere else when I come up here anyway. I know the best when I see it! You and Winny have always made us feel right at home, you know that.” Then Hector raised his brow, and Jules could just feel the opportunity approaching. “I hear you’ve lost old Winny to retirement though? How will you ever run the lodge without her?” Jules smiled, glancing at Dolores, then behind them for any sign of Carolyn. This was as good a time as any, he thought. “Winny is a hard woman to replace, I have to agree with you there, Hector, but I think I’ve done one better.” He beamed at his guests. “It’s become a family business. My wife is helping me run the lodge now.” “Your wife!?” It was Dolores who was commenting, her face alight with a bright smile as she wrapped her arms around him in a congratulatory hug. “Why, Jules, you devil you! When did you get married?” Hector looked at Jules in anticipation, awaiting the reply to this question. “A couple of months ago, Dolores.” Jules said, a convincing smile on his face. “It was one of the reasons I wasn't too concerned about losing Winny when she retired. Hayley's doing a wonderful job helping me run the lodge now, and I'm very proud of her.” “Ahh!” Hector said, as recognition dawned on him. “So that gem of a woman I spoke to on the phone is your darling bride, then? You should be proud, GreyWolf.” “Where is she? I can't wait to meet her!” Dolores said, looking around the airport to see if she could find the mystery bride. “You will soon, Dolores. You will soon. She's waiting back at the lodge to welcome us. As soon as Carolyn comes along we’ll be on our way. What’s keeping her anyway?” He looked over their heads, scanning the crowd, but there was no sign of their daughter. Dolores rolled her eyes, and Hector shook his head. “I’m sorry, Jules. With your wonderful news, I completely forgot to tell you about our stubborn daughter. She didn't take the flight with us. She had a pressing engagement that she said she just could not miss. I told her I couldn’t bear to think of her spending Christmas alone, but she insisted she will be just fine. She will be joining us after Christmas, and will spend New Years Eve with us. You won't mind flying out to pick her up, I hope?” “Not at all,” Jules said, with a bright smile. It almost felt like a let down that Carolyn would not be there for the first week to witness his plan in action, although deep inside he was thinking how glad he would be if the girl didn't even show up at all. But she was coming, and even though she wasn't with them yet, her parents would have to be convinced right from the beginning of their visit that he and Hayley were married, or Carolyn would never believe it was true. “Anything for you and your Carolyn, Hector,” he said, putting on his best host smile. At least they would have a week to practice around the parents, before the daughter arrived for the command performance! Hayley didn't disappoint him. When Jules and their guests stepped into the lodge out of the cold, Hayley was there to meet them, with a smile and a warm greeting. And, although he noticed a hint of a blush on her cheeks and a look in her eyes that told him she was nervous, she lifted onto her toes to give Jules a kiss on the cheek to welcome him home. Slipping his arm possessively around her shoulders he beamed at their guests. “Our guests have arrived, Little One. Hector, Dolores, this is my bride, Hayley,” he said, drawing her closer to him and giving her shoulder a squeeze. “I'm pleased to meet you,” Hayley said, offering her hand to the couple, then she cast a questioning glance towards Jules. “And where is Carolyn?” Once again, Dolores rolled her eyes. “She won't be joining us 'til next week,” she said, allowing just the right amount of disdain to enter her voice. “We tried to convince her to join us, but she insisted that she couldn’t, though Lord only know why. She’ll be joining us right after Christmas though! I'm sure she will be thrilled to meet you.” Hector was still holding the hand Hayley had offered him, while his wife talked. He smiled brightly at her, while he seemed to be looking her over thoroughly. “She sure is a pretty one, GreyWolf.” Hector said, letting go of her hand at last. Hayley blushed at the compliment, but smiled politely and looked up at Jules. This was the second time she had heard Hector refer to him by the name GreyWolf. Could it be that the lodge was named after him in some way? She must remember to take the first opportunity to ask him about it. But for now, Jules was leading them into the fireside room, and Hayley watched breathlessly as she awaited his reaction. At the look on his face she smiled like a child, and he drew her even closer to him. “Well, Little One, you have been busy! Friends, my lovely wife has outdone herself with the decorating while I’ve been gone. I’ve never seen the place looking so festive!” With that, he bent his head and planted a very husbandly kiss on her lips, lifting his head only inches afterwards to smile down at her and wink! “I’m glad you like it,” she said, because she really was glad, then she cleared her throat and fluttered her eyes away from his, because he hadn’t relinquished hold on hers yet. “Shall I get refreshments for everyone? I imagine a warm drink is just what you need,” she suggested, feeling the need to put some distance between her and Jules. “Coffee? Tea? Or hot chocolate perhaps? Or something else if you wish?” “I'll have a brandy,” Hector announced, as if he never drank anything else, while Dolores asked for tea. Hayley glanced at Jules. She wasn't even sure if there was any alcohol in the lodge. She had never seen any. Jules nodded at her silently and gave her a reassuring smile, reminding her that he was by her side in this adventure. “I'll take care of Hector's brandy, Little One, while you get Dolores her tea.” Jules suggested, and Hayley nodded. When she returned with Dolores’ tea, Hector looked like he had settled in, seeming quite happy to sit in the arm chair by the fire and not move an inch 'til it was time to go to bed. His wife, on the other hand, was admiring the decorations, and had just at that moment discovered the mistletoe that Hayley had purposely not hung up anywhere. "You mustn’t forget to hang this up!” Dolores said, and Hayley turned to look at her. The woman was smiling brightly as she looked around the room. The living room had a cathedral ceiling, so there was nowhere to hang it from there, and Dolores decided it wasn't a good idea to hang it near the front door. Too much congestion would be created by the lovers kissing under it all the time, she told Hayley, who tried not to blush as Jules’ eyes turned immediately towards her. At last, Dolores walked over to the dining room and hung the sprig in that doorway, then stepped back and admired it. "There! That should be a good place! Everyone has to walk through that door sooner or later." She looked at Hayley with a wink, and Hayley avoided eye contact with Jules while she made a mental note to remember to remove the mistletoe later when Dolores wasn't looking. There was no need to get caught underneath it. That would just cause complications! He’d already kissed her once too many! Dolores took a chair and picked up her teacup, looking quite pleased with herself, and Jules patted the sofa beside where he was sitting, and smiled up at Hayley. “Have a seat, Little One, I missed you today.” Hayley blushed and glanced quickly towards their guests, then back at Jules' bright smile. She almost wanted to tell him not to pour it on too thick, but remembering the game they were playing, she slipped into place beneath the arm he was resting across the back of the sofa. As soon as she had sat down, he affectionately drew her closer and began to stroke his fingers through her hair while he turned his attention back to their guests. Deciding her voice would be too shaky if she spoke, Hayley curled her feet up onto the sofa and prepared to listen to the conversation instead of taking part. As his fingers toyed with her hair again and again, her heart was beating more rapidly than she had ever known it could, but she kept reminding herself that this was just a game. “Tired, Little One?” Jules asked, leaning over to kiss the top of her head and coaxing her to rest her head against his shoulder. “Rest for a bit while Hector and I catch up on old times until Anna has dinner ready for us.” The bedroom Hayley would share with Jules for the next three weeks looked much the same as the one she had been sleeping in since her arrival. The rooms all boasted beautiful golden pine walls, and beamed ceilings, and even the beds were build from logs. There were reminders everywhere she looked, however, that this was not her regular room. This was Jules' bedroom. From the masculine bedspread on the bed, to the dream catcher hanging in the window, its delicate webbing dotted with bone coloured beads here and there, and decorated with downy feathers hanging from rawhide cords beneath it. Before Jules had flown out to Whitehorse to pick up the Shellington’s, he and Marty had brought in the Christmas tree and then carried a cot into this bedroom, as promised. Marty had been in his glory chattering about how the boss was going to fool Miss Carolyn, and he was going to do anything he could to help that along. The cot had been set up along the wall behind the door, so it would not be noticeable from the doorway. Now that the first evening with their guests was over, Hayley ran her brush through her long hair while preparing for bed, and tried not to look at that cot. It was just a reminder that she and Jules would be sleeping in the same bedroom for the next three weeks. Not only that, but, while he slept in the little cot, she would be sleeping in his bed, where he had slept every night before this! Where, if she really were his wife, they would have been sleeping together! Jules tapped lightly on the door and slipped into the room, smiling at her. “You made quite the impression on them, Little One,” he said. He deliberately avoided the bed and sat down on the cot, bending to untie his shoes. Hayley could see him in the mirror as she brushed her hair. He had removed his shirt before he sat down, revealing a white T-shirt that stretched across his muscular chest. Hayley drew her eyes quickly away and struggled to think of something to say. “Jules, why does Hector call you GreyWolf?” She might as well ask him now, she thought. It would be better than not talking at all. He didn't immediately answer. In fact, she wasn't sure he had even heard her, until he straightened up and rested his arms on his knees. “Because it's my name,” he said, and she stopped brushing and looked at him in the mirror. “Your name? Not just the lodge?” she asked, the surprise showing in her face. “My name,” he nodded. “ My father named me Jules, after his grandfather, but my mother called me by the Algonquian name Mingan, which means Grey Wolf.” “So you gave the lodge your own name.” He shrugged. “It seemed like a good choice. I wanted to honour my mother in some way.” He stood up and walked over to her, looking at her from behind, in the mirror. Slowly he took both hands and slid his fingers along her hair on both sides, til he eventually reached the bottom. “It doesn't matter what culture a person stems from, we all deserve a name of our peoples, even if we live every day with another name, don’t you think?” “I don't have one,” she said, her voice soft, for his fingers still gently held her hair and she was afraid that if she spoke too loud he would hear the shake in her voice that his nearness caused. He smiled at her in the mirror and lifted his hands to slide down through her hair once again. “Sure you do,” he said, confidently as his smile grew, and when she looked at him in confusion, he continued. “I've given you one.” “You have?” she raise a brow in surprise and turned to face him in person instead of through the mirror. He nodded. “I have. As my wife, you require one, don’t you think?” His gaze was playful, and Hayley blushed. “Jules, I’m not really your wife, remember,” she said, trying to keep the shakiness from her voice and sound playful like he had. He looked at her in silence for a long time, then lifted his eyes and looked into the mirror behind her. “Believe me, I haven’t forgotten that,” he said, then he brought his eyes back to her face. For a few uncomfortable minutes they stood in silence, then Hayley broke the trance and lowered her eyes, swallowing hard. “So, Jules. What is this name you have given me?” she asked, trying to sound light and effortless, as if the closeness, and the look in his eyes, hadn’t made her feel weak in the knees! “Ayasha,” he said, and she looked up at him curiously. “That’s pretty. And what does it mean?” she asked, when he seemed not to be going to offer anything further. He beamed down at her, as if he was the keeper of a secret, and she wondered if he was ever going to tell her. Then he stroked the palm of one hand gently over her hair. “It means, Little One, of course,” he said, then his eyes locked with hers. All was silent for what seemed like forever until his smile disappeared and he dragged his eyes from hers. Dropping his hands to his sides, he turned away. “Good night, Hayley.” he said, the softness gone from his voice and replaced with a tension instead. Hayley swallowed hard and watched as the large man climbed under the blankets on the small cot. It was an arrangement that he had insisted on, and silently Hayley wished is was her in the cot and him in his own bed. Not only would she fit better, but she wouldn’t have to spend the night pushing thoughts from her mind of him in that bed!. “Good night, Jules,” she said softly, then slipped into his big bed, pulled the blankets up to her chin, and rolled over. Sleep, however, would be a long time coming.
