Lying Love (Lazy Love Book 3) Read online

  “Leave the catering to me. I’ll have a taco buffet like you’ve never dreamed of. And yes, there will be some sort of chocolate taco for dessert.”

  “Thank you, Mother.”

  “And you’ll come for Thanksgiving? To thank me for the favor?”

  Amber closed her eyes. She should have known there would be a catch. “Yes, we’ll be there for Thanksgiving. You’re going to love Nicki.”

  “Of course I will.”

  “I’ll see you Saturday, Mother.”

  “I’ll call if I have any questions before then.”

  Amber ended the call and leaned back on the couch, closing her eyes. What have I done?

  Amber was dragging the next morning, but she had a couple cups of coffee to get her started, and she was on her way. She met Tony on her way to wardrobe and smiled in greeting. “How long did the party at Valerie’s last?”

  He groaned. “I didn’t get back to my trailer until eleven, which is plenty early if you’re not getting up at a ridiculous hour.” Rubbing his eyes, he glanced at her. “I’m glad we get to work together. I’m a huge fan of yours.”

  Amber smiled. “Oh, thanks. I love acting, and I’m blessed to have been cast on this show. It’s changed my life.”

  “I can’t believe you got engaged yesterday. I had all these dreams of coming here and sweeping you off your feet. I wanted to pull a Jesse and Valerie.”

  She shook her head. “Not a chance. I’ve been in love with John for ten years.”

  “Since you were twelve? Really? And he didn’t have a ring when he proposed?”

  “You’re really obsessed with my ring.” She opened the door to the main ranch house, where most of the scenes took place, and headed into wardrobe. “Did anyone give you a tour last night?”

  He shook his head. “No, I feel like I know the house, though.”

  “You know the parts the audience gets to see. Wardrobe is through here.” There was a cook’s room just off the kitchen, and they’d transformed it into the wardrobe, make-up, and hair room. The actual altering was done in a trailer outside the house, but that’s where the actors dealt with wardrobe.

  Amber spotted the make-up artist, Jennifer. “Hey, you. This is Tony. He’s going to be playing my new love interest on the show.”

  Jennifer, who was young and single, smiled at him. “Well, hello there. Let’s see if I can make you look all hurt and stuff so Amber can find you in need of her nursing attentions.”

  Tony sat down while Jennifer went to work on his face. Amber watched for a moment, before turning to Brittany, the girl in charge of hair.

  Brittany cast an interested look at Tony before looking down at Amber. “Let’s get your hair done. Do you want down or up?”

  Amber shrugged. “I trust you. I’ll be riding this morning, and while I’d like my hair out of my face, it would probably look good with it streaming out behind my back.”

  Brittany considered for a moment. “I think you’re right. I’m going for the windswept look. Are they going to start filming with you saddling up or already riding?”

  Amber raised her hands to indicate she didn’t know. “It just mentions me riding.”

  “Then I’ll do a beautiful hair down look and we’ll hope it falls into place as you ride.”

  “You know best!”

  While Brittany was messing with her hair, Amber called over to Sandy, the older woman who was in charge of wardrobe. “Can I use the dress Jo wore for her wedding to Dylan on Saturday?”

  Sandy looked at her with wide eyes. “You’re getting married?”

  Amber smiled at the sweet woman. “I am. Wanna come? It’s in Jupiter at two on Saturday afternoon.”

  Sandy nodded emphatically. “I’m not flying out til Sunday. I wanted an extra day here to take more seams out for Valerie. She’s getting big fast.”

  “She’s pregnant. I think the baby is supposed to grow!”

  “It is. It’s just lots of work if I don’t want to buy all new clothes for her. I’ve had to do a lot of that, but now I’m altering more than I’d like.” Sandy glared at Amber. “I hope you’re not planning on a baby straight off. That’s the last thing I need to contend with!”

  Amber just stared at Sandy for a moment. She was on birth control to help regulate her cycle, so it shouldn’t be a big deal, but she needed to at least have a quick discussion with John about it. He might want a baby right away. “We haven’t discussed it yet. I kind of like the idea of having a baby soon, though.”

  Sandy groaned. “At least wait until after Valerie has hers. Both of you pregnant at the same time would kill me.”

  “It’s bad enough that May and Valerie are both pregnant. They’ve both got tacos on the brain. Oh, that reminds me, we’re having tacos at my reception.”

  Sandy laughed. “Of course you are.”

  Jennifer turned from the cut she was making on Tony’s face. “We’re all invited, right?”

  Amber grinned. “Of course! If I have to have a wedding, everyone I love is going to be there.” They could all serve as a buffer between her and her mother.

  Jennifer grinned. “I was thinking about flying home on Friday evening, but I think I’ll stick around.” She looked down at Tony. “Will you stay all weekend?”

  “Yeah, I’m trying to get to know the area.”

  “Well, do you want to ride over to the wedding together?” she asked. Amber hid a grin. It was obvious Jennifer was very interested in the new actor.

  “We can if you want. I don’t have a car here yet, so I’ll need to ride with someone.”

  The first scene with her and Tony was definitely interesting. She found him hurt in his car, where he’d plowed into a pasture she was riding through. When he woke after she’d called 911 and climbed into the car with him to see if he was still breathing, their eyes had met and held, and the scene had ended.

  “You’re beautiful, Amber,” he whispered after the director yelled cut.

  Amber hurried out of the car. The last thing she needed was for him to decide to make a play for her. She had no feelings for him. There was no spark at all. For her, it was all about John.

  When John came to the set later bringing her the ring he’d purchased, she thought about telling him about Tony, but she didn’t want to make too much out of what had happened.

  John led her into her trailer, with Nicki trailing behind. He got to one knee and held out the ring box. “Please be my wife.”

  Amber smiled, looking at the ring. It was a diamond, surrounded by small emeralds. “It’s beautiful.”

  “You like it?” he asked, obviously worried.

  “I love it. Thank you!” She thrust her left hand at him, so he could put the ring on it.

  “Do I get a ring?” Nicki asked.

  Amber smiled. “I hope you don’t get an engagement ring for a very long time. I need to have you as my little girl for a while first!”

  Nicki seemed to think about that for a moment. “That’s true.”

  John slipped the ring on her finger, and once it was on, he brought her hand to his lips, kissing it softly. “There’s nothing in life that would make me happier than you being my bride. Thank you.”

  Amber smiled, still wary, but ready to ride this rollercoaster wherever it would take her.

  “Do you guys want to have supper with me? I only have time for sandwiches, but it would be nice not to eat them alone.”

  John nodded. “That would be really nice.”

  Nicki scrambled to sit at the table while Amber jumped up to make three sandwiches. “I hope you don’t mind chips with it. I’d have actually cooked something, but I’ve been working all day.”

  “No one is criticizing you,” John said. “I’m just glad we can have a few minutes together today.”

  Amber smiled at him over her shoulder. “Me too. And tomorrow I’ll be free any time after eleven or so to go get the marriage license. We can have lunch together, or I can eat alone here.”

  “I’ll pick you up
, and we’ll go for lunch somewhere they have never heard of tacos.”

  Amber laughed. “We’ll definitely be going far from Texas then.”

  “I’m actually thinking we’ll need to go into Weatherford. Do you mind?”

  She shook her head. “It’ll be nice not to eat steak or Mexican for a change.”

  “I guess Wiggieville is pretty limited. Don’t you guys ever go anywhere else?”

  “Not often. If we leave Wiggieville, there’s more chance that people will be weird about us being there. Wiggieville people have grown used to having the actors around. I’ll have to wear a ball cap and sunglasses most likely.”

  “I didn’t think of that. We’re not going to have a lot of privacy, are we?”

  Amber shook her head. “I kind of gave up the right to my privacy by choosing such a public career. You’ll give it up by marrying me.” She put the sandwiches on the table in front of them, then moved to get water for them all. “It’s not too late to change your mind.”

  He sighed. “No, I’m not going to change my mind. It’ll just be a little harder than I’d realized.”

  “Life is hard. People who get that through their heads at a young age do better than people who don’t.”

  He grinned. “When did you get so full of wisdom?”

  “I guess it comes with the territory.” She sat down beside Nicki. “Do you like the sandwich?”

  Nicki nodded emphatically. “It’s good. I love turkey and cheese.”

  “They’re my favorite too. Someday I’ll make a grilled cheese for you. I’m a whiz at grilled cheese.”

  “Do you cook a lot?” John asked.

  Amber laughed. “I keep stuff for sandwiches and ready-made stuff I can nuke or throw into the oven here. That’s about the extent of my cooking ability. My mother didn’t exactly think it was necessary for me to learn the culinary arts.”

  He grinned at that. “Of course she didn’t. That’s not her type of thing at all, is it?”

  “I’m still not sure if my mother has ever stepped foot in a kitchen. Maybe once to yell at the help.” Amber shook her head. “If I ever start to act like her, will you promise to put me out of my misery?”

  “Did you call her?” he asked, taking her hand in his.

  “Yeah. I called her last night before I went to sleep. She’s going to be at the wedding, and she’s going to be in charge of the catering.”

  “What if we don’t like what she decides to serve?”

  She shrugs. “Doesn’t matter if we like it. Only matters if my two pregnant friends get their cravings taken care of. She promised to serve tacos and chocolate tacos for dessert. Being my mother, she thinks tacos are too ‘common’ for a wedding, so she’ll serve a variety of other things as well.” She looked at Nicki. “She’s looking forward to meeting you.”

  “Will she let me have one of the tacos?”

  Amber couldn’t help but laugh. “She’ll let you have all the tacos you want. That will mean less for her.” She looked at John. “I really think she was excited to have a job to do for the wedding.”

  “She probably was. I’m sure she hates the fact that you two are estranged as much as you do.”

  “I keep telling myself I don’t care at all, because I’m happier now than I was under her roof, but I don’t know if that’s true. I want to be at peace with her, but I don’t know if it’s even possible. Especially with how much she hated you when we were younger.”

  John nodded, taking another bite of his sandwich. “I can understand that. I wish I had an answer for you. I can sure forgive everything that’s happened in the past, depending on how she treats Nicki.”

  Amber nodded emphatically. “How she treats Nicki is the key for me in all of this. I don’t care if she lavishes her with toys, because I’ll probably do that. I just care that she’s kind to her.”

  Nicki perked up at the mention of toys. “Toys? What kind of toys?”

  Amber laughed. “What kind of toys do you like?”

  “Barbies! All kinds of Barbies. I want a Barbie camper, but Daddy said it’s too expensive. It has a water slide even!”

  “Well, I’ll talk to Daddy about it. Maybe he’ll let me get you one for Christmas or your birthday.” Amber knew Nicki’s birthday was in February, so it was still a way off.

  “I’d like that. Maybe he’ll listen to reason if you ask, because he loves you.”

  Amber bit her lip at the child’s words. “Do you think you’re capable of listening to reason if I ask?” she asked John.

  John shook his head. “Why do I suddenly feel like I’m being ganged up on by my daughter and my fiancé?”

  “Because you’re smarter than a lamppost?”

  “Every word you say wounds my heart…”

  “Aww, I bet you’ll survive.” There was a knock on her door. “Ugh. That means ten minutes ‘til I need to be in wardrobe. You guys finish eating. Lock the knob on your way out. I have my keys.” She kissed the top of Nicki’s head, and leaned down to kiss John. “See you tomorrow afternoon.”

  John watched as she rushed out of the trailer before he could even say goodbye. “I guess she needed to get back to work,” he said to Nicki.

  Nicki shrugged. “She said she did.”

  Chapter 8

  By Saturday morning, Amber was a bundle of nerves. She dressed inside John’s house, while he got ready for the wedding at a neighbor’s. She didn’t think she really believed that it was bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding, but there had been enough trouble between them that she wasn’t about to risk it.

  When she was ready, she looked down at Nicki who was being dressed by May and smiled. “You look beautiful!”

  Nicki preened, smoothing down her mint green dress. “I do, don’t I?”

  Amber laughed. “You do. And I have your flower girl basket ready for you.” She exchanged a glance with Valerie as she said it. She knew the girl would be disappointed that she wouldn’t have whole flowers to throw at people’s heads, but she just couldn’t let her get away with that.

  Nicki looked down and sighed. “Daddy said you wouldn’t let me throw flowers at people’s heads. I just get flower petals, huh?”

  Amber grinned. “Yeah, but that’s all you’re supposed to have. Flower girls never have whole flowers with them when they walk down the aisle.”

  “I guess.” Nicki shrugged. “I can still have fun throwing stuff at people. It just won’t fly quite as far.”

  “That’s the spirit!” May said, grinning at the girl. “You’re going to have lots of fun with the flower petals anyway. They smell so good!”

  Nicki buried her whole face in the basket, sniffing the flowers. “Yup. They smell good.”

  The door to the master bedroom, where they were all getting ready opened, and Amber looked up. “Mother. Come and meet my friends.”

  She saw Valerie grow still out of the corner of her eye, and she said a quick prayer that her friend would be able to hold her tongue. After being in an abusive relationship, Valerie didn’t allow anyone to mistreat another in her presence. Ever.

  She put her hand on Valerie’s arm. “This is my closest friend, Valerie Savoy. She plays my older sister on Lazy Love.”

  Her mother nodded. “You’re about the same size with similar coloring, so I suppose you look as if you could be sisters. It’s nice to meet you, Valerie.”

  “This is my friend, May Bodefeld. She’s married to Bob, who plays Bob on Lazy Love.”

  “Bob plays Bob? That’s ridiculous,” her mother said, shaking her head in disgust.

  Amber bit her lip to keep from laughing, knowing her mother wouldn’t approve of that at all.

  “It’s not ridiculous,” May countered. “Why, it’s downright bobilicious. Ask anyone!”

  “Bobilicious? You made that word up!”

  May nodded eagerly. “I did. Shakespeare made up a lot of words that are now common in the English language, and since I’m a writer as well, I get to make up words too.
I’m currently working on getting bobilicious into the dictionary. Isn’t that a great idea?”

  Amber could tell that May was trying to annoy her mother, which made it even harder not to laugh.

  “You’re a writer? What do you write? Have I ever heard of you?” Suddenly her mother didn’t seem nearly as disgusted with her friend.

  “I don’t know if you have. My pen name is Jolene Gold, and I write romantic comedies. Do you read romcoms, Mrs. Knight?”

  Amber swore she would see her mother roll her eyes through the back of her head, but she refused to laugh aloud. Instead, she exchanged a look with Valerie, who was also trying to keep from laughing.

  “Mother, this little bit of sunshine here is Nicki. She’s about to become my daughter.”

  Her mom sat down on the edge of the bed as if she were sitting on the queen’s throne, motioning the girl toward her. “You’re a pretty little girl. I hope your manners are just as pretty.”

  “I’m not pretty. I’m beautiful. Ask anyone!” Nicki threw one of her flower petals at Amber’s mother. “There. Maybe smelling that will make you happy.”

  Amber put her hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter. “Were you able to take care of my requests with the caterer?”

  “Yes, of course I was. You know I have connections where large events are concerned. There will be a variety of items, but there are four different kinds of tacos available, if we don’t include the dessert tacos made from chocolate.”

  May and Valerie turned on Amber. “Four kinds of tacos?” Valerie asked.

  “Plus dessert tacos?” May added. “I love you Amber Knight!”

  Amber grinned. “I couldn’t let the babies starve during my reception, could I?”

  Her mother continued to observe the people around her. “Your father is giving you away, isn’t he?” she asked Amber finally.

  “I hadn’t thought about it, but yes, I suppose he should.” Amber was looking forward to seeing her father. He’d never approved of John, but his overall attitude toward her had always been a great deal more positive than her mother’s.

  “Good. He’s waiting in the hallway to escort you. I suppose you’ll be living here after the wedding?”