Emma waved that away. “I know you have. It’s in the past.” She rubbed her small hands together. “Now, this is what I propose.” She inclined her chin to Tate, Brody, and their entourage of women. “From what I gather, you wouldn’t mind teaching those two a lesson.”
Cally shrugged as Kaimbrey nodded vigorously. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I’ll give you each a million dollars if you get a marriage proposal out of one of those boys by the night of Colt and Brikelle’s wedding.”
Cally’s jaw dropped open, and her stomach filled with acid. She gaped at Emma then turned to stare at Tate. His gaze was trained on her as if he knew she was thinking about him and the other women around him didn’t matter at all. The pit in her stomach seemed to seal off and swirl with delicious heat. A proposal? From Tate Jepson? She’d always thought the woman who married Tate would be insanely lucky; he was thoughtful, smart, and fun, but they weren’t even friends anymore. A few minutes ago, he’d been ruder to her than she ever thought Tate could be to anyone. She despised him, and he’d said likewise, right?
“You’re a crazy, old white chick,” Kaimbrey exploded. “I don’t want your filthy lucre.”
Emma simply smiled, not appearing offended at all. “I am … an eccentric, old woman who likes to have fun, and I think you do want my money.” Emma tilted her head. “I know your parents, remember? Jamison and Mary?”
Kaimbrey nodded; her dark eyes suddenly uneasy. It made Cally wonder if she and Kaimbrey had more in common than she’d thought.
“And I know you recently achieved your degree in social work, but no one will back up your idea to start a halfway house in Ogden for homeless families, single parents, and vets struggling to get back on their feet. You plan to expect the people to help around the house and yard to earn their keep and have employment and education specialists on staff to help them become self-sufficient.”
Kaimbrey’s eyes widened. “How did you know about that?”
“Word gets around when somebody’s trying to get a million dollars in private funding, but the people who should be helping her aren’t. Maybe those people are even asking their friends not to help.”
Kaimbrey gasped. “They wouldn’t!”
She gave Kaimbrey a significant look before turning to Cally. “And you, my dear. I know you gave up many wonderful opportunities in Chicago to come back to Utah with the promise of all kinds of work from that snake of an uncle, who turned out to be just as selfish as his sister. But I’ve blackballed the man from construction work in Utah.”
Cally nodded. Emma didn’t beat around the bush. She’d trusted Uncle Josh, but he’d turned out to be more like her mother than she’d foreseen.
“I don’t think you want to go back to Chicago. It’s a hard life and too cold, right?”
Cally didn’t know what else to do, so she simply nodded. She didn’t want to go back, and though her recent boss was a good guy, he had been upset about her leaving. He’d probably welcome her back, but she’d been itching for a change. She’d loved Chicago, it was a beautiful and active city, yet her interior design career had been cutthroat and worse than cold. Maybe Emma was referring to the weather, but Cally shivered thinking about the people she’d trusted who had stabbed her in the back, and the numerous men who’d propositioned her before they would give her more lucrative work or inside jobs. She’d said no every time but still been able to be successful. She’d saved enough money to build a name for herself here. Now she had to start at the bottom and work her way up. She’d assumed she’d have her perfect job working with Uncle Josh and could immediately start her charity. It appeared her dreams of helping others wouldn’t be happening anytime soon.
“A million dollars would be a great start to that charity I’ve heard you want to do.” Emma smiled knowingly, and Cally wondered if she was a mind reader. “Remodeling or building homes for those who have been through rough times without all the pomp of an Instagram account or YouTube channel to brag on.” She smiled. “I love it. I originally thought about working with both of you and your charity ideas, but …” Her grin became positively wicked. “I like this idea better. I’m pretty insightful about my challenges. Ask Colt and Bri about it sometime.”
Cally’s eyes narrowed suspiciously at that. Emma was behind Colt and Brikelle being together? She reminded herself for the hundredth time that she and Colt were over, and it didn’t matter how Colt and Brikelle got together. They would soon be married, and Cally had no relationship with Colt anymore.
Her mind swung to Emma’s suggestion. A million dollars? To get Tate Jepson to propose? Cally’s palms were sweaty, but she wouldn’t dare wipe them on this dress.
“All we have to do is get the proposal?” Kaimbrey asked. “You’re not propositioning us into marrying the losers, correct?”
Cally thought they were good questions, and she was glad Kaimbrey had asked. She was a bit muddy in the head right now.
“That’s the best part.” Emma’s blue eyes glinted mischievously. “You’ll dump him right after he proposes and be able to get him back for the way he treated you tonight. Of course, you can’t tell him about the challenge or it becomes null and void.” She wrapped her thin arm around Cally’s waist and squeezed. “What do you think?”
Cally cast another glance at Tate. He was focused on the petite brunette in front of him. “I think it’s perfect.” She looked to Kaimbrey.
The beautiful girl grinned. “We’ve got nothing to lose, right?”
Cally nodded as Emma laughed. She caught Tate’s gaze on her again and the summer evening was suddenly sweltering. Nothing to lose indeed.
Keep Reading here.
Also by Cami Checketts
Jepson Brothers Romance
How to Design Love
How to Switch a Groom
How to Lose a Fiance
Steele Family Romance
Her Dream Date Boss
The Stranded Patriot
The Committed Warrior
Extreme Devotion
Billionaire Boss Romance
Her Dream Date Boss
Her Prince Charming Boss
Georgia Patriots Romance
The Loyal Patriot
The Gentle Patriot
The Stranded Patriot
Quinn Family Romance
The Devoted Groom
The Conflicted Warrior
The Gentle Patriot
The Tough Warrior
Her Too-Perfect Boss
Her Forbidden Bodyguard
Hawk Brothers Romance
The Determined Groom
The Stealth Warrior
Her Billionaire Boss Fake Fiance
Risking it All
Navy Seal Romance
The Protective Warrior
The Captivating Warrior
The Stealth Warrior
The Tough Warrior
Texas Titan Romance
The Fearless Groom
The Trustworthy Groom
The Beastly Groom
The Irresistible Groom
The Determined Groom
Billionaire Beach Romance
Caribbean Rescue
Cozumel Escape
Cancun Getaway
Trusting the Billionaire
How to Kiss a Billionaire
Onboard for Love
Shadows in the Curtain
Billionaire Bride Pact Romance
The Resilient One
The Feisty One
The Independent One
The Protective One
The Faithful One
The Daring One
Park City Firefighter Romance
Rescued by Love
Reluctant Rescue
Stone Cold Sparks
Snowed-In for Christmas
Echo Ridge Romance
Christmas Makeover
Last of the Gentlemen
My Best Man’s Wedding
Change of Plans
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p; Counterfeit Date
Snow Valley
Full Court Devotion: Christmas in Snow Valley
A Touch of Love: Summer in Snow Valley
Running from the Cowboy: Spring in Snow Valley
Light in Your Eyes: Winter in Snow Valley
Fighting for Love: Return to Snow Valley
Other Books by Cami
Seeking Mr. Debonair: Jane Austen Pact
Seeking Mr. Dependable: Jane Austen Pact
Saving Sycamore Bay
Oh, Come On, Be Faithful
Protect This
Blog This
Redeem This
The Broken Path
Dead Running
Dying to Run
Fourth of July
Love & Loss
Love & Lies
Cami’s Collections
Steele Family Collection
Hawk Brothers Collection
Quinn Family Collection
Cami’s Military Collection
Billionaire Beach Romance Collection
Billionaire Bride Pact Collection
Billionaire Romance Sampler
Echo Ridge Romance Collection
Texas Titans Romance Collection
Snow Valley Collection
Christmas Romance Collection