Barbara Lawson's POV:

Christmas was going to be here soon. It was in five days. 

  I had finished my packing, but had he?  Did he have second thoughts about our arrangement?

   Was that it?  Was that why he had been avoiding me recently? I sure hoped not.

    I was glad the meeting with the investors had gone well. Also, he introduced me as his fiance. So far, so good.  Well, it was time to get ready to go see his family for the holidays. Christmas time was almost here.

    "Barbara, you ready?" the text read.

   "Yes, babe, are you?" I texted back.

"Almost, be there in fifteen minutes," was the text I received back.

      I put on a light jacket. I hoped the weather was not too cold. I had packed for that sort of thing in case it was. Now, I headed downstairs to await his arrival. Here goes nothing, I thought. It was time for Christmas and more with my boss and his family-correction with my fake fiance and his parents. 

     Why had I let him talk me into this again?

       I grabbed my wallet as I headed down, I almost forgot to pack it. I added it to the smaller bag which contained my passport, keys, and other small things. Now, I was all set.

      I heard the bell ring.  I opened it to see him standing there smirking at me.

   "Why hello, you," I said. "Hello, to you darling," He said. He kissed my hand.

    I blushed. I was not sure why I should have such a reaction as it was not the first time he had kissed my hand.  He helped me load my things into the car and we headed off. I was not sure how long it would take to get there.  Who cares?  It was an adventure unlike any I had ever had before.

     "We were on the road for a few hours now. How about we stop for something to eat," he said. "Sure thing, dear," I replied. He smiled as he pulled into the parking lot of a restaurant. We entered feeling somewhat overdressed. 

     As we were seated, a waiter approached, "What would you two like to drink?" 

      "The lady and I will have water," Jackson replied. I nodded my head in agreement.

         The waiter went to get our water while I looked over the menu. I settled on the small side salad and a cheeseburger. He ordered the same except for the salad, he got fries instead. "Fries are bad for you, you know," I said. "Is that a fact? Burgers are a bit fatting too," he teased.

      The meal was delicious. Afterward, he paid while I used the bathroom. We left as soon as I was done. The two of us headed on the journey to see his folks. "Now remember, my mom and stepfather have one poodle, Lou, and he hates it when you call him Louis." 

    "Lou, the poodle, got it," I said. I jotted down things I better remember for later. I sure hoped I could keep track of it all.  I rehearsed on the way there. "Your mother's name is Margarete, your stepfather is Kevin. Their poodle is Lou. They have a servant, a butler, named Lester. We met at a party and have been together for two years." 

   "Bravo, you got it, my girl," he said.  I was glad that I got it right. 

   Time skip!

  So many hours later, we arrived at their house. We entered and I was in awe. It was prettier than he had described it.

   "Kevin, Jackson is here, and he brought his woman with him," Margarete shouted.  "Hey, no sense in shouting Margarete, I am not deaf," Kevin said.

     The door opened and I smiled. "It is so good to meet you all, I am Barbara, Jackson, has told me such nice things about you," I gushed. "It is nice to meet you," Margarete said. "Would you like a bourbon," She asked. "I don't drink," I said. She smiled. She handed me a glass of milk. I shook my head. "She has to have lactose-free milk, I thought I told you Mother," Jackson scowled.

    "Lester, be a dear and show them to their room," Margarete said. I followed Lester upstairs with  Jackson not far behind me. I was glad that Lester had the luggage. It was a bit heavy. 

      I entered the room and smiled. It was a nice shade of blue. It had a beachy scene on the wall. It was rather exquisite, I might say. As we got settled in, I thanked Lester. He nodded and walked out. Jackson must have noticed my surprised look when I saw only one bed. "You can take the bed," he said. "Then, where will you sleep?" "I will figure out something," he said.

       His mother entered the room and placed a quilt on the edge of the bed. "See you two soon, Kevin is fixing steaks," she said. With that Margarete left us alone.

     Jackson held me in his arms. I looked at him surprised. "You don't need to act now there is no one watching," I whispered. " Who said it was an act?" He whispered. 

       I put a hand on his chest. "Darling, I am a bit tired," I said. "Me too,"  he added. I lay on the bed and he was on the floor. I yawned. I slept. He woke me up a few minutes later, "The food is ready, " he said.  I got up and followed him downstairs. Kevin looked up. "Glad to see you too look well," he said. "Yes, dears, I hope you enjoy your stay," Margarete said.

         I sat with Jackson across from me. His mother sat to my left with Kevin beside her. I noticed there was another chair an empty one. Odd, were they expecting someone else? "Who is sitting there?" I asked. "Oh, that seat is in case anyone happens to drop by," Margarete said.

        I noticed Jackson looked ticked off. What had brought that on? I squeezed his hand.  He calmed down and squeezed my hand back. After the meal, Kevin and Margarete did the dishes together. Lester left to go home.  Jackson took me to the backyard. I felt a slit breeze brush across me. He noticed and wrapped an arm around me.

 Jackson scowled when someone whistled.

      "Woo-hoo, Jackson, who is the dame?" he asked. "Ned, what are you doing here?" "I came to see you since I heard you were in town," He said. Jackson held me close. "Who is she?" "Hi, Ned, I am Barabara, Jackson's fiance," I said. "His fiance, wow, he moves fast," Ned remarked. 

       "Ha, ha, we have been together for two years," I stated. "Hmm, funny, he has not said a thing about you to me," Ned said. "Then, again, he has always had a way with the women," Ned teased.

          "Mine," Jackson stated. He would not let go of me. Ned laughed. "See you around cousin, and cousin's fiance," He said as he walked away.

            I had a feeling that was the last we had seen of Ned.  

         Find out more in Chapter 9

       Until then,

      bye-bye,

    little owlets!

  Summer out!