A Small Deception

"Wanting to hold my hand, Maggie reached her free hand out from under her blanket, and I took it. She squeezed and said, “I’m in desperate straits, and I need you to help me through.” The way she said this, I could see she wasn’t used to being denied her requests.“What do you want me to do?”“Are you married?”“No.”“As you know, I’m not either. The wedding ring is just for show. Do you have to be somewhere tomorrow?“I guess not. I’m on vacation.”“Could you stay here a couple of days?”“Why would I do that? You’ve got family here. Your father loves you.”“I really, really need you to act as my husband.”I laughed. “That’s crazy!” After studying the serious look on her face, I asked, “You’ve already told the doctor and nurses I’m your husband, haven’t you?”“Well, I didn’t deny their assumptions. Did you tell anyone differently?”“No. I tried to, but everyone was too busy to listen.”“Marton, you gave your word of honor you’d help me any way you could.”“Yeah, but I thought you meant normal help. Hell, you don’t know anything about me. I could be a serial killer—or a lawyer.”She smiled at my attempted humor. “Oh, I think I know you pretty well. I know you risked your life to save mine—ours. I was conscious while you were carrying me, you know. You were really hurting. I heard your gasps and groans. Someone who would go though that for someone he didn’t even know is worthy of my trust. Besides, I heard your prayer offering your life for mine.”“You could tell them you’re married to Alan What’s-His-Name back in California. I’ll bet he would be glad to go along.”She took a deep breath and said, “I’m through with him. Besides, I’ve prayed about this, and I’m sure God approves of our staged marriage—yours and mine.”“You think God sent me to help you?”“Something like that.” She batted her eyes at me. “I’ll make it worth your while.”"

Preston Harper served three years in the U.S. Army, fifteen months of that overseas. Since then he has taught at Abilene Christian University. He has a doctorate in literature from Texas Christian University. His previous novels include Warlords of the West, The Good Fight, and Reasons to Live, Reasons to Die. He lives in Abilene, Texas with his wife, Marsha, LLD. She is his inspiration and his editor. They have three children.