The Truest Thing: Hart's Boardwalk #4

by Samantha Young

  She’d railed on about being a terrible mother, about not protecting them. How the whole town was talking about her. How she’d never be able to leave the house again for the shame of being such a mother. When she’d finally fallen asleep under their careful watch, Jack knew he had to get his mom out of town. Being here was no good for her. It was Rebecca who suggested they get in contact with Rosalie’s brother.

  As far as Jack knew, her family cut off contact a few years into the marriage when they realized what an asshole Ian was.

  Rosalie had awoken, overhearing his conversation with his sister, and she told him to phone her brother, Heath. Apparently, he and Rosalie had kept in touch all these years. Heath sounded worried about his sister. Said he’d tried calling since seeing the news. He offered them a place to stay in Wilmington. Thankfully, Rosalie didn’t take much convincing. Jamie neither as he was too concerned about his mom, and he said he didn’t care about leaving Hartwell. He’d made a new life at college.

  Once they settled at his uncle’s, Jack had looked into their finances. He was trying to figure out how they could continue to pay for Jamie’s tuition. The Devlin businesses that were important to Hartwell’s economy were still running, including Ocean Blue Fun Park and the Hartwell Grand Hotel. While the staff could be paid, any other monies made were to be detained while his father’s assets were frozen. Jack maintained contact with management at both properties, but he assumed that once his father was sentenced, they’d lose those businesses.

  Jack had savings, but not enough to send Jamie to school and take care of his mom.

  One day his uncle found him stewing in despair over spreadsheets during a brief respite from phone calls, and he’d frowned. “Why can’t you use Rosie’s money?”

  The question had confused Jack. “What money?”

  His uncle gestured to the large home they were in. Jack had been somewhat taken aback to discover his uncle stayed in a wealthy town north of Wilmington called Greenville. His wife and two college-age daughters, who were spending their summer vacation in Europe, lived in a house that wouldn’t look all that out of place in the movie Home Alone. “Where do you think this came from?”

  “I assumed your family’s money.” Jack knew his mother came from a wealthy background. Rosalie didn’t talk about it, so years ago he’d searched for information on his grandparents. Rosalie’s father had inherited the largest fishing company on the East Coast, and he’d sold it for a tidy sum. But Jack’s grandparents had died not long after Rosalie married Ian. When his grandmother passed away after a battle with cancer, his grandfather had a heart attack and died only days later.

  Jack wondered if Ian thought by marrying Rosalie, he’d get his hands on her money?

  It hadn’t worked out that way.

  They’d cut her off.

  “Yeah. Family’s money. But I have a sister,” Heath said pointedly.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Jack, do you know how much my parents adored us? Adored Rosie?” He sighed and sat down on the desk. “They hated Ian Devlin. Saw him exactly for what he was. They gave Rosie money when they married and found out he convinced her to buy the hotel and fun park in Hartwell. They lost their shit. It was supposed to be for their daughter. So, they cut her off. But they didn’t want to leave Rosie with nothing. It was in their will. They left her fifty percent but entrusted it to me. I’m basically the guardian of Rosalie’s fortune. It was so Ian couldn’t touch it, but she’d have it if she needed it.”

  Shock had moved through Jack. “Are you telling me that Mom is rich?”

  Heath grinned. “I’m a finance guy. She trusted me to invest it, and those investments have paid off. She has more now than she had to begin with. I can sign over whatever you need now for Rosie to get on her feet. I’d like her to stay in Greenville. She can afford a place here. And as soon as she divorces Ian, all the money will be signed over to her.”

  Relief swamped Jack. “Ian doesn’t know about the money?”

  “Not at all.”

  Jack shook his head. “We can’t make any lavish purchases like houses until he’s behind bars. If he thought for a second Mom had money, he’d blackmail it out of us to pay for his attorney.”

  Heath’s expression darkened. “He really is a son of a bitch, isn’t he?”

  “You have no idea.” Jack sat back. “What if we just rent a place for her and Becs and Jamie … we do it through you and pay you back afterward? That way Ian will think you’re taking care of the financial burden.”

  Heath nodded. “That’s no problem. But everyone is welcome to stay here for as long as needed. This is a big house.”

  And Jack had appreciated that.

  “I’d look into the hotel and the fun park, Jack. I remember a conversation with Rosie about those purchases. My sister isn’t dumb. Ian needed her signature to hand over that money. She co-owns those businesses. She made sure of it.”

  This revelation had Jack on the phone to their family’s financial and business manager. He sent over what they asked for. And sure enough, the deeds to both properties had his mother’s name on them. Rosalie Devlin co-owned the businesses. After several weeks of conversation and investigation he did not enjoy putting his mother through, the feds were satisfied his mom had nothing to do with his father’s racketeering charges. So, they hired a lawyer. They had enough evidence to prove that the businesses rightfully belonged to Rosalie since the money to purchase them was hers. It might take awhile, Ian might already be in prison by then, but they were going to win those businesses back.

  Which meant they were important enough for Jack to continue to oversee. In fact, Rosalie wanted to sign them over to him as soon as she legally could. It hadn’t been the career Jack planned for, but the hotel and park were important to Hartwell, and Jack could think of worse jobs.

  Moreover, they’d keep him close to Emery.

  He hadn’t left Greenville until his mom and Rebecca were settled into a picturesque rental near Heath. Jamie had just returned to college, which Rosalie could now afford. After a few weeks of Rebecca spending every second with their mother, Rosalie seemed in a better place. Both mother and daughter had started seeing a therapist, which Jack hoped would help.

  It was still weird leaving them there. It hadn’t been easy, but Heath promised to watch over them.

  It had taken a ton of willpower not to contact Emery over his seven-week absence, to give her space while he got his family into a better place. Memories of their night together was both a pleasure and a pain.

  And when Cooper called and said Emery was looking a little low these days, Jack’s gut tightened. He’d questioned himself. But then thought no. She didn’t need him in her space, muddling her head. And he had so much to deal with, he thought it best to stay away. Jack wanted to be able to give her his entire focus when they next spoke.

  Now he knew that way of thinking was fucked up. He’d screwed up with her. Again.

  Pushing into Cooper’s place, Jack caught sight of his friend behind the bar chatting with Bailey Hartwell and Vaughn Tremaine. He looked over at Jack and gave him a friendly nod.

  That tightness in Jack’s chest caused by Em’s anger loosened a little. Never did he think he’d be welcomed at Cooper’s again in his life. He sensed eyes on him as he walked across the bar, but he ignored their curious looks. The gossip mill would start grinding soon, and before anyone knew it, it would be all over Hartwell that not only was Jack Devlin back in town but Cooper had welcomed him into his bar.

  Jack slid onto the empty stool next to Bailey. She turned to give him a soft smile.

  “Hey, Jack, how are you?”

  He’d always had a soft spot for the middle Hartwell. She was gregarious and open, so you always knew what she was thinking. “I’ve been better. How are you?” He looked past Bailey to Vaughn, who watched him cautiously. Jack gave him a nod of greeting.

  “Um … stressed,” she answered honestly and shot Vaughn a tired smile. “Our wedding is
in four days.”

  “Oh, right.”

  “I sent you an invitation,” she said. “But I sent it to your South Hartwell house.”

  “I haven’t been there in a while. Sorry.”

  “There’s still time to RSVP.”

  No, there wasn’t. She was making an exception for him. And Jack knew turning down her invite would be rude, considering he didn’t deserve it in the first place, but he’d be stupid not to go. Not if he wanted to start over here, which he did.

  “I’d be honored to be there, Bails, thanks.” His voice was a little gruff with emotion.

  “We’re happy to have you there,” Vaughn said, not sounding happy at all, but Jack didn’t take it personally. He knew Tremaine hated Ian Devlin and would naturally be wary of his son.

  “What can I get you, Jack?” Coop asked.

  Ellen Luther, a local sitting a few stools down, made a surprised gurgling sound in the back of her throat at Coop’s congenial question.

  Jack and Coop shared a lip twitch. “Whatever’s on tap, thanks.”

  He exchanged small talk with Bailey about the wedding as Cooper got his drink. He pushed the pint across the bar toward him and asked, “You seen Emery?”

  Jack stiffened. “Yeah.”

  “And?”

  He could feel Bailey listening intently. “It couldn’t have gone any worse.”

  “Shit. I’m sorry.”

  Jack shrugged. “I’ll figure it out. Once I can get her to talk to me.”

  Bailey nudged him with her elbow. “You do realize you’re sitting next to one of Emery’s best friends.”

  He sighed. “I heard something to that effect.”

  She grinned. She might be one of Em’s best friends, but she didn’t know what had happened between her and Jack. If she knew, she wouldn’t be smiling at him.

  This was confirmed when she said, “I know you two had a thing last summer, and you pushed her away to protect her, but I’m pretty sure you could convince Emery to come around.”

  “Maybe Emery doesn’t need to come around.” Vaughn cut Jack a dark look. “If my woman was held at gunpoint by my father, I wouldn’t skip town for seven weeks after the event, leaving her unprotected.”

  Yeah, Tremaine definitely didn’t like him.

  “One, I don’t know if you heard, but Em can protect herself. She’s a crack shot,” Jack said with pride. “Two, you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

  Bailey made a face at Cooper and then turned to Jack. “Okay, yes, not cool to leave after that happened, even if Em is Lara Croft. Jeez, she’s like a coin block in Super Mario Bros., except instead of coins coming out every time something hits her, secrets do.” She frowned. “That was one too many video game analogies. Anyhoo … we all know why you left, and looking after your family is noble.” She shot Tremaine an admonishing look before turning back to Jack. “Something I’m sure Emery completely understands.”

  “Yeah?” Jack sipped his beer. “Is that why she told me to get the fuck off her porch?”

  Bailey’s eyes widened. “She said that? The word ‘fuck’ and everything?”

  Jack nodded.

  She burst out laughing. Vaughn grunted with amusement at her side.

  “Thanks,” Jack muttered sarcastically.

  “No, I’m sorry.” Bailey patted him on the shoulder. “It’s just, I’m a little proud of her.” Her eyes bugged out at Tremaine. “A lot proud of her.”

  Her fiancé gave her an affectionate, loving smile that transformed him.

  That’s what women did to you.

  Turned you from a badass, alpha male into a lovesick idiot. Jack would scoff at it, if he hadn’t already experienced the effects of being a lovesick idiot for the last nine years.

  “You should write her a letter,” Bailey announced.

  “What?”

  “If she won’t talk to you, then write her a love letter.” She leaned into Jack. “Emery is a romantic. You want a chance with her, then you need to lay your cards on the table. Be completely honest with her. Write it all down. I promise … no woman can resist a love letter.”

  “Is that so?” Tremaine murmured.

  “Yes, that’s so.” She cocked an eyebrow at him. “So, your vows better be something else.”

  His eyes gleamed. “No pressure, then.”

  The couple bent their heads toward each other. Jack turned away, Cooper watching him warily.

  “What do you think?” Jack asked.

  Cooper leaned in, lowering his voice. “I think … maybe something else happened between you … Otherwise Emery wouldn’t have told you to fuck off. Because the last time I saw you both, she didn’t look too unhappy about having your arm around her.”

  “I didn’t … We were together. And then Rebecca called after and I had to leave. Em was still asleep,” he muttered. “I left a note about giving her some space to think—”

  “You did what?” Cooper grimaced at him.

  “I’m getting the strong feeling that was the wrong move.”

  His old buddy sighed heavily. “You’ve screwed around with more women than I can count, and somehow you still don’t know the first thing about them.”

  “Then tell me what to do.” Jack clenched his jaw in self-directed anger. “Tell me how to fix this with her.”

  “Answer one thing first.”

  He nodded.

  “Do you love her?”

  Jack’s gut twisted. “Since that night I first saw her, Coop.”

  At his raw honesty, Cooper grinned. “Then maybe Bails is right. I wouldn’t know how to write a letter, but if it was what it would’ve taken to get Jess, I’d have written a fucking letter.”

  A love letter.

  Jack exhaled slowly.

  Right.

  25

  Emery

  “You did what?” I gaped at Bailey in disbelief.

  She was my first customer of the morning, popping by before the store was even open. Standing casually with a to-go cup in each hand, one for her and one for Dahlia, Bailey smiled at me like she had done nothing wrong.

  “You invited Jack to your wedding?”

  “I did.”

  “And he said yes?”

  “Of course, he said yes. It would be rude to say no.”

  I felt a flicker of nausea and took a deep breath to stem the tide.

  “Em, it’s not that bad. You’re a bridesmaid so you’ll hardly get the chance to interact with him.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

  I narrowed my eyes. “Do you think I’m a moron? I know what you’re up to, Bails.”

  “Moi?” She pointed innocently to herself, all wide-eyed and cute. “I’m merely making sure that everyone who deserves it feels welcome to attend our wedding.”

  “Deserves it?”

  “We’re not overly persnickety. As long as you’re not a home-wrecking sociopath, a backstabbing sister, a murderer, or are currently in jail on federal charges, we’re pretty happy to extend an invitation.”

  “So, no Dana, then?” I teased, despite my upset.

  “Absolutely not. And she’s livid.” Bailey grinned wickedly. “The biggest wedding this town has seen in fifty years, and she didn’t get an invite. And no one blames me. They understand how awkward it would be for me to have my pregnant bridesmaid’s husband’s ex-wife at my wedding. So, I don’t even look like a bad person for not inviting her. I’m taking an enormous amount of petty satisfaction from the whole situation.”

  Not as much as me. Dana Kellerman was not my favorite person. I chuckled wearily at Bailey’s naughty grin. “You’re awful.” But I said it like I thought the opposite.

  My friend laughed. “Oh, come on, Em. Don’t worry about Jack. There will be plenty of other eligible bachelors to catch the eye. Vaughn has invited some friends he actually does like from his Manhattan life. A few are single, rich, and handsome.”

  I rolled my eyes. The last thing I needed right now was to date. “I think I’ll pass for now
.”

  “Oh, no you won’t. You’re twenty-nine, Emery, and you’ve never had a serious relationship. Don’t you want to change that? And what would be more romantic than falling in love at your best friend’s wedding?”

  It was on the tip of my tongue to blurt out that I was pregnant.

  I wouldn’t.

  One, Jack needed to know first.

  Two, I was only seven weeks. I didn’t want to announce anything at all until further along in the pregnancy. As much as I was in turmoil about what my future looked like as a single mom, I’d quickly fallen in love with the idea of being a mother. I’d have a son or daughter. To raise, protect, and love. And although I’d never planned to do it this way, I wanted it now. And I wanted nothing to take that away.

  But I knew things could happen. I knew babies could go away. Seven weeks was too soon to tell anyone. It might jinx my pregnancy. I could almost hear my grandmother scolding me for such a superstitious thought (after scolding me for getting pregnant out of wedlock, that is). Yet I couldn’t change how concerned I was. I’d hold off telling anyone until it got too hard to hide. I’d have to ask Jack to do the same.

  My stomach roiled again at the thought of telling Jack.

  I needed to tell him soon. I had planned to.

  Yet now that I knew he’d be at the wedding, I wasn’t sure I wanted to be stuck at the same event with him if he knew the truth.

  “You look a little pale suddenly. Are you okay, Em?”

  “I had food poisoning yesterday.” I perpetuated my lie. “Still feeling a little off.”

  “Oh, sweetie, that’s not good. Why don’t you just close the store today?”

  “I’d rather work through it.” I couldn’t look at her as I lied. “So, are we all ready for the big day?” I changed the subject.

  “Yes. All set. My parents arrive tomorrow and are no longer giving me a guilt trip for rescinding Vanessa’s invite.” At my look of concern, Bailey waved me off. “She was never going to show anyway. And it’s better I know the truth. Am I sad? Yes. But I won’t let it ruin my wedding. Mom and Dad and Charlie get it. So, they’ll all be here tomorrow, and Vaughn’s dad and the rest of his guests will arrive the night before. They’re all booked into the hotel. The staff are working harder than ever because it’s the boss’s wedding, so I feel like we’re in excellent hands.” She smiled. “And all you need to do is show up at the inn on the eve of the big day.”