“Abby’s not coming this weekend. Carly would have told me,” Jack grumbled.
Chris gave Jack a pointed look. “If she were, would it matter? It’s been at least two years since you dated her. If she does come this week, would you mind if I talked her up?”
Jack didn’t want to draw any attention to why he still cared after two years, but he did. Anger and hurt still rose in him when he thought of Abby.
“I couldn’t care less,” Jack lied, grinding the words through his teeth. “It’s all water under the bridge with us.”
Trent’s brows jerked together. “Did you break up with Abby because she wrecked your new car?”
Jack’s shoulders bunching, he clamped his arms across his chest. “I spent years saving money for that car and it was expensive and special, but, no, that’s not the reason. I’m not that shallow.”
Chris leaned in closer. “Jack, you didn’t break up with her because your laptop was in the trunk of your car, with your work on it? Work you hadn’t backed up? Didn’t you lose a client because of that? I remember you were really upset.”
Jack narrowed his eyes. “I was upset, but no. That wasn’t the issue either.”
Chris leaned back in his chair and gaped. “I can’t imagine why you broke up with Abby then. I know some women can be traitors, but she seemed loyal. Anyway, what do I know? I met one devious woman who needs a payback for what she did to me, so I won’t trust another woman enough to marry anytime soon either. However Abby...” Chris raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t mind getting to know her better if she’s here alone these next four days. As long as you don’t mind, Jack?”
Just the thought of his handsome cousin from Australia, looking like a golden Viking prince with his slightly longish hair, hitting on his ex-girlfriend Abby, made Jack’s blood rise in temperature.
“I’m sure Abby won’t be here this weekend,” Jack ground out. He blew out a deep breath. He recalled the woman who’d dropped the flowers. He frowned. When he’d told Carly on the phone he could make the wedding, he had asked Carly pointblank if Abby would be attending, but that day they’d had a bad connection… He was sure Carly had reassured him through the static on the line that Abby would not be here.
Jack changed the subject. “How’s your brother, Chris?”
“He’s off on one of his archaeological expeditions in the wilds of South America. Too busy to catch a plane or to even discuss this event. Weddings aren’t his style either.”
Jack nodded. “Doesn’t seem to be the style of any of us.”
“And your brothers, Jack? Are they coming?” Chris asked.
“Two should be here in time for the wedding. That’s all of us, except Nick… And who knows when he’s coming back, maybe never. Nick doesn’t keep in touch, and he left abruptly.”
Uncle James Farrington, the self-appointed patriarch of the family, strode toward the table. The older man looked sophisticated in a tux. Despite his age, he had a full head of wavy gray hair and sparkling blue eyes.
Jack noticed that two of his elderly great-great aunts who traipsed by, cast Mr. James Farrington allover admiring glances.
His aunts then glanced at Jack and his cousins at the table. “I’ve never seen so many handsome men in one room,” Aunt Gertrude said, louder than she expected and all the men chuckled as they passed.
Her sister, Aunt Beatrice, pulled her along by the elbow. “Oh, don’t be naughty, Gertrude. And besides, somewhere along the line they’re your distant nephews.”
“Not James though—and I caught you looking, too, Beatrice,” Aunt Gertrude muttered as they walked away.
Trent stood. “Grandpa, can I get you a chair?”
“No, you all keep talking,” the older man said. “I’m only checking in before I make my rounds to visit the other guests. So how are my boys?”
Alex caught the question as he returned with a drink in his hand. “Fine.”
After everyone gave Uncle James an update on how they were, Jack added, “Thanks for hosting the wedding for Carly.”
“You’re all my beloved wife’s nephews. I consider you all part of my family and dear to me.” Uncle James glanced at the oil painting of his wife above the fireplace mantle. “Eliza meant the world to me.”
They all swiveled their heads to look at the portrait of Uncle James’s wife. Eliza McAlister Farrington looked regal in a blue ball gown and a glittering diamond tiara.
Uncle James put his hand on his grandson Trent’s shoulder. “If only she knew our line might end with Trent here. My poor dear Eliza would be heartbroken. So I hold out hope that this wedding will give my grandson ideas.”
Trent gave his grandfather a wry smile. “Perhaps just the opposite. I’m sure there will be some drama this weekend to put me off marriage for at least another five years.”
“Well, boys,” James Farrington said with a gleam in his eyes, “I’ve told Trent his time to get married is running out, but he thinks I’m joking. As the last of the Farringtons, he has to take responsibility and carry the name forward. It’s his duty to procreate.”
“Something like a horse used for stud?” Trent muttered.
Around the table, Jack’s cousins all chuckled.
Mr. James Farrington whipped a steely gaze at his grandson. “However you get it done, Trent, as long as it’s in wedlock,” he said in a cool tone. “I don’t go for having babies without marriage, or none of this ‘shacking up’ young people do these days.” He looked around the table at his nephews. “I recommend you all get married, like Alex here.”
Alex paled then he gulped his drink.
“Traditional family values have always been important to me,” Uncle James continued. “Marriage is for your happiness and to have children.” This was something they’d all heard over the years, especially his grandson, Trent. Perhaps that was why Trent tended to run the opposite way at the mere mention of marriage.
For Trent’s sake, Jack changed the conversation once again. “The estate looks great, Uncle James.”
“It’s been a labor of love, so I’m glad you think so, Jack,” his uncle said. “And it’s your family homestead. I want it preserved for future generations of McAlister descendants.”
Jack nodded. “You have. You’ve saved and restored the estate from rack and ruin—well beyond restored—and the improvements you’ve made are amazing.”
Located outside greater Cincinnati, Ohio, the estate still maintained five hundred acres that his Uncle Peter hadn’t sold off to finance gambling ventures. The house was filled with family antiques and artifacts from over the years.
“That’s the least I can do for the McAlister line. I want it to stay in the family for the entire clan.”
“That’s generous of you, Uncle James,” Alex said.
“That’s not all, boys. I have something else important to say. I’ve received word someone is upset about our little family gathering. There could be trouble this weekend and I want you to be on the alert. I’ve learned that with advantages come disadvantages… Before you ask, just know I’ve received several anonymous threats…”
Jack frowned.
Uncle James gave them a pointed look. “It’s probably nothing. However, since someone might think this wedding’s a good opportunity to do damage to this family, or to me, I need you boys to keep your eyes and ears open for anything unusual. I’d appreciate it and so will the bride and groom.”
Jack straightened his shoulders. “This sounds serious. Should we hire additional security?”
“I have.”
“Do you think it’s because I’m taking over McAlister Construction?”
“Possibly,” the older man agreed. “Burns Construction and Preston Construction might feel threatened. Ralph Preston is my friend and I’m not really worried because his business seems strong. However, Ansen Burns has always been a big hot shot with an equally big temper and he’s been known to resort to shady management practices. He might be angry because I loaned you some of the money and he
wanted to buy McAlister. He wouldn’t do the dirty work himself, but he might hire someone. So, while there is probably nothing to worry about, I am concerned enough about this that I want you all to be on the alert for signs of trouble this week.
All the cousins said they would.
Uncle James gave them a brief smile. “Not to worry too much. I think the weekend will be uneventful. But I must also mention that I’ve noticed your Uncle Peter acting strange.”
“Uncle Peter is strange,” Trent chimed in.
They all threw a glance over at Uncle Peter who flapped his arms like a chicken and looked to be telling a silly joke to the redheaded woman he’d been spending time with that evening.
Uncle James sighed. “It wasn’t easy for him to lose everything.” Then he changed the subject. “We have a lot of activities planned this long weekend. There will be boating and other water sports. I want you to enjoy the grounds, the house, the pool, and all the amenities, so make yourselves at home—this is your home. Many of our guests are staying at the hotel nearby, but you’ve all been placed in your usual bedrooms in the family wing, here at the house.”
Uncle James added, “Several singers and bands will also be housed here over the weekend too. “Perhaps, Alex, you wouldn’t mind singing a few songs for us, too?”
Alex was a talented musician and singer as well as an actor. The corners of Alex’s mouth turned up. “I’d be happy to.”
“All right, boys, I’ll see you later."
After Uncle James walked away, Jack leaned across the table toward his cousins and said, “In spite of his reassurance that there’s nothing to worry about, we need to be vigilant and on the lookout for trouble.”
Trent swirled the drink in his hand. “Yeah, you’re right.”
The movement of the kitchen door swinging open caught Jack’s attention. He caught another glimpse of the woman he’d seen earlier. She stood at the kitchen island, talking to Carly.
“Abby…” Jack murmured on the exhale. There was no mistake this time. She was here!
Trent also caught sight of Abby and crossed his arms over his chest, smiling broadly. “I guess you were wrong about Abby not coming?”
“Yeah, wrong...” Jack said in a low voice.
Chris flicked Jack an amused glance. “Since you broke up with her a long time ago, mate, do you mind…? If she’s solo this weekend, could any of us—?”
“Absolutely not,” Jack snapped. “You are my cousins, and if you hit on Abby, I will make you regret it.”
“For someone who is supposed to be over a girl, bloody hell, you sure don’t act like it,” Alex said matter-of-factly.
Jack nearly growled. “You are to stay away from her, all right?” He looked around the table at all his male cousins. Each one gave him a nod of agreement. However, he didn’t miss the knowing glances that passed between them. “Don’t look that way. It’s for your own sake,” he warned.
“Our sake?” Chris asked, rising from his chair. “If that’s the case, I can look after myself. I’m sure you don’t mind if I take the risk myself.”
Jack pinned him with an icy glance. “Abby is off limits. I mean it. There should be some kind of cousins’ code, if there isn’t one in place already.”
“I’ll do my best,” Chris said, with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. He sat back down. “But you’re laying claim to two of the prettiest women here. I call that royally unfair.”
His heart still pounding from seeing Abby, Jack ignored the comment as his mind raced to come up with a plan. He clenched his teeth and decided that he’d be casual and cool when he faced her. Now, that his initial shock had passed, the last words they’d had, ground in his stomach like stones at a mill.
Two years ago, Abby had called from her European trip with her family to tell him that she was pregnant—in spite of taking birth control pills. She admitted she’d missed a few pills, but had thought that wouldn’t matter too much. He remembered the anger he had felt at the time, but he had been under enormous pressure. She had known how hard he worked to build up his money so he could buy a business, but she had been careless and ‘slipped up.’ How does someone screw up something like that? At the time, he’d not been in a position to start a family. A setback like that would have ruined his chances to succeed. While he hadn’t hid the anger and disappointment he felt, he’d done the right thing and had asked her to marry him.
Then, before she could answer, feeling trapped, he had told her that if they really were having a baby, they’d marry in a quick, quiet affair—not the big wedding of her dreams.
“Do you think I’d lie to you about something like this?” she’d asked, sounding affronted.
He’d regretted how he’d spoken to her, but it reminded him of all the responsibilities he’d shouldered, raising his younger brothers, while his mother was out running around. It was in his nature—he liked things to be planned—not thrown at him.
Over the next few days, he’d come to terms with it though, and went shopping for a baby gift to show Abby he was okay with whatever happened. He would handle the extra responsibility and still succeed in his business plans. And he had been fine, until three days later, when he went to drop off a present for Abby and the baby at her apartment. That visit changed everything. He’d discovered that the baby disrupting their lives might not even be his.
Monica was her roommate at the time and had acted weird when she opened the door, as if she were protecting Abby, and that made him suspicious. ‘You can put that in her room, Jack.” But when he started down the hallway, she’d quickly said, “Oh, no, never mind. Maybe I’d better do that for you. I don’t think Abby would want you in her room while she’s not here.’ As she spoke she’d glanced nervously over her shoulder toward the room.
‘Why not?’ His jealousy had roared to life and he’d persisted. ‘What are you hiding from me, Monica? Is it something about Abby?’
Monica reluctantly let him into Abby’s bedroom. ‘I don’t want to do this, Jack. I don’t want to see you hurt,’ she’d said.
When he entered the bedroom, Jack saw the incriminating evidence with his own eyes: Another man’s jacket hung in Abby’s closet, folded men’s shirts lay on her dresser, a razor sat on her sink, and several pairs of boxers had been carelessly thrown into the hamper in her bathroom.
Monica had watched him as he strode around and took in all the items, shaking her head as if embarrassed for him.
“I suppose you have a right to know, but I don’t know if I should be the one...,” Monica had said.
“What is it?” he had asked through gritted teeth.
Then Monica showed him pictures—pictures of Abby with Vince Michaels on Abby’s social page. “I think she only sees him once in awhile, Jack... It’s probably doesn’t mean that much to her... I don’t want to be the one to bear this bad news to you—”
“Monica, you don’t ever have to cover for Abby again,” Jack said as he stalked out of the apartment with his present.
After that, he’d called and interrupted Abby’s European fun and broke up with her. He wouldn’t date or marry a cheater, and if she were pregnant, he needed to be certain he was the father before offering support.
“I’m not ready for marriage,” he had told her. “I want a DNA test. I’ll pay for the baby’s support and yours—if tests show the baby is mine.”
“Is that how you think of me, Jack?” Abby had asked. He remembered the hurt in her voice. Afterwards, she had not slammed down the phone as he expected. She’d just quietly disconnected.
He didn’t call her back. That was the last time he spoke to her, but he had been sure she’d have called him back if she really thought he was the father. So, he waited. She never called and neither did he.
Six months later, he ran into Abby at a party. By then, Monica was clinging to his arm and there had been no chance to speak to Abby. She’d looked as slim as a woman could. Had she terminated the pregnancy as Monica suspected after hearing a rumor? It also pro
ved the baby probably wasn’t his, or she would have let him have a DNA test, and insisted he marry her. The other possibility was that she’d never been pregnant at all, and she had been setting a trap.
He felt like he didn’t know Abby at all.
Jack rose from his chair after deciding to confront Abby instead of waiting to run into her. “I’ll be back.”
He headed into the kitchen and stood right across from her. She looked panicky when she first saw him, but quickly composed herself.
“So I see you are here,” he accused.
The woman, who had cut out his heart, thrown it to the ground, then stomped on it hard, now appeared as fresh as the newly bloomed pink roses outside the mansion. Her clear ivory skin, and the shine in her long sun-streaked hair, spoke of good health.
His gaze roved over her breasts that swelled over the low neckline of her violet dress, then down her slender legs to her dainty feet encased in high-heeled sandals. Nothing had changed about the way she looked, other than there was no warmth in her expression. Even so, she was as beautiful as ever standing there next to his cousin.
Suddenly, he was too close to her and had to get away.
The blood drained from her face. “Jack!” Abby whispered.
“Jack,” Carly sputtered, “we’re just making sure the staff has the menu all lined up for the entertainment this weekend, and for the reception. We didn’t expect you to arrive yet.”
“Really, Carly?” he drawled.
“Ouch,” Abby cried. Careless, she’d sliced herself with the kitchen shears. Blood spurted from her finger.
Jack jumped into action. He grabbed a paper towel, took Abby’s hand in his, and wound the towel around her finger to stop the bleeding. How dainty her hand appeared in his as her familiar fragrance wafted in the air surrounding them…
“Are you all right?” Jack asked hoarsely. “I didn’t mean to startle you.” He couldn’t believe he was apologizing to her. In addition, he damned well knew he didn’t want to be this close and to have the memories her scent evoked, spiraling around his heart, once again binding him to her like a chain.
Weekend Wedding Deception (Dangerous Millionaires Series) Page 3