by Taylor Hart
“And turn you down for dinner? Seriously. If people only knew that’s all it took to get you to stalk them.”
A smile played at his lips. “Right. So where did you say you were going again?”
“No.”
Throwing up a hand, he looked worried. “Just in case the police come looking for you.”
A nervous buzz went through her gut. Truthfully, no one knew where she was going. The private eye had told her where her mother was, but she hadn’t told anyone. It wouldn’t hurt to tell him the location, would it? “Fine. I’m going to Jackson.”
“Jackson. Ah, you must be a skier.”
“Ah, no. Never skied.”
He frowned. “Never?”
Amused, she shook her head. “Yes. Clearly, I need to get rid of my lady-in-waiting.” She’d taken on that English accent. “And get another one who can book proper trips.”
“No need for the lady-in-waiting.” He winked at her. “Let a gentleman plan a trip.”
Her fun side fled. “No.”
“C’mon, it’d be fun.”
“It’s not a fun trip, Mr. Kent.”
Another small smile. “I think you can call me Grant.”
“O-kay.” She tried to move around him to get into her car. “Excuse me, Grant.”
“And what can I call you, Ms. Olympia?” There was a bit of wickedness to his look.
She didn’t want to give him what he wanted, but there was no way around getting him to move. “Jewel. Now, please move.”
He didn’t budge. “Jewel Olympia. A good character name.”
This made her smile. “I think so. Please move, Grant.”
He sighed. “Just a few more things about your character sheet.”
“Scene is over. Get out of the way.”
He turned and opened her door for her. “I’m holding the car door open, but I want more information before I let you sit. Because we’re in the middle of the scene.” He winked at her. “A romantic comedy, I think.”
She squirmed as his touch sent nervous butterflies flitting through her stomach. Pulling her hand back, she managed to smile at him. “Only if you fill in your sheet first.”
A puppy smile lit up his face, and he leaned over the car door. “Deal.”
She paused.
“C’mon, why not? If the conversation doesn’t work out, we end things, and that’s that. C’mon, Jewel, ask me a question.”
With the spotlight on her, she felt nervous and a bit lightheaded to be basically interviewing Grant Kent. Still, she gave in. “Okay, I’ve always wondered if you liked having five brothers.”
“Love it. Hate it. Want to kill ’em. Want to save ’em.” He grinned. “They’re my brothers. Fierce. Devoted. Torturesome. I would walk through fire for them. Through a jungle, get gunned down for them.”
The way his lips pinched together at the last point told her he wasn’t lying. He’d served in the Secret Service, she remembered. Then she thought of what had happened with the president’s daughter, and her heart sank. “I remember that news article.”
For a moment, their eyes held. Then he jolted a bit. “Oh. That one.” He turned away.
“I was sorry to hear—”
“I don’t talk about that.” His tone was abrupt.
She nodded, searching for something more to say, something that might fix it.
Out of nowhere, he reached out and took the fingers of her hand lightly. “Sorry.” He tapped his head with his other hand. “Gotta keep focused or you fall apart, right?”
The moment felt honest. The man was beautiful and loyal to his family. It was stupid, but tears burned in her eyes. She thought of all the times she would have given everything to know a family like that. Of course, guilt accompanied that same thought. She thought of that little girl who’d been shot and how, by the looks of it, that was still so hard for Grant.
“It’s okay.” His voice was soft, and he squeezed her hand a bit. “It’s fine.”
The feeling between them turned electric. She let out a little gasp.
“Are you okay?” he asked after a beat.
Furiously, she blinked. “Yeah, I … I’m adopted.” She found herself blurting it out, not knowing why.
He seemed to process this. “That’s cool.”
She shook her head and tugged her hand back. “The way you just spoke so passionately about your brothers was inspiring, and I could feel how sad it made you to lose that little girl.”
His face didn’t betray anything more. He nodded.
Why was she telling him this?
He let out a breath and crossed his arms. “Does all of this having something to do with why you’re leaving tomorrow?” He bent closer to her, the distinct smell of his cologne circling him. It smelled expensive, not like the Axe spray the students at school wore in buckets.
Attraction pulsed through her. “I …”
“There’s something you don’t want to tell me.”
It was unnerving that the fake Hollywood guy could see through her smoke and mirrors. “No.”
His hand took hers again. “You can trust me. I won’t say anything to anyone.”
Turning back to him, she wanted to believe him. She wanted to trust someone again.
“C’mon.” His blue eyes were sincere. “It’s not like I’ll tweet your secrets.” He winked at her. “Twitter is old school anyway.”
She laughed, glad that his stupid humor had broken the tension. She was familiar with his tweets. “Right, Ari shows me everything.”
“I don’t care about Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.” Gently, he put his other hand over their hands. “Maybe I want something real. Maybe I need something real in my life too. Could we just be that for each other? Real?”
Her heart raced, and she found herself talking. “I was left. When I was two months old, my mother left me at a hospital in Chico, California. The picture the social worker took when she came for me was of me in a blue baby carrier with a Raggedy Ann doll tucked next to me. My adoptive parents in Chico were delighted.” Tears filled her eyes. “They were the best parents. The best.” She sighed, wishing the load didn’t feel this heavy. It was stupid. She’d been given so much. “But I’ve always had this niggling need to find out who my real parents were. To find—”
“The truth.” His eyes had turned into pools of compassion.
“The private eye contacted me two days ago and told me he’d found my birth mother.” She ran a hand through her hair. “After wondering for my whole life, he used facial recognition software from a different picture that caught her face on camera that day in the hospital. I don’t even know how he found that picture, but he matched the baby carriers. He thinks my mom lives in Jackson, Wyoming. He gave me an address for her art gallery.”
Grant didn’t react. Didn’t move. Didn’t say anything.
She tugged her hand out of his and wiped her eyes, feeling stupid.
“Let me come with you.”
“No. Please move.” She wanted to leave. She had to leave.
“Why not?” He spread his hands in front of her. “I have nothing to do until Ari comes back on Christmas Eve, so I could go.”
Why had she told anyone? She definitely didn’t need the kind of press that would accompany Grant Kent. And he didn’t need extra press of any kind. “I have to do this alone. Please don’t tell anyone.” She slipped inside.
“We could take the jet.” He said it like it should entice her.
It kinda did. The road trip would be brutal. “No,” she said almost hesitantly.
He held the car door open so she couldn’t shut it. Leaning in, he said, “You don’t have to do this alone.”
It was annoying that he wanted to come and that he seemed sincere and invested. She wasn’t used to people knowing about her situation. His concern felt overwhelming. She started the car. “Please, let go of the door.”
Letting out a long breath, he nodded. “Good luck, Jewel.”
Jewel shut the door and s
ped away, glancing back and seeing Grant standing in the spot she’d left him. Why did he even want to come? Why had she told him?
Annoyance rippled through her. Dang it, the man was attractive and kind.
Chapter 9
Grant didn’t know what had compelled him to ask Jewel if he could go with her on her journey to find her mother. Strike that. He did know. He realized, after tossing and turning all night thinking about her, that it was the same thing that made him ask her out over and over. She was genuine.
She wasn’t on a movie set. She didn’t have fake eyelashes, fake body parts. She didn’t want anything from him, and she didn’t have some movie script she wanted him to read. In fact, she didn’t want him around at all.
After watching her drive off, he’d thought one thing: the woman didn’t know anything about Kent men. They weren’t easily deterred.
He liked getting up early¸ but this morning, he didn’t have anything to do. He’d tried to call his brother Tom in Maui, but apparently, he’d hooked up with his high school sweetheart. He’d tried to call Will, but he’d gone back to Colorado, also tracking down an old high school flame. Weird.
Somehow, he felt like a loser. Here his brothers were going out and finding their women, but he couldn’t hardly get this woman to talk to him.
When he’d taken Ari and her friends to the airport last night, he’d done some digging and they’d easily given up Jewel’s address. So here he sat at five in the morning. Yes, he was stalking again.
A Lincoln town car pulled up, drawing him from his thoughts.
Jewel came out of the front of her little home, a suitcase in tow, but she paused when she saw him stepping from his car. Her face went white as she looked at the town car and the two older people who got out. Ignoring him, she rushed toward the couple. “Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?”
Uncertainty wove through him. Her parents? Great, just his luck to show up on the day the parents come for a visit. But obviously, it had taken her by surprise as well, because she didn’t look happy about it.
She hugged them, and her mother fluttered all over her and cast a protective glance at him, standing casually next to his blue Mustang. “We came because you sounded so sad on the phone last night. We drove all night.” Her mother pushed her hair back. “I was worried about you.”
Jewel’s face burned red, and she glanced at Grant. She turned to both of her parents, putting her chin in the air and looking determined. “You didn’t need to do that. I’m actually about to leave on a road trip.”
Her mother frowned. “You are? Your texts said you were sick.”
Jewel turned to Grant and waved him over.
Her mother and father turned their gazes to him, and he instantly felt like he was thirteen again and had gone to Helen Basker’s door to ask her if she could hang out with him. The rest of his friends had stayed on the sidewalk, including his two younger brothers, who had taunted him the entire time.
Jewel actually looked pleased to see him, touching his arm once he’d reached them. “Mom, Dad, I guess it’s time I introduced you to my …”
She hesitated, and Grant was confused. Really confused. What was this?
Without thinking, he put his hand out and smiled. “Fiancé.”
Sharply, she turned to him. Whoops. That may not have been what she’d been going for.
“Fiancé?” Her mother gave him a once-over. “Oh my goodness. I can’t believe this.” Tears brimmed in her eyes.
Her father was taller than her mother and lean. The top of his head was bald, but shaved, and he inspected Grant through his horn-rimmed glasses. “You’re that movie star?”
It amused Grant that her father asked it like he didn’t know if he was pleased about it or not. Grant nodded and embraced his new role. “Grant Kent, sir.” Manners had been ingrained in him since the time he was little. They came back quickly, especially in a situation like this.
Her father looked tentative and confused as his gaze went from Grant to Jewel, then back to Grant. He shook Grant’s hand, then told Jewel, “I think we deserve an explanation.”
Her mother already had tears streaming down her face, and she burst into soft laughter and grabbed Jewel for a hug first. She let out another half sob, half laugh, and she reached for Grant. “Oh, heavens, it’s fine. I’m so happy for you.”
“It … just … happened,” Jewel said.
It was a messy hug because Jewel’s mother was already pulling back and smacking Grant’s shoulder. “Well, I’ll be. Jewel said she was dating someone but was always so vague on who and—” She broke off and looked back and forth between them. “I can see why she was.” She tsked her tongue. “We can be discreet, sweetie. You know that.”
Jewel attempted to hide her discomfort. “Hah, ye-ah.”
If Grant were the competitive kind of guy, he could point out to her that she’d pretty much lost the scene because she wasn’t playing the role well. But now wasn’t the time for it.
“Yeah.” She swallowed and shot Grant a confused look. “It happened so fast. I …” she said, floundering.
Grant was way ahead of her. He took her hand and closed the space between them. “I proposed last night, and I’d really like to take her on a little trip for fun.” He flashed a smile. “I can have her to you by Christmas Eve, cross my heart.”
Yes, the rich man walking in and saving the poor girl. He could play this role.
Jewel squeezed his hand and leaned into him. Her uptake on the role was quick once she’d gotten past her surprise. “Sorry, Mom and Dad. I’ve been wanting to tell you. He’s the guardian of one of my students, and we just got to know each other. Things just kind of accelerated.” She forced a smile.
“I asked Jewel to keep things quiet,” he said, giving them a knowing look. “I hate the media tracking my every move. I didn’t want them raining down on all of you.”
Her mother smiled, the tears almost gone. “I can understand that.” She nodded like she believed them. “That’s sensible.”
Her father looked unsure, still inspecting Jewel. “This true?”
Licking her lips, Jewel said, “Yes. We’re engaged, but I was going to be home by Christmas Eve, and I was going to tell you then.”
Her father gave Grant an annoyed look.
Grant realized this was not cool. “I should have asked you all first. I’m sorry.” He shook his head. “The paparazzi have been breathing down my neck twenty-four/seven. I realize that’s not an excuse. I take full responsibility for really stinking at this proposal. I’m sorry.”
Jewel cleared her throat. “Daddy, it’s my fault. I’ve been wanting Grant to wait.”
Her father still seemed doubtful, but he took Jewel into a big hug before pulling back and saying, “All right.”
He was gruff, but kind. Grant immediately liked both of her parents.
Her father turned to Grant. “No funny business.”
It made Grant want to laugh, but once again, he found it refreshing. He imagined this was exactly how his mother or one of his brothers would have treated a guy who wanted to date a sister. He gulped, thinking of Ari. Yes, he would probably be far worse with her. “Yes, sir.”
Jewel gave him a look he didn’t know how to decipher.
Her mother hugged Jewel, then pulled back, running her hand down Jewel’s shoulder and smoothing her shirt. “Where are you going, dear?”
He could tell by the pained look on Jewel’s face that she didn’t want to lie further. “Uh, Jackson. I have a brother who lives there,” he said.
Her mother looked back at him, then to Jewel, still rattled. “Well, I wish you would have just told us, sweetheart. We were worried.”
“I’m sorry, Mom.” That, at least, was the truth.
“It’s my fault. I’ve been between shoots and—”
“No.” She put up her hand, cutting him off. “I was going to tell you on Christmas as a surprise.”
At this news, her mother looked happier. Gently, she reached o
ut and put a soft hand on her cheek. “Okay, baby. I’m happy for you.”
Jewel hugged her again, and when she pulled back, there were tears on her cheeks.
Her mother’s face softened, and a hint of a smile was on her lips. “Because you know I do love surprises at Christmas.” She squeezed Jewel’s cheek and peered into her eyes. “I think this would have been an amazing surprise.” She let go of her cheek but leaned in and gently kissed it. She sucked in a breath. “Okay.”
Grant could tell she had forgiven her.
Her father focused on Grant. “I don’t like the idea of my daughter going on a trip with a man before she’s married.”
Grant wanted to smile at the traditional values. He liked traditional. He could envision himself being very traditional with his own daughter one day. It was strange that he was even thinking about a daughter. “Yes, sir. Two rooms, sir. I promise. My brother has a house we’ll stay at, so there’s plenty of space.” He really could promise that. Sloane wouldn’t care.
Her father still didn’t give his blessing. He turned and looked at Grant’s blue Mustang. “You’re taking that old car?”
He was a bit offended that her father would doubt the car could handle a road trip to Wyoming. It absolutely could, as it was in mint condition, but Grant just shrugged it off. “Actually, we’re taking the jet to Jackson.”
He could feel Jewel stiffen. “Ha, ha. No, we’re not.”
“I think that would be much safer, Jewel.” Her father gave her a parental look, then swerved his gaze back to Grant. “You were the one in the Secret Service, correct?”
A pang of pride mixed with regret filled him. “Yes, sir.”
His father looked pensive. “And you have all those brothers who have served our country?”
This was not the conversation he wanted to have. “Yes, sir.” Keep answers short.
Her father studied him, and then his gaze went back to Jewel. “We’ll see you by Christmas Eve?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“We could go grab breakfast,” Grant offered, thinking of the long drive they had been on.
Her mother hesitated, glancing at her husband. “Let’s just get back home, honey.”