Searching for Love: The Complete Story

by Christine Kersey

  He wanted to reassure her, wanted to tell her not to worry, but he knew his mother, and he knew she would want to find out whatever she could about the woman dating his son. “Maybe you could meet with her for lunch tomorrow. You could come clean then.”

  Reese’s face paled, and he wondered if that was asking too much.

  “Or not,” he said with a smile. “She’s really busy, so I don’t even know when she’d have time to do any research.” He didn’t mention how quick and easy it would be for her to do a search. Or have her assistant do it.

  “All she has is my name,” Reese said. “There are probably a lot of people with a name like mine, right? How will she know if it’s me? She doesn’t even know my middle name.”

  He didn’t want to point out that it wouldn’t be difficult, not with the tools at her disposal. Instead, he wanted to comfort Reese and take that look of concern off of her lovely face. “Right. So there’s no point in worrying about it.”

  Reese wanted to believe him, but she wasn’t stupid. She knew a prosecutor would have all kinds of programs available to her. But she doesn’t know Montgomery is my married name. That was her ace in the hole, the trick up her sleeve. At least she hoped that would slow Grace Ford down from discovering all of her secrets. Secrets that she feared could be used as a wedge between her and Brody, pressure applied by his family to convince him that she wasn’t right for him, which was something she had already told him. But he hadn’t believed her. He had told her he didn’t care that she came from an inferior gene pool. Well, those weren’t the words he had used, but that was the message Reese had heard.

  His mother will certainly feel differently. And I suspect Brody cares what his mother thinks. I’m sure she has a different kind of woman in mind for her son. Someone refined and sophisticated, someone from a background like his. And who could blame her? After all the time and effort she put into raising such a wonderful man, of course she would want to see him with someone worthy of him.

  “Reese, don’t look so downcast,” Brody said as he sat beside her and pulled her against him. “Everything will be fine. I promise.”

  She didn’t know how he could possibly make a promise like that when he had no idea what the future held. Regardless, she allowed the warmth of his body to wrap around her and comfort her as she tried to forget her troubles.

  Eleven

  When Reese woke the next morning in Brody’s arms, the world didn’t seem as bleak as it had the night before. I’m going to call Grace right away. I’ll set up a lunch date and I’ll come clean. She’ll understand my reasons, and everything will be okay. I can do this.

  With those positive thoughts on her mind, Reese snuggled closer to Brody and waited for him to wake up so she could get his mother’s number.

  Fifteen minutes later he woke up and she told him what she wanted to do.

  “I can go with you, if you’d like,” he said as she rested her head against his chest.

  Though she appreciated the offer, she didn’t want him to come for two reasons. One, she knew this was something she had to face alone. But, two, and even more importantly, she feared the subject of her former marriage would come up, and she didn’t want Brody there when that happened.

  I could tell him myself. Right now. Then she frowned. But I’m not ready to tell him about Josh and the way he dumped me. Besides, the subject may not come up with Grace at all, so why push it?

  “Thanks for offering,” she said, “but I think it would be best if I went alone.” Then she realized she would have no way of getting there. She turned to him and smiled. “But I could use a ride.”

  He laughed as he stroked her face. “Sure.” Then he grabbed his phone and gave her his mother’s number.

  Gathering her courage, Reese punched in the number, and after one ring, Grace picked up.

  “Hello, Grace,” Reese said, forcing confidence into her voice. “This is Reese.”

  “Oh, hello.” A note of surprise laced her voice. “What can I do for you?”

  “I know you’re super busy, but I was wondering if you’d like to get together for lunch today.” Sweat formed on Reese’s palms, making her phone feel slippery in her hand.

  “Hold on a moment,” Grace said. “Let me check my calendar.”

  Reese heard the click of a mouse, and she half-hoped Grace wouldn’t be available.

  “Looks like my lunch meeting was cancelled, so I’ll be available at twelve-thirty.”

  “Oh, great.” Reese forced enthusiasm into her voice, and when she glanced at Brody, she saw a smile on his face.

  Grace suggested a restaurant where they could meet, and Reese agreed.

  “I’m sure Brody can tell you how to get there,” Grace said.

  “Yes.” She didn’t mention that Brody would be driving her. Grace didn’t know Reese only had an RV, which she wasn’t about to drive into downtown Los Angeles.

  “Okay, then,” Grace said. “I’ll see you at lunch.”

  They disconnected, and Reese set her phone on the table beside the bed.

  “Are you hungry?” Brody asked “I can make us some breakfast.”

  Stressed about meeting with Grace, Reese’s appetite had disappeared. “Just some coffee.”

  “Coming right up,” he said as he pushed himself out of bed.

  While Brody waited for the coffee to brew, he thought about his mother meeting with Reese and imagined how she would react when Reese confessed her lie.

  I wish she would let me go with her. I could be a buffer. He stared at the expanse of ocean visible through his floor to ceiling windows and reconsidered that thought. Maybe it’s best for them to meet one on one. That way Mom can get to know Reese more directly, without the distraction of me being there.

  “Mmmm,” Reese said as she walked into the kitchen. “Smells good.”

  Brody smiled as his gaze went to her and her tousled hair. Love for her flooded him, and he opened his arms. She went straight to him, and he enveloped her in his embrace, a feeling of protection sweeping over him. “If you’d like,” he said, “you can take my car to meet my mother for lunch.”

  She pulled away and looked at him in surprise. “Are you sure?”

  Truthfully, he wasn’t completely sure, but he loved her and trusted her. “Yes. Then I can stay here and work.”

  She looked uncertain. “I don’t know my way around.”

  “You can use your GPS.” He smiled. “Or I can take you to your RV and you can take that.”

  She shook her head immediately. “No, I don’t want to do that.”

  He wondered why she was so adamant, but suspected it was because she didn’t want his mother to see her driving the old vehicle. Which is all the more reason to let her take your car. “Take my car. It’ll be fine.”

  With a reluctant nod, she agreed. “Thank you, Brody. I will.”

  The heavy traffic made Reese nervous as she maneuvered through it. It had been a while since she had driven a stick-shift, but it hadn’t taken long for the memory of how to work the clutch and shifter to come back to her. And his little Porsche was fun to drive. If it wasn’t for the task she was on, she would have been having a great time.

  By the time she found a parking space near the restaurant, she was already five minutes late. Hurrying in to the restaurant, Reese felt sweat pooling under her arms, and she knew it was due to more than the warm summer day.

  Why does his mother make me so nervous? A frown pushed the corners of her mouth downward. Maybe it’s not her. Maybe it’s the fact that I have to tell her I lied. And then tell her the truth about my parents.

  Heart pounding, she entered the restaurant, her gaze searching out Grace Ford. When she found her, adrenaline surged through her veins as her fight or flight instinct kicked in. A moment later Grace spotted her and waved her over, a tight smile on her face.

  Twelve

  “I’m so sorry I’m late,” Reese said, her words coming out in a rush as she slid into the chair across from Grace. “I used m
y GPS to find this place, but traffic was worse than I expected.”

  “Traffic is something you always have to take into consideration when you go anywhere in L.A.”

  Reese wasn’t sure if that was an acceptance of her apology or a not-so-subtle suggestion that Reese was stupid for underestimating how much traffic there would be. “I also had to get the hang of Brody’s Porsche.” Now why did I say that? Then she realized the reason. It showed that, at a minimum, Brody had confidence in her.

  Grace’s eyebrows rose. “He let you take his Porsche?”

  See? She’s impressed. “Yes. I asked him to drive me, but he suggested I take his car instead.” Shut up, idiot. Now she’s going to wonder where your car is. And you’re not going to lie and say it’s in the shop. You’re here to clear up the lies, remember?

  A small smile appeared on Grace’s face. “Yes, well, I suppose that cute little Porsche is a lot easier to maneuver in this traffic than your old RV would be.”

  Reese’s stomach felt like it had fallen to the floor. How did she know that? After taking a breath, the logical explanation came to mind. Logan or Avery told her, obviously. How else would she know? She paused mid-thought. But why did she mention the fact that it’s old? Logan and Avery have never seen my RV, so that’s not something they would know. And I’m confident Brody didn’t say anything to her. He knows I’m sensitive about it.

  “I can see by the look on your face,” Grace said as she used her thumb to rub a spot of lipstick off of her water glass while never taking her eyes from Reese’s, “that you weren’t expecting me to know so much about you.”

  A man stopped beside their table. “Are you ladies ready to order?”

  “What would you like, Reese?” Grace spoke as if this was just a friendly lunch between two friends and not the inquisition.

  Reese hadn’t even picked up the menu yet, and her appetite was nonexistent, but she wanted to pretend she wasn’t rattled. “The chicken salad and some ice water, please.”

  The man wrote down her order, then turned to Grace, who gave her order. The moment the server left, Grace’s gaze zeroed in on Reese. “I’ve discovered quite a lot about you, and I find it very interesting.”

  Wanting to get this over with as quickly and painlessly as possible, Reese dove in. “That’s why I wanted to meet you for lunch, Grace.”

  A look of interest filled her face.

  “First off,” Reese said as her heart pounded. “I wanted to apologize for telling you last night that my parents are dead.” Wanting to see if Grace would interject anything, Reese paused, but Grace’s gaze was unwavering. I feel like I’m on the witness stand right now. Holding back a nervous laugh, Reese couldn’t help but smile.

  “You find lying to me funny?” Grace said, her nostrils flaring.

  The smile vanished from Reese’s mouth. “No, not at all.”

  Grace’s lips pursed, then she lifted her water glass and took a sip.

  “I’m just…I’m just a little nervous.” See, Grace? I’m being totally honest. Does that get me points?

  Grace set her glass on the table. “You should be.”

  A zing of worry sliced through Reese. “Why?”

  “Because I know all about you, Reese Jacobs.”

  Holy crap. She knows my maiden name. Her blood turned icy in her veins. That can only mean she’s researched me. Which means not only does she know about my parents, but she knows I was married. She knows everything about me. She knows I’m not good enough for her son. Panic swelled inside her, and the urge to jump up from the table and run to Brody was almost overwhelming. But she knew she had to have this conversation with Grace. She had to explain.

  “I’m…I’m glad,” Reese said, which was a total and complete lie, but one she was okay with telling.

  “Are you now?” Grace stared at her as if looking at a witness she was cross-examining who had been caught in her trap. “And why is that?”

  Scrambling to come up with something, Reese was beyond relieved when the server arrived and set their plates in front of them, which gave her a moment to think. After the server left, Reese lifted her chin and said, “Because, Grace, it will save me from having to parade all of my pathetic little secrets in front of you.” Her voice shook, but only a little.

  A look of guilt, or maybe empathy, flashed across Grace’s face, but Reese wasn’t sure what to take from that, so she disregarded it as a moment of weakness on Grace’s part.

  Deciding to go on the offensive, Reese said, “I’m sure you must have questions. So tell me, Grace. What is it you want to know?”

  A soft sigh slipped from Grace’s lips as she spread her napkin over her lap, then she looked at Reese. “I want to know what it is you want with my son.”

  Reese’s heart thudded dully. She thinks I’m only interested in Brody because of his money. She pictured Brody’s face, his blue-green eyes. Thought about the way he made her feel—safe, secure, loved—and knew she would have to convince Grace that she had no ulterior motives. She leaned forward, and with intensity, said, “I love him.”

  Grace smiled tightly. “Are you aware that your father shanked an inmate last week, and that inmate died?”

  Thirteen

  Stunned at the news, Reese straightened. Shame at her parentage poured over her like acid, and a hot blush climbed her neck. “No…I…I didn’t know that.” Wanting to show that she was separate from her father, nothing like him, she said, “I…I don’t keep in touch with him.” As if that makes you any less his daughter. Come on, Reese. She doesn’t care about your pitiful excuses.

  “Hmmm.” Grace picked up her fork and began eating, looking away from Reese.

  Following Grace’s lead, Reese picked up her fork, her hand trembling, and tried to eat as well. Desperate to convince this formidable woman that she was worthy of her son—although she knew that would be difficult when she wasn’t sure herself—Reese struggled to come up with what to say.

  “You know,” Grace said as she set her fork on her plate, her gaze boring into Reese’s. “Sometimes we think we love someone, when in reality we just love the idea of being in love.”

  Reese had no doubt that she loved Brody, and she was anxious to prove that fact to Grace. “I know I love him. I love him so much.” Tears pooled in her eyes, and she blinked to clear her vision.

  A soft smile curved Grace’s mouth, giving Reese hope. “I’ve no doubt you do. He’s a uniquely wonderful man.”

  Reese nodded. She knew that to her core. I think she really believes me. Optimism soared within her.

  “It’s not you I question,” Grace said.

  Wary, Reese waited to hear the rest.

  Tilting her head slightly, Grace said, “I’m talking about Brody.”

  Though she understood what Grace was implying, Reese didn’t want to believe it. “I…I don’t know what you mean.”

  “I think you do. Brody believes he’s in love with you, but I believe he’s simply in love with the idea of being in love again.”

  Again? What is she talking about?

  Grace went on. “Regardless of what he believes, I think you and I both know you’re not the right woman for him.”

  I can’t believe she’s saying that to me. Right out loud. Then her gaze slid to her lap as she desperately tried to retain control of her emotions. She’s right though. Of course she is. I knew it all along. I’ve known since the moment I met him that he’s out of my league. And Grace knows it too. And she’s not afraid to say it. But I love him. He’s the man of my dreams. I’m not going to give up that easily. Reese lifted her gaze and looked at Grace, who was watching her. “No. We love each other. I know we do.”

  Empathy crossed Grace’s features, but then she shook her head. “I know you both believe that, and I’m sure in some ways you actually do. But that’s not the point, is it? The question is, are the two of you right for each other? Do you compliment each other? Do you fit together?”

  Yes, yes, yes! Reese wanted to believe that she
and Brody were perfect for each other, but deep down she had serious doubts. Regardless, she nodded. “We are right for each other.” She thought about the struggles they had overcome to be together—her running, him finding her and convincing her to give their relationship a chance. “We’ve been through so much together.”

  Grace chuckled. “You’ve known each other, what? A month? That’s nothing. How much do you really know about each other?”

  Reese felt like she knew Brody well. She knew he loved her despite her parents, that he was kind, thoughtful, gentle.

  “For example,” Grace said as she speared a tomato. “What do you know about Megan?”

  Megan? Stumped, and knowing this was important, Reese’s lips parted, but nothing came out.

  A smile curved Grace’s mouth. “That’s what I thought.”

  Reese had to know. “Who…Who’s Megan?”

  “That’s something Brody will have to share with you.”

  What is he keeping from me? Betrayal, sharp and bright, swept over her, making her stomach cramp painfully.

  “What about Kayla?” Grace asked as she lifted the tomato. “Has he told you about her?”

  Sickened by her ignorance, and wondering what these women meant to Brody, Reese stared at her plate. “No.”

  “And then there’s you,” Grace said, the tone of her voice deepening on the last syllable, like Reese was the ultimate problem they were facing.

  Lifting her gaze, Reese faced the mother of the man she loved, wondering how this lunch would have gone if she had accepted Brody’s offer to come with her. It would have just put off the inevitable.

  Grace took a bite of her salad, evidently waiting for Reese to say something in her defense.

  “Brody knows about my father,” she said in a lame attempt to prove Brody loved her, really loved her.