The List

by Alice Ward

  True to her word, Worth was in front of me in four minutes. “What’s wrong?” His face showed alarm. He knew it wasn’t like me to show up here unannounced.

  “I finally did it,” I started and sat down, crying.

  “Auggie, what is it?” he asked me, sitting down next to me and taking Ford while putting his spare arm around me.

  “I took Ford out to meet Mother for the first time,” I stuttered.

  Worth nodded. “And I guess it didn’t go so well,” he commiserated.

  “It couldn’t have gone worse. I totally lost it. She is evil, Worth… truly evil.”

  “That doesn’t mean you have that trait, Auggie. You’re like your dad. You’re the best person possible, honey.”

  “It’s not that, Worth. I just never thought she could really be as bad as I thought she was. I thought it was because I was her daughter and resented the way she raised me. She was always so strict, so uncaring. I never knew how horrible she was to Dad, though.”

  “Well, Auggie, that’s up to him to take care of,” Worth said.

  “Oh, he’s taking care of it, alright.” A sound came out of me that was half laugh, half sob. “He’s divorcing her. Worth, it was awful. She just kept on and on, saying things about your father and how it was everyone’s fault but hers. I lost it. She insulted my Dad, saying he wasn’t worth much and her life had been ruined, and I absolutely lost it.”

  “Awww… it can’t be that bad,” Worth tried to comfort me.

  “No, it really was that bad. I told her everything, Worth. All of it.”

  Worth was silent. “I see. About Linc? Jervis?”

  “All of it.”

  “Jesus.”

  “I know, I know. I said I wasn’t going to do it, but I got carried away when she attacked Dad. I just couldn’t seem to stop myself.” I was really confused by the way I’d behaved.

  “Auggie, listen to me. I want you to stop feeling bad about this right now. I went through the same thing with my father. We were, for lack of a better word, abused, by one of our parents throughout our entire childhood. Yours was verbal. Mine was verbal and physical. They were not good parents, but we were lucky enough to have one good parent and that’s the person we have to focus on. You blew off some steam. You said the things you wanted to for a long time. It’s much better out there, said, than stored up inside yourself. I’m here for you and we are a family.” He bent and kissed the baby’s head. “This is our family. We have no need for your mother or my father. Ford doesn’t need those examples in his life, either.”

  “Worth, you should have seen Dad. He took it and took it… defended her and then finally, when he found out about Jervis, that was it. He’s divorcing her and she signed a prenuptial. He’s keeping everything, throwing her out within a month, bag and baggage. It’s over for her.”

  “Are you feeling regret?” he asked me.

  I sat back and looked at him. With all honesty, the only thing I could think to say was, “Hell, no!”

  “That’s my girl.” Worth smiled and hugged me with his free arm. “Now, what do you say I take this family out to dinner?”

  “I would be honored,” I answered. “Oh, and Worth?”

  “Yes, Auggie?”

  “I love you, by the way. I’m proud to be your wife and you’ll be the finest father anyone could ever have. Ford is a lucky boy.”

  “I love you too, Auggie,” he responded and kissed me.

  It just can’t get much better than this.

   EPILOGUE

  Auggie

  Mother left within the thirty days, just as Dad dictated. I think she went to live in an apartment on the west end of Louisville. Quite a comedown from where she had been, but she earned what she got. I didn’t make an effort to find her. She knew where I was and didn’t reach out to me, either. Dad divorced her and he and Worth’s mother have been keeping company lately. Who would have thought it?

  Worth opened two more clinics and they’re doing very well, although it’s early. He was busier than ever and true to my word, I agreed to help him once Ford was old enough to be with a nanny. In the meantime, I was doing all the research I could to become more familiar with his industry.

  Our life was idyllic, so much so that I’d begun to be suspicious of it. It didn’t feel natural for everything to go so well. That’s why I was perhaps not as shocked as I should have been when that day finally came.

  Worth had already left for the clinic and I was looking after Ford in his nursery when I heard the doorbell ring.

  “Betsy?” I called downstairs but she didn’t answer. I realized she was probably outdoors, taking out the garbage or hanging sheets. I loved the smell of line-dried sheets better than anything and had insisted on a series of clotheslines to accommodate the bedding.

  I checked to see that Ford was fast asleep so I went down to answer the door myself. I was expecting Mr. McLean. We were going to discuss the offerings at the upcoming Keeneland sales. Beverly Dexter had completed our first set of barns and only Carlos had taken up residence to date.

  I opened the door and there stood a man who looked vaguely familiar, although I couldn’t place why.

  “May I help you?” I asked.

  “I’m looking for Dr. Worth LaViere,” he said solemnly. Again, I was searching my memory for where I could have met this man and it was making me feel quite discomfited. I was generally pretty good at remembering faces.

  “I’m sorry, but he’s not at home at the moment. You can find him at the clinic, though. Can I help you with something?”

  “I see. No, I won’t bother him at the clinic. This is a personal matter, you see.”

  I nodded and expected to see him turn to leave, but he held his stance.

  “I’ll be glad to tell him you stopped by,” I offered in the language that said it was time to leave. “What’s your name?”

  “That would be fine. Tell him I’ll come back another day, but I’m staying at the Hilton in the meantime.”

  “And your name?” I prompted him again.

  “Linc LaViere.”

  THE END

  Continue on to read BOOK TWO in The Bluegrass Billionaire Trilogy: Bluegrass Obsession.

  Bluegrass Obsession

  THE BLUEGRASS BILLIONAIRE TRILGOY

  BOOK 2

  Alice Ward & Jessica Blake

  BOOK DESCRIPTION

  Although a handsome and respected psychologist, Worth is unable to free himself from the curse of his father’s past. Nor can his beautiful wife, Auggie. Her mother’s deceit spawned the devil incarnate. A brother who rises from the depths of hell to haunt them with hatred and retribution.

  Evil and manipulative, Linc doesn’t care who he hurts to get what he wants and must be stopped before he goes too far. Can Worth and Auggie fight him and rise above it all, finding salvation in each other? More importantly, can they protect their family from the legacy of inherited evil?

  Bluegrass Obsession is a standalone novel with an HEA and No Cliffhanger.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Worth

  I was in a separate cell from the general population. Now, while this might seem a very fine line of exception to those who knew and depended on me, it was broad enough to keep my ass out of trouble for the moment. Too bad I didn’t have that particular benefit of perspective earlier.

  My head was beginning to clear from the anger, although the smell of urine and vomit permeated the air. It wasn’t unusual for me to sober up in such an atmosphere, but the stench and the voices of men arguing as they angled for alpha was. While I tried to relax and consider this as an opportunity to observe a jail population from a psychologist’s perspective, the memory of the night before continued to consume my attention. This made it impossible to remain indifferent. Indeed, I was simmering with rage. That said, I was in the grip of an even stronger emotion — fear. It was not for myself, but for Auggie and our infant son, Ford.

  ***

  As I approached the house the day before, exhaus
ted from a day touring the newest clinic, I had no idea of the cataclysmic uproar that awaited me. It’s not as if I’d any choice, but a warning would have been appreciated.

  I found Auggie, my emerald-eyed wife of barely a year seated in the living room on the sofa nearest to the front door. It was an otherwise formal room, reserved for entertaining. In this instance, however, it was a strategic perch where she could intercept me before I could greet Betsy, the maid, or even snatch up Ford for a quick hug before retreating upstairs for a shower before dinner. I was instantly on high alert.

  “You wrecked the car?” was my first assumption and as soon as I said it, I inwardly recoiled. I had witnessed this event several times between my mother and father, and the bastard’s reaction had always been anger, even though he could have afforded a thousand cars from his pocket change.

  Auggie shook her head, her eyes wide and filled with a look I’d never seen before.

  “Is it Ford?” Terror seized me and I’d started toward the nursery when she grabbed my arm.

  “No, he’s fine. You can stop guessing. You’ll never get it right. Sit down and take off your jacket. We need to talk.” Her alarm heightened my protective senses and I relaxed somewhat to consider what she was feeling. As usual, she physically took my breath. Her waist-length mahogany hair was almost pelt-like in richness. Giving birth had only made her young woman’s body more full and ripe. If it weren’t for whatever had her so upset, I would have swept her to the floor and taken her right then.

  “Very well,” I answered patiently and for her benefit, made a show of removing my jacket, loosening my tie and popping out the cufflinks to fold my sleeves up my arms. The effect was intended to look like we were getting down to business, but its mockery seemed lost on her.

  “Auggie, what is it? This isn’t normal for you to get this shook up.” I sat on the sofa and faced her, taking her hand in mine. “Tell me what’s up,” I encouraged her.

  Before she could say a single word, she threw herself around my neck and clung to me, almost like a small child seeking a parent. This totally alarmed me. “Auggie, tell me!”

  “I was with the baby when someone came to the door. Betsy was outside hanging up the sheets, so I answered. It was a man, Worth.”

  Tensing, I asked, “What man and what did he want?”

  “Worth, there was something familiar about him, but I couldn’t place it. I was so focused trying to figure out where I knew him, that I almost missed what he was saying.”

  “Which was?”

  “He asked for you. By name. I told him you were at the clinic and he could find you there. He said ‘no’ and that this was a personal matter. I told him I’d let you know he was here and asked his name.” At this point I could tell Auggie was too overwhelmed; her sentences running together like a child who can’t wait to divulge everything at once.

  “Well?” I asked the question slowly, hoping it would calm her.

  She had, however, one more bombshell to explode. “Worth, he said his name was Linc LaViere.”

  As her words penetrated, the alarm I’d felt at her obviously being so upset changed to anger. I cocked my head and almost snarled. “That’s not funny, Auggie.” I let go of her hand and was about to stand up when she grabbed my arm.

  “I’m not kidding, Worth! So help me God, why would I make something like that up? That’s what he said. But what’s worse is when I realized why he looked so familiar. He had my eyes and was built just like you. Your jaw and your nose. To someone who doesn’t know you well, they could mistake him for you.” She was obviously shaken by all this. “I don’t think he was lying, Worth. I really—”

  “Linc is dead,” I cut her off. “You know that. I saw him in his casket. Don’t be ridiculous!”

  “Don’t shout at me! I don’t know who it was, but I know who he said he was. There’s a resemblance, dammit. Just don’t shout at me!” She began to cry. It was rare that she cursed.

  “Auggie, look, I don’t know what’s going on, but I do know this isn’t an issue between you and me. You understand?” I set aside the irritation and hugged her against me. “Look, I’ll call Bill Daughtery. He’s done some investigative work for me in the past. He’ll check it out. Did the guy leave a number or address?”

  She sniffled and wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “He said he’s at the Hilton and wants to talk to you.”

  “Jesus!” I swore, my mind scrambling for options. My professional training urged me to relax and give the situation thought before taking action. The LaViere in me was preparing strategy for a fight. “Sit tight and I’ll be right back,” I ordered and grabbed my jacket as I headed for the bedroom. I tapped Bill’s number and he answered on the first ring. He knew by the caller ID it was me.

  “Worth! Good to hear from you,” he greeted, even though he was aware that when I called, it was generally not to invite him to a game of golf. What he did know, however, was that he was about to be well paid. “What’s up?”

  “My dead brother apparently showed up at my door today.”

  There was a long pause, then, “Have you been drinking?”

  “I wish.” I groaned and briefly explained the details of the unexpected visitor.

  There was a crackle on the line as Bill exhaled deeply. “So the brother who was killed in a car accident when he was sixteen years old showed up? Does Auggie’s mother know?”

  “Hell no,” I said quickly. “I don’t want her to.” I shuddered, thinking about that conversation. My father and Auggie’s mother had an affair decades ago. Linc was the result. When their secret was exposed and I discovered the truth, my father took his own life while the rest of us attempted to pick up the pieces.

  “Things still bad on that front?” he asked and I knew he’s talking about Auggie’s relationship with her mother.

  “Actually, things are better since Carol was tossed out. Auggie’s dad is doing well since that bitch is no longer in his life.” As it turned out, Linc’s existence wasn’t the only secret Carol Langford had attempted to keep. She was also screwing her psychologist, my former business partner, and seemed to have forgotten all about the pre-nup that gave her nothing should her marriage to Auggie’s father dissolve. In my opinion, the cheap apartment on the west side of town was still more than she deserved.

  “What do you need from me, Worth?”

  I shook my head, still trying to process it all. “I don’t know who this guy is, Bill, but there aren’t very many people who know about Linc’s birth.”

  “Stay calm. There are guys out there who go through all those genealogy records online. They take a bit of information that sounds plausible and then scam people. I see it all the time. I’d say forget about it. How’s that little one?” he asked, and I knew he was trying to change the subject to calm me down.

  “He’s fine, Bill, thanks for asking. Listen, do you think I should go down to the Hilton and talk to this guy?”

  “Not alone. Wouldn’t be a good idea.” He must have heard my breath of indecision. I wasn’t the type of man who let others make my decisions. He sighed, “Yeah, I know what you’re going to ask. Let me drive over there in an hour and meet you. That work?”

  “Thanks, Bill. I’m sure you’re right, but I know Auggie won’t settle down until we can prove the guy’s a phony,” I said. “See you there.”

  I changed into khakis and a light sweater, and as I came down the stairs, Auggie was waiting. “Honey, can Betsy stay with Ford?”

  “Yes, already asked her to,” she said, coming to hug me around the waist. “I knew you’d go over there.” She was smiling now and the leftover tears in her eyes made them glitter like huge green diamonds.

  “I imagine you want to go with me?” I asked, knowing her answer.

  “You know it, let me grab my jacket.”

  “Get ready, then. We’re meeting Bill there in an hour.

  ***

  We drove to the Hilton and left our car with the attendant. Bill was already standing i
n the lobby, waiting for us. He was a stocky man in his late fifties, gray hair cropped closely to his head and was in his typical military stance. There was no doubt, despite his heavy leather jacket that he was armed. We shook hands before I went up to the desk.

  “I’d like to speak to a guest here, please. Linc LaViere.” Even as I said his name, my stomach churned with dread.

  “Yes, sir, and you are?” the young lady behind the counter prompted me. From the way her uniform fit, it was obvious she’d intentionally worn one a size too small. Her breasts were straining the buttons and she was highly proficient at bending forward. I wasn’t remotely interested. That was a new sensation for me.

  “I’m Dr. Worthington LaViere,” I answered, using my credentials in case it made a difference.

  “Yes, Dr. LaViere. He said you may be coming,” she said with a secretive smile. You’ll find him in the Back Stretch.” She bent forward and pointed to the bar entrance at the edge of the lobby.

  I motioned with a nod of my head toward Bill and Auggie, and they followed me. We stepped just inside the door of the bar and that familiar smell of stale liquor and the sound of clinking glasses brought back the reasons I liked my personal bar beneath the Third Street Bridge much better. At Joe’s, men could be men — smoking, cussing liberally and making their world go round. This place might as well be a vending machine.

  I bent and whispered in Auggie’s ear, “Do you spot him?”

  Auggie looked around and then froze, her eyes growing larger. She nodded toward a table in the corner near the back. I kept her behind me and let Bill approach him first while we waited by the door.

  “Mr. LaViere?” Bill queried and the man in the corner turned to look at him.

  “You’re Worth?” The man’s eyes narrowed as he looked for some recognizable feature.

  “No, sir, he’ll be along shortly. In the meantime, I’m representing him and with your permission, I’d like to make sure you’re not carrying a weapon.” Bill flashed his police badge. As a former Louisville detective, Bill had remained an auxiliary with full police privileges even though he’d long ago started his own investigation firm.