“When did you start seeing Jack?”
“It’s been three years now. I think it was right after Thanksgiving.”
Jenny brushed past her mother and ran down the stairs and back to the kitchen where she left her notes concerning her mother’s accounts.
She turned to see her mother had followed her.
“I want you to stop seeing Jack Rowan.”
“Why would you want me to do that? I just told you how I feel about him. None of this has anything to do with him.”
“It just occurred to me that you started seeing him right around the time you started going to the casino a lot. There’s a direct correlation between him and the escalation of your gambling problem.”
“No. That can’t be.”
“Do the math. It’s true. He’s no good for you. He never was. I don’t know the psychological reason for your irrational need to have him in your life, but there is one. You can’t deny the facts. He’s done nothing but hurt this family.”
Her mother sat down at the table. “It just doesn’t seem possible. He’s been nothing but good to me. You have to be wrong.”
“I’m not. If you want, go back over your statements, you’ll see I’m right.” Jenny shook her head. “You have to stop seeing him. If you don’t, you’re not going to get better, and if you don’t get better, you’re going to have to declare bankruptcy. And if that happens, everyone in Brilliance is going to know about your addictions, including Jack Rowan. Think he’ll still want you then?”
“He won’t want me. Who would?”
“Mom,” Jenny said softly. “I shouldn’t have said that. That was cruel. I’m not myself either.”
“I deserved it. The truth hurts, but for once I’m going to do the right thing. You needn’t worry. I’ll break it off with him.”
“I know it won’t be easy. You have to be strong.”
“I forgot to tell you we’re invited over there for dinner tomorrow. I guess I should tell him after dinner.”
“It might be better if you told him when you two were totally alone. I’m not sure a family dinner is the time or place.”
“I know what I’ve done to you. Taken away from you. I’ll never forgive myself. You deserve better.”
“Give yourself a couple weeks to tell him. He might think it’s strange if you break up with him a few days after I come home. He’ll probably still think it’s strange, but this way you’ll have some time to prepare. I don’t you want you to be unhappy, Mom. But this thing with Jack isn’t healthy.”
“I won’t let him think this had anything to do with you. I’m not going to let him blame you for something that’s entirely my fault.”
Jenny nodded. “Okay, we’ll go to dinner tomorrow and we’ll smile and act like everything is status quo.”
Her mother turned and closed the door behind her. Jenny sat on her bed and wondered how she had become the adult in their relationship. She knew this was going to be difficult for her mother, but Jack had been the catalyst for her mother’s illness, she was convinced of it. It was too much of a coincidence. He had also been a thorn in her father’s side. There was no way he should be allowed back in her mother’s life.
She remembered Luke’s parting words to her about not coming between their parents. In his mind, he would think she was responsible for their breakup, but that was something she’d have to deal with. In a way she was breaking them up, but she had no choice.
Tomorrow’s dinner would be difficult, but she’d get through it for her mother’s sake. She wasn’t looking forward to seeing Luke again. Their last encounter on the porch had been anything but pleasant. And it would only get worse once Jack and her mother were no longer seeing each other. She was sure that neither of the brothers would sit idly by and not try to fix it. There was nothing more important to her now than helping her mother get her life back on track, and unfortunately Jack Rowan could never be a part of that life.
Chapter Four
Jenny picked out a blue short-sleeved dress that fell to just above her knees. The skirt was flowing and the neckline squared to show off her bone structure. She opted for a heart-shaped necklace and matching earrings that her father had given her when they went to their first father-daughter dance. If only he were still alive. None of this would have happened.
However, if she were totally honest, her father had never been much for her leaving home to go to school. He had always assumed she would attend the local college. When he died, her mother had told her she could go anywhere she wanted. Something inside of her said she should stay close to home, but another side of her wanted a chance to spread her wings away from the confines of a small town where everyone knew everyone.
Her father had been strict with her, but he had also been watchful with her mother. Maybe he knew she had an addictive personality and had deliberately kept her in check. Fact was, he had kept them both on a pretty tight leash, but that was just his way. He was a good man who had loved his wife and daughter without question. He deserved better than to be a consolation prize. She felt her emotions getting away from her and willed them to stop.
“Jenny, are you almost ready?” Her mother’s voice carried through her bedroom door.
“I’ll be right down,” she shouted.
Slipping into her shoes, she gave herself a once-over in the full-length mirror on the back of her closet door. She had opted to wear her hair down with one side swept up in a comb. Her eye makeup had been applied carefully to make her large, almond-shaped green eyes look even larger and her long lashes thicker. Pleased with her appearance, she opened the door and went downstairs. This, she told herself, as she stepped into the foyer, might be the last time she would have a civil conversation with any of the Rowan men, so she might as well try and look nice.
“You look beautiful, Jenny,” her mother said, walking toward her down the hall from the kitchen. “That necklace you’re wearing…your father gave it to you.”
“Yes, he did. It makes me feel a little closer to him.”
“He loved you very much.”
The last thing she wanted to do was start crying. She said, “You look nice, too.” Her mother did look lovely. She was quite striking when she dressed up and applied makeup. Their hair was the same color, except now that her mother dyed hers, it was a few shades lighter. She wore it in a short style that she said was easy to keep up. Jenny liked it. She could see why Dr. Rowan would be taken with her mother. However, in their youth, he had opted for another woman. Jenny still found her mother’s last revelation hard to accept. She hated that her father had been her mother’s second choice. Had he somehow known? Was that why he was so strict and unyielding at times?
“Jenny,” her mother said, coming to stand beside her. “Are you okay? I mean I know this is an imposition for you. Putting on an act for my sake. I appreciate it that you agreed to go.”
“I’m fine,” Jenny said, giving her mother’s hand a squeeze. “We’ll enjoy ourselves today.”
“Yes, for today. Then it’s work and sacrifice. I know what I have to do.”
“Let’s get this show on the road.” Jenny grabbed her car keys from the small hall table and opened the door for her mother.
“I could drive if you want me to.”
“That’s okay, Mom.” She smiled. As an afterthought she said, “At least the car is paid off.”
Her mother’s face fell.
“Mom, I’m sorry I said that. Let’s just go and forget our troubles for a few hours.”
* * * *
When they arrived at the Rowans’ sprawling farm, there were several expensive cars in the driveway including Adam’s Lexus. She pulled up behind it and turned off the engine. The house and grounds were well kept. The barns in the background were painted white and red to match the sprawling ranch house.
Her mother knocked on the door that was immediately opened by Jack Rowan. He stood in the doorway with a broad smile that lit up his face. He was a rugged-looking man—well over six feet ta
ll with a thick head of gray hair. Age had been good to him. The boys had gotten their height and good looks from him. If she remembered correctly, his wife, Abigail, was a petite little thing with golden-blonde hair she had worn long and straight. Her mother, tall like herself, was almost able to look him in the eye.
She had always hated that she inherited her mother’s height. At five foot ten, she had never been considered cutesy like April Mathews who stood maybe five feet in her stocking feet with breasts as large as watermelons. Hers were large, but nothing like April’s. Stop it, she told herself. Why did she always feel the need to compare herself with a woman that had always made her feel in some way that she had gotten the short end of the stick.
Jack gave her mother a warm hug and then turned his attention to Jenny. “Oh my, you have grown up since I saw you last,” he said with a smile. Turning back to her mother, he said, “You have a beautiful daughter.”
“Thank you. She’s the light of my life. I can’t tell you how glad I am that she’s home.”
“The boys were both quite taken with your daughter when she went out dancing with them the other night.” Directing his gaze to Jenny, he said, “I don’t think any of us have seen you since high school.”
“You’re probably right,” Jenny said. “It’s been a long time.”
“Well, you’re here now, and we’re happy to have you. Astrid has set the table, and the meal is just about ready.”
Astrid, the housekeeper and cook, was still with them. She must be getting up there in years.
“Let’s go into the living room,” he said, ushering them inside the house. “The boys are showing their cousin, Justin, the barns out back. He’s in construction and is going to be doing some work for us. You met him before, haven’t you, Marlene?”
Her mother sat down on the sofa next to Jack. Jenny sat in the love seat across from them. It was a homey room with throw pillows and afghans flung over the sofas and chairs. There was a brick fireplace with a mantel full of pictures of his sons and wife.
“I have met him before. If I remember right, there’s a strong resemblance to your boys.”
“Yes. He’s Abigail’s sister’s boy. They live outside of Chicago. Luckily our boys got their looks from the Jones side of the family,” he joked.
“They are a reflection of both of you, just like Jenny is of me and Carl. I like to think she got the best of both of us.”
“I would say she did,” he said, giving Jenny a smile. “But what’s this I hear about you not going back to school?”
Not again, Jenny thought, wishing she had never told Luke. It seemed like this was going to be everyone’s favorite topic of conversation and not one that she wanted to have to explain over and over again. Her mother spoke up before she could respond.
“Jenny and I talked about it and she has her reasons. I support her and will be happy to have her home. Now tell me what’s on the menu tonight. Astrid never ceases to impress me with her cooking skills.”
Jack Rowan sat back on the sofa, and although she knew he would have liked to ask her more pointed questions about her decision, he took her mother’s lead and let the subject drop.
“Well, for one, she made her famous apple pies for desert.”
Jenny loved apple pie and it was common knowledge throughout Brilliance that Astrid Smith’s pies were to die for. She smiled.
“She’s added a nice filet mignon and a pumpkin spice soup to that along with her scalloped potatoes and fresh green beans. I think you’ll be pleased.”
“That sounds delicious,” Jenny said. “I remember her chocolate chip cookies when I was little. She used to bring them out for your patients. My dad used to come here for his allergy shots, and I loved to come with him just for the cookies. They were so good.”
“Better than mine?” her mother asked, making a hurt face, before she laughed. “You don’t have to answer that.”
Jack was telling her mother about a concert in town the next week when the sound of Luke’s voice carried to them from the front of the house. He walked in flanked by Adam and another man that must be their cousin, Justin. Her mother had been right. There was a strong family resemblance. He was gorgeous. He had Luke’s dark brown hair and coloring. He also had the same dimple in his chin. But he had Justin’s smile.
They were laughing as they walked in the room. Upon seeing her and her mother, they got quiet. She felt the heat of their gazes burning a hole through her. She looked down self-consciously to make sure she hadn’t missed a button. When she looked back up, they were still staring at her.
If Jack and her mother noticed the way his sons and their cousin were looking at her, they acted like they didn’t.
“Come on in, boys, and say hello to Marlene and Jenny.”
Adam and Luke went to her mother first and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She reached up to give each a hug.
“Justin,” her mother said, “how are you? It’s so good see you.”
“It’s nice to see you too, Mrs. Clayton. It’s been a while.”
“That it has,” she said, turning to Jenny. “You haven’t met my daughter, Jenny. Jenny, this is Justin Morris.”
He walked over to where she was sitting and held out his hand. She placed her hand in his, feeling the strength of his grip. When he let go, he sat down beside her. “We’re neighbors you know.”
“No. I didn’t know that,” she said, feeling suddenly shy.
“I’ve moved into the old Hampton place down the road from you and your mom. I have an option to buy.”
“So you plan to live here in Brilliance?” Marlene asked.
“I think so. There’s work here, and I’ve been thinking of expanding my business.”
“You must be doing well,” her mother said.
“He’s a go-getter, that Justin,” Jack said proudly, as if he were talking about one of his own sons. “He’s got a smart head on him for business. He’ll do well here.”
Jenny knew she should say something. “Welcome to the neighborhood.”
“Thank you. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other. I’ve got an open invitation to Saturday dinners here. From what I’ve been told, you and your mom do, too.”
Jenny just smiled. She wasn’t about to open that can of worms. She had promised her mother she would keep the conversation light, and she meant to keep that promise. Justin would find out soon enough that this was the last Saturday dinner her mother and she would be attending at Jack Rowan’s dinner table. She saw the slight frown on her mother’s face. She knew she was thinking the same thing.
Luke and Adam sat down in a couple side chairs, stretching out their long legs.
“How’d you feel this morning after dancing the night away?” Luke asked, his eyes dipping to her crossed legs.
“I was a bit sore, but I’ve recovered,” she said, tugging her dress down over her knees. She saw the glint in his eye that said he knew he had made her uncomfortable.
“Well, for someone who hasn’t danced in a while, you sure tore up the dance floor. You impressed me, and that’s not an easy thing to do,” Adam said with a laugh that made his eyes twinkle somewhat dangerously.
She felt herself tremble slightly. “I’m glad I passed muster.”
“Oh, I would say you more than passed,” Luke said.
“You like to dance?” Justin asked, turning his body toward hers.
“It’s fun. I’m a bit out of practice. I could barely keep up with them and their friend April.” She bit her lip. Why did she have to bring her up?
“April Mathews?” Jack asked, looking at his sons. “I haven’t seen that girl in I can’t remember when. She still work with her mother as a hairdresser?”
“Yes, she does,” Luke said. “She’s part owner now. They not only do hair, but all sorts of things like feet and nails and I think massages.”
“He means pedicures and manicures,” Adam interjected.
“Thanks for clearing that up, Adam,” Luke said, giving his brother a mock
glare. “Adam has always felt like he has to be my translator.”
“Well, someone has to.” Adam smiled back at his brother.
“I can you tell that Millie, April’s mother, really does a nice job. I go there myself for the works. Next time you need your hair done, we’ll go there and get pampered,” her mother said to Jenny.
“Sure.” There was no way she was going to have April do her hair. God knows what she’d look like when she walked out of the place. Besides that, they didn’t have the money for pampering.
Astrid walked into the room. She was slightly hunched over. “Dinner is ready,” she said, looking at Jack.
“Thank you, Astrid,” Jack said. “I’ve been thinking about your dinner all day.”
“We all have,” Luke said, getting up and taking Astrid’s arm.
The old woman smiled up at Luke. “I know how much you love a good steak. And there’s apple pie for dessert.”
“My absolute favorite,” Luke said loudly. “Now you all know why I had that gym put in the basement.”
“Now you don’t need to worry about your weight. You’re perfect,” Astrid said with a laugh.
“Not that I’m complaining. I wouldn’t have it any other way. The only reason Adam and I came here to practice medicine was because we knew you’d feed us.”
The older woman was beaming under his praise. Jenny saw real tenderness in his eyes as he affectionately looked down at the older woman. Well, this was a side of Luke she hadn’t seen the other night.
Everyone followed them into the dining room. Justin held out his arm for her. He was quite the gentleman. Smiling, she walked with him behind her mother and Jack.
Before they were seated, Astrid excused herself. “I’m tired and I think I’ll take a nap. Cassie’s going to take it from here.”
Jenny had wondered how Astrid was going to do the dinner. She was thinking that she would help her, but that didn’t seem necessary now.
When Astrid was out of earshot, Jack said to Jenny, “She’s been retired for years, but she still insists on making Saturday dinner. We make sure she has plenty of help. I wouldn’t want you to think we were taking advantage of her.”
Taking a Gamble on Three of a Kind (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 4