by Woods, Karen
“Good morning, Miss Devlin,” Frank Greer greeted.
“Good morning, Father Greer.”
The minister laughed. “I’m never going to break you of that habit, am I?”
“Probably not.”
Frank Greer teased Jase, “Nice to see you this morning, Jase...Quite a pleasant surprise, in fact. I hope you noticed that the church looks perfectly fine without either poinsettias or lilies. And you’ll note the roof didn’t cave in.”
Jase smiled and laughed. “I think I’ll be in Church more often in the future, Frank. Dani’s convinced me I need to spend more time getting closer to God. Maybe, one day my faith will be half as strong as hers is.”
“I’ll look forward to seeing you in the pews. In fact, I’d love to have you serve as a lector. And your fine voice could always be a notable addition to the choir. We could use both of your voices, in fact.”
Jase laughed genuinely. “Honestly, Frank, give you an inch and you’ll take a mile. The next thing I’ll know, you’ll be nominating either me or Dani for a position on the Vestry.”
“That’s a good idea. I’ll have to keep it in mind when the next annual parish meeting rolls around,” Frank replied.
“See what you got started?” Jase only half teased.
Dani laughed. “Blaming me now, are you?”
“Are you sure you can tolerate me?”
“I don’t think I have any choice in the matter,” she replied teasingly. “You aren’t likely to simply disappear.”
“Would you want me to?”
“Only if you took me with you.”
Jase laughed boldly. “Brazen hussy.”
“Brazen, perhaps... hussy, never.”
“I was teasing,” Jase said.
“Do you want to meet with us for any sort of prenuptial counseling, Father?” Dani questioned.
“I usually do,” the pastor replied with a smile.
“Then we had better arrange it,” Jase remarked. “I have no intention of waiting any longer than necessary to make this woman my wife.”
“You always were impatient, Jase,” Frank Greer stated. “I should wonder what Harry’s reaction was when you announced your engagement.”
“It was interesting,” Jase replied with a smile.
“Why do I think you’re guilty of understatement?” the minister asked.
Dani looked suspiciously at Jase. “I can’t believe he has any real objection to the marriage. Even if he did, his permission is not necessary.”
“Not necessary, but desirable,” Jase replied. “He is your father, after all. I would like to maintain good relations with my soon to be father-in-law.”
Dani smiled and shook her head. “Get real, Jase. Dad isn’t about to cut ties with you. You are, in many ways, his son. If he cut anyone out, it would probably be me. Our children are going to have an interesting time working out the relationships between them and our respective parent.”
Jase smiled. “Probably.”
“Now what did my father say?”
Jase laughed. “Let’s just say that Harry threatened that if I made you unhappy, he would make sure I sang soprano for the rest of my short, pain filled, life.”
Dani laughed. “Ah, Jase. Daddy’s bark is worse than his bite. Don’t you know that by now?”
“No. I don’t know that, and it would be a mistake to ever underestimate Harry, Dani. He didn’t amass his fortune by sitting around and waiting for it. He has a streak of ruthlessness a mile wide,” Jase said. Then he smiled at her. “You should recognize it easily. You have it as well, Sweetheart.”
“Ruthless? Me?” she replied in mock disbelief.
Jase smiled at her. “Ruthless. You.”
“I don’t care for that designation,” she responded.
Jase laughed. “You wouldn’t be a Devlin if you weren’t ruthless.”
“That’s quite a blanket statement,” Dani responded, with a slight amount of strain in her voice. “I’m not merciless or unfeeling, certainly. Or is that how you see me?”
“You are only merciless when in competition,” Jase replied. “But you are inexorable in whatever you do. Those are very good features I admire greatly in you. Your tenacity is one of your most endearing traits.”
Dani looked at Jason for the longest moment without saying anything. Then she smiled at him. Jokingly, she replied, “Ah, so that’s why you’re marrying me. You wanted to find a woman who mirrored your own more difficult traits?”
Jase laughed as he again took her hand in his. “Of course,” he replied lightly, with a gentle smile. “Neither of us would ever stand a chance of making a successful life with anyone who wasn’t our equal in tenacity.”
“In other words,” Dani offered with a lightness that didn’t quite cover up the disappointment she felt when the declaration of love failed to come, “we deserve each other. And it’s a good thing, too. Because no one else would have either of us.”
Jase squeezed her hand and winked at her. “Exactly.”
“There are times, Jase, when I really would like to strangle you,” she said. “Slowly and thoroughly.”
“Just another example of your tenacity,” he teased.
Dani smiled broadly. “You are thoroughly impossible, Jase.”
“In that, my dear, we are perfectly matched. At least, we never bore one another,” Jase replied.
Dani laughed. “There is that. I seriously doubt you’ll ever bore me, Jase. Infuriate me. Amuse me. But you will probably never bore me.”
Jase smiled broadly, “The feeling is completely mutual. Fortunately, we’ll have the rest of our lives to grow together.”
Dani looked thoughtfully at him. “The rest of our lives,” she echoed. “Now, there’s a thought.”
Jase smiled at her. “Get used to the idea, Sweetheart. Those vows are serious business.”
“I know that.”
Franklin Greer cleared his throat. “Have you set a date? For the wedding?”
“Saturday, September 2nd,” Jase responded.
Frank Greer was quiet for a moment, then he nodded. “That’s right before my vacation. The church is free that day. What time were you thinking of?”
“Ten a.m.,” Dani added. “A nuptial mass.”
“Good. I’ll pencil it in on the calendar. What about the reception?” the minister asked. “Do you want to use the parish hall?”
Jase shook his head. “Harry said he wanted to have the wedding breakfast at the Club. I’d imagine that Mom will have everything lined up before the end of business tomorrow.”
“That sounds like Harry and Lyn. Neither of them have ever let much grass grow under their feet,” Frank Greer agreed. Then he looked at Dani.
Dani smiled. “When do you want to start the pre-nuptial counseling sessions?”
“How are Thursday evenings for you?”
“Fine,” both Dani and Jase answered in unison.
“See you Thursday then at the rectory, 7:30 p.m.”
“We haven’t discussed details about the wedding, Jase,” Dani said firmly as they walked to the car. “Lyn can’t possibly know about the reception until we have a guest list worked out.”
“Honey, I don’t care if there is no one there other than the two witnesses necessary to sign the license and the church register. But, I will not wait any longer than the second of September to be married. So you had better put your list together quickly.”
“You are impatient,” she responded with a smile.
Jase took her hand when they reached his car. “I’m only impatient with important things.”
“I’m glad you find this important.”
“Is there any doubt in your mind that I would?” Jase demanded.
“No.”
“I’m glad.”
“Why September second?” she asked.
“It’s my birthday. I couldn’t think of a nicer present to give myself than a bride.”
“I love you, Jase.”
He smiled at he
r, but didn’t reply.
Why couldn’t he give her the words she wanted to hear? He wasn’t a stupid man. He had to know what she wanted to hear. Why wasn’t he telling her?
Dani had to face the possibility that he didn’t love her. All he had ever told her was that he cared about her, admired her strength, and felt they were suitable for each other. Was that enough to base a marriage on? She had her doubts.
Still, she knew if Jase promised to love, honor, and cherish her, that he would keep his word to the very best of his ability. He had committed himself to making those promises. It was only a matter of weeks until he would publicly take the vows that would bind them together for the rest of their lives. Dani told herself she would just have to take him at his word.
“You mentioned children,” Jase finally responded. “You want children?”
“Do you have something against children?” she asked.
“I like children. How many do you want to have?”
“As many as we have, I suppose. Those things are best left in God’s hands. Growing up an only child has its disadvantages. I’d love to have a houseful, if we’re so blessed,” Dani replied.
Jase smiled at her. “We’ll have a good life together, Dani. I’m going to give you and our children the very best things I can give you.”
Dani nodded affirmatively. “As long as we have your love that’s all that matters.”
Conversation was minimal as they each were involved in their own thoughts.
“Why are we stopping here?” Dani asked as Jase pulled into a driveway near her father’s house.
“I want you to see this,” Jase replied. “If you don’t like it, we don’t have to take it.”
“A house?”
“We need a place for ourselves. This house has been empty for over a year, since the owners died. It’s been overpriced by the heirs. But with a cash deal, I think we can bring the price down to something that’s fair,” Jase told her. “It needs work. Don’t be too disappointed.”
Dani looked through the dense trees, trying to find some sign of a house. Finally, she saw the house. It was a moderate sized, red brick, two story Georgian. “It’s beautiful.”
Jase laughed. “I thought you’d like it. It doesn’t have stables though. It doesn’t even have the room for stables. The grounds are quite small actually. There’s only about two acres here. We’ll have to go to Harry’s to ride. Fortunately, that’s just through the trees there. We could easily take out some of the trees and put in a connecting road. You can continue to keep your studio there.”
“Can we afford this, Jase?”
“No problem.”
“I think we need to sit down and go over finances. I have no idea what is or isn’t affordable. I know this is very expensive, yet you talk about buying it with cash as though it were nothing.”
“It’s a substantial investment. But it’s one we can afford. A discussion of finances is definitely in order,” he agreed easily. “But come on, let’s look at the house. I think you’ll like it.”
“You have a key?”
“The agent is an old school friend.”
Dani sighed. “It’s more house than we need.”
“Not really. It’s a comfortable size, it’s about a third the size of your father’s house,” Jase told her.
“I grew up in a four room house: kitchen, living room, one bedroom Mother and I shared, and a room where Mother painted. We had one bathroom which was smaller than my shower at Dad’s house.”
“Then you won’t be disappointed by how small this house is,” he said, relief obvious in his voice.
“This house is anything except small.”
“We can probably close on it in a month and have some time to get it in shape before the wedding.”
“Is this the house you want?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’m sure it’s fine. Come on, let’s get some ideas about decorating it.”
It was midnight when a knock came at her bedroom door. Maybe, just maybe, Sarah was right. Someone in the house was responsible for her mother’s murder and for the other attacks, including the recent attempt to kidnap Jaime. All she knew was she couldn’t take a chance.
“Dani?” Harry’s voice came through the door.
“Come in, Dad.”
“You okay, honey?” he said as he popped his head in-side the room.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re up late,” he stated as he came into her room and closed the door behind him.
“Couldn’t sleep. Too much to think about.”
Harry smiled at his daughter. “That’s a condition affecting most engaged young women, I understand.”
“Probably.”
Harry looked at her clearly concerned. “Jase is a good man. I know you’ve had your problems with him.”
“Those were only because he is so defensive about his family. He was afraid you were going to be hurt. He loves you dearly. I can’t fault him for that.”
Harry smiled at his daughter. “I just didn’t want you to feel forced into anything.”
“Forced? You’ve never done anything to force me into this marriage.”
“I’ve never discouraged it, either. I happen to approve of the marriage between you and Jase. I think you will be good for each other.”
“I don’t expect things will be smooth sailing between us. We’re both exceptionally strong willed people. Our fights have been explosive, and I expect they’ll remain that way.”
“You’d both be bored completely senseless if things were too smooth or easy between you. You both thrive on taking on the impossible and improbable. And you’re both stubborn enough to make the marriage work even during the tough and trying times.”
“Is stubbornness all that’s necessary?”
“No,” Harry shook his head. “You need trust, respect, and love, as well as the will and determination to make it work as I’ve learned in my years with Lyn.”
“Which did your marriage to Mother lack?”
Harry sighed and looked profoundly sad. “Trust, on both of our parts, I think. Your mother was the most beautiful woman I ever had met. I took one look at her and I knew that I would have to have her as my wife. She had an understanding with another man. He had brought her here to meet his family before he asked her to marry him.”
“Peter Filson?”
Her father sighed. “Well, you might as well hear the unvarnished truth. Peter and I went to high school together. Then he went off to Harvard, and I went off to West Point. After my father’s stroke, I got myself transferred from active duty to the reserves, and came home. I had revived my father’s business and had it on a firm footing for expansion. Peter had, by that time, established a thriving law practice. But his passion was antiques. On one of Peter’s antique buying trips, he met your mother. Then he brought her home with him.”
Harry was obviously lost in thought. “I met Nancy when she was out painting landscapes in watercolor. I’ll never forget how beautiful she looked, even dressed in jeans, a painting smock, and tennis shoes, with her hair pulled back in a ponytail covered with a ball cap. It was early morning, just after dawn. She had wanted to capture the dawn light. As usual, she had her camera beside her. I was out riding. She had picked a spot on my land to set up her easel. Peter’s property marched along mine.”
“I knew she was Peter’s girl. But that didn’t stop me from flirting with her. She was uncomfortable with the feelings that had sprung up between us. I pushed her into breaking up with Peter. He loved her, but so did I.”
“It was barely a week after she broke up with Peter that I talked her into marrying me. We were married as soon as we could get the license, foregoing the reading of the banns at church. I loved her almost obsessively, and I was jealous of every man she as much as smiled at. Maybe things would have been different between us, if I had trusted her more.”
Dani’s eyes had been firmly fixed on her father’s face from the moment he had begun to
talk about her mother. “What would you say if I told you the reason Mother left you was because she was afraid that if she stayed she would have put you into danger?”
“Danger?”
“From the people who killed Peter.”
Harry looked at her. “Are you telling me that?”
“I can’t prove it yet, but I believe it may be the truth. All I have is what I’ve been able to piece together since I’ve been here. It makes some sort of twisted sense.”
Harry sighed raggedly. “What good is it going to do to dig up the past?”
“I’ve asked myself the same thing. The problem is that if I’m right, whoever killed Peter may well have been behind Mother’s murder. As well as, possibly, Jaime’s attempted kidnapping and John’s murder, as well as the potshots taken at Jase.”
Harry sighed. “I think you’re adding up one and one and coming up with five, Dani. There’s a time and a place for watching your back and doubting everyone. I don’t know this is that time.”
“This has all been too large of a string of hurtful co-incidences in this family. Just because I’m paranoid about this doesn’t mean someone’s not out to get us.”
Harry nodded. “Sometimes, co-incidences are just that. Co-incidences.”
“The first time is an accident. The second time is co-incidence. The third time becomes enemy action,” Dani said. “It’s been enemy action for some time now, Dad. You know that or else you wouldn’t have a concealed carry permit.”
He sighed. “It’s not a pleasant thing.”
“No, it’s not. But we can’t afford to be willfully blind here. Not if any of this is true.”
Harry rubbed his neck.
“I’ve heard a lot of rumors, just by keeping my ears open and my mouth shut,” Dani told him. “Most of those, I’ve discounted immediately. But there’s one I can’t dismiss. I hate to raise the question, but I have to know. And I hope I don’t offend you in the asking.”
Harry sighed again as he visibly braced himself for the question. “You can’t offend me with anything you would ask.”