“I can help make nachos.” Sibling rivalry was new to me.
Josh brushed past me in the kitchen. He smelled of cigarettes and trouble. “You need a shower before you go out there.”
“I wasn’t smoking,” he told me. “It was the guys I rode with.”
His father cleared his throat. I didn’t see him standing behind us. He was wearing business wear and cowboy boots. He yanked at his tie and pulled it out of his collar. Then he unbuttoned the top two buttons. “Miss Ross has a point. Margareta’s not likely to buy that story. Go wash up.”
Josh stomped down the hall and slammed the bathroom door.
“Have I missed much?” asked Mr. Halden.
I kept a straight face as I thought up a response to his absurd question. “No. We haven’t eaten yet.”
“Very well,” he drawled. “How has your schooling been going?”
“I’m staying on top of it while I help Meggie with Emmie.”
“And I assume you’ve adjusted to living in Williston. Gabriel assured me there would be no more issues with the media.”
I looked him dead in the eye. I had no interest in challenging Rachel ever again. “You don’t have to worry.”
He relaxed his posture and rested a hand on the table behind him. I knew that he would appreciate my directness.
“It’s been brought to my attention that he’s had a change of heart about work. I can say I’m rather delighted.”
“He’s going to finish his contract,” I replied. Gabe hadn’t had any change of heart that I was aware of.
“Thank you, Miss Ross.” He cut off the conversation as if we were talking about crude oil and commodity prices at an energy conference.
“Mr. Halden,” I called, “Gabe would like to hear that from you. And you can call me Avery.”
He flashed a grin over his shoulder. He was quite handsome when he wasn’t being an uptight CEO. “Alright Miss…Avery. Only if you call me Joel.”
Molly was checking on Eli. Lane was expecting paper plates, so I opened the kitchen door into the garage and navigated the steps in the dark. I missed the light switch.
The truck moved when I touched the side of the hood. I jumped back. Maybe I imagined it. Maybe a tanker was driving by and shook the house. I walked my fingers over the door panel, found the handle and pulled open the door.
“Avery,” Molly’s voice panted my name. There was a hand holding her head. It wasn’t her hand.
I shut the door and ran to the steps lit by the interior light of the truck. Inside the kitchen, I rested my back on the door. Then I closed my eyes and counted backward from ten.
“He didn’t,” I said under my breath.
“Sure he did.” Gabe stood in front of me and set his hands on my shoulders. I flinched. “Your face is red. Who didn’t do what?”
“I can’t tell you,” I whispered.
“What did Caleb do to you now?” He held my face tighter as if that would make me tell him.
“He didn’t do anything to me.”
“You don’t look so sure.”
I nodded and jerked my head at the garage.
Gabe glowered. “He’s out there? Doing what?”
I bit my bottom lip. The knot in my gut tightened. Gabe tried to open the door, and I pressed my back into it and surprised him.
“What are you hiding? Move,” he said.
“No, Gabe. You don’t understand.”
He stepped back and put a hand on top of the refrigerator. “Tell me what the freak is going on, or I’ll bust the damn door down.”
“Molly’s out there.”
Gabe rubbed his jaw. He didn’t say anything. He just glowered.
“I feel horrible. I gave your brother a pep talk to get him to behave,” I said. “It had the opposite effect.”
His eyebrows pinched together. “So?”
“So they’re making out in Lane’s front seat because of me,” I hissed. I couldn’t even believe what I was saying. Molly just had a baby.
“It’s not your problem, Av’ry.”
“She tried to tell me, and I didn’t do anything. Poor Lane. He loves her so much.”
Gabe sighed. “Stay out of it. Haven’t you noticed this family is damaged beyond repair?”
Lane walked inside with a dirty dish and set it in the sink. “I asked for the cooler and now dad’s out there without a beer. If he doesn’t get a drink, we’re all gonna suffer. Outta my way, little brother.”
“I’ll get it,” I said. “I was going to get the cups and plates anyway.”
“It’s too heavy for you,” Lane replied. “You’ll hurt your wrist.”
Gabe stepped in front of his brother. “Gimme a minute. I’ll get it. I just need a word here with Av’ry.”
Lane grabbed a bowl of tortilla chips and headed back outside.
“He doesn’t need to see this,” I told Gabe.
“He’ll find out. They suck at hiding.”
“Meggie said hormones made her crazy right after she had Emmie. That’s what’s happening to Molly, right? She’s just confused.”
“The only hormone I know about struts around in a cowboy hat and can’t keep it in his pants. Case in point.”
“You better get the cooler.”
I was about to step away from the door when it pushed into my back. Caleb squeezed himself inside and stood between us as if he hadn’t done anything wrong. His cheeks were flushed. The swelling in his nose was going down.
I put my hand on Gabe’s shoulder and held him back so Caleb could pass by. If one of them brushed the other’s shoulder, I’d have to call Lane in to break up the third world war.
“Your brother needs his cooler,” I reminded Caleb. “Isn’t that what you were getting out there?”
“Fiddlesticks. Plumb forgot” He returned to the garage. Gabe pushed the door into him and locked him out.
“Let them ruin their own lives. She’s playing both of them.”
“There’s something about Lane’s garage,” I said as I recalled one memorable occasion last summer.
“He probably knocked her up out there.”
I slapped his shoulder. He pulled me tight to his front, and my breath hitched in my throat.
“So it’s Caleb’s baby now?”
The sliding door opened and Meggie walked in. “Have you seen Josh?”
“He’s taking a shower. He’ll be out,” I told her.
Caleb banged the door with the cooler, and Gabe just smirked. I let him in, and we followed him to the deck where Mr. Halden had his back to us. He was working over the brisket with a brush. Gabe’s grip on my hand tightened.
A few minutes later, Molly came out carrying a Walmart bag full of paper products. Lane stared at her, and she offered a phony grin. She wouldn’t look at Caleb or me.
“Sit down, Joel. This is Lane’s show,” Meggie said. “We never get everyone together like this.”
Deliah stood up as soon as her father approached the picnic table. “Where are you going, young lady?” he asked.
“I want to go home,” she said in tears.
“Oh lordy,” Caleb drawled and took a drink from his beer. “This again?”
I stepped in front of the sliding door to block her exit. She spun around and took a leap off the deck. Everyone stood up as she disappeared into the dark. Gabe and Judson ran after her. Mr. Halden just watched.
“Joel, she was fine minutes ago,” Meggie said in an exasperated tone.
The doorbell rang.
“Whoever it is better be packing a straightjacket and a tranquilizer,” Caleb said.
“I’ll get it,” Lane told us. “It’s probably a reporter wondering why we’re all together.”
“Please don’t let the babies wake up,” Molly said as she formed her hands into prayer and closed her eyes.
Meggie rested her head on Mr. Halden’s shoulder. “I need a vacation. Can you make it happen?”
“I’m afraid that’ll be nearly impossible, Margareta. Have you f
orgotten? I’m about to relocate a small nation.”
“He doesn’t do vacations, Meggie. Never had one that I recall unless you count dragging our asses from one oil boom to the next,” said Caleb.
She sighed and slipped her arm around Mr. Halden’s. He took a swig of beer and turned his chin to meet her gaze. “You can piggyback a flight with me next time I go abroad for business.”
“Such a tempting offer, Joel. Playing second fiddle to her man’s business adventure is every woman’s dream.”
Meggie and Mr. Halden were rarely affectionate in front of anyone. I couldn’t say I had actually seen them kiss more than twice before.
Caleb hauled up as Meggie set a hand on Mr. Halden’s chin. I watched to see if he would look at Molly. He didn’t. She played with the baby monitor and avoided him as well.
“Pardon my abrupt exit,” he said. “I don’t reckon I’ll be getting my appetite back anytime soon.”
Lane cleared his throat in the doorway.
“My goodness, Tessa!” Meggie exclaimed. “We weren’t expecting you.”
Lane stepped aside and ushered Tessa onto the deck. The look of surprise on Gabe’s father’s face sparked my curiosity.
“I’m sorry to drop in unannounced,” she said. “Hello, Joel. How are you?”
Gabe’s father stood and offered her a formal handshake and greeting. “How may I be of assistance?”
“Where’s Deliah?” she asked.
“She took off like a wild stallion all of five minutes ago. My brother’s gonna lasso her up good and haul her back,” Caleb said.
“Have a seat. Can we get you a drink?” Lane asked.
“Whatever you’re having,” she answered. “I’m sorry to interrupt your meal. It smells marvelous. You obviously know your way around a barbeque.”
Lane retrieved a bottle of scotch from the kitchen and set a handful of shot glasses down in front of Caleb. The tension in the air was so thick I could almost see it.
“I got your message,” Tessa told Meggie. “I thought we should all speak in person.”
Mr. Halden lifted his arm and set it on Meggie’s shoulder.
“I was shaken to learn of the fire after what happened to y’all in Benjamin. I saw it on the news.”
“Is there something you need regarding Deliah?” Joel asked.
Tessa took a seat at the end of the table. “She’s been calling me at all hours.”
Meggie’s shoulders squared. “We didn’t know.”
“I gathered that. She calls mostly upset.”
“I’m so sorry.” Meggie covered her heart. “We’ve been having some issues. Do you know what’s upsetting her? We haven’t been able to figure it out.”
Mr. Halden stared at Tessa as if he was trying to figure out why she came so he could get rid of her.
“I may have a clue. Pardon my asking, but is Judson in town?”
Mr. Halden’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and held it up to Meggie to show her he needed to take it. “My brother’s here. Why do you ask?”
He stood and walked into the house without waiting for an answer.
Meggie crossed her arms. “Does Jud have something to do with your visit?”
“I’d like to share something with you. I wish no ill will on your family, but I don’t feel I should keep anyone in the dark.”
I looked to Molly and tried to gauge her thoughts. Was she thinking about what she did or paying attention to Tessa? “This sounds heavy,” she muttered.
“Maybe I should go if it’s a family matter,” I said to Meggie. I knew what Tessa was going to say. I knew why she was asking about Judson. I needed to find Gabe and get him to take me home so he wouldn’t hear any of it. “I’ll look for Gabe.”
“Right behind ya,” he said from the yard.
“Let me down. You promised!” Deliah shrieked. He was carrying her on his back. She slid into the grass and ran up the steps to greet Tessa with a big hug.
“My dear,” Tessa crooned.
“You came like I asked,” Deliah cried. “Tell them all. Tell them about the other baby in the letter.”
Gabe climbed over the railing and stood beside Lane where the brisket was smoking out the sides of the grill.
“Howdy, ma’am,” Gabe told Tessa with a cocked eyebrow. “What baby are we talking about?”
Tessa glanced about as she pulled all of her hair to one side. “Would you be more comfortable talking inside with your dad and Meggie?” she asked Deliah.
“No. Whatever you tell me, I’m going to tell them anyway. They should know about all of the truth and the lies.”
That was an understatement.
“Why don’t you enlighten us? What lies is he keeping now?” Gabe rested his hands behind his neck.
I walked over to him. My heart pounded in my chest. I wondered if anyone could see it.
“Please continue,” Meggie said to Tessa. “Let’s get through this so we can all eat.”
The baby monitor on the table went berserk. All four lights lit up, and Molly and Meggie fled the deck to check on the babies. No one was going to have an appetite after Tessa got done.
“I want to share with you what Sara intended to bring to the table when she headed to Texas before the storm.”
“Does this have anything to do with the will?” Lane asked.
“It’s not about a will,” Deliah exclaimed. “My mom had a baby with Brigg Barrett!”
Josh set a foot on the deck the moment the words burst from Deliah’s throat. He turned around in a hurry and went back inside wearing a look of horror on his face.
All eyes shifted to Deliah. Gabe lowered his arms and gripped the railing for support.
“Oh, Deliah, that’s not true,” Tessa told her.
“My mom had an affair with him for years. We all know it. I read her love letter. She was telling him she had his baby.”
“Is this true?” Lane asked. “Did the lieutenant know she was Barrett’s kid? He told us she was his. Why continue the charade?”
“She looks like him. Like all of us. You can’t deny the eyes,” said Caleb. “Come on. Is this a joke?”
Tessa took a deep breath. “Deliah, Brigg and your mom did not have a baby together.”
“They did! I have proof in that letter she wrote. Now he’s stalking me.”
Gabe turned to Tessa. “She’s right. He is stalking her. Every time we turn a corner, he’s there.”
“He’s not her father. I can assure you. He pursued your mom for decades, but he’s not her father. I’m one hundred percent sure. Sara used Brigg as a cover.”
“What the hell?” Gabe said. “A cover for what?”
“I think we should speak privately with your…with Joel.”
“Tessa, no. Please, no more secrets,” Deliah said as she shook the picnic table and made the dishes jump. “What are you still hiding?”
My gaze danced from Caleb to Lane and then to Gabe. His jaw tensed. He was gritting his teeth.
“Your mom was always in love with the same man.”
“Well, we know she didn’t love the lieutenant,” Caleb snickered.
“Please explain why you’re here,” said Lane. “If it wasn’t the lieutenant or Barrett—who are you getting at?”
Gabe stepped away from the railing. I tried to take his hand, but he pushed his sleeves up to his elbows and crossed his arms over his chest.
“I’m talking about Judson. Is he here?”
“What does Jud know about anything?” Gabe said.
“My mom’s love letter isn’t to Judson. It’s written to Lefty.” Deliah said.
Meggie stepped onto the deck. She was burping Emmie over her shoulder. “Nobody’s called him that for years. Except me,” she whispered. “What’s going on?”
Judson appeared on the step. He lifted off his hat and pressed it to his ribs. “Sara called me Lefty.”
“Let me get this straight. Mom wrote a love letter to Lefty and you’re him? You and my mom we
re together?” Caleb asked as he ran his hands from his forehead to the nape of his neck.
I drew my eyes around the deck. Lane braced the edge of the table and dropped his head. Deliah’s eyes filled with tears.
“That’s why you’re here? To find out if Deliah’s yours?” Gabe asked. “Why now?”
Judson blew out his breath. “I was afraid to know the answer.”
“Ain’t that right?” Caleb drawled. “A carpenter’s house is never finished.”
“All this time you could’ve investigated,” Gabe shouted at Judson. “She’s our sister, and you knew about her. You knew she was out there and didn’t tell us. Damn this family.”
Judson turned his back and steadied his arms on the railing.
Deliah’s tears dribbled down her face. I feared she was about to run off again in typical Halden fashion.
“So she’s your kid?” Gabe sneered. “This is all the lieutenant’s doing, isn’t it? He covered it up to avoid public humiliation. That’s what Haldens do. Steal each other’s wives and children and act like everything’s hunky-dory.”
Caleb lifted his gaze to find Lane glowering at him with disgust. I got a pain in my chest as I appreciated that he was telling Caleb he was onto him. “Them apples don’t fall far from the tree,” Lane said.
“Joel wasn’t aware of my relationship with Sara,” said Judson. “He had no idea.”
“Why couldn’t she tell the lieutenant?” Gabe shouted at his uncle’s back. “He was seeing Meggie and that was no secret to anybody.”
“Except Josh,” said Caleb. “But that’s another ball of wax, folks.”
Meggie lowered her head and nuzzled Emmie. She looked uncomfortable sitting in the middle of a firing range.
“I don’t get why mom didn’t marry you in the first place?” Lane questioned his uncle.
“Man, life could’ve been so different,” Gabe said.
Deliah jumped up and ran into the kitchen. Gabe and Lane shadowed her.
“Do you mind if I go inside?” Tessa asked Meggie.
“Please, go ahead,” she replied.
Gabe’s uncle jammed his hands in his back pockets but didn’t turn around.
I took a seat at the table beside Deliah when Caleb signaled for me to join them in the kitchen. Gabe and Lane stood elbow to elbow at the sink.
Stubborn Truth (The Stubborn Series Book 3) Page 21