by Regina Duke
Madlyn took Vicky’s hand. “But you and Jason come from two different worlds.”
Vicky squeezed her friend’s fingers. “That’s just it, Madz. Jason’s family is rich, but he was sent away. He didn’t grow up here. He only came home to visit. He was at school in San Rafael, and his aunt and uncle on his mother’s side moved there to be close to him and provide him with family contact. He adored his uncle Jerry, and his aunt Grace is still alive and dotes on him. She’s very much from ‘our’ world. You know, the one where you scrabble to pay the rent and feel like you’re at the mercy of your miserly stepfather when it comes to paying competition entry fees? This marriage will change my life. And it will help Jason, too. His grandmother is demanding he marry and settle down before the end of the year if he wants to inherit the big money.”
Madlyn looked disappointed. “So, he’s from ‘their’ world after all. Worried about the billions. And now he’s got you doing it, too.”
“Well, duh,” said Vicky. “Billions? Some people kill for that kind of money. I don’t want billions. I just want enough to pay my competition entry fees and save my mother’s house. I keep hoping if I do that, she might actually approve of me once before I die.”
Madlyn performed a fist pump worthy of major league baseball. “I knew it. Your motivation is totally ‘our’ world. Don’t you see? You’re still trying to please your mother after all these years.”
Vicky’s brows met in the middle. “At first, when I read the fax from Jason’s lawyers, that was exactly my motivation. But since then, I’ve gotten to know him a little better.”
“Oh, come on.” Madlyn rolled her eyes. “How can you get to know someone in such a short time? You knew Darius for years.”
“That’s my point. All that time wasted on Darius, and I never really knew him at all. He never opened up, never shared with me. He was too busy trying to compete. He always wanted to be better than me.”
Madlyn nodded. “I told you he was a rat. I could tell from your emails that he was always trying to put you down and destroy your self-confidence.”
“But Jason isn’t like that. He encourages me. He makes me laugh. He thanks me for being so good with his grandmother. He tells me about his feelings.”
Madlyn cocked her head to one side. “You know, John does that, too. And I love that about him.”
Vicky smiled. “See? I’m not the only one smitten.”
“But I’ve known John since high school. We just sort of bumped into each other at a party a couple of weeks ago, and it was like seeing each other for the first time. Everything clicked. Funny, because we didn’t really like each other in school.”
“Same here,” said Vicky. “I mean, the not liking part. When Jason picked me up at the airport, he was huffy and prickly and inconsiderate. I thought he was a jerk. Then he told me his uncle had just died. He was in mourning. When he brought my luggage over and made that offer to marry him for money, I thought he was a jerk again and sent him packing. Then mother called, and I saw that fax from Jason’s lawyers. Well, it was like a gift from the universe. I had to go for it. Of course, when Darius showed up, it was like a kick in the teeth from the universe, but I’m used to those. But when I nearly shot Jason, he didn’t run away.”
“You shot him?!” Madlyn pounded the steering wheel so hard, the horn beeped.
Vicky tucked in her elbows and darted glances at Madlyn. She couldn’t hold her gaze. “Oh. That. I was going to tell you about that.”
“When? At the deposition?”
Vicky burst out laughing.
Madlyn didn’t.
“Sorry.” Vicky’s gaze dropped to her lap. She played with her straw and tried to explain. “Darius showed up, out of the blue, and he was horrible. He tried to bribe me into getting back together with him, by holding my laptop hostage. He bought it from the pawn shop. He made me so mad! When I heard footsteps on the porch, I thought it was him again, and I remembered that your dad kept his hunting rifle in the coat closet. I only wanted to scare him. I didn’t know it was loaded. When I opened the door, it wasn’t Darius. It was Jason. I dropped the rifle and it went off. It’s not like I took aim and pulled the trigger.”
Madlyn waved a hand. “Oh, well, in that case.” She shook her head and gawked at Vicky. “Good Lord, girl, you are so full of surprises. Who are you? What have you done with the Vicky Winn I grew up with?”
Vicky relaxed. Madlyn was making jokes. That was a good sign. “We’re all good?”
Madlyn shrugged. “I’m your best friend forever, so I guess I’ll just have to get used to you being a billionaire’s wife.” Her eyes widened with anticipation. “I can hardly wait to see what you get me for Christmas.”
Vicky laughed.
Madlyn turned serious. “Sweetheart, back to being broke. There are other jobs besides playing piano in a bar. What about waitressing? Sales?”
Vicky nodded. “I worked part time for a music store. They just didn’t have any permanent positions. And working really cuts into practice time. Playing nine hours a day is hard to do after waiting tables or selling music books for hours on end. Every time a competition came up, I found myself scrambling to fit it all in. And every time I thought I actually liked a regular job, mother would tell me I was settling, or I was a failure. She didn’t use that word, but I could hear it in her voice.”
“Yep, she’s a peach. She settled, but you’re not allowed to.”
Vicky gasped and touched her throat. “I never thought of it that way before. You’re right. She married my stepfather, and she gave piano lessons because his job history wasn’t the greatest. I always wondered why she stopped competing.”
“Are you kidding? Did it ever occur to you that she just wasn’t good enough?”
Vicky stared open-mouthed at her friend. In truth, that possibility had never once occurred to her.
“She always hinted that she stopped because she had a baby to take care of.” She looked out the side window. “Which made me feel like her career was ruined because I came along.” She frowned at the side mirror. “Hey, Madz? I think we should get going.”
“I’m almost done,” said Madlyn, rattling the ice in her cup.
Vicky’s voice grew urgent. “Now, Madz.” She turned to meet her friend’s puzzled stare. “Darius just pulled into the drive-through.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
Madlyn craned her neck to get a good look at Darius.
“That blond guy? He doesn’t look like much of a threat.”
“He’s mean and cruel and he’s coming this way!”
Madlyn started the engine. “We are out of here. I’ve already had a house fire today. I’m not in the mood for dealing with a jerk.”
She backed out of her space, shifted into drive, and took off so fast, she sent gravel spewing behind her.
“Is he following us?”
Vicky turned and peered out the grimy back window. “Yes. Why can’t he leave me alone?”
“Based on your history as a couple, he doesn’t have a clue about letting go.”
“Jason told him he’d better not come back to the house. I don’t think he’ll follow us onto the property. What’s he doing?” she asked as he whipped around them, his brake lights going on the minute he pulled back in front of them.
Madlyn looked grim. “Idiot. I’ll go around him.”
She waited for an opening, then pulled around Darius’ rental car.
Vicky avoided looking in his direction, but once they were past him, she turned to see what he would do next.
Amidst the blaring of horns, Darius pulled out and zoomed past them again. Once in front, he applied his brakes, slowing them down to forty, then thirty. Cars behind them started honking their horns.
Madlyn swore. “Does he have a history of road rage?”
Vicky frowned. “He is very cranky behind the wheel when he doesn’t get his way.”
“That’s a yes in Vicky Speak, right?” She reached for her phone and thumb dialed.
“What are you doing?”
“I’ve had enough of this guy. We know he has a temper and a mean streak. I do not want to be forced off the road.” She put the phone to her ear. “Hello, John? Are you in your patrol car? Could you do me a favor?” She explained what was happening, then said, “Thank you, sweetie pie.” She hung up.
Other drivers were pulling around them and Darius’ rental car.
“You’re not going to go around?”
“Nope. Just give it a few minutes.”
Darius was now doing twenty in a fifty-mile-an-hour zone. He lowered a window and stuck his arm out, pointing over the roof to the side of the road.
Tension grew in the pit of Vicky’s stomach. “He’s going to be really mad if we don’t pull over.”
Madlyn cast a sympathetic glance at her. “Is that how he has kept you under his thumb all these years? You poor thing.” She glanced in her rearview mirror. “Here comes the cavalry.”
Vicky turned to look.
A police car with lights flashing was pulling around traffic. As it passed Madlyn, Officer John Dare gave her a wave. Then the car pulled in between Madlyn and Darius. As soon as it did, the siren sounded. John used the speaker and ordered Darius to pull over.
It took a few seconds, but at last Darius pulled his rental car onto the side of the road, and the police car pulled in behind him.
Madlyn waved gaily as she drove carefully past the stopped vehicles, then sped up to the proper speed.
Vicky sank into her seat with relief. “What’s John going to do?”
“Probably give him a ticket for driving too slowly on the highway. Cheer up. He’s no longer our problem.”
“I hope you’re right.” Vicky suppressed a giggle. “Thank you, Madz.”
Madlyn grinned. “My pleasure.”
They arrived at the Darby mansion to find Jason’s Jaguar already there.
“Where’s the cook’s car?” asked Madlyn.
“Maybe she parks around the back,” said Vicky. “Have you seen the kitchen in this place?”
Madlyn grinned. “Yes. Mom used to bring me to the staff Christmas parties. That’s how I know about the Peach Room.” She pulled her car in behind the Jaguar. “Gee, I never thought I drove a piece of crap until now.”
Vicky grinned at her. “You have a lovely, serviceable and paid-for vehicle. Don’t knock it.” She got out and began wrangling luggage.
A moment later, Mr. Lopes jogged up to her. “Let me help with those things, miss. Mr. Darby’s going to bring the butler back in a few days, but he asked me to unload your car for you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Lopes.” She gestured to Madlyn. “Let’s go inside.”
Madlyn paused in the grand entryway, her head tilted back to admire the ceiling. “I always expect to see a painting up there,” she said. “It’s like a bare Sistine Chapel.”
Jason came up behind her. “Can’t you see the faint outline of all the dollar bills? That’s what it’s papered with.”
Madlyn jumped. Vicky laughed. “Don’t be silly. Dollar bills are green.”
“My mother thought it was tacky and ordered my dad to paint over them,” joked Jason. “Welcome home.” He gave Vicky a kiss on the cheek.
Madlyn sniffed the air. “Is that pizza I smell?”
“Yes. I managed to straighten things out at the grocer’s, and Mrs. Johnson is putting food away. But it’s too late to ask her to cook a meal for all of us, so we brought home some pizzas. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Mind? I’m thrilled,” said Vicky. “And starved. Our tea-time sandwiches didn’t do much to fill me up.”
“Thanks for letting me stay here tonight, Jason,” said Madlyn.
“Stay as long as you like,” he said. “It may take some time to get rid of the smoke residue at your house.”
Mr. Lopes came in with the luggage and Vicky’s keyboard case. He set them next to the door. Vicky went to the open door and looked out, checking the long drive for any sign of Darius.
“What’s up?” asked Jason.
Madlyn explained.
Jason shook his head. “If he shows up here, I’ll have him arrested. If your boyfriend hasn’t already done that.” He gave Madlyn a crooked smile. “Quick thinking on your part.”
Lopes gave his boss a tiny salute. “I’ll be going soon, Mr. Darby. Just one more chore before I leave, unless you have something else for me to do?”
“Would you like to join us for dinner?”
“Oh, thank you, sir, but the missus is waiting. She wants to have a little celebration on account of I got my job back. Thanks a million.”
“You’re welcome. Will your advance tide you over?”
“Yes, sir. It surely will.” He nodded at the girls, then left, pulling the front door closed behind him.
“Come on, let’s have dinner,” said Jason. “Dee and Gran are already in the dining room.”
Dinner was casual even if the dining room was not. Dolores’ mind was sharpest in the evening. She remembered Madlyn’s mother with great fondness and assured Madlyn that her mother would always be welcome at the house.
Vicky sat next to Dee while Jason played host. As Dolores recounted tales of Madlyn’s mother and other snippets of life before Gloria, Vicky noticed that Dee looked uncomfortable. She leaned toward her.
“Is everything all right?”
Dee shook her head, then motioned for Vicky to follow her out of the dining room.
Vicky moved casually. “We’ll be right back.” She smiled reassuringly at Jason and Madlyn, then followed Dee into the grand entry.
“What’s up?”
Dee blurted, “She wants me to cancel the party!”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Jason emerged from the dining room.
“What’s happening?”
Vicky cast a glance toward those still gathered at the table.
Jason said, “They’re not going to notice I’ve gone. Mrs. Johnson just sat down. The three of them are reminiscing. Madlyn is telling them about her mother’s cruise.” He looked at Dee. “You seem distressed.”
Dee heaved a sigh, happy to share her burden. “Right before you got here with pizza, your grandmother told me to cancel the party.”
“What?”
“It came as a complete surprise to me. I’d just spent an hour filling her in on all the details. Everything is ready. The hall is decorated. The catering has been arranged. The scholarship fundraiser, the music, the guests. Two hundred guests! She wants me to call them all tonight and cancel everything.”
Jason patted the air with both hands. “We’re not canceling the ball. Don’t worry. I’ll take the responsibility. Gran is getting forgetful.” He kept his tone light, but his heart lurched at the news. “I’m here now. Vicky’s here, too. After tomorrow’s meeting, everything will be settled. Go on back in and have dinner. If Gran mentions the party to you, just say Jason is handling everything. Okay?”
The look of gratitude on Dee’s face revealed how worried she had been. She looked ten years younger as she returned to the dining room.
Jason released a noisy breath. “Let’s see if we can get through dinner without mentioning the Halloween ball.”
“Good plan,” said Vicky. “How has Dolores managed to fly under everyone’s radar for so long?”
Jason rubbed his forehead. “I think Gloria got rid of everyone who would notice Gran’s decline. She had designs on the estate. I’m sure she manipulated Gran into changing her will. In fact, after talking to my lawyers, it’s a certainty. They were getting ready to contact me. They’ve been concerned because Gloria was trying to act as a middleman between them and Gran. Sort of sad that the lawyers were the first to suspect something was wrong” He shook his head sadly. “When I arrived and had that first conversation with Gran, I thought she was just being her old contrary self. She’s never been easy to deal with. But now I can see how she has deteriorated. It breaks my heart. Ironic, isn’t it? If Madlyn hadn’t called her and ask
ed for a favor, I wouldn’t have gone to the airport and met you. And if I hadn’t met you, I’d really be scrambling to fix this mess. Or worse. I might have walked away.”
Vicky slipped an arm around his waist and smiled.
“What?”
She patted his chest. “You would not have walked away.”
“How do you know?”
“You’ve been referring to Dolores as Gran for hours now. You really care about her. With me or without me, you would never just walk away and leave her in Gloria’s clutches.”
Jason smiled back at her. “Maybe you’re right. Come on. I hate cold pizza.”
Thanks to the presence of Madlyn and Mrs. Johnson, the topic of the party never came up. By ten o’clock Mrs. Johnson had cleared the dining table and offered to show Madlyn up to the Peach Room. Dee was happy to call it a night. Vicky took Dolores upstairs when it was evident that she was fatigued by all the excitement.
Jason bid Madlyn and Mrs. Johnson goodnight, then sagged onto an upholstered bench in the entry way, waiting for Vicky to come down.
He was truly grateful for her presence. She was beautiful, kind, talented and funny. He marveled at how quickly he’d come to depend on her, and how eagerly he awaited the signing of their personal agreement. Once that was done, he knew she would be around for at least a year. He would have the time and the authority to straighten out all the problems caused by Gloria’s scheming.
Most important of all, he would have time with Vicky. The sight of her coming down the stairs sparked a flame in him. He was exhausted when she left the room. Now he felt like he could spend all night entertaining her.
Vicky shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Is this day over yet?”
“Not until my aunt arrives. Did Gran give you any trouble?”
“No. Into her nightgown and out like a light. Poor thing.”
“All these years, and I never knew that life with my grandmother could be so exciting. She always went out of her way to present a reserved, withdrawn demeanor with me. I couldn’t believe we were even related. And she’s nothing like my parents were, as far as I can remember.”