by Owner
“People always distrust lawyers and politicians.” Lyndsey paused. “I thought you should know about the rumors.”
“Thanks.” Maddie gritted her teeth, holding back the swear word begging to come out.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Jamming her arms into her terry robe and her feet into her matching scuffs, Maddie scooted downstairs for the front door. Her father and Fred were just about to load their golf bags into the Land Rover. Knitted club covers with Pinewood logos topped each set of clubs like a colorful lost-sock parade.
“Tee time?” Maddie asked, trying to sound casual and not out of breath.
“Yes, and I overslept this morning. Too much handshaking and baby kissing last night.”
She greeted Fred and pecked her father’s cheek, which smelled of a clean aftershave and the outdoors. “I have to borrow Dad for a minute.”
Pulling her father to the side, she alerted him to the accusations about him and Barb and Charles Chambers.
No thanks to Jon’s meddling.
Her parents might not be saints, but they certainly weren’t criminals. She’d set him straight later.
“I didn’t want to ruin your par, but I didn’t want you to get blindsided either.”
“Not to worry.” He patted her shoulder. “I’ll take care of the insinuations.” The look in his eye didn’t seem as carefree as his words.
Fred slammed the tailgate after stashing their clubs inside. “Got to hurry,” he called out. “If Elmer was up past midnight at the dance, there’s a good chance he’ll be late and we’ll collect the fifty-dollar bet.”
“You two have a good game.” Maddie tied the belt to her robe as she watched the vehicle crunch down the crushed stone and shell drive.
“Hi, honey.” Jon came through the front door toting his overnighter and laptop, stopping to peck her cheek.
“Don’t you honey me.” She yanked her belt tighter.
He pitched his things into the trunk of the Jag and returned to her side. “I was honey last night. How come I’m not honey this morning?” He scratched his clueless head.
His hair was damp from the shower. He had on the jeans that molded his attributes and a fitted T-shirt and sneakers. He looked edible, the sexy snake.
With a flip, flop, flip, flop she marched into the house with him on her terry-slippered heels. Once secreted inside her father’s cool, dim den, she turned on him. “I heard some disturbing scandal and you’re the cause.”
“Me?” He maneuvered so the desk was between them.
“You’ve been stirring up suspicions about my parents around the island.”
“No.” He shook his head, but his forehead wrinkled in thought.
“What kind of questions have you been asking?” She tapped her foot on the threadbare, antique Persian carpet that generations of Bains had walked on.
“I told you.” He fumbled in his jeans pocket for his trusty little notebook. Flipping it open, he read, “Importing hunters and stiffs. Exporting junk and garden produce.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about and you know it.” She lowered her voice to little more than a whisper but propped both hands on her hips.
He dropped the tablet beside the green ink blotter on the desktop while he dropped onto the leather chair behind the desk. “The only other thing I asked was who’d recommended CC Consulting.”
“And…” She tapped her foot faster.
He picked up his tablet again. Thumbing through the pages, he read, “Two board members heard about Chambers from your mother and two from your father.” He shrugged. “Your father heard about him from your mother, and she gets a headache whenever I bring up the question. I’ll bet my tax shelters her headaches go away when I do.”
“You’ve been casting disparaging remarks like warm-up balls before a game.” Annoyance rang in her voice.
He shoved the notebook back into his pocket. Which lifted his lean hips off the chair and aimed his zipper toward her. Nice distraction, but it wasn’t going to work.
“I told you I was curious about Charles Chambers. No one I know or Craig knows in the consulting world has ever heard of the guy.”
She nodded. Jon had been doing what he always did. Help or hindrance, he’d been trying to take care of everybody. Trying to fix the island’s problems, her problems, his problems.
“Shush. I hear my mother’s wheelchair. You’ve caused enough trouble without drawing her in here.”
They held their breath, staring at each other. His brown eyes pleaded his innocence. Her heart begged to believe him.
“Charles, please call me soon. Victor’s gone to the golf course.” Barb was apparently leaving a voice message. Was it for Charles Chambers?
Maddie exhaled as the sound of the motor dimmed and the door to the living room slammed. The air in the den closed in, stale and stifling.
“I have to take a walk.” She dashed from the room.
He tagged after her. She didn’t slow down until she reached the shore. After a few deep breaths, she stared out at the ocean. “It’s beautiful out here, isn’t it? The ebb and flow restores your faith in life.”
“You do that for me.”
His words made her heart swell. “Jon, what am I going to do?” She sank down on the large rock jutting out on the beach. He scrunched down next to her, eye-to-eye.
“I’ll make it right.”
“No,” she protested. His eyes narrowed, questioning. “We’ll make it right.”
“For starters, I’ll…we’ll hotfoot out to Pinewood to do damage control. Switch my car reservation until the four o’clock ferry.” His eyes met hers and she felt the two of them could accomplish anything. “My brother-in-law is my PR man. A call to him and network some tips.”
“What about my mother? You heard her. Do you suppose she’s involved with Chambers?”
Maddie suspected Barb and Chambers were more than mere business associates. Part of her wanted Jon to ease those concerns. Tell her the fears were nonsense. That she’d leaped to ridiculous conclusions.
He shook his head. “I honestly don’t know. If she is, it doesn’t look good. Not with Tolliver suing him and her abetting him.”
“She’s such a driven business person. I can’t imagine why she’d risk her reputation,” she said, but it wasn’t the whole truth. Maddie could conceive of a reason. Firsthand, she was learning that affairs of the heart were messy.
He kissed her, his mouth soft and tender. As the sun warmed her face, his lips warmed her mouth, and his love warmed her heart.
At that moment, everything felt good. But she knew, eventually, the kiss would end and they’d have to return and face their complications.
All too soon, they were back inside the cold, marble foyer. Just as Jon swung the door into the mayor’s office open, he banged smack into Barb. The door stuttered off her knees.
“Watch where you’re going,” she shrieked. In a blur of green satin, she whizzed by them.
Maddie’s eyes popped as she caught a glimpse of her mother rubbing her satiny knees. Barb had sensation in her legs, Maddie was sure of it. She stared at her mother’s back, her jaw dropping as Barb exited at top speed into the living room.
“Did you see that?” But Jon had already turned away, dialing Craig for his input.
She closed the office door behind her, leaving to change out of her nightclothes.
What should she wear to troubleshoot? Should she handle the hearsay as a Bain or as Maddie?
“Craig, I need your advice. I’m in a bit of a jam.” Jon glanced out the window of the mayor’s den at the blue surf where he and Maddie had walked only minutes earlier. He really wanted to help her out. But there was more to clean up around the Bain house than just the circumstance he’d caused.
Craig chuckled over the phone. “Do the right thing. Marry her.”
“Not that kind of trouble. I need to clean up a character assignation. I might’ve maligned the mayor and his wife.” He detailed the problem.
/> Craig whistled. “Give me a minute.” After a long pause, he said, “Money talks with citizens, and politicians never keep their promises. Rumor it that the mayor’s going to personally ensure the island gets restitution. Make sure you add, although neither he nor his wife is responsible in any way.”
After Jon asked about the baby, he plunked down the receiver.
Outside the office, Maddie waited for him, dressed and ready in a pair of white shorts that made her legs look long, toned, and sexy enough to wipe the rumor from any male mind, despite her clunky white sneakers.
“My mother refused to discuss Chambers in any way or form. My eavesdropping or the town’s didn’t interest her. She claimed a headache and popped a sleeping pill. So there won’t be any disaster control coming from her end.”
Chapter Thirty
Maddie detoured around the Jag. “Let’s take my Jeep.”
Jon obliged, hopping onto the dusty seat of her vehicle and adjusting the sun visor against the sun-streaked windshield. Once she started the engine, she popped the clutch and peeled off down the drive. Pebbles and crushed shells flew while he hung onto the grab handle.
The sky was sunny, the air cool, the ride quick and quiet. Not wanting to crowd her, he strummed his fingers against his thigh and waited until she was ready to talk.
As soon as she pulled to a stop in Pinewood’s parking lot, she spoke up. “So what’s the plan?”
“Apprise the mayor of his new campaign promise to seek out restitution for Bain Island and circulate the word to the constituents and newsmongers.”
“Is that it?”
“Craig said to keep it simple.”
With a nod, she hopped out of the Jeep. The sway of her ass in the white shorts was something to watch so he followed a few paces behind.
Inside the clubhouse, a woman in a pink-and-black checked golfing skirt with matching shirt and visor hurried over. Maddie introduced the golfer as Sue’s mother.
“I want you to know I set the members of the women’s league straight.” She nodded her head toward two foursomes seated at a window table overlooking the greens. “The accusations making the rounds of the island are rubbish. The mayor has always looked out for the interests of the islanders. And your mother, well, she has all she can do to contend with her health issues right now.”
“Thank you.” Maddie hugged her friend’s mother.
“Don’t be silly. No thanks are necessary. I saw the mayor and the council on the seventeenth green right behind our foursome. They should be in soon. Why don’t all of you join the women’s league for lunch? Everyone who’s everyone,” she hinted in a conspiratorial tone, “in other words, all the most notorious gossips, will be there.” She winked.
“It will be a pleasure.” Jon flashed her a knowing grin. This break would expedite Craig’s advice.
“Oh, that smile will get them. They’re suckers for boyish charm.” She tweaked his cheek before strolling back to join her friends.
“What a stroke of luck.” Maddie cocked her brow. “Both the luncheon and your smile.”
He rubbed his sore cheek. “I hope all the ladies aren’t as enthusiastic.”
Before they had a chance to look for a seat at the bar, the mayor’s foursome clamored through the entrance. “What a surprise,” Victor’s voice rang out in a jovial boom.
In no time, Maddie and Jon were surrounded by her father, Fred, Rodger, Denky, and Elmer. All the golfers talked at once, describing a best T-shot, drive, or putt.
“Excuse me while I say hello to the members of the ladies’ league.” The mayor left before Jon could pull him aside. Fred out-talked the group, relating an involved tale of how he chipped his ball, spared a clump of wild roses from a trouncing, and still birdied the tenth hole. By the time he putted out, the mayor had returned. “We’re invited to lunch on the ladies.”
“Do you think it’s a roast?” Elmer guffawed and they all laughed.
When Denky started in on his version of Fred’s golf story, Jon edged the mayor to the side. Denky’s voice was loud enough to cover their discussion. Quickly, he apologized to the mayor for the misunderstanding and explained Craig’s strategy. “My brother-in-law’s specialty is public relations.”
The mayor nodded. “The board will back me a hundred percent.”
By noon, they were all seated in the private dining room off the clubhouse’s main room. The president of the women’s league called the meeting to order in between several giggles, probably induced by the third pitcher of mimosas the mayor had treated the ladies to. Although everyone in the room already knew him, the mayor was formally introduced amidst clapping and some low murmurs.
His speech was received with enthusiasm. His promises were applauded. By the time he finished, Jon figured he’d won the women’s league over for today. He had a gut instinct the issue would resurface.
The servants at Tidewater weren’t stupid. If he and Maddie had overheard Barb and Charles Chambers’ telephone conversations so had the house staff. His questions might’ve gotten the ball rolling, but he’d guess the servants’ chatter kept it tumbling.
“Thank you.” Maddie smiled at him, her eyes glowy.
With Craig’s help he’d gone from bum to hero. He could leave the island in good conscience that he’d see her again. And sooner than next year. They still had to talk before the ferry departed. Words of love mouthed in the darkened bedroom needed to be aired in the light of day.
When Maddie finished her bland chicken salad and before the chocolate mousse was served, she touched her hand to his knee. He liked the intimate gesture. Soon, he hoped they could be open about their relationship.
“Despite Barb’s protests, I’m going home to check on her. Sunday’s Rita and Ben’s day off, and I’m not comfortable leaving her alone for a long period of time. You can finish schmoozing here and catch a ride back with Dad. I’ll see you at the house.”
Fleetingly, she rested her hand on his shoulder. It was all he could not to clasp his over hers to stop her from leaving. “We need to talk before I go,” he said.
With a nod she gave her consent and was gone.
Chapter Thirty-One
“I think we’re done here.” The mayor tucked in his impeccable golf shirt as everyone finished their dessert and took their leave. “Fred and I are going into town with Denky to spread more of the good word.” He dug into his pants pocket and with a jangle tossed Jon the keys to the Land Rover. “I’ll see you before you leave for the ferry.”
Jon gave his regards to the board members and ducked into the quiet locker room, fumbling in his wallet for his phone card. This was his only chance to call home away from Tidewater and prying ears.
“Hey, Sis.” His voice broke. He was so used to his brother-in-law answering his calls that she took him by surprise. He hadn’t spoken to Sarah since before she’d given birth. “I was beginning to think Craig kept you and my new niece locked up for safe keeping,” he joked as he gained control.
“How have you been?” she asked.
“Okay. The trip to Rose Island turned out to be downtime. Mom’s lover never showed.”
“Craig told me. I shouldn’t have made you go.” She paused. “I’ve missed you. A lot has happened. I’m used to having you around during the highpoints in my life. Come home soon.” Her words were teary.
“Aw, Sarah.” Hell, she was crying. He could hear her sobs. He could handle it if she shouted at him, but not this. Not here. Not so far from home. What in the heck was he supposed to do? She had a husband. Where in the hell was Craig?
“Jon…the baby…you haven’t even seen Gracie yet.” Sarah hiccupped. “And Dad showed up again. For the third time in a week. With Mom gone, and you away, he’s the only family other than Craig—” The hiccups gave way to muffled sobbing.
“Don’t cry, Sarah.”
“Don’t be mad at me about Dad, Jon,” she sobbed. “If you’d have been here to handle things with him. But you weren’t, and I—”
�
��Don’t cry. I’m not mad.” Where the fuck was Craig? He shifted his weight and lowered his voice. “I’ll handle it, and him, and the situation when I get back. Don’t upset yourself. And for cripssake don’t upset the baby.” He tried jump-starting her motherly instincts to keep her mind off everything else.
“I’m sorry, Jon,” she choked.
“Don’t be sorry. Be happy.” He forced a cheery note to his voice. “Forget about everybody but Gracie. And yourself. How about I bring you a homecoming present? A big one.”
She paused, then gulped. Her tone sounded steadier when she spoke again. “A huge box of Godiva chocolates while I’m still fat enough to indulge myself might be nice.” She forced a laugh. “When are you coming home?”
“I’m leaving here in a few hours. Is Craig around?”
“I’ll get him.” Clunk.
Silence. Then Craig’s familiar, “Hey.”
“What in the hell’s wrong with my sister? She’s weeping. She never weeps.”
“They call it the baby blues.”
“The baby’s pink and in the pink, right?” You’re not keeping anything from me, are you?”
“No, no. The doctors claim Sarah’s teariness is temporary. Between first time mother’s anxiety and her feelings of sadness over her mother not living long enough to see the baby, then happiness about your dad and the baby, and then sadness about you and your dad, believe me, I got my hands full here. Mostly with tissues.”
“But the crying, it will pass?”
“It should disappear in a few days. Unless it worsens into post-natal depression.”
“It’s not going to worsen,” Jon swore. “If it comes between my sister’s happiness and putting up with the old man, I’ll put up with the bastard.”
“I’m told about fifty to eighty percent of mothers go through this patch of blues. She’ll be fine,” Craig assured him.
“I’m not taking any chances with my only sister. Both the godfather and grandfather will be at Gracie’s christening, smiling. Schedule it for this week.”