Caught in the Crossfire

by Annette Broadrick

  Once she had a little more control, she stepped back from him. Without meeting his eyes, she said, "Sorry to rain all over you like that."

  "I don't mind. How's your father?"

  She gave a tiny hiccup. "According to the doctor, they have him stabilized and are busy running tests. They're considering surgery, but haven't yet made a decision."

  Jared stuck his hands in his back pockets to keep from reaching for her again. She looked desolate. He knew better than most how close she was to her father.

  He glanced around the hallway and into the waiting room. "Do you have any idea who these people are?"

  "Most of them are here because of Dad. They're part of his Texas staff. They're doing what they can to keep the reporters at bay until someone decides what to tell them. Right now, none of us knows what to say."

  "How long has he been here?"

  "Maybe four hours, maybe more. We ate early because he planned to spend the afternoon on some paperwork."

  "So you waited a couple of hours before you called me?"

  She looked away. "That's right. I needed to think about all the ramifications if I called you."

  "Such as?"

  "Whether you'd bother to take my call. Whether I could actually ask you to allow me to change my answer about our marriage. Lots of things."

  There it was—the M word coming out of her mouth. Prepared or not, he'd tensed at the sound of it.

  He cleared his throat. "Why don't we go to the cafeteria and get some coffee? We'll have more privacy there."

  "All right. Let me tell one of the nurses where they can reach me."

  Once again she looked regal and in control of herself walking away from him—her back straight, shoulders back, ready to deal with the world again. Her clinging to him the way she had really surprised him. He had a strong hunch she seldom allowed herself to show any vulnerability.

  When she returned, they were quiet while they waited for an elevator, while they rode down and while they stood in line for some coffee. He spotted a small table in a corner of the room and nodded toward it, then followed her.

  Once seated, he waited for her to say something.

  "My dad has been under a great deal of stress lately and I know that what happened with us hasn't helped the situation any. I've thought about our conversation that day at the café and I believe it might work for us to get married."

  "Okay."

  "I mean, we're the only ones who would know that it isn't a real marriage. We can pretend to be in love…pretend to want to get married."

  "It will probably relieve your mind to know that I'm going back to Saudi Arabia in January."

  "Oh. Well, then, all we have to do is to get through the next four or five weeks."

  "When do you want to do this?"

  She glanced down at her clasped hands. Neither one of them had touched their coffee. "The sooner the better, I guess. I'm hoping that Dad's mind will be relieved. By the time we have the marriage annulled, I'm hoping he will have gotten used to the fact that I have a life away from him."

  He lifted a brow. "Whatever you think. You know him better than I do."

  She reached for his hand, hesitated, then placed her fingers against the back of his. "I know you don't have a very good impression of him, but he really is a wonderful man. Once you get to know him better, you'll see. He was just upset that morning…" She let the sentence dwindle away.

  "Upset is a nice way of putting it. So you think if we get married, he'll rest easier."

  She nodded. "Yes, I do."

  "I don't know if the courthouse will be open tomorrow because of the holiday weekend. So why don't we plan to get a license Monday, find someone in the courthouse to marry us and get the deed done."

  "You make it sound like we're planning to have root canals."

  He withdrew his hand. "What do you want from me, Lindsey? I asked you to marry me. You've just said yes. Are you saying you want some big splashy wedding to make it look more romantic?"

  He really dreaded hearing her answer because that's exactly what most women wanted. Even if he loved her, he'd hate going through all that.

  "No! Of course not. But if we're going to pretend we're eager to marry, we'll have to show some enthusiasm about it, don't you think?"

  "What could be more enthusiastic than rushing into marriage as though we can't wait to get our hands on each other?"

  She blushed. Ah, hell. Now he'd gone and done it.

  "Look, I'm sorry. I'm just a little edgy, okay? We'll do whatever you want and I'll make certain everyone thinks we're truly happy with each other."

  "I think you're right. We'll get married Monday," she said, straightening away from him. "It's the fact that we'll be married that's important."

  She glanced at her watch. "Would you mind going with me to see Dad so we can tell him?"

  He stood in answer. "Will they let us see him? I thought they were really strict about letting visitors in."

  "I don't know. Maybe if I explain that we have news he'll be happy to hear, they'll let us slip in for a couple of minutes."

  Whatever. He'd stepped onto this train and it was already gaining momentum. He'd just have to get used to it.

  Once they reached the ICU again, Lindsey found her father's doctor and quickly explained what was going on. The doctor smiled, looked over at Jared who waited a few feet away, winked and said, "Hearing your news might be the best medicine we could give him. However, you'll have to make a quick announcement because I can only give you a couple of minutes with him."

  The doctor opened the door and motioned them inside. The blinds were open at the large window facing the nurses' station, but at least no one could hear them. They just watched his monitors from where they sat.

  Jared took Lindsey's hand and walked over to the bed. Senator Russell certainly looked like a sick man to him. He was hooked up to all kinds of monitors and oxygen and his face was paper white and drawn.

  "Dad?" Lindsey said softly.

  Russell's eyes opened and slowly focused. He looked astonished to find Jared standing there.

  "I won't keep you, Senator Russell," Jared said. "I just want you to know that I've finally managed to convince Lindsey to marry me. The only thing I want is your permission." He thought that last bit sounded good.

  Russell looked at his daughter. "Is that true?"

  "Absolutely. We're eager to get married as soon as possible. I want you to hurry up and get well, now, you hear me?"

  "But…you said…moving to New York."

  Jared wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "We'll deal with all of that, sir. No need for you to worry about a thing. We just want you to get back on your feet."

  A nurse peeked around the door. "Time's up," she said.

  Good. Jared had done all he could for his co-conspirator.

  Lindsey kissed her father on the cheek and Jared followed her out of the room.

  Once back at the waiting room, he asked, "What's next?"

  She smiled wearily. "Your job is done for the day. If Dad has to have surgery, I want to wait until he's out of the woods before we get the license."

  "And if he doesn't have surgery?"

  "We'll do it Monday." She went up on tiptoe and kissed him, but before he could recover from the unexpectedness of it, she stepped back. "You're a good man, Jared Crenshaw, despite the fact that you believe in conspiracy theories. Take care," she said and walked away.

  As soon as he stepped through the doors to the lobby, flashbulbs went off in his face. What the—?

  "Mr. Crenshaw? Are you any kin to United States House Representative, Jed Crenshaw?"

  What kind of question is that? "He's my cousin. If you'll excuse me, I'd like to—"

  "Mr. Crenshaw, what is your relationship to Senator Russell?"

  He continued to push his way through the group of rude reporters. When he reached the door to the outside, he turned and said, "You know, if I thought it was anybody's business I might tell you."

 
; He strode rapidly to his truck, got in and drove off.

  Five

  "You're going to do what?" Janeen shouted over the phone. "Are you out of your mind? What about moving here? And your job? What were you thinking? Are you pregnant? That must be it. You're pregnant. Good grief, how could you—"

  "Whoa, wait a minute," Lindsey replied. She had been dreading this phone call because she knew her decision was going to be difficult to explain. She'd gone to her room and closed the door in order not to disturb her father, who was resting in his bedroom at the end of the hall. "You're not giving me a chance to answer your questions, and your answers are off the wall. Calm down a little and I'll tell you what's happened."

  "I'm calm."

  Lindsey chuckled. "Sure you are. I'm sorry I haven't been in closer touch with you the past couple of weeks. A lot has been happening here."

  "I should guess so." Janeen sniffed indignantly.

  Lindsey took the cordless phone and climbed into the middle of her bed. She might as well get comfortable. "First of all, I'm not pregnant. I couldn't be pregnant because I've never been intimate with Jared."

  "Jared? Isn't he the guy you've been seeing for—what—maybe a month?" Before Lindsey could respond, Janeen continued. "I'm gravely concerned about your state of mind, Lindsey. Getting married to a man you barely know? This doesn't sound like my sane and sensible friend."

  "Now that we can agree on, I have to admit. There's nothing sane—or rational—about any of the things that have happened. To answer your question, yes, I've dated him a few times. We had fun together. He's a very charming guy and I really like him. However, neither one of us is looking for a serious relationship."

  "Honey, getting married isn't the best way to avoid a serious relationship. You should both be running for the hills about now."

  Here came the sticky part, the part she hadn't told Janeen about in hopes it would have all blown over before Lindsey moved up there.

  "Then, uh, well…Dad found us in bed together." She paused, waiting for another explosion, only it didn't happen. Janeen's mild response surprised her.

  "Oops."

  "Oh, yes, definitely an oops." She smiled. Janeen really was a good friend. "Of course he thought we'd slept together—well, actually, we did sleep together, but neither one of us knew the other one was there in the bed."

  "Lindsey, honey, I think the stress and strain of this move and the anticipation of working at the museum has been a little too much for you. And I understand, I really do. But how in the world could you end up sleeping with a guy you didn't know was there?"

  "It's a mystery."

  They both burst into hysterical laughter. Finally, Janeen said, "So you've decided to marry him because you slept with him?"

  "Exactly."

  "What century are you living in?"

  "Well, it's not going to be a real marriage. Dad's been quite upset because he doesn't believe us when we attempt to explain what we don't understand ourselves. I've done my best to convince him that nothing ever happened between us, but he refuses to believe me."

  "Guess that one would be a little hard to swallow, given the fact he actually saw the two of you."

  "There is that. For a while, I thought he planned to polish up his shotgun and go hunt down Jared. Instead, he brooded. And brooded. But that's beside the point. Jared and I eventually talked over the situation and we decided the best thing for us to do was to get married. He already knows I'm moving to New York and that's fine with him. He works for one of those big oil companies with interests all around the world and he's going to Saudi Arabia about the same time as I'm moving, so, you see, the situation works out great."

  "Great," Janeen slowly repeated, sounding thoughtful. "Maybe I'm slow, but frankly, I don't get it. What's the point of getting married at all if you're going to be halfway around the world from each other?"

  "I told you. It isn't going to be a real marriage. We'll have the marriage annulled as soon as he returns, which could be several months to a year from now."

  "And you're okay with this?"

  "Yes, I am. Dad had a mild heart attack on Thanksgiving. They kept him at the hospital for a couple of days, ran a bunch of tests and sent him home, telling him to take it easy, cut out the stress in his life, or he'd end up back in the hospital with more damage to his heart."

  "Ah. The light dawns. You decided to get married only after your father had his heart attack. In other words, you're doing this to keep your dad happy."

  "That's it in a nutshell."

  "And Jared is willing to go along with all this?"

  "Yes. In fact, he asked me a few weeks ago but, at the time, I didn't believe the situation was so serious and I told him no. Obviously, I've changed my mind."

  "Lindsey, Lindsey, Lindsey. I thought you were past catering to your dad. I thought you were setting boundaries, taking stands, growing independent from him."

  "I am and I did. Take stands, I mean. He was determined to stop me from going to New York but I'm still going."

  "Really? Did he pay Jared to slip into your bed?"

  "Of course not, although Jared seems to think my dad had something to do with it."

  "Intelligent man."

  "What is it with you guys? Why would you think my dad would stoop to something so underhanded?"

  "Because he's manipulative, for one thing. For another, he's managed to keep you under his thumb all of your life and he doesn't like to lose."

  "Uh, Janeen, Jared and I getting married certainly isn't keeping me under Dad's thumb."

  "True, unless it prevents you from moving. Have you told him those plans haven't changed?"

  "No."

  "I rest my case."

  "Actually, Jared and I are having dinner with his parents and his brother and sister-in-law tomorrow. That's when we plan to tell them we're getting married because right now no one knows other than my dad. And now you."

  "What do you think they'll say?"

  "I have no idea. But they're very nice people, warm-hearted, friendly. I don't think they'll try to talk us out of it."

  "Will they know it's all pretense?"

  "No. We're keeping that part to ourselves."

  "Hmm. So, do you want me to come down for the wedding?"

  "We're just going to the courthouse and have a judge marry us. No need to spend your money for that."

  "Aw, Lindsey, I really am sorry all this is happening to you."

  Lindsey looked at the phone in surprise. She put it back to her ear. "I don't know what you're talking about."

  "A marriage is something sacred, not to be taken lightly. You'll be exchanging vows you have no intention of keeping."

  "We've talked about that, too, which is why we want to just go and do it in the courthouse. Someday I'll have the wedding of my dreams with the right man for me. Just as someday Jared will find the woman he can't live without." Why did the thought of that make her feel uncomfortable? "It will be as if this marriage never existed."

  "Well, I know I'll never talk you out of this crazy idea once you've got your mind set. That's something I've never understood about you, Lindsey. You're tenacious, in a very ladylike way, of course, and at times downright stubborn—with everyone but your father. Dealing with him turns you into a complete wimp."

  "Well, the wimp is growing a backbone where he's concerned. But then, I probably wouldn't have reconsidered the idea of marriage if he hadn't had his heart attack."

  "Ha. Probably faked that."

  "Janeen!"

  "Okay, okay. Maybe the man is the saint you think he is. I've been wrong about people before." They were quiet for a moment before she asked, "How does Jared feel about him?"

  "Lukewarm would be my guess."

  "Hmm. So when are you coming up here?"

  "The first week in January. I start at the museum on the seventh."

  "I can hardly wait for you to get here. Your bedroom is emptied out and waiting for you. Then you can fill me in on the details of this
fake marriage of yours."

  * * *

  Jared picked up Lindsey the next afternoon. She met him at the door and slipped outside before he could knock. "Dad's asleep and I didn't want to disturb him. The housekeeper is here in case he needs anything, and she has my cell phone number if a problem develops."

  He'd picked her up in a low-slung, bright red, two-seater sports car. "Wow," she said as they walked toward it. "Where did you get that?"

  He opened the door and helped her inside. "Actually, I've had it a while. I bought it about four months before I went overseas last time. Dad and Jake take it out for a spin to keep it running okay." He laughed. "Dad said it was a sacrifice of his time but he'd force himself."

  She laughed.

  As he backed out and turned around in the driveway, he said, "It's good to hear you laugh again."

  She settled into her seat. "It feels good to find something to laugh about." She glanced at him and then away. "I appreciate the fact that you're willing to make your own sacrifice by getting married," she said lightly.

  He didn't smile. "Don't mention it."

  He sounded serious and she decided to drop the subject.

  "Have you talked to your parents?"

  "You mean, since Thanksgiving?"

  "Yes."

  "Of course. I generally talk to them every day or two."

  "Aren't they going to be surprised when they hear our plans?"

  "Mother, Jake and Ashley will be, I'm fairly sure. Dad won't be."

  "Oh. Of course."

  Jared reached over and turned on the CD player and the music filled the car until they reached the ranch.

  Lindsey hadn't seen where Joe and Gail lived until she and Jared parked in their driveway. She was surprised to find that their house was contemporary. For some reason, she'd expected to find a smaller home that looked like the hacienda.

  "What a beautiful place," she said when he helped her out of the car.

  "Yeah. They really are enjoying it. They've been in it for about ten years now. Mom told the architect what she wanted. Dad didn't care as long as she was happy with it."

  The front door opened just as they reached the top step of the porch. "I'm glad you were able to come visit with us, Lindsey," he said. "I believe you already know Gail. Did you meet Jake and Ashley at their reception?"