by Casey Hagen
She stood and faced him across the table. “This is my decision, and I’ve made it.”
“No.”
“Yes. There are details to work out. I won’t be leaving Jack’s Towing. I’ve worked too hard to make it mine. So if he can accommodate that, I’m doing this.”
“This is insane.” Jeremy growled, his hands on his hips.
Jack circled around the table and took his elbow. “He’s a good man. I don’t know how I know that, but I just do.”
“You can’t be sure.”
“Don’t be worried about me. It’s not like I’m going to fall in love with him. After seeing Dad suffer from a broken heart, no thanks. This is the only way. You and I both know it. Can you live with Dad being in a facility where they possibly neglect and abuse him? Because I can’t. It’ll kill me to do that.”
Jeremy wrapped his arms around her and squeezed tight. “Hell. I still say this is a bad idea, but I don’t think you’re going to let me talk you out of it, are you?”
“No.”
He pulled back and locked eyes with hers. “Fine, but if he hurts you, I get to kick his ass.”
She laughed and tugged his beard. “Deal.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Family Events: A Spectator Sport
LATHAN GLANCED AT HIS WATCH for what must have been the hundredth time. Maybe she was just late. Maybe she got lost. Or maybe, and this was what he was afraid of, maybe the answer was no.
Damn it!
He stood by the back gate where the guests had arrived, waiting, hoping Jack would show up and save his ass. Maybe he should have told her about the school, given her more details so she understood what was at stake if he didn’t get married. He definitely should have told her about his failed proposal so he didn’t look like some ass who just proposes to strangers on the fly.
Most of the guests had arrived. His parents kept giving him worried looks. Some of the department heads of Kincaid Industries wanted to kiss up. His grandmother questioned whether he was eating enough or getting enough rest. Like he cared about any of that. Couldn’t they see he was too busy having a damn anxiety attack, waiting to see if Jack was going to ride in and save his sorry ass?
Couldn’t they all just give him one damn minute to have his freak-out alone?
Damn.
“Hi, Lathan. Everett Harden.”
Lathan’s gaze shot up to the guy who had approached him. Funny, the guy looked like one of his surfer friends; well, if you took away the glasses. Either way, not what he was expecting as the head of Harden Financial.
Lathan shook his hand. “Glad you could make it.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t miss it.” He wrapped an arm around the petite, very pregnant woman next to him. “This is my wife, Corrine.”
She was a beauty, her coloring a bit like Jack’s. And why did everyone he saw remind him in a small way of her? “Nice to meet you, Corrine. Thank you for rearranging your schedule so your husband could give me a hand.”
“Oh, no, really, the pleasure is all mine. When Everett told me what we were walking into, I couldn’t wait. Here I thought what I went through when I introduced Everett to my family was bad. No big deal at all compared to this. And I really shouldn’t be getting this much pleasure out of what you’re going through. I would say I’m sorry, but I would be lying.”
Corrine bubbled with energy, and as much as he should be insulted, he just couldn’t be. If he were in anyone else’s shoes in this scenario, he would feel the same way. “I’m glad I could provide some entertainment. It’s quite possible that you two will be the only ones who have a sense of humor about this.”
Everett glanced around the back garden of Lathan’s parents’ estate. “So, how many people are here for this party?”
“The final head count is supposed to be one hundred. Knowing my mother and grandmother, more like two hundred. Mostly business.”
Everett patted him on the back. “Then it looks like it’s time to start the drinking.”
“I like the way you think,” Lathan said.
“Oh, look at you boys bonding. So sweet.” Corrine grinned, squinting into the sun.
“I’m not sure I like the way you said that, Mrs. Harden.”
“I have to agree with you. Guy bonding is not sweet. It’s macho and rugged,” Lathan added.
“Even you don’t believe the crap you’re trying to sell me.”
Everett scooped his wife right off of her feet and planted a kiss on her lips. “You, Mrs. Harden, are becoming a mouthy one.”
Lathan grinned and tried to squelch the envy that burned in his blood, watching their easy affection.
Would he and Jack ever be like that? You know, if she showed up.
“Let’s find that drink and get something fruity and cold for the instigator over here,” Lathan said, winking at Corrine.
Corrine linked an arm with Lathan on one side and Everett on the other. “Lead the way. I think this is going to be the start of a beautiful friendship!”
They avoided any discussion about business. Lathan didn’t want to get into the profit-loss issue where anyone could overhear. He may not have a whole lot of experience running the company, but that seemed like common sense.
He and Everett each selected beer from the bar and the bartender made a virgin Shirley Temple for Corrine.
“So, how long have you two been married?” Lathan said.
“Four months,” Corrine said. A charming smile lit her face as she winked up at her husband.
Lathan’s eyes dropped to the swell under her dress.
“The baby was an unexpected surprise,” Everett said, wrapping a protective arm around his wife’s shoulders.
“I bet. So, how did you meet?”
“Corrine propositioned me in a tavern.”
“You need to figure out a way to reword that so I don’t sound so—”
“Wanton?” Everett asked.
“Stop that!” she said, slapping his arm. “It was a dare.”
“Oh, no. Alexa told me she dared you to ask me to dance. You invited me on your Fijian honeymoon. That’s a hell of a lot more than a dance.”
“Funny, I don’t hear you complaining,” Corrine said with a raised brow.
“Not at all. I just want to be crystal clear.”
“Wait, you guys didn’t even know each other and went on a honeymoon together? Lathan asked.
“Yup, her defunct honeymoon. She had called the wedding off.”
“So where did you sleep?” Lathan asked.
“On the couch, until she begged me to join her in that big, lonely bed.”
“Oh, you are so full of it! Don’t listen to him. He stayed on the couch for the first four nights.”
“Angel, that doesn’t make you sound much better,” Everett said.
She pointed a finger at him. “You, Mr. Harden, need to stop talking now.”
He took her hand and kissed the tip of her finger. “You know, you’ve become awfully free with this finger since I impregnated you.”
“Keep talking, I might introduce you to another one.”
“You two are making me feel a whole lot better about the situation I’ve found myself in. Seriously. Best phone call I’ve ever made.”
“So, did you get a ring for Jack?” Corrine asked.
“I did.” He pulled the box out of his front pocket and handed it to her. He looked away as she opened it, not sure what her reaction would be. Corrine seemed like a traditional kind of girl. He glanced at her ring finger where a large gold pear surrounded with winking diamonds caught his eye. Or, maybe not traditional at all.
“Oh, you went with rhodium. It’s stunning. And the deep-set diamonds…it’s perfect for someone who works with her hands. Where did you get it?”
“You know your jewelry,” Lathan said.
“I should. I’m a jewelry designer.”
“Well, then your reaction makes me feel a whole lot better about my choice. I picked it up at Tallulah Charm.”
&nbs
p; “Oh, I know the place. You made a good decision. They carry some of the highest quality metals and gems in the world, and they’re fair on their prices.”
“Good to know. It was pricey, but I wanted something she would love.”
“If she shows,” Everett said.
“Yeah.” Lathan glanced down at his watch. It was quarter after six and still no Jack.
He looked across the garden where most of the partygoers had congregated to schmooze his parents and grandmother. They also stayed close to the alcohol. Shocker there. That was fine with him. He wasn’t in the mood to entertain. His mother caught his eye. Shit. He didn’t glance away fast enough. She gave the group her apologetic smile and stepped away from the group, heading right for him.
“Looks like you’ve got trouble coming,” Everett said.
“Yeah, story of my life.”
“Lathan, dear? Where is this young lady of yours? She’s embarrassingly late. People are starting to talk.”
No, they weren’t. They were busy eating, drinking, and kissing Kincaid ass. “She’ll be along soon, I’m sure. She’s a busy woman.”
“Corrine, Everett, I would like you to meet my mother, Annette Kincaid.”
Annette smiled and shook each of their hands. “Lovely to meet you both.”
Annette narrowed her eyes on her son. “Why don’t you call her? Just to make sure she’s on her way.”
“Mother, I’m not going to call her while she’s driving. I think we can both agree that’s a bad idea.”
“She doesn’t have a hired car bringing her?”
“No, she doesn’t have a hired car.”
“Where did you say you met this young lady?” his mother said with her eyes drilling holes into his skull.
“I didn’t.”
“Mrs. Kincaid, could you give me a tour of this beautiful garden of yours? My husband and I are building a home and have yet to decide on the landscaping. I would love to get your expertise, if you could spare a few minutes.”
His mother smiled and pressed a palm to her chest. “Why, yes, that would be lovely.”
Corrine wrapped an arm around his mother’s shoulders and steered her in the other direction, effectively cutting off the third degree that she had planned for him.
Lathan and Everett stood in silence, their gazes locked on his mother and Corrine. His mother’s face lit as Corrine steered her to the ivy growing along the stone wall.
“I love your wife,” Lathan said.
“Hey, none of that. Get one of your own.”
“Trying.”
“Whoa,” Everett said, glancing over Lathan’s shoulder. “Is that who you’re looking for?”
Lathan followed Everett’s eyes to the stone path the guests had used as an entrance. His mother hated having a bunch of foot traffic in her house, and since the weather sat in the solid low seventies and partly cloudy, she used the stone path wrapping around the house as a direct entrance to the gardens and large backyard.
Jack wandered up the path, dragging her fingertips over the ivy, a soft smile playing over her lips, like she had not one care in the world. Like no one was waiting for her. Like she wasn’t almost a half hour late. Her dark hair danced away from her face in the light breeze. The sheer white button-up shirt she wore over a pale pink tank top pulled tight against her outlined curves.
Lathan swallowed hard. His heart rolled in his chest, stealing his breath.
Everett laughed into his drink. “I’ve seen that look before.”
“Yeah, when?”
“When I looked at myself in the mirror not ten minutes after Corrine knocked me flat with her dare. You, my new friend, are done for.”
Jack inhaled deeply, relishing the sweet scent of roses heavy in the air. She hadn’t thought about it much, but most of her day was spent with the smell of exhaust, antifreeze, oil, and grease. If it wasn’t car scents, it was orange cleaner that cleaned away car scents.
Not a hint of any of that here. Their yard smelled like clean rain, roses, lush foliage, and food. Funny, she didn’t feel like she was arriving at a house. More like a museum. The property was manicured with precision so every tree, every shrub, every flower preened in full glory, showing only its good side.
She wasn’t one to throw away money on frivolous things, and normally she would consider the landscape frivolous, but the grounds here stole her breath, gave her a smile, and knocked a huge weight off her shoulders… and that was priceless.
She glanced over the fence, and there he was, standing with a hot blond guy with disgustingly sexy glasses.
God, was everyone here good-looking?
That smile of Lathan’s, it hit somewhere deep.
Somewhere she didn’t want to think about.
Somewhere she thought she had locked away.
He met her where a wooden gate led into the backyard. She scanned the area. A backyard full of people.
Beautiful people. Rich people.
She could totally do this. They may be from a different income bracket, but they both had family and friends. She could find common ground. It was just a matter of asking questions, listening, and figuring out what they had in common.
Lathan met her at the gate. “So, you’ll do it?” he asked with a hopeful smile on his face.
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
His shoulders sagged with relief as he blew out a breath. “I owe you big time.”
“Just make sure my father has the most comfortable life possible, for the short time he has, and we’re even.”
“Absolutely. I have some people I want to introduce you to, but first…” He pulled a ring box out of his pocket and flicked it open with his thumb. “I saw this and thought of you.”
The ring winked in the light from the box, shiny, yet dark, tiny scrolls and a band of diamonds wrapping around to three much larger diamonds along the top. “I can’t take this; it’s too much. And with my job, it’ll get ruined.”
“It’s rhodium. I’ve been assured that, even with your job, this ring can stand up to just about anything. And it’s not too much. You’re my fiancée. It’s expected. The minute I saw it, I knew it was yours.”
He took her hand, and for the life of her she could only stand there and memorize the feel of his warm fingers curling around her fingers as he lifted it to his soft lips and kissed the back of her hand. Then, oh-so carefully, holding his breath she noticed, he slid the ring onto the third finger.
A perfect fit.
How the hell did he manage that?
“I have a few people I want you to meet.”
“There’re more than a few people here.”
“You probably won’t even meet half. Most are here to suck up to my parents, and by the time they’re done, they’ll be drunk and will have forgotten what they were even here for.”
She laughed. “Charming.”
“This is an ally, Everett Harden.”
“Nice to meet you, Jack,” Everett said as he shook her hand.
“And you, Everett. So, we need allies now? Did I just step into a predatory environment?”
“Predatory might be a strong word,” Lathan said.
“But not entirely inaccurate,” Everett said.
“Hi, you must be Jack. I’m Corrine.” A glowing, round woman took her hand and shook it enthusiastically. “Oh, the ring is perfect for you!” She elbowed Lathan. “You did good.”
“High praise, I’ll take it,” Lathan said. He took Jack’s hand in his. “You ready?”
She took a deep breath and let any lingering nerves go. They were just people. People with a ton of money, but just people, no better, no worse. “Please, I go to these functions all time. Let’s do it,” she said with a flip of her hair, giving Lathan a wink.
He kept her hand in his, and as they wove through the crowd, most people smiled and nodded or called out the occasional congratulations, but no one approached them.
She smiled and nodded in return.
The rich were a bit str
ange. If her family wasn’t so spread out through the western states, and they had an engagement party, it would take them a good hour to get through the crowd. Her Aunt May would have probably pinched Lathan’s butt a few times by now. Her Uncle Stewart would have picked his brain about his job and his car, and roped him into a fishing or hunting trip.
This was a whole new world; it was time to learn it. Lathan stopped before a well-dressed couple that likely was in their sixties, despite the woman looking to be in her forties. Petite, blond, and definitely the one who gave Lathan those blue eyes of his.
“This is my mother, Annette, and my father, Bradford. Mom, Dad, this is my fiancée, Jack.”
A perfectly manicured hand went to Annette’s throat. “I’m sorry, did you say ‘Jack’?”
Houston, we have hurdle one. “Hi, yes, I’m Jack.” She reached out her hand, and Annette took it.
Eventually.
Jack had expected floppy handshakes from some of the women, but not Annette, and although she was out of her element, she’d been right. The woman gripped her with firm confidence. Jack could respect that.
She then took Bradford’s hand, and he gave her a warm smile, complete with dimples. So that’s where Lathan got those. Yup, she knew just how Bradford had won over Annette.
“It’s nice to meet you both,” Jack said.
“Is ‘Jack’ short for something, dear?” Annette asked.
“Jacqueline.”
“Oh, I can call you Jacqueline then,” Annette said with a relieved smile.
“You probably shouldn’t if you want me to answer. Everyone has called me Jack since I was born. My brother was three and couldn’t say Jacqueline, so he called me Jack, and it stuck.”
Confusion clouded Annette’s face. “Oh, well, isn’t that…charming.”
“Mom,” Lathan warned in a low tone Jack hadn’t ever heard before. Not that they had spent a whole lot of time around one another.
“What? I didn’t mean anything by it.”
Jack put an arm around him and leaned in. “Lathan, it’s fine, really. I completely understand. Most people don’t know how to react to my name. I’m not offended.”