by Joan Reeves
"I know, but I'd be pleased if you'd keep that to yourself." Jake turned the key in the ignition and listened to the five hundred eighty horsepower engine purr. He grinned. "Buckle up, dude."
Octavio did, and Jake shoved the car into gear and punched the accelerator just a little. The car shot out of the parking lot. In a nano second they were up on the six-ten loop. On the way, his cousin talked Jake into bringing Maddie to a Saturday night dinner with the family.
Jake left his cousin at the dealership and headed back to the hotel. He called Maddie on the way and told her he'd borrowed a car to get them around Houston. After all, he couldn't tell her he'd bought a car that would have set him back about a hundred grand without making her wonder where he got that kind of money since only the signing bonus had been transferred into his bank account. He made a mental note to have Laura write a check for that amount and donate it to Wounded Warriors.
He could almost hear his mother quoting, "Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive." The lies were piling up, but he couldn't do anything about the situation. Not until he had wooed Maddie so she would be agreeable and understanding when he explained that he really wasn't unemployed. He knew he should have told Maddie that he didn't need her money, but she'd have wondered why he agreed to marry her. Since he didn't have a clear understanding of his motive, how could he explain it to her? He just knew that he didn't regret binding her to him even if it was for a whole year.
That evening, Maddie and Jake left the hotel, again using a service entrance in back. Maddie was nervous. She'd already had a tense conversation with Constance in which her stepmother had reminded her that the terms of the trust required her to be married for a year before it would be paid. Maddie knew that was true, but she also knew there was a clause that gave the trustee the discretionary power to set aside the waiting period. She didn't know how, but she hoped she could convince Constance to do that.
Maddie was so nervous that she didn't even ask questions about the red Camaro even though Jake's story of having borrowed the expensive car from a friend sounded fishy. She could only fight one battle at a time.
The car waited near the loading dock, thanks to a parking valet who'd been happy to take Jake's contribution to his college fund in exchange for taking care of the car and having it ready when they needed it. Jake had even had the nerve to tell her he'd submit a receipt for reimbursement on his expense account. She was just about tapped out after paying his signing bonus, and she wouldn't get her monthly stipend from Constance until the middle of the month. Her allowance might cover her townhome payment and the rest of her bills, but there probably wouldn't be much left for the shelter.
Maddie pulled the visor down and checked her face. Everything was getting complicated, and she had butterflies doing a ballet in her stomach over this dinner party tonight.
"You look great," Jake said.
Maddie glanced over at him. "Really? I probably shouldn't have worn satin but this was the dress Amy brought for me. Satin shows perspiration too easily, and there's nothing like wet rings under your armpits to let the enemy know you're afraid."
Jake grinned. "Your dress is perfect. Not a sweat ring in sight, but you're going to wear out the visor before we get there. You've flipped it down to check your makeup and hair once for every mile we've driven from the hotel."
"No I haven't." When he snorted with laughter, she shrugged. "Okay, maybe once every five miles." She flipped the visor back into place. "Constance brings out all my insecurities."
Jake maneuvered around a slow-moving pickup. "What have you got to be insecure about?"
Maddie gave a bitter laugh. "What haven't I got to be insecure about?"
"I don't know. You're young, healthy, beautiful, and rich. And you'll be even richer now that you're married even if you do have to wait a year to collect."
He didn't understand, and Maddie didn't plan on explaining. She lived by the cardinal rule: never let anyone see your pain. "Right," she said lightly.
Jake exited onto Kirby. Maddie's anxiety increased. She dreaded the party Constance had arranged. She didn't know why her stepmother was making such a big production of this.
When he pulled up next to the call box at the wrought iron gates, Maddie told him the security code. He entered it on the keypad, and the gate swung open. The graceful curving driveway was bordered by hundreds of Formosa azaleas and lit by landscape lights that revealed their deep fuschia blooms. He'd spent most of his childhood and teen years here in the quarters over the garage. Nine years ago, he'd walked out the back door, and he hadn't returned. Until now. Tonight, he'd be entering through the front door. He had to admit that gave him a blast of satisfaction.
Jake followed the lane that separated the main house from the garages and parked next to a caterer's truck.
"I'm sorry, but my car is parked in the garage, and the remote is in my car. Otherwise, you could park your friend's car inside," Maddie said.
"It's okay. I doubt anyone will vandalize it or put a door ding in it." He cut the engine and helped her out. They walked back down the lane to the front of the house and up the dozen steps to the double doors. Both doors opened. A tall impressive man in a severe black suit and snow white shirt bowed slightly. "Good evening, Miss Madeline. Mr. Becker."
"Hello, Strack. I see you are well-informed as usual." Maddie smiled and took Jake's arm. "Darling, this is Strack, our honest to goodness English butler."
Jake grinned. "I'll try to work the phrase, 'the butler did it' into the conversation at some point. Good to meet you, Strack."
"Indeed, Mr. Becker. After a year in Texas, I'm almost accustomed to such informal introductions."
Maddie laughed. "Sorry, Strack. We just aren't much for class distinction here in Texas."
"So it would seem. May I offer my felicitations?"
"Thank you. Did my stepmother inform you about my marriage?"
"No, madam. It's almost impossible to open a web browser without seeing the news accompanied by a slideshow."
Maddie's smile turned to a grimace. "Ah, yes. All those wonderful old photographs. After all, what I do is so much more important than silly things like economic summits, earthquakes, and nuclear posturing by other countries."
Jake chuckled softly and squeezed the hand that clasped his arm. "How nice to know I married a mover and a shaker."
"This way please." Strack crossed the marble floor with long regal strides.
Jake and Maddie followed. He whispered where only she could hear."Don't worry. Some reality star will do something outrageous and take the limelight. The paparazzi will grow bored and move on. And I'll make sure old Connie keeps her claws sheathed."
Her fingers were like ice, but the heat of his hand over hers helped. His touch comforted her, and his concern surprised her. She could have told him that she'd learned to hold her own with Constance. The woman no longer ran over her like a bulldozer crushing everything beneath its treads. But she kept silent.
Strains of music floated through the house. Sinatra. Constance had retained the five musicians who usually provided music for her parties. Since Constance was stuck in the sixties, most of the music was oldies with a sprinkling of the Rat Pack which her father had loved.
At the formal living room, the butler announced them as if he were presenting them to the queen. The small gathering gave them a quiet round of applause. Constance Quinn stepped forward to greet them. The expression on her face confused Jake. He'd expected to see outrage. Indignation and resentment at the very least. Instead, the woman looked…Well, he guessed forlorn was the best adjective he could come up with. She was thinner than he remembered and as pale as the white roses that filled the many Chinese blue porcelain vases in the room. She inclined her head toward him. "Welcome, Jake. Please accept my congratulations on your marriage."
Before he could overcome his surprise, Graciella Becker rushed toward them, her arms opened wide to embrace both of them. "My children, you've made me so very ha
ppy."
Her warmth made Jake feel like a jerk. In the end, he'd been honest with his mother about his reasons for marrying Maddie--well, except for the sex part. Graciella had dismissed what he said with the assertion that God moved in mysterious ways.
Jake knew his mother well enough to know she wanted to believe that he and Maddie would make a go over it. He guessed it was understandable. She'd raised him and Maddie too. Maybe he should have done more to convince her it was just a business arrangement, but he'd been sidetracked by her telling him that she would be at Constance's dinner party too. Since he'd never known Constance to treat his mother with graciousness, he was on guard.
"I'm proud to have such a beautiful daughter-in-law," Graciella said.
Jake saw Maddie blink rapidly and look away. He knew his mom's words had touched her. Or maybe they'd just made her feel guilty, he thought cynically.
Maddie glanced up at him. He didn't know she was such a good actress. Even to him she looked as if she were deeply in love with him.
"Thank you, Graciella," Maddie said. "But Jake is the beautiful one."
Jake raised a hand to cup her cheek. He could act too. He took advantage of the moment and kissed her gently, feeling a strange emotion sweep through him. "Are you fishing for compliments, sweetheart?"
"What kind of husband are you?" Graciella chided. "She shouldn't have to fish for compliments. Haven't you told your bride how beautiful she is tonight?"
He hadn't, other than the offhand remark he'd offered in the car. He figured Maddie was so used to being flattered and praised that his words would mean nothing. She wore an off the shoulder dress of pale green satin that hugged her from the draped neckline to her waist. Then it flared into a long skirt that made her waist look tiny. His memory told him that her waist really was slender, but her hips were curving and luscious. Just like her breasts. Nope. Wrong thing to be thinking when there were other people around. Especially when one of those people was his mother.
"You really are beautiful, Maddie. Exquisite."
Graciella clapped her hands in delight. "Now that's the way to talk to your bride." She glanced around the room. "I know you need to say hello to the other guests so mind your manners and circulate."
Jake watched as his mother turned to Constance who, to his surprise, had remained silent all this time. The two wandered away.
Jake had to admit old Connie surprised him. Her voice was respectful when she spoke to his mother. What surprised him the most was the searching glance she gave Maddie. There was such an expression of longing in her gaze as she watched her stepdaughter.
There were more than a dozen people in the room, most of them associated with Quinn Energy in some capacity. Maddie greeted and smiled her way through the small crowd, introducing Jake to each person. She wasn't surprised to see the head of the legal department and his wife, Constance's personal attorney and his wife, and the judge that Constance had bought off when Maddie had been arrested for DUI. She knew it was no coincidence that the legal heavyweights were on the guest list tonight. She snuggled closer to Jake, intent on selling her "happy marriage."
Jake was perfect in his role, chatting amiably, gazing at her occasionally with loving eyes, and touching her so much that she began to burn.
When the musicians changed to a slow sexy song, Jake said, "Excuse us please. I have a sudden desire to dance with my bride."
He led her to the open space where a white-haired couple danced. He took her in his arms and began slow dancing.
"Aren't we moving too slow?" Maddie asked. "The music tempo is much faster."
"I think we're moving just right. This keeps us from those who would eavesdrop, so tell me what's going on with your stepmother."
Just for a moment, Maddie luxuriated in being in his arms. Then she said, "I honestly don't know. It all started this past year. Constance just started getting weird. Remember how she used to be completely disinterested in me?"
Jake nodded. "Yeah. So?"
"She'd never shown any interest in me before except to criticize. Sit up straight, Madeline. Be more circumspect, Madeline. Don't read those trashy romance novels. Don't go out looking less than perfect. On and on and on. The list of do's and don'ts constituted our daily conversation. Well, she quit criticizing me even though there were times I could tell she nearly had to bite her tongue to restrain herself. She became interested in me and my life. Too interested. After your mom quit, she just had temporary staff. No live-ins. Then one day last year, I overheard her talking to your mom which surprised me. The next day she hired Inez as full-time housekeeper with instructions to cook dinner each night. Constance started dining at home and insisted I dine with her every night. It was as if she tried to turn into the Brady Bunch mom or something."
"I have to admit that is weird." Jake looked thoughtful. "There's only one reason I can think of that might explain this change in her. She's being nicer in hope of maintaining control of you and your money. Maybe she figured if she were nicer, you'd be happier at home and not marry. Had you been dating?"
"No. Not in the last two years."
He didn't know why but the news pleased him. "Really? Two years?"
At her nod, he said, "Maybe she thinks that if you and she have a better relationship, you'll be amenable to letting her control your inheritance even if you do marry. Do you get voting rights on the stock you'll inherit?"
"Yes. But my dad left Constance very well off. She draws a huge salary and bonuses as CEO. Why would she need more money or even need my support?"
Jake gave a short laugh. "Maddie, don't be naive. People in the income stratosphere never need money. They want it. No matter how much they have, it's never enough. It's just like you. You're not satisfied with the amount you get every month even though it's probably substantial. You want that eighty million. Money is just a way of keeping score. The more you have; the more points you score in the game."
"Exactly what game would that be?" Maddie asked sarcastically.
"You've been around rich people all your life so you know what I'm talking about."
"My dad wasn't like that," she said wistfully. "He was happy and content with the house we lived in when Mom was alive. Then he married Constance, and our old house in West University wasn't good enough. She wanted one in River Oaks. I've often wondered, if he had lived, if they'd have stayed together. They had nothing in common."
"Men and women generally don't need much in common at first. There's never much talking going on at that stage."
That startled a laugh from Maddie. "It's weird to think of my dad and Constance that way, but you're probably right. She was so beautiful when he married her. She still is. Beautiful and perfect like a porcelain doll. I guess that's why she disliked me on sight. I've never had an ounce of perfection."
"That's where you're wrong. I've seen you without clothes, remember? You're perfect in just about every way." Jake said softly, his breath grazed her temple and stirred the soft tendrils of hair.
Maddie stumbled and stepped on his foot. "Sorry. I haven't had to field such unadulterated crap in a long time."
Jake laughed softly. "Good save, but you forget the way you blush when you get turned on."
When she tried to pull free, he whispered, "Don't forget you're playing the part of my blushing bride. Be a good girl, and I'll shut up. For now."
They danced in silence for a minute. Then Jake said, "A good parent doesn't look for perfection before giving love. The failing is hers, not yours, Maddie."
"If I ever have a child," she said fiercely, "I'll love her or him and make sure that love is apparent every single day."
An image of Maddie, pregnant with his baby, seared his consciousness. There was such appeal to the idea that it took his breath away.
Would their baby be a little girl with Maddie's green eyes and maybe his dark hair?
Chapter 7
Dinner wasn't as difficult as Maddie had expected, and the rest of the evening passed pleasantly. Jake's mother
left first. When the last guest departed, Constance led them all to the solarium. Maddie was surprised to see how tired her stepmother looked.
Constance rubbed the spot between her eyebrows. "Maddie, would you tell me how you and Jake met after all these years?"
Instead of the sharp retort that trembled on her tongue, Maddie replied mildly and gazed at Jake, letting her genuine adoration shine through, knowing that she would look like a woman in love, as she told the story of shopping in New York and running into Jake on the street. She concluded with, "It was love at first sight."
Jake took both her hands in his, pulling her close. "I told Maddie I was happy to be her kept man, but she insisted on marriage. What's a guy to do when the most beautiful woman in the world wants to marry him?"
"What indeed?" Constance asked.
Since her stepmother didn't smile, Maddie couldn't decide if she was being sarcastic or amused.
Strack appeared with a coffee service and a decanter of brandy and glasses on a large silver tray. Constance waved a hand at the round linen-upholstered ottoman.
"Madam, the matter you asked me to handle has been attended to."
"Thank you, Strack, you may retire for the evening."
After he'd left the room, Constance said, "Madeline, I've had your suite made ready for you and your husband."
Maddie clamped down on the sudden panic she felt. "What do you mean?"
"You and Jake can hardly be expected to share your tiny townhome, and staying in a hotel when you have a perfectly lovely suite here is ridiculous. So I had the concierge pack your things at the hotel and send them over here. They arrived while we were dining. Strack put the bags in your room, Madeline."
Maddie felt the noose around her neck. "You had no right to do that."
"I was just acting on your behalf to welcome Jake to our home. Don't you want him to feel welcome here?"
Jake realized Maddie's temper simmered just below the surface. He put his arm around her and hugged her close. It was like hugging a wooden mannequin. "Wasn't that thoughtful, sweetheart?"