Feisty Heroines Romance Collection of Shorts

by D. F. Jones

  Tillie started to recall enough details to validate her claim. She really could be Matilda. Which meant Jax had screwed up.

  Big time.

  Chapter 5

  “Matilda, would you like to take a walk and see the grounds?” Linc asked after dinner.

  “I’d love to, but it’s getting dark,” she answered.

  “The gardens are lovely in the moonlight.” He offered her his arm.

  “Then, I accept your invitation.”

  Linc’s cellphone pinged, and he motioned her to take a seat on the back patio’s wrought-iron glider. “Augustine, here.”

  His head bobbed, and he spoke a few words. Disconnecting, he turned to Tillie. “Sorry, dear. I’m going to have to take a raincheck. There’s a few things that need my attention before the day is over.”

  “I understand. I imagine my appearance messed up your schedule today. Sorry, Dad.”

  “Don’t be. Today has been one of the best days of my life.” He hugged her. “Go ahead and sit awhile. Enjoy the beautiful evening.”

  She inhaled the flowery scents from the gardens. “I will.”

  “I’ll be back late.” He hugged her again. “In the meantime, the staff can take care of anything you need. Just ask.”

  She’d never get enough of his hugs. “See you tomorrow.”

  After he left, Tillie leaned back against the cool wrought iron. It was a heavenly evening, and she wished she could’ve shared it with her father. For a moment anger toward Momma seeped to the surface. She shook it off, closed her eyes, and tried to remember the many good times they’d had. Momma loved her, and Tillie would never forget it.

  The screen door squeaked open, then slapped shut, pulling her away from her thoughts.

  “Tillie, are you out here?” She recognized his voice.

  It was tempting to ignore him and hopefully he’d leave. In the end, she couldn’t. “Over here, Jax.”

  He sat on the seat next to her. “Are you okay?”

  “Careful, Jax. You almost sound as if you care.” She had no reason to hold her tongue. He sure as hell hadn’t. “Are you here to finish interrogating me about my life as a con artist and thief?”

  “Nothing so nefarious. I found this stone in the foyer. I know it’s not Gran’s and Dad doesn’t wear jewels. That leaves you.” He handed her the uniquely colored opal. “Yours?”

  “Yes, it’s mine.” She pulled out the chain tucked inside her dress. “Looks like one of the prongs on the pendant came loose. Thank you,” she whispered. “By the way, I didn’t steal the necklace. It was Momma’s.”

  He let out an exaggerated sigh. “I’m not the enemy, Tillie. I’m just trying to protect Dad.”

  “Right. You’re my new best friend.” She let the sarcasm flow freely.

  “The need to find you blinded Dad for so long. He’s fallen for numerous scams, leaving him with a broken heart each time. Once he made his first million, little Matildas came crawling out from the woodwork.”

  “I hate that, too. But your trust issues make me feel dirty. I’ve done nothing wrong.” Maybe Jax hadn’t done anything wrong, either. He was protecting Dad. “I’ll try to understand why you’re so hell-bent on discrediting me.”

  “How generous of you.” Jax laughed. He was even more handsome when he relaxed and smiled. Her insides were beginning to melt. She could be in big trouble.

  “It’s not just the Matilda-wannabes. I was a victim of a money-grabbing-con once.”

  “You?” She had trouble imagining anyone could pull the wool over Jax’s overly suspicious mind.

  “I was engaged right out of grad school. Turned out my fiancée was only after my money.”

  “I find that hard to believe.” Tillie studied him. How could she be attracted to Jax? She wasn’t sure she even liked him.

  “It’s true. She made a fool out of me. I fell in and out of love so fast it made me dizzy. Which screams I never loved her to begin with.”

  “I’m sorry, Jax.” No wonder he had trust issues. Still, he didn’t have to be an ass. “Maybe after you’ve proven I’m the real Matilda, you’ll be able to trust people again.”

  “Perhaps.” He shrugged one shoulder. “How did you feel when you learned about your mother’s lies? It had to sting.”

  “I admit I was shocked and hurt. I must’ve read her letter a million times as if the words would change.”

  “I can’t even imagine.”

  “I’ve tried to understand why Momma kept lying once she’d kicked the drug habit. I’ve only known Dad one day, and I don’t think he would’ve taken me from her if she was off the drugs.”

  “He wouldn’t have. Mary should’ve returned home, or at least let Dad know you were alive. Might’ve saved him a lot of grief.”

  “I agree. But you see, the thing about lying is, once you start, it gets harder over time to come clean. Eventually, you don’t even think about trying. That’s what I believe happened with Momma.”

  He scooted close to her. “I apologize for being such an ass. I could’ve checked you out discretely and saved you a lot of hurt feelings.”

  Tillie only nodded. A lump was forming in her throat, and she tried to swallow it.

  Jax stretched his arm over the back of the glider. Tillie wished he would touch her, maybe even hold her. She was close to a breakdown, which was so unlike her. Crying was getting old. Surely, she had run out of tears by now.

  The waterworks started. “I’m so angry with Momma. But I miss her so much.”

  “Aw, Tillie. Please don’t cry. I know what it’s like to lose your mother. If I hadn’t had Dad to lean on, I don’t know what I would’ve done when mine died.”

  “You lost your sister, too. I’ve always wished I had a sibling. I can’t imagine losing one.”

  “Debby was only seven when she died. It’s been twelve years and I still miss her and Mom.” His arm slid down, resting on her shoulders. His warmth radiated around her neck and down her back.

  “I understand.” Tillie laid her head on Jax’s shoulder like it was the most natural thing on earth to do. “I’ll always miss Momma.”

  They sat in silence for a while, rocking slowly in the glider. Tillie marveled at the way the stars stood out against the dark sky. Never in her life had she felt so content. Taking a deep breath, she realized she was no longer crying.

  “Tillie, I still have to research your background. I owe it to Dad. But I’m praying I’m totally wrong.”

  She giggled. “I… umm… I think that’s a compliment.”

  “It means I want you to be Dad’s Matilda. I want him to be happy.”

  “That’s what I want, too. Jax, there’s just no reason I can think of for Momma to have lied about Linc being my father. She didn’t have to leave me the letter. I could’ve lived my life without knowing.”

  “You have a point, but I still have to know it’s a valid one.”

  “Do what you need to do.” She stood, her hurt and anger resurfacing. “I’m going inside.”

  Leaving Jax on his own, Tillie stomped away.

  Chapter 6

  After a few days of digging deep into Tillie’s background, Jax hadn’t come up with anything that indicated she was some type of a scam artist. If there was a boyfriend or anyone else helping her run a con game, he wasn’t finding it. Even Mary and her friend, Roger, checked out. He still had a couple things to verify, before he gave up and admitted he was wrong, but it was looking like she truly was Dad’s Matilda.

  When Jax wasn’t tied up with work or research, he’d spent time with Tillie. The more he got to know her, the more he liked her. Like was a weak word for what he was beginning to feel toward her. The thoughts and trust issues remaining from Angela’s deceit were fading fast.

  After dinner that night, Jax and Tillie went for a swim. He couldn’t resist racing her to the deeper end of the pool and back several times. Or splashing each other the way brothers and sisters often played while growing up. It was as if they’d known each other
their whole lives.

  But Jax definitely felt more than brotherly love for this woman.

  After their swim they sat wrapped in their towels, on the same garden glider where they’d talked the first night they’d met. This time around they were both more relaxed.

  “That was fun, Jax. Thank you for inviting me to swim.” Tillie patted her hair with her towel.

  “I had a great time. I always enjoy being around you.” Jax turned to face Tillie and brushed wayward strands of wet hair from her face. “I want to get to know you.”

  “I’d like that, too,” she admitted.

  Jax took her chin and turned her face toward his. He could no longer fight his attraction to her. “I’m going to kiss you. If you don’t want that, now’s the time to tell me.”

  Chapter 7

  “I’d love for you to kiss me.” Tillie’s insides fluttered, and her heartbeat raced. This was crazy. He was a man determined to prove her a fraud. And sweet baby Jesus, he was her brother.

  Jax lowered his head, and his mouth covered hers. The warmth from his lips spread throughout her body like a wildfire. Even if kissing your stepbrother was wrong, it felt right.

  “You taste so damned good, Tillie,” Jax murmured around multiple kisses. The man sure knew how to kiss. He could make a woman forget her own name.

  “We need to stop, Jax.” She took a deep breath, and he released her. “It can’t be right for me to be this attracted to my brother.”

  “Stepbrother, sweetheart.” He ran his palm over her cheek. “We don’t share the same blood.”

  “I doubt if the press got wind of this, they’d bother to point that out. I can’t let anything hurt Dad’s political career.” She crossed her arms over her chest to hide her pebbled nipples. No one had ever made her feel so desirable. And he’d only kissed her!

  “I’ve tasted you, Tillie. I’m not about to give you up because the media can’t get their facts straight.” He kissed her forehead. “But I’ll stop because you asked. I’m going to talk to Dad about us and see what he thinks.”

  “You’re serious about seeing where this goes? You’ve only known me a few days. We’ve only shared a few kisses.”

  “I know it’s happening fast. It doesn’t matter if we’ve had one kiss or spent a whole night making love, I’m very serious. I’ve felt the pull since I first laid eyes on you, and I’m tired of fighting it. I’ve never believed in love at first sight… until now.”

  “Okay.” Tillie had always believed in love at first sight. She took his hand. “What if you find out I’m not Matilda?”

  “The more I’m with you, the more I’m convinced you’re the real deal.”

  “I’ll come with you when you talk to Dad.” She had no clue how her father would react to Jax and her being in—make that, exploring—a relationship. She barely knew Jax. How was it possible for her life to change so much in a mere seventy-two hours?

  Chapter 8

  Two weeks later…

  Dad had taken the news well. He didn’t mind at all if Jax and Tillie wanted to pursue a relationship. He said they were stepsiblings who hadn’t grown up together as brother and sister. He’d had a few choice words about the media and naysayers, too. Something along the lines of our private lives were just that, and the paparazzi could rot in Hell if they didn’t like it.

  Tillie and Jax had been on a few dates, but mostly preferred to stay home in the evenings and hang out with Dad and Gran. She was falling hard for Jax.

  Her cellphone rang, interrupting her thoughts. She checked the caller ID and smiled. “Hello, Roger.”

  “Hi, Tillie. How’s it going? I haven’t heard from you for a few days.”

  “Sorry. Jax and I went away over the weekend.” She flopped down on her bed. Her body tingled as she recalled their time together. “Oh, Roger, you wouldn’t believe how happy I am here. Dad and I are growing closer every day. Gran and I have baked a ton of cookies. I’ve eaten most of them. I’m pretty sure I’ve put on all the weight I lost after Momma died.”

  “I knew you’d get along great with your family.”

  “I’ve already fallen in love with them. And Roger, they never speak badly of Momma.”

  “I’m glad for that. If you and Jax went away together, I assume the two of you are still exploring your feelings?”

  “No more exploring. It happened fast, but I’m in love with him. And Dad approves one hundred percent. I can’t wait for you to meet Jax.”

  “I look forward to it. I also called to let you know that the man who’s driving your money to Georgia called. He expects to arrive at Linc’s house by four. I thought I’d make sure you’ll be home.”

  “It’s not my money.”

  “If you say so.”

  “I do.” She kicked off her flip-flops. “I’ll be here all day. Jax is coming home early and we’re gonna hang at the pool and grill out.”

  “Sounds like fun.”

  “It will be.”

  “Just sign for the money. I still wish you would’ve let me do a cashier’s check. I’ve been worried sick about the man traveling with all that cash.”

  “I know it’s silly, but I felt like I should return it in the duffle and as is.” Tillie checked her watch. “Your guy will be here in fifteen minutes if he’s on time.”

  “I’ll let you go wait for the delivery.”

  “Thanks, Roger. I miss you bunches.”

  “I’ll come visit when you’re sure Linc won’t use my face for a punching bag.” He laughed.

  “I’ll hold you to it. Love you, Roger.”

  “Love you, too.”

  They disconnected. Tillie put on her mother’s necklace for the first time since the opal had fallen out. She’d picked it up from the jeweler this morning. Her neck had felt naked without it.

  She slipped on her flip-flops and ran downstairs.

  Her father met her in the foyer. “Hi, baby girl. Going for a swim?”

  “As soon as Jax gets here.” Tillie gave her father a hug.

  “I’m glad he’s dropped all this nonsense about you not being Matilda.”

  Jax decided she was Matilda a few days after she’d arrived. But Tillie had insisted on taking a DNA test. It’d still be a few weeks before the results came in. She didn’t want anyone to ever doubt her paternity again. The press could be ruthless.

  “I’m yours, Dad. You’re stuck with me.”

  Her father was staring at her necklace. “Where’d you get that?”

  “It was Momma’s. She gave it to me when I turned sixteen.”

  “I know it was hers. I had it special-made for her on our first anniversary.” His eyes filled with tears. “You are absolutely my daughter. I knew it as soon as I saw you, but this proves it beyond a shadow of doubt.”

  “Momma never told me where it came from, but I knew it was special to her.”

  Before he could say another word, the doorbell rang.

  “I’m expecting a delivery.” Tillie moved to the door, and he followed.

  A man in a dark suit was on the porch. “I have a delivery for Matilda Augustine.” He looked at a photo of her on his phone and nodded.

  “That’s me.”

  “Sign here, please.”

  She signed, and he handed her a duffle bag and left. She knew the cash was all there. Roger wouldn’t send someone he didn’t trust.

  “This is yours, Dad.”

  He unzipped the bag and looked inside at the cash. “Matilda, I told you I wanted you to keep it.”

  “It doesn’t feel right, Dad.”

  Standing in front of the open door, they both had their hands on a strap, pushing it at each other.

  “Take the money,” Dad insisted.

  “What the hell is going on?”

  Tillie looked up into Jax’s glaring eyes, seeing nothing but contempt. Her blood turned to ice.

  “I gotta hand it to you, sister dearest. You’re one hell of a gifted liar. But seriously, did you really have to make me fall in love with y
ou, too?”

  “Jax, it’s not what you think,” Tillie pleaded.

  “It’s exactly what I think. You conned cash from my dad. You’re everything I hate.”

  Tillie’s heart pounded, and she couldn’t breathe. She tried to speak, but couldn’t form words, much less express them. Tears were pouring down her cheeks. The hate in Jax’s eyes turned her blood to ice. She ran up to her room, slamming the door behind her. Throwing herself on the bed, she held Stuffy to her chest.

  “I hate him,” Tillie cried into Stuffy’s soft fur.

  She wished she’d never come to Georgia, or laid eyes on Jax. She’d given her heart to him, and he wouldn’t even listen to her explanation. So much for love at first sight.

  “Damn him and his trust issues.”

  Chapter 9

  “What the hell, Jax?” Linc said. “Why didn’t you let Tillie talk? Or me?”

  “I’m not listening to more lies from her, and you’re too blind to see her for what she really is.” Jax picked up the duffle that had been tossed to the floor. “Look at all the money you were about to give her. There’s only one explanation.”

  “Son, you’re wrong.” Linc rubbed a hand over his face. “This was the money Mary took the day she left me. It arrived from Seattle moments ago. I was trying to convince Tillie to keep it.”

  “She’s somehow managed to twist this in her favor. You want her to be your daughter so badly that you’ll believe anything.”

  “It’s the truth, Jax.”

  “Shit! Shit! Shit!” Had he been wrong? Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. He loosened his tie and unfastened the top two buttons of his shirt. Was it hot inside the house?

  “She’s my daughter.”

  “We have no proof.” No telling what the lying woman convinced Dad to believe.

  “You’re wrong, Jax. Tillie is wearing all the proof I need. I had a necklace special-made for Mary. There’s no other like it. Even the opal stone is unique. Only the real Matilda would have it.”