A Man's Promise

by Brenda Jackson

  Dalton continued to smile. “Yes, that did occur to me, but I dismissed it as a crazy idea.”

  “And why would you do that?”

  “Because you’re the middle child, and I promised Dad I would keep an eye out for you, so everything you do is my business, Caden.”

  “Bullshit. But two can play your silly little game. Where were you yesterday? On the way out, I asked Brandy to let you know I was leaving the office, and she mentioned you hadn’t returned from your appointment with a private investigator. Why were you meeting with a P.I.?”

  Caden watched the expression on his brother’s face, and it was apparent he didn’t like being the one in the hot seat. In fact, Caden noticed that Dalton actually seemed to be squirming.

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

  No doubt it will be damned interesting, Caden thought, keeping an eye on Dalton. “Try me.”

  Dalton was silent for a minute, then he said, “I hired a private investigator to find a woman for me. I met her in a nightclub, and she left without telling me who she was and how to contact her.”

  “And you hired a P.I. to find her?”

  “Yes.”

  Caden couldn’t help but chuckle. “You’re right. I don’t believe you.”

  Eleven

  Shana grinned over at Jace. They were on their way to her father’s home, and he’d gotten quiet all of a sudden. “If I didn’t know any better, I would think you were nervous, Jace.”

  He took his eyes off the road when he brought the car to a stop at a traffic light. “I am. It’s not every day I meet the father of a woman and tell him I got his daughter pregnant and ask for her hand in marriage in the same meeting.”

  Shana smiled. “Take it easy. Dad’s a swell guy. Besides, he’s wanted grandkids for the longest time...as well as a son-in-law. Now he’ll get both. But you better be glad my sister, Jules, is out of town and won’t be here. She would give you a hard time just for the hell of it.”

  She paused a moment and then said, “Your family seems to have taken the news well. Except maybe for Dalton. It was obvious he was kind of put out about it.”

  “You should know Dalton by now. Dalton is Dalton,” Jace said as the car moved forward again. “The thought of my having unprotected sex was beyond his comprehension.”

  “You didn’t tell him what happened?”

  Jace shook his head. “No. It’s none of his business. Let him think whatever he wants, which is Dalton’s way.”

  “Caden seemed preoccupied with something last night. Is everything all right with his band?”

  “Yes, everything is fine with the band. It’s an issue concerning Shiloh Timmons.”

  Shana’s brow bunched. “Timmons? Where do I know that name from?”

  “Probably from seeing it in the listings of all our shareholders. Samuel Timmons was her father, but he died several months ago. All his shares in the company went to Sandra Timmons, her mother. In our board meeting a few months ago, when Titus Freeman tried to take over Granger Aeronautics, Shiloh saved the day by casting her mother’s votes our way.”

  “That was pretty darned nice of her.”

  “Yes, it was. Without those votes going our way, we would have been prevented from running the company the way my grandfather wanted us to.” He paused a moment and then said, “If Samuel Timmons had been alive, he would have voted with Freeman and, to this day, I don’t understand what happened.”

  She looked over at him. “What happened about what?”

  “My parents’ relationship with the Timmonses. They used to be close friends, and we all did things together...which is why their son, Sedrick, and I were close while growing up, and why Shiloh and Caden were close. But after my mother was killed, they, like everyone else, were convinced my father was guilty. They even testified at Dad’s trial about overhearing one of my parents’ arguments when Dad threatened to kill Mom.”

  Jace paused a moment and then said, “Caden, Dalton and I overheard a similar argument. The night before Mom died. But we knew he was upset with her and that it was an idle threat.”

  “Even when she was murdered the next day?”

  “Yes. We were confused about a lot of things, but I think, deep down, none of us really thought Dad was capable of killing Mom.”

  “Not even in the heat of passion like the prosecutors claimed?”

  “Not even then. We knew Dad. As far as I’m concerned, the Timmonses should have known him equally well, and that he’d made an idle threat. It seemed as if for some reason Samuel Timmons wanted everyone to think Dad was capable of killing Mom.”

  He paused again and then said, “And then after Dad was sentenced, the Timmonses and some of the other neighbors—the country-club gang—treated my brothers and me like we had the bubonic plague. They refused to let any of their kids associate with us.”

  “That’s awful.”

  “Yes, it was,” Jace said. “I lost my best friend, and Caden lost his.”

  “So what’s the problem now?”

  Jace took a few moments to tell her what Caden had told him. Retelling it made Jace realize just what a genuine ass Samuel Timmons had been. “Caden realizes he made a mistake and is determined to get her back.”

  “I hope that he does.”

  “Me, too.” They were silent again, and then when they came to another traffic light, Jace glanced back over at Shana and said, “Prepare me for your dad. What am I to expect?”

  She smiled. “Ben Bradford is an ex-cop who raised his two daughters after the wife he loved with all his heart passed away of pancreatic cancer. Mom knew she was dying, so she prepared us somewhat. She made Jules and me promise to be good girls, and we tried to keep that promise. Dad made it easy by being such a terrific father. He worked during the day while we were in school and made sure he was home at night. At one time he was promoted to detective, but when he saw it was interfering with his time at home, he gave it up and went back to being a street cop. He said money wasn’t everything. It was more important for him to spend quality time with us.”

  Jace nodded. “And he never remarried?”

  “No. And he never brought a woman home for us to meet, although Jules and I know he was sexually active.”

  “How could you and your sister know something like that?”

  “Because we found condoms in his dresser drawer once. That’s where he kept extra money for special things like our hair appointments and school trips and stuff like that. As we got older we knew what the condoms were for. I guess he didn’t think when he tossed the packet into that particular drawer. He’d forgotten we went into it from time to time.”

  “And now he’s dating Mona, the blind woman.”

  “Yes. They’d only known each other a short while, and now he says he’s in love with her.”

  “True love. There was a time I didn’t believe in it.”

  “Yes,” she said, grinning. “I recall you once saying that.”

  “Things have changed, and I hope you don’t find it hard to believe that two people can fall in love quickly, Shana. We’ve known each other a short while, and I know for certain that I’m in love with you.”

  “And I’m in love with you,” she said, smiling over at him. “But...”

  “But what?”

  “I guess I’m overprotective of Dad, yet at the same time I want to see him happy. He deserves it.”

  “Then let him be happy.”

  Jace pulled the car into Shana’s father’s driveway and killed the ignition. He glanced over at her. “He is expecting us, right?”

  Shana smiled. “Yes, he’s expecting us, and please relax, Jace. My father is nothing like Samuel Timmons.”

  Jace let out a deep breath before smiling over at her. “Hell, I hope not.”

  * * *

  “Yes, Sedrick?” Shiloh asked, connecting to the incoming call on her phone.

  “Everything is all set for Saturday night. I’ve made dinner plans at the Matador.”


  “All right.” The Matador was a very nice restaurant in town.

  “Wallace wants to come pick you up. Do you have a problem with that?”

  Because he’d asked, she figured he thought that she would. “No, I don’t have a problem with it. I’m looking forward to seeing him again.”

  “Great! And like I said, Shiloh, he’s a nice guy. He’ll be there to pick you up at seven.”

  “Fine. I’ll be ready.”

  She hung up the phone thinking that she sounded more excited than she actually felt. Each time she went into her office and saw those darned white roses on her desk she thought about Caden.

  Then why did you keep the darned things? You could have trashed them, her mind mocked. No matter how she felt about Caden, there was no way she could have done such a thing for spite. She was more mature than that. In that case, why did you have Tess tell Caden you were busy when he called? You could have at least thanked him for the flowers.

  She knew the answer to that one. The last thing she needed was to hear his voice. That deep, rich, sexy sound always did things to her. She recalled teasing him about his voice changing when they were kids. He took all of her jesting in stride. But then, Caden had always been the most easygoing person she knew. At least he was until he got angry, and then he was the one who’d become spiteful, not only sleeping with other women but also refusing to have anything to do with her. And then for him to say all those awful things to her that night and...

  She drew in a deep breath when she felt tears fill her eyes. Why couldn’t she just let go of the pain? Wiping the tears from her eyes, she decided to take a shower and get into bed early. More than anything, she needed a good night’s sleep.

  Twelve

  Ben Bradford offered Jace his hand as he looked directly into his eyes. “So you’re Jace Granger.” The older man then smiled. “I’m so glad my daughter has finally brought you over for a visit. Come on in. I’ve prepared dinner, so I hope you’re hungry.”

  “Yes, sir, I am,” Jace said as he and Shana followed her father through the foyer into a spacious living room. He glanced around at all the framed photographs lining the walls. He walked over to look more closely at Shana in various stages of her growth. One photo was of her on a bicycle with her sister on a tricycle. Another on her graduation day from high school. Then another showed her graduating from college.

  “She was a cute little something,” Ben said, chuckling. “Both my daughters were. I’m proud of my girls.”

  Jace turned toward the man. “And you have every right to be.” Benjamin Bradford was just as he’d pictured him to be. Tall, ruggedly built and in good shape for a man his age, which he would put in his middle fifties, like his own father.

  “Thanks, Dad. What’s for dinner?” Shana asked, turning to head for the kitchen.

  Ben chuckled. “Only my child can thank you for a compliment and then beg for food in the same sentence.”

  “I wasn’t begging, just asking out of curiosity. It smells good, whatever it is,” Shana said as she walked into the kitchen.

  Ben and Jace followed. Ben glanced over at Jace. “So, Jace, I read about that kidnapping attempt in the paper. Glad you came out without a scratch, young man.”

  “And I have your daughter to thank for that.”

  “Hmm, better not let Dalton hear you say that,” Shana said, sitting down at the kitchen table.

  Jace chuckled. “Yeah, I have to give my brother credit as well, but he would not have known I was missing had it not been for Shana and her team.”

  Ben was very astute in reading people, and he’d been reading the body language between these two from the moment they had entered his home. His daughter, his finicky daughter where men were concerned, was in love. There was a glow on her face that he’d never seen before. Ever. And he hadn’t missed the looks these two had been giving each other.

  He wasn’t surprised Shana hadn’t brought Jace around before now. His daughter had to be sure of things, and for her to bring him now meant her mind was made up. She had finally met a guy she felt was worthy of her affection.

  Ben figured these two hadn’t known each other too long. But then, he of all people knew you could fall in love in an instant. He’d done so twice in his life and figured when it came to his girls, things for them wouldn’t be much different. He’d noticed how Jace was looking at Shana, and he knew those feelings went beyond the physical.

  There was no doubt in his mind there was a strong physical attraction between the two of them. He’d seen Jace’s sports car parked in Shana’s driveway more than once when he’d come to visit. Seeing she had company, he had kept going, knowing she would bring him around eventually if he was a keeper. These two were in love, and he wondered whether they’d figured it out yet.

  “You can join Shana at the table, Jace. As you can see, it’s already set.”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you.”

  Jace had manners, and Ben appreciated that. He’d done his homework on Jace Granger and liked what he’d discovered so far. Shana had mentioned the deathbed promise he’d made to his grandfather, and Ben couldn’t help but think highly of him for fulfilling it.

  “I grilled steaks, made a salad, baked bread, steamed veggies and made a banana pudding.”

  “Everything sounds delicious.”

  “And it will be. Didn’t I tell you my dad was fantastic?” Shana said, grinning.

  Ben couldn’t help smiling. It was good to see all the starchiness gone from his daughter. She appeared relaxed, carefree, and it was obvious she had let her hair down a bit—literally, since it flowed past her shoulders. She looked content. Happy.

  Over dinner, they discussed a number of things—the economy, upcoming elections, world affairs and such. Then Ben took Jace out back to show him his garden that he’d started with Mona’s help. For some reason, he ended up telling Jace about Mona and what a wonderful woman she was.

  “I intend to marry her one day,” Ben said. “I just need to bring her around to my way of thinking about our future.”

  Jace nodded and then looked Ben in the eyes and said, “And I intend to marry your daughter. I hope to get your permission and blessing.”

  “You got it,” Ben replied so quickly it made Jace blink. The older man chuckled. “Was that too fast for you?”

  Jace shook his head, grinning. “No, sir. It was just perfect.”

  Ben smiled. “I give my permission and blessing, but Shana has to have a say in this.” He then looked to where Shana was sitting on the patio, stretched on his lounger with her eReader. “Shana?”

  She looked up. “Yes, Dad?”

  “This young man says he intends to marry you.”

  A smile spread across her lips. “That’s good, because I intend to marry him.”

  A joyous flutter moved in Ben’s stomach. “Glad to hear it, since I gave him my blessing and permission.”

  “Thanks,” Shana replied. She then stood, put her eReader down and came to join them, standing beside Jace and taking his hand in hers. “Did he tell you the rest of it?”

  Ben lifted a brow. “There’s more?”

  Shana nodded. “There is.” She tilted her head back to meet her father’s gaze directly. “Benjamin Bradford, come next spring, you’ll get that grandbaby you’ve always wanted.”

  Ben stared at his daughter for a minute to make sure she was saying what he thought she was saying. Seconds passed, and he could tell from the look in her eyes that they were on the same wavelength. Happiness flowed through him, tears misted in his eyes and he pulled his oldest daughter into his arms. “You sure know how to spring one on the old man.”

  He glanced over at Jace. “A son-in-law and a grandchild. The two of you have definitely made my day.”

  * * *

  “Carson?”

  “Yes, Sheppard?”

  “The warden said you called. I was in a Toastmaster’s meeting. We had three new members join.”

  “That’s wonderful. I just wanted you to know t
hat I’ve taken care of that matter you requested.”

  Shep drew in a deep breath. “Thanks. I was hoping I’d be able to sleep better tonight, but I’m not sure now, especially after Jace’s phone call earlier.”

  “Jace called?”

  “Yes. He wants to come see me tomorrow. Said it was important and he didn’t want to tell me over the phone.”

  “I wonder what it’s about.”

  “I have no idea. But I guess I’ll find out tomorrow.”

  * * *

  Miles away, in a very private location, a group of individuals had assembled. It had been years since some of their paths had crossed, and most had preferred it that way.

  “What is the purpose of this meeting?” someone asked in an annoyed tone. “Everything is going the way we had planned, and we all agreed years ago not to ever—”

  “The meeting tonight was necessary.”

  “Why?”

  “Because Sylvia Granger’s murder case might be reopened.” That statement got everyone’s attention, and an immediate hush silenced the room.

  “But I thought we took care of that matter involving the private investigator Richard Granger hired a few years back,” someone finally added.

  “We did. However, Sylvia’s sons have stepped into top positions at Granger Aeronautics and, from what I’m hearing, they intend to prove their father is innocent of their mother’s murder. And all of us know that can’t happen. We have too much at stake.”

  There was a brief pause and then, “Do I have everyone’s permission to proceed in whatever way I see fit?”

  All heads in the room nodded consent.

  Thirteen

  “Now who’s the one getting nervous?” Jace asked, smiling over at Shana. They had left Charlottesville early that morning for the drive to Delvers, where they would tell his father about their impending marriage and the baby.

  The baby.

  It was hard to believe that it was only a couple of months ago that he and his brothers had been summoned home because of his grandfather’s heart attack. An attack Richard Granger never recovered from. But before he died, he’d had them make promises they intended to keep...although at times the three of them wondered what the hell they’d gotten themselves into. Especially since they’d all been living separate lives all over the country and the world. At least Jace knew his life before returning home was nothing compared to what it was now, thanks to Shana.