by Regina Duke
Kevin looked grim. “I think he already has. He had someone spying on us with binoculars.”
“The venomous old fart.”
“Mother!” Kevin shook his head and chuckled. “I don’t know how you’ve put up with him all these years.”
“What? Me, leave? And violate that ironclad prenup he insisted on? Lose everything that might possibly come to my children, out of spite for their father? Humph. I’m tougher than that. And I won’t let him win. Friday we will have a wedding right here in this room. That will secure your inheritance. And Monday, the lawyers will file the necessary papers, delivering the trust into your hands.” All the color suddenly dropped out of her face. She grabbed Kevin. “The license! The marriage license!”
Kevin patted her arm. “All taken care of.”
Krystal slumped in relief. “All right, then. Now if your sweet young bride can survive the week, everything should work out.” She leaned against the back of the chair and let her head tip sideways against the wing. “Now let me rest for a few minutes before dinner, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure, mom.” Kevin left the room with Zach. Outside, he asked, “How is she really?”
“About the same. The stress of dealing with your father has taken its toll. But let me tell you, hearing you were on your way and you’d found a bride? Well, she has been much better since that phone call.”
“And the kids?”
Zach looked grim. “You saw your sister. Still into the vampire thing. Keegan? Well, your mother is too exhausted to tackle his addiction to computer games. He just sits around the house, glued to that danged tablet. He was so disappointed the first day they arrived, because Buttercup wasn’t available for fun and games. She’s getting older, and she’s got a lot on her plate right now. She’s staying out at the office with me during the day.”
“He’s not interested in the horses?”
“He came out to look, but he’s afraid of them. They’re too big, and he doesn’t have the upbringing you did. You better get out to the barn and say hello to Honey. That mare knew the minute you drove up, and she is having a fit.”
Kevin grinned. “Let’s go, then. We’ve got time before dinner.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
DINNER WAS SERVED in the family dining room.
Krystal stuck to her plan of ignoring Karla. The result was an immensely entertaining meal. The teen stalked Kevin, hissed at Queen Cookie every time she entered the room, and made a huge show of sniffing her baby brother.
Keegan was used to it. He pulled a piece of garlic out of his shirt pocket and rubbed it on his head. “Stay back, creature of the night,” he said, as simply as one would say, “Pass the salt.”
Karla’s reaction was worthy of Bela Lugosi.
Once dinner was served, Karla slipped into a chair next to Megan and began to eat with apparent gusto.
Krystal froze with her wine glass half way to her lips.
“Karla! You’re eating.” Every syllable full of hope.
Karla remained in character, using her vampire voice. “I have worked very hard for many months to adjust my digestive system to human food. I do what I must to survive.”
Kevin and Megan hid smiles behind their napkins. Karla had quoted Megan’s explanation almost word for word.
“I see,” said Krystal. “Very well. Bon appetit.”
Karla growled.
Krystal ignored her. “Pass the mashed potatoes, Kevin.”
Megan finished her roast beef and was on her second serving of mixed vegetables and potatoes when Krystal turned a schooled face to her. “Please tell us a little about yourself, my dear.”
Cookie moved efficiently, bringing trays of food, removing dirtied plates. She looked like somebody’s grandmother, with steel gray hair swept back and covered with an old chef’s hat. She was stocky, but gave the impression of strength, not excess weight. Her cheeks were pink and her pale eyes twinkled with humor.
Megan began by lifting her water glass in Cookie’s direction. “First of all, I’d like to thank Cookie for a wonderful meal. It’s all so delicious.”
Cookie seemed surprised and delighted at the same time. “You’re most welcome.” She winked at Megan and went about her business.
Krystal cleared her throat.
Megan took the hint. “Well, I grew up in northern California. My dad was a preacher and he had little churches in Cloverdale, Ukiah, and Willits. My mom stayed at home mostly. It was a full time job, making ends meet. We bounced around wherever the most parishioners showed up. I went to school at UC Davis.”
“What did you study?”
“Social Services. I was on my way to Seattle to start my first job at a community center there when my car was hit by a logging truck. The driver fell asleep at the wheel, and I ended up in the hospital for six months. The people at the community center were very sympathetic but had to hire someone else after three months. They were willing to keep me on a list, though.” She shrugged. “I hadn’t heard anything else from them up to the time I met Kevin.”
“Where are your parents now?” asked Karla. Then, in vampire voice, “I mean, where do thy parents dwell?”
“They’re in Central America. Dad wanted to build a mission.” Her voice faltered. “I assume they’re still there. I can’t seem to reach them.”
Megan was surprised by the kindness in Krystal’s tone as she said, “I’m sure they are quite all right, my dear.”
“Thanks. I hope so.”
Megan saw Krystal shoot Kevin a glance, but she let it go. This family had way too many quirks for a simple over-the-table glance to count for anything.
Keegan was staring into his lap.
Megan asked, “You okay, Keegan?”
Krystal’s tone sharpened. “Put that tablet away or I will smash it against a wall!”
“No!” Keegan jumped off his chair and ran out of the room, clutching his iPad to his chest.
Karla rolled her eyes. “Good one, Krystal. Superb parenting.”
Krystal glared at her daughter.
Megan forced a smile. “Too bad he doesn’t love the outdoors like his brother.”
Krystal and Karla broke off their glare fest and looked a question at Kevin.
Megan blinked. “You know. His summer job as a lumberjack.”
“Lumberjack?!” Krystal was horrified.
Karla was not. “Cool!”
Kevin dabbed at his lips with his napkin. “Mom, you said you knew all about what I was doing in Seattle.”
“I didn’t know you were risking your life running up and down mountains and dodging falling trees.”
Kevin kept it light. “It seemed like a better idea than paying a gym membership.”
Karla suppressed a smile. “He be buff,” she intoned.
Cookie served coffee and carrot cake. She leaned over Megan’s shoulder. “My own recipe. Cream cheese frosting.”
The carrot cake was so delicious, no one did much talking. When Krystal stood and excused herself after dinner, Kevin rose as well.
Megan got up. “I’m just going to help Cookie with the dishes.”
Krystal’s eyes widened, but she said nothing.
Karla said, “The Undead do not do dishes.” She escaped to her room.
Megan slipped into the kitchen. “Cookie, how can I help?”
Cookie peeked into the dining room to make sure everyone had left. Then she handed Megan a plate with a generous square of carrot cake on it.
“Would you mind taking this upstairs to little Keegan?”
Megan found his room easily enough. It was the one with the action hero posters. The door was ajar.
“Knock, knock,” she said softly, pushing the door all the way open.
“I’m busy,” said Keegan with as much authority as an eight-year-old could muster.
“Cookie sent contraband.” Megan closed the door behind her.
Keegan looked up from a computer screen, and his eyes grew big. “Yes! Cookie loves me!”
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Megan smiled as he dug into the carrot cake. Even with a fork and the napkin she’d brought, he got more frosting on his face than in his mouth.
“You need a mechanical napkin,” said Megan. “You know, like a Transformer that knows which part of your face to clean.”
“Good idea. You want some?” He held up the demolished cake and offered his fork.
“Thanks, but no. I ate my piece downstairs.” She tilted her head to glimpse his computer screen. “What are you working on?”
“Feeding my dog.”
“On a computer?”
“It’s an avatar.”
“Wow. When I was your age, I didn’t know what that was.”
“When you were my age, they didn’t exist.”
Megan laughed. “You’re funny!”
Keegan rubbed the napkin across his mouth. “Krystal says I’m rude.”
“You really know a lot about computers, don’t you?”
Keegan nodded eagerly. “But my dog keeps dying.”
“Oh, no!”
“I forget to boot the program. I have to feed him and give him water and walk him. All on the computer. Today he chewed up my sofa. See?” He turned the screen so she could see that the cartoon dog had indeed destroyed the cartoon sofa on the screen.
“He looks skinny.”
“I forgot to feed him again.”
“But you carry your iPad everywhere. Just feed him from the iPad.”
“Can’t. It’s an old program and I only have it on my computer. The iPad is too new for it. Krystal says I don’t need anymore games this summer. So I have to wait.”
Megan sat on the edge of Keegan’s bed. “Kevin says you’re a computer genius.”
Keegan shook his head. “Not really. I just know more than anybody else in the family. I’m not that smart at school.”
“Oh, I find that hard to believe. I’ll bet you’re doing really well. What’s your favorite subject?”
“Recess.” Keegan blew a raspberry. Then he said, “Math, I guess. But I like to read, too. And I love animal studies, but social studies is boring.”
“For a guy who loves animal studies, you seem to spend a lot of time with computers. Why not go out and study the ranch animals?”
“Are you kidding? They’re huge.” He rolled his eyes. “My favorite was Buttercup, but Zach said she can’t come out and play right now.”
“Buttercup?”
“She’s Zach’s yellow Lab.” Keegan’s face got wistful. “I love that dog.” His expression darkened. “Dad won’t let me have a dog in the apartment. He says they pee on the carpets. He doesn’t like dogs.” He turned and asked, “How can anyone not like dogs?!”
“I don’t know, Keegan. That’s a mystery to me, too. But I know how you feel. My father never wanted a dog in the house either. My mother snuck in a kitten, but we knew he’d throw a fit if we tried to get a puppy.” She sighed heavily. “I really want a dog.”
“Me, too,” said Keegan.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
MEGAN LEFT KEEGAN to his animated pet and went looking for Kevin. She found him on the front porch in the swing.
“Room for two?”
Kevin smiled up at her. “Definitely. I was just wondering if I was going to have to take a ticket for a chance to talk to you.”
Megan sat down.
Kevin took her hand in his, and Megan felt a zing of electricity, just like at Lake Tahoe the day before, and at Pike’s Market. He was so darned good looking!
“Your brother and your sister are priceless.”
“Thanks. I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear you say that!”
Megan held her hand out palm down and wiggled it back and forth. “Your mother? Mmmm, jury’s still out.”
“Speaking of parents,” said Kevin, “my old man is up to his usual chicanery. He sent Zach a letter, telling him to make time in his schedule to meet with surveyors. Dad is acting like the ranch is his already and he’s planning to sell it.”
“Two questions,” said Megan. “First, is this the Zach you mentioned on the plane?”
“Yes, our ranch foreman. He and mom grew up together. You’ll meet him tomorrow.”
“Okay. And second, your dad doesn’t stand a chance, does he? I mean, with the way things have played out…” She left it hanging.
“Theoretically, no. But he is notorious for rocking the boat at the last minute. Mom thinks he’ll be scheming to the very end.”
“Well, he knows about me. We saw his spy in Tahoe. Did you tell your mom about that?”
“Yes.”
“And about Reno?”
Kevin squeezed her hand. “I keep trying, but we keep getting interrupted. By the way, mom wanted to know if you’re strong enough to deal with all this craziness.”
“So far, so good. What’s on the schedule for tomorrow?”
Krystal’s voice cut through the twilight. “I have arranged for my personal seamstress to spend the morning fitting your wedding gown.”
Megan started to pull her hand back, but Kevin wouldn’t let it go.
Krystal settled in a wicker rocker a few feet away. “Young lady, you have made a very good impression with two people who are not easy to impress. Both Karla and Keegan give you two thumbs up.”
Megan smiled. “I like them, too.”
Krystal hummed with amusement. “You are a gift from above. Oh! Have you met my foreman? Zach? Zachary!”
Megan recognized Zach as the man on the computer screen when she’d done a Google search on Kevin’s family. He looked a bit older than in the photo, and his hair was very gray at the temples. But he was dressed like a ranch hand and wearing cowboy boots, just like in the photo.
More interesting, however, was the transformation that came over Krystal when Zach joined them on the porch.
Krystal’s voice softened. “Zachary King, this is Megan—”
“Mully,” supplied Kevin.
“Megan Mully, Kevin’s fiancée. After the wedding on Friday, Megan will be giving the orders around here. Try to make a good impression.”
Megan’s mouth dropped open at Krystal’s pronouncement, but she closed it quickly as Zach stepped close and offered his hand.
“It’s a pleasure, little lady.”
Megan shook his hand and wondered if he’d call her ‘little lady’ if she was standing up. But she smiled and replied, “From what I’ve seen so far, you’re doing a great job. Do you have a dog named Buttercup?”
Zach stepped back. “Why, yes. How’d you know that?”
“Keegan told me. He misses her a lot.”
“She’s six years old, and when I rescued her four years ago, I was told she was fixed. But lo and behold, she had herself a litter of pups. Three have gone to homes, but there’s two left, and believe me, she has had enough of motherhood.”
“Two? That’s perfect!” She turned to Kevin. “Guess what I want for a wedding present!”
Kevin shot a questioning glance at Zach.
“No problem here,” said Zach. “I was hoping we’d get to keep a couple at the ranch. But let me get their final puppy shots tomorrow. You can take possession the day after. If Krystal doesn’t object.” He raised his brows and addressed the last sentence to Krystal.
“Megan will be the lady of the house, so if she wants a puppy, she shall have a puppy. And you’re right about the timing. She’ll be much too busy with her dress tomorrow to add a new family member.”
Zach held a hand out to Krystal. “Ma,am? May I interest you in a stroll through the orchard?”
“Why, yes, you may.” Krystal took his hand and let him help her out of the rocker. “Megan, the seamstress will expect you in the parlor at nine a.m.”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Megan. She watched Krystal walk away on Zach’s arm. When they were out of earshot, she tapped Kevin’s arm.
“Did you see that?! Did you see?”
“See what?”
“How could you not see it?” She lowered her
voice. “Your mother is in love with Zachary King.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Wednesday, June 27
MEGAN DISCOVERED THAT Krystal expected her to sleep separately from Kevin since the wedding hadn’t taken place yet. At first, she was relieved. Then she was disappointed. When she signed their prenup, she was certain this was just a job. But now, she found herself growing fonder of Kevin every hour. And he appeared more attractive than ever as she witnessed his affection for his family. She allowed herself a fanciful moment, imagining him knocking softly on her door after everyone else was asleep. Then she blushed hotly. His mother’s room was right next door! She couldn’t imagine spending their first intimate night next door to his mother.
She slept like a baby in the blue room. When she opened her eyes, it was already eight o’clock. She rushed through her shower, got dressed, and headed downstairs to the kitchen, looking for coffee. The house was very quiet.
Cookie was ready for her. She poured her a big mug of coffee and offered her a plate of toast.
“Thank you, Cookie. Morning, Keegan.”
Keegan did not look up. His thumbs were moving furiously over the controls of an electronic game. “Morning.”
“Where is everyone?”
Cookie poured herself a cup of coffee and joined Megan and Keegan at the table. “Kevin and Krystal went riding about seven. Karla is still asleep, most likely. She is a teenager, after all. I just got back from taking coffee and rolls over to the office yonder.”
“That big metal building over there?”
“That’s where the ranch business is done. It takes a lot to run a place like this.”
“Speaking of which,” said Megan, “last night Krystal said that after the wedding on Friday, I will be the lady of the house.”
Cookie drew inward and started to get up from the table. “Yes, ma’am.”
“No, no, please sit! I was surprised by her announcement. Surely she will always be the lady of the house, not me.”
Cookie relaxed and reached for a slice of toast. “Oh, that. Yes, in a way she’ll always be head of this household. But she’s been waiting for years for Kevin to get married so he can inherit the place, take over the trust, and run the ranch. And his wife will legally be the lady of the house. Mrs. Krystal’s parents wrote that into the trust. They never figured that their male heirs would die before the property could be transferred. They never made arrangements for a female heir, except that she could hold the property and the estate for safekeeping until her son was old enough to inherit. And then, of course, there was the famous marriage requirement. Kevin has to marry before his twenty-fifth birthday, or the property and the estate both go to Mrs. Krystal, which she deserves, but she’s afraid her husband will get his hands on it if that happens.” Her inflection on the word “husband” told Megan how she felt about that idea.
