The Bride and the Bargain

by ALLISON LEIGH,

  Gray had given one each to Jack and Molly when they’d moved from the apartment, and since then, Jack had only seemed to put his down when he’d been “fishing” with Harry.

  Amelia gave up on her hair, contenting herself with the notion that she was doing so only to please her niece.

  Though Brandlebury was still a fair distance from the Hunt mansion, the trip took considerably less time with Peter at the wheel. Using Gray’s cell phone, she quickly called Paula with the latest update and mindful of the sets of ears listening in, promised to call later when they could chat. Then Peter pulled up in the turnout in front of the school, and they scrambled from the car, but Gray once more surprised her by getting out, too.

  “What are you doing, now?”

  The first bell was already ringing and children were running pell-mell toward the school building, their backpacks bouncing. In seconds, Molly and Jack were past the security guard and became just two more in the navy-and-tan throng who were snaking up the brick steps and disappearing through the wide, tall entrance.

  “Going with you to talk to Mr. Nguyen,” he answered as if it were obvious.

  Her lips tightened. “I agreed to marry you,” she said in a low voice. “That didn’t mean I agreed for you to become my keeper.”

  He smiled slightly. “Sheathe your claws, tiger. This isn’t about your resignation, though your stubbornness is almost admirable. It’s about Jack and Molly’s tuition.”

  Never in her life had she been likened to a tiger. “What about it? They’re on scholarship.”

  “A need-based scholarship.” Gray reminded. “Which should be redistributed to other students who have the need. That, dear wife, no longer applies in your case.”

  “I suppose you think that you’re going to pay their tuition?”

  “Of course.”

  “But they’re my responsibility.”

  He wrapped his hand around her elbow and herded her through the security gate. “And you are mine. Don’t pretend that you didn’t expect this.”

  She clutched her briefcase more closely against her. Maybe she was proving to him what an idiot she was, but she didn’t care just then. “I didn’t think about it.”

  He gave her a studying look. “Oddly enough, I actually believe that.”

  She wasn’t sure whether to be flattered or insulted. But if she were no longer earning her own wages, she couldn’t afford to pay for the children’s tuition, either. “Daphne worked hard to qualify them for that scholarship.”

  “Just because they no longer need it doesn’t mean that her efforts didn’t matter.” He walked with her toward the brick steps that were now nearly vacant of students. The purple and yellow irises lining them were in full, glorious bloom. On any other day, Amelia would have appreciated their beauty.

  “Letting you pay their tuition wasn’t in that agreement we signed.”

  “Not everything can be covered in legalese.” He grimaced. “Somewhere walls are probably crumbling down from me saying that. Look. This isn’t charity, you know. Your situation has changed, Amelia. Yours and the kids. You need to start getting used to it.”

  “And when we do get used to it, what happens when it ends?” She looked up at him. “What happens then, Gray? You think it will be easy for Jack and Molly to leave that house? You laughingly call it a shack. They think they’ve found heaven on earth.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what I was thinking to get into this.”

  “You were thinking about your sister.”

  “Maybe I should have been thinking more about her children. Maybe Dr. Jackson overestimated things and the other doctors were right, after all. Maybe Daphne won’t recover. And if she doesn’t, what have I done to her children, Gray? Introduced them to a lifestyle that only seems real in fairy tales, that’s what. I know nothing lasts forever. But they haven’t learned that particularly painful lesson, yet.”

  “And here I thought I was the cynical one.”

  She flushed.

  “Don’t worry so much, Amelia. You don’t have to have a plan for everything in your lives.”

  “I doubt you apply that thinking to your business. HuntCom wouldn’t be what it is today if you did.”

  “Not everything is business.”

  She nearly gaped. “You’re the one who told me that everything was!”

  “And you’re the one who said it wasn’t. Maybe you were right, and I was wrong.”

  Somewhere, walls probably were crumbling.

  “I don’t understand you at all, sometimes.”

  He took her elbow in his hand and she absorbed the small shock wave from the contact. “Then that makes two of us. Now, do you want to keep working here at Brandlebury?”

  She pressed her lips together for a moment. “If I said that I did?”

  “I think you’d be making a mistake.”

  “Because of all these so-called duties that I’ll be taking care of now that I’m married to you.”

  “There’s that. Look, Alex would probably deck me for saying this, but there are different rules for people like me and—”

  “People who can’t buy and sell small countries?”

  He looked pained. “You think you haven’t changed as a result of our marriage, but I’m telling you that the world will look at you differently. I’m not saying it’s right or that it’s fair. Wealth has its privileges but it also has its dangers and you’re going to have to be aware of that.”

  “What kind of dangers?”

  He looked over his shoulder toward the street. “See that blue van parked across the street?”

  She glanced past his wide shoulders. “What about it?”

  “Reporters. See that black SUV parked two cars behind it?” He barely waited for her nod. “Security guards. They’ll keep their distance unless the situation warrants otherwise.”

  “You don’t have security guards following you around.”

  “You’d be surprised how often I do. Sometimes the best security is the nearly invisible kind. I wasn’t just being autocratic when I told you no more buses for you and the kids. It’s for your own safety. Particularly now.”

  “Why now?”

  “The news release goes out today that I’m taking over HuntCom as chairman of the board. Harry’s retirement is official. We’ll have a public event marking it as soon as it can be arranged.”

  She swallowed down the unease curling through her.

  “And every time something major happens at HuntCom—either in personnel or products—it seems to stir up some odd reactions from various sorts. But you don’t have to worry,” he added calmly. “That’s what they’re for.” He gestured vaguely toward the vehicles.

  “So everyone’s gotten what they wanted. Me. Harry. You.”

  “One would think,” he murmured. “But this means my position is even more visible. And so will be my wife.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a small brooch. “I want you to wear this from now on.”

  She slowly took the pin. “Why?” Tiny pearls were fashioned into a looping A.

  “Because I’m asking you to.” He waited a beat and when she didn’t immediately pin it to her suit, he grimaced. “It’s a security device. There’s a button on the back.” His fingers brushed hers as he turned the pin over to show her. “Push that and those guards will be on-site in seconds. It also has GPS tracking.”

  “So you can follow me?”

  “So we can find you,” he said gruffly. “It’s just a precaution. There’re similar devices in the gamers that I gave the kids. We’ll come up with additional solutions for them, though. If there are times this pin doesn’t suit your clothing, wear it underneath. But promise me you’ll wear it.”

  Completely disconcerted, she pinned it to her collar. “All right.”

  “Good girl.” He reached past her and plucked off a vivid yellow bloom from the numerous plants beside the steps, brushed the tip of the velvety petals over her chin then tucked the iris into her lapel pocket where it showed even m
ore vividly against her navy suit. “Now, let’s go see the headmaster.”

  Shaken, and not just because of the idea of her and the children requiring security, she didn’t protest.

  Chapter Thirteen

  As promised, Gray was there with Peter and the long black car to pick up Amelia and the children after school, and drive them to Daphne’s new care center. He didn’t come only with Peter, though. Bonny and Timmy were with him, as well.

  When they left Brandlebury, Amelia couldn’t help but notice that the blue van and the black SUV both followed along behind.

  When they arrived at the care facility, Amelia took the baby and was about to suggest Bonny wait for them in the courtyard’s garden but Gray beat her to the punch.

  With Molly’s hand in hers and Jack trailing behind, still toying with his palm-sized gamer, she led the way to her sister’s room. There was a knot in her stomach, though, that cinched tighter the closer they drew.

  As if in tune to her tension, Timmy was fussier than usual and standing outside Daphne’s door, she joggled him gently. “Do the, um, the guys in the SUV know about my sister?”

  Gray nodded and pushed open the door. Molly dropped Amelia’s hand and darted inside. Jack followed, and when Amelia entered the room, Molly had already climbed up onto the hospital bed where Daphne reclined against the raised head and was chattering away about the big new castle where they lived and the pretty dress she’d gotten to wear to the wedding.

  Daphne’s eyes tracked Amelia’s and Gray’s entry and though Amelia was watching her sister’s expression with painful anticipation, Daphne’s smooth face didn’t move a muscle. Her dark brown eyes showed no more recognition of Gray than they did of Amelia.

  The knot eased a little.

  Daphne’s room here at the new center bore very little resemblance to the sterile environs of her previous facility. Here there were fresh flowers in the vase on the dresser, and there was music coming from the sound system sitting on one of the nightstands.

  “Mom doesn’t listen to that,” Jack said as he picked up the remote and switched radio stations. Daphne’s gaze shifted to her son when classic Motown replaced new country. “You gonna introduce him?”

  Amelia realized Jack was talking to her. And “him” meant Gray, of course. Feeling thoroughly unnerved, she lifted Timmy against her shoulder, patting his back. “Daphne, this is Gray. Grayson.” Timmy squirmed against her. “Hunt. Remember I told you about him last week.”

  Daphne didn’t respond. Her gaze shifted slightly, seeming to focus on Timmy. Amelia moved next to Molly. “Here, sweetie. Hold your brother so your mom can see him, too.”

  Molly took the baby. “Look at Mommy, Timmy,” Molly whispered. “Isn’t she pretty?”

  Daphne did look pretty, despite the lack of animation on her smooth face that before the stroke had imbued her with true beauty. Her long auburn hair was clean and shining and lay over the shoulders of her bright blue T-shirt. Timmy’s crinkling expression turned sunny again as he reached out and batted his little hand through his mother’s hair.

  Daphne focused on her baby and Amelia bit her lip as a faint smile seemed to touch Daphne’s lips.

  Timmy waved his hand, yanking contentedly at his mother’s hair and well aware just how hard a yank the baby could give, Amelia quickly reached out to work the red locks free of his grip.

  “No,” Daphne said clearly.

  Molly’s mouth dropped. “She spoke,” she said in a perfectly normal tone of voice. Jack had bounced up from the bedside chair, his gamer forgotten at his mother’s voice. Now, at Molly’s, he looked even more dumbfounded.

  Amelia laughed. She leaned over her sister and kissed the top of her head. “Yes, she did!” Her gaze shifted to Gray, who’d been entirely silent since they’d entered the room. He was studying Daphne, though the answering smile on his face was probably meant to mask that.

  But Amelia saw beyond the mask.

  He’d been adamant all along that he hadn’t known Daphne before. Even after his solitary visit to see her before the wedding, was he trying to place her?

  For a man who could recall the names of every person they’d greeted at their wedding reception, she now believed there was no way that Gray would have forgotten meeting Daphne. And somewhere along the way, she’d stopped believing that he was lying.

  Which meant that Daphne had. And that fact was still unfathomable.

  Timmy was still bouncing his fistful of his mother’s hair, but this time rather than trying to free Daphne’s hair, Amelia rested her hip on the edge of the bed and just reached out to slow his yanking.

  She knew she should be grateful that Daphne spoke even just that one word, but she couldn’t help yearning with every fiber for another. And another. Her sister could say anything—even tell Amelia what she thought of her marrying Gray—if only she’d make her way back to living any portion of her life.

  “Do you remember when Mom was alive, and she took us to that state park? She got her line caught on the back of her sweater and nearly cast herself into the lake. Well, you should have seen Molly and Jack this weekend, Daph. Harry—that’s Gray’s father—had them lakeside trying to show them how to fish. Since that time when you and I were kids, I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard.”

  “I didn’t like the worms.” Molly wrinkled her nose. “But it was fun.” She looked up at Amelia. “Can Mommy come to stay with us at our big house?” Her voice was once more a whisper.

  “She can come anytime the doctor says she can,” Gray promised.

  Amelia didn’t assume the assurance was a concession on Gray’s part where Daphne was concerned. He probably believed the doctor would never say that Daphne would be well enough in the first place.

  “Did you hear that, Mommy?” Molly’s voice grew louder again and Amelia nearly sagged with relief. “I can’t wait to show you my new room. I have a window seat and bookshelves with all the Harry Potter books, and even my own television. But Aunt Amelia says I can’t watch it until I finish my homework.”

  “I’ll go find a nurse,” Gray said when Molly stopped, apparently to draw breath. “They’ll want to know about this.” He headed for the door and was surprised when Jack followed him out. “First time you’ve heard your mom speak in a while,” he commented.

  Jack shrugged, trying to look nonchalant, but it wasn’t very convincing. “It’s cool. She, um, wouldn’t be real happy if she hears about me getting picked up by the cops.”

  “Ah. You’re more afraid of your mom’s punishment than your aunt’s.”

  Jack lifted his shoulder. “Aunt Amelia’s rules are stricter. But when Mom gets mad…” He shook his head dolefully.

  “Didn’t think about that too much when you were trying to lift those electronics.”

  “I wasn’t. Ya think she’ll get better?”

  “Your aunt believes so.” They stopped at a sleek desk located in an open area several doors away from Daphne’s room. “Excuse me.”

  The young woman looked up from the paperwork spread before her. Her eyes widened a little. “Mr. Hunt. What can I do for you?”

  “Send a doctor in for Mrs. Mason, would you please?”

  She was already reaching for the phone. Satisfied, Gray looked back at Jack. “What do you think?”

  “What’s gonna happen with Mol and me when she’s better?”

  Gray closed his hand over the boy’s shoulder and drew him away from the nurses’ station. “What do you mean?”

  “We’d go home with Mom, right?”

  “You and your sister and Tim, you mean,” Gray expanded cautiously. Was this what Amelia had been cautioning against? “You guys won’t have to worry about money like you used to, if that’s what you mean.”

  Jack flipped the gamer slowly between his hands.

  “Jack?”

  “It’s not. Well, I mean, yeah. I don’t want to go back to the apartment again.”

  “Then what do you mean?”

  The kid’s expression
only grew more miserable. “Your dad wants Tim to stay with you if we ever have t’go home again.”

  Down the corridor, a white-jacketed woman was entering Daphne’s room. “Did Harry tell you that?”

  Jack hesitated. Sighed mightily. “While we were fishing.”

  Gray managed not to swear. He should have known his father wouldn’t suddenly cease his interference just because Gray had said his “I do’s.” From the beginning he’d said he expected grandchildren.

  “Does your aunt know this?”

  “Nah. I think she’d be pissed.”

  That was putting it mildly. Gray was feeling plenty of that emotion himself. “Do you know why Harry would think that Tim wouldn’t go back with your mom if—once—she gets better?” Amelia had been adamant that neither Jack nor Molly knew about Daphne’s paternity claims.

  “’Cause he’s yours.”

  Gray kept a lid on his annoyance. “Harry said that? Or your aunt said it?” He should have known better than to start letting himself believe she’d dropped that nonsense. What was the point of pursuing the claim when she was already getting everything she wanted from him?

  Gwen hadn’t ceased her plot. Gray had fallen for her, hook, line and sinker, and she’d used that to her advantage. Thinking that he—that his family—would pay any amount of money to see her safely returned to them.

  It was only after she and the baby she carried were dead—accidentally killed by her own accomplice when Harry had refused to pay a dime—that the truth about her had come to light.

  “My aunt never talks about that stuff around me and Mol,” Jack was saying. “Harry just said that Tim looks like you, right down to the birthmark on his arm. So. Is he?”

  Gray went still. He did have a small mark on his shoulder, shaped almost like a diamond. Coincidence? He wasn’t a big believer in it.

  “Mom told us Tim’s dad was a mistake.” Jack spoke faster. “That he didn’t want nothing to do with her or Tim.”

  “If Tim were mine—which he is not—I wouldn’t turn away from him. I’m not going to turn away from him now. Or you or Molly or your aunt. Or—” he made himself say it “—your mom. The only thing you need to worry about is doing your math homework. None of you kids are going anywhere. And when the time comes for your mom to leave here, she can come stay with us, too.”