Oberon Boxed Set (Books 1-3) Welcome to Oberon

by P. G. Forte

  “I was just, ah... retrieving some files I’d left here last week,” he answered, shoving both hands deep into his pockets. His chagrin at her unexpected return was all too evident.

  “Didn’t think I’d be back so soon, did you?” She smiled grimly. “That’s okay, I didn’t expect to find you here now, either.”

  “I spoke to Nick.” His voice was low and quiet, she steeled herself against the longing it created inside her. “He told me what happened the other day. Marsha, I’m so sorry. I—”

  “It’s over now. Forget about it.”

  “I’m sorry,” he repeated, his voice barely audible.

  “Yeah, well, me too.”

  “Listen, I—” He stopped, then tried again. “We need to talk.”

  She shook her head. “No. I don’t think so.” She couldn’t afford to listen to his excuses right now, not knowing how easily he could make her believe just about anything he wanted her to. Not when there was so much she wanted to believe. “And especially not tonight. I’m too tired for this. I just want you to leave.”

  “Marsha, please. I know you’re upset, but give me a chance to explain.”

  “No. I can’t. Maybe tomorrow. But right now—” Right now, she needed time to adjust to the idea that he’d returned. Time to determine how much she could salvage of her heart, her pride. Or how much more of them she could stand to sacrifice.

  “We don’t have tomorrow, damn it! I have to be back in Los Angeles by noon. And then Sunday I fly to New York. So, please. Can’t we just—”

  She stared at him as hope died once again. So. She’d been right the first time. He hadn’t come back… not really. He’d just stopped by to collect his things. She shook her head. “Why bother? You don’t belong here… that’s always been the bottom line, hasn’t it? So what is there to talk about? It was what it was, and now it’s over. Let’s just let it go at that.”

  “I know I can’t expect you to believe anything I say right now,” he said sadly. “But this is not over. I’ve done a lot of thinking this week. And…I do belong here. It’s just that— Look, it’s going to take me a couple of weeks to clear things up, but as soon as I do, I promise, I’m coming back.”

  She hugged herself more tightly. For what, Sam… a long weekend? To see how much more of my heart you can lay waste to? Was dragging it out like that supposed to make the hurt she was feeling more bearable?

  She tossed her head and tried her best to smile. “Well, hey, don’t feel you have to do it on my account…because I really don’t care either way,” she lied. She had the dubious pleasure of seeing pain flare briefly in his eyes. Good.

  “Don’t you?” he asked very quietly, flinching just a little when she answered in a voice purged of all emotion. “No.”

  “You don’t mean that,” he pleaded.

  She surprised even herself by laughing furiously. “How did you expect me to feel when I found out about this? You used me, Sam. You nearly got me killed! You lied to me. You even put my children at risk, by leaving your files – or whatever they are – in our computer. What do you want me to say?”

  “That you’ll give us another chance?”

  Us. His words tugged at her heart, but it was already coming to pieces. Even his gentleness felt like an assault. She couldn’t take any more. “Go away, Sam,” she whispered, struggling to hold back her tears as her heart unraveled within her. “Go away, and…and stay away.”

  “I can’t do that,” he responded angrily. “I won’t!” And his anger was the very last straw.

  Why must she constantly go through this? Just once, she’d like to be able to order a man out of her house, and have him actually go without making some kind of scene. Without throwing taunts and jabs and poisoned blades.

  A cold smile curved her lips. If that was the price she had to pay for once again forcing the hand of fate, then so be it. But she might as well get it over with. She’d seen what Alex had. Time to learn if Sam could best him here, too. “Really? And why is that?”

  “Because I’m in love with you!”

  She stared at him. Wow. She hadn’t seen that one coming, had she? Love? Oh, he was good. His voice rang with conviction. She could practically see the words, etched in the air. His eyes begged her to believe him.

  She shook her head.

  “I am, you know,” he insisted gently. “I didn’t plan for it to happen – just like I didn’t plan to hurt you. But it’s true. I love you.”

  She almost caved then under the impact of the emotion that washed over her. Desperately, she wrapped what was left of her defenses around her and held her ground. This time around, she needed more than just his word. She needed proof of some kind. Something tangible, irrefutable. Something she could hold onto, when the rest of her world came apart.

  Because if she fell for this now, if she let herself believe something like that... even a little... there’d be no going back. And if it turned out later that it really was a lie, something said to appease her… another con? Dear God, she’d never recover. She lifted her chin and fixed him with her coolest, steadiest gaze.

  “Well, that’s just not enough,” she told him simply.

  She heard the sharp intake of his breath. His gray eyes were two burning bits of brightness in the bleakness of his face. She could feel him willing her to weaken. To change her mind. To admit that she loved him, too, and always would.

  But she wouldn’t do it. She didn’t dare.

  The moment came unglued. She closed her eyes as he moved suddenly; brushing past her in a blur of motion as he headed for the door. Without another word spoken. Without a single touch or a last glance in her direction. She heard his motorcycle start up a few minutes later as he headed off into the night. She was alone once more. Just as she’d always known she would be.

  Back to Top

  * * * *

  Chapter Thirty Three

  * * * *

  The radio alarm on Scout’s nightstand went off early Saturday morning. She lay still for a moment, listening in stunned amazement to the opening chords of the song playing on the radio. It couldn’t be, she thought, but it was. Billy Idol. White Wedding. Sheesh. She could almost hear Lisa laughing in the background – just the way she had on Scout’s fourteenth birthday, when they’d gotten into the car to go to school, and the radio had started playing The Beatles’ Birthday.

  She guessed if she was going to stay in Oberon, this sort of thing was just going to keep happening to her. For once, the idea did not set her teeth on edge. In fact, it felt kind of nice, to be that connected to a place. She’d been on her own for so long.

  She pushed back the covers and got to her feet. Sunlight beamed through the gauzy white curtains. Looking out her window, she could see people already busy on the lawn, putting out chairs and setting tables. It was all so lovely. She couldn’t believe it was all for her. She hurried to get showered and dressed, and then could not resist going back to the window for another look.

  The roses were in bloom. Caroline’s roses. It had been so long since she’d been here at this time of year, she couldn’t remember if it was normal for them to bloom in September or not. Lucy would know, of course. She was just turning away from the window to look for her, when she heard the knock on her bedroom door.

  “Can I speak to you for minute, Scout?” Joey asked, coming in and closing the door quietly behind him.

  Scout looked at him in surprise. It would be nice if he’d come to bury the hatchet and welcome her into his family. But on the other hand, she wasn’t going to hold her breath waiting for that to happen.

  “Sure, Joey. What can I do for you?” she asked, grateful for the acting training she’d received when she was living in Los Angeles. Her voice betrayed none of the nervousness she was feeling.

  “I was wondering if you’ve thought at all about what you’re doing to Nick,” Joey began. Scout’s heart sank. No welcome, then, she thought, barely suppressing a sigh. Just the same old tired song and dance.

  *
* *

  Lucy glared balefully at Marsha. “Okay, let me get this straight. Bob is here for what exactly?”

  “Look,” Marsha sighed, “Don’t blame me, I’m only the messenger. This whole thing was Nick’s idea. It’s just a little validation ceremony after the wedding. No big deal, right?”

  “None of it’s a big deal, Marsha,” Lucy sighed, rearranging a large vase of flowers. “By itself. But taken all together? It’s a fucking disaster. Anyway, who cares – I’ve got a bigger problem right now. Scout’s locked herself in her room and she won’t come out.”

  “Really?” Janice looked at her sister in law with interest. “Huh. Big surprise Scout turning out to be this much of a drama queen, no? I thought people only did this kind of thing in movies. I can see where she’ll fit right in with the family, though.”

  “She’s what? Oh, that’s ridiculous.” Marsha felt dumbfounded. “Lucy... how did this happen?”

  Lucy shrugged. “Who knows? Hormones, probably. Why? You wanna go see if you can talk some sense into her?”

  “Huh!” Marsha snorted. “Forget it. I’m outta the advice business.”

  “Lucy, what did you mean just now? What kind of hormones?” Janice asked and Marsha could almost see her ears perk up. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

  Lucy glanced at Marsha and shrugged again. “They’ll have to tell everybody sometime. Yes, Janice, she’s pregnant.”

  “Really?” Janice’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Ooh, I love this. It just keeps getting better and better. Tell me more. Is it Nick’s? Or don’t we know yet?”

  “Oh, of course it’s Nick’s,” Lucy glowered at her sister-in-law, then turned to look at Marsha. “You knew, right?”

  “Yeah,” she sighed. “I knew. I suppose it’s too early to start drinking, huh?”

  “Way too. By the way, nice necklace.” Lucy leaned in to take a closer look. “You knock over a jewelry store while I wasn’t looking?”

  “No.” Marsha’s fingers strayed to the stones at her neck. She felt herself blushing as she answered. “It’s from Sam. And before you get any ideas, yes, I saw him last night, and no, I am not seeing him. In fact, I told him to go away. So there.”

  “Oh.” Lucy finished playing with her flowers and took another look at her watch. “Well... good. Because this is definitely the last wedding I’m ever planning, so you know, you would have been on your own, anyway.”

  Marsha scowled. “Oh, thanks. That’s just great, Lucy. Nice to know I’d have had your unconditional support.”

  “Absolutely,” Lucy answered absentmindedly, starting in on another flower arrangement.

  “So Marsha,” Janice asked. “What was the necklace for?”

  “For?”

  “Yeah, you know, was it a please forgive me present, or a thanks, it been fun, or a marry me, I love you gesture... or what?”

  “No, I think it was more a here, this reminded me of you kind of gift.”

  “Oh?” Lucy glanced again at the necklace and then shook her head.

  “Wow.” Janice sighed.

  “What?” Marsha demanded.

  “Nothing, Marsha,” Lucy said very firmly, “Not a God damn thing.”

  “It’s a really beautiful necklace.” Janice sighed again wistfully. “I wish something like that reminded Joey of me. Unfortunately, I currently seem to remind him of CD players and a new couch. Not bad, mind you, but hardly romantic.”

  Lucy looked thoughtful. “I don’t know about that. It depends on what kind of music you play, doesn’t it? And when. And a couch can be... never mind.” She busied herself with the flowers again.

  “So, why’d you break up with this guy, anyway?” Janice asked.

  “We didn’t break up,” Marsha insisted, glaring stubbornly at Lucy’s back. “Because we were never really going out in the first place.”

  “Really?” Janice looked vaguely perplexed. “Okay. So... tell me then… why is this making absolutely no sense at all to me?”

  “Maybe because you’ve been paying attention?” Lucy snapped. “Enough of this bullshit. I gotta go check the food.”

  “Well.” Janice watched Lucy walk away. “That seemed awfully rude. Don’t worry Marsha, I’m sure everything will work out just fine with this guy. Whoever he is.” She shrugged. “Or not.”

  * * *

  “Dan, if I see your fingers in that platter one more time, so help me, I’m gonna bite ‘em off,” Lucy swore in exasperation when she found her husband helping himself from a plate of hors d’oeuvres. She sighed. Really, things couldn’t be going any better. Marsha was clearly unhappy, and so deeply in denial about her feelings for Sam that she was only about one step removed from delusional. Scout was still locked in her room. Janice had probably already begun broadcasting the news about Scout’s pregnancy to everyone present. Bob and Siobhan were... well, like a ticking time bomb, just waiting to explode all over the place.

  The entire wedding was off schedule by half an hour and counting, and now she had to figure out where to squeeze in another ceremony. But aside from that – and the real and present danger to her buffet, of course – everything was turning out just as she’d envisioned it.

  Dan turned and smiled unrepentantly at her as he popped the stuffed mushroom he’d been liberating into his mouth. “Mmm, sounds kinky. Tell me more.”

  “I swear, you’re way worse than the kids,” she fumed, unable to completely hide her own smile, even as she watched his hand stray back toward the platter. He looked so handsome in his tux that she wasn’t altogether certain how much of that biting crack had been a joke. He did look yummy after all. “I mean it, Dan! Quit picking.”

  “I don’t know why,” he said, shrugging as he popped the second mushroom into his mouth. “I’m thinking we might as well start eating now. ‘Cause it looks to me like you’ve maybe got a problem here, babe. Wasn’t this show supposed to start, already?”

  “Yes. But don’t you worry about that,” she told him, “Everything’s under control now. I just sent Nick upstairs to see what’s keeping Scout.”

  “You know Luce, I hate to say this... but I did see your brother going upstairs a couple of hours ago,” Dan said, leaning back against the table and crossing his arms. “This could be his doing, you know. You think maybe he finally got to her?”

  “Doesn’t matter,” Lucy said, pulling up a chair and resting her feet. God, this wedding stuff was exhausting. She’d be so glad when it was over. “Even if it was Joey; whatever he said to change her mind, Nick will change it back. You’ll see. She’ll show.”

  “You’re really sure about that, huh?”

  Lucy just shook her head. “She won’t be able to help herself. I think the two of them have been doomed since the day they met.”

  He laughed at that. “Wow. Doomed, huh? Jeez, it’s nice to see you’ve got such a cheery, optimistic attitude about their chances for happiness, babe.”

  “Oh, I’m sure they’ll be happy enough.” She shrugged, then watched as he uncrossed his arms and started to turn back toward the table. “Happier than you, anyway.”

  He turned quickly to frown at her. “Come again?”

  “Sure,” she answered fixing him with a steely gaze. “At least they’ll still have all their fingers.”

  * * *

  “Say that again?” Nick demanded.

  Scout turned back toward the window, unable to face the anger in his eyes. “I said, maybe he’s right, Nick. After all, he has known you a lot longer than I have.”

  “I don’t believe this,” Nick muttered, crossing the room to where she stood and pulling her around to face him. He glared at her fiercely. “You are kidding me, right? ‘Cause otherwise I’m gonna have to go knock his fool head off! Are you nuts? Who cares what Joey thinks, Scout? You really think he knows more about how I feel than I do myself? I love you!”

  “Well, I love you, too!”

  “Good. Then go get dressed. We’ve got people waiting.”

 
“But—”

  “You know,” he growled, making an obvious effort to control his temper. “If either of us were marrying Joey today, I’d maybe be a little more concerned about his opinion. But last time I checked, it was still supposed to be you and me, babe. So I don’t see where there’s a problem. Unless you’re saying you’ve changed your mind, you don’t want to marry me, now?”

  “Well, of course I want to marry you, Nick.” Scout reached up to touch his face, but he captured her hand and brought it to his lips instead.

  She sighed. “But... well, no, actually, I don’t. Not if... not if it’s something you’re gonna regret later.”

  “Yeah? Well, that’s too damn bad,” he said, smiling as he dropped her hand and cupped her face between his palms. “And if that’s all that’s worrying you, then forget it. ‘Cause honey, I want to marry you even if it turns out to be the biggest mistake either of us ever makes. So deal with that.”

  He kissed her tenderly, then pulled her into his arms. “Just speaking hypothetically, how much longer do you and my cousin figure we need to wait until we’re sure? I mean, it’s been twenty years. That’s already longer than a lot of marriages.”

  “Believe me, I know how long it’s been.” She closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest. “But it’s not just that, Nick. I know how important your family is to you. I’d hate to cause trouble, or come between you.”

  He laughed softly. “You’re a little late on that score, aren’t you? Forget about them, Scout. I’m not marrying you because of my family. Or in spite of them either. C’mon, you know this, don’t you?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “Please, Jen. Don’t do this to us. I’ve already waited so long for you. Please don’t make me wait any longer.”

  “But Nick—”

  “You better marry me – if you know what’s good for you.” He held her away from him then and smiled. “Because, if you don’t... well, it’s not gonna be me who has to tell Lucy she’s wasted all this effort.”