Sweetest Mistake
Page 8
He’d blamed her.
Ha!
As a matter of pure survival, he’d kept his tires off Bluebonnet Lane and his mind off big blue eyes and soft lips. His attempts to stay busy, however, did not include avoiding the amorous attention of his mother’s pet goat, Miss Giddy, when he rode into the barn.
With daylight waning, he took the headstall off Ranger—the most stubborn horse on the planet—while Miss Giddy bleated her discontent and butted his leg with her horns. He glanced down into the beady eyes glaring up at him.
“Seriously, goat?”
Miss Giddy—currently decked out with a red satin bow around her brown neck—bleated, “Meh-eh-eh.”
Which he took to mean “Seriously.”
When she pawed at the ground he gave in, reached down, and gave her a brisk rub between her horns. “What is it with you females always wanting attention?”
“We wouldn’t have to ask for it if you men were more observant.”
Loosening the cinch on the big bay gelding, Jackson dropped his chin and laughed. “Sorry, Mom. Didn’t know you were standing there.”
“Actually, I was on my way up to the loft.” She lifted to her toes and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Her big blond hair had been fluffed and sprayed into place. She looked like she was ready to go out on the town. “Just got a call from Charli. She and Reno are about a half hour out. I made some quick calls to gather folks up to welcome them home proper. Everybody should be here soon.”
As she talked, she stroked the top of the goat’s head. “I found something in the loft the other day I wanted to give them as a homecoming present.”
“Not a wedding present?”
“Not as far as I know. ’Course your brother’s been nothing but surprises lately, so it’s hard to tell.” She reached forward and tied up the saddle strings into a scaffold knot. “You don’t look like you’ve slept much lately.”
“Nothing gets past you, does it?”
“Sugarplum, I’ve been the mother of five boys for most of my life. Each one of you was wilier than the next. I had to be one step ahead, or you’d all take control of the universe.” She gave Ranger a pat on the rump. “So what’s on your mind?”
For two days, he’d kept himself busy. But for two nights, all he’d been able to think about was having Abby in his arms. Then he had to open his big mouth and lie his ass off so she wouldn’t see how much it affected him. He’d be damned if he’d give his mother any ammunition against him. He shrugged. “Just been studying all the material Captain Steele gave me.”
“I’m proud of you, son. I’ve always believed you could do anything you put your heart into.”
“I haven’t done anything yet. Haven’t made any solid decisions.” He lifted the saddle and pad from Ranger’s back and set them on the stand near the stall. “Just considering the possibilities right now.”
“You do that.” She patted his back. “You take your sweet time. Just like you did with Abby. We’ll see how that works out.”
He turned and jammed his hands on his hips. “What the hell brought her into this conversation?”
“You did.”
“I never even mentioned her name.”
“Didn’t have to.” His mother gave him that grin that said she wasn’t just two steps ahead of him, she was a whole damn mile. “But you’d better get used to the sound of it because here she comes right now.”
“What?” His head whipped around at the sound of tires on gravel. Sure enough, Abby’s slick silver Mercedes cruised past the open barn doors. He looked back at his mom, who stood with arms folded and a smirk on her lips.
“If I left it up to you boys, y’all wouldn’t find the loves of your lives till I was dead and gone. And I want some more grandchildren before I take a dirt nap.”
“Are you crazy? That’s never going to happen with—” A car door closed, and he bit off an expletive.
“Abby!” his mother called. “In here, sugarplum.”
“You . . .” He pointed. “Are nothing but trouble.”
To his disappointment, his mother grinned.
“I’ve been called worse.” She pointed back. “You mind the manners I raised you with.”
The sound of unsteady footsteps over gravel came closer. Jackson blinked. When he opened his eyes again, Abby stood there, dressed in a soft white sweater, black skinny jeans, and red high heels. The outfit did nothing to deter the sudden hot flush that climbed his body and made him ache in specific areas.
Judging by the scowl on her face, he’d have to say she hadn’t expected to see him either and that since the other night, she was not residing in Happy Camperville.
“I didn’t see your truck,” she said.
“Rode Ranger over.”
“Oh.” She pressed her glossy lips together.
Translated, he figured “Oh” to mean she wouldn’t have gotten out of the car had she known he was there. Surprise. That street ran two ways.
“It’s so good to see you again,” his mother interjected at the silence dripping with animosity. Then she pulled Abby in for a hug.
He wasn’t a bit surprised when Abby glared at him over his mother’s shoulder.
“We’ve got so much catching up to do,” his mother said. “But first I want you to come up into the loft and help decide if you think the clock I’ve chosen is a good gift to give Reno and Charli.”
“What’s the occasion?” Abby asked.
“They’re coming home,” his mother said with a big smile. “Haven’t seen them for a couple of months, and we’re about to celebrate with a little family gathering. They should be here in about half an hour.”
“Oh.” A spiderweb of anxiety appeared on Abby’s forehead. “Then I should probably leave.”
“Nonsense.” His mother took Abby by the hand and drew her toward the loft stairs and the treasure trove of antiques and collectibles she’d amassed over the years. “You’re family too.”
Jackson knew by the look in Abby’s eyes that she didn’t feel that way. But what his mother said was true. Abby had practically grown up in his house. He knew his family had always thought of her as one of them.
He wasn’t sure how they all felt about her now, but it looked like he’d find out. Because the death grip his mother had on her hand was a sure sign she wasn’t about to let Abby go anywhere anytime soon.
Climbing the stairs Abby looked back down at him. He knew her well enough to know that if she thought she could get away with it, she’d stick out her tongue. Or flip him off.
Her eyes narrowed.
Yep, she’d definitely flip him off.
When she and his mother disappeared at the top of the stairs, he heard Abby’s enthusiastic exclamations over the ever-growing collection of junk his mother had discovered at estate sales, yard sales, and abandoned properties. He heard his mother explain how she and Charli planned to open a collectible and design shop once Charli and Reno got settled. And then all he heard were murmurs that made him wonder what was being said.
He opened the stall door, and Ranger wandered inside, giving Jackson’s shirt a nip as he passed by. “Damned horse.”
He received a horse laugh and snort in response as he dumped a flake of hay into the feeder and closed the door. Miss Giddy reappeared when she heard the thunk of food. She gave him a “Meh-eh-eh” bleat until he dropped some hay into a bucket for her too.
While he brushed off his hands, he heard Jesse’s truck pull up outside and park. Jackson went out to greet his brother, hoping he wouldn’t have girl-of-the-moment with him, so they could have a little man-to-man talk before everyone else arrived. When he rounded the corner of the barn, he sighed in relief to find Jesse alone.
“When are you gonna get that hair cut?” he asked. “You’re starting to look like Brad Pitt in that Legends movie.”
Jesse grinned. “Brad has been pretty lucky with the ladies. So I’m good with that.”
“Getting lucky? That all it’s about with you?”
His brother knew him too well. “I might.”
“Then how about we take a walk before we go inside?”
Exactly what he hoped Jesse would say.
Ordinarily he’d go to Jared first, him being the most levelheaded. In Jared’s permanent absence, he’d taken his troubles to Reno, him now being the oldest. But Jackson didn’t think it would be fair for his brother to come home to a bucketload of his problems. Jesse, on the other hand, might not always give out good advice, but he had an objective ear.
And at that moment, that was good enough.
By the time Abby came out of the barn with Jana Wilder and the antique clock chosen for her son’s return, there were trucks and cars parked all over the place. Indeed, it looked like a party was in full swing.
Abby knew she needed to find a quick escape. She wasn’t ready to face the entire Wilder family.
“I really should go,” she said. “You don’t need a party crasher.”
Jana took her arm and gave her a comforting smile. “Nobody’s gonna bite, sugarplum,” Jana said. “Don’t you worry about a thing.”
She wasn’t so sure about that.
Abby took deep breaths to calm the dread and stepped up onto the veranda that surrounded the big ranch-style home. Before they even got to the door, enthusiastic chatter from inside drifted through the screen. Reluctantly, she followed Jana into the house. Behind them, the screen door banged. All heads snapped in their direction.
Yikes.
Their entrance was met with the echo of crickets.
A quick scan of the crowded room revealed that not only had the impromptu celebration included a spread of take-out pizza and tin containers piled with salad mix, it had also gathered everyone in one place to easily pass judgment. Then again, to most of the people in this room, Abby wasn’t much more than another body taking up precious floor space. So who was she to think she’d warrant such curiosity?
To her relief, Jackson appeared conveniently absent. He’d probably bailed the moment she’d gone into the barn. She couldn’t blame him. She’d like to pull a vanishing act too.
Jana broke the brittle silence by sweeping into the room with a grand gesture of welcome to Reno and the gorgeous brunette on his arm.
Abby took the moment to inconspicuously inch toward the door. Surely in the commotion of welcoming Reno back to the fold, no one would notice she’d bolted. They’d probably be glad. Relieved.
When Jana moved on to greet others in the room, Reno stepped forward in all his dark-haired handsomeness and put a halt to her escape. “I knew you’d come back someday.”
She noticed he didn’t say he was happy to see her. “Well, I certainly didn’t.”
A brief smile tipped his mouth. “I can see that by the sheer panic on your face.”
“Me? Panicked?”
“As your old friend, take it from me, Abby. Everything happens for a reason.”
“Everything?”
He nodded. “Just make sure you pay closer attention than I did. Because it took me a while to realize that some of the best things in life are surprises.”
The gorgeous brunette appeared at his side. “I hope you’re talking about me,” she said with a smile. Then she extended her hand. “Hi. I’m Charli. Reno’s surprise.”
Abby returned the gesture of the woman she’d seen once or twice on the cable design show.
“As soon as we unpack and get settled,” Charli said, “I’d love to meet up for lunch.”
“I’d like that,” Abby returned. “But I’m not really sure how long I’ll be here. I only came back to fix up my parents’ house and put it on the market.”
“Really?” Reno lifted a dark brow. “That’s the only reason?”
“Of course.”
“You keep thinking like that, sparkplug,” he said, using the name he and the other Wilder boys—minus Jackson—had always called her. “And I guarantee you’ll be in for a surprise.”
Charli gave her a wink as, arm in arm, she and Reno walked away to chat with a silver-haired gentleman Abby didn’t recognize.
As polite as Reno and Charli had been, Abby couldn’t help feeling like the ugly stepsister at the prince’s ball. She gave another longing glance to the front door and the freedom beyond.
“Hey, sparkplug.” Jesse came forward, wearing his typical woman-eating grin. “Good to see you.”
Really? Jesse had always been a professional bullshitter, so Abby wouldn’t know if he was sincere or lying to the bone. “You too.” How was it that all the Wilder men had only gotten more breathtaking over the years? “How are things at the clinic?”
“Keeping me on my toes. Old Doc Michaels finally retired. I bought the place from him about a year after my time with the Marines ended.”
“I was really sorry to hear—”
“I know.” He lifted a hand. “Dad and Jared both adored you. They’d be happy to see you back home, where you belong.”
“Oh. I don’t—”
“Sure you do.” He gave her a kiss on the forehead. “And now it’s time for you to figure out the rest.” He gave her arm a squeeze, then wandered off to join the others in the pizza line.
Random.
And weird.
Jesse had never been the philosophical guru type. But now both he and Reno had made ambiguous comments that had her scratching her head.
Before she could take that thought any deeper, the silver-haired man came up and shook her hand. He introduced himself as Martin Lane—“Jana’s friend.” The smile on his face when he made the claim had Abby wondering exactly what kind of “friend” he might be. And then she caught Jana’s affectionate smile from across the room.
Ah. Well, good for Jana.
Chatting amongst themselves were a few neighbors plus Gladys Lewis, with her cottony blue hair, lipstick-smeared mouth, and traditional floral dress and, of course, old bowlegged Chester Banks, who’d given up on eyebrow waggles and was now tossing Abby a few winks. Lost in the shuffle, Abby figured it to be as good a time as any to get the hell out of Dodge.
Before she could get her feet in motion, Jackson came into the room with adorable little Izzy in his arms and a stunning, statuesque blonde at his side.
Abby’s heart shattered.
Her eyes darted from Jackson to the child to . . . yes . . . the mother.
Dressed in boot-cut jeans and a simple cotton tee, the woman took casual cool to another level. She wore little makeup, and her long hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders. Her curves were made by God—not a plastic surgeon—and she looked completely at ease in her environment.
Beside her, Jackson, in his black T-shirt, jeans, and finger-combed hair, accented her beauty with his masculine good looks. Between them, Izzy, in her frilly summer frock with her golden curls tied up in a high ponytail, looked like the perfect combination of her parents.
Together, the three of them resembled the perfect little family.
Young. Vibrant. Gorgeous. Breathtaking.
At that moment, Jackson glanced across the room and caught her eye. His brows pulled together. His lips flattened into an unyielding slash.
His silent message hit home.
She did not belong there.
No shit, Sherlock.
Before disaster roared into Armageddon, and she did something really crazy like cry, she estimated how far it was to the door. She didn’t care how ridiculous she’d look if she made a run for it. She’d already been Sweet’s hot topic of the week. There was only so much she could stand. Seeing Jackson with the mother of his child took her over her limit.
She took a step backward and plowed into a wall by the name of Reno.
At that moment, Jana clapped her hands together. “Can I have all y’all’s attention?”
While everyone quieted, Reno leaned down and spoke into Abby’s ear. “Looks like you’re just going to have to stay a w
hile longer. Can’t hardly bolt in the middle of Mom’s little speech.”
As she turned to tell Reno she intended to do just that, she caught Jackson’s eye again. Brows pulled tight over those blue eyes, his shoulders remained stiff—even when Izzy leaned her little golden head against his.
When Jana cleared her throat, Abby pulled her attention back to the woman who’d seemingly conned her for the second time. As Jana spoke, Abby controlled her disappointment and counted the seconds until she could escape.
“I have so much to be grateful for today I feel like it should be Thanksgiving,” Jana said. “I’m so happy to welcome Reno and Charli back home. And if y’all haven’t noticed, my future daughter-in-law is wearing an enormous diamond on her left hand.”
Everyone applauded. Charli obliged by flashing the ring for all to see while smiling up at the man she obviously adored.
“I made Reno and Charli promise they wouldn’t step foot in one of those twenty-four-hour wedding chapels in Vegas,” Jana continued. “If they want tacky, we’ll give it to them right here in Sweet.” She grinned her happiness, and everyone laughed.
Chester Banks winked at Abby again, and she directed her gaze across the room.
Big mistake.
Jackson was looking right back. If there had ever been a moment in time where she felt more out of place, she couldn’t name it. Even the moment she’d made the most heartfelt request of her husband, and he’d laughed in her face. Even the following day, when she’d come home from her committee meeting with the Junior League to discover the locks on her home had been changed and the bombshell waiting for her on the front step.
The note taped to the top of the white box had been brief.
And demoralizing.
Abby,
I realize now that the objectives in what we wished to achieve in this marriage are vastly diverse. Therefore, I seek to revoke the arrangement.
Inside this box are settlement papers and the keys to a condominium I have purchased in your name. If you choose to contest this petition for divorce, be aware that you will lose.
Please evacuate the premises at once. If you refuse, I have instructed the hired help to contact the authorities.