But neither of them cared one whit. Not for anything would they ask Anna not to let her emotions show through her eyes when she looked at Jack.
Craig took the opportunity to head over to the bar to get them all fresh drinks. Anna had switched to ginger ale after her second glass of wine, and since Craig was driving tonight, he’d done the same after his second beer. He made his way toward the bar, pleased there wasn’t much of a line-up at the moment.
The orchestra tended to play two songs in a row, and he fully expected Jack to keep their wife out on the dance floor for at least that long.
He felt someone looking at him, and turned to encounter Edgar Cooper.
“Jessop.”
“Mr. Cooper.”
“I wanted to come over to your table and greet you properly.” The man sighed, and Craig knew the rest of what Edgar didn’t say. A proper greeting would have involved bringing Clara over, and likely, that woman wouldn’t budge.
“I’m sure Anna would be pleased to see you, sir.”
“Then I’ll stop by. I’m afraid it’s going to take Clara some time to get over what she sees as her daughter’s betrayal,” he said.
“And how do you see it, sir?”
Edgar met his gaze. “Anna is a woman grown, entitled to make her own choices and her own decisions in life.” He shook his head. “My Clara has managed me and our household for a long time. Knowing that my home life was controlled, steady, and peaceful has allowed me to flourish in my business life.”
Craig had wondered about that. Of course, he would never tell Anna that in some ways, she and her husbands had a fair bit in common in that regard with her parents. Likely in time, it was a comparison Anna would make on her own.
There was one major difference, of course. Anna wanted to ease their burden and wasn’t particularly enamored of the concept of being in control or exercising power. Neither did status mean much to her.
“Perhaps in time, Anna and her mother will reconcile,” Craig said. He hoped it would prove to be so. One only had one mother in this life, and he hated to think that in the future, his wife would suffer because her relationship with her mother had been destroyed.
“Perhaps they will. I love my wife, Jessop, but I’m not going to choose between them. I’ll always be my daughter’s father.”
“Yes, sir. We’ll be going to Lusty for couple of weeks, beginning tomorrow. But we’ll be back in town after that. You’re always welcome to call on us, at either location.”
“Thank you. I likely will—although it might agitate my shareholders to see me consorting with the enemy, as it were.”
Craig chuckled, as he knew he was meant to. Clearly, Cooper had done a little digging and discovered that as part of the Lusty Town Trust, he and Jack were shareholders in Cooper’s largest competitor, Benedict Oil and Minerals.
“If I don’t get the chance to speak with you again tonight, have a Happy New Year.” He took a moment to find his daughter on the dance floor. “I never thought to see her shine as I knew she could. You’ve done that for her—” He paused, met Craig’s gaze, and lowered his voice. “You and your brother. Thank you for that.”
Going on instinct, he pitched his voice to match his father-in-law’s. “You don’t have to thank us. We love her with all our hearts.”
“I can see that you do. In the end, isn’t that what every father wants for his daughter?” He didn’t wait for an answer, but turned and walked away.
Craig arrived back at the table just a few steps ahead of Jack and Anna. Their wife looked happy, her beautiful blue eyes sparkling in a way that made them seem brighter than the stars in the Lusty night sky.
She set her evening bag down on the table, and it made a bit of a clunk sound. Craig had felt that bag bounce once or twice against his shoulder, and had wondered at the time what she could possibly have in it.
Now he surreptitiously reached over and lifted it. “Good grief, wife, that’s heavy. What do you have in there, a six shooter?”
“No, I’ve never cared for revolvers.”
She grinned at him, as if she was in on a great joke. He met his brother’s gaze, and noticed that he wasn’t the only one intrigued. She’d made gun jokes a couple of times when they’d gone out to lunch, the first, if he recalled correctly, during that very first lunch date just after she’d come to work for them.
“All right. What sort of gun do you prefer?”
“I like the Beretta. It’s compact, with an easy load magazine. It’s a real lady’s gun.”
Since she was still smiling, Craig decided to let her have her joke. He really didn’t know what all women tended to carry in their purses, but he knew the evening purse she’d brought tonight was easily less than a third of the size of her regular handbag.
He took his seat just as that annoying woman, Ursula Howard, took the stage to a smattering of applause. That reminded him of the offer he had been going to make, but apparently he was too late. Because the next thing he knew, his wife’s name was announced. Anna kissed him lightly, smiled at Jackson, and headed to the dais.
Chapter 21
Anna had actually forgotten this moment was going to come. She’d been nervous earlier on, when Craig had asked her to represent them and make a few remarks to the crowd. But she’d let that worry and every other one slip away as she’d enjoyed the evening dancing with her husbands.
Despite her anxiety leading up to this event, it had been a wonderful evening. Yes, she’d been aware of the looks she’d received from some of the people present. Many of the women that her mother had invited over for tea or luncheons over the years were here in this ballroom tonight. But she hadn’t let their presence or their rude stares touch her, not one bit.
Senator and Mrs. Godfrey had been enjoyable table mates. It turned out that her husbands both knew the Godfreys. The couple had won her over when they’d asked after Grandmother Chelsea and the rest of the family.
Heather Godfrey possessed a keen intellect and a dry wit. Her observations about some of the people in attendance—and society in general—had nearly made Anna spit out her drink more than once.
As the evening had progressed, Anna found herself thinking about appearances and motives...and results. And she decided that maybe it was time to let her old grudges—the ones that had laid dormant but festering within her all these years—go.
One couldn’t change another individual. One could only change oneself. What was more important in the scheme of things, anyway? Posturing, or the good deeds that were done to its music?
Giving and service didn’t have to be selfless in order to count.
Before she knew it, Ursula called her to the stage, and of course it didn’t bother her one bit that the silly woman had called her Mrs. Craig Jessop. As a riposte for her having referred to her husband by his nickname, it was pretty lame.
I’d much rather be known as Mrs. Craig and Jackson Jessop. But of course, that was a preference she could only tell her husbands.
In the end, Ursula had no choice but to be gracious in front of this crowd of movers and shakers of Texas society. In her presentation to Anna in response to the donation, she was the epitome of gratitude. It was all Anna could do not to look slack-jawed when the woman announced to the crowd just how much money the Jessops had donated. Anna would definitely be speaking to her men about that later, as their single contribution was the top donation not just for the evening, but apparently for the entire year.
The applause in response to that announcement was nearly deafening.
And then Ursula handed her the plaque and gestured for her to say her few words. Anna met first Jackson’s, and then Craig’s gaze. And then she looked out at the New Year’s Eve revelers and over at her mother.
Just that simply, Anna knew what she wanted to say.
“They say that charity begins at home. I learned, firsthand, the importance of giving, and of being involved in causes for the greater good, at my mother’s knee. Clara Cooper’s example of community
service and charity is a sterling one, indeed.
“Through her, I came to appreciate the truth of those words, ‘for unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.’ I am pleased that this same principle is also embraced by my new family.
“So on behalf of the Jessop family, and the rest of the LTT, I thank you for this wonderful plaque.”
She could do nothing about the fact her cheeks felt as if they were on fire. Anna wasn’t used to being the center of attention—thank goodness the nerves waited until she was on her way back to her seat to attack.
The men at the table all stood as she returned to her seat. The Godfreys both congratulated her on the donation and her speech. Ursula’s husband was effusive in his praise as well. That was nice, but the only reaction she really cared about was the one from the men who’d stolen her heart and given her so very much in return.
Craig held her chair, and the look he gave her warmed her heart.
“Well said, Bella.” Jackson’s whispered words and the expression in his eyes humbled her.
“You made us very proud just now. You’re quite a woman, Anna Jessop.” Craig’s obvious pride in her was a blessing, and coupled with Jackson’s, the best gift she’d ever received.
“No, I’m not. At least, I’m not yet. But maybe, someday, with the help of my wonderful husbands, I will be.”
Anna turned her attention back to the dais, as other contributors and volunteers were honored for their service. Her mother received a plaque for years of service, and Clara was uncharacteristically silent during her moment in the spotlight. Then Senator Godfrey spoke, and Ursula closed out the official program of the evening by announcing that the buffet was open, and there remained but fifty minutes left of 1979.
“I’d have thought she might have acknowledged you on stage—or come over to greet you.” Jackson’s words, as he stood behind her in the buffet line, made her smile. “After your gracious speech, everyone was waiting to see if she would.”
“I didn’t expect her to, darling. And really, none of it is necessary.”
He looked at her for a long moment, and then he nodded. “No, it’s not necessary. Craig is right. You’re some woman, Anna Jessop.”
It was enough for Anna to feel good about herself and to know that her husbands were proud of her. For the first time since she stood in front of that justice of the peace in Las Vegas, she felt worthy of their praise and their affection, and their name.
Excitement built as the clock ticked down. Above the counting throng, the netting that held balloons and tickertape seemed to quiver. And at the shout of “Happy New Year” the paraphernalia rained down on them all. There were toasts, and greetings and the music of “Auld Lange Syne.”
It was a new year, full of endless possibilities, and the chance for a new beginning. Anna’s eyes misted as first Jackson, and then Craig, placed soft kisses on her lips. Kissing both men to honor the moment had been the only thing she really wanted. Their gift, given heedless of the people around them, proved to her—finally—that they not only knew her heart, they loved her beyond reason just the way she was.
“What do you say we call it a night and head back to the apartment?” Craig asked.
“I say yes, please. I’ve had a wonderful time tonight—a bonus, when I really didn’t expect to enjoy myself at all. But right now, I’d like very much to be alone with my husbands.”
It was a simple thing, to bid good night to the people at their table. Heather Godfrey promised to be in touch. Anna welcomed the overture. She didn’t have many friends, and considering the family connection, she thought the plain-speaking woman would make a good one.
Anna sighed as Craig retrieved her soft wool cape from the coat-check. She was glad to have brought it, because the temperatures had been forecast to dip close to the freezing mark overnight.
Although the party was scheduled to go on for another couple of hours, they weren’t the only ones who’d decided to leave. Rather than turning the keys to the Caddy over to the valet parking service when they’d arrived, Craig had simply parked in the hotel’s parking garage.
They preferred the exercise, walking in the cool night air, to the service.
Anna took in a deep lungful of air the moment they stepped outside. Both Craig and Jackson did the same thing.
“It always annoys me when I go to those kinds of events.”
“The smoke, you mean?” Craig asked.
“Yes. Though that ballroom was better ventilated than some that I’ve been to, by the end of the evening it was really getting to me.” Anna took in another deep breath. The air was chilled, and the coldness made it seem fresher. Or maybe that’s just the way I feel being out of that smoky place.
“It would probably be easier if we smoked, ourselves,” Craig said.
“I imagine it would, but that isn’t a good enough reason to take up the habit. It can’t be healthy for you.”
“I don’t think it is, either,” Craig said.
“Maybe people will become educated enough in the years to come that they’ll stop allowing smoking in public areas.” Jackson took Anna’s hand as they stepped into the parking garage.
“We can only hope.”
No one else was waiting at the elevator when Jackson pressed the button. They’d parked on the second level and were on that floor in moments. There were still a lot of cars in the garage. Likely folks were either still partying or staying the night. Anna would rather head back to the penthouse than stay in the fancy hotel for one night.
She liked her own space.
Even the biggest bed at the Carstairs was a tight fit for all three of them, a fact she’d learned fairly recently on her wedding night.
“What time would you like to be on the way tomorrow, darling?” She gave Craig a look that told him she was fine if they got up much later than normal.
“I guess that depends on what time we finally get to sleep tonight,” he said.
“It’s going to be a hell of a lot later than you’d like it to be, Jessop.”
Anna froze as the unexpected voice cut through their conversation. The next thing she knew, her husbands had moved, placing themselves between her and the sudden threat.
* * * *
Jackson moved in time with his brother, setting Anna behind them, and then bracing themselves shoulder to shoulder in response to the threat.
“Sanders, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” Jackson simply couldn’t believe what he was seeing—the last thing he’d ever have expected to encounter tonight. The few beers he’d enjoyed throughout the evening had given him a nice buzz, but that feeling popped like a balloon, leaving him feeling clearheaded and coldly furious.
A slightly disheveled and clearly angry looking Carl Sanders had stepped out from behind a concrete pillar, a handgun aimed at them.
“Do you have any idea how long I worked on that con? You were supposed to be my ticket out of this Godforsaken country. I had to fucking pretend I was excited about my asshole brother’s gibberish for three fucking months! I couldn’t believe it when the bank manager seized the check and I realized you’d called the bank. Neither of you are smart enough to have figured out my con on your own. It’s that bitch you married, isn’t it? She’s the one who added it up and made you act.”
“You need to be very careful about the way you speak about our wife, Sanders.” Craig’s voice was as quiet as Jackson had ever heard it. His brother was clearly as furious as he was.
Five feet separated them from the wild-eyed con man. To Jackson’s knowledge, grafters didn’t generally resort to violence, or the use of guns. In all their dealings with the man, neither he nor Craig had noticed something very important—something that was quite clear now.
Carl Sanders was an unstable man. Jackson was kicking himself he hadn’t seen that in the beginning. He just prayed no one else had to pay the price of his mistake.
He decided to try and be the voice of reason. “Look, you tried your best, but
failed. Move on to your next mark, Sanders. Don’t do something stupid that’s going to end badly—for you.”
“The police have already issued a warrant for my arrest. This was my one big chance to end my career on a high note. Sure, I can run a scam here and there, net a few bucks. But this fucking modern technology bullshit is making it damn near impossible for a man to make a good living at graft anymore.
“So this is what we’re going to do. You’re going to hand over that blonde bimbo you married, and she and I are going to take a little drive. Then the day after tomorrow—or should I say tomorrow, since it’s already happy fucking-new-year—when the banks open, one of you is going to meet me and you’re going to withdraw a great big wad of cash, since I now realize that you don’t just represent big money, you are big money.
“Then, as soon as I’m far enough away, I’ll call you and tell you where you can find your bride.”
“You have to know there is no fucking way that we’re going to do that,” Jackson said. Behind him, he could feel Anna fidgeting. She hadn’t made a single sound. No tears of fear from their woman. Jackson could only imagine how frightened she must be. He wished he could comfort her, but he didn’t dare.
He really hoped she could just keep it together and let him and Craig handle this. Just a little bit longer, darling. He also prayed that between them, he and Craig could figure out how to handle this situation.
“Jack is exactly right,” Craig said. “If you think we would hand over our wife to you, you’re out of your fucking mind.”
“Oh, you’ll hand her over to me, all right. Because if you don’t I’ll just shoot the two of you and take her with me anyway. If you won’t pay her ransom I’m certain her parents will. After all, Texan daddies are so protective of their darlin’ baby girls, aren’t they?”
“That’s a theory you’ll never have the proof of. Do yourself a favor before someone gets hurt.” Jackson put as much menace into his voice as he possibly could. He wasn’t one hundred percent sure that he’d be able to reach Sanders in time. But if Craig gave Anna a shove while Jackson dove for the man, he was hoping to at least manage to tackle him without either of them—or their precious Anna—getting shot.
A Very Lusty New Year [The Lusty, Texas Collection] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 19
