The Hometown Groom

by Jennifer Youngblood

  Ethan’s phone buzzed. He fished it out of his pocket, his face draining. “It’s Kenton.”

  Caroline sighed in resignation. “Yep, I knew this was coming. Put it on speaker and answer.”

  Ethan did as instructed. “Hey, Kenton,” he began in a friendly tone.

  Kenton went straight for the jugular vein. “What do you think you’re trying to pull? I won’t let your daughter make a fool of my son.”

  Ethan let out an easy laugh. “It’s not what it looks like. The whole thing was for publicity.”

  “Do you think I’m stupid? That I don’t know how precarious your business is? This merger will benefit you much more than it does me. I came to you because of our friendship and because for some strange reason Finley loves your daughter.”

  “This is all just a big misunderstanding,” Ethan blubbered.

  “I’m not sure that it is. I think I need to take my software elsewhere where it’s more appreciated.”

  “No, no, don’t do that,” Ethan sputtered. He had a wild look in his eyes like he was about to lose it. An icy fear trickled down Caroline’s neck. This is where it would all fall apart. Her throat closed. She took a deep breath, trying to get a grip.

  Ethan looked at her, uncertainty streaking through his eyes, like a drowning man trying to grasp a buoy. Caroline put a hand on his arm. “Take a deep breath,” she whispered. “Ask him what he wants?”

  “What do you want?” Ethan squeaked.

  Long pause.

  “You can start by getting your daughter under control.”

  “Done.”

  Kenton barked out laughter. “Sorry, but I can no longer take your word for that.”

  Ethan’s eyes bulged as he tugged at his collar. “I—I don’t understand.”

  “From now on, I’m calling the shots. Here’s how this is going to go,” he said crisply. “Next Friday afternoon at five p.m., I’ve scheduled for reporters to come to your house.”

  Ethan was so pale Caroline feared he might pass out. “For what?”

  “Finley and Emerson will publicly announce their wedding, which will take place the first Saturday in June. After the wedding, we’ll discuss the merger.”

  “I don’t feel comfortable with that arrangement,” Ethan countered, regaining some of his color.

  “Those are my terms. Take it or leave it.”

  For an instant Caroline feared, Ethan would lose his temper and wreck the entire thing. She nudged him. “Tell him you’ll take it,” she whispered. “It’s either that or we lose everything.”

  “Listen to your wife,” Kenton said condescendingly. “Do we have a deal?”

  “Yes,” Ethan finally said.

  “You’d better not blow it this time,” Kenton warned. “This is your last chance.” He ended the call.

  Ethan let loose a string of curses. “Can you believe the nerve of him? We’ve known each other for years. We’ve golfed together!”

  “After the stunt Emerson pulled, we’re lucky Kenton’s even talking to us.”

  “What’re we going to do about this? I can’t hogtie Emerson to a board and force her to marry Finley.” He rubbed a hand across his forehead. “This whole thing is shot.”

  Caroline drummed her fingers on the table. “Not necessarily.” She gave him a penetrating look. “What lengths are you willing to go to in order to salvage this?”

  His jaw went slack. “What do you mean?”

  “There are ways to fix this, Ethan, but you have to give me as much latitude as I need.” She snapped her fingers. “If I require your help, I expect you to jump.” She clenched her teeth. “Do you understand?”

  “Yes,” he finally agreed, staring off into space.

  “Good,” she snipped, talking mostly to herself. “I’ll get an investigator on that wretched football player right away. If there’s any dirt in his past, I’ll find it.”

  19

  Riker scowled and sank deeper into his chair as everyone around him sang. He’d thought he could do this for Emerson, after all she’d forked out 295K so he’d take her to this birthday party. He still couldn’t believe that of all the amazing things they could’ve done on their date, this is what she chose. Emerson caught his eye and gave him an encouraging grin. He could tell she was hoping that coming here today would somehow help fix things with his dad and Marley. While it was a nice idea, the reality wasn’t quite so picture perfect. Even though Emerson’s intentions were missing the mark, he was so grateful that she cared. Yesterday, they’d gone to the cemetery and placed flowers on his mother’s grave. Afterwards, Emerson had listened patiently while he took a trip down memory lane, recalling with tender emotion memories of his mother.

  When the song ended, Marley leaned over the cake in preparation to blow out the candles.

  “Make a wish,” James prompted, holding up his phone so he could snap a picture.

  Marley closed her eyes, smiling widely. “Got it,” she chimed, blowing out the candles.

  Everyone except Riker clapped. His dad gave him a faint look of reproof mingled with disappointment. Haven’t I taught you better than this? He seemed to be saying.

  Bitterness boiled like poison through Riker’s veins as he looked around at the happy faces. His dad … brothers. How could they all forget about his mom so quickly? She’d been the rock of the family—no, more like the sun with everything revolving around her. An ache welled in his gut to the point where he felt like he’d explode if he didn’t get out of here. Sensing his dark emotional state, Emerson placed a hand over his arm. Their eyes met as silent information passed between them. She understood him in a way no one else in this room did. Tears rose in his eyes. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—lose it here. In the next second, he was on his feet.

  James’s face fell. “What’s going on?”

  He looked at Michael—saw the disappointment in his eyes.

  “I’m sorry, I can’t do this,” Riker uttered.

  “You can’t leave,” Gavin protested, “the party’s just getting started.”

  “I’ll be out on the terrace,” he barked for Emerson’s benefit so she’d know he wasn’t leaving without her.

  A startled silence descended over the room. Emerson looked around at the shocked faces. Marley had gone ghostly white, her hands pinned in her lap like she was trying to make herself small. James’s head was down, and he was rubbing his forehead.

  Gavin looked confused, Michael furious. “Why does Riker always have to ruin everything?” Michael fumed.

  No one had an answer.

  Emerson scooted back her chair. “I’ll go talk to him.”

  “No, I’ll talk to him,” Marley said, straightening in her chair.

  James’s eyes bulged. “Um, I’m not sure that’s a good idea … maybe you should let Emerson do it.”

  Marley sighed heavily. She looked at James. “No, I need to be the one who talks to him.” Her unyielding tone left no room for argument. Marley offered a tight smile as she stood and straightened her blouse. “It’s okay. I’m a big girl. I can handle it.”

  “I’m not so sure,” James said quietly. “It could make things a thousand times worse.”

  “Or it could make things better,” Marley countered. “Riker and I have known each other for a long time. He needs to hear the full story.”

  “All right,” James said, his shoulders drooping.

  As Marley left, Emerson fingered her napkin. “It was a mistake to insist that Riker come here today.” She looked at James with a contrite smile. “I’m sorry. I thought it would help—that once Riker got over the initial hurdle of being around all of you again that he’d soften up a bit, you know?”

  Michael grunted. “You obviously don’t know Riker very well. He’ll hold a grudge ‘til Doomsday.”

  But he didn’t hold a grudge against me, Emerson’s mind shouted. She’d been impressed with how well he’d handled her situation. Sure, he’d been angry and disappointed that she withheld the truth, but they’d made up that ver
y evening. Now their relationship was closer than ever. Riker had given her the courage to stand up to her parents, something for which she’d always be grateful. He was right. When she faced things head-on and explained her feelings to Daddy, he understood. She no longer had the pressure of marrying Finley Landers. It still boggled her mind to think that all it had taken was one honest, open conversation to fix the situation. Was it too much to hope for the same for Riker? His family needed him, and whether or not he realized it, he needed them too.

  Gavin rubbed his hands together. “Well, if no one objects, I think I’ll have a piece of cake.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Michael said dourly.

  James pointed. “Don’t touch that cake. It’s Marley’s birthday, and she deserves the first piece.”

  Gavin groaned. “By the time she gets back from talking to Riker, the thing will be petrified.”

  Michael smirked. “Yeah, probably true.”

  James looked at Emerson. “Would you mind keeping an eye on these two?”

  “Sure.” She turned to the boys, wondering where this was going.

  Gavin held up his hands like he didn’t have a clue either.

  “I’d better go after Marley to make sure things don’t get ugly,” James explained. He pinned Gavin with a look. “No touching that cake, you hear me?”

  “Got it!” Gavin’s voice went high-pitched.

  “I’ll be back shortly,” James said, hurrying from the room.

  Gavin turned to Emerson, a sly smile curving lips. “So … you got any younger sisters?”

  Riker stared across the field, his mind churning like a black thundercloud. He heard movement, figured it was Emerson. “I’m sorry,” he began as he turned around, then froze when he realized it was Marley.

  She offered a hesitant smile as she pointed to a nearby chair. “Mind if we sit down? I’d like to talk to you for a few minutes.”

  He clenched his jaw. “I’ve got nothing to say to you.” He balled his fist, a disbelieving laugh rising in his chest. Seriously? Marley thought they were going to sit down and talk? The woman had no shame.

  Marley straightened to her full height, her hand going up to touch her hair. “Fine. If you don’t want to sit down, then I’ll just talk to you here.”

  She looked every bit the former librarian in her classy floral shirt and red slacks. Marley was very attractive in a sensible, motherly way. He could see how his dad could be taken in by her. “Suit yourself.” He turned his back to her.

  She stepped up beside him, resting her arms on the handrail. “I can see why you like it out here. It’s so peaceful.”

  Her voice was cultured, solicitous—a wolf in sheep’s clothing. She may have bamboozled his family, but she wasn’t going to get to him.

  “That day, in the grocery store, when you asked me to look in on your dad and brothers.” She hesitated, a nervous laugh trembling from her lips. “My intent was only to help a family in need.” She hesitated, chewing on her lip. “No, that’s not exactly true.”

  Finally! She was telling the truth!

  “I wanted to help you,” she corrected. “You were always such a good kid, and when I saw you that day … realized how distraught you were … well, I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. I’d lost my husband the year before to cancer. I knew what it was like to be alone, to have my heart ripped out while it was still beating. Meanwhile, everyone else’s life goes on like normal.”

  Was she trying to make him feel sympathy for her? Seriously?

  “I want you to know that I had no idea I would end up falling in love with James.” Her voice quivered. “It just kind of happened.”

  He turned to face her. “I don’t believe you,” he said flatly.

  She touched her hair, her hand shaking. “It’s the truth.” She looked at him with pleading eyes. “You don’t realize how bad off James was. There were days when he was so broken he couldn’t even get out of bed. He couldn’t take care of himself, much less your brothers.”

  He let out a harsh cackle. “Really? You’re trying to pass yourself off as a hero?” He gave her a withering look. “Unbelievable!”

  She blinked rapidly. “No, that’s not what I’m trying to do at all. I’m just trying to help you understand the situation. Your dad loved your mom with all his heart and soul.”

  “If that’s true, then he wouldn’t have rushed off to marry you.”

  “James leaned on me for comfort. We were there to help each other through the hard times. His fondness for me in no way diminishes the feelings he had for Irene. She was the love of his life.”

  A ball rose in Riker’s throat. He couldn’t stop a tear from trickling down his cheek. “You took advantage of my dad’s grief, moved right in.” His eyes narrowed. “Contrary to what you’re saying, I believe that was your plan from the very beginning.”

  Tears pooled in Marley’s eyes. “No, that’s not how it happened at all. Your dad pursued me.”

  His eyebrows shot up in astonishment. There were no depths this woman wouldn’t stoop to in order to get her way.

  “She’s telling the truth.”

  Riker whirled around, surprised to see his dad.

  “When Irene passed, I was devastated. I couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep.” Pain colored his eyes. “I had a business to run, two kids at home to take care of, and some days I couldn’t even muster the determination to get out of bed.”

  It was all coming too fast, like a linebacker coming at Riker from his blind spot. “Why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve helped.”

  James’s mouth tightened. “You had a lot on your plate with football. Plus, you were grieving too. I didn’t want to be a burden.”

  Riker ran both hands through his hair.

  “One day, things got particularly black. I’ve never considered myself to be suicidal …” his voice broke “… but a man can only be pushed so far. The days stretched out before me like a thousand empty fields.” His jaw worked. “I couldn’t stand the thought of being without your mother.” He wiped at his tears. “She was everything to me.”

  Tears welled in Riker’s eyes as he nodded. He understood the pain, had felt some of the same despair himself.

  “One day your mother was there, and the next …” James shook his head. “It was too much to process.” He looked to Marley for help, and she gave him an encouraging nod to continue. “I don’t know if I would’ve actually done something to myself, but I was beyond low.” He smiled through his tears. “And then this angel came to the door, holding a casserole … sent by my oldest son to check on us.”

  Something broke loose inside Riker, and he couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down his cheeks. An unexpected warmth flowed through him, and in the gentle breeze that ruffled through his hair he caught a whisper of his mother’s voice telling him that it was okay.

  James chuckled. “Marley took one look at my haggard appearance and told me to take a shower while she straightened up the house. Later, we sat at the kitchen table across from each other and ate the casserole out of the dish. From that day forward, Marley came every day. I started setting my watch around her. ‘Just make it to when she gets here,’ I’d tell myself.” He looked at Riker. “You see, Marley understood my pain because she loved her first husband with her whole heart.”

  “It’s true.” She swiped her runny nose.

  James continued. “Marley and I make a great team because we know what it’s like to continue on without our soulmates.” He gave her a half smile. “It’s nice to have a companion who understands me.”

  “Yes, it is nice,” Marley agreed. “And I enjoy taking care of a couple of rowdy teenagers. Tim and I weren’t able to have any kids.” She smiled. “You boys are like my own.”

  Riker’s mind raced, trying to set everything straight. “I didn’t know.” He looked at Marley. “I’m sorry I misjudged you.”

  A genuine smile broke over her lips. “No apology necessary. You were protecting your mother’s memory. How can I faul
t you for that?” She gave him a hopeful look. “Can we be friends now?”

  He laughed. “Of course.” He turned to his dad. “I’m sorry. I had no idea what you were going through.”

  James nodded. “It’s all forgotten. I love you, son.” They caught each other in a tight embrace.

  Next, Riker hugged Marley. He felt it again, the calm assurance that all would be well. “Welcome to the family,” he uttered.

  20

  Emerson checked her reflection in the mirror, trying to calm her nerves, which were jumping like a racehorse waiting to be let out of the gate. Riker would be here any minute now to meet her parents. She’d warned him about her mama—how she’d most likely be frosty and catty, but she assured him that her daddy would be congenial.

  She touched her chest. Just breathe.

  Miracle number two had happened yesterday with Riker and his family. She couldn’t believe the transformation that took place when Riker, his dad, and Marley came back into the house. Afterwards, Riker thanked her for insisting that they go to Marley’s birthday party.

  Yep, definitely the best 295K she’d ever spent.

  Now she just had to get through this evening. She was sure her parents would grow to love Riker. How could they not? This weekend, she and Riker were headed to Chattanooga. She laughed, doing a little twirl.

  Life was good! So very good!

  When Stein Ranch came into view, Riker did a double-take. The monstrous structure was impressive and intimidating with its stately white columns and sprawling landscape. His palms were sweaty, slipping against his handlebars. Emerson kept assuring him all would go well with the meeting tonight, but he wasn’t so sure. All day long, he’d had a pit of dread in his stomach. It made no sense. He’d gotten things worked out with his dad and Marley. Things were great with him and Emerson. They were going away together this weekend. Why did he feel like a sword was hanging over his head, about to fall?