The Twin Contract (The Contract Series Book 1)

by Ceeree Fields

  Her heart settled back into a normal rhythm. "Sorry."

  "It's fine. I would panic too with all the restrictions your father has in that contract."

  So he had even heard Brianna explaining how her father had been behind it all. Not that it mattered since Callie would have told him everything the second she saw him.

  "I'm so glad you're going to let us finally help you," Derrick said as if reading her thoughts. "You're like the little sister I never had."

  Tears pushed the back of her eyes as emotions swelled inside of her. "I love you like a brother, too. And I'm glad Callie chose you."

  Derrick smiled and grabbed her in a back-breaking hug before heading down the hallway toward the supply closet.

  Callie had told Derrick all about the contract before she agreed to marry him. She had been adamant that she would not lie to her husband. Brianna had agreed, but all of them had kept it from Brianna's family.

  Callie could tell who she wanted since she had refused to sign anything, and as Derrick had his own money, neither of her friends could be pressured.

  Brianna trailed him. "I very much violated the contract telling Deputy McCord my name, but I didn't know what to do."

  "The second I get home tonight, I'll have Callie look at all of our calendars so we can get a date to hash everything out. But I can guaranty you before the end of today, she'll have the ball rolling on getting the loan paid off. We've both been praying you'd let us help for years."

  Brianna rubbed her temple. It felt wrong taking the money since she had gotten herself into this mess; she felt as if she needed to be the one to dig herself out.

  "It's okay to lean on family once in a while," Derrick whispered as he moved past her, his arms full of various medical supplies.

  The worry began to melt off of her with that statement. It was okay to lean on family. And she knew if it were Callie in her place, Brianna would move heaven and earth to help dig her out. She hurried outside and helped Derrick restock the truck.

  His warm brown eyes and rough-hewn features crinkled with a smile. "As for your trip to the Sheriff's department, you know Callie's gonna go even if it means hiding in your trunk."

  Brianna nodded. It was true. Callie would do whatever she needed to if she thought it would push Brianna to ask her dream man out.

  "So, I'll tell Tawny to forward the calls to me," Derrick said, tucking his hands in his worn jeans.

  With him, as her partner in the veterinary business, it made taking off when dealing with last-minute family things a lot easier.

  "Thanks, Derrick."

  His mouth tipped into a rare grin. "Don't thank me yet. You know she's going to ask that deputy out for you."

  He was calm and centered compared to Callie's high energy, exuberance. If she could run instead of walk, Callie would run, skip, jump, or do handsprings. She wasn't one to be still for very long, and for most of their lives, it had been Brianna who was the calming influence.

  Until Callie met Derrick at one of Brianna's sorority parties. They'd been inseparable since that night. Their loving relationship was everything Brianna wanted for herself. After she had shed the contract, Brianna was going to do everything in her power to find her own happily ever after.

  Rubbing her face, she huffed a laugh. "I know I won't be able to shake her."

  "So maybe you should head on up and get ready. I'll do a final walkthrough with the men to make sure they know which trails to take with the next group before heading to the Johnson's spread." He turned on his way into the barn. "By the way, Jackson's been living down here for two years, and he moved here from Chicago." His smile broadened. "And he's single."

  Brianna's shoulders sagged in relief even as she wondered how Derrick knew that.

  She spun on her heel and hurried toward her house. She had a feeling that no matter how many times Callie asked, Deputy McCord would never go out with Brianna. Then again, Callie was known to steamroll over people when she wanted something, and she had to know how bad Brianna had it if she was snapping secret pictures. The screen door slapped behind her as she dashed up the stairs.

  Maybe she would have a chance.

  Even if she didn't, at least she could look good while being turned down for a date.

  It was also a good thing she had gone to the grocery store yesterday. She had a brand new mint chip ice cream container to drown her sorrows in after he turned her down.

  * * * *

  The second Jackson caught sight of Brianna Spencer heading toward the counter, he was glad to be stuck in the office.

  He stood from his chair to better see her as she sauntered into the main area.

  Black plastic chairs lined the paneled wall across from Mildred's counter. Above the chairs hung a large corkboard with various notices. Some were help wanted, a few were advertisements of local businesses, and to the far right was the current Wanted List and BOLO posters.

  Dressed in deference to Alabama's scorching summer heat, her hair was pulled into a high ponytail that left a cascade of gold to the middle of her back. The blue wrap style shirt she wore hugged every inch of her torso, leaving little to Jackson's imagination. It was paired with a pair of tan capris that showed off the healthy glow to her skin.

  The chic gold rimmed sunglasses were lifted to the top of her head and revealed the blue eyes he'd become addicted to looking into while filling out his reports this morning.

  She was breathtaking. Someone Jackson would have pursued with everything he had if she wasn't a liar.

  It was a huge stumbling block. More like an impenetrable wall, he refused to go around.

  He hated con artists ranked them on the same level as slumlords and pimps.

  It was then he saw Brianna's companion. Several inches shorter than Brianna and her polar opposite in looks.

  Brianna had the unblemished creamy skin that held a light tan. Her friend was so pale as to be a ghost, the only color the massive amount of freckles covering her skin. Where Brianna's hair sparkled a pretty gold. Her friend's hair was a dense black. The coloring surprised Jackson as he would expect the other woman to have bright red hair to go with the pale skin and freckles. However, her black brows told him black was her natural color.

  Unable to tear his gaze off the duo, Jackson leaned back in the chair to enjoy the show. Mildred hadn't met a person she liked in the two years Jackson had been here; he doubted these two would fair well with the crotchety old woman.

  "Hi, Mildred," Brianna said, a bright smile gracing her pink lips. Did she wear lip gloss to give them that color? Or did she nibble on them before coming in?

  Jackson's jaw almost hit his desk when he saw Mildred grin in return.

  "Hey there, Miss Brianna." Mildred's grin slid from her face as she patted Brianna's folded hand in front of her. "I'm sorry to hear about your sister. I don't like speaking ill of the dead, but even though Miss Briony wasn't very nice, she didn't deserve to be killed like that."

  Jackson shook his head in disbelief. A smile and sympathy too? Was the world ending?

  "Thank you, Mildred, that's very kind of you to say."

  Curious, Jackson stood and moved to the counter. "You know these two, Mildred?"

  The dour expression that commonly graced the woman's face returned as soon as he spoke.

  "Of course, unlike you, I actually grew up around here." She sniffed and turned back to Brianna with another smile.

  Jackson groaned. "I've lived here two years now—"

  "Aww, don't worry, Deputy Delicious. You'll fit right in as soon as you lose that Chicago accent."

  "Callie," Brianna hissed, while Mildred chuckled.

  "Love that, Callie. Deputy Delicious." Mildred shook her head. "So, what're you two doing down here?"

  "Grandmother wanted Briony's DNA—"

  "She hopes that it'll snap Bianca out of whatever alternate reality she's living in?" Mildred asked while turning her attention to the ancient computer propped on the counter and began clacking away.

&nbs
p; "Something like that." Brianna pulled out a tan wallet that matched her tan leather purse.

  He briefly wondered if everything on her was in the color of the beach, tan, and blue. Or maybe she wore virginal white underneath those summer clothes. Not that he would be finding out anytime soon. But the thought of it heated his blood.

  "She's still got you playing your sister?"

  Callie leaned forward when Brianna remained silent. "She does."

  "That was the most ridiculous farce I'd ever heard Evelynn come up with—"

  "Mother's stable, and she's active again." Brianna defended while passing over a debit card to Mildred.

  The conversation was enlightening as it proved others knew and still went along. But why? And why would they continue after Bianca had tried to kill Brianna? Why didn't someone put a stop to it?

  "Your mother always was one for hysterics and drama. But if you all want to give in to her, that's your business. Lucky for me, Herbert's not on the city council anymore, or I'd still have to go to those godawful garden parties." Mildred swiped the card. "I always hated calling you by your sister's name when we had to go to those blasted parties."

  Callie grinned. "That's why you backed out of most of them?"

  Mildred's gaze latched onto Callie. "How do you know that?"

  Callie shrugged. "You were one of the few Brianna enjoyed spending time with at those events."

  Brianna blushed and shook her head as Mildred chuckled. "Maybe I'll surprise Bianca and crash one of them this summer. Now, Brianna, let's get this information filled in."

  Brianna leaned over the counter to better see the screen and answered Mildred's questions.

  "Psst, Deputy Delish."

  Jackson's attention jerked to the black-haired pixie beckoning him at the far end of the counter. Her lime green shirt blinding under the florescent lighting.

  "My name's Jackson or Deputy McCord—"

  "I like Delish better." Her green eyes sparkled with mischief.

  Realizing Callie enjoyed pushing boundaries, Jackson turned to head back to his desk, only to stop when Callie grabbed his arm.

  "I need to talk to you," she whispered, her eyes on Brianna as she chatted with Mildred.

  "What about?"

  "I know you like Brianna."

  "Jesus, what are you fourteen? Please tell me I'm not reliving my high school days again." Jackson pinched the bridge of his nose.

  "She likes you too."

  "Callie, shut up," Brianna hissed.

  It was then he noticed Mildred was gone, and Jackson was alone with two crazy women.

  "What? He's yummy, and you've not been laid in years."

  Brianna squeaked, her cheeks pinkened even as her crystal blue eyes darted between Jackson and Callie in panic. "It's not been that long."

  "Whatever. I told you if you didn't ask Deputy Delicious out I was going—"

  "Hell, no," Jackson all but shouted.

  Callie laughed. "I'd probably be offended, but I'm married. I was going to ask you out for her."

  "Oh, God." Brianna planted her hands on her friend's shoulder and dragged her away.

  A whispered argument broke out before they separated and returned to the counter. Jackson had to force himself not to smile. Did he want to go out with Brianna? Yes. She was gorgeous. The few instances he'd seen her, she seemed shy. And nice. Mildred liked her when the woman didn't like anyone, no matter what she implied with him, not coming from around here.

  However, Brianna was a liar. Just like his parents. A con artist. But maybe not for the reason he thought. From what he gathered, it was for her mother's sanity and not for money.

  But a lie was a lie. Right?

  He scrubbed a hand through the stubble on his jaw. Could he chance getting tangled in whatever mess she was stirring up?

  Looking at her, he tipped his head to the side. Maybe. Especially if it shed light on why she was deceiving her mother. If it was for some nefarious reason, he could always arrest her and let the chips fall where they may.

  Brianna cleared her throat, and Jackson's gaze clashed with hers. Such a clear blue. Like a cloudless summer sky. Pure and innocent. And yet they housed so many secrets.

  "So, I was wondering if you might want to go out to dinner or maybe a baseball game?" she asked, her face pink and her teeth nibbling on her bottom lip.

  No lip gloss as nothing stuck to her teeth, and nothing smeared as she abused her lip. He curled his fingers tight into the palm of his hands so as not to rub that bottom lip. It wouldn't do to tug it free of those white teeth and check that she hadn't damaged it. Maybe, offer to nibble on it himself to give it the pale pink shade and plump look.

  His dick stirred at the thought of other ways to give her lips the same effect as well as bring color to her cheeks. How far would the blush extend? To her neck? To the top of her breasts?

  Yanking his thoughts away from the dangerous path they were taking, he forced himself to prop a hip against the counter with feigned nonchalance. He had mastered the cool mask of indifference after years of interrogations. However, he had never wanted anything as badly as he wanted her. "I would, but who would I be going out with?"

  Confusion clouded the blue of her eyes. "I don't understand."

  "Well, when we first met, you were introduced as Briony. You corrected it later as Brianna." He leaned forward both arms on the counter, supporting his weight. "So, who would I be going out with? Because if it's Brianna, then yes. However, if you have to swap to Briony while we're out, then no. I don't like liars or con artists, and I'll leave you where you are if you try to pull anything."

  All the color left Brianna's face, and she gulped. "I'd be me." Her eyes darted to Callie in a pleading manner.

  "I hate your family, Bri," Callie said with a sigh. "This is why I came."

  "To ask me out for Brianna—"

  "No, to tell you that as long as you keep Brianna away from her family. It'll be Brianna. However, if any of her family see her in public, then she only answers to Briony."

  "But why?" That's what he didn't understand. If every person knew her as Brianna, why did she have to pretend to be Briony? Why couldn't she be Brianna even with her mother right there?

  "She can't answer that." Callie hooked a thumb into her chest. "And I don't trust you enough yet to fill you in."

  What did trust have to do with it? It wasn't like he could tell anyone since everyone in the county already knew.

  "But, you know." He scrutinized Callie.

  How did she know?

  "Unfortunately, yes, I know the big bad secret. And the asshat from up high put a price on my friend to keep the information quiet. So, until I trust you, I'm not saying a damn thing." Callie crossed her arms and tilted her chin at a stubborn angle.

  Brianna looked like she wanted to crawl under the counter; she was staring at it so hard. Every instinct he had said, she was good. But then again, he had thought the same thing about his parents until they dragged him into their last con.

  One that resulted in a suicide, a broken family, and him trusting his next-door neighbor. A cop that ended Jackson's parents' reign of terrifying con-games. The same cop who took Jackson in gave him his first stable home and eventually adopted him.

  That chance changed Jackson's life for the better and made him the person he was today. Deciding to take another chance, he placed one of his hands over hers and met shy blue eyes.

  "Would you like to go out with me?" he asked.

  Chapter Five

  Brianna set her almost empty medical bag into the vet space in the barn. It would need to be restocked, checking her watch she winced, but the restocking would have to wait until tomorrow. Flipping off the light, she hurried out of the barn only to stop when the 'Imperial Death March' sang from her cell.

  Digging it from her pocket, she thumbed 'accept' and lifted it to her ear. "Grandmother? I didn't think you'd be back from California until next week."

  "I got back late last night and ran into Thomas
this morning at Daisy's."

  "Daisy's? What were you doing there?"

  It wasn't like her grandmother to go to the diner. As far as Brianna could remember, her grandmother had only ever gone to a handful of restaurants, and all were upscale and geared toward the rich. Daisy's was neither of those.

  Brianna double-checked that the doors were locked on the vet truck before heading across the yard to her home.

  "I gave the staff the week off since I thought I wouldn't be back until Monday. Jacob was the only one who stayed in, and he can't cook worth a darn. So we went to Daisy's for breakfast." Her grandmother sighed; it held a lot of weight, and Brianna's gut clenched with dread. What could her grandmother have found to garner that reaction? Had her father mired her so deeply into that contract, she really wouldn't get out?

  She sat in the swing facing the pasture and hoped what her grandmother had to share wouldn't be as bad as Brianna feared. "What did the lawyers say?"

  Her grandmother had gone out to talk to the entertainment lawyers who had drawn up the contract.

  "Everything we thought they would except … " her grandmother's voice trailed off as if she were searching for the words she needed. It was unlike her grandmother to be unsure of anything.

  "Except what?" Brianna asked, her muscles winding tight with tension.

  "The NDA. That strange language regarding the farm."

  "Yes."

  "Well, we were right. You cannot mention the contract in any way, shape, or form to the deputy." Another heavy sigh. "Please, tell me you haven't gone on a date with him yet."

  "It's tonight." Brianna worried the hem of her shirt between her thumb and forefinger. "I was planning on explaining everything to him now that I've—"

  "You can't—"

  Brianna bolted to her feet. "Why not? I've given the notice like it says, and I'm getting out of the contract—"

  "That NDA has language in it that if you tell anyone what is actually going on, then your farm is forfeit."

  "So? You can give me permission. It's your contract." Brianna wanted to scream at the woman. She had thought up this entire farce surely her grandmother could at least let her explain to the first man she'd been interested in years what was going on.