A Perfect Trade (Harlequin Superromance) (25 page)

“You’re not alone.” Ike grimaced. “He totally lost the room with his last team.”

Jenny nodded. “You don’t have to like your coach, but you should respect him.”

“Vancouver has a strong team, with solid play-off intentions, so it was worth a shot. I reckon it’ll come down to Denver and Chicago.”

“It’s a tough call.” His brother shrugged. “But a nice problem to have, taking your pick of the best teams in the NHL.”

“It’s nice to be wanted, for sure.”

“So you’re all right?” His mom searched his face anxiously.

“I’ll be fine, Ma. Don’t worry.”

“Mother hens are allowed to worry about their babies.”

“Chicks,” he said with a fond smile. “Hens have chicks.”

“Babies, chicks. It’s the same, no?”

“Yeah,” Ike drawled. “But it’s hard to see this big lug as either.”

The gathered crowd laughed.

“Time to eat.” His mom ushered them toward the picnic tables.

As they were getting plates, Jenny turned ashen and rubbed her lower belly.

His heart jolted. “Are you okay?”

“It’s just a twinge. It’ll go away after a few seconds.”

“You’ve had one before?”

“I had one earlier and a couple yesterday. It’s nothing.” Her wobbly half smile belied her confident words.

“Did you call Sally?”

“Yesterday. She said mild cramps and a bit of blood were common.”

“You’ve been bleeding, too?” His concern spiked.

“Only a few spots. I figured I’d been on my feet too much, so I spent yesterday afternoon on the couch.”

“We don’t have to stay if you don’t feel right. I’ll take you home.”

“I’ll be fine. Besides, I want to be with you when you talk to your family.”

He was grateful for her support, but his first priority was her health. “I can reschedule.”

“But your brothers are leaving tomorrow. So are you.”

“I’ll find a way.” He led her across to some empty lawn chairs in the shade. “Sit here and I’ll get us both some food.”

“All right. Thanks.” Her easy acceptance told him she wasn’t as calm as she made out.

As he was walking back, loaded plates in hand, his mom joined him.

She settled next to Jenny, smiling. “I wanted to talk to you both.”

Tru swallowed his mouthful before asking, “What’s up?”

“I need someone to take your place on the committee, Tru.”

His stomach rolled. Jenny went pale. Her blue eyes begged him to help her.

“The Ice Cats will get another player involved, Ma.”

“But he won’t be as supportive as you.”

Little did she know.
“Whoever they assign will do a good job.”

“I asked Ike and Jake, but they won’t do it.”

They knew better than to get involved in a project with his überdetermined mother. “Perhaps they think it’s a conflict of interest.”

“You didn’t.”

“I didn’t get a choice, Ma.”

Karina huffed. “I need an ally. Especially with Ron Sherman fighting me.”

“What about Aunt Tina?”

“She says it’s better for our friendship if she stays off my committee.”

Smart woman. “It’ll be fine. These things always work out for the best.” Like if the damn project got canned.

“I have a great idea. Jenny can take your place.” His mom smiled encouragingly. “She’s Pastor Boult’s niece and, now you’re together, she’s practically family. A perfect solution.”

Crap.
He should have seen this coming.

Jenny looked nauseous.

“I don’t think...”

“That’s not a good...”

He and Jenny both spoke at once, then stopped. His look said to trust him. “Now’s not a good time, Ma. The doctors think Harry will regain consciousness any day, then Jenny will be busy with him.”

His mom frowned at Jenny. “I thought you didn’t work for him anymore.”

“I don’t, but it’s only temporary.” Jenny’s smile was brittle. “Once he’s out of the hospital, I’ll go back to my old job. In the meantime,
The Journal
is keeping me very busy.”

“The committee won’t take much time.” His mom waved her hand dismissively.

Tru groaned inwardly. He was so tired he could hardly think straight and he was worried about Jenny. He loved his mother, but she was like a dog with a bone. He needed her to back off.

“I really can’t take on anything else right now,” Jenny said politely.

His mom’s color rose. “I’d have thought you’d be keen to be involved, as it’s honoring all the fine things your uncle did.”

“You can find someone else for your committee, Ma.”

Karina turned on him. “What message does it give when the man’s own family won’t help arrange for his memorial? After everything he did for Jenny and Lizzie, it’s a shame.”

“Enough,” he barked. His mom was so blinkered about that damn project, she couldn’t see the effect her words were having on Jenny.

“Is everything all right, love?” Rory Fitzpatrick appeared beside Karina flanked with Jake and Maggie. “Things look a little heated over here.”

“Jenny refuses to get involved with Pastor Boult’s memorial.”

Fitzpatrick frowned. “I’m sure there’s a good explanation.”

“Jenny has other commitments.” Tru caught Jenny’s eye.
Please let me tell them.

She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Kar...” She broke off, wincing. “I’m not feeling very well. Tru, could you take me home?”

“Sure.” Torn between worry for Jenny and frustration with his mom, he said, “Please, Ma, let it go.”

Karina huffed. “All I’m saying is I’m disappointed she can’t spare time for the man who gave her a loving home after she and Lizzie were orphaned.”

Tru gritted his teeth and tried to hold on to his temper.

Jenny rose unsteadily. Tears filled her eyes as she grabbed his arm. “I need to go
now.
”

He panicked. Forget taking her home, he was taking her to the hospital.

Maggie glared at him, then put an arm around Jenny’s shoulders. “Come on, sweetie. I’ll walk you to the car.”

“I’ve said my piece.” His mom huffed again. “Pastor Boult was practically a saint and his own family doesn’t appreciate him.”

“Stop!” Tru slashed the air with his hand. “Douglas Boult was far from a damn saint.”

“Tru...please don’t.” Jenny’s fingers dug into his arm.

“I’m sorry, Jenny, but I can’t let Mom, or anyone else, blame you. They need to know what a monster your uncle was.”

“Let’s discuss this some other time, Tru,” Jake said urgently.

“How dare you?” his mom snapped.

“I
dare
because the saintly Douglas Boult abused his niece,” he snapped back.

Jenny gasped, betrayal filling her expression.

In the shocked silence that followed, Tru realized he’d made a terrible mistake.

“Is this true, Jenny?” The pleading edge to his mom’s question begged her to deny it.

“Ye-es.” Jenny’s voice broke. She turned and hurried toward the house.

Maggie shot him a dirty look and rushed after her friend.

He started after Jenny, but Jake grabbed his arm. “Maggie will look after her.”

“Oh, my God.” His mom crossed herself as she sank into the lawn chair. Rory put his hand on her shoulder.

The happy sounds of the party continued around them as people enjoyed themselves, oblivious to the saga playing out in the small group.

Tru shrugged off his friend’s hold and ran after Jenny.

He’d barely taken a few steps when Ike’s angry voice rang out. “What the hell are
you
doing here?”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

C
ONVERSATIONS
PAUSED
,
ACTIVITIES
halted. Heads swiveled, seeking the source of Ike’s wrath. Tru saw Jenny and Maggie pause at the steps to the deck.

Bile rose up his throat. Damn it. His father had promised he wouldn’t come to the barbecue. How could he have gone back on his word?

How could Tru have been stupid enough to trust his word?

Radek Jelinek hadn’t changed. All he cared about was his own self-interest.

“I was invited,” his father said cheerfully.

“No one wants you here.” Ike’s voice shook with rage.

A hint of annoyance crossed his father’s face. “My son asked me.”

“You don’t have sons. You dumped us, remember?”

Radek sought Tru out. Those faded blue eyes locked with his. There was no apology.

Tru wished the ground would open and swallow him.
Don’t say it. Please.

His father puffed himself up. “Truman asked me to come.”

Shock rippled through the crowd. Like a comic farce, every head turned to look at Tru.

For several moments no one spoke.

Then the murmurs began. Accusatory glares sliced through Tru—from his brothers, Rory, Aunt Tina. Jake and Uncle Gio looked sad.

His mother wouldn’t meet his gaze.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Jenny move. She was leaving.

Pain speared his chest.

Radek Jelinek stood cockily, untouched by the maelstrom of anger and hurt swirling around him. Unconcerned that he’d destroyed his family, again. A smile played on his lips.

The bastard was enjoying it.

That painful realization helped clear the sentimental mist that had clouded Tru’s judgment for too long. His father didn’t want to reconnect with his sons. He was here because he wanted something. He’d used Tru.

Mistake. Radek Jelinek had just blown his best shot.

Tru found his voice. “I didn’t.” He repeated it louder, for all to hear. “I did not invite you.”

“Sure you did,” his father said jovially. “When you came to Boston to see me.”

Another wave of antagonism washed over Tru, but he didn’t let that bow him. His family needed to know the truth. He’d tried to protect them. To prevent exactly this from happening, damn it. They might never talk to him again, but they’d know Tru had tried his best.

The gloves came off. “I went to Boston to see why you were hounding me with letters.”

His father’s smile was a little less confident. “I asked to see you and you came running.”

“Hounding.” There was no mistaking the cold fury in Tru’s voice. “I told you not to come here today. That you wouldn’t be welcome.”

“You weren’t serious.” His father’s laugh was strained.

“I told you I didn’t want you to ruin this family occasion. We deserve happiness and peace, and letting you back into our lives won’t give any of us that. Least of all, Mom.”

A hand touched his back. Jenny.

Despite everything that had happened, she hadn’t left. She’d come to stand by him.

She entwined her fingers with his. Humbled by her support, he gripped her hand tightly.

“You can’t speak for the others,” his father protested, not so cocky anymore.

Ike came to stand beside Tru. “I don’t want you here.”

Kenny and Linc joined them. “We don’t, either,” they said together.

“Looks like a majority decision.” Jake and Maggie completed the united front.

“You’re trespassing, Radek.” Uncle Gio’s voice dripped with disgust.

Visibly shaken, Tru’s father looked at the hostile faces. A smart man would have cut his losses and left.

Not Radek Jelinek. “But I need money. I...”

His voice trailed off as Tru’s mom stepped forward. Rory Fitzpatrick stood beside her, solid and silent.

“What a mess you’ve made,” she said sadly. “You had a chance to see your sons and make amends for your mistakes. To earn back their love. Instead, you come here today with no good in your heart. You don’t deserve your wonderful boys.”

“Karina,” his father cajoled, as he took a step forward.

She held up a hand to stop him. “I may have been a fool once, Radek. I’m not a fool now. You made your bed. Now you have to sleep in it.”

For once, no one corrected Tru’s mom.

“You should leave.” Uncle Gio pointed his spatula toward the street.

Tru’s father cast one more look around the assembled family and friends. He must have realized he couldn’t win against the united front. Backed into a corner, he smiled. “I never did like New Jersey. Too provincial.”

Then he sauntered away, without a backward glance, as if it had been his decision.

“Good riddance to bad trash.” His mom flicked her hand, as if at an annoying fly.

“That’s ‘rubbish,’ Ma,” Kenny said fondly.

“Rubbish, trash. It’s the same, no?” She winked.

The laughter that echoed around the Badolettis’ backyard was tinged with a myriad of emotions. The biggest being relief.

“Let’s eat!” Aunt Tina declared. “I bet you’re all hungry after that excitement.”

Within minutes, the party was back in full swing. His mom hugged each of her sons in turn, then she and Rory went off to get some food.

Jenny dropped his hand, but didn’t make a move to leave.

Tru looked around the small group. “Thanks, everyone, for backing me up.”

“You lying bastard.” Ike shot him a disgusted look. “You talked to the old man behind our backs.”

“It was a fact-finding mission. I was going to tell you.” Tru’s heart twisted at his brother’s unbending expression. “That’s why I called the family meeting.”

“You should have told us from the beginning,” Kenny said flatly.

“We’re old enough to make decisions for ourselves.” Linc crossed his arms over his chest. “We sure as hell don’t need you to make them for us.”

Pain speared through Tru. Censure had been inevitable, but this was much worse. “I didn’t decide anything.”

“You decided to keep this from us.” Kenny jammed his hands on his hips.

“After everything that bastard put Mom through—put us through—how could you?” Ike’s bitterness tugged at Tru’s guilt.

“There was a chance he’d changed. I wanted to be sure before I disrupted everyone’s lives.”

“Didn’t work, did it?” Kenny shook his head, disgust ringing in his tone. “Just like the last time.”

Tru’s stomach plummeted. “What do you mean?”

“I saw you drop that handkerchief in the laundry.” He jabbed his finger at Tru’s chest. “You forced the old man to make his choice.”

Ike swore. “I can’t stand the sight of you.” He stormed out of the yard.

“I’m with Ike.” Kenny strode off.

“You’re a jerk. I thought better of you, Tru.” Linc stalked toward the barbecue and joined their mom and Rory.

Tru looked helplessly at Jake.

His friend shrugged. “I’m sorry, bro. I warned you.”

“I was only trying to do what was best.” The irony of those words choked him as he met Jenny’s gaze.

“Isn’t that always your excuse?” she asked sadly, before walking away.

Tru didn’t try to stop her. He was numb. He’d screwed up royally. He’d hurt his family and disappointed his friends. Once again, his good intentions had come back to bite him on the ass. What would his actions cost him this time?

Before he could straighten out his thoughts, Jenny stumbled. She doubled over, clearly in pain. Rushing to her side, he put his arm around her.

“Are you okay?” Dumb question. Obviously, she wasn’t. “Another cramp?”

She nodded, her blue eyes swimming with tears. “I think I’m losing the babies.”

* * *

J
ENNY
WOKE
SLOWLY
. Her mind was groggy, her mouth dry and her body ached.

She wasn’t sure where she was.

Silvery-gray light crept through the room’s vertical blinds. Dawn or dusk? Beeps echoed around her head. Machines? Her heavy-lidded gaze crept around the room. Utilitarian furniture. White walls. The smell of disinfectant confirmed what her brain was telling her—hospital.

Vague memories returned. A long night. Tru.

She blinked as tears burned. She tried to wipe her eyes, then realized he was holding her hand. He’d been in the chair by her bed all night. He’d reassured her, held a cup so she could sip water and eased her back to sleep.

Now he slept. His head rested on the bed next to her, his body bent in a position that couldn’t be comfortable. Even asleep, furrows creased his brow.

Warmth filled her. He’d looked after her. He’d stuck by her when she’d needed him. For the first time, she was grateful not to be going through the pregnancy alone.

More memories filtered into her foggy brain.

Tru rushing into the hospital, carrying her, calling for a medic. He’d been as terrified as her, but he’d calmed her panic, refusing to let her despair. Maggie and Jake had followed them to the hospital, but Tru had been the one she’d turned to. Relied on.

He’d stayed with her through the barrage of tests and as the doctors had prepped her for surgery. He’d been there when she’d woken up afterward. He’d insisted on staying with her, even after the doctors had reassured him that both she and the embryos were okay.

A wave of relief washed over her. She was still pregnant.

Jenny shifted slightly, to get more comfortable. Her body was tender, even though they’d performed a laparoscopy.

Tru stirred, opening his eyes. He jolted upright when he saw she was awake. “Are you okay? Any pain?”

“I’m a little sore, but I think I’m fine.”

“Are you thirsty?”

“A bit.”

He released her hand. Instantly, she missed his touch. He held the plastic cup to her lips so she could drink. Though she only managed a few sips, the ice water was heavenly.

When she’d finished, he asked gently, “How much do you remember?”

She frowned. “Do you mean that Biscuit and Basket didn’t detach during the surgery?”

Tru nodded. “The doctors want to keep you here for a few days. Even though they removed the damaged ovary and cleaned up the mess, they want to ensure there isn’t any infection from the burst cyst.”

“Everything will be okay, won’t it?” Jenny asked anxiously.

He took her hand again and smiled. “There shouldn’t be any more problems.”

She closed her eyes briefly and sent a prayer of thanks heavenward. Fighting back tears, she squeezed Tru’s hand. His jaw worked as he tried to contain his emotion.

Tru sighed. “That’s a Fourth of July we won’t forget in a hurry.”

His words blew through her mind like a strong wind, clearing the remnants of the fog that had clouded her thoughts. Memories of what had happened at the party flooded her brain.

What Tru had said. How he’d betrayed her, yet again.

Pain thumped her chest, stealing her breath. She tugged her hand out of his grip. “How could you?”

He slumped in the chair and dropped his head back. “I know it’s no excuse, but I was...am...exhausted. I was concerned about your twinges. What Mom said made me lose it.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I just wanted them to stop treating you like a villain.”

“But I begged you not to.”

“I’m sorry. I thought it was the be...”

“Please,” she interrupted. “Stop doing what you think ‘best.’” She used air quotes. “Every time you do, I end up in hospital.”

“That’s not fair. I didn’t cause the cyst.”

“Maybe not, but you caused me as much pain.”

He leaned forward, his expression pleading. “I did the wrong thing, but I did it for the right reasons.”

She shook her head sadly. “Even after that mess with your father, you still don’t understand that you can’t make decisions for people.”

“I told him not to come to the party. You heard him—he did what he wanted.”

“What he thought
best?
” Jenny arched an eyebrow. “Where have I heard that before?”

His clenched jaw said her dig had hit home.

“If my father hadn’t showed up, I’d have told my family about him. You know that.”

“I also know that you promised you wouldn’t tell my secret. Once again, you’ve broken your promise. How can I trust you again?”

Tru went pale.

She continued, “What’ll happen if you disagree with how I’m caring for my babies? Will you overrule me because you know better?”

“Of course not.”

“Really? What happens if you don’t think I’m a fit mother? Will you take my children from me?”

“You’re twisting this. I wouldn’t do that.”

“Can you honestly say you wouldn’t interfere, even if you thought it was ‘best’?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t believe you.” She blew out a heavy breath. “I can’t afford to believe you.”

“But we have a legal agreement.”

“If I can’t trust your word, how can I trust a signature on a piece of paper?”

Tru dropped his head into his hands. “What do you want to do?”

Weariness washed over her. Unfortunately, there was no medicine to ease the ache in her heart. “I need some time to think about this. To figure out what’s best for me and my babies.”

“Take whatever time you need.” He sighed heavily. “Look, even if you don’t want a relationship with me, we could still go ahead with our plan.”

Her laugh was raw. “I think people know who the father is. Unfortunately, that won’t be what they’re gossiping about.”

“I’m sorry.”

“So am I,” she said quietly.

“You want to end things.” His flat tone made it a statement, not a question.

Jenny’s gut twisted. “Maybe that would be best.”

“But those babies are mine, too. They deserve to know their father.”

“Yesterday proved that some children are better off not knowing their father than having a bad father.”

He reared back, as if she’d slapped him. She regretted what she’d said as soon as the words left her mouth.

His expression hardened. “I was never going to win, was I?”

“That’s not fair,” she protested.

“Isn’t it?” His lips twisted cynically. “You’ve been waiting for me to fail from the minute we got together. I’ve done everything you wanted, but you never gave me a chance. Sure, I’ve made mistakes, but at least I tried. Which is a damn sight more than you’ve done. You held back when we were sixteen and you’re holding back now.”