Caught Between a Lie and True Love (Caught Between series Book 1) (27 page)

Do…or die alone.

Lisa zigged and zagged around the people in the crowd, pushing her way toward the stage, but when she spotted Matilda, she zigged her way, closing the distance until the two women stood face to face.

With a curl to her upper lip, the shapely porn star said, “Harry asked me to join him on his tour of the Mainland. But all I’m interest in is sex, Matilda, and you know what?”

Fear clogging her throat, Matilda barely squeaked out a response. “What?”

“When I got naked in the motorhome, that man hoed and hummed, and began to make excuses. And then he turned me down.” Surprise sparked in the lush green of her eyes. “I’ve never had a man turn me down before.”

Relief bowled through Matilda, and hope replace the panic in her stomach.

“And that’s when I realized, all Harry wants is you. Just like Brody…all he wants is Paige.”

Matilda put her fingers to her lips and breathed out a single, “Oh.”

“Will you forgive me? I betrayed our growing friendship and I’m so sorry.”

“Of course I’ll forgive you.”

“I was a poor substitute.” She laughed, this time a little shrilly. “Can you believe it? I’ve never been a poor substitute in my life.”

“I’m sorry, Lisa. I’ll tell Harry he owes you an apology.”

Lisa waved one hand through the air. “No need. Because of my friendship with you, I’ve decided to be celibate for a while. See how life is without sex.”

Matilda thought of her Tuesday and Thursday nights with Harry, and felt her lips stretch into a smile. “You’ll miss it.”

Lisa shrugged, then hooked a thumb over her shoulder. “Harry’s leaving for his trip alone unless you have the courage to admit that you’ve been wrong.”

Matilda reached for the other woman and dragged her into a warm embrace. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. That’s what friends do for each other.” Lisa released her, started to turn away, then turned back, regret claiming her features. “This visit made me realize what I missed out on when I walked away from being a mom.”

“Motherhood isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It’s not all good times and roses. And when you make a mistake…” Her voice drifted off. Really, there wasn’t much more to say.

Lisa nodded, as though she understood. “My daughter is a wonderful mother. She certainly didn’t learn how to be one from me.” She put her hands on Matilda’s shoulders to look her square in the eyes. “Brody and her are awesome to watch with the girls. Have you seen them?”

“Uh, uh, no.” She’d been too busy trying to prove Brody was a bad father that she hadn’t noticed his parental skills.

“You should pay attention. You’ll be quite surprised.” Lisa started to turn away, but then she turned back. “And Matilda? Give Brody a chance with Hope. You’ll make both of them very happy.”

“I already have,” Matilda said, but Lisa was already winding her way back to the stage, leaving Matilda alone to stare across the parking lot at the closed motorhome door.

“Just do it, Mattie,” she whispered, and once she got her feet moving, she began to hurry.

She still didn’t like the idea of campfires and mosquitoes and bears lumbering into the campground for a midnight snack, but with Harry at her side—in her bed every night of the week—it would be worth the discomfort.

She knocked on the door and let herself in.

Harry sat with his elbows on the table, his face buried in his hands. When he looked up and saw her, there was a sudden light in his eyes—surprise and delight—before he quickly masked it with a dour expression. “What are
you
doing here?”

She risked a single step closer and stopped. “You were right, Harry. I’m an old fool. If you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I’d love to marry you.”

“And come travel with me?”

“Yes, wherever and for as long as you like.” Her throat closed up. “I love you, Harry.”

He bounced to his feet, almost as agile as he’d been at twenty, closed the distance between them, and swept her into his arms. “I love you, Mattie. I’ve always loved you.”

And then he kissed her and she melted against his body, experienced the thrill of the feel of him, hard to her soft.

And she realized that there would no longer be any more Tuesday or Thursday nights.

From now on, she could make love with Harry whenever and wherever she wanted.

Before they got carried away, she pulled back. “I just have one thing to do and then I’m all yours. For tonight, tomorrow, forever.”

Giving Harry one more kiss, putting all of her love and the promise of their future together in that kiss, she headed out of the motorhome and saw the furious mob of islanders heading out of the Town Square.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Paige stared at Delores bearing down on them and the possibility of a future on Serendipity Island crumbled. “I can explain,” she started, but the roar of the crowd drowned out her words. She glanced at the faces around her.

Angry faces.

Furious people.

A mad mob.

Not knowing what else to do, Paige grabbed Starr by the collar and backed away. Her gaze landed on Brody.

He stood at the edge of the stage, his gaze fixed on her as he jumped down and began to push his way through the crowd toward her, Hope in his wake. Before he could reach her, before the mob turned violent, she bolted, urging Starr and Gram toward the car.

Jeb had lied to her, and she had foolishly wanted to believe him.

“Does this mean we have to leave?” Starr shouted above the noise of the crowd, her expression more downcast that Paige had ever seen.

“I don’t know.” All she knew was that her chance to give her daughter the home and family life Paige had always longed for had been ruined.

She thought of Gram, all alone in that big old house with no family nearby.

She thought of Hope, who was like the sister Starr had always wanted.

She thought of Brody and the way he looked at her in the moonlight, like he wanted her more than his next breath.

Could she drag Starr away and leave the life they both loved behind? All because Jeb couldn’t keep his itchy fingers away from other people’s money?

But what choice did she have?

This time Paige didn’t remark about Gram’s erratic driving, and by the time Gram pulled onto the street, all she could focus on was the FBI agents who were already parked in front of the house, walking Jeb up the front steps.

And then she noticed that instead of slowing down, the car seemed to be accelerating. She leaned forward and braced one hand on the dash. “Gram, what are you doing?”

The feisty old lady gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles white, and pressed down on the accelerator. “Hold on tight, girls.”

Paige pressed one arm across Starr’s chest and braced for the impact.

The big boat of a car plowed into the FBI’s vehicle and jerked to a stop. Gram shoved the gearshift into park, a satisfied smile blooming across her mouth. “There. That’ll delay their departure.”

Thankful for Gram’s quick thinking—even though she would never admit it out loud—Paige spilled from the car, Starr on her heels, and raced up the sidewalk toward the house. As she passed by one of the agents who was headed to check out the damage, she muttered, “It won’t hurt my feelings if you take away her license.”

Jeb stood on the porch. Guilt shone in his faded blue eyes.

She skidded to a stop in front of him, hands fisted at her sides. “How could you lie to me? Your only daughter? You promised this time would be different.”

“Buttercup, I lie to everyone.” He smiled sadly, and his gaze shifted to his granddaughter. “I don’t suppose she could…you know, like you did?”

Paige gasped. “Take the rap for you? No way. How can you even ask?”

Starr leaned into her, a disapproving expression on her face. “Grandpa, that’s low.”

He looked sheepish. “I’m sorry. I hope you’ll forgive me someday.”

Starr crossed her arms over her chest and turned her back on him.

Paige watched him close the distance between them, the remaining FBI agent on alert.

“If it’s any consolation, Buttercup, when I got elected, I really did intend to go straight.” He held up one handcuffed hand as though he were on the witness stand. “God’s honest truth.”

And as Paige stared at him, into the blue depths of his eyes that had begun to cloud over with the growth of cataracts, she discovered that she believed him.

Maybe she shouldn’t, but when it came to the man who had raised her, she was weak.

Although thanks to Gram, she was no longer stupid about it. She could love him despite his tendency to be bad.

With a sigh, she stepped into his arms and held on, memorizing the familiar warmth of his arms as he hugged her back. “I love you, Dad.”

“I love you, too, Buttercup. I’m sorry I wasn’t the father you deserved. I’m sorry I couldn’t settle down and give you the life you deserved.”

She patted him on the back, then stepped out of his arms. “It’s okay. I turned out not too bad despite your attempts to corrupt me.”

And she realized that she believed her words. She had turned out fine. She’d learned to be independent, resourceful, and honest. She slid a glance toward the FBI agent, but he didn’t seem to be in any rush to drag her dad off to jail. “I’ll send you pictures of Starr and Gram, maybe even bring them to visit you.”

His chest swelled and he released a deep, shuddering breath. “You’d make an old man very happy.”

From down the street, voices swelled, and she turned to see the crowd that had been at the town square headed their way. Way out ahead of them was Lisa, jogging in her too short skirt and high heels, outdistancing the crowd without any problem. Not even breathing heavy, she sprinted up the front steps and stopped beside Paige. “Am I too late?”

Jeb smiled at his ex-wife. “To say goodbye? I’m sure this kind gentleman will give me adequate time to say a proper goodbye to my family and friends.”

Somber and silent, the FBI agent crossed his arms over his chest.

Lisa swung her attention to Paige. “Honey, if that crowd wants to tar and feather you, you and Starr and Olivia can come live with me in L.A. You’re all more than welcome for as long as you want to stay.”

“Thank you,” she said, for the first time ever, appreciative of Lisa’s efforts to be supportive. While Lisa
 
and her would never have a mother-daughter relationship, the other woman would make a good—and interesting—friend.

As Lisa turned her attention from Paige to the agent, her expression morphed from almost mother-like to pure, outright sultry. She leaned in close, the front of her top gaping open, and in a loud stage whisper said, “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take my ex upstairs and give him a nice going away present.”
Wink, wink
. The agent’s expression remained immobile. Lisa sighed and straightened. “In case you didn’t understand my subtle remark, I want to take Jeb upstairs and give him some going-to-prison sex.” She waggled her eyebrows and grinned. “You can even watch, if you want. You know, so he doesn’t escape.”

Paige glanced down at Starr, who rolled her eyes and groaned. “Gross, Grandma.”

The edges of Lisa’s mouth quirked up and instead of admonishing Starr for calling her Grandma, she winked at her granddaughter before turning her attention back to the taller man. “Well?”

The FBI agent smirked, then with a shake of his head said, “Sorry, Ma’am, I can’t allow that.”

“Your loss,” she said breezily, then leaned in to hug her ex.

Paige turned her back on them to give them a private moment, and that’s when she saw the crowd on the street swarm past Gram’s car and into the front yard. They looked even angrier than before, and they had every right to be.

Starr leaned into her. “You can leave if you want, but if you don’t mind too much, I’d like to stay here with Olivia. They already know the worst about our family. Maybe it’s time to show people that we’re different from the others. Honest.”

She frowned down at her. “What about the sick puppy scam you pulled?”

Starr looked sheepish. “Hope and I…we didn’t spend the money. We’ll give it back and beg for forgiveness. Maybe even volunteer to mow lawns or wash windows to make up for our bad behavior.” She smiled with certainty in her eyes “Things can only go uphill from here, right, Mom?”

Her daughter, it seemed, was much braver than she was. It made her proud.

Before she could answer, she spotted Brody. He was pushing his way to the front of the crowd, Hope close behind him. As he reached the bottom of the steps, his gaze flicked from her to Jeb.

“I’ll take care of your family while you’re gone, Sir. And when you get out, if you decide to return to town and go straight, you’ll have a home and a handyman job waiting for you.” He grinned and with a sweep of his hand, indicated the crowd behind him. “And since you’re so popular with the people here, maybe even the Mayor’s position.”

Tears welled in Jeb’s eyes. “Thank you, son.”

And then Brody turned his gaze up to Paige. “You’re not leaving me, are you?”

She looked past him into Hope’s eyes.

Past Hope to the angry crowd.

Past the angry crowd to where Gram was reluctantly handing her driver’s license over to the thin-lipped FBI agent.

Beyond the agent to the ocean waves sparkling in the distance.

Then back at Brody.

Only a few days ago, she’d driven onto Serendipity Island, reluctant to face the past and the lie that had been her life.

And now, everything she ever wanted was right here in front of her.

Love. Acceptance. The truth. And a family for her and Starr.

With a smile tugging at her lips, she stepped down to Brody’s level and into his arms. “You’ll have to make an honest woman out of me.”

“Baby, consider it done.”

As he captured her mouth in a kiss that curled her toes and warmed her from the inside out, the chants of the crowd finally worked their way into her brain.

“
Free Jeb. Free Jeb. Free Jeb
.”

They were home at last.

CHAPTER FORTY

Delores followed the angry mob—and Brody—from the town square to Olivia’s house, where she assumed the FBI must have stopped so Jeb could pick up his personal belongings. She stood on her tiptoes so she could see what was going on, but she’d long discarded her heels, and in bare feet, she was too short.