Jezebel (30 page)

Natalia was witty and a wonderful conversationalist. She was able to effectively shut Frankie out each time Holt tried to include her.

Smiling, Jessie Belle turned her eyes to Traynor.

He didn't look amused at all.

Frankie surprised Jessie Belle by not showing emotion. She didn't appear jealous or the least bit insecure. She laughed and grinned as if she didn't have a care in the world.

She's a lot stronger than I thought
.

Jessie Belle eyed her son. Holt was polite, but beneath his blank expression, she could tell he wasn't happy either.

Like Traynor, he would blame her for trying to ruin his life, but Jessie Belle would continue to plead innocence. It wasn't like they could prove otherwise.

After their guests had gone, Traynor and Jessie Belle retired to their master bedroom.

She was up to her old tricks again.

Traynor knew it and Jessie Belle was aware that he knew it, too. She'd been trying to placate him throughout the evening.

“You were pretty quiet during dinner.”

Traynor undid his tie and took it off, laying it on the dresser. “I didn't want to add to the tension that was already in the room.”

Jessie Belle turned around to face him. “You thought there was a lot of tension? Hmmm…I thought everything went nicely.”

Traynor sat down in one of the overstuffed chairs near the doors leading to the balcony. Removing his shoes, he stated, “Jessie Belle, our son's made it clear how he feels about Frankie. I think you should respect his feelings.”

“He's young,” she replied. “Holt doesn't have a clue what he really wants. But as I've already said, Natalia came here to pick up a program. Yes, I invited her to stay for dinner, but I thought it would be good for her to see Holt with Frankie.”

“We were younger than Holt is now when we got married.”

“Times were different then,” Jessie Belle countered.

He began unbuttoning his shirt. “You told me that you wouldn't interfere.”

“I haven't, Traynor. Holt and Natalia have become friends. If his relationship with Frankie is so secure, what's wrong with having dinner with a friend? Should they hide their friendship? Holt told me himself that Frankie's best friend is male. They go out to dinner all the time.”

Jessie Belle removed the pins from her hair, letting it fall all around her face. She ran her fingers through the curling tendrils. “I don't see where I did anything wrong. I like Natalia and I feel like I should be able to invite her over whenever I want—this is my house.”

Traynor loved seeing Jessie Belle with her hair down. He had a feeling she was trying to distract him. “If you push Holt, be prepared for him to push back, Jessie Belle.”

She eyed his reflection in the mirror.

“I won't deny that I would love to have Natalia for a daughter-in-law. She's more suited to our son. Traynor, the merger would be guaranteed to go through if Holt and Natalia married. It would truly unite the churches.”

“Is this why you're trying to push them together? Because of the merger?”

“I'm not trying to do anything, Traynor,” Jessie Belle snapped in anger. “Stop blaming me for everything.”

“The feedback from both churches has been positive, Jessie Belle. I don't think Holt needs to marry Natalia for the merger to go through. So leave them alone. I'm warning you…. If you try to manipulate your son, you're going to lose him.” Traynor met her gaze. “And you'll lose me, too. I won't stand for your schemes this time around.”

J
essie Belle tried to reach Holt the next day, but he wouldn't return her phone calls. She worried that Traynor was right—she'd pushed him too hard.

When the weekend came and went without a word from her son, Jessie Belle became really concerned.

“Honey, have you talked to Holt?” she asked Traynor.

“Not since he was over at the house for dinner. Why?”

“He wasn't at church this morning and we haven't heard anything from him. Do you think we should go over to his apartment? Make sure he's okay?”

Traynor shook his head no. “I'm sure he's fine. He and Frankie probably went out of town.”

“I guess, but he could've told us that he was going away”—Jessie Belle began pacing the floor of her bedroom—“instead of leaving us to worry like this. I don't know where my son is and I'm beginning to get scared.”

“Sweetheart, I'm sure Holt's fine.”

Jessie Belle wasn't sure of anything.

She called his apartment once more.

“Holt will call you, Jessie Belle. Just come to bed and stop worrying. If anything was wrong, I think we'd feel it in our spirits.”

She sighed in resignation. “Maybe you're right.”

Holt was angry and probably wasn't speaking to her. Traynor didn't know about the argument they'd had, so Jessie Belle didn't mention it. She didn't want him upset with her, too.

That night, Traynor and Jessie Belle jumped up at the sound of the doorbell.

She glanced over at the clock. “Who in the world could be knocking on our door at this hour?”

Traynor got out of bed. “You stay up here.”

“No, I'm going down with you,” Jessie Belle replied.

She swung her legs out of bed and stood up.

Jessie Belle slipped on her robe and rushed out of the room to catch up with Traynor, who was halfway down the stairs.

They were surprised to see Holt and Frankie on the porch.

“Is everything okay?” Traynor inquired.

“We just needed to talk to you and Mother,” Holt responded.

Traynor moved to the side to let them enter.

Jessie Belle surveyed her son, trying to discern if something was wrong. It couldn't be life-threatening because he seemed very happy—almost giddy. She felt sick in the pit of her stomach.

They gathered in the living room.

“I know it's late, but Frankie and I couldn't wait to share our news,” Holt stated with a grin.

Jessie Belle frowned.
“What news?”

“We're so sorry for coming by so late, but Holt insisted that this just couldn't wait,” Frankie stated.

Jessie Belle's heart started to race and she gripped Traynor's arm. Surely her son didn't run out and…she couldn't even think about it.

“We eloped,” Holt announced. “Frankie and I are married.”

“What in the world were you thinking?” Jessie Belle asked. “How could you do such a foolish thing?” She could hardly contain her fury. “I thought you were more responsible than this.”

“Honey, they love each other,” Traynor interjected.

She glanced over at her son. “How could you do this to me?”

“This was never about you, Mother,” Holt replied, looking her straight in the eye. “I love Frankie, and I wanted her to be my wife. She is the other half of me. She's my soul mate.”

Jessie Belle grunted. “She'll be the ruin of you, that's for sure.”

Frankie gasped. “Excuse me?”

Before Jessie Belle could utter a response, Holt jumped to his wife's defense.

“Mother, I won't have you saying things like that about my wife. Frankie and I love each other and we'd been thinking about getting married for a while now but waited until we were sure.”

“Your
wife
. Humph.”

“Give it up, Jessie Belle,” Traynor urged. “Frankie is a part of our family now. Accept it.”

Natalia called Jessie Belle the next day and invited her to lunch.

She tried to get out of it, but Natalia wouldn't let up. “We really need to talk about your son.”

“Around one,” Jessie Belle suggested. Natalia was going to find out sooner or later, so she might as well be the one to tell her about Holt's marriage.

After deciding on a place, they ended the call.

Three hours later, Jessie Belle headed out to meet Natalia.

“I haven't heard from Holt,” she complained when they were seated. “I thought he'd call me before now. My daddy told me to tell you that you're going to need to light a fire under that boy of yours. Holt can't possibly be interested in that girl that was at your house.” Turning up her nose, Natalia added, “She's not cute at all.”

Jessie Belle took a sip of her tea. “Natalia, I'm afraid there's been a change of plans where Holt is concerned.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Holt did something really stupid last night. I didn't know anything about it until afterwards.” Jessie Belle took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Natalia, my son went off and married Frankie.”

A horrified expression took over Natalia's face. “He what?”

Jessie Belle reached over, covering Natalia's hand with her own. “I'm so sorry, dear. I had no idea he'd act so reckless.”

“How could you let that happen?” she demanded, snatching her hand away. “You basically told me that Holt would be mine. Do you have any idea how long I've been after him? I've wanted him since he moved back from Los Angeles.”

“Obviously, you didn't try hard enough,” Jessie Belle accused, settling back in her chair. “I did everything I could—the rest was up to you, Natalia.”

Arms folded across her chest, Natalia uttered, “Oh, so it's my fault.”

“Well, it's certainly not mine.”

“So what are we going to do now?” Natalia questioned. “I can't believe he married that fat cow.”

“How do you feel about breaking up a marriage?” Jessie Belle asked. “Frankie is not the woman for him, but you've got to convince him of it. She's left for California this morning and won't be back for a few days.” Pulling a key out of her purse, she continued. “Here is a key to his apartment. I'm sure you have an idea of what to do next.”

Natalia took the key from Jessie Belle. “And what will you be doing?”

“Playing the dutiful wife and noninterfering mother-in-law. I'm not going to chance losing my husband or my son.”

Jessie Belle stopped by the church to see Traynor.

“I saw Natalia not too long ago. She was distraught when I told her that Holt and Frankie eloped. Traynor, I don't think I've ever seen anyone so devastated.”

“They were never in a relationship,” he responded. “She couldn't be that distraught.”

“She had deep feelings for our son.”

“Jessie Belle, our son is a married man now. Natalia needs to move on with her life. I'm sure she'll find a nice young man to love.”

“I'm well aware that Holt went off and got married. You don't need to keep throwing it in my face.”

“I don't want you plotting with Natalia to break up his marriage.”

“I wouldn't do that,” Jessie Belle stated. “I resent the fact that you think that I would.”

“I'm not going to argue with you, Jessie Belle. I just don't want you interfering in our son's life. He and Frankie are married. She's family.”

“I can't believe you're blaming me for what happened all those years ago.”

“You've manipulated me for years, Jessie Belle. You just don't know how to leave well enough alone.”

“I guess I know how you see me.”

“I'm only speaking the truth,” Traynor stated. “I'm not as dumb as you might think I am.”

Their conversation was interrupted by Holt. He strode into the office, closing the door behind him.

“Mother, I can't believe the lengths you'll go to just to get what you want.”

She turned around to face her son. “What is your problem? You know, I'm tired of being blamed for everything that goes on around here.”

“Frankie and I went home and guess what we found in my bed? Natalia. She was under the impression that Frankie was leaving this morning. The only way she could've known that was from you.”

“I didn't send her over there to seduce you.”

“How did she get into the apartment?” Traynor asked.

Holt glared at his mother. “She had a key.”

Traynor looked at Jessie Belle. “You didn't…”

Shaking her head, Jessie Belle uttered, “No. I wouldn't do something like that.”

“I don't believe you,” Holt stated.

Jessie Belle's chest began to hurt. Rubbing it, she asked Holt, “Did it ever occur to you that maybe Natalia came up with this on her own? Maybe she did it because she believes that you two belong together? Who knows? Maybe you jumped the gun by marrying Frankie.”

“It's no use talking to you,” Holt stated with a sigh of frustration. “I need to get home to my wife.”

Jessie Belle grabbed him by the arm. “Holt, I don't deserve this attitude of yours.”

“And I deserve better from you,” he shot back.

“You can't blame me simply because Natalia's not giving up without a fight. It's not my problem.” The pain in her chest seemed to be getting worse and it was getting a little difficult to breathe.

It angered Jessie Belle that Traynor didn't step up to her defense.

“Well, aren't you gonna say something to your son?” she wanted to know. “I'll not be disrespected like this.”

Jessie Belle felt sick to her stomach and experienced a moment of light-headedness. “I'm not gonna stay here and listen to this mess. You and your father can believe whatever you want—I really don't care.”

Suddenly, a sharp knifelike pain ripped through her chest, bringing her to her knees. Jessie Belle groaned in agony.

Traynor and Holt were instantly at her side.

“Sweetheart…”

“Mother, what's wrong?”

“My ch-chest…,” was all she could manage. Jessie Belle struggled to keep the edges of darkness from consuming her.

“I think she's having a heart attack,” she heard Holt say. “Call 911.”

Jessie Belle surrendered to the dark void.