Just My Luck (A Shamrock Falls Novel) (Entangled: Bliss) (4 page)

When it was time for the wedding, he took his spot at the head of the garden. His clothes suddenly felt too tight as he stood there, hands linked in front of him. Plants and flowers decorated the small greenhouse. Sidney and Rowan had made an arch with little white flowers hanging down, which was where Betsy would come in.

Kade; Breck; his new grandmother, Deb; and Sidney’s aunt Mae sat in the few chairs scattered out in front of him. Jace couldn’t make himself meet any of their eyes. He wished Betsy had someone here for her—family, old friends. Yes, the people in front of him loved her, but she should have a piece of her past with her, too. That kind of thing was important to women, wasn’t it? And he couldn’t help but wonder why she didn’t have guests, if maybe it had something to do with why she needed money in the first place. Betsy was a private person. She always had been and he respected that because he was, too. It wasn’t abnormal for someone to live in a town without family, especially because she’d lived here less than a year, but the only reason he could think of for her not inviting anyone was because it wasn’t a wedding for love.

All thoughts fled his mind as the music started and the guests stood. Heat slammed into Jace and pricks of sweat beaded on his brow.

He was getting married. It was a farce, but still, he’d be willingly tying himself to another human being. His heart raced. Could he even do this?

And then she stepped under the arch.

Betsy. He could see a light blush of pink on her cheeks that didn’t look like embarrassment. The same color matched what was brushed on her lids.

She stood there, not moving, those curls he’d admired earlier framing her face. Her dress, crisp and white, clung to the curves he’d never seen on her before. It dipped low in the front—not too low but more so than what she usually wore—and tied at her waist.

Wow
. This time, his heart sped for a completely different reason. He’d never noticed it before, but she was quite pretty. Very pretty.

It made the itch inside him burn even more. He had no business thinking she was pretty. This was an arrangement to help both of them.

Still, Jace found himself smiling. Even if it was just because in this moment, Betsy was letting herself stand out.

And it was an incredible view.

…

Breathe, breathe, breathe. I can do this…

Betsy let her eyes lock on Jace from across the small indoor garden. He smiled, but his jaw still looked tense. She’d learned his expressions in the almost year she’d been working for him, and right now, he was nervous. Worried. She squeezed the flowers tighter, hoping it would help with the tremble in her hands.

He watched her and she watched him. The music played and everyone had to be wondering what was going on. She wanted to run, to hide her face, but then something changed in Jace’s expression. He lifted a hand. In this playful, almost sexy way he’d never directed at her before, he crooked a finger and beckoned her toward him.

Betsy let the deep breath out of her lungs. Took a step. Then another.

Rowan and Sidney snuck in behind her. She had a feeling they’d waited in case she needed them.

Fifteen short steps were all it took to get to Jace. His crystal blue eyes on her made her want to turn away, but this was her wedding day. Fake or not, she would find the strength to stay.

The ceremony went by in a blur of words fighting to break through the pulse pounding in her ears.

Jace took her hand and tried to push the small diamond on, but her fingers were shaking too hard. Talk about embarrassing.

“You got this,” Jace whispered and steadied her hand so he could slip on the ring.

“I do,” he confirmed as the pastor asked if he took her as his wife. Jace’s wife. A mixture of emotions hit her, but she didn’t focus on anything except how amazing it felt to hear him say those words. It was like a fantasy come true.

Then it was her turn to push Jace’s ring onto his finger. It went gently and she couldn’t stop herself from studying it there, Jace’s hand in hers.

She couldn’t think about anything else.

“You’re not deciding how to tell me no, are you?” he teased and she realized she’d missed her line.

The pastor asked again. “Betsy, do you take this man to be your husband?”

“I do,” whispered past her lips and she found herself wishing she’d said it louder.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Betsy’s heart dropped. Yes, she had known this would happen. They’d talked about it, but talking and doing where two different things.

It’s not real, it’s not real, it’s not real.

Jace’s finger hooked beneath her chin and lifted her head. “Hey,” quietly brushed past his lips.

“Hi,” she returned.

He leaned forward and her heart jumped, but then his mouth moved close to her ear. “Don’t worry. I’m good at this.”

A smile stretched across her lips a second before Jace’s mouth found hers. He kissed her once, twice. They were closed-mouth kisses, and she wondered if he was getting her used to it.

She returned the small peck with one of her own, feeling the heat of it down to her toes, and that was when his tongue teased her mouth. She opened for him, tasting Jace on her tongue.

Mint and, somehow, strength. Her hand balled the fabric at his waist and squeezed as her body took over and she pushed up on her toes. A wave of dizziness hit her as she kissed Jace—the man she’d wanted forever—for the first time. Her body singed with heat. She wished it could go on forever and wondered if he could possibly be feeling as incredible as she did right now. Somehow this kiss made her feel sexy.

Oh yes, Jace was very good at this.

Much more quickly then she would like, Jace’s lips eased away from hers and everyone started clapping and cheering. Happiness she should ignore bubbled inside her. But she wanted it. Was it too much to ask for?

Jace grabbed her hand and they turned to face the crowd. Betsy smiled out at her friends. Rowan and Sidney were both wiping tears from their eyes. Breck was smiling, his hand on Rowan’s belly. Kade stood behind Sidney, holding her as he nuzzled her hair.

Betsy turned to Jace. He smiled, but his eyes? They were creased. His jaw tight. Body firm, reminding her that her friends were happy for no reason. They were excited over a lie.

Of course they weren’t going on a honeymoon. Jace was too busy at work, they’d said. They were waiting until the summer. January wasn’t the best time to travel, was it? Everyone swallowed their excuses as they congratulated them. Jace still held her hand, but not tightly. Not in a way that felt like he wanted to, like he couldn’t
not
be touching her.

Breck, Rowan, Kade, and Sidney ate dinner together in the large dining room at Jace’s—at
her
house. She would be living here now, so she’d better get used to calling it hers or people would wonder. And it was sort of exciting at the same time. She was sharing a home with Jace.

They had the get-together catered, which she thought was a little extravagant, but that was Jace. He liked nice things and he was used to having them. It didn’t bother her, but it was just another way they were from completely different worlds. Rowan had wanted to cook, but Betsy felt bad making her fuss like that. Especially when it wasn’t real.

Luckily everyone else made up for the conversation, since she and Jace were practically silent. It was a struggle to form words when she couldn’t help remembering the feel of his lips on hers, and wanting to savor his taste. Betsy glanced at him often, trying to read the look on his face and wondering if he could possibly be thinking about it, too.

When the plates were cleared, Jace looked at her, questions in his eyes. She nodded, hoping he was asking what she thought.

“All right everyone. I hate to be a jerk, but we’re kicking you out. I’d like to have my wife to myself now.”

“We see how you are,” Breck teased. “Don’t you let him start slacking on the job, now that he’s your husband. We all know how this guy can be.”

“Hey, I’m her boss. Not the other way around,” Jace replied and they all laughed. It was a joke, she knew it, but the urge to say,
I would never do that! This won’t affect us at work!
still surged inside her. Betsy had worked her butt off to become a legal assistant. It was one of the only things she really had, that she’d really worked for and gotten on her own. What if people wondered whether their relationship had been going on longer? That her getting the job was because of it? She was good at what she did and she never wanted anyone to question their working relationship. The thought made her ill, as around her, things continued, no one aware of her inner turmoil.

Breck and Kade clapped Jace on the back, congratulating him again. Sidney was first to pull her into a hug. Her friend’s arms wrapped around her more tightly than they ever had and Betsy let out a breath. She was so thankful to have them. These people who cared about her and loved her.

“I’m so happy for you,” Sidney whispered in her ear.

“Thank you.”

Sidney gave her one more squeeze before Rowan took over. “You look so beautiful. You’re going to remember this day for the rest of your life.”

Guilt burrowed deep into her bones. She hated lying to her friends. “Thanks,” she replied.

“I’m still mad at you for not giving me enough time to make your dress.” It was obvious Sidney wanted to say more than that. They’d asked her already why everything happened so quickly, and her excuse had just been that they couldn’t wait. They were in love. Believe it or not, her friends weren’t calling her on it.

Sidney playfully swatted Jace on the arm. He gave her a small nod in return and shuffled them out.

And then they were alone. On their wedding night.

“You did great today,” Jace told her.

“So did you.” It felt like a silly reply, but she didn’t know what else to say.

Jace scratched the back of his neck. “This is slightly surreal, isn’t it? We got married today, B.”

He didn’t sound upset about it, and not exactly happy, but just…shocked, maybe? Or still trying to work through it all.

“I mean, I obviously knew it was going to happen, but we did everything so quickly that I think it’s just really hitting me.”

“That’s understandable. It’s a lot to take in.” It was for her too, though she wasn’t sure if their reasons were the same. Still, he didn’t sound upset and she did understand what he was saying.

“Is there anything you need? I know you brought your things here earlier, but do you need help finding something or anything like that?”

Betsy eyed him as he spoke, surprised at the way he seemed to be looking at her mouth instead of her eyes. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking. “No, I’m good.” A yawn escaped her.

“I’m exhausted, too. I think I’m going to turn in.” Jace unfastened the top button on his shirt as he spoke. Well, that could definitely be a benefit of them living together.

“Okay.”

“Make yourself at home. I mean, it is your home. Whatever you want, okay?” His eyes darted around the room and she missed the feel of them on her mouth.

“I don’t need anything.”

“But you might. If you do…”

“Okay,” she said again.

Jace looked like he was going to say something but didn’t. He only moved to the switch by the door and turned off the light. They walked into the formal living room, Betsy moving to the stairs as he turned off the other light. The one from the hallway in front of them lit her way enough to make it to the room he’d showed her earlier.

Jace was right behind her as they walked up the stairs and down the hallway, Betsy stopping at the second room and Jace going to the master across the hall. Her hand was on the doorknob when she heard, “B?”

Betsy turned around. “Yeah?”

“Thanks for everything.”

“You’re welcome.”

He looked like he was going to walk away again, but stopped. “You looked lovely today.”

Betsy smiled, trying to keep it at that rather than the giddiness that wanted to take her over. “Thank you.” She wondered if she was blushing, but right now, she didn’t really care. Maybe this would be okay after all. Betsy had been through a lot in life. She could handle this, too.

Who knows, maybe she could even enjoy it.

Chapter Four

Jace stood by the window and watched heavy sheets of Washington rain come down. He’d been up since about four a.m. He’d never needed much sleep and today he couldn’t have closed his eyes again if he wanted to.

His wife slept across the hall from him. Not that he’d expected to share a bed with her. He didn’t. That would be the biggest mistake they could make, and he would never take advantage of Betsy like that, so he focused on what really mattered.

He had a wife. A
wife
. One who he’d never kissed until his wedding day, yet it hadn’t left his mind since. Jace hadn’t expected that. Not at all.

“Damn you, Wallace.” Jace sucked in a deep breath, fogging the window. His reaction to their kiss complicated things, and he could think of no one to blame except his grandfather. The truth was, enjoying the feel of Betsy’s mouth against his scared the hell out of him. Jace hated the fear inside him. He didn’t do fear and feeling it frustrated him, whether it should or not.

Pushing off the wall, he headed to the door. It was eight o’clock on Sunday, the day after his wedding. All Jace could think about was a hot shower, hoping it would relax him.

His new wife was most likely awake as well.

Or maybe Betsy slept in on the weekends. He didn’t know those little things about her, and though he liked people not knowing details about him, something made him curious about the same in her.

Jace made his way into his bathroom and turned on the water. He always had his showers just as hot as he could stand them
.
Did I take the kiss too fast? Too slow?
“Shit,” he mumbled, trying to push it from his mind.

After stepping out of his clothes, Jace climbed in, determined to push those thoughts from his head and make today like any other day. The last thing he wanted was to be in a bad mood and have Betsy think it had something to do with her. He stood under the spray for a few moments, soaking it in before grabbing the soap and lathering up.

And that was when the water went ice cold. “Holy shit.” Jace jumped backward, his foot slipping in the bottom of the tub. He felt his legs start to go out from under him, but luckily he reached up and caught himself on the shower wall before he went down.

Sliding the levers all the way to hot, he still felt nothing but freezing water belting down at him. And all of a sudden he knew exactly what it was. Why was she downstairs running the dishwasher so early?

Grumbling, Jace rinsed the soap off, hoping the cold didn’t permanently freeze off some of his equipment. He was definitely in a bad mood now. The second he was clean, he jerked the handles, dried off, and then got dressed.

Was a hot shower too much to ask for in the morning? Shouldn’t she, like…ask him before she washed his dishes?

Jace left his room and took the stairs quickly, and when he turned the corner, he caught Betsy as she almost slammed into him. “You just about gave me hypothermia up there. It’s an older house with old plumbing. You can’t run the dishwasher at the same time as the shower.” Even to his own ears his voice sounded sharp, but he couldn’t seem to help it.

“Oh…I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“If there’s anything you’re unsure of, just ask.” Again, why was she cleaning his kitchen to begin with? Maybe the better question was why did he have to be such a jerk about it? Christ, he was even worse than he thought he would be when it came to living with a woman. His mouth didn’t seem to get the memo, though, “I planned on washing the dishes.”
It’s because of the kiss. I’m griping at her because I was thinking about the kiss
…

At that he saw one of Betsy’s eyebrows raise. “I’m sorry. I assumed when you said to make myself at home, you meant it. God forbid I do the dishes.”

It was those last words that broke through Jace’s annoyance and he suddenly felt really ridiculous. He looked at Betsy; she had her arms crossed. It looked like a smile wanted to crack the frown on her face, but she wouldn’t let it. He heard the words he’d just said repeat in his head. Saw how he probably looked, stomping out of his room like a child. He opened his mouth to apologize, but the words didn’t come. Instead, he laughed.

Betsy followed right behind him, her soft giggle parting her lips. He shook his head, still laughing, and was surprised when she rolled her gold-flecked eyes at him.

Finally he managed to speak. “Hell, I’m sorry. I’m obviously not easy to live with.”

“I’m sure it was just the effect of the cold water. It’s been known to do that to people.”

Jace studied her, wondering what she was thinking as she half teased him and half excused his silly behavior with a joke. Her reply made him even more curious about her. “Thanks for the excuse, but I’m pretty sure my behavior is all on me. Maybe it will keep things interesting around here?”

Playfully, she shook her head. “I’m sure it will take us both some getting used to.”

Her hair was straight again, and he found himself remembering those curls. She wore a knit cap pulled low and pants with a sweatshirt. “It will.” He nodded. “Where are you off to?” Then he wondered if that was something he should ask or not.

She stilled slightly at that, making him wonder if it was indeed something he shouldn’t ask her. “I have some personal things to take care of.”

Her non-answer stung, though he didn’t know why. It was her business, not his. She had a right to her privacy. Jace gave her a simple nod.

“I should go. I don’t want to be late,” she said. Jace stepped aside and Betsy practically ran for the door.

He stood in the same spot, wondering what just happened, or if he’d really done something wrong. The only thing he did know was he’d enjoyed laughing with her. It had completely wiped away his bad mood.

…

The whole drive to visit her mom, Betsy tried to wrap her mind around this morning. She’d been shocked at Jace’s annoyance and then angry right back until suddenly, they were laughing together.

Already things were different living with Jace. She had never really seen the side of him she’d witnessed that morning—the quick burst of frustration, which was quickly followed by the Jace she knew…only still different. Maybe it was that it felt more personal, standing together and laughing in a home they now shared. She wasn’t sure it was smart to let herself focus on that or not.

So she tried not to think about it the rest of the way to Mom’s. Easier said than done.

Betsy stalled in the doorway to her mom’s room, watching her. She knew she looked so much like her mom—the brown hair, the smile, the nose. They were even similar in height.

The only traits she got from her dad were her eyes. The big dark brown eyes that her mom said were so kind they drew people in. Made her look innocent. Betsy needed to stay innocent and not be like her dad, who’d used those eyes to get what he wanted. Who’d used them to lure her mom in before he hurt her.

She shivered. As if her mom somehow heard it, she turned around.

Betsy immediately pulled her hat off and let her hair fall forward, partially shielding her face.

“Hi, Mom. How are you?” Slowly, Betsy walked into the room. She never really knew what her mom’s mood would be. Most of the time she was fine—happy to see Betsy. Her mother loved her. She’d always known that and always would. But there were those times when the darkness took over, when she couldn’t fight her demons and she would switch from the loving mom who, yes, had a hatred of men but was basically sweet, to angry. Spewing words of hate and other random things that made no sense to any sane human being.

Betsy hated those times. She hadn’t even known paranoia could be an actual diagnosis until she finally got her mom help.

For the millionth time, she cursed the father she’d never met. The man who’d taken her mom’s innocence. Broken her spirit and forced himself on her.

For hurting her.

Logically she knew her mother must have had emotional issues before. Betsy couldn’t imagine being raped, but her mom couldn’t have been completely stable to begin with. It wasn’t like that caused the paranoia.

“Mom?” she tried again. This time her mother smiled at her and Betsy’s heart crawled up from her stomach to take its place in her chest. She wasn’t sure if she could have handled a bad day today. Not after coming off the emotional roller coaster that was her wedding.

“Hi, baby. It’s nice to see you.” She sat in the corner of her room, writing. It was times like this, when things looked so normal, that Betsy could almost forget what they’d been through. As long as she stayed on her medication she was usually okay. Betsy savored these times.

“You too.” Betsy walked over and sat across the small round table from her. As she always did when she saw her mom, she ached. It was so unfair, the way life went sometimes. How something bad could have an effect on so many lives. Her mom in a home and Betsy alone. Though if things hadn’t happened that way, Betsy wouldn’t be where she was—with a job she loved and friends for the first time. Something as small as the way she and Jace hung out at Lucky’s with their friends. She hadn’t really had a life before coming to Shamrock Falls.

The weight of the wedding ring weighed her pocket down as she sat at the table.

“I have a secret,” Mom whispered to her.

“Really? And what is that?”

Her mother leaned toward her. “I’m going to try and get out of here.”

The hairs on Betsy’s arms rose. “What are you talking about? You can’t leave. It’s good for you here. We’ve talked about this.”

“I can if you tell them I should. People watch me in here, Betsy. You don’t see it. They’re tricking you and they won’t let me go easily, either.”

No, no, no. Please don’t do this.

“If I do exactly what they say and pretend I don’t notice, they won’t catch on. They’ll think everything is okay and then when you tell them it’s time to take me home to live with you—”

“When? You know I can’t do that.” Betsy fidgeted, hoping to avoid getting too upset.

“I don’t belong here. You know I miss you. We did well together; we’re a team. Don’t you love me, Betsy? Don’t you want me to live with you?”

Oh God.
What was she supposed to say? How did she deal with this? “Of course I love you. That’s why I found this place for you. It’s beautiful. You’re very lucky to be here.”

“I am?” her mom asked sweetly, and Betsy let out a relieved breath. They were safe from an outburst for now. If not, her reassurances would have been met with anger and not simple curiosity.

“You are. I promise.”

“What’s wrong? You’re not being yourself today.” Her mother reached across the table and grabbed her hand, changing the subject that quickly.

“Nothing. I’m fine. I think I’m coming down with something. I feel a little achy and my head hurts.” Wasn’t she becoming such a huge liar now?

“Are you drinking hot tea? You know how that makes you feel better.” The kind smile on her mom’s face made Betsy do the same. Hot tea had been her mom’s cure-all. Any time she hadn’t felt well as a child her mom had always made her hot tea. It was a good memory. She tried to hold onto those when she could.

“I’ll make some as soon as I get home,” she promised.
Home
. That made her remember the fact that she was going home to Jace. That thought perked her up. She yearned to laugh with him again liked they’d done this morning.

Betsy stood.

“You’re not doing something you shouldn’t, are you?” her mother asked, and the clouds Betsy had just been thankful they’d escaped now stormed over them. “That’s how I knew he’d put you inside me. I was sick. Sick as a dog for days.”

The blood in Betsy’s veins turned to ice. Her mom didn’t look angry, so Betsy didn’t feel afraid. It was shame clawing and scratching its way through her. Shame for being born and for marrying Jace.

“No, Mom. I’m not doing anything. I know better.” The words tried to stick in her mouth, but Betsy forced them free. She hated lying, but over the years she’d learned to. It was the only way to have any kind of life. The only way to keep her mom on even ground.

Another smile. A head shake, and then she stood and hugged Betsy. “I know, sweetie. I don’t know what came over me.”

A noise behind them made Betsy pull away. It was one of the nurses. The females were the only ones allowed to take care of her.

“I have your medicine, Olivia.”

Betsy took that as her cue to leave. The problem was, she didn’t know what to do now. She already knew Jace was wondering about where she went today, so if she went home upset, he’d ask questions she couldn’t let herself answer. It wasn’t as though she wasn’t used to spending time alone anyway.

…

The next day, Jace walked into the office with Betsy’s coffee in hand. They hadn’t ridden together to work, and briefly he wondered if people would think that was weird. Shamrock Falls was a small town. Other businesses were close by, and people drove through town all day. They’d see both cars there consistently.

And honestly, he knew it was strange. They lived together, so why couldn’t they carpool?

“Here you go, B.” Jace handed her the cup. Their fingers touched and he briefly remembered the brush of her lips against his.

“Thank you.”

“We wouldn’t want you to go without your coffee fix.” Jace winked at her.

Betsy smiled before looking at her computer as she spoke. “We wouldn’t want that. It’s even worse than being threatened with cold water.”

Jace chuckled and shook his head. “Low blow, B. Low blow.”

Things were slightly awkward between them at times and smooth at others. It was a new facet to their relationship that they would have to try to work out together. He’d been able to tell she was upset after coming home from wherever she went the other day. He had no idea if it was something that happened there, or something he did, but Jace hadn’t asked. She obviously didn’t want to tell him and it wasn’t his business to push.

A soft sound came from Betsy’s purse. She fumbled, grabbing her cell and looking at the screen. Her lips tightened.