Prelude of Lies (6 page)

“Um. I don’t know. Oh. I told him I wouldn’t sleep with him no matter how much I wanted to. You know what, sis? I don’t hate men as much as I thought I did.” She leaned back in her chair, content.

“Neither do I.” Daisy let out a defeated-sounding sigh. “Neither do I.”

Sunlight spilled in the window, and Sydney squinted against the pain in her head. Why was she sleeping in her clothes and why were her hands so dirty? The night came back in fragments, starting where they started and ending with the last bottle of wine. Laughter and the great time she and Daisy had, which was good since she didn’t remember the later part of the night.

Still, if you couldn’t get drunk and stupid with your sister, who could you do it with?

Except for the headache, better now that her eyes had adjusted to the light, she felt damn good.

Until she remembered Marshal’s visit and what she’d said to him. He told her he was going to act like it never happened in the morning. Great. She’d basically challenged him and he was going to ignore it. She didn’t know how she felt about that.

Yelling from outside forced her to the window. Daisy and Tucker stood in the middle of a campsite not far from the cabin. Daisy’s hands flew wildly, but Sydney couldn’t see her face. What was Daisy freaking out about, and should she get involved?

The next thing Sydney knew, Marshal rushed into her bedroom. Last visitor she needed. She hadn’t brushed her teeth or her hair yet, and still wore the dirty-kneed jeans from tending the fire last night. Great impression.

“Daisy is reading Tucker the riot act about something.”

“Do I need to go?” Sydney tried to see around Marshal’s bulk, but failed.

“Not yet. Maybe soon.” Marshal stayed at the window. “Stop worrying about your hair. You’re beautiful. You were beautiful drunk, you’re beautiful now, and you’ll be even more beautiful waking up beside me.”

“Wha-What?” Did he really say that?

“Sorry. I know I said I wouldn’t mention what you said to me last night. I couldn’t resist. I feel like you’ve offered me some sort of challenge and I want to take you up on it.”

Oh. My. God.

“What challenge?” Maybe pretending she didn’t remember would work.

“Nope. You know exactly what you said to me. What you don’t know is what holding you from falling in the fire did to me. Maybe if we take care of this attraction we’ll all be able to get some work done.”

“I’m not that kind of woman.” She wasn’t sure what to think.

“I know. You want to be. Just once. Think about it.” He moved away from the window. “Daisy’s coming. Tucker’s following. I’m getting out of here.”

“Shit. Me, too.” She locked herself in the bathroom as the front door banged shut.

By the time she emerged, Tucker would either be gone, or in Daisy’s bed.

Which did she want for her sister? Sydney had no idea even though she thought about it the entire time she showered. Thinking about Daisy’s love life was far easier than replaying Marshal’s seductive comment. She still wanted him, despite her sober status this morning.

What did that mean?

Daisy wasn’t anywhere to be found in their cabin when Sydney returned from the bathroom. Sydney wondered if they’d gone somewhere private, until she saw Daisy at Marshal’s cabin. A black truck took up the space behind her car and Sydney rushed outside to find out who had arrived. They were expecting three different contractors for estimates on the bathhouses, but they weren’t due to arrive until noon.

Daisy raised her hands in a symbol of frustration as Sydney rounded the corner. “I’m telling you she’s not here.”

Uh-oh. She should have stayed away.

“Then who is that?” The man gave Daisy a superior glance and turned toward Sydney.

“Good morning. I wanted to talk to you face-to-face since our phone conversations usually end with you swearing and hanging up on me.”

Oh. Shit.

He held his hand out. Sydney refused to take it.

“Jace? You have a lot of nerve showing up here. Especially after your nasty little tricks the other night? Did your grandmother put you up to them, or are you trying to stay in her good graces so you get more money when she dies?” Maybe a tad too nasty, but it was better than slapping him.

Confusion crossed his face. “What? Grandmother has nothing to do with my visit. What are you talking about?”

He could not be that stupid. “Duh. What does your Grandmother
not
have to do with this? Go away, Jace. We have nothing to talk about.”

Why did he have to be so handsome with his dark hair and blue eyes? And well-dressed? And why did he have a smile that melted her toe nail polish? He was the enemy and she had a headache.

“You always say that and, yet, here I am with unfinished business to discuss with you.” The man practically oozed charm. Sydney had to remind herself he worked for Vile Violet or else she would have smiled back.

“See? That’s the part you don’t get. We have no business with you. This was my grandfather’s land. Your grandmother conned my grandfather and now she wants his hard earned heritage to go to her family so it can be turned into a casino. Trust me, that’s never going to happen.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

CHAPTER 6

“What? You cannot be that stupid.” Sydney quelled the urge to punch him square in his solid chest.

“Grandmother tells me she’s made you a fair offer for Brookside and that you verbally accepted her terms. Now you’ve changed your mind? My grandmother is a powerful woman, Miss Brooks. I don’t think you want to make an enemy of her.” Jace folded his arms over his chest, though his words were calm and lawyer-like.

Why did this man always make her think violent thoughts? “Your facts are seriously wrong. I suggest you check them. Your grandmother is lying to you. Surely you’re a better lawyer than that? I have nothing else to say to you.”

The shock on his face almost made her laugh. She might have, if her insides hadn’t already incinerated because of her fury. Damn Violet. And damn Jace.

Yeah. That was it.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Daisy faced Tucker. His stunned expression almost made her wish she had approached him a little differently.

Except with his crew constantly around, she hadn’t had any choice but to wait until he came out of the bathroom. She’d snagged his arm as he exited, still buckling his belt and whistling.

“What are you talking about?” His irritation rose to the occasion pretty darn quick.

“The baby. Why didn’t you tell me there was no baby? Was what we had so bad?” She wrestled the hurt into anger, wanting answers more than his comfort.

“What? You knew. Jackie told me she told you.” He did seem confused. As if that would save him.

“And Jackie never lied? Give me a freaking break, Tucker. She wanted you back bad enough that she faked being pregnant and you believed her? I didn’t know until Sydney told me.” He could not be that stupid. Could he?

“Okay. So that was stupid. It was no secret though. I can’t believe you didn’t know.” Tucker gave her an accusing stare.

“Why would I care? Obviously you didn’t. Obviously I didn’t mean enough to you for you to come and tell me yourself. Why are you here, Tucker? To hurt me more?” Daisy almost lost her careful control over the tears.

“I was embarrassed. I felt like a jerk for being so irresponsible, even if the baby was a lie. I’m here for some closure. I can’t seem to forget you.” His volume lowered and cut Daisy to raw bone.

“Why didn’t you just call me? This is stupid, Tucker. A simple phone call. ‘Hi, it’s Tucker. She’s not pregnant. Can we talk? I still want to be with you.’ It’s as easy as that.” Daisy acknowledged the stab of guilt low in her stomach and it didn’t feel right. Maybe it wasn’t quite that simple.

“Well. The thing is the baby scare really made me think about my life and what I want. You were always adamant about not having children and that was okay with me. Until I thought I was going to be a father. Now. I don’t know. I think I would like a family.” He didn’t meet her eyes.

“Oh. So you need closure from me so you can go out and find someone to have your babies? Because you know how much the thought of turning into my own birth mother scares me and you know I have no desire to repeat her mistakes? You can’t even talk to me? You’re just going to give up on what was a really great thing? Fine. I gave you everything, Tucker. I told you everything. I trusted you. I can’t believe you’re even here.” She turned to leave.

He caught up with her before she cleared the stand of trees behind the cabins. “Daisy, wait. I’m a jerk. I know that. I came here thinking I could put my feelings for you in perspective and I’m even more confused than when I got here.” He looked into her eyes.

She threw her hands up, unable to continue the pointless exchange. She was out of here. He grabbed her arm and she ended up against his chest. His breath brushed her cheek and despite the pain radiating through her, she relaxed as his lips found hers. His kiss tasted like home and she leaned into him, missing him and everything they had together.

“Sorry. I can’t. I just need time, Daisy. I don’t even know who I am right now.” He walked away.

Daisy’s head hurt. There had been more yelling in this quiet setting than she could bear and her heart hurt more than it had when Tucker had left her to be a daddy to his nonexistent baby. He didn’t want her.

And she didn’t cry. Yet.

Sydney’s argument with Mr. Fancypants had ended right after Tucker had kissed Daisy. She’d thought about going to help but when she realized Jace purposefully baited her sister, she backed off, hoping Sydney would get the clue on her own. The effect was far different from when Graham pushed her buttons. With Graham, Sydney stayed coherent and logical.

Jace made her speechless.

The whole scene had been pretty amusing, except for the way Marshal slammed things around. Interesting.

Sydney stormed by with one of the Tarzan-like screams she employed when frustrated, her face a mask of rage. Daisy knew better than to follow just yet and set off down the path toward the front gate. Maybe a walk would help her figure out what Tucker had been trying to say.

When she returned, Graham stood by the campfire ring, obviously waiting for her. Daisy wondered if anyone had heard her confront Tucker.

“Why is everyone so crazy here today?” he asked, loud enough for Marshal to hear.

No wonder Sydney always wanted to punch Graham.

Daisy snorted. “Get a life, Graham.”

“I’d have one if you’d give me the time of day.” This time, he was quiet, his words meant for only her.

“I thought you wanted Sydney.” Could this really be happening?

“Get a life, Daisy.” He smiled and she saw the sincerity and fear in his eyes.

“Just go out with me once. Let me take you away from this cursed campground and out on the town. We can get to know each other and figure out if there’s anything there.” Charming.

Shit. What was she going to do?

She liked Graham, and he was damn fine to look at, but a date? Crap. Did she even like him enough to think about it? Tucker obviously didn’t want her. Would it be wrong to take care of her own happiness for a change?

“You need to give me some time, Graham. There’s a lot going on here and I’m not sure what to do about any of it.”

“No problem. I’m not giving up. I think there’s something between us we need to explore. Think about it. You know where to find me.” He touched her face, leaving her more confused than ever.

Hoping Sydney had calmed down enough to talk, she opened the cabin door and peeked inside. Sydney caught sight of her right away.

“I can’t believe the nerve of him, showing up here after everything he’s done and then acting so innocent and clueless.” Sydney paced around the table in their cabin.

“Don’t let him get to you. Violet has him wrapped so tight around her finger. He’s as horrible as she is. What did Jace want anyway?” She probably shouldn’t have asked that.

“To talk. He wants to know why we’re going back on our verbal agreement with Violet. I swear, he acts like he has no idea what’s going on here.” Sydney shook her head.

“Weird. Another tactic to spy on us, I’m sure.” She stood and grabbed the specifications for the contractors. “What are you going to do then?” She already knew the answer and wondered if her sister was being smart.

“I’m going to call him and meet with him. On my terms. Not here, just in case he is spying. I’m going to be nice, polite, and do my best to figure out just what the heck he’s up to.” Sydney’s head hit the table again. “What happened with Tucker? I heard you yelling.” Sydney seemed to shake off her encounter with Jace, or at least she pretended to.

“I have no freaking clue. Apparently, this whole project is supposed to help him find closure from me. Apparently, he feels conflicted after thinking he was going to be a father. Apparently, now he’s even more confused. Apparently, he now wants to be a father no matter how adamant he was about not bringing anymore children into a world with so many troubled kids already.” Now it was Daisy’s turn to bonk her head on the table.

“And?”

“Apparently, I have no fucking idea.”

Daisy spent the rest of the day repeating herself to contractor after contractor. Sydney had disappeared with a crushing headache after the second man finished telling them that a casino would better serve the community. Daisy had politely thanked him and then crossed his name from the list. Even if his estimate undercut all the others, she would not hire him. She’d even told him to mail the proposal instead of dropping it off as she’d invited the other companies.

With the extra ten grand from Gramps, they’d be able to do more than they’d thought. Depending on how the next inspection went, they very well could end up in the clear.

Or not.

One of the plumbing contractors had remarked on how terrible their wiring was. The electrician wasn’t due for a few more days. And then there was the pool, recreation building and main office to think about.

Daisy tried to concentrate on the website she was designing. Checking for messages from prospective customers and updating their progress on the blog. Hopefully, their tiny web presence would help build a customer base. As soon as they knew an exact opening date, she’d finish the advertising.

Maybe they’d have a full house by opening weekend.

Her hopes crumbled by the time the sun went down.

A thunderstorm rolled through, the first one since she and Sydney had moved in. There’d been light rain, spring rain, but not the torrential downpour that knocked out the electricity and pushed the roof off of Cabin C. Trees fell and the new plantings were under water.

The electricity had gone out with the first flash of lightning and according to the electric company’s dispatch, it would be morning until crews could come out and assess their situation. Daisy had no hopes that the problem didn’t come from their antiquated system. The generators had come on and then died just as quickly. Outdated and expensive to replace. Daisy sighed.

No power meant Marshal and his crew couldn’t film or record tonight. Or process any of the footage from the two nights they’d already filmed. It also meant she couldn’t continue to work on the website under battery power, since the satellite dish that had only been installed yesterday crashed to the ground in the wind.

At least Sydney had emerged from her migraine and Daisy had slept through most of the storm. Now there was nothing to do. Unless you were Sydney, then the possibilities were endless as long as Marshal was involved.

Ron and Eric had disappeared in one of the vans at dusk. She didn’t even want to think about what they were up to about now. And she still didn’t think Marshal had a clue that his best crewmembers were very into each other. Daisy wondered when they were going to tell him and then decided it was none of her business.

Marshal knocked once before entering the cabin. “Let’s go.”

Daisy stood, wondering what was going on.

“Both of you. Let’s go. The wood is wet. There’s no power, and I’m starving. Let’s get out of here before we go stir crazy. I’m buying.”

Daisy jumped up, noticing the purposeful way in which Sydney complied.

Sydney slowly walked in front of Marshal, as if challenging him. Besides the arch of his eyebrow, he said nothing. Oh. This should be an interesting night. Her sister was torn between a man she lusted after and the picture of her ideal mate.

Daisy couldn’t wait to see this play out.

Then again, she was in the exact same situation. Tucker or Graham. Sydney would smack her if she even mentioned going out with Graham. Hell, she’d smack herself. They’d promised each other if one of them hated their boyfriend, they’d take that as a sign of impending doom and break things off.

Maybe not logical, but it worked in sister world.

Of course, Sydney liked Tucker and hated Graham.

Daisy liked Marshal and hated Jace.

They were doomed.

She was even more doomed when Graham jumped into the backseat beside her. And worse, Graham wore faded jeans and a T-shirt that showed off every muscle of his chest and arms. He was like a dream and Daisy had a hard time keeping her eyes to herself.

Marshal hadn’t mentioned the addition, making them think he was the only one from his crew going along. Then Dave squeezed in and Daisy decided to make the most of the night. She relaxed in her seat, trying not to let Graham’s sexy closeness affect her, and told herself she was going to have a good time.

Sydney couldn’t believe she’d blindly agreed to go out tonight. Now that Graham, even though he was a pain in her ass, and Dave had piled in the backseat with Daisy.

Sydney relaxed some. The thought of making small talk with Marshal while Daisy observed hadn’t sat well.

Daisy would probably have critiqued her methods and given her tips for improving her flirting skills. Somehow, Sydney thought Daisy was going to have her hands full with Graham.

Graham had the hots for Daisy. Sydney didn’t know if her sister realized that yet. She certainly wasn’t going to tell her. Sydney didn’t hate Graham as much as she thought, but he still got on her nerves. Maybe that was because he followed her sister around like a dog in heat and Daisy didn’t even notice. The guy was pathetic. At least he was handsome. She’d have put him out of his misery if he’d been any less.

Marshal stopped in front of a local eatery, known for good local talent and killer wings. Not many cars filled the parking lot, which was good. Sydney wasn’t thrilled with crowds. Especially crowds in a bar. She liked to actually hear the people she talked with. She knew this place. At least she thought she did as a memory of coming here with Gramps surfaced.