Finders Keepers (32 page)

Authors: Fern Michaels

BOOK: Finders Keepers

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In a daze, Jessie reread the letter.
Laissez les bons temps rouler.
Let the good times roll. In spite of herself, a smile tugged at the corners of Jessie's mouth. She proceeded to blow the biggest bubble she'd ever blown in her life. “It was for you, Sophie,” she whispered as she picked the sticky gum off her cheeks.

Jessie fit the key into the ignition. She was about to pull into the street when she cut the engine and ran into the brownstone. “Mrs. Fisher, do me a favor please. If a young man comes here, will you tell him I went to New Orleans. Tell him if he wants to marry me, he can find me there.”

Jessie made one stop at the post office to send off Sophie's purse and Arthur Mendenares's notes in a large envelope she purchased at the counter. She wrote HOLD FOR JESSIE ROLAND on the envelope after she addressed the envelope to herself. According to Sophie's will, the household help would stay on till the end of the year unless she made other provisions.

In the car, she turned the radio on as loud as it would go. She continued to chew the bubble gum, which had lost its flavor.

“You just watch me, Sophie Ashwood, I'm going to build you a bridge that will blow your socks off if you're wearing any. I'll do it, too. I promise.” The bubble she then blew was the size of a grapefruit.

Laissez les bons temps rouler, Sophie Ashwood.

On a sultry, steamy Monday morning, Jessie Roland married Tanner Kingsley for all the wrong reasons.

The five-minute nuptials took place in the exquisite garden of the house that once belonged to Sophie Ashwood. The bride wore a rainbow-colored afternoon dress and a small white veil. If the judge or the groom thought it strange that the bride chewed bubble gum throughout the brief ceremony neither mentioned it.

Jessie leaned back in her sand chair, her eyes on her husband. “I want to thank you, Tanner, for going along with . . .”

“Hey, it's okay. I really enjoyed those twenty-four hours. We did everything your friend wanted. It was nice in a sad kind of way. You'll hold on to your memories and in time you'll stop blaming Sophie for cheating you. That's what you're doing even if you don't realize it. Sophie didn't cheat you, she cheated herself. It takes guts to make it through the days. We don't live in a perfect world. There are no perfect people. We're all human. I'm speaking for myself here.”

“I know all that. Sophie loved jazz, the rich Creole food. She was so . . . earthy. She never let on to anyone about how rich she was. She was always doing good things for people and never, ever, took credit. I don't know if I'll ever understand the why of it. Life is so precious.”

“Who inherits? Did Sophie leave you anything?”

“Her favorite black Chanel handbag full of bubble gum. I'm sure one of these days we'll hear about it all. This is a nice place you picked out. I like the little villas as opposed to a hotel room.”

“Are you saying I did something right?”

Jessie smiled. “When are you going to tell your parents?” “I'll call later. I wanted you with me when I did it. Are we hoping for a boy or a girl?”

“It doesn't matter to me. What about you?”

“I just want it to have all its fingers and toes.”

“We did the right thing, didn't we, Tanner?”

“I think we did. I'll try to be the person you want me to be. I'm sure I'll falter along the way just the way you will. Nudge me if that happens. I'll do the same to you. Neither of us is perfect, Jess. There are no guarantees. I can handle it. Can you?”

“I believe so. Tanner, I just want to be happy. I don't want to stand on the edge like Sophie did, believing there were no other options. I want us to be a family. My own wasn't all that happy. I suspect yours wasn't either. I want our child to be loved by both of us, and I want him or her to love us. It's all I want.”

Tanner moved his sand chair closer to Jessie's. He reached for her hand. “You look as tired as I feel. We partied for twenty-four hours, slept ninety minutes, and drove here nonstop. I say we take a snooze under this beach umbrella and make wild, passionate love when we wake up.”

“I think that's a marvelous idea.” Unable to hold her eyes open, Jessie murmured “Do you love me at all, Tanner?”

“I wouldn't be here if I didn't,” he muttered sleepily.

“Why is it so hard to say the words?” If there was a reply to her question, Jessie didn't hear it.

“We're home, Mrs. Kingsley.”

“Temporary
home, Mr. Kingsley. Five weeks, Tanner.”

“I hear you, Mrs. Kingsley. Ready to take on the lioness? She's had five days to get used to the idea that I'm married. Her roar will be on the dull side. I'm glad you gave in where the party is concerned.”

“I agreed because of your father. I understand he wants to show off his only son's wife. It's important to him to have his friends from Washington come to the party. I'm glad he decided not to retire.”

“The doctor encouraged it. Pop needs to be doing something twenty-four hours a day. He'll take it easy. That was one of the conditions. You'd look really beautiful if you'd smile.”

Jessie flashed her teeth in a wild grimace. “Let's get it over with.”

“They're here,” Angus Kingsley shouted to his wife.

“So they are,” Alexis Kingsley said.

The senator hugged Jessie and whispered in her ear. “I'm so happy for you, my dear. Irene said you two were meant for each other.”

Alexis's voice was cool, on the verge of frost, when she said, “Welcome once again to the Kingsley ranch, Jessica.”

“It's temporary, Mrs. Kingsley. Five weeks to be exact.”

Alexis's eyes narrowed. “What does that mean, Tanner?”

“It means we'll be here for five weeks. Not one day longer. Jessie and I want our own place.”

“That's ridiculous. It's also a blatant waste of money when we have all this room. I already have contractors working on the second floor. You'll have your own suite of rooms. With the exception of a kitchen.”

“Sorry, Mother. Jessie doesn't want to live here. Actually, I don't either. You won't like a child underfoot. It's settled, Mother.”

“Angus, speak to your son. It is not settled.”

Before the senator could speak, Jessie voiced her opinion. “Yes, Mrs. Kingsley, it is settled. I know you don't like me. I have no intention of walking on eggshells around you. Nor do I want to constantly watch what I say when I say it. I want a small house that I can make comfortable and cozy. I don't like this house. It reminds me of a space museum. I'm not comfortable here. I'm sorry if that offends you. If I had a choice, I'd choose a hotel for the five weeks. If you don't mind, I'd like to take a shower.”

“Well, I never . . .”

“Guess she told you, Alexis. The girl has grit. That's why I hired her in the first place. I warned you they wouldn't want to live here. Did you listen to me? No, you did not. Now, that slip of a girl has made a fool of you.” The senator chuckled. “Space museum. I never knew quite how to describe this house. She's right. By, God, she's right. Better call off those contractors.”

“Shut up, Angus!”

The senator turned his back on his wife.

“You're enjoying this, aren't you? She's a nobody, a nothing your son had the misfortune to impregnate. She worked in an office for a paltry salary. It won't last. Tanner has a roving eye like you, Angus.”

“You are one hateful woman, Alexis. How do you stand yourself?”

“You made me what I am, Angus. You made me the laughing stock of Corpus Christi. It was and still is all I can do to hold my head up in public. Everyone in this county knows you carried on an affair with Irene Marshall all our married life. Don't ever tell me I'm a hateful woman again. If you do, I'll see that you regret it.”

“Go to hell, Alexis.”

“Where do you think I've been all these years?”

“You made your own hell. I'm warning you, Alexis, don't interfere in our son's life. You already alienated our daughter and me. Tanner is all you have left. If you get your claws in him, you will come to rue the day. If that happens, I'll sell this ranch to Luke Holt, and you'll be out in the cold. I'll do it, too.”

“Don't threaten me, Angus. I won't tolerate it.”

“As I said, Alexis, go to hell.”

“Bastard!” Alexis shot back

“Bitch!”

Jessie's eyes were wary when she opened the door to admit her mother-in-law. She waited.

“Tanner and his father are downstairs. I was wondering if you would like to wear my pearls this evening. If they don't go with your dress, I'll understand.”

Jessie blinked. Was this a peace offering? If it was, she was woman enough to meet Alexis halfway. “You tell me, Mrs. Kingsley, do they go with this dress?”

Alexis cast a critical eye over the designer dress Jessie had chosen for the evening's festivities. “I think so. It's a lovely dress. You hardly show at all.”

Jessie smiled. “I feel like a blimp.”

“Here, let me fasten the pearls. Yes, they look wonderful. Shall we go downstairs and have a cocktail before our guests arrive?”

“How many people are coming, Mrs. Kingsley?”

“About 150.” Her eyes glittering, she said, “Think about all those presents you'll get to open.”

“Presents? People are going to bring presents!”

“Of course. I just love gaily wrapped presents. They're so mysterious until they're opened. Be prepared for at least a dozen toasters. Not to worry, we can exchange them for something else. Would you mind terribly, my dear, if I made a suggestion?”

“Not at all.”

“Do you have other shoes? This is just my opinion, but I don't think the shoes you're wearing go with your dress. They seem so . . .
cloppy
if you know what I mean. The dress calls for something, vampy, strappy, a higher skinnier heel so they look more sexy. Your shoes are a pump with a fat heel. Shoes are very important. What size are you?”

“Six and a half.”

“My size exactly. Wait here. I have just the thing and I've never worn them.”

Jessie kicked off her pumps. She was right, they didn't go with the dress but were comfortable.

Alexis returned waving a pair of satin sling-backs. “What do you think?”

“What I think is I'll probably break my neck.”

“You'll be sitting most of the evening. Later on you can come up and change if they start to bother you. Ah, that's perfect! You look stunning!”

“Ah . . . thank you. You look”âJessie struggled for just the right wordâ“elegant.”

Alexis smiled. “We are our own admiration society, aren't we. Come, it's time to go downstairs. Be careful of that long skirt so it doesn't get caught in your heel.”

At the top of the steps, Alexis called downstairs. “Gentlemen! Gentlemen! Allow me to present the newest Mrs. Kingsley. Isn't she stunning! Curtsy, Jessie,” she whispered in her ear.

Jessie smiled self-consciously as she prepared to curtsy. She felt Alexis's hand on her back, her eyes widening in shock as she lost her footing and toppled down the steps.

“Dear God! Angus, Tanner, call the doctor, the ambulance. Call somebody. Don't touch her, you could do more damage,” Alexis screamed as she rushed down the steps.

“Jessie, don't move. Pop is calling for an ambulance. Everything's going to be okay. Just don't move, honey. Mother, what the hell happened? You were right there.”

“She fell, Tanner. I never should have given her those shoes. They were perfect for the dress. She must have tripped on the carpet. I'll get a blanket. We don't want her going into shock.”

“Jessie, look at me. Hold my hand. Jesus, Pop, look how white she is. She's going to be all right isn't she?”

“Of course she is, son. Jessie is a strong girl. Where is your mother?”

“She went to get a blanket. She said something about Jessie going into shock. How long before the ambulance gets here?”

“Ten minutes. Possibly less. Maybe more. I don't know, Tanner.”

“Shouldn't we be doing something?”

“Keep her calm. Are you in pain, Jessie.”

“Her eyes are rolling back in her head. What does that mean, Pop?”

“Son, I'm not a doctor. What I do know is we need to keep her awake. Talk to her. I'll go and see what's keeping your mother.”