The Heart of Texas (5 page)

Chapter 9

The plane landed after lunch, the Texas sun hot and welcoming after the cold Vancouver air.

"What now?" Jack said carefully as they hurried towards the chauffer-driven car waiting for them. His nerves were on edge, the start of a headache lurked behind his eyes, and he just wanted this to be over.

"I emailed the best photo and the report on the wedding to the
Times,
" Riley replied quickly.

"You did
what?
" Jack's temper rose quicker than the sun heating the back of his neck, and Riley backed away, his hands up, placating.

"We need to announce it somehow. I just did it anonymously."

"My family doesn't even know!" Panic laced Jack's voice and fear clenched in his stomach. Why the hell had Riley done something so stupid, and without discussing it with Jack first. His family should hear it from him first. "I need to tell my freakin' family, you idiot! They are gonna go crazy when they see it, and you just— shit." He had no words for the stupidity that was Riley freakin' Hayes. Biting his tongue, Jack climbed into the chauffer-driven car and spat out directions to the ranch. He looked out at Riley expectantly. The man was standing there, unmoving, bags at his feet. His expression was thoughtful, and he was twisting his new ring nervously.

"Yours first, then mine," Riley finally said, and Jack nodded, eager to be doing
something
.

* * * *

"Momma, you know Riley." Jack had planned and practiced the whole way home:
Mom, I'm married. Mom, I fell in love. Mom, I am trying to save Elizabeth. Mom, Beth is pregnant.
Nothing worked in his head. Nothing.

"Riley," she said, smiling prettily. Her hands were covered in flour, cake mix sat in a porcelain bowl, and Jack's heart swelled with pride. His mom was so beautiful, so quiet, and serene and he was so proud of her. She would understand what he'd done. He only had to tell her. Tell her what he'd agreed to for the sake of the family.

"I have something to tell you," he said softly.

"What, darlin?"

"I'm married, Momma. I met Riley a while back. We didn't tell anyone because —Momma— Before I knew it, I was married."

Silence.

Jack reached for Riley's hand, and she watched as Riley looked down at Jack with something in his eyes, something that might almost be gratitude, and she knew. She closed her eyes, tears spilling from them, her hands clasped. A soft sigh left her parted lips. "Jack, what did you do?"

"Momma."

"Tell me." Her voice caught, and she swallowed. "Tell me you married for love."

Jack leaned into Riley, who rested a hand on Jack's hip in a small gesture of support. "I married for love, Momma."

Donna was still crying, but she pulled both men in for a hug, leaving flour on their shirts. Jack watched Riley, who seemed nervous and unsure where to put his hands when his momma hugged him. "Welcome to the family, Riley."

They stood there for a while, until Jack coughed and looked to somehow change the subject.

Jack broke the silence. "Where's Beth, Mom?"

"In the sunroom, sweetie. She's tired, looks very tired." She pursed her lips, worry creasing her brow, and she turned back to her baking.

"Should we not disturb her?" Riley asked softly.

"No, I need her to see. I need you to see her."

They moved into what was euphemistically called the sunroom— a brick built extension to the main ranch house, spilling with hothouse flowers and the smell of summer.

Jack crouched next to a dozing Beth, taking her hands into his own.

She blinked awake, her eyes red.Had she been crying?

"Jack?" Her voice was drawling tired, but her smile glowed. "Did it go okay?"

"Hey, Beth, I need to talk to you. You all right with that?" Jack waited for her to nod and then just jumped in with what needed to be said. "I lied to you," he said gently, watching her expressive eyes widen with questions. "I wasn't on a business trip. I was away with my boyfriend," he added. Beth looked up and past him to the man standing at his back. Jack had never seen her pale so quickly.

"Your—" Her voice faltered. "That's Hayes, Riley Hayes. Jeff's— Steve's friend."

"Riley was… my boyfriend. We've been seeing each other quietly for a while now."

"Riley?" she said wonderingly, looking back at her brother's face. "
Was
your boyfriend?"

"He's my husband now," Jack said. It was like ripping a Band-Aid off a wound. It was the only way. Just get it out there, in the open.

"Jack?"

"We were in Canada, and we got married." He kept his voice soft, and he winced as her fingers tightened on his and she pulled herself to stand. She was a small woman, no more than five feet two. But she drew herself up to her full height and leaned away from her brother's support. Her back straight and her face blank of emotion, she faced Riley with a challenge in every inch of her.

"Are you your daddy's boy?" she asked plainly, easing farther away as Jack reached for her. Both men knew what she meant, and Jack sent a pleading look to his new husband.
For god’s sake, lie to her.

Riley inclined his head, moving a step closer

"No, ma'am," he finally said. "I am not my daddy's boy. I am my own man."

She closed her eyes briefly, and nodded almost imperceptibly. It seemed that Riley had said the right thing.

"How long have you been seein' each other?" she asked. "Momma and Josh— do they know?"

"About two months," Riley said smoothly, again reaching for Jack. They had talked about this in the car on the way over. Jack hadn't been with anyone for nearly six months, and Riley's flings could maybe be written off as cover-ups if really questioned, if they were pushed.

"That's quick," she commented, moving back to the chair and sitting down with a small sigh.

"Momma knows. We just told her, and Josh is next."

"He won't take it well. He has little respect for the Hayeses."

Jack felt Riley stiffen beside him, and Riley's hand felt hot entwined with Jack's, his fingers flexing.

"He holds nothing against them," Jack said calmly, although that was perhaps a small exaggeration. Neither of the brothers hated the Hayeses family in general in the truest sense of the word; they just hated what had happened to their dad and how he had let the more prominent Texas family tear down almost everything they owned.

"It won't be easy," she said, nodding. "But for what it is worth, Riley Hayes, I love my brothers, and the kind of men they are. They won't make your life miserable for the sins of your father." Jack smiled, dropping Riley's hand and leaning down for a kiss from his sister.

"When did you get so wise, Elizabeth Ann?"

"About the same time you and Josh told me the tooth fairy took teeth even if they hadn't fallen out, Jackson Robert." They chuckled quietly, and Jack touched his fingers to Elizabeth's stomach, feeling the soft roundness of it. He wanted to scoop her up and protect her forever.

"I'm guessing we have stuff to do now," he whispered low in her ear, indicating her belly.

Beth grimaced. "Hospitals and stuff," she replied just as softly, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

"Tell me when, and I'll take you."

"I will, though Steve said he's gonna come to every one with me." She gave that secret smile only Jack had ever seen, the affection she had for her friend Steve shining in her eyes.

Jack dropped a small kiss on his sister's nose and stood, stretching tall. Then he reached for Riley's hand, anything to keep the charade alive. They said their goodbyes, and after leaving with another hug from his mom, he handed out the address for his older brother, knowing that this was going to be the hard one.

Chapter 10

Riley sat back in the car, massaging the hand Jack had held. He was quietly shocked at how natural it had seemed for Jack to bask in the approval of his mom and sister. He wondered if his mom would even care, or if his brother would have anything but derision for what he had done. And whether his dad was actually going to let him leave the building alive when he revealed his latest life decision.

Surely they had something in common, this Riley and this Jack. They both had older brothers, so Jack must know what it felt like to be bullied and bossed around and treated like the lesser man.

"So your brother? Is he a bit of an idiot as well? Do you argue a lot?"

"Josh?" Jack looked at him in frowning surprise. "Hell, no. Why would we?"

"Your sister said…" Riley's voice trailed off.

"Oh. Yeah, well, he won't understand why I married you. You. A Hayes."

"Because?" S
tupid question but best to get it out there.

"Usual shit I guess." Jack shrugged. "But no, Josh and I —and Beth— we're close. Always have been. After our dad died, we got closer. Josh is living and working away, but that makes no difference. He's married, got two kids," he added awkwardly.

"Same as Jeff."

"His wife, Anna, and his kids, Logan and Lea. they're a good family."

"He's a lawyer, right?" Riley remembered something Jim had said in their final meeting for the contract, something about how he knew Josh would have a fit if and when he read some of the clauses.

Jack smiled proudly. "Yep, worked his way through college and law school, and is at a law firm in Fort Worth. Does a lot of pro bono work. Doesn't make a lot, but enough to support his family and do good with his skills and his education. Anna was his childhood sweetheart."

"Aaah, the American dream." Riley tried to keep the cynicism out of his voice "Two point four kids, the picket fence, the station wagon and the dog." Jack glared but didn't answer, and Riley subsided into silence, watching the pastures of the D pass by until they reached the main road and turned left, away from the D and away from the city.

* * * *

When they reached the outskirts of Fort Worth, the chauffeur took a sharp right and stopped at a cluster of single story buildings, each distinctive in shape as if a small child had mixed and matched Lego pieces into a colorful huddle. Jack jumped out of the car, and walked up to the one with the sign proclaiming Selkirk & Unwin, Attorneys-at-Law, waiting until Riley caught up. He opened the door and walked into a small reception area, Riley on his heels.

Jack paused. His brother's office door was open. Josh's back was to him, the phone cradled between his neck and chin, and a folder was open in his hands. "Okay, I have instruction that, on this occasion, we will settle, but it's gonna be for the full amount… Not if I have anything to say in the matter… I don't care how big they are… My client will sign off on that…. Agreed."

He placed the phone and the folder on the table and sighed, pushing hands through his hair. It was longer and darker than his brother's, but the reflection in the glass-fronted bookcase in front of him told Riley Josh's jaw had the same stubborn jut. Riley tensed in anticipation of an upcoming confrontation.

"Hey," Jack said loudly. Josh jumped and turned, hand flailing and smacking Jack on the arm.

"Shit, J," he spluttered, blinking as he took in not only his brother, but also Riley behind him. He frowned, looking back at his brother cautiously. "What's wrong?"

"I wanted to introduce you to someone," Jack started, and Josh glanced past Riley, as if expecting a third person to appear.

"I know him," Josh said warily. "We've met before."

Riley extended his hand, and Josh took it in a firm grip. "Josh," he said carefully.

"Hayes," Josh replied, just as carefully.

Jack put out a hand to grasp at Riley's. "Actually," he began, "it's Campbell-Hayes."

Josh didn't even blink. "Riley," he said evenly. "Would you please give us a moment?"

Riley nodded, and the moment he walked out of the room and closed the door behind him, the shouting started. He tried not to listen, but that was impossible, given that two pairs of healthy lungs were doing the yelling. He also wanted to be inside, where he should be, if only for appearance's sake.

"He's not even gay for fuck's sake!"

"Josh—"

"Have you seen the papers? He's got a different woman every freaking night!"

"He's bi, Josh."

"And he's settled on you, the son of his dad's enemy?"

"He hasn't settled; we're in love!"

"Love. You love him? Jesus, J!"

"What? A gay man can't fall in love?"

"Jack, that has nothing to do with it! He's a Hayes, for fuck's sake! Don't you remember what they did to Dad? Falsifying records, lying about land purchases, buying his way out and leaving Dad in the cold? Don't you remember some of the shit Gerald did to Mom?"

Riley had heard enough. He opened the door to see the two brothers in an angry face-off.

"As I answered your sister, Josh, I'm not my father," was all he said. He waited until Josh visibly relaxed. "Your brother and I… We're happy. We want to make this work. Do we have your support?"

Josh closed his eyes briefly, but not quick enough for Riley to miss the battle that warred in them. He finally opened them again and nodded, pulling his younger brother in for a hug. "Shit. I'm happy if you are, kid. If you're really happy?"

Riley watched the brothers embrace, and something inside him twisted. Jeff had never held him like that— supportive, protective, caring. The way brothers should be.

"I'm happy."

Chapter 11

The ride back to the city was quiet, each man on his side of the car, both lost in thought. Riley watched the outskirts of the city begin to build from his side of the car, a store here, a house there, a mall. It wasn't truly dark. It never was. The night sky was alive with the lights from the skyscrapers in the beating heart of Dallas. They were mirrored in the river, starkly, majestically beautiful, and Riley loved it. The magic of the city was, as always, running with the blood in his veins.

He made a decision. He would not tell his family today. Every time he thought of the Campbells and how they had welcomed him into the family, with questions, yes, but with acceptance, Riley's heart clenched. Jack was not going to be as lucky with his family, he knew that, and despite the whole point of the marriage, regardless of wanting to rub his dad's face in what Gerald didn't want for his middle child, he did not want to see them tonight.

They passed the outside edge of the city and, after fifteen minutes, were at the main Hayes house, home to Gerald and Sandra and their perfect kids. It was quiet and dark. He doubted Jeff was at home: he never was. He assumed Lisa was somewhere in there, probably under the influence, given it was already 9 pm, and the kids were with the nanny in the back wing. He knew his mom was out; it was Foundation night for one of her many charities. Riley wasn't sure why she did so much, unless it was for the kudos, but when it came to those good works, her energy was unflagging. He knew where his dad was; Gerald was inevitably away with his current affair du jour. He didn't hide it. Everyone knew. His mom knew, but as long as she had the name and the prestige and money that went with it, then she was clearly happy to let her husband do what he wanted.

The car stopped on the circular drive. The chauffeur opened the door and lifted out the two bags, offering a wide smile which Riley didn't return. He just nodded to dismiss him. He was unable to find the words, despite the fact that normally he would spend time to talk, to ask about the daughter who had just left for college. Tonight, well, tonight all he wanted was to move inside, into this mausoleum he called home, and shut his door on the world. He caught Jack's frown, saw him return the chauffeur's smile and gave the man a quiet, "Thanks." He could almost hear the thought,
Jeez, Riley, you're a rude entitled asshole.

* * * *

Jack followed Riley in the side door. It led into a spacious boot room, immaculate and tidy and nothing like the boot room at the ranch. There were no jackets, no freaking boots, no dirt, nothing to show that anyone actually used the space. He said nothing, just followed in Riley's footsteps to a large hallway. Crystal chandeliers hung from high ceilings, and a marble staircase wound up from the entrance hall to the first landing. It was icy perfection, spotless.

No letters sat on the hall table, no
Quarter Horse News
magazines piled haphazardly, no newspapers. Jack sighed inwardly, missing the casual warmth of his own home compared with the stark airless hotel that this was.

Riley took the stairs three at a time, his long legs eating up the curved steps. Jack followed at a more sedate pace, passing arranged fresh-cut flowers placed just so on a middle step. Riley turned left at the top and strode down a long corridor. He opened a door, turned on the lights, and gestured Jack inside. After Jack walked in, Riley leaned back on the closed door, tired-eyes and frowning, and Jack looked around at the room.

It was larger than the entire floor he shared with his sister and mom, separated with carefully placed furniture. It looked like a designer's idea of a den. There was a small library area, a huge flat screen TV, large red sofas, and thick red drapes framing floor to ceiling windows. Jack couldn't see anything outside apart from the faint and distant glow of downtown Dallas. It was unnerving that they would be framed outside from the light in the bedroom if anyone cared to look. It was kind of sparse as a living area, white where it wasn't blood-red, empty of anything welcoming. It probably cost a fortune for some decorator to create.

"I'm guessing this is my home now?" Jack finally said, his drawl more pronounced as the last few days started to catch up with them.

Riley nodded. "Master bedroom, adjoining bathroom," he recited, waving casually at various doors. "Separate extra bathroom, second bedroom, games room, this room, and that's it." He frowned at Jack's thoughtful grunt. "What?"

"Which one is the guest room?"

"That one." Riley indicated a door to the back of the large room, but stopped Jack with a hand on his arm as he started to walk towards it. "We're both in the master," he said simply.

Jack opened his mouth to argue, noticed the stubborn set of Riley's mouth, and sighed inwardly.
Well, it was worth a try
.

"Show me," he said. Riley obediently opened a door and flicked on the light. Then he leaned on the frame, leaving barely enough space for Jack to get by.

Is the dumbass trying to be irritating, or what?
Jack bit back the snide remark that wanted to be said. Maybe Riley was having second thoughts about sharing the room with a gay man? Who was also his husband, even if it was in name only. That was fine by Jack, but he didn't intend to put up with the man being a jerk. He pushed past, maybe a little too close, his thigh brushing against Riley's hard-muscled leg. Jack kept his voice low and growling as he near-whispered the words he knew Riley had to be thinking.

"How are we gonna cope with being in the same bed with no sex for a whole year?"