Summer's End (Wildflowers #5) - Jill Sanders Page 0,50

something appropriate and on time.” He glanced back at her. “Both of you.” He lifted his hand and waved as if to shoo them away.

“No.” She shook her head and moved closer to him. “I’m no longer yours to command. I rushed here because I was led to believe that you’d died. I didn’t give a fuck about your money. I never have.” She motioned towards the doorway. “Bridgett does. She’ll do anything she can to get every last dime of yours, which she will spend on frivolous things and, within a year, no doubt, go through the majority of it. If that’s even possible.” She touched her father’s shoulder. “You were never really a father to me, but I won’t stand by and let that woman ruin another man’s life.” She dropped her hand. “Whatever happens, I’ll do everything in my power to stop her from manipulating you.”

“What happens to my money is—”

“As I said,” she interrupted again, “I don’t give a damn about your money. Give it all to charity, throw it in the ocean, shred it.” She threw up her hands. “But I’ll be damned if I let you give that bitch one cent more.”

“Well!” Bridgett gasped from the door, then rushed over to hold onto Harold. “I told you this was a bad idea, inviting her. She’s just jealous.” Bridgett wrapped her arms around Harold and almost toppled him over. “You heard her. She’s going to try and break us apart.” Bridgett turned on her. “I love your father. Nothing and no one can stop us from getting married.”

Aubrey laughed. “Care to bet on it?” She turned and stormed from the room.

Aiden caught up with her as Martha held out her jacket for her.

“Are you okay?” he asked her as they stepped out into the cooler air. The clouds had covered the sun, and she could tell that the rest of the evening would be chilly.

“No.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I have to…” She stopped when he put his hands on her shoulder. Something close to a cry escaped her, then his strong arms were wrapping around her, holding her as she shook. She didn’t know if it was anger or fear, but just knowing Aiden was there for her helped.

“I have to call my sisters,” she said into his shoulder.

“We have three hours,” he reminded her. “I bet you have a fancy dress that you can wear for the party, but I didn’t pack a tux. Not that I have one, but if we’re going to play along with this new game…”

She nodded. “You’re right. Get us a car. We’ll head to the shops while I fill everyone in on what’s going on.”

She pulled her phone out of her purse and took a deep breath before punching Zoey’s number.

“Hey, how was your flight?” Zoey asked cheerfully.

“Good. Can you get everyone else together and put me on speaker phone? I need… to fill you all in.”

“Sure,” Zoey said. “Is everything okay?”

“I’ll let you know all at once.”

“Okay, hang on,” Zoey said. Aubrey listened as Zoey got on the walkie-talkie and called everyone to meet in Elle’s office. Then she heard Zoey making her way to the office herself.

“Did you see your father already?” she asked as she walked.

“Yes,” she sighed.

“Was it everything you’d hoped?” Zoey asked.

Aubrey chuckled sarcastically. “More.”

“We’re here,” Elle called out, and the phone was changed to speaker.

“Everyone?” she asked.

“Yes,” everyone answered one by one.

She had just climbed into the car and told the driver to head to the local shops she knew her father used for his own suits and tuxes.

“You’re shopping?” Hannah asked.

“Yes, apparently my father is holding a party in a few hours.” She glanced over at Aiden, who nodded encouragement to her. “The party is his engagement party.”

“What?” Several voices rang out.

“What is he? Seventy-eight now?” Elle asked.

“Something like that,” Aubrey answered.

“Who the hell would marry him?” Zoey asked.

“A bitch,” Aubrey responded, “by the name of Bridgett Rowlett.”

The line was completely silent and for a split second she thought she’d lost the connection.

“What the hell!” several people shouted all at once.

“You’ve got to be kidding me?” Zoey picked up the phone and almost yelled in the speaker. Aubrey had to pull the phone away from her ear.

“No.” She rubbed her forehead and closed her eyes. “I’m afraid I’m not.”

“How the hell did she and your dad meet?” Elle asked.

“Good question. I was hoping you guys would have some time to do some digging. We’re busy buying a tux for