drive truck pulled into the long driveway.
The rig slowed to a crawl and then stopped beside Tommy’s truck. Rental plates decorated the front and Tommy knew in his gut it was his client.
He strode to the front door and threw it open, pulling it closed behind him as he walked through.
Overnight snow had collected in a light dusting over the landscape, giving the impression of fresh and clean renewal. Normally that sensation was saved for spring, but a fresh new snowfall left things almost too clean feeling.
Down the steps and across the walkway to the drive, and Tommy waited impatiently at the head of the new car.
Ms. Halliwell climbed out of her rental and shut the door. The older woman took care of herself and dressed like she had money and knew how to spend it. The fur-lined jacket snugged against her modest curves and highlighted the color in her cheeks.
She held out her hand as she approached Tommy, her smile professional and more than a little cool. “Tommy. It’s nice to see you again. I trust you’re making headway in our joint venture.” It wasn’t a question, but the challenge to explain what he was up to and what he’d accomplished so far was strong.
He’d checked that morning in his bank account and things still hadn’t been delivered. She’d said something about the money coming in by the afternoon.
Tommy tucked his hands in his pockets and offered a derisive smirk. “I’ll tell you all about our venture as soon as my bank clears the amount you said you transferred.”
She arched an eyebrow at Tommy and folded her own arms as she studied him. “You’re getting cynical, Declan. That’s good. Maybe it will help you focus on the task at hand.”
“If you’re not going to pay me, I’m going to bow out. I might just share the information I’ve gathered with the Deans and Wilsons. That’s how cynical I’ve become. You lied to me about what this was. I’m not even sure I want to continue with the way things are, money or not.” The first chance at real honesty and Tommy took it in both hands and held on tight.
He didn’t want to work for Ms. Halliwell. Not anymore. Not when he’d just found out she was the mother of the woman he was falling for. And that mother hadn’t done right for her family.
Wait, falling for? Tommy couldn’t be falling for Amanda. That was a formula for torture and pain and he wouldn’t survive the repercussions when he failed in keeping her.
“Ah, you’re understanding that you can’t tell Amanda. You can’t tell any of them, or you lose everything you’re starting to see that you want.” Jennifer laughed and rolled her eyes. “You men are all so stupid. You think with your heart instead of your head. Or you want things that you shouldn’t and go after them until you get them and then let them get away.” She shook her head, brittle pain shattered in anger.
“Why do you care? So, Mr. Dean isn’t Amanda’s father, what do you stand to gain from that secret getting out?” Tommy narrowed his eyes. She’d figured out his culpability. He wasn’t going down alone.
“You get me that key and I’ll show you and the whole town what it means to me. All of you will see. And those kids? They’ll see just how betrayed they really are and it’s not by me.” She lifted her hand and tapped her finger on her chin as she studied him. “It’s okay, Tommy, to fall in love with my daughter. She’s beautiful. They all are. They’re mine. I just thought for sure you would have known that I’m not the one lying. You’re in deeper than me. I’ve never lied to them. Not about who or what I am. They know. It’s obvious I want nothing to do with them. You’re pretending to be something you’re not to a woman who has only ever known dishonesty from very specific people. Her entire existence is based on a lie in fact. You think she’s going to chase after you to find what she abhors? It doesn’t work that way, Declan. You know it. So, don’t take your anger out on me. Get the job done and move on.”
She pursed her lips and then sighed, dropping her hands to her sides. “Look, I’m not the bad guy. That’s just what they see, what they know. They don’t know my side of things. I didn’t love David.