A Week Till the Wedding (19 page)

Ted didn’t have a personal life any more than Jacob did.

He dialed on a direct line, and Ted answered.

As soon as Jacob spoke, Ted interrupted and began his rant. “Where the hell have you been! Hudson’s been calling you, and he’s furious that you haven’t called him back.”

“Hudson’s always furious,” Jacob said. “And I’m on vacation. I need a favor.”

“A favor. You leave me here all alone...”

“You’re hardly alone.”

“It feels like I’m alone when they expect me to do your job
and
mine. So, what’s it like to be on vacation? It’s been so long I don’t really remember.”

“You should try it sometime. Now, about that favor. I need you to track down the purchaser of a particular property here in Bell Grove.”

“You can’t do that from your end?”

“Eventually, but with your connections through the office you should be able to find out details quicker than I can. Besides, I have my hands full here.” Between Daisy and Grandma Eunice and the upcoming reunion...Jacob had to wonder how any man managed to balance a demanding job with a family.

“Blonde, brunette or redhead?” Ted asked with a smile in his voice.

Definitely blonde
. But instead of responding to the question aloud, Jacob told Ted what he knew about the sale that had ripped Daisy’s business out from under her. Daisy hadn’t even considered that the name Tasker had been dropped like a bomb, when in fact no one from the family was involved. Someone was trying to set him up.

Why?

Daisy had been so quick to believe that it was him, that he’d stoop so low to get what he wanted. Her. She didn’t have a very high opinion of him if she truly believed he’d manipulate her that way. After the way things had ended last time, maybe she had good reason. He’d chosen his career over her and Bell Grove. And he did do whatever was necessary to get what he wanted. But before he left town he wanted to make sure she knew he wasn’t the one who’d bought a chunk of downtown and run her out of business. For all the good that would do him.

Jacob realized with a sinking heart he’d be leaving town alone, when the reunion was over and he’d done his duty to the family. But when he left Daisy would know without a doubt that he hadn’t been the one to force her out of the building where her family’s business had been operating for twenty-plus years.

Would she feel at all guilty when he proved himself innocent, or would she just be glad to see him go?

Chapter Thirteen

L
ily hadn’t bothered to pack much for her trip. The overnight bag she’d brought with her had some toiletries and a pair of pajamas. When Daisy asked, Lily said she had more than enough clothes in her old closet. They were going to have to talk about that, Daisy decided, thinking about the dress that had shocked the Taskers and driven Jacob into overdrive. Lily had never been shy, she loved the shock factor, but some of her clothing choices were outrageous.

They were too busy on Wednesday night to talk much about plans, but as Daisy cut and styled hair Thursday, and Lily made a Going Out Of Business sign and called customers who’d left things behind to be repaired and had never picked them up, Daisy’s mind spun wildly.

Bell Grove was her safety net; this shop was her parachute. She was comfortable here, so comfortable she’d stopped growing. Now that she realized what she’d been doing by trying to keep her parents’ memories vibrant by living their lives, it seemed so obvious. And so wrong. Maybe that’s the reason Jacob had seemed so attractive to her, for a while. He had been a way out. Nothing more.

In between customers and friends who saw the sign and stopped by, she and Lily made plans. Lily’s Atlanta apartment was a two-bedroom, two-bath, so no problem there—though she did note that eventually Daisy would want her own place. Having a big sister around would seriously cramp Lily’s style. Lily had already chosen a couple of men she thought were Daisy’s type, and had been talking about blind dates. These were men she’d rejected, most likely, though she didn’t say so. Daisy didn’t even want to think about men, but Lily was already talking about double dates, making plans for nights out in Atlanta.

Which made Daisy think of her date with Jacob, and how foolish she’d been to believe for a minute that they had something more. At the moment she couldn’t even imagine dating another man, much less getting involved in a serious relationship. Apparently she didn’t do relationships well. Maybe she was destined to be the spinster sister, always alone, watching while her sisters moved on with their lives and she remained stagnant.

The opposite mindset from the one she’d been searching for when she’d allowed herself to get involved with Jacob Tasker again.

At the end of the day, she and Lily walked home together. Daisy was still sad about Jacob, sorry she’d accused him of being the one to buy the building and still not a hundred percent sure he hadn’t been involved, even though she wanted to believe him. Obviously she didn’t trust him enough to pick up where they’d left off seven years ago. The sex was great, but it was all they had. How could she love him and like him and need him and not trust him? What was
wrong
with her?

Atlanta was sounding better and better. She’d get away, start fresh and leave behind this little town where she felt safe. Here she was sheltered from the outside world. She didn’t want to be sheltered anymore.

But apparently she was not averse to running away...

Lily was preparing dinner when Daisy decided to call Jacob. It wouldn’t be easy, but she needed to talk to him. No matter what had happened, they needed a plan. Miss Eunice, Miss Vivian...all the plans they’d made that involved more than the two of them...she couldn’t just walk away. Naturally he didn’t answer the phone, and Susan—who’d answered with a formal “Tasker residence”—was less than cordial. No surprise, there.

It didn’t take Jacob long to get to the phone, and when he spoke his voice was cool.

“I’ve been thinking about tomorrow,” Daisy said, trying for a nonchalant voice. “I don’t want to disappoint Miss Vivian, and we do have your grandmother to think of, so I suppose one more dinner is in order.”

He agreed.

“And after dinner, we will tell Miss Eunice that we’re not going to get married.”
Not now, not ever.

“It won’t take,” he said sharply. “Trust me, I’ve tried.”

“Maybe if we tell her together she’ll understand.”

After a short pause, he said, “We can try.”

She paused herself, for a long moment. “I know I said I’d help, and I do feel so bad about the situation with your grandmother, but we need to make the truth stick. Somehow.” She took a deep breath. This should be easy, but it wasn’t. “I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to be in town. I hope to be gone by the time the Tasker Reunion rolls around.”

“Where are you going?” His voice was emotionless, distant.

“To Atlanta, with Lily. With the shop closing...”

“The shop doesn’t have to close,” he interrupted sharply. “I’m trying to find out who’s behind the sale, and then...dammit, Daisy, I’ll buy the place myself so you can stay. You don’t have to run away.”

“I’m not running away,” she argued without heat, denying the accusation even though she’d had the same thought. “Not really. I’m moving forward. It’s time. To be honest it’s very much past time.”

“Is that what you want?” His voice was crisp, distant. Was this the same man who’d whispered in her ear, held her, danced?

“Yes.”

“All right, then.”

“Dinner tomorrow,” Daisy said as she prepared to hang up. “The regular time?”

Lily called out from the kitchen. “Tell them to set another plate. There’s no way in hell I’d miss this shindig.” She should’ve known her sister had been eavesdropping.

“Did you hear that?” Daisy asked.

“I’ll make sure a place is set for your sister. It’ll be a big night. Caleb is arriving tomorrow, too.”

“The more the merrier, I suppose.” Daisy wanted to tell Jacob that she was sorry, that she’d made a terrible mistake...and she would. But not over the phone. And not when he sounded like he was already more than two thousand miles away.

* * *

Caleb arrived shortly after lunchtime, parking his pickup truck next to Jacob’s rental car. Dressed in jeans that had seen better days and in need of a shave, he made his way reluctantly to the front door. Those long legs could take much longer steps. He didn’t have to look as if he were marching to the electric chair!

Eunice watched from her window. Caleb had so much potential. He’d had a good education, but he’d wasted his knowledge on starting a small construction company. A Tasker, working with his hands! Caleb was no dummy, she knew that, but he was as stubborn as the day was long.

He needed a wife himself, one more suitable than the first bimbo he’d been married to for a few weeks. When she was finished with Jacob she’d fix Caleb’s life for him. First a decent job, then an appropriate wife.

Eunice felt as if she were the hub of a creaking wheel that was on the verge of falling apart. Three of her four grandsons were so far away; they had separated themselves from the family. And Ben...bless him, he tried hard, and he had remained near home and with the company, but he didn’t have the strength to hold the family together when she was gone. Jim...well, she’d given up on her son long ago. He wasn’t exactly a wastrel, but he didn’t miss the mark by much. The future of this family rested squarely on the shoulders of her grandsons.

Maybe she was faking this latest illness, but Eunice was very well aware that she wouldn’t live forever. She had a few good years left, God willing, and she wanted to see her family solidly knit together before she left this world.

First Jacob...then Caleb. She wondered if he’d be as cooperative as his younger brother.

* * *

Daisy tried to convince herself that this would be easier than it had been so far. Knowing that she wouldn’t be here much longer, knowing there wasn’t a drop of truth in the charade, should make playing the part of Jacob’s bride-to-be a little less painful. Oh, she still wanted him, she still yearned for him in a place she tried very hard to deny, but now she knew that when he left—again—she wouldn’t be staying behind. She’d be moving on, too. There would be no time for moping.

Away from Bell Grove she’d be able to completely leave the past behind. She wouldn’t be reminded of Jacob Tasker everywhere she looked. She’d have a new life, in a new place, where she’d meet new people and make a new home. It was a little scary, she’d admit, but it was also exciting. With Lily there she wouldn’t be entirely on her own, so she’d have the best of both worlds.

She’d been working toward a degree in elementary education, seven years ago, and she
could
go back to school. But after suffering through hundreds of children’s haircuts, she wasn’t sure teaching was the career for her. She could pick a new field of study, or do as Lily suggested and try her luck as a hairdresser in a more competitive market.

The world was wide-open; her life was unplanned.

Lily let Miss Vivian have the front seat; she happily climbed into the back. Vivian’s hair was brushed and braided and twisted. Lily had insisted on applying a little bit of makeup, and the older woman had not protested. She wore a Sunday dress, squat black pumps and pearls. Daisy was surprised; she’d never seen Miss Vivian wear any jewelry other than her wedding ring. She looked downright respectable, every inch the proper Southern lady.

As they drove toward Tasker House, Daisy gently told Miss Vivian how she and Jacob were pretending to be engaged to placate Eunice. She should’ve done it sooner, but it wasn’t an easy thing to explain! Vivian was shocked to hear that her old friend—and enemy—had degenerated to such a point. She was silent after that, thoughtful as she stared out the passenger window.

Lily wasn’t at all silent. She never was. She talked about Atlanta, the apartment, selling the house. As they turned onto the long driveway with Tasker House at the end, Miss Vivian turned to look—no, to
glare
—at Daisy.

“You’re moving to Atlanta?”

Lily answered. “She doesn’t have much of a choice. Some Tasker bought the building out from under her.”

“There are other buildings,” Vivian argued.

It was Lily who responded. “Yeah, but it would be a hassle to move, and there would be expenses involved in getting a new place set up, and besides, Daisy needs to get out of Bell Grove.”

Daisy added. “I’ll come visit you, Miss Vivian. Atlanta isn’t all that far away.”

The old lady huffed, and looked out the window again. Her chin came up defiantly, and her voice was harsher than it had been. “You won’t visit. Oh, maybe you’ll make it to town once or twice, not long after you move away, but eventually you’ll stop coming.”

“I won’t,” Daisy insisted.

“You’ll escape this little town and you won’t look back. I don’t blame you. I should’ve gotten out years ago.” She turned and stared at Daisy. “Good for you, girlie. I’ll miss you, but it’s past time you got out of this place.”

“See, Daisy?” Lily said brightly. “I told you so.”

Daisy didn’t respond. She knew leaving town was right, she knew a better life was waiting for her. But a boulder of doubt had settled in her gut and it wouldn’t go away.

* * *

The dining room was crowded tonight. Jacob and Caleb, their parents, Ben and Maddy, Daisy and her sister Lily—who kept glaring in Jacob’s direction and had even stuck her tongue out once, when she’d thought no one else was looking. Vivian Reynolds was there, too, looking very different from the wild-haired, plain woman who’d pointed a shotgun in his direction earlier in the week. She cleaned up well and looked downright respectable.

Lurlene wheeled Grandma Eunice into the room. The family matriarch made a grand entrance, which she very much enjoyed. As usual. Her eyes scanned the room, lingering for a moment on Lily. She frowned as introductions were made, but recovered quickly, perhaps realizing that she needed to be welcoming to Daisy’s sister, even if Lily did have a reputation as a bit of a wild child.