Bet On Love (4 page)

“You, too. I just wish Dad would have told me about you.” She stepped back and tucked a lock of chocolate brown hair behind her ear.

“There isn’t much to tell, really. Like your dad said, it’s complicated.”

“How? Do you live in Las Vegas? I mean, how do you two know each other?”

“Long story, munch--” Cole cleared his throat. “Abbey. Now is not the time to tell it, okay? We’ll have plenty of time for the two of you to get to know each other and ask questions.”

I shot Cole a wide-eyed expression. What was he doing? As much as I would like to get acquainted, I couldn’t. We were just asking for more trouble. I caught Abbey studying me, and I felt like I needed to say something.

“I live in California. You’re dad and I go way back. This has been quite the long distance love affair.” As soon as the words were out, I wanted to run and hide. I should have clarified a “one-sided” long distance love affair for the last eighteen years, but who was counting? Stupid emotions. Why didn’t they die off all those years ago, or better yet stay buried?

Both Abbey’s and Cole’s stunned expressions held me captive for a second, then a whole different set of nerves kicked in. I needed to let Cole explain this before she thought I was the wicked step-monster who broke her parents up all those years ago, even though I wasn’t anything remotely close to that.

“We’re not moving, are we, Dad? She’s coming here, right?” I heard the quiver in her young voice and felt sorry for deceiving her and adding more drama to her already dramatic teenage existence.

“No, sweetheart, we’re not moving to California. Shelby and I have some details to work out. Don’t worry about a thing.”

Details?

The only detail we had to figure out was how soon Judge Matt could nix this little reunion before everybody was miserable. My complex life was waiting in Malibu, dealing with more Grant fallout and stuffing my Cole fantasies down the nearest incinerator once and for all.

“Okay, Dad.” Abbey smiled, and I watched her whole body relax. Poor girl, she’d already been through so much with her parents. “I can’t wait to hear your stories about Dad and California,” she said, and her smile brightened more as Maria crossed the room.

“Hey, Aunt Shelby, I think Mom is bringing Grandma Jane over to say hello.” Maria pointed as her mother helped the sweet looking old lady closer.

“So how old are you?” the old woman boldly stated, apparently not as sweet as I’d thought.

“Grandma Jane, is that the right thing to say?” the full-figured redhead next to her said.

“I don’t care, Kelly.” Jane jabbed a bony finger in my direction. “I want to know if she’s some cougar out to manipulate my wonderful grandson, or is she straight up?”

Cole choked on a muffin and I patted his back, while my traumatized brain cells tried to form a coherent answer. This day just kept getting better and better. Did I look old? I was the same age as Cole for crying out loud!

When Cole could talk, he whispered in my ear, “Time to test those shocks, GT.”

I was not prepared for this and was literally tongue-tied. Taking a deep breath, I garnered the backbone I’d used with the executives from Power Fuel Sports Drinks when I negotiated the endorsement contract for San Diego Titons’ catcher, Tiger Shumway.

“I’m thirty-four,” I finally replied all sugary-sweet. “And I assure you, I’m not taking advantage.” The look I shot Cole let him know he would pay dearly for getting me into this mess.

“Good, good, same as my boy, still plenty of time to give Abbey some siblings. Poor girl needs a big family. How’s your patience?” she rattled off in one breath.

“My father used to say I would be good in business because I can keep my cool,” I added before Grandma Jane decided to press the issue of children.

“Well, that’s good, because you’re going to need it when Mary Beth gets word of you.” His grandmother cackled.

“Mary Beth?” I questioned, my stare aiming straight at Cole. What now?

“She’s deemed herself next in line for Cole’s heart. That is, until you came along. She’s not going to be happy, no sir. But you look as if you can handle yourself just fine, don’t you think, Cole? What are you, some kind of lawyer?” Jane spit out all in one breath again. Good Lord, the woman had a set of lungs.

“Sports agent,” I corrected.

“Don’t you worry about Mary Beth, Grandma. I’ll make sure I break the news to her gently...and soon. Shelby won’t have to deal with anything.” Cole put his arm over Jane’s stooped shoulders and placed a kiss on her brightly rouged cheek.

“You’re a fine young man, Cole Martin. And I think this new wife of yours is a keeper.” The old girl winked at me. Oh boy, she was the one who wasn’t going to be happy when she found out the truth. Her grandson had no intentions of keeping me at all, which was more than fine with me.

“Okay, Gram, if you say so.” Cole chuckled, not looking flustered in the least which I had to admit, worried me a little. “I think Mom is getting your sweater to take you back to the house. I’ll swing by after work to cut your grass.”

“You do that, honey, and bring your pretty little bride with you.” The bright pink hat of Ellen Martin appeared in a flash and whisked Grandma Jane toward the door.

“Why don’t you both plan on coming over for dinner. I’m sure you have no food in this house, Cole, especially anything Shelby would want to eat,” his mother called over her shoulder. “The poor girl could use a home-cooked meal.”

“I’ll think about it, Mom.” He met my gaze and shrugged. I couldn’t help but wonder what that shrug meant. There was no way I would be at dinner, and he knew it. We’d get this sham of a marriage annulled, and I’d be on the soonest flight out of town.

So why did it feel like he was in no hurry to see me go?

Chapter Four

“What do you mean we can’t see the judge today?” I questioned and tried to catch Cole before he left for work. After conveniently getting out of dinner last night by claiming I had a bad case of jet-lag, I was eager to get back to my normal life, whatever that was.

“About that...according to his secretary, Matt’s out of town substituting for Judge Crandall.”

“Okay...so when will he be back?” My hand trembled, and coffee threatened to spill from my ‘I Need Coffee, Stat!’ mug.

I wasn’t entirely certain I could handle another day of his family’s “hospitality.” They were all so nice and accepting me as if I were “the one.” Long ago I remember wishing he’d see me that way. But now? I was so over men, and this was just weird.

“Depends on how long the case lasts. Make yourself at home and consider this your extended vacation.” He stretched his back, obviously stiff from sleeping in the recliner again. “I’m sure you can find something around town to take your mind off things.”

I couldn’t believe how casual he was behaving. It was as if this was no big deal to him. Didn’t being married to an estranged friend feel wrong? He should be in as much of a hurry to get this over with as I was. If for no other reason than to get his bed and his social life back.

“Doesn’t he have a replacement? Can we go to another county or something? I don’t see any reason to wait around.”

“It’s not as easy as that. Like I said, Matt owes me a favor, so he’ll be able to pull some strings and get us through this faster. Trust me.”

I dipped my chin and raised a brow, my dark brown curls falling against my cheek. “Like you have this happen all the time?” There was a lot about Cole Martin I hadn’t been privy to all these years. Technically, I supposed I didn’t need to know since in a matter of days I would no longer be his wife. Still, he was too at ease about this for my liking.

If Grant had done what he did when we weren’t even married, what kind of damage could Cole do now that we were? I hated to put Cole in the same category as Grant, but he was a man and I hadn’t quite recovered from my recent blunder. The good thing was, this would soon be over and I would never find out.

“So we’re good, right?” He looked at me as he stood with one foot out the door--kind of how I felt. “Try to be patient and enjoy yourself. Being married to me can’t be all that bad can it?”

Laughter tried to force itself up my throat, or was that vomit? I held my breath, not sure if I could answer.

“Seriously, Shelby?” he said, obviously taking my silence as a yes. “Then I guess a kiss goodbye is out of the question?”

I snapped back to reality and gaped at his straight-laced expression. Oh, his face might have been serious, but those eyes were full of it. “Are you for real?” I shoved him out on the porch, watching the play of muscles beneath his navy golf shirt and khaki pants. “Just go to work, will you?”

“It’s not like we haven’t already kissed. Besides, my neighbors could be watching, and we
are
newlyweds.” Cole wagged his brows.

“I don’t think so.” I shook my head. Something was up. He was acting really strange this morning, like he had some other motive for wanting people to see us kiss. Suspicion gnawed at my gut and I was about to confront him, but he seemed to read my mind.

“Can’t blame a guy for trying,” he said quickly, and then laughed as he trotted down the porch steps and into his truck.

That’s when I noticed the “Just Married” sign and tin cans from the day before. Cole didn’t seem to care, heck, nothing seemed to faze him. He backed out of the drive with a grin that would make the devil blush, and tin cans laughing at me as he drove away. I, on the other hand, flew back inside before any nosey neighbors could take note of my red face.

Silently, I vowed never to drink so much whiskey again, as I attributed my current state of affairs to good old Mr. Daniels. “Patience, Shelby,” I reminded myself. “This is only temporary.” I decided I would do as Cole suggested and find something around town to occupy my time. A little tour might do me some good and clear my head. I became determined to give myself a vacation even if this was the farthest thing from Las Vegas.

The town of Mission, Maryland remained as quaint and wholesome as when I was a teenager. What a difference from the bustle and tourism of Malibu. So much had changed over the years. The little mom and pop stores had been replaced with a couple strip-mall drug stores, Chinese take-outs, and mini-mart gas stations. I chose to freshen up my manicure. There was something about getting my nails done I found absolutely relaxing. “Friendly Nails” wasn’t Giovanni’s Day Spa, but it would do for now. Geraldo would read me the riot act for sure at my next appointment.

As I continued down the street, I noticed a woman walking toward me with a basket draped over her forearm. Her jeans were a little baggy, but the bright red T-shirt she wore stood out against her pale, skin. She seemed to be on a mission of her own, judging by her short, hurried steps.

“Yes.” I hated to admit it, but until we got this disaster of a marriage annulled, legally, I was. The way she looked me up and down put me on the defensive. I suddenly stiffened my spine when I asked, “And you are?”

“Mary Beth Seymour. I’m a friend of the family.” She didn’t extend her hand, and I refused as I sized up the very pretty, petite woman with cocoa brown eyes. So this was the infamous Mary Beth. She and Cole would make a cute couple. Then why did I get the impression he was just not that into her?

“It’s nice to meet you,” I tried again, thinking she might be my out if I got them together. “Jane was talking about you yesterday at breakfast.”

“Really?” Mary Beth relaxed a little, and seemed hopeful. “I was just on my way over there with some fresh baked bread. Jane likes my cranberry nut loaf.”

“Aren’t you a sweetheart?” I couldn’t help but stare at her flawless appearance, and she came complete with fresh baked goodies. I was ready to assure her, tactfully of course, that her position with Cole was completely secure. He and I were a big mistake.

“I teach pre-school until noon, so I made sure to get right home and start baking.” Mary Beth placed her hand on top of the decoratively wrapped loaves. “They’re still warm.”

“Really?” It was my turn to show surprise. She was like a ready-made homemaker, just waiting for a man like Cole to sweep her off her feet and give her justification to be Polly Perfect. I could totally see them being Mr. and Mrs. Small Town Wonderful.

“Well, you’d better be on your way,” I encouraged. “I’m sure Jane’s been waiting all day to have that bread with her afternoon tea.”

I began to suspect the Martin matriarchs had their hands in this, and I was more than ready to put out any fires. Mary Beth needed to see me as an ally and not a threat. Her brown eyes flashed confusion, as if she had been expecting some territorial warfare, and yet I was friendly to her.

“Tell Cole I said hello. Toodles,” Mary Beth said over her shoulder as if she didn’t have a care in the world. Just like that, I’d been dismissed. She continued down the street and I swear colorful, cartoon birds flitted above her head.

“I will,” I called, waving to her back. Things were finally starting to look up. As soon as I was out of the picture and back to my own life, she could swoop in and pick up the pieces--not that there would be any--and resume her place as the rightful Mrs. Martin.

Leaving Mission would be easy as soon as Judge Matt gave the word.