Lucky Break (13 page)

“Well?” she pressed, a knowing—and disappointed—look on her face.

“I didn't say that. But I care about
you
and the things that hurt
you.
So if something has
happened with your sister, I want you to be able to share it with me.”

“Even if you can't stand the thought of her?”

This time he knew better than to reply.

“Jason, my sister is a part of me.”

He didn't appreciate the reminder. “I know. But how I feel about what she does isn't the same as how I feel about you.”

She rose and paced the room, turning to face him. “Okay, fine. You want to know? Here it is. My sister has been nonresponsive for months now. But suddenly this morning, she had an
incident,
the doctor called it. An outburst where she became hysterical and upset. They had to sedate her.” She shoved her hands into the pockets of her sweats. “I was hoping when she woke up that maybe she'd be back to her old self.”

Her psychotic self?
Jason knew better than to voice his feelings aloud. “And is she better?” he asked carefully.

Which would mean her sister might attempt to get out of prison on an
I was insane and now I'm fine
plea. The thought made his stomach churn. His entire family would rebel at the notion. Even though Lauren was trying to get her sister transferred, Jason held out hope that the other woman's crimes would keep her behind bars
where she belonged. None of which he would admit aloud.

“No. Beth is back to staring at walls.” Shoulders slumped, Lauren lowered herself into a chair, clearly defeated.

“And what's the prognosis? Does the fact that she seemed to come out of it mean anything?”

“The doctor doesn't know. And he won't unless she can be moved to a hospital for testing, something that requires court approval. And time. For all I know, getting that approval might cost me money.” She ran a hand through her hair, tugging at it in frustration. “Argh!”

He rose and walked to her side, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. Silence seemed best.

“Happy now that I've confided in you?” she asked, her voice catching.

Actually he felt like a complete shit. She'd had a horrible morning from her sister's incident to the mouse. He hadn't helped her at all.

As he glanced at her tortured expression, he wanted to say something, anything that would make her feel better about confiding in him.

He couldn't.

All his pushing and prodding had done was show him that there wasn't anything about Mary
Beth Perkins he wanted to know or understand. Hard as he'd tried to convince Lauren otherwise, her sister would always be a point of contention between them. He'd just have to see how long he could pretend otherwise.

“Look, there's nothing you can do for your sister right now, so what do you say we get to work? You'll be in a better mood once you see we're making progress on the house, right?”

“Right.” She shot him a grateful smile. “You do know me pretty well.”

The doorbell rang, ensuring he wouldn't have to discuss the Perkins family any longer, and Lauren jumped to answer. Jason followed her to the door, where the plumber waited on the other side.

“Good morning,” Lauren said.

Jason nodded to the other man.

Brody Pittman met them with a wide smile. “Good morning, all! New water heater ready for install.” He sounded like a drill sergeant reporting for duty.

The man was just too pleased with himself and something about his demeanor rubbed Jason the wrong way. He couldn't put his finger on what or why.

“That's good news.” Lauren stepped to the side, waving the other man inside.

“I have to get the unit out of the truck, but first—” He reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. “I have your estimate for the rest of the work.” He smiled as he shoved the paperwork into her hands.

“Thank you,” Lauren murmured. She didn't glance at the numbers, merely folded the paper as she let out a prolonged sigh.

Jason didn't blame her. They both knew the estimate would make her stomach churn, but stalling wouldn't make things any better.

He didn't think she'd appreciate him pointing out that fact.

“Just let me know when you're ready to move forward,” Brody said. “I cleared my schedule and I can start immediately.” He shifted from foot to foot. “Like today,” he said when they didn't immediately reply.

Jason frowned. Something about the man's enthusiasm bugged him. “Just the water heater today. We'll get back to you on the rest.” He wanted to check out the numbers, then work a better deal with the man's boss.

“Sure thing.” Pittman turned and headed for his truck to retrieve the heater.

“Why don't you let me look at the estimate first,” Jason said, once they'd stepped back inside.
“I want to work the numbers myself and see if I can't get J.R. to lower the price.”

She turned. “Maybe he was fair.”

“And maybe I can get him to be even fairer.” Jason knew J.R.'s wife had been bugging him to finish the basement as a playroom for the kids, but with the downturn in the economy, he wasn't about to lay out big bucks for something that was a want, not a need. Jason figured he could work a deal.

Without warning, she stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his in a too brief kiss. “Thank you. You've been beyond generous.”

Before he could pull her close, Trouble darted into the entryway, stopping short. His black paws starkly contrasted with the white marble as he slowly began to edge forward. The cat skulked around the perimeter, stealthily tracking what could only be the mouse Lauren had seen earlier.

A quick glance told him she was visibly holding back a reaction. “Trouble, get over here,” she ordered.

“He's not about to listen,” Jason said. “Not when he's after prey.”

She shuddered, unable to hide her revulsion. “Can't you get rid of it?”

“I'll need to take a ride to the hardware store and pick up the traps.”

“Let me get my shoes and I'll come with you.” She spoke quickly, obviously not wanting to be left alone in the house with the rodent.

Or rodents.

“Eager to visit your good friend Burt?” He gave her a knowing grin. “Don't worry. I won't leave you here to fend for yourself.”

She shot him a look of gratitude. “What is it with this house that animals come with it?” she asked as she opened the hall closet and retrieved her warm, furry boots.

“Abandoned houses attract all kinds of visitors,” he told her. Stepping beside her, he pulled his jacket off a hanger.

“Speaking of visitors, I need to tell the plumber I'm going out.”

He nodded, watching her behind wiggle in her sweats as she headed for the door. A behind he now had permission to snuggle with all night long.

 

H
AVING A TANTRUM
was the most activity Beth had had all year. Too bad she hadn't gotten the response she'd been looking for. Where was her sister? She needed her to visit and give her an update on the condition of the house.

So much for crying out for attention. All Beth had gotten was a shot of Ativan and a drug-induced sleep.

Well, she wasn't drugged anymore. She hadn't seen her sister or her so-called boyfriend in too long. He'd been working at the prison weekly, and although their plan called for him to take time off, his absence was making her antsy.

Her little plan had backfired and now she'd be monitored more closely, making it more difficult to get alone time with her boyfriend. If and when he showed up for work.

Maybe he'd found the jewels and bailed on her, a thought that caused her no small amount of worry.

The day nurse walked by, staring at Beth closely as she passed her bed.

Beth swallowed a ripe curse, reminding herself to stay calm. No more tantrums until she needed one.

L
AUREN FOLLOWED
Jason into the hardware store. Burt scowled, his eyes boring a hole through her skull.

She frowned and tapped Jason on the shoulder. “Why does he hate me so much? Other than the obvious reasons, I mean.” Lauren knew her family had a poor reputation in town but this man's feelings bordered on fury.

Jason paused. “Burt's last name is Miller. To hear my father tell it, his dad used to own the local pharmacy. A big chain tried to buy them out. They refused to sell. Next thing you know, the landlord invokes a clause in the lease that increased their rent and forced them out of business.” He lifted her hand in his. “The big chain went in one month later.”

Lauren glanced up at the old, cracked ceiling. “My grandmother was the landlord?” It was the most logical guess.

The most damaging. Thinking about the de
struction her grandmother had wreaked around town made Lauren's heart hurt.

Jason nodded. “Let's go pick up the traps.” He headed for the back of the store.

“Jason, man, she's a Perkins,” Burt called out.

“She's also hot and you're jealous you can't get someone who looks half as good,” Jason called over his shoulder, pulling her along with him as he walked.

Ten minutes later, Burt remained embarrassed and silent as he rang up their purchases.

Lauren appreciated Jason's defending her, but even if she didn't deserve Burt's anger, her grandmother did. She paused at the register and met the man's gaze. “I'm sorry for what my grandmother did to your family.”

He stared at her strangely, as if he couldn't understand her words. More likely he couldn't comprehend an apology coming from the mouth of a Perkins.

They walked out onto the street. It was sunny, but the wind blew cool air around her. She shivered and Jason pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her.

“Are you sure you want—”

“People to think we're a couple?” he asked, reading her mind. “Yes. Because as long as you're here, that's what we are.”

She couldn't deny him. Especially since she wanted the same thing.

“So tell me about your career,” he said, passing his car as they walked down the sidewalk.

“Wait. Aren't we going back to the house?”

“In a little while. It's nice out. Let's keep walking.”

She shrugged. Why not? The cool air felt good. So did the company. “I always loved fashion magazines.”

“I remember. While I read ski magazines, you read
Vogue.”

“Do you miss it?” she asked him. She meant snowboarding.

“Sure I miss it, but the travel part? Not so much. I'm just…” He shook his head. “We already know what happened with me. I'd rather finish talking about you.”

She knew he was avoiding discussing himself but she appreciated his interest in her.

“So you loved fashion magazines,” he prompted.

She grinned. “I didn't realize you'd paid attention.”

“You'd be surprised,” he murmured.

“So once I moved to Manhattan—”

“And into that rat-infested apartment.”

She inclined her head. “And into that rat infested apartment, I took classes at FIT, which I paid for
with student loans and by working at a dress company. I sketched my own designs at night.”

“Not much sleep for the determined, hmm?”

“You ought to know.”

He grinned. “True. Now go on.” He swung her hand back and forth in his, clearly enjoying her story.

“I graduated and took a low-end job. I also hounded all the best designers, hoping to get my work into one of their hands. No luck. One day I brought my portfolio to work on at the dress company during lunch. I ate at my desk, got carried away and forgot to put away my designs. One of Galliano's assistants came by, saw my work and slipped me his card.”

“And the rest is history?”

“And a red Porsche,” she said, laughing until her cell phone rang, destroying the easy moment. “Hello?”

“Ms. Perkins? This is Franklin Pennington, Esquire.”

Lauren's stomach dropped. Her sister's lawyer. “Hello, Mr. Pennington.”

“I received notice that your sister's doctors want to have her transferred to a hospital where they can do brain scans and testing.”

“They told me that was a possibility. But that's their problem, not yours, right?”

He cleared his throat. “It depends. If they put her through these tests and find something detrimental to our case, that's bad. I'd like to do more research on her condition. Find similar cases and see.”

“Okay…” Lauren said, waiting for the punch line.

“But the reserve funds from your sister's retainer are running low.”

The gut churning turned to nausea. “Mr. Pennington, this case is depleting my resources.”

“I understand. It doesn't help that the court system runs slowly, while the time invested in research and interviewing potential expert witnesses adds up. But time is money.”

Jason shot her a curious glance.

She held up one finger, telling him to wait.

“Fine. I'll see what I can do to get a check in the mail.”

“Thank you. I assure you, everything I suggest is in your sister's best interest.”

“But there are no guarantees,” she said at the same time as the lawyer. He always followed up his assurances with qualifications.

Covering his overpaid ass, Lauren thought.

Frustrated, she disconnected the call and tossed the phone into her purse.

“What is it?” Jason asked, placing his hands on her shoulders and turning her to face him.

She swallowed hard. “Nothing you need to worry about.”

Despite his earlier reassurance that he wanted to know everything related to her sister, she'd seen the flicker of disgust in his eyes. In her heart she didn't blame him. In her soul, it hurt. She was used to dealing with problems on her own and she didn't want to get into the habit of relying on him.

“Please don't tell me you expect me to accept that answer.” He brushed away a tear she hadn't realized had slipped down her cheek.

Lauren drew a deep breath. He'd just be relentless. “Fine. My sister's lawyer is concerned about the tests the doctor wants to run. He needs to do more research and then he'll probably have to file more motions on her case. I know I joked about it earlier but I really didn't expect him to want more money. And that's on top of the plumbing problems in the house.”

“I already told you I'm sure I can get J.R. to cut his numbers down some.”

She knew “some” wouldn't be enough, but she appreciated his efforts.

“I know and I'm grateful. But what about the other problems? Which reminds me, I forgot to tell you that the back door doesn't lock properly and there are deep ceiling cracks I didn't notice earlier.”

He ran a hand over her hair. “I will do everything I can myself, which should bring things within budget.”

So much for not relying on him. She ran her tongue over her dry lips and forced a smile. “Thank you.”

He inclined his head. “No problem. Now about your sister—”

“Exactly. She's
my
sister.” Lauren snapped at him before he could say anything. “Wouldn't you do everything you could for someone in your family no matter what awful things they'd done?”

“Whoa.” Jason took a step back. “I don't know what you think I was going to say—”

“You were going to ask if I was sure she's worth it,” Lauren said, anticipating the worst.

He braced his hands on her shoulders. “I was going to ask if you're sure the lawyer is billing you legitimately.” His voice was quieter, his tone more rational than hers.

“Oh.” Embarrassed for jumping to conclusions, she turned away. “I'm sorry. I guess I just don't expect any sympathy from anyone.”

“Since when have I been just anyone? Besides, we covered this subject this morning. Now come on. Tell me.”

She wished she didn't have to have this conver
sation, but he'd never give up until she did. “The lawyer is expensive, but so was every attorney I interviewed. He also has experience in this kind of case. And the monthly statements have seemed legitimate. I was just hoping he could make the retainer last longer.”

Her savings were dwindling so quickly and the repairs in the house adding up so fast, she was overwhelmed and would have to take drastic measures soon.

Her thoughts went to her beloved convertible in the driveway and her stomach tensed.

“I'm no expert on legal issues, and don't take this the wrong way, but given the circumstances, are you sure he isn't just spinning his wheels at your expense, promising you things he can't deliver?”

She shrugged. “I honestly don't know. But I have to do everything I can for Beth. Just in case he can accomplish miracles. What if she's really mentally ill and wasn't in her right mind when she did those things? Doesn't she deserve good help and a second chance?” Before he could answer, she did. “If that's the case, then the lawyer needs more money.”

“Which you'll pay for how?” he asked gently.

She looked away. “I'll figure something out. All I know is she needs better care than she's cur
rently getting.” She drew a deep breath, then exhaled, trying to calm her nerves.

A few more weeks until her dresses were shown in Paris. If they were the success everyone anticipated, if stores ordered the numbers everyone hoped, she'd be Galliano's golden girl. She'd be able to afford a new red convertible and her sister's hospital bills.

If not, so be it. She'd pull herself together and move on. Figure something out. What other choice did she have?

“Lauren?” Jason asked.

“Hmm? I still have some savings left.”

His dark gaze bored into hers. “I can lend you money to tide you over. And once you hit it big with your dresses, you can pay me back.”

She blinked in surprise. “What did you say?”

“I can lend you—”

“No, after that?” Her breath caught in her throat as she waited for his reply.

“I said when you hit it big, you can pay me back.”

“You said
when,
not
if.”
Despite all the bad news surrounding her, she smiled. “Thank you for believing in me.”

He brushed her hair off her shoulders. “My pleasure. So you'll take the money?”

She shook her head. “Thank you but no. I
can't.” Even if Jason and his family didn't despise her sister and grandmother, she still couldn't accept a loan.

“But—”

“But your faith in me means everything.” No one in her life had ever believed in her unconditionally.

She wound her hands around his neck and pulled him close for a thank-you kiss.

“Just what do you think you're doing?” a male voice shouted.

Startled, Lauren jumped back.

His uncle Edward glared at them.

Clara stood by his side, shaking her head.

And walking toward them with a determined stride was Jason's father, Thomas.

Jason groaned.

Lauren winced and waited for all hell to break loose on Main Street.

“Well, well, well, I'm so happy to see my family out and about on this beautiful day!” Thomas was dressed to the nines, as he liked to say, his white collared shirt pressed and the top button open. By the determined gleam in his eye, he was clearly a man on a mission.

“Did you see those two going at it like rabbits?” Edward asked, gesturing wildly at Jason and Lauren.

“Eddie, calm down.” Clara placed her hand on
his shoulder. “I have the prescription Dr. Shelby just gave you. Let's go on over to the drugstore and fill it. The sooner you take your medicine, the better you'll feel.” She waved the prescription papers she held in her other hand.

Jason grasped Lauren's hand to reassure her, hoping he wasn't going to lose her again over his family's insanity. Or their family's shared history.

“Is the medicine going to stop those two from making the mistake of their lives?” Edward asked, wide-eyed.

Jason glanced at Lauren.

She studied Edward with compassion, but she wasn't upset, nor was she pulling away. Apparently the promise she'd made to him earlier meant something. He refused to examine his relief too closely.

Thomas walked up to his brother. “Edward, if you're going to keep a woman as beautiful and smart as Clara, you need to pull it together. Get your new medication filled.” His tone was soft and encouraging.

Jason narrowed his gaze, wondering if his father had taken his words to heart the other night. Uncle Edward could not handle anyone pushing him into a relationship or playing the jealousy card. Not now.