Poison Me (23 page)

Willy grinned and dared to look into Ace’s eyes.

Ace inclined his head toward the Palace’s front doors. “Why don’t we wait and watch his little family for him until he returns?”

***

Ruby sniffled, touching the back of her hand to the tip of her nose. She waited on her favorite bench in the gardens, knowing Michael would come soon. She blinked away the moisture in her eyes. She didn’t want to look like a sniveling idiot when he arrived. Her heart clenched as she pictured Jake’s face. He blamed her. He probably detested her.

She picked a daisy and twirled the stem in her fingers. Jake had every right to feel betrayed and confused. She should be begging his forgiveness instead of hiding in the garden. How could she face the boy she’d raised and explain why she’d been dishonest with him for two years? No. Her grip tightened on the flower. The truth was, she’d been dishonest with him his whole life.

She glanced down. The daisy now resembled cooked spinach. Ruby groaned. Did she have to ruin everything she touched? Dropping the mutilated flower, she wrapped her arms around her stomach and swayed on the bench. A large hand closed around her shoulder. She leaned her cheek against it without looking up. “Oh, Michael. What a mess I’ve made. How am I ever going to make this right with Jake?”

“I don’t know,” a deep voice grated out, “but I’d sure like you to try.”

Ruby gasped and shot to her feet. “Oh, Jake. Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry.”

He stared at her with tortured eyes.

“I don’t even know where to start, what to say.” She grabbed his arms and tried to embrace him.

Pulling back, he smiled grimly. “Wow, Grandma. You’re one of the most impressive actresses I’ve ever met. Which part of our life is true?”

“Your grandpa’s death is the only thing I’ve ever lied…” Ruby paused, unable to look at Jake. The other secrets were just as significant as the one he’d discovered. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I was trying to protect you.”

He shook his head. “From what? I loved Grandpa Don. I love you. I could’ve helped you through this. I’m all grown up now, Grandma. You don’t need to protect me from anything.”

Ruby nodded. “It was just such a huge mess, and when I went to the police they decided our best strategy for luring Don back was to keep the whole thing quiet, let him think he was safe and make a mistake.” Her shoulders lifted and lowered. “So I swore not to say anything until they captured him.”

“Was it really that bad between you and Grandpa?”

She stared up at the towering poplar tree. “Yes. It was miserable, but I know Don always loved you. You, Brinley, and Trevor were the only reasons he had not to leave.”

Jake shoved his hand through his hair, pivoting a quarter turn and kicking a rock down the path. “And that’s supposed to make me feel better? I’ve never had much in the parents’ department¾you and Grandpa Don raised me. Now I find out I’ve been mourning someone who faked his death so he could scam the insurance company and gamble away their money.” Jake yanked a leaf from the tree and crumpled it in his hand. “And the one person I’ve never doubted, always adored,” he stared hard at her, “has been lying to me for years.”

“Jake…” Ruby paused, knowing nothing she could say would make this better. She took his hand and led him to the bench. Once they sat down, she put her arms around his shoulders.

He leaned against her and sighed. “Why, Grandma?”

“It’s such a mess, I don’t know where to start.”

“Start somewhere.”

Ruby rubbed his back. She gulped several breaths before beginning. “I never should’ve married Don. I loved someone else, but the man I loved hurt me. I thought he didn’t want me anymore or…” She’d almost mentioned the baby. “I was running away from him and fell straight into Don’s lap.”

Jake straightened and turned to study her face. She dropped her arms, but covered one of his hands with hers, trying to offer what comfort she could.

“But you fell in love with Grandpa later?” Jake asked hopefully.

Ruby shook her head. She wouldn’t lie to him any longer, at least about this. “We had a horrible marriage.”

Jake’s expression fell. He gripped her hand tighter.

“I should’ve divorced your grandpa fifty years ago, but he… well, people didn’t just divorce back then. After so many years of putting up with the degrading comments and the lack of love—” she shrugged “—I talked myself into believing I didn’t deserve any better.”

Jake swallowed hard. “Grandpa tore you down.”

“Yes, and he couldn’t tolerate your dad. Then Don claimed that the gadgets David had made were his inventions. He wanted to sue his own son.” Ruby shook her head in disgust. “I promised him I’d stay with him and help him get the money he needed for gambling if he would stop the lawsuit.”

Jake just stared.

“I didn’t blame your dad at all when he sold out, paid Don a lump sum to shut him up, and left the country. I wished I could go with them. The only hard part was seeing how much you and Brinley missed your parents.” She smiled at Jake. “But selfish me, I loved raising you.”

He pressed her hand. “It hurt that my parents left us behind. I always felt like we weren’t important to them.” He sighed. “But you and Grandpa Don gave us a great childhood.”

“I’m glad you had a good childhood. Don and I had an unwritten agreement—we waited to argue until after you two were asleep.” Ruby exhaled. “Your grandpa loved you and Brinley, but things were never good for the two of us. When he got addicted to online poker, he squandered all of our money. We were going to lose our house. He expected your dad to bail him out again. David told him to try the lawsuit and begged me to leave your grandpa so he could take better care of me.”

“Wouldn’t that have been a more attractive option than rigging a bomb in your own house?”

Ruby closed her eyes. “Don wouldn’t allow me to divorce him. He was…” She bit back a harsh laugh. “Very convincing.”

Jake’s brows furrowed. “I don’t understand. You said you didn’t love him. How could he convince you?”

“He had proof that your dad stole his designs, Jake. I didn’t want to deal with him pressing that lawsuit, plus I got pregnant in high school.” She paused. “Let’s deal with one issue at a time, sweetie.”

He frowned. “No. Let’s get it all out there.”

“I don’t want you to know about how big of a mistake I made.”

Jake jerked his hand away and pulled up his shirtsleeve. “You think I’ve never made a mistake? Look at this!”

She traced her fingers along the scar. “When are you going to stop hiding your arm?”

“When I stop seeing her face.”

“Oh, Jake. Can we ever forgive ourselves?”

“Grandma, getting pregnant in high school doesn’t even compare with killing somebody.”

Ruby raised her brows. “What about faking a death?”

Jake chuckled. “I think that is illegal.” He frowned again. “I can’t believe I did that to Angela.”

Ruby stroked his back. “Enough, Jake. You’ve got to stop blaming yourself. You weren’t even driving that Jeep.”

He hung his head, bracing his forearms on his thighs. “I got her into it.”

“You forced her into it?” Ruby studied him, praying she could help him forgive himself.

“No. But she trusted me.”

“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Jake’s head jerked up. He started to protest.

“Come on, sweetie. Whoever told you to take responsibility for everything that happens in life? Place the blame on somebody else for once!”

“I learned everything from you.” Jake gave his grandma a half smile. “You raised me.”

“I keep thinking if I would’ve done a better job, you and your sister wouldn’t have such a hard time.” Ruby sighed. “You have to admit that Brinley’s life is a mess, and you never letting yourself love someone again… I think it’s all my fault.”

“What are you talking about? It’s Mom and Dad’s fault we got screwed up.” He wrapped an arm around Ruby. “You and Grandpa were the only stable part of our lives.”

She raised her thin shoulders. “Please don’t blame your parents. Your dad had an awful time. Don was so tough on him, and then when David found out we got married because I was pregnant with him, he flipped out.”

Jake’s eyes darkened. “That’s such a lame excuse. My parents are selfish for their own reasons. My dad can’t place the blame of neglecting his own children on you or Grandpa Don. He should be able to take responsibility for his own actions.”

“There’s a balance, Jake.” Ruby reached out and took his hand again. He clung to her fingers. “You and I take too much responsibility. Look how you take care of me and Brinley. You need to give yourself a break, learn to forgive yourself, and then maybe you can forgive your mom and dad.”

Jake didn’t say anything, but his cheeks sucked in like he’d just eaten a lemon.

Ruby sighed. “Look at me giving advice I can’t take. I can’t forgive Don.”

“It’s still hard for me to believe things were that bad between the two of you. That was ugly in there.” He pointed toward the towering pink-brick building, barely visible above the treetops. “Why did he call you a whore?”

Ruby shook her head. “Just an insult.”

“Is he jealous of Michael?”

She shrugged. “Maybe.”

“But you married Grandpa right out of high school. You chose him. Weren’t you pregnant with his baby?”

Ruby’s face went so hot she thought it must be purple. She released his hand and pressed her palms together, praying for guidance. Should she lie to her grandson again? Was it time to face the truth that she’d been blackmailed with by her husband?

Jake stood. “You ran to Grandpa, but loved someone else.” His eyes widened. “Ellie just told you to tell me who my grandfather really is.” He pressed his knuckles against his mouth, taking slow breaths. “Grandpa Don wasn’t the father of your baby. He’s not really my grandfather, is he?”

Ruby closed her eyes. Would this revelation drive a wedge between them that would never heal?

“Who was the father of your baby? My dad’s father. Who’s my real grandfather?” Jake demanded.

She lumbered to her feet and touched his arm. “Jake, I wish I hadn’t made the mistakes I did.”

He didn’t yield. “Who’s my grandpa?”

“I am.” Michael appeared by her side.

Ruby’s face turned pale and she started to collapse, but Michael caught her. Pulling her close, he gave her one of his irresistible grins looking at Jake again. “I’ve loved your Grandma my whole life, son.”

Jake studied Michael with his arm around Ruby and shook his head. “It’s all making sense now.”

Ruby grabbed his hand, searching his eyes. “Are you upset, sweetheart?”

Jake didn’t answer for several agonizing seconds. Ruby’s stomach churned, and Michael’s grip on her shoulder tightened. She prayed for strength and for Jake.

“No.” He tossed his head. “I’m not mad, it’s just a lot to take in.” He stared at Michael. “You’re my grandfather.”

“Yes.”

Jake’s jaw tightened. “You deserted her?”

“No. I never would’ve willingly let her go.” Michael swallowed. “I made her angry, and it’s taken fifty years for her to forgive me.”

Ruby snuggled into Michael. If only she could redo those fifty years.

Jake smiled. “I’ve made her mad a lot, but never that mad.”

“It was all my fault, Jake. Don’t think less of your grandma. She’s an amazing woman.”

Grateful for Michael’s words and praying for Jake’s heart to soften, Ruby waited in anguish.

Finally, he nodded. “I know. She is amazing.”

Ruby let herself breathe again. “Jake, I’m sorry for all the secrets.”

He focused on her face. “I have so many questions, but…”

She studied him. “You need some time.”

Jake pushed out a laugh. “You could say that.” He kicked a clod on the dirt path, sending it skittering into the undergrowth. “I’ll come see you tomorrow.”

Ruby broke away from Michael and hugged Jake. “I’ll be praying for you,” she whispered.

“You always are.” He returned the embrace, clinging to her for a few seconds. Then he took the hand Michael offered. No words were exchanged, but the men must’ve reached some kind of understanding. Jake retrieved his hand with a nod and strode away.

Ruby turned to Michael, and he took her in his arms. She leaned into him, exhausted and exhilarated. “Michael, I’m sorry,” she mumbled against his chest.

He drew back enough to tilt her chin up and gaze into her eyes. “Don’t be. You never lied to me about anything. In fact, until last week you hadn’t spoken civilly to me in fifty years.”

She smiled. “But I disappointed so many people.”

“The only ones I’m worried about are Jake and Brinley. But you did make Ellie angry. She told me to say that if you can’t trust your best friend with a ripe whopper like that you should be bush-whipped.”

Ruby sighed. “I’ll have to talk to her.”

Michael tilted her chin up again and brushed his lips across hers. “In a minute.”

She stared into his eyes, the anguish of moments before seeming very far away. “Oh, Michael, thank you for being here. For saying what you did to Jake.” Her face flushed. “We have so much we need to talk about.”

“Yeah, like how we’re going to get your divorce papers filed and have Don arrested.”

Shivering, Ruby leaned into Michael’s warmth. “What will they do to him?”

“I don’t care as long as he’s locked up and you don’t have to see him again.” Michael kissed her. “Can you tell me one thing?” He gritted his teeth and asked, “Why did you ever marry Don? How could you do that to us?”

She sighed. “I was an idiot.”

“No.”

“Yes, I was.” She nodded and closed her eyes for a second. “I was mad at you and wanted to do something to hurt you. I saw Don at Polar Bear a few nights after you said you didn’t want our baby.”

Michael winced but didn’t relinquish his grip on her. “I was young and dumb, Ruby. What I wouldn’t do to erase those words. All I ever wanted was you.”

She smiled. “I wish I would’ve known. I wouldn’t have acted so immature.”

“Please don’t blame yourself.” He waited before softly asking, “So what happened at Polar Bear?”

“Don bought me a shake and took me on a drive,” Ruby said. “The story spilled. He promised to take care of me and the baby. He promised I’d learn to love him.” She paused and studied Michael. “I never did. You were all I ever wanted.”