Something to Believe In (22 page)

Justin turned to stare at her with bloodshot eyes filled with
bleak sadness. It was answer enough, but when he said in a barely audible voice,
“She’s my world,” Virginia realized this woman had the power to make or break
her son. And a good mother would do anything to protect her child. Even if it
meant getting to know someone she may have judged prematurely. “Darling, you
smell like a drunken pig. May I suggest a shower and some breakfast?”

“I’d rather not. I’m comfortable right like this,” he answered,
raising his mug in mock salute.

Her mouth firmed and she said, “Tell me what you love about
this girl.”

He sighed as if irritated at the idea of playing a useless
twenty questions game but he answered anyway. “She’s bright, funny, smart,
artistic, talented, genuine...should I go on? And she makes me feel like I’m the
only man on this planet. Like she only has eyes for me.” He shrugged. “No big
deal. I’ll find another like her. Oh, wait, and
she’s
having my babies.
”

“Yes,” she murmured, deep in thought. “There is that.” She
patted the bed to get his attention and said, “Listen, we have some work to do.
You need to shower and shave, eat breakfast and return to the human race, and
then we’re going to discuss some strategy. In the meantime, I have an errand to
run and will return in one hour. Please be ready to work.”

“Work on what?” he asked, scowling. “I’m quitting
politics.”

“Nonsense. You’re close to winning. And we’re going to work on
saving your political career as well as your relationship.” She gave his
appearance a critical once-over. “I can tell you right now, this look is not
attractive and not likely to win any points.”

“She doesn’t want to be with me.”

“Don’t be a quitter,” she said sternly, reminding him. “One
hour.”

* * *

L
ILAH
WAS
DEEP
IN
HER
PAINTING
world in the atrium, trying to work out the pain in her
heart when a voice surprised her.

“Ms. Bell? A word if you wouldn’t mind?”

She turned and saw Justin’s mother standing there in a
wide-brimmed, floppy hat and looking like a rich tourist inquiring about
directions to the nearest shopping hot spots.

“Justin’s not here. We...broke up,” she said, stumbling on the
words because they’d never actually been dating.

“I know that, Ms. Bell. May I call you, Lilah?”

“I suppose,” she said. The Caleses were going to be the babies’
grandparents; they might as well try acting civil with one another, although a
part of her was intensely bitter deep down.

“You’re an artist?” Virginia observed, breaking into a smile
that nearly qualified as genuine. Lilah stiffened and moved in front of her
easel. “Ah, not ready to share your work? I understand. However, I admit, I am
curious. Justin said you were quite talented.”

“I prefer to keep my work private,” she said.

“You can’t make any money that way,” Virginia remarked in a
reasonable tone. “You do hope to make a living from your art, do you not?”

Yes. Damn it.
She nodded
reluctantly.

Virginia smiled again. “Then, you ought to become accustomed to
people wanting to see your work. May I?”

No.
“It’s not finished,” Lilah
answered stubbornly, but a perverse part of her wanted Virginia to see her
talent and dare to find her wanting. Justin had believed in her. She had to
start believing in herself, as well. She lifted her chin and backed up to return
to the canvas. “I don’t care if you take a look.”

Virginia walked around the easel and gazed at the work in
progress. Her stare roamed the piece, stopping to study the variations of color
and technique, then regarded Lilah with sharp eyes. “Do you have anything else?
Perhaps a finished piece?”

“Yes,” she answered a bit defensively before reaching into the
secret closet and pulling one of the rolled canvases. She unfurled one and
secured it to an easel. Virginia gave this one the same studious attention. When
she stepped away, she looked to Lilah and smiled. This time, her smile was
genuine and warm.

“You are incredibly,
exquisitely
talented. This will be easier than I imagined. Tell me, darling, have you ever
shown your work in a gallery?”

Lilah stammered, “N-no.”

“Well then, it should be quite an experience for you. I suspect
these paintings will go for five to ten thousand with the right buyer. I have
quite an eye for these things. It’s a hobby, if you will. Keeps me out of
mischief,” she said, shocking Lilah with a conspiratorial wink.

“Wait a minute...what is happening? A few days ago I was the
worst thing to ever happen to your son. Now you’re endorsing my work?”

“My first reaction was in poor taste. I apologize. But I’ve
come to realize that my son is madly, deeply in love with you. And since I love
my son as madly and deeply in a motherly way, I am willing to take a second look
at what I, obviously, misjudged.”

“I appreciate your apology, but your husband—”

“Can be an arrogant jerk,” Virginia finished for her with an
understanding smile. “But he can also be very generous and loyal. Once he gets
to know you, I’m sure he will forget his previous opinion. Besides, what he
doesn’t realize is that once those babies are here, his world will revolve
around them. You see, he carries a lot of guilt about the way he missed so much
of Justin’s life, a fact I’m sure he will gladly amend with his grandchildren. I
know my husband, better than he knows himself. I don’t believe that he will
reject you or the babies with a little time to adjust to the idea. He has never
dealt well with change, I fear, and tends to overreact,” she added with a
long-suffering sigh. “When I told him I was pregnant with Justin, he’d gone on
about the bad timing and whatnot but the minute Justin was born... Well, it
changes a man. Everything he has done has been for Justin’s benefit. That’s how
Vernon shows his love.”

Tears pricked Lilah’s eyes at Virginia’s candid sharing. She
appreciated her forthright information but it didn’t change the fact that she
would be political poison to Justin’s career. “My past...could be damaging to
Justin’s career,” she admitted in a low voice. “I suffered a bout of major
depression and...tried to kill myself. I was committed and I see a therapist
regularly. Don’t you think that will hurt his chances of being elected?”

“Nonsense,” Virginia said airily with a wave of her hand,
shocking Lilah with her easy dismissal of Lilah’s secret shame. Virginia saw
Lilah stiffen and she gentled her voice as she explained with a smile. “You’re
an
artist.
Artists with your talent are prone to
emotional instability. Van Gogh, Michelangelo, Gauguin,” Virginia blithely
rattled off famous painters as if Lilah had earned the right to share shelf
space with them. “They all suffered from some level of mental illness and their
work is beyond reproach. Once your paintings start showing up in all the right
houses, your past will only increase their value, which in turn, can only help
Justin’s career. My darling...as I said, this is going to be easier than I
imagined.”

She stood before Lilah, her eyes warm but sharp. Lilah sensed
this was a woman whom she could grow to care about with time and vice versa. The
realization gave Lilah cause to hope.

“Are you going to let my son waste away of a broken heart or
are you going to help mend this terrible rift in my family so that we can start
planning for those beautiful babies in your belly?”

At the mention of the babies, Lilah’s hand instinctively went
to her stomach. Virginia had systematically destroyed all the reasons she’d
believed were justified for leaving Justin. Now all that was left was for Lilah
to ignore the fear and take the leap.

“I just wanted what was best for Justin,” Lilah said, tears
filling her eyes.

Virginia smiled. “I know, dear. Which is why I know you truly
love my son. Anyone who would walk away at their own expense to help someone
else is doing it for noble—if not misguided—reasons. And you’ve earned my
respect and friendship from this moment forward. Together we’ll work on that
husband of mine and soon-to-be husband of yours.” At the mention of potential
marriage, Lilah’s breath hitched. “Are you ready to be Mrs. Justin Cales, my
dear?” Virginia inquired with a smile.

Lilah let out a shaky exhale and slowly nodded. “Yes. Yes, I
am.”

“Well, then, let’s get on with it. I believe an island wedding
is most romantic.”

This time it was Lilah’s turn to sink into the nearest
chair.

She was getting married.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

W
HEN
HIS
MOTHER
LEFT
, he’d thought of
simply ignoring her instructions and finding another bottle of rum to drown his
sorrows into but the ingrained respect he had for his mother overrode his
self-destructive intentions. He dragged his half-sauced ass into the shower and
scrubbed away days’ worth of misery and self-pity, and when he emerged he felt
better on the outside at least.

The irony was that Lilah was letting him go to save his
career—and yes, he saw right through her reasons because at her core, Lilah was
a kind and gentle person who would sacrifice her own happiness to secure
another’s—but now that he didn’t have Lilah, he couldn’t give a rat’s flaming
behind about his career. At this point, he could happily disappear and let the
world wonder whatever had happened to that bright, young promising senatorial
candidate.

When the hour had passed, and his mother hadn’t returned—odd
for a woman who prided herself on punctuality—he thought
screw it
and reached for the fresh rum bottle he hadn’t managed to
polish off last night.

But before he could crack the seal, his door opened and his
mother walked in, followed by Lilah.

Did he dare to hope? He couldn’t bring himself to take the
chance. His heart couldn’t take another hit. “Are you lost?” he asked
sourly.

“Justin, that was rude,” his mother admonished with a
disappointed frown. “Now put down that bottle. We three need to take a
meeting.”

He did a double take. “A meeting? What kind of meeting?”

“Why, planning your wedding, of course. And we have to hurry.
We need you two married before you return to New York to continue campaigning.
But it’s going to take some coordination. Luckily for you, I’m an expert planner
of any social event. Including destination weddings. Because of the
circumstances, I would suggest family only. No need to set tongues wagging—”

“What the hell is going on?” he interrupted, his head splitting
and his vision swimming. Either he was still drunk and hallucinating or he’d
died of alcohol poisoning sometime during the night. He looked to Lilah for
answers, almost challenging her to explain when they both knew she’d kicked him
to the curb a few short days ago. “I don’t find this amusing,” he said
coldly.

Lilah came forward, her expression a combination of
bewilderment and happiness—two expressions Justin found out of place given the
situation. She shocked him by curling her arm around his neck and kissing him
soundly. He wanted to push her away—he was still angry and raw from her
rejection, and now he was confused on top of that—but desperate desire and
delirious hope spiraled through him and caused him to clutch her to him. He
loved the press of her hard belly against his, knowing his children grew safely
in her womb, and he slowly softened under the onslaught of her kiss. This was
one thing they did well together, no matter what.

His mother made a delicate sound, reminding them that they were
not alone and they reluctantly parted.

“What’s going on?” he asked softly, the anger leaching from his
tone, leaving behind pure perplexity.

“I’m sorry,” Lilah said, resting her head against his. “I let
my fear get the best of me but your mom and I had a talk and she made me realize
that I was being foolish and selfish. I will stand by you, no matter the storm.
Together, we’ll face anything and be stronger for it.” She pulled away, her eyes
sparkling. “I guess I’d forgotten that the best love stories are the ones you
have to fight for. My Grams used to tell me that nothing worth having came
easily and I want you, Justin Cales. I want us. And I want to be your wife.”

“Do you mean it?” he whispered, barely able to form the words,
his joy was strangling his throat. “Please...don’t get my hopes up if you
don’t.”

She nodded. “I mean it. Your mother thinks we can salvage
everything. She has a pretty good plan, actually.” She glanced at his mother
with a grin. “She’s a smart lady.”

He looked to his mother and sent a silent look of gratitude
from his heart for fixing what he’d thought for sure he’d broken beyond repair.
“If my mother thinks she can make everything work...I believe her. What do you
need me to do?”

“Yours is the easy part. Go find a ring, silly boy,” his mother
said, moving forward to gently pull Lilah with her. “While we find a dress.”

A ring. This was happening. A giddiness fit for a young boy on
Christmas Day made him smile like a fool until one thought dimmed his happiness.
“What about Dad?” he asked.

“Darling, I’ve been managing your father for years. I think I
can handle this. Go on, find your ring.”

Justin grinned, all fear washing away. His mother was right;
she’d always managed to get his father to see reason—eventually. He had no doubt
she’d do it again.

* * *

L
ILAH
STOOD
IN
AN
IVORY
GOWN
of the softest silk as Lora fussed over her bouquet and Lindy—who’d flown in on
a red-eye and had already downed enough caffeine to jolt a racehorse—was
fiddling with the hem to ensure it didn’t trip Lilah as she walked down the
aisle.

“I can’t believe you’re beating both of us to the altar,” Lindy
said, pins clenched between her teeth. “I thought for sure I was going to be the
one to get married first.”

“And divorced first,” Lora quipped, causing Lindy to glare.
Lora laughed, adding, “I’m kidding, of course. That was before Gabe. Now you’re
almost normal.”

“Yeah? What about you?” Lindy challenged. “How long are you
going to keep Heath on the hook without letting him make an honest woman of you?
At least Gabe and I have a date now.”

“You do?” both Lilah and Lora asked.

Lindy took the pins from her mouth and smiled smugly. “Yep. The
big date is April 15 of next year. I wanted a spring wedding so I could wear an
off-the-shoulder dress.”

“And I’m going to be the flower girl, of course,” Carys chimed
in, carrying corsages for everyone. “Justin said he got these for all the
ladies. Even me,” Carys added with a grin.

Lilah smiled with all the serenity that she felt inside. She’d
always imagined that on her wedding day she’d be a bundle of nerves and her
stomach would no doubt keep her from enjoying the day, but that wasn’t the case
at all.

Her sisters were with her. Pops and Celly were waiting on the
private beach where the ceremony was going to be held. And Justin was out there,
waiting impatiently to slip his ring on her finger, proclaiming to the world
that Lilah Bell had said yes.

“Are you sure about this?” Lora asked when Lilah was all
ready.

More sure than anything in my life.
She nodded. “I think I’ve spent a long time being afraid of commitment and
responsibility because I was afraid of failing. I’ve learned that I’m stronger
than I ever gave myself credit and I’m ready to stop being afraid. Justin is
everything I never knew I wanted in a man and he’s helped me to see who I can be
without fear.”

“Well, that’s the winning combination it would seem. I think it
takes a special man to see past all those defenses we seem to like to wall
ourselves up with.” Lora smiled but added ruefully, “But politics? What about
that?”

Lilah shrugged. “It’s going to be an adventure. Whatever we do,
we’ll do as partners.”

“And...you’re going to move to New York?” Lindy asked,
surprised but smiling with approval. “I never thought I’d see the day where
you’d leave the island.”

Lilah chuckled, seeing herself through her sister’s eyes. It
was no wonder everyone had gone out of their way to protect her—she’d been too
afraid to leave her comfort zone. Now she was excited at the prospect of
starting fresh and seeing new places. “Well, we’re going to split our time. So
I’m not exactly giving up my island time. An artist needs her inspiration, you
know.”

Outside the music began to play softly and her sisters squealed
with excitement, herding Carys out and ushering Heath and Pops in to walk her
down the aisle.

With both men flanking her, she smiled and nodded. She was
ready.

For it all.

“You’re as beautiful as your Grams, sugar bird,” Pops said in a
rare moment of lucidity. Lilah’s heart contracted with pure love and she blinked
back tears. Pops patted her hand as he folded it onto his arm. “Shall we?”

“Yes,” she answered. Then she looked to Heath and said, “Don’t
wait for my sister to pick a date because she never will. Her head is always
stuck on business but she wants to marry you. Just kidnap her and put a ring on
her finger. Soon. She’s ready, too.”

Heath grinned, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “Lilah, I
never knew you had the soul of a pirate. Kidnapping, indeed.”

“Trust me.” Lilah winked and then focused on her own future
with eyes trained on the man of her dreams. “Let’s do this. I’m done putting my
life on hold.”

With that first step onto the shifting white sand, Lilah tossed
aside the fear she’d been hiding behind for too long and readied herself for the
greatest adventure of her life as a wife, mother and best of all...as herself—a
beautifully flawed and complex woman.