Secret Vows (Hideaway (Kimani)) (18 page)

It was nothing more than ego that had permitted her to be swept into the frenetic pace of campaigning. In the beginning, the lights, cameras, interviews and fundraisers were heady, like a child going to an amusement-theme park for the first time. After six months Greer felt as if she was on a merry-go-round that wouldn’t slow down for her to get off. And when she did get off, it was to board the highest, fastest monster roller coaster in existence. When she couldn’t get off the roller coaster, she was forced to jump, injuring herself in the process. Jason had said he didn’t want to hear her mention Larry’s name again, and she made a conscious vow not to let Larry cross her mind again.

Closing her eyes, she rested her chin on Jason’s breastbone as he massaged her scalp. “I have to talk to my uncle about his house.”

“What about it?”

“He intends to will it to me.”

“Do you plan to sell it?”

“I can’t sell the house. It holds too many wonderful memories. It’s where Cooper and I spent our summers. I learned to swim in that lake. It’s also where I learned fly-fishing and boating.”

“What if I buy the house from Bobby instead of you inheriting it?”

“Why?”

“Because we can use it as a guesthouse whenever we entertain our families.”

She opened her eyes. Greer kissed his throat. “You’ll have to talk to him about that.”

Things were moving so quickly Greer didn’t want to believe that, a month ago, she hadn’t met Jason or could’ve ever imagined becoming involved with him. Now she was living with him, unofficially engaged and had just experienced the most amazing lovemaking in her life. She kissed him again. “Please let me up. I have to wash up, then finish brunch.”

Jason reversed their positions once again, looming over her. “You wash and I’ll finish in the kitchen.” He kissed the end of her nose. “Race you to the bathroom.”

She scrambled off the bed, bumping into Jason as she tried knocking him off balance. They made it to the entrance of the bathroom at the same time. Extending her hand, Greer bowed from the waist. “Ladies first.”

In a move almost too quick for the eye to follow, he picked her up as if she were a football and set her down inside. “Ladies first,” Jason repeated.

Backpedaling, Greer cupped her breasts. “Just for that, these are off-limits.”

He stalked her like a large cat. “Your
tetas
are only a temporary detour. It’s all about the kitty, sweetheart.” One of her hands covered her mound, and Jason laughed so hard his sides hurt.

Turning on her heels, Greer made her way to the shower. She switched on the faucets, adjusting the temperature, then programming it with the push of a button. “You know what they say about karma, sweetheart?” she asked over the sound of running water.

“I’m not afraid of you,” he said in singsong.

“You should be.”

This is the Greer he liked. Teasing
and
sexy.

* * *

Greer lay with her head in Jason’s lap in the darkened anteroom, dozing lightly. The only illumination came from the candles lining the fireplace mantel. It was after eight when they’d finished dinner and nine-thirty when they had finally cleaned up the kitchen and retreated to the anteroom.

“Are you certain you don’t want me to light a fire?” Jason asked Greer.

She pulled the cashmere throw up to her neck. “Very certain.”

“Are you falling asleep on me, babe?”

“No. I’m just resting my eyes. I knew I shouldn’t have had that second glass of wine.”

Lowering his head, Jason kissed her forehead. “Why don’t you go to bed?”

“It’s too early.”

“It’s never too early, Greer. I...” Jason’s cell chimed a familiar ring tone. “Excuse me, babe, but I have to answer that call.”

* * *

Jason’s horse breeder cousin was calling.

Rising slightly, he held her head in one hand while he picked up the phone with the other. “What’s up, Nicholas?”

“I’m getting married next Sunday afternoon.”

“Whoa,
primo!
I thought that wasn’t happening until the end of the month.”

“That’s what we’d planned until Peyton told me this afternoon that I’m going to become a father.”

Jason couldn’t stop smiling. “Congratulations!”

“Thanks. I’m calling because right now the Blackstones outnumber the Coles two-to-one, and I need some backup. Can I count on you to come?”

Jason turned to look at Greer. Her eyes were open. “Sure.
¿Quién más de la familia viene?
he asked, switching to Spanish.

“Of course my mom and dad are coming. Celia will call tomorrow to let me know if she and Gavin can make it.”

“What about Diego and Vivienne?” Jason asked, inquiring about Nicholas’s older brother and sister-in-law.

“Vivienne and S.J. both have colds, so they’ll be MIA. Diego, Ana and Jacob are coming in Friday night in order to free up the jet to come out to Oregon to pick you up Saturday.”

“Tell Diego not to bother sending the jet. I’ll charter my own flight.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course,
primo.
”

“Are you coming with a guest? I need to know for sleeping arrangements.”

Jason paused. “Wait a minute.” He placed his thumb over the mouthpiece at the same time Greer pushed into a sitting position. “I’d like you to come with me to Virginia next weekend for my cousin’s wedding,” he whispered.

* * *

Greer knew attending the wedding with Jason meant meeting his family, and she wasn’t certain whether she was ready for that. “How important is it to you for me to come?”

“
Very
important.”

Her heart turned over when she saw his expression of expectation. “Where are we going and what’s the venue?”

Jason brushed his mouth over Greer’s. “Virginia’s horse country.” She nodded.

* * *

Removing his hand covering the phone’s mouthpiece, he said, “There’ll be two of us.”

“Good. I’m going to put you guys up at my house.”

“What about Michael? He and Jolene are practically in your backyard.”

“McLean isn’t that far, but Michael says this pregnancy will probably be Jolene’s last. She’s spent most of her time in bed.”

“When is she due?”

“Sometime in the spring.”

“How many Kirklands will that make now?” Jason asked.

“It’s either four or five. I can’t keep count,” Nicholas said, laughing. “I’ve got to go,
primo,
and I can’t thank you enough for coming. And, by the way, count on me and Peyton coming for Thanksgiving.”

“Are you certain she’ll be able to fly?”

“I checked with Tyler, and he said air travel in the first trimester is usually safe.”

“Good. I’ll either call or text you after I confirm my flight.”

“Don’t worry about ground transportation, Jason. I’ll have someone here at the farm pick you up.”

Jason ended the call, setting the phone on the table as Greer crawled into his lap, his arms going around her waist. “Thank you.”

She rested her head on Jason’s shoulder. “Is the wedding formal?”

“I don’t think so. It’s being held Sunday afternoon.”

Greer did a mental check of the clothes in her closet and none of them were wedding appropriate. “I have to go shopping.”

“When?” Jason asked.

“Probably tomorrow. I doubt if I’ll have time during the week. When are we leaving?”

Reaching for his phone again, Jason scrolled through the directory for the name of a company leasing private jets. “I’ll let you know in a few minutes.” He activated the speaker feature.

Greer listened intently to Jason’s conversation as he made arrangements for them to fly into the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport late Saturday night and return to Portland Monday afternoon.

“Please charge my account and send me an email confirmation,” he said before hanging up. Jason smiled at Greer. “As soon as I get the confirmation, I’ll forward it to Nicholas so he can arrange for someone to pick us up.”

She nodded numbly. It’d been that easy for Jason. All he had to do was punch a button and reserve a private jet to take them across the country and back, then glibly told the person to charge his account. Is this, she thought, how it was going to be for her and the children she and Jason planned to have? Just pick up the telephone and get whatever you want? The enormity of who she’d pledged her future to shook Greer to the core. If she married Jason, then she would become one of those Coles.

“Have you ever flown a commercial carrier?” she asked.

Jason shook his head. “Never. It’s a family mandate that no Cole fly commercial because one of my cousins was kidnapped as a child and held for ransom. We usually take the corporate jet if available, and if not, then it has to be a private jet. Once we’re married, you won’t ever take a commercial carrier again.”

* * *

Greer tried suppressing the feeling of apprehension sweeping over her like a cold wave. Was her life destined to become a rerun of what she’d had with the Hills? They, too, had their mandates, asinine mandates that proved more restrictive than practical. The only difference was she hadn’t known what she was getting into until after she’d become a Hill because she hadn’t known her in-laws as well as she’d believed. After all, she had dated their son in high school, yet they’d managed to hide their eccentricities well.

Attending Jason’s cousin’s wedding would give Greer an up-close-and-personal look at what was ahead for her. And if she didn’t like what she saw, then she was offered an out. At the end of year, she would decide whether she would marry Jason or remain single.

Chapter 15

M
onday dawned with bright sunshine and warming temperatures. Greer and Jason spent the morning in the full service salon being primped and pampered. He then drove them both to Portland where she spent more than an hour in an upscale boutique trying on dresses, shoes and selecting a purse for Nicholas’s wedding. She favored a bronze sheath dress, but changed her mind when the color was too close to her own complexion. The saleswoman found the same dress in her size in a rich chocolate brown. It took a while to select shoes, and in the end, Greer decided on a brown-and-white giraffe-printed calf hair pump with a four-inch heel. It had been some time since she’d worn stilettos and the shoes made her feel incredibly sexy.

“Aren’t you going to model your outfit for your boyfriend?” the obviously nipped and tucked woman asked.

Greer shook her head, the tiny curls moving around her shoulders as if they’d taken on a life of their own. “No. I want him to be surprised.”

The saleswoman tried and failed to raise her eyebrows. Her face was frozen in place. “And he will. You look amazing.”

“Thank you.” She slipped out of the heels and unzipped the dress, stepping out of it.

“I’ll wrap up everything for you. Are you taking the evening bag?”

“Yes.”

Greer hadn’t bothered to glance at the price tags because it’d been a long time since she’d gone shopping for clothes that weren’t for casual wear. Slipping back into her jeans and blouse, she pushed her feet into a pair of sandals, peering closely at her nails to see if trying on the pumps had damaged her pedicure. If she and Jason were expected to arrive in Virginia late Saturday, then she hoped there would be a salon where she could get her hair styled before the Sunday afternoon wedding began.

She emerged from the dressing room at the same time Jason was scrawling his name on a receipt. He’d usurped her and paid for her purchases. Greer wanted to tell him that she could afford to buy her own clothes but didn’t want to cause a scene.

He turned around, smiling. “I had Mrs. Marlowe add a shawl in case it gets a little chilly.”

“Thank you, darling.” Greer’s voice was saccharine-sweet.

Putting his arm around her waist, Jason pulled Greer to his length. “I want to make one more stop before we have lunch.”

She took a quick glance at her watch. It was almost two. “Okay. Where are we going?”

Jason flashed his trademark dimples and winked at her. “You’ll see.” He shifted his attention to the saleswoman. “Can you please hold our bags until we get back?”

* * *

Genevieve Marlowe batted her eyes at the tall, good-looking man whose single purchase exceeded her monthly commission. “Of course. I’ll put it in the back with your name.”

She sighed inaudibly when recalling the way her ex-husband used to look at her the same way Mr. Cole looked at his girlfriend.

* * *

It didn’t take Greer long to discover what Jason was up to when he held open the door to Margulis Jewelers on SW Broadway in downtown Portland.

“I haven’t seen your dress so I thought you’d want to pick out a few accessories.”

“What type of accessories are you talking about?” she asked, sotto voce.

“Earrings or necklace. What do you like?”

“Pearls.” It was the first thing that sprang into her head.

A well-dressed middle-aged salesman in a navy-blue pinstriped suit, stark-white shirt, burgundy tie and matching pocket square came over to greet them. He was as elegant as the antique and original furniture in the beautifully appointed jewelry store.

“Good afternoon. I’m Hugh, and I’d be glad to help you with something.”

Resting his hand at the small of Greer’s back, Jason nodded. “Jason Cole and this is Miss Evans. My fiancée,” he added as if an afterthought. “She would like to see some pearls.”

“Freshwater, cultured, Tahitian or South Sea?”

Greer offered the fastidious man an open smile. “Let me see what you have.”

Hugh pressed his manicured hands together. “Please follow me.” He led them to a display case where strands of pearls in different hues were displayed on white velvet. Greer sat on a stool, Jason standing behind her, one arm around her waist. “All of our strands have been hand-knotted, and you can either purchase these or select a clasp separately or we do have some with clasps.”

Jason pressed his mouth to Greer’s ear. “I’d rather purchase the clasp separately. But it is your choice.”

“Thank you, darling.”

He kissed her hair. “You’re welcome, darling.”

Hugh took a quick glance at Greer’s bare fingers. “I noticed, Mr. Cole, that you referred to Miss Evans as your fiancée. Does she have an engagement ring?”

If Jason had been more impulsive, he would’ve hugged the man. “No, she doesn’t.”

Hugh’s sky-blue eyes sparkled in his much-tanned face. “Would you like see a few of our more unique rings?”

“No.”

“Yes.”

Greer and Jason had spoken at the same time.

“Yes or no?” Hugh asked.

Jason decided to take charge. “We hadn’t planned on becoming officially engaged until Christmas, but I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to get an idea of what style ring I’d like to give Greer.”

Like a bloodhound catching the scent of an escaped prisoner, Hugh turned on the charm. “Please bring your beautiful lady with me, and I’ll show you some rings that are certain to please the most discriminating woman.”

Greer didn’t know whether it was the lights shining down on the showcases—filled with diamond rings in colors ranging from blue, pink, yellow to white—or the brilliance of the stones themselves.

Hugh measured her finger. “You’re a six. Let’s see what we have in your size.”

Again Jason stood behind Greer, looking over her shoulder. He saw a ring he couldn’t take his eyes off of, but if Greer was going to select a ring, then it had to be something she’d be willing to wear for the rest of her life.

Hugh picked up one with a large emerald-cut diamond flanked by two smaller ones, slipping it on her finger. “The center diamond is a little more than three carats. The total carat weight is three point seven-five. The setting is platinum.”

Greer extended her hand, shaking her head. “It’s too overpowering. What do you think, Jason?”

“I agree.”

Slipping off the ring, she handed it back to Hugh. She pointed to one with an octagon-shaped center diamond. “I’d like to see that one.”

“Good choice,” Jason said under his breath. She’d selected the ring he liked.

“This ring is one-of-a-kind,” Hugh crooned, slipping it on Greer’s finger. It was a perfect fit. “The center diamond is an Asscher cut surrounded by eight specialty cut trapezoid-shaped diamonds, and you also have two rectangular straight baguette-shaped diamonds. All set in platinum.”

Jason moved from behind Greer to stand beside her. “Do you like it, babe?”

She spread out her fingers. The ring was exquisite. Her gaze shifted to their salesperson. “Do you mind if I talk to my fiancé a moment?”

Hugh stood up straight. “Not at all.” He walked away, giving them a modicum of privacy.

Greer rested her hand on Jason’s shoulder. “What are we doing?”

He blinked once. “I’m buying you an engagement ring.”

“Don’t you think we’re moving a bit too quickly?”

He lifted an eyebrow. “That’s a question you should’ve asked yourself before you offered to live with me.”

“Touché, Jason. I suppose I deserve that one.”

Pulling her into a close embrace, Jason kissed her fragrant curls. “I told you before. Cole men don’t cohabitate unless they’re willing to commit. I’m committed to spending the rest of my life with you. And that ring is a sign of my commitment. We don’t have to marry this Christmas, if you don’t want. I’m willing to wait until you’re ready, but I’m not going to wait forever.”

She smiled. “I thought you were a patient man.”

“I am. I waited thirty-three years for you. You try spending thirty-three years behind bars. For someone who’s incarcerated, that’s an eternity.”

Greer touched his face, smooth and silky from a professional shave and facial. “Thank you. I love the ring.”

Jason signaled to Hugh. “We’ll take the ring, and we still have to look at pearls.”

Hugh’s grin was so wide Greer could see almost all of his porcelain veneers. “I’ll have the ring cleaned while you select your pearls.” He slid the ring off Greer’s finger. “Would you also like to see wedding bands?”

She shared a look with Jason, who nodded. “Okay.”

* * *

Greer felt as if she had entered an alternative universe where she didn’t recognize anything. Not even herself when she looked at her reflection staring back at her in the bathroom mirror. And it wasn’t for the first time that she questioned whether she was sane.

A man to whom money was no object had placed the titanium card on the counter to pay for seven carats of diamonds for an engagement ring and eternity band and a double strand of South Sea pearls with matching earrings as Hugh whispered to one of the salespeople that he’d just waited on Jason Cole. It was then she realized she was marrying a celebrity, someone used to people pointing fingers and whispering once they recognized him as the producer for Serenity Records. Greer had made one purchase that day—Jason’s platinum wedding band.

Afterward, they had stopped at a restaurant offering more than forty varieties of crepes and then returned to the boutique where they picked up her dress and accessories. Mrs. Marlowe had gushed over her ring and Greer had been unable to stop blushing.

Leaving the bathroom, she entered the bedroom and got into bed beside Jason. He sat with his back supported by a pile of pillows, waiting for her. “I have to call my parents to let them know I’m getting married,” she said.

Jason glanced at the bedside clock.

Greer noted it was after eight, and that meant it was after eleven on the east coast.

“Isn’t it too late to call them?”

“No. They always stay up to watch the late news, then the late night shows.” Leaning over, she picked up her cell phone. The government-issued secure cell was in the tote along with her shield and handgun. Greer smiled when she heard her mother’s distinctive greeting. It was as if she were singing hello.

“Hi, Mom. How are you?”

“I should be asking you the same,” Esther Evans said.

“I’m good, Mom. In fact I’m very good. Is Daddy there with you?”

A hissing sound came through the earpiece. “Where else is he going to be? Now that he’s retired, he sticks closer to me than white on rice. I think he believes I’ve been stepping out on him.”

“Mama!”

“Don’t worry, Greer. After spending half my life with this man, I don’t have the strength or the inclination to break in another one.”

“Can you please put your phone on speaker? I have something to tell both of you.”

“You’re pregnant! We’re going to be grandparents!”

Greer laughed. “No, I’m not pregnant. Please put the phone on speaker.”

“Who’s pregnant?” asked Gregory Evans.

“For the second time I’m not pregnant, and that means you’re not going to be grandparents.” Greer swatted at Jason when he started sniggling. “Stop it.”

“Who are you talking to?” Esther asked. “We have you on speaker.”

“I’m calling to let you know I’m engaged. His name is Jason Cole, and he lives in Florida.”

“Is he there with you?” Gregory asked.

“Yes, he is, Daddy. Do you want to talk to him?”

“Of course I want to talk to him.”

Greer handed Jason her cell, closely watching his expression as he listened to what her father was saying to him.

“I don’t think that’s going to be a problem, sir. I love your daughter.” His expression grew hard. “Maybe you didn’t hear me the first time. I said I love your daughter, and I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. Rather than continue this conversation on the phone, I’d prefer to talk to you face-to-face. Greer and I are going to Virginia this coming weekend for my cousin’s wedding. Is it possible for us to meet?” He met Greer’s eyes. “Yes. Maybe since my family’s going to be hers, and vice versa, I’d like you to attend the wedding, too.” He shook his head. “You will not be seen as a wedding crasher. Greer will give you the particulars. Thank you. I’ll see you next week.” He handed the phone back to Greer.

“What did you say to him, Daddy?”

“Never you mind.”

“Please don’t tell me
never you mind,
Daddy. I’m going to marry this man, and I don’t need you fighting with him.”

“Do you really love him, baby girl?”

“Of course I love him. He’s nothing like that horse’s behind who managed to snow all of us until it was too late.” Greer hated that she had to defend Jason, but she knew why her father was so apprehensive about her marrying again.

“Greer, baby. You have to see it from my vantage point. I can’t have you hurt again.”

“It’s not going to happen.”

“Cooper came by the other day and told us you’re in Mission Grove.”

“Uncle Bobby’s talking about retiring.”

Gregory laughed softly. “That old water buffalo has been talking about retiring for as long as I’ve known him.”

“Don’t you dare call my dead sister’s husband a buffalo,” said Esther in the background.

“I’m going to let you two fight it out about my uncle. I’ll see you guys next weekend.”

“We can’t make it, baby girl, even though I told your fiancé we would come to the wedding. Your mama and I have plans to drive up for my brother’s big six-oh, and it’s a surprise. You tell your young man that I’m giving him my blessing. I have a lot of respect for a man who can stand toe-to-toe with his future father-in-law. Let him know we’ll get together soon.”

Greer blinked back the tears pricking the backs of her eyelids. “I’ll let him know. I love you guys.”

“We love you, too,” the elder Evanses chorused.

She replaced the phone on the table on her side of the bed. “My father said he’s giving you his blessing but can’t make the wedding because of a prior engagement.”

Jason eased Greer down to his pillow. “Be certain to thank him the next time you talk to him. By the way, I understand where he’s coming from when it comes to you.”