Page 41 of The Next Mrs. Parrish

“Chloe, take Tallulah outside. Bella will be out shortly.”

“Let’s go sit down for a minute,” she told the child. Bella followed her over to the sofa and sat.

“She’s coming soon. But I want to prepare you.”

Bella looked at her suspiciously.

“Your mom didn’t really want to come. She said she was having so much fun with her friends drinking and…stuff. But your dad told her how much you miss her. She said she didn’t care, but he finally talked her into it. So don’t be surprised if she doesn’t stay long. She doesn’t really love you that much.”

Bella stared at her a long moment. “You’re a liar! My mom loves me very much.”

Amber shrugged. “Really? Is that why she almost let you drown? If your dad and I hadn’t come along, you might be dead right now. But it’s not really her fault. She has an addiction. She cares more about feeling good. That’s why she drank all that whiskey and took those pills. I feel sorry for her, but still, I’d watch my back around her if I were you.”

Bella’s lower lip trembled, and tears sprang to her eyes. “I hate you!” She jumped from the sofa and ran outside. Amber laughed. She’d planted a seed. No matter how much Bella wanted to believe Amber’s words to be untrue, she wouldn’t be able to forget them, and a small part of her would always wonder. She’d probably talk to Tallulah, who would confirm Amber’s assertion. Amber had had a long talk with Tallulah last night, explaining that Daphne had had substance issues in the past. Poor Tallulah looked heartbroken when Amber told her that her mother had been forced to spend months in a sanatorium because she’d almost hurt Tallulah as a baby. Amber might be gone soon, but the damage she’d done to the mother-daughter relationship was her parting gift to Daphne—a gift that would haunt them all long after Amber’s departure.

—

Before leaving the next morning, Amber went into Jax’s room. He was awake, staring up at the mobile over his head. She walked over to the crib and picked him up. He rested his head on her shoulder.

“Mama.”

For a brief moment, she felt regret. Could she really leave another child? She hadn’t given her other son much thought, even though he’d been Jax’s age when she’d left him. She’d grown fond of Jax. The way he looked at her so adoringly, the way he lit up when she entered a room. But if she took him, then Jackson wouldn’t help her with the plan against Daisy Ann. And then where would she be? No, it was better this way. Besides, if she ended up missinghim too badly, she could always come back and get him. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and put him back in his crib. He began to fuss and she quickly left the room and went downstairs to the car waiting to take her to the airport.

—

When Amber arrived at Dallas Fort Worth International the driver she’d prearranged was waiting with a sign bearing her name. She walked over to him.

“Grab my luggage. It’s with the porter over there.” She pointed. “I’m going to the ladies’ room, then I’ll meet you outside.”

When she exited the airport, she was assaulted by the humidity. She’d forgotten how damn muggy Texas was. The last time she’d been here was for Jake’s funeral over three years ago. Instead of being comforted as his widow, she’d been met with scorn and suspicion, not only by his daughter but also by all their snobby friends. Not one person offered Amber any condolences; instead, they’d all appraised her with hostility and suspicion. She had made Jake a happy man in the few months before she shot him. He’d admitted to her that he had all but given up on love, that he thought he was past that stage of his life. She’d brought romance and hot sex and adoration to a man who was past his prime. She’d saved him from a future of decline and, most likely, illness. Wasn’t it better that he died before he became too old to enjoy his hobbies? And he’d died doing something he loved best: hunting. She’d made sure the shot would make his end swift. The whole experience in Dallas afterward had been unbearable. She’d been forced to slink out of town, her belongings in trash bags, after Daisy Ann had pettily confiscated the Bottega luggage Amber had purchased, not realizing the AmEx she’d used belonged not to Jake but to his daughter. Well, she was back, and this time, she’d be the one with the upper hand. She slipped into the black SUV and breathed a sigh of relief to feel the cool air.

“Here’s our first stop.” Amber handed the driver a piece of paper with an address, leaned back, and closed her eyes.

“Should take us ’bout half an hour to get there, ma’am. Hope you had a good flight. You here on business or pleasure?”

“I’m not the chatting type. Just drive.” Why did service people think it was charming to talk to their customers? It was irritating as hell.

“Yes, ma’am.”

She dozed until the car came to a stop in front of a gray-and-white craftsman-style home on a small lot.

“I’ll be a little while. Just sit tight until I’m back.”

He nodded. He was learning, Amber thought.

She walked up the steps to the wide front porch where a wicker table and potted plant stood between two rocking chairs. She mentally prepared herself to play the concerned do-gooder. If she didn’t have an outstanding warrant back home hanging over her head, she’d head straight to Hollywood, because she was an excellent actor. Whatever role she took on, she wore like a second skin. It was so easy to become whatever someone needed her to be. It was exhilarating, this ability to make others see her in whatever light she chose. It made her feel powerful. Amber rang the bell and waited, feeling like she was going to wilt in this heat. She was about to ring it again when she heard heels clicking and the door opened. An attractive brunette, a little heavy on the makeup, wearing designer jeans and cowboy boots stood there.

“Amber?”

Amber smiled. “Yes. You must be Nancy.”

“Come on in.”

Amber followed her into the open interior with its shiny wood floors, built-in bookcases, and cozy window seats. The scent of a vanilla candle filled the air. The living room, dining room, and kitchen were one big space, and they sat at the dining room table where a dish of homemade muffins, plates, and cloth napkins were already placed.

“Would you like some iced tea?”

Amber nodded. “Love some, thanks.”

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