Page 34 of Wild Card
“You’re right, darlin’, I do gotta be at the club. Can I leave ya here, with him?” He looks directly at Brett with eyes that seep hate.
“Of course, you can, she’smyfiancée,” Brett reminds him.
“Sure she is.” Ash laughs to himself as he heads out the door, and I close my eyes, taking a breath before I turn back around to face Brett.
“Excuse me, just for a second. I have a pamphlet in the car he might find useful.” Priest Wilson heads out after him, and I feel a spike of dread when Brett drops the fake smile from his face.
“You never told me that that punk was living here.” His eyes intensify, and I instinctively back away from him. “Jesus Christ, Ruby, don’t look at me like that.” He shakes his head like I’ve done something wrong.
“Like what?” I stand confused.
“Like you're scared of me all of a sudden. I made one mistake, and you seem to want me to suffer for it.”
“That’s not tru–”
“It’s not me you should be scared of, it’s that heathen. Look what he did to me. He could have killed me, and if my dad wasn’t so determined to keep those Royal Bastards on his side, I’d have that criminal locked back up.”
“What are you talking about?” Now I’m even more confused.
“Oh, your new friend didn’t tell you about his history? You’d think after all the years he’s spent behind bars, he’d appreciate his freedom a little more and stop putting it in jeopardy.”
I try to hide my reaction, but I can’t. I need to know if what Brett is telling me is true.
“What do you know about Ash?”
“Don’t worry, my love, I’ll find you some more suitable accommodation until we’re married. There's always room at Mrs. Kellen’s guesthouse.”
“No…” I interrupt him far too quickly. “I…I like being here. Earl needs keeping an eye on.” I smile, taking Brett's hand and hoping that affection will distract him.
“I understand you wanting to do things the proper way. As intolerant as it is, it makes a good impression, but Earl is going to have to find a way to cope without you when we’re married.” He strokes my cheek, and I don’t realize that his words have caused tears until I feel them drip between his fingers.
“I’m fine where I am, until the wedding. Like you said, Ash won’t be here for long.” I take his hand and drag it away from my face so I can get back to work. I want to ask him what he means by a good impression, but I also want to get rid of him. I don’t regret what happened with Ash last night, but I do feel like I’m going to burst into flames and get dragged to Hell for it.
“I’m going to work, too. Shall I pick you up after I’ve finished?”
“I have a shift tonight,” I lie. The truth is, I need to sit Ash down and talk to him; he can’t behave the way he just did again. He was far too close to giving us away.
“No, you don’t.” He waggles his finger around my nose playfully. “I spoke to Earl, and he assured me you're free. I booked us a tasting session at the country club.”
“A tasting session?” I stare back at him, wondering what the hell we’ll be tasting.
“And there was me thinking it was the brides who got all obsessed with these things.” He laughs as if this is something I got into voluntarily.
“The chef at the country club is going to make us some samples of what we can offer our guests on the big day, and we’ll choose our menu,” he explains. “We need to register for a gift list, too.” He takes out his cell and adds that to his notes.
“Brett, you don’t need me to help decide what the guests at our wedding eat.” I try not to sound as if I don’t care. “You know me, I’m not good with all that fancy stuff.”
“No, you’d have them serving up hot wings and cobbler if you had it your way,” he teases, and I smile as I pick up a cloth and start wiping down the bar. “But this is a special day; one we want people to remember…I’ll pick you up straight after work and we’ll head to the country club. No denim, remember." He reaches over the bar to kiss me, and when he finally leaves, I toss the cloth and sigh.
“What are you doing, Ruby?” I hear Earl's voice coming from the door to upstairs, and when he steps inside, he looks disappointed in me.
“I know you don’t think he’s right for me, but we’re good together.” My lips pick up into another phoney smile.
“I don’t mean with him. I mean with Ash.” He raises his eyebrows and dares me to lie. “I may be old, but I ain’t an old fool. I see that there's something between the two of you.”
“What are you talking about? I hardly know the guy. Besides, he's a jerk.” I laugh his idea off like he’s crazy.
“A handsome jerk.” Earl tilts his head judgingly.
