Page 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

I sit up. “Let’s go to Santa Barbara tomorrow. To Grace’s house.”

“Why?”

“Because your dad’s staying there with Lilly. He’s flying in tomorrow.”

“That’s right. I totally forgot about that.”

“Let’s go talk to him. I have to know what that meeting is about. I can’t wait until Tuesday.” I lie back down on his chest.

“I know.” He kisses the top of my head. “We’ll leave in the morning.”

We end up falling asleep and don’t wake up until 7 on Saturday. I shower and dress while Garret makes breakfast. He packed some stuff in a duffle bag in case we end up spending the night at Grace’s house. I add my clothes and makeup to the bag and zip it up.

During breakfast, I call Grace and tell her we’re coming. She’s thrilled, which I knew she would be. She arrived there a couple days ago. As we’re talking I realize I should’ve gone to see her when she got there. I know she’s lonely without Arlin around and it’s probably hard for her to be at that house without him. I remember her saying how much Arlin liked that house.

We get to Santa Barbara around 10. Grace’s house is hidden behind a large iron gate and walls of manicured hedges and flowers. When we get past the gate I see the house, and as Grace described, it looks like a cottage. Like an English cottage, with a stone exterior, a slanted roof, and a chimney jutting out the top. It’s much smaller than her house in the Hamptons but twice the size of Frank’s house.

Grace is outside cutting flowers as we drive up. She greets us at the car, wearing white pants and a light green, button-up shirt, a broad-rimmed hat on her head.

“Welcome!” She takes off her gardening gloves and gives me a hug. She lets me go and opens her arms to Garret. “I haven’t seen you, young man, since you were 15? 16?”

Garret gives her a hug. “I think I was 16. I went to your house in Florida for a fundraiser you were having for—I don’t really remember.”

She lets him go. “It’s okay, honey. You can mention him.”

I look at them both, confused.

Grace explains. “Garret attended a fundraiser we had for Royce. It was very early on in his campaign. That’s when you first met Sadie, isn’t it, Garret?” Grace sees my face and quickly corrects herself. “Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot all about that. They were friends before they ever dated. And they dated for such a short time. I wasn’t even thinking.”

“It’s fine,” I tell her. “So have you been out here gardening?”

“Yes. Come inside and let me get you two something to drink. Then we’ll go out back and I’ll show you my flowers.” As we’re walking in the house, Grace links her arm in mine and leans over to whisper. “I didn’t remember Garret being so handsome. He was always a nice-looking boy but,” she winks, “he’s grown into an even better looking man.”

I laugh. “Yes. He’s very good looking.” I glance back at Garret, who’s oblivious to the fact that us girls are talking about him.

She gives us a tour of the house. There are five bedrooms and six bathrooms. The decor is kind of old-lady like, but it feels warm and inviting. The living room has a big fireplace and across from it is a yellow couch flanked by two floral-patterned chairs. Crocheted blankets sit in a large basket on the floor.

In the bedrooms she has quilts on all the beds and lots of photos of the family, some hung on the wall and some scattered on top of the dressers. Two of the bedrooms have twin beds and stuffed animals. That’s probably where Sadie and her sisters used to stay when they were younger.

After the tour, Grace serves us iced tea and cookies, then shows us her garden. It’s beautiful; full of flowers of every size and color. She says she has a whole team of people who care for the flowers when she’s away.

Around 1, Pearce and Lilly arrive in the rental car. Grace goes out to meet them in the driveway. We let her say hello and then Garret and I come out.

Lilly runs up to us. “Garret!”

He picks her up. “Hey, Lilly.”

“This is a surprise,” Pearce says to Garret.

“Yeah, we drove up this morning.” He sets Lilly down.

“Jade!” She wraps her arms around me and I kneel down to hug her.

“Hi, Lilly.”

Pearce reaches over and hugs Garret. “I know you were just at the house, but it’s good to see you again.”

I’m still not used to Garret’s dad giving hugs. I stand there awkwardly watching it.

“Jade, good to see you as well.” He hugs me and I tense up at first but then relax and hug him back.

“Should we go inside?” Grace asks.

Garret helps his dad with the luggage and we all file into the house.

Grace goes up to Lilly. “I made some cookies. Would you like one?”

Lilly looks at her dad. “I’m not allowed to have sugar.”

Since when? So now Katherine won’t let Lilly have cookies? Or anything with sugar? That’s crazy. Eating sugar’s part of being a kid. I’m still a sugar addict although Garret’s working hard to change that.

Pearce smiles at her. “You can have a cookie, but wait until after lunch.”

Lilly looks back at Grace. “Are we having lunch soon?”

Grace laughs. “Yes, right now in fact. I just need to set everything up. Actually, I should show you around first.”

We do the tour again, ending in the garden.

“Well, I suppose I should get lunch ready,” Grace says.

“I’ll help you.” I follow her into the kitchen.

“Are you all set for the wedding?” Grace asks as we pull sandwich ingredients from the fridge.

“Yeah. Actually, my friend, Harper’s been doing most of the planning.” I grab a stack of plates from the cabinet. “You’ll meet her at the wedding.”

“I’ve met Harper before,” Grace says as she takes some cloth napkins over to the long dining table that’s just off the kitchen.

“You have? You never told me that.”

She stops to think. “I thought I did. Well, anyway, her father has hosted several large charity events at his house, so I’ve met her and her sisters, although I’m sure she doesn’t remember me.”

“Do you know her parents very well?”

“Yes, I suppose.” Grace seems uneasy, like she doesn’t want to talk about this. “Arlin did some business with her father.”

“What kind of business?”

She takes the plates I’m holding and brings them to the table. “Would you mind getting the glasses?”

That was weird. Grace almost always answers me and she just totally blew me off. There’s definitely something going on with Harper’s dad.

Before I can ask her any more about it, Garret walks in. “You two need any help in here?” He comes over and kisses me on the cheek.

Grace smiles at us. “We’re just having sandwiches so I think we’re set. Could you go get your father and Lilly?”

“Sure. I’ll be right back.” Garret leaves.

Grace comes over and gives me an unexpected hug. “You look so happy, Jade. And it’s not even your wedding day yet. I’m sure you’ll be glowing when you finally marry that handsome young man.”

“I can’t wait to marry him. I love him so much.”

“I can tell. I felt the same way when I married Arlin.” She looks away. “I still felt that way until—well, anyway, I should get the rolls.”

I follow her over to the pantry. “Grace, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, honey.” She hands me a bag of big, round sandwich rolls that look like they came from a bakery. “It just takes time to get used to living alone.”

“Could you go stay with your son? Just for a little while?”

She shakes her head as she goes to the fridge to get the iced tea. “No. He doesn’t need me getting in the way.”

I take the tea from her. “You wouldn’t be in the way. I’m sure he’d love to have you stay with him.”

“William has offered, but he’s so busy with work and—” She stops and I know she wants to say he’s busy doing whatever the organization makes him do but she can’t. It’s something we’re not supposed to talk about.

“What about Sadie’s mom? She doesn’t work. You should stay there for a couple weeks. See your grandkids.”

“Victoria’s never been too fond of her in-laws. Arlin and I tried for years to get her to warm up to us, but she wasn’t interested.” Grace sighs. “Sometimes I think she only married Royce because of the plans they had for him.”

Lilly runs into the kitchen with Pearce and Garret right behind her.

“We got you a present!” She hands Grace a box.

“My goodness. Thank you.” Grace leans down by Lilly. “Do you want to help me open it?”

Lilly nods and Grace takes her hand and leads her to the table to sit down. I can already tell those two are going to get along great. Grace is really good with kids. I would’ve loved having her as a grandma when I was Lilly’s age.

“Oh, my, this is beautiful,” Grace says as she pulls a vase from the box. It looks like handblown glass and has swirls of color in it.

“Daddy let me pick it out,” Lilly says. “Do you like it?”

“I love it.” She sets the vase down and gives Lilly a hug. She looks up at Pearce. “Thank you, Pearce. That was very kind of you.”

He smiles. “I assumed you could always use another vase with all those flowers of yours.”

“Yes. In fact, I’ll put some in there right after lunch.” She stands up and motions us to the table. “Please, sit down. Let’s eat.”

After lunch we go outside and sit in the gazebo that’s in the middle of her flower garden. Lilly runs around chasing butterflies. It’s a perfect day, sunny and around 75 degrees.

We stay there the rest of the afternoon, talking and drinking lemonade. It would be completely relaxing if I weren’t worrying about the scene at the restaurant yesterday. I can tell Garret feels the same way.

At 5, when Grace gets up to go inside, I follow her into the house and tell her that Garret and I need to talk privately to Pearce. She doesn’t ask why. She calls Lilly to come inside, saying she wants to show her something.

When I get back to the gazebo, Garret is already telling his dad what happened. I take a seat next to Garret and he reaches over to hold my hand. It’s like an automatic response now. Whenever we’re near each other, we instantly hold hands. The old Jade would’ve gagged at this display of affection, but the new Jade loves it.

“Why would they just show up like that?” Garret asks his dad. “Have they been following me?”

Pearce crosses his arms over his chest. “Not that I know of, but then again I’m not high enough up to be given that information.”

“What are you saying?” I’m starting to panic. I thought Pearce would tell us not to worry. But he didn’t. “Are they going to try to take Garret again? Or try to stop the wedding?”

Garret lets go of my hand and puts his arm around me, gently massaging my shoulder. “Jade, relax. That’s not what he’s saying.” He looks at his dad. “That’s not what you meant, right?”

“No.” Pearce rubs his chin. “It could just be a coincidence they were at the same restaurant as you, although it doesn’t sound like the type of restaurant they would eat at. And I don’t know why they’re in town so early. Our meeting isn’t until Wednesday.”

“What does that mean?” I stare at Pearce trying to read his expression. “You’re totally freaking me out here.”

Garret holds me closer. “What is this meeting about?”

Pearce glances at me, then back at Garret. “You know I can’t tell you that.”

“But Harper’s dad will be there?” Garret asks. Pearce doesn’t answer so Garret says, “Mr. Roth told us you were meeting with Kiefer.”

“I see. I’m surprised he would share that information. Then yes, we’re meeting with Kiefer at the hotel I’m staying at.”

“Why are you meeting them in the same town where Jade and I live? You couldn’t meet them somewhere else?”

Pearce nods. “Kiefer and I both insisted we meet in LA but Roth and the others wouldn’t hear of it. They picked the place.”

“Why?” Garret holds me even tighter, his body tensing up. “Why there? What are you not telling us?”

“I have no idea why they wanted to meet there. I honestly don’t. I would tell you if I did.”

“No, you wouldn’t.” Garret raises his voice. “You’re sworn to secrecy. You do what they tell you. You have to. Otherwise you’ll be punished. I know how this works, Dad. I fucking lived it. And so did you. You still do.”

“Garret, I promise you. I had no involvement in this. The meeting wasn’t my idea. I just found out about it a couple weeks ago. Roth’s assistant called my assistant and had her put it on my calendar. He didn’t ask me. There wasn’t a choice here. I was ordered to attend.” He waits for Garret to respond but he doesn’t so Pearce continues. “I have no idea what their plans are, or if they even have plans. This could all be some game of theirs to show you who’s in control.”

“What do you mean?”

Pearce shrugs. “They let you go. But you and I both know they weren’t happy about it. We beat them at their own game. Made them feel like they aren’t as powerful as they think they are. So maybe this is their way of showing you they can still control you, not in the sense of your future but in the sense of making you always living in fear. Making you spend the rest of your life wondering if they’ll be back. Or if they’re watching you. That’s how they operate. Even if they’re doing nothing at all, they get you so paranoid that you have trouble living a normal life.”

I slump my shoulders. “Well, that’s just great. So this is what we have to look forward to? More surprise visits from these people? So we’ll never be able to live in peace?”

“You can’t let them get to you,” Pearce says.

“Easier said than done,” Garret mumbles.

“Yes, I know,” Pearce says. “Believe me. I know. But it’s what you have to do. You’re not part of this anymore, Garret.”

“Are you sure about that?” he asks.

“If they follow the bylaws, they can’t go back and change their minds. It’s too late. Which means they can only control you if you let them. That stunt they pulled yesterday? It’s just a mind game. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. They don’t want you going off and living a normal life. They want you to always be looking over your shoulder. Afraid to go anywhere. Afraid to travel. Afraid to be happy.”

“That’s sick,” I say. “And sadistic.”

Garret turns to me. “We won’t let them get to us. If that’s their plan, then let them try to scare us. It won’t work. We’re stronger than that, Jade. There’s no fucking way they’re keeping us from having a normal life. A happy life.”

“Another possibility is that. . .” Pearce pauses and I glance over and see him looking at me. “Maybe this was all about you, Jade.”

Before I can ask what he means, Garret does. “What are you talking about?”

“Obviously they know you and Jade are together and I’m sure they know you two are getting married. That’s not something that’s difficult to find out.”

“Yeah, so?”

“Spouses tend to tell each other things they wouldn’t tell anyone else. They might be worried that once Jade is your wife, you’ll tell her their secrets. Or maybe they think you’ve already told her things you shouldn’t have. Things she needs to keep quiet about. Showing up at the restaurant yesterday might have been a warning for you, Garret, to not tell her what you know. And a warning for you, Jade, to keep quiet about anything Garret’s already told you or might tell you in the future.”

“From the way they acted yesterday, I feel like it’s more than that. I feel like they haven’t given up on Garret. Like they want him back.”

Pearce doesn’t respond and neither does Garret, which tells me they both think it’s possible this group might want Garret back.