Page 14 of Sweet Temptation (Honeysuckle, Texas #3)

Pushing scrambled eggs around her plate, Jackie’s fork scraped against the dish in the otherwise quiet kitchen.

Garret wished there was something he could do or say to take away the weight that Jackie carried since learning Brad was a serial stinker.

Usually, Saturday morning breakfast at the ranch meant pancakes stacked high, bacon crisp and plentiful, and conversation flowing freely.

Today, everyone privy to the plans for the day seemed just a tad off kilter.

His mother refilled coffee cups without comment.

“So,” he broke the silence as Rachel checked her watch for the third time in ten minutes, “what time are you two heading into town?”

Rachel set her empty mug down with a decisive thunk. “As soon as Jackie finishes pretending to eat.”

“I’m not pretending. I’m thinking.” Jackie abandoned any effort at eating and pushed her plate away. “And I’ve pretty much run out of thoughts. Time to hit the road.”

Garret leaned forward, lowering his voice even though his mother had disappeared into the pantry. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

The determination in Jackie’s eyes gave him his answer before she spoke. “I have to. I just keep thinking, if someone had warned me about Brad back in Houston, I could have avoided a lot of heartache. Angela deserves the same chance.”

Something twisted in Garret’s chest—admiration, maybe, or something deeper he wasn’t ready to name. “I’m just trying to figure out what this guy’s endgame is. He can’t possibly be planning to be a bigamist, shuttling between two towns and two wives.”

“I’ve been wondering the same thing,” Jackie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Why propose to Angela when he never even hinted at marriage with me? I mean, even if shuffling between two families from Millers Creek to Honeysuckle is easier than between West Texas and Houston, none of this makes sense.”

Rachel snorted. “Maybe Angela has money.”

“Does she?” Jackie’s forehead creased in thought. “But that makes me wonder—does his wife have money?”

“Could be why he stays married.” Garret hefted a shoulder in a brief shrug. “Keep the financial security of one relationship while pursuing others on the side.”

“Maybe…” Jackie nodded slowly. “But why go so far as proposing? Why not string her along like he did with me?”

“We can speculate all day, or we can get moving and find our answers.” Rachel stood, slinging her purse over her shoulder. “Ready to go?”

Jackie took a deep breath, squared her shoulders. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

Garret rose as they did. Something compelled him to reach for Jackie’s hand as she passed, stopping her with a gentle tug. “Call me if you need back up.”

Her smile softened, eyes warming. “I will. But entertaining Grams, showing her around the ranch and the animals, that’s the best help you can give me today.”

The urge to go with her, to protect her from a potentially outraged woman—or worse, an unscrupulous ex—was stronger than he’d expected.

Without thinking, he leaned in and brushed his lips lightly against hers.

“For luck,” he murmured, pulling back just enough to see surprise flicker across her face.

A throat cleared behind them, and Garret turned to find his mother standing in the kitchen doorway, a dish towel in hand and a knowing smile on her face, her eyes settled on their still-joined hands.

Jackie’s cheeks flushed pink as she squeezed his fingers once before letting go.

“You girls have a good time in town,” his mom called out. “And don’t worry about Eleanor; we’ll take good care of her.”

“Thank you. We won’t be long.” Jackie’s gaze lingered a moment longer, locked with his, before she slipped out the door with Rachel close behind.

As the screen door swung shut, his mother’s smile widened. “That girl’s good for you,” she said simply, before turning back to the kitchen.

Garret remained at the window, watching Jackie and Rachel climb into Rachel’s car. He told himself he was playing his part well—the devoted boyfriend seeing his girl off. The uncomfortable truth, settling like a weight in his chest, was that less and less of it felt like acting anymore.

The rhinestone-studded “ OPEN ” sign in the window of Shear Perfection glinted against the morning sunlight as Rachel pushed open the door. A bell tinkled overhead, announcing their arrival to the salon’s lone occupant.

Angela Simpson looked up from behind the reception counter, her blonde hair swept into a perfect updo, engagement ring sparkling as she waved. “Good morning, Rachel.” She turned to face her morning appointment. “You must be Jackie. I’ve got the coffee brewing.”

The salon was small but stylish—three stations with large mirrors, black leather chairs, and a row of hair dryers along one wall.

Photos of smiling clients sporting Angela’s handiwork lined another wall, interspersed with framed cosmetology certificates.

A small “Owner/Stylist” placard sat on Angela’s station.

“Can I get either of you something to drink?” Large pink mug in hand, Angela moved toward the coffee station.

“Just water for me.” Jackie’s voice sounded much steadier than she felt.

Rachel shook her head. “I’m fine, thanks.”

Inhaling a long sip of coffee, Angela smiled and waved Jackie to her styling chair, and setting the mug down on top of a rolling tray at her side, she draped the black cape around Jackie’s shoulders with practiced ease.

“So we’re thinking a trim today? Maybe some layers?

” Her fingers raked through Jackie’s hair as she assessed it in the mirror.

“Just a trim.” Jackie met Angela’s eyes in the reflection, gathering her courage. “Actually, Angela, we didn’t just come for a haircut.”

Angela’s hands paused momentarily before resuming their work. “Oh? What’s up?”

Rachel moved closer, positioning herself where Angela could see her. “It’s about Brad.”

“Brad?” Angela’s smile brightened, her left hand held out, fingers wiggling for the impressive ring to catch the light. “Isn’t it gorgeous? He said he had it custom-made.”

The pride in Angela’s voice made Jackie’s stomach clench. She recognized that feeling—the certainty that you’d been chosen by someone special, someone who saw your worth.

“Angela,” Jackie watched the hairdresser through the mirror, “how long have you known Brad?”

“Almost eight months now.” Angela reached for her scissors.

Eight months? Jackie bit down on her back teeth. The sleaze wasn’t just two-timing her, he was three timing her.

“He comes to town regularly for work,” Angela continued. “The first time he walked in here for a haircut, I just knew there was something special about him.” She laughed. “I’m not usually so forward, but I wrote my number on his receipt.”

Rachel leaned against the empty styling station. “And he told you he was single?”

“Of course he did.” Angela’s hands froze mid-motion. “What kind of question is that?”

Jackie swallowed hard. “The kind you ask when you know he’s not.”

The salon went completely silent except for the soft hum of the air conditioning. Angela’s face in the mirror shifted from confusion to defensiveness.

“What exactly are you saying?” Angela was no longer bothering to attempt to style Jackie’s hair.

“Recently, I met his wife.” Hopefully, she wouldn’t have to share all the humiliating details from when she discovered the truth. Though, when this was all behind them, she should probably thank Brad for his part in her meeting Garret.

Angela’s laugh was sharp and disbelieving. “That’s ridiculous. You must be thinking of another Brad. Mine has never been married.”

“Your Brad,” arms crossed, Rachel stared at Angela, “drives a fire-red Maserati, claims to work in corporate consulting—”

“And,” Jackie interrupted her newest friend and future—if only temporarily—sister-in-law, “he has a small scar on his left shoulder from a childhood accident.”

Angela’s face paled slightly. “How do you know about his car? And his scar?”

Jackie met her eyes in the mirror. “Because I dated him too.”

“I don’t believe you.” It was hard to say what trembled more, Angela’s voice or her hands. “This is crazy. I think you should leave.”

“I wish it wasn’t true,” Jackie said. “But look.”

Jackie scrolled through her phone before flipping it around and showing a photo of Jackie and Brad standing beside his distinctive red sports car, his arm wrapped possessively around her waist. The date stamp showed it was taken just two months ago.

“That’s… that doesn’t mean anything.” Uncertainty had crept into Angela’s voice.

“There’s more.” Jackie swiped to the next image—a screenshot of property records for Millers Creek that Rachel had found after hearing about the latest engagement, with Bradley and Diane Peters listed as joint owners of a house on Magnolia Lane.

Angela set the scissors down carefully on the counter, her fingers white-knuckled. “There has to be an explanation.”

“I thought so too,” Jackie admitted. “When I showed up at his house in Millers Creek and his wife answered the door, I spent hours trying to come up with explanations that would make it not true.”

“His wife?” Angela whispered, sinking onto the adjacent styling chair. “No. He can’t be…” Her voice trailed off as she stared at the evidence on Jackie’s phone.

“I’m so sorry.” Jackie heaved an unsteady sigh. “I know exactly how you’re feeling right now.”

A tear slipped down Angela’s cheek, leaving a trail in her perfectly applied makeup.

“I don’t understand. We’ve started planning our wedding.

He’s meeting with a realtor next week to find us a place.

Why would he—” She broke off, twisting the engagement ring on her finger.

“Oh God. I have a trust fund from my grandmother. It’s how I bought the salon.

He said he’d help me invest it so it grows stronger. ”

Jackie reached across, laying her hand over Angela’s trembling fingers. “I truly am sorry, but I know if it were me, I’d want someone to tell me what was going on.”

Angela stared at their joined hands for a long moment, her shoulders slumping. Then gradually, her posture straightened. “I might need a good character witness after I kill him. You girls up for the job?”

“Actually,” Rachel chuckled softly, “we were hoping you might like to join us.”

“Join you?” Confusion had returned to Angela’s face.

Jackie grinned. “As my Grams has often said, revenge can be bittersweet, but karma can be pure entertainment. We thought it might be fun to move karma along. Care to join the fun?”