Bad Seed (Jubilee, Kentucky #5)

Chapter 19

Jason and Judith Banks were coming to the end of their flight and eyeing the massive mountain looming above the town of Jubilee below. “Lord, Judith. It looks like Disney recreated something from the 1800s. Log-house shops. Cobblestone walkways. Cedar-shake roofs. Three hangar-like metal buildings with neon signs. Wonder what the hell those are for? Little buildings everywhere and nowhere to park.”

“Stop whining, Jason. It’s like Disney World but smaller. You don’t drive there. You walk for days. At least we won’t need a map to figure out where we are,” Judith said.

Jason snorted. “I can’t believe Harley thinks this is a good idea.”

“Harley found a man she loves, and from all appearances, he loves her, too. I envy her that,” she said.

Jason frowned. “What are you saying?”

Judith shrugged. “That you love your rockets more than you love me?”

He flushed, but the chopper was descending to land, and he said no more. As soon as they were down, the pilot helped them out, then carried their luggage to the hotel shuttle waiting nearby.

“Thank you for flying with us,” the pilot said. “We’ll be back to pick you up in three days. Confirmation of the time will be forthcoming.”

“Thank you,” Jason said, then watched as the pilot ran back to the chopper. “I predict this will be the longest three days of my life.”

“And I’m already sorry you came with me,” Judith muttered, and got in the shuttle van. Jason was right behind her and sat in the seat opposite her. “So you’ll have more room,” he said.

Judith turned to look out the window. “You are so thoughtful,” she muttered as they drove away.

A few minutes later they were checking in at the front desk, while a bellhop took their bags to their suite. The desk clerk did a double take when he saw their names.

“I don’t suppose you are any relation to Harley Banks?” he asked.

They looked surprised. “Yes, she’s our daughter,” Jason said.

“You must be very proud of her. She’s an amazing woman. The elevators are down that hall. Enjoy your stay,” he said.

“Thank you. I’m sure we shall,” Judith said, and slipped her hand under Jason’s elbow as they started across the lobby.

The ride up to the seventh floor was smooth and quick, and once they walked into their room, the first thing they noticed was the balcony and the view overlooking Jubilee and the other hotel in the distance.

“It’s hardly the bright lights of Houston,” he said.

“Unpack your clothes, Jason,” Judith said, then sat down on the sofa and called Harley to let her know they’d arrived.

***

Brendan was watching Harley dress as if she was going to war. Her expression was solemn, sometimes stern. She’d opted for the black leather pants and boots she’d first arrived in, and was standing in the closet staring at two different sweaters as if the wrong choice would be the end of her.

He would have teased her but for the seriousness of the moment, and he kept thinking, This is what they’ve done to her — made her doubt her own choices .

“Personally, I like you naked best, but those black leather pants are dangerous. You are more beautiful than a woman has a right to be.”

She turned, eyeing the boots, dark slacks, and gray cable-knit sweater he was wearing. His hair was as thick and black as hers, but where hers curled, his was bone straight with a tendency to feather across his forehead. He looked like he’d just stepped off the page of a GQ magazine.

“So says your hunky self,” she said as she pulled a butter-yellow sweater from its padded hanger and slipped it over her head. “Three days,” she said as she finger-combed her hair back in place, careful of her still-healing head wound.

“It’s not a prison sentence, just a family visit,” he said. “And you got a text while you were in the shower.”

She snagged her phone from the dresser and pulled up the text and frowned. “It’s from Wilhem Crossley. Tip’s dead. Killed in prison. Can’t say I’m sorry.”

Brendan pulled her down onto his lap. “That’s good. No danger of you ever having to testify at his trial now.”

Shock spread across her face. “I never thought of that.”

“Well, I did. Fate stepped in and took that worry away.”

Her phone rang while it was still in her hand, startling her enough that she nearly dropped it, then she answered. “Hi, Mom. Are you here?”

“Yes, we’re just now in our room and unpacking.”

“Have you had lunch?” Harley asked.

“No, and I’m starving,” Judith said.

“What’s your room number?” Harley asked.

“We have suite 702.”

“Then get yourself fluffed. We’ll come get you and escort you up to the main dining room. It’s on the tenth floor. See you soon.”

Then she hung up before Judith could argue.

“I need a kiss for fortitude,” Harley said.

“Happy to oblige,” Brendan said, then cupped her face and kissed her until she was breathless. “Let’s go do this,” he said.

“A little war paint,” Harley said as she dashed into the bathroom for a bit of lipstick and then grabbed her coat and her Dior clutch bag on the way out the door.

Soon they were on their way across town and Brendan was on the phone, reserving a table for four by the windows.

***

The moment Harley hung up, Judith hurried to the bedroom. “They’re coming to our room and taking us to lunch here at the hotel. I’m so glad. After all the flying, I didn’t want to go out again so soon.”

Excited that this day was finally here, she began rushing to freshen her makeup and hair, then quickly emptied her suitcase and hung up her clothes. She and Jason were on the sofa and waiting for the knock when Judith reached for his hand. “Please be nice. I need for him to like us.”

Jason frowned. “He’s the one who needs to be nice. We’re the ones he should want to impress.”

Judith sighed. “No. The only person he cares to impress is our daughter. I have a feeling this man won’t lose a wink of sleep if we disapprove. So, in the spirit of unity, if you get a wild hair to be an asshole, think twice. This matters to Harley, and I don’t want her to draw away from us any farther than she already has. She hasn’t forgiven you for calling her a bitch, and I won’t forgive you if you shame us in his eyes.”

Jason blinked, startled by the tone in her voice. “Oh, stop worrying. I told you I was sorry, and he’s just one man. Not God.”

She sighed. “You apologized to the wrong person, and you don’t believe in God.”

And then there was a knock at the door. “I’ll get it,” Jason said.

She frowned. “Then the first words out of your mouth better be, ‘I’m sorry, Harley.’”

Jason wasn’t accustomed to being in the wrong and was defensive as he strode to the door, but when he opened it, he almost didn’t recognize his own daughter. She looked beautiful in love. Then he had to look up at the man standing slightly behind her.

“Come in,” he said, and then gave Harley a quick hug. “I owe you an apology. I’m sorry I was rude, and I’m so sorry you were hurt.”

“Thank you,” she said, but it was Brendan’s hand on her shoulder that steadied her most as they entered the room. “Mom. Dad. This is my fiancé, Brendan Pope. Brendan, my parents, Jason and Judith Banks.”

“Your fiancé?” Judith cried, and then saw the ring on Harley’s hand. “Oh, honey! It’s stunning. Congratulations to the both of you.”

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you both,” Brendan said. “Although we’ve spoken to each other on the phone before, a face-to-face meeting is always better.”

Jason heard the challenge. He remembered their talk. And wearing shoes, Jason Banks was still two inches shy of six feet tall. They used to make jokes about how Harley wound up taller than both of them, but this man was huge and intimidating, and Jason didn’t do intimidating.

“How was your flight?” Brendan asked.

“It was fine,” Judith said, “and we really appreciate you being thoughtful enough to choose to eat here. It’s just an elevator ride to get where we need to go.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Brendan said. “I’ve made reservations, and Harley needs to eat pretty soon. She’s still on antibiotics and can’t take them on an empty stomach.”

Judith paled. “Oh my God, I didn’t even ask about your wound. I didn’t see a bandage and I guess I thought it was healed.”

“Not yet. Just hidden in all these curls,” Harley said, and gently pulled back the curls enough so they could see.

Jason was horrified at the long, shallow groove at the side of her head.

Judith teared up. “That’s where you were shot.”

“He missed. I didn’t,” Harley said.

The meaning of those words shocked Jason to the core. His daughter had shot and killed a man in self-defense, and yet was so matter-of-fact about it.

“The concussion she suffered was far worse than the wound,” Brendan said. “Besides headaches for days, she lost her sense of balance.”

Harley laughed. “Every time I stood up, the room spun around me. I don’t know what I would have done without Brendan.”

“We would have come,” Jason said.

“He carried me everywhere for days. You couldn’t have done that. Besides, all your presence would have done was put us in danger. I was in lockdown. The federal agents managed to keep the news of the hit man’s death a secret, in the hopes that whoever hired him would assume he was still looking for me, or that I was dead. But you two showing up would have blown that cover and put all of us in danger again,” Harley said.

“It wasn’t personal. It was a necessity,” Brendan said. “Now, sir, what do you say we go get our ladies fed?”

Jason glared. Harley was his, and Pope was claiming her.

Brendan saw his flash of anger. “She’ll always be your daughter. But she’s going to be my wife,” he said quietly.

Jason sighed. “Yes, of course. Lead the way. We’re right behind you.”

Harley reached for Brendan’s hand as they started up the hall toward the elevators.

Judith saw him look down and smile at her and, in that moment, knew her daughter was so precious in his eyes. She glanced at the dour-faced man beside her and sighed. Jason was out of his element and out of sorts, but he’d get over it. As soon as he got back to his propulsion lab, he’d be fine.

She had a moment of regret that there would be no lavish wedding to plan, no trips to the dressmaker, no wedding showers, no pastor to reserve, no church to pick out. Then she shrugged it off. She and Jason had a wedding like that, and in the end, all it had amounted to was a flash in the pan. Frenzied joy that didn’t last.

But looking at the quiet devotion between her daughter and her man gave Judith hope for a deeper, lasting love between them, and as a mother, there was nothing more she could ask.

As soon as they reached the dining room and she saw how warmly Brendan and Harley were greeted, she was beginning to be impressed.

“Chef Pope! Welcome back, Chef! Great to see you, Chef!” and “Miss Harley, we were praying for you. Miss Harley, so good to see you back on your feet!”

The comments followed them all the way to their table and as they were being seated. As soon as they were alone again, Judith commented. “It’s wonderful to see how revered you two are.”

“No, ma’am. ‘Revered’ is the wrong word. We don’t elevate people by rank. It comes from respect. And that’s earned. Harley gained their respect with her diligence in uncovering ongoing theft and fraud. And I didn’t earn it from being good at my job, which I am. I earned it by being good to my team. And mentoring them as I was mentored—to become skilled at their chosen professions.”

“All of the great chefs I have encountered have a reputation for being vocal,” Jason said.

Brendan’s gaze shifted. “I don’t have to raise my voice to be understood.” Then he slid his arm around Harley’s shoulder. “Sunshine, do you see anything on the menu that sounds good to you?”

“What are you having?” Harley asked.

“I’m thinking about chicken pot pie with the puff-pastry crust, and whatever you don’t eat.”

Harley laughed at the startled expression on her father’s face. “He’s not joking. There are no such things as leftovers at our house. Brendan’s mother, Shirley, swears he’s never been full.”

Brendan shrugged. “It’s a long way from my mouth to my belly. Even farther to my toes. And being the youngest of four brothers made it worse. I learned at an early age not to be late to the table and not to waste food.”

Judith giggled. “Your mother must be a saint.”

“Yes, ma’am, and a phenomenal cook and baker. She inspired my love of baking,” he said.

“It runs in the family,” Harley said. “There’s a little bakery down in the tourist area of Jubilee called Granny Annie’s Bakery. She’s Brendan’s great-aunt and her cinnamon rolls are to die for.”

“I like cinnamon rolls,” Jason said.

“Then we’ll take you there tomorrow,” Brendan said. “And weather permitting, if you want to sightsee, we’ll be happy to show you the sights. The atmosphere in Jubilee is like stepping back a couple of hundred years into the way life used to be here.”

Their waiter appeared and took their orders. Then as they were waiting, they heard a flurry of excitement at the door.

Wolfgang Outen had just entered the dining room and was scanning the area when he stopped and then headed straight for their table.

“Oh my God. That’s Wolfgang Outen,” Jason mumbled, but Brendan was already on his feet, and Wolf was hugging him.

“Brendan! They told me you and Harley were here. Harley, so good to see you up and about. I’m having offices revamped especially for you, with quiet and privacy at a premium. Later, you must go over it with me, and anything else you need will be provided.” He paused, and only then did he shift his gaze to acknowledge the other two people at the table.

Harley quickly introduced them. “Mr. Outen, these are my parents, Jason and Judith Banks. Mom and Dad, this is Wolfgang Outen, the new owner of the Serenity Inn and the man who’s going to be my new boss.”

Wolfgang smiled. “I am honored to have snared the shark she is. Her reputation in the corporate world is renowned.”

Jason stared at Harley in disbelief, then stood to shake his hand. “It’s a pleasure, sir.”

Wolf kissed the back of Judith’s hand instead of shaking it, and forever sealed her opinion of him as not only handsome and debonair, but also the perfect gentleman.

Then Wolf clapped Brendan on the shoulder again. “My best to Shirley, as always. Tell her I’m open for another invitation to her table any time she feels called.”

Brendan laughed. “I’ll tell her. You know she loves your company. Your daughter. Her son. Living under her roof. Her world is just about perfect.”

“And with the twins on the way, I might be just the tiniest bit envious that she’ll be with them daily.”

“You might want to rethink the every-day aspect,” Brendan said. “According to Ava, babies are noisy.”

Wolf threw back his head and laughed. “I look forward to being interrupted. Now, pardon me for the interruption to your meal. Jason and Judith, it was a pleasure to meet you. Enjoy your stay.”

He left as abruptly as he’d appeared, but Jason was seeing Brendan in a whole new light.

“Outen knows your mother?”

“He knows all of us. He’s part of our family now and enjoys all of the benefits that come with that,” Brendan said.

“Benefits?” Jason asked.

Harley glared and leaned forward, her voice angry and verging on a hiss. “That’s enough out of you. You’ve belittled and berated me my whole adult life, but you shut your mouth about Brendan and his family. You came to visit, not dissect. If you can’t figure out how to separate the two behaviors, then feel free to fly your ass back to Houston. Mom’s used to being on her own. We’ll see to her care without you. Now, here comes our food. Sit up straight like a big boy and use your fork while you eat.”

Brendan choked back a laugh, and to ease the tension, he tucked his napkin into the neck of his sweater, picked up his knife and fork, and held them upright in his hands on either side of his bread plate.

Judith took one look at him and giggled.

Harley rolled her eyes.

Brendan caught Jason’s eye and winked. “I already know that when the fire’s coming out of her ears, it’s easier to do what she says.”

Reluctantly, Jason grinned at the absurdity of this huge man pretending to be cowed by his daughter’s ire and held up his hands in defeat. “Message received loud and clear, Harley Jo. I’m not going anywhere until I have myself a cinnamon roll.”

Harley yanked the napkin out of Brendan’s sweater and kissed him on the cheek. “I do not deserve you, but I am grateful you are mine.”

“Forever and a day, Sunshine. Forever and a day,” he said.

***

That night, Judith was in their suite getting ready for bed, and Jason was standing out on the balcony of their suite looking down into the streets of Jubilee. The parking lots at the music venues were full. All of the eating and drinking establishments were open, and shops were still lit up. People were bundled up against the chill and still walking about as if it were a balmy summer day. He didn’t understand the fascination with the place, but it was obvious it attracted a lot of people.

Today had been a revelation for him in more ways than one. Harley’s love for Brendan Pope was real, and it seemed to be returned. They were protective of each other, and yet the man had known instinctively when to step back and let her shine. And shine she did. Love had softened all of her hard edges without dampening the fire within her. He could go back to Houston without further concerns and pat himself on the back for raising a brilliant child. For Jason, success mattered more than love.

Judith was enjoying a bath in the jetted tub and aimlessly popping bubbles as she soaked. She was satisfied with the man Harley had fallen for and tried not to think of what she herself had sacrificed for the pleasure of Jason’s money and the cachet of his name.

Life was a trade-off, and she’d traded love for money and would take that secret to her grave. Harley had Jason’s name, but she was not his child. Only Judith knew that, not even the man with whom she’d had the affair. But every time she saw her daughter, she saw his face and remembered love.

***

Harley had been following up on details of getting her things moved out of her Chicago apartment when Brendan left her sitting by the fire and went to shower. The day had been long and stressful, and tomorrow would be more of the same. But even after he’d showered and washed his hair, he was still standing beneath the flow of hot water with his head down and his hands braced against the wall.

Suddenly, he felt a rush of air, and then Harley was behind him. She slipped her arms around his waist and laid her cheek on his back.

“Thank you for today. For enduring my father’s digs and my mother’s constant inquiries into your bloodline.”

Without a word, he turned and lifted her off her feet.

Anticipation shot through her as she wrapped her legs around his waist. His hands were on her backside as he pinned her against the shower wall. Water was running in rivulets down his back as he eased her down on his erection.

Harley moaned.

“Hold on, Sunshine. I’ve been thinking about this all day, but I can’t last long. You’re gonna think you’ve been a victim of a hit-and-run.”

She tucked her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. “Just love me,” she whispered.

“I already do.”

***

The day before Jason and Judith were to leave, Brendan and Harley took them up the mountain, and again, his family had come through for him. They were all there waiting to meet Harley’s parents, just as they’d waited to meet her. What they didn’t know was that Wolf Outen was also there, waiting for them to arrive.

***

“This mountain is a bit intimidating,” Judith said as they drove. “No houses in sight. No traffic on the road.”

“There are multitudes of homes here,” Brendan said. “Everywhere you see mailboxes, there are roads and houses connected to them, and if there are multiple mailboxes at one road, that means multiple families live on the same property and the roads fork later to go to their respective houses.”

“Oh! Well, that makes sense,” Judith said, and laughed at herself. “I am definitely out of my comfort zone up here.”

“Mother, your villa in the south of France is on the edge of a cliff. You drive up three miles of a narrow, winding, one-way road to get there,” Harley said, and laughed.

Judith giggled. “Touché. I guess because I’m familiar with it, I didn’t see the similarities.”

Jason was silent. He just wanted this trip over with. He wouldn’t have to come back until their wedding, whenever they decided that might happen.

When Brendan took the turn off the blacktop and started up the road to his mother’s house, both of Harley’s parents went silent, and when the house came into view and Jason saw the assortment of cars lined up in front of it, he frowned. Then he glanced up in the rearview mirror and caught Brendan watching him. He flushed and looked away.

Harley was talking to her mother as they got out and started toward the house. Brendan and Jason were right behind them, but then Brendan moved up beside Jason and lowered his voice.

“I put up with your snide insinuations for Harley’s sake. But you don’t get a break here. This is my mother’s home. You make even one condescending, denigrating remark about her, or this lifestyle, or her home, and you and I will have a discussion behind the barn. Is that clear?”

Jason stumbled. Brendan caught him by the arm. “Careful where you step,” he said lightly, then looked up smiling as the front door opened.

Shirley Pope appeared, tall and elegant in her stance—a female version of her sons. “Welcome to my home. Come inside where it’s warm.”

And the moment they entered, three other men appeared wearing varying versions of Brendan Pope’s face, and Jason Banks knew he’d entered a world where only giants dwelled.

Introductions were made, and Judith was charmed by the brothers as much as she had been by Brendan. Then Wolf Outen came out of the kitchen and shook their hands. “We meet again. Prepare yourself to be charmed by this beautiful lady and her food. She’s a real steel magnolia and cooks like an angel.”

Shirley laughed. “You, sir, are a sweet-talker, just like my Wiley. Brendan, would you please hang up your coats for me? Amalie, would you be my hostess for a bit? I need to check on something in the oven.”

“I’ll help,” Wolf said, and followed Shirley.

Amalie stepped up to Shirley’s request and introduced herself. “I’m Sean’s wife. Wolf is my father. These are my sisters-in-law. Dani is married to Aaron. Linette is married to Wiley, and this tiny little blond is our sister, Ava.”

When Ava found out her grandma was having another party, she had asked to wear her pinkest dress, and so now she stood before them like a little pink fairy with a Band-Aid on her knee and a tiara on her head, delighted to have been singled out.

She eyed the two strangers carefully, then pointed to the sofa. “We sit there, and when Grandma hollers ‘It’s ready!’ we’ll sit in there,” she said, and pointed to the kitchen.

Jason was leery of kids, but Judith was instantly charmed. “Thank you, Miss Ava. Will you sit with me? You can tell me all about your tiara, and what you like to do best.”

Ava plopped down between them and looked up at Jason. “You’re Harley’s daddy?”

He nodded.

Then she looked at Judith. “And you’re Harley’s mama?”

“Yes, I am,” Judith said.

Ava nodded. “You did a good job. Harley is gonna be my new sister. She’s pretty and smart and really nice, and Brendan loves her forever. Sean and Amalie are having babies. The babies will cry a lot. I’m gonna have to teach them stuff because I’ll be their auntie. Linnie is my mommy/sister. Wiley is my Bubba/daddy. Aaron is my oldest brother, and his Dani is my sister/teacher, and my grandma loves me. I’m a keeper.”

Judith was enchanted. “Amalie, I believe this one’s a charmer.”

Ava frowned. “No. I used to be a Dalton, but now I’m a Pope.”

Everyone laughed, even Jason.

Brendan and Harley were hanging up coats when they heard the laughter. “Ten to one, that’s because of Ava,” Brendan said.

“Really?” Harley said.

He nodded. “She and Wiley are just alike. Neither of them has filters.”

“Good. Maybe between the both of them, they’ll squash my dad’s ability to insult.”

He slid a hand across her shoulder. “Not to worry. Jason and I have already discussed that.”

Harley paused, startled by the news. “Really? When did all that happen?”

“Within the ten seconds it took for us to walk from the car up to the porch.”

Harley grinned. “Did you scare him good?”

“I scared him enough,” Brendan said. “We don’t bring discord into our mother’s house. She already escaped that life. This place is her sanctuary.”

Harley hugged him. “Thank you.”

“I’m always here for you, tough stuff. Never forget it.”

***

By the time the meal was over, Harley’s parents were certain that their daughter’s welfare was in good hands. They were impressed with the people and their chosen lifestyle, and were beginning to understand the draw of anonymity. Even Wolfgang Outen, a billionaire countless times over, found comfort here.

They were quiet on the drive back into Jubilee, just sitting in the back seat of Brendan’s car and listening to him and Harley talking and laughing together. Hearing the fire in her voice and the quiet caution in his.

They’re suited , Judith thought.

When Brendan pulled up at the front entrance to the inn to let them out, Judith finally spoke up.

“Thank you both for the most wonderful evening I’ve spent in years. Brendan, your family is lovely. Harley, I honor your wisdom in all things. You are a better woman than me. And when you two decide to tie the knot, unless you plan to elope, let me know. I want to hear you say the words ‘I do.’”

“Of course we’ll let you know what we decide, but it won’t be any time in the near future. We have plans. And why do you need to hear me say, ‘I do’?”

“Because not once in your entire life have you ever said, ‘I do,’ or ‘I will,’ without prefacing it with an ‘if,’ or a ‘when,’ or a ‘why,’” Judith said.

Brendan burst out laughing.

Harley blushed.

And even Jason was grinning as they got out of the car.

“Safe travels,” Harley called out as they were on their way inside.

They turned and waved, then entered the lobby.

Harley reached across the seat and took Brendan’s hand. “Let’s go home.”

He eyed the dark circles beneath her eyes and the pain on her face. “You hurt, don’t you, darlin’? You did too much and worried too much while they were here. Home it is.”

As soon as they got home, Harley showered, took her meds, and crawled in bed. Brendan tucked her in and then kissed the side of her cheek.

“Sleep well, darlin’. I won’t be long.”

She snuggled down beneath the covers, listening as he moved around the room getting undressed, and heard him when he slipped into the bathroom. She heard the shower come on and then nothing.

She was sleeping, and then dreaming.

Becoming Harley Jo Pope, wife of Brendan James Pope and of a house yet to be built, and babies yet to be born, and then in the dream, he was in bed beside her, pulling her close. Keeping her safe. Keeping her warm.

***

When Brendan came out of the bathroom, all he could see was the top of her head on her pillow and covers pulled up to her ears.

Mine , he thought, and then turned off the last of the lights and slipped into bed beside her, curled up behind her, and put his arm across her waist.

“Love you forever,” he whispered, then closed his eyes.