Chapter 15
Parker had to have misheard. He turned and looked behind him, carefully taking in what he’d been ignoring—the display of books
behind the window, many by different authors, and . . . right there, staring him in the face was his mother. On a poster,
announcing her appearance in the bookstore that very night.
Crap.
Alice had heard the panic in his voice and seized on it. “You didn’t know? I thought she’d have told you.”
“What’s going on?” the older woman asked, looking warily at Parker and his crew and the enthusiastic Mark who refused to leave.
“Just someone doing a man-on-the-street interview,” Alice said. “Don’t worry. He’ll be gone soon. Come on into the store.
We have some wonderful treats for you. And, of course, Genevive Eden.”
“You’re welcome to come join us,” Alice said sweetly to Parker as she shepherded the woman past him. Her smile wasn’t as sweet.
She was enjoying his moment of discomfort.
“That’s okay. We’re done here,” he said. “Nice talking to you, Mark.”
“Hey, we barely started,” protested his loyal fan.
“Well, now we’re finished,” said Parker.
Strength in numbers. Enjoying her victory, Alice walked the older woman past the testosterone barrier and into the store.
Take that, Parker Black, you big, bad wolf blowhard. Nobody’s afraid of you.
Genevive came up to her. “Is Parker still out there?” she asked.
Oh, no. Who had told her?
The entire bookstore was buzzing. She could have overheard anyone talking.
“I’m very sorry. I think he’s leaving,” Alice said.
Genevive’s eyes turned to slits. “Maybe not. It’s about time he learned his lesson.”
Nola joined them. “I’m so sorry,” she said to Genevive. “I’m afraid your friend has a vendetta against us, but I’m not sure
why he’s stirring up trouble for you.”
“I’m the one who should be apologizing for Parker’s behavior, and he’s not my friend. He’s my son,” Genevive said.
“Your son?” Nola repeated faintly.
“Your son?” Alice echoed. Were her ears working? Was she hallucinating?
“I hope you won’t hold it against me,” Genevive said as she pulled her cell phone from her purse and selected a number. A
moment later she was saying, “Jerome. Are you almost here?” She paused, nodded. “Good. I need you to deal with Parker. He’s
in front of the store, making mischief.”
Jerome Riddle, Genevive’s famous brother, was coming. To deal with her son, Parker Black. This had to be a dream. Alice cast about in her mind, trying to remember what she might have eaten for dinner to bring it on.
“This is so embarrassing. I should have told you when that picture of us first surfaced, given you a chance to cancel,” Genevive
said to them. “I’m sure this is some sort of sick payback for whoever put it up.”
“Oh, dear. You’re not the only one who’s embarrassed. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to fess up,” Nola said and then proceeded
to tell her what Scarlet had done.
Genevive just shook her head. “Our children,” she said with a shrug. “I’m afraid Parker’s had a bit of a chip on his shoulder
thanks to his ex-girlfriend. Actually, two exes. Both times it was serious and both times he got hurt, but the last one, she
was a horror. Now he sees himself as a man on a mission.”
“Well, that does explain his behavior,” said Nola.
“Character motivation, right?” Genevive quipped, but her smile wasn’t a happy one. “Still, there’s no excuse for this. I’m
so sorry about the ruckus he’s making. He didn’t know this event was happening tonight or he would have steered clear, believe
me. He may not love what I do for a living, but he would never purposely sabotage one of my events. I’m sure the station put
him up to it. Anyway, my brother will be here in just a few minutes, and he’ll take care of Parker. You can count on it. And
I will have a few things to say to him later.”
Alice noted the steely look in the woman’s eyes and almost felt sorry for Parker Black.
No, not really. She moved to the plate glass window where she could get a ringside seat. Thank God Mark was gone. That was
something. In his place stood a human tank who towered over Parker. He had deep-set eyes under a wide forehead, and a brick
for a jaw. His narrowed eyes matched the straight line of his mouth.
Jerome Riddle had arrived. This should be good.