The Outsider Series: The Complete Omnibus Collection

Chapter 6

Chapter Six

“Couldn’t you at least have put on a suit and tie?” Caroline whispered before turning and pasting a graceful smile on her face when Alexis walked into Andy’s library wearing a short black dress with a scoop neckline that outlined her curvaceous figure and pumps that showed off her sexy, long slim legs. Her dark, rich hair had been curled and hung in thick waves, her makeup was impeccable, and she carried herself as Andy imagined any politician’s daughter would.

Andy shot his mother a glare he hoped would scorch just a bit, and maybe she’d back off. But no, not Caroline. He should have known better, so he stalked over to the bar and lifted a crystal decanter, pouring himself a generous amount of bourbon. Caroline had called him out: He had made no effort to clean up, wearing his dark jeans and red shirt with the top two buttons open. In fact, he hadn’t even shaved again today, and he always made a point of shaving before dinner, especially when there were guests. His father, Todd, whistled as he strolled in, obviously following orders, as he was dressed in a dark suit and blue silk tie.

“Alexis, you look absolutely stunning.” Todd stopped beside Alexis and leaned down and kissed her on the cheek, then strode to Caroline and kissed the cheek she offered. He played his part well, and Andy almost raised his glass in a salute to good old Dad before swallowing a mouthful of bourbon.

Andy leaned against the bar, watching his mother. She was a damn fine actress, and she flipped a switch when important guests were present, as if she were the loving wife and Todd the devoted husband. The two of them could have won an award with their performance, but then, there were so many sides to each of them. Someone with a split personality, who flip-flopped back and forth in persona like a swinging pendulum, would have nothing on the two of them. Tonight he was watching the art of politics at work. He wondered to himself if there was in fact a course that couples took before stepping into the political arena, teaching a wife how to smile, hug, and kiss her husband in public when she’d rather claw his eyes out.

Alexis didn’t seem bothered in the least by Caroline and Todd’s performance, but then, she was a senator’s daughter, so this would seem normal. She stepped around the leather sofa in front of the fireplace and sat, sliding one slim leg outlined in silky sheer stockings over the other. Caroline took Andy’s usual wing chair and slid back, crossing her legs.

“Oh, Andy, pour me a glass of wine, please. Alexis, would you like a glass of wine?” Caroline gestured with her hand, showing off her freshly manicured nails.

“Yes, that would be lovely. Red, if you have it?” She didn’t smile at Andy. Instead, she glanced around the room, looking anywhere except at him.

“Alexis, we are so glad you’re here as our guest. I was just telling your father this afternoon when I spoke with him how much we were looking forward to this visit.”

Andy turned his back and poured the two glasses of wine. He handed one to his mother and the other to Alexis.

“Thank you, Andy,” said Alexis.

If anything, she had impeccable manners. She glanced his way and gave him an artificial smile that had none of the light he’d seen flashing there earlier.

“Andy, Alexis is going to be here for the next few weeks. Apparently, she’s quite the horse person, and it would be lovely if you could take her out for a ride. Take her on the miles of trails behind our property, the ones you’re always bragging about.” Caroline swept her hand elegantly. “Andy, sit down and join us.”

Of course, where she was pointing was right beside Alexis, and although Andy had no problem flexing his muscles and being rude at times, and a real prick at others, this time his conscience wouldn’t let him. He joined Alexis on the sofa and caught the gleam in his dad’s eye right before he took a swig of the scotch he’d just poured for himself. So he, too, was in on it. Talk about selling him out—his dad had never pulled this on him before.

“Alexis, I haven’t been out riding in a while, but I don’t mind taking you out. We also have a riding ring that you’re more than welcome to make use of. I’ll let Ben, our stable manager, know. He can get you matched up with a horse.”

Todd crossed his booted foot over his knee, showing off his alligator skin boots, and interrupted Andy. “Oh, Andy, as Alexis is our guest, why don’t you look after that? Ben is far too busy, and, Alexis, I think you might be more comfortable with Andy. He really is a master with horses. Come on, Andy, I know you can take one look at this lovely lady beside you and know the perfect horse for her.” His father then raised his eyebrows as if he should know better than to argue.

“Why, I would love to spend some time riding. That’s if you have time, Andy? After all, your mother has invited me to stay through the New Year, and I would love it if you could show me the trails and the horses.” She held up her glass and slid around until her leg bumped Andy. Andy gritted his teeth until he felt something in his jaw pop.

“Dinner is ready,” Jules announced.

Andy jumped up and sloshed his drink on his jeans.

His mother frowned. “Come, Alexis. Let’s head into the dining room. Andy will join us after he’s changed.” The women left the library chatting about this and that, but Todd grabbed Andy’s arm before he stepped out of the room.

“What’s the matter with you? This is the senator’s daughter. Be a little more friendly, it shouldn’t be difficult. She’s not that hard on the eyes,” Todd growled in a low voice as he leaned in.

Andy had never seen irritation quite like this in his father’s eyes. “I’m not interested, and what the hell is Mother doing, inviting her to stay past New Year’s? I’ll be bumping into her every time I turn around. I’m not interested in either of you stepping into my personal life and pushing any woman in my direction. You should know better, Dad, so just back off.” Andy was irritated. He’d been distracted lately, but tonight he hadn’t missed how both Todd and Caroline were pushing Alexis in his path. Just what the hell was going on?

“Look, son. I happen to agree with your mother on this one. She’s a fine catch. Get to know her. Spend some time with her. Woo her. She’s probably great in bed. But this is an alliance I want, that your mother wants. There are benefits for us. You don’t need to fall in love with the girl, but I do want you married by spring and to have her pregnant by the fall.” Todd set his glass on the bar and squeezed Andy’s shoulder. “Listen, son, it’s time you settled down, anyway. Have some kids. Give us some grandkids. It’ll look good. It’s time you do your part for this family.”

Andy stared at Todd as if he’d lost his mind. “I don’t give a s**t about an alliance. No one pushes any woman on me, ever. When I marry a woman, it will be a woman I’m in love with, not because of political clout or money. That’s your game, Dad, not mine.” Andy knocked back the rest of his drink and then set his glass down on the side of the bar, but the smile dancing in Todd’s eyes pushed all his buttons. He started to leave but hesitated when Todd chuckled.

“Son, you have no idea what’s in store for you. If you don’t make this happen, your cousin Jed and that Claremont piece of trash he married will lose their ranch. You may not be happy about what you need to do, but you will do it, and I know that by next year, you’ll be thanking me,” Todd said matter-of-factly.

Andy slid his gaze over his father, watching the man for the first time as if he didn’t know who he was. Maybe he hadn’t heard him right, but as he stared and watched the sly grin move across a face that was so similar to his own but twenty years older, with graying hair and cool, icy eyes staring back at him, it was then that the truth sank in. His father and mother had formed some alliance, and he was the pawn. He felt as if his feet were surrounded in cement blocks, as he couldn’t move and take one step out of that room. He realized the bastard had told Caroline of Andy’s one weakness, his love for Jed. Any threat to Jed would bring Andy to heel, but this made absolutely no sense. Andy and his dad loved each other; Andy had cleaned up everything for years after his dad, every screw up, every trail of broken hearts he’d left strewn from one side of the road to the other, one woman after another, so what was really going on that would have Todd selling his son down the river?

“Why would you do this to your own nephew?” Andy asked. He needed to know because if Todd did this to Jed, Andy knew without a doubt that Jed’s father, Rodney Friessen, and brothers, Brad and Neil, would all swoop in and take Todd on, and only a fool would take on Rodney Friessen. Todd was not a stupid man—far from it. So as Andy watched the hardness in his father for the first time, he didn’t know what the hell to expect, and that worried him.

Todd never smiled when he said, “This is business, son. Just remember something, too. When Jed took up with that Claremont trash, he spit on his family, on me, so I no longer have his back. Just remember that. When you turn your back on your family, you’re dead to them.” Todd patted Andy on the shoulder as he brushed past. “Look on the bright side: Alexis is easy on the eyes and could be a whole lot of fun in bed. Love’s… got no place in a marriage. That’s when a woman has the power to take you down. If you want fun, have it on the side. Hurry up and change. Don’t keep the ladies waiting.” Todd whistled as he strode arrogantly into the foyer.

Andy glanced at the front door, the brass handle that wasn’t far away. He could just walk out the door. As he stepped closer, he had to swallow his anger and clamp his jaw shut when he almost shouted out to his father—and his mother—that they could go to hell. But there was something going on that he didn’t like. He could smell the foul stench now, as if something were lying dead in the middle of the floor. As he reached out to grab the handle of the front door, he dropped his hand to his side and turned, taking in the huge grand entry and the black and white marble floor, the grandfather clock, the hall tables, and all the priceless antiques here and there. He listened to the laughter and the voices from Caroline, Todd, and Alexis drifting from the dining room and then hustled upstairs, changing into dark slacks and a clean dress shirt. When he hurried back down, he bumped into the old cook, who had a meanness in her eyes and a hairnet strung over her short, graying hair.

She planted both hands on her ample hips. “Did you find her a job?” she barked.

“Who?” He blinked and wondered at the way her bloodshot eyes flared as if she were going to hit him.

“Laura! You gave me your word.” Her voice was getting louder, so Andy rested his hand on her shoulder and gestured toward the library with his other hand.

“Let’s go in the library.”

Aida stopped just inside the library and knocked his hand away.

“Look I’m sorry. Something came up, but I will first thing in the morning. I’ll make sure she’s taken care of. I promise.”

The cook glared at him again. “You make sure it’s first thing, or find yourself another cook.” She stalked away.

Andy smacked his forehead with the edge of his fist. How could he have forgotten about Laura and her little boy and the dump they lived in? Come on, Andy, pull it together. He’d planned to make some calls, tossing around a few ideas, but when he had stepped out of his truck to make those calls, his foreman had shouted from the open barn door where he stood with the vet. One of the mares was foaling, and there were complications. An eight year old Roan, Trudy Bell, was having her first foal, and it had been after midnight when the vet pulled the hind legs out and the foal came out backwards. Andy had helped to hold the mare down, and it was three in the morning when he had finally gone to bed.

“Dammit, Andy,” he bit out in irritation as he jammed his fingers thought his short, neatly clipped hair. He let out a low growl as he didn’t like this feeling of being pulled in two different directions. After dinner, he’d excuse himself and then go make some calls, find Laura a job and a decent place to live. Perfect. He could see the checkmark already marking off this task, one less thing on his plate. Then he would find out what his parents were up to and why there was a sudden urgency to have him married to a rich, foxy lady.