Now I wish I’d come home sooner, and maybe for reasons other than the fact that I have no place else to go.
“I thought you had to work until six? Are you going to get in trouble for leaving early?” Cricket asks as Jackie releases me, and I dash away a stray tear.
Jackie shakes her head. “Of course not. I’m the boss. Unless my job isn’t being done satisfactorily, no one will fuss.”
My eyes widen. “The boss?”
“Head of housekeeping at The Gables.”
I blink a few times. “I can’t believe they’d let a Gable work there, let alone be in charge.”
Jackie smiles proudly. “Ms. Riscoff doesn’t share the same prejudices as the rest of her family, and since she’s CEO of the resort, working there is pretty damn fine.”
I didn’t think my eyes could get any wider, but I would have been wrong. “Little McKinley Riscoff is CEO of The Gables?”
I can’t picture Lincoln’s younger and painfully shy sister being in charge of anything, let alone an entire resort. His douchebag younger brother, Harrison? Sure. But McKinley seemed determined to blend into the background wherever she went.
“She’s a fair boss and runs a tight ship. You won’t hear me say a word against her.” Jackie pauses. “She’s not like the rest of them. She’s good people.”
I’m going to have to take Jackie’s word for it because I don’t plan on finding out myself.
“So, tell me everything. How are you? You okay? The tabloids have been vicious, but you know we don’t believe a goddamned thing they say.”
I drop my gaze to the ground. It’s harder to lie to Jackie when I’m looking her in the eye. “I’m okay. I’m going to be okay.”
My aunt’s rough finger slides under my chin, and she tilts my head up. She surveys my face, touching my cheekbone lightly with her other thumb. “Looks like you didn’t duck quick enough. What the hell happened?”
Her question tugs a hint of a smile from my lips. “Angry fan. There have been a lot of those lately. I’m just hoping they don’t follow me here.”
She squares her shoulders. “Don’t you worry about that. We shoot first and ask questions later. If I don’t recognize someone, they’re trespassing, and I don’t miss.”
That wave of warmth envelops me again. “Thank you. I really didn’t want to bring my mess to your doorstep, but ...”
Jackie hugs me again before pulling back to glance between Cricket and me. “Thankyoufor coming back. Cricket won’t tell you, but this wedding business is running her ragged. I’m worried Mrs. Havalin is going to steamroll my girl.”
“Mom—” Cricket protests.
“It’s the truth, and you know it.” Jackie’s tone invites no argument. “You need backup because you won’t say a damn thing you think around that woman, and Whitney will help you find your backbone.”
Guilt for not coming home sooner overwhelms me. “I’m so sorry. I wish I’d known sooner. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
Cricket glares at her mom. “I’m not a doormat. I’ll speak up when it matters. Some things are just easier if I don’t rock the boat.” She cuts her gaze to me. “Besides, Whitney was fighting her own battles.”
I can almost feel them both staring at my black eye when Jackie steps between us and squeezes both Cricket and me against her. “My sweet girls. I just want the best for both of you. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. Now we’re all here, and Gables are stronger together.”
Gables are stronger together.I’m not sure I’ve ever thought of myself asstrong,but if that’s what Cricket needs me to be, I’ll do it.Which includes steering clear of Lincoln Riscoff.
Resolve fills me. I finally feel like I have a purpose that goes beyond hiding from the press and fading into obscurity, and that purpose helps me straighten my shoulders.
I give Aunt Jackie a one-armed hug and smile at Cricket. “Your mom’s right. We’ll keep Mrs. Havalin in check. I’ve dealt with plenty of divas who were a hundred times worse. She won’t even know she’s being managed.”
“That’s my girl.” Jackie presses a kiss to my forehead, and Cricket giggles. As my aunt releases us, she glances at the shed. “You taking over my she-cave?”
“I should’ve asked first,” I reply with a grimace.
“You’re home now. What’s ours is yours. Besides, you’ll probably get more sleep out here than if you were in the house. Karma’s girls are ... wild. Not that I can say anything.” She shakes her head. “I swear, some days it’s everything I can do not to toss her out on her ass, but I’d probably never see my grandbabies again, so I don’t.”
The lines of strain that bracket Jackie’s mouth tell me that Karma has put her mom in a difficult position. It’s probably too much to think that I can help make that situation better, but I resolve to at least try to talk to my cousin about it if I get the opportunity.And hope to escape without her biting my head off.