Dawson's Fall (Welcome to Covendale #5) (9 page)

“So you’re starting a career with Mark Dawson.” Jason’s voice was thin and tight. “Destroying your reputation, right from the gate.”

“No. I’m starting my career with Joliet Vanderbright.”

“They’re monsters, Bree.”

“Stop it! Both of you.” She looked from Jason to Roger. “You’ve already taken things way too far,” she said. “Did you really threaten Mark with a gun? Because if you did, then I don’t even know you.”

Her father’s mouth worked soundlessly for a minute. Finally, he stared at the floor and said, “It wasn’t loaded. I just…wanted to scare him.”

“Well, don’t.” She frowned briefly. “I don’t like them, but I am working with them. And they don’t make me uncomfortable—you two do.” Clasping her hands together, she leaned forward a little. “This grudge has to end,” she said. “It’s hurting you, all of us, and there’s no reason for it. The man who killed our mother is dead. So please, for my sake…stop hating the Dawsons. Live and let live.”

Roger’s chin trembled, and a tear slid down his cheek. “Seems like I raised a pretty smart daughter,” he said. “I’ll be honest with you. I don’t know if I can stop…but I promise to try.”

“That’s good enough for me.” Smiling, she stood and hugged him, then looked at her brother. “Jason? I need you to do this for me, please.”

His gaze narrowed for an instant, and then the blank expression returned. “Sure, sis,” he said. “Consider it done.”

She wasn’t convinced. “You know, I get the feeling if you upset Mrs. V., she’ll pull her accounts. Maybe you should think about that the next time you want to trash someone she’s hired.”

“Yeah.” A little bit of color returned to his cheeks. At least that had gotten through to him. “I think you’re right. We wouldn’t want her upset.”

Aubrey reached over and patted her brother’s arm. “It’s only going to be a few months,” she said. “Then I’m done with them, and we can all go back to normal.”

She said goodbye and headed out, feeling just a little of the weight lifted from her shoulders. The feud wasn’t over—it probably never would be. But at least she’d wrangled a temporary truce. And she’d actually stood her ground against her family for once.

But now she had to deal with Mark Dawson, and she wasn’t sure she was up to the challenge.

* * * *

Aubrey still hadn’t shown up by lunchtime, and Mark wasn’t sure how to feel about that. Logic demanded relief, or at least the hope that she’d actually quit and wouldn’t be back. But he wasn’t buying it.

She was too stubborn to quit—and after last night, she should’ve been here just to piss him off.

Jonah was setting up the table, and he headed over to help. If his older brother suspected anything, positive or negative, he hadn’t brought it up so far. In fact, Mark had barely spoken to anyone today. He didn’t particularly want to discuss Aubrey at all. But he’d have to soon, because she might be up to something.

“You look like hell,” Jonah said as he grabbed a folding chair from the stack by the trailer. “Thought you’d be happy today.”

Mark grunted. “Why would I be?”

“Because she’s not here.”

“Oh. Right.” He frowned at the wariness in his brother’s tone. “I would be, if I thought she was gone for good,” he said. “But I doubt it.”

“You sound way too sure about that,” Jonah said. “Something I don’t know?”

“Yeah. You don’t know how goddamned stubborn she is.” Mark shook his head slowly. “I don’t know what she’s doing, but you can bet it doesn’t involve quitting this job.”

Jonah raised an eyebrow. “Think she’s trying to get us fired?”

Damn it. He hadn’t even considered that possibility. She could do it, too—make up anything she wanted, and tell Mrs. V. just to get rid of them. When it was a Monroe’s word against a Dawson’s, the Monroe won every time. “Maybe I should call the boss,” he said.

“No need.” Jonah pointed to the bright orange Seville pulling up to the curb. “Rich people,” he muttered. “That is one ugly-ass car.”

Mark sighed. “Terrific. Might as well start packing up now.”

“Just see what she wants first. You never know, man.”

“Yeah.” He drew a bracing breath, and walked toward the car expecting the final blow.

Mrs. Vanderbright was already out and smiling by the time he reached the curb. “Good afternoon, dear,” she called. “Have you boys eaten yet?”

He blinked. Definitely not what he expected to hear. “We were just setting up for lunch,” he said carefully. “Want to join us?”

“Oh, no, I couldn’t. I have so much to do today.”

“All right.” He hoped finding a new construction crew wasn’t on her to-do list. “What can I do for you, Mrs. V.?”

She patted the back door of her car. “You can take these boxes and enjoy,” she said. “I stopped by that lovely little bakery on Main Street, and I just couldn’t resist buying a few treats.”

Brow furrowed, he peered through the window and saw four white bakery boxes resting on the back seat. “Sure,” he said. “Which box?”

“All of them.” She winked. “I know you boys must be working up an appetite out here. And everything is just turning out wonderful. I do appreciate what you’re doing, you know.”

“Well, thank you.” This was a little awkward, and he had no idea what to make of it. “But we’re just doing our jobs, Mrs. V.”

“Of course you are. But that isn’t what I meant.”

“It’s not?”

“I suppose it’s time to confess,” she said. “Your work is spectacular, and I’m beyond pleased. But I’m talking about Roger Monroe’s daughter.”

“What about her?”

“Now, there’s no need to panic. I can hear it in your voice, you know.” She reached out and patted his hand. “I know how difficult it is for you to work with her. It may be…unfair of me to have arranged things like this, but I believe it’s for the best in the end.”

“Wait a minute,” he said. “You arranged this?”

Her smile grew wistful. “I know all about your father and Roger’s wife, and the terrible feud you’re going through,” she said. “Roger Monroe is a very unhappy man. And that will never change unless this hatchet between your families is buried.”

“Unhappy,” Mark repeated in hollow tones. His temper was starting to boil, and it took a lot of effort to stay calm. “So you hired her just to force Monroe into dealing with us?”

“No. I hired Aubrey Monroe because she’s a talented designer. Inexperienced, but with a lot of potential.” Mrs. Vanderbright gave him a level stare. “I put her to work with you so her family can see what I already know.”

“Yeah, and what’s that?”

“That you’re good people who’ve gotten some bad breaks, and this town has the Dawsons pegged completely wrong.”

He gaped at her.

“Close your mouth, young man. You’ll draw flies.” Her smile returned, and she looked toward the lunch table. “Where is Aubrey, by the way? Doesn’t she eat lunch?”

“Er. She, um…” Before he could think of a plausible lie, he heard an approaching engine and saw her car pulling up behind his. He never thought he’d be relieved to see Aubrey Monroe. “She’s right there,” he said.

“Wonderful. I’ll just say hello before I have to rush off.”

Mark’s heart lurched painfully. He had a feeling this was not going to be a pretty scene, and it just figured that Mrs. V. would be here to witness it. Right after she’d proclaimed her knowledge of their family history and said how much she appreciated them getting along. Well, she was about to be proven wrong.

Aubrey got out of the car and headed for them, practically beaming. But there was something forced about her expression—like if she stopped smiling, her face might fall off. “Mrs. V., I didn’t expect you here,” she called. “Hello, Mark. Sorry I’m late.” She stopped in front of them, and added, “I hope I didn’t miss much.”

“Not really.” He managed to sound somewhat normal.

“Mark and I were just discussing you and your family,” Mrs. V. said.

Aubrey blinked twice. “What a coincidence,” she said. “Because that’s where I was—talking to them. I just told my father and Jason who I’m working with. They didn’t know before.”

“You didn’t,” Mark blurted before he could stop himself. “I mean…you didn’t call or anything. So I wasn’t sure where you were. Did they…”

She turned a thousand-watt smile on him. “Everything’s fine, sweetheart.”

Warning bells shrieked through his brain. Before he could react—right in front of his employer, and worse…his brothers—she put her hands on his shoulders and kissed him.

Damn it. He was going to have a lot of explaining to do.

“Well, I’d better get to work.” Aubrey stepped back, smiling as if she’d just won the lottery. “I missed the morning, so I’ll need to catch up. Nice to see you, Mrs. V.” With a little wave, she headed for the trailer and didn’t look back.

Mrs. Vanderbright laughed. “I see you’re getting along much better than I thought,” she said. “Why don’t you grab these boxes, dear? It looks like you’ll need a peace offering.”

“Right.” He didn’t dare look at his brothers. Especially Jonah. “Thank you. I think.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll thank me someday.”

He held back a groan and opened the car door. If he ever did appreciate this, it definitely wouldn’t be today.

* * * *

There. That should take care of Mark Dawson.

Aubrey didn’t speak to the others, even though they stared at her as she walked past. Her heart was in her throat, beating too fast and making her dizzy. She couldn’t believe she’d actually done it.

She made it into the trailer and collapsed at the desk. It wasn’t perfect, but it was the only plan she could come up with. She’d never be able to out-stubborn him. So she decided to try killing him with kindness, so to speak.

And never, ever sleeping with him again.

Okay, maybe it was the best sex of her life. Maybe she had a few real feelings for him, after she’d gotten to know the person behind the thug in senior year. At least she thought she had. But even if her family went insane and decided tomorrow that henceforth the Monroes and the Dawsons would be best friends forever, she was not getting involved with Mark.

The brief moments of incredible weren’t worth the pain the rest of the time.

She knew it was petty, trying to hurt him back like this. But the more she thought about last night, the harder it was to shrug away. He’d gone too far.

Then again, she’d been the one to come on to him. And he’d warned her off—twice.

She wasn’t sure how long she’d been sitting there, confused and conflicted, when she heard raised voices outside. Mark, fighting with his brothers. She couldn’t make out what they were saying, but she figured it had to be about her. And she felt terrible.

If this was what revenge tasted like, she wasn’t hungry.

A flat thud sounded just outside the trailer, like a fist hitting something. The voices stopped. A moment later, someone muttered a few words.

Then the trailer door flew open, and Mark strode in.

She didn’t dare move. He was pale and rigid, his nose bloodied. His eyes seemed to look right through her. He closed the door and stood there a moment, then turned and headed for the sink.

“Mark?” she said softly. “What happened?”

He gripped the edge of the sink. “Jonah happened,” he said without looking at her.

“Oh my God, he hit you?”

“I let him.”

His low, broken voice wrenched her heart. “Why?”

“Because I deserved it.” He grabbed a washcloth, wet it down and dabbed carefully at his upper lip. “Now Gage wants a turn. But I…” He let out a shuddering breath and faced her. “Why the hell did you do that?”

She swallowed. “You know why.”

“Last night.” He closed his eyes and winced. “Well, I guess I deserved that, too.”

“I’m sorry—”

“Don’t.” The fury she was used to seeing from him surfaced for an instant, but it drained quickly. “Just stay away from me.”

Before she could think of anything else to say, he was gone.

Chapter 9

Mark managed to get through the rest of the day at work, and then a strained night at home. Even Luka seemed pissed at him—which was bullshit, since she wasn’t directly involved, but he wasn’t going to mention it.

He had no idea how he’d survive the next few months. Or the rest of his life, for that matter.

Yes, it was all his fault. He’d been cruel to Aubrey, and he’d done it deliberately. His intentions didn’t matter. He never believed the Monroes would actually drop the grudge. Hell, he still didn’t. But with her and Mrs. V. both thinking it was possible, there was zero chance she’d quit. She might even decide to stay in Covendale after the job—because why would she bother keeping a promise to him?

So now he’d get to spend forever being constantly reminded that she’d never be his.

The next morning he headed into work late for him, but earlier than the others. He parked at the curb and sat in the car, willing himself to get out. There was still the job. Damned if he felt like doing it, but it was the only thing he had left.

He’d made it as far as opening the door when another car pulled up behind his. Without looking, he knew it was Aubrey.

He got out, slammed the car door, and headed for the trailer. He wouldn’t bother reminding her that work started at nine. In fact, he decided not to say a word to her. The silent treatment wouldn’t fix anything, but there was no fix. At least this way he couldn’t make things any worse.

Her car door opened just as he rounded the trailer. Focused as he was on avoiding her, he almost didn’t notice that he had bigger problems—until he happened to glance at the tool shed while he was unlocking the door.

And felt like he’d been gutted with a dull blade.

Yesterday, there’d been a locked shed with stacks of lumber and plywood beside it. Today there was a splintered pile of debris. Someone had taken a chainsaw to the materials, hacking and slashing randomly until there was nothing left. The padlock was hacked off the door, the hasp twisted and broken. He couldn’t see inside the shed, but he’d bet all the tools were gone.

There was a sharp intake of breath behind him, and he whirled to find Aubrey staring at the wreckage. “My God,” she whispered. “How did that happen?”