It Had to Be Him (23 page)

He closed his eyes and ran his hand through his hair. “Being an Anderson brings along a certain amount of responsibility. Something you’ve never been able to embrace. It would have been an embarrassment to my parents, my siblings, and to your brothers and sister too, if everyone knew the truth. It was just a happy coincidence you were born looking like your mother rather than your father. It helped people question the rumor that had been going around long before she died.”

“So you kept me to save yourself the embarrassment. But you never forgave me for being the product of my mother’s affair. At least now I can finally understand why you’ve always hated me.”

“I don’t hate you, Megan.” He slowly shook his head. “But you’ve been the biggest challenge of my life. You acted out so often as a kid it was a relief when you went away to college and then to Denver. One less thing for me to worry about.”

Just what a girl likes to hear. “Maybe if you had treated me more like the others, I wouldn’t have tried so hard to get your attention. Granted, I went about it the wrong way, but all I ever wanted was just once to hear you say you were proud of me.”

“Maybe I would’ve, if you’d ever done anything to make me proud.”

Knife to the heart. “Why can’t you see how I’ve changed? I’m not that mischievous kid trying to get your attention anymore.”

“It is what it is, Megan. I did the best I could. And now you’ll thank me by digging it up and getting Amber and her family riled up again too.”

“Amber’s known for years. And I do thank you for putting a roof
over my head and paying for my college. But I did the math yesterday. All the rent you collected from my house would add up to well over two hundred thousand dollars by now. So, I’d say we’re even.”

She stood to leave before she said something even uglier about his lack of compassion. Just as she reached the door, he said, “All that money is in a separate account. Because I’m damned good at investing, there’s almost three hundred thousand now. If you’d show me rather than just tell me how you’ve finally become a responsible adult, maybe I’ll let you have it.”

Three hundred grand?

She slowly turned and faced him again.

His lips curled into a smug smirk. “Well, now. That got your attention, didn’t it? Everyone in this town has secrets. Some bigger than others. Your mother had more than just this one, things no one should have to know about their mother. Showing up with a smile on your face on Founder’s Day and keeping this to yourself would help me believe you’re one step closer to earning that money.”

“Really? You’re going to use that to buy my silence? As much as I’d love to use that money to fix up my house, it wouldn’t be worth having you hold it over my head the rest of my life. I’m done caring what you think of me!”

She slammed his office door behind her. Blood pounded so loudly in her ears she couldn’t hear a word Mrs. Duncan said to her.

No way was she going to give him any more power by touching a dime of that stinking money. She’d take the risk, gather more pre-booking money, and then pray she’d be able to get her lodge open on schedule. She wouldn’t fail this time. She’d show him he was wrong about her and do just as Grandma said, steal away some of his clients and make a good living despite him.

Why should she care what he thought of her anyway? She didn’t need his approval anymore. She’d just focus on making the people who actually cared for her and who were in her corner proud.

She ignored everyone who called out a greeting and kept her head down as she made her way to the hotel. She’d pick up Haley from Casey and then go hammer or strip the crap out of something at the lodge.

Just as she started across the grassy park, Haley called out a happy, “Hi, Momma!”

Her anger dimmed by half at the sight of Haley’s sweet, smiling face. “I didn’t expect to see you here.” Meg lifted her up and spotted Grandma sitting on the wooden bandstand steps nearby.

Meg plopped Haley onto the step and then sat between her and Grandma. She’d been trying to think of what to say to Grams all morning. “So, I guess Casey told you what I was doing, huh?”

Grandma nodded. “Figured you’d run outta there with your panties all in a twist. We’ve all seen what an idiot you can be when you get like that. Thought we’d stop by to be sure you didn’t do anything stupid.”

“I wasn’t going to . . . well, anyway, I want to say thank you. For being there for me when you didn’t have—”

Grandma thumped her cane. “What nonsense is this now, Meggy? Do you love me any less since you found those files?”

“No. I think I love you even more.” She drew her grandmother into a hug. “Even if you are the crankiest person I’ve ever met.”

“Well, there you go. And for the record, there’s never a dull moment when you’re around, and I like that about you . . . most of the time. You’ve done some pretty idiotic things, but I got no time for boring people.”

Meg laughed. “Thanks. I think?”

Grandma struggled with her cane as she slowly attempted to stand. “I’m off to the grocery store. I don’t want to hear about those files ever again. Got it?”

“Got it. Why don’t you give me your list, and Haley and I will go for you?”

“What list? It’s all up here in the steel trap.” She tapped a finger to her forehead. “I’m not so old I can’t do my own damned shopping. Besides, looks like you got bigger trouble on your hands.” Grandma pointed her cane. “Amber’s heading this way. Casey said you’re gonna talk to her about it too. Not sure yet if that’s going to be one of your more idiotic moves or not. Guess we’ll see.” Grandma stuck out her hand. “Haley, why don’t you come along with me? You can pick out the ice cream you like best.”

“Okay. Bye, Momma.” Haley tilted her chin and pursed her lips.

“Bye, baby.” Meg gave Haley a kiss, then flagged Amber down.

Amber walked slowly toward her, suspicion dancing in her eyes. “What’s up? Wondering if I got my invite to the silly little girls’ thing you guys are having on Friday?”

“It’s Pam’s party. I have no idea who she’s inviting. Do you have a minute? I’d like to talk to you about something.”

Amber glanced at her watch. “Make it quick.”

“Okay, uh, you want to sit?” Meg waved a hand toward the bandstand’s steps.

“I’m not sitting on those dirty steps. Jeez, what the hell, Meg? Just spit it out.”

Meg sat, but then realized that left Amber in the power position, lurking above her head, so she stood again. Being short sucked when trying to give attitude. She still only came up to Amber’s store-bought cleavage. After hopping up on a step, she finally stood eye to eye with Amber. “I just found out something I was told you already knew. About our father?”

Amber’s jaw clenched. “Did the person who told you about this also tell you what a whore your mother was? And how she ruined my mother’s life?”

A strange urge to defend a woman she had no memories of rose up in Meg. “It takes two cheaters to have an affair. One’s not any better than the other.”

“Men cheat, Meg. Society gives them a free pass. You’ve always been so naïve that way. But what’s your point?”

“I just wanted to . . . I don’t know. For God’s sake, Amber, we’re sisters. Our kids are cousins. I just want this polite war between us to end.”

“Easy for you to say. My mother’s life was destroyed, and I had to grow up with practically nothing, while you and the rest of the Andersons and Grants lived in mansions. Worse, you got a freakin’ free pass every time you screwed up because you were the mayor’s so-called daughter. My mother told me your mother was just a slut who enjoyed tempting weak men away, not caring who she hurt in the process. I have no desire to have anything to do with that woman’s spawn.”

“At least you had a mother who loved you. And we’re both the spawn of the same weak father. But if you really feel that way, then why were you coming on to Josh? You’d think after what happened to your mother you’d never cheat.”

Hurt flashed in Amber’s eyes for a nanosecond before she shut it down. “Randy and I have an open marriage. No man will ever destroy me like my mother. I’m late. I have to go.”

An open marriage? That couldn’t have been Amber’s idea. When they were kids, Amber wanted that prince in shining armor who’d only ever have eyes for her as much as any other starry-eyed little girl who’d seen every Disney movie ever made.

Meg couldn’t help it—she had to know. “So, do you even love Randy? Or did you steal him away just to hurt me for what my mother did?”

Amber whirled around. “Everyone knew Randy was guaranteed a great job from his father after college. Set for the rest of his life. No way was I going to let you continue to live the life I deserved. But look at you now, Meg. Little Miss Rich Girl who hasn’t got two dimes to rub together and is living in her grandmother’s guesthouse.
Karma’s a real bitch, right?” Amber poked Meg in the chest. “I’m already taking steps to run your sorry ass out of town. Nobody wants you here, Megan.” She spun on her ice pick heels and left.

Meg sank down on the steps and watched Amber walk away. Was it true? Did people want to see her gone?

Where was that great comeback, Muck? Why was it easier to stand up to her father, the most powerful man in town, than to Amber?

So much for being tough.

Hard to believe she’d once idolized Amber and loved being her friend. All those sleepovers every weekend and staying up all night talking about boys. She hadn’t seen the dark side until it was aimed at her. Casey had mentioned Amber had found out about their father in their junior year of high school. That had been right when Amber had changed.

After Amber had turned into the queen bitch, she’d reduced many girls to tears by betraying trusts and revealing everyone’s most sacred secrets. Amber was probably serious about trying to run Meg out of town.

According to her dad, everyone in Anderson Butte had secrets—but she didn’t. So what could Amber do that’d be so bad? The even bigger mystery was, why did her confrontation with Amber make her more sad than angry?

“Megan?”

She looked up to find Walt, one of her potential contractors, standing in front of her with a fat envelope in his hand.

She sent him a smile and said, “Hey. So how’d we do? Somewhere in the ballpark we discussed?”

“Well, no, actually.” Walt cleared his throat. “There’s been a shortage of manpower, so everything’s more than . . . well, here. Let me know what you think after you’ve had a chance to look
things over.” The sheepish look on his face as he handed the bid over didn’t bode well.

She tore open the envelope and searched for the bottom line. It was twice what she’d estimated and her heart sank.

The numbers made no sense. She’d gone over some of the costs with the lumber store herself.

But then, Walt had always been in love with Amber. He’d still do anything for her. So maybe this was step one in the “run Meg out of town” plan?

When she looked up at Walt again, he couldn’t meet her direct gaze and looked away.

That hurt. They’d been friends since elementary school. Did Walt want her gone too? “Tell Amber good try. But I won’t let this stop me. See you around.”

As Meg forced herself to calmly walk away, Walt’s sputtering apology confirmed she was right. Meg tossed the bogus bid into a trash can on the corner.

Well, Amber, game on. She would not allow her half sister or her so-called father the power to defeat her. They were dealing with the new Meg now.

M
eg headed across the square toward the hotel. She needed to talk to Casey. Amber’s little power play was a good one, so Meg had to act fast.

Contractors from Denver would charge a surplus for working out of town. And the other smaller contractors in nearby towns didn’t have any openings for such a big job. She could only hope Amber hadn’t gotten to Beau Bailey yet.

Meg stuck her head inside her sister’s office, but Casey wasn’t there. She hated that she was going to have to ask for help. She’d built up her courage to ask all the way there.

Meg checked the kitchen next. Dax was pulling something sinfully chocolate-smelling from the oven. He was built like a Navy SEAL, but made delicate soufflés. He gently laid it on the granite counter. “Hey, Meg.”

“Hi. Dibs on any leftovers. Do you know where Casey is?”

A slow smile tilted his lips. “She’s in the throes of a cute little snit. We’re shorthanded today, so she’s down at the dock packing the boat with picnic supplies.”

“Thanks.” Meg turned to leave, but stopped. “So, do you have a thing for my sister, Dax?”

He shrugged one of his big shoulders. “She’s the boss, so she’s off limits, right?”

Yep. He did. “Casey’s a bit of a rule follower that way. See you.”

Meg hoped her sister would be willing to break a rule or two for her, just this once. She headed out the back door and down to the dock. Casey was hauling boxes onto the pontoon boat with a deep scowl etched on her face. Maybe it wasn’t the best time for favor asking.

Casey spotted her. “Here. Make yourself useful. Load this onboard.” Casey shoved a cooler into Meg’s hands.

“What’s going on?”

“Chris is out sick, Billy is on vacation, and Toby is nowhere to be found. I’ve called and sent him numerous texts, but he’s ignoring me. He’s supposed to take some guests out to Sunset Cove for a picnic lunch. If he doesn’t show, I’ll need you to take them.”