Prelude of Lies (24 page)

At least Violet should leave them alone once they opened and her hopes of getting her hands on Brookside were canceled. Sydney wasn’t stupid enough to believe she’d ever completely give up, but at least she wouldn’t have a legal leg to stand on.

She’d never have to deal with the woman again.

Unless she and Jace had a future. Then the woman would be a part of her extended family. The thought made her sick to her stomach and was almost enough to change any thoughts she had of being with him.

The next morning, Sydney woke with a heavy heart. Tucker and his crew were officially finished today. Sure, they’d see them often for maintenance. A contract Sydney had insisted upon even though Tucker said he’d take care of the property for free.

The campground looked official. The grounds were spotless and well-groomed, the finishing touches far more than Sydney could have hoped for or dreamed up herself.

Daisy was already gone by the time Sydney came out of the shower. She’d planned to visit Kay and Ed, drop off the advertising paperwork at the various locations, and pick up lunch for Tucker and his crew.

Marshal waved as he opened the door to his cabin. A distracted hand movement that seemed more an obligation than desire. Sadness filled her. He’d avoided her at every turn and even though she knew what his lack of interest probably meant, she didn’t want to admit it.

Jace’s car was gone. She tried to remember if he’d said anything about errands and couldn’t. She walked the property, pleased, excited and sad. Life was about to change and she didn’t know if she was ready. She and Daisy would move from their cramped little cabin to the house where they’d have their own space in a few weeks. She would miss the little wooden house at the edge of the woods. As weird as that was.

Jace pulled in, too fast, but since there were no children around she decided not to mention his speed was unacceptable. He stayed in the car and appeared to yell into his cell phone. She wasn’t sure if he’d seen her and decided not to wait.

A bundle of wildflowers sat in the center of the desk she’d claimed in the office in an old soda bottle. There was no note. A tiny spider crawled over a white petal, disappearing into the center of the bundle and Sydney decided smelling the flowers was out of the question.

She moved them beside her computer and turned on the machine, staring out the window until the system became operational. Jace continued to sit in his car, only he didn’t appear busy anymore. He had his head against the seat and his eyes closed, his posture reminding her of defeat.

Sydney wanted to go and talk to him, but wasn’t sure how he’d react. Forcing her attention back to the computer, she clicked on the email icon, hoping for a reservation request or at least an email requesting more information.

Nothing. She shouldn’t be disappointed. The web page had only been operational for a few hours. They’d have guests their grand opening weekend. They had to.

She stared out the window again. Jace wasn’t in his car and she had a ping of disappointment that he hadn’t come to see her. Not that she really had time to chat. The pile of paperwork she needed to take care of seemed to have grown in a few hours. Grabbing a file from the top of the stack, she opened it and did her best to put both men out of her mind.

Someone decidedly male cleared his throat.

Sydney looked up from the spreadsheet to find Jace standing in the doorway.

“You busy?” He seemed nervous.

“Yeah, but I could use a break. Come in.” She saved her document, stood and stretched. “I have coffee, but it’s probably burnt by now.”

Jace wrinkled his nose and shook his head as he offered her a take-out cup with steam drifting from the top. Apparently, he’d been out when she was wrapped up with her stack of work.

“Thanks. You’ve been busy.” She figured that was better than coming right out and asking him what he’d been up to.

“You could say that. We need to talk.” He sat down, his smile gone.

“Okay.” She resumed her seat, her stomach turning. Violet had to have done something. “What is it?”

“I’ve been working on research. Trying to figure out why Gramps would marry my grandmother. I think I have the answers.”

“Good. I can’t wait to hear what you found out. This is going to change everything.” Answers meant that she now had a weapon to fight Violet.

“Yeah, it’s definitely going to change everything. It changes more than you realize.” Jace shook his head, his face full of sadness and something she couldn’t name.

“What? How bad could it be?” She reached out and placed her hand on his arm. He brushed her touch away.

“I’m your blood uncle.” He dropped a thick file on her desk. “Your grandfather is my father.”

CHAPTER 23

Sydney stared, trying to absorb what he’d said. How could that be? “That doesn’t make any sense.”

“I know. Grandmother came to visit and she and Gramps kind of painted the town red. You already knew there was something between them in high school. Your Gram was away for the weekend and apparently Violet took advantage of the situation. She stayed for the weekend and then went back home.”

“What? That doesn’t make sense. He would have never cheated on Gram.”

“She never called to tell him about me. She was still married, not to my grandfather, or my father. Hell, I don’t know. I’m so confused. Del was Violet’s third husband. After her first husband left her, she married the ex-husband of one of her ex-best friends. They’d only been together a few months when she got bored and decided to visit Gramps. So she came here and went back home to discover she was pregnant. Her husband believed the baby was his. Except he died a few weeks before the birth.”

“You mean a few weeks before you were born?” Sydney couldn’t seem to wrap her brain around this twisted deception. How could any of this be true?

“Yeah. It’s easier if I speak in general terms. Anyway, Violet didn’t know what to do. She felt a woman her age having a child was preposterous. She hid her pregnancy, spending the last few months out of state and having the baby where no one knew her. At the same time, her daughter, who I thought was my mother, died due to complications from a difficult pregnancy. When Violet went home, she told everyone I was her grandson.”

“What about her daughter’s husband?” None of this made sense. How on earth did Violet manage such an elaborate scheme? And at her age?

“There wasn’t a husband. Violet always told me my parents were killed in a skiing accident when I was very young. What really happened was that her daughter got pregnant and refused to name the father. Violet sent her away because she wanted to maintain the appearance that she had a perfect family. She made up this elaborate story about how her daughter had married a wealthy businessman and now traveled the world with him.”

“All of this is very twisted. Her daughter had to be at least twenty. Right?”

“Eighteen. Violet was forty when I was born and it gets worse. Apparently, Violet had two children to your grandfather. Me and another daughter, not the one I thought was my mother. What doesn’t make sense is why she waited so long to tell him about either of us. The daughter was long dead and I was in college. There had to be a reason she waited.”

“No wonder she’s so adamant on you having the campground. She feels it’s more yours than mine.”

“I guess that’s her odd thinking. Gramps and I talked about his legacy before he died. He told me how much he wanted you to have this place to continue the family legacy. Remember I wasn’t a little kid. I didn’t know he was my father either. That wouldn’t have changed anything. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the man and fully supported his decision to leave Brookside to you. I did wonder why he left me what he did. Now it makes sense.”

“Why didn’t they tell you?” Her eyes burned.

“I don’t know. I guess the lie had been told so many times Violet believed it, or was too afraid to admit what happened.”

“No. This can’t be true. Gramps would have had to cheat on my grandmother and he would never, ever do that. He loved her more than anything. When she died, we thought he would die with her. No. He didn’t do that.” Sydney knew she was probably wrong. After what Kay had told her, she knew Gramps had been in love with Violet. The stark truth made her angry and threatened the foundation she’d always depended on.

“They both cheated. That file is all the documentation my private investigator found. The only thing I haven’t done is confront Violet.” Jace rubbed his fingers at his temples.

Sydney almost asked if she could be with him when he talked to his mother/grandmother. The matter was private, though, and she had no right to be involved. Her heart broke for Jace. To find out your entire childhood had been a lie had to be the most earth shattering event. To learn the cold woman who raised you was actually your mother and that she’d chosen to hide behind rules and etiquette instead of giving you the love you needed and deserved had to hurt more than anything she could think of.

She wrapped her arms around him, hoping to give comfort.

“We can’t do this, Sydney.” He pulled her arms from his neck and stared into her eyes. “I’d hoped we could have a future together. I’ve discovered so much about myself since I met you. I’m happy to be with you, in your company, hearing you laugh or holding you when you cry. I love the way your face lights up when you try to deny that you’re in love with those little kittens. I love the way you defend your sister even when you know she’s wrong. I love the way you love this place and I love your vision of what you want to do with this cursed campground. Damn it.” He stood, knocking the chair to the floor.

Sydney stepped back, unsure of what she should say.

“Damn it, Sydney. I love you. And I’m your uncle. We can’t even ever be friends because of how I feel about you.” He slammed the door, rattling the pictures hanging on the wall.

Sydney didn’t move.

Jace loved her.

Jace was her uncle.

Sydney ran a hand over her tear-stained cheeks. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed since Jace left. The emptiness inside her prevented her from caring. Her heart broke, for Jace and for herself.

“What’s wrong?” Daisy dropped the mail on her desk and rushed over and wrapped her arm around her shoulder, leading her to the couch where she’d slept when Daisy was missing.

“What’s happened? Sydney. Talk to me.” She shook her arm.

Sydney raised her head.

And burst into tears.

Somehow, she managed to tell her everything. Repeating much of it because of the sobs she wasn’t able to control. Daisy passed her tissues, but didn’t interrupt.

“And he loves me.” Sydney blew her nose, tears dripping onto her hands.

“Shit. That’s messed up. Oh, honey.” Daisy hugged her, and Sydney gave in to another round of tears.

“How could Gramps do such a thing?” Sydney sniffed and tried to find self-control.

“It happens. Gramps was a great man and this doesn’t change anything. Sure, he screwed up, but I think he paid plenty for his mistakes,” Daisy said.

“And now I’m paying for them.” She hated to feel that way. Hated the anger and bitterness threatening to swallow her whole.

“So you finally decided Jace was your man and then this happens?” Daisy sighed.

“The thing is, I hadn’t consciously decided. The whole story is like some stinking soap opera. A bad one at that.”

“Obviously, you decided. Now what?” Daisy pushed and Sydney fought the urge to snap at her.

“I don’t know. We open the campground and try to sift through this mess.” Sydney picked up the pile of tissues. She was worn to the bone and didn’t have a clue what she should really do.

“Come on.” Daisy stood.

Sydney followed her to their cabin like a robot. Daisy ushered her inside and closed the door.

“You need to rest.” Daisy pointed to her bedroom.

“I don’t think I can. There’s too much in my brain.” Sydney sat at the table and dropped her head to the surface with a bang, ignoring the cat that jumped on her lap.

“Drink this.” Daisy pressed a glass of amber-colored liquid into her hands. “Don’t smell, just gulp.”

Stupidly, she did, regretting the action as the liquor burned her throat and made her eyes water. “What the hell is this?”

“Don’t worry about it. Drink.” Daisy filled the glass again, setting a bottle with a black label on the counter behind her.

“I really don’t think this is going to help.” She drank anyway and numbly watched as Daisy filled the glass a third time. At least her throat didn’t burn any more.

“It’ll help you sleep.”

She did, and the next thing she knew the cup was full again. She held the glass like a lifeline, ignoring Daisy’s insistence to swallow again.

“No wonder Violet insisted the campground go to Jace. She felt Gramps owed her for the daughter that died and the son she had with him.” The last few words came out slurred. Sydney wondered what else her sister slipped into the glass. Until she remembered she hadn’t eaten yet today and her tolerance for whiskey was low.

“Drink and don’t think.” Daisy pointed and Sydney followed instructions. “Now. Go to bed. I’m going to call Al and see what he has to say.”

Sydney stood, swaying a little. “Okay. But don’t be stupid and call Mom and Dad. At least yet.”

“Yes, ma’am. God, you’re a mess. Remind me to try a different tactic next time.” Daisy shook her head, and Sydney stuck her tongue out.

Daisy tugged her shoes off and for a minute, Sydney couldn’t stop laughing. It felt wonderful to lie down. She tried to remember why she was so tired, but gave up when her eyes closed by themselves.

Sydney sat up in confusion after shutting off her alarm. She didn’t know why it had been set. She hadn’t needed to use it since coming to Brookside. Her heart pounded as she tried to remember how she got into bed. Getting up, she went to the bathroom, her head fuzzy and her mouth dry.

Daisy forcing her to drink whiskey surfaced, along with the reason Sydney had been so upset. Jace was her uncle. Gramps had fathered two children with Violet, one while married to Gram.

She caught the edge of the sink to steady herself and tried to put everything into perspective. Even though she was angry and betrayed by Gramps’ infidelity, she had no right to judge his actions.

But why did Jace have to be her uncle? She hadn’t been aware that her heart had chosen Jace. Knowing that now, no matter what, she could never be with him shattered her soul. She loved him.

She showered, hoping to bring at least her body back to life. Thinking about Jace’s kiss and the way he touched her brought tears that shook her body and made her fall to her knees in the tub.

Sydney put on enough makeup to cover the traces of the crying. The last thing she wanted to do was answer a million questions from everyone she was bound to run into. Violet had some things to answer for. Sydney would get those answers and try to find a legal way to keep her from interfering in her life from now on.

She dialed Al’s office, leaving a message and wondering what Daisy already said to him. That she’d slept a full eighteen hours bothered her. The whiskey was probably mostly to blame, but she didn’t like how much she’d missed.

There was a note on the table.
Meeting in office. Now.

Daisy would have been on a rampage, demanding justice for Sydney. Usually Sydney would stop her, but this time she didn’t really care. She opened the office door, almost leaving when she saw Jace sitting behind her desk. Maybe he’d decided that since the truth was out, he’d just go ahead and claim what his grandmother saw as his birthright.

He smiled tenderly as she banged the door behind her. She’d been so caught up in seeing him that she’d failed to notice the room was full. Al, Daisy, and Violet stood in the reception area. Daisy had a mean look on her face and Violet wore the same haughty indignation she always had. The woman’s bra had to be too tight.

Sydney laughed, despite the serious tone in the room. She was done. Finished with all of this nonsense and trying to follow the rules and make peace with everyone.

Daisy rushed over, her eyes showing her concern. “You weren’t nipping at that bottle this morning, were you?” Her voice was a whisper.

Sydney shook her head.

“I should have.” She took a step, planting herself in the middle of the room. “Good morning, everyone. I’m glad you’re all here. I find I’m in need of some answers.”

“Wait, Syd. We need to talk first.” Daisy put her hand on her arm, but Sydney brushed it off.

Violet turned, her face red and Sydney wondered if she’d start shooting lasers out of her eyes. “So am I. Where did you get the money for all of this?”

“That’s none of your damn business and I plan to see this campground stays that way. You have no right to be here and you are not welcome here. However, I do have some questions for you before you go.” Sydney squared her shoulders and moved toward her vile step-grandmother.

“I don’t have to tell you anything.” Violet seemed to shrink and Sydney wondered how long it would take before Jace bailed her out of Sydney’s angry communication.

Daisy grabbed her arm again, this time squeezing hard enough to get her attention. “I mean it. We need to talk before you go any farther.”

Sydney shook her head, not taking her eyes from Violet.

“Wrong. How dare you? How dare you come in here and demand the things you have? How dare you use my grandfather?” Sydney wasn’t exactly sure which issue she should address first, but since the words were out there she went with them.

“Now it’s my turn to say none of your business. What was between Del and me is my business. Not yours.” Violet sniffed and Sydney wondered how long it would be until she pretended to faint.

“Wrong. When you come in here and try to override his wishes with your silly demands and tricks it became my business. You’ve done everything to try to stop us from fulfilling Gramps’ final wish. It’s my business. I think you have a few confessions to make.” Sydney stepped toward her, not willing to let Violet’s now pale face make her back down.