Secrets of a Shy Socialite by Wendy S. Marcus Read Free Book Online Page A

sight?” he joked.
    “Let’s hope not.”
    Thank goodness she recognized the man on duty.
    Justin lowered his window. The guard scowled. Jena leaned toward him so he could see her. Her hand in contact with Justin’s muscled thigh—for support, her back resting against Justin’s chest—for balance, her nose inhaling Justin’s arousing male scent—for the pure enjoyment of it... Oh, right, “Hi, Mitch. It’s me. Jena.”
    He smiled. “Welcome home, Miss. Is Mr. Piermont expecting you?”
    Shoot. “He’s home? On a Friday night?” She considered asking Justin to turn around.
    Mitch nodded. “I’ll have to announce you.”
    She gave him her sweetest smile. “Would you mind announcing me after we’re through the gate?”
    He hesitated then smiled back. “Only for you, Miss.” It paid to be nice and generous to one’s employees.
    Justin started to drive. “Why do you have to be announced in your own house? Why have you been staying with Jaci? What aren’t you telling me?”
    The stately white mansion and grand columns looked spectacular all lit up at night. And to the right, mom’s pride and joy, bed after bed of colorful perennials, accented by huge, expertly carved and maintained topiaries, spotlighted, still magnificent, the highlight of the perfectly manicured grounds. So many happy childhood memories. Until her mother’s breast cancer had invaded their perfect lives. Chemotherapy. Radiation. Hair loss. Weakness. Nausea. Vomiting. Bilateral mastectomies.
    Mom and dad’s relationship changed after that. Mom changed. Life changed.
    The heat of Justin’s large, warm hand on her thigh brought her back to the present. “You okay?”
    She nodded. “Reminiscing.” To avoid thinking about Jerald’s temper. While he’d never raised a hand to Jena in anger, he had to Jaci. Many times, because she stood up to him. Defied him. Like Jena had done, for the first time, when she’d left town, and again at Jaci’s benefit two weeks ago.
    They hadn’t spoken since.
    Justin steered around the final curve, the headlights illuminating Jerald, standing on the front porch, waiting for her.
    Bringing Justin had been a mistake bound to make the entire situation worse. Jena covered his hand with hers. “Please stay in the car.”
    “Your hand is like ice.” He slammed on the brakes about twenty feet from the porch and turned to face her. “What’s going on?”
    “I’m not one of his favorite people at the moment.” And Jerald in a rage was a frightening sight indeed. “Maybe I should come back tomorrow.” When Jerald was at work.
    An abrupt knock on the window made her jump. Heart pounding she turned to see Jerald looking back at her. He tried to open her door. Thank goodness it was locked.
    Justin lowered her window halfway.
    “It’s about time you came to your senses,” Jerald said, trying the door again. “This house is where you and your daughters belong. I had the room next to yours made into a nursery.”
    A total turnaround from his “I’m through with both of you” declaration to her and Jaci as he’d stormed off after their last encounter. Jerald could be so nice and accommodating. In order to achieve his desired objective, she reminded herself, which in this case was to get Jena back into the family home, back under his control so he could continue his quest to barter her future and her fortune for the benefit of Piermont Enterprises.
    “Rather presumptuous of you, Jerry,” Justin said, calling Jerald by the nickname he hated.
    At the sound of Justin’s voice Jerald went rigid. Slowly he bent to look through her window into the driver’s seat.
    Justin gave him a goofy smile and waved.
    “What the hell is he doing here?” Jerald yelled.
    Friendly welcome over.
    Abbie let out an unhappy whine at the noise.
    Jena unlocked the door and got out. “Keep your voice down,” she said to Jerald, pulling him away from the open window.
    “Yeah, keep your voice down,” Justin added, getting out