Swindled in Paradise by Deborah Brown Read Free Book Online Page B

advice.”
    “Is it too much to hope that you’re going to announce that you’re getting married and need my help to find a dress? I suppose you’ll want to wear flip-flops.” She sniffed. “Did you know they have white ones with pearls?”
    “Oh, Mother,” I sighed. “Your best bet for marriage and babies is Brad and Julie. You need to work that angle. I’m begging you, please don’t mention the ‘M’ word to Creole.”
    “Most women my age have grandchildren.” She gave me a forlorn stare. “You and your brother need to work on it; think about making your mother happy.”
    “That is so manipulative.” For the most part, I was hardened to her attempts to make me feel guilty and this was no exception.
    She smiled and tapped her glass, letting the server know she wanted another Jack on the rocks.
    Babies. I need to rent one and see how that goes first .
    “My problem is Julie.” I went on to tell her about Julie’s ex showing up and how she didn’t want me to say anything to Brad. My sixth sense told me she’d never say a word unless she was forced.
    “I can tell Brad,” Mother offered. “But let’s give her time to say something first. If she doesn’t, I’ll tell Brad, and if it comes out, you can blame me. I’ll throw myself in her arms and beg forgiveness. What’s she going to say?”
    “That could backfire. She could get mad and refuse to speak to you. I’ll take your suggestion to wait, and then tell him myself.” I smiled at her. “It would be cowardly of me to make you the bad guy.”
    “You’d owe me.”
    It was clear that she liked the idea of me owing her, and I could tell she was already figuring out the best way to redeem such an IOU. “You want a wedding? An opportunity to play dress-up? What about Spoon making an honest woman out of you? Brad can walk you down the aisle.”
    Brad had come a long way from wanting to throw Spoon in the Gulf. Now he could be in the same room with the man and not growl when Spoon hugged Mother or kissed her on the cheek.
    Mother’s cheeks flushed hot pink. “I’m enjoying playing the bad girl. Ssh.” She looked around. “He bought me a black leather motorcycle jacket.”
    Sometimes I wanted to strangle her for doing things she’d never allow me to do. “Okay, I’m going to be the mother here. Wear the jacket all over town, to the beach, wherever, but I don’t ever want you draping your body over his motorcycle and cruising around town.” I wagged my finger. “Do you hear me, young lady?”
    “I never sound all bossy like that.”
    “No, you can be scarier.” I leaned in and repeated the question, growling out each word.
    “Oh, okay.” She pointed. “Look who’s here.”
    I turned to see Brad and Fab coming through the door. Fab tapped his arm and pointed to our table. I found it amusing that the women at the table were dressed up and all in black, whereas my brother was in beach casual: shorts and a tropical shirt, briefcase in hand.
    “What happened?” I stood and hugged Fab, who tried to hide a yawn behind her hand.
    Brad pulled Mother out of her chair and wrapped her in a bear hug, letting go when she grunted.
    Fab sighed. “Didier got a call from Cruz, who made him available to the police for more questioning. At least this time, it was at his office. Didier took the Mercedes, and Brad invited me to tag along with him.”
    “You were in Miami today?” I asked Brad.
    “I had business to take care of and called to ask Didier a question. I wasn’t far away, and offered the ride.”
    “I’m intruding on a family threesome, aren’t I?” Fab asked.
    “Don’t be ridiculous, sister from parents I’ve never met,” I said and gently shoved her into the chair next to mine.
    Fab grimaced. She rarely spoke about her parents or growing up in France. They’d turned their backs on her adventurous lifestyle, slamming the door on a relationship, and I knew she wasn’t as blasé about the estrangement as she pretended. Their