More Than She Bargained For
By Ginger Leigh
Chapter 5 – Checkmate?
For some inexplicable reason, Victoria, usually the most tactful of hostesses, brought up the dress that had been the center of the ruckus between Audra and Rebecca earlier today.
The oldest son looked at his mother with a “Why?” expression after she said, “So, Audra, did Sarah finish the dress your ordered for your trip to San Francisco with Jarrod next month?
Audra also looked at her mother strangely, wondering if she had lost her mind to bring that particular subject up. Jarrod decided with chagrin that his mother was being provocative just for the sheer fun of it. She definitely had a mischievous side to her and the thought crossed his mind that if his father were still here he may well have chastised her for it once they got behind closed doors for the evening.
While Audra stammered a response it was Nick who jumped in with the answer, a move that added fuel to the fire that Victoria had sparked.
“Oh, sure, Mother, didn’t Audra tell you? I saw the dress myself this afternoon.”
By this time, Rebecca was paying close attention. She had quit playing footsy with Jarrod. Neither her father, nor Jarrod, knew the details of the dust-up in the dress shop today, but she knew they were fixing to find out all about it. It made her mad.
“I thought it was a very pretty dress,” Nick said, looking straight at Rebecca. “Didn’t you, Miss Lord?”
“Oh yes, it was beautiful,” Rebecca acknowledged.
Jarrod let out the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. He hoped that would be the end of that. He wasn’t interested in refereeing a repeat fight between Nick and Rebecca like had happened this afternoon. However, Rebecca wasn’t finished with the game yet.
“Too bad Audra won’t be able to make that trip.”
Everyone at the table stopped what they were doing and starred at Rebecca Louise. Since she was center stage, she gave the explanation everyone asked for with their expressions.
“Yes. I’m afraid Jarrod will be . . . occupied and unable to accompany her.”
Now the faces looking at her were even more perplexed, especially Jarrod’s, whose she could see out of the corner of her eye. She went on, evidently enjoying being the center of attention.
Someone dropped a fork on a plate. The expressions went from curiosity to shock.
When Rebecca looked at Jarrod, she startled a little. His head was slightly lowered and he stared at her with intense blue eyes. He was very obviously not amused.
William was the first to break the awkward silence, “Now, Becca, darling, you quit playing with these fine people.” He laughed nervously. “She’s always loved games,” he tried to explain away her behavior.
Jarrod’s thoughts tumbled over one another as he considered Miss Rebecca Louise and her iniquitous oversized chess match.
What this beautiful, flirtatious, willful, selfish young lady needs is for someone to beat her at her own games. And I’m just the man to do it. Beginning right now.
Jarrod slid his chair back and stood up. He walked to behind Rebecca’s chair and placed his hands on her shoulders. He had everyone’s full attention. Rebecca was beginning to regret toying with Jarrod, just as her father had predicted she would. They all wondered what, exactly, Counselor Barkley was going to say and do.
