Page 39 of Sweet Temptation

“Divorce papers.” Diane’s steadiness, and smile, didn’t falter. Garret didn’t bother to ask what kind of connections the woman had to have the papers drawn up and ready in less than twenty-four hours.

“Diane, sweetie. You don’t mean that. We love each other.”

Her one brow rose high above her eye. “Brad, you wouldn’t have a clue what love was if it bit you in the ass.”

“That’s not true.” He stepped forward as if forgetting his paramours were watching with ringside seats.

Taking a step back, Diane shook her head. “Our prenup was very clear about infidelity. All assets acquired during the marriage—which we both know I paid for anyhow—remain with the faithful party.”

“And that,” Jackie smiled, “would not be you.”

Brad blinked as if suddenly remembering his audience.

“You’ll find our sworn affidavits attesting to your… uh… extracurricular activities in the envelope.” Angela waved in Diane’s direction. “Oh, and I get to keep the ring.”

The blood drained from Brad’s face. He looked to where his beloved car had been parked only moments ago, then down to the manure cementing itself to his thousand-dollar shoes, the vibrant Sno-Cone art decorating his shirt and hair, the divorce papers signaling his financial ruin, and the three women watching him. The crowd was hushed, phones held aloft.

“You… you set me up.” He finally choked out.

Eleanor Shannon glided forward, adjusting her hat. “Set you up? Heavens no, young man. It simply appears your chickens… or perhaps in this case, your goats… and your Sno-Cones… have come home to roost.” She surveyed the scene. “Quite spectacularly, I might add.”

“So the sheriff wasn’t part of the plan?” Carson asked.

“Nope.” Jackie couldn’t help grinning. “That was sheer dumb luck that he tried to bribe the driver just as the sheriff passed by.”

“My favorite, though,” Jillian bit back a laugh, “was Clint’s perfect aim. I was so worried that Brad would notice the x tape under the straw.”

Jess set the pitcher of sweet tea on the table. “Well, I think y’all did a great job.”

Diane and Angela, having joined the family for a celebratory of sorts dinner, nodded.

“I keep asking myself what I ever saw in him in the first place,” Angela said as she refilled her glass.

“Tell me about it,” Diane echoed.

“Now, none of that.” Alice Sweet stood with a warm blueberry pie in hand. “The man was a skilled scammer. No one’s fault that he charmed everyone.”

“She’s right.” Jackie nodded. It had taken a while for them to put all the pieces together. Apparently holding down a job long term was not Brad’s strength. Having a wife with money was more of a necessity for him than a perk. More than once, Diane had threatened him with divorce if he didn’t straighten up. Jackie had most likely been nothing more than a fun diversion, but they suspected Angela was his next meal ticket if Diane followed through with her threats. “I’ve heard of exes becoming friends, but didn’t think it would be this much fun.”

“Fun,” Garret muttered. “There were a couple of times when I thought for sure the guy was going to retaliate and I’d wind up in jail for manslaughter.”

On the grand scheme of romantic things Jackie had dreamed of hearing, that had not been one of them, and yet, for her, it was the most romantic thing she’d ever heard.

“Don’t look so surprised.” Her grandmother slid a warm slice of pie in front of her. “The boy loves you.”

She glanced over at him. Cheeks slightly flushed, his hands in his pockets, and his gaze locking with hers, he straightened his shoulders, nodded, and Jackie’s heart melted in her chest. Garret Lamar Sweet loved her. Really loved her.

Chapter Sixteen

A whirlwind of a day was the understatement of the year. Every minute of the day, right up until Diane paid for a ride to take Brad back to their house, where he was given twenty-four hours to pack his personal belongings and find somewhere else to live, Garret had been on edge.

Not that Jackie was in any danger of serious injury, but Garret didn’t want a single hair on her head, or beat of her heart, hurt, and today promised any of the above possible. In too many ways to list.

Now, much to his surprise, he’d confessed, sort of, to loving Jackie for real. Not a ploy to save the ranch, not a charade to fool his mother, but honestly, truly, and deeply, loved Jackie. As in the put a ring on her finger and treasure her for the rest of their lives kind of love. All he had to do was convince her to make their little game real.

“I love how bright the stars are out here.” Jackie’s grandmother glanced out the kitchen window. “We had night skies like that when I was a little girl, but not anymore. Too much growth and light pollution.”

“It’s one of the many things I love about being out here,” Jackie cast a sideways glance at Garret before returning her gaze to her grandmother.

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