Sheridan threw me a quick worried glance before reverting back to her dazzling smile. “John read some of the reports; I know his treatment was heinous—things a mother doesn’t want to hear about.” She shuddered. “Has Brock opened up to you?”
“No, but he has nightmares all the time,” I hesitated to say. I hoped maybe Sheridan could convince him to seek help. If he would listen to anyone, it would be her.
“My poor son,” her voice cracked.
“Maybe you could talk to him,” I suggested.
“Oh no. One thing my boys still don’t like is their mother telling them what to do. If he’ll listen to anyone, it’s you.”
“I don’t think so. He doesn’t like a wife telling him what to do either.” I tried to play it off in a teasing manner, but it was all true. At least, he didn’t like the wife he had now telling him what to do. Maybe someday, after I figured out how to break free, he would marry someone he could truly be one with.
Sheridan patted my arm and giggled. “Holland men are known to be stubborn. But for the women they love, they will do anything. Brock loves you so much. I’ve been watching him throughout the night. He can’t take his eyes off you. But who could blame him?”
Her words were like kryptonite to my soul. She was seeing what she wanted to see—what Brock and I wanted her to see. If only she had seen the way he’d looked at me last night.
I’d never thought I’d say this, but John saved me, at least from having to lie again. For that I was grateful.
“Love.” He kissed his wife on the cheek. “I’ve been sent with the unpleasant task of telling you that Francine would like to discuss a few wedding details with you before dinner is served.” Francine was Jill’s mother.
We all turned to face the fierce-looking woman who had such a severe gray bun on top of her head it made her look like an old schoolmarm. Her black gown covered every inch of her body and didn’t help dispel that impression.
Sheridan sighed. “Pray for me. After this monstrosity of a party, I’m afraid of what the wedding will look like.” She gave me a good squeeze and her husband a kiss before she was off, like a graceful swan.
That left me to stare at my nemesis. I found myself wanting to know what made him tick, though not badly enough to remain in his presence. “Excuse me.”
“I would like to speak with you, if you don’t mind.”
“Actually, I do.”
“Humor me.” His voice warned me not to refuse. “And make sure you smile. We’re being watched.”
How had this become my life? Living like a caged animal. I plastered on a fake smile while seething on the inside. Like Brock, I didn’t like being told what to do.
John looped his arm through mine, and we went through the same exercise of walking around the room. “I know you hate me. You are not the first, nor the last,” he whispered dangerously low. “There are days I don’t even like to look at myself in the mirror, but I do what I have to do to protect my family and to get the job done, when need be.”
“You mean sacrifice your family?”
He pulled me closer to him. “I’m sure that’s what it looks like to you. Yet I’m giving both of my sons what they’ve always wanted.”
We weaved in and out of a crowd of people who smiled at what looked like a doting father-in-law speaking to his daughter-in-law. John waved and nodded, as appropriate.
When we were out of earshot, I hissed, “Do either of them look happy to you?” My gaze drifted toward the pair, standing stiffly next to each other.
John’s eyes barely grazed over them. “I know my sons. They will forgive each other and move on.”
“I think you underestimate how hurt they both are.”
“I know things are not right with you and Brock at the moment, which is why I wanted to talk to you.”
“If you think I’m discussing my relationship with you, you’re going to be disappointed.”
He didn’t even flinch. In fact, he smiled at me. “I admire your spirit. I always have, which is why you make a good partner for my son. I know you disagree right now. You have some issues to work out, as all couples do.”
Issues to work out? How many couples started their marriage with the wife being pregnant with the husband’s brother’s baby? That went well beyond issues. We belonged on an episode of Dr. Phil. Not something I was proud of.
“I see the incredulity in your eyes. But the fact remains, Brock has wanted you for a long time. Of course, there have been some difficulties. You caught the eyes of both my sons early on. And Brock has always been a loyal brother, even when he knew Brant was meant for another.”