The Bet (The Bet #1)(14)

Travis put the truck into gear. “Still afraid of flying?”

“I thought I was over it, but then I accused a clergyman of being a terrorist.”

Travis laughed. “Out loud? Damn woman, maybe you should take the train back.”

Kacey’s eyes lit up. “Brilliant plan, but it takes three hours.”

“They have a bar.”

“Where do you buy tickets?”

Travis chuckled as he pulled into traffic. “I’ll take care of it, alright? Just stop saying terrorist in planes for your own sanity and safety, little girl.”

“I’m not a little girl,” Kacey snapped.

The truck stopped at the red light. Travis turned to look at Kacey, every bit the woman she was. From her pouty lips to her tight little body. “Yeah, I know, Kace. I’d have to be dead not to notice.” His body flared to life the longer he stared at her. Well, that was uncomfortable.

“Wow, a compliment from the little boy who used to pee his pants when he saw clowns. I’m touched, really.” Kacey fluttered her eyelashes and tilted her head.

“It was only o-once!” The light turned green and Travis pumped the accelerator with ferocity. “And the clown knew my name, Kace. Come on, any little boy would be freaked out a bit. Thanks for that by the way.”

“Whatever do you mean, Travis?”

“You told the clown my name. Admit it. Admit it or I’m dropping you off by the ice skating rink.”

“You wouldn’t!”

“I would, and I am. Tell me how many accidental deaths are there a year by ice skating accidents?”

“You’re the devil!”

Travis grinned. “So you’ve said.”

“Fine, I told the clown your name, but only after you tripped me.”

“Ah, victory at last.” Travis sighed, stealing a glance in the rearview mirror to see Kacey scowl and cross her arms. “Kace, can’t we at least try to get along while you’re here? After all, according to my entire family, you’re about to be the new daughter-in-law. I would hate to give them the impression that I’m going to kill you in your sleep.”

Kacey groaned. “You’re right. And don’t you dare gloat! This is for Grandma, right? I’m doing this for Grandma.” She chanted grandma five times before pausing. “Trav?”

It was the first time she had actually said his name instead of an expletive or her favorite nickname of the devil. “Yeah, Kace?”

“Is she going to be okay?”

“Who? Grandma?” He chuckled as he pulled into the large estate also known as Titus Abbey. “Kace, I think Grandma could walk away from a nuclear holocaust and still be fine. Don’t worry too much, alright? Besides, seeing you will make all the difference. She’s getting all sappy in her old age.”

“But…” Kacey sighed.

Travis pulled down the driveway, shut off the car, and turned to see Kacey chewing on her fingernails.

“But what?” he asked.

Fingernails still in her mouth, she answered, “What if she finds out? I mean, I doubt Jake even told Grandma it wasn’t real. So she’s going to think we’re together, and…”

Travis gulped at the knot rising in his throat. Naturally, it had been one of his first concerns as well. If Grandma found out… well, Travis would gladly point at Jake and shake his head, throwing him under the bus. But the point was his grandma loved Kacey. If she knew they were tricking her to get her to feel better and to make her believe that Jake was more responsible than she gave him credit for…

Then, well, he wasn’t sure it would be a pretty sight. After all, Grandma had once had done a stint in the CIA, though he was the only family member who had actually pried the information from the old bat.

“She won’t find out,” Travis confirmed. Because if she does, I’d hate to be my brother.





Chapter Nine




Kacey hopped out of the truck and looked up at the giant house. It was exactly as she remembered. A colonial-style home set very neatly across a few acres overlooking the Columbia River. Nothing had really changed, other than the paint that seemed fresher than she remembered. A dark blue outlined the windows, and a pristine white shone off the bulk of the house. Attached was a seven-car garage, pool house, and a playhouse that was bigger than Kacey’s entire apartment.

“Ready?” Travis asked, coming up beside her.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at the house one more time before nodding. “Off to war we go.”

“Keep your gun in your pants,” Travis mumbled, setting Kacey to laughter just as the door swung open.

“As I live and breathe! Kacey! Oh sweet girl, you take my breath away!” Wescott Titus wrapped her in his giant arms and kissed her across the forehead. At a towering six feet-four inches, it was like getting wrapped in a hug rather than receiving one.

“Kacey? Is that Kacey?” A feminine voice shouted from behind Wescott.

“Hey, Mrs. Titus!” Kacey reached for a hug from the lady but was scolded.

“Now, you know I’ve told you to call me Bets!”

Bets was Jake’s mom’s nickname. When Kacey was young she’d had a hard time pronouncing Betsey for some reason, so she just called her Bets. But at the ripe old age of twenty-two, she wasn’t sure if that was still allowed.