Desired (Two Marks 2)

“That’s right, beautiful,” Nash agreed.

My smile shifted. Less fake. Relief coursed through my veins that he’d play along.

“I don’t believe you,” Chester said and he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “You wouldn’t give up your life for him.”

“Yes, I would.” I said it without thinking. I would. I’d walked away, and hadn’t missed a second of the old Rachel. I didn’t know who the new Rachel was exactly, but I liked the idea of Nash being in her life. Marrying him was pushing it, but it was the first thing I thought of. If it got Chester gone, then that was all that mattered.

I’d apologize to Nash for the lie and thank him for backing me. Later.

“Just this morning, you were singing my praises,” Nash said, all calm and cool. “Loudly.” He winked.

Chester’s hands clenched.

Nash was intentionally messing with Chester, and having fun doing it.

“He’s just after your inheritance!” Chester boomed.

Nash growled and came closer. Cord took a step forward, his eyes catching the light in a weird way.

Suddenly, things became very, very clear. Chester didn’t just want my family name for his political career. He was relying on the inheritance from my grandfather for his campaign. The one I could access the moment I married. Grandpa had been sexist that way. He thought a woman needed a man to manage her money. Just like my parents never considered me able to run for political office, only a husband of mine.

“He doesn’t know about the inheritance,” I said quietly. “But clearly it’s at the forefront of your mind.”

Chester seemed to recover then, pulling himself together. “Of course it’s at the forefront of my mind. I don’t want to see you taken advantage of, Rach. And this whole thing reeks of manipulation.”

I let out a soft scoff and looked away. I’d never been rude to Chester before. I didn’t think we’d ever even had a fight. That showed how little we really cared about each other. But I was seeing him in a different light right now, and what I’d seen couldn’t be unseen. Chester was the one who’d been manipulating me. Of course, I’d known that, but it felt far more clear and intentional now. Not like two people who were going through life without being sure of what they wanted, which is how I’d seen us, but like a predator and his quarry.

I was Chester’s meal ticket and he didn’t want to give me up. I guessed I’d known that on a subconscious level, or I wouldn’t have claimed I was married to Nash. The only true way to make Chester go away.

Cord remained quiet and watchful, ready to step in, but he couldn’t get involved. It was one thing for people in West Springs to accept two men with one woman, but Chester sure as hell wouldn’t.

“You aren’t wearing a ring,” Chester snapped.

Oh shit.

“Like that one there?” Nash pointed to the engagement ring on the counter. “Nah. It’d get caught in my hair when you tugged it, beautiful. I know how much you like to do that.”

“You’ve slept with him?” Chester shouted.

I wasn’t sure if I should feel sorry for the man at the end of the counter who’d come in for coffee and pie, or if he was enjoying his front row seat to my insanity.

“I am married to him,” I replied.

“Prove it,” Chester snapped.

“I didn’t save the bed sheets,” Nash countered.

I couldn’t help but blush. I had been a virgin the night before, but Nash was being a little too bold.

“That you’re married,” Chester seethed. “I want to see the marriage license.”

Oh shit. My gaze flicked to Nash.

Cord looked to Bessie. I saw her give him a nod, like they’d had a silent conversation. She went back to the kitchen.

“I was a witness,” Cord improvised. “It happened.”

Chester finally gave Cord a once over. “Who the fuck are you?”

I’d never heard him swear before, a sure sign he was angry and not trying to stay in his political facade.

“Cord McCaffrey, town doctor.”

“I don’t care if you’re the Pope. Show me a marriage license or I’m not fucking leaving town.”

Cord looked to Nash. I stayed silent because I couldn’t think of a thing to say. A lie was one thing, but a marriage license? I didn’t have a magic wand. God, what a mess! How could I talk myself out of this one?

“We want you to leave town because you’re clearly upsetting Rachel, so why don’t we head down to the courthouse and get you a copy?” Cord spoke. “I doubt you have the license on you, do you, Nash?”

Nash patted his body as if he were searching for it. “Nope.”

Was Cord serious? The courthouse? I wasn’t sure if I wanted to throw up or run away again.

Chester glanced between us. “Fine. Once I find out this wedding never happened, you’re coming with me.”