Jackson didnt normally fantasize about brides. But if he had, theyd look exactly like her. His annoyance at Vern redoubled. What was the mans problem? If Jackson had someone like Crista in his bed, hed never so much as look at another woman.
The bridesmaids giggled and clustered around her while the drivers returned to their cars to move them from the busy street.
This is it, said one bridesmaid, fussing with Cristas bouquet and taking a critical look at her face and hairdo.
Im okay? Crista asked.
Youre perfect.
Crista drew in a deep breath.
The women started for the staircase that led to the cathedrals big front doors. Jacksons first instinct was to step forward and offer his arm, but he held back.
Crista spotted him. She looked puzzled at first, as if she was struggling to recognize him. Their gazes locked, and he felt a shot to his solar plexus.
Her eyes were green as a South Pacific sea and just as deep, flickering in the sunshine. She looked honest. She looked honorable. In that split second, he knew her fathers words had been true. She wouldnt put up with a cheating husband, which meant she didnt know about Vern and Gracie.
Jackson wanted to shout at her to stop, to get out of here. She might not know it, but she was making a mistake. Deep down in his gut, he knew she was making a terrible mistake.
Maybe he should tell her the truth about Vern, just call out, right here, right now. Then at least shed know what she was getting herself into. He told himself to do it. He owed Vern absolutely nothing. He formed the words inside his head, opened his mouth and was ready to blurt it out.
But then a bridesmaid whispered to Crista. She laughed, and her gaze broke from Jacksons, releasing him from the spell.
The women moved up the staircase, and the moment was lost.
He shook himself. It was time for him to leave. There was nothing more he could do here, nothing he could do for Trent except hope the man was wrong. The Gerhards seemed like a singularly distasteful family, and if they really were after her diamond mine, she had herself some trouble. But it wasnt Jacksons trouble to borrow. Hed done as hed promised, and hed found nothing concrete, nothing that said the Gerhards were nefarious criminals.
The bridesmaids filed in through the doorway, chattering among themselves. Crista hung back, touching each of her earrings, fingering her necklace then grasping her large bouquet in both hands and tipping up her chin.
Then, unexpectedly, she twisted her head to look back again. He felt that same rush of emotion tighten his chest cavity. He knew with an instant certainty that she deserved better than Vern. It might be none of his business, but surely she wouldnt tolerate a husband whod sneak off and sleep with a string of mistresses.
The heavy door swung shut behind the bridesmaids.
Just he and Crista were left outside.
Jackson glanced around and confirmed that for these short seconds, they were alone.
Before his brain could form a thought, his feet were moving. He was striding toward her.
Her green eyes went wide, and she drew her head back in obvious surprise.
Crista Corday? he asked.
Are you a friend of Verns? Her sexy voice seemed to strum along his nervous system.
Not for long, he said. He scooped her into his arms and began walking.
What? she squeaked, one of her hands pushing on his shoulder, the other gripping the big bouquet.
Im not going to hurt you. He lengthened his stride to the sidewalk.
Youre not...what are you doing?
There are things you dont know about Vern.
Put me down! She started to squirm, glancing frantically around.
I will, he promised, speeding up his pace. In a moment.
He reached out and opened the drivers door of his SUV. He shoved her across to the passenger side. Before she had a chance to react, he jumped in behind her, cranked the engine and gunned the accelerator, peeling away from the curb, narrowly missing a taxi, which responded with a long blast from its horn.
You cant do this, Crista cried, twisting her neck to look back at the church.
I only want to talk.
Im getting married.
After you hear me out if you still want to get married, Ill take you back to him.
And, he would. Trent was a criminal. He could easily be lying about the Gerhards for reasons of his own. So, if Crista was okay with infidelity, Jackson would return her to Vern. It would go against every instinct inside him, but hed do it.
Two
Take me back now, Crista shouted at the stranger who seemed to be abducting her. Her mind raced to make some sense out of the situation.
As soon as you hear me out. His jaw was tight, his eyes straight ahead, his hands firm on the wheel as they gathered speed.
Who are you? She struggled not to panic.
Shed always considered herself a smart, sensible, capable woman. But in this scenario she had no idea what to do.
Jackson Rush. Im an investigator.
Investigating what? She struggled to stay calm. What was he doing? Why had he taken her?
Then she saw a red light coming up. Hed have to stop for it. When he did, shed jump from the vehicle. She quickly glanced at the passenger door to locate the handle.
Shed open the door, jump out and run to... She scanned the businesses along the section of the street. The Greek restaurant might be closed. The apartment building doors would be locked. But the drug store. That would be open, and it would be crowded. Surely one of the clerks would lend a bride a phone.
She realized she was still holding onto her bouquet, and she let it slip from her hand to the floor. She didnt need it slowing her down. Verns mother would flip. Then again, Verns mother, along with everyone else, was probably flipping already. Had anyone seen this man, Jackson, take her?
She surreptitiously slanted a glance his way. He was maybe thirty. He looked tough and determined, maybe a little world-weary. But there was no denying he was attractive. He was obviously fit under the tux, and very well-groomed.
The vehicle was slowing. She lifted her hand, ready to grab the handle.
But suddenly he hit the accelerator, throwing her back in her seat and sideways as he made a hard right. Another car honked as their tires squealed against the pavement.
What are you doing? she demanded.
How well do you know Vern Gerhard?
What a ridiculous question. Hes my fiancé.
Would it surprise you to know he was cheating on you?
Cristas jaw dropped. Where did that come from?
Would it surprise you? Jackson repeated.
Verns not cheating on me. The idea was preposterous.
Vern was sweet and kind and loyal. He made no secret of the fact that he adored Crista. They were about to be married. And his family was extremely old-fashioned. Vern would never risk disappointing his mother by cheating.
No, scratch that. Vern wouldnt cheat because Vern wouldnt cheat. It had nothing to do with Delores.
Okay, said Jackson, the skepticism clear in his tone.
Take me back, she said.
I cant do that. Not yet.
No, scratch that. Vern wouldnt cheat because Vern wouldnt cheat. It had nothing to do with Delores.
Okay, said Jackson, the skepticism clear in his tone.
Take me back, she said.
I cant do that. Not yet.
There are three hundred people in that church. Theyre all waiting for me to walk down the aisle.
She could only imagine the scene as the guests grew more restless and Vern grew more confused. She wasnt wearing a watch, and she didnt have her cell phone. But what time was it? Exactly how late was she to her own wedding?
She scanned the dashboard for a clock. Traffic was light, and Jackson seemed able to gauge the stoplights and adjust his speed, making sure he didnt have to come to a halt.
Would you care if he was cheating? asked Jackson, eyeing her quickly. Would that be a deal breaker for you?
Hes not cheating. It didnt look like shed have a chance to bail out anytime soon. Do you want money? Will you call in a ransom demand? Theyll probably pay. Theyll probably pay more if you take me back there right away.
This isnt about money.
Then whats it about? She struggled to keep her tone even but panic was creeping in.
He seemed to hesitate over his answer. You deserve to be sure. About Vern.
You dont even know me. She stared at him more closely. Do you? Have we met?
Could he be some long-lost person from her past?
We havent met, he said.
She racked her brain for an explanation. Then do you know Vern? Did he do something bad to you?
She realized she ought to be frightened. Shed been kidnappedkidnapped. This stranger was holding her hostage and wouldnt let her go.
Ive never met Vern, he said.
Then are you crazy? Though I suppose thats a stupid question. Crazy people never question their own sanity. She realized she was babbling, but she couldnt seem to help herself.
Im beginning to think I am, he said.
A sure sign that youre not.
He gave a chopped laugh and seemed to drop his guard.
She tried to take advantage. Will you let me go? Please, just pull over and drop me off. Ill find my own way back to the church.
It had to be at least fifteen minutes now. Vern would be frantic. Delores would be incensed. Unless someone saw Jackson grab her, they probably thought she ran away.
Now she wondered what Hadley was thinking. He might guess shed taken his advice, changed her mind, that she didnt want to marry Vern after all. She scrunched her eyes shut and shook her head. How had things gotten so mixed up?
Hes cheating on you, Crista. Why would you want to marry a man whos cheating on you?
First of all, hes not. And... She paused, experienced a moment of clarity. Wait a minute. If I say I dont care if hes cheating, will you let me go?
If you honestly dont care and you want to marry him anyway, yeah, Ill let you go.
Then I dont care. Why hadnt she thought of this sooner? Its fine. No problem. She waved a dismissive hand. He can cheat away. I still want to marry him.
Youre lying.
Im not. She was.
I dont believe you.
Youve never met me. You dont know a thing about me.
He shook his head. I can tell you have pride.
I have no pride. Maybe I like to share. Maybe Im into polygamy. After this wedding, Vern might find another wife. Well all live happily ever after.
As if.
Let me go!
Im here because somebody out there cares about you, Crista.
I know somebody cares about me. His name is Vern Gerhard. Do you have any idea how upset he is right now?
Jacksons tone went dry. Maybe Gracie could console him.
The name set a shiver through Cristas chest. What did you say?
Gracie, Jackson repeated, doing a double take at Cristas face. You okay?
Im fine. No, Im not. Ive been kidnapped!
Do you know someone named Gracie?
Crista did know Gracie Stolt. Or at least she knew of a Gracie Stolt. Vern had once used that name during a phone call. Hed said it was business. It had been business, making the name irrelevant to this conversation.
I dont know any Gracie, she said to Jackson, her tone tart.
Hes sleeping with Gracie.
Stop saying that.
The vehicle bounced, and she grabbed the armrest to steady herself. She realized theyd turned off the main roads and onto a tree-lined lane.
A new and horrible thought crossed her mind, and her throat went dry. Was Jackson some sicko with a thing for brides?
Are you going to hurt me? she rasped.
What? He did another double take. No. I told you. Im not going to harm you at all.
I bet every psychopathic murderer says that.
The corner of his mouth tipped up, but then quickly disappeared. We have a mutual acquaintance. The person who sent me is someone who cares about you.
Who?
I cant reveal my client.
I bet every psychopathic murderer says that, too.
She was vacillating between genuine fear and disbelief that any of this could be real.
Im sorry youre frightened right now, but Im not going to hurt you. Youll figure that out soon enough, I promise.
They rounded a corner, and a lake fanned out before them, the gravel beach dotted with weathered docks. He pulled to the side of a small, deserted parking lot.
Are we there? she asked.
Almost. He nodded toward one of the docks.
A tall white cabin cruiser bobbed against its moor lines.
Crista shrank back against the seat, her voice going up an octave. Youre going to dump my body in the lake?
He extracted a cell phone from his inside jacket pocket. Im going to call my staff.
You have a phone?
Of course I have a phone.
You should make a ransom call. My fiancé is from a rich family. Theyll pay you.
At least she hoped the Gerhards would pay to get her back. She was certain Vern would be willing. His father, maybe not so much.
* * *
Jackson hated that he was frightening Crista. But he was operating on the fly here. Taking her a quarter mile offshore on Lake Michigan was the best he could come up with to keep her safe but under wraps. He wasnt about to tie her up in a basement while Mac and some of his other guys looked into Vern Gerhards love life.
Youre going to jail, you know, she said for about the twenty-fifth time.
She stood on the deck of the boat, gazing back at the mansions along the coastline, their lights coming up as the sun sank away. Her extravagant white wedding gown rustled in the breeze. The intricate lace-and bead-covered skirt was bell shaped, billowing out from a tight waist, while the strapless top accentuated her gorgeous figure.
She was right. He was taking a very stupid risk. But the alternative had been to let the wedding go ahead. Which he could have done. In fact, he should have done. He owed nothing to her father and nothing to his own father. And Crista was all but a stranger to him. She was an intelligent adult, and shed made her choice in Vern. He should have walked away.