I know it doesnt look like much, Jack said, as if reading her mind.
The house was a massive, sprawling log structure with wings running off from the main section and two stories on all but one wing that had an odd third story added toward the back. The place reminded her of a smaller version of Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone Park.
At one time, the building must have been amazing. But it had seen better days and now just looked dark and deserted, the grimy windows like blind eyes staring blankly out at them.
Dont look so scared, Jack said under his breath. My grandmother isnt that bad. Really. He made it sound like a joke, but his words only unnerved her further.
As the front door opened, an elderly woman with long, plaited salt-and-pepper hair filled the doorway. Her braid hung over one shoulder of the black caftan she wore, her face in shadow.
Showtime, Jack said as he put his arm around Josey and drew her close. She fit against him, and for a moment Josey could almost pretend this wasnt a charade, she was so relieved that at least part of Jacks story had been true. An old woman lived here. Was this the grandmother?
Jack planted a kiss in her hair and whispered, Were newlyweds, remember. There was a teasing glint in his blue gaze as he dropped his mouth to hers.
The kiss was brief, but unnervingly powerful. As Jack pulled back he frowned. I can see why we eloped so quickly after meeting each other, he said, his voice rough with a desire that fired his gaze. This handsome man was much more dangerous than shed thought. In at least one way, she had definitely jumped from the skillet into the fire.
She gave Jack a playful shove as if shed just seen the woman in the doorway and was embarrassed, then checked to make sure the scarf around her neck was in place before opening her door and stepping out, taking the backpack with her. Showtime, she thought, echoing Jacks words.
No one would ever find her here, wherever she was. She had to pull this off. She was safe. That was all she had to think about right now, and as long as she was safe her mother would be, as well. One week. She could do this.
Jack was by her side in a flash, his arm around her, as they walked toward the house. An ugly old dog came out growling, but the elderly woman shooed him away with her cane.
Josey studied the woman in the doorway as she drew closer. Jacks grandmother? She didnt have his coloring. While he was blond and blue-eyed, she was dark from her hair to her eyes, a striking, statuesque woman with a face that could have been chiseled from marble, it was so cold.
Hello, Grandmother, Jack said, giving the woman a kiss on her cheek. This is my wife
Josey Winchester, Josey said, stepping forward and extending her hand. The woman took it with obvious surpriseand irritation. Her hand was ice-cold, and her vapid touch sent a chill through Josey.
I didnt realize you were married, let alone that youd be bringing a wife, his grandmother said.
Jack hadnt planned on bringing a wife. So why had he? Josey wondered. It certainly hadnt ingratiated his grandmother to him. And as for money was there any? This place didnt suggest it.
This is my grandmother, Pepper Winchester, Jack said, an edge to his voice.
The elderly woman leaned on her cane, her gaze skimming over Josey before shifting back to Jack. So, youre my son Anguss boy.
Wouldnt she know
he was her sons child? The woman must be senile, Josie thought. Or was there some reason to question his paternity?
I remember the day your mother showed up at the door with you, Pepper said. What were you then?
Two, Jack said, clearly uncomfortable.
His grandmother nodded. Yes. I should have been suspicious when Angus involved himself in the hiring of the nanny, Pepper said.
So Jack was the bastard grandson. That explained this less than warm reception.
Jacks jaw muscle tensed, but his anger didnt show in his handsome face. He put his arm around Joseys waist and pulled her closer, as if he needed her as a buffer between him and his grandmother. Another reason hed made her this phony marriage offer?
When hed told her about his grandmother and this visit, Josey had pictured an elderly woman lying in bed hooked up to machines, about to take her final gasp.
This woman standing before them didnt look anywhere near deaths door. Josey had speculated that this was about money. What else? But if she was right, then Jack had underestimated his grandmother. This woman looked like someone who planned to live forever and take whatever she had with her.
Since I didnt realize you had a wife, Pepper Winchester was saying, Ill have to instruct my housekeeper to make up a different room for you.
Please dont go to any trouble on my account, Jack said.
The grandmother smiled at this, cutting her dark gaze to him, eyes narrowing.
Be careful, Josie thought. This woman is sharp.
JACK HESITATED at the door to the huge ranch lodge. This place had once been filled with happy memories for him, because hed lived here oblivious to what was really going on. Ignorance had been bliss. Hed played with the other grandchildren, ridden horses, felt like a Winchester even before his mother had confessed that he was one and he realized so much of their lives had been lies.