Collier looked at his stepfather and shook his head in frustration, loving and hating his brother all at the same time.
As if he could read Collier’s mind, Mason spoke to Jackson’s back, “Son, you’re not being fair.”
Jackson turned his chair abruptly and glared at the two of them. “Look, since I feel like hell, I’d prefer to be alone.”
Without a word, Collier headed for the door with Mason in tow, his features set like concrete, then swung back around. “I’ll concede this battle, big brother, but you’re not about to win the war. Sooner or later, you’re going to have to give the outside world another shot.”
“Don’t bet on it.”
Later, in the foyer, Mason balled his fists and said, “What are we going to do? We can’t just let him keep going this way.”
“He’ll snap out of it,” Collier said with more confidence than he felt, concerned for his dad as well as his brother. Jackson’s attitude was taking more of a toll on Mason each day. “Maybe you should cancel the dinner party, though.”
“No.” Mason’s tone was obstinate. “Somehow I’ll get him out of that room. I refuse to give up on him, dammit. You’ve got to help me.”
Mason’s desperation was almost palpable. Collier reached out and squeezed him on the shoulder. “We’ll think of something.”
“Such a goddamn waste,” Mason said, looking away, talking more to himself than to Collier. “Even if he is in a wheelchair, he could be in the running for a judgeship.”
Collier flinched inwardly. “You’re exactly right.”
Mason whipped around, his mouth working. “Look, Collier, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I—”
“Forget it,” Collier said in a bleak tone. “I understand, and I couldn’t agree more.”
A few minutes later, he drove off, feeling as if he’d just been gutted.
Ten
Collier was about to get out of his vehicle when he heard a noise behind him. He peered into the rearview mirror and cursed. Lana had pulled into the driveway.
He should be ashamed for not wanting to see her. But then, he didn’t want to see anyone right now except… Cursing again, he shut that thought down and tried to improve his mood. What was the matter with him? He should be thrilled to see Lana. After all, he was thinking about marrying her. He must have strong feelings for her.
Her timing was bad. That was all. After his encounter with Jackson, he was in a pissy mood and wanted to be alone, get a hot shower, down a couple of beers, then hit the sack.
So much for that plan.
“Hey,” he said, after getting out and watching her exit her sleek Jag and walk toward him. No doubt about it, she was a looker. Tall and model thin, with highlighted brown hair, gray eyes and a full lower lip. That lower lip gave her a petulant look that matched her personality perfectly. If things didn’t go Lana’s way, there was hell to pay. But then, things rarely didn’t go her way. Her daddy saw to that. He had more than his share of money and clout in this country. And he doted on his only child.
Lana smiled back at him, then grazed his cheek with her scarlet lips. “Hey, yourself.”
“What brings you here this time of day?”
She poked him in the chest with a matching nail. “You.”
“That’s nice.”
Lana gave him a suspicious look. “You sure don’t sound like it.”
“Sorry, it’s just that it’s been a helluva day and I’m beat.”
“All the more reason why you’re coming with me.”
“Where?”
“To dinner.”
“Not tonight. I’m only fit for bed.”
She gave an angry toss of her head, then complained, “You’re not being fair. I haven’t seen you in ages. If you won’t have dinner, then at least have a drink with me.” That same long nail made its way slowly and deliberately up and down his chest. “Please.”
Usually such a blatant gesture raised the hair on the back of his neck. Not tonight. Maybe not ever again, he thought with alarm.
“Collier, darling.”
He forced another smile. “Uh, sorry. You name the place.”
“Get in.”
He shook his head. “I’ll follow you, so you won’t have to bring me back home.”
“Maybe that’s exactly what I had in mind.”
He leaned over and kissed her lightly. “I’ll be right behind you.”
A few minutes later they were facing each other in the bar area of one of the nicer hotel restaurants, a favorite haunt of Lana’s and her women friends. For what was considered happy hour, the place was fairly deserted, Collier noticed, perusing the area. He was glad. He wasn’t in the mood to make small talk with anyone.
“I’ve missed you,” Lana said, her voice dropping to a husky pitch as she laid her hand on the back of his.
“Me, too.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “You sure?”
He sighed, withdrawing his hand. “Of course, but like I told you, it’s been crazy at the office.”
“Well, things will change after you become a federal judge.”
“You’re awfully confident.”
“Daddy says it’s going to happen.”
Collier gave her a lopsided smile. “And that makes it so, huh?”
“You can make fun all you want, but you know better. Once Bill Frazier makes up his mind about something, it’s a done deal.”
“You won’t hear any complaints on my part. Sitting on that bench would be a dream come true for both me and Mason.”
“Good.”
He took a sip of his drink and watched her over the rim, thinking he could do a lot worse than Lana. Yet…
“So?” she asked.
“So what?”
“When are we going to set a wedding date?”
Collier’s stomach suddenly bottomed out. “I don’t think this is the time to talk about that.”
“I think the timing’s perfect.”
“Lana—”
She ignored him. “Daddy wants that, too. For us to get married soon, I mean.”
“I thought we might wait until I’m either in or out of the running for the judgeship. My name could be scratched any day. Besides, I’ve taken on a case that could eat my lunch. I don’t need to be distracted.”
She leaned her head to one side and smiled coyly. “Are you saying I’m a distraction?”
“You betcha,” he declared with forced enthusiasm.
“Mmm, maybe I’ll let you off the hook a bit longer, but only if you’ll promise not to neglect me like you have been lately.”
Collier finished his drink in one swallow and signaled the bartender for a refill. “I’ll give it my best shot.”