Heirly Ever After, Vernon, Magan [best thriller novels to read .txt] 📗

the piping bag still in his hand.

“Bloody perfect.”

…

The uni exhibit hall was about a twenty-minute drive from the manor, but every minute felt like hours as I kept glancing at the pastry box in the passenger seat, hoping it didn’t move even an inch.

By the time I got to the parking lot, the only space left was in the very back, so I had to jog in the cool December air to make it to the front doors of the large brick building.

Once inside, warmth and laughter filled the room. Different people in their best suits or dresses stood around their little stands of pottery or other artwork, but right away I could spot Madison’s in the crowd. Not only because her paintings were exquisite, but because my auburn-haired damsel had a way of lighting up a room.

And when I caught that smile, that bloody smile, it took everything I had not to run over and take her in my arms.

Probably not the best time since Hugh, Gavin, Natalie, and her mom were standing there, glasses of champagne in their hands.

“Jacob, you’re here,” Madison gushed as I approached, placing the smallest peck on her cheek, hoping she didn’t notice my shaking as I gripped the pastry box tightly.

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

I carefully set the box down on the table next to her work that displayed her photo and another small portfolio.

“Are these the drawings from Webley?” I asked, running my hand along the charcoal drawing. The one she’d started the moment we’d first met on the train.

I’d recognize it anywhere.

Her cheeks flushed as she nodded. “The MacWebley portraits are the oil ones. These were just a few I threw together.”

I waved a hand. “Threw together? I happen to know that at least one of these were what you sent in your application to art school, so they aren’t nothing.”

She smiled. “You always know how to make a girl feel special. Especially since it looks like you brought my favorite fancies?”

Her fingertips tip toed across the table, and I slammed my hand against the lid, careful not to crush it. “Nuh uh, not yet. First you have to show me some more of yer work.”

She rolled her eyes, but that smile was still painted plainly on her face. “Fine.”

“You’re late, cousin.” Gavin interrupted with that damn smirk that some days I still wanted to punch off his face. But the man had saved my arse more than once, and whether I liked it or not, he was family. “It isn’t that far of a drive from MacWebley. Did you get lost?”

“Had to finish up some pastries for the big night.” I ran my fingers along the box.

“You really didn’t have to make those just for me, you know.”

I turned back to Madison, whose cheeks were now flushed.

Bloody hell, I loved when it brought out her freckles.

“Just a little something to celebrate your big night.”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s just a showcase and finishing school. Should have happened months ago.”

I took her hands in mine, stilling her words. “But it’s happening now. You did this. You deserve it all.”

“Thank you,” she mouthed, our eyes meeting in the small space.

It was as if no one else was in the room.

Just the two of us in that moment.

Her eyes were saying so many things that no words ever would.

I’d been in love with this woman since the first time I’d seen her.

Not only her, but everything about her.

“Great-Grandpa, come on, let me help you.” Blair’s voice rang through the crowd.

Or maybe just over the sound of my own heavily beating heart.

I turned slowly to see my little sister arm in arm with Great-Grandpa in his three-piece suit, leaning heavily to one side on his cane. Mother and Father trailed to the side, both pulling their wool coats as they glanced around the room.

I’d barely seen them these past few months, and as the Webleys came in to take over the management of the manor, they were always so distant. As if they couldn’t stand to be near them.

Or so I thought.

As I met my mother’s wide green eyes across the room, there was something else I saw for the first time. She was just as bloody scared as I was to see the Webleys, to see both families under one roof.

“Pardon me, one moment,” I mumbled to no one in particular before crossing the room to my parents.

“Jacob, hello, my little lad,” Mother said, kissing my cheek.

Father shoved his hands into his pockets. “This is pretty impressive. Didn’t even realize this was all here and right down the road.”

I nodded. “I’ve learned a lot from Madison, as well as her sister, Lady Natalie, and the pieces she’s been curating from the manor.”

Mother and Father’s face both seemed to fall, but before they could say anything, Blair and Great-Grandpa were beside us.

“Are we going to get this shite on the road or did you make an old man miss his shows for nothing?” Great-Grandpa barked, but when he looked up at me, a large smile crossed his lips.

I swallowed hard. At least one of us wasn’t nervous. But having them all here made it real. And now I had to trudge back through the millings of people to face the first battle of the day—the meeting of the MacWebleys and Webleys.

“Right this way.” I put my hand on his shoulder, helping to guide him toward Madison’s booth.

As soon as we were within a few feet, my sweet damsel’s eyes lit up, bouncing over to us. “Great-Grandpa, I’m so glad you could come.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said, sharing an endearing smile with her, too. “You know, I used to do some art myself. Mostly stained glass, but nothing like these pieces.” He waved his hand toward the painting of MacWebley Manor just as a rainbow had crested over the hill.

Another one of my favorites.

“Oh? Maybe we can add some of those to the manor if you still