The Road to Rose Bend, Naima Simone [jenna bush book club .TXT] 📗

“Oh, I’m just fine,” Jenna drawled. “I saw the basket you left behind in there.” Fake sympathy dripped from her voice, her eyes glittering with a nasty glee that sent a ripple of unease tripping down Sydney’s spine. “Was that for Cole? How sweet,” she continued, not giving Sydney time to answer. “Too bad I saw him leave with Caroline Jacobs several minutes ago. I’m sure it was just a business meeting.”

“Since they’re both on the town council, I’m sure it was,” Sydney replied, dryly. Ignoring the image of how Caroline had seemed surprised and a little dejected when she’d interrupted Sydney and Cole in his office weeks ago. But Cole was...Cole. What single woman—or hell, man—with a pulse wouldn’t have a crush on him?

Jenna shrugged a slim, tanned shoulder. “If you say so. I was just wondering, and I’m certain I’m not the only person. Married only a month and already he’s ‘lunching’ with other women. Not a good look, now is it?”

“You know what else isn’t a good look? Gossiping. But if you have nothing better to do with your time than talk about my life, then who am I to stop your good time?” Sydney spread her arms wide, never losing her smile, although it felt brittle on her face. “Knock yourself out.”

Jenna’s eyes narrowed and she stepped into Sydney’s personal space. All pretense of civility dropped, she once more skimmed Sydney from head to toe, her derision plain.

“You show up back here knocked up by a man who didn’t want you, seeking sympathy like we all don’t remember who you really are. A nobody who always thought she was better than she truly was. And somehow you convinced Cole and his family to drink the Kool-Aid. You think being pregnant and writing some worthless grant to help him save face in front of the council makes him indebted to you? It might have gotten him to marry you, but it won’t keep him. There’re bets going around town on how long this so-called marriage will last. I don’t give it three months. Pity and gratitude will only last so long. It won’t keep him from one day waking up and seeing what a mistake he’s made.”

“What is wrong with you?” Sydney murmured, pain at the other woman’s well-placed barbs burrowing deep. Unearthing the doubts and worries that had already been sown into Sydney’s heart. But damn if she would let Jenna see it. “What have I ever done to you that makes you so vicious? So spiteful?” she asked again, same as she’d done the night of the rally. She hadn’t received an answer then, and she didn’t expect one now. “Yes, I might have been a rebellious pain in the ass when I was younger, but I’ve matured, hopefully grown wiser in eight years. But you? Except for one year when you were actually human, you’re still the same spoiled mean girl you always were. And for what?” Sydney huffed out a humorless chuckle. “You’re beautiful, smart, wealthy, privileged. And yet, you’re like a toddler whose favorite toy has been taken, and now you’re throwing a fit.” Sydney shook her head, and amazingly a seed of sympathy for this gorgeous yet unhappy woman wormed its way into her chest. “I’m sorry if you wanted Cole, and he didn’t reciprocate those feelings. I really am. He’s a good man. But I refuse to be your punching bag. Find someone else, because I’m no longer interested in the position.”

Sydney started to turn and head down the stairs, but Jenna grabbed her forearm, halting her. Anger flared hot within Sydney, and she shook off the hold. I’m pregnant, she reminded herself. I’m pregnant so I can’t lay the mean lady out.

“Don’t put your hands on me. Ever,” she bit out, narrowing her eyes on Jenna.

Crimson mottled the other woman’s face, and an ugly sneer twisted her red-painted mouth. “Let’s get one thing perfectly clear. If I wanted Cole, he would be mine. And there is nothing you could do about it.” Sydney nearly rolled her eyes at the juvenile retort... Oh hell, screw it. She did roll them. Good and hard. Which served to enrage Jenna further if the furious glitter in her eyes was anything to judge by. “And don’t you dare pity me,” she spat. “You’re so high and mighty when you couldn’t even keep your new husband home on his wedding night. Oh yes—” she nodded, her smile cruel, vindictive “—he was seen driving all around town on the night he should’ve been home with his wife. Instead he ended up at the cemetery with the woman he really loves. And that woman isn’t you. The fact that the two of you still live in that tiny, ridiculous rental cottage tells me everything I need to know about how real this marriage is and how long it will last. Cole has a huge house, beautiful and fully furnished, and he still hasn’t moved you into it.”

What?

Sydney flinched, unable to contain it as Jenna’s revelation slammed into her with the force of a Mack truck. Cole had a house? Since when? Why hadn’t he mentioned it?

Then a memory crashed into her from the wedding reception.

Where are you two living? Are you going to move into the—

Valeria, Tonia’s mother, had been about to mention something when Cole had abruptly cut her off with a terse “no.” Had she been talking about this house Jenna referred to? If so, why was he hiding it? Why didn’t he want...

The answer burst in her head so hard and bright, Sydney winced.

Because it’d been the house he’d shared with Tonia. The house where they’d planned to raise their child.

Pain stole her breath, nearly choking her. Blindly, she reached for the rail behind her, steadying herself before her trembling knees collapsed under her.

“Oh, this is just perfect,” Jenna cooed, chuckling in malicious delight. “You didn’t know about it, did you? Probably because he doesn’t