A Lover's Vow

Shana shrugged. “Not sure if we want to know. I think we just want to be surprised.”

It was their choice, but if she were the one having a baby, she would want to know. “Did Dad ever tell you that our maternal grandmother was a triplet?”

Shana frowned. “No, and he didn’t tell you that, either, so don’t play with me like that, Juliet. And speaking of Dad, I understand you spent the night over at his place.”

“Yes, and did he mention he wasn’t home when I got there?”

“No, he didn’t mention that. It had to be after two when we left Dalton’s place.”

“Exactly. He didn’t come home all night, and I have a feeling it wasn’t the first time.” When Shana didn’t say anything, just sat and smiled, Jules’s eyes widened. “You knew?”

“Yes, and I wondered how long it would take for you to figure things out. I believe he began spending nights at Mona’s place after they took that New York trip together. So I guess it’s now really serious.”

Jules waved off Shana’s words. “Men sleep with women all the time, and there’s not a doggone serious thing about it.”

“True. But we’re talking about our dad, Benjamin Bradford, the man who has never introduced a girlfriend to us before Mona. Trust me, it’s serious.”

“Maybe he’ll get over it.”

Shana glared at her sister. “I hope you’re not counting on that happening, and why should you? Dad’s happy. I’m happy for him, and you should be, too.”

“I am, but...”

“But what?”

Jules didn’t say anything for a minute. “But we never had to share him with anyone after Mom died.”

Shana nodded her understanding. “I know, but don’t you think it’s time? We both have our lives, and now it’s time for him to have his. It would be selfish of us not to want that for him.”

Jules knew Shana was right and would admit she liked Mona. But still...

“Just think of the bright side,” Shana said, interrupting her thoughts.

“Which is?”

“He’s found someone special. Someone we can both admire. She’s a very strong woman, the kind of woman he raised his daughters to be. Mona hasn’t let her blindness stop her from living a fulfilling life. I think that’s one of the reasons Dad fell in love with her.”

“You’re probably right. Good thing we had finished lunch before he got her call. You should have seen the way he rushed out the door.”

“Yes, our dad is truly smitten,” Shana said with a pleased smirk on her lips. “So tell me. Why were you parked outside Dalton’s place last night waiting for him to come home?”

Jules inhaled deeply. She knew how her sister’s mind worked and could see the wheels turning in her head. “It wasn’t for that, Shana. No matter what that guy Bobby thought, I was not making a booty call. The only reason I was parked outside Dalton’s house that time of night was because of you.”

Shana’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “Me?”

“Yes, you. While talking to you yesterday, I could tell how disappointed you were by Dalton’s refusal to attend your dinner party this Saturday night because of me. I figured that he and I could talk things out like two sensible and mature adults and learn how to tolerate each other. Needless to say, we never had that conversation.”

“But the two of you did kiss?”

Jules frowned. She knew Shana wasn’t really asking the question, since Bobby had made a big announcement about the incident the previous night. “He took advantage of the situation. When I noticed he was being followed, I realized that I would have to be creative to find out who it was. I rang his bell and when he answered I told him to pretend that we were kissing, and then he took full advantage.”

Shana laughed. “Yes, that sounds like Dalton. He’s a ‘take advantage’ kind of guy, definitely an opportunist. Now you see what you’re dealing with.”

Jules shook her head as she stood. “I’m not dealing with anything. I can see that discussing anything with him would not have worked. The man is impossible.”

“But is he a good kisser?”

Jules shrugged before heading toward the door. “What does that have to do with anything?”

Shana smiled. “For you, a lot. I’ve known you to drop guys after the first date if they didn’t kiss worth a damn. So how did he do?”

Jules paused before she reached Shana’s front door. “Truthfully?”

“Yes, truthfully.”

She didn’t say anything for a moment, knowing Shana was the only person she would admit this to. “On a scale of one to ten, with ten being at the top, I would give him high twenties or above.”

Shana’s eyes widened. “He was that good?”

“Better than good,” Jules said with an expression that indicated the very thought infuriated her. “Although Dalton Granger has many faults, being a lousy kisser is decidedly not one of them.”

Nine (#ulink_377ca364-34c1-5e92-839e-d09552d8b9c8)

“Thanks for coming, Ben.”

Ben nodded as he dropped into the chair across the table from Sheppard Granger. Ben had been a cop long enough to see how unusual Sheppard’s accommodations were. First of all, most inmates don’t get to use a private conference room to meet with anyone, and they definitely aren’t offered one as spacious as this one. Ben recalled this room from his previous visit with Sheppard.

He’d noted that the room was adjacent to the prison library. It was a huge, windowless room that Ben figured was some sort of conference room used by the warden and the parole board to determine the fate of inmates.

And the guard, the same one who had been there the last time, and who was the only other person in the room, was only there for show. He hadn’t called Sheppard out on any violations, like when they had shaken hands. Under normal circumstances, there would be a no-touching policy.

From what Jace had shared with Ben, he knew that a few years ago the warden had given permission for Sheppard Granger to be alone for any meetings with his attorney or close family members. That privilege wasn’t given to all prisoners, just those considered trustworthy. Evidently, Sheppard Granger had found favor with both the warden and the governor, who would have to approve such rights and honors before they were extended to Granger.

Ben got comfortable in his chair while studying the man sitting across from him. He and Granger were the same height, although he figured Granger was probably a few pounds heavier. However, it was obvious he used the gym regularly and seemed fit and healthy. And then there was that same air that had surrounded him the last time. This was a man who had not only accepted his fate fifteen years ago, but had worked hard to deal with it in a positive way, too. Ben doubted most men could have pulled something like that off and seriously doubted that he could have.

“Over the phone, you said something about needing my help,” Ben said, breaking the silence in the room.

“Yes. But first I want to say something, and it’s something you need to hear straight from me.”

“Which is?”

“I didn’t kill my wife.”

Ben wasn’t sure why Sheppard wanted to see him, but with that opening, he knew there was no time for formalities. And there was no time for cat-and-mouse games. “I honestly didn’t think that you did,” Ben replied.

He saw relief etched on Granger’s face when he said, “Thank you.”

Ben shook his head. “You’ve been locked up for fifteen years for a crime you didn’t commit, yet you’re thanking me?”