Page 287 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs
“Shauna Gibson.”
She spoke the name as if it were supposed to mean something. Brooke shook her head. “Doesn’t ring a bell.”
“Don’t do it.”
“Excuse me?”
“Don’t do it. Don’t marry Nash.”
The words might as well have been a red flag tossed in front of a bull. Brooke flinched and then straightened to her full height. “Are you threatening me?”
“I’m warning you. Stay away from him! He doesn’t love you. He’s only marrying you for the money.”
Bitterness boiled over Brooke. The woman was right. Nash was marrying her for the money, but hearing it spoken aloud bysome hussy wasn’t helping the situation. She glared at her. “Why do you care who Nash marries?”
“Because he belongs to me,” she said vehemently.
“Ah, now I see.” She folded her arms over her chest. Never one to resist a challenge, Brooke arched an eyebrow as she took in the competition. Shauna was very pretty with her large chocolate eyes, even features, and short, wispy hair. She was dressed stylishly in a short red skirt and white blouse with red heels. How close was she to Nash? The thought of him with another woman caused her skin to crawl. Her hand flew to her hip. “You sure he belongs to you?” She scoped Shauna’s face, looking for the slightest reaction. Bingo! There it was—the sliver of blessed doubt that crept into her eyes. No, Shauna wasn’t sure of Nash’s affection. That’s why she was here, talking to her rather than Nash. “The last I checked, no one was holding a gun to his head. Nash Rigby does as he pleases …” her eyes cut into Shauna’s “… and that includes marrying me.”
Fury twisted over Shauna’s face. “You think you can buy the world with your dad’s money, but you can’t buy love.”
Brooke chuckled. “Wanna bet? Money buys a lot more than you realize. And for the record, Nash belonged to me long before he ever met you.” She made a flourish with her hand. “So, why don’t you get out of here and crawl back under the rock you came from? The fact that you’re scuttling in here with your impotent threats tells me that you’ve lost him already.”
Tears formed in Shauna’s eyes. “You won’t get away with this!”
Brooke laughed. “I already have.” She turned back to the mirror. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a wedding to get ready for.”
The door opened as Evie stuck her head in and frowned. “Who are you, and why are you in the bride’s private restroom?”
Shauna muttered something under her breath and then pushed past Evie and out the door.
“What was that all about?”
Brooke turned to her mother. “Nothing of consequence.”
“This is supposed to be a private restroom. That was what we paid for, after all. I’m going to talk to the management?—”
“Let it go, Mother,” Brooke grumbled.
“Oh, don’t mind me, I’m just a bundle of nerves. You ready?” she asked breathlessly. “We need to put on your veil. Your daddy is waiting to walk you down the aisle. The chapel is packed. The flowers are breathtaking, and the view …” She clasped her hands together. “It’s just like we always dreamed.”
The excitement in her mother’s voice was salt in the wound. “Take a breath before you hyperventilate,” Brooke said dryly.
Evie nodded. “Yes, you’re right.” She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. Then she shook her head. “Thank you. Much better.” She stepped up to Brooke, searching her face. “You are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. Nash will melt at your feet.”
“Yeah, right. I suppose if you rolled some hundred-dollar bills and taped them on me then that might do the trick. Let’s not forget what this whole thing is, Mother. I’m a cash cow. Nothing more.”
The outburst snuffed Evie into silence as a tear rolled down her cheek. It was a full minute before she spoke. “I love you,” she uttered.
The hitch in her mother’s voice made her feel guilty for being so calloused. She swallowed hard “I love you too.” Despite everything, she did love her mother … and her daddy.
Evie’s voice grew tender. “I know this wedding isn’t what you planned, but I promise you that things will work out.” She smiled. “You’ll see.”
Brooke nodded and looked away. Regardless of the consequences, there was no way she was backing out now. Shauna Gibson had unwittingly sealed her fate the moment she stepped foot in this bathroom. Brooke knew there was little hope of her winning Nash’s heart, and she would have to come to terms with that. But she was certainly going to do everything in her power to make sure that Shauna didn’t win him either.
“You ready?”
For the first time in days, a genuine smile broke over Brooke’s face. “Yes, Mother, I believe I am.”
