"Excuse me?" Jack was deceptively quiet, his fingers hovering over the fastened belt, just needing the excuse to release it and slap this guy down after his day from hell.

Riley scowled at him. "I just said—"

"I heard what you said. I'll have a shower when I want one, not when I'm told to."

"No one is going to believe we are married for real if you keep bitching back at me like some kind of—"

"Some kind of what? Husband?" Score one for Jack.

"Look, Campbell—" Riley started

"That's Campbell-Hayes," Jack snapped angrily. "At least get that in your head, because if I'm doing this, then you'd better be the fuck behind it."

"I won't forget the name again. I have as much to lose as you do if this goes south," Riley said, suddenly looking very tired of this whole mess.

"What? What do you stand to lose?"

"My share of what's rightfully mine."

"Money." He dismissed the reason instantly and out of hand. This was a tired and very old argument. "I've had enough honeymoon, thanks. Wake me when we get back." He pushed the earphones of his iPod into his ears and closed his eyes. As the music washed over him, he couldn't help but focus on what had happened today. Not for the first time he wondered what the hell he was doing.

Chapter 9

The plane landed after lunch, the Texas sun hot and welcoming after the cold Vancouver air.

"What now?" Jack said carefully as they hurried towards the chauffer-driven car waiting for them. His nerves were on edge, the start of a headache lurked behind his eyes, and he just wanted this to be over.

"I emailed the best photo and the report on the wedding to the Times," Riley replied quickly.

"You did what?" Jack's temper rose quicker than the sun heating the back of his neck, and Riley backed away, his hands up, placating.

"We need to announce it somehow. I just did it anonymously."

"My family doesn't even know!" Panic laced Jack's voice and fear clenched in his stomach. Why the hell had Riley done something so stupid, and without discussing it with Jack first. His family should hear it from him first. "I need to tell my freakin' family, you idiot! They are gonna go crazy when they see it, and you just— shit." He had no words for the stupidity that was Riley freakin' Hayes. Biting his tongue, Jack climbed into the chauffer-driven car and spat out directions to the ranch. He looked out at Riley expectantly. The man was standing there, unmoving, bags at his feet. His expression was thoughtful, and he was twisting his new ring nervously.

"Yours first, then mine," Riley finally said, and Jack nodded, eager to be doing something.

* * * *

"Momma, you know Riley." Jack had planned and practiced the whole way home: Mom, I'm married. Mom, I fell in love. Mom, I am trying to save Elizabeth. Mom, Beth is pregnant. Nothing worked in his head. Nothing.

"Riley," she said, smiling prettily. Her hands were covered in flour, cake mix sat in a porcelain bowl, and Jack's heart swelled with pride. His mom was so beautiful, so quiet, and serene and he was so proud of her. She would understand what he'd done. He only had to tell her. Tell her what he'd agreed to for the sake of the family.

"I have something to tell you," he said softly.

"What, darlin?"

"I'm married, Momma. I met Riley a while back. We didn't tell anyone because —Momma— Before I knew it, I was married."

Silence.

Jack reached for Riley's hand, and she watched as Riley looked down at Jack with something in his eyes, something that might almost be gratitude, and she knew. She closed her eyes, tears spilling from them, her hands clasped. A soft sigh left her parted lips. "Jack, what did you do?"

"Momma."

"Tell me." Her voice caught, and she swallowed. "Tell me you married for love."

Jack leaned into Riley, who rested a hand on Jack's hip in a small gesture of support. "I married for love, Momma."

Donna was still crying, but she pulled both men in for a hug, leaving flour on their shirts. Jack watched Riley, who seemed nervous and unsure where to put his hands when his momma hugged him. "Welcome to the family, Riley."

They stood there for a while, until Jack coughed and looked to somehow change the subject.

Jack broke the silence. "Where's Beth, Mom?"

"In the sunroom, sweetie. She's tired, looks very tired." She pursed her lips, worry creasing her brow, and she turned back to her baking.

"Should we not disturb her?" Riley asked softly.

"No, I need her to see. I need you to see her."

They moved into what was euphemistically called the sunroom— a brick built extension to the main ranch house, spilling with hothouse flowers and the smell of summer.

Jack crouched next to a dozing Beth, taking her hands into his own.

She blinked awake, her eyes red. Had she been crying?

"Jack?" Her voice was drawling tired, but her smile glowed. "Did it go okay?"

"Hey, Beth, I need to talk to you. You all right with that?" Jack waited for her to nod and then just jumped in with what needed to be said. "I lied to you," he said gently, watching her expressive eyes widen with questions. "I wasn't on a business trip. I was away with my boyfriend," he added. Beth looked up and past him to the man standing at his back. Jack had never seen her pale so quickly.

"Your—" Her voice faltered. "That's Hayes, Riley Hayes. Jeff's— Steve's friend."

"Riley was… my boyfriend. We've been seeing each other quietly for a while now."

"Riley?" she said wonderingly, looking back at her brother's face. "Was your boyfriend?"

"He's my husband now," Jack said. It was like ripping a Band-Aid off a wound. It was the only way. Just get it out there, in the open.

"Jack?"

"We were in Canada, and we got married." He kept his voice soft, and he winced as her fingers tightened on his and she pulled herself to stand. She was a small woman, no more than five feet two. But she drew herself up to her full height and leaned away from her brother's support. Her back straight and her face blank of emotion, she faced Riley with a challenge in every inch of her.

"Are you your daddy's boy?" she asked plainly, easing farther away as Jack reached for her. Both men knew what she meant, and Jack sent a pleading look to his new husband. For god’s sake, lie to her.

Riley inclined his head, moving a step closer

"No, ma'am," he finally said. "I am not my daddy's boy. I am my own man."

She closed her eyes briefly, and nodded almost imperceptibly. It seemed that Riley had said the right thing.

"How long have you been seein' each other?" she asked. "Momma and Josh— do they know?"

"About two months," Riley said smoothly, again reaching for Jack. They had talked about this in the car on the way over. Jack hadn't been with anyone for nearly six months, and Riley's flings could maybe be written off as cover-ups if really questioned, if they were pushed.

"That's quick," she commented, moving back to the chair and sitting down with a small sigh.

"Momma knows. We just told her, and Josh is next."