The Ashtons - Cole, Abigail & Megan

she acknowledged that thought, she told herself it wasn’t hard to work, when that’s all you really did anymore.
    Paige stopped at the wide double doors and turned to face her as she approached. Megan looked at her sister’s stubborn features and wanted to sigh. She might have finally accepted that their father was not the man she wished he was, but clearly Paige still had hopes. And she wasn’t alone, either.
    Their mother, Lilah, refused to even discuss the matter of Spencer’s illegitimate son. More than that though, she refused to believe that anything at all was wrong. She blindly insisted that her life was as perfect as she’d always claimed it to be.
    Cousin Charlotte, of course, had never liked or trusted Megan’s father, but Charlotte’s brotherWalker was Spencer’s right-hand man. Together, Walker and Paige kept trying to insist that everything would work out. That the man they were so busy defending didn’t really need defending at all.
    And Megan was tired of arguing the point.
    “Okay,” she said as she came up close to her sister. “I’m sorry. We won’t talk about Father anymore, all right?”
    Paige blew out a breath, then smiled and laid one hand on Megan’s forearm. “Thanks. And you’ll see. Father will explain everything and the rumors will fade away as soon as the newspapers find someone new to pick on.”
    “I hope you’re right,” Megan said, though she didn’t hold out much hope. She had a feeling that as far as her father was concerned, things were going to get worse—not better. She only hoped that Paige wouldn’t be too crushed when she was finally forced to see her father for what he really was.

Chapter Eleven
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    O ver the next few days, Megan felt…jumpy. It was as if she were waiting for the other shoe to drop.
    The sun warm on her back, she continued on her walk through the vineyard. She loved the smell of the vines and the freshly turned earth. She loved walking the long, orderly rows of just-budding vines because it gave her a sense of connection—of continuity. And yet, even being out here wasn’t enough to dispel a vague sensation of impending doom.
    “Okay,” she murmured to herself, after checking to make sure no one was standing around watching the crazy woman talk to no one, “you’re getting a little dramatic, Megan. Dial it down a notch or two.”
    But how could she?
    Even avoiding reading the newspapers and watching television, she was aware of the trouble her family was going through. And she was more than aware of just who was responsible for this mess.
    Her father.
    “Hey, talking to yourself is not a good sign.”
    Megan turned around so quickly, her low-heeled black pumps caught on a grapevine root and she rocked unsteadily until her big brother grabbed her elbow and held on. “Thanks,” she said, “but next time, if you’re going to scare me, wait until I’m barefoot at least.”
    Trace grinned and Megan couldn’t help smiling back. The man was just gorgeous. Six feet tall with an athletic build, eyes as green as her own and light brown hair, when he smiled, women lined up in front of him just to melt.
    “Wasn’t worried about you,” he quipped. “But take it easy on the grapes, huh?” That said, he went down on one knee to inspect the knobby, gnarled vine as if checking to make sure Megan hadn’t done any damage.
    “Nice to know I come in second to a vine.”
    “Hey, if we could make cuvée by squeezing your pretty head, it might be a different story.” He stood up, reached out and touched the tip of her nose with his index finger.
    Megan felt a rush of love for the big brother she’dalways adored—even when he was stealing her toys and hiding them just for the heck of it. He’d always been there for her. Always ready to listen, or to give advice—even if she didn’t want it.
    Which today, she suddenly realized, she really did. Maybe that’s why she’d walked down to the vineyard in the first place. Maybe her subconscious had steered her in Trace’s direction because she’d known deep in her heart that she just had to talk to someone who would understand.
    “Why so serious all of a sudden?” he asked, then stopped and nodded. “Ah. You saw the morning paper.”
    “I stopped reading the paper almost two weeks ago.”
    He winced. “Then you don’t know.”
    “Oh, God.” For the first time in her life, Megan knew absolutely what the phrase about experiencing a sinking sensation actually meant.