Truth and Consequences by Bethany Campbell

Author:Bethany Campbell
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Category, Stock Car Drivers, NASCAR (Association), Man-Woman Relationships, Contemporary, General, Romance, Fraud, Automobile Racing Drivers, Fiction, Banks and Banking, Marital Conflict, Love Stories
ISBN: 9780373217861
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2007-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

PENNY DIALED HER MOTHER’S number, hardly able to keep her hands from shaking.

Gerty answered. “Branch residence. Gerty Hoffman speaking.”

Penny sat very straight on the edge of the bed. “Gerty, it’s Penny. I just got a call from some tabloid reporter. He asked me something about Hilton. I wondered…has anybody like that called Mom?”

She heard Gerty take a deep breath. “Yes. I’m sorry, but, yes.”

“Do you know what they said to her?”

“They said your father was unfaithful to her. For a long time, I think.”

Penny groaned and raked her hand through her hair. “Oh, no. This man named Scot Netley called. He asked if I knew about Hilton’s mistress, how long he’d kept her. What was my reaction? What would I like to say to Hilton?”

“How cruel!” Gerty retorted. “Whatever did you tell him?”

“I opened my purse and took out my police whistle. I said, ‘Here’s my reaction.’ I blew it as hard as I could in his ear, then cut him off. I hope I broke his eardrum.”

“Good for you!” Gerty said. “A second call came. Craig answered the phone and cursed him out. My! I didn’t know he could talk like that! Good for him, too, I say.”

“Craig’s there?” Penny asked. She’d been so stunned by Netley’s call that she’d forgotten that Craig was with Maeve tonight.

“He’s here,” Gerty said. “And he’s taking good care of your mother. He knows how to take care of people. He’s a fine man.”

“Can I talk to him?” Penny asked, then swallowed hard.

“Sure. I go sit by your mama. Hang on just a minute.”

Penny waited and for the first time in years chewed nervously on a fingernail.

At last she heard Craig’s deep voice. “Hello, Penn. A reporter got to Maeve. I’d thought she’d be safe for a while. I was wrong.”

“We all were wrong,” she said unhappily. “Should I catch the first flight out of here and come home?”

“No,” Craig said. “Gert and I’ll hold the fort. At this point, it’s probably easier for me than for you. You’re one of the walking wounded Hilton’s left behind.”

In spite of herself, she smiled ruefully. “You’re the born family man, aren’t you? This week you’re holding up yours—and mine.”

“We’ve got our differences, Penny. But through this, we should work together. Oops, my cell phone’s ringing. Looks like Bart’s calling. I’ll talk to you later, hon. Stay strong.”

They said hasty goodbyes. Good grief, he probably was taking better care of Maeve than she could. What kind of woman wouldn’t love such a man? she asked herself.

A fool, answered a small inner voice. Only an utter fool.

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