Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 429

"Hey Ike, you headed back to the old homestead anytime soon?" Keith suddenly threw the question during their lunch break at the construction site.

Ike shook his head, taking a swig of his soda. "Nope. It's been crazy busy lately, and my parents just got back from the city themselves. What's up? Planning to drop by and see Mrs. Bright?"

Keith grunted in response. "I gotta head back to Skywatch soon. Can't leave my old man to fend off the wolves alone. I figured I'd swing by my mom's place on the way back and check in on her. Haven't heard much since she moved in with the Moores."

After his mom had remarried, Keith had received only a brief call to say she'd arrived safely. Beyond that, no other news from her. He couldn't shake the worry about whether she was settling in okay.

Ike chuckled, his voice echoing slightly in the empty room. "Ah, Mrs. Bright's fitting in just fine. Lucy's been calling her every day."

The reassurance caused a shadow to pass over Keith's face. Despite being full siblings, he and Lucy had been separated for over two decades. Their relationship, though recently rekindled, lacked the depth of her bond with Ike.

The thought of Lucy being raised by the Moore family eased Keith's mind somewhat. What was the use in getting jealous over Ike's closeness to her?

She was their sister, after all. And Ike's affection for her matched his own.

With that thought, Keith's mood lifted, and he returned to his usual self. Both Ike and Stefan noticed the fleeting sadness, but they exchanged a look and kept silent. Some things just had to grow over time.

"You’re about to head back so soon? Not gonna stick around for Liam's wedding?" Stefan asked, trying to keep him around a little longer.

Keith grinned, his white teeth flashing. "Wouldn't miss it for the world. I'm the best man, remember? There's still time before the big day. I'll roll in the night before, no sweat. I can't let Liam down."

He got on well with the Anderson brothers—Lucy's in-laws. Bonding with them was a no-brainer. It was good for Lucy and beneficial for him as well. The Andersons were big shots at Ascend Global. Leaders in their fields. Their support meant a lot to him.

Plus, the Blues had plenty of private jets, making travel a breeze for Keith and his dad whenever they came over. Knowing this, Stefan just nodded. "You better give Lucy a heads-up before you leave."

"Of course, I will. Actually, I've got something to ask her," Keith replied.

Stefan caught on quick. "About that mystery woman?"

"Yeah, those sleuths at Cipher Detectives haven't turned up anything yet. No clue if they'll ever find her."

Ike, who was also in the loop about Keith's enigmatic savior, added, "Tough to track someone when all you've got is a masked face. It's like looking for a needle in Pinehurst."

Keith pondered a moment before speaking. "True. Guess I'll just have to be patient. They had taken my deposit, they better deliver."

After finishing his drink, Keith stood up. "Well guys, you've got things to handle, I won't keep you."

The friends didn't try to stop him. They had their own work to do, and Keith was on vacation, after all.

Back at the bakery, Cecilia was getting ready for a night out. Owen had asked her to join him for a swanky gathering, and she had agreed. She was in a stunning evening gown that Owen had sent over, her makeup light and elegant.

Lucy, who had just rushed in from her day job to take over, let out a whistle at the sight of her.

"Didn't know you could whistle, Lucy," Cecilia laughed.

Lucy circled Cecilia, admiring the transformation. "Clothes make the man, or in this case, the woman. You look absolutely divine. I used to hang out with my brother and his buddies when I was a kid. That’s how I picked up whistling and even how to whistle a tune."

Her brother's whistling had nothing on hers.

"Owen not here yet?" Lucy teased. "You'd think he'd be here early, chomping at the bit to show off his stunning date."

Just then, the sound of a car pulling up had them peering out the window, expecting Owen. But the sight of Cecilia's former mother-in-law with Megan in tow furrowed Lucy's brow.

"What are they up to now, joining forces to stir up trouble again?"

Owen's mom, Ruby, was a piece of work. Even after Olina had given her a piece of her mind, Lucy thought their friendship would have ended. But it seemed there was more to the story.

"Hah, look at them, cozying up like they're BFFs."

No wonder Mr. Martinez is running Owen's love life like it's his business, keeping Owen's parents out of it. With a mom like Olina, she'd only hold Owen back.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, okay? It's not like we haven't dealt with their kind before."

Cecilia never was one to get spooked by them.

Back when she was Olina's daughter-in-law, she faced down every one of Olina's little 'lessons' without batting an eye. And now? She's even less concerned.

"Ruby's slipped in there, and Megan's playing the meek little lamb, buttering up Mrs. Martinez. Bet they're plotting to rekindle that old flame between Ruby and Owen."

The sarcasm dripped from Cecilia's words like honey.

Lucy chuckled, her voice playful as she said, "Well then, you better make sure Owen only has eyes for you. Serve up a done deal, and Ruby won't stand a chance. Stick with him at the schmooze-fest tonight, drink up a little. With liquid courage, nothing should you be scared about."

For heaven's sake, what kind of friends did she keep!

They're nothing but trouble!