Here Comes Trouble Read Free Page A

then . . .
    Sheila.
    “I’m just about ready, Malcolm.” Alcina Oliver emerged from her dressing room wearing an elegant jade-green silk pantsuit adorned with sporadic shimmering accents. Her snow-white hair was pulled into its signature twist at the base of her neck. The ever-so-faint trace of France danced along the edge of her words as a hint of lavender and vanilla drifted about the room. Pale skin stretched over too-thin features, making her bright green eyes all the more prominent. “You should be downstairs mingling with our guests.”
    “Your guests, Gran,” Malcolm corrected as he moved to stand behind her once she took a seat at her dressing table. She latched medium diamond studs onto her ears, smiling at him in the mirror as he dropped gentle hands onto her frail but sturdy shoulders. “And let’s not forget I’m not welcome in this house.”
    Brittle glass had nothing on the edge Alcina’s gaze took on as she reached a hand up to cover Malcolm’s. “You are as long as I’m alive. This is your home, Malcolm. It always was, it always will be.”
    Malcolm forced a smile and bent down to look at the two of them in the mirror. There was only one force in the universe that could have brought him back to Lantano Valley sooner than planned. The ninety-nine-pound octogenarian had more strength of character than anyone Malcolm had ever known.
    But Alcina was wrong. This house had been many things: a dwelling, a refuge, a mausoleum perhaps, but never a home. Not even Alcina possessed enough will to make that a reality.
    “Have you seen Sheila this evening?” Alcina held up her favorite strand of pearls for Malcolm to latch for her. Malcolm bit his cheek. Nothing ever got past his grandmother. “I expected her to stop by and check in by now.”
    “I have. I’m sure she got waylaid with the party.” He couldn’t shake the feeling something was off where Sheila’s visit to his father’s office was concerned. Maybe he should check . . .
    “Lovely girl,” Alcina said. “Simply lovely.”
    “Mmmm.” Malcolm struggled with the clasp and wondered how women managed them without looking. “She is that.”
    “It’s a shame the two of you didn’t work out. You’d have given me beautiful great-grandchildren.”
    “Gran, don’t start.” Malcolm settled the pearls around her neck. This wasn’t the first time his grandmother had broached the subject of his procreation plans, and he doubted it would be the last. Forget a dog with a bone, Alcina Oliver was like a shark with a seal, one who would happily choke to death on its prey before letting go. “I’ve already told you, I have a life in San Francisco. It does not include a wife or children.” It probably never would.
    “I can tell by the look in your eye you still have feelings for the girl.” Alcina caught his hand. “Life is too short to spend it alone, Malcolm.”
    “Are you sure your cataracts aren’t acting up?” Malcolm teased and squeezed her fingers, making note to be more careful with his expressions around Sheila and his grandmother. The last thing he needed was for either to be aware something was wrong where he was concerned. “Now, would you like me to escort you downstairs?”
    “I would like you to go on ahead so I can get my thoughts together.”
    “Okay.” But he’d keep an eye and an ear out.
    “Family is always the most important thing, no matter the history,” Alcina called after him as he opened the door. “Your father, your brother, they don’t see things the way you do, they don’t understand, but I have faith in you, Malcolm. That you won’t turn a blind eye to opportunity forever.”
    Malcolm knew she didn’t expect a response. Not that he had one. There was no response she would deem appropriate other than complete agreement.
    The depths of his love for his grandmother could only be exemplified by his willingness to hobnob with family friends, clients, and investors who were more than happy to relive