Read Taking a Gamble on Three of a Kind (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) for Free Online

strong.”
    “I forgot to tell you we’re invited over there for dinner tomorrow. I guess I should tell him after dinner.”
    “It might be better if you told him when you two were totally alone. I’m not sure a family dinner is the time or place.”
    “I know what I’ve done to you. Taken away from you. I’ll never forgive myself. You deserve better.”
    “Give yourself a couple weeks to tell him. He might think it’s strange if you break up with him a few days after I come home. He’ll probably still think it’s strange, but this way you’ll have some time to prepare. I don’t you want you to be unhappy, Mom. But this thing with Jack isn’t healthy.”
    “I won’t let him think this had anything to do with you. I’m not going to let him blame you for something that’s entirely my fault.”
    Jenny nodded. “Okay, we’ll go to dinner tomorrow and we’ll smile and act like everything is status quo.”
    Her mother turned and closed the door behind her. Jenny sat on her bed and wondered how she had become the adult in their relationship. She knew this was going to be difficult for her mother, but Jack had been the catalyst for her mother’s illness, she was convinced of it. It was too much of a coincidence. He had also been a thorn in her father’s side. There was no way he should be allowed back in her mother’s life.
    She remembered Luke’s parting words to her about not coming between their parents. In his mind, he would think she was responsible for their breakup, but that was something she’d have to deal with. In a way she was breaking them up, but she had no choice.
    Tomorrow’s dinner would be difficult, but she’d get through it for her mother’s sake. She wasn’t looking forward to seeing Luke again. Their last encounter on the porch had been anything but pleasant. And it would only get worse once Jack and her mother were no longer seeing each other. She was sure that neither of the brothers would sit idly by and not try to fix it. There was nothing more important to her now than helping her mother get her life back on track, and unfortunately Jack Rowan could never be a part of that life.

Chapter Four
     
    Jenny picked out a blue short-sleeved dress that fell to just above her knees. The skirt was flowing and the neckline squared to show off her bone structure. She opted for a heart-shaped necklace and matching earrings that her father had given her when they went to their first father-daughter dance. If only he were still alive. None of this would have happened.
    However, if she were totally honest, her father had never been much for her leaving home to go to school. He had always assumed she would attend the local college. When he died, her mother had told her she could go anywhere she wanted. Something inside of her said she should stay close to home, but another side of her wanted a chance to spread her wings away from the confines of a small town where everyone knew everyone.
    Her father had been strict with her, but he had also been watchful with her mother. Maybe he knew she had an addictive personality and had deliberately kept her in check. Fact was, he had kept them both on a pretty tight leash, but that was just his way. He was a good man who had loved his wife and daughter without question. He deserved better than to be a consolation prize. She felt her emotions getting away from her and willed them to stop.
    “Jenny, are you almost ready?” Her mother’s voice carried through her bedroom door.
    “I’ll be right down,” she shouted.
    Slipping into her shoes, she gave herself a once-over in the full-length mirror on the back of her closet door. She had opted to wear her hair down with one side swept up in a comb. Her eye makeup had been applied carefully to make her large, almond-shaped green eyes look even larger and her long lashes thicker. Pleased with her appearance, she opened the door and went downstairs. This, she told herself, as she stepped into the foyer, might