Eileen Wilks - The Ashtons: Cole, Abigail and Megan (Spotlight)

A family built on liesbrought together by
dark, passionate secrets

THE ASHTONS:
COLE, ABIGAIL
MEGAN

Three of your favourite authors bring you
three sexy and seductive romances following
the scandalous Ashton dynasty

The Ashtons:
Cole, Abigail
Megan

Eileen Wilks

Kathie Denosky

Maureen Child

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Entangled

By

Eileen Wilks

Eileen Wilks is a fifth-generation Texan. Her great-great-grandmother came to Texas in a covered wagon shortly after the end of the Civil War excuse us, the War between the States. But shes not a full-blooded Texan. Right after another war, her Texan father fell for a Yankee woman. This obviously mismatched pair proceeded to travel to nine cities in three countries in the first twenty years of their marriage. For the next twenty years they stayed put, back home in Texas again and still together.

Eileen figures her professional career matches her nomadic upbringing, since shes tried everything raising two children and any number of cats and dogs along the way. Not until she started writing did she stay put, because thats when she knew shed come home. Readers can write to her at PO Box 4612, Midland, TX 79704-4612, USA.

This book is dedicated to my fellow Desire authors
those on the loop and especially those who
participated in this continuity series.

Youve been a delight to work with. Desire authors are a great bunch, giving and supportive and maybe a little crazy. Im glad to be one of you.

Prologue

N obody expected the church to be full. At eleventhirty on a rainy Wednesday morning in Crawley, Nebraska, most folks were at work. But the postmistress was there, and the druggist and his wife, and the banker with his wife sat in their usual pew. Many of the countys farming families were represented, for the families of the bride and the groom were farmers.

And, of course, the Mortimer twins sat in their usual spotssixth from the front on the center aisle. Flora and Dora hadnt missed a wedding in this church for fifty-five years. A little rain couldnt dampen their enthusiasm.

Doesnt young Spencer look handsome, Flora whispered.

Her sister snorted. Handsome is as handsome does. You cant tell me that hellion would be up there waiting for his bride if

The postmistress turned around and gave them an admonishing look.

Dont you look at me that way, Emmaline Bradley, Dora said. Francis is still on Rock of Ages. No reason we cant talk when shes still on Rock of Ages.

Flora tugged on her arm. Look. Theyre seating Spencers father, she whispered. He doesnt look very happy about the wedding, does he?

Dora sniffed. Frederick Ashton hasnt been happy since he was weaned. Got two moods, that manmad and madder. What Pastor Brown was thinking of to make him a deaconwell, thats beside the point.

Lucy Johnson, on the other side of Flora, leaned closer. At least Frederick made sure his son did right by poor Sally.

Flora bobbed her head in agreement like a chicken pecking at the dirt. Poor Sally. I can see why she fell into temptation. That Ashton boy is soso

Handsome, Dora finished dryly. Im not so sure Frederick did Sally any favors.

Oh, Spencers just young, Lucy said. A touch on the wild side, maybe, but so was my Charlie before we married. And weve been together forty-two years now.

Emmaline Bradley turned around again. Shh!

Flora flushed, Lucys lips thinned and Dora didnt notice. She was frowning at the back of Frederick Ashtons head three rows up. There had been rumors that the man used a heavy hand with his sons. He was big, burly and domineeringthe kind who liked to say, Spare the rod, spoil the child. Dora was sure neither Spencer nor his brother, David, had been in danger of being spoiled.

Francis struck the opening chord of Wagners Bridal Chorus. Here comes the bride

At the back of the church, Sally Barnett pressed a hand to her unhappy stomach. The satin wedding gown felt cold and slippery.

Butterflies, sweetheart? her father said.

More like nausea. But Daddy looked so anxioussurely Mama was right. Spencer would settle down once the babies came. She summoned a smile. Im nervous, she whispered.

He patted her hand. Youre supposed to be. This is our cue, honey.

Together they stepped out in the stately slow march that would carry them up the aisle to where Spencer waited. Sallys skirts swished over the carpet and her heart pounded and pounded. She clutched her bouquet so tightly it was a wonder she didnt squeeze it right in two.

Spencer looked so wonderful in his tux. So what if theyd had to rent it? Shed told him over and over that didnt matterexcept that it did. To him. He was hungry for things, for the trappings of success. But she understood why. Hed grown up hearing his mother whine about how little they had, how much better things would have been if his father had sold the farm years ago. Hed come to believe that happiness came from things, not people.

Shed show him differently, she promised herself as her father released her and stepped back. Shed be such a good wife to him that hed never regret this day.

Her heart turned over when Spencer took her hand, just as it always had for him. He didnt love her. Not in the deep, aching way she loved him. But shed be patient. Shed teach him how to love.

Nausea forgotten, Sallys face shone as she listened to the preacher repeat the familiar words. Her young groom stood tall and straight beside her.

Spencer glanced at Sally. Look at the stupid bitch smile, he thought. Thinks she has me trapped, doesnt she? The selfish cow had gone crying to her daddy when she found out she was pregnant, and hed tattled to the old manA trickle of cold sweat ran down Spencers spine.

Do you, Spencer Winston Ashton, take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife? the preacher said. To have and to hold

Frederick Ashton was the one person in the world Spencer feared. And however much lip service Frederick paid to the Bible, his real god was his standing in the community. Hed made it clear that Spencer wouldnt be allowed to tarnish that.

for richer, for poorer

Maybe Sally had won for now, but not for long, he promised himself. He was destined for great things. Hed always known that.

and in health, until death do you part?

I do, Spencer said solemnly. Someway, somehow, hed find a way out of this dead-end town, out into the wide world waiting for him.

Chapter One

Napa Valley, California. Forty-three years later.

D ixie turned off the highway with Cowboys from Hell blasting away on the stereoher notion of motivational music. Who could succumb to nerves with Pantera singing about cowboys from way down under coming to take the town?

Her palms were damp on the steering wheel.

Shed missed the light the most, she thought as she pointed the nose of her Toyota down the little county road. Seasons took sharp turns in New York. Shed enjoyed that, jazzed by the way winter hit with a howl and a slap, knocking autumn flat on its face. Californias seasons jostled for position more politely, one blending into the next in a watercolor wash rather than the charcoal ultimatums of the North.

But the lightJanuary light in the Valley didnt bounce around with the flat, frenetic energy of summer, but smoothed itself around tree trunks and buildings, settling on roads and earth with a visual hum.

She was looking forward to painting that light. And thats why she was here, she reminded herself as she slowed. She had a job to do. If she could settle a few ghosts while she was at it, well and good. The silly things had started tugging on her sleeve after she returned to California. It was time to look them in their pale, wispy little faces and get on with her life.