Free True Love by Jude Deveraux Page A

give them any ammo and the questions started—with Alix caught in the middle.
    “Hi, baby,” her dad said on answering. “Did you get to Nantucket okay?”
    “You’ll never in your life guess who’s staying in the guesthouse.”
    “Who?” Ken asked.
    “Jared Montgomery.”
    “That guy who’s an architect?”
    “Very funny,” Alix said. “I know you teach about him in your classes, so you know that he’s a genius.”
    “He’s made some respectable buildings. I like that he knows something about construction.”
    “I know that’s your mantra. Dad?”
    “Yes?”
    “I designed a chapel.”
    “You mean a church?” Ken asked. “What for?”
    “I’ll tell you but only if you promise not to get straitlaced with me.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “Dad?” Alix said, warning in her voice.
    “All right. No lectures. What did you do?”
    For the next ten minutes Alix told her father about breaking into Montgomery’s home studio and seeing his designs, his private sketches. “They were beautiful, so perfect.”
    “So you designed something small to impress him,” Ken said. She could hear the disapproval in his voice.
    “Yes, I did,” she said firmly. “I don’t know how long he’ll be here, but I hope I can show him some of my work.”
    “I’m sure he’ll be impressed,” Ken said.
    “I doubt that, but at least maybe I can get him to look at it.”
    “I am quite sure that he’ll do that,” Ken said emphatically. “Where is he now?”
    “On his boat. Izzy and I saw him sail away. He’s a beautiful man.”
    “Alix,” Ken said sternly, “from what I know of this Montgomery guy, he’s a tough player. I don’t think—”
    “Relax, Dad. I just want to be his student. He’s much too old for me.” Alix rolled her eyes. She knew from experience that when it came to men her father thought none of them were good enough for her. She changed the subject. “So how are you and … you know … doing?”
    Instantly, her father went from hot to cold, but Alix wasn’t worried. Her dad was a softie.
    “Are you referring to the woman I’ve been living with for these last four years?”
    “Sorry,” Alix said. “I’m being rude. Celeste is very nice. She dresses beautifully and she—”
    “You can stop looking for good to say about her. Those clothes nearly bankrupted me. But it doesn’t matter now because she moved out.”
    “Oh, Dad, I’m sorry. I know you liked her.”
    “No, I don’t think I did,” he said thoughtfully.
    Alix gave a sigh of relief. “Thank heaven! Now I can tell you that I never actually liked her.”
    “Really? I never would have guessed. You were so good at keeping your opinions to yourself.”
    “I am sorry, Dad,” she said and this time she meant it. “Really, I am.”
    “Oh, well, bad taste in the opposite sex runs in our family.”
    “That’s not true. I mean it is for you and Mom, but Eric was …” Alix grimaced. “Actually, he was awful. Izzy said I only liked him because he gave me the opportunity to do two designs instead of one.”
    Ken laughed. “I’ve always liked Izzy! And she knows my daughter well.”
    “I’m going to miss her. She’s leaving in the morning.” Alix thought it was better not to tell him yet about moving the wedding to Nantucket. He might think she was taking on too much. “That blasted fiancé of hers wants her to be with him .”
    “Inconsiderate devil!”
    “That’s just what I said.”
    “Look, Alix, it’s late and we both need to sleep. When’s Montgomery getting back?”
    “I have no idea. I stayed in and worked while Izzy spent the day buying me new clothes.” She didn’t tell him that Izzy said the clothes were to impress Montgomery.
    “And sending the bills to your mother, I hope.”
    “Of course. Those two and Mom’s AmEx are the very best of friends. A holy trinity.”
    Ken chuckled. “I miss you already. So get some sleep and call me after you meet Montgomery. I want to hear every word of