Cheating The Odds

Cheating The Odds

Senna Fisher

Published by Kenaz Publications at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Senna Fisher

Discover other titles by Senna Fisher at Smashwords.com

In this series:

Book 1: Against the Odds

Book 2: Always at Odds

Book 3: Cheating the Odds

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

*****

Tables of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

About the Author

*****

Chapter 1: Prologue

Michael Adcock felt a heavy rock of defeat settle in his belly as he watched his son looking so happy and content. He felt a slow anger creeping into him and wondered whether he had been too weak to stop the relationship. That Nana had knocked him with a solid blow of light, and it had taken him a long time to regain his strength. He had done his utmost to feed Colwyn’s insecurities, but somehow Brad seemed to have the patience of a saint with her. He considered the possibility that he was not weak, but that his son Bradford was much stronger than him. After all, he had tried on at least three occasions to drive the boy crazy and to create a rift between him, his mother and John’s daughter.

Bradford clearly loved her and Michael was furious that his son had just given away his hard-earned money to John’s daughter without a single inch of security. He thought he had taught the boy well about making rational business decisions, and it was sheer luck that she was making money. I am so angry with you, son, because you should know better. He watched his son looking so happy and fulfilled and he knew that Tessa was going to be very pleased. He felt a slush of bile build up in his mouth at the thought of Tessa. That Tessa was just going about her life as if he never existed and never created all that money that allowed her the luxury to sit at home and indulge her foolish girly thoughts. She never once thanked him. He felt his anger at her again, and it heated his body into a frenzy. This was the thing he hated most about being dead. You could say anything to them, and they never seemed to hear you. I have a lot to tell you boy, about this love foolishness and that cheating whore of a mother you loves so much. Death frustrated him because he watched helplessly as his wife and son enjoyed the money that he had worked so hard for, that he had sacrificed so much for.

He suddenly realized that Ashley was standing there. He glared at his younger son and left. He was in no mood to hear his lively-livered speech about going into the light. He had no plans of ever going into the light, unless his wife Tessa was there, so he could give her a piece of his mind. He wondered around the park, and knew that Bradford would do anything for John’s daughter. He recognized that determination in his son. After all, Bradford had studied law despite all his efforts to manipulate and threaten him. Michael felt a little lost now. There did not seem to be much to do. Bradford was going to keep that woman and Tessa had won.

He heard rustling in the trees near him and felt a cool breeze before a woman stood in front of him. Hello Michael. My name is Olivia. You and I have a common enemy. Nana. I think we should talk.

He glared at her for a while. He had no need for this woman with her cold, dead eyes. He waved dismissively to her and wondered off.

You made a silly mistake. You focused your anger on Tessa. John is your real enemy. He is the man who stole your wife’s heart.

Michael stopped. How do you know my business?

She gave him a half-smile. Clayton is my problem and I was following Nana to see what she was so panicked about and there you were, flat on the ground. She eyes lit up in glee. So I did my own investigation of you.

What do you want from me?

I also learnt that Nana cannot be dealt with alone. She is very powerful and with Ashley at her side, you had no chance. That boy has a pure heart and that in itself is powerful. What I want, is for us to work together. I want Nana to fail. She broke my best spell when she helped Clayton Giles. I want to make her pay for that. I noticed that she has taken an interest in protecting your boy, and I want her to fail.

Fine, but it is no use. Bradford is a lost cause. I know my son and I know he will never let John’s daughter go. So I don’t think I can help you.

Olivia watched him for a while. John still has a son, Shane. Perhaps he will be an easier target. Hurt John and you hurt Tessa.

Michael looked up now, suddenly interested. Hurting John in any way was better than wondering aimlessly avoiding Ashley.

Okay, I’ll bite. What do to you have in mind?

Olivia turned away and smiled.

I’ll be in touch.

*****

Chapter 2

Shane Spencer stepped onto the pavement and smiled as he watched his sister Colwyn try to negotiate with her lover, Brad Adcock about driving them back.

I did hear what you said, but can I at least drive this once? She was smiling at him, her head tilted towards her shoulder.

No, you will drive when you agree to move here to Rosen Bay. Right now, you are my guest. When you are a resident, we will talk about it.

Ugh, I hate when you do that. She marched off to the passenger side and stood with her arms folded.

Brad laughed. Now can we please go home before Marcus and Salina drag us off to another party?

Shane shook his head. He had no idea how Brad coped with her. Colwyn loved to push Brad, just a little each time. He walked off to his car and went back to his father’s house, which was in darkness. He did not even want to think about where his father was. He knew he was seeing someone, because he seemed reluctant for him and Colwyn to visit him this weekend. He wondered why his father was so elusive about the woman he was clearly spending too much time with. He could just bully John Spencer to tell him the truth, but then he might find out something he really didn’t need to know, like that his mystery woman was Brad’s mother. He often wondered about that relationship, but there was no way he could venture down that path since Brad told him yesterday that he would be marrying Colwyn ‘whether she liked it or not’.

He put on the lights and poured himself a drink. He wondered around the house, not sure what to do with himself. He really had no idea why he bothered to leave Oakmore City to visit his father when his father was hardly home these last few months. He phoned his friend Jorge.

How are you?

Jorge laughed. You are alone on a Saturday night? What’s that about?

Shane laughed too. I am a little tired. I am down here in Rosen Bay visiting my father. We agreed to have a family weekend, but Colwyn has gone off to her man and my father is somewhere, I have no idea where. What are you doing?

Doing some work. I suddenly seem to be travelling too much. Now I have to catch up on all sorts of domestic issues. I met this woman, though. She is very good in bed but a little different.

Shane laughed. Different, huh? What does that mean?

You know, beautiful but a little unstable. Every time I leave to go home, she thinks I am off to another woman. She doesn’t really get that I have to work. But, once we are in bed, it is all good.

Doesn’t she work?

No, her father is one of those shipping magnates. He knows my dad and I met her when we went to their house for a renewal of vowels by the parents.

Do I know her?

No, I doubt it. She grew up in Spain and only recently came here. So I am sitting here trying not to answer her calls.

I don’t know bro. That kind of thing is never good. You need to keep it light.

I know, I know, but she looks at me and I just give in.

Shane laughed. Just watch your back.

He went to bed thinking that Jorge must be crazy to entertain such a woman. No good could come from that liaison.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Shane was happy to get back to the bustle of Oakmore City. He loved the sudden flurry of new investments thrust on him, thanks to Brad’s friends. But he couldn’t shake a feeling of restlessness that grew around him. He also couldn’t figure out whether he was coming down with a bug, because at least twice in the week, he had woken up suddenly feeling very cold when the weather outside was pleasantly warm. He learned to close all the windows at night, but once in a while he still felt cold.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He was completely elated when Colwyn arrived at his apartment one night, a giant smile on her face. Okay, that’s a refreshingly happy face. No fights with Brad this week?

She laughed. It is not that bad between us. We have kind of sorted out our major tensions. So, I need a glass of wine because I have news.

I don’t know if I should be worried now. But, let’s get that wine. Will I need something stronger? He watched his sister closely.

She laughed. Ugh, just get the wine already.

Shane hugged her and dragged her to the kitchen with him.

You can talk while I do this.

Okay, here goes. I am going to marry Brad. She stared at him nervously.

Shane laughed out and grabbed her. He twirled her around for a bit.

Oh yes, it is about time. I am very happy, sis. I told you Brad was good for you.

The first time you spoke to him you flew down to Rosen Bay to see what he was doing to me, remember?

Of course, you were crying. What did you expect?

Oh Shane, I am so happy. But I am a little nervous about moving there. So much has changed in the last year. I also have money and can do anything I want.

Shane watched her sipping her wine. Sis, you don’t have to move. He can come here, you know.

I can’t Shane. I thought about it. He won’t leave his mother alone there. I am sure she will be fine, but he is very protective over her. He makes an effort to visit her every week, no matter how busy he is. I also know that he really hates being here in Oakmore City. We spent the whole weekend doing absolutely nothing because he complained about the traffic and the noise.

Yes, I noticed that. I don’t know sis. I suppose you have been talking about expanding your business. This might be a chance to do that.

She laughed. Have you been talking to Brad? That is exactly what he said.

Shane laughed. I knew he wanted to get married, but we never discussed the details. He just told me to make sure you get there over the weekend.

Ah, that explains your sudden desire to arrange all my travel plans and insisting on driving me to the airport on Friday.

Yep, guilty as accused.

She hugged her brother. Shane, thank you for being so amazing to me. Thank you for being a great brother.

Shane smiled. Now you have to tell Dad. I would love to see his face when he realizes one of his children will live in the same town as him. He is going to be very unhappy about that.

Colwyn also laughed. Perhaps I will discover what he really gets up to down there.

Colwyn are you sure you want to make the move?

Yes, I have thought about it and in the scheme of things, Brad gave up a chunk of money for me, without asking questions, without knowing what I would do. It is the least I can do, you know. If I hate it, we will deal with it then. But right now, I enjoy that warm sea air that filters through the whole city. I love the casual way people dress and the way they are friendly. I have been spending time with Brad’s friends. I really like Clayton and his wife Rebecca. They are a bit odd, but you know, they care so much for Brad.

Oh yes, I think I met them once. She is pregnant?

Yes and she looks absolutely beautiful. I had a complete jealous melt down one day when I heard Brad chat to her on the phone. He was so sweet I could have hit him.

Shane laughed. Not that again. You do realize he knows lots of people, some of them beautiful women?

I am learning fast, trust me. But he just looks at me and I realize I am being crazy. It will be fine. One day I will get over it.

Shane smiled. For the sake of every other person in Rosen Bay, I hope it is sooner than later.

*****

Chapter 3

Clayton Giles and his wife Rebecca arrived at the wedding. They entered a large wooden door into the Cathedral and Rebecca smiled as she saw petals of roses scattered along the aisles.

Oh Clay, this is so beautiful. I am so happy for Brad. I never thought he would get this far with Colwyn.

Clayton smiled, I don’t know, I think you should keep that happiness cry brewing inside until she says ‘I do’. I am not going to relax until I see her here and she has that ring on her finger. Who knows what might set her off? She is too hot-headed.

Rebecca punched his arm. Don’t be mean.

Clayton