Adison: The Wheeler Triplets: The Wheeler Triplets, #3

By Marti Talbott

Once more the Wheeler triplets had to put their game on hold. It now involved three beautiful young women, five single men, a flight crew, the press, and people around the country who figured out how to play the game with them. Yet, two of the sisters faced seemingly impossible problems, and just when they thought things couldn't get any worse – they did.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MT Creations
• Release date: Aug 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386589891

Marti Talbott

Marti Talbott (www.martitalbott.com) is the author of over 40 books, all of which are written without profanity and sex scenes. She lives in Seattle, is retired and has two children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The MacGreagor family saga begins with The Viking Series and continues in Marti Talbott’s Highlander’s Series, Marblestone Mansion, the Scandalous Duchess series, and ends with The Lost MacGreagor books. Her mystery books include Seattle Quake 9.2, Missing Heiress, Greed and a Mistress, The Locked Room, and The Dead Letters. Other books include The Promise and Broken Pledge.

Book preview

ADISON

Book 3

The Wheeler Triplets

By

Marti Talbott

© 2018

Once more the Wheeler triplets had to put their game on hold. It now involved three beautiful young women, five single men, a flight crew, the press, and people around the country who figured out how to play the game with them. Yet, two of the sisters faced seemingly impossible problems, and just when they thought things couldn’t get any worse – they did.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6 – LET THE GAME BEGIN

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

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

Love and Suspicion

CHAPTER 1

More Marti Talbott Books

CHAPTER 1

On most days, Marcie Lorna Richardson was a happy, healthy woman. She had a husband she adored, two sons in high school, and a degree in accounting. They lived in a modest, ranch style, three-bedroom home in a suburb of Pittsburgh, their neighbors were friendly, the crime rate was low, and the back yard was big enough for a basketball court and a barbeque pit.

It was true, her husband made enough at his job to support the family, but every penny Marcie made went right into a savings account for college, and a comfortable retirement when the time came. Now, she was faced with finding a new job, likely for far less pay. Wandering around the house all day was just not her thing, nor was she much interested in playing tennis or socializing. Even television bored her.

Marcie liked to work and was good at her job. She liked the people she worked with, most of them anyway, and adored Garrick Davis. No better boss had she ever worked for, and she was proud to also call him friend. Working somewhere else just wasn’t going to be the same. Alas, she revamped her resume, and submitted it to various companies she thought might be hiring.

She tried filling the rest of her time by baking homemade bread, cleaning an already clean house, and even reading a book. Still, she had too much time on her hands. When she received yet another text from Garrick asking what was wrong, she hung her head. Garrick wanted an answer and she couldn’t give him one. She had the truth, but she knew Garrick well enough to know, the truth was not something he wanted to hear – especially now that his hands were full with the Wheeler triplets and their game. That was another thing she was going to miss. Garrick said the triplets were very enjoyable, and Marcie had been looking forward to meeting them.

The ten thousand dollars Garrick direct deposited in her account was curious at best, until his text said something about her having a family emergency. Apparently, that was the story Garrick had been told about her sudden departure. A thousand times, she thought of something she could say to ease Garrick’s mind, but she wasn’t good at making up lies. No, the best thing for Marcie to do, was to say nothing at all.

Someday, when everything got straightened out, she fully intended to return the money.

ONDREA WHEELER SAT in a hospital room, in a chair that was less than comfortable, and waited for the nurses to bring Cooper back. According to the doctor, he’d broken both the fibula and the tibia in his left leg. How he managed to do that just by slipping on the ice, was more than she could figure out. Tired of sitting, she went to the window and stared out into the night. Except for some misty city lights, all she could see were fluffy snowflakes falling from the sky. At least, the storm appeared to be letting up some. Occasionally, someone came to the hospital room door and peeked in at her. Ondrea did little more than smile and turn back to look out the window.

Cooper being out of the race was the worst that could happen – the very worst!

Finally, she heard Cooper’s voice in the hallway. Ondrea hurried to the door just as two male nurses were bringing him back on a gurney, and then stepped out of the room so they could get him in bed. Even with the door closed, she could hear Cooper moan, so she walked farther down the hallway.

That’s when she called to give Garrick the bad news. Cooper broke his leg. What do I do now?

Garrick promised to call right back. Of course, there was very little Garrick could do, so the truth was, Ondrea was about to lose the game – again. Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad after all. If she won, she would have a major and a very difficult decision to make. Before the first game began, they agreed that if Ondrea won, she would name the one she wanted to be president of their grandfather’s company. Even after days of trying to decide, Ondrea still wasn’t certain which would do the best job. Yvette had her good and bad side, but then, so did Adison. Both were fast learners, and as long as Garrick was willing to teach them, both would likely do well in time. However, Adison could sometimes be too unyielding, and Yvette was not always as attentive as she should be. Indeed, losing the game would relieve Ondrea of a burden that promised to be as heavy as any other. Then there was the clock. If only she could find the key, that problem would be solved as well. Alas, she searched the house before her sisters arrived for the funeral, and found nothing but old car keys.

By the time she went back to Cooper’s room, there was a bright blue plastic cast on his leg, and it had been placed in a sling above the bed to help the swelling go down. Thankfully, the bruise on his forehead didn’t look too bad, though he did complain of a headache.

Poor baby, she soothed, gently wiping a lock of hair off his forehead. Does it hurt awfully? In return, she got a dirty look, which made her smile. She never truly doubted for a minute that Cooper was in serious pain. She tried again to soothe him, helped him drink water through a straw, and cringed each time he moaned. It was becoming more than she could bear. Twice she checked to make sure he’d been given something for pain. Twice, they said yes, but whatever they were giving him wasn’t working.

When the ambulance first brought them to the emergency room, Ondrea requested the best of everything, filled out all the papers and guaranteed that the Wheeler Company would take care of the bill. She was positive Garrick and her sisters would agree. Therefore, when the doctor said he wanted to keep Cooper in overnight for observation, Ondrea was relieved. That was a very good thing, since she had no idea how she was going to care for him in a hotel room.

At length, Cooper seemed to doze off, so she quietly stepped out of the room, walked down the hall, and prayed Garrick would soon call back.

GLAD TO BE OUT OF THE cold Wichita air, Adison had problems of her own. In the same hotel room where she’d spent the previous night, she sat in a chair with the television off and an extra blanket over her lap. On the floor in front of her were three bags of bears – brown ones, black ones, plastic ones, and Pandas. One of the brown bears reminded her of the one she accused Yvette of taking, only to find out it had been tricky Ondrea instead. The memory made her smile. She should have known.

That morning, after she and Wes discovered their car had been stolen, after the police had come, and after a camera crew got Adison’s sorrow on film, the cranky hotel manager became another problem. However, after the news showed the video of Adison looking distressed, people decided to brighten her day by dropping off teddy bears. Soon, the line of cars filled the hotel’s parking lot, which further enraged the manager. He complained that his customers couldn’t find a place to park.

That was the least of Adison’s worries. She’d not only lost all her bears, but the proof that she and Wes had visited the required towns, plus their one and only state flag. As well, her second suitcase was in the trunk, and so was her winter coat. Garrick managed to convince the hotel owner that helping Adison was better for the hotel’s public relations than shunning her. After that, things improved. She sat outside in a comfortable chair, happily thanking each motorist as they handed her a bear, wished her luck, and drove on. A few hours later, the traffic began to thin, Adison got increasingly cold, and the hotel manager allowed them to book two more rooms for the night. They just happened to be the same rooms.

As miserable as she already was, Adison couldn’t help but think about her sisters, especially Yvette, and how she must be laughing at Adison by now. She thought about the games too. The first one lasted only three days, and this one only the beginning of four, before her part in it started to unravel. The second game was a cross-country race combined with a scavenger hunt, each element of which was worth ten points, except for state flags. The flags counted fifty points, and she was sure she could collect enough bears to make up for her lack of flags. Now, three states worth of bears were all but gone forever. Even with the press reporting the car’s license plate number, giving an in-depth description, and showing a picture of it, the car was nowhere to be found.

Adison drew in a frustrated breath, and actually thought about giving in and letting Yvette win. That thought lasted but for a brief moment. Why should she care if Yvette was laughing at her? She could still win! It would be a challenge now that all was lost, but there was still time, and really, time was all Adison Wheeler ever needed to win a game against Yvette.

There, that was settled.

Winning the race wasn’t her biggest problem, however. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get Garrick off her mind. He hadn’t called since the day she harshly snapped at him. If only she were in Garrick’s arms. That’s what she needed most right now – to be in his arms, to feel the warmth of his touch, and... Oh stop! she charged herself. He is not yours, not now, and not ever!

Garrick belonged to Ondrea, and Adison thought she had resigned herself days ago to letting her little sister have him. It was the least she could do after having hurting Ondrea the way she did in the past. Adison and Yvette agreed: Ondrea deserved to marry the man of her dreams – and like it or not, that man was Garrick Davis.

On the other hand, Adison wasn’t sure she and Yvette could convince Garrick, that marriage to Ondrea was what he wanted too. That was something that needed clever intervention and creativity on their part. They had to be so creative, in fact, that Garrick would never know he’d been manipulated. How, was a question neither Adison nor Yvette had found an answer to yet.

When her cellphone rang, she didn’t recognize the number and almost didn’t answer it. It was a new number for her, and already she’d gotten two annoying calls from people looking for Randy Gordon, whoever he was.

Still, the call could be for her, so after the third ring, she answered, Hello.

Adison, it’s Garrick.

There it was, that thrill she felt at the sound of his voice. Yet, Garrick Davis was just the man she didn’t want to talk to. You’ve heard, I take it.

Yes, I’ve talked to Wes a couple of times. Yvette and Ondrea are stopping the game until you get a new car and catch up.

So I heard.

He hesitated for a moment before he said, You sound tired.

She closed her eyes and imagined his face, his wavy brown hair, his shirt collar opened at the top, and the gold chain he wore around his neck. If only she were with him instead of just hearing his voice. Adison had to force herself to answer the question. I’m exhausted, but the hotel let us stay another night.

That’s good. I hate to be the bearer of more bad news, but...

Her eyes shot wide open. What? Are my sisters okay?

They’re fine, but Cooper broke his leg.

Oh no. Seriously concerned, Adison threw the blanket off her lap and stood up. Where’s Ondrea?

She’s with Cooper in a Topeka hospital. He’s in a lot of pain, and Ondrea says there’s no way he can drive. I’ve got the flight crew headed that way, but it’s snowing and I don’t know if or when they’ll be able to land.

Poor little sister. What do you suggest we do about the race? Can you fly Dean to her?

I need Dean here.

Adison stared at the floor for a moment. That was it - putting Ondrea and Garrick alone together, might make Garrick fall in love with her sister instead of her. As painful as that might be, it was the right thing to do for Ondrea. Garrick, there’s no one else but you. You once said you wished you were going with us anyway.

Can’t Ondrea drive and let Cooper ride?

Probably, but we’re heading into the more populated states, which means a lot more traffic, and I’m not sure Ondrea can handle it. Besides, if he’s in pain, it’s a lot to ask of Cooper. Adison waited, but on the other end of the call Garrick remained quiet. We trust you more than anyone, and there’s no one else, she said again.

I suppose I could get away for a few days. Everything is pretty much in order here, so...yes, I could get away.

But you don’t want to?

It’s not that, he answered, it’s the notoriety. I’m your attorney.

Well, even attorneys are entitled to a little fun once in a while, and I assure you, Ondrea can be a lot of fun when she wants to be. Adison crossed her fingers and held her breath.

You’re right, there is no one else.

Great. Wes says we should have another car by morning. By the way, you were right about Wes. He’s a great guy and I’ve become quite fond of him. It wasn’t a lie, she was becoming fond of Wes, but not in the way she hoped Garrick would take it.

At length, Garrick said, I’m glad to hear it. I’ll let you know when everything is all set.

Before she could ask if Yvette knew about Cooper, Garrick hung up. Just then, someone knocked on the door. Adison placed the call to Yvette, got up, and then went to answer it. She could see his red hair and smattering of freckles across his nose through the peep hole, opened the door, and then held up her hand to keep Wes from talking.

Cooper broke his leg, she told Yvette and Wes at the same time. Wes grimaced and then went to the desk, turned the chair around, and sat down.

Oh no, Yvette moaned.

Adison repeated everything Garrick told her and then asked, How far are you from Topeka?

Yvette moved the phone away from her ear and asked Zack. Cooper broke his leg and Adison wants to know how far we are from Topeka?

Seated in the car and just about to go to a Dodge City hotel, Zack grabbed the map and started to figure it out. Five, maybe six hours, depending on the traffic and the weather.

I heard, Adison said before Yvette could relay the message. We still don’t have a car, so we can’t get to her either. When Wes tried to get her attention, Adison waved him off. Maybe the flight crew can. Garrick said he’s sending the plane there now. Adison paused. By the way, Garrick is going to take Cooper’s place for the remainder of the race.

Really? Yvette answered. She glanced at Zack, and then came up with the perfect thing to say so Zack wouldn’t catch on to their conspiracy to get Garrick to fall in love with Ondrea. Well, that’s very helpful of him.

I think so too, Adison said. When she looked, Wes had his hand up as if he were a child in school. It made her smile. Yes?

The car is here, he was finally allowed to say.

With Yvette still on the line, Adison asked, Really? The new one or the old one?

The new one, Wes answered. Do you want to try to make it to Topeka tonight?

Can we? I hate the idea of Ondrea being alone, and if I know Cooper, he’s going to be a handful.

Wes pulled out his cellphone, got the mileage, and then the storm conditions in Topeka. We’re only a couple of hours away, and the weather is clearing.

Great, then the plane can land too. Adison turned her attention back to the call with Yvette. Wes says...

I heard. That’s great. Can you call when you get there? We’ll keep going too, although having to leave Dodge City will probably break cowboy Zack’s heart. Yvette smiled when Zack rolled his eyes. Meet you in Topeka tomorrow? she asked Adison.

Yes. I’ll let you know which hotel we’re in. It will probably take Garrick a whole day to join little sister, and I intend to do a lot of shopping while we wait.

Yvette laughed, I bet you do.

Adison disconnected Yvette’s call and called Ondrea. Hey, little sister, Garrick told me about Cooper. Are you okay?

Still standing outside Cooper’s hospital room, she answered, I am, but Cooper is hurting. We had just stopped at a hotel when he got out and slipped on the ice. He slid under the car door and almost knocked himself out too.

Where is your car?

At the hotel. I parked it, locked it, and came in the ambulance with Cooper. She sighed, Oh, Adison, what am I going to do now?

Don’t worry, Garrick is coming to finished the race with you.

Ondrea’s eyes lit up. Really?

Really. I don’t know how long it will take for him to get there.

There’s no hurry. They’re keeping Cooper in the hospital overnight. I guess he broke both bones in his leg.

Ouch. We got another car and we’re on our way. We should be there in just a couple of hours. Adison nodded when Wes picked up her suitcase, grabbed the bags of bears, and then opened the door. She glanced around, got her purse, and then followed him out.

While she waited for Wes to get his suitcase, she asked Ondrea, Do you remember the name of the hotel? Adison pulled out a notepad and pen, and then wrote Ondrea’s answer down. I’ll book rooms for the three of us. Just rest. We’ll be there in no time at all.

Okay, thanks, Adison.

CHAPTER 2

AN HOUR LATER, ONDREA left Cooper in good hands, and took a taxi to the hotel. It took more than three hours for Wes and Adison to get from Wichita to Topeka, and thankfully by then it had completely stopped snowing.

As soon as she heard the knock on the door, she hurried to answer it. Seeing Adison finally was the best of