by Diana Palmer
Yeah, you do.
Molly.
Sparring with her on the porch had depleted his energy. He didn’t know if he could take having her around here indefinitely, especially if she was working as his housekeeper. How ludicrous was that, anyway? So why had he mealy-mouthed around? He should have told her in no uncertain terms that was impossible.
But seeing her again had reopened the wound he thought had scabbed over. He supposed that was what he found most crippling. And frightening. With her arrival, it was like the messy tracks she had left on his heart had suddenly been covered by a lovely snowfall.
Which made him more of a fool than he’d thought. When it came to her, he couldn’t use good judgment, and that made him madder than hell. At this point, he didn’t need the aggravation of her presence back in his life.
Maybe if she’d still been married and brought her husband with her that would have made things easier. Like hell, he told himself with a snort, bolting off the bed and finishing his beer.
For a second he was tempted to grab another one and maybe another after that. By then he’d be on his way to getting smashed. The thought of Olivia’s reaction to him showing up three sheets to the wind brought a smile to his face.
Then he sobered. Right now he had nothing to smile about. Okay, Molly had upset his apple cart, so to speak, and he wasn’t happy about that. But he remained king of this empire. No one told him what to do or how to do it.
So why had he suddenly gone soft?
The first time he’d laid eyes on Molly, she had managed to wrap him around her little finger. But after she had run off, married someone else and had his kid, Worth was so sure he’d feel nothing but contempt for her, if and when he ever saw her again.
Well, the contempt was sure as hell there, but so was another ingredient—an ingredient he refused to name, though it burned like a raging fire in his gut.
“Give it a rest, Cavanaugh,” he muttered in a fierce tone, hurrying into the bathroom like a stampede of bulls were after him.
Only problem was, his mind refused to cooperate. In the shower, he squinched his eyes closed under the water, but it didn’t help. Instantly, the image of Molly jumped to the forefront of his mind. She was standing in front of him, her eyes gleaming with desire, while she caressed his face, then his body.
Worth groaned, then gave in to the pain that momentarily paralyzed him.
Six
“Mommy, when can I ride a horse?”
Molly pursed her lips. “Oh, honey, I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Trent scrunched his face. “You promised.”
“I beg your pardon, my sweet, but I did no such thing.”
“I bet that man will let me.”
Molly almost smiled. “Are you talking about Worth?”
“No, that other man.”
Molly thought for a moment, then realized Trent was talking about Art, Worth’s foreman. She had always thought he was such a nice man and that Worth was lucky to have him, especially when Worth would get upset about something. Art never seemed to take it personally. Instead he would listen, then take care of the situation.
“I saw him on one of the horses from Granna’s window.” Trent’s voice held excitement.
“That’s great, but you don’t know a thing about riding a horse.”
“I could learn,” Trent said with a protruding lower lip.
“We’ll see, okay?”
“I—”
She gave him one of her looks. “I said we’ll see.”
Although he didn’t respond, Molly knew he wanted to. His lower lip was now protruding and trembling. “I’ll talk to Mr. Art tomorrow, but I’m still not making any promises, young man. Is that clear?”
Trent’s face instantly changed, and he ran and gave her a hug.
“Come on, big boy, it’s time for your bath, then bed.”
Again, Trent looked as if he wanted to argue, only he didn’t, as though he realized he’d pushed his mother far enough.
Long after Trent was in bed Molly stood at the window, staring at the cantaloupe-shaped moon and Venus close by. What a lovely clear night, she thought. And chilly, too. She turned and glanced thankfully at the gas logs with their bright, perky flames.
Considering the way Worth felt about her, he sure had given her nice quarters. But then the entire ranch house was nice, built for guests and entertaining, which, now that she was old enough to think about it, rather surprised her. Worth wasn’t the entertaining type, didn’t have that personality, or at least not the Worth she’d known and loved.
Apparently, that Worth was no longer in existence. If anything, he was more self-centered, more spoiled than ever, an entity unto himself, definitely someone she no longer recognized or wanted anything to do with.
On second thought perhaps now she was seeing the real Worth Cavanaugh. Maybe back then, she’d been so young, so impressionable, so inexperienced, she simply hadn’t recognized those flaws.
Besides, she’d been madly, and obviously blindly, in love.
Since that was no longer the case, she had to do what was necessary for her mother, then leave ASAP.
Thinking about her mother suddenly made Molly long to see her. She checked on Trent one more time, then went to Maxine’s room. Thankfully, her mother was still awake.
After she had made both of them a cup of flavored decaffeinated tea, Molly eased into the chair by the bed and said without preamble, “I plan to enroll Trent in a day care facility in town.”
“What on earth for?” Maxine asked in an astonished voice.
Molly hesitated, which gave her mother time to voice her displeasure.
“Since you’re not going to be here long, I want Trent to stay here.” Maxine struggled to sit further up in bed, then winced from the exertion.
Molly hurried to her side only to have her mother hold out her hand. “I’m okay. The sooner I learn to move on my own the sooner I can get up and get back to work.”
“That’s not going to happen any time soon, Mother, and you know it.”
“I know no such thing.”
“Please, let’s not argue about that again.”
“Who’s arguing?”
A short silence followed her mother’s succinct words.
“So back to why you want to put Trent in day care,” Maxine said.
“I’m staying.”
When Molly’s bluntly spoken words soaked in, Maxine gave a start. “What does that mean?”
“It means that I’m not leaving any time soon.”
“But I don’t understand. What about your job?”
“For now, I have a new one.”
Maxine’s eyes widened. “Pray tell, girl, you’re not making a lick of sense. What are you talking about?”
“I’m going to take your place here as housekeeper.”
Maxine gasped. “No, you’re not.”
“Mother.”
“Don’t you Mother me in that tone, young lady.”
Molly almost swallowed her tongue to keep from making a sharp retort.
Not so with Maxine. She hammered on, “Why do you think I worked my fingers to the bone all these years?” When Molly would have spoken, Maxine held up her hand again. “No. You hear me out. I did that so you wouldn’t have to do manual labor, though don’t get me wrong, working for Worth is wonderful. The best job I’ve ever had, not to mention he’s the best person I’ve ever worked for.”
Boy, did that admission ever surprise Molly. She would have thought the opposite, but then maybe it was when he was around her that Worth took on a different personality. No doubt, he abhorred the ground she walked on. Well, the feeling was mutual.
Liar, her conscience whispered before she shoved that thought aside and concentrated on what her mother was saying.
“But that doesn’t mean I want you doing that kind of work.”
“I’m not above doing that kind of work, as you call it,” Molly said flatly. “I’m quite good at it, actually, sin
ce I grew up helping, and learning, from you.”
“That’s beside the point.” Maxine glared at her. “I’d rather Worth fire me and hire someone else than for you to give up your job in Houston.”
“I never said I was giving up my job. I’m just taking my sick leave and vacation time. Once you get your brace and start physical therapy, you’ll be good as new in no time. Then I’ll be out of here.”
Her mother grunted in disbelief, then said with despair in her tone, “I’m afraid I’ll never be the same again. What if those twisted muscles don’t straighten out and I have to have surgery? If that happens, then I won’t be able to walk across the room without a cane or walker. Worth will surely replace me then.”
“There you go borrowing trouble again.”
“No, I’m just being realistic, something you young people are not.”
Molly rolled her eyes in frustration. “Talk about me being hardheaded.”
“If I can no longer cut it,” Maxine argued, “then what’s to keep him from making me second in command?”
“Mom, we’ve been over this issue several times already.”
“I know, and I’m sorry for beating that dead horse,” Maxine said in a petulant tone.
“If I take your place, your job won’t be in jeopardy.”
“No matter. I’m not about to let you do that.”
“Too late,” Molly said flatly. “It’s a done deal.”
“I can’t believe Worth would approve that. I need to talk to him.”
“I’ll admit he wasn’t overjoyed at the prospect, but I think he’ll come around.”
“After I get through with him, he won’t,” Maxine said.
“This is between Worth and me, Mother.”
“Please, Molly, don’t do this.” Maxine’s tone had a begging edge to it.
Molly sat on the bed beside Maxine, leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Please, let me do this. Don’t fight me. You’ve always been there for me, never judged me for shaming you by getting pregnant before I married, then immediately divorcing. It’s my turn now to pay you back.”
Maxine placed her palms on either side of Molly’s face, looked into her face with tear-filled eyes and said in a torn voice, “You’re my child, my baby. That’s what mothers do—love unconditionally.”
Molly fought back the tears. “And that is what daughters do, too.”
Maxine dropped her hands and fell back against the pillow. For a long moment both were silent, seemingly lost in their own thoughts.
Maxine was the first to speak. “I thought you were going to marry Worth, you know.” Her mother’s voice was weak and far off.
Molly almost choked on the pain that suddenly squeezed her heart. “I did, too, Mom, only it didn’t work out.”
“You never told me what happened.” Her mother’s eyes drilled her.
Molly licked her dry lips. “I know.”
“It’s okay.” Maxine reached out and grabbed one of her daughter’s hands. “If you ever want to tell me about it, I’m here. I’ve never been one to pry and I’m not about to start now. You’ve got a precious child and a wonderful career, so it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie.”
Molly tasted a tear. “You’ve been the best mother ever and still are.” She sniffled, then smiled. “Perhaps one day I’ll be able to confide in you.”
“But it’s okay between you and Worth now, right?” Maxine asked with concern. “I guess what I’m asking is do you still care about him in that way?”
“Absolutely not,” Molly responded vehemently. “Granted, we’ll never be friends, but we’re okay around each other.”
Here she was lying to her mother again. But she couldn’t help it. Once she had almost blurted out the truth concerning her and Worth, but the words had stuck in her throat. After that, she had talked with a minister in Houston when she’d found out she was pregnant, then entered counseling.
While some people might judge her harshly for her silence concerning the baby’s father and fact that she’d lied about marriage, she felt her mother never would, even if she were to learn the truth. Still, there was a part of Molly that just couldn’t unburden her heart to her mother, or anyone else.
For now, no loved one or friend was privy to her heart’s secrets.
“My, but you’re quiet all of a sudden.”
Molly shook her head and said, “Sorry.” Then she leaned her head sideways and added, “Have you thought about going to a facility while you’re recuperating?”
“Have you gone daft, child?”
Molly chuckled. “No, but I had to ask.”
“If I have to leave this place, I would go to Houston with you.”
“That’s certainly an option.”
“Only not now. I want to stay right here, get well, then go back to the job I love.”
Molly stood and gave a thumbs up. “Together we’ll make that happen.”
“I knew you were stubborn—” Maxine’s voice played out with a forlorn smile.
Molly chuckled again. “I’m going to bed. We both need our rest.”
However, when she returned to her room the sound of a car door slamming pulled Molly up short. Without thinking, she dashed to the window, knowing it was Worth returning from another night out. Probably with Olivia again, though she didn’t know that for sure. Still, she didn’t move, continuing to track his movements, hoping he couldn’t see her because the room was practically dark. Only a small lamp burned in one corner.
Molly glanced at the clock on the bookshelves and saw that it was past midnight. If he’d been with Olivia, had they made love? Suddenly her stomach clenched. The thought of his hands and mouth caressing another woman like they had hers didn’t bear thinking about. In fact, it made her flat outright sick to her stomach, which was in itself sick.
Of course, he’d made love to Olivia, if not other women, as well. After all, it had been almost five years since she’d seen him. A man like Worth, with a heightened sexual appetite, or at least it had been that way with her, wouldn’t have remained celibate all that time.
Dammit, it didn’t matter, she told herself. But it did, though she was loathe to admit it because such an admission was dangerous to her peace of mind and threatened her sanity.
If she was going to go through with her plan to work for him—and she was—then she’d have to corral her mind and not let it wander down forbidden paths.
When Molly realized she had been indulging, she blinked just in time to see him saunter toward the house. He was halfway there when he looked up at her bedroom.
Feeling her heart leap into her throat, Molly jumped back, out of sight. Had she been in time? Had he seen her watching him? If so, what must he think?
When she mustered up the nerve to peek again, he was gone. Then disgusted with herself and her juvenile antics, she mentally kicked her backside all the way to bed.
She heard the grandfather clock in the hall chime three o’clock, realizing she had yet to close her eyes.
Damn him!
He had seen her all right. And for a second he was tempted to say to hell with everything, stride inside and bound down the hall to her room. Then what? he asked himself.
Make mad, passionate love to her?
Sure thing, as if she’d let him cross the threshold much less touch her. God, what was he thinking when he let his mind and emotions have free rein? Dwelling on the impossible was crazy. More to the point, it made him crazy.
Why he hadn’t sent her packing was beyond him. It wasn’t too late, he reminded himself as he grabbed a beer, then made his way to his room, making sure he didn’t pause in front of hers.
But sleep was impossible. He’d already had too much to drink. He’d used the boring dinner party as an excuse to get partially plastered, much to Olivia’s chagrin. Boring though it was, something good had come out of it. The man Olivia had invited as a potential backer for his campaign turned out to be someone he’d instantly liked and to whom he could relate.
&
nbsp; Ben Gibbs seemed to have felt the same way about him. They had talked at length, and Worth had come away from the conversation positive Gibbs would back him if he chose to run against the incumbent. He had also spoken highly of Worth’s parents, which was another good thing.
Other than Gibbs, the rest of the evening had been only tolerable. After everyone had left, Olivia had wanted him to stay. He made up some lame excuse, which didn’t sit well with her, and left.
Now, alone in his bed with only his tormented thoughts, Worth almost wished he’d spent the night with Olivia, so he wouldn’t think about Molly and that kid of hers. For some reason, he couldn’t get the boy off his mind.
If only he’d gotten Molly pregnant that summer day in the barn when he hadn’t used protection, how different his life would’ve been. He’d have a child—a son no less.
Now, he’d probably never have that opportunity even if he wanted it. According to the doctor, he’d be damn lucky if he could father a child. A horse had kicked him in the groin shortly after Molly had run out on him.
At the time, he’d been so busy nursing his anger and bitterness against Molly the diagnosis hadn’t registered.
Having anything to do with a woman after that had been disgusting to him. The emotional wounds Molly had left had been open and oozing.
Now, after having seen her son, the enormity and repercussions of his accident rose up and hit him in the face like the chill from a bucket of ice water. To make matters worse, he hadn’t even told his parents. To this day, they still didn’t know that he might not ever give them the grandchildren they so coveted.
Dammit, by all rights Trent should have been his.
“You’re full of it, too, Cavanaugh,” he said out loud, followed by an ugly laugh.
He drained the remainder of his beer, then tossed the empty bottle on the floor at the same time the room swam. Good. Maybe he was drunk enough to fall asleep. Without removing his clothes, he fell across the bed, trying to forget he was nursing a hard on.
For Molly.
Seven