My Forbidden Mentor

by Laura Mills

  “Someone must be anxious to see you since their visit was unannounced.” He turned with Anna and his smile disappeared when confronting the image of his father standing before him.

  “I only came to get a peek at my grandchild, John. Will you allow me at least that?”

  John shifted toward Melissa. “Melissa. What is the meaning of this?”

  “John, he is her only living grandparent. At least let her meet him.”

  John studied his wife, knowing deep down she was right. He focused on his father. He seemed to be making a sincere effort, numerous efforts actually. Now, months later, with the addition of his daughter, the importance of family held a stronger meaning for John. He gave in, letting his daughter meet her grandfather. Stepping over to his father, he held his daughter at arm’s length so his father could take her from him.

  Melissa could feel tears rush to her eyes as she observed the tender moment between father and son, and all because of their precious baby girl who had just entered the world.

  Duke Albert took his granddaughter with shaky hands. His smile widened as he looked into the tiny features of his granddaughter. “I haven’t held a babe in so long,” he said in unsteadiness. His eyes lifted to acknowledge John. “Not since I held your father. It was the happiest moment of my life.”

  Stunned by his father’s comment, John turned away before his father could witness any emotional evidence of how his words had affected him.

  The duke shifted his gaze back to the babe. “She is lovely. What is her name?”

  Melissa watched John tread quietly over to the fireplace to stoke the embers. She reached the duke’s side. “Her name is Anna. Anna Clarisse Blackburn.”

  “You named her after John’s mother. How fitting. She will be just as beautiful, I can tell.” He gave Melissa a warm smile while mumbling sweet words to the babe.

  Melissa turned to come up behind John while Albert coddled his granddaughter. “Are you all right?” she whispered in his ear.

  John shifted toward her, his eyes searching her face. “Yes.” He looked over his shoulder at his father and daughter, and swallowed while watching them together, imagining his father devoting the same attention when he himself was a babe. His father’s words of John’s birth being the happiest day of his life had caught him off guard. How could he have known that with the way his father had treated him all these years, especially after his mother’s death? Isolated, lonely, and unwanted was what John had felt after his mother’s passing. His father hadn’t been able to deal with the tragedy himself, so John had been forced to find his own strength within himself to move on and beyond the pain. He’d been numb, retreating from exposing himself to anything meaningful regarding his emotions toward another. Still, John had successfully kept the pain locked up so deep and tight it would have taken a powerful force to free the restraints. And that powerful source, John suddenly realized, had been his wife Melissa.

  His father’s head lifted suddenly, catching John’s scrutinizing glare. He stepped toward John, handing him his daughter. “You’ve given me a beautiful granddaughter, son. Please consider allowing me visits. I would certainly appreciate the chance to know my granddaughter.”

  John took his daughter and enfolded her in his arms. Father and son held a glare of compassion between them for a split moment. The babe turned fussy and Melissa reached for her. John watched Melissa leave the room with the babe, leaving John and his father alone.

  Albert patiently waited for John’s response, feeling hopeful for the opportunity to make things better between them, for the opportunity to gain back the family that he’d lost.

  John’s gaze was unreadable, his voice unsteady. “I can foresee giving my daughter the opportunity to know her grandfather, but you will have to be there when you’re needed.” Albert nodded in agreement. “One chance, father, that’s all I’m giving you.”

  “I won’t fail, son. This time I won’t fail you. It’s not only my granddaughter I wish to know better.” John stayed quiet so Albert continued, “I’d like to know my son as well. I,” Albert faltered on the words he knew John should hear and it suddenly became too much to bear after all these years. He chastised himself for being a coward once again. “Can we be a real family, son?”

  John admitted to being curious at what his father had been about to say but decided he’d had enough emotional turmoil for one day. “You’ve got your chance, father.” Although John desired to say more, he held onto the words. Time would tell everything. “I’m exhausted. I’m going to retire now.” He turned and left the library, leaving his father alone to ponder in thought.

  Albert felt a glimmer of hope. His son had bowed ever so slightly, but that’s all it took to give Albert a chance. He headed out of the library and down the entryway to the front door. He glanced toward the stairway as if silently speaking to his son. I’m ready to be a father, John. Just please accept it. He disappeared out the front door.

  June eighth Melissa found herself surrounded by family and friends at Catterick racetrack. Sitting astride Chief she was ready to make her mark on history at Catterick, remembering that at one time she wouldn’t have given a second thought to the consequences of racing, taking the chance of being caught or even getting hurt. Her life was different now, though. She had a husband, a companion who treated her equally with respect and whose love she cherished, and of course their daughter, whom she would give the world if she could.

  The love of her life strode toward her as she smiled in nervous anticipation.

  “You need to relax,” John told her as his hand took a hold of hers, his thumb rubbing across her smooth knuckles.

  She squeezed his fingers in the palm of her hand. “I remember the last time you told me that.” A lustful smile appeared on her sweet lips, giving away her meaning.

  He returned her smile, recalling in detailed memory what she referred to. “Yes, well, this time there will be no pain.”

  “Can you guarantee that?” she taunted, temporarily forgetting about her nervous tension.

  “No, you’re going to guarantee it by winning this race like I know you can.” His grin was challenging but then his eyes drifted toward her calf. “How’s your leg holding up?” he asked, his gray eyes lifting back to her hazel ones, intense with concern.

  “Better than I expected. It will be fine,” she assured him. Periods of extreme strain would cause her calf to flare up every now and then, the muscle having a sharp temporary pain. As long as she soaked her calf in hot water and let it rest the pain would quickly fade away. She had accepted the condition of her calf as a lifelong ailment, and since she could still walk and could still ride that was all that mattered.

  “Good. Remember, you’ve got the talent and the power to win this race. You’re going against professionals, show them what a woman rider is capable of.” He leaned forward, brushing his lips against hers. “Show them what Melissa Blackburn is capable of,” he murmured against her mouth and gave her another kiss. “I love you,” he told her, his eyes fastening to hers as they turned watery.

  How did she get so lucky in her life? “I love you, John.” She was actually going to race, she had her husband by her side and her daughter. “Where’s Anna?” she asked in desperation, searching for her.

  John glanced back at Rose, who stepped toward them, handing the babe over to John. John lifted their daughter so her mother could kiss her on the forehead.

  “I love you, sweetness,” Melissa said, snuggling up to her daughter. A call sounded, signaling the riders to be ready. The race was about to begin.

  He cradled the babe in the crook of one arm and met Melissa’s lingering gaze upon him. Their eyes burned into one another’s, expressing in that fraction of a moment all the meaning between them. They had found profound love and respect and the sharing of their imperfect lives. “Thank you,” she mouthed to John. She didn’t need to explain what she meant for he knew that after all they’d been through together and whatever the future held for them, they woul
d weather through it and make their dreams come true, just as he’d helped her make this dream come true.

  John gave her a smile as she motioned Chief toward the starting line. There was a surge of renewed energy flowing through him as he carried his little bundle of joy to his private viewing box. Joining him were Anna’s godparents, Robert and Rose, who also idly waited in anxious anticipation for the race to begin.

  As the bell rang to start the races John continued to stand. He was so worked up there wasn’t any way he could sit down. At once nervousness and exhilaration claimed him and he wasn’t sure how to react. All he knew was at this very moment, his best horse and his wife, his wife, can you believe it, were racing down Catterick racecourse.

  She was going to win, he could feel it in his bones. He held onto his daughter, wrapped in lavender and snug in the curve of his arm, and cheered enthusiastically for his wife.

  As Melissa passed by the fifth horse John’s tension grew. Silently he was coaching her. Lean forward Melissa, get your body higher and talk to Chief. Chief’s powerful flanks reached the sixth contender and passed him with lengthening strides. That’s it, sweetheart, that’s it.

  Behind him John heard Rose and Robert cheering her on as well, not caring how loud they sounded. In fact, as John tuned into the crowd, the entire arena seemed noticeably louder today, and a visible amount of women had attended. His gaze switched back toward the track. Melissa had just conquered the seventh horse and she and Chief were heading straight for the finish line. John lifted his daughter high in his arms so she could witness her mother accomplish her dream. “Mummy’s going to win, Anna,” he told her in a gleeful whisper against her downy ear. He kissed her puffy cream cheek and then called out to Melissa as she and Chief dashed through the finish line. “You won. She won. My wife won!”

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  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for your interest in my book. Writing stories are a passion of mine. It gives us ‘readers’ a place to escape if only for a few hours. I look forward to sharing my future stories with you!

  Feel free to contact me at: laura@lauramillsauthor.com

  All My Best,

  Laura