He was talking to his mother, but he kept his gaze pinned on her and she could feel the blood draining from her face. Embarrassed and seethingly angry she gripped the glass of lemonade until her knuckles turned white. Right now she wanted to fling it at him and scar that pretty face of his permanently.
He rambled on, "You want someone to watch me? You won't find it in her if anything I'd be constantly watching her," he spat.
Caroline was speechless, but in her mind, she rambled off every curse word she could think of in both French and English. He was a conceited, arrogant, pathetic child. And she for one was not going to be subjected to his little tantrum. She had heard enough, it was time for her to return to her daughter and put the past behind her. She’d been a fool to come here, but at least she had kept Lisette out of this mess.
It was Frank who intervened,"Conner, that was uncalled for, you were raised to treat a lady better than that, don't forget where you come from, boy."
Conner pursed his lips as he glared at his father, and Caroline cleared her throat and stood up.
"I'm sorry but I refuse to be part of anything that involves Conner," she said, refusing to look his way, "Look you seem like very nice people, who clearly want what is best for your son, but it sure as hell isn't me. I only came here because I thought he wanted to talk and since that isn't the case, I will be on my way."
Mary shot up from her chair and reached for Caroline's hand, "Wait, please, at least stay the night, there won't be a flight back to Paris for at least a day and I already had your luggage sent up to your room."
Caroline wanted to refuse, she should refuse, but couldn't bring herself to do it. As angry and hurt she was by Conner' words, she didn't want to take it out on his kind mother.
"What!?" Conner muttered, "You're letting her stay?"
"Sweetheart," Frank started, "Maybe it's not a good idea, it's obvious that there is a lot of bad blood between these two." He turned to Caroline, "I can book you into one of the hotels if you prefer."
She was about to agree, when Mary piped up, "Not happening Frank, she's staying here for the night."
Conner threw his hands in the air and did a ninety-degree eye roll and muttered something under his breath. She looked from Mary to Frank and then pinched her eyes closed and rubbed her temples. She was starting to develop a major headache. She wasn’t sure if it was the jet lag setting in, or this emotional land mine she was lured into. Or both. Probably an unholy combination of both.
"Fine," she agreed, "but I'm leaving tomorrow."
Conner glared at her disbelievingly and then spun around and stormed out slamming the door.
Frank sighed and got up to follow him out at a more sedate pace.
When the two women were alone, Mary got up and smoothed her dress out, “Now let me show you where you’ll be staying.”
Unbelievable, she thought as she unwillingly followed Mary up the stairs to the guest bedroom. She was going to lock herself away until the next morning and get on the first flight back to Paris.
Chapter 3
After he stormed out of the house, Conner tried to lose himself in manual labor. When that didn't work, he got on his bike and drove around the area, briefly debating whether or not he should just take off and disappear for good and then dismissed it immediately. He was worried what scheme his Ma would cook up then. He actually couldn't believe that she did that to him. Conner tried to tamp down the frustration at his mother and the mixed emotions he felt at seeing Caroline again.
It had been four years, yet it felt like yesterday. She was still breathtakingly beautiful, from her big green eyes and full pouty lips to her long brown hair that curled invitingly around her heart shaped face and ran down her back. Her body was that of a woman's, with full inviting breasts, and a waist that curved in like an hourglass, only to flare back out and stretch into beautiful, long legs. Conner shook his head as if to dispel the memories that he tried so hard to erase from his mind.
Hours later, he finally returned home, it was almost dinnertime. As he walked into the kitchen he forced down a growl at the sight, this day just kept getting worse.
His eldest sister, Rachel, was in the kitchen peeling potatoes her protruding belly making the task a little bit more difficult. His little sister, Macy was setting the table, and Keith was, unsurprisingly, at the stove. He didn’t see Dale anywhere but he wouldn’t put it past Ma to invite him over as well.
Did this humiliation have no end?
“Done pouting yet?” Rachel asked.
"Oh, come off it, Rachel," Jack, her husband said, walking into the room, "Can't you see that the man is miserable, hell if my mother pulled that trick on me, I'd be out of here like last week's garbage."
“It’s his own fault,” Rachel retorted flipping her long blonde hair, “If he hadn’t gotten Mama all revved up, he wouldn’t be in this situation.”
"He's a grown man he should be able to make important decisions like that on his own. And if he feels like riding his bike to the four corners of the earth, why can't he?" Jack stated.
Rachel raised her eyebrow at him, "You want to tell Mama that?"
Jack wisely refused to reply and instead smiled apologetically to Conner and shrugged his shoulders, "You're on your own here buddy."
Macy walked over to the sink and poured a glass of water, handing it to Conner with a small smile. Conner thought that he might have someone on his side until she spoke.
"I like her, Mama could have picked a lot worse. I'd say she did you a favor," she said with a smile.
“You’ve met her?” Rachel asked.
Macy nodded, “Yeah, I bumped into her coming up the stairs. I was surprised that she spoke English so well.”
"Really, is she pretty?" Rachel fished.
"Oh yes, she is and apparently, her family spent some time here when she was younger, so she learned to speak English quite well."
"Well then it's not so bad," Rachel said and looked at Conner, "I think you're just overreacting."
Macy nodded in agreement
Conner glared at her feeling betrayed. It was no surprise that Rachel would take the opportunity to tease her little brother, but he and Macy had always been close.
"And here I thought you would be on my side," he grumbled
“There are no sides when it comes to Mama, you knew better than to push her after what happened last time.”
“True,” Keith said, “She was about to send me and Dale out, she was so worried.”
"Dale and I," corrected Rachel.
Keith rolled his eyes, “Yes, Ms. English teacher.”
"Missus," Rachel corrected smoothly again.
Conner rolled his eyes, "As interesting as this conversation is, I have to go clean up and possibly jump out a window, wouldn't want the coroner to still have to bathe me."
Conner made his way to his room, dinner was destined to be a complete and utter disaster. He opened the door expecting to be welcomed into a comfortable and familiar space. What he didn't expect was to walk in and see his ex-wrapped up in a towel.
Conner wanted to growl for another reason all together this time. As much as he hated the woman, Caroline was a sight to behold. Her hair was twisted up into a messy bun and the towel that wrapped her body left little to the imagination. Judging by the way her generous breasts were practically spilling out of the top of the white fluffy towel.
It was official; Conner was in his own personal hell.
“What are you doing in my room?”
Caroline wrapped the towel tighter around her body, "Your mother said that I'll be staying in this room."
Conner pointed to the still open door, “Get out.”
She raised her brows and stood her ground.
“I mean it, I’ve had a bad enough day without having to walk in and see…this," he gestured to the practically naked body in front of him.
Caroline looked down at herself, “What?”
"You know what!" Conner muttered under his breath.
“It’s flattering to know I still fluster you,” She said calmly.
Conner seethed, he refused to admit to himself that he was flustered.
“You do not fluster me.”
She shrugged, "Whatever."
Conner opened his mouth to say something else but decided it was futile. He made his way towards the ensuite bathroom and slammed the door shut, but this even a bigger problem. He could smell her shampoo and body lotion, and his body seemed to enjoy it much more than his brain.
He wondered if he should just skip dinner altogether but then decided against it, pushing his luck with his mother was already running out.
Rachel was seated to the right of Conner and Caroline to his left, much to his dismay. Across from him, Macy gave an apologetic smile that he wouldn't return, she was a traitor too. The table was lively as Dale retold a story to Caroline about the time he served in Afghanistan as a doctor, his brown eyes wide as he recounted the more interesting soldiers in his unit.
Caroline seemed completely fascinated by his war stories and hanging onto every word. It was much to his advantage knowing that he didn't have to engage in conversation with her, although he was very much aware of her closeness.
“There was one surgeon there, from England, he had a mouth on him that would make a sailor blush. Before I met him I thought men from there were supposed to be gentlemen.”
Caroline chuckled at that, “A man is a man, and it doesn’t matter where they are from, I’ve learned.”
Pa chuckled in agreement at that from one end of the table, while Ma just smiled at the other end and Conner wanted to puke. He couldn't believe how everyone was okay with this. From bachelorship to hitched, in less than a day. What has his world come to?
“Wise woman,” Dale said, “Conner’s lucky to have found you.”
Conner glared at his big brother, “I didn’t find her, Ma dug her up.”
Looked at Caroline "Excuse my brother, he must have left his manners in Mexico."
Caroline shrugged, "I'm inclined to believe he never had any."
Rachel nudged him and muttered, "Stop being so rude to her."
He didn't respond. But Dale was silently looking between the two, Conner had always been the black sheep. But he was never rude unless he had a reason to be, and this was reason enough.
Dale broke the silence, "How did you find this pretty little thing anyways Ma?"
Ma perked up at that, “Actually she’s an old flame of Conner’s, you don't think I would give my son up to a complete stranger? What kind of mother would I be?"
Conner suddenly got up before he said something he would regret. And as angry as he was with his mother, he still loved her, and wouldn't want to hurt her feelings. But he could simply not stand being here one minute longer. This whole situation was absolutely bogus. At least Caroline agreed to go back home, which would settle the issue. He had to just get through the evening.
"If you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed."
“Night,” Pa said.
Conner nodded at his father and walked out of the dining room. The sound of a chair scraping followed and a few seconds later Macy barricaded the staircase, stopping him in his tracks.
"Why are you being so mean to her?" she muttered shoving her finger against his chest.
Conner sighed, "It's complicated," and gently moved his sister out of his way and continued walking up the stairs hoping she would leave it alone.
If he were so lucky, she was on him like a fly to a ball of crap.
"So un-complicate it," Macy demanded, "Regardless of how you feel about her, she is still a guest and from what I can see, did nothing to deserve your anger or your rude attitude."
“You’re too young to understand,” Conner said trying hard not to snap at his baby sister.
“I’m twenty!”
They were at the top of the stairs and Conner looked down at her. Despite her stature, Macy could be quite stubborn when she didn't get her way. She wasn't pushy like Rachel but was convincing all the same. She was twenty indeed, but what did she know about love and heartbreak, disappointment and rejection? She was a pretty girl, if anything, she rejected boys. She was yet to experience that moment, when you're under the assumption that life is perfect, only to have the rug ripped out from underneath you.
Conner sighed and ruffled her short hair, "Goodnight pixie," He said using her nickname.
Macy softened at that, “Just think about what I said, she really doesn’t seem that bad and I don’t think she would come all the way here for nothing.”
Conner looked at his little sister, offered her a smile and turned around to retreat to his room.
Caroline's scent still hung in the room even after dinner, and in an attempt to eradicate it, he just about emptied a can of deodorant out before he flopped down on his bed.
As he lay there he thought about the whole palaver. Caroline had mentioned that she came here because she thought he wanted to see her.
But why, after what happened between them all those years ago? Did she think he would want anything to do with her? And what sane person would travel half way around the world, to a strange place, because of a single request. He couldn't help but think that Caroline had acted impulsively and childishly for jumping the gun as she did. If she had been more careful, did her homework and attempted to fish out exactly why he apparently wanted to see her, she would have learned very quickly that he had nothing to do with this haphazardly orchestrated plan his mother concocted. Conner's last thought before he fell asleep, was that he had to find out why she bothered.
Chapter 4
Caroline was washing the dishes with Mary after everyone had gone home, Macy was packing the leftovers up and Frank had retired to the library. She genuinely liked Conner's family. Dinner hadn't been as awkward as she thought it would, especially after Conner left to go to his room. Rachel was especially entertaining, with her quick wit and light banter. It was obvious that her husband Jack was very taken with her.
Seeing Rachel's belly made her remember her own pregnancy. She sighed thinking of her little girl and how much she missed her. She had also grown more curious as to how Mary found out about her and Conner, and why she thought there was anything good left between them.
When Macy said her goodnights and went to her own room, Caroline took advantage of the opportunity to ask.
“How did you know about me? I’m sure Conner never mentioned me to you.”
Mary nodded, “Yes, that’s true I didn’t find out who you are from him. In fact, I didn’t know about you until a month ago.”
"How then?"
“Your sister, Adalene called me, she told me about Lizette.”
Caroline's blood ran cold and she found herself frozen in place. So Mary knew about Lizette and that Conner was her dad, the plot was thickening like setting custard, and Caroline wasn't so sure if she liked it. Her sister had no right to tell Conner's family about Lizzi, she was her daughter, her life, and her secret. She took a deep steadying breath and regarded Mary.
"I thought as much," Mary said softly as she pulled the plug from the sink, "Don't worry dear, your secret's safe with me."
Caroline started to relax and the ball in the pit of her stomach began to unravel a little bit. But knowing that Mary knew about Lizzi, just beckoned more questions.
"So you haven't told him?" she asked nervously.
"Oh goodness no.
That's not my place sweetie. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to know that I have a granddaughter, but whatever happened between you two needs to be worked out before I could ever hope to see her.”
"I see," Caroline said, not sure how else to respond.
"Yes, right now it's a volatile situation, and news like this will have to be announced at the right time."
Caroline could see why Mary hadn't told Conner, but it didn't put her mind at ease in the least bit.
"So you think me marrying your son will make such news any easier? He hates me, as it is and just imagine if I had to tell him about Lizzi, I can't even imagine what he would do."
Mary shook her head, "Conner is a difficult man, that's true, but he is incapable of actually hating anyone, he just needs time and you my dear will have to have a lot of patience."
Caroline worried her lip, patience she could do, but she wasn't so sure if it would make any difference to how Conner felt about her. He might not hate her, but he definitely despises her, and for good reason. She draped the terry towel over the rail against the wall and rubbed her temples. This was all far too daunting. What if she did tell him, and what if he insisted on claiming on full custody of Lizzi. He or rather his family had all the means, the finances to take this to court, the backing of reputable lawyers, and what did she have? Nothing.
"Are you alright?" Mary asked as she gently placed her hand on Caroline's shoulder, "You look very pale."
"It's just a headache," she lied.
"You get them often?"
"Oh no, I think I'm still jet lagged, and all the stress from today is taking its toll."
Mary reached for the small cupboard right above the microwave and took out a small bottle of pills, "Here, take two of these, it will take that headache away in no time and it will help you sleep." She turned and poured Caroline a glass of water.
"Thank you, Mary," she said and took the pills.
Mary laughed softly, "Conner may look like his daddy but he has my heart and with it comes my spite. We love passionately, but we also hold the meanest grudges. I think with time together; you both will find a way to forgive each other and move past the grudges and hurt."
Caroline sighed, “I don’t think it’s that simple.”
"Of course it is."
When Caroline didn't say anything further, Mary turned to her with an earnest look, "I won't tell him about Lizette like I said, it isn't my place. But all I ask is that you give it a week. If you then feel that there's no way forward, and you can't love my son, you can leave and I won't try to stop you. But if you ask me, I think deep down, he still loves you."
Daddy's Christmas Date: A Single Dad Romance Page 34