A Touch of Passion (boxed set romance bundle)

by Uvi Poznansky

  At least the strike brought the blonde out of her hysterics, and she sagged back against Clint; tears running down her face. Disgusted, he flung her away and came towards Anne.

  Obviously not pleased with this harsh treatment, Anne watched Cathy grab a bottle off of a nearby table and swing it over her head with the aim of hitting Clint. With all her might, Anne pushed him aside and caught the blow as the glass broke on her thigh. Pain shot from her leg and shock jammed her thinking. She dropped to the floor.

  Before Clint could get to her, Cathy pushed forward. In a voice as mean as sin, she taunted, “You’ll be sorry, bitch. I’ll make you pay.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Twelve stitches, one whiskey and a lot of hugs later, Clint carried Anne to her bedroom and helped her remove her clothes. As much as he wanted to crawl in next to her in the four-poster bed, he knew the mild sedative that the doctor had given her was taking effect, and she needed to rest. He fetched her nightie and acted as the lady’s maid. Finally, he tucked her under the covers.

  “Clint, don’t leave. Stay with me.”

  “Just for a little while, baby. You need your sleep. The pills will help. Just relax.”

  “If you talk to me, it’ll help more.”

  Clint knew she was feeling sick about the exhibition staged at the pub, and he totally understood her embarrassment. No one wanted to be the center of attention when it was a scandalous situation, especially in a small town like Walsh Creek. Tonight’s performance would keep the gossip morons happy for weeks.

  On the other hand, Cathy had gotten exactly what she deserved. His Annie had been the innocent bystander, and he wouldn’t stand for her being made to suffer by the crazy bitch he’d been suckered into marrying. Next morning, he’d be paying a visit to his ex and laying down the law.

  “You’re supposed to be talking to me, not scowling. I don’t want to think about Cathy anymore. Let’s talk about happy things, like our wedding. I’ll have to let my father know, so he can have enough time to make the arrangements to travel from Paris.”

  “Baby doll, I want you as my wife as soon as it can be arranged; next weekend if possible. We’ve wasted so much precious time to be together. Now I’m paranoid that something else will come up to break us apart.” He leaned over her and gently pressed his lips to hers. When she began to respond with more than a sweet kiss, he pulled back and kissed her forehead. Then he groaned. “I know! I want you too. But we can’t. Not with you in pain. God, I can’t wait too long for us to tie the knot.”

  She tucked his hand by her cheek and nestled her face in his palm. “I’ll get started tomorrow making plans. Thing is, with me hobbling around like an old lady, I’m not sure I want to make my way up the aisle in this shape.”

  “You have the cane Doc got for you?” He saw the grimace she couldn’t hide and laughed. “Don’t fret. If you promise to marry me before your leg is healed, we can have the wedding here in the gardens, and you can ride your new horse, Bella, up to the altar.”

  Annie lit up, loving the mind picture. A truck had arrived at the ranch earlier that day delivering a gorgeous chestnut mare who she’d instantly fallen in love with. Once Clint had seen the mutual love, he’d offered her to Annie as her mount. After having a short ride, they’d bonded and her name, Bella, seemed to suit her disposition.

  “What a fabulous idea! I’ll let Rose help me get started on the organization. We’ll want her to enjoy the ceremony, so it shouldn’t be put it off for too long.”

  He sobered and agreed. “I’ll talk to the preacher tomorrow when I’m in town and start the ball rolling. You call your father with the invitation. And tomorrow, at breakfast, we’ll share the wonderful news.”

  ❋

  The next morning, everyone at the table was in high spirits. When Annie appeared, she made light of her injury and pretended she needed her cane more for looks than necessity. They all believed her. Except for Rose. The wily old woman let her know they’d be sharing the truth later, and she did it with one look.

  Anne nodded in agreement and continued. “I have something really special to show you all.” She held out her hand to Clint, who took it and pressed a kiss on the top. Two youngsters gawked at the action and Rose beamed. Then Annie showed them her beautiful ring and excitement burst wildly.

  Max ran to her and pulled at her arm to get her attention away from an exuberant Rose. “Maman, are we marrying Clint?”

  “If you’ll have me, son.” Clint intervened by kneeling next to Max and waiting.

  Anne caught her breath and noticed the other two had zeroed in on the tension of the moment. Everyone stayed quiet. She reached to Max and patted his shoulder, encouraging him to speak.

  But Max was too busy trying to read the message in Clint’s eyes. They stared at each other, until she thought she’d scream or beg her son to please let this happen. With every scenario she’d thought up during her wakeful night, not once did she ever imagine it could be Max who might stop her sweetest dream from coming true.

  Clint finally smiled, the teasing way he’d done so many years ago. “Think you can put up with me being your ol’ man, kid?”

  “If you can make my maman look this happy every morning, I guess I can.”

  “Then it’s a deal.” Clint held out his hand, and Max shook it. Next moment, Clint held the boy’s cheek and said, real low, “You make me proud, Max.”

  The boy sidled closer and leaned his head on Clint’s shoulder. “Can I call you Pa, like Debbie does?”

  “Well, now, that’s part of the deal. Just like I get to brag to everyone I know that you’re my son.”

  Debbie approached and put her arm around Max. “You’ll be my brother now.”

  Annie, who always believed in telling children the truth, cleared her throat to get Clint’s attention. He seemed to read her questioning glance and nodded.

  “Debbie?” Annie sat on the chair nearby and waved the little girl over. She sat her on her knee, hugged her and kissed her cheek. “Lovie, Max is actually Clint’s son. Remember we told you the story about when I lived in Texas as a young girl? Well, I became pregnant with Max then.”

  “So when you get married, will you be my mama?”

  “Of course.”

  Debbie whooped for joy. “Max, you’re my real brother! We’re family.”

  “Yeah! Cool!” Max let Debbie take his hand, and he even jumped along with her for few seconds before his normal reserve kicked in.

  Rose knew the predicament Annie and Clint faced and stepped in. “Okay, you two. Chores. Out to the barn, and don’t get too dirty.”

  As soon as the youngsters had left, the three adults looked at each other. No one spoke. Finally, Rose broke the silence. “I can’t tell you two how happy I am about your wonderful news. Don’t let the situation with Cathy spoil this time for you.”

  “That’s just it. She already has. Last night, she attacked Annie at the tavern.”

  “No! That damn nuisance has a lot to answer for. What riled her up this time?”

  “She saw the ring, I think.” Anne answered, using her woman’s intuition.

  Clint’s head swiveled her way. “You figure that’s why she erupted the way she did? Even for Cathy, it was strange behavior.”

  “I saw her looking at my ring. She seemed shattered. I’m scared, Clint. She told me she’d make me sorry. And the only power she has over me or you is Debbie. I think the sooner you get her to sign those custody papers, the better I’ll feel.”

  Rose agreed. “Me, too, Clint. She can be a vindictive little miss, and I wouldn’t put it past her to try and pull a fast one.”

  “Right! I’m off, then. I’ll go and see her this morning and get it finished. In the meantime, you ladies have a wedding to plan.”

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Clint drove to the address where his lawyer had located Cathy and pulled up to the front of the run-down trailer. The blue siding, barely visible, had seen better days, as had the windows and the steps. He wa
lked to the door, the creaking of broken boards making him step carefully.

  Only the screen was closed, giving him a view of the pigsty he saw through the open door. Beer cans, whiskey bottles and pizza boxes decorated the area, while the smells of rotting garbage, and other stenches, added to the ambiance.

  Good Lord! Since no one was in sight, he knocked. Then he called out. Finally, he saw the curtain move at the end of the living area and Cathy appeared, hung over and mean as only a drunk can be. Her hair straggled over her shoulders and her smudged makeup looked grotesque in the morning sunshine. Even the snazzy outfit she’d worn the night before was creased and grimy from being slept in.

  First she pulled a cigarette from her open pack, and then she waved him in. She seemed to be waiting for him to give her a light and when he didn’t move, she grabbed the lighter sitting in plain view, opened the flame and took a long drag.

  “Figured you’d be here sometime today.” The huskiness in her voice, no doubt from her newly acquired habit, grated. Not one to judge, nonetheless, she unnerved him. His one thought was to get the hell away from this woman who’d brought him to his knees.

  Inside, he questioned his sanity. How could you have stooped so low? Why didn’t you see her clearly back then?

  “You gonna just stand there and stare?” As if nerves were kicking in, she twined her fingers in the hair hanging over her chest. “Clint, what the hell do you want from me?”

  “I want you to sign the forms that Dan Shelton dropped off here. The legal papers giving me full custody of Debbie.”

  “Yeah, well, about that, I think we need to have a little talk. I guess I should have told you this before but she’s not your kid.” Cathy’s brown eyes dug a hole in his temper as she watched to see his reaction. No doubt, she expected him to blow.

  “You got that wrong. She might not be my kid by blood; but, in every way that counts, Debbie is, and always will be, my little girl.” He stepped closer to loom over her, as if his size alone would convince her of his convictions.

  She pushed past him and strutted to the counter so she could flick her ashes into the sink. “When did you find out?”

  Blasted woman had some nerve. She spoke as if they were talking about some mundane happening that didn’t affect a child’s life.

  “When she had her tonsils out last year and her blood didn’t match with mine.”

  “Oh! Well, I woulda told you, except, you and Rose were so thrilled, I didn’t have the heart.”

  You can say that again—no heart whatsoever. “Look, what I really want to do is adopt her legally, but, for now, I’d be happy with you signing the custody papers. Be on the safe side in case anything happens.”

  “You mean, like you getting married again?”

  Clint’s heart dropped. “What’s that got to do with anything?”

  “I saw the engagement rock you gave her.”

  Clint took a breath to calm his nerves and then he spoke soft and slow. “Which has nothing to do with Debbie. I want her, Cathy.”

  “So you said. And I don’t want to give her to you.”

  Fury leapt up and grabbed him unexpectedly. He ached to hurt her. “You bitch! If you make me, I’ll take you to court; prove you’re an unfit mother who hasn’t been in the child’s life since she was a year old.”

  “You just do that, lover. And I’ll tell your sweet mama that she ain’t a grandmother. How do you think Rose will take that news? Being a granny means everything to her. What with her only having a short time left in this rotten ol' world.”

  Stunned, Clint grabbed his hips to keep from using his hands against her. He stared at his boots and willed the nerves rioting throughout his body to calm down. How could anyone be this cruel? Acid broke loose from his burning guts and scorched any trace of good memories he ever had with this…this sick woman. Finally he answered—his voice harsh. “She knows, Cathy. And she’s okay with it. All we want to do is give the kid a future with a loving family and a good home, the only one she’s ever known. That must mean something to you.”

  Cathy visibly winced. At first he was sure he’d hit a nerve, stirred her conscience, woke her mother’s love. But he was dead wrong. He watched as her mind filtered thoughts until the perfect solution came to her. One even he didn’t think she would stoop so low as to come up with.

  His worst nightmare began as she faced him and said, “Then I’ll get to Debbie and tell her you’re not her daddy.

  This time, he lost his cool and yelled in her face.” Over my dead body! Okay, you bitch. How much?”

  Nodding, satisfied, she answered, “A million oughtta be enough to get me outta your life, sugar.”

  His hands gripped his hips even tighter to stop from surrounding her throat. He stomped to the door and stopped long enough to deliver his parting shot. “Hell, for a blackmailing bitch, a bullet’s cheaper!”

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Clint stormed into Dan’s office. The lawyer’s secretary took one look at the thundercloud Clint wore like armor and led him right in, never even asked if he had an appointment.

  Dan stood and motioned to the seat in front of him. Then he pulled a whiskey bottle from the drawer and two shot glasses. He poured a small amount in each glass and passed one to Clint. “You went to see Cathy.”

  “How’d you know?”

  “Man, when a guy’s in a murderous rage like you are, it’s gotta be one of two things. A bitch of an ex-wife, or an investment gone sour. I happen to know you’re in good shape financially.”

  Clint plunked down on the visitor’s chair, crossed one leg over the other knee and gripped hard to stop from pounding the desk.

  “She wants to sell me the kid.” He reached across and accepted the drink.

  Dan’s expression didn’t change. In fact, he didn’t even look surprised. “Are you buying?”

  Clint twirled the glass around in his hand, rubbing the side and then the rim, giving the bile that had inflated his stomach time to settle. “I don’t know. A million is doable. But how could I ever tell my little girl her mother sold her?”

  “On the other hand, do you really believe she’d take Debbie away from you?”

  “What do you think? You went to see her yesterday.”

  “Oh, yeah! She wouldn’t hesitate.”

  “Is there any legal way around this mess? Can I apply to the courts for guardianship and a restraining order?”

  “Let me look into it. I’m not a children’s lawyer, but I know a few people who can help. Right now, don’t do anything to stir the bitch up. If she comes after you, tell her to see me. I can always bullshit about there being an official reason for the holdup, considering you’re not the rightful daddy, etcetera.”

  “Okay, I get that. But what do you think my chances are for the courts to let me adopt?”

  “Look, they’ll take into consideration that she’s grown up at the ranch and it’s the only home she’s ever known. They’ll also look at the fact that she has a mother figure in Rose.”

  “Except that Rose is dying, Dan. She has lung cancer and only a short time left.”

  “Oh, man, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

  “Could it hurt my case?”

  “Her not having a mother figure certainly won’t help you.”

  “I don’t think it’ll be a problem. You see Annie Pichette’s back in town, living out at the ranch with her son to help look after Ma. Do you remember her from eight or so years ago?”

  “The French chick with the gorgeous eyes and the no-touching sign you posted on her back?”

  Clint laughed. “Uh huh! That’s the one. We got engaged last night, and we’re gonna tie the knot in the next short while. Therefore, Debbie will have a mother. And a brother. Annie has a boy, same age as Debbie.”

  Dan brightened immediately. “O-kay! That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.” He half stood, leaned over the desk and held out his hand. “Congratulations, my man. Hope we’ll be invited to the wedding.”

&n
bsp; “First on our list.” Clint’s black mood lifted.

  “When will it be?”

  “Just as fast as we can make it. We want it to be a day for Rose that she’ll be able to enjoy so it needs to be soon.”

  Chapter Thirty-three

  The next two weeks flew past as Anne and Clint settled into the routine of being engaged. They abided their self-made, house rules of not sleeping together in either one’s bedroom until married. Which, of course, didn’t stop them from taking a drive every so often and returning with lighter hearts and wrinkled clothes.

  As their wedding day loomed, and her father would be arriving the next afternoon, Annie decided she couldn’t put off shopping for her wedding gown any longer. Invitations for Rose and Debbie were issued that morning. Her leg had healed enough that she got around with her cane and a slight limp, but she still couldn’t stand for long without pain.

  Annie purposely planned for them to arrive in town near lunchtime so she could take them to Rose’s favorite restaurant. The same one where she’d shared her news about Max being her grandson.

  Once they arrived, Rose gleefully looked around and asked the waitress if they could be seated at the same table. And, luckily, it was empty.

  “This is my lucky place,” Rose said with a laugh. “Especially this table.” First she smiled at Debbie, and then she winked at Annie, and admitted: “It’s where Annie told me I had two grandchildren. You and Max.”

  Annie’s heart swelled with love for the woman who had the diplomacy of an angel. She had included Debbie in her announcement, and it made all the difference.

  “I bet you were happy, Grandma.”

  Annie smiled inwardly, thinking. There would have to be another visit to this restaurant before too long. She’d be able to tell Rose there would be another name to add to that list. A swell of pleasure, a blissful feeling that morphed into satisfaction took over and she rubbed her tummy under the table. First we tell Daddy, little one. It’ll be my wedding present.