by Peggy Webb
“Help you?”
“With business matters. You know, contacts and things like that. A man in your position is bound to know lots of people.” She rubbed his cheek. “I think family should help each other, don’t you?”
He was on the verge of apoplexy when he heard her chuckle. At first it was a small sound, stifled behind her free hand, and then it was a full-bodied roar of mirth.
He’d been had. She’d used innuendo so cleverly that he’d been completely taken in. He had to admire her. It wasn’t often anybody could pull the wool over Samuel Adams’s eyes.
He felt the a smile tug at the corners of his mouth.
“Congratulations, Molly. You’ve accomplished what few men ever do. For a moment there, you got the best of me.”
She relaxed but she didn’t retreat. She kept her hand on his neck and her knee pressed against his thigh. There was no telling when she’d need to use sneaky tactics again.
“I can assure you, Samuel Adams, Daddy and I are not after your money.”
She wouldn’t be the first to come after the Adams fortune, but he saw no reason to tell her that.
“I deal with finances every day. I suppose it’s only natural that that would be my first thought. I owe you an apology.”
“Accepted. In fact, I’m not even going to tell Bea. I think you’ve simply been doing what any good son would do—trying to protect your mother.”
“You’re very generous under the circumstances.”
“If it will make you feel better, I’ll dump you out of the swing and throw chinaberries at you.”
For the first time since they’d met, Samuel laughed. It felt good.
o0o
That’s how Glory Ethel and Jed found them. As they strolled across the yard, hand in hand, they spotted their children, laughing and swinging under the chinaberry tree.
“Just listen to that, Glory Ethel. The sweet music of friendly laughter.”
“And would you look at them, Jed? Don’t they look sweet sitting on that swing—just like family.”
They approached the chinaberry tree unnoticed by Molly and Samuel. Grinning, Jed cleared his throat. The pair on the swing jumped apart.
“My goodness...” Molly’s hand flew to her throat.
“We didn’t see you.”
Samuel straightened his damp tie and looked guilty, although his mother doubted if he had a darned thing to be guilty about. Didn’t she just wish? Lord, it seemed as though she was doomed to a life without grandchildren. But now she had Jedidiah. That was some compensation.
“Well!” She beamed at her son. “It looks like the two of you are getting along just famously.”
Samuel exchanged glances with Molly.
“I wouldn’t say that.” He stood. “Won’t you sit down, Mother?”
Molly rose from the swing, her jewelry tinkling as she moved. “Here, Daddy. Take my seat.”
Glory Ethel and Jed declined.
“We just came out to tell you the good news,” Glory Ethel said.
“Good news?”
Molly and Adam spoke simultaneously. He sounded suspicious; she sounded joyful.
“Yes. Jedidiah has invited us to dinner tonight.”
Samuel glanced at Molly again. Her eyes were sparkling with pure devilment. No doubt she was planning ahead to the evening, deciding exactly how she would annihilate him. It was a challenge he couldn’t resist.
“We accept.” He offered his hand to the older man. “Thank you, Mr. Rakestraw.”
After they shook hands, Samuel took his mother’s elbow and escorted her to the car and slid behind the wheel. Back in his own domain, he felt completely in control. He rested his hands on the steering wheel a moment, absorbing the familiar feel of his fine machine. And then he drove away from the little house on Robins Street, being careful not to look back.
“He’s crazy about me.”
His mother’s voice startled him. “Who?”
“Jed. Who were you thinking of. As if I had to ask.” She gave him a pleased look.
“Now, Mother. Don’t start.”
“Who me? I’m just as innocent as a lamb.”
“You’re as deadly as a lion. Maybe if I told Jedidiah about your true nature, he might change his mind about the wedding.”
“Don’t you dare.”
“You know I would never do anything but sing your praises.”
He concentrated on driving, but in the back of his mind he was thinking of a woman in a pair of gold snake sandals and five pounds of turquoise jewelry. Taming her just might prove to be entertaining.
o0o
Jed stood in his front yard and watched until the Rolls-Royce was out of sight.
“She really loves me, Molly.”
“Who?”
“Why, Glory Ethel, that’s who. Where in the world is your mind?”
“About two blocks away in a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud.”
“That’s what I thought. He’s a fine-looking man, isn’t he?”
“He’s a pain in the...”
“Association with artists has added a new dimension to your character, my dear.” Laughing, he kissed her on the cheek.
“I love you, Daddy.”
“I’ve always known that.”
“Yes. But I want you to hear it, as well.” She put her arms around him and laid her head on his shoulder. “Daddy, I’m going to do everything in my power to see that you’re happy.”
Straightening, she stared over his head at the chinaberry tree. Its branches were swaying gently in the breeze, whispering the secrets of her childhood. After her mother had died, struck down by cancer at the age of twenty-eight, Molly had retreated to the shelter of another chinaberry tree—one on her grandparent’s farm. In the swaying of the leaves and the sighing of the gentle breezes, she had heard her mother’s voice. Or perhaps at that moment of her greatest need, the tree itself had come alive to comfort her. Or maybe God had given her heightened perception to help her get through the bad times. Whatever the magic, Molly had never forgotten the lesson. There are no guarantees, Molly, the voice had said. Connections can be broken. Live life to the fullest.
She had been only eight at the time, but she had never forgotten the lesson.
Each day was a priceless gift, especially to somebody as old as her daddy. If he wanted to risk another connection with Glory Ethel, she’d see that he got her, and nothing would stand in the way. Certainly not Samuel Adams.
o0o
Molly helped her daddy get the house ready for the dinner party. They had both decided a candle-lit dinner at home would be cozier than going to a restaurant. Besides, it would allow them more privacy, more time to get to know one another.
Molly picked fresh flowers from the yard—fragrant gardenias from the large bush on the north side of the house, roses from the rampant vines that climbed the backyard fence, and Queen Anne’s lace that formed a border between their yard and the next-door neighbor. With an artist’s eye, she arranged the flowers and scattered them throughout the house so that they looked as if they might have sprung up on their own in the nooks and crannies of the 1930s house.
“That looks lovely, Molly.” Her daddy her hand and spun her around. “And so do you. Like a moonbeam.”
Molly laughed and straightened his tie. “We want to impress this woman, don’t we?”
“Absolutely.” He was thoughtful for a moment, gazing into space, looking back in time. “You know, Molly, when I first started this online correspondence I didn’t have any plans for romance. I was just lonely.”
“I know, Daddy. And I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault, baby. You have your career, and I’m proud of that. That’s the way it should be.” He brushed a piece of lint off his sleeve. “When I first heard from Glory Ethel, I knew she was a special woman, someone I could enjoy. We’ve been exchanging letters and emails for a little over a year now, and I feel as if I’ve known her all my life.” He gave his daughter a serious look. “I really thi
nk the time is right for both of us, Molly.”
“You have my full support, Daddy. And Bea’s too. She’s as tickled as I am.”
“Good. Then you won’t mind doing a little thing for me, will you?”
His devilish grin made her suspicious.
“Daddy, what are you up to?”
“Nothing. I just thought a little entertainment might be nice.”
“I agree. Does she like the oldies or something more modern?”
“I was thinking of live entertainment.”
“Now, Daddy…”
“I want Glory Ethel to see what a talented daughter I have. And besides that, she’ll be tickled to death.”
Molly hesitated only a moment, but there was never any doubt in her mind that she would give in to her father’s request. She could never deny him anything.
“Well, why not? I might just unbend a steel-plated tyrant.”
She hurried to her room to make sure she had everything she needed for the entertainment.
o0o
“How do I look?”
Glory Ethel wasn’t the nervous type. As she stood on the front porch of the Rakestraw house, smoothing imaginary wrinkles in her dress, he wanted to grab her arm and run.
“You look great, Mother.”
She patted his cheek. “So do you. Every woman should have a son so handsome.” She straightened her shoulders. “You can ring the bell now.”
Just Sam’s luck, Molly answered the door. It was the first time a woman had ever left him breathless. He was only vaguely aware of his mother saying something about Jed and disappearing down the hall.
What was that thing Molly was wearing? It looked like it was woven with moonbeams. And the way it clung to her ought to be against the law. At first he thought the dress was blue, and then he thought it was silver. Finally he decided it was magic.
My God, not only was the woman a hellion, she was also a sorceress. Fortunately, he knew exactly how to deal with them.
Bending gallantly at the waist, he took her hand between both of his. “My dear, it’s been entirely too long.”
Sliding one hand up her arm and turning her palm toward him, he planted a lingering kiss against her skin and had the satisfaction of feeling goose bumps rise on her arm.
His about-face was a surprise to Molly. Fortunately she adored surprises. She threw back her head, and her laughter was as bright as the flashy baubles she wore around her neck.
“Too long for what, Samuel?”
Straightening, he smiled down at her. “Too long to leave a hellion like you alone.”
“What’s the matter? Afraid I’ll think of a diabolical way to pierce that armor you wear?”
He smiled. “No. Too long without a rein.”
“A rein?”
“Yes.” He reached out and tipped her chin up with one finger. “I discovered long ago that there’s only one way to deal with women like you, Molly.”
She’d be darned if she’d ask what. Neither would she pay any attention to the fresh set of goose bumps he sent skittering over her flesh. She lifted her jaw and glared at him.
“The only way to handle you, my dear, is to tame you.”
“Tame me?” She jerked out of his grasp. “Tame me!” She stalked down the hallway. When she reached the marble-topped hall table she whirled around and faced him. “I’d just like to see you try!”
He leaned nonchalantly against the doorjamb and smiled at her. But it was not a smile of mirth. It was the cold, deadly smile of a man out to do battle.
“I’d advise you not to issue challenges, my dear. I find them impossible to resist.”
“That’s not all you’re liable to find impossible to resist before this is over.” She put her hands on her hips. Her color was high and her eyes sparkled with wrath.
“Anger becomes you, Venus.”
She gave him a mock bow. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet.” He moved slowly toward her, pinning her to the spot with his hot, dark eyes. “But you can come closer. I find it impossible to tame a woman who is halfway across the room.”
She watched his relentless march across the hall. It put her in mind of Sherman’s devastating sweep through the South. She stood her ground. She wasn’t Atlanta, and she wasn’t about to be burned.
He didn’t stop coming until he was so close she could feel his pant leg brushing against her thigh. Maybe she should have worn leather. But who could have predicted this assault?
She steeled herself. “Why don’t you come closer? I don’t bite.”
Her defiance amused him.
“Neither do I, my wicked Venus, but I have been known to make even the bold quiver in their boots.”
She lifted one long and beautiful leg, just slightly, just enough to cause that moonbeam dress to slither enticingly and bare a portion of calf. “As you can see, I’m not wearing boots.”
He stared at that lovely leg just a fraction too long. Her satisfied smile told him so. It wouldn’t do to let her get the upper hand, even for a minute.
“I wouldn’t advise you to play with fire. You might singe a few hairs on that pretty little head of yours.” Taking her arm, he urged her down the hall. “Shall we join our parents?”
“What’s the matter, Samuel? Afraid of what I’ll do to you out here in the hallway all alone?”
“No. I’m afraid of what I’ll do to you.”
Chapter Three
Molly decided that a graceful retreat would be her best bet at the moment. If she had time, she’d sneak off and email her friends, but she’d already neglected her hostessing duties too long. She wanted Glory Ethel to love everything about her father—his house, his dinner, his daughter.
Taking Samuel’s hand, she led him into the sitting room. It was a bright and cozy room, filled with chintz and calico, soft watercolors and earthy pottery. There was the fragrance of flowers throughout the room.
Samuel made the space seem smaller. He was a large man, tall and broad shouldered and muscular. He seemed to dominate the room. He’d chosen a chair that faced the sofa and gave him an unobstructed view of the entire room. Although he appeared to be relaxed and comfortable, she sensed power simmering just beneath the surface. She saw the iron will stamped in every line of his body—from the carefully controlled expression on his face to the tight bunching of muscles beneath his dinner jacket.
I wouldn’t advise you to play with fire, my dear. The words he had spoken in the hallway echoed in her mind as clearly as if he were saying them now. A shiver of excitement went up her spine. She didn’t merely love excitement; she thrived on it.
She leaned back in her chair, watching Samuel. He was discussing organic gardening with her daddy as if he’d invented the method himself. She’d be willing to bet he didn’t know which end of a spade to put into the ground. Oh, he was smooth, all right; he was good. And he had her father completely fooled. But he didn’t fool her. Not for a minute.
She smiled, thinking of the entertainment she had planned. .
“Good girls don’t have such wicked smiles.”
“What?”
Samuel was leaning close so that his voice was an intimate whisper, and his hand rested casually on the arm of her chair—so casually that the touch of his fingers against her arm appeared to be accidental. Her eyes widened and she glanced toward the sofa. Daddy and Glory Ethel were deep in conversation. She doubted if they’d notice a herd of elephants tromping through the room.
“I said—”
“I know what you said.”
His smile was so devilish she figured he’d had to make at least one trip to Hades to learn it.
“What’s the matter, Molly? Afraid you’ve gotten more than you bargained for?”
She made her smile sweet and her eyes innocent. She knew exactly how to do it. After all, she’d had years of practice at posing.
“Oh, no. I’m merely afraid you aren’t up to the challenge.”
“You’re referring to my old age, I tak
e it.”
“No. I’m referring to your inexperience.”
One eyebrow lifted and his eyes danced with amusement.
Molly patted his hand in false sympathy. “Samuel, you poor dear. Too busy taking care of all that money at that old bank to have any fun. You’re so lucky that I’m going to rescue you.”
He threw back his head and roared with laughter. Startled, Glory Ethel and Daddy looked up from the sofa.
Glory Ethel glanced from her son to Molly, then back again. “Good grief, Sam, if it’s that funny, tell all of us.”
“It’s just a private joke, Mother.”
Jedidiah rose from the sofa and took Glory Ethel’s hand. “I’m glad to hear all this laughter in my house. Shall we go in to dinner?” He led Glory Ethel through the door and into the dining room.
Samuel and Molly stood up to follow. He slid one arm around her waist. It was a tiny waist, and it felt altogether too bewitching for his own good; but he was committed to a course of action, and he’d be damned if he’d back down now.
“Shall we follow them, my dear?”
She tilted her head so she could look straight into his eyes. “A private joke, huh?”
“What would you have had me say? That we were playing an elaborate game of seduction?”
“Seduction!”
“That’s usually the game men and women play.”
The look in his dark eyes did strange things to her heart. She took a moment to catch her breath and recover. Then she gave him a playful pinch on the cheek.
“I’m going to teach you some new games, Samuel.”
“I can hardly wait, Venus.”
They joined their parents at the dining table, and much to their surprise, the meal was painless. All four of them were sharp-witted people, and the conversation flowed smoothly, covering topics as diverse as flower arranging and stock-market reports.
After the meal was over Molly excused herself, and Jedidiah led his guests into the large and airy music room. Lamplight gleamed across the rich wood of a baby grand piano, and moonlight shone through two enormous arched windows, making a glowing path on the hardwood floor. It was a lovely room, full of charm and graciousness, but what caught Samuel’s attention was the enormous watercolor over the mantel. It was a field of flowers, their colors so brilliant they seemed to spill off the canvas and invade the room. Sunlight tipped the edges of the petals and gave the illusion of warming the observer.