Always & Forever

by Chantel Rhondeau

  The rose perfume Margaret loved to squirt around the room wafted up as Zach shifted on the couch, and Lilly managed not to turn her nose up. She wished she dared lean in close to discover his scent. Maybe it could banish the essence of old lady.

  A member of the kitchen staff arrived with the coffee and Margaret poured. Lilly snuck another discrete glance at the clock, relieved to see it moving along. Although she enjoyed spending time with Zach, this afternoon had been exceedingly uncomfortable. Only a half hour to go.

  “Now, Lilly,” Margaret said as soon as the three of them were alone in the room, “Zach has a favor to ask you, and I sincerely hope you’ll consider helping him out.”

  Lilly took a sip of her sweetened coffee and tried not to look apprehensive. What could Zach possibly need from her?

  “As you probably know,” Margaret continued, oblivious to Lilly’s anxiety, “Zach has come here to concentrate on writing a mystery novel.”

  Lilly smiled despite her nerves, excitement overcoming her. There were few things she’d rather do than lose herself in a novel. “Yes, we already talked about that.” She flicked her gaze to Zach. “Did you need some help researching? I’d be more than happy to help if you’ll let me read your book as you go along.”

  Zach looked amused, though he didn’t display his devastating smile that had shaken her so much. “The book is not what I need your help with.”

  “Oh.” Lilly stifled her disappointment. She’d hoped Zach would trust her with his work. She loved books more than anything else. During her darkest times she could always escape into a book, travel to a different world and forget her troubles for a while.

  Zach leaned forward to set his cup on the coffee table and grinned at her. “I could probably be persuaded to allow you to see it.”

  “I’ll hold you to that.” It might also provide more opportunity to spend time with him.

  Margaret smiled at both of them. “I knew you two would hit it off. That’s what makes you so perfect for what we need, Lilly.”

  Lilly’s anxiety flooded back. “And that would be?”

  “Here’s the thing.” Zach shifted in his seat and picked at a piece of lint on his pants. “It’s been over three years since I was widowed, and Mother’s worried about me being on my own. She set up a dinner party on their boat for tomorrow night.” He shook his head, irritation in his green eyes. “I’m going to be trapped for hours with a group of women my mother has hand selected. Apparently, they all think one of them will be my new wife, that this is some sort of game to win my affection. If I show up alone, they will be on me in an instant. I can’t imagine what Mother was thinking.”

  “Everyone wants to marry a Woodbridge, you see.” Margaret reached forward to pat Lilly’s hand. “That’s where you come in. You can be his date.”

  This was the last thing Lilly expected. However, Zach’s comment about a fish disaster now made sense. What were they thinking? She was the hired help, not a pretty socialite appropriate for a man in Zach’s position. “His date?” she finally asked in a small voice.

  “Well, of course, dear,” Margaret said, “to keep the other women away. Zach’s mother won’t stop this unless we dissuade her. If Zach comes to all her events with you, she’ll have no choice but to give up and stop forcing women on him.”

  “I really don’t understand,” Lilly said. She turned to Zach. “Why don’t you go on a few dates and make your mother happy?”

  “I don’t have time for romance right now,” Zach explained. “Besides I came here to spend time writing. When I arrived on Wednesday, Mother told me about the party and the women who are attending. She seems to think I’ll fall madly in love with one of them. If I allow her too, Mother will force prospective girlfriends on me all summer.”

  “It would be really good for you, Lilly.” Margaret’s voice held a coaxing note. “You could get out on the town and meet people in the area. You told me the other day you really haven’t connected much with anyone here or found new friends.”

  Lilly wondered whom Margaret imagined she would make friends with; perhaps the staff hired to wait on the guests. As far as any of the people there would be concerned, Lilly would be only an employee of the family. If the partygoers ever did learn who she was, learn she was actually their social equal, her shady past would put an end to any good will.

  “I don’t think this will work out.” Lilly picked her words carefully. “I’m sure your parents have certain expectations. Your grandmother’s employee is hardly going to fulfill your mother’s dream of the perfect date.” Besides, if she lost her heart to Zach, she’d only face heartache when he no longer had use for her.

  “You’re wrong. You’re perfect.” Zach reached out and took Lilly’s hand in his own. “When I spoke to mother, I told her I was capable of choosing my own relationships. As far as mother knows, you’ll be totally devoted to me, since you have no family or other social connections to distract you.” He winked. “Besides, you are so beautiful, my family will be won over in no time.”

  Lilly pulled her hand out of his and brushed aside the compliment. She tried hard not to feel offended by his unconscious arrogance. Before she lost everything, she probably looked down at poor people the same way he now looked at her, without ever knowing she did it. What would Zach think if he discovered she used to have money and connections and family of her own?

  The silence stretched out between them. Lilly tried to think of a way to refuse him without putting her job in jeopardy. She couldn’t afford to offend Zach or Margaret.

  If only Zach had asked her on a date without all this explanation. She would have loved to go with him.

  Zach seemed no longer able to take the tension. “I would pay you for your time, of course.”

  Lilly sucked in a breath and leaned away from him, her heart clenching. “You want to pay me to date you?”

  “Now, dear,” Margaret said quickly, “that’s not really what he meant.”

  “I didn’t mean that to be insulting.” Zach leaned forward to capture Lilly’s free hand in his own. “I need a date and Grandma said you are in a tight situation financially. It would be fun and benefit us both. Just hang out with me on the weekends. I’ll even buy you new dresses. No one outside the family has to know you don’t have money.”

  Lilly’s heart beat fast. “It’s such a lovely offer,” she managed through clenched teeth. Stay professional, Lilly. She stood, ignoring the lance of pain that jabbed through her thigh. “I’m afraid I really must decline. Mrs. Woodbridge, my shift is over now. I’ll see you Monday.”

  She limped, full speed, toward the exit. Lilly turned the handle, but Zach’s hand rested against the door before she could open it.

  “Hang on a minute here. What do you mean you ‘must decline?’” Zach shook his head. “I’m sorry if I offended you, but don’t let emotion cloud your judgment. I need you, and you need money. I’ll offer a really good wage and I’m less demanding than my grandma, I’d bet.”

  Any concern about the loss of her job faded against her growing rage. “Sir, if what you are looking for is an escort, I am sure they have a service you can call.” Anger clipped each word. “If you are looking for more than a date and need bed services too, find yourself a hooker. I am no prostitute!”

  Zach couldn’t have looked more stunned if she’d slapped him, and his hand dropped away from the doorframe. “I truly didn’t mean it like that. I’m so sorry.”

  Lilly yanked on the door so hard it flew open and bounced off the wall. She stormed to the elevator without saying another word. Fortunately, the elevator doors snicked open as soon as she touched the call button. She marched into it and reached behind her back to punch the lobby button, refusing to look back at him.

  Chapter Four

  Lilly drove home, still fuming at Zach’s offer. She shook her head and took a few deep breaths to calm down. Zach was a very attractive man, but he didn’t appear to put much thought into what came out of his mouth.

  Lil
ly pulled into the driveway beside her rental house. The further one drove from the lake and the area of town the Woodbridge family owned, the shabbier and more run down the buildings became. Her little one-bedroom house needed a new roof and the gray paint bubbled and peeled in places. Lilly could do nothing about those things, and the landlord refused to address them, but her little yard was neatly trimmed. Pink and purple petunias covered the flowerbed.

  Compared to the home she’d grown up in or the one she’d bought with Charles, this house wasn’t much, but Lilly tended it with pride.

  Sweat beaded on her forehead as soon as she stepped out of the air-conditioned car. Dark storm clouds billowed over the lake, but they only increased the humidity, offering no relief from the hot August afternoon. Sections of her carefully straightened hair formed ringlets about her face. Although her dress had dried from the accident with the wine, it now clung to her back.

  She thought about Zach’s offer again, and tried to push away her loneliness. She’d gone such a long time without any friends, and she thought he liked her, at least a little bit. Now, she wasn’t so sure. Perhaps he intended to use her from the beginning of their association. She was a proven bad judge of character, but Zach seemed different...sincere.

  Lilly stepped into the house and slumped against the door. Weariness gripped her—it had been a very long day. Her wooden cane leaned against the wall, and she grabbed it as she limped through the tiny living room to her bedroom.

  Lilly slipped out of her wine-coated dress and hung it on the back of the door. She searched through the dresser for yoga pants and tried not to think about Zach.

  His arrogant assumptions that she was just a poor worker called forth memories of her former life. She’d once had everything, or at least the pretense of everything. Her life had been far from perfect, but Lilly hid that secret from the rest of the world.

  At least she hid it until the night of the attack, the night her life exploded. The chaotic fear and horrendous pain she’d felt when the doctors eased back her medications, allowing her to become coherent to her surroundings, hit with full force. Lilly shivered at the memory.

  She sighed and changed into workout clothes, trying to focus her attention anywhere besides the gloomy memories she held. At least she had exercise to distract her. Since regaining function of her leg, she exercised the muscles often. Using a cane around her own home was one thing, but Lilly refused to use crutches or find herself confined to a wheelchair.

  She had bought a weight machine at a garage sale and squeezed it into her tiny bedroom after moving to Serenity. It took the place of physical therapy. Lilly set the weight at 20 pounds, gritted her teeth, and got to work. The tight muscles of her thigh protested the movement, but she forced the weights up and down in a steady rhythm.

  After twenty minutes, Lilly lowered the leg attachment for the last time. She’d hoped the familiar routine would ease her anger at Zach, but his offer still confused and enraged her. Why had he spent so much time treating her like a friend, only to make her feel so horrible?

  Her gaze fell on her white dress. She really didn’t have money to have the outfit cleaned, but who knew when Margaret would require her to dress up again?

  Assuming she still had a job on Monday. If not, she might be begging Zach for the money he mentioned. From debutant to call girl—her life had certainly changed since Charles’ murder.

  Lilly shook her head. Perhaps Margaret would forgive the way she walked out today. Margaret tried to negate Zach’s offer of money; maybe her boss understood Lilly’s anger.

  After grabbing a pair of cutoff shorts and a pink tank top, Lilly headed to the bathroom. She set the clothing down and then opened the medicine chest to grab a Percocet from her diminishing supply. Soon, she would need to find a doctor in Serenity to obtain another prescription, but she would put that off as long as possible. The expense of doctor visits hit her pocketbook hard. She only took the pills when absolutely necessary, but after today’s near fall and the resultant discomfort, Lilly felt justified in swallowing one down.

  She sighed with pleasure as she stepped into the shower. The hot water beat against her and she floated, unthinking, as the pill kicked in.

  Once finished, Lilly swiped the fog-shrouded mirror with her towel. “No more pity party, Lilly,” she told her image in the mirror and forced a smile. “You’ve indulged yourself quite enough today. Zach is what he is—a spoiled little rich kid.”

  She grabbed a purple bottle off the cluttered counter and applied her favorite lavender lotion. The scent calmed her while turning her freckled skin to silk. After slipping into her clothes, she applied anti-frizz serum to her hair. She used a pick to tease out any tangles and let her hair bounce back in its normal inclination to curl.

  Lilly scrunched the curls, pleased with the effect. She wondered if Zach would have liked it.

  No. She wouldn’t think about him. Wouldn’t think about the feel of his strong arm beneath hers while he helped her to the loveseat. Wouldn’t think about his long eyelashes and the heat she felt when—

  The chime of the doorbell pulled her away from such dangerous thoughts. She frowned slightly. No one ever came to see her.

  Lilly grabbed her cane and made her way to the front door. She peaked through the peephole and took a step back.

  What is he doing here?

  She risked another glance, but Zach remained on the other side of the door. Her heart fluttered with excitement. Surely, he had come to apologize. Why else would he visit?

  Unless, of course, he planned to offer more money.

  She took a deep breath. She couldn’t handle it if that was his plan. Lilly rested her hand against the doorknob, uncertain if she should open it.

  Chapter Five

  Zach stood at the doorway of Lilly’s rundown house. He really stuck his foot in it now. For months, he’d dreamed of Lilly. Every week was agony, waiting until he could return to Serenity and see her each Friday. Now, she would never agree to go out with him unless he did some major damage control.

  After reflecting on his offer, he understood why she became upset. He had panicked when faced with asking her out. Would she understand that? He didn’t know how to have a relationship—didn’t even know if he wanted one, but the thought of spending time with any other woman was intolerable. The second his mother mentioned the party, Zach immediately pictured Lilly on his arm.

  The door opened a few inches. “What do you want?”

  Zach looked at Lilly’s pinched, angry face. “I come in peace.” He held up a bouquet of pink and white lilies and bottle of wine for her inspection. “I made an ass of myself today. I’m hoping you’ll forgive me. Can I come in?”

  Lilly bit her lip and stared at him so long, Zach was sure she would refuse him entry. She finally shrugged. “You might as well bring those things into the kitchen.”

  He stepped into the house and kicked the door closed behind him, following Lilly through the small living room. She leaned heavily onto a cane with every step she took, her limp more pronounced than usual. He hadn’t meant to startle her earlier. He had only wanted to be near her, to be helpful.

  They walked into her outdated kitchen. The green cabinets were straight out of the ‘70s and their doors hung askew on worn-out hinges. Lilly pointed to the food bar separating the kitchen from the dining room and Zach set the gifts down there. She picked up the flowers and crossed the peeling yellow linoleum, making her way to the sink.

  Zach leaned against the counter next to her, watching as she arranged the flowers and added the packet of plant food. As always, fierce desire clutched at him. He felt like a damn teenager around Lilly—half aroused and not in full control of his brain.

  Her face was devoid of makeup and she smelled wonderful. Cute freckles dusted the bridge of her nose. The severe, straight look she always used on her hair was gone. Soft curls now formed a fiery cloud that swirled about her shoulders and down her back. Zach longed to plunge his hands into its softness and dra
w Lilly to him.

  He walked a fine line with her. She was a wary, private person. She seemed attracted to him, though today’s events may have changed her mind. At the very least, she appeared to enjoy the frequent flirting he instigated.

  It was a different story when he touched her. An innocent pat on her arm or a slight caress against her shoulder altered Lilly’s demeanor noticeably. Tension consumed her body on those occasions, breaking the comfortable companionship they had achieved. Not for the first time, he wondered what happened in Lilly’s past to make her so cautious.

  “You look beautiful,” he said. “I love your hair curly like that.”

  Lilly’s blue eyes narrowed. Obviously, she wasn’t in the mood for compliments from him. Understandable, he supposed, since he made her feel like a prostitute.

  Grandma warned him against his plan. She suggested he just ask Lilly out. As always, Grandma was correct, but it was a little too late for that now. His fear that Lilly would reject him had overcome his good sense. Experience taught him that money motivated women, and he convinced himself Lilly wouldn’t go out with him unless there was something in it for her. Deep down, though, he knew she wasn’t that way, but his fear wouldn’t let him do otherwise.

  Ever indulgent, his grandmother had gone along with the scheme when Zach insisted. It would have been more help if she had hit him upside the head instead.

  Perspiration slicked Zach’s hands, and he rubbed them against his pants. “I really went about things the wrong way today. No reason for bad manners, but no one usually calls a Woodbridge out, no matter what we say.”

  Her lips pursed into a thin line and she cocked her head sideways. “You think I should forgive your rudeness because people generally kiss your ass?”

  Was she serious? A chuckle erupted from deep inside Zach. It continued to build until he stood, convulsed in helpless laughter, while Lilly shook her head.