by Linda Wisdom
"Boys don't set tables," Michael said scornfully.
"Then you can help me." Sean's voice sounded behind her. "We'll both set the table for your mom."
"But Dad, we don't have to do it. That's for mommies to do."
"Michael, your mom's done two jobs for quite a while." Sean's eyes met Valerie's over their son's head. "And now it's our turn to help her out. That way she won't get her pretty clothes dirty."
Valerie was surprised that he noticed her outfit, especially when she compared it to Janine's. Janine wore deep purple cotton knit trousers and a simple light lavender top with spaghetti straps. Her hair was twisted on top of her head in a simple knot and large silver hoop earrings completed the ensemble.
"You still haven't told us the reason for honoring us with your presence," Sean said drily as he poured the wine into three glasses.
"None for me," Valerie murmured, flushing as she remembered the last time she had drunk wine. The glint in Sean's eyes showed that he read her thoughts.
"I told you, a friendly family visit to meet my new sister-in-law and, it seems, my nephew. Now, why don't you tell me about this new firm of yours? I'm still surprised that you left the army. And tell me all the local gossip."
Valerie felt left out as Sean and Janine discussed mutual friends. The discussion continued through dinner until Janine suddenly changed the subject. "Sean, I'd like to see this sister-in-law of mine in some of the newer fashions. Val has great style, a good figure, and is very attractive; she just needs to show it off more."
"I don't need any clothes," Val protested, not wanting Sean to pay for anything of hers.
"As long as you promise to leave something for the other women," he said drily, "go ahead and shop. Just give me the bills."
"No problem there." Janine smiled sweetly at him.
"I can't possibly wear all of these clothes," Valerie said, surveying all her boxes with dismay as they walked out of the store the next day.
"That's why I told Sean to take my car and we'd take his." Janine grinned mischievously. "His has much more room, and I was almost out of gas. Bet he loved that."
"But we spent too much money," Val said ruefully. "He's going to be furious. He's just starting a new business, and he can't afford all of this."
Janine stopped dead in her tracks, shocked, then burst out laughing. "Oh, Val, you really don't know, do you?" She giggled, shaking her head in amusement.
"Know what?" Val felt bewildered.
"Sean has no money problems at all," Janine said gently. "Our grandfather was a real estate speculator and, to put it bluntly, died filthy rich. Our father increased the investments and everything was left in trust to us until we each turned twenty-five."
"But Sean was in the army," Valerie persisted, feeling confusion set it.
"Brother Sean is a graduate of West Point. Didn't he ever tell you?" Janine opened the trunk of the car, piling packages inside. "He stayed in the service only because he enjoyed it; it's only been recently that he's wanted to settle down in one place. I use my money to pay for my trips and the expenses for my house; Sean uses his for his business. He's been friends with this other engineer for a long time, and they just decided to start their own firm." Janine slammed the trunk lid shut. "Now, I suggest we run by the office of our object of discussion and coerce him into taking us to lunch. Then we can finish our shopping this afternoon."
"I still think Sean is going to kill me," Valerie said slowly, starting up the engine of the large car. She knew where Sean's office was located but had never been there. It was in a modern business complex in the middle of town. A discreet gold plaque hung on the door: HUNTER & EASTMAN ENGINEERING, INC.
A well dressed young woman in her early twenties sat at the reception desk. She greeted them with a warm smile.
"Would you please tell Mr. Hunter that his wife and sister are here to see him?" Janine informed her.
The receptionist pressed a button on the intercom, speaking softly into it. "Mr. Hunter's secretary, will be out in a moment." She smiled at them.
Valerie wandered around the reception area, nervously studying the paintings on the walls.
"Mrs. Hunter?" A voice sounded from behind.
Valerie turned to face a tall, dark-haired woman in her late twenties. A simple skirt and print silk shirt of a deep rose shade accented her coloring. "I'm Barbara, Mr. Hunter's secretary." She smiled. "Mr. Hunter will be in a meeting for a few more moments, but he would like you and his sister to wait for him in his office. Would you come this way, please?"
She led them down a paneled hallway to an outer office. A desk, file cabinets, and typewriter showed that it was obviously her own. She opened the door to an inner office, gesturing toward a tweed sofa along one wall and two easy chairs.
"Would either of you like coffee?" she asked, receiving negative shakes of the head from both women. "Mr. Hunter will be here soon." She closed the door behind her.
"I guess Sean doesn't believe in hiring little old ladies," Janine commented drily.
"She has the right image for the office," Valerie replied, feeling unhappy after seeing Sean's secretary. They must be more than employer-employee. She walked across the office toward a large walnut desk with a black leather chair behind it, curious to see the view; but her attention was arrested by a gold double picture frame sitting on a corner of the desk. She picked up the frame, studying the two photographs: the one of Michael that she had given him, and one of Val herself, taken on the day she and Sean were married. Looking at the picture, she was surprised to see how young she looked, so carefree and happy.
She turned, hastily putting the frame down, when the door opened and Sean walked in. His eyes seemed to light up when he saw her. "This is a surprise." He nodded toward Janine. "You two run out of money?"
"We thought you would enjoy taking two beautiful women out to lunch," Janine said brightly.
Sean's eyes met Valerie's, the dancing lights in them telling her that he knew whose idea it really was. "Nothing I'd enjoy more"," he said smoothly. "I hope you realize we'll have to take my car instead of your two-seater—if there's any room left, that is."
"Enough," Janine said airily.
Sean stopped at his secretary's desk long enough to tell her that he'd be gone for lunch. "Those specs are ready to be delivered to Thayer's. I should be back around one-thirty."
As they walked down the hallway, Valerie was very aware of Sean, walking close behind her. "Barbara is very happily married to a county sheriff and has three
daughters," he murmured in her ear, "and don't try to act the dim-witted female. I'm sure you wondered about her."
She held her head higher, ignoring the fact that, once again, he had read her mind. Sean's low chuckle told her that he knew exactly what she was thinking.
"What about that good barbecue place?" Janine suggested.
Sean looked questioningly at Valerie, who nodded in agreement.
"I love the barbecued beef here," Janine told Valerie later as they were seated in a booth. "That and their corn on the cob and their apple pie."
"Then she complains she's getting fat," Sean said. "Well, how much did you spend this morning?"
Valerie blushed as she drew the receipts out of her purse and slowly handed them to him. He barely glanced at them and stuffed them in his shirt pocket before turning to her. "I meant what I said, Val—get what you need," he said softly.
"If you two will excuse me, I'm going to freshen up." Janine rose hastily.
"I told Janine that I shouldn't spend so much money," Valerie said in a low voice, "and she told me about your grandfather. I never knew; I feel like such a fool."
Sean covered her hand with his, sighing. "I was going to tell you, but I didn't know how. You seemed to enjoy working out budgets at the time, and I didn't have the heart to tell you that you didn't have to worry about it. But then there was no need to."
"Oh, Sean, we're so different. Don't you see that it will never work out?"
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p; Sean's eyes narrowed at her thoughts. "Perhaps because you won't give yourself any credit for your own talents," he said roughly. "You're still acting like a child, not a woman."
''I wish I had never come out here," she declared hotly. "If you'd ever told me anything about yourself, I would have known that you lived here and you can bet I would have ended up as far away as possible!"
"I would have found you, Val, and I wouldn't think of trying it now if I were you." Uncannily, he had read her thoughts. "The consequences would not be nice."
She felt miserable throughout the rest of the meal. Sean ignored her, talking exclusively to Janine, who looked surprised but said nothing. After lunch, they dropped him off at his office and drove back to the shops.
By mid-afternoon Valerie called a halt, saying she couldn't walk another step. "We spent more this afternoon than we did this morning," she sighed wearily. "All I want to do is go home and have something cold to drink." She stopped short, realizing that this was the first time she had referred to Sean's house as home. That's the way it seemed to her now: home, something she hadn't had since her parents died.
They picked Michael up at the preschool and he shrieked with delight at the new baseball, mitt and bat they had gotten for him. He begged them to play with him as soon as they arrived home.
"Never sure who's the child," Sara mumbled, setting a pitcher of iced tea, two empty glasses and a third filled with juice on a table outside. Michael happily swung his bat at the careful pitches Valerie threw to him. Janine stood behind him as catcher.
"Look at our star player here." A deep voice brought three pairs of eyes around. Sean lounged lazily in one of the chairs, a cigarette between his fingers.
"I hit the ball, Daddy!" Michael said excitedly, dropping his bat and running toward the man. "Mom threw it and I hit it past her."
"Keep it up and you could get signed up by the major leagues." He gazed fondly at his son. Then his eyes traveled upward to Valerie, the warmth gone. She brushed the hair away from her sweaty face, all too aware of her grubby shorts and T-shirt. With all of her new clothes hanging in the closet, she had chosen to wear the oldest things she had. Sean drew on his cigarette, coolly looking her over. "Part of your new wardrobe?"
"Of course not," she replied crossly.
Just then Sara called out to them, "You've got one hour till dinner. I suggest you get cleaned up before you show up at the table."
"I think she means us." Janine grinned at Valerie. She turned to Sean. "What about you, big brother?"
"I'll finish my beer out here first." He drew slowly on his cigarette, not looking at either of them.
As they entered the house, Valerie looked back to see Sean crush his cigarette in the ashtray with a savage gesture. She yearned to go back and sit at his feet and lay her head in his lap as she used to do. But she knew he would only reject her with a scornful gesture, and she couldn't stand any more rejection, especially not from him.
Valerie stood under the shower, letting the water cool her heated emotions. After washing her hair, she wrapped it in a towel and surveyed the large assortment of makeup she had bought that day. With a dancing glint in her eyes, she stood before the mirror, artfully adding touches of eyeshadow, liner and dark mascara to her eyes, and a dusting of a rose blusher to her cheekbones. Then she finished drying her hair, pinning it in a loose knot on top of her head with curled tendrils on the sides and nape.
She enjoyed going through her new clothes and finally chose a white cotton sleeveless top banded in black. It was almost backless and the low, rounded neckline showed off her golden tan, and the bottom ended above the waistband of her black pants, showing several inches of tanned midriff. Black sandals, gold earrings, and a delicate gold chain completed the provocative outfit. After painting her nails a deep rose shade, she let them dry and liberally sprayed herself with perfume before leaving the room.
Janine was already in the den sharing a drink with Sean when Valerie entered. Her eyes lit up impishly while Sean's narrowed fractionally as he noticed the generous portions of bare skin. "I just knew that was made for you. You definitely have the slim waist for it. What do you think, Sean?" The smile she flashed her brother was totally innocent.
"Aren't you afraid of showing more than you intended?" His words were forced through his teeth as he quickly poured himself another Scotch and swallowed it just as quickly.
"Perhaps Val would like a drink," Janine prompted silkily.
Sean silently mixed Valerie's gin-and-tonic, and she was careful that their fingers didn't touch his as she accepted the glass. His eyes lingered on the wide expanse of bare midriff before traveling upward over the low neckline, resting for a moment on her rounded breasts, before stopping at her pinned-up hair and gold hoop earrings.
"I came up with a great idea for this evening." Janine was more bubbly than usual. "And I was just discussing it with Sean. There's going to be an informal get-together at the country club tonight. So why not go? It should be lots of fun."
"We can't leave Michael," Val protested, unwilling to continue this farce in public. She was so tired of hiding her true feelings from Sean.
"Sara has already volunteered to keep an eye on him." Janine airily dismissed her qualms. "We'll have a ball, won't we, Sean?"
"Why not?" He shrugged his shoulders, his eyes sending Valerie a mocking challenge. "It should be interesting."
Throughout dinner, Valerie was aware of Sean's veiled glances at her low neckline. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair, trying unobtrusively to pull it higher. An amused smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, causing her to flush with embarrassment. Slow burning anger soon replaced her discomfort. He knew he was making her uncomfortable, and he was enjoying it! She gritted her teeth as she endeavored to eat her stuffed pork chop and rice pilaf. Conversation between Janine and Sean floated over her downcast head.
"So you got rid of your Jaguar a year ago," he commented, refilling his wineglass. "It was a nice car. I'm sure Val remembers that car," he added wickedly, bringing a flush to her face.
"I just like smaller cars." Janine sipped her wine. "The Jensen Healy is fine for my needs."
"Faster, too," he said drily. "The way you drive, that car won't be around by the end of the year." He abruptly turned to Valerie. "I'm sure you're going to want to change before we leave for the club."
Stung by his high-handed attitude, she retorted hotly, "I'm just fine."
"Suit yourself." He turned back to Janine, resuming their conversation.
Janine changed before they left for the club. She wore flame-colored silk pants with a matching strapless top and a loose, long-sleeved print blouse that tied at her waist. Her honey-colored hair was left loose to her shoulders. "You should be flattered to escort two such beautiful women, brother dear." She smiled sweetly at Sean.
"Aren't you afraid of catching—cold?" He addressed his remarks to Valerie.
"Not at all." She lifted her chin.
The short ride seemed an eternity to Valerie. Her nostrils pricked at the subtle scent of Sean's aftershave; she longed to reach out and touch his arm or stroke his cheek as she used to do. But she knew better by now. She clenched her hands together as she painfully, recalled the feel of those strong hands so knowingly caressing her bare skin. She suddenly realized that she was being spoken to. "What? I'm sorry, I didn't hear you," she stammered, looking up.
"Wake up, Val." Janine laughed, snapping her fingers in front of Val's face.
Sean's mouth quirked, as if he had read her erotic thoughts. "While you've been dreaming, we've arrived at the club."
They waited in the doorway for Sean to park the car. Valerie's eyes turned toward a familiar sports car in the parking lot. Craig was here! She hadn't seen him since he had visited her in the hospital. Oddly, she didn't feel angry toward him anymore; his fierce devotion had kept her ego up when she had needed it most.
Valerie's heart contracted violently as she watched Sean stride across the well-lit parking lot. His
shoulders were broad in the cream silk shirt tucked into the dark navy slacks, belted low on his hips. The lights shining on his tanned features reminded her again of the first time she had met him. The moonlight played over the carved features and she remembered how he had both fascinated and frightened her at the same time.
As they entered the building, Sean's arm rested possessively across her shoulders. Just an act for his friends, she thought bitterly to herself. Well, two could play at this game. "Darling, could you possibly get me a drink?" she asked brightly.
"I thought you might have had enough at dinner." His eyes narrowed.
"I'm just dying of thirst, though," Valerie pouted. "Please, Sean."
"Go on, Sean, get us our drinks while we mingle," Janine urged. "I see people I haven't seen in ages. I'll introduce Val to anyone she doesn't know. We'll be just fine."
"That's what I'm afraid of," he muttered under his breath, walking away.
"Celia!" Janine enthusiastically greeted a woman of about her own age. "It's so good to see you!"
"Jay, I didn't know you were back." Sherry-colored eyes looked over Valerie.
"This is my sister-in-law, Valerie." Janine turned toward her. "Val, Celia Howard and I went to school together."
"So you're Michael's mother." Celia smiled warmly. "My Keith attends the same preschool. I usually see Sean picking Michael up at the school—at least I have for the past month or so," she commented. "I understand you had a car accident."
"A telephone pole decided to get in my way," Val said ruefully.
"The epitome of a woman driver." A deep voice from behind startled the three women. Sean handed Valerie and Janine a glass of wine each before draping his arm over Valerie's shoulders, an action both possessive and deliberate.
"Hello, Celia," he greeted her genially. "How is your tribe doing?"
"As wild as the Indians they should be." She laughed, then explained to Valerie: "We have three boys, and the fourth will probably be one, too. I've given up on having a girl."
Valerie felt a pang of envy toward this woman and her family; it was obvious that her husband, although he was not visibly in evidence, loved her.