A Rich Man's Touch

by Mather, Anne

  ‘Yes. He told me you’d phoned.’ Gabriel’s hands tightened on the wheel. ‘He said you’d wanted to talk to him.’ To him?’ Rachel was horrified. ‘But why?’

  ‘Why do you think? For old times’ sake? Because it was good to see him again? Because you wished you and he had never broken up?’ ‘No!’

  ;No, well, I have to say I found it bloody hard to believe.’ ‘But you did believe it?’ Rachel stared at him.

  ‘Initially, I suppose. If I’m honest, I’ll say that it was what I’d expected, what I’d anticipated might happen. I mean—’ this as Rachel stared at him with incredulous eyes ‘—I’ve always thought I was too old for you, and Andrew was only saying what I’d secretly believed myself. He is my son, as I say. There must have been aspects of him that attracted you to me—’

  ;No!’ Rachel couldn’t listen to any more of this. Turning in her seat, she grasped Gabriel’s face between her two palms and turned him towards her. ‘Andrew’s—not—half—the—man—you—are,’she cried fiercely, interspersing her words with eager kisses that ranged from his temple to his cheeks and finally reached his mouth. ‘You’re nothinglike Andrew,’she added unsteadily, and this time when she kissed him Gabriel didn’t resist.

  ‘Are you sure?’he demanded against her lips, and her answer was to wind her arms around his neck and meet his searching tongue with her own.

  Try me,’ she breathed invitingly, and Gabriel released her mouth to bury his face in the hollow of her neck.

  ‘I intend to,’ he whispered softly, ‘but not with my security guard watching us on his monitor.’ He released her and slid his fingers through her hair, looping it back behind her ears. ‘Hold that thought,’ he added, and she coloured in sudden understanding. ‘Don’t go cold on me now.’

  ‘I don’t think I could,’said Rachel with devastating honesty, her hand sliding intimately over his thigh, and earned herself a look that was full of frustration and promise.

  ‘Say anything more like that and I may decide not to take the risk,’ he replied hoarsely. Starting the car, he imprisoned her hand against his leg. Thank God my mother’s gone home. I don’t think I’d have the patience to deal with explanations right now. There’ll be plenty of time for that.’

  Rachel withdrew her hand, suddenly apprehensive again. ‘And Andrew?’

  ‘Andrew’s in London,’said Gabriel wryly. ‘Or that’s where he’s supposed to be. He left here when I did.’

  Oh, but he couldn’t have.’ Rachel didn’t hesitate before rummaging in her bag and bringing out the scrap of paper with the phone number Stephanie had retrieved on it. ‘When he phoned me he said he was at Copleys. He said you weren’t there, as I told you, but after he’d rung off I—we—dialled the automatic recall number so that if—if I wanted to ring you again I’d have your number. Isn’t this it?’

  Gabriel brought the car to an abrupt halt before the house and took the slip of paper from her. He read it, and then said grimly, This is Andrew’s mobile number.’ He shook his head. ‘He rang you from London, not Copleys.’

  Rachel caught her breath. ‘So if I’d used the number—’

  ‘You’d have got Andrew,’ agreed Gabriel harshly. ‘Which would have gone along way to confirming his story.’ ‘But he couldn’t have known I’d take the number!’

  ‘Do you want to bet?’ Gabriel sighed. ‘God, Rachel, that selfish young fool has a lot to answer for.’

  Rachel stared at him, tempted to tell him about the lies Andrew had told her, but she didn’t. ‘He’s jealous,’she said instead, realising that what Stephanie had said was true. She glanced towards the house. ‘Are you going to invite me in?’

  Some time later Rachel stood in Gabriel’s shower cubicle, allowing tepid water to cool her burning flesh. Although the walls of the cubicle weren’t mirrored, she could plainly see her

  image in the cream tiles, and there was no mistaking the rosy glow that tinged her skin.

  And why not? she thought incredulously. For the past hour she had been in Gabriel’s arms, in Gabriel’s bed, making mad passionate love on Gabriel’s soft cotton sheets. They had been hungry for one another and, although they’d eventually got around to taking off all their clothes, to begin with there had only been time to peel the necessary garments aside and give in to the urgent needs that had refused to be denied.

  Rachel felt a smile lift her lips. For a man who had looked so old and drawn when she’d first seen him Gabriel had proved remarkably resilient. When she’d left him a few moments ago there’d been little sign of the weary fatigue that had dogged his features earlier. Being with her again, making love with her again, had performed a minor miracle, and Rachel knew a spreading warmth inside her at the knowledge that she, and she alone, could do that for him.

  Closing her eyes, she luxuriated in the cooling spray, and then almost jumped out of her skin when firm hands descended on her hips, drawing her back against a warm familiar

  body.

  ‘You were taking too long,’ said Gabriel huskily, nuzzling her shoulder. ‘I thought I’d come and help you.’ Rachel’s legs felt weak. ‘You want to help me?’

  ‘Do I ever?’ he conceded, reaching for the shower gel and pouring some into his palm. Then, after rubbing both hands together, he slid his palms down her thighs in a sleek sensuous motion. ‘What do you think?’

  Rachel sagged against him and was immediately aware that she wasn’t the only one of them that was more than half aroused. The pulsating heat of his erection throbbed against her bottom, and she groped behind her to take his fullness into her hand.

  God, Rachel,’he groaned, giving up his sensual massage of her legs to remove her hand from his body. ‘I want you again. I can’t seem to get enough of you.’He uttered a choked sound. ‘Now isn’t that an admission to make?’

  ‘I don’t mind,’she whispered achingly, as his hands sought the swollen fullness of her breasts. She twisted in his arms. ‘If you let me go, I’ll get dried.’

  ‘Why bother?’ asked Gabriel, looking down at her with dark disturbing eyes. ‘I’m only goingto make you wet again.’

  Rachel caught her breath. ‘We can’t,’ she protested, when she realised what he really meant, and Gabriel’s lips formed a small smile.

  Of course we can,’he assured her, lifting one of her legs and trapping it at his waist. ‘It’s as easy as you want it to be.’

  And it was. With the wall of the shower against her back, Gabriel slid slickly into her, and she wound her arms around his neck and her legs about his hips.

  The sensation was incredible. With the shower still spilling its warmth around them, Gabriel moved slowly and insistently towards his goal. He seemed intent on wringing every last shred of erotic emotion from the experience, and Rachel pressed her head back against the wall, sobbing her need without inhibition.

  It was over far too soon. Despite Gabriel’s efforts to prolong their excitement Rachel’s climax couldn’t be denied, and she felt his shuddering release overtake hers. God, I love you,’he muttered, allowing her legs to slide to the floor, and she allowed him to leave her with real reluctance. ‘I—love you, too,’she said helplessly, and knew that whatever the future held this man was going to be apart of it.

  ‘And now I suppose I’m going to have to go and face your mother again,’ he remarked drily, after he had satisfactorily shown his pleasure at that announcement, and Rachel belatedly remembered that that was why she’d gone to take a shower in the first place.

  ‘Do you mind?’ she asked, looking up at him with anxious eyes, and Gabriel gave a disarming smile.

  My darling, when you look at me like that, anything you ask is worthwhile,’he assured her softly. ‘And, after all, she is going to be my mother-in-law, isn’t she?’

  Rachel caught her breath. ‘Is she?’

  His eyes darkened. ‘Well, isn’t she?’

  ‘I—suppose so,’ she said breathlessly. ‘If you’ll have me.’

  EPILOGUE

  Rachel and Gab
riel’s first child was born nine months later. And Gabriel was at his wife’s bedside when his lusty second son came into the world. At eight pounds, ten ounces, and with a mass of dark hair, the baby was the image of his father, and Rachel thought how lucky she was to have two such attractive males in her life.

  Hannah loved the baby on sight. For years she had envied friends who had younger or older brothers and sisters, and her first question when Rachel was up and about again was to ask if they could have a baby girl next time.

  ‘Well see,’ said her stepfather drily, drawing the little girl onto his lap. ‘But I think we should let your mother get used to having two children before we give her three, don’t

  you?’

  ‘Indeed we should,’ agreed Rachel’s mother, who had been staying at Copleys to look after her granddaughter while Rachel was recovering her strength. ‘Besides, since you started walking yourself, we never know where you are.’

  Hannah looked smug. ‘Well, I’m usually at the stables,’ she admitted thoughtfully. ‘Do you know, Katy says I’m going to make a good rider?’ She frowned. ‘One of these days, anyway.’

  ‘So long as you don’t do anything silly,’ put in Mrs Redfern, before Rachel could respond. ‘And now come along. I think we should go and find Joseph and let your mother and father have a few minutes to themselves. Having a baby can be a tiring thing. Your mother needs to rest.’

  Hannah followed her grandmother obediently out of the room, with only a fleeting backward glance for her parents. Rachel guessed she was already estimating how long she need stay with the older woman before she could escape to the stables again. She and Katy had become firm friends, and Rachel knew she could trust the young groom to keep a weather eye on her daughter.

  Gabriel got up from the chair he had been occupying as soon as the others left the room. He came to stand looking down at his wife, who was reclining on one of the soft leather sofas in the drawing room at Copleys.

  ‘Is your mother right?’ he asked concernedly, coming down on his haunches beside her and taking one of her hands to his lips. ‘Are you tired? It has been only a few days. Shouldn’t you still be in bed?’

  ‘I’m fine,’ Rachel assured him, although having their son had been an exhausting experience. ‘Don’t you know some women have their babies and then get up and do a day’s work?’

  ‘I trust you’re not planning on going back to work in the near future?’ Gabriel responded warningly. ‘I’m hoping I’ll have you to myself for a few more weeks yet.’

  ‘No.’ Rachel smiled. ‘Stephanie can hold the fort for as long as necessary. As a matter of fact, I think she likes being in charge. It’s a new experience for her.’ Good.’ Gabriel eased onto the sofa beside her, his hip warm against her thigh. ‘Because I was wondering how you’d feel about spending a few days in London next week. I’ve got some meetings I can’t avoid, and you know I don’t like leaving you behind.’

  Ever since he and Rachel had got married Gabriel had commuted between Kingsbridge and London, only going into the city when his business commitments couldn’t be conducted by phone, fax, or via the Internet. Like Rachel, he had learned to delegate, and Rachel was making sure he didn’t get the chance to overwork again. ‘But what about-?’

  Our son?’ Gabriel grinned. We really will have to choose a name for him.’ He paused. ‘Well take him with us, of course. Hannah, too, if she can drag herself away from the

  horses.’

  Rachel leant forward and rested her cheek against his shoulder. She was so lucky, she thought contentedly. She had a daughter who could now walk again, a darling baby son, and the best and most thoughtful husband in the world.

  The last nine months hadn’t been without incident, however.

  First there had been the results of Hannah’s examination by the psychologist to deal with. Under hypnosis, the little girl had initially become quite hysterical, and it had taken a great deal of care and patience to calm her fears. But Dr Matthews was an expert in his field, and over a period of weeks he had eventually discovered what he believed to be the reason for Hannah’s self-imposed paralysis.

  Rachel had been shocked to learn that Larry had been planning to leave her and take Hannah with him. He had apparently been talking about it just before the accident. Dr Matthews believed that because the child hadn’t known her father had been killed in the crash she had lost the use of her legs deliberately, believing that if she couldn’t walk she couldn’t get into a car and he couldn’t take her with him.

  There was much more to it than that, of course, but Rachel had been stunned by these revelations. She had known she and Larry were having problems, but she hadn’t suspected that there might be someone else. Dr Matthews had said Hannah had talked about her father telling her she was going to get a new mother. Rachel was left with the belated knowledge that one of the women from the insurance office where Larry had worked, and who had attended his funeral, had probably had more to grieve about than she had.

  Gabriel had been a tower of strength all the time Hannah was attending the clinic, and he’d understood that Rachel had things to work through, too. He hadn’t insisted on seeing her, or pressured her in any way, and she had been grateful for his understanding.

  But gradually Hannah’s progress and her own eagerness to be with him had overcome all obstacles, and by the time she’d discovered she was pregnant they were already making arrangements for their wedding.

  Arrangements which had had to be accelerated, she remembered now, nestling closer as Gabriel’s hand came to massage the nape of her neck. They had been planning an October wedding, but in the event they’d been married at the end of August, with Hannah as bridesmaid, struggling proudly down the aisle of the local church on her newly acquired crutches.

  Gabriel’s mother and some of his aunts and uncles and cousins had attended the wedding, and Rachel had had her first experience of what it was like to be part of a large Italian family. Signora Webb had been particularly effusive, and although Rachel doubted her baby son would ever hold the same place in his grandmother’s heart as Andrew did, the older woman was delighted to know that her son was now happy at last.

  Andrew had not attended the wedding, but at Christmas he had turned up at Copleys with presents for his new family. Ironically enough, he’d seemed to get on really well with Hannah, and she’d accepted him as her new older brother without a problem. Rachel knew it would be some time before she was prepared to totally trust him again, but time was a great healer and hopefully they all had plenty of that.

  Hannah had been walking properly since Christmas, when she’d thrown her crutches away. And, to celebrate, Gabriel had bought her a pony of her own.

  They had called the foal that had first started Hannah on her road to recovery Phoenix, but now he was too big for her to look after. Even so, she always made a point of going to see him every time she went down to the stable yard, and Gabriel was of the opinion that in a couple of years, when the pony became too small, Hannah would be able to ride Phoenix instead.

  ‘What do you think of Jared?’ Rachel murmured now, turning her mouth against the warm brown skin of Gabriel’s throat, and felt his lips brush the top of her head.

  ‘Jared who?’ he asked huskily, and she slid a possessive hand over his thigh.

  ‘Jared Webb,’ she said impatiently. ‘Our son. I think Jared is a nice name, don’t you?’

  Gabriel drew back to cradle her face between his palms. ‘It sounds good to me,’ he said equably. ‘But do you think we could insert Benedict in there somewhere? Benedict was my father’s name.’

  ‘Jared Benedict Webb,’ tried Rachel consideringly. ‘J.B. Webb. Yes, that sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?’

  ‘Jared it is, then,’ said Gabriel softly. ‘Jared and Hannah. Yes, they sound good together.’

  ‘Andrew, Jared and Hannah,’ Rachel corrected him gently. ‘We have so much. We can’t leave him out.’

  ‘You’re a very special woman, Rachel Webb,’ G
abriel told her, bestowing a warm kiss at the corner of her soft mouth. ‘Okay, I know he’s kicked his drug habit, and he’s making a real effort to learn about the business, but I hope he realises how lucky he is.’

  ‘So long as you do,’ Rachel murmured teasingly, linking her arms about his neck. That’s good enough for me.’ And as Gabriel bore her back against the cushions and proceeded to show her that he did, she was content.