The Way You Love Me

by Unknown

  “Hardly,” Paige said tightly.

  “They’re smart, resourceful young adults and Paige helped them get to where they are.” Shane was tired of the condescending woman.

  “And how would you know all this?” Tess asked, a barely concealed sneer in her voice.

  “Because unlike some people I could name, I took the time to get to know them. I didn’t prejudge them because they had less money,” Shane said. “You know, like the pastor just said in his sermon about judging others.”

  Russell’s mother’s mouth tightened. Her angry eyes stabbed him.

  “Tess, if you’ll excuse us,” Joann said into the charged silence. “We’re on a tight schedule. Good bye.”

  “Of course, good-bye,” Mrs. Crenshaw said, finally dragging her hostile gaze from Shane. “Paige, be sure to call Russell. He’ll be so glad to hear from you.”

  “If I have time,” Paige said.

  The shocked expression on Russell’s mother’s face was priceless. Shane tipped his head and led the women to his Ford rental. She’d taken a swipe at Paige’s charges. A definite no-no. Paige was gradually coming into her own, and he couldn’t wait.

  Paige was right about Noah and Gayle being there before the appointed time. The two teenagers were getting off the bus when Shane pulled into the apartment complex a little after noon. “I’m so glad they didn’t beat us here,” Paige said.

  “Why?” her mother asked from the backseat.

  “You’ll see,” Paige said. “Shane, hurry and park so all of us can go up to the apartment together.”

  After parking by the black wrought-iron stairs leading to the second floor, Shane opened the passenger door for Mrs. Albright. Paige was already out and waiting for the new apartment dwellers at the bottom of the stairs.

  “I see you couldn’t wait,” Paige said with a laugh after everyone had spoken.

  Gayle smiled a bit sheepishly. “We came directly from church. Mrs. Hill and her husband are bringing over our things later this afternoon.”

  “I can’t wait to see what you’ve done, Gayle, and how the furnishings you selected will look,” Mrs. Albright said.

  “Me, too, but the place already looks great. You won’t believe the difference,” Gayle said, animation in her voice. “Shane was a big help.”

  “I was glad to do it,” Shane said.

  “Why don’t we all go up to our place and wait?” Noah said, his face serious for all of two seconds before he laughed. “Our place. I’ve waited a long time for that to become a reality. I can’t imagine any better-sounding words.”

  “You will in time,” Mrs. Albright said, looking meaningfully at Paige.

  “Friends, respect, loyalty,” Shane said.

  “Don’t forget love,” Gayle blurted.

  “Not a chance,” Shane said.

  Standing beside Shane, Paige felt the softly spoken words all the way down to her soul. What would it feel like to be loved by a man who championed you, who believed in you unfailingly, who stood by your side no matter what? The Black Knight that she had dreamed of since childhood come to life. She was afraid she’d never know.

  “I didn’t,” the young man said. “Friend. Sister. Love. Respect. Loyalty. And that’s why our place is so awesome.” He extended his arms to Gayle. “Let’s go open our door and greet our first visitors.”

  “Let’s.” Gayle stepped up beside him.

  Shaking away her momentary melancholy, Paige hurried behind them. This was about Gayle and Noah, not her foolish dreams from childhood of a Black Knight to slay her dragons.

  Noah unlocked the door, pushing it open for those behind him to enter first. His sister stepped aside as well. Paige rushed inside, putting her finger to her lips as her mother and Shane followed her into the apartment.

  Noah and Gayle were barely inside before they stopped abruptly and looked down. Plush gray carpet stretched beneath their feet. She squealed. He yelled. They both lunged for Paige.

  “When? How?” the twins asked almost in unison.

  Paige laughed with them. “Since I was with you when you leased the apartment, I was able to convince the apartment manager to let the men in early this morning to lay the carpet,” she told them. “My boss is redecorating her house with hardwood floors and wanted to get rid of her almost new carpet. I asked for it and she said yes. She also has enough gray tiles to do the kitchen floor when you’re ready.”

  “Thank you for this, for not giving up on me,” Noah said, swallowing, then swallowing again.

  “Someone didn’t give up on me,” Paige said, her gaze going to her mother, who was biting her lower lip.

  “I hear a large engine,” Shane said. “Maybe the mover is here early, too.”

  “Oh, my! The furniture and appliances,” Gayle said and took off, this time leaving her brother to follow.

  Shane took immense pleasure in watching Paige, working with her. He delighted in the warm smiles she and her mother exchanged before either of them had time to guard their emotions. Both were giving women, but life, as it had a tendency to do, had dealt them a cruel blow.

  Just as it had to Gayle and Noah, but to look at them as they helped unload furniture, debate over where to hang a picture, place a chair or table, Shane knew life also gave you a second, sometimes better chance.

  Walking from the garage Sunday night after putting his rental away, he paused and stared up at Paige’s brightly lit windows. She’d worked as hard as anyone. She was a good person, but good meant squat in this day and age. Good people were even more likely to get stepped on and used.

  His expression hardened. That wasn’t going to happen to Paige. He wasn’t sure how he’d manage it, he only know that he would.

  Locking the kitchen door Mrs. Albright had left open for him, Shane headed for the stairs. His cell phone went off with a familiar ring the moment he entered his room. He jerked it from the inside of his jacket, knowing he wasn’t going to like what he heard. Rio didn’t do small talk.

  “The honeymoon is over.”

  Shane didn’t waste his time cursing. It was inevitable that Blade and Sierra would be discovered. “How bad?”

  “A photographer was able to take pictures of them kissing on the beach before he was interrupted and his camera inspected,” Rio said. “He probably cursed a blue streak when he learned the images on the film were blurred.”

  “Blade and Sierra?”

  “In the air thirty minutes after it happened.”

  “How is Blade taking this?” Blade had dreaded their discovery with good reason. Rich men and their families were often targets, and that was where Shane and Rio came in.

  “Better than I thought. Sierra is good for him,” Rio answered.

  The right woman could change a man’s life, give it purpose, depth, change his way of thinking. Before Shane could stop himself, a picture of Paige entered his mind.

  “The jet is taking them directly to Santa Fe for the press conference at Sierra’s sister-in-law’s hotel to make the morning papers. All the key players who made the wedding happen will be there or available by phone to give Sierra’s hometown media another scoop.”

  And annoy the hell out of the general media. Again.

  When the press had descended on two-time Tony-winning Broadway actress Sabra Raineau, Pierce Grayson’s lover at the time and eventually his wife, it had been Faith, Brandon Grayson’s wife and executive manager of the Casa de Serenidad Hotel in Santa Fe, who had helped Sabra coordinate a press conference. Shane heard it had gone off flawlessly. Faith had been chosen again and prepped for that very reason.

  “The entire extended family is on their way to Santa Fe.”

  And that meant Trent, Dominique Falcon’s husband, would be there as well. There was no reason for Trent to be caught up in the media frenzy, but his wife, as the official wedding photographer and Sierra’s cousin, would be there—and where she went, Trent went. Shane just hoped Trent stayed out of the glaring eyes of the cameras.

  If Trent’s pictu
re and the date of his wedding appeared in print, Paige might recall that her mother was missing during that time. If that happened, Paige would be reminded that her mother was keeping secrets. The tension between mother and daughter would return.

  “Dominique and her mother, Felicia, have the story and photos ready?” Shane asked. It had been Sierra’s idea for her first cousin and aunt to write the story of the wedding and reception. Good thing Dominique and Felicia were working together, because her parents had left the reception early and gone back to the yacht.

  “Yes. Blade and Sierra will select the photos they want to share with the media, the exclusive ones they plan to auction off to benefit the Darfur Foundation, and the ones they plan to keep private.”

  They’d tried to plan for every contingency, but things happened. “I’ll be there in three hours.”

  “You don’t trust me to handle things?”

  “That doesn’t deserve an answer.” Shane pulled from the closet a bag that he always kept ready. “I’ll be at the airport in thirty minutes.”

  “Harris and the smaller jet are waiting for you,” Rio said.

  “Are you in the cockpit?” Shane asked, unzipping and double-checking the bag that held his shave kit, electronics, traveler’s checks, and clean clothes for two days.

  “Yeah. I thought I’d let them have some time alone since things are about to get wild.”

  Shane grunted. Rio admired Sierra and loved Blade, but he still didn’t get the kissing/hugging thing. “I bet there are a couple of other reasons.”

  “There is that. There’ll be a car waiting for you at the Santa Fe airport. Don’t be late for the fun.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.” Shane disconnected the call, checked his watch. He had one thing to do before he left. Placing the bag outside his door, he went down the hall to the rooms on the farthest wing. Passing Paige’s room, he didn’t slow his steps. Curving around the hallway, he went the last room and knocked. “Mrs. Albright.”

  “Shane,” she called. Moments later the door opened. She had a book in her hand. “Is everything all right?”

  His gaze swept down the hallway before answering. He thought he heard a door opening. “A photographer was discovered on Blade’s property. I need to go and help control the media.”

  “Oh, no! They were so hap—” Panic leaped in her eyes. Her hand clutched his arm. “You’ll be back, won’t you?”

  That she had thought of Blade and Sierra first told him he had been right about her. She was a good woman caught in an impossible situation. “I’ll be back. A plane is waiting for me at the airport.”

  He hesitated for a moment. She didn’t know Paige had followed her to Texas, but she had to be prepared. “He’ll be there. I’m not sure if he’ll be in any of the dozens of photos the media will likely take.”

  He saw the words sinking in, the panic and fear as well. “She saw him once. She can’t—”

  Shane lifted his finger to his lips, sure of the sound he had heard earlier. He lowered his voice and said one word, “Paige.”

  Mrs. Albright jerked, her head turning to see Paige in the hallway, condemnation in her face. “Paige—”

  Without a word, Paige disappeared around the corner. Moments later a door slammed.

  Mrs. Albright’s head fell. “I thought after today . . .” Her words trailed off. “Why do I keep hurting her?”

  He wasn’t the comforting type, but something about her pulled at him. Seconds later he knew what it was. A mother’s love. “You’ve done nothing but try to protect her. Perhaps too much. Without all the pieces, Paige is jumping to the wrong conclusion. But she should know you better than this.”

  Mrs. Albright swallowed. “This is hard for her on top of losing her father.”

  “You lost, too, and a lot more,” Shane said meaningfully. “It’s time Paige realized she’s not the only one hurting.”

  “She might not listen.” Mrs. Albright bit her lower lip.

  He’d seen Paige do that so many times when she was conflicted or worried. “You won’t know until you’ve tried.”

  Nodding, she went down the hall in front of him to Paige’s room and knocked. “Paige.” There was no answer.

  “Be as bold with her as you were for her,” Shane said. “I’ll see you when I can.” Picking up his bag, he nodded toward Paige’s door, then continued down the hallway.

  Swallowing the lump in her throat, Joann entered the bedroom to see her daughter standing by the closed French doors with her arms wrapped around herself. The distance between them hurt.

  The idea that her daughter thought she was having an affair hurt even more. Perhaps Shane had been right; perhaps she was too protective of Paige.

  “Shane came to tell me he’s leaving tonight to help a friend. I thought you knew me better than what you’re thinking. You’ve insulted us and shamed yourself. You owe both of us an apology.”

  Paige stopped pretending to look at the window and finally turned, saw the tears glistening in her mother’s eyes, her hands clamped around the hardback novel she had been reading. Shame hit her, and not for just the reasons her mother stated. For a moment she had been jealous.

  “Mother, I’m sorry.”

  “You might want to hurry and tell Shane that before he leaves,” her mother said. “I’m not sure when he’ll be back, and I’d hate for him to leave thinking you thought badly of him.”

  Paige didn’t waste time. She hugged her mother briefly on the way out the door, then hit the stairs running. Her mother also didn’t want Shane to think her daughter a judgmental snob. Shane’s rental car was in the garage in the back. He had to pass the house to get to the main road.

  Seeing headlights coming from the direction of the garage, she cut across the yard, her slipper socks sinking into the thick grass. As she ran, she knew it wasn’t just important for her mother’s sake, but for hers as well.

  Paige stepped out into the one-lane driveway to and from the four-car garage. Lights blinded her. Brakes squealed. She threw up her hands, then heard a door slam and a muttered curse.

  “Don’t you ever do anything so idiotic again! You could have been killed!”

  For a moment she had the strangest feeling, as if this had happened before. She couldn’t see Shane, could only hear his voice. Then he was there, blocking out the beams of the headlights.

  “Paige, are you all right?”

  “I—” She shook her head. “For a moment I thought . . .” Her voice trailed off.

  “What?” There was sharpness in his voice that hadn’t been there before.

  “Nothing.” Her breath trembled out over her lips. “I owe you an apology.”

  “Your mother deserves one as well,” he said, his voice less gruff.

  “Already given. I just wanted to tell you before you left.” She shoved her unsteady hand through her hair. “You’re coming back?”

  His eyes stared into hers for a long time, as if searching for something. “Yes.”

  Happiness shot through her. She’d worry about her reaction later. She stepped back. “Safe travel.”

  His hand lifted toward her face. For a heart-pounding moment she thought he planned to touch her, take her in his arms, kiss her. To her disappointment, he did neither. His hand fell. “Go back to the house and take care of yourself while I’m gone.”

  “I will.” With one last longing look, she turned and did as he said. Through the windows beside the front doors she watched his taillights disappear. He’d be back. And then what? She wished she knew.

  Now she had one more thing to do. Climbing the stairs, she went to her mother’s room and knocked.

  “Come in, Paige.”

  Paige drew in a deep breath and pushed open the door. Her mother stood by the bedpost at the foot of the bed as if she needed the support at her back. Her own heart winced at the sight. Once they had been as close as a mother and daughter could be. Paige couldn’t help but recall all the times her mother had come to her room to comfort her when s
he’d been miserable and lonely.

  “Did you catch Shane?” her mother asked.

  “Yes. His first thought was of you,” Paige told her, wishing she knew how to close the distance between them.

  “He’s a good man. He’s coming back.”

  “Yes.” Paige’s hands flexed. Just spit it out. “I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions.”

  “You should be.” Her mother crossed to her. “You know I love you. I would never do anything to jeopardize that love.”

  “If only that were true,” Paige said before she thought.

  Her mother flinched, shook her head, then turned away. “Good night, Paige.”

  She couldn’t get her feet to move. “Why won’t you let things be the way they used to be?”

  “Paige,” her mother said, her voice weary. “You have no idea what you’re asking.”

  “Then explain it to me. Please, make me understand.” She stepped around her mother to face her.

  Tears crested in her mother’s eyes. “I love you, Paige. Why can’t you just trust me?”

  Because this has something to do with Father and Trent Masters, she almost said, but thankfully bit back the words in time. She had a feeling that if she went too far, the rift might be irreparable. “Because you’ve changed. You’re secretive. You’re not the woman I grew up loving.”

  “Does that mean you don’t love me anymore?” her mother asked, the words seemingly as difficult to say as they were for Paige to hear.

  “You’re the first person I loved, the first person who loved me unconditionally,” Paige said, the words thick in her clogged throat. “If I didn’t still love you, I wouldn’t be here.” Unable to stand seeing the pain on her mother’s face, Paige whirled to leave.

  “Thank you for telling me that. I know it wasn’t easy.”

  Opening her mother’s bedroom’s door, Paige closed it, then leaned back against it. Her mother was keeping a secret that was destroying their once close relationship. A man Paige had just met was making her body burn with desire.

  Pushing away from the door, she continued down the hall to her room. Her personal life was in a crisis and she had absolutely no idea how to fix it.