Zach assured her she was welcome.
Inside the house, Megan met Hester and exchanged a hug with Rosa. Then Zach took her into Pete’s bedroom.
“Gramp, I’d like you to meet Megan, Susan and Paul’s sister. She’s come down from the University of Nebraska to find out what her family’s up to.”
Pete was delighted. In no time, he had Megan sitting on the side of his bed, telling him all about life on campus. After they’d chatted for half an hour, he asked her if she’d consider transferring to Kansas University. After all, she’d be able to come home on weekends if she did.
Zach had no objection to Gramp’s suggestion, but after his conversation with Susan that morning, he didn’t think she would be happy with it
“I might. I’ve been lonesome, missing Susan and Paul.”
“How did you get here?” Zach asked. He was sure she didn’t have a car at school.
“I caught a ride with a guy driving to Kansas City. He offered to drop me off here.”
“A friend?”
“A friend of a friend. You know how it is at college,” she said with a shrug.
Another reason to talk to Susan. Zach knew exactly how it was at college. Date rape as well as other perils awaited young, naive women.
“That doesn’t sound too safe.”
“I’m fine,” she assured him, but her cheeks flushed.
“I hear a car. That’s probably Susan,” Zach warned. “You want to face her alone or with all of us around you to protect you?”
“Protect me from Susan? That’s ridiculous,” Megan exclaimed. After looking at those around her, she asked, “Isn’t it?”
Chapter Ten
She’d been a shrew.
All the way home, Susan prepared her apology to Zach.
After all, it wasn’t his fault that her brother preferred staying on the ranch and playing with his friend to driving an hour each way with her and being bored to tears. Or that Zach’s suggestion made him appear the hero and her the villain.
It wasn’t.
She just needed to remind him that discussing suggestions about Paul in front of the boy was not a good idea.
That wasn’t being unreasonable.
And that was her goal Everything had happened very fast, but Zach was keeping his word. He was sleeping on a miserable air mattress while she sprawled out in the luxurious huge bed. He’d been discreet, staying downstairs for half an hour each night so she could have the bathroom to herself before he came up.
He was being a gentleman, and she was going to be a lady.
She parked the SUV where Zach had shown her Friday. When the weather got colder, he’d told her she could use one of the garages, but for now she could park it near the back door.
With a sigh, she got out and headed for the house, anxious to see how Paul had managed.
The kitchen was empty except for Hester, who indicated everyone was in Gramp’s room. With a smile, Susan turned left instead of climbing the stairs. She had to check on Paul before she could change her clothes and relax.
The room seemed full. Zach, Paul, Manuel and Gramp were all staring at her, and Megan was—Megan!
“Megan!” she exclaimed, rushing to her sister and embracing her while her mind raced with the implications of Megan’s appearance. “What are you doing here? Is everything all right?”
“I’m fine, except I’m mad at you for not inviting me to your wedding, even if it was quick!”
Susan glared at Zach over Megan’s shoulder, forgetting about the rest of her audience. She stepped back from Megan’s embrace and searched her sister’s face. “I—I couldn’t... Didn’t Zach explain?” she asked, hoping to buy some time.
“It was my fault,” Pete said, and Susan held her breath for what he would say next.
“I thought I was dying, and I didn’t want them to wait to get married. So I begged them to do it at once in my hospital room. I suspect Susan hated to tell you about the wedding because she knew you’d be upset about missing it The poor thing’s been caught between a rock and a hard place.”
Susan stared at Gramp, grateful for his summing up of events in a way that might eliminate some questions. But something in his gaze disturbed her.
Megan hugged her again. “Oh, Susan, how horrible for you. And I’m glad it didn’t turn out that you were terminally ill, Mr. Lowery,” she added, beaming at Pete.
“You and me both. But call me Gramp. We’re all family here.” His attention switched back to Susan. “I’m trying to talk this little girl into changing schools. She could go to Kansas University and come home on weekends. She’s really missing her family.”
Susan immediately glared at Zach, but he shook his head no. “I think it’s a good idea, honey, but I didn’t come up with it and I haven’t tried to promote it”
“What? You don’t want Megan to be a part of the family?” Pete demanded, outrage in his voice.
“Of course I do. But I think decisions about Megan and Paul’s choices should be up to them and Susan.”
Susan smiled her apology. “That’s very sweet of you, Gramp, but Megan is on scholarship at Nebraska. If she transferred, she might not get any scholarships at KU, and I couldn’t afford—”
“Now, girl, you know we have plenty of money,” Pete began.
“Megan and I will discuss it,” Susan replied hurriedly. “In fact, if you don’t mind, I’ll take Megan upstairs and have—have a little girl chat.” Frantically, she tried to organize her experiences of the past few days to explain the situation to Megan.
“Oh, but—” Megan began.
Zach intervened, which made Susan wonder what was going on. “I think you’d better go have a chat with Mother Hen, here. She gets a little anxious about you two.”
Megan laughed. “She is a mother hen, isn’t she? But she’s the best sister. Even before Mom died, Susan’s the one who took care of us, provided for us. And since Mom died, Susan’s been our mother and big sister both. She even tried to pay off Mom’s debts, which were substantial.” She sighed. “Poor Mom was a failure as a mother and as a provider.”
“Megan! Don’t...never mind. Come on.” Susan marched out the door, hoping her sister would follow without any more revelations.
“Thanks for making me feel so welcome,” Megan said as she followed her sister.
Pete Lowery sent Paul and Manuel to ask Rosa if Manuel could eat with them that evening, telling the boys to help Hester with setting the table when they got back.
Zach waited until the boys were gone, knowing Pete had sent them away on purpose. His grandfather had something to say.
“Don’t you think it’s about time you told me the truth about Susan?” Pete growled.
Zach caught his breath, then said, with as much control as he could muster, “What do you mean?”
Pete pushed another pillow behind his head. “You and that little lady have been pitching a lot of lies. If you’re not careful, you’re going to step in some of them”
“Gramp, we—”
Pete held up his hand. “I believed them at first And I’m grateful for the effort. Not only that, I think she’s the best thing to happen to you in a long time. I’m just afraid you’re going to mess things up if you don’t straighten out a few things.”
Zach gave up. With a long sigh, he pulled up a chair beside Gramp’s bed and sat down. “You’re okay? This hasn’t upset you?”
“Damn right it’s upset me. You’ve got to marry that girl before she gets away.”
“We are married,” Zach reminded him.
“Yeah, and that’s why you look at her like a hungry bear licking his chops, admiring the latest tourist. Boy, I’m not an idiot!”
“Okay, we’re technically married, but we’re not—I mean, it’s in name only.”
Pete grunted. “I knew it.”
“Hell, Gramp, what was I supposed to do? I’d lied to you about there being a woman in my life. Then, on your deathbed, you asked to see her. I couldn’t confess my sins t
hen. It might’ve sent you over the edge.”
“So how did you meet her?”
“Just like I told you. But it was the day I brought you to the hospital, not before.”
“She agreed, just like that?”
“I paid her.” He hated confessing that, because he didn’t want Gramp to think any less of Susan, but honesty seemed like a good idea now. In fact, it was a downright relief.
Pete’s eyes narrowed. “Has she been gouging you?”
Zach couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “No. She wanted to give me back half the money. She didn’t want any more to marry me, and she tries to reject everything I give her. The wedding ring, tennis bracelet and car are ‘loans,’ in her mind.”
“Ah. I thought she was a good girl.”
Zach smiled, a thousand pictures of Susan running through his mind. “Yeah,” he said softly.
“You’re in love with her.”
Zach jerked as if he were in the electric chair and someone had thrown the switch. “What? No! I—” He stopped and turned to stare at his grandfather, wonder gathering in his gaze. “Yes,” he said slowly. “Yes, you’re right. I’m in love with her. I want to care for her, protect her, have her beside me and—and love her till death do us part.”
He’d realized his opinion of Susan had changed. And he’d recognized his physical attraction to her. But he hadn’t figured out what that meant until his grandfather said it. “Dear God, I’m in love with her.”
“Praise be,” Pete murmured. “I was afraid you’d grown too cynical, boy.” He cleared his throat, as if trying to hide some emotion. “Now,” he continued briskly, “what are you going to do about it?”
Zach stared at him blankly. “Do?”
“To keep her. You want to keep her, don’t you?”
“Of course I do, but... I made her a promise.”
“What promise?”
“That I wouldn’t take advantage—that she could decide what she wanted from the marriage.”
“In other words, no bedding her,” Pete said in disgust.
Zach gave his grandfather a half smile. “Not unless she asks me to.”
“Hellfire, boy, what kind of damn fool agreement is that?”
“I kind of felt obligated, since I was asking her to many me the day after I met her. Besides, I didn’t know I’d fall in love with her.”
“Well, we’ll figure out something to make it all come out right. We’re not letting Susan get away. She’s a Lowery now.”
“Right,” Zach agreed, but he wasn’t sure how he’d convince Susan of that.
“And we have to hurry. I want to start those babies on the way,” Pete said, rubbing his hands together.
“Oh, Susan;” Megan squealed as she followed her sister up the stairs. “It’s a dream come true. Zach is so handsome and nice...and he’s rich!”
Susan said nothing.
“You’re the luckiest woman in the world. And no one deserves it more!”
No response. Susan opened the door to the master bedroom and Megan exclaimed on its beauty and Susan’s good fortune again.
“Megan, stop it!” Susan finally protested, close to tears.
“But it’s all so gorgeous. I could—Susan? Susan, why are you crying?” Megan asked, running to her sister’s side as she slumped down on the bed. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s not wonderful,” Susan said, sniffing. “I’m not the luckiest woman in the world.” She lay across the bed, covering her face with her arms.
“But—but Zach is handsome.”
Susan nodded but kept her face covered.
“And he’s rich.”
Susan nodded again.
“And this is a wonderful—Oh, Susan, does he hit you?” Megan demanded in dramatic tones. “Is that it? I’ll take him apart if he dares to—”
“No!” Susan protested, almost strangling on her tears as she sat up. “No, of course not. He’s been...perfect.”
“Then what’s the problem? You’ve landed in paradise!”
Susan wiped away her tears. “Paradise has a revolving door.”
“I don’t understand,” Megan said, anxiously leaning toward her big sister.
“It’s all a pretense. We started out with the best of intentions, but things have gotten out of hand.” She explained how she had met Zach and their original agreement, followed by the complication of Gramp’s improvement.
To her surprise, Megan burst out laughing.
“I’m glad you think it’s so funny!” she snapped.
“I’m sorry, Susan, but you’ll have to admit, the way you tell it, that scene must’ve been—” She stopped as Susan continued to glare at her, and tried to compose herself. “I mean, you can’t wish for something bad to happen to Mr. Lowery.”
“Of course not! That’s why we’re in this ridiculous position.”
“But it has its good side. I mean, we’ve got some extra money, and you and Paul get to live here for a school year.” Megan looked at her sister, as if trying to see if she’d cheered her up at all.
Susan tried. She moved her lips into what should’ve been a smile. She nodded her head in agreement. And she didn’t convince either herself or her sister.
“I’m-I’m going to be able to save a lot of money, so maybe we can get a better place to live and have money for room and board at college saved up for next year.” By the time she finished speaking, tears were running down her cheeks.
“Why are you crying?”
“Because I’m in trouble.” For the first time, she admitted what she’d known for several days. “Do you remember Mom? How her life revolved around whatever man she was with at the time? How she forgot all about us if a man even offered her a compliment?” Susan bowed her head. “How sleeping with some man was more important than anything in the world?”
Megan shrugged her shoulders. “I just knew she wasn’t there, didn’t care about us. You were the one who reassured us, cared for us, loved us.”
“I don’t want to be like her!”
Megan stared at her, then burst out laughing. “Oh, Susan, that’s a ridiculous thought! You couldn’t possibly—”
“Yes, I could. When Zach touches me...” She stared into space, fighting her temptation in her mind.
Megan leaned over and cupped her sister’s cheek. “You’re in love with him.”
“No.” She knew she was lying, but it was important that Megan not know just how difficult it was for her. “No, but I’m attracted to him.”
“Have you slept with him?”
Susan stared at her, horrified. “No. I won’t be like Mom.”
“Susan, how many men have come on to you? You’re beautiful. I know you attract men the way honey attracts bears.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Did you respond to any of the others? Were you tempted to give yourself to them?”
“Of course not!”
“Why is Zach different?”
Susan knew the answer to that question. But there was a time limit on paradise. That’s why she couldn’t succumb to the sweetness offered. “He’s generous.”
“He’s given you more than the agreement?”
“My diamond wedding band, the tennis bracelet, the new car, Paul’s clothes. But afterward I’m going to give everything but the clothes back to him.”
“So his generosity is limited.”
“He’s kind to Paul,” Susan hastily added.
“He didn’t marry Paul.”
“No, but he only married me for Gramp’s sake.”
Megan frowned. “He seems interested in you.”
“He’s a good actor. He pretends he’s in love with me for Gramp’s sake.” He’d done such a good job of pretending, sometimes she forgot he was faking it.
Megan put her arms around her sister. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say.”
“Just don’t agree to change schools, giving up your scholarship money. We can’t afford that.” Susan squeezed h
er tightly before standing and wiping her cheeks. “We’ll be fine. At the end of this, we’re going to be a lot better off, and we’ll find a great place to have.”
“But Rosa and Pedro will be here. Will you be able to find someone else to take care of Paul?”
“Of course. If nothing else, I can leave him with Kate’s nanny. The biggest problem will be his missing Manuel and...and Zach.”
And Paul wouldn’t be the only one.
Zach tried to find some time alone with Susan that evening, but she kept Megan beside her. Or Paul. Or his grandfather. Or even Hester. Anyone but him.
He waited the standard half hour after she’d gone upstairs, but he ran up the stairs like a racer when the half hour was up.
Opening the door to the master bedroom, he stared into the half-lit room at the still form in the big bed.
Moving closer, he whispered, “Susan, are you awake?”
Her body jerked only slightly. If he hadn’t been close, staring intently, he would’ve missed it- “I want to talk to you. I know you aren’t asleep.”
She still didn’t move—unti! he sat down on the edge of the bed. Then she scurried to the other side and glared at him over her shoulder.
“You woke me upl”
“We both know that isn’t true,” he said calmly, offering a smile that didn’t seem to please her.
She gave up the pretense. Sliding to a sitting position against the bed, she tugged the cover breasthigh, leaving her shoulders, covered in a white T-shirt, exposed.
That damn white T-shirt, Zach thought.
“Is that what you always wear to bed?” he asked, forgetting his purpose for the visit.
“Yes, but why do you ask?”
He couldn’t confess how many times that T-shirt had appeared in his dreams, how often he’d wanted to touch it and what was beneath. “Just curious. Most women prefer silk.”
“I’m not most women,” she snapped, and looked away.
“Did you think I was criticizing?” he asked with a laugh. “Honey, I’ve had fantasies about your T-shirt.”
Her eyes widened in alarm and she shrank against the bed.
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