"I guess you're right," Kelsey said with a big sigh. "But at the rate Dad's going, I'll never have a mother."
"You
had
a mother, and I loved her very much," Austin said.
Kelsey took another deep breath. "
Had
a mother. I never knew her. My mother is in heaven. You tell me I'm a lot like her. Well, I don't think she would have wanted you to withdraw from the human race when she died."
Austin sat back down. "I haven't withdrawn."
Kelsey looked at him with sad eyes. "Haven't you?"
"You don't understand," he said. "You're too young to know about things like this."
"Maybe I am. I've obviously screwed it all up." She raised her chin. "But I'm not too young to know I want a mother. And I think Miss Rogers would be the perfect mom."
"Why would you want a mother? You have Grams and three very loving aunts."
"It's not the same. No offense, Grams," Kelsey assured her grandmother.
Ruth sniffed into her dishtowel. "I know what you mean, honey."
Kelsey glared at her dad. "You need a wife. Whether you admit it or not, you're lonely. I'm not going to be around forever."
Austin stood. "I don't want another wife. You don't understand. I can appreciate your efforts on my behalf, but you've got to stop. You can't manipulate people like you've been doing."
Kelsey picked up her fork. "Oh, all right. But you and Miss Rogers would make a good couple. If only you would put everything behind you. Don't you
like
her, Dad? Just a little?"
Austin ruffled his daughter's hair. "Yeah, I like her. I might even ask her out. But don't start getting any ideas. I don't want to get married again. Understand?"
Shrugging, Kelsey popped the last of the cake into her mouth. "Sure, Dad. I understand."
"And no more pulling strings, telling lies, and scheming. Promise me, Kels," Austin said in a stern voice.
"Geez, all right. I promise." She took her plate to the sink. "Was she very angry at me for messing with her car? Do you think she hates me now?"
"She wasn't too thrilled about the whole thing. She doesn't hate you. You'll apologize to her," he said. "This is serious business, Kels. You can't use people and manipulate them like you've been doing. It's wrong. Now, get your things. We're going home."
"Home? I'm spending the night with Grams."
"I don't think so," Austin said. "You're grounded for the next two weeks."
"
For two weeks?
Why?"
"Kelsey, it's wrong to pull people's strings. It's against the law to deliberately disable someone's car. It's not all your fault. I haven't done my job well. I've been letting you get away with murder. Not anymore."
"But, Dad--"
"I don't want to hear it. Go get your things."
"Grams?" Kelsey appealed to Ruth.
Ruth shook her head. "Mind you father. You've done wrong, and now you must pay the consequences. I know your intentions were good, but that doesn't make it right."
Kelsey lifted her chin and sniffed. "I don't know why I went to all this trouble," she said. "I should have known it was useless. If you want to live the rest of your life alone, see if I care. I
don't
care. You hear me! I don't care!" She ran out of the room.
Austin looked at his mother. "She's pretty upset."
"She loves you and worries about you. She had it all figured out. The three of you would be a happy family. The child's right. You are living a lonely life. You loved Deborah and still grieve for her. I understand what it is to lose your soul mate, dear."
"I know you do, Ma. You, of all people, should respect my feelings. I can't replace Deb."
"No one can replace Deborah," Ruth said. "But you don't have to live the rest of your life alone."
"I don't see you trying to replace Dad."
"Your father and I had almost thirty years together. Our situations are different. Although, if I met someone I could love . . ." Ruth shook her head. "You were only twenty-two when Deborah passed away. You still have your whole life in front of you. And you've met someone, son."
Austin grabbed his hat. "I don't want another wife. I like my life just the way it is. Why can't everyone accept that and leave me alone?"
CHAPTER NINE
Theresa woke late the next morning. She dragged her body out of the warm bed, pulled on her sweats, splashed water on her face and drank a glass of orange juice. Glancing out the kitchen window, she saw there was no frost or ice on the ground. The thermometer read thirty-five degrees. Chilly, but the sun was shining. There was no excuse to skip her daily run.
Her body felt like it had been pummeled by a steamroller. She'd had a rough night with little sleep and had tossed and turned until the early hours of the morning.
She wondered again and again how she had let herself fall in love with Austin McCade. Everyone had warned her about him. But she had refused to listen. Hadn't even tried to guard her heart. And now it was broken. Smashed into little pieces, wounded beyond repair.
Good lord! She'd been reading too many romance novels. Even her thoughts had taken a melodramatic turn. No one ever died from a broken heart. She would have to move on with her life, like she'd told Austin.
Grabbing a sock cap from the counter, she tugged it on her head, stuffed her hair under the edges, and let herself out the back door. After a couple of stretching exercises to loosen her muscles, she headed around the house . . . and stopped short. Her car was parked in the driveway. A note, taped to the windshield, fluttered in the breeze.
Theresa's heart thumped loudly as she slowly walked to the car. Pulling the tape loose, she looked at the note. The handwriting was dark and bold. Her hand trembled as she read the terse message.
Sorry for the inconvenience. Kelsey won't bother you again. Keys are in the mailbox. Austin.
Short and sweet. To the point. Devoid of any emotion. Just like the man. Except he wasn't short. He was tall and far too handsome for her peace of mind. And he certainly wasn't sweet.
Crumpling the note in her fist, she stuffed it in a pocket and took off down the road. Maybe, if she ran hard enough, she could exorcise everything from her mind. Try to forget Austin McCade and his smoldering good looks. Forget the way he made her toes tingle and her nerves sing with awareness.
She reminded herself that she was going to move on with her life. For twenty-eight years, she'd lived without a man. She didn't need one now. She was lying to herself, but didn't care. Get over it. Move on. Theresa repeated the two phrases over and over.
The sun cast its brilliance across the hundred-acre field. The sky was clear and blue, the air cold enough to make you catch your breath. She ran like she was running from the devil. Pacing her steps, she kept her eyes straight ahead. It wasn't long until her head cleared and she felt better.
Rounding the corner of the field, Theresa's heart skipped a beat. Up ahead, a blue pickup sat parked in the middle of the road. Austin stood leaning against the front hood, arms folded across his massive chest, watching her . . .
waiting for her
.
Theresa's throat suddenly felt parched and dry. Stomach fluttering, choking back a sob, she forced herself to keep running. A thrill raced down her spine with the knowledge that Austin had actually sought her out. A shiver chased it right down knowing that nothing had changed. She made up her mind to run right past him.
With chin held high, she met the hazel eyes for one long second, then looked straight ahead and glided past. Her heart thumped in her ears and her breathing was labored. She heard the crunch of boots on the gravel behind her. A strong hand clamped her arm above her elbow and pulled her to a stop.
"Oh no, you don't," Austin growled in her ear, as he turned her around to face him.
"Let me go!" Theresa said, struggling to break free.
Austin pulled her close, frustrating the futile attempts to get away. "Tell me you truly want me to let you go, and I will. Or be honest and admit you want me as much as I want you."
Theresa's looked up into the handsome face and knew she would be lost if she wasn't careful. "What am I supposed to do? Fall into bed with you when I know there's nothing in it for me?"
He tightened his arms around her, crushing her breasts against his chest. "There's something in it for you, sweetheart. Satisfaction and pleasure like you've never had before. The kind of attraction we feel between us doesn't come along every day. Take my word for it. I know."
"I bet you do," she said. Her body was already responding with alarming speed from the intimate contact with his. Suddenly, she was tired of fighting, both mentally and physically. She stopped struggling. "You don't even like me. How can you want me so strongly?"
Austin tugged the stocking cap from her head. Her dark hair spilled down to her shoulders. "I like you." He tangled his fingers in the silky strands. "I'm sorry I've acted like a jerk, as Kelsey delights in throwing in my face. I like you too much, Theresa. I
want
you too much. It scares me. I don't want to like you. I don't want to want you. I've tried to ignore it. Tried to ignore the feelings inside of me. It's no use. I can't get you out of my mind."
Theresa sighed deeply. It felt so good to be back in his arms. "I can't get you out of mine, either."
Austin cupped the back of her neck and tugged her hair gently, tipping her head back. "I don't know how much of me I can give you. I loved Deborah with all my heart. I don't know if I can love again. Don't know if I
want
to love again. I can give you pleasure in bed. That may be all I'm capable of sharing. I know it's not fair. You deserve more. Much more."
The hazel eyes watched her with an intensity that left her weak in the knees. How could she have thought Austin devoid of emotion? He was a walking time bomb of suppressed emotions. She knew deep in her heart that even if she never won his love, she couldn't pass up the opportunity of making love with him. Austin was the first man she had ever felt any real attraction for. It was definitely strong. Even though he didn't love her, he had come a long way. And she loved him.
"I guess the ball's in my court," she said. Reaching her arms around his strong neck, she pulled his head down closer. "I'm willing to take it to the next level, if you are."
For a moment, his gaze locked with hers. He seemed undecided. "It's a big step, Theresa. For you and for me. I don't know how it will end up."
"I'll take my chances."
Theresa's breath hitched in her lungs when he smiled. She hadn't felt the impact of his smile very often. It was a rare occurrence, one to be treasured. He lowered his mouth until it was bare centimeters from hers. His hot breath scorched her lips. Closing the distance, Austin swiped his tongue across her mouth and she opened to him. The bottom of her stomach cratered as slivers of desire gushed through her veins.
Immediately, Theresa sensed a difference in the kiss. It was nothing like the others they had shared. There was more giving than taking on Austin's part. The hunger hovered near the surface, held at bay. The shields he so carefully maintained were momentarily let down. She wondered why he had lowered them in the first place. A man like Austin McCade didn't change overnight. But something
had
changed since last night.
Her heart raced. She knew she was taking a big risk because she loved him and he didn't love her. He had warned her he didn't know how much he could give her. But there was always a chance. Anything was possible.
Suddenly, Austin deepened the kiss; one hand came around and cupped her breast. The urgency was back, the flames of desire threatening to rise. He broke contact. His breath coming in short gasps. Theresa felt the fine trembling in his big body as he held himself in check.
"Let's go to your house. I'll drive you home." He kissed the corners of her mouth and moved down the column of her throat.
"No," she said, chill bumps leaping to the surface of her skin where his lips forged a path. She needed a little time to get a handle on the situation. Her mind told her things were happening too fast. Her body said it didn't matter. It was a struggle, but her mind finally won. She pushed away and Austin let her go.
For a moment, Theresa didn't know what to say. She had guarded her virginity for such a long time. Never willing to give it up before now. Should she tell him she'd never done it before? Would he be glad? Or would he back off, thinking she was some kind of a freak? Better not tell him.
Maybe it wouldn't matter. Maybe he wouldn't be able to tell. But she'd be damned if her first time was rushed. She wanted it to be romantic and special.
Austin frowned at her. "What's wrong? I thought--"
Theresa covered his mouth with two fingers. "I don't want the first time to be in haste. No, that's not what I mean. I can't explain it, but I don't want to be in a sweat suit when we make love."