Husband Wanted (16 page)

“Some things are worth fighting for,” Frannie said. “I was not going to leave without you.”

The three of them arrived back in Hanahan at ten that night, exhausted from spending two full days on the road.

Walter was watching an old John Wayne movie with Greta when they walked through the door. He was anxious to find out how things had gone with Mandy’s aunt.

“We won!” Mandy said. “My aunt agreed to give my mom full custody. She is going to send my school records so I can start attending the school here after spring break. I’m just glad I don’t have to wear a dumb uniform.”

“This calls for a celebration,” Walter said, and insisted that Clay open a bottle of champagne. As the older man filled several champagne glasses, Clay glanced at Frannie and smiled. Despite her fatigue, she was glowing with happiness. It warmed his heart. He had not realized just how angry he had been at his father, until Frannie had brought it to his attention. Because of her, he’d finally been able to forgive the man and let go of past resentments. He felt like a different person, a
better
person, and he owed it to Frannie. On the drive home, he had decided that, although they had accomplished far more than what they’d set out to do regarding Mandy, he had no intention of letting Frannie go. He could not imagine waking in the morning without seeing her face or falling asleep at night without holding her close. He was falling hard and fast and he knew it.

Walter handed Frannie and Clay a glass and offered a toast. “To happy endings,” he said. “Frannie and her daughter have been reunited, and you have what you’ve wanted for so many years.” He handed Clay an envelope.

Clay saw the question in Frannie’s eyes and looked away. He would explain it later when they had privacy.

“Even better,” Walter said, “I saw my doctor yesterday, and he says my old ticker is working just fine.”

“What’s wrong with your ticker?” Clay asked.

Walter looked at Frannie. “You did not tell Clay about my heart attack?”

Frannie shook her head. “I’ve told no one. You asked me not to.”

“You had a heart attack?” Clay asked, “and didn’t tell me?”

“It was a mild one,” Walter said, “but a warning that I needed to start taking better care of myself. Thanks to Greta, my diet is much improved, and I have a good exercise regimen.”

Mandy gave a huge yawn. “I’m sleepy,” she announced.

Frannie nodded. “That makes two of us. We’ve had a busy couple of days.”

“But it was well worth it,” Clay said.

He and Frannie finished their glasses of champagne, bade Walter and Greta goodnight, and followed Mandy upstairs.

Clay sat on the sofa in the bedroom he and Frannie had been sharing and waited for her to tuck Mandy in bed for the night. Although the girl was a bit old for that sort of thing, he knew it would mean a lot to Frannie as she began to take on her new duties as a mother. When she returned, she looked surprised to find him there.

“Do you think something is going on between Greta and my father?” he asked, once she had closed the door behind her.

Frannie joined him on the sofa. “I don’t know, but it would be good for both of them, don’t you think? At least she’s not a gold digger type.”

“Why didn’t you tell me he’d had a heart attack?”

“Like I said, he asked me not to. Besides, the two of you weren’t on the best of terms at the time.”

“I’m tired of all this secrecy.”

“That makes two of us.”

“I suppose you want to know what’s in the envelope my father handed me.”

“It’s none of my business.”

“You have a right to know,” he said, “but it doesn’t paint a flattering picture of me.”

Frannie did not respond.

“There is a certain piece of property on the water that I’ve wanted for years. I want to build luxury homes, maybe make it a gated community, but I was too angry to ask for it.”

“What does that have to do with me?” she asked.

“It was the carrot my father dangled in front of me to get me to agree to pretend to be your husband. I’d like to believe I would have helped you out anyway, but I can’t guarantee it.”

Frannie did not react at first, but she was surprised, mostly hurt, that Clay had not been up front with her. Not that she had any right to judge him after she had so blatantly lied to Mandy in her letters, but she wondered if all he’d said and done was mere pretense, especially when she had developed strong feelings for him. She sighed. Who was she kidding? She was dangerously close to falling in love with him. Or maybe she had already fallen in love with him and was afraid to admit it. What it boiled down to was that he’d fulfilled his promise and was probably anxious to get back to his life before he had agreed to take part in her ruse.

“I wish you’d say something,” he said.

Frannie took a deep breath. “I only have one request,” she replied. “I don’t want Mandy to know. She has become very attached to you.”

“I feel the same about her
and
you. I’d like for us to spend more time together,” he said, fearing she would bolt, if he told her his true feelings. He was still trying to figure out how he had fallen for her so quickly. He suspected she needed more time, and he was willing to give it to her and hope she would eventually see they were meant for each other.

“I appreciate your honesty, Clay, but I’m really tired. All I want is a hot shower and a comfortable bed. Oh, and if you could lend me another pajama top that would be great. The one you lent me is in my suitcase in the car.”

“No problem,” he said, getting up and going to the dresser. He pulled a harvest green cotton top out and handed it to her.

Frannie hurried to her drawer for clean underwear. “Would you do me a favor and check on Mandy? This has been an emotional time for her. I want to make certain she’s okay.”

“Be glad to,” he said and headed for the door. He very quietly opened Mandy’s door and tiptoed to her bed. She was sleeping soundly. He simply stared at her for a few minutes, amazed that she held such a strong resemblance to her mother. No doubt she would grow up to be a beauty, just like Frannie. He surprised himself when he leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. He returned to the bedroom he and Frannie were shared, heard the shower running. He walked to the bathroom door, and tried to turn the knob, but it was locked.

When Clay opened his eyes the next morning he discovered it was almost ten. He wasn’t in the habit of sleeping late; obviously the trip to D.C. and back had worn him out. He turned over and frowned when he found Frannie’s side of the bed empty, and his pajama shirt draped over the back of the sofa. How she always managed to get up and dress without waking him was amazing.

He pulled on a bathrobe and headed downstairs where he found Walter sipping coffee and reading the newspaper. “Good morning, Son,” the man said.

“Where’s Frannie?”

“Oh, she left a couple of hours ago. Took Mandy with her. Said she was in a hurry to get the girl settled in.”

“That’s going to be difficult since all of Mandy’s belongings are in my car.”

“They moved them to Frannie’s car.” Walter smiled. “I helped. Naturally, Frannie fussed at me the whole time. I’ve never met a more stubborn woman. Have some coffee, Son. You look like you could use a cup. And maybe a good breakfast.”

“I’m not hungry,” Clay said, “but I
could
use a cup of coffee.” He’d barely gotten the words out of his mouth before Louisa pushed through the swinging door leading from the kitchen.

“I thought I heard you get up, Mr. Coleman,” she said, carrying in the coffee pot and a cup. “I just made this, so it’s fresh.” She filled the cup and placed it before him.

“I’m going to miss having Jean-Paul and Louisa here,” Walter said, once the woman returned to the kitchen. “I’m thinking of hiring a cook and full-time maid.”

“What about Greta?” Clay asked.

“Oh, I’m going to give her the run of the place.”

“Is something going on between the two of you?”

“I’ll have to admit we grew close after my heart attack. Don’t know what I would have done without her. But, no, we’re not romantically involved. Yet.”

Clay jumped when the front door opened. He bolted from his chair and hurried toward the foyer, hoping Frannie and Mandy had returned. Instead, he found Greta. He did a double-take. She’d obviously just come from a hair salon. There wasn’t a streak of gray in her hair. It had also been cut into a short, sassy style. She wore makeup, and a blue dress that flattered her trim figure.

“Wow,” Clay said. “Who knew you were such a hot babe?”

She planted her hands on her hips. “Don’t you go flirting with me, Clay Coleman. It will get you nowhere.” She started for the stairs, then paused. “Might I ask what you’re doing in your bathrobe at this late hour?”

“I was just about to shower and dress,” he said.

She nodded and went on her way. Clay reentered the dining room, drained his cup of coffee, then reached into the pocket of his bathrobe for the envelope he’d stuffed inside before leaving his bedroom. He placed it on the table before his father.

“What’s this?” the man asked.

“I thought about it, and I really don’t want that land by the river.”

“This is a surprise,” Walter said. “What changed your mind?” When Clay shrugged, Walter gave him a knowing look. “Does it have anything to do with why Frannie took off like the house was on fire?”

“Yeah.”

“Why on earth did you tell her?”

“I thought she had a right to know the truth. She didn’t take it well. She felt I’d been bribed into helping her.”

“It
was
meant to bribe you,” Walter said.

“It may have started out that way, but things changed.”

Walter chuckled. “Don’t tell me you’ve gone and fallen in love with her.”

“Damn sure feels like it,” Clay said and excused himself.

She was a fool.

She had gone and fallen in love with Clay Coleman, a man who’d been bribed into helping her. What in the world had she been thinking? Not only that, she had slept with him. Slept with him! Even worse, Mandy was crazy about him. Once he stopped coming around, she would ask questions. The best thing to do for now was pretend everything was okay between her and Clay.

“Mom?”

Frannie turned at the sound of her daughter’s voice. She swallowed the lump in her throat and forced a smile. “Yes?”

“I’ve unpacked all my clothes. What should I do with the empty boxes?”

“We can put them in the garage for now,” Frannie said. She checked her wristwatch and saw that it was after one o’clock. “Goodness, look at the time. Are you hungry?”

“Starving.”

“How about we go out for a quick lunch, then shop for your bedding, and swing by the grocery store on the way home?”

“Can we go to the mall? My, um, parents gave me a two hundred dollar Visa gift card the last Christmas we spent together, but I never got around to using it. I should be able to find something I like.”

“The mall sounds fine,” Frannie said. “I’ll even spring for fast food as long as you promise to eat vegetables a few times a week.”

Mandy laughed. “This
mom
thing has gone to your head.”

Frannie smiled. Her daughter was so pretty and surprisingly easy to get along with. She appeared happy, but after living with her aunt for a year, she deserved all the happiness she could get.

“So, how long will it take you to get ready, kiddo?”

“All I have to do is wash my face and brush my hair. And—” She paused. “Is it okay if I borrow your mascara and blush? I promise I won’t use much.”

Frannie took a moment to think about it, figuring it was the motherly thing to do. She knew there would be times that she would have to deny Mandy, but not today.

“Puh-lease,” the girl said before Frannie had a chance to respond. “You’ll barely notice I’m wearing it.”

“Okay, I’m going to hold you to your promise.”

Mandy gave a squeal of delight and hurried from the room.

Frannie’s cell phone rang. She picked it up, saw that it was Clay and hesitated. He was the last person in the world she wanted to talk to, but she figured she would have to do it sooner or later so she answered. “Hello, Clay,” she said.

“Why did you take off like you did, Frannie?” he asked. “I would gladly have helped you and Mandy.”

“I didn’t want to wake you. I figured after two days of hard driving you could use the extra sleep. Besides, Mandy is already unpacked.”

“Great! How about I take you two out for lunch?”

“Thanks for the offer, Clay, but we’re getting ready to walk out the door. Mandy wants to go to the mall and pick out bedding for her room. Perhaps another time.”

Clay tried to hide his disappointment. Frannie was clearly giving him the brush off. “Sure,” he said. “Call me when it’s convenient.”

Frannie hung up. She turned and found Mandy standing in the doorway. “What did Clay want?” she asked. “Is he coming over?” She looked happy at the prospect.

“He was just checking in,” Frannie said. “Offered to help if we needed it. Once I told him we were going to the mall, he lost interest. You know how guys feel about the mall.”

“I can’t wait to show him my room once I finish setting it up.”

Frannie did not know how to respond so she changed the subject. Instead, she smiled. “So, did you make up your face?”

“Yup.” Mandy crossed the room and stood before Frannie. She leaned closer. “What do you think?”

“It’s just enough.”

“So I can wear makeup to school?”

“Hmm. Do other girls your age wear it?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, as long as you keep it light. Let’s hit the road, kid.”

“Is that how you’re going to refer to me?” Mandy asked. “As kid or kiddo?”

“Only if it annoys you.”

Clay stared at his cell phone for a full minute, wondering if Frannie was just hurt about the land deal and would eventually forgive him or if she was finished with him. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn’t hear his father come into the room.

“What’s wrong, Son?” he asked. “You look like you just lost your best friend.”