Authors: Samantha Lovern
“You’re quiet tonight,” Randi said in a soft voice as she caressed the back of his hand. “Have you even been to bed tonight?”
“No. I wasn’t sleepy. I have a problem and I’m trying to work out in my mind how to solve it.”
Martin felt Randi stiffen just a bit, but then it faded. The question she asked next let him know why she’d reacted as she had.
“Does this problem have to do with Celia? I know we’ve avoided talking about her, kind of ignoring the elephant in the room.”
Martin smiled. “I’ve heard her called a lot of things, but never that.”
Randi actually chuckled, nestling into his arms a little more. “I know you had something with her, and I’m not saying I want details, because I don’t. I just want you to assure me, and for you to be sure, that it’s over. Everyone has a past. I just want to know she’s in the past, and that whatever the two of you had, it’s over.”
Martin closed his eyes and hugged Randi. “I’m going to be very honest. It is over. I have not touched or kissed Celia since I told you that I wouldn’t.”
“Why do I hear a but in there?”
“It’s not really a but, like you think. But . . . I need you to know that I have not been able to sit down and talk to her. She knows, of course, that things are not right, but with all of this party business, I haven’t had time to tell her it’s over.”
He felt what he thought was her stiffening in his arms again, but he was wrong. She turned to face him and slowly wrapped her arms around his neck. They were standing at the corner of the garage, and there was a full moon, so he could see her fairly well, but he couldn’t read her expression.
They didn’t speak, but he started to feel her hand moving from his shoulder to his neck. Her hand glided across his skin, her thumb trailing across his cheek, to his lips.
“I understand, but if we are going to be anything more than friends, you have to tell her. I will not play second fiddle to anyone.”
Martin felt her raw emotions settling in around him, loved the feel of her hand on his skin, and couldn’t wait to kiss her, if she would allow it.
“By Christmas eve she will know," he found himself saying.
“Good. Until then there will be no more of this.” Martin knew he was going to get his wish. He felt her lightly tug him closer as she brought her lips to his. It was an exciting rush to know she was initiating the kiss. Electric, to say the least.
The kiss was light and feathery and he could taste mint on her breath. He could tell she was holding back and that intrigued him. He was parting his lips for what he knew would be his last taste of her kisses for a few days, when she pulled back.
There was a bit of finality in her tone, and he didn’t like hearing it, but he understood.
“I know what you said, but I’m not stupid, either. Make up your mind and let me know. I can’t offer you what she can, but what I offer will be real and honest. If that’s what you want, then here I am.”
Martin nodded as he felt her pulling out of his arms. He didn’t need to say anything else. She’d said it all. He stood watching as Randi stepped back and called the pups to her. She glanced at him, smiled, and led the dogs back around the garage and into the house.
He’d known for a few days that he wanted Randi, and that it was over with Celia. Now all he had to do was act on that decision.
Once he had, then he’d work on telling Randi the truth. That would be the hard part, and that would define once and for all whether he had a good Christmas or not.
Chapter 41
Three’s A Crowd
Gripping the wheel of the van she’d rented, Celia waited for the gates to open. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and things were not going as she’d planned. By now she had hoped to have a hint that she was going to be Mrs. Martin Taylor. For some reason it seemed her plans had been changed, and she wasn’t happy.
Her brow furrowed as she noticed that Martin’s car was gone. He was doing his best to avoid her. She’d sent him a text at half-past eight telling him that she’d be home around lunchtime to make the final preparations for the party. He’d not bothered to mention when he answered that he’d be gone by the time she arrived.
The rest of the guests would be arriving in the morning so Celia wanted the house spotless and needed to make sure Emma had all of the dinner preparations completed. Later that day she’d be dining with Martin and his family. She wasn’t sure if she could stand spending another meal trying to play nice, plus Martin all but acting as if they weren’t a couple.
It was worse than that. He was acting as if even she didn't exist. She’d done her best to not scream or curse. It was one reason why she’d only been sending him text messages. Tonight, before dinner, she was going to try to get the truth out of him. Something was going on, and if he had another woman on the side, she wanted to know.
She took in a deep breath and entered through the garage, ready to put the best foot forward that she could for Lillian and Addison. She’d showered, changed, and was ready to face her troubles head on.
She walked up the steps and reached for the door, but found it open just a bit. She was about to step inside when she heard something which got her full attention.
Instead of going in she paused, listening. The voices were hushed, but since the people talking were in the kitchen, she didn’t have any trouble understanding what was being said.
“I did not raise that young man to act like this! He knows better than to cheat and lie.”
“You don’t know if he’s cheating, and we don’t really know he’s lied about anything.”
Celia’s brow furrowed. She stepped back, not wanting them to know she was there so she could hear more. The first person had been Lillian and the second Addison. Their voices were carrying down the hall and through the small open crack in the door.
She looked at her Van. Where she was parked, even if they looked out the kitchen window, they wouldn’t see her. They obviously hadn’t watched her drive up. When the talking began again, her mind focused on what the women were saying.
“Don’t take up for your brother when you know he’s wrong. That won’t help him. He needs to come clean with both of these women, and then work on figuring out who he wants to be with.”
“He wants Randi, and she wants him. Martin just doesn’t want to hurt Celia or disrupt this party.”
Celia could hear a shuffling of feet as someone tossed something into the trashcans by the garage door. Randi? Where had she heard that name? The maid! Her mind roared. He’s cheating on me with a maid?
The voice closest to her spoke again. She calmed her mind and listened. “How can he know what Randi wants? She doesn’t even know he’s Martin Taylor. She thinks he’s the limo driver. He’s lying to both of these women, and it’s not right. I don’t know how he’s gotten away with it for this long. Both women. In the same house. He’s lost his mind.”
Celia had heard all she needed, and reached out for the door. She wanted to just barge in there and tell them both what she thought about Martin Taylor. She all but had her hand on the knob, when she stopped, a huge smile coming to her red lips.
No, there was a better way to take care of this situation. Barging in and letting the Taylor women find out she’d overheard them wasn’t the best plan. An idea was forming. She would teach Martin a lesson, and get Randi the maid out of her hair for good.
Chapter 42
To Tell The Truth
Bandit and Lady seemed to be adjusting to their new home. Emma leaned on the fence, watching them play. She turned to Randi and smiled. “I think they’ll be fine for a few days.”
“I talked to my mother this morning. She said after Christmas she’d get dad to work on the fence so the dogs could stay in their yard. I was surprised that she said yes. I think she’s feeling guilty for all of the years that I couldn’t have pets.”
“Are you sure you want to take both of them?” Emma straightened and looked down at the dog hair on her shirt. “They are going to shed like crazy.”
“I noticed. I’ve been doing some reading about that. Fish oil is supposed to keep the shedding down. I hope it works, because I want to keep them inside at night.”
“I don’t know, but bathing will help too, or brushing.” Emma turned, looking at her watch. “I need to change clothes and then we can head back. I got a text from Celia to meet her at the house around one-thirty. I can tell from her text that she’s worried something will go wrong.”
“We better head back then. I’ll go wait in the car.” Randi turned and walked back to the car. Emma paused, thinking once again that this would be the perfect chance to talk to Randi, but she lost her nerve. It isn’t my place.
As she changed clothes she thought back to the occasions when she’d tried to talk to Martin about what was going on, but not once had it worked out. Every time, someone would come in, the phone would ring, or something else had stopped her from bringing up the subject.
Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be for her to get in the middle of this. So far no one had gotten hurt, and from what she’d heard Randi and Martin weren’t having sex.
Normally, Emma wouldn’t ask anyone so many questions about their relationship, but she just had to know what the man was up to. Several times around the house she’d found the time to talk to Randi about Mike.
It seemed they were kind of dating, and that Randi was hopeful that it might turn out good. Emma had noticed some hesitation on the girl’s part now and then, as if she wanted to say more, but was holding back. Could it be that Randi had figured it out? That she now knew she was dating Mr. Taylor?
There was no time for a coffee or a call to her husband. Emma went out to the car, put on her seatbelt, and started backing out of the driveway. Tonight would be the night. The Taylor’s were having dinner at home, and since Randi was staying there, she would finally see Mike for who he really was -- Martin.
“Have you talked to Mike today? Things are going to get busy with the rest of the family coming tomorrow.” Emma kept her eyes on the road and waited.
“Just last night. I was walking the dogs and he was in the garage.”
“Did he say anything about the dogs being in the house?” Emma spoke fast, not thinking, and she noticed a slight reaction to her question.
“He did, but I don’t recall what it was. We had a nice talk, kind of. I’m falling hard for that man, and I’m not sure I should be.”
“Why, what’s wrong? If you don’t mind my asking?”
“I don’t mind. I’m just not sure what-all I should say. I don’t want to get him in trouble by talking about anything. I know most places frown on people working together and dating.”
“I see what you’re saying. Well, don’t worry about that here. I think that mostly matters when it comes to people that work in an office. Also, Mike isn’t my employee. Nothing I say could get him fired.” That’s an understatement. She also felt bad. She wanted to just come out and tell Randi.
For a moment she considered something. Was she afraid to tell Randi because it might mean losing her job? Was that really the reason she hadn’t come out with the truth.
“I guess not,” Randi said, bringing Emma out of her thoughts. “I haven’t talked to mom about this. I just don’t feel we’re that serious, but I do have a question I’d like to ask.”
“Sure, ask me anything. I’ve been married a few years. It’s been a while since I’ve dated, but I’ve not forgotten everything.” The girl laughed and after a second went on with her thought.
“How do you know when a man’s telling you the truth? Is there a way? Or am I just stupid for even asking that question?”
“That is a hard one, and no you’re not stupid. We want to trust the men that we’re dating or married to. Is this something serious? Is it a relationship breaker?”
“Yes, I’m afraid that Mike is seeing someone else. I want to believe him when he says he’s not, but something just isn’t right.”
“That is a hard one.” Emma wasn’t sure what to say, and now as she was sitting at a red light, stealing glances at Randi, she knew the truth about herself. She was more worried about losing her job than she was about telling Randi what she needed to know.
“I knew I shouldn’t have said anything. I can tell I’ve put you on the spot.”
“No, no it’s not like that. I told you I didn’t know Mike. Well, it turns out that I do. He’s been at the house awhile.” Emma bit her lip. She was dancing all around the truth.
“I see . . .” Randi said, but it was clear that she didn’t see, so Emma went on.
“I know some things about Mike that I don’t feel at liberty to talk about.” Emma was happy when the light turned green, and after a moment she went on. At least now she didn’t have to look Randi in the eye. “All I can say is that in the past I have trusted Mike, and if he tells you he’s not seeing someone, then I think he’s telling you the truth.”
“Really? That’s good to know. Thanks. I guess you know I have a hundred questions about him.”
“I’m sure that you do.” Emma forced a smile as they turned into the driveway of the mansion.
“But . . . I don’t want to ask you something you’re not comfortable talking about, so I’ll keep them to myself.”
“Thanks. I like you, Randi, but for now, I think it’s best if we just leave it at that.”