“Hardly.” Megan reached for the letter, read it again. “I don’t get it. There must be some error.”
“Like there was on the dryer that arrived day before yesterday marked paid in full?” Grace’s skepticism was being sorely tried.
“I’m going to call Mr. Williams. Something’s not right here.”
Grace watched her leave the kitchen on her way to the front desk. Her friend had one thing straight at least. Something truly wasn’t right here. Megan walked around the inn with dark shadows under her eyes, her temper frayed and her sense of humor almost totally absent. Ryan came racing into the parking lot after school every day, hope clearly stamped on his eager little face, only to be dashed when he saw no blue Porsche convertible parked there. They both looked as if they’d just lost their best friend.
And maybe they had. Neither had been this sad when they’d buried Neal, not that Grace blamed them for that. She’d warned that man with the devilish smile and the vagabond spirit not to hurt the two people in this world who mattered most to Grace, but he’d managed to do it anyhow. Even she had begun to believe, had dropped her guard.
But, true to form, he’d left them all in the lurch, sneaking out before dawn like a thief in the night.
“Well,” Megan said, returning to sit down again, “I don’t quite know what to think. Mr. Williams says that the second mortgage has been paid off in full and our primary mortgage brought current, all by someone he won’t name.” She glanced into the laundry room at the dryer that was industrial-size and top of the line. “Three guesses who’s done this, and the first two don’t count.”
“I thought so,” Grace commented, knowing exactly who Megan had in mind.
“How dare he!” Megan was too agitated to sit still, so she paced the kitchen. “Thinks he can whip out his checkbook and fix everything.”
Grace looked up over her reading glasses. “What is there to fix?”
The way he’d left her that night, weak with wanting, heart breaking as he walked away, not even looking back once, maybe. But how could she explain that to Grace? “Oh, I don’t know.”
“Conscience, do you think?”
Megan frowned. “Conscience over what?” Men didn’t have consciences about walking away from women. Her father had left without a backward glance. Neal had strolled off whenever he felt the urge, leaving when she’d been pregnant, home with a newborn or scrubbing floors. None of it had mattered. “Do you really think his conscience is bothering him because he stayed too long at the fair and let us all begin to like and trust him? So he writes a check for thousands because of that?”
“I imagine he can afford it.”
“That’s not the point, Grace.”
“Maybe he did it because he cares about you. And Ryan.”
That she didn’t believe. A man who cared for a woman didn’t walk away. Eyes on the letter again, Megan shook her head. “I can’t accept this. The dryer was one thing. But twenty-seven thousand plus three back payments? No.”
“It’s done, Megan. The bank’s not going to give back the money. They don’t care who pays as long as they get theirs.”
“Well, I care. I’m going to write Mr. Alex Shephard and tell him I’ll set up a payment schedule with him to pay back every cent.” That decision made, she rose. “I’m not ever going to be beholden to another man, not as long as I draw breath.” With that, she turned away. But at the doorway, she stopped, her head downcast, one arm braced along the frame. For a long moment, she was silent. When she spoke again, it was in barely a whisper. “How’d I get to this place in time, Grace? Again.” Slowly, she left the room.
Alone, Grace sighed as she turned to stare out the window, wishing she had a crystal ball.
“Thanks for calling, Ms. Parsons,” Alex said into the phone. “I’m glad the three of you have decided to accept our offer. I’ll contact Mr. Williams at the bank and have him finalize the paperwork.” He listened to her express her appreciation, as well. “You’re very welcome. I’ll be in touch.”
Alex hung up the phone and was staring at it when his father strolled into his office. Ron never knocked.
“Must be bad news the way you’re frowning,” Ron commented, dropping his lanky frame into the chair across from Alex’s desk.
“No, actually, it’s good news. The Parsons children have accepted our offer on the land in Twin Oaks at our original price.”
“Good, good.” Ron steepled his fingers, watching his son carefully. There was something bothering the boy. Alex hadn’t been the same since returning from that little town. And Ron had a feeling he knew exactly what that something was. Or rather someone. “Are you planning to go back to set it all in motion?”
“I don’t think so. The rest can be done by mail and phone.” Alex picked up his pen and made a notation on the Parsons file.
“What about the girl?”
“What girl?”
“Don’t play dumb with me, Alex. The one at the bed-and-breakfast. Megan Delaney. What’s happening with her?”
Alex’s eyes slid to the letter he’d received that morning lying next to his desk blotter. A very formal letter stating that Ms. Megan Delaney would be paying him a sum of three hundred dollars a month at a fair interest rate until the debt he satisfied with the bank was paid off. Not a personal word anywhere in the two short paragraphs. “She has nothing to do with the Parsons transaction.”
Impatiently, Ron sat forward. “I know that. But you’ve got that woman on your mind, and there’s no use denying it. Did you and she...I mean, are the two of you...damn it, Alex. Are you involved with her?” Ron hoped not, had been willing to send his son to England or Timbuktu, anywhere else to forestall such a thing happening, but seeing him this distracted and obviously unhappy, he had to do something. Even Mitch thought so.
Ordinarily, Alex would have gotten angry at his father for delving into his personal life so boldly. After all, he was thirty-two years old, certainly past the age of needing parental permission for the things he did. But oddly enough, he just felt numb. “Depends on what you mean by involved.”
“Do you need me to spell it out for you? Are you sleeping with her? That I could understand. She’s a fine-looking woman. But it’s more than that, I suspect.” He drew in a breath, held it a moment before expelling it noisily. “Are you in love with her?”
For the first time since he’d entered his office, Alex met his father’s eyes. “I don’t know.”
Exactly what Ron had been afraid of. His objections centered around the fact that this had all happened too quickly. A man should get to know a woman, court her a while. They should come from the same background, the way he and his wife had. A man shouldn’t impulsively marry because his hormones were raging, like Alex had done with Cynthia. The bottom line was that he didn’t want his son hurt.
But no man could protect a grown son from everything. Ron pushed himself to his feet. “Then maybe you should find out.”
Alex sat staring at his father’s back as he walked out, his strides reflecting his displeasure with his only son. Yes, Alex thought, maybe it was time he did find out.
Chapter 9
A
lex had known from an early age that timing was important. As a young boy, he’d soon discovered that catching his father as soon as he walked in from the office and asking permission to do something usually earned him a refusal. But if he waited until his father had had time to unwind and relax, he’d be all smiles and willing to grant most anything. That lesson also served him well in business in later years.
Which was why he’d carefully plotted out the time of his return to Twin Oaks the following day. Too early in the morning would mean that Megan would be busy serving breakfast to her guests. Right after and she’d be cleaning rooms and changing beds alongside Grace. Just before lunch would be good since that was when Megan wandered the hillside picking wildflowers for the tables or worked in her garden while Grace usually ran errands.
When he pulled his Porsche into Delaney’s parking lot, only three cars were there, one of them Megan’s old Mustang. Stepping out, he stretched, admitting he was a shade nervous. Although he’d timed his arrival carefully; what he hadn’t done was prepare what he wanted to say to her. Perhaps playing it by ear would be best, gauging her mood first.
After all, he’d been gone exactly a week without a call or a note of any kind. His reception was bound to be guarded or downright chilly.
The public rooms were deserted except for Mrs. Kettering dozing in an armchair in the lounge with the television on. He found Grace in the kitchen, seated at the table strewn with papers, her fingers flying over the keys of an adding machine. She looked up as he walked in through the swinging doors, surprise registering on her expressive face before a look of concern moved into place.
Grace removed her half glasses. “So, you’ve come back. More business in the area?” She was aware her voice wasn’t particularly welcoming and even revealed a note of skepticism.
Alex pocketed his keys. “You have every right to be annoyed with me for leaving the way I did.”
“Go on.”
Grace wasn’t quite his father’s age, but old enough to make him feel as if he was being called on the carpet. She was also as protective of Megan as Ron was of him. “Let’s just say I had some thinking to do. Is Megan around?”
“And that’s all you’re going to tell me?”
“The rest of the explanation is for Megan’s ears only. Where is she?”
Grace drew in a thoughtful breath. What good would it do to delay the inevitable since he’d find her eventually? Besides, despite the fact that she disapproved of Alex’s abrupt departure, she had to admit his timely payment of some of Megan’s overpowering bills had kept the wolf at bay for now. How could she fault a man like that, one who’d also been good to Ryan?
Unless, of course, his return came with a lot of strings attached. That, only time would tell.
She stalled for just a minute. “I assume you know you’ve hurt her after I warned you not to.”
“Yes, and I’m sorry.”
“The boy, too.”
Despite his note, he’d guessed that Ryan wouldn’t understand. “I’ll make it up to him.” The mention of getting hurt reminded Alex of something that had been nagging at him. He could probably get a straight answer quicker from Grace. “I need to know something. The scar on Megan’s temple looks to be fairly recent. Can you tell me how she got that?”
Grace’s lips thinned as she debated about telling him the truth. While it was true he’d left in a big hurry, he’d also come back. That scored a lot of points with her. She removed her glasses and sat back. “They were arguing in the kitchen. Neal had already moved out, but he had the nerve to come to Megan and ask for money to pay back his loan shark. She lost it, told him to leave and never come back. She had a check in her pocket from a guest who’d checked out earlier. He lunged at her, trying to get it. She fell and hit her head on the kitchen counter, right over there.”
Alex didn’t even realize his hands had balled into fists.
“And do you know what that coward did when he saw the blood? He ran away. I found her there, bleeding and dazed, took her into the clinic. Six stitches it took. The bastard!”
He couldn’t have phrased it better himself. “And still she took him back in when he got sick?”
Grace nodded disapprovingly. “Took him in and nursed him. I’d have slammed the door in his lying face.”
“Thanks for telling me.” Alex forced himself to relax. “Where is she?”
Grace allowed herself a weary sigh. “She’s outside picking flowers up on the hill.”
Alex leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, then hurried out the side door.
Grace stood and walked to the window, curious as to what kind of reception Mr. Alex Shephard would get from Megan. Her friend had tried to hide her feelings during the past seven days, but Grace had noticed the haunted eyes and the restlessness that hinted of sleepless nights. Would Megan send him packing or welcome him with open arms? Grace wasn’t sure.
Peering out, she spotted Megan halfway up the hill, just starting down, both hands full of flowers. She watched as Alex started the climb. It didn’t appear as if he called out because her eyes were downcast as she carefully watched her footing around the rocks.
Grace knew the moment Megan became aware of him. She stopped, obviously stunned. Then she saw Alex start to run the rest of the way up the hill. She could just make out Megan’s wide smile as she dropped the flowers and ran to meet him. In seconds, they met in a fierce embrace, then Alex picked her off her feet and swung her around. Grace could hear distant, delighted laughter drift through the screen door. Then she saw Megan’s arms wind around his neck as Alex stopped turning. So close together, not even a shadow could intrude, they kissed.
Eyes suddenly damp, Grace stepped away from the window. Some moments were too private to be witnessed. She prayed that Alex hadn’t returned to lift Megan’s hopes only to dash them again later.
It was back, Megan thought, the rich male taste she’d been dreaming of nightly. The hard, masculine hands that held her close to his pounding heart, the ones she’d been longing for since the last night she’d been in his embrace. The sweet euphoria that chased away all rational thought. It was back.
He
was back.
She’d pictured his return, imagined it, craved it. She’d mentally rehearsed what she’d say and do. All of that paled in light of the real thing. All of her anger at the way he’d left, her ache over his stealthy departure, her pain at not hearing from him for seven long days and nights—all of it forgotten in this glorious moment. None of it mattered, not really. He was back.
She trembled in his arms, humbling him. Alex gentled his hold, yet kept her very close. The familiar scent of her wound around him, the wild taste of her exploded on his tongue, and the soft, womanly feel of her straining against him aroused a throbbing need he could no longer ignore.
He’d tried to stay away, tried to tell himself she was just an interlude, a pleasant memory. But the memory only sharpened with each day away from her and the need for her only grew and the desire he’d tried to bank only increased. He’d never felt like this for any other woman. Not for Cynthia whom he’d married. Not for any of the women who’d wandered through his life, eager to please and be pleased.
Megan wasn’t like that. She was hesitant, initially shy, then almost reluctantly reaching out to touch, to taste. She wouldn’t pursue, wouldn’t call him back, wouldn’t phone. She wanted, yet was afraid of her wanting. She vacillated, sometimes pushing him away, then drawing him close. Despite years of marriage, she seemed almost untouched.
Letting her slide down his body, Alex ended the kiss, but eased his head back from her only slightly, staring into her sky blue eyes. “I’m sorry if I hurt you by leaving like that,” he said, his voice thick with emotion, with desire.
“Shh,” she whispered. “You’re here now. That’s all that matters.” She might regret this later, Megan knew. Probably would. But for this moment in time, she didn’t care. All her life, she’d walked a straight line, done the right thing. There came a time when a woman had to follow her heart.
“I’ve missed you. I couldn’t stop thinking of you.” He spoke only the truth, truth he’d only recently admitted to himself.
“Oh, Alex.” She buried her face in his neck, inhaling his special fragrance, content to stand there like that for the rest of time.
For a wild moment, he imagined taking her there on the hilltop, following her down to lie with her amid the wildflowers she’d gathered, with the scent of the sea teasing them and the gentle summer breezes caressing them. It was a fantasy he’d dreamed of many a sleepless night. But the reality was that Grace was a short distance away and one or more of Delaney’s guests could return and wander out any moment. He wanted privacy, to be alone with her, to spend hours learning her.
Bending, he slipped a hand beneath her knees and picked her up into his arms. She gave no resistance, instead laying her head on his shoulder as he turned and started down the hill. The time had come and they both knew it.
Alex avoided even looking at the side door, unwilling to meet Grace’s judgmental gaze, going around to the back door and up the stairs. Not knowing if his old room was occupied, he continued on up to the third floor until he reached Megan’s room. Inside, he bumped the door closed with his hip, then paused to turn the lock before carrying her over to her cozy double bed.
Megan’s heart was thudding so hard she was certain he could feel it. Her desire had brought her this far, but now, faced with the inevitable, some of her anxiety returned. As her feet touched the floor, she finally met his eyes.
“It’s new, this bed,” she told him, needing him to know, despite her fears, how special this moment was for her. “It’s the only thing I replaced after Neal moved out.”
The sweetness of her confession, her need to tell him that he wouldn’t be using the bed she’d shared with her husband, touched him. “Thank you for telling me.” He kissed her then, a soft, lazy kiss, drawing out the pleasure by holding back. Then he grew impatient again and followed with a hard kiss that nearly sapped all her strength.
But before things got out of hand, Megan felt the need to say more. Her hand on his chest, she eased back. “Wait. We need to talk, please.”
Talking was the last thing he wanted or needed, but he had no intention of rushing her, knowing greed would end things before they’d begun. “About the night I left...” he began.
“No, not that. We can talk about that later.” Megan ran a shaky hand through her wind-tossed hair and sat down on the rose-colored quilt covering her bed. “I want to warn you that I might disappoint you.”
That again, Alex thought. Her fears. What in hell had Neal Delaney planted in her head to make her believe she was disappointing? Still, he couldn’t just dismiss her feelings, for he could see they were very real to her.
Alex sat down next to her, took her hand. “Listen, Megan, not every woman whose husband strays has a problem. Did Neal say you did?” He needed to know just what she’d been told.
“No, not in so many words. It’s just a feeling I have. Why else would he have needed other women?”
Alex searched for a way to explain. “Some men have affairs to prove to themselves that they can get any woman they want. It’s an ego thing.” They’d fought, Grace had told him, over bills, the jobs he’d lost, the loan shark. “If the two of you were quarreling a lot, his self-image was probably not so hot. What better way to feel you’re special than to find some willing woman? Maybe he even wanted you to find out, to show you he was attractive to others.”
Megan thought that over. Neal
had
seemed to flaunt his women, not caring who saw him with them.
Alex watched her carefully as she considered his words. “The fault wasn’t yours. It was his. I know that for a fact because I’ve kissed a fair share of women and there’s no way you’re the problem, Megan.” She was quiet such a long while that he wondered what she was thinking, feeling. He had to get through to her. “That you could even think any of that was your fault staggers me. Don’t you see what a coward he was, shoving you, hurting you and then running away, rather than face what he’d done? How could you believe anything a man like that said?”
Shame had her coloring, then raising her eyes to his. “Grace told you that, too?”
“Don’t be angry. I badgered her and I’m glad I did.” Hands on her shoulders, he stood and drew her up with him. “None of what happened was your fault, Megan. Let me prove it to you.”
“What if I’m right and...” She gasped as he pulled her close against his hard body and dipped his head to trace her ear with his clever tongue. “Alex, I—”
“Do I excite you, Megan?” he asked, his lips shifting to her temple, then gently grazing the small pink scar.
A shiver raced up her spine as he moved his attention to the sensitive skin along her throat. “You know you do.”
“Then why can’t you believe how you excite me?” He opened his eyes and watched the sunlight dance in through the slatted blinds at her window, light and shadow on her beautiful ebony hair. He thrust his long fingers into its thickness and tipped back her head, watching her eyes grow dreamy. “Believe me when I say you’ve brought me to my knees like no other woman’s ever done. You’ve got me twisted into knots, I want you so much. I didn’t sleep last night for thinking of you, and a lot of other nights, as well. I drove here today like a madman, so anxious to see you, worried you wouldn’t want me.”