Words of Seduction (10 page)

“No, I’ve been busy.”

Luke picked up a candy bar.

Hannah scowled. “Put that back, you little thief.”

Startled by her harsh words, Luke quickly placed the candy back on the shelf. “I wasn’t going to steal it,” he cried.

“Why are you harassing my son?” Rick asked.

“He was going to put that candy bar in his pocket. I saw him.”

“You didn’t see anything.”

“Everyone knows that Gordons are nothing more than thieves and drunkards.”

Suzanne set a box of tissues into her basket. “You’re calling my son a thief?”

Hannah blanched. “Your son?”

“Yes,” she said without explanation. Obviously the gossip about them hadn’t reached everyone in town yet.

Hannah looked at Luke, clearly perplexed. “He belongs to you?”

“Yes.”

She pointed to Rick. “But I thought—”

“Yes, I know what you thought. Is my family welcome here or not?”

“Well of course any Rand—”

“You mean Gordon.”

“What?”

“My name is now Suzanne Gordon.”

“Since when?” Hannah demanded.

“Today.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she said with both surprise and disgust. “I go on a two-week vacation and something like this happens?” She came around the counter and dragged Suzanne into a corner. “You’re making the same mistake. I warned you about Wallace years ago and I’m warning you now. Rick’s no good. I know of his charm and fell for it years ago.”

“It’s different now.”

“He goes through women like his father went through whiskey. Annul this marriage or else.”

“Or else what?”

Hannah tilted her head to the side. “I thought you were a smart woman, but if I have to spell things out for you I will. Your book was bad enough, but this is going to ruin your reputation. You’re going to be the town’s pariah. You haven’t raised his status, you’ve lowered yours.”

Suzanne set her basket down, ready to leave. “I guess I’ll take my business elsewhere. Come, Luke—” She took the boy’s hand and left.

“I thought you were going to buy something,” Rick said.

“I changed my mind.”

Rick shoved his hands in his pockets. “What did she say to you?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t start this marriage by lying to me.”

“She basically said what Jean said.”

He pulled on his chin. “She tried to warn you off me.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t let her get to you.”

Suzanne tried, but couldn’t help it as they walked down the main street. Some things about the town had changed but so much hadn’t, like the people.

“Why did you come back here?” she asked.

“Why did you?”

“You know why. I had no choice, but you did—do. How can you take the way people treat you? First Jean implying that you would hit me, knowing how I felt about Mr. Lowell and Melba—”

“It’s okay.”

She glanced down at the little boy beside her and lowered her voice. “And to call him a bastard?”

“Suzanne—”

“Then Hannah calls him a thief? I don’t understand how you can take the snide comments and cold stares. It was bad enough for me, but I didn’t know you…” She shook her head with frustration. “Do you think it’s wise to expose him to this?”

“That’s why I have you. You’ll help me change that. You already have.”

She stopped in front of the ice cream parlor. “No, I haven’t,” she said, going inside. She let Luke order a bubblegum sundae, and then they sat outside with their cones. They ate in silence. Mandy joined them and offered to take Luke to the park. Suzanne began to protest, but Rick agreed and the two left.

“Why do you think nothing’s changed?” he asked Suzanne. He held up his hands. “Forget it, I don’t want to know. Don’t worry about Hannah. She’s just angry with me and we both know you have more connections than she does.”

He was right, but it didn’t feel like enough and she couldn’t help wondering what happened between them. “There are plenty of other places to raise your son. Places that aren’t as small-minded as here.”

“It’s home to me and there are decent people here. Don’t confuse the town with what happened to Melba. Twelve people sent her away, but there were plenty of others who were on her side.”

“If you care about the town so much, why did you leave?”

He sent her a sharp look. “There was no reason to stay.”

“And you have one now?”

“Yes, don’t you?”

She nodded, but without conviction. “I suppose.”

“I guess the Gordon stain is already getting to you. Do you want to go back to meeting in dark places and hiding in my old man’s car?”

“Be serious.”

He rested an arm on her shoulders. “I never said being married to me would be easy.”

“What happened between you and Hannah?” she couldn’t help asking.

“She did a foolish thing.”

“What?”

“She fell in love with me.”

“Oh,” Suzanne said, knowing she was in danger of being just as foolish.

“I
saw them at the courthouse,” Wallace told Frieda over the phone the moment he got in his car. “The marriage is a done deal.”

“Don’t worry, it won’t last.”

“You sound certain.”

“I am.”

He adjusted his visor to block out the sun. “I don’t care as long as I get my money.”

“Why should I pay you? You didn’t do what I asked.”

His tone hardened. “Don’t back out on me, old woman. I said I’d try and that’s what I expect to be paid for.”

“I’m not—”

Wallace pursed his lips. “Do you want me to tell your son about our little bargain?”

Silence greeted his comment, and then Frieda sighed, resigned. “Fine, I’ll wire the money.”

“Nice doing business with you.” Wallace closed his cell phone and tapped his steering wheel, pleased with his new strategy. He’d get money from Frieda but he knew his new cash flow was just getting started.

Rick was silent on the drive home and throughout dinner. Although it was a big feast, he couldn’t focus. He still couldn’t believe that Suzanne had married him. Despite all the things the judge and Hannah said, she’d stood up for him and Luke. It was as if they really meant something to her. But he decided he wouldn’t make too much of it. She needed his money—that was probably what she was fighting for. But all the same, she belonged to him now. She was a Gordon. However, she didn’t appear too pleased with that change and he didn’t blame her. This special day seemed to be everything but. Not only the incident with the judge and Hannah, but Lyon showing up when he did. Now the dinner.

He looked at the food on his and Suzanne’s plates. He’d told Mandy to handle the dinner arrangements with the chef and she’d gotten the order entirely wrong. He’d wanted to impress Suzanne by preparing an authentic French meal so that she’d know she’d married well, but he should have stuck with Southern fare because the chef couldn’t tell the difference between au gratin and gravy. And Suzanne was allergic to nuts, but Mandy had ordered a banana nut cream-filled wedding cake. It was not the kind of wedding day he’d hoped for. He didn’t even want to imagine what their wedding night would be like.

“I’m sorry, but we don’t allow smoking in the house,” he heard Suzanne say.

He looked up and saw his mother ready to light her cigarette.

“Well, the rules have changed, honey,” Frieda said.

His mother had refused to attend the ceremony, but at least she’d come for dinner. She hadn’t dressed up, but she had pulled her wig back into a ponytail. Rick shook his head. “No, Momma, she’s right. If you want to smoke, you have to go outside.”

His mother looked at him with the lighter carrying its flame. She put it closer to her cigarette.

“And if you light that now you might as well leave.”

She glared at him, clicking the lighter closed. “You’re going to take her side over mine?”

“It’s not about taking sides, it’s house rules.”

“It wasn’t a rule before.”

“It’s a rule now.”

Suzanne spoke up, trying to ease the tension. “I just don’t want Luke exposed to secondhand smoke.”

Frieda glanced at the boy. “Think it will kill him on the spot?”

“It’s not good for him or anyone.”

“I don’t need a lecture, honey. I’ve been smoking for years and I’m still alive and healthy.”

Suzanne nodded, feeling it was best not to argue. “Yes,” she said then looked down and screamed.

Rick jumped to his feet. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” she said quickly. “I was just surprised.”

“By what?”

“Luke’s gift.” She lifted the frog from her lap before it could hop away.

“His name is Harmon, Momma,” Luke stated proudly, appearing from under the table. “I caught him for you.”

“Thank you, dear, but let’s return it to where you found it, okay?” She stood and Rick saw a large muddy smear on her white dress.

“Luke, you ruined her dress,” Mandy scolded. “I told you to put it in a box.”

“But he fit in my pocket,” Luke protested.

“I’m sure he did,” Suzanne said, “but if we’re going to keep him he needs a proper shelter.”

“He has our house.”

“Our house isn’t right for a frog. Let’s go make him a place to stay so you can take care of him for me.”

“Okay.”

“But your dress,” Mandy said, alarmed.

“It will wash,” Suzanne said, looking at Luke again. “It’s a lovely, thoughtful gift and later I’ll teach you about when it’s appropriate to give such gifts. Okay?”

Luke nodded.

Suzanne pushed in her chair. “Excuse us.” They hurried out the room.

Frieda lifted her cigarette again. “Ever the fine lady of the house.”

“I wasn’t kidding about the smoking, Momma.”

His mother scowled and shoved the lighter and cigarette into her handbag. “I hope you don’t become too proud.” She gestured to the table. “How much did you spend on this mush, anyway? A bunch of fancy stuff no one can pronounce.”

He looked at her empty plate. “I didn’t hear you complaining while you were shoveling mush into your mouth.”

“I was hungry.”

“I think the word is
ravenous.
”

“No need to use big words you can’t spell. At least I had an appetite. Your beloved bride hardly touched any of hers. I guess her tastes are more expensive.”

“She doesn’t like certain fish, such as tuna.”

“Rick, I’m so sorry,” Mandy said in an anxious voice. “I thought—”

“It’s okay. You can start clearing the table.”

Suzanne returned with Luke. “I think it’s time for Luke’s bed so I’ll take him up. Thanks for a wonderful dinner, Mandy, and it was a pleasure seeing you, Mrs. Gordon.” She smiled and left.

“She lies like a true Rand,” Frieda grumbled, watching her go.

Rick fought to cut his soggy asparagus. “You mean a Gordon.”

She swore then stood. “I need a smoke. Keep me company.”

Rick sighed and joined his mother out on the porch. He stared at her. So many times he wondered why he loved this woman, but he always knew the answer. They were both survivors. She could be nasty or filthy at times, but he remembered her caring for him when no one else did. She’d prevented many blows from his father by diverting his attention with extra beer, food or something more. She was the one woman who stayed by his side through it all. He watched her light her cigarette then take a long drag. He watched the smoke drift up to the night sky. “You can still get yourself out of this,” she said.

He groaned, not wanting to argue with her. “I don’t want to.”

“I hope you’re not expecting a wedding night from that cold fish. It’s going to take a lot more than a house and money to warm her up.”

“What are you afraid of?”

She paused. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m the one married to her, but you’re the one concerned. Why? It’s not like you to worry about me.”

“I’m just speaking my mind.”

“Well you can stop. It’s a done deal.”

Frieda pointed her cigarette at him. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. But I’ll tell you one thing, I’ll put up with having to smoke on the porch, but I won’t have her treating me like a second-class citizen. I’m your momma and you let her remember that. I’m the first Mrs. Gordon and she’s the second. Just tell me one thing. What happens when she finds out the truth? That all this was revenge. That you orchestrated her father’s ruin?”

Rick balled his hands into fists. He didn’t want to think about it, but he had to. His mother was right. Every step he’d made over the past several years had been about revenge. He’d watched Gerald Rand’s every move through a private detective agency he’d hired and he’d plotted and planned on the best way to destroy him. Then one day an opportunity came to him. Rand had pursued a partnership with a colleague and when their business venture hit a weak moment, Rick had enough money to go in for the kill and he’d slaughtered them. Rick hadn’t felt guilty. Besides, if he hadn’t someone else would have. He hadn’t been touched by the rumors of Rand’s desperate attempts to save his business or his ultimate demise, he’d only wanted vengeance. He was
single focused. He would destroy the man and then get what he wanted: Rand’s house and his daughter.

But meeting Suzanne again had altered the ferocity of his revenge, and he wanted her in his life for a completely different reason. One he still wouldn’t allow himself to admit.

A malicious smile touched Frieda’s lips. “You hadn’t thought about that.”

He nearly asked for a cigarette, but flexed his hands instead. “I’ll take care of it.”

“You’d better or you’re going to fall through that big hole in your plan.” She finished her cigarette and left.

Mandy disappeared upstairs and Rick sat in the living room alone. He waited for Suzanne to come back down after putting Luke to bed, but after another hour passed he decided to see what she was up to. Was she already in bed? She might not want to make love, but she’d learn that she wasn’t going to be sleeping alone.

He walked up the stairs but stopped. This would be his first night in the house, and he didn’t even know which bedroom was his. Between the wedding, moving and his business he hadn’t paid attention to how Suzanne had set everything up. He knew where Luke’s room was and checked on him. He walked over to the bed and pulled the sheets up closer. A fierce, protective love seized him every time he saw his son asleep. He tenderly stroked the boy’s cheek, determined that everything would be different for his son than it had been for him. The sound of Luke’s laughter or the sight of his smile filled Rick with pride and at times reminded him of a time he’d had that kind of joy so long ago with a woman who’d made him feel he could conquer the
world. But that hadn’t lasted and now that joy seemed false and hollow.

He gently closed the door and looked around. He knew Mandy was sleeping in a guest room downstairs but there were four other doors to enter and he didn’t know which one was his. He knew the master bedroom was at the end of the hall, but was Suzanne there? Or was she in her old room? He let out a heavy sigh and went toward it. If she wasn’t there, he’d find her.

He opened the door to the master bedroom then stopped. Candles covered nearly every surface and pink, white and red rose petals lay scattered on the carpet. But what captured his interest most was the woman on the bed, her beautiful brown body encased in a lace white-and-red teddy. She turned to him and smiled with an invitation that made his entire body go hard. “Hello, Rick,” she said. “You promised me a passion-filled marriage. Well, tonight’s your chance to prove it.”