To Love An Older Man

The sincere gratitude in her eyes got to him and he touched the tip of her nose. “I don’t doubt that for a moment.”

The rest of her face got as red as her nose. “You’re treating me like a child again.”

“What?”

“Don’t deny it.” A teasing smile started at the corners of her mouth. “But that’s okay. I’m used to it. I look young for my age, plus my brother and his friends were so much older that they’ve always treated me like a kid.”

“Is that why you won’t go back to Idaho?”

Any trace of a smile vanished and she hunched her shoulders. “Not exactly.”

“I’m prying. I apologize.” He knew little about pregnancy but enough to understand that a woman’s body and mood changed. And boy, did he just get a sample of it. If she started crying again it would be his fault.

“You have a right to know. After all, you’ve taken me in.”

“Just for the night.”

Embarrassment rose in her cheeks. “I understand. I’ll be leaving first thing tomorrow morning.”

“I didn’t mean that. What I was trying to say in a very bad way was that you don’t owe me any explanations. My offer wasn’t conditional.”

“I know.” She sighed. “My brother has a notoriously bad temper. If he finds out about Tommy taking my college money—” She pressed her lips together, panic flickering in her eyes, as if she’d said too much. “Anyway, Junior and his wife work the farm now. They have three children. There’s really no room for me there.”

“And your parents?”

“They died when I was fifteen. Junior took over my guardianship.”

“He’s your only sibling, I take it.”

She nodded. “Even though he’s twelve years older than me we’re very close, but he wouldn’t understand me getting pregnant. He never liked Tommy.” She stared down at her hands. “I guess Junior was right about him.”

“Nevertheless, surely your brother wouldn’t turn you away.”

She looked up, her eyes troubled. “Oh, no, of course not.” She blinked, looked away. “It’s complicated.”

“And none of my business.”

She gave him a tiny apologetic smile. The discussion was closed. He respected that, and to reassure her, he laid a hand on her clasped ones. They were cold and fidgety, and she was so small his one hand covered them both.

Her eyes widened, slightly, just enough to spark an awareness in him that made his mouth go dry, his chest tighten. Trust…gratitude…were both there in her unguarded expression. He pulled away and raked a hand through his hair.

“I’m sure you’re tired.” He stood and disposed of his half-eaten apple. “Let me show you to your room.”

She got to her feet, her gaze following him with a wariness that unsettled him. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Of course not. I just figured you wanted to rest.”

She pushed back the sleeves of her coat. “I’m going to do the dishes first. Is the soap under the sink?”

David grunted. “You are not going to wash the dishes.”

“I’m certainly not going to leave them.” She brushed past him with her bread plate and bowl.

“We have a dishwasher.” His gaze scanned the room. He knew they had one somewhere…. Ah, he spotted it to the right of the sink.

“I’m sure Ida has already run it for the night. It won’t take me long to wash these up.” She placed the dishes in the sink and turned on the water. Her coat sleeves slid back down and she pushed them up again.

David shut the water off, and when she turned to him he placed his hands on her shoulders. “You are not going to wash dishes. You are going to bed.”

He’d expected her to comply but she surprised him by tilting her head back and narrowing her gaze. “Says who?”

The forgotten childhood taunt startled a laugh out of him. “Says me.”

They stood staring at each other a moment, and then a shy smile tugged at her lips and she moved back. “Really, I can wash up everything in no time.”

He lowered his hands. She had such slim shoulders a peculiar protectiveness stirred inside him. “You’re a guest in this house. If I let you so much as lift a finger, my mother and Ida will run me up a flagpole.”

She made a face. “I’m not exactly a guest.”

“I suggest you follow me, or you’re on your own to find the guest room.”

He headed out of the kitchen, hiding a smile when she scurried after him. Halfway across the dining room he heard her gasp and he made an abrupt about-face.

“Wow, this house is really something.”

Her gaze swept the two-story white marble foyer with the crystal chandelier his mother had found in Rome. The living room was decorated in a simple but elegant contemporary style, the real focal point the city beyond the wide expanse of glass. San Francisco twinkled like a hundred-carat diamond.

David watched the wonder light her eyes and suffered a surprising pang of envy. He remembered how excited he’d been over the architectural plans, and how he used to stand on the hill before the house was built and just stare at the city below, waiting, anticipating.

Now it seemed all he did was work. Which reminded him…he still had to get his briefcase out of the car and start in on that brief….

“Your room is right down this hall,” he said with more impatience than he’d intended.

“Sorry.” She threw one final admiring look around and then hurried after him.

The bedroom was already made up. Ida kept it in top shape for unexpected guests. He’d already put Beth’s bag on the luggage rack near the closet. The tote was so light he wondered what she had in there. Clearly she had to have more clothes stashed somewhere.

“There’s a bathroom behind the door to the left, the one on the right goes out onto a balcony. Let’s see, there are hangers and an extra blanket in the closet, bottled water over in that small fridge in the corner.”

She stood in the doorway, as if afraid to come all the way into the room.

He casually stepped back to give her space. “Can you think of anything else you might need?”

She shook her head, her eyes looking suspiciously bright again. Definitely his cue to leave.

“Okay, then, good night.” He eased between her and the door.

“David?” She touched his arm, and when he stopped, she rose on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

Her warm breath and subtle jasmine scent stirred more than friendly concern and panic surged in his chest. “No problem,” he said with unintended gruffness, and then got the hell out of her room.

“GOOD MORNING.” Ida was all smiles in a shocking pink dress and yellow apron, her curly graying hair less wild this morning. “You’re just in time. I made another fresh pot of coffee.”

Beth yawned, and covered her mouth in embarrassment. Bad enough she’d slept so late. Back on the farm she would have been up for over two hours already. “Good morning. Or should I say good afternoon?”

Ida handed her a cup. “Phooey. It’s only nine.”

Beth gave the carafe of rich brown brew a longing look. Caffeine wasn’t good for the baby. But maybe there was a period early in the pregnancy that allowed one cup. She had no idea. There was so much to learn…

“Are you gonna stare it to death or drink it?” Ida picked up the carafe and held it above Beth’s cup.

“Just half, please.”

“There’s only a measly fifty percent caffeine in this blend,” Ida said, and filled Beth’s cup to the brim. “Her Highness worries about too much of that, too.”

“Mrs. Matthews?”

Ida chuckled. “Don’t look so scandalized. I always call her that, and to her face, mind you. Have a seat.”

Beth took the same chair she’d used last night and sipped the much-appreciated coffee. She would drink only half a cup and she intended to make it last as long as possible. “How long have you known Mrs. Matthews?”

Ida sat across from her with a cup of coffee filled with cream and sugar. “Maude and I grew up together. And I suggest you call her that instead of Mrs. Matthews.” She paused and grinned at Beth’s expression. “Now, you wouldn’t be wondering how we grew up together, obviously being from different social circles, would you?”

Heat filled Beth’s cheeks. “Um, well…”

Ida laughed and waved a hand. “Don’t mind me. I never can resist that one. My mother was Maude’s parents’ housekeeper. Mom and I lived in the servants’ quarters on their estate not far from here, and since Maude and I are a year apart in age, we played together.

“Of course we went to different schools, her being a Wellington and all, but once we both got home each day, it didn’t matter a whit. When it was time for her to go away to finishing school, we both pitched fits.” Ida sighed. “It didn’t do any good. She left, and I went and got myself pregnant. Sorry mess that was, but you don’t want to hear about it, and besides, I got myself a fine son out of the bargain.”

She was wrong. Beth wanted very much to hear about Ida and how she had handled being a single woman, pregnant and then raising a child. But how did she urge her to continue without sounding nosy?

“Do you have other children?” Beth asked conversationally.

“A daughter. Later I married Ed Barnes, a sergeant in the Marines. He adopted my boy and then we had Amelia. We ended up traveling around a lot, transferring from one military base to the other. But Maude and I always kept in touch and when my Ed died five years ago, I came here to work for her and David. David Sr. had died soon after young David got out of law school. A second heart attack did him in, God rest his soul.”

Beth had wondered about David’s father, but of course would never have asked. David seemed awfully young to head such a large and prominent firm.

“How long were you a single parent?” She hoped that didn’t sound too nosy.

“About five years. I’d met Ed right away but there was no way I wanted anything to do with a man.” Ida chuckled. “I gave him a run for his money, I did.”

Beth understood completely. If she never trusted a man, or even never dated again it would be too soon. She realized she was unconsciously rubbing her tummy and immediately stilled her hand. But what did it matter if they knew about the baby? David had probably explained to his mother by now, and if Maude knew, Beth bet Ida did, too.

And if not, what did Beth have to lose? After this morning, she’d never see these women again. Or David. The thought was oddly unsettling.

She recalled his reaction to her chaste kiss last night and how surprised she’d been at his obvious discomfort. It was both funny and sweet, and she’d fallen asleep with the warm fuzzy feeling that he’d actually been touched in some way.

But today was a new day, one of making hard decisions and moving forward. The thought scared her to death.

“Now I have a question for you.” Ida stared at her over the rim of her cup. “Do you ever take that coat off?”

“Only if I have to.” Beth sighed. “I’m traveling rather light these days.”

Ida frowned in thoughtful silence for a moment, and then asked, “How long will you be staying?”

She glanced at her watch. “For about another hour.”

“Nonsense.” Maude swept into the kitchen, looking trim and vibrant in a red silk pantsuit, her hair upswept into a chic French twist. “Good morning, ladies.”

“Well, it’s about time Her Highness woke up.” Ida winked at Beth. “I’ve made fresh coffee twice.”

“I’ll have you know I’ve been up for nearly two hours.” She smiled at Beth’s “good morning” as she poured herself a cup of java. “We have so much to do today. I have lists to write, calls to make.”

Ida frowned. “I hope you’re not talking about that foolish party again. David is not going to like it.” Ida shook her head, her frown deepening. “Not one bit.”

“No, I’m not talking about the party.” She looked at Beth again. “I’m talking about shopping.”

Beth took a hasty gulp. “I’ll be out of your way in ten minutes.”

“Nonsense.” Mrs. Matthews waved her hand with an air of authority. She was clearly a woman used to getting her way. “You’re going with me.”

DAVID CLEARED off his desk, and then made a notation in his day planner for tomorrow’s meeting with the mayor. Outside his office he heard the secretaries chattering as they locked their desks and turned off their computers, preparing to leave for the day.

Was it really only five? He glanced at the gold-framed desk clock, a birthday gift from Monique last year. She was a nice woman, sophisticated, attractive, a contract lawyer, whose company he’d always enjoyed. Too bad she got tired of trying to compete with his job. Not that he thought that was a problem, but she had, and that was enough to cool the relationship.

He glanced at the clock again. Five-o-three.

And then he stared at the phone. Where the hell were his mother and Beth? And why was Ida being so cryptic?

He’d called once right before lunch, and then an hour ago. All Ida would say is that the other two were out. He was tempted to call his mother’s cell phone, but she never answered the damn thing. He doubted she even knew how to turn it on.

Besides, he never called in the middle of the day and he wasn’t up to getting the third degree, even though it was perfectly logical that he’d want to know if Beth had left and if his mother had been successful in slipping her some money.

“’Night, Mr. Matthews.”

He looked up as Heather, the secretary his assistant hired last week, poked her head in the door. She was young, late-twenties, blond and with a build that wouldn’t quit. Most of the guys in the office were salivating over her.

“Good night, Heather. Drive carefully.”

She gave him a radiant smile. A dangerous one. He quickly turned his attention back to the day planner. She wasn’t the first secretary in the office with eyes for the boss. He had no illusions that he was God’s gift. The money and power attracted them. He’d already traveled that road once, with only scars to show for it.

Long after Heather had left, he stared restlessly at the senseless words on the page. Dammit, he wasn’t going to get any work done. He ought to just go home. So what if it was earlier than usual? It was his house. He had a right…

He packed up his briefcase, and then got into his private elevator without saying anything to the staff lingering in the office. Not accustomed to rush hour, he cursed the traffic bottling up the Golden Gate Bridge, but managed to dictate two memos by the time he turned into his driveway.

Marvin was washing the limo on the side of the house as David pulled into the garage. He was tempted to ask his mother’s driver where she’d been all day, but then figured he’d find out soon enough.

And then it struck him. What he really wanted to know was whether Beth was still here. Not that it made any difference to him. Except that he’d warned his mother not to get attached. Beth wasn’t a stray puppy she could keep around to pamper and dote upon.

But it wasn’t even that so much. If Ida hadn’t sounded as though she were guarding a national secret, he wouldn’t be so curious…suspicious…that was a better description. He would never have left the office early. At least he’d had the sense to pack his briefcase with enough work to last the rest of the evening.

As soon as he opened the door to the kitchen he smelled the aroma of roasting meat. Garlic was in the air, too. Not something Ida usually used very much. No one was in the kitchen, and it had been so long since he’d gotten home this early, he didn’t know if that was the norm or not.

He peeked into the living room, and then the family room. Not a soul was around. Laughter came from down the hall and he stopped to listen.

Beth was still here.

Her soft yet uninhibited laugh was unmistakable, and an unexpected sense of peace warmed him. Perhaps because he didn’t have to wonder where she’d found shelter for the night. After all, no one was using the guest room….

His mother walked out of Beth’s room, still laughing over something but immediately sobered upon seeing him. “David, you’re home.”

“So I am. Excuse me. I was about to change.” He tried to sidestep her.

“David? Is anything wrong?”

“No. Why?”

“You haven’t come home this early since…” She shrugged, her speculative gaze drawing toward Beth’s room.

Great. Just great. “I have a lot of work to catch up on and the office was too distracting.”

She smiled, nodded, her expression annoyingly patronizing. “We’ll be having dinner in about half an hour. I’m delighted you can join us.”

“I’m afraid that isn’t possible—”

The words died when Beth walked out of the room. Her hair was down, the coat was gone and the way the lavender dress hugged her slim curves nearly knocked him off his feet.

She gave him a shy smile. “Hi.”

“You’re still here.”

Her expression fell.

“David!” His mother’s appalled voice jolted him.

Beth looked helplessly at her.

“I only meant—” He cleared his throat. “I was simply surprised.”

“I had every intention of leaving this morning,” Beth began, “but—”

“I talked her out of it.”

David looked at his mother, her eyes narrowed in warning. He gave her a look of his own, one that meant they’d talk later. “I’ll be in my study.”

“Fine.” His mother smiled. “I’ll let you know when dinner is ready.”

About to tell her he wouldn’t be joining them, he glanced at Beth again. She did look rather stunning, her hair so shiny it looked like spun gold. The exhaustion and strain were gone from her face and she was much prettier than he’d first thought.

He could make time for dinner. Why not? By tomorrow she’d be gone. It wouldn’t hurt him to be sociable for an hour.

“All right,” he said and started to loosen his tie. “I’ll go change and then check with you before I start in on my reading.”

“Splendid.” His mother clasped her hands together and looked adoringly at their guest. “We’re in for a treat. Beth cooked tonight.”

He frowned. “Is anything wrong with Ida?”

“No. Beth insisted as a sort of interview.” His mother smiled. “I talked her into staying and filling in while Ida’s gone.”

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