My Favorite Husband

by Pam McCutcheon

  So that’s what she was so ticked about. Hell, didn’t she even care about Kelly and what she was going through? No, all she cared about was how it reflected on her. “Your concern for your daughter is touching,” Chaz drawled.

  Grace leveled a searing glance at him. “More than yours. I understand you waited until the most dramatic moment to reveal yourself at the memorial service.”

  Chaz winced. He still felt bad about that, too. “Well, at least I care—”

  “Stop it,” Kelly said firmly. “That’s enough from both of you. Mother, why are you here?”

  Grace looked surprised. “I’m here to help you clean up this mess, of course.”

  Yeah, right. And getting in a jibe or two at Chaz was just a bonus.

  Kelly looked startled. “Can you? Clean up this mess, I mean.”

  Grace relaxed a little. “I know a judge or two. I’m sure we can get this straightened out easily enough so you and Spencer can get on with your lives.”

  Damn, he had to admire the woman’s gall. She didn’t even hesitate about weighing in on Deuce’s side. Chaz grimaced. “You don’t think a small thing like, oh, our eight-year marriage might make that a bit difficult?”

  “Stop it,” Kelly said again. “I am not a bone for you two to fight over.”

  She made them sound like dogs. Then again, that would make Gracie here a bitch. Yeah, that was just about right. Chaz slanted a glare at Grace. “Well, I’m not going to let her bully you into making the wrong decision.”

  Grace sniffed. “And I’m not going to let him convince you to ruin your life.”

  “It’s my life,” Kelly said, rising to glare down at her mother. “And I’ll do what I damned well please.”

  Go, Kelly! Now this was a change he definitely liked.

  Grace tried to get a word in, but Kelly cut her off with a savage gesture. “You cannot make this go away by wishing it so or by throwing money at it. Once I make a decision, then we can figure out what action to take. But until then, it’s my decision to make, not yours.”

  Grace sneered. Oh so elegantly, of course. “Scott told me about your silly dates. I don’t know why you feel the need to go through with this. The solution is obvious. You should choose Spencer, and Charles can have that . . . that woman he spent the last five years with. After all, she insists they are to be married.”

  Chaz rolled his eyes. “Don’t believe anything Amalia says. She lives in a different universe from the rest of us. I intend to stay with Kelly.”

  Kelly rubbed her temples, looking as though she had the start of a horrendous headache. “It’s not that simple, Mother. Again, it’s not your decision. It’s mine. And I appreciate if you’d leave me alone so I can make it.”

  Grace crossed her arms and glared at Chaz. “You want me to leave you alone with him?”

  “What do you think he’s going to do?” Kelly asked in an exasperated tone. “Murder me? He was my husband, remember?”

  “I still am,” Chaz interjected.

  “That remains to be seen,” Grace said with a glare.

  Kelly closed her eyes and rubbed her temples harder. “I’ve spent all day with him, just like I did with Spencer yesterday, and he hasn’t molested me yet. I think I’m safe.”

  “But what will Spencer think?”

  Who cared what Deuce thought? Kelly was Chaz’s wife.

  Continuing to speak reasonably, Kelly said, “I spent some time alone with Spencer last night. I owe it to Chaz to give him the same opportunity.” When Grace started to protest again, Kelly cut her off with, “And the longer you stay here, the more time I’ll spend with Chaz.”

  Chaz grinned as Kelly crossed her arms in a distinct challenge. He moved toward her to underscore the fact that Kelly had a protector now, one Grace couldn’t browbeat.

  “Oh, all right,” Grace said, rather ungracefully, Chaz thought. She gathered up her things and went toward the door. “But don’t think this is the last of our conversation. I’m getting a room here, and I’m going to stay until you come to your senses.”

  With that, she swept out the door. As always, making a grand exit.

  Once the door closed behind her, Kelly seemed to collapse in on herself, her face crumpling and her shoulders sagging as she leaned into Chaz for comfort.

  Chaz wished he could do something to make it easier on her, to take the pain away, but all he could do was pat her on the back and make soothing noises. “I’m sorry, honey. You didn’t need to go through that.”

  Kelly raised a tear-stained face to his. “It just makes it even more difficult.”

  “I know.” Grace had always complicated things. He wiped Kelly’s tears away. “Just don’t let her get to you.”

  She sighed and leaned her head into his shoulder. “I can’t help it. She knows me too well—she knows just what buttons to push.”

  Kelly’s simple act of trust—her head on his shoulder—almost unmanned him. He laid his hand gently on her head, holding her to him, love and longing making it difficult for him to speak. “Then don’t let her push them,” he said thickly. But he knew that was hopeless. Grace had been getting away with it for years.

  “She does love me, you know. In her own way. She just wants what she thinks is best for me.”

  Chaz gritted his teeth, but managed to keep his voice mild. “No matter what you think?”

  “Well, of course she thinks she knows best.” Kelly raised her head to look at him. “But let’s not talk about her anymore.”

  “Fine with me.” As far as he was concerned, Grace Richmond could take a flying leap off a tall cliff. Splat Mama, that was the ticket.

  “I really enjoyed our day today. Thank you.” Kelly smiled softly and his heart zinged into overdrive.

  “So did I,” he whispered. It had been difficult to keep his hands off her, difficult to go slow, but winning his wife back was worth it.

  He had hoped to share much more with her this evening, and rather thought Kelly had felt the same, but the timing was no longer right. Nor could he ask what her decision was after her mother’s harassment, and Chaz had no doubt Grace was outside the door waiting for Chaz to emerge. It kind of killed any amorous feelings.

  But, damn it, Deuce had gotten a kiss and Chaz was going to get one, too, come hell or high water. Now.

  He only had to lean down a little way to capture Kelly’s mouth with his, and he tried to put all his longing, love, and passion into that simple meeting of lips.

  When he raised his head, Kelly looked so warm and inviting, he just wanted to sink into her and stay all night, to hold her close and take the hurt away. Leaving her was one of the hardest things he would ever do, but he had to do it, for her sake. Giving her one last squeeze, he said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “All right,” Kelly whispered.

  When he pulled away, Kelly’s fingers lingered on his arm, as if she didn’t quite want to let him go. He wanted to dive back into her, but somehow managed to keep his cool. With one last, brief kiss, he slipped out the door.

  And came face to face with the Ice Bitch.

  Smiling grimly, he crossed his arms and leaned back against his wife’s door. “You’re not thinking about going back in there, are you, Grace?”

  “My actions are none of your concern,” she said, the frost rolling off her in waves.

  “They are when they concern my wife. She needs her rest and neither you nor anyone else is going to bother her further tonight. Is that clear?”

  “Perfectly.” Grace gave him a tight little smile. “But this isn’t over. She and Spencer are perfect for each other, and I intend to see them together. Is that clear?”

  No, Deuce and Grace were perfect for each other. “You can try,” Chaz drawled.

  “And, mark my words, I will succeed.” With that parting shot, Grace turned her back on him and walked away.

  Unwilling to let her have the last word, Chaz called out, “ ’Night, Mom.”

  Chaz grinned when he saw her back stiffen, b
ut she didn’t respond. Well, he might have gotten in the last word tonight, but that was only one small battle. The war was just beginning.

  10

  Kelly woke for the third time in bed in the hotel. Alone again.

  Pouting, she decided she’d just about had enough of this. Two husbands in the hotel, both of whom would be more than happy to share her bed, and she had to sleep alone. Worse, she’d done it to herself. Today, she was going to have to announce a decision so she could sleep with someone. She didn’t want to go to bed frustrated one more night.

  Yes, she knew it was selfish, but she had put her life on hold for five years, especially the physical aspects. She hadn’t realized how much she had given up until Chaz had showed her so clearly what she had been missing. She deserved to be a little selfish . . . didn’t she?

  Sighing, she got up and suddenly noticed a small oblong package on her desk. It must have been there last night, delivered while she was gone, but she had been too tired to notice. Curious, she picked it up and unwrapped it. It turned out to be a nine inch “muscle massager” and a pair of firecrackers. What in the world . . . ?

  There was a note with it.

  Dear Kelly,

  Here’s your gift, as requested. Simply use the vibrator in the accustomed manner. Then, at the appropriate time, stick the firecrackers in your ears and light them. Voila! Mind-blowing sex.

  Love, Scott

  Kelly burst out laughing. It was so like her brother. But she wasn’t quite reduced to that yet. And she didn’t want anyone else to find it in her room, either.

  Quickly, she wrapped up the vibrator and stowed it in the trash can in the bathroom then showered and dressed. Not knowing what was going to happen today, she put on casual slacks and an icy blue sweater. Now she was ready for anything the day might throw at her. She hoped.

  A knock came at the door. Expecting it to be her breakfast, sent once more by a generous husband or brother, she opened it.

  Well, she was half right. Her breakfast had arrived all right—a large tray of muffins, fruit, and coffee—but Chaz was carrying it.

  “May I come in?” he asked with a plaintive expression.

  Her heart went out to him. This self-imposed celibacy was hard on her, but it was equally hard on her husbands. The sooner she got this decision over with, the better. “Sure.”

  She opened the door wider and Chaz placed the tray on the desk, then gave her a sympathetic look. “You okay? Your mother didn’t come back and rip you a new one?”

  “No,” Kelly said shaking her head ruefully. “Though I imagine she’ll be by later to, er, give me the benefit of her advice.”

  Chaz nodded. “As I thought. That’s why I’m here—to make sure she doesn’t hurt you too badly.”

  How sweet. She’d forgotten this protective side of Chaz. After five years of living without him and protecting herself, she certainly didn’t need it, but she did like it. Wistfully, she thought of how nice it would be to share that with someone again. She was tired of carrying the burdens alone.

  Aloud, she said, “That’s very kind of you, Chaz. But not really necessary.” Especially if he had ulterior motives for being alone in her room with her, which she suspected he did.

  “It is necessary,” he insisted. “For me, if not you.” He crossed the room to put his arms around her, gently. “Though I had no intention of doing so, I left you alone for far too long. You had every right to expect me to be there for you, and I wasn’t. I want to make that up to you . . . for the rest of my life.”

  Kelly blinked back tears as she leaned in to the comfort of his embrace. “Oh, Chaz,” she murmured thickly. Should she tell him her decision now? It was the perfect opening, and he had a right to know if she wanted to be around for the rest of his life or not.

  She opened her mouth, but a knock came at the door.

  Chaz squeezed her lightly. “Don’t answer it. Pretend you’re not here.”

  Kelly gave him an admonitory glance. “You know I have to. I don’t want to be rude.”

  Chaz released her with a roll of his eyes. “Oh, yes. And heavens knows that’s the worst that could happen.”

  Ignoring that little comment, Kelly peered out the peephole. This time she wasn’t going to be taken by surprise. “It’s Spencer,” she said in consternation.

  Chaz’s face turned grim. “What does he want?”

  “Probably the same thing you do.” But she really didn’t want to referee a contest between the two of them. “Come here,” she said, pulling Chaz toward the closet. “Hide in here until he’s gone.”

  Chaz balked, scowling. “Why? Are you ashamed of me?”

  “No, but I shouldn’t have let you in here alone with me when I haven’t announced my decision yet. It’s not fair to Spencer.”

  His expression arrested, Chaz said, “So you’ve made a decision?”

  “Yes. But now isn’t the time. I’ll put Spencer off, then we can talk, okay?” She tried to push him into the closet, but he still resisted. “Or you can leave while I let Spencer know first.”

  “All right,” Chaz conceded with a frown. “I’ll stay. But I’m not hiding in that closet again. I don’t like enclosed spaces, remember? That is, unless you come in with me . . .”

  Oh, yes. She remembered all too well. Feeling her face heat with that memory, Kelly veered away from the closet and opened the bathroom door. “Then stay in here. And be quiet.”

  “All right.” He grabbed her by the arms and gave her a quick, fierce kiss. “But don’t be long.”

  “I won’t.”

  Straightening her hair and feeling harried when Spencer repeated his knock on the door, she opened it and smiled at him. It wasn’t like Spencer to bother her. “Sorry, I was . . .” She gestured vaguely at the bathroom.

  He apparently took it as an invitation to enter, for he came in and looked around a little uncertainly.

  “I really shouldn’t let you in here alone,” she said. “It’s not fair to Chaz.” Actually, it was more than fair, considering where Chaz was at the moment, but Spencer didn’t have to know that.

  He nodded. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. How did it go, yesterday, with him? We lost you kind of early.”

  He looked so anxious, Kelly’s heart went out to him. But, conscious of the possibility of Chaz listening in on the other side of the door in the bathroom, she said, “It was nice. Very different from my date with you, but nice.”

  “Better?”

  “Different,” she said firmly. So different that it was difficult to compare the two. As Scott had so succinctly put it, it was like the difference between elegance and excitement. But an excess of either wasn’t good. Why couldn’t she have a balance in her life?

  I want both. And she deserved it, darn it.

  “Did it help you make your decision?”

  “Not really,” she murmured honestly. She had already made her decision, but spending time with both men made her regret that a decision was even necessary.

  “But you will make one?” he asked anxiously.

  “Of course. In fact—”

  Another knock came at the door. Glancing through the peephole, she said, “It’s Scott.”

  She wavered for a moment. Scott obviously wanted her to choose Chaz. If he saw Spencer in here, ostensibly alone with her, Scott might be sarcastic, or start extolling Chaz’s virtues. And she just wasn’t up to dealing with that.

  Exasperated, she pulled Spencer toward the closet. “Hide in here for a few minutes, okay?”

  Spencer looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Is that really necessary?”

  “Yes, it is,” she said, wishing someone would do what she asked without an argument for a change. “He won’t leave if he knows you’re here. Just give me a couple of minutes to get rid of him, then there’s something I want to say to you.”

  His eyebrows rose. “You’ve made your decision, then?”

  “Yes, but now’s not the time.” She shoved him into the c
loset. “Just stay here until I tell you to come out, okay?”

  Though his face was set in disapproving lines, Spencer nevertheless complied with her request.

  As she closed the closet door, Chaz opened the one to the bathroom. She stopped him with a frantic wave of her hand. “Not now,” she mouthed.

  Nodding, he disappeared back into the bathroom and closed the door.

  Sighing, she opened the door to Scott and tried to keep him out in the hallway, but he breezed on past her.

  “Mother might see me out there,” he explained. “And I have no desire to meet with her again. I already spent several hours on the grill while you and Chaz were out playing yesterday.”

  “I’m sorry,” Kelly said. “I didn’t intend for you to catch the brunt of it.” She hadn’t wanted to catch it either, but with Mother, there wasn’t exactly a choice. Someone had to fry.

  Scott plopped down in a chair and snitched a handful of grapes. Waving one hand dismissively, he said, “Never mind. But it would put us all out of our misery if you would just announce your choice.”

  “I know,” Kelly said softly, extremely conscious that both potential choices were no doubt listening as hard as they could from their hiding places. Lowering her voice, she said, “I plan to do that soon. But I have been wondering whether to tell them separately or together.” Doing it only once had a great appeal, but . . .

  “Separately, I think,” Scott said. “You don’t want one guy watching triumphantly while you crush the other one’s hopes.”

  Yes, that’s rather what she thought, too. “Okay—”

  She broke off when yet another knock came at her door. She stared at it incredulously. What is this, Grand Central Station?

  Scott popped the last grape into his mouth and frowned. “If that’s Mother, I’m leaving. I’ve already had the pleasure of being interrogated once. It’s your turn.”

  Kelly looked through the peephole and said, “It’s not Mother, it’s Candace.”

  Scott rose, tossing the grape stems into the trash can.

  Grabbing his arm, Kelly tried to steer him toward the door, hoping to get rid of one person, at least.