by Diana Palmer
“And Mother.”
“Of course.”
For another moment silence surrounded them.
“I want you to sit down, even have a beer.”
“Why, Worth Cavanaugh,” she said in her most southern drawl, “you know that wouldn’t be good ‘cause I can’t handle spirits all that well.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Don’t I know that. The drunkest I’ve ever seen you was that night—”
As though he realized what he’d said and where this conversation was headed he broke off abruptly, a scowl replacing the laughter. “Dammit, Molly,” he said in a savage tone, “you almost ruined my life.”
She gave back as good as she got. “And you almost ruined mine.”
Another silence.
“Hey, Cavanaugh, get over here. Rip wants to talk to you.”
The moment was severed, never to be repaired. Without looking at her again, Worth turned and walked away. Thank God, a table was near by so she could sink onto the bench, or she might have sunk to her knees. Every bone in her body was quivering.
Every nerve.
Molly couldn’t let him paralyze her. Wouldn’t let him do that to her. The best antidote for her heavy heart was a dose of her child. Trent had a way of putting things back in perspective. Molly was well on her way to finding her son when she almost ran head-on into Eva and Ted Cavanaugh.
“Oh,” she said in a faltering tone, quickly moving back. “Sorry.”
Though Molly hadn’t seen them since her return to the ranch—she’d purposely kept her distance at the barbecue, too—she knew sooner or later her luck would run out. The inevitable had happened. After her encounter with Worth, meeting them face-to-face couldn’t have come at a worse possible time.
With them, there was no good time, she thought, feeling a pinch.
The intervening years had been kind to Eva. Oh, she was maybe a bit heavier and had a few gray hairs now mixed in with the blond, but amazingly her face remained virtually unlined. She still carried her large frame with the same confidence as always.
Aging had also been kind to Ted. He was still tall and good-looking, especially dressed in jeans and boots. She couldn’t tell if he was losing his hair since he had on a Stetson.
“Hello, Molly,” Eva said in her usual haughty tone, which had always irked Molly and still did.
Ted chimed in, “Yeah, Molly, it’s good to see you.”
Maybe he had a little too much enthusiasm in his voice to suit Eva because she shot him one of those famous Eva looks, indicating he had done something to displease her. Molly knew that when it came to her just being on planet Earth was displeasing to Eva.
Once she had cared. Now she didn’t. And the didn’t felt damn good.
“I hope you two are well,” Molly said out of politeness more than anything else.
Eva inclined her head and ran the tip of her tongue across her lower lip. “Do you really care how we are?”
No. As far as I’m concerned, you can butt a stump and die. Molly smiled her sweetest smile. “Of course.”
“How much longer do you intend to stay here?”
“As long as it takes.”
“For what?”
Eva knew, so Molly wasn’t about to indulge her. Now that she was older and wiser and knew the vicious games these two played, she was not about to take a ticket. When the situation called for it, Molly could be a bitch, as well.
“Her mother, Eva,” Ted put in, apparently embarrassed by his wife’s open hostility.
“By the way, how is Maxine?” Eva asked, though her tone was devoid of empathy.
“You know very well how she is,” Molly said without mincing words. “I’m sure Worth keeps you informed.”
“Actually,” Ted said, “we don’t see that much of our son.”
Although Molly was shocked at that disclosure, she didn’t let it show. Besides, she felt a tad sorry for the elder Cavanaugh. When he was not with his wife, he was a nice man. That summer he’d treated her with dignity and respect until—
“I’m talking to you, Molly.”
Molly clenched her hands to her side to keep from slapping both of Eva’s cheeks. She was the rudest person she’d ever known and Molly would be damned if she apologized for woolgathering. “What did you say, Eva?”
“I said you’re not wanted here.”
“Eva!” Ted exclaimed, giving her a hard look. “Now’s not the time for this kind of conversation.”
“That’s all right, Ted, I don’t mind.” Molly forced a smile. “Eva should feel free to say what she wants.”
Eva laughed though it fell far short of humor. “Mmm, not the same cowed young girl you used to be, huh?”
“That’s right.”
Eva leaned in closer, her features hard. “Make no mistake, honey. You’re no match for me and never will be.”
“That thought never crossed my mind,” Molly drawled in her sweetest tone yet.
Ted pulled on Eva’s arm and said between his teeth, “Let it go, dammit.”
Whipping her face around to her husband, Eva said, “If you don’t like what I’m saying, you can leave.” Her glare harshened. “But you ought to be right in here with me. For our son’s sake, if nothing else.”
“Eva,” he said again with considerably less confidence, as though he knew he was fighting a bear using only a switch.
“It’s all right, Ted.” Molly gave him a real but halfhearted smile. “I’m no longer that young, stupid girl I once was. I can take care of myself.”
“Molly, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t you dare apologize to her,” Eva flung at him viciously.
Ted merely held up his hands, then stepped aside.
She’d had enough of Eva Cavanaugh, too, and was close to telling her so. Only her mother and her condition kept her quiet. She didn’t think Worth would take any rash action like asking her, Molly, to leave, but when it came to his parents, she wasn’t sure. That summer had taught her how much he depended on his parents and how much influence they had on him.
“Molly, one more thing.”
“I’m listening, Eva,” she said calmly, knowing that would get Eva more than anything else.
“I’m sure you know that Olivia and Worth are soon to be married.”
“Not to worry, Eva.” Molly smiled. “She’s welcome to him. They’ll make a perfect couple.”
With that she walked off.
Thirteen
The party was winding down and for that Molly was grateful. She knew it had been a smashing success, if the mood of the guests was anything to judge by. Everyone seemed to have had their fill of the best barbecue in east Texas and all the booze they could want.
And the hottest band in the county was still playing.
The guests who remained behind were the really happy campers; her instincts told her they had talked Worth into finally throwing his hat into the political ring. Of course, she didn’t know that for sure, not being privy to that information.
The way John Lipscomb, Worth’s wannabe campaign manager, was slapping Worth on the back was the best indication that changes were in the works.
Molly still felt like Worth would make a good politician, not that her opinion mattered; it didn’t. Still, after musing about it, she sensed he’d make a good one. He was such a take-charge person, one who made decisions and stuck to them. Honesty was another must quality. Despite his having been less than honest with her, she felt that didn’t apply to his day-to-day dealings. In her book, a politician should have those assets and more.
A sigh split Molly’s lips as she looked over the grounds and spotted a table with leftover debris scattered over it. She had just taken steps in that direction when a hand caught her arm.
Knowing that touch above all else, her heart lurched and she swung around to face Worth.
“How ‘bout a dance?”
For a split second, shock rendered her speechless, then she stammered, “I … I don’t think so.”
/> “Why not?” Worth held on tightly, staring at her out of naked eyes.
“It wouldn’t be appropriate,” she whispered, feeling her insides go loose.
“Baloney.”
“Worth.”
“If you don’t dance with me, it’s because you don’t want to.”
“I—”
He didn’t bother to let her finish the sentence. He grabbed her, pulled her close and they began to do the Texas two-step in perfect unison, which wasn’t surprising. That summer they had danced many a time together, and Molly had reveled in each step. Perhaps that was because she was in his arms where she had longed to be.
Now, she’d just gotten into the beat of the music when the song abruptly ended.
“Damn,” Worth muttered.
She wanted to mutter hallelujah, knowing they were being watched by the remaining guests, his parents and his lover. Not a good thing.
“Look, I need to get back to work.”
“You know how that pisses me off.”
“What?” she asked innocently.
“Telling me you have to work when you don’t.”
“Go ask Olivia to dance,” Molly said in a weary tone, gently moving out of his arms, then she hurried to the table where the centerpiece was just short of becoming airborne. She had the object in hand when she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Someone was behind her.
She whirled around and stared into the lovely face of a strange woman.
“I’m Olivia Blackburn,” she said bluntly.
Molly schooled herself to show none of the myriad of emotions that charged through her. God, what had she done to deserve attention from both Worth’s parents and his girl in one afternoon?
“Hello, Olivia,” she said with forced politeness, having to admit that the woman was lovely in the truest sense of the word. Her hair was red with blond highlights, and her eyes were blue—a rare combination—but a stunning one, nonetheless. And she had a figure to die for. Though short and trim, she had oversized breasts that emphasized her tiny waist.
She would be just the right person on Worth’s arm when he did his political thing.
“If you don’t mind, we’ll dispense with the pleasantries,” Olivia said into the heavy silence, her tone nasty.
Molly took offense, but she kept her mouth shut. If Olivia had something else to say, then so be it. She couldn’t care less, one way or the other.
“I know why you’ve come back.”
Molly shrugged. “Good for you.”
“You’re fooling no one. It’s for Worth.”
“Oh, please,” Molly exclaimed in disgust.
“When you two were dancing, I saw how you looked at him.”
“Then you saw wrong.”
“No way.” Olivia’s tone now reeked of sarcasm.
Molly sugar-coated her smile, then said, “Surely you noticed, he’s the one who pulled me onto the dance floor.”
That blunt statement seemed to rob Olivia of words, but only for a second. She rebounded with the force of an alley cat fighting for survival. “You’re not wanted here.”
“Trust me, I wouldn’t be here, if I had a choice.”
“Oh, I know you’re saying you came back because of your mother, but I know better.”
“Really, now.” Molly made her tone as insulting as possible, plus she plastered on a fake smile, both of which seemed to spark Olivia’s eyes.
“You’re nothing but a slut, Molly Stewart, or whatever the hell your name is, and you’ll never be otherwise.”
“Now that you’ve gotten that off your chest, is there anything else?” Molly was determined to keep her voice stone-cold even. She wasn’t about to let this vindictive witch rattle her cage.
Only she had, Molly admitted silently, feeling perilously close to tears and hating herself for it.
“As a matter of fact there is. Worth is mine, and I intend to marry him.”
“Good for you.”
Olivia smiled an evil smile. “You’re not fooling me. You’ll never get Worth back, so you might as well pack your bags, get your brat and leave town.”
“Stop it!”
Olivia blinked, clearly taken aback by Molly’s sharp tone and words. “Despite what you think, you’re no better than me. As for my son, you leave him out of this.” Molly took a heaving breath, then hammered on, “As for Worth, you’re welcome to him.” She paused again. “To my spoils, that is.”
Olivia gasped while her hand flew to her chest as though she might be having a heart attack. While Molly didn’t wish that, she was glad she’d pierced Olivia’s hard heart with an arrow much the same as Olivia had pierced hers.
Olivia’s recovery was quick. Stepping closer to Molly, she hissed, “No one talks to me like that and gets away with it. Trust me, you’ll pay.”
Molly didn’t bother to respond. Instead, she whipped around and walked off, not even aware of where she was going until she reached the cool, shadowed barn. For a second, she was tempted to crawl into the loft and sob until she couldn’t sob any more. But giving in to her heartache would only make her feel worse.
Suddenly she felt trapped, wanting to flee Sky, Texas so badly her stomach roiled. Leaning against a post, she surrendered to her pain, letting the tears flow.
“Are you okay?”
Fear froze her insides, especially when she realized her intruder was none other than Worth himself. After those rounds with his parents and his woman, he was the last person she wanted to see, especially since her face was saturated with tears.
Would this nightmare ever end?
Before she faced him, she dabbed with a tissue she fished out of her pocket. Maybe in the shadows, he wouldn’t be able to tell she’d been crying.
Wrong.
“You’re not okay,” he said more to himself than to her, as he made his way further into the barn.
Panicked that he wouldn’t stop until he was within touching distance of her, which she couldn’t handle, Molly turned with her arms outstretched. “Don’t.”
Worth stopped instantly, though she knew taking orders from her, or anyone, went against his grain. Too bad. She’d had it with the entire Cavanaugh clan.
“Leave me alone, Worth,” she said in a low voice, feeling drained to the core.
“No.”
“No?”
“You heard me.”
“I can’t take any more,” she said, hearing the crack in her voice and knowing he did, too.
He took two long steps, which put him within a hairsbreadth of her. However, he refrained from touching her.
“I know what’s going down.”
“I don’t think you do.”
“I’m not blind, Molly.”
“It doesn’t matter,” she countered in a resigned tone.
“Mother and Dad cornered you.” A flat statement of fact. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Well, I do,” he said flatly.
Silence.
“What did they say, dammit?”
Anger suddenly flared inside her. “In a nutshell, I should get lost.”
He muttered some of the foulest words Molly had heard in a long time. “They don’t speak for me.”
“Couldn’t prove that by me.”
Ignoring that shot, he went on, “I also saw Olivia talking to you.”
“She also told me to get lost, that you belonged to her.”
Another string of curses flew out of his mouth, then he said, “Contrary to what she said, there’s no wedding in the offing.”
“Maybe there should be. She’ll make the perfect politician’s wife—all show and no do.”
That muscle in his jaw jerked, indicating that he hadn’t liked her remark, but he didn’t respond.
“I need to go,” she whispered, feeling more drained by the moment.
“Despite what you think, they—Mother, Daddy, Olivia—don’t speak for me.”
“Like hell they don’t,” she said, whipping her head back and
glowering at him. “From the outside looking in, it appears the monkeys run the zoo, not the zookeeper.”
“Damn you, Molly.” His nostrils flaring, he grasped her by the arms, hauled her against his chest and peered into her eyes.
“I told you not to touch me.” Her teeth were clenched so tightly her jaw throbbed.
“Not in those words, you didn’t.”
“Then I’m telling you now.”
“What if I like touching you?”
She struggled. “Let me go.”
“No.”
“Worth.” Her voice broke.
“Worth what?” His also broke.
“This is crazy.”
She swore she could see the blood heat up in his eyes as they held hers captive. “God, Molly, I can’t think of anything but you.”
“Stop it, please,” she pleaded, fearing not so much what he would do but what she would do. Right now, she needed to be held and loved, having been battered and beat up since the moment she’d arrived.
Kindness towards her now would surely be her undoing. It would lead to the one thing she could only dream of, but never have.
Him.
“I can’t,” he whispered, his agony evident.
Then he did what Molly most feared. He sank his lips onto hers in what was a hot, savage kiss that seemed to rip her soul out of its socket. At first, she fought him, then when his tongue warred with hers, she lost all will and gave in.
As the kiss deepened, their bodies went slack until their knees met the floor of the barn. That was when she felt him reach under her camisole and cover a breast. She moaned and without thinking, dropped her hand to his zipper, feeling him enlarge under her hand.
“I want you,” he muttered. “I have to have you. Now.” It was when he began to unbutton her jeans that she came to her senses, crying out. “No. I can’t do this.”
One hard push was all it took for him to lose his balance and fall backward. That was all she needed to scramble to her feet and flee from the barn, his string of curse words following her.
She placed her hands over her ears and ran for dear life.
Fourteen
“Well, son, are you, or aren’t you?”
Worth rubbed his stubbled chin. He had gotten up and come to his parents’ place before he’d showered and shaved. He’d at least taken time to brush his teeth.
