by J. M. Madden
Immediately Clayton pushed up from the bed and paced across the room. “I don’t know what the benefit to that would be. Obviously she didn’t want me. End of story.”
Sarah’s heart ached at the sight of her lover’s closed down expression. With crossed arms and clenched fists, he was obviously struggling with his emotions. And could she blame him? Time after time his feelings had been disregarded, if not deliberately stomped on.
“I don’t think that is the end of the story,” she persisted. “I think it may be part of the story, but the end is still to be written. I think you should check it out a bit, just to be sure things happened the way she said they did.”
He finally stopped in front of her. “I’ll think about it.”
Sarah stood and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him gently. Clayton’s hands settled on her hips. “That’s all I ask,” she murmured. “If she did give you up, she’s a fool a million times over and you’re better off without her anyway.”
Reluctantly, he chuckled. “If you say so.”
“I do,” she told him firmly. “I love you, Clayton. More than I can ever possibly express to you.” Kissing him softly, she smiled up into his stunned gray eyes. “You had to have expected this, with the way I talked to your stepmother?”
He shook his dark head mutely, but his hands clenched her hips almost painfully, telling her he was not unaffected. Sarah’s heart was about to pound out of her chest, but she forced her smile to stay strong. There was no way to judge by his expression if he was happy or angry at her declaration. His face had closed down fiercely. She would assume somewhat happy, and go from there. She firmed her confidence.
“I didn’t tell you this to put you on the spot for anything. I just wanted you to know that I am behind you and support you. It seems like everybody in your life tries to take advantage of you, and I swear to you I’m not doing that. I just love being with you. I love watching you open up with Tory. I love watching you play with my silly dog. I love watching you brush your teeth and put your socks on. I just want to be a part of your life.” Sarah refused to admit to herself how needy she sounded, she didn’t care. He needed to hear this, all of it. Clayton did not seem to know what to say. For several heart-pounding seconds, he merely looked at her before asking her quietly to tell him again.
“I love you, Clayton Gallagher.” Sarah punctuated her declaration with a tender kiss, wrapping her arms around him. Clayton’s own arms wrapped around her so tightly she thought she was going to lose her breath.
With his mouth against her ear, he whispered, almost too quietly for her to hear, “Nobody’s ever told me that before.”
Sarah did not think her heart could break when it was so full, but it did. She cried then, for the lost little boy he had been and the strong man he had turned into, in spite of all of them. She cried for her own relief at a trying situation over and done with, and finally, with happiness that he was trying to accept her love.
Pulling back in his arms, she grinned saucily up at him. “You know, I’ve watched you for almost a year and a half, trying to figure out how to get a chance to talk to you. Then Meredith called one day and, presto – opens that door I’ve been knocking at for so long wide open.”
Clayton pulled back a bit and asked her, with a far too innocent expression on his handsome face, “Who do you think told her to call?”
Sarah could not keep her eyes from tearing up as she captured his face in her hands. “It took you long enough, damn it.”
With an inarticulate groan, Clayton’s lips gently covered hers and he wiped away the tears slowly sliding down her cheeks. Sarah was disappointed he didn’t say anything back, but slowly realized as his hands glided down her body that he was telling her in the most eloquent way possible, his own. As much as he was able. Tears continued to fall as Clayton gently plundered her mouth, worshiping her. Their lovemaking had always been feverish and desperate, but this morning, it was deliciously slow and heartbreakingly tender. And when Sarah finally fell asleep a long while later, she felt absolutely cherished in Clayton’s devoted arms.
Chapter Fifteen
‡
Clayton was as good as his word and the Gallagher women were out of the house within two days. Jillian had tried to find alternative accommodation in the city, but supposedly, no one would have her when her famously bottomless credit card was unexpectedly declined. Sarah didn’t know if she believed that but Tory was very sure of her sources.
“I’m not sure that that’s something we should be laughing about,” she said slowly. “I mean, she is still your grandmother, technically.”
Tory’s chin turned pugnacious. “No, she’s the lady that said she was my grandmother when it suited her. Most of the time she didn’t even want to acknowledge me because it meant she was getting old.”
Sarah snorted, though the statement had the ring of truth. She could totally see Jillian blocking her only granddaughter from a conversation or a party just to make herself feel better.
Andrea must have forgotten she felt guilty because she hadn’t even tried to say goodbye to Tory. As they listened to the women throw orders to the staff on the last day, Sarah watched Tory for any sign that she was hurting. The girl looked surprisingly upbeat, though, and bright eyed. “Do you think you’ll miss your mother?”
Tory twisted her face up in thought, but shook her head. “I don’t think so.” She looked at Sarah out of the corner of her eye. “You are more like I think a mother should be. Even though you work for us and are getting paid and everything, I think there are certain things you can’t buy.”
Sarah choked down a laugh. Tory probably didn’t realize the insult she’d just thrown out. Maybe she should only address the positive part of the statement. “You’re very right. There are certain things that you can’t pay for, like affection and laughter.” She tugged on the girl’s hair. “Your uncle didn’t pay me to like you. I did that on my own.”
“And I’m glad that you did,” Tory told her, reaching out for a quick hug.
Sarah hugged her back, truly happy that the girl seemed to be finding her emotional footing.
It was very quiet in the house when the Gallagher women finally left, but it was a serene, easy quiet as if even the house could take a breath. Clayton had worked from home today and he came into the solarium as they were finishing up. He sat down next to Tory on the edge of the fountain.
“Are you doing all right?”
Tory nodded, then leaned back and gave him a sharp look. “Are you okay?”
Clayton seemed surprised at the question but he gave it serious thought. “You know, I think I am. It will be good for your mother and grandmother to get out and experience life on their own. I don’t mind helping them out, but they weren’t trying to help themselves anymore. They need to do something productive.”
Tory sighed, drifting her hand in the water. “Yeah. They got used to being mean to everybody and that’s not good. I feel bad for the help at the chateau.” She hesitated, straightening, then glanced between Clayton and Sarah. “I want you guys to know that I will do as well as I possibly can in school, and I’ll really try not to be in the way or anything.”
Sarah’s heart hurt at the insecurity she heard in the girl’s voice. She started to reassure her, but Clayton had already wrapped his strong arm around Tory’s shoulders. “You don’t need to worry about that. Taking care of you has never been a hardship. Quite the opposite, in fact. You are one of the highlights of my day. I’ll let you in on a secret. I didn’t want you to go to Switzerland either. That was why I brought Sarah in to do your picture.”
Tory’s eyes had filled with tears at her uncle’s words and she leaned in to his shoulder. “Thank you, Uncle Clayton. I feel the same way. Ever since I was little, every time I see you, you make me smile.”
Then the girl pulled away and gave him a piercing look. “But that’s not the only reason you brought Sarah in, is it? I’ve seen the way you two are together.”
Cla
yton quirked a brow and looked up at Sarah standing above them, smiling slightly. “You know, Tory, you are incredibly smart. I brought Sarah in on the slim excuse of having your portrait done because she fascinated me. When I saw her pictures in the gallery I couldn’t imagine the kind of life she painted, but she has opened my eyes to so many things.”
“You should marry her,” Tory told him firmly, nodding. “Then we could be a family. A real one. Because you love her, right?” There was an underlying note of urgency in Tory’s voice as she pressed her uncle for an answer.
Clayton blinked, then looked at Sarah as if gauging her reaction. “I do,” he said firmly, standing.
Sarah blinked, tears filling her eyes. Then he was there, cupping her cheek in his hand. His calm, determined look made her catch her breath. “Sarah Tyler, you humble me with your grace under fire and the warmth of your heart. You have completely bowled me over and turned my life around. I’m doing things today that I never imagined doing before. I even grew a beard because you thought it looked good on me.”
She burst out laughing, stroking the dark strands. “It does,” she confirmed.
“I refuse to imagine my life without you in it, because you are my heart. After a year and a half I finally feel like I’m living. I know I’m a little late with my response from the other day, but I love you, too. Will you marry me?”
Sarah could not nod her head fast enough. Then he kissed her, confirming through touch what he’d already told her with words. Sarah allowed herself to be swept away with emotion as Tory’s excited yells echoed through the solarium.
Chapter Sixteen
‡
Sarah smiled happily as she looked around the huge white tent sheltering the reception guests from the late September sun. Jack and Helen Tyler were dancing their way across the hardwood dance floor at the far end of the tent. Her father caught her eye and grinned, winking hugely. Nobody could be happier that she had gotten married. Well, maybe one person, Sarah thought as her gaze settled on her plump mother. When she had told her over the phone that she and Clayton were getting married, Helen had screamed, and immediately began planning a guest list. When she bemoaned the fact that one month was not enough time to get everything done, Sarah told her that she had an impressionable twelve year old daughter-to-be that needed to be in a legitimate environment as soon as possible, and Clayton was only willing to wait a month to get that done. Daddy had come on the line to tell her that her mother had had to sit down, because she was weeping too hard to speak.
The Tyler family invasion a few days ago had been epic. Mom and Dad had come to Connecticut first and as soon as she had seen Clayton, Sarah’s mom had wrapped him in her arms and given him a big kiss on the cheek. Her dad had shaken his hand, pumping firmly. “Nice to meet you, Clayton. Mind if I call you Clay?”
Clayton had shaken his head, a bemused, considering expression on his face at the easy familiarity. “No, sir.”
In typical fashion, her mom looked around the foyer, shaking her head a little. “Are these all real?” she whispered to Sarah. “I’m afraid to move.”
She’d nodded. “Yes, they are.”
Tory came down the stairs looking cute and a little bashful. Sarah reached out to pull her against her side. “Mom, this is Tory. She needs to know what a real grandmother is like.”
Without hesitation her mother had captured Tory’s shoulders and looked her up and down, then cupped her face in her hands. “She’s so beautiful,” her mother cried, and pulled the girl into her arms. They had become fast friends right then, even as Helen gave her chores to help unload the car.
Tory seemed just as fascinated with Sarah’s father. Jack Tyler had the blustery voice of a former manufacturing plant foreman, but he could gentle it to a relaxing rumble when he needed to. But it was a well-known secret that his heart was the softest part of him. As he was introduced to his new granddaughter, tears glistened in his eyes and he nodded his head at Sarah with a tremulous smile. “She’ll do in a pinch, won’t she?”
Sarah laughed and explained to Tory that that was a good thing. Jack had pulled her into a tight hug, rubbing her shoulders.
Tory seemed a little overwhelmed and emotional. Then even more so as Sarah’s two brothers and their boisterous families arrived two days later. Sarah had warned the Fausts that perhaps it would be a good idea to shelve some of the more fragile items beyond her four nephews’ and two nieces’ grubby little reach, and it was a good thing she had. They ran through the house like terrors.
Sarah watched Tory slip away up the stairs and decided to follow her. She caught her on the landing. “Are you okay, Tory?”
She nodded, but her eyes were shadowed. “I just never imagined. I mean, you see things on TV and stuff, but I’ve never actually been in a group like this. Your family is just a lot to take in.”
Sarah tugged on her hair. “Well, good or bad, they’re your family now, too.”
Tory groaned but looked down on the people gathered in the sitting room with new appreciation.
She wondered what Tory would say when she told her the family would be growing even more?
Smiling now, Sarah rested her hand on her still fairly flat tummy. Although she was only about eight weeks along, and had no way of telling for sure yet the sex of the baby, she had a very strong feeling a darling little boy was on the way. Only a strong male of the Gallagher line would be determined enough, strong enough, to be in that one percentile chance the birth control companies always warned women about.
Clayton’s eyes had teared up when she told him her suspicions, and he had wrapped her tightly in his arms, just holding her silently. For several hours that night, they had shared their dreams for the life nestled in her belly, whispering quietly into the dark.
Looking across the crowd now, she could not believe how much things had changed since that early June afternoon when she had sat on Clayton’s uncomfortable settee restraining herself from reaching out and touching him.
Her eyes rested on the dark haired older woman at his side. Angela Pierce had broken into heart wrenching sobs when she opened her shabby Bronx apartment door two weeks ago to find Clayton on her doorstep. Jillian had indeed been lying when she’d told Clayton that his birth mother had sold him. Quite the opposite had been true, actually. Gerald Gallagher had threatened the widowed Angela with the loss of her two older children and everything she owned if she did not sign over her parental rights, giving Clayton to him completely. The ten-thousand dollars Gerald had paid her had been guilt money, plain and simple, and Angela had treated it as such, depositing it into an account and letting it grow in Clayton’s name. As much as she struggled to make ends meet over the years, she had never touched a single penny of that money. That determination had made Sarah’s own throat tighten with tears and she knew within minutes of meeting her that Angela would be a wonderful mother to Clayton. So far, she had been proven correct. Andrew and Stacy, Clayton’s older brother and sister, were also here with their families.
Clayton had sent an engraved invitation to his stepmother and sister-in-law in France for the wedding, but they had respectfully declined.
Tory had joyfully agreed to be Sarah’s maid-of-honor, with a little instruction from Faust and Marianne. All of the lunch girls from Clarion had come to celebrate the nuptials as well.
Both of the portraits were completed and wrapped, waiting in their bedroom for him to unwrap them as his wedding gift. When he asked her what she wanted for her wedding gift, Sarah had told him she had already gotten it. Him.
Looking up, her eyes connected with Clayton’s across the room, and a feeling of sublime contentment washed over her. Everything had worked out the way it was supposed to. As her mother had said, he had finally come around.
The End…
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If you would like to read about the ‘combat modifie
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Other books by J.M. Madden
A Touch of Fae
Second Time Around
A Needful Heart
Wet Dream
Love on the Line Book 1
Love on the Line Book 2
The Awakening Society – FREE
Tempt Me
Urban Moon Anthology
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About the Author
NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author J.M. Madden writes compelling romances between ‘combat modified’ military men and the women who love them. J.M. Madden loves any and all good love stories, most particularly her own. She has two beautiful children and a husband who always keeps her on her toes.
J.M. was a Deputy Sheriff in Ohio for nine years, until hubby moved the clan to Kentucky. When not chasing the family around, she’s at the computer, reading and writing, perfecting her craft. She occasionally takes breaks to feed her animal horde and is trying to control her office-supply addiction, but both tasks are uphill battles. Happily, she is writing full-time and always has several projects in the works. She also dearly loves to hear from readers! So, drop her a line. She’ll respond.
