Mistaken for a Mistress

by Kristi Gold

  “She’s a special woman,” he said. “Probably the best woman I’ve ever met.”

  Millie pointed her cane at him like a weapon. “Then why in heaven’s name would you take off without her?”

  “Because I don’t think she’d consider leaving you. And even if she did, I’m not sure she’d be happy in Nebraska. She’s told me several times San Francisco’s her home.”

  Millie clucked her tongue. “My dear, Kerry has never really had a home. True, she has shared my house, but it’s never been her own in the way most of us know. And now I’m afraid she won’t have that any longer.”

  “You’re going to put her out?”

  “In a way, yes. And I hate that more than anything I’ve hated in my lifetime.”

  The woman was making no sense to Ford. “Then why would you do it?”

  “Because I have no recourse but to move in with my niece. For all intents and purposes, I am broke.”

  She was broke, and Kerry would be homeless again. No one should have to suffer that once in a lifetime, much less twice. Especially not the woman he loved.

  The woman he loved.

  There it was, the cold, hard truth. A truth he was more than willing to accept.

  “When are you going to have to move?” he asked, like that really mattered.

  “By the end of the month. Kerry can remain until the house sells, but after that she’ll have to find a new place to reside.” Her thin lips curled up into a smile that revealed what Ford suspected was a fine set of dentures. “I hear Nebraska is a very nice place to live.”

  Ford had rarely heard anyone say that; at least, not any woman he’d known before. “Are you telling me I should ask her to come live with me?”

  “Yes, but only if you love her. Only if you’re willing to give all of yourself to her and pledge to make her happy. And only if you promise me you will bring her and your children to visit me often.”

  Children. He’d never let himself consider having any. But he’d want that with Kerry. Want to see her belly swollen like Abby’s. Want to make love to her every night of his life. But would she want that, too?

  Ford rubbed a hand over his neck and studied the floor. “I’m not sure she’ll agree.”

  “Have you asked her?”

  “No.”

  “Do you love her?”

  He raised his gaze so Millie could see the sincerity in his eyes. “Yes.”

  “How much?”

  More than he realized. More than he loved his freedom from commitment. “Enough to ask her to marry me, as insane as that sounds.”

  Millie tossed back her head and laughed. “Oh, my dear, that’s not insanity. That’s the voice of love speaking. And you’ll do well to listen to it.”

  Driven by a sudden sense of purpose, Ford snatched the keys to the rental off the table and pocketed them. “Where is she now?”

  “I imagine she’s at home, studying. I’m certain she will enjoy your company. Myself, I have a card game that could go well into the night, especially if I happen to find myself on a winning streak for a change.”

  The woman was a real piece of work. “You bet on bridge?”

  Taking Ford by surprise, Millie moved to his side and linked her arm in his. “Truthfully, my friends and I prefer a good game of penny poker. Much more interesting, don’t you agree?”

  He grinned. “Yeah, I guess so.”

  “Now you may escort me to my car, and then you will see to my charge.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  Once they reached the hotel door, Millie faced him again. “I didn’t trust you when I first met you because I sensed you were hiding something. And now I know what that something is.”

  Ford frowned. “What do you think I’ve been hiding?”

  “Your heart. But now that it’s in the open, you must give it all to Kerry.”

  He patted her hand resting in the bend of his arm. “I already have, Millie.”

  Broken hearts sucked as much as calculating interest rates.

  Kerry sat in the middle of the bed she’d slept in for the past ten years, a book sprawled in her lap, plagued with the beginnings of a mild headache and a heartache the size of the home she would soon be forced to leave.

  She couldn’t concentrate on the text before her, even knowing she was behind in her studies. Her goal to obtain her real estate license wasn’t as pressing as facing the prospect of never seeing Ford Ashton again, or hearing his voice one last time. He hadn’t bothered to call, even though she’d stared at the bedside phone several times for the past two hours, as if she could will it to happen. But she couldn’t force him into doing something he didn’t want to do, and obviously her little spontaneous declaration had meant nothing to him. Either that, or it had prompted him to catch a plane tonight instead of tomorrow.

  When she heard the bedroom door creak open, Kerry didn’t bother to look up. No doubt Millie had opted to leave her bridge game early and would now embark on a session of “let’s grill Kerry about her love life” for Lord only knew how long. She was simply too tired to deal with it.

  “Lose all your pennies?” she asked, pretending to peruse the page.

  “Nope. Just my mind.”

  Kerry’s whole body went rigid at the sound of the deep, endearing voice. Her entire heart took a tumble at the same time. Slowly she lifted her eyes to find him standing there, all six-foot-plus of potent male wearing washed-out jeans that showcased his long legs and a starched pale-blue shirt that contrasted with his golden skin and highlighted his luminescent eyes.

  When she failed to speak, he asked, “Am I interrupting something?”

  Only her ability to take in a decent draft of air. “No. I’m just trying to catch up on some things.” Trying not to launch herself off the bed and into his solid arms.

  “Mind if I sit down and talk to you for a minute?”

  She would mind if he didn’t. “Sure.” After tossing the book aside, she patted the space beside her. “Take a load off.”

  He crossed the room with the same confidence she’d noticed the first time she’d seen him. But his eyes looked much less self-assured as he slid onto the edge of the mattress.

  “I’m surprised Millie sent you up here without insisting on serving as a chaperone,” she said, keeping her tone light.

  “Millie’s not here.”

  “Then how did you get in?”

  “With Millie’s key.”

  None of this was making any sense to Kerry. “Excuse me?”

  He shifted slightly. “Millie paid me a visit today at the hotel. We had a talk.”

  So that’s why he was here, at Millie’s insistence. That made Kerry’s heart even heavier. “I’m sure that was interesting.”

  “You could say that. She told me she was going to move.”

  Kerry sighed. “I was afraid of that. If you’re worried about me, I’ll be okay.”

  “I’m sure you will. Have you thought about where you might go?”

  She shrugged. “I can’t stay in this area because I can’t afford it. I’m sure I’ll find an apartment somewhere.”

  “I know of a place that might interest you.”

  “Where?”

  “It’s a house. Three bedrooms, three baths—”

  “I can’t afford anything like that.”

  “Yes, you can.”

  “Trust me, I can’t.”

  His expression remained unreadable. “Just hear me out, okay?”

  Kerry wasn’t quite comprehending any of this scenario. “Okay. First of all, where exactly is this place?”

  “It’s kind of in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by a lot of land. The only disadvantage is you have to drive a ways to find a mall. Entertainment’s hard to come by, but the people are simple and basically good.”

  “This doesn’t sound like California.”

  “It isn’t in California.”

  A little glimmer of hope began to shine through Kerry’s confusion. “Then where is it?”
<
br />   “In Nebraska. I know the owner personally, and so do you. Better than any woman has ever known him.”

  Although things were beginning to make sense, Kerry was still hard-pressed to let herself believe. “Who is he?”

  Ford took her hands into his and held them against his heart. “A man who loves you more than he’s ever loved anyone or anything in his life.”

  Tears stung the backs of her eyes. “Ford, I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

  “You know exactly what I’m saying, even if I’m not saying it that well. I love you, Kerry, and I want you to come back to Nebraska with me. As my wife.”

  She felt faint and giddy, but all she could do was stare at him in disbelief. “Are you serious?”

  “As serious as I’ve ever been about anything in my life. But I have to know two things. First, if what I saw you say to me is true—that you love me. And if you’ll even consider marrying me, if not now, then whenever you’re ready.”

  She raised his hands to her lips and kissed them. “Yes, I love you. I wanted to tell you that last night, out loud, and I almost did, but then…” She smiled. “You know the rest.”

  He inched off the bed and pulled her up into his arms. “Yeah, I know the rest. I’ve been thinking about it all day. Thinking about you.”

  “Me, too,” she said, followed by a rogue sob. “I can’t believe this is happening. And I can’t believe I’m seriously considering your offer.”

  “You are?”

  “Unless you’re only doing this because you’re worried I’m going to end up back on the streets.”

  He swept a warm kiss across her forehead. “No, I’m worried you’ll end up with another man, and I couldn’t stand the thought of that happening. In fact, I can’t stand the thought of being without you even a day from here on out. So?”

  She couldn’t help teasing him just a little. “So what?”

  “Are you going to marry me?”

  “Well, I do have school to consider. I’ll be finished by the end of the month, and I’ve worked so hard to get my license, I don’t want to blow it now.”

  “You can sell land in Nebraska. We have more than our share there. I’ll have to go back to the farm and check on things, but I’ll be back for you, as long as I know you’ll be waiting for me.”

  Waiting with all the love in her heart. “Promise?”

  He studied her face and touched her cheek. “Sweetheart, nothing could keep me away from you, you can count on that.”

  Kerry knew she could count on that, and him. But now it was time to broach a more serious issue. “There is another consideration. Millie. I know she’ll be taken care of, but I hate to think I’ll never see her again.”

  “You’ll see her. I promised I’d bring you and our kids back for visits.”

  Her smile came full force. “Kids, huh?”

  He grinned. “Yeah. I never thought I’d have any, but I want that now, as long as it’s with you.”

  “I want that, too.” More than she realized until this point. “I think we’ll be good at it.”

  He whisked a kiss over her lips. “I’m sure we will, considering how good we are at the baby-making process.”

  “You’re right about that.” She pressed against him. “Maybe we should get in a little practice.”

  “Not until you tell me yes.”

  She frowned at him, mock serious. “You’re going to refuse to have your way with me until I officially agree to marry you?”

  “Yeah, I am.”

  “Well then, I guess I’ll have to marry you.”

  He picked her up off her feet, swung her around, then set her back down to deliver a kiss so full of emotion and passion, Kerry’s head whirled from the effects. Once they parted, he told her, “I have another idea.”

  “You want to make love on the floor?”

  “Not a bad suggestion, but this has to do with Millie.”

  She released the first button on his shirt. “Millie will have to get her own man.”

  He caught her hand and stilled it against his chest. “I’ve been thinking about her situation and I’ve decided I’ll pay off her mortgage so she can live out the rest of her days right here. No one should ever have to leave their home.”

  Oh, how she loved him in that moment. “She’s got a lot of pride and because of that, I’m not sure she’ll agree. Plus, she’s not getting any younger. She needs someone to stay with her.”

  “I thought about that, too. I know a lost and lonely teenager who might fit the bill.”

  Kerry was confused again until the light of comprehension suddenly snapped on. “You mean Eddie?”

  “Yeah. Do you think Millie would agree to that?”

  “I know she would. And I would find comfort knowing that she’ll have someone to replace me.”

  “You’re wrong about that, Kerry. No one could ever replace you. You can take my word on that.”

  This time Kerry kissed him, putting all of her love into the gesture. “You’re a remarkable man. Did you know that, Ford Ashton?”

  “We’re remarkable together. So when are you going to marry me?”

  “As soon as we find a suitable place to do it.”

  His gaze shot to the bed and without warning, he grabbed the hem of her top and tugged it over her head. “I believe right here will do fine.”

  She released the rest of the buttons on his shirt, grinning all the while. “I meant a suitable place to have a wedding.”

  He dispensed with his shirt and kicked out of his jeans and briefs, then said, “You just happen to be in luck.”

  “Oh boy, am I,” she said as she noticed the extent of his arousal.

  He went to work on her clothes, leaving her naked and needy in record time. After he took her down onto the bed, he told her, “I was talking about the wedding.”

  Kerry frankly wasn’t sure she could talk at all when Ford sent his hands over her body. “What about the wedding?”

  “I just happen to know this special place.”

  “You most certainly do,” she murmured as he caressed her with his gifted hands, loved her with his tender mouth. All talk of the wedding ceased, but Kerry wasn’t that concerned about the location or the time. Her only concern was Ford filling her completely, both heart and soul as he told her again and again that he loved her, while he made sweet love to her. She didn’t care where they married, or when, as long as they spent the rest of their days together suspended in this lovely state of bliss.

  Ford had taken Caroline up on her offer to hold the ceremony at The Vines, the one he’d scoffed at less than a month ago. They’d settled on a spot by the small lake, keeping the event simple, with only a select few family members in attendance. Abby had gladly agreed to serve as Kerry’s attendant, and Grant had proudly filled in as best man. The ceremony had been brief but to the point, that point being that he and Kerry had vowed to be together for life. A life he’d once believed he would spend alone. Not anymore.

  An all-around perfect day for a wedding, according to the guests. But Ford decided absolute perfection now stood only a few feet away, wearing the satin dress she’d borrowed from his sister, her blond hair burnished by the setting sun, the lake serving as a great backdrop for her beauty. She was chatting with Abby and Millie, Eddie standing nearby, looking and acting completely different from the sad, circumspect girl who’d almost sent his uncle to jail. According to Kerry, Millie was a master at working wonders with lost souls. From the looks of this version of one of those lost souls, he’d have to agree.

  Ford was only mildly aware of Grant’s and Russ’s conversation involving cattle and commodities coming from beside him. The only thing that held his interest at the moment was Kerry Roarke Ashton. He’d arrived back in California two days before and had barely had time alone with her, much less made love to her. They’d communicated for two weeks by phone and, granted, some of those conversations had turned sexy enough to sear a few cornstalks. But it hadn’t been the same as the real
thing, and the prospect of the real thing had him ready to get out of there and get on with the honeymoon. He intended to do just that real soon.

  “I need to talk to you and Abby for a few minutes, Ford. It’s important.”

  Ford turned his attention to Grant and immediately noted his serious expression. “What about?”

  “I’ll tell you as soon as you get your sister over here.”

  “Do you want me to give you some privacy?” Russ asked.

  Grant shook his head. “No. You need to hear this, too. So does Kerry.”

  Ford couldn’t begin to guess what this was all about, but he worried it could be something that might ruin the day and his good mood. “I’ll call them over.”

  Turning back to Kerry, he noticed Millie and Eddie had left and in their place stood Caroline’s daughter, Mercedes. But she was only there for a time before a look of alarm crossed her face and she rushed away toward the house.

  Ford whistled and gestured at Kerry. Abby followed her over and while they walked, he heard Kerry ask, “What do you think’s wrong with her?”

  “I’m guessing nothing that won’t be cured in a few months,” Abby muttered.

  Ford suspected they were talking about Mercedes, and although he was somewhat curious, he was more concerned with Grant’s sullen mood. Still, he couldn’t help teasing his sister a little, for old-time’s sake.

  “Hey, Abigail, stick out your arms so I can tell if you’re walking or rolling.”

  “Shut up, Ford, or I’ll tell your wife all your dirty little secrets.” She said it with a smile while rubbing her distended belly, prompting Ford to imagine what it would be like to see Kerry pregnant with his child. He figured he’d look as proud as Russ, who wrapped his arm around Abby and pulled her close to his side.

  Ford did the same with Kerry, finding comfort in her presence, knowing Grant was about to lay some serious stuff on them. What, he couldn’t say. But he knew his uncle well enough to know that what Grant was about to tell them would qualify as anything but light conversation.

  “Now that you’re all here,” Grant began, “I have something important I need to say. I wasn’t sure now was the time or place, but since I’m not going to be home for a while, I decided now is as good a time as any.”