Forbidden

by Vanessa Devereaux

  Katie had done the very same thing. In fact, the other two girls had too. Must run in the family. A loud commercial came on and Emily screamed.

  “Oh, there, there, was that an obnoxious noise that scared my sweetheart?” She kissed her granddaughter’s head.

  Emily continued to wail, so Maggie rocked her up and down a few times but nothing helped. She decided to walk around the living room just as the phone rang.

  “Okay, let’s see who that is. Maybe one of your aunts… Hello?”

  “Maggie.”

  She almost dropped Emily when she heard Jon’s voice.

  “Sorry I missed your call,” he said.

  “I should have guessed you’d be at the clinic.”

  “It’s been hectic the last day or two.”

  Emily chose that moment to scream louder.

  “Sorry about that, but I’m babysitting my granddaughter tonight.”

  “Sounds like she has a great pair of lungs on her.”

  “Oh yeah, just like her mother’s.” Maggie balanced Emily on her hip while securing the phone between her ear and shoulder. She paced up and down the living room. “Did you get my message about making things up with your mother?”

  “I did, but I don’t know if I want to.”

  “Think about it, because if anything happened to her you’d regret it, I know you would. She really loves you and you’ve been the centre of her universe since your father died.”

  “I know, but she’s got to learn not to cross the line with me and not to concern herself with what I do with my life.”

  Emily’s screaming calmed, turning into a constant gurgle again.

  Maggie sat her on the couch and played peek-a-boo with Emily’s teddy bear, hoping that would keep her granddaughter occupied while she continued her conversation with Jon.

  “So what about us?” he asked.

  His question didn’t surprise her. She’d sensed he was leading to the ‘where they stood and where they went from here’ thing. “What about us, Jon?”

  “I know there’s something very special between us. Our time together wasn’t just about great sex.”

  Maggie knew that too, and that’s what scared her the most. “I can’t see how this would ever work out, even if we didn’t have the age difference thing. We live miles apart.”

  “Then one of us should move to where the other one lives—”

  “Jon, stop that right now. I loved Mallorca, don’t get me wrong, but I have my daughters and now my granddaughter to think about.” She playfully pushed the teddy into Emily’s belly. “And not to mention I have a business in Maine.”

  “I understand that so…maybe I’ll think about coming to you.”

  Maggie closed her eyes. There’s nothing she’d like more. But deep down inside she knew one day he’d wake up and realise how much he’d sacrificed and regret it. Even start hating her and that would break her heart.

  “Maggie, tell me what you’re thinking.”

  “You moving here would be a big step in your life and I don’t think you’ve thought it through enough.”

  “How about I look into things? I mean, see if I like it when I visit at Christmas. You still want me to, right?”

  She had to be fair and not shoot down everything he said. “Yes, I do and okay, that sounds sensible enough.”

  “I’ll miss you until then.”

  “We can talk on the phone and there’s always email too,” Maggie said, knowing she’d miss him too.

  Emily started crying again.

  “I hate to cut our conversation short but I think my granddaughter needs either feeding or changing so I’ve got to go.”

  “Okay, either give me a call or I’ll try and catch you in a couple of days.”

  “Sure, and Jon, remember what I said about your mother.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  Maggie had let that slip out before she’d realised it. Maybe he hadn’t heard. Emily’s high octane scream had probably drowned it out.

  Maggie reached into Katie’s bag and pulled out the bottle of formula. She carried it and Emily to the kitchen where she heated up some water. “Okay, supper’s nearly ready.”

  When she’d checked that the milk was the right temperature, she sat on the chair and offered the bottle to Emily, who drank steadily, all the time looking at Maggie with her big blue eyes. Her little hands wrapped around the bottle as she sucked hard.

  “Don’t you tell your mom or aunts. In fact, let this be the first little secret we ever share. Your grandma had a fling while she was on vacation. I know it was silly but now she’s in a predicament. You see, she has deep feelings for the man…young man, I should say. If she gives in, gives her heart to him, what happens when he realises, as he will, that being with an older woman isn’t really what he wants? What happens when he wants to have a baby just like you?”

  Emily continued to suck while not taking her eyes off Maggie. God, she was so beautiful.

  “Remember, don’t tell anyone we’ve had this conversation.”

  * * * *

  Jon sensed that Maggie was still apprehensive about what lay ahead for them. He knew part of her resistance was the age difference and her fear that one day he’d want a family of his own. He put his hands behind his head. Maybe if he got a vasectomy that would convince her he had no interest in becoming a father. It would take away her fears and put one of the hurdles out of the way. That was something to consider.

  Next one, his mother. Maggie was right. If anything happened to her while they weren’t talking, he’d never forgive himself. But he was like his father, or what he’d been told about his father’s personality, so like his dad, Jon was stubborn. He liked others to say they were sorry and make the first move towards reconciliation.

  Nevertheless, he’d try, if only for Maggie’s sake.

  * * * *

  Maggie hadn’t realised she’d dozed off until the doorbell ringing woke her. She sat up, startled at the noise. Emily was fast asleep, safely nestled in pillows beside her. After picking up Emily, Maggie opened the door for Katie.

  “Sh,” Maggie said, putting her finger to her lips. “She’s fast asleep.”

  “Looks like you’ve been in the land of slumber, too.”

  Maggie caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror in the entryway. Her hair was a tangled mess and she’d forgotten to take off her makeup and now looked like a cross between Ozzy Osbourne and Alice Cooper. She gave in to a yawn. “I don’t think I’ve got used to being back on US time yet.”

  “You should have said something. I mean, if you weren’t up to babysitting.”

  “I’ll always be up to babysitting.”

  “This from the woman who thought she was too young to be a granny.”

  “Okay, it takes some getting used to but now I’m hooked. And it’s so much easier than being the parent. All the spoiling and none of the discipline.”

  “So how’s she been?” Katie asked.

  “She had a couple of outbursts, one while I was talking to J—” Maggie stopped herself just in time. “When I was talking to Joannie from the Chamber of Commerce. And she’s been fed and changed. So how was your date?”

  “Not so good.”

  “You want a drink of something? You can tell me what not so good means.”

  Katie sat in a kitchen chair and rested the still sleeping Emily in her lap while Maggie took out two glasses and poured them both some soda.

  “Since I’ve given birth to Emily, I haven’t had an orgasm. Do you think that’s got something to do with it? I mean, how about you, Mom? What happened after you had me?”

  In all honesty, Maggie couldn’t remember that far back. “It takes time for your body to readjust. Have you told Nick?”

  Katie shook her head. “I’ve been faking it. I figure it’s a lot easier. You know how men’s egos are when it comes to this sort of thing.”

  Maggie put her hand on her daughter’s arm. “You should always be
honest with your spouse. He’ll understand.”

  “But I don’t want him to think I’m blaming him for not getting the job done.”

  “He won’t, honey, really he won’t. Now, how about all three of my girls going out to lunch with me on Saturday? Apart from giving Emily her dress and toy from Mallorca, I haven’t had a chance to give anyone else their gifts.”

  “Sounds great, and maybe we can pump Sarah for info about her new beau.”

  Maggie took a sip of her soda. “Anyone seen him yet?”

  “Annie got a glimpse of him last week and said he’s super-delicious.”

  Maggie thought of Jon. What would her girls think of Jon? And what would they think about her having a wild fling with him? “Well, good for Annie. It’s what every girl needs, a super-hot man.”

  * * * *

  If he saw another patient with the same symptoms he’d go mad. Still, his shift was nearly over. The weekend was ahead.

  His first all by himself.

  He’d phone Maggie, sometime, maybe email her too. And he’d start to look into the possibility of working in Maine, but first he’d have to check if he could even practice there with a degree from a Spanish medical school.

  However, first on his list of chores was visiting his mother. Maggie was right. They shouldn’t be enemies. And it certainly wouldn’t help the situation between her and Maggie. He drove to the house. He’d given her back the door key and now he was just like any other visitor and rang the bell.

  Miguel answered it. “Jon, so good to see you. Your mother will be pleased too.”

  “Is she around?” He stepped inside.

  “She’s sitting at the pool reading. I’ll give you some privacy so you can talk.”

  “Thank you. And can I just ask if I have your support. I mean about my relationship with Maggie.”

  “She is an attractive woman and I don’t think age has anything to do with matters of the heart.”

  “So that’s a yes.”

  Miguel slapped Jon on the back. “Of course it’s a yes.”

  “Now all I have to do is convince my mother.”

  “She will come to her senses in time.”

  Jon walked through the house, slid open the patio door and went out to the pool where his mother was wearing a sundress and her oversized sun hat. She was reading a home design magazine. She looked over at him when he pulled up a chair beside her. “Did Miguel tell you what he found over by the storage hut when he was putting away some loungers?”

  “No, he didn’t and I’ve no idea. Did I lose something?”

  “I think Maggie did. Her bikini bottom.”

  Shit, she’d taken it off when they’d made love around the pool that day.

  “Did the two of you have sex out here too?”

  “So what if we did?”

  “What if someone saw you…the neighbours?”

  “The closest one is half a mile away and you can’t see the pool from there. Look, I didn’t come here to defend what we did or to argue again. I’ve come to visit you because Maggie said I should.”

  Shit, that had slipped out before he’d realised it.

  His mother slammed her magazine down on the table and glared at him. “So you’re still in contact with her?”

  “Why wouldn’t I be? Just because you don’t like the way things are doesn’t mean I’m going to throw away my relationship with Maggie.”

  “Relationship, is that what you’re calling it now?”

  “Yes, Mom, I love her.”

  “You can’t possibly mean that.”

  “Why, because she’s older, or because she’s your friend? I always remember you saying how wonderful Maggie is, that she’s a good mother, has been a wonderful friend, especially after Dad was killed. So why don’t you want your son to be with a special woman like her?”

  “It’s just—”

  “Just what?” He raised his eyebrows, waiting for an answer.

  “I don’t know, okay? I can’t put my finger on it… Maybe if she was your age I wouldn’t have such a tough time thinking about the two of you together. I guess it’s the whole sex thing I can’t deal with. Maybe it’s because I actually saw you in the act and then caught sight of that disgusting movie you’d obviously made while I was gone.”

  Jon reached out and put his hand onto his mother’s. “Neither of us thinks it’s disgusting, just the opposite. And the reason for that is we have sincere feelings for one another. Maggie wants you and me to be friends, not enemies, and she’s right.”

  “Oh, so you’ve just come here to please her, not because you really wanted to?” She pulled her hand away.

  He’d had enough for today and stood. “I’m tired from working non-stop at the clinic so I’ll be leaving now. However, I will give this one more try and I’ll be back to talk to you again. Hopefully by then you’ll be more reasonable.” Jon left by the side gate, got in his car and drove to his apartment.

  That hadn’t gone at all well.

  * * * *

  “Mom, it’s so beautiful, it must have cost you a fortune.” Annie held up the necklace Maggie had bought in Inca the day she and Jon had gone shopping there.

  “Do you have any photos to show us yet?” Sarah asked.

  “I haven’t had time to get prints made but I did bring the camera so you can look at the shots on the screen.” Maggie slid it across to her youngest daughter.

  “Is this Julie’s house?” Katie leaned over to look at the snaps.

  “Yes, it’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Maggie said, before taking a bite from her sandwich.

  The waitress filled up their ice teas as the girls continued to flick through the photos.

  “Lovely beach,” Annie said. “I might have to take a trip there soon. You think Julie would let me stay at her place?”

  Would Julie also consider Maggie’s offspring enemies now? She hoped not, no, surely she wasn’t that petty.

  “I’m sure she would,” Maggie said, not knowing what else to say.

  “Wait a second, go back to that one because it’s a hunk alert,” Katie said. “Ooh, let me take a closer look at this photo.” She tried to pull the camera from Sarah’s hands.

  Sarah raised her elbow to prevent her older sister from grabbing the camera. “Hey, I was looking at him first. And you’re married, in case you’ve forgotten.”

  “No, I haven’t, but a girl can still look at a hunk once in a while,” Katie said.

  Maggie knew who the girls were fighting over.

  Katie finally snatched the camera and turned it around to show Maggie. “Is this Julie’s son?”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “Oh my God, he’s hot,” Katie said.

  “Does he have a girlfriend?” Annie asked.

  “Not that I know of.”

  “Then I’m heading there soon,” Annie said.

  Katie flicked through more of the photos. “Mom obviously thinks so too, she took a lot of shots of him. I’m betting she was trying to set you up with him all the time she was there.”

  Maggie was sure she was having her first hot flash. She fanned her face. She couldn’t remember what other photos were on that camera. She’d taken two cameras with her on the trip and remembered her and Jon had asked a man at the restaurant to take a photo of them sitting together with the sun setting in the background, arms around one another, her head resting on his shoulder.

  “Mom, you mind explaining this to us?” Annie asked.

  The blood drained from Maggie’s face and she closed her eyes. There was no way she was going to tell the girls about Jon and her. Annie turned it around for Maggie to see.

  Phew, she was off the hook because the photo they were referring to was of her, topless. “I got carried away one day.”

  “Who took the photo?”

  Jon had but she couldn’t tell the girls. “I took it myself just for some fun.”

  “You know, Mom, for your age you’ve got a hot body and your boobs still look great too,” Sarah said
.

  “I hope it’s genetic,” Katie said.

  * * * *

  Jon paced up and down in his apartment. It was the middle of the night and he couldn’t sleep. It was humid for this time of the year, but the real reason for his restlessness was he missed Maggie. Missed looking at her, hearing her voice, touching her.

  Nicest thing about their time difference—he wouldn’t be waking her. He picked up the phone and dialled her number.

  “Hello.”

  He felt better already. “It’s Jon.”

  “What time is it there?”

  “Just past two a.m.”

  “You can’t sleep or what?”

  “I was thinking about you.”

  “How did things go with your mom?”

  “I went to see her.”

  “And?”

  “I think she’s over her initial resistance.” If only that were true. He hated lying to Maggie, but what else could he do?

  “Jon.”

  “Yes, I’ve been thinking about you too.” He closed his eyes.

  “My daughters saw a photo of you on my camera. They said you’re a hunk. I think Annie has her heart set on visiting you in Mallorca now.”

  “Tell her not to bother because I’m spoken for.”

  “Yeah, by who?”

  “I think you know.”

  “This is tough, isn’t it?” Maggie asked.

  “What is?”

  “Us, our time difference, the fact we’re miles apart and I want you to hold me, kiss me, make love to me again.”

  He closed his eyes. Maybe he’d have to make that trip to see her before December. “Let’s make a date for tomorrow night your time,” he said.

  “What?”

  “Phone sex. Let’s try having sex over the phone.”

  “I’ve never done anything like that… I assume you have.”

  “Never, so it will be a first for both of us.”

  Chapter Ten

  Katie had invited Maggie over for supper on Sunday night but she’d declined. Of course, she hadn’t told Katie the real reason for turning her down. Even her liberal-minded daughter might find it hard to believe that her mother would rather spend the evening at home having phone sex with Julie’s son than dine with her oldest child and her family.