Always & Forever

by Chantel Rhondeau

  “You’re right. They would have,” Zach agreed. “I have to talk to Lilly. I bet she’s really angry with me.”

  “She’ll understand you needed a little time to process things.” Sarah reached across the table to squeeze his arm. “You deserve to be happy, big brother. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  ***

  Lilly had escorted Margaret to several appointments without getting a chance to talk to her. They were finally alone in Margaret’s suite, and Lilly shored up her courage.

  “Margaret, we need to talk.”

  Margaret rocked back in her chair. “We’ve been talking, child. Tell me how great things are with my grandson. Aren’t you glad I got you together?”

  “Well, about Zach...” Lilly sank into the loveseat and sighed. “We’re not seeing each other anymore.”

  Margaret shook her head. “That’s ridiculous. What are you talking about?”

  “I told him some things last night. I need to talk to you about them, too. I’ll gladly turn in my notice so you can hire a more suitable candidate for my position, but I’d appreciate if you don’t spread around what I’m about to tell you.” Lilly took a deep breath. “It’s about my life before I came here.”

  “You want to talk about your past?” Margaret’s thin eyebrows flew toward her hairline. “I would think that topic would be off limits...Katherine.”

  The bottom fell out of Lilly’s universe. Her stomach did a flip-flop and settled somewhere too high in her chest. Margaret knew.

  She’d wasted so much time worrying about discovery. A tight knot of anger clenched in her belly. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Calm down, Lilly,” Margaret said. “You didn’t really think I’d hire you without investigating your past, did you?”

  Lilly’s hands curled into tight fists and blood pounded in her temples. That was exactly what she’d thought. “Why did you set me up with Zach?”

  Margaret sighed. “I like you. Patricia is hell bent on Zach starting a serious relationship. I want it to be a happy relationship.”

  “And I was the best you could come up with?” Lilly wrapped her arms around her shaking body. “What if I hadn’t worked out? Would you have looked at the ladies working in the laundry room? Maybe one of them actually did kill someone.”

  Margaret slammed her fist against the arm of her chair. “That’s quite enough, child.”

  “No, I really don’t think it is.” Lilly couldn’t think clearly. All her hurt at Zach’s rejection turned to cold anger. Margaret set her up for failure all along. “I know you found Steven for Sarah and that he also worked for you. Is it your dream to marry all your grandchildren off to someone from the working class?” She glared at Margaret. “Do you do it to annoy Patricia?”

  Margaret’s eyes flashed. “Maybe you were lucky enough to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth, young lady, but the Woodbridge family knows the meaning of hard work.” She jabbed a gnarled finger at Lilly. “My husband and I lived in a studio apartment for the first four years we were married. When James came along, we had to depend on charity to afford enough food to get by. Sometimes, I thought we’d starve before more food came into the household. We worked hard, damn it!”

  Lilly’s eyes widened and she sat in stunned silence, watching the older woman.

  “My husband was blessed with a keen sense of business and a great eye toward what fancy, rich people wanted. If he hadn’t been a hard worker, he would’ve never started Woodbridge Luxury Boats, and I’d be sitting in a small apartment, dependent on welfare to pull through.

  “How can you, of all people, look down at someone who works for a living?” Margaret shook her head and leaned back, her anger spent. “How can you look down on me for not holding your past against you? I care about the person you are, not what you do for a living. And I certainly never believed you tried to kill anyone, or I wouldn’t have hired you in the first place.”

  Lilly was at a loss for words. The tight anger that clutched her chest moments before morphed into deep shame. She leaned forward and took Margaret’s soft hand into her own. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know anything about your history, but that is no excuse, is it?”

  “These past three months with you have been wonderful.” Margaret tightened her fingers briefly against Lilly’s. “I’ve grown to love you very much. I consider you family.”

  Lilly shook her head and blinked away the tears that threatened to fall at the warmth caused by Margaret’s words. Was this what being with family felt like? “You believe in me that much?” she asked. “Not many people are willing to overlook my past.”

  “Gossip dies fast.” Margaret shrugged. “I know it must not feel that way to you, but it really does. Once people discover who you are, of course there will be talk. People always talk, Lilly. Soon, it’ll be old news. Some other tidbit of gossip will eclipse the notoriety of your past.”

  Lilly shook her head doubtfully. “You think so?”

  “I know so.” Margaret replied.

  Maybe Lilly could continue her life here. Even without Zach, it would be enough to return to the peace she found upon first moving here. It would be even better than before; she wouldn’t have to fear Margaret discovering her past and firing her.

  Lilly felt herself smile. “I hope you’re right. If my impertinence hasn’t changed your mind, I’d like to stay here, working for you.”

  “Of course you still work for me. Little misunderstandings can happen to the best of us, my girl.” Margaret gave her a searching gaze. “I think we should tell the family about this at Tommy’s engagement party. Get all the cards on the table, so to speak.”

  Lilly shook her head. “No, no. I won’t be going to the party. I told you, things are over between Zach and me. In fact, I need to call Patricia tonight and tell her to hire a cook.”

  Margaret pursed her lips and narrowed her eyebrows. “Can I ask you a question?”

  A little thrill of anxiety washed over her. “Sure.”

  “Did you hire that man who killed your fiancé?”

  “Of course not,” Lilly sputtered. “I could never do anything like that!”

  “That’s what I thought.” Margaret reached over and squeezed her hand again. “Zach will figure that out, too. Give him time.”

  “What makes you so certain?”

  “Trust me. I knew the moment I met you that Zach was your future husband. I believe the two of you can fall in love.” She looked steadily into Lilly’s eyes. “That is what I look for when I pick someone to match my grandchildren with. I want them to know the happiness I experienced with their grandfather—true love.” She grinned. “Zach’s a smart boy. Give him a little time and he’ll come around.”

  Lilly shook her head. She didn’t want to argue with Margaret, but even if the older woman was correct in her assessment, things could never work with Zach. He knew about her shame now, and maybe it wouldn’t be the best thing to get back together with him, even if he decided he wanted that. Lilly couldn’t stand the humiliation of seeing pity in his eyes every time he looked at her and thought about her past.

  Lilly forced herself to smile at Margaret. “Whatever happens, I’m happy to have this job still. Thank you for taking a chance on me.”

  Margaret moved over to the loveseat and wrapped her arm around Lilly’s shoulders in a maternal fashion. “I promise everything will work out, child.”

  ***

  Since Lilly’s shift with Margaret ended an hour before regular shift change, she left Woodbridge Manor to walk through the deserted parking lot. Behind her, came the unusual sound of hard boots hitting the pavement. The memory of footprints in her flowerbed and the strange car caused her to hurry her steps.

  No one was ever in the parking lot this time of day. The residents barely finished dinner and normally didn’t have guests coming in and out of the manor. She snuck a quick glance over her shoulder as the pounding footsteps came closer.

  “Lilly, wait. I need to speak wit
h you.”

  She sagged with relief upon recognizing Curtis Crandall’s handsome features. “What are you doing here?”

  “I arrived back to town this morning, and couldn’t wait to see you.” He smiled as he reached her. “I had some business at my Seattle office to take care of, and had to leave Sunday morning.”

  In the daylight, Crandall seemed less scary than he had on the dark walkway of the yacht, and Lilly relaxed slightly. “What business are you in?”

  He shrugged negligently. “I do risk assessment for corporations. I do a lot of work over the computer and my main office is here in Serenity, but occasionally I travel.”

  “Fascinating,” Lilly responded. She hadn’t a clue what a risk assessor did, but she smiled politely.

  “You’re limping quite badly this afternoon. Mind if I help you to your car?” Crandall offered his arm. “I have a question to ask.”

  Lilly took a deep breath. She knew Crandall tried to be a gentleman, and she forced herself to slip her hand into the crook of his elbow.

  He grinned and patted her hand with his free one, leaving it across the top of hers. “Now, where’s your car?”

  Lilly tried to ignore the tension his touch provoked in her and didn’t snatch her arm away from him. She pointed with her free hand. “It’s that silver one over there.”

  Crandall nodded and walked slowly in the correct direction.

  Lilly limped along beside him, grateful the cologne he wore was something different from before. She wouldn’t have been able to handle this contact with him otherwise. “Why did you track me down at work?”

  He laughed. “Well, I could have found out where you lived and showed up on your doorstep, but that might seem creepy.”

  Lilly swallowed. Someone had shown up on her doorstep, judging by the flowerbed. “What did you want to ask me?”

  “I wondered how things were between you and Zach. I hoped we could go out to dinner or maybe a movie.” Crandall turned his head to whisper into her ear. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking of you since we met.”

  The touch of his breath caressing her face paralyzed Lilly with fear. She stumbled when he took another step forward. He kept a hold of her arm, yanking her back to her feet. Crandall wrapped his arms around her and drew her close to his chest.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, squeezing her tightly. “I didn’t mean to knock you over.”

  Lilly stood helpless in his arms, hating the feel of his touch and the terror it provoked. A tear slipped down her face and she struggled weakly in Crandall’s embrace.

  “Lilly? What’s wrong?”

  His arms became tighter and tighter, vice-like, crushing her against him.

  “Please, let go of me,” she begged.

  “I didn’t know a hug was such a horrible thing.” Crandall’s arms dropped and he stepped away from her. His lips formed a prim line and his hard eyes glittered with anger. “You obviously don’t want me. I thought we could have fun together.”

  Lilly shook her head and took a few deep breaths, grateful he released her but saddened at causing him grief. The poor guy lost his true love years ago and now looked for a new relationship. Really, it was flattering he found her attractive. “It has nothing to do with you. I have a hard time with anyone touching me.”

  The anger slid from his face. “I’d hoped it would be different with me.”

  Lilly reminded herself this man wasn’t Charles as her heart rate slowed to normal. Crandall wasn’t about to cause her harm. “I have a hard time in the beginning with new people. Sorry if I hurt your feelings.”

  He shrugged. “Don’t worry. How ‘bout we start over? Let’s grab a cup of coffee. No pressure, simply a meeting of friends.” His fingers slid gently across Lilly’s hand, barely contacting her skin. “Perhaps, given time, you could come to appreciate my touch. Crave it even.”

  Though she no longer owed anything to Zach and was free to date whomever she pleased, Lilly could never see herself dating Curtis Crandall. Something about his demeanor put her on edge in a way she would never be able to get over. He reminded her faintly of Charles, Lilly realized. His nose and eyes were a similar shape. She shuddered and shook her head. It would never work.

  “I’m sorry, Curtis. I’m not certain where I stand with Zach yet,” she lied. “Maybe in a few months, if you’re still interested and I’m single, we could try then?” By that point, he would have moved on to a new woman and forgotten about her, but at least she didn’t have to reject him again and risk hurting him further.

  Crandall pulled a card out of his wallet and handed it to her. “Here’s my number if you change your mind sooner than that.” He stroked her face with gentle fingers. “I wish Zach hadn’t found you before I did. I hope he doesn’t hurt you too much.”

  Relief flooded through her when he dropped his hand from her face. Lilly watched Crandall walk toward the entrance of Woodbridge Manor. Although she knew it wasn’t his fault he reminded her of Charles, she would avoid Curtis Crandall at all costs in the future.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Zach stared at Lilly’s neatly trimmed yard and waited for her to get home. Would she even talk to him? Would she listen to his apology and believe he meant it? According to Lilly’s story, Charles hurt her all the time, often followed by an insincere apology. Zach didn’t want her to see him as that type of man.

  Her silver Escort finally pulled into the driveway. Zach rushed to open her door. He tried to ignore the gnawing ache inside him as he awaited her reaction.

  She stared at him with wide eyes. “What are you doing here?”

  She looked shocked, surprised maybe.

  Please don’t let her be angry. Zach held his hand out to her. “Can we pretend I said everything you needed to hear last night and move on?”

  Lilly accepted his hand and swung her legs out of the car.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered, and pulled her to her feet. He tentatively caressed her shoulder. “I know you didn’t kill anyone. But if Charles were still alive, I’d be tempted to.”

  Lilly stared deep into his eyes, and Zach felt she measured him somehow, judged him.

  Moisture misted the corners of her eyes. “You really believe me?”

  “From the second we met, I’ve trusted you. I know you’re telling the truth.”

  “But why are you here?” she asked. “No matter how good a person you are, there’s no way you’d want a woman like me.” She closed her eyes and her lower lip trembled. “No one will.”

  “Only a fool wouldn’t want to be with you.” He leaned down, praying she wouldn’t reject him, and brushed his lips lightly against hers. “There’s nothing wrong with you. Don’t ever think that.”

  Lilly leaned into him, sighing as she moved. “Thank you for saying that.”

  The knot of tension clutching Zach’s heart released its hold. She hadn’t turned him away.

  She captured his bottom lip in her mouth and sucked on it. Her hands ran through his hair, and her tongue entered his mouth. After a long while, she pulled away and smiled. “This is definitely a day of surprises.”

  She forgave him. She still wanted him. He hadn’t ruined everything.

  “You’ve had more surprises?” he asked.

  “Come on inside, and I’ll tell you about my day with your grandmother.” She shut the car door and put her hand in his. “I could whip up some hamburgers for dinner. Are you hungry?”

  He stroked his thumb across hers and clasped her hand tightly. No questions, no fighting—not even a guilt trip. Lilly just took his hand and wanted to be with him. He smiled at her. “I’m ravenous.”

  ***

  “I talked to your grandma today about my past,” Lilly said, as she pulled the sizzling hamburgers off the hot burner. “And Margaret still wants me to work for her.”

  “That has to be a relief,” Zach said from his position next to her. “Though I’m not surprised. She really does care about you.”

  Lilly would never tire of he
aring someone cared for her. The fact that Margaret correctly guessed Zach’s reaction shouldn’t have surprised Lilly, but it did. Finding him waiting on her lawn was the best gift ever. His eyes held no pity. Lilly only sensed guilt and sorrow, but not pity. Best of all, he believed in her.

  Zach even insisted on helping make dinner. He’d rinsed the Romaine lettuce and mutilated an onion while Lilly made the patties. She concentrated on her own task, forcing herself not to correct him or offer any suggestions. For the last few minutes, he’d worked very hard at cutting a tomato. Four enormous slices sat on the glass cutting board, and Zach stood back with a satisfied air.

  Lilly turned to conceal the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. He hadn’t been joking—he was hopeless in the kitchen. Not a single piece was anywhere near the same size, but that didn’t matter. He’d put in a lot of effort, and it would taste perfect.

  There was something comforting about cooking with Zach, almost as if they were a couple sharing their home. She felt herself slip back into the fantasy and didn’t try to stop it.

  The experience in the parking lot with Crandall seemed a distant memory, and she decided not to mention it to Zach. It would spoil the happy mood and upset him, and she didn’t want to do that.

  She pulled some pre-sliced cheddar out of the refrigerator and waved it in his direction. “Do you want cheese melted on your burgers?”

  “Sure.” He walked to the sink and rinsed off the knife he’d used. “I’ve done all the damage I can to the tomato.”

  Lilly popped slices of cheese onto each patty. She raided the refrigerator for pickles, mustard and ketchup, and retrieved the hamburger buns from the bread drawer.

  “There are chips in that cupboard above your head.” She pointed to the correct one. “Do you mind if we eat those instead of a salad?”

  Zach’s sexy grin flashed across his face and Lilly’s heart skipped a beat.

  He opened the cupboard and grabbed the chips. “Lilly, if given the choice of taking a scenic tour down the River Seine, having chateaubriand and a bottle of burgundy, or being with you, right here, right now, I’d choose you.”