Well, enough was enough. She’d get rid of this woman—finally—and move on.
“That was a long time ago,” Holly said.
“Yes, it was,” Frannie agreed, standing. Damned if she’d look up at the other woman. “And yet, here we are.”
“What I’m wondering is, why you’re here.”
“Easily answered,” Frannie said, sliding the folder out from under her bag. She watched Holly speculatively. “I’ve actually come to bring you a message from Parker.”
“Parker?”
“My husband?” Frannie prompted unnecessarily. Oh, this was more fun than she’d expected. Allowing a small smile to tug at the corners of her mouth, she continued. “You remember? The man you were having sex with?”
Holly winced.
“He doesn’t want to see you anymore.”
She flinched, but stood her ground, and Frannie had to admire her just a little. Not that it changed a thing.
“He sent you here?”
“Certainly,” she lied. “You don’t think Parker would bother himself with these little details, do you?”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Oh, I think you do.” Frannie handed her the file, walked to the front window and then turned around to face her again. “In some part of you, you know that Parker never really took you seriously. You had to realize that a man like him would look at you as…a distraction. You see, Parker and I have an ‘arrangement.’ Our marriage is more…fluid than most. We find other…companionship…where we choose, but we never lose sight of the fact that we’re married.”
“Strange.” Holly gripped the folder tightly, but didn’t look inside. She swayed slightly on her feet, as if her world was rocking, and Frannie was forced to hide another small smile of victory. “If your marriage is so sound, I wonder why the reports of your upcoming divorce are such big news?”
“Please. No one believes what they read in the newspapers.” Checking the polish on her nails, she added, “I admit, after our last disagreement, Parker was a bit hasty and spoke to a lawyer, but that’s all going to be sorted out.”
“Uh-huh.”
“As for my preference for female lovers, Parker knows all about that.” A lie, but a good one. How would Holly know it wasn’t the truth? No reason for her to go crying off to Parker if she thought he already knew. “So Parker wanted you to know that there’s no reason to go running off to him, trying to salvage what’s left of your ‘relationship.’”
“I see. And why is it Parker sent you to me?”
“Oh, Holly.” Frannie clucked her tongue and shook her head sadly. “Do you really think he wanted to involve himself in what could possibly become a very embarrassing scene?”
No, he wouldn’t, Holly realized. She remembered the strain on his face when she’d proclaimed her love. Remembered with perfect clarity that he’d looked as though he would rather be anywhere else at that particular moment. Holly fought against acknowledging the pain that memory brought to her.
What would he think, she wondered, if he knew about the coming baby? Would he be horrified? Sad? God, she would never know.
“And what’s this?” Holly lifted the file, inwardly pleased that her hand didn’t shake.
“Take a look,” Frannie invited her.
She did. Opening the folder, she flipped through the pages tucked inside and felt a chill sweep over her. Someone had looked into her background. Peered into the shadows of her life and laid her mistakes out for Frannie to pore over.
But was it just Frannie? Had Parker read the report on her life? Had they laughed together over a woman like her professing to love him?
Hurt and fury constricted her chest and made breathing a real challenge. Was this his answer to being loved? Had he really sent his wife here to tell her to go away? Did he think so little of her? Of what they’d shared so briefly? “Did Parker do this? Did he have me investigated?”
“Actually, I did.”
“You?”
“My dear.” The tall, elegant woman laughed shortly and bent to snatch up her purse from the coffee table. “You should know that I will do whatever is necessary to protect my marriage. To keep what is mine. At the moment, Parker is still thinking of you fondly—however misguided those feelings may be. You see, he hasn’t yet seen these papers.”
Relief, sweet and sharp, slapped at Holly. At least she had this much. He hadn’t stooped to digging into a past that had nothing to do with him.
“But,” Frannie added, “should you dare approach my husband again, you can be sure I’ll give him a copy of those reports.”
“Why would you bother? If Parker is over me, as you say, what’s there to worry about?”
“Oh, if I’ve given you the impression that you actually worry me, then you’re mistaken.” Frannie looked at her with a sympathetic smirk. “This file is only…insurance. In case he should change his mind and approach you again. Should that happen, I’ll see that he receives a copy of these files. I’ll make certain that he knows you for exactly what you are. A pitiful, social-climbing, money-grabber with no more thought for Parker than you would have for any other man who is too good for you.”
“He won’t believe you.”
“Oh, I think he will.” Frannie gave her another smile. “But there’s more. If you don’t stay clear of Parker, I’ll see to it that this file is sent to Social Services.”
Holly inhaled sharply.
“I see you understand me. I’m sure the state of Louisiana would consider your past unsavory enough to keep you from your dream of being a foster parent.”
“They’re juvenile records,” Holly muttered. “Sealed. How did you—and how did you know about my plans?”
“My investigator is very thorough. You’ve taken classes. You’ve already started the necessary paperwork.” Frannie gave her a cold stare. “And I can end it all.”
She could. Holly’s juvenile record was sealed and shouldn’t have been a problem with the state. But if Frannie made good on her threat…
“Blackmail?”
“Such an ugly word.” Frannie looked as if she had just sniffed something unpleasant. “Accurate, but ugly.”
“Why are you doing this?” Holly hated the desperation she heard in her voice.
“My goodness, you are dim, aren’t you?” Frannie shook her head. “No matter. I believe I’ve been quite clear on that score, but allow me to elaborate once again. You’re nothing to me, Ms. Carlyle. Less than nothing. But should you become a bigger irritant than you already are, I shall take whatever steps I have to to rid myself of you.”
“An awful lot of bother for someone who’s less than nothing.”
She smiled. “I’m certain Parker would find your file very entertaining reading, if that’s any consolation. Discovering that you spent time in juvenile hall for shoplifting—not to mention the arrest for public nudity… Really, a less than stellar résumé for someone who wants to care for foster children.”
Okay, now the anger churning inside her overtook the misery and disappointment. Holly wouldn’t have her past dragged out and examined by anyone. And she for damn sure wasn’t going to stand still to be insulted in her own living room. She might have been shocked into silence before, but that was over now and she was more than willing to fight back. “I was a kid. And hungry. I ‘shoplifted’ a loaf of bread.”
“Very sad, I’m sure. Practically Dickensian.”
“And the public nudity charge—” Holly slapped one hand against the incriminating file. “I flashed my breasts for a string of beads on Mardi Gras—just like every other woman in New Orleans. It means nothing.”
“You poor thing. You actually believe that, don’t you?” Frannie sighed then tucked her envelope under her left arm. “You’ve entered a battle completely unarmed. Your background is ridiculous. Your present isn’t much better. A singer with questionable morals trying to sleep her way to respectability? I don’t think so. You couldn’t possibly have thought that a slut could worm
her way into the James family.”
Holly flushed with a red-hot surge of fury that nearly blinded her as she stared at the so-composed woman opposite her. No wonder Parker didn’t want to hear anything about “love.” Holly was ready to slug this woman after only ten minutes, and he’d spent ten years married to her! If that hadn’t scarred Parker, it would be a miracle. To get her own way, Frannie was prepared to shatter Holly’s life. Not only would she lose Parker, she could lose the dream she’d been nurturing for years.
Her hands fisted on the file folder holding the more embarrassing moments of her life and she looked into a pair of icy-blue eyes.
Nothing was going to touch this woman. No insult. No warmth. Nothing.
And yet she heard herself strike back, anyway. “Sluts aren’t welcome but lesbians are?”
Frannie flinched but quickly regained her composure. “Ah, a street cat, trying to swipe her claws at a target far too high for her. Pitiable, but certainly understandable.”
Holly clenched her back teeth so tightly, she wouldn’t have been surprised to find they’d turned to powder. “You’ve delivered your message. And your threats. I think it’s time you left.”
“I’ll be leaving soon. There’s just one more bit of business we need to clear up.”
“What else could you possibly have to say that concerns me?”
“Your dreams.” Frannie’s voice was now falsely soothing, and Holly went on full alert.
“What are you talking about?”
“I know all about your dreams, Holly. You want to buy that monstrosity of a house on Annunciation for an underprivileged litter of kiddies.”
Holly glared at the woman. “What about it?”
“I can help make that possible.”
“Why would you?”
“Call it a gift for favors done.”
“What favors?” God, she couldn’t even believe she was asking that question. Morbid curiosity? This must be what striking a deal with the devil felt like.
“You stay away from Parker, even if he comes crawling back, you help me regain the affections of my husband,” Frannie said slyly, “and I will buy that house outright and hand it to you.”
Stunned, Holly just stared at her. She couldn’t believe this whole conversation. The woman had gone from extortion to bribery in the blink of an eye.
That one fact made her realize the desperation buried beneath Frannie’s cool sophistication. Maybe Frannie was telling the truth about Parker—maybe not. But if nothing else, this uncomfortable little visit had underscored what Holly already knew.
She and Parker might as well be on two different planets.
Parker had allowed this vicious woman to ruin his chances for a life with someone who truly loved him. Holly had started out with nothing, but she wouldn’t let anyone stop her from realizing her dreams.
Knowing that gave her the courage to tell Frannie exactly what she thought of her offer.
“Take your file and your private investigator and get out of my life.” Holly sneered at her. “I can’t be bought. Or paid off. Or blackmailed. Do what you want with this ‘information’ you’ve gathered. I’m not ashamed of who I am. And I don’t care who you tell.”
“You really are a stupid girl, aren’t you?”
“Just leave. I’m not interested in playing your games.”
Frannie’s eyes darkened.
“You can’t hurt me,” Holly said, and walked to the front door. Turning the knob, she threw the door open and stood there like a sentinel. “So do whatever you want with the information you’ve scrounged. Do your worst. As far as I’m concerned, you don’t even exist. So if you don’t mind, I’d like you to leave my house now.”
She could almost see the steam coming off the top of Frannie’s head. Apparently the ice queen actually did have a temper, after all.
With a few long strides, Frannie reached the door. She stopped to look Holly up and down dismissively. “You were no more than a blip on my radar, Holly. And now? You’re not even that. I tried to help you, but some people simply don’t know a good thing when they hear it.”
Holly’s fingers tightened on the door. “You’re still here.”
With an indignant huff, Frannie stalked from the apartment. Holly shut the door quietly behind her. Throwing the lock, she braced her back on the door and slowly slid to the floor. Pulling her knees up to her chest, she wrapped her arms around them, dropped her head on her knees and cried.
For Parker.
For herself.
For the baby he would never know.
PARKER’S DREAMS tortured him.
Holly rose over him, her fingers trailing down his naked chest. Eyes closed, he saw her as she had been the last time they were together. Hair wild and loose, eyes flashing, mouth curved in a smile that was both sensuous and innocent.
He wanted her desperately. And even though he knew he was dreaming, he forced himself to stay in that foggy half sleep that would keep Holly in his arms forever.
“Holly…” The whispered word was like a prayerful sigh.
Lips on his, soft, demanding. Her scent filled him—but it was all wrong. Too thick. Too harsh.
His eyes flew open and he stared up at Frannie. Her hands were at his shoulders, and she straddled him, naked, a pleased smile on her face.
He blinked at her a couple dozen times and tried to bring his mind into focus. To drag himself out of the dream and into the all-too-real world. Once he had, he pushed her off him, jumped out of bed and stared at her as if he’d never seen her before.
“What the hell are you doing? How did you get in here? Why?”
Sighing, she said, “You’re a creature of habit, Parker. You still keep a spare key in the flower bed on the right side of the porch.” Frannie pouted as she stretched out in his bed, laid her head on the pillow and smoothed both of her hands up and down her shapely body. “Now, is that any way to talk to your wife?”
“What’re you playing at Frannie?” He hurled the question at her while he reached for the robe he’d left at the end of the bed. He tugged it on, then yanked the sheets over the naked woman in his bed.
Once upon a time, he’d looked at her as she was now and felt desire. A quickening he’d hoped would contribute to making their life together a good one. Now all he felt was disgust. He wanted nothing more than to go take a shower. First, though, he had to get her the hell out of his house.
She clutched the sheet to her and sat up, tossing her hair back from her face. “I can remember a time when you weren’t so eager to get out of our bed, Parker.”
“Too long ago to think about, Frannie. What the hell are you up to?”
“Fine,” she snapped, thrusting the sheet aside and rising. She walked slowly to the chair in the corner of his bedroom, where she’d tossed her clothes after sneaking into his room.
Note to self: change the locks.
“Only woman you want now is that cheap little redhead, is that it?”
A surge of protectiveness welled up in him. “What do you know about Holly?”
She laughed, but the sound had no music to it. No warmth. “A lot more than you, I’m willing to wager.”
“If you’ve got something to say, say it and get out.”
She whirled around, fingers buttoning up her silk blouse and then pulling up her skirt and zipping it closed. “Oh, I’ve got plenty to say. You want to throw me aside for that little bitch? Well, let me just fill you in on a few things, Parker, honey.”
She talked, her voice spitting out information, dates, places, times. She described every piece of information her private detective had turned up about Holly’s past, and as she talked, Parker felt…what? He couldn’t be angry that Holly hadn’t told him. Neither of them had talked much about their past, but he knew enough about her childhood to understand she had done what she’d had to do to survive.
When Frannie wound down, she delivered the final salvo that cut his legs out from under him.
“The funniest
part, Parker?” she taunted as she snatched up her purse and headed for the bedroom door. “I wanted you back. I wanted to make our marriage work. So I offered her cash to leave you the hell alone. Told her I’d buy her that damn house she wants so badly if she’d just turn her back on you.” Her smile was triumphant. “And you know what, honey? Your little tramp took the money.”
Parker’s world rocked.
“That’s right.” Frannie smiled serenely, clearly enjoying herself. “She latched right on to my bribe. Took the money for that dump almost before I could get the offer out of my mouth. So,” she added thoughtfully, “if you’re tossing me aside to make room for her in your life, you’re fresh outta luck, sweetie. She made her choice. She threw you over for a broken-down old building and a half-baked dream. Now, how’s that make you feel, honey?”
Parker watched her go, but hardly noticed, really. It was hard to concentrate on what was going on around you when the thing you feared most might just turn out to be true.
Damn it.
Rage and disappointment crowded together in his guts. Only one thing kept him from giving in to despair completely: Frannie was a liar. But even acknowledging that, he had to ask himself if Holly really had only been interested in him for his money.
And the pain of that possibility crippled him.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
DAYS LATER, and Parker still couldn’t get that last conversation with Frannie out of his mind.
Hell, what right did he have to be doubting Holly? Wasn’t he the one who’d pulled back? When Holly had told him she loved him, wasn’t he the one who had practically scrambled away from her? Away from the risk? The danger?
So why was he so damned torn to find out that none of it had been real? Shouldn’t he have been happy to know that she was willing to be bought off and walk away from him without a second thought?
Sitting in his car outside the ramshackle old house Holly had taken him to only a week ago, he stared at the sold sign hanging on the front gate.
Bourbon Street Blues Page 14
