by Mary Davis
“She asked me to leave her at the cottage. I guess she needed some time to lick her wounds.”
Bruce was out the door before Brock could say any more.
Meghann, please don’t believe that woman. A woman like Charmaine could make even the most secure woman have doubts. And the relationship he had with Meghann was anything but secure.
Please, Lord, don’t let Charmaine’s words cause Meghann to lose faith in me any further. He’d been working so hard to regain the ground he’d lost with her by not being honest about his financial situation. He’d thought it was working, that she was looking at him with more favor…
Charmaine’s timing was, as always, perfect.
He was relieved when he saw Meghann outside playing tug-of-war with Lucky. The dog was getting the better of her, yanking her around the yard even though Meghann was digging in her heels. She looked happy. Bruce stood and watched for a moment, listening to the dog growls mixed with her laughter. He didn’t want to be the cause of her smile fading, not just yet. He wanted to enjoy her for a moment longer.
Suddenly, Lucky’s ears perked up and she let loose of the rope. He had been spotted. Meghann sprawled backward into the budding grass.
She was still laughing when he rushed over to her. He held out his hand and pulled her to her feet, surprised she let him near her.
“My dog has no consideration for me when you are around.” Meghann brushed herself off.
She smiled at him. That was a good sign.
“I’m sorry. Would you like me to try to teach her some manners?”
“Naw. It probably wouldn’t do any good. She only has eyes for you,” she said with a wave of her hand.
And you, Meghann, who do you have eyes for?
“Would you like something to drink? Coffee, tea, cocoa?”
“Cocoa sounds good.”
Lucky jumped in front of Meghann with a worn tennis ball in her mouth and dropped it at Meghann’s feet. “No, I’m not going to play with you after you dumped me in the grass.” She stepped around the dog, but the persistent Lab dropped the ball at her feet again nearly tripping her.
“I think she’s trying to say she’s sorry,” Bruce said on Lucky’s behalf.
“I forgive you.” Meghann scratched the Lab behind her ear. “But I’m still not playing with you.” She picked up the ball and tossed it across the yard. Lucky raced after it. “Hurry up,” Meghann called to Bruce as she hurried for the door. “It won’t take her long to retrieve it.”
She reached the door a step before the panting dog. “Ha, I beat you.” Pulling open the door, Meg slipped inside. Lucky turned hopefully to Bruce, but he slipped in with an apologetic smile.
“Sorry, girl, but I’m much more interested in your mistress right now,” he whispered. Whining, the dog tried to follow him in.
“Leave your ball outside.”
The dog looked up at Meg with mournful eyes, but she was firm. “Lucky…”
The Lab dropped her head but would not relinquish the ball.
“Fine, then stay out.” Meghann began to close the door, but Lucky dropped the ball and darted in the door at the last second.
Laughing, shaking her head, Meg scratched Lucky’s ears. “Go lie down.”
With a heavy sigh, the dog laid down in the middle of the kitchen. Meghann had to step over the dog no matter where she wanted to go in the small area.
Meghann started on the cocoa.
“I think someone misses you,” Bruce said. And she’s not the only one.
“She’s a little insecure with me gone so much. She’s not sure what’s going on. My short visits just aren’t enough to reassure her. The poor thing.”
She set a mug of cocoa in front of Bruce and sat down at the table with him.
Bruce cleared his throat. “Brock said you two ran into Charmaine at Macy’s.” He put the mug up to his mouth and scorched the end of his tongue. “I’m sorry she bothered you.”
“It was nothing, really.” She raised her mug and blew lightly on the marshmallow-topped liquid.
Uncertainty accosted Bruce. The encounter with Charmaine wasn’t in the least bit upsetting to Meghann? “What did she say this time?”
“Nothing of importance.”
“Brock said she was pretty catty.”
She shrugged her shoulders and took a sip of her hot chocolate.
“Then you didn’t believe her?”
She set down her mug. “It’s hard to ignore someone like Charmaine, but when it came down to it, I chose to believe you instead of her.” Her gaze met his. “I hardly know her. I certainly don’t have any reason to trust her. But I do think I can trust what you’ve told me about her. So that’s what I’m doing.”
His spirits brightened. She had chosen to believe him. He felt like a man pardoned at the last hour.
Meg shrugged as she lifted her mug for another sip. “I actually feel sorry for her. She’s so unhappy. I even prayed for her.”
Meghann was a better person than he. All he could pray regarding Charmaine was that she would go away. Period.
Twenty-Five
BRUCE AND MEGHANN HEADED INTO HIS BEDROOM TO DRESS for dinner. They were going to the Crystal Swan again, apparently the only acceptable restaurant in town to Ivan. Meg’s mom even talked her into inviting her friend, “Jenny.”
Meghann grinned. Jennifer did not like being called Jenny. But she had been thrilled at the prospect of dinner at the elegant Crystal Swan. And she was even a little pleased at the prospect of being a sort of date for Brock. She’d agreed to meet them at the restaurant. Though from the excitement in her voice when they’d talked, Meg figured Jenn would probably beat them there.
As always, Bruce grabbed his change of clothes and moved into the master bathroom—his “changing room.” Then he pointed to a translucent garment bag. “You can wear this tonight if you want,” he said apprehensively and quickly left. She had never known him to act the least bit nervous before.
Meghann approached the thin white garment bag hanging on the back of the closet door and unzipped it cautiously. Inside was a sheer, off-white dress. Clearly, this was no off-the-rack garment. She wondered whose it was but dared not ask, lest she burst her fairy-tale bubble. She held the dress up to herself and gazed at the crepe creation in the mirror. It looked to be a perfect fit. It would look great with her hair curled…and she had just enough time to do that.
After fixing her hair, Meghann slipped into the dress, then put on a string of fake pearls and pearl button earrings. Holding her breath, she turned to her reflection. The dress fit perfectly as if it were made for her. She felt like Cinderella going to the ball.
“Bruce, why don’t you go hurry your wife up,” Gayle said. Everyone was ready and waiting on Meghann.
Bruce leaned casually against the corner of the wall. “From my experience, rushing a woman is more trouble than it’s worth. She’ll be out soon.” He hoped she was aware of the time, but more than that he longed to see her in the dress if she chose to wear it. He had bought it last week in a compelling moment and wasn’t sure if he should give it to her.
“Wow!”
At Brock’s breathless exclamation, Bruce turned toward the bedroom door. His breath caught at the sight of Meghann. He pushed away from the wall slowly. She looked like an angel, better than in any of his dreams.
He strode over to her. “You look lovely.” He leaned closer and kissed her cheek, then whispered in her ear, “And well worth the wait.”
She looked up at him, eyes wide, a touch of pink on those smooth cheeks, no doubt wondering why he didn’t make his second compliment public.
Because, my dear Miss Livingston, I love you and plan to win your heart.
As soon as they had given the waiter their orders, Bruce escorted Meghann onto the dance floor. She stared up into his face as their bodies swayed to the music. The clock would strike midnight soon enough, and she would have to go back to her ho-hum, average life. After living in the palace with the attent
ion of the prince, normal life would seem dull…plain…colorless.
Her heart ached just thinking about Bruce going on with his life without her, of him once again being out of her reach. Would working with him at the hotel be enough? Assuming, of course, he’d even return to his job. The thought of losing all contact with him was too painful, so she pushed it away.
Yes, he’d return. He loved his job. But could she be that close to him knowing he was never to be hers? No. She didn’t think she could. It was clear to her that she would have to quit her job and make a clean break. She would leave Bruce behind. It was the price she must pay for lying, but she would enjoy this moment while it lasted. Just like Cinderella, the spell wouldn’t last forever.
His eyes were telling her something, but what? Or were they probing deep inside her?
She met his gaze, willing him to read what was in her heart. I love you, Bruce Halloway. Can you read my mind tonight? Do you know how I feel? Would you kiss me if I thought about it hard enough? There are, after all, plenty of people around to see.
He did indeed lean forward but not to kiss her. He rested his cheek against the side of her head as they continued to sway together. His telepathy definitely wasn’t working tonight. Either that, or he was purposely ignoring the messages she sent because he, too, knew it would all be over soon.
His arms tightened slightly around her.
“May I—”
“No.” Bruce kept them moving to the music.
“They want you two back at the table.” Brock seemed to be their messenger of choice, or maybe he was just handy. “The food—”
“No.”
“Okay.” Brock held his hands up and moved away, a slight grin on his handsome face.
A thrilling tingle raced through her. She wanted to kiss Bruce for not wanting to give her up, even if it was for show. She wanted to stay in his arms.
Not until the music faded out after the orchestra’s final note did Bruce walk her back to the table. When she saw the plates of untouched food, Meghann realized the others had waited for them to return before eating, and she slunk down in her chair.
She forced down as much food as she could, refusing to give anyone reason to comment on the possibility of impending motherhood.
“I’m so glad to see your appetite has returned, dear.” Olivia took a sip of her wine. “Morning sickness can be so miserable.”
Meghann heard Jenn choke and turned to her friend. “Are you okay?”
“Fine. It just went down the wrong way,” Jenn said with watery eyes, patting her upper chest.
Meghann couldn’t win. No matter what she did, they were bound and determined to interpret her every move in the way they wanted.
“I need to use the little girl’s room.” Jenn squeezed Meghann’s hand under the table.
“I’ll go with you.” The two got up and headed across the restaurant.
“You didn’t really tell them you were.?” Jenn crossed her arms. “That’s taking this a little far, don’t you think?”
“No.” At Jenn’s incredulous look, Meg held up a hand. “I mean, no, I didn’t tell them I was pregnant. That was their idea. My mom just wants grandchildren so bad she interprets my every move as impending motherhood, and now she’s convinced Olivia, so the two of them goad each other on. They are like a pair of dogs sharing the same counterfeit bone in ignorant bliss.” She forced open the door of the lady’s room.
Jenn was clearly relieved. She glanced around in awe as they entered the restroom. “This place is gorgeous. I always wondered what it looked like inside this restaurant.” Her grin was cheeky. “I never dated anyone with the capital to afford this place.”
It was the most elegant place Meghann had ever been in to. They entered the restroom like a couple of schoolgirls, giggling.
“I was so surprised when you called and invited me. And Brock is quite a looker.” She raised her eyebrows up and down.
Brock was handsome; he was Bruce’s brother, after all. But there was more to him than his good looks and charm. And though she sensed Jenn wasn’t Brock’s type, she felt sure he would play the perfect gentleman with her.
“It looks like you’ve made Bruce pretty happy,” Jenn said with a mischievous grin as they sat at the vanity reapplying their lipstick.
Meghann took a deep breath. “It’s all just an act. He’s good at this game.”
“I don’t know. If I were you, I would seriously consider holding on to him while you can.”
“I don’t really have him, so how can I hold on to him?”
“You were doing a pretty good job of it on the dance floor.”
Meghann glared at her friend’s reflection.
“Don’t give me that look. I don’t think your illustrious and handsome Prince Charming is in any hurry at all to get away from you.”
“Believe me, if Bruce didn’t already have all the money in the world, he could make millions as an actor.”
“Humph,” Jenn said with the shrug of her shoulders.
So what if Jenn didn’t believe her, she knew better. Bruce’s act was just that, an act. And the final curtain was coming all too soon.
Twenty-Six
BRUCE WAS BETWEEN PHONE CALLS WHEN A KNOCK CAME ON his office door.
“Come,” he called out, and looked up in time to see Charmaine saunter in like a cat on the prowl.
“Bruce, I’ve been looking all over for you.”
Bruce pressed his lips together tightly. She was the last person he expected to see today, which had suited him fine. In fact, he could quite happily go the rest of his life without laying eyes on this particular woman again.
He knew she’d been wanting to talk with him. After all, she had left twelve messages while he’d been out. He didn’t see much point in calling her back. He’d said all he had to her. History had proven no good came of talking with her. Whoever said ignore a person and they will go away, never met Charmaine. But leave it to her to take matters into her own hands.
Why couldn’t she just leave him alone? With the masquerade ball less than a week away, he had a number of calls to make. Having a face-to-face with Charmaine Altman was definitely not something he wanted taking up his time today.
Or, for that matter, any day.
“Charmaine.” He nodded his head at her, reaching out to straighten his papers and close his file. Maybe she’d get the point that he was busy. Then an even better idea came to him: He could make the calls from home, where she couldn’t bother him.
Scooping the file up, he stood. “Sorry I can’t stick around to chat. I’m in a hurry.” In a hurry to get away from her. He did his best to keep the impatience from his voice, but even he could hear that he wasn’t succeeding.
“Hurrying home to your little wifey?” Her tone was ever so sweet. Too sweet. “Oh, but then again, she’s not really your wife.”
Bruce froze, his hands tensing on the file he held. How in the world had she find out about that? He met her smug gaze. “What is that supposed to mean?” He tried to keep his tone level. The last thing he wanted to do was reveal his jumbled emotions.
“Quite simple, dear boy. The county courthouse has no record of your marriage.”
So the cat thinks she has cornered this mouse. Not if I can help it. “And you assumed we married here?”
“Not at all. I never make assumptions. My man did a thorough computer search of all fifty states last week. You know what he found?”
Yeah, he knew exactly what he found…or didn’t find.
“Nothing.” She stepped up close to him and ran her finger down his tie. “But I can keep your little tryst a secret.” Her voice dropped to a low, sultry tone.
He held his breath and clenched his jaw. Having this information in Charmaine’s hands was bad. Very bad. She could and would ruin everything, given the chance. He needed time to think…to decide what to do about this new development.
Lifting his chin, he did the only thing he could: bluff. “I hope you get a discount
for your man’s incompetence. Maybe you should have him try again?” A new search would at least keep her occupied and off his back for a few days. This mouse was escaping, one way or another.
He walked away, leaving her standing there speechless, such a blessed sound.
Unfortunately, it didn’t last long. “I will get to the bottom of this,” she called from behind him. “I promise you that.”
He turned, putting on the most nonchalant expression he could muster. “There is nothing to get to the bottom of, so don’t waste your time.” With a sigh, he stepped toward her. “Charmaine, please, I have tried to be polite, to be civil to you, but you just have to accept that what we had is over. It has been for a very long time. And I’d appreciate it if you’d leave me—” he gave her a pointed look—“and my wife in peace.”
She didn’t flinch. Instead she closed the gap between them, stroking his tie again. “I could make you happy if you would only give me a chance,” she purred.
As calmly as he could, he removed her hand from his tie. “No, Charmaine. Not now, not ever. Now, please, I need to go.”
She sniffled and looked away. “You don’t have to be mean about it.”
“Your false tears aren’t going to work on me.”
Her head came up with a snap; anger burned in her eyes. “You can’t fool me, Bruce. I know you too well. You want everyone to believe you’ve made some miraculous change, but it’s all just an act. I know exactly who you are—” her tone turned sensual—“and what you like.”
“No, Charmaine, you don’t. You don’t know me at all anymore.”
She blinked, staring at him. “Maybe we should test that assertion.” Before he could react, she slid her arms around his neck and pressed herself close against him.
Repulsion swept through Bruce, and he reached up to take hold of her arms, then stopped. He looked down at her for a moment, eyes narrowed. Maybe this was the best way to convince her she was wasting her time. Show her she didn’t affect him, not even a little, no matter how close she got.
