Celia put her hand out on Sue’s arm. “Don’t tell me that you broke it off with David.”
“Okay, I won’t tell you. But yes, I did. I told him we were done this morning when he didn’t have time to drop everything and bring me here. I don’t want a man that’s not willing to care for me.”
“I think you did hit your head too hard. You’ve only been dating him for a few weeks.”
“I know, but I’m done wasting time on men that don’t care. You should think about this situation. I don’t blame you if you want to go through with this huge party. I mean all of your family is coming, but I would be out of that place when their planes were in the air."
“I told Martin we would need to sit down and talk things out once everyone was gone. I think with that woman out of the way, everything will be fine.”
“You really don’t care that he cheated on you? That would drive me nuts, wondering what else or who else he’s done.”
“I know Martin, and I doubt if he’s slept with her. I know this may sound strange but he’s too much of a gentleman to do that.”
“That does sound strange. I think you’re the one who hit your head.” Sue laughed and went back to her magazine.
“No, he’s not like most men. I think he was playing around with this girl because he doesn’t want to get married. He has his parents set up on this huge pedestal. He talks about them all the time. How they would be so disappointed if they knew we were having sex, and how he would never want to disappoint them by getting divorced.”
“Wow, where do his parents live? OZ?” Sue held up her hand. “Never mind. They just called my name. Wish me luck.”
Two hours later Celia was just pulling into the driveway. Sue’s advice and comments kept swimming around in her head. A part of her knew that Sue was right, and that she should have packed her bags and left. Another part of her just didn’t want to be bested by anyone . . . especially a maid.
She parked and sat for a moment behind the wheel, going over everything that could possibly happen. Randi might be gone, and Martin would be angry with her. Martin could have convinced Randi that he loved her and her bags might be packed and waiting. She pushed both of these ideas out of her head, got out of the car, and went inside.
Most of the time she entered the front door, but today she wasn’t looking to run into any of the Taylor family so she went in through the garage. The door was standing open and as she looked around she found Martin’s bike gone. Well, she wasn’t in any mood to run into him, so that was just as well.
As she stepped into the kitchen she found Emma and Ann working feverishly. Emma glanced up, seeing her and smiled. “Your family just called. They’ll be here any minute. The caterers just left, and we’re starting to set the food out. I think it will all be timed just about right, if traffic doesn’t hold anyone up.”
“Good. I’ll go freshen up and be back down to help out.”
“We have everything under control. I have Ann helping in the kitchen, and Randi’s getting the back room ready for the children.”
“Randi?” Celia turned quickly. She stopped herself from saying anything else. She just nodded, suppressing the anger and disappointment. “That should work,” was all she could manage. “Where’s Martin?”
“I’m not sure. I did hear that bike of his start up a while ago. He was out on the veranda. His dad is here. They were out there talking. He may be a bit upset. He found out that his two aunts and uncles are not going be able to make it. I think he had his heart set on seeing them.”
“I see. Yes, he was hoping they could come. They’ve never been to the states, so he’s not seen them for a while. I’ll run and change and be back. Who called from my side of the family?”
“Sorry, I’m so crazy trying to get everything ready. Your mother said she tried your cell but got voice mail so she called here.” Emma pulled out a paper and glanced at it. “Roger and Allie will be on a later flight this evening, but everyone else should be here.”
“Good, thanks. I had to turn my phone off at the doctor's office. What time will they be here?”
Emma picked up a tray she’d been working on and glanced at the clock on the wall. “Assuming they don’t have any trouble with baggage, traffic, and finding car seats for the kids, about thirty minutes would be my guess.”
Celia grimaced. “I forgot to tell them, the rental holds twelve people and I added two car seats with the rental. Well, they’ll find out when they get there. If they call back I’ll tell them, thanks.” Celia turned and went upstairs.
As she entered her room she looked around. It was cleaned and nothing looked out of place. She couldn’t imagine what had happened. It wasn’t going to be a great weekend if Randi was still around.
She went to the bathroom and freshened up. Her mind couldn’t get away from the fact that something had taken place in this room and she had no idea what it was. Once she had changed clothes and was ready to head downstairs she took one more look around the room.
Nothing looked out of place. She reached for her perfume and it hit her. The note that she’d written was gone. She started looking around, but couldn’t find it. Finally, she decided to look in the trash and there it was. She pulled it out and unfolded it.
Someone had tossed it, but who? Randi or Martin? She hated not knowing, and she hated that the woman was still in her house. She had a lot of nerve. Celia laid the note on the dresser, inhaled a deep breath, and looked in the mirror. Troublesome maid or not, her family was coming, and she wasn’t about to let some pitiful maid ruin her weekend.
This wasn’t over by any means, and by the end of this weekend, one way or the other, she would have Martin, and Randi would be on her way back to wherever she came from. Celia was going to be a Taylor and one scrawny little maid was not going to get in her way.
Chapter 52
Change Of Heart
Randi felt like she was in jail, stuck way in the back of the house, but after all, it was of her own doing. She was the one that asked to be kept away from Celia and Martin, and now she was regretting that choice. Maybe she just needed some time to think.
While she worked things out in her mind she dusted and did some final straightening and sweeping in the TV room, waiting for the children to arrive. The room didn’t need a lot. She assumed Emma was just trying to find something for her to do.
She moved things around, trying to feel useful. There were games and toys that most children would enjoy. There were two TVs and two game consoles. The kids would just love this room.
When she was finished dusting and sweeping she walked over and looked at some of the games. She was running her finger down the long list and wondering if they’d bought all of these games for the party, or if Celia or Martin liked to play.
It was still hard to think of him as Martin, and she couldn’t help but feel a little excited, that she’d been . . . dating wasn’t the right word. Falling for, was closer to the point . . . anyway, her Mike was a movie star and he was famous.
She was still angry about the whole situation, but was realizing she acted a bit childish. It embarrassed her to think back to the way she acted. She didn’t even try to listen to him. At the time she hadn’t wanted to. Now she was curious and couldn’t wait to talk to him.
Also, the idea of losing Martin completely was making her think harder about her actions. She’d made a lot of dumb mistakes in her life, and she was sure he was right. It had to be hard, wondering if people really liked you for yourself, or if they just wanted to be close to you because you were rich.
If it didn’t hurt so much, it would be kind of funny. Here she was, living in the man’s house, meeting him at night in the kitchen, and she had no idea who he really was. She had to say that she didn’t get a gut feeling that he’d done it as a joke. He seemed sorry that it had happened.
She could actually now think back to a few times over the past few days when Martin started to say something, but then instead they would kiss. The physical side
of things hadn’t felt wrong, or like he’d lied to her. It felt real.
When he’d pushed her down on the bed, wearing nothing but that towel, it had been hard to not feel other things besides anger. A smile crept across her lips. The man was built like a rock. Acting or not, he definitely worked on keeping his body in shape.
It was also hard to think about him, and not think of Celia. It was possible that she’d set the whole thing up, staged that they’d had sex. After all, she was trying to hold on to her man. Randi inwardly shrugged and idly dusted the shelf.
Was Martin telling the truth? Had Celia written the note? Had he come upstairs to only take a shower? The odd part was that he didn’t have any clothes with him. Then again, it was his room most of the time. There was that deep-seated jealousy rearing its head again.
Randi had never had to deal with jealous feelings. She’d dated guys that had an ex-girlfriend, of course, but never had there been another woman, a love triangle of sorts.
She’d known these men had other women in their lives, but she’d never had to work for any of them, or be in a situation like this.
She just had to know if Martin was over Celia. Was he finished as he said or was he trying to have two women at once? Randi let out a deep sigh and went back to dusting the games.
She was going down the list of movies when she found a DVD -- several of them -- With Martin's picture on the covers. They were movies he had acted in. She looked at a few and pulled one from the stack. She smiled. Martin was in the forefront, arms crossed, standing in front of a racecar. Wow, he sure was handsome.
She read a bit about the movie and looked over a couple other DVD’s. When she was about to leave she paused. She looked around. No one was there but her, so she took the DVD out of the case and slipped it into one of the pockets of her apron. She was going to watch this one and see the man in action.
Since the room was spotless and ready for kids she turned to go. She knew now that she could face Celia and Martin if need be, so she went to the kitchen. She put the sweeper away and the dusting polish in the cabinet, tossing the rags into the dirty clothesbasket.
Ann and Emma were in the great room so she took a few moments to run into her room and slip the DVD into the drawer with her undergarments. She was about to leave when she paused. She pursed her lips checking her make-up.
Even though she had told Martin it was over, there was no use in looking like a slob. “Who am I kidding? The man is gorgeous. Rich, and gorgeous. I would be stupid to not at least consider he could be telling the truth.”
After pulling her hair into a ponytail instead of a bun, and touching up her make-up, she went to the kitchen and picked up a tray. As she was heading out Emma stepped in. “I’ll take that.” Emma reached for the tray.
“I’m fine. I can do it.” Randi said.
“I thought you were going to try and avoid certain people?” Emma stepped in front of Randi and smiled. “Have we had a change of heart?”
Randi tried not to smile. “Maybe.”
Emma laughed and stepped out of the way. “You’re a lost cause. I can see it all over your face. Are you going to behave yourself? Do I need to worry about what you might do?”
“I promise I’ll behave. I’ve not totally forgiven him, but I’m thinking it’s going to be fun to watch him squirm. I can’t wait to see the look on his face when I come at him with a pot of hot coffee.”
“Don’t you dare . . . ” Emma began.
“Don’t worry. I won’t hurt him, but he doesn’t have to know that . . . does he?”
Chapter 53
Cooler Heads
The ride, though it was a short one, helped to clear Martin’s mind. He was now ready to face anyone, even his dad. He’d been going out to speak to his mother but heard that familiar voice, and not stayed around to hear what his dad might be saying about Randi and himself.
His parents had been out on the veranda talking, and when he pulled out of the driveway he felt like he was leaving all of his troubles in the dust.
Thankfully, for some reason, when he came back he felt the same way. He really had no reason to feel upbeat, but he did. He pulled the bike into the garage and took off his helmet.
It was almost dark and by the looks from the driveway, most of the folks that were coming were here by now. He wasn’t looking forward to meeting everyone, but he wasn’t really dreading it either. It was something he knew he had to do, and as usual he had resigned himself to the fact and was moving forward.
He climbed from the bike, laid the helmet on the back, and looking in the mirror, ran his fingers through his hair. He was wearing jeans and a white T-shirt, more than likely not what Celia wanted for his first meeting with her parents. It was what it was, so he went in the house and walked into the kitchen.
It was a strange feeling to know that Randi would be gone now. Although they’d not parted on the best of terms, or anywhere close, he couldn’t wait for all of this to be over so he could find her and talk to her.
The first person he spotted as he came walking into the kitchen was his mother. She was picking up a tray until she spotted him.
“Goodness, what are you wearing? Most everyone is sitting down to dinner.”
“Should I go change?” Martin asked, pulling on his white shirt.
“I think so. Everyone has just been chatting and getting acquainted. You won’t be missed for a bit longer. Put on something button up and come in and meet everyone. We should be sitting down and eating in a few.”
His mother walked over, pulled him down, and give him a quick kiss on the cheek.
“What was that for?”
“You just looked like you needed it.” While she was close she put her hand on his shoulder. “I also hope that this Randi issue is under control for the time being. This will not be the time to be trying to act on any impulses you may be feeling.”
“What? I don’t plan on making a scene.” Martin stole a celery stick from the tray his mother picked up. “I’ll ride this out until the party’s over. Then we’ll see.”
“Good, I think that will be best, so behave yourself and stay away from her.”
Martin took a bite and watched as his mother started walking toward the entryway that led out of the kitchen. “What are you talking about? I’m not planning on sleeping with Celia, if that’s what you’re saying. I know how you and dad think and I don’t plan . . . ”
His mother turned and kept her tone so low he barely heard what she was saying. “I’m not talking about Celia. I’m talking about Randi.”
Martin moved closer and his expression must have shown what he was thinking. His mother paused and met him halfway as she stepped back into the kitchen.
“Are you saying she’s here?”
Lillian balanced the tray on one hand and placed her hand on Martin's chest. “Don’t go looking like that! Of course she’s here. Where did you think she was?”
“I thought she left. I have to talk to her.”
“No, you don’t. Not now, and not here.” Lillian glanced over her shoulder for a moment, setting the tray on the table. “What happened between the two of you? Your father overheard Randi talking earlier, and we know something happened.”
Martin looked past his mother. He wanted to talk to Randi, but she was right, this was not the place. It was a wonderful sign. For whatever reason, she was still there. He looked down and simply said, “She knows.”
“Did you tell her?”
“No. Celia saw to it that she found out. It wasn’t pretty.”
“I didn’t figure it would be, but Martin, you must not approach her. Give her some space. Allow it to sink in. I’ll talk to her later when I get the chance.”
“You will?” He looked into his mother’s eyes. “Why? I know you don’t approve.”
“True, and you need to work things out with one woman at a time, but I can see you have feelings for her.”
“I didn’t plan this, and you’re right, I do.”
; “I didn’t think you did. I also can see those feelings. I just hope everyone else doesn’t see them. You better put those acting skills to work, young man. There will be plenty of time for smoothing things out later.”
“I hope so.”
“There will be. Now get going.” His mother reached for the tray, smiled, and walked out.
Martin couldn’t help but let a slow smile come across his lips. Randi was still here. She hadn’t run off like she’d threatened. Slipping past the entryway to the great room, Martin went to his temporary room.
After a quick shower he slipped into tan slacks and a white shirt, put on a black belt, and then looked in the mirror. It wouldn’t be easy to walk past Randi and not try to speak to her or give her a look that would say I'm sorry.
Somehow, some way, he was going to talk to Randi. He might have to slip to her room after everyone was gone to bed but he would talk to her.
Before the night was over he would have the chance to apologize again, and this time he would see to it that she listened to reason.
He smiled as he walked away from the mirror. The fact that she was here now, after everything that had happened, spoke volumes. Before the night was over he would get his chance, and this time he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
Chapter 54
Table Manners
Lillian knew the moment Randi entered the room, because Martin lit up like a Christmas tree. She could tell he realized the effect the girl had on him, and he did his best to get lost in the conversation going around the dinner table.
Another person who was was lit up and all but bubbling was her daughter. It was no wonder, though. That Italian-American fellow could lay it on thick when he wanted. His accent, those dark features -- well, most any woman would appreciate the man’s ability to flatter.
The next person Lillian observed was Celia. She sat by Martin doing her best to seem happy and unaffected by Randi’s presence. She spoke with her family. There were several conversations going around the table at once. The kids were off at their own table, and that’s where Randi spent most of her time.
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