Lies of the Heart (9 page)

“Yes, Your Highness, what is it this time?”

She gasped, clutching the neckline of her high-collared, flowered nightgown. Her long silver hair hung around her shoulders. In this state she actually looked fragile and vulnerable, catching him off guard. “You! Where’s Tessa? What have you done with her?”

“Not nearly enough,” he said, his meaning all too clear. “Thanks to you.”

At that a tiny triumphant smile slide over her mouth. Something slammed into him and heat rose from his belly to nearly choke him. She may look weak and defenseless, but she certainly didn’t act that way. Oh no, she was showing her claws.

Coming fully into the room, he silently closed the door behind him. The cherry furnishings dominated every corner of the old-fashioned space. Even the dark-patterned wallpaper seemed to have been the original, coming with the old house.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“It’s about time we had a little chat, don’t you think?”

She raised her arm and pointed toward the door. “Out with you!”

The fiery bluster in her didn’t dent his intentions. He dragged a straight back chair close to the left side of her bed. Then plopped down in it. Almost lazily, he sat back and crossed his ankle over his knee. Folding his arms, he asked, “About Tessa…”

“You can’t do this. I’ll get Tessa in here to throw you out.” Reaching out, she went for the silver bell resting on her nightstand. He moved quicker, grabbing the offending instrument from her fingertips.

Lifting it in front of his face, he waved it back and forth. It tinkled softly. “If you don’t want me to smash this damn thing, then you need to behave.”

Her mouth opened and closed without a sound escaping. Stiffly, she clamped her lips together.

“I thought you’d see things my way.” Carefully, he placed the weighty silver object on a dresser. Looking back at her, he began, “About Tessa. I will not have you running her ragged for the rest of this night or ever again, do you understand?” His voice held a steely edge to it.

“I’ll do what I damn well please.” Her dark eyes snapped fire. In them he read fierce protectiveness, but also a deep-seated fear. Something clicked inside him. A chord deep inside him strummed to life.

“You’re afraid of losing her, aren’t you?”
So am I, for that matter. Afraid of losing all that she sees in me when no one else does. Hope. Dreams
.

Shock rippled across her features. Just as quickly, she hid it by whipping her gaze away from his and hardening her facial expression. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I think you do,” he said softly, sensing that she really didn’t wish to harm her own granddaughter. She only knew how to cling tightly and by doing so she smothered Tessa so much so it had become a prison.
Where I left her alone, left her before I’d ruin what little we did have together, but could never go any further. It still can’t.
“We’re all afraid of something. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.” He couldn’t disguise the catch in his voice.

Looking at him again, she stared for long moments. Her chin quivered and she clasped her hands. Dropping her gaze to the bedcovers, she began to smooth the edge of the pristine- white sheets edged with lace. She remained quiet, the silence stretching unbearably.

“I only want what’s best for Tessa,” he said gently.

“And you think I don’t? I’m her grandmother. I was the one to take her in and raise her when everyone turned their backs on her. I sacrificed everything I had to bring her up right and proper.”

Seeing it all now from her point of view, Chance swallowed some bitter truths. Letting his gaze wander to the nightstand, he spotted the silver-framed photo of the man she’d called her husband, the man who’d left her because she dared to take Tessa in when no one else would. He’d heard the stories all his life, but had ignored them. It had been easier to put it down to her being a crotchety old lady. Easier to blame her. Now, he realized she couldn’t give what she never received herself.
What Tessa wants: Love.
“You did the best you could with what you had.”

Jerking her head up, she encountered his steady gaze.

“How about we give Tessa something better than what we both had, Mrs. W.? We can start with not fighting in front of her, for one thing. She doesn’t deserve to be picked apart like some bone we both want.” Ever since he’d discovered Tessa had overheard their conversation weeks ago, he’d berated himself for adding to her suffering. Not anymore.

“And I suppose you’re blaming me for that, too.”

“Partly,” he admitted. “But so am I at fault.”

That had her pulling back and opening her eyes just a little wider.

He grinned. “Don’t look so surprised. I do have it in me to admit when I’m wrong.”

“Oh, really. And what about all the times you broke into this house and took things.” She eyed him sternly, her lips pinched.

Every muscle in his body tensed. “I never broke in.”

“Hah! You left muddy tracks through my kitchen.”

Inwardly, he smiled; he’d done that on purpose to let her know he’d been there, been able to best her. “You left the window latch undone.” Raising his brows, he repeated, “I didn’t break in.”

“Oh, I suppose you’re now going to say it was an invitation for you to enter my home and pilfer my things… Tessa’s things.”

Slowly, he shifted in the chair, dropping his foot on the floor and resting his elbows on his thighs. A muscle jerked in his cheek.
How much did she know?

“Did you think I wouldn’t find out?” She didn’t allow him time to respond. “I knew all right, about the school pictures, her diary, even her panties, for God’s sake. And I knew how much you were attracted to her all those years.”

Shock raced down his spine. She knew about the pictures! Involuntarily, his hand went to his back pocket, and then stilled. No, she couldn’t know once he’d taken it, he’d always carried around that picture of Tessa, the one when she’d turned sixteen. Now, years later, the yellowed, cracked photo was nearly worn thin by his rubbing his thumb over her beautiful face.

Slowly, he dropped his hand. He tried to form words. None came.

“And I knew she felt the same way.” Her voice vibrated with a mixture of fear and betrayal. “Dear Lord, I did my best to pound the message in her head about you.” She laughed. It came out raw and strangled. “Oh, I did it all right. Did it work though? Hah! Why she up and—” she stopped short, her eyes going wide and her mouth frozen in mid-sentence.

A flash of emotion chasing across her eyes caught him off guard, as if she hid something of great importance from him. Her features shifted right before his eyes and he swore a look of triumphant lie below the surface. Something cold and dark settled in his middle and a shiver of disquiet snaked down his back. What didn’t she want him to know?

Chance had all he could do to bite back what he longed to shove in her haughty face. But he’d promised Tessa. So he swallowed the tales of meeting the cute red-haired little girl for adventures, excitement, kid’s games, stolen kisses, and all the other precious times he’d had with her.
For Tessa.

“But look at now,” she went on, obviously lost in her earlier thoughts. “It’s happened. Every fear I’ve ever had has come true.” She choked on the last.

Looking at the old woman sitting there, he felt sorry for her. Part of him knew she’d bring more of this on herself if she didn’t stop her controlling ways. “She deserves a life.” His fierce statement seemed to snap her out of her reverie. “In fact, you deserve your own life. Don’t you have any friends? Any hobbies? You know, Bingo, Bridge, something?” He grasped at straws, hoping he’d divert her attention away from his wife.

To his consternation, she began to tear up. Her chin wobbled. “They’ve all deserted me, because of your grandmother.”

“Gran?”

“She turned them away from me when I needed them the most. Your whole family’s done that for years.”

He dragged a hand down his face, and then blew out a hot breath. “Listen, I’m not about to get in a fight with you over it. God knows there’s been enough fighting between our families to last a lifetime.”

“Oh, go on take her side. Everyone else does.”

Lord, she sounded pitiful. Suddenly, he couldn’t bear it any longer. His body screamed for rest. Rising to his feet, he asked, “Did you ring for a reason or just to annoy me again?”

That got him a cheeky grin, giving him his answer. “Well, I do have to use the…ladies room now.” She looked at him skeptically. “If you could just call Tessa, she can help me.”

Shaking his head, he said firmly, “
I’ll
help you as long as I don’t have to wipe or anything.”

Her horrified gasp tore through the room. “Why, you…”

“Dog, is the usual term. Although I do prefer devil.” He threw back her covers and held out a hand, saying, “Shall we?”

Pulling back, she looked at the offered hand with trepidation. “I couldn’t.”

“It’s either you come with me now, hold it until morning, or pee the bed. It’s all up to you, Granny Warfield.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Why?” He shot her a cocky grin. “We’re family now, aren’t we?”

The badgering did what he’d intended. A pink flush stole in her paper-white cheeks and she grabbed his hand in a death grip, nearly squeezing off his blood supply. “The hell we are!”

“That’s our girl! About time you cussed. Does a body good.” Instantly, he realized just how frail she was as he assisted her tiny frame out of the bed. She lost her footing the moment she stood, and then clutched onto him with trembling hands.

“Don’t drop me.”

“I won’t if you don’t pee on me.”

She jabbed him in the ribs with a gnarled up arthritic hand. The swing barely registered.

“Now I know where Tessa gets that from,” he muttered under his breath.

“A lot of other things, too.” With baby steps, she shuffled around the bed, leaning heavily on him.

“We’ll get you a nurse to help at night.” He’d said his thoughts out loud.

When she stilled, he silently berated himself for the slip. But she surprised him, by saying, “I get to pick which one. I don’t want just any old woman making my life a misery, do you understand?”

“Loud and clear.” He moved her along. Just a few more feet and they’d be there.

“You know if you sass me again, I’ll be liable to tell Tessa what you stole of hers.”

This time, Chance halted in mid-stride. Something akin to fear bubbled in his chest. How could he explain it to her if she ever found out? Hell, he couldn’t even explain it to himself. Gazing down at the older woman he wondered if he could say anything to stop her from exposing him. Eyeing her wearily, he asked, “How about we make a deal here?”

“Money?”

“Nope.” She seemed to sag at his answer. “Something better, Granny Warfield.”

She perked up then. “I told you not to call me that. If it’s not money, then what?”

“You don’t tell Tessa I have her things and I won’t tell anyone that you let me help you use the toilet in the middle of the night.” He paused for a moment. “You wouldn’t want anyone at the pub to find out, now would you?”

For long seconds time dragged. Deep down Chance prayed this proud lady wouldn’t dare air her vulnerability to the town; he didn’t want his secret revealed. There would be too much to have to face, things he didn’t want to examine now, maybe never. She remained steadfastly silent.

Wanting this whole mess over with, he directed her to the nearby door. Reaching around, he snapped on the light for her. “After you, Your Highness,” he mocked, waving her forward with a flourish.

She entered on her own power, and then turned to face him. Something sparkled in her dark eyes. He couldn’t be certain what it meant, but somehow it didn’t set right with him. “My lips are sealed. For now.”

With that she closed the door on him. He’d gotten his reprieve, even if it were only for a short time. His secret was safe from Tessa.
For now.

“Now keep your eyes closed,” Chance said in her ear, as he blocked her view with his hand.

Tessa shivered at his husky timber. He’d been extra close ever since he’d parked his truck and had come around her side to help her out. His fresh, outdoorsy scent surrounded her and she longed to stay in the shelter of his arms.

Nothing about the area seemed familiar as he directed her to walk forward. Stones crunched beneath her booted feet. Other than the gravel no other sound but his breath came to her as she strained to hear anything. She blinked behind the shield of his palm, shafts of light filtered through.

“Hey, cut that out. You’re peeking.” His accusation mixed with a hint of hurt made her giggle.

He stopped her. Then he reached around and opened a creaky door. “Won’t you even give me a hint, at least?” The whole mystery nagged at her well of curiosity. All the way here, keeping her eyes closed, she’d peppered him with questions and all he had to say was, “You’ll see when we get there.”

“Nope.” The chuckle in his voice should have made her mad, but it had the opposite effect.

“You dog, you.” It came out husky even to her own ears.

He moved close, his lips skimming her earlobe. “Devil, sunshine, devil.”

This time the quiver racked her body. “And how,” she muttered under her breath.

Deep, hearty laughter rippled through him. With her back to his chest, her knees nearly buckled at the rumble that vibrated through her entire body.

Gulping hard, she squeaked out, “Are you done playing hide and seek yet?”

“Almost.”

He guided her over the threshold. Instantly, she got the impression of a cool, dark place. The door slammed shut behind them, making her jump. Her hand flew to her throat.

“Sorry about that, sunshine.”

His body rubbed hers as she made her way deeper into the musty-smelling area, a hallway of some kind she suspected.

“We’re coming to some steps,” he said. “Two more feet in front of you and you’re there.”

She grabbed his free one, clutching tightly to the warmth and safety. With her other hand, she felt around, and then grabbed ahold of the railing.
Wood, smooth to the touch.