Maid for Martin (29 page)

“I’ll take care of Celia. Please, just stay and help. I’ll see to it you’re paid well.”

Ethan didn’t like what he was hearing. What in the world had Martin done and who was this girl? From the silence he thought the discussion was over. He leaned in, just in time to learn a few more helpful tips.

“The money doesn’t matter. I think I’m falling in love, and now this. I don’t know what to think.”

“I know Randi, and I’m sorry this happened.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“At first I didn’t know. You mentioned Mike, and I knew he hung out here.”

“Mike really does exist?”

“Yes. He’s Martin's best friend.”

“That explains a few things. Is he tall, nice-looking?”

“Yes. He’s coming to the party. Anyway, by the time I figured it out, I didn’t know what to say. I could hear the way you talked about Martin.”

“Yes I was . . . am . . . falling in love.”

“I know. You see, I know Mr. Taylor. He’s not like this. He’s a good man. I knew he was on the edge of breaking up with Celia. To be honest I knew you would be good for each other, and that sooner or later you’d work through this.”

Now Ethan felt as if he was just eavesdropping. He picked up his bags and walked around to the front entrance. No one had known he was coming or what time his flight would arrive. Martin or Addison was to come out and pick him up, but all along he’d planned on surprising Lillian.

It was he that was getting the surprise. What in the world had Martin gotten himself into? He could only guess that Randi was a maid, and that something had happened between the two of them.

Martin knew better than to act like this. He had been taught from birth that you find the right woman, get married, and then the extra-marital fun begins. He sure wasn’t raised thinking it was fine to have two relationships going at once.

When Ethan walked around to the front door he started to knock or ring the doorbell but he heard humming. He smiled. He would know that sound anywhere and he went walking around to the corner of the veranda.

There she sat, working on a needlepoint. That was good and not good. It meant she more than likely knew more than he did about the issue between this Randi person and Martin. The only time Lillian did needlepoint was when she needed to do some deep meditation or prayer.

He never understood how it helped to do something that was tedious, but it was her way. His way was to pace and to fume, but that would come later. He stepped closer and crossed his arms.

“I leave this family alone for a week and look what happens.” She didn't speak, but carefully laid down the needle and the framework and sat for a moment.

“How many times have I told you, without the man of the house around, things fall apart?” With this comment she pushed out of her seat and rose. She wasted no time in closing the gap and wrapped her arms around his neck.

They were close to the same height, but still, when he hugged her, he picked her a few inches up off the ground and, if he'd been a bit younger, he would have spun her around.

He hated being away from Lillian, and vowed that this would be the last time, until the good Lord called one of them home. It just wasn't right for a man and woman to be apart for longer than absolutely necessary.

“I've missed you so much.” She whispered as he set her back down on the floor. He, the physical one of the two, pressed his lips quickly to hers, and after a fair amount of letting her know how much he'd missed her, he pulled back. As normal, she playfully pushed him away.

“Now, that is enough of that. One day out here in this sinful city and look at you, can't keep your hands to yourself.” She was laughing as she sat back down.

Ethan gave her a quick goose and joined her. “It has nothing at all to do with the city. Have we been away from each other that long before?” She all but blushed as she sat down, not wanting to look him in the eye. Finally she spoke.

“How was your trip, and where are your sisters?”

“The trip was good, and they backed out at the last minute. I don’t think Martin really expected them to come.”

“He was hoping they would.”

“Well, I tried, they just wouldn’t come.”

“Too bad. He’ll be very disappointed. Also, how is Jacob?”

“Jacob’s surgery went fine and he'll be going home before long.” Ethan took Lillian's glass and pulled the pitcher of tea closer, pouring himself a bit. “I would ask you how things are going, but I'm not sure I want to know.”

Lillian looked up and leaned back. “I know that you have this strange way of knowing things, but I didn't know you were that in tune with your children.”

“I'm not.” Ethan leaned back in the chair, took a long sip of tea. “I overheard a bit of a discussion as I was coming in just now. I wanted to surprise everyone and slip in through the garage—”

“Who did you hear talking? Celia's gone and I've not seen Martin today.” Lillian was about to start her needlepoint again but she stopped and waited for him to answer.

“I overheard someone named Randi, and she wasn't happy at all with our son.” Ethan took another drink of tea and looked at his wife. Lillian wasn't offering anything just yet. Instead she asked another question.

“What did you hear?”

“Who’s Randi?”

“She's one of the maids.” The look on his wife's face was all he needed. He drank down some more tea and shook his head.

“I would never have thought in a million years that our son would stoop to something as low as having an affair with the help. At a time when he's invited his family and Celia's out for the celebration of our Lord's birth?”

“It's worse than that.”

Ethan laughed. “How can it be worse . . .? Is she pregnant?” He asked, answering his own question.

“No, and truth be known, I'm pretty sure they've only kissed. This only started recently.”

“So how is it worse? Is she married?

“No.” Lillian paused and laid down the needlepoint. “I hate to even admit this out loud. It makes it seem so much worse.”

Ethan straightened in his chair. “What? Tell me.”

Lillian sighed and looked around to make sure no one was listening. “Martin led the girl, Randi, to believe he was the chauffer or something, a fellow named Mike. I assume from what you said that she's found out the truth today.”

“What? How long has this been going on, and why didn't you tell her?”

“It wasn't my place. This is his mess and he's going to be the one that is standing in it when the dust settles. I told him what I thought about the matter. Maybe he finally told her the truth.”

“I don't know if he did or not. From the way she was talking I would say that she figured it out on her own. She wants to leave, but they’re short of help, and someone was trying to talk her into staying.”

“Poor girl. She's really nice. I hate that this has happened for both of them.”

“Both of them? Why would you feel sorry for Martin? He started this nonsense, more than likely just so he could get her into bed. I was afraid this would happen when he moved to this town. This place takes decent people and turns them into heathens.”

“Our son is not a heathen. I think he's really falling in love with this girl.”

“You're taking up for him?”

“Not really. I just heard him talking about her, and he was really sorry that he'd let it go on this long. He likes the girl, and he's only waiting until the party is over before he breaks it off with Celia.”

Ethan shook his head. “He really has some nerve, having a maid right under Celia's nose. Does she know too?”

“It's possible. Martin has fallen head over heels with this girl, so I don't think he's been thinking clearly. Well, I know he hasn't. I'm sure that Celia could have found out.”

Ethan poured more tea and looked at his wife. She wasn’t looking at him and she was reaching for the needlework a little too quickly. “What are you leaving out?”

Lillian laughed and shook her head. “I can't hide anything from you. It’s nothing really. I just can’t help it. If I had to pick between the two women I would rather he be seeing Randi. Celia is not my ideal daughter-in-law.”

Thankful it wasn’t anything worse than that, Ethan leaned back and sipped on his tea, digesting the information. After a bit he looked at his wife.

“Has Martin been sharing a room with Celia?”

“No, not since I've been here. He hasn’t been very physical with her either. I don’t know if this Randi thing broadsided him or if he was having issues before she came.”

“I was hoping that he wouldn’t do that -- have any woman move in with him. Did we do something wrong? I hoped that our values would be a little more instilled than this.”

“I don’t know. You can only teach your children what you think is best, and hope they follow in your footsteps.”

“Well, Martin isn’t following as closely as I’d hoped. Where is he?”

“You’re in no mental state to speak with him. Sit back and relax. Enjoy the beautiful weather and your tea.”

“I suppose you’re right. It can wait. Tell me, where is Addison, or do I dare ask?”

Chapter 51

Bigger Picture

Celia wanted to wait around and enjoy the fireworks, but she got a call from Sue. Her friend needed follow-up tests from the accident. Since the rental was at the airport, Celia called a cab. Once at Sue’s apartment she drove the car Sue’s insurance had company found for her. As they sat waiting at the doctor’s office Celia caught Sue up on the events of the day.

“Wow, do you think she’ll be there when you get back?" Sue seemed happy to have anything to think about besides her own problems.

“I really don’t know. I kind of hope she’s still packing when I get back so I can see the look on her face. I wonder if she slapped him. I would have. I’d still like to, but I’m trying to see the bigger picture.”

“I don’t think there would be a bigger picture for me. I would have kicked his butt out.” Sue thumbed idly through the magazine as she made this comment.

“It’s his place, so that’s not an option.”

“Is his money really worth all of this? I mean if the man is willing to cheat on you I’m not sure if I would stay around.”

“Have you seen where we live?” Celia glanced up from her iPhone.

“I’ve seen it. Still, I don’t think I would want a guy that didn’t want me. I know it’s stupid but a few days ago I would have said hang on to him. This accident has caused me to do some real thinking. Life is really short, and we don’t want to waste it being with men that don’t appreciate us.”

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.