Maid for Martin (35 page)

Martin tilted his head for a moment. “Not so much wrong, as I was ignoring the signs. I didn’t want to see that I was going down the wrong path. I wanted to marry Celia and get started on raising a family. You don’t have any idea what it’s like in this profession. Everywhere you turn there are women . . . and I’m not meaning to gossip about these girls and women. Some of them are wonderful people.”

“I know what you mean. I saw it back before you even came to the states. Some people just have a hard time differentiating you from the characters you play. They fall in love with a character from a movie, and transfer that to Martin Taylor the man.”

“I guess so. No matter what, at times it can leave you a bit on the cynical side. You’re unsure if they’re really attracted to you, or the last character you played. It’s not an easy life. I wanted to find someone special that I could trust, and I let my desires keep me from seeing the truth.”

“So now you’re thinking Randi might be the one?” Ethan sat down and put the cigar to his lips.

“I’m not that presumptuous this time.” Martin moved over to the table and sat down. “But I can see that she is more in line with what I’m looking for. I hate to say it like this, but she’s from the working class, and she has values and principles. I’ve seen that in the way she works, and we’ve had a few good talks.”

“Talks or make-out sessions?” Ethan raised a brow.

“I see you still get right to the point.” Martin glanced away for a moment.

“That’s where the truth lies.” Ethan watched his son, and he sat there a moment, looked out at a blue jay that had landed in a nearby tree, and then Martin looked him in the eye and spoke.

“I suppose a little of both. There is a definite attraction. And before you ask, no, we haven’t had sex, and I don’t plan on it, for a while.” A slow smile crossed his son's face. “I am not a puritan, but I’m learning.”

Ethan laughed, “So she shot you down. I like the girl already.”

Martin laughed and leaned back. “You do think you know me don’t you? For your information, I didn’t push, or even really get to that point. I know a lady when I see one.”

“Well, at least I taught you a few things.”

“I think mom might argue with you on that one, and say that she had a hand in some of this.”

“You’re probably right. If she is truly a lady don’t pressure her. You’ll regret it in the long run.”

“I could see that. And I won’t. I can be a gentleman when I want to be.”

Ethan laughed again, took a puff, and leaned forward. “The issue is, son, that you should be one all the time, not just when you’re with a lady. I know how this world is. Folks sleep together like our generation shook hands, but that doesn’t make it right.”

“Preaching now, are we?”

“It’s a part of my life, and I thought I raised you so it would be a part of yours.”

Chapter 61

Happily Ever After

Not speaking to Martin at all seemed like the best course of action. Celia sat in her room looking at her reflection, mentally comparing herself to Randi, though she knew that wouldn’t help. One could never understand what caused a heart to fall for a particular person.

The strange thing was, she wasn’t heartbroken. Had Martin been right? Was it only her pride that was at stake, and this huge mansion? Celia let out a deep sigh. She wasn’t really a crying type, but later on the what if’s would set in and then . . . well, she’d cross that bridge when it came.

It was all so frustrating. “I guess only Cinderella gets a happy ending. Then again, she didn’t invite little Bo Peep into her own home.”

Celia knew the ending to her story was all her fault, if you wanted to break it down into facts and figures. Martin didn’t want to hire extra help, he didn’t want to have this party, but she did. It was she who had called the maid service, and it was she that insisted they hire three girls.

Celia cursed under her breath. Martin was right about one thing. They wanted different things. She never would want pets, or horses, or any of those other fuzzy things he’d mentioned. Not counting three or more children -- or did he say four? No matter. It wasn’t her concern now.

Celia, if she was anything, was a facts kind of person. She’d seen the look in Martin’s eyes, and heard the finality in his tone. It was over, and she would adjust in time.

An hour closer to dinner, Celia headed down the stairs, looking like the mistress of the manor. She wore black heels, a beautiful green dress with a thin black belt, and her hair and make-up looked perfect.

Celia forced a smile and was about to head into the kitchen when there was a knock at the front door. She had no clue who it could be, so she opened the door and smiled. “Hello, Mike. Glad you could join us.”

“Hey, Celia. I know I’m late, and intruding, but Martin said come, so I did.”

“No, you’re welcome anytime.” Celia motioned for Mike to come in, and she closed the door behind him. He turned to face her and she tilted her head.

“Have you lost weight?”

“Yes, I’ve been working out. Thanks for noticing.” Mike smiled.

“Nice tan, too. Do you go to the beach often?” Celia took Mike by the arm and started leading him into the dining room.

“No, just fishing. Out by the house. I love it and I’m out there whenever work allows.”

“You actually enjoy fishing? I thought it was just something men did to irritate their wives.”

“No, it’s great fun. You should go sometime. The air, the sun, the quiet . . . then there’s the waiting. You just sit back until you get a bite and then you reel it in.”

“I don’t know. It sounds like more work than fun,” Celia said as they came walking toward her brother, who was just hanging up his phone.

“No, no. It’s not work at all. You might break a nail opening up a cola, but it’s all fun,” Mike added.

“What’s all fun? I’m game,” Roger said, pushing his phone into his pocket and holding out his hand to Mike.

“Mike, this is my brother Roger. Roger, this is Martin's best friend, Mike Jackson.” Celia let go of Mike’s arm as the two men shook hands. “The fun he was talking about was fishing.” Celia added.

“Really, what kind? I was just on the computer last night and found this site that listed ten places to fish in Los Angeles. The only one I can recall is Echo Lake.”

“Yeah I know that one, but it’s mostly catch-and-release over there. Too much run off to eat something out of that place.”

“Really? Well, that’s fine with me. I don’t think I could eat one I caught.”

Mike laughed. “You could if it was cooked right.” Celia stepped back and let the two men discuss their love for fishing. She walked over to speak with her sister. They hugged and Allie didn’t waste any time.

“Man, who’s the hunk? Gorgeous for sure.” Celia laughed and pulled back, glancing over her shoulder.

“You’re engaged. Stop looking.”

“I’m getting engaged, true, but that didn’t affect my eyesight. Who is that?”

“That’s Martin’s friend. They met years ago. I guess he is nice-looking, now that you mention it.”

“Is Martin the jealous type? Did you stop looking and forget what a cute guy looked like?”

“No, I guess it’s just because I know him. He’s one of those outdoorsy types. He’s always camping, or fishing, or hunting. Then he cooks what he catches.”

“True, it’s not what we're used to, but it’s kind of sexy, that he can do all of that. You know, a man’s man. Robinson Crusoe type.”

“I know, it was sexy when Pierce and Hanks did it, but we’re not on a deserted island, and I don’t need to be rescued.”

“Just sayin'.” Allie smiled and spoke over her shoulder. “I think I’ll go over and introduce myself.”

Celia shook her head at her sister’s antics and turned to look at Mike once more. True, he was handsome, and dark, and all of those things her sister mentioned, but he wasn’t her type. She didn’t like to fish, or hunt, or cook. They were total opposites.

As she looked from his black curly hair, to his dark eyes, then on down to his nicely-tanned arms and broad chest she considered a few things. He was gorgeous, but he was Martin's best friend.

Wouldn’t that be poetic justice, to have her first date with Martin's right-hand man? That just might irritate Martin, and that just might be all she needed to give her the momentum to take that first step towards what could be her happily ever after.

Chapter 62

Growing Pains

Butterflies were swirling and Addison couldn’t help but think about the announcement she wanted to make. She kept rehearsing her lines, trying it this way and that, hoping it would come out right, hoping that she didn’t lose her nerve.

She knew if she began the conversation at the table her secret would be out in the open and her parents could start adjusting to the idea of her moving. Her dad could think it through before rising to his feet and telling her that she’d lost her ever-loving mind.

Hearing the words in her own head made her wince, but she knew she had to stay strong. It was time for her to leave, time for her to strike out on her own as Martin had. It would be harder since she would be the last child to leave home.

As she glanced across the table, tears threatened to sting her eyes. She’d never been away from her parents for more than a week at a time. Would she enjoy living that far away? Would talking to her mom on the phone be enough?

She took in a deep breath and smiled as she saw Raffaello walk into the room. He’d been out talking to one of his partners on the phone. He came to stand by her side. She’d been waiting for him before she took her seat.

It amazed her how he could be such a gentleman at times, and even old-fashioned in some of his thinking. Then again at other times, he was 'way too modern. After all, he had asked her to move in with him.

Raffaello smiled, gestured, and pulled out her chair. He pushed the chair in as she settled in, and then sat himself. She guessed this kind of behavior wouldn’t last once they were married, but she was going to enjoy it while she could.

As she glanced in to Rafa’s dark eyes, she realized she would have to be careful not to do things she shouldn’t with this man.

He was gorgeous, going to be a very successful lawyer, and a gentleman, most of the time, but he had not proposed. She needed to stop thinking and acting as though he had.

It was very possible that he would, but she needed to prepare herself for the future, and for the possibility that he might not ever ask her to marry him. When he spoke she was brought out of her thoughts.

“You seem jittery today. Are you all right?” Raffaello took her hand and kissed it, smiling.

“I’m fine. I just have a lot on my mind.”

“I understand. Is something going on with your brother? I can tell something isn’t right.” Rafa kept his tone low as he waited for Addison to answer. The room was abuzz and the children were making all kinds of noise as they came to the table. There was no worry of anyone hearing his comment or hers.

“I’ll give you the full story later, but it’s over.”

“Over as in really over?” Rafa expertly raised one dark brow. "Is this something recent? Do they need a lawyer?” Raffaello leaned in, smiling.

“I can ask later. For now, turn around and hush.”

“I can’t. I have to know more. Did they have a Cohabitation Agreement?”

“A what?” Addison raised the brow this time, but she was sure it just didn’t look the same on her. She smiled at Rafa. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. Martin should have had something drawn up, and he may have. If not though, he should consider it next time around.”

Addison straightened in the chair and the look on her face made Rafa speak. “What? I didn’t mean to offend.”

“You didn’t, but I was wondering, is this a hint that we need something like this in place?” The moment he broke out into a huge smile she relaxed.

“No, of course not. For one, I totally trust you, and two, I don’t have that much equity to worry about.”

“Do you think she could cause him trouble?”

Rafael shrugged. “I’m not saying if she did try to sue she’d get far, but prenups can stop you from worrying about it.”

“Or cause you to break up before you even get started.”

Rafael smiled. “You do have a point. The lawyer in me is always thinking about work. You’ll have to forgive me.” As always, Rafa treated her as if they were in their own private world. He leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips.

When he straightened, he paid no mind to Edward or anyone else. He was confident, sure of himself, and always in control. Addison tried to keep a smile from her lips, but it was hard. She glanced across the table and caught Celia’s sister giving her a quick wink.

A smile was given in exchange and everyone turned their attention to her dad who, much to the shock of a few, was about to give thanks.

Dinner was wonderful, and thankfully most of the children had gone to the great room to play with their new toys. Desert had been served and everyone was chatting and eating, having simple conversations about dinner, fishing, and a past Christmas or two.