Nephew's Wife, The (6 page)

“You’ve got that dreamy look in your eye again, Rand,” Dolly scolded. She turned soft.  “Be careful with Ellen.  If you don’t want your heart broken again, you’d be well off not chasing after her.  The kind of love she shared with Paul is not easily forgotten.”

“I’m not going to chase after Ellen, Aunt Dolly, nor any other woman.” Rand stood with purpose and tucked his aunt back under her covers.  “I’m planning a trip to Europe next month. My thoughts and energy will be on scheduling important meetings.”

“I’m glad you decided to travel again.  Just don’t stay gone too long.”

Rand leaned down and kissed Dolly on the forehead.  “Goodnight, Aunt Dolly.”

“Goodnight, Randolph.”

Rand walked slowly downstairs, his mind on Ellen.  He couldn’t get her out of his thoughts, but his aunt was right.  The lady was grieving. He needed a diversion to keep his focus away from her.  It was a month before his trip to Europe.  A whole month seeing Ellen every day could be disastrous.

As he strolled to the kitchen for some tea to have while he worked, Rand saw Ellen walking down the terrace toward the water.  Temptation to join her was too strong.  He headed outside with a prayer on his lips.

Dear Lord, help me fight this feeling. Give me strength over this attraction.

Chapter 5

Ellen heard the door open and close behind her. 

Please Dear Lord, let me be strong around Rand.

She was attracted to him, but she had no right to be.  His gaze earlier in the living room had set off a chain reaction inside her.  Tingling sensations had shot through her veins, her nerves had knotted, her heart had raced, and silly schoolgirl notions had collided with reason.  Rand Powers could be any woman’s man, but he could not be hers.  She was his employee.  An employee who happened to be a fraud.

“Wait up, Ellen.”  Rand’s voice echoed across the darkness.

Ellen cringed. He didn’t realize what he did to her. Only two days into her position as companion to his aunt and already she was tampering with problems.

“Rand,” she turned toward him. “I thought you had work to do.  Don’t let me keep you from it.  I can entertain myself.”

“Sounds like you’re trying to get rid of me.” Rand grinned as he reached her.  His heart catapulted to the heavens when he saw her under a cascade of moonlight. 

“Why would I do that?” Ellen hid her true feelings behind a lighthearted chuckle. 

Rand shrugged.  “Aunt Dolly thought I made you uncomfortable this evening. It wasn’t my intent. I guess I couldn’t get over your transformation.  You look so different.”

Ellen blushed.  “I hadn’t been taking care of myself.”

“You had Paul to think about.  I understand.  Actually, your appearance was fine. I hired you didn’t I?” His attempt at humor worked.  Ellen laughed.

“Yes, you did!”

“Come, I’ll show you the gazebo.” He put a hand to her elbow and led her across the spacious grounds.  A flurry of butterflies erupted in Ellen’s stomach at his touch.  Ellen fought them by concentrating on the immaculate yard that seemed to go on forever.  Just when she was sure they’d become lost, they reached a crooked stoned pathway.  It led to a round white, architectural wonder underneath a gathering of majestic magnolia trees.  Neatly trimmed rose bushes bloomed around the Victorian inspired structure.  Beyond the tall trees, down a grassy slope, the bay sprinkled with moonbeams. Even at night, Ellen could tell the view from that vantage point was spectacular.

“It’s lovely, Rand.”  Ellen gasped.  “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“I had it built for Aunt Dolly for her birthday one year,” Rand boasted.  “It’s so hard to give her anything.  She has so much and doesn’t want anything.  This surprised her.  I had it built while she was away, visiting friends.  When she was well, she’d come out here almost every day to do her Bible reading.  She said she felt closer to God out here more than in the big house.”  Rand stepped inside first and flipped a switch.  The whole place lit up.

Ellen entered the round space, breathless and wide-eyed. White wicker furniture decorated the interior. The valances, rugs, and cushions brightened the room with their tropical colors and prints.  All the windows were opened to let in a breeze, perfumed by flowers and the water.  It ruffled Ellen’s hair.  She lifted wayward strands away from her eyes.

“Don’t be afraid to sit.  It’s kept spider and bug free.” Rand pulled out a chair for her.

“I’m not afraid of spiders and bugs.” Ellen laughed as she sat down.

Rand took a chair opposite her and lifted a brow.  “Really, most women I know, my aunt included, are terrified of spiders and any bug no matter how small.”

“Don’t make me out to be tough.  I have my fears.  Bees, snakes, and lizards make me squeal.”

“I’ll make sure there are none around when you come out here.”  Rand spoke his heart. He wanted desperately to protect her.

Ellen trembled at the underlying message in his words and the warmth in his voice.

Don’t get close to me, Rand.  You’ll only get hurt.

A few moments of awkward silence settled between them.  Ellen gazed toward the water and the rim of lights, twinkling across the bay.  This was a part of the Tampa area she’d never seen until moving to the Powers’ estate.  Pristine mansions with their fancy docks and yachts lined the waterfront.

“Tell me about your work, Rand.”  Ellen prodded to break the ice.  She hadn’t carried on a conversation with a single man her age in nine years.  If memory served her right, it was the same topic that got things started with Paul.  How many times since Paul’s accident had she regretted the day she’d met Paul?  Ellen had just started as a clerk in the law firm where Paul was an up and coming divorce lawyer.  She’d been assigned to help research a case he was involved in.  One thing had led to another, and before Ellen knew it, they were dating.

“Did you even hear anything I said?” Rand asked. “You look miles away.”

Ellen shook herself.  “I’m sorry Rand.”

“It’s okay.  I’ve been wandering off myself lately.  I guess we both have a lot on our minds.”

“What did you say about your work?”

“That it would bore you.” He chuckled.  “I guess it did.”

Ellen squinted at him.  “I’m sorry I gave that impression. I’m actually hungry to learn new things about people and the world.  I feel like I’ve been out of the loop for so long. I don’t even know how to work any of the latest gadgets.  Please, tell me about yourself.”

I promise I won’t get attached to you, Rand.

Rand dangled an ankle over the top of the opposite knee.  He picked at the hem of his pants while gathering his thoughts. In a cut and dried voice, he gave Ellen the condensed version of his life. “My great-grandfather started the business with Dolly’s great-grandfather. It was passed down to my great-uncle who married Dolly. My father was set to take over after my Uncle Harold, but he and my mother died in a private plane crash.  I was barely three so I have no real memories of my parents. I was raised by Aunt Dolly and Uncle Harold.  My uncle died unexpectedly when I was still in college. I finished school while running the company.  That’s pretty much it in a nutshell.”

Ellen made a face.  “You make it sound easy when I know it couldn’t possibly be.”

“I have exceptional employees.  Many are capable of running the place themselves.”

“I’m aware of your past illness, Rand,” Ellen said after a moment of silence.

Rand squirmed. “I don’t like to talk about that.  It’s in my past.  God healed me.”

“That’s a blessing.” Ellen’s words were heartfelt.

“It was a miracle,” Rand muttered under his breath.  His memory of the time would be fonder if Lana’s cruel words didn’t haunt him.  Her reaction to his diagnosis had devastated him. Envy overpowered him as he caught Ellen’s fragrance in the night air.  Paul had been a very blessed man to have known the kind of love Ellen gave.  She’d remained faithful and devoted to the very end of his life. Lana had tossed him out like a wilted plant when she heard the word
cancer.
He’d never forget that day as long as he lived.

“Cancer! You have cancer?”  The look of disgust and disappointment on her face had shocked Rand.  Her voice screeched like nails on a blackboard.  “I can’t marry you, Rand.  This isn’t the life you promised me.”

“Calm down, Lana,” he’d told her. “It’s treatable.”

“What if it comes back?” She’d flared at him.  “You can’t guarantee that it won’t.  I’m not a nursemaid, Rand.  I won’t watch my husband die.”

“I’m not going to die, Lana. I’ll recover from this, and we’ll have the life we planned.” Rand’s pleas had gone nowhere.

“You can’t promise me that, Rand!” Lana had balked. “I’m sorry for not being nice and comforting. I’m sure this isn’t what you want to hear, but I have to be honest.  I don’t want to marry a sick man. I won’t. I can’t believe this is happening after all the planning I did for this wedding.  God must really hate me!”

Rand hadn’t seen Lana since and didn’t want to.  He’d heard she married a Tampa realtor, but the marriage was in trouble.  According to the papers, divorce attorneys had been hired.

Rand glanced at Ellen. Her baffled gaze was pinned on him.

“For a man who experienced a miracle, you don’t seem too happy,” she observed out loud.

“I’m eternally grateful for my good health.” Rand bristled at her assumption.  “I don’t take it for granted.  I work out and eat right. Sometimes, you don’t appreciate what you have until it’s taken from you.”

Ellen recognized the flash of sadness behind Rand’s eyes.  The subject matter had probably conjured up ugly memories of the fiancée who had left him.  Ellen felt badly for him.  It was clear Rand still harbored pain from the woman’s cruel rejection.  She couldn’t imagine being that heartless and selfish.

“We should go inside,” Ellen said, standing. 

They kept their conversation light as they strolled back to the patio.  When they came to the staircase off the foyer, they parted ways.  Ellen went to her room while Rand disappeared inside his office. 

The next morning, Ellen rose rested and ready for the day.  Thoughts of Rand had floated in and out of her dreams during the night. She’d slept better than she had in ages. As she showered, Ellen wondered how Rand’s ex could have treated him so cruelly?  Rand was perfect
in so many ways. He was the kind of man she’d dreamed of marrying.  The idea made her queasy in both good and bad ways.  She’d love for Rand to fall for her, but she knew he wouldn’t and shouldn’t.  Rand was determined to remain single, and she protected a secret she knew he’d disapprove of.

A girl can dream though,
Ellen told herself, fluffing her hair dry.                                       

Ellen dressed in one of her better outfits.  Black slacks and a red, button-up blouse with three-quarter length sleeves. Except for the black sheath she’d worn the night before, they were the only other things she owned that were stylish.  She slipped her feet into her black flats and bebopped downstairs with the energy of a teenager. 

Ellen had missed breakfast the day before, but Rand had explained what to expect during the tour her first day there.  Celeste set up a buffet by six in the morning.  It was ten after.

“You’re up early.” Rand stood when Ellen half skipped into the dining room.  He’d been reading the paper.  “You must have had a good night.  You’re bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning.”

“I slept very well, thank you.”  Ellen went directly to the buffet.  She poured herself a cup of coffee and doctored it with cream and sugar.  Rand’s gaze warmed her back.  She glanced over her shoulder.  The amusing smile he wore did more than enhance his GQ good looks.  It tickled her heart.

“Something wrong?” Ellen asked, stirring her coffee. “Did I use too much sugar?”

“No.” Rand blushed.  He folded the paper and put it down on the table beside his plate.  “I’m still dazed by your influence on my aunt. She hasn’t wanted to go shopping since the stroke. You’ve awakened her in a way I didn’t think possible in such a short amount of time.”

Ellen turned her attention back to the food.  She filled a plate with a bran muffin, fresh fruit, and a boiled egg then started to carry it with her coffee to the table.

“Let me help you.”  Rand appeared at her side before Ellen had even heard him move from the table.  He took her plate and showered her lungs with his cologne at the same instant.  The subtle, spicy fragrance made Ellen woozy.  How did women work around him all day, she wondered on the way to the table.

“I wasn’t expecting anyone to be up or dressed at this hour.”  Ellen pulled her head from the clouds as she sat across from Rand.

“I usually leave the house by six-thirty.” Rand watched Ellen break open her muffin. Her fingers were long and delicate. No polish hid her short, practical nails.  His gaze traveled up her slender arm to her exposed neck then over the fringes of light brown hair, scalloping the collar of her shirt, before landing on her deep set brown eyes.  Thankfully, Ellen was absorbed in her food, unaware of his bold appraisal of her.  It lasted mere seconds, but Rand was sure the visual planted in his head would remain with him all day.

              Suddenly, Rand remembered his aunt’s warning the night before. Ellen was grieving and probably would be for a while. A shadow past over Rand’s heart.  Too bad, he mused, somberly.  Ellen stirred a good feeling in him, one he hadn’t felt in a long time, but she was unavailable.

Of course, she’s unavailable, Rand! She works for you. Remember that!

“I’ve got to go.” Rand had to get away from Ellen before he caved to his emotions and asked her out.  “Would you like the paper?” He asked, holding it up. The society section fell loose, and Ellen gasped.

              “What?” Rand followed Ellen’s line of vision. A photo of Ellen was plastered on the front page of the section under the headline
Where is the Suffering Fiancée?
He quickly folded it and stuck it back inside the rest of the paper.