Foolin' by Allyson Young

Author:Allyson Young [Young, Allyson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

He lay beside her slumbering form, tucked against him like she’d been there all his life. Seeing that Jeep pull up earlier had calmed his fear that she’d come to her senses and run the other way.

The way things had played out seemed too good to be true, and he wondered if it was fair to her. He was getting the best of everything—the best sex of his life, a terrific cook and housekeeper, presumably a gardener—all that fresh produce—and the companionship of a bright, happy woman. On top of that, help in his office.

Kathleen insisted she loved the kitchen work and couldn’t wait to whip the garden into shape. She wasn’t as enthusiastic about the cleaning, but with him and the hands respecting her hard work, it wouldn’t be the disaster she’d been introduced to. Talk about trial by fire.

He could keep his end up where the sex was concerned. He suspected she’d been celibate since her husband died and a long, dry spell would be a delight to fulfill. He hoped he could keep up. And be creative.

The bookkeeping… That niggled a little. Sharing that burden with a professional would be great. He knew he could manage, but it would mean more free time. More time with Kathleen. And he had to ensure her financial stability. He knew instinctively she’d hate to depend solely on him. And there was Lisa to consider.

Lisa. He hadn’t been held accountable in a long time. She was warning him not to destroy her mom’s happiness. And Kathleen was happy. She sparkled. He felt and saw it and dared hope he was largely responsible for it. He hadn’t lied when he said he was happy too.

He turned over on his side, putting his back to Kathleen, recognizing how unsettled he felt when he thought about Lisa. She hadn’t stayed long, and the hands had been a distraction, but the bond, the relationship between her and her mom, was so evident. It burned deep with envy in his soul, and he couldn’t seem to change that.

It wasn’t right to feel that way—he knew that. But he couldn’t stop it. He screwed his eyes shut and breathed through the feeling, managing it—for now. For now.

And Lisa’s comment about things being finite stung. Kathleen’s response had been measured and mature. Accurate. He’d be the first one to say that you couldn’t see the future. But he resolved to try not to ruin Kathleen’s happiness. Hadn’t he learned those lessons?

She’d refused marriage—and he’d admit to a certain relief. His future, before meeting her, had never included that form of commitment, and even now he wondered why he’d asked. Surely his desperation to pursue the connection hadn’t warranted a proposal.

A quiet groan escaped him. Kathleen was a woman who deserved it all. And he didn’t have it to give. The best he could do was to make her happy, meet her needs, and face the fact that connections didn’t last while trying never to think about it or telegraph it.

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