Lone Star Valentine (McCabe Multiples) (18 page)

He studied her, his expression inscrutable. “Eight passion-and-fun-packed days.”

“There’s been a lot of stress, too. Just like in our law school days.”

He shrugged his shoulders, then corrected softly, “Only this time, we’ve worked together.”

Nodding in agreement, Lily swallowed around the rising lump in her throat. “You’re great in a family-law-style crisis, Gannon.” It was no wonder so many women wanted him to represent them.

He strode toward her, flashing his bad-boy grin. “And out of the office, too.”

Lily flattened her hands on the desk and remained in place. “But what happens next—when all of that is eventually settled?”

Gannon sat down on the desk beside her and pulled her into the V of his spread legs. “You’re saying you won’t need me?” He dipped his head so his lips brushed her ear.

Yearning swept through her. Lily spread one hand on his chest, the other on the swell of his biceps. “I’m saying that this conflict with Bode may well be over even as we speak now that he has a QB job he obviously wants.”

Gannon lifted a brow.

“So you may not need to rescue me and Lucas further,” Lily pushed on. Finding her knees were trembling, she sank down in the nearby swivel chair. “And that you might lose interest in us as a consequence.”

Gannon lifted her back to her feet and then onto one muscular thigh, slowly, purposefully, invading her personal space. “Why are you making this so damn difficult?” he asked gruffly.

When, in his opinion, Lily noted, it should all be easy.

Lily slipped a hand over his shoulder, ostensibly to keep him at bay, although it felt more as if she was keeping him close. Knowing it was time they were straight with each other—and themselves—she said, “Because this all feels very reckless to me.” And therefore, very risky. “And that makes me want to take some time apart to sort through all my confused feelings. And figure out just what is real and what isn’t.”
So I don’t hurt my son. Or you. Or me. Or anyone else for that matter.

His eyes grew shuttered. He ran his thumb over her jaw. “All while being away from me.”

“Don’t you see?” she returned, doing her best to be reasonable in a way that he was currently not. “That’s the only way we’ll know if we truly can’t live without each other. If we slow down and take the time apart.”

His glance swept over her, the heat and tenderness in his gaze reminding her of all they had shared. All she still wanted.

“If we want to know where this is all going, we need to spend
more
time together.” He kissed her temple, her cheek, her lips. “Or at least as much as we can work out, given the fact we live two hours apart.”

Lily recalled how devastated she had felt when their friendship had ended abruptly before. How much she had come to count on Gannon in just eight days. Her son had become attached to him, as well. Lucas already had one father who came and went in his life, to increasingly hurtful result. How would he react to losing another?

Lily shifted, her hip bumping Gannon’s rock-hard thigh. “And what happens if frequent visits don’t work out?” Still nestled in the apex of his spread thighs, Lily turned so she could better see his face. “Or prove to be a dull imitation of the action-packed love affair we’ve had the past eight days?” What happened, she wondered, if Gannon didn’t care about her as much as he thought?

“Or they do sort of work out,” she said, feeling even more panicked, “but we still can’t see each other nearly enough to make each other as happy as we both need to be?”

His lips thinned. “All these are hypothetical scenarios,” he told her gruffly. “None of which will come true.”

If only she could be half as sure, Lily thought miserably. “How do you know that with one hundred percent certainty?” she persisted, tears pressing at the back of her eyes. “Don’t forget, I know you, Gannon.”
Maybe better than you know yourself.
“I know you don’t like to wait—for anything.”

She knew she didn’t want to let him go. She was afraid to try to keep him in her life, too—at least at this level of intensity.

“No...I’m not a patient man,” he admitted, “especially when it comes to you.”

She blew out a breath. “See! My point exactly. I don’t want to have my heart broken the way it was back in law school, when I thought you were going to give me the space and time I needed. Only to have you say, ‘no, thanks,’ and move on to about a gazillion other women. None of whom can apparently meet your high expectations, either!”

He smiled at the telltale note of jealousy in her voice. “And that, too, should tell you something. No one compares to you, Lily,” he vowed huskily, all the affection she had ever wanted in his eyes. “And the fact that you still have no one in your life romantically gives me hope that, in your estimation, no one compares to me, either.”

That was all true. But the knowledge of what she wanted—a love and a marriage that would endure—made her more cautious still. “I don’t deny that sometimes...especially when we’re making love...I feel as though we’re meant to be together forever, too.” As if there would never ever be anyone else.

She got back on her feet. Ignoring the sudden hurt in his eyes, she pushed on, “But a relationship between the two of us is going to take so much effort.”

“So?” He stared her, not comprehending.

Lily gulped. “In the past you haven’t been the kind of man who wants to compromise on anything important. Or surrender even part of what you hope to achieve.”

So if he couldn’t do this...

If he couldn’t agree to give her time, what else wouldn’t he be able to give her?

For them to be together, this had to change. Surely he must realize that!

His expression grew stony. “Seems to me that you’re the one who’s not willing to compromise,” he said abruptly.

Lily blinked at him in shock. “What are you talking about?” She had just poured out her heart to him in the hope that they could come to some resolution, some way to move forward without the risk of it all blowing up in their faces. Instead, he was acting as if she were the impossible one in their relationship!

Exhaling roughly, he stood up and strode toward the door. Impatience tightened the handsome features on his face. “You’ve got no problem meeting anyone else—even your louse of an ex—halfway. But when it comes to me,” he said, bitterness edging his tone, “you can’t begin to compromise.” He whirled back to face her. “Why is that, Lily?”

The hell of it was, she didn’t know.

“Look, I want you—and Lucas—in my life, but I’m not going to take an arbitrary break, just so you’ll have an easier time of eventually ending whatever this has been. Or waste the rest of my life pining over something that’s not ever going to happen. And that apparently is us. At least in any long-lasting, meaningful way.”

She rushed after him. “So this is it? You’re breaking up with me—for good? No time-out. No second chances. No nothing? You don’t even want to try to be friends?” she cried, the hurt she’d expected all along hitting her full force.

“No,” he said brusquely, looking at her long and hard. “Because the truth is, you’re right about one thing, Lily. Given the way we both are? We never should have started this.”

Gannon turned and left the office, leaving her to face yet another Valentine’s Day alone.

Chapter Sixteen

Lucas had just fallen asleep Monday evening when a knock sounded on Lily’s door. She went downstairs, her heart full of irrational hope. Instead of the person Lily had most yearned to see, her triplet sisters stood on the stoop. Violet brandished a bottle of wine, and Rose held a big box of scrumptious-looking chocolate-covered strawberries that would have been perfect on Valentine’s Day. Not that she was celebrating...

Finally, Rose demanded, “Are you just going to stand there scowling or let us in?”

Lily looked at the entrepreneur among them. Rose was always selling or starting something. Tonight it seemed to be Lily’s resurrection from heartache. The only problem was, she was not in the mood. “Shouldn’t you be home babysitting your triplets?” she harrumphed at her ridiculously cheerful sister.

Rose waved an airy hand and waltzed on in. “Poppy’s babysitting. Not that there’s much to do since they’re all asleep.”

Violet followed. Maybe it was because she was a resident physician and an idealist at heart, she was always much more careful with Lily’s feelings. “We came over to help you celebrate your good news,” she announced kindly.

Lily went to find the bottle opener and three wineglasses. “Mom and Dad told you?”

“That Bode withdrew his custody suit?” Violet smiled and took off her coat. “Yes. Not that anyone’s surprised. We all knew he was only asking for a change in the custody arrangements because his career was in jeopardy.”

As at home in Lily’s kitchen as her own, Rose got down the dessert plates and the napkins. “Have you heard from Mr. Football?”

Lily nodded. “He called me early this afternoon.”

Everything stopped. “And...?”

“Bode said that he wants to do what is best for our son.” Lily did not bother to mask her relief. “And that probably means not being with Lucas until he gets settled in with his new team.” She poured everyone a glass of wine.

Rose and Violet exchanged looks. “Surely he’s not expecting you to fly Lucas to Baltimore to see him?” Rose helped herself to a strawberry.

Lily shook her head, aware that although she was disappointed for her son, she also agreed with her ex. “Bode told me he thought it would be best for all of us if Lucas remained in Laramie and Bode came to Texas to see him when he had time.” Which would likely be rarely, just like before. Although Bode hadn’t come out and said that.

Violet studied her. “What did you say to him?”

“I thanked him for calling me in person rather than leaving it to the lawyers. Although—” Lily added, sipping her wine “—a short while later, I heard the same from Liz, too.”

A short silence fell.

Violet and Rose exchanged another look. “Gannon didn’t call?” Violet asked in concern.

“First, he’s not my attorney in the matter.” Lily paused to savor a delicious chocolate-covered strawberry. And found the confection did nothing to assuage her broken heart. “He was only consulting with Liz, at her behest, for a short while.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Second—” Lily picked up steam as she carried her wineglass into the living area “—as both of you
very well know
, Gannon and I are not on speaking terms.”

“Big mistake,” Violet muttered, joining Lily on the sofa.
“Huge.”

Lily cuddled up on one end, a pillow pressed to her chest. “Says the physician who won’t date...anyone?”

Violet settled opposite her. “Low blow. You know after what happened with Sterling—” she choked up “—I couldn’t handle anything else.”

Lily was immediately contrite. What was happening to her? It wasn’t like her to lash out like this. Wasn’t like her to feel so completely and utterly down and dejected. “You’re right,” she said, immediately sincere, her words heartfelt. “I’m sorry. I know that was brutal.”

Silence fell.

Rose settled opposite both of them. “Our point is that Gannon is still here, Lily. He didn’t tell you that having kids wasn’t for him after all and just up and leave, the way my triplets’ baby daddy did.”

Violet nodded her agreement, and Rose continued firmly, “You still have a chance to make things right with Gannon.”

What’s the point? It would still never work out in the long haul,” she declared wearily. “He’s such a city guy.” He had such a
big life
there.

And she was, at heart, such a small-town woman who really liked living close to her family.

“Oh, yeah?” Rose countered, triumphant at last. “If that’s really the case...then why did Gannon just decide not to sell the Triple M to Rex Carter after all?”

* * *

O
N
W
EDNESDAY
EVENING
, Gannon met his mother at the Emmett Briscoe Museum in Fort Worth. Harriett had come to the city to meet with the museum’s founder and namesake to consider a few options of her own and wrap up some family business.

Harriett Montgomery looked at her son. “You won’t be sorry.”

Gannon nodded. “I know, Mom.”

Harriett led him through the collection of bronze statues by another up-and-coming Texas sculptress, Jen Carson. “The Triple M is a great place to bring up kids.”

Gannon paused at the door of the glass-walled teaching studio. Because it was after-hours and they had special permission, he and his mother were able to go in and look around there, too. “You’re getting ahead of yourself, Mom.”

“Am I?” Harriett lifted a drape and surveyed a stunning work in progress. She turned back to Gannon and, arching her brow, reminded him, “You forget, I saw you with Lily’s son, Lucas. I know what a natural father you are.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. He’d sure felt the calling to be one when he was with the little boy. However, refusing to focus on what was no longer possible—if it ever had been—Gannon moved to look at the array of sculpting tools. “For all the good it does me now,” he muttered.

Harriett propped her hands on her hips. “And here I thought you were never one to compromise on what you really wanted out of life.”

“I’m not!”

“Then why are you here in Fort Worth instead of going to see Lily?” she asked in a reproving tone.

Gannon tensed. “We’re done.”

“Only if you want to be.”

Wishing he could share his mother’s eternal optimism, Gannon explained with abbreviated patience, “She doesn’t want to be with me, Mom. Never did, never will.” It had taken him a long time to accept that, but now that he had...

Harriett studied the vast array of fine clays. “That’s not how it looked to me last week.”

“That was an anomaly.”

His mother turned toward him and, looking more skeptical than ever, asked, “So she was just another woman with baby-daddy problems, crying on your shoulder?”

Heaven help him.
“No...” Gannon enunciated flatly.

“A friend?”

Gannon paced to the vast windows, overlooking the museum grounds. Night had fallen. It looked wintry and cold outside. “More than that.”

His mother joined him, taking in the view of city lights. “A lover, then?”

He stared his mom down, not about to answer that.

“Then what was she?” Harriett persisted.

My everything,
Gannon thought.
My moon, and sun, and stars...
And since when had he started thinking like some romantic idiot? He straightened, warning himself to get a grip. “She dumped me on Valentine’s Day,” he reminded her harshly.

Harriett feigned shock and dismay. “Well, then, if she’s that heartless, you certainly can’t get back together with her!”

He returned his mother’s look with a deadpan one of his own.

His mother drew a long, enervating breath. Taking his arm, she guided him to a nearby bench and sat down. “Did I ever tell you what happened the day your father asked me to marry him?”

Gannon settled beside his mother and shook his head.

“I turned him down,” she whispered, regret mingling with the heartache on her face.

This was news. He’d always thought his parents were so perfect together. “Why?”

Harriett shrugged. “He hadn’t asked my father for my hand in marriage—which was still customary if not exactly required in our day. He didn’t have a ring. It felt very spur of the moment. And he later admitted it was so.”

“You didn’t think he was serious?”

“On the contrary. I
knew
he was. I was the one with the big fears. I had dreams of running off to Paris and being an
artiste
. I wasn’t sure I was cut out to be a rancher’s wife, never mind help support us by teaching school.”

“Did you break up?”

“For about a month.”

Impossible.
And yet... “What happened to get the two of you back together?” Gannon asked finally.

“It’s simple.” His mother reached over and squeezed his hand. “We finally realized where true happiness lay.”

* * *

G
ANNON
THOUGHT
ABOUT
what his mother had said the rest of the week. By the time Saturday rolled around, he knew what he had to do. So he got in his pickup truck and headed for the town where he had grown up. The place where his heart still remained.

Once there he made his way to Lily’s small cozy home on Spring Street. To his dismay, he saw several cars in the driveway and her triplet sister Violet coming out of the door, Lucas in tow.

“Hey, Mr. Montgummy!” Lucas ran forward to give him a big hug.

Gannon swung the little boy up in his arms. Amazing, how much he had missed him. “Hey there, Lucas,” he said around the sudden lump in his throat. “How you doin’?”

Lucas beamed. “Good.” Small hands propped on Gannon’s shoulders, he leaned back to look into Gannon’s face. “How you doin’?”

Not so good without you and your mom.

But knowing those were grown-up problems, Gannon grinned, admitting, “It’s been a long week, but I’m hoping my weekend will be better.” Gently, he set Lily’s son back down. “What about you?”

Lucas puffed out his chest. “I’m going on a picnic with my ants and my cousins.”

Ah, yes, cousins. The rock stars of the younger set.

“As soon as we catch up with Rose and her little ones, that is,” Violet said. She looked at her watch. Paused. And squinted at Gannon. “Are you supposed to be here?”

Apt question. “It’s a surprise.”

For some reason this amused Lily’s sister no end. Still chuckling, Violet shook her head. “Oh, it’s that, all right,” she said drily. “Good luck anyway.”

He was going to need that and more. “Thanks.”

“Lucas, say goodbye to Mr. Montgomery.”

“Bye, Mr. Montgummy!” Lucas waved vigorously.

They got in the car and drove off, Violet still smiling merrily.

Wondering what Lily’s sister knew that he didn’t, Gannon continued on to the front door. He rang the bell. Lily opened the door, and her face fell.

“Oh, no!” she gasped.

Not exactly the reaction he was hoping for. He put up a hand. “I know I should have called...”

Her slender shoulders stiffened. She touched a hand to her upswept honey-blond curls. “It really would have been better if you had.”

Staring into her beautiful turquoise eyes, he stepped closer. “But I wanted to see you.”

She remained on the threshold, her tall, curvaceous body blocking entry. “You’re seeing me.”

Which was good in and of itself, given how much he had missed her. But there were bigger issues to tackle. And those were best done in private. “Can we go inside?” Although he was prepared to grovel now if absolutely necessary.

“I...” Lily faltered, pink color filling her delicate cheeks. Her teeth raked across her soft, bare lower lip. “You sure you don’t want to do this later?”

And give her a chance to back out? No way. “Now’s fine,” he said decisively. “Although I would prefer it not be on the front step, where everyone driving or walking by can...”

“You’re right,” Lily interjected. “There’s been enough gossip about me as it is.”

Gannon bit down on an oath. “That’s not what I meant.” He followed her inside. Stopped at the big red Happy Valentine’s Day banner that adorned the entire living area.

He turned back to her, aware the holiday had come and gone seven days prior. Still struggling to understand what was going on here, he asked, “You had a party?”

“No. I’m going to have one. At least I...hope so,” she finished lamely.

Gannon blinked. “When?”

“It was supposed to be tonight,” she said, looking tentatively into his eyes. “
If
I could get you here.” Her voice trembling in frustration, she swept her delicate hand down her body. “I was also going to be wearing something a whole lot sexier than torn jeans and the paper-thin law school T-shirt I wear to clean house in.”

His gaze followed the path her hand had drawn, lingering on her long, luscious legs, her trim waist and soft, full breasts, before lifting once again to the delicate womanly beauty of her face. “You look plenty sexy to me,” he rasped, itching to forget the talking and take her into his arms and make love first, last and always.

Oblivious to his thoughts, Lily pivoted and strode away from him, one hand tucked into the rear pocket of her jeans. “I was also hoping to smell like something other than orange-scented household cleaner and sweat.”

Gannon admired the rear view, which was just as comely as the front.

He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. “I always did like heat and citrus.” It was every bit as tempting as the freesia perfume she wore.

Lily stared up at him, scowling now. “Did you really just come here to hit on me?”

Gannon stepped past a pile of fresh rose petals heaped on her dining room table. “That was one of the reasons,” he murmured, wondering what she planned to do with those.

Lily’s jaw set. “What were the others?” she demanded in a way that let him know that whatever he said better be good.

Gannon let his hands slide down her arms and took both her hands in his. Her softness and warmth gave him the courage to go on. “I wanted to apologize for tossing down ultimatums last week and acting like a jerk instead of giving you the time and space you asked for.”

She grinned at his apt description of his own behavior. “Thank you.”