Whispered Promises (7 page)

“Grampa's gone away, honey,” she finally whispered to her daughter.

Jordan seemed to ponder Caitlin's words. “To Azalea Mommy?”

A lump formed in Caitlin's throat. She had been unable to reply. She was grateful to Dex for coming to her rescue by answering for her. “No, Jordan. Your grampa hasn't gone to Australia. He's in heaven.”

Jordan turned wide dark eyes on her father. “He's up there with the angels?”

“Yes, sweetheart,” Dex replied, smiling tenderly, pulling his daughter closer to him. “He's up there with the angels.”

A pleased smile spread over Jordan's face. “They'll give him some wings.”

It wasn't long afterward that Jordan began getting sleepy. Together, Caitlin and Dex had taken her upstairs to tuck her in. They had listened as she said her prayers, saying a special prayer for her grampa in heaven, and thanking God for sending her daddy home to her and her mommy.

Listening to Jordan's prayer had made Caitlin's throat constrict. It had taken all the strength she could muster not to fall apart right then and there. After letting Dex know the guest room had been prepared for him, she had quickly said good-night and escaped to her own bedroom.

The sound of Jordan's laughter brought Caitlin's thoughts back to the present. Sighing, she glanced at her watch. The services for her father were tomorrow, and there were a number of things she needed to do before then.

Following the sound of cheerful loud voices, she wondered if the truce between her and Dex was still in effect. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the kitchen door and walked into the room.

Dex's gaze met hers when she entered. He was standing near the kitchen table. The collar of his shirt was unbuttoned and the sleeves were rolled up on his forearms. “Good morning, Caitlin.”

At the mention of her mother's name, Jordan, who had been on her knees in a chair leaning over the kitchen table, squealed with glee when she saw her mother. “Mommy!”

Dex quickly helped his daughter down from the chair when it appeared she would jump. Running over to Caitlin, Jordan leaped into her mother's outstretched arms. “Mommy! We're making you breakfast!”

Caitlin smiled at her daughter. “Really? What're you making?”

Jordan turned to her father. “What's it called, Daddy?”

Dex's laughter filled the room. “If we told her, sweetheart, it wouldn't be a surprise.”

“Oh,” she replied to her father. To her mother she said, “It's a surprise, Mommy.” Then in the same breath she exclaimed, “I'm going to see the world today.”

Caitlin raised a brow. Her lips formed in a grin. “You're what?”

There was deep amusement in Dex's eyes when he glanced at Caitlin. “What she's trying to say is that she is going to Sea World today. If that's all right with you, that is. Ms. Logan called and invited Jordan to go with her and her granddaughter.”

“Yes, it's all right with me.”

“She also told me to tell you that she'll be happy to keep Jordan for you tomorrow.”

Caitlin nodded. She was grateful for Ms. Logan's kindness. She put Jordan down. “Have you had breakfast yet?”

Jordan nodded her head. “Daddy said when you got up we would give you your surprise.”

“Oh, he did, did he?” Slowly being pulled in the excitement and conspiratory merriment surrounding father and daughter, Caitlin turned to Dex. “What's this big surprise for breakfast?” She sniffed the air, bringing forth giggles from her daughter. “I don't smell bacon or eggs or anything like breakfast.”

“Come see for yourself,” Dex invited. He couldn't help noticing the style of Caitlin's hair. It was arranged in a bevy of soft curls that dipped over her face and shoulders. He thought the stylish cut provided her with a totally different image than the one she had worn four years ago. This new style gave her a look of an even higher level of maturity and sophistication. Even dressed in a pair of well-worn jeans and a T-shirt, she looked nothing like the little slip of a woman that he had married.

Caitlin walked over to the table where Dex was putting the finishing touches on a concoction she didn't recognize. She looked from father to daughter. “I give up.” She raised a brow. “What is it?”

Jordan laughed. “Tell Mommy what it is, Daddy.”

“It's a Rice Krispies' ice-cream float with berries, nuts, chocolate syrup and whipped cream,” Dex said, chuckling. “This one is for you. We ate ours already. They were delicious.”

“Would you like some more?”

Caitlin pushed herself away from the table. “I think I'm going to be sick,” she said, rubbing her stomach.

Dex grinned. “No one forced you to eat it, Caitlin.”

She moaned. “How could I not eat it? Jordan was so excited about helping you prepare breakfast, I didn't have the heart not to eat all of it. It's a good thing Ms. Logan came when she did, or Jordan would have wanted me to have seconds.” Caitlin smiled. “If I've gained weight from eating that thing, it's all your fault. I feel fat.”

He smiled easily. “Relax. You're not fat. You're as beautiful as you were the day I first laid eyes on you.”

The lighthearted remark sent panic racing through Caitlin.
Please don't bring up the past. I couldn't handle it if you did,
her mind screamed. Not wanting to bring up their past, she took the initiative to change the subject. “You did say Clayton was coming today?”

Dex met Caitlin's direct gaze. “Yes. He should be here sometime this morning.”

She regretted asking about Clayton the moment the question had left her lips. She knew why he was coming. Dex had summoned his attorney brother to do whatever was necessary to undo what her father had done. He wanted to make sure he was free of her as quickly as possible. However, there was the issue of Jordan. She wasn't certain what Dex's plans were regarding their daughter, but she was more than sure he wouldn't be one of those fathers who would be satisfied with just seeing his child whenever the mood struck. He had been cheated out of three years already, and she had a gut feeling that was the limit. What she wasn't sure of was just how far he would go to be a part of Jordan's life. Would he try to get full custody of her? Not wanting to even think of that possibility, Caitlin decided to stay clear of any conversation concerning Clayton's visit, too.

“How's your brother Justin?”

Dex smiled. “Justin couldn't be better. He's married with two kids and lives in Ennis, Texas. His wife, Lorren, is the author of the Kente Kids books.”

“Really? Jordan has all of those books, and the Kente Kids Show is her favorite Saturday-morning cartoon.”

Dex nodded. He then brought her up-to-date on his other family members. Caitlin couldn't help noticing that Dex's love for his family ran deep. It showed in his discussion of them.

“I understand you're no longer living here in San Antonio, Caitlin.”

She leaned back in her chair. “I moved away six months ago. I was offered a teaching job in Fort Worth.”

“I'm surprised your father didn't try and convince you not to go.”

She inhaled deeply, hearing the sarcasm in his voice, but deciding to ignore it. “He actually encouraged me to take the job. I should've known then that something was wrong. He was dying and he didn't want me or Jordan around to watch. According to Dr. Flores, it was too late for chemotherapy. Unfortunately the disease hadn't been diagnosed early enough. By the time Dad began experiencing symptoms, the cancer had already spread to other parts of his body. He and I talked on the phone often and not once did he tell me about his condition. I can only imagine what it cost him to pretend nothing was wrong so I wouldn't find out.”

“When did you find out?”

“A few days ago. Dr. Flores called and told me. By that time Dad had been in the hospital a week already. He had ordered them not to contact me until it became absolutely necessary.”

Caitlin signed heavily. “He was a wonderful father and I loved him dearly. What you told him at the hospital was true, Dex. It was my decision to remain here in the States with him and not join you in Australia. I couldn't turn my back on him.”

Dex stared at Caitlin through narrowed eyes. “But you could turn your back on me, is that it? What about the vow you made during our wedding ceremony to forsake all others? And the one you made on our wedding night, Caitlin? Didn't they mean anything? And let's not forget the big one. The promise you made the last night we spent together. You promised to come to me in Australia after your father got better.”

“Dex, try and understand. I was placed in a position that I shouldn't have been placed in. I had to choose between the two of you. Dad was pulling me one way, and you were pulling me another. During the day Dad would lecture me on all the reasons you and I shouldn't be married, and then at night when you would call from Australia, just hearing your voice reminded me of all the reasons we should be married. But that didn't stop the turmoil. It only added to it. Finally, I had to make a choice.”

“And we both know what choice you made, don't we?”

“Yes.” Caitlin tore her gaze away from his. He would never believe how difficult it had been for her to make that decision or how totally alone she'd felt after making it. He would never understand the happiness she'd felt when she discovered she was pregnant and knowing that although she no longer had him, she had been left with a part of him.

Jordan became a constant reminder of the one man she had truly loved, and the only man she would ever love. During the brief time of her marriage to him, Dex had touched her in a way no man had touched her since. Her daughter had been the physical link she'd needed to keep Dex alive in her heart. It was only after Jordan was born that she truly understood how alone her father must have felt after her mother's death.

“I did what I thought was best. My father needed me, Dex.”

“And you think I didn't?”

She forced herself not to react to the anger in Dex's voice. How could she explain to him how the thought of her leaving had nearly destroyed her father?

Misinterpreting Caitlin's silence, Dex's gaze seated her with its intensity, and anger seemed to radiate from every masculine pore. “Your promises didn't mean a thing.” He pushed his chair back and stood. “So much for whispered promises.”

He turned and walked out of the kitchen.

Duncan Malone knew something was wrong the minute his nephew walked into his office at Malone Land Developers. More than once over the past few months, he'd cursed the day he'd decided to bring his deceased brother's son into the business. Walker Malone had proven to be irrational, short-tempered and something of a hothead. The only reason he had kept him on was because, like it or not, he was family.

Duncan pushed himself away from his desk and stood. “What is it, Walker?”

Walker Malone quietly closed the door behind him. “I just received word, Uncle Duncan, that Halston Parker has died.”

“He did what?” Duncan asked with disbelief etched on his face.

“I said…”

“Never mind, don't repeat it. I heard you.” He sucked in his breath sharply. “How did he die?” Duncan's eyes narrowed suspiciously as he looked at his nephew. He knew Walker had been putting the squeeze on the old man by trying to scare him into selling. He wasn't all that keen on the use of scare tactics, but Walker had assured him that no one would get hurt. “I asked how he died.”

“He died of cancer.”

“Cancer? You mean to tell me the man was terminally ill, and we didn't know it.”

“Apparently not too many people knew it.”

“Well, it's part of your job to know everything, Walker,” Duncan replied as his jaw tightened, his hands doubled into fists and his eyes burned with rage. “I've already told Remington Oil that Parker was willing to sell. If we've lost the chance to get that land, I'll—”

“We haven't. According to my sources, Parker's survived by a daughter. His death may be a blessing for us. She may be more cooperative than he was.”

“And if she isn't?” Duncan asked tersely.

The younger man's face was perfectly calm when he spoke, but his eyes had a look that was chilling. “Then we'll have to convince her otherwise.”

C
aitlin glanced around the room. Most of the people had left. She'd tried as best she could to prepare herself for the continued flow of condolences from those who had dropped by the house after the services.

Her gaze found Dex. He stood across the room talking to Mr. Burke, the man who owned the drugstore located next to her father's printing shop. Mr. Burke and her father had been good friends for a number of years. Undoubtedly he was sharing some fond memory with Dex.

Caitlin found herself staring at Dex, fascinated by his clothing. It was the second time she'd ever seen him dressed in a suit. The first time had been at their wedding. And now, like then, she couldn't help but admire what she saw. The dark suit he wore made him even more handsome.

She couldn't help noticing the interest he drew. At first, she'd been unsure how she should introduce him to everyone, but he had taken the decision out of her hands by simply introducing himself as her husband. When he'd met her gaze evenly, it reminded her that legally he could be just that.

At least now there was a face to go along with the name Dexter Jordan Madaris. Caitlin knew deep down some people had seriously doubted she had ever married. There were a few who had not easily been convinced, and believed her marriage had been fabricated to give her daughter a name and to retain her respectability.

A flood of heat suffused Caitlin's cheeks when she realized, while her thoughts had momentarily taken her miles away, Dex had been watching her. She blinked self-consciously under his concentrated gaze, but continued to hold his stare. His eyes had lost the coldness they had acquired over the past couple of days, and now appeared warm and caring. Not once had he left her side during the entire service. He'd been there for her just as he had promised her father.

She watched as Dex excused himself from Mr. Burke's company and headed her way. She couldn't help studying him, and a sinking feeling swept over her. She'd given up a man most women would have given their right arm for.

“I think you should go lie down for a while, Caitlin,” Dex said in a gentle voice when he stood before her.

She met his dark eyes. “There're people still here. I can't just leave them, Dex.”

“Yes, you can. I'm sure everyone will understand.”

“But what about Jordan? She'll be home anytime now, and I need to straighten this place up after everyone—”

“All you need to do is to take care of yourself. You can begin by going upstairs to rest. Don't worry about Jordan or this house, I'll take care of everything.”

Rather than argue, Caitlin relented. He was right. She was tired. The funeral service had taken its toll on her. She felt depleted of strength, logical thoughts and resistance. “Are you sure? I feel like I'll be deserting you.”

Something flickered through his expression. “You won't be…deserting me.”

Though spoken softly, his words carried a definite barb. Although he hadn't made a comeback to her statement, Caitlin knew he was probably thinking deserting him was something she was pretty good at.

“Go ahead and get some rest, Caitlin.”

She turned and started up the stairs.

It was two hours later before Caitlin returned from her nap. She had showered and changed into a pullover white blouse and a matching flowing gauze-cotton skirt.

“You're beautiful as ever, Caitlin, and I still think you married the wrong brother,” Clayton Madaris said.

A smile touched her lips as she met Clayton's gaze. All the guests had gone and the living room was as neat as a pin. Clayton and Dex had removed their jackets and were sitting lazily in chairs sipping drinks. They stood when she entered the room.

She studied Clayton's handsome face. Like Dex, he had nut-brown colored skin, but where Dex's eyes were charcoal-gray, Clayton's were a deep rich brown.

She had wondered what Clayton's attitude would be toward her, and had been slightly nervous when he'd arrived the day before. To her surprise, he had greeted her like an old friend. It didn't take long for her to discover Clayton Madaris was the same witty and utterly charming man she'd met four years ago. She had felt comfortable with him immediately.

Smiling at Clayton's offhand comment about her marrying the wrong brother, she walked over to him and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. When they had met four years ago at Whispering Pines, Clayton had tried coming on to her. She had later found out his actions had been to make Dex jealous. Dex, who had been ignoring her up to the day Clayton had arrived, suddenly began showing interest in her.

“I happen to think she married the right one, Clayton,” Dex said, glaring at his brother.

Clayton chuckled, pulling Caitlin close to his side. His eyes were brimming with devilishment. “If you hadn't come to your senses when you did, you may have been the one who ended up as her brother-in-law. I would've been her husband. Does that thought bother you, Dex?”

Caitlin's heart lurched at Clayton's question. She wondered why he was baiting his brother. She also wondered how Dex would answer the question, if he responded at all. She was surprised when he did.

“Yeah, Clayton. The thought of Caitlin with any other man bothers me.”

Caitlin took a deep breath, not sure how she should take Dex's response. The set of his jaw was stern and the slant of his eyes was hard, dispassionate, almost angry. She was frozen in place under his forceful gaze.

She jumped when she heard a door close upstairs. Turning around, she realized Clayton had left them alone. She turned back to Dex. “Why did Clayton leave?”

Dex shrugged. “Just ignore him. Clayton's into playing games these days.”

She lifted a brow. “Oh? And what game is Clayton playing?”

“Patch-up. For some reason he thinks all our marriage needs is patching up. I tried telling him it's beyond repair, but he won't believe me.”

“I see,” she replied softly. Although she knew he was telling the truth, his words had hurt. “Where's Jordan?” She glanced around the room. “Hasn't Ms. Logan returned yet?”

Dex nodded. “She brought Jordan home around five o'clock. I gave her a bath then put her to bed a few minutes ago. She wanted to see you after her bath so we sneaked into your room. She gave you a good-night kiss.”

Caitlin frowned. “I must have really been sacked out. I don't remember the two of you coming into my bedroom.”

I certainly do,
Dex thought as his mind conjured up the image of Caitlin lying in bed. She had removed the black dress she'd worn to the funeral and was sleeping atop the covers in a sexy black teddy. His eyes had devoured her long smooth, shapely legs, her small waist, the fullness of her curvaceous hips and the firmness of her breasts.

No longer did she have the figure of a young girl, but possessed the enticing shape of a woman. All of which he knew had come about as a result of giving birth to their child. He hadn't wanted to want her, but he had. He had felt a throbbing ache within him so keen that he'd been tempted to remove her scanty clothing and run his hand over her body, reacquainting himself with it. Jordan's presence had been the only thing that had prevented him from doing just that. His desire for Caitlin hadn't changed. The past four years hadn't been able to erase that. If anything, the years had sharpened his hunger and desire for her.

“Did Clayton get a chance to look at the divorce papers?”

Caitlin's question brought Dex's mind back to the present. He closed his eyes momentarily in an overwhelming sense of relief. His wayward thoughts were destined to get him in trouble. “Yes,” he replied.

She turned to stare at him. “And?”

Dex shrugged. “We don't have to go into this tonight, Caitlin. You've been through enough for one day. Let's just wait until tomorrow to—”

“No, Dex. I'd like to know now.”

Dex's eyes narrowed like dark slits. “Why the rush?” he asked harshly. “Is there someone waiting for you in Fort Worth that you're anxious to get back to?”

“Of course not.”

Dex eyed her speculatively to determine the truth of her answer. The thought that she might be involved with someone else made his guts twist into knots. “Since the issue of our marital status isn't a pressing concern tonight, let's discuss it tomorrow. Good-night, Caitlin.” He stared at her for another second before turning and mounting the stairs two at a time.

Hours later Dex was still wide awake, his body was consumed with anger. Forcing air out of his lungs, mounting fury stole its way over his body. He closed his eyes in an attempt to stop it.

In frustration, he snatched his eyes back open. All he could see when he had closed them was Caitlin in another man's arms, being touched by him, being kissed by him and being caressed…

He gritted his teeth. “Calm down, man. No woman is worth this much trouble, this much pain.”

He turned his head toward the window. The full moon's glow was shining through and illuminated the room in a pale luster of light. A sudden shiver ran through his tall frame as memories flooded his mind. There had also been a full moon in the sky on their wedding night. A night that had been full of so much joy, love and promises.

During the midnight hour and early morning he'd awakened and had reached out for Caitlin. Again and again she'd come to him willingly, satisfying him more than any woman he'd ever known.

But then, no other woman had given him such pain, something he could never forget. Clayton had tried to convince him that time would ease the pain and soften the anger. But there was something time could not do, and that was to turn itself back. Nor could time restore his bruised male ego her rejection had caused.

In the morning they were to sit down with Clayton and discuss the state of their marital status. Married or divorced, their daughter would always be their connecting link, and they would never really be free of each other.

Dex's mouth tightened. Who was he kidding? Had he ever really been free of Caitlin? Over the past four years he'd thrown himself into his work until exhaustion racked his body. And no matter how much he'd tried, he hadn't been able to completely exorcise her from his mind. He admitted he hadn't lived a celibate life since they'd been apart, but there hadn't been anyone he'd gotten serious about. All his affairs—if you wanted to call them that—had been casual. Any woman he'd become involved with had known the relationship was a dead end. And deep down a part of him blamed Caitlin for it.

Dex took a deep breath. There was no use trying to sleep. It was out of the question tonight. Getting out of bed, he slipped into a pair of jeans and went downstairs to catch a late-night movie on television.

Caitlin sighed, looking into her cup of warm milk. Tonight she couldn't sleep. A knot formed in her throat as she glanced around the huge, spacious kitchen. Even when her mother had been alive, the kitchen had been her father's domain. He enjoyed doing all of the cooking, and they'd enjoyed eating all of the dishes he had prepared.

“Is something wrong, Caitlin?”

Caitlin jumped, almost spilling the milk on herself. Her heart started beating wildly and a funny feeling settled in the bottom of her stomach when she turned to face Dex. He was watching her curiously through dark eyes.

“No, nothing's wrong. I just had a hard time sleeping.”

Dex stood paused at the doorway, his tall frame almost filling it. “What're you drinking?”

Caitlin's fingers tightened on her cup. “Warm milk. Would you like some?”

“No,” he answered stiffly. “I prefer something stronger.”

Caitlin nodded. “Couldn't you sleep, either?”

Dex's gaze rested on her. His face expressionless. “No.”

Caitlin began to feel ill at ease. They were acting like polite strangers. She was suddenly struck with the realization that they were two strangers.

She turned her head to take a better look at him. He was wearing a pair of jeans that rode low on his hips, and his dark chest was bare. As she continued to stare at him, her mind replayed memories. Memories of his touch, his taste and how he had taught her the physical meaning of love. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to blot out the memories from her mind.

“Caitlin, are you sure you're all right?”

She forced herself to look back at him. She saw concern on his face. “I'm fine. I think I'll go back to bed now.” She stood to leave.

“No, don't go yet.”

Caitlin didn't miss the husky timbre of his voice or the hot glow of desire shining in his eyes. She watched him slowly advance toward her and gasped at the tingling sensation spreading through her body. The next thing she knew he was standing directly in front of her.

Dex gently cupped her cheek and ran his thumb over her bottom lip. Caitlin retreated but he took a step forward recovering the distance. She caught her breath when his thumb parted her lips. His eyes held hers.

“I'll never forget the day I opened that packet and saw those divorce papers and the box with your wedding ring. It tore me in two,” he whispered hoarsely.