“Thank you,” he said softly, leaning down to give her a peck on the forehead, “for a wonderful evening.”
Lips still soft and parted, she stared up at him and nodded.
Reed almost smiled. He’d been told he was a good kisser but he hadn’t expected to leave her dumbfounded. “Come,” he said, giving her a gentle pat on the leg. “Let me walk you to your door.”
Long after she’d gone in, Reed sat in the car remembering the taste of Golden’s honey lips. She had so much to learn and he was looking forward to being the one who would waken her to womanhood.
He knew it was wrong to pursue her. He knew he could offer her no future, not when he was trapped in a situation he was desperate to get out of. Until then, he had no right to lead the girl on.
Reed grimaced and started the car. He was being a fool but how could he find the power to resist a flower so sweet?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“I’m sorry? Who did you say you are?”
“I’m Golden Browne, a friend of your mother. I know this might seem strange, my contacting you like this, but...I need to ask you a favor.” Marjorie Bertlam must think she was a mad woman but there was no getting around it. Claire was suffering and Golden had to do something about it.
Before the woman could hang up on her, Golden hurried to explain. “Claire misses you. Could you find it in your heart to forget the past and visit her?”
There was a gasp on the other end of the line then a silence so stark it made Golden wonder if she’d screwed things up before they’d even gotten off the ground. Finally, the woman spoke.
“She told you...what happened?” The words sounded choked, like she was struggling to breathe.
“Just a little bit,” Golden reassured her. “Just enough for me to know there’s a rift between the two of you. I know it’s none of my business but I love Claire. I just hate to see her in pain.”
“She’s ill? The nursing home...they didn’t tell me.”
Golden almost smiled. She should have known it all along. Even though she didn’t visit, Marjorie had been keeping tabs on her mother without her knowledge. That could only mean one thing. She cared.
“No, she’s fine, at least where her health is concerned. It’s just that she needs you.”
“That’s not what she told me last time we spoke.”
“That was six years ago,” Golden said, a hint of exasperation creeping into her tone. “Things have changed since then.” Then, deliberately, she lowered her voice, fighting to stay calm. The last thing she wanted to do was offend Marjorie. She was supposed to be helping, not making the situation worse. “We don’t know how much more time any of us have on this earth,” she said gently. “Don’t you think it makes sense to mend old fences and enjoy every available moment with loved ones?” When the woman did not respond Golden decided to approach things from another angle. “Would it be possible for us to meet? May I invite you to lunch so we can talk?” Then she added, “I’ll give you all the details on how Claire’s been doing.”
It was that last offer that did the trick. As soon as the words were out of Golden’s mouth Marjorie began to speak again. “I...guess we can talk,” she said. “I don’t hate my mother, you know. It’s just...she can be difficult sometimes.”
“I understand,” Golden said in sympathy. She wanted Marjorie to know they were on the same side. She knew she’d succeeded when she heard the woman’s sigh.
It was another four days before they found a mutually convenient time to meet but in the end it was worth it. Golden came away from the rendezvous with an agreement from Marjorie that she would pay a surprise visit to her mother. It could happen no other way, they reasoned. If Claire was given forewarning, as much as she might want to see her daughter, her cantankerous nature might make her object. Anticipating this, they both agreed that an impromptu visit was best.
That night as Golden rested her head on her pillow she had a smile on her lips. If the only thing she could do for Claire was reconcile her with her daughter then, as far as she was concerned, she would have done a good deed.
Because, at the end of the day, what could be more important than family?
***
Galloping toward the ball Reed leaned down and smacked it hard, sending it flying at over a hundred miles an hour then he reined in his horse and slowed her to a canter, watching as the other riders readied for their attack. He wasn’t worried, though. He had excellent polo mates and there was no doubt in his mind that his team would triumph.
Reed had always enjoyed polo but today was different. His mind was only half on the game. The other half was completely distracted by the memory of Golden and the unforgettable evening they’d spent together. As his thoughts began to wander he eased his hold on the reins and slowed his horse to a stop. No matter that he’d seen Golden in the office each day, he wanted to go out with her again. He was dying to kiss her again.
And then the lead shield he’d wrapped around his mind began to slip and his annoying guilty conscience began to sneak in, reminding him of all the reasons why he should stay away from Golden.
His brows lowered in a scowl and he shook his head. There was no way he could continue like this, wanting her but knowing he couldn’t have her. He could not live with this thing hanging over his head.
“Ho, Reed. Over here,” his teammate yelled, ripping into his daydream.
He jerked the reins, turning his horse to face the other end of the field then, with a light prod from him, she set off.
Reed knew exactly what he needed to do. He’d known all along but he’d been resisting it, pretending the problem did not exist.
He would go back to the States and seek out the woman who was making his life a torturous hell. Before another week had passed he had to find Carrie.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Another day without Reed. Golden sat staring at the computer screen knowing she was being unproductive but not able to do a thing about it. Reed had been gone three days now and she missed him terribly.
On Monday he’d come into the office, face serious, and told her he would be heading to the States the next day. She’d found it strange, this sudden trip. Normally he would have told her of his plans ahead of time. After all, she was the one who would prepare his notes or presentations or whatever else he needed for his trip. But although she was curious, she didn’t ask. She knew her place. She was just an employee, after all.