Susan Mallery - Only His

She waited for him to yell at her, to escalate the fight. Instead his shoulders slumped, as if he’d just been loaded down with a weight he couldn’t carry.

“Don’t,” he said quietly. “Don’t do this, Jo. I know you’re pissed and you have every right to be. If I could take it back, I would. If I could not screw up, I would. You’re not my dad. I get that. But at first, I was so surprised by what you said. I thought…” He shook his head. “I guess it doesn’t matter what I thought. I can’t convince you. You’re going to see what you want to see.”

He started to the door, his steps uneven. When he got there, he turned back to her.

“You’re wrong about one thing. It’s not that I got mad and handled it badly. That could happen to anyone. It’s what I did next that says who I am. I wanted to leave town — I asked Tucker for a transfer to another job. But I couldn’t go and I couldn’t let go. I worked it through. While I hurt you, it wasn’t on purpose. I’ve admitted my mistake, I’ve learned from it and I’m doing my best to apologize.”

He opened the door. “I’m not the best-looking guy around and there are plenty richer. But I’m still a good man who loves you. I even like your damn cat. It’s not the screwing up that defines a person, Jo, it’s what he does afterward that says who he is. You know that better than anyone, because you’re the one who said that to me.”

With that, he walked out.

She heard his steps on the porch, the slight hesitation in his stride from his limp. Then that faded and there was only silence. Something warm brushed against her leg and she reached down to stroke Jake. The cat stared up at her, his yellow eyes seeing far more than usual.

“Don’t,” she whispered to herself. “Don’t say anything. I can’t forgive him. I can’t let him back in my life. What will he do the next time?”

There was no answer — only silence and a hard, thick pressure on her chest. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t speak, could only feel the emptiness that was her future.

Even as she wanted to go to him, her mind screamed out that she couldn’t trust him. That he would hurt her again and no one was worth those tears. Her heart whispered that, yes, crying was inevitable. It was impossible to feel love without also feeling pain. But the price was worth it. He was worth it. That if she let him go, she would regret it for the rest of her life.

The need to protect herself battled with the hunger of her heart. Twisted and torn, her heart fought rational thought. Then she was moving. She flung open the front door and raced across the porch. She hurried down the steps, along the path until she reached the sidewalk. Frantically she looked in both directions, trying to figure out where he was.

Then she saw him nearly at the end of the block.

“Will!”

She called out loudly, aware that it was late and she wasn’t being a good neighbor, but unable to stop herself. The figure in the distance paused.

She ran toward him, nearly flying as she covered the distance. When she got close, he held out his arms and welcomed her home.

She flung herself at him and hung on as if she would never let go. He held her even tighter. Once again she couldn’t breathe, but this time it was for the best reason of all.

“Will, I…” she began.

He silenced her with a kiss. “Later.”

“But I have to tell you—”

“No, you don’t.” He released her from the hug but kept his arm around her. “Come on. It’s cold and you’re not wearing a jacket.”

She stepped in front of him and grabbed him by the shoulders. “I’m trying to tell you I love you and all you can say is I’m not wearing a jacket?”

He smiled then. A slow, sexy smile that made her stomach turn over and every part of her burn.

“I love you, too, Jo. Let’s go home.”

TUCKER HEARD A FAMILIAR sound from outside the trailer. Tires on dirt and gravel. Funny how he could pick out those particular tires from all the others. Not funny in a good way, though, he thought, wishing the construction trailer had a back door.

With nowhere to run, he was forced to stay behind his desk and hope for the best. After all, he was a grown man. He could stand up to what was outside. He didn’t have to be afraid.

But all the logic in the world didn’t stop him from wincing as he heard footsteps on the stairs, followed by the turning of the handle. He braced himself for the onslaught.

The door opened and Mayor Marsha stepped inside.

“Good morning, Tucker,” she said cheerfully.

“Ma’am.”

She was as well dressed as ever, in one of her suits, the skirt hitting exactly at the middle of her knee. Her white hair was in that puffy do she seemed to like so much. Despite the warmth in her gaze, he knew this wasn’t a social call.

He stood and walked toward the coffeepot. “The gold is all excavated,” he said, pouring her a cup.

“Cream,” she said when he held it out.

He added cream, stirred, then took it over to her.

She’d settled at the small table in the back. He passed her the coffee. For a second, he thought about making a run for it, but knew that wouldn’t work. She would simply hunt him down. Better to face her now and get it over with.

“Thank you,” she said before sipping the coffee. “Having the gold gone must be making your life here more peaceful.”

“I didn’t love the tourists.”

“I imagine not.” She put the mug back on the table. “I’ve been keeping track of the progress you’re making on the site. Impressive. I have every confidence this facility is going to be an excellent addition to the Fool’s Gold community.”

“We appreciate the support from you and the city council. Some cities wouldn’t want the casino so close.”

Mayor Marsha smiled. “I’m sure that’s true, but I’m not concerned. If anyone becomes difficult, our police department is more than capable of handling the situation. The additional tax revenue is more than worth the effort. The occupancy taxes for the hotel alone are going to fund a new high school. Children are our future, as they say.”

“So I’ve heard,” he murmured, wondering when she would drop her next bombshell. Unless she was here to nag him about Cat’s giant vagina. A gift he’d yet to figure out how to undo. Not that he’d tried especially hard. He frowned as he realized he hadn’t seen much of Cat since her arrival. And to think that at one point in his life, she’d been his reason for breathing. Time really did heal.

“The last two years have taught me a valuable lesson,” the mayor told him. “We haven’t been vigilant enough in our planning here in Fool’s Gold. We’ve let outside events guide us. That disastrous reality show is just one example. Now the gold find. It’s not that we could have predicted either, but we should have been better prepared. To that end, I’m starting a committee of business leaders. People who understand about forecasting and projections. Our purpose will be to provide a new kind of leadership for us all. I’m looking for suggestions for myself and for the city council.”

“Sounds like a good idea,” he said, wondering when she would get to the part that would make him uncomfortable.

“I’m glad you think so. I’d like you to be a part of the group. Perhaps even head it up.”

She was good, Tucker thought. He hadn’t seen that one coming.

“I appreciate the invitation, but I’m not the right person.”

“Why not?”

“I’m not a permanent resident. Once the job site is up and running, I’ll head on to the next project. I’m in town a year at most.”

The mayor pressed her lips together. “I don’t understand. I was under the impression this was the last job you’d be running. That once this was done, you would be taking over the company.”

She was better than good at getting information, Tucker told himself. She was practically a witch.

“How did you know that?”

The older woman sighed. “I know everything, Tucker. I would have thought you’d know that by now. Aren’t you taking over the company?”

“Yes, but—”

“And once you’re in control, you can locate the headquarters anywhere?”

“Sure, but—”

“And isn’t it true that you’re not completely happy with living in Chicago and were thinking of moving the office somewhere else?”

He sprang to his feet. “Wait a minute. I haven’t talked with anyone about that. I haven’t even made up my mind.”

She stared at him pointedly until he settled back in his chair.

“Fool’s Gold would be an excellent place for you to settle your company. We’re very supportive of business. Housing is reasonable, the schools are some of the best in the country. You should think about it.”

He couldn’t get past her knowing things he’d barely articulated to himself. He hadn’t told Will or Nevada. He’d discussed moving the company with his father. Once. Three years ago. In Argentina.

“Who are you?” he demanded.

“I’m someone who pays attention. Please, don’t go reading any more into what I said than that. It’s obvious you’re looking for something more than the vagabond lifestyle you’ve known since you were a child. You find the town charming. You came here because of Nevada. Now that the two of you are together, thinking you want to stay is the next logical step.”

If he hadn’t already used up the drama of jumping to his feet, he would have done it again. While he couldn’t disagree with anything she’d said, even he hadn’t put all that together in a reasonable way.

But he wasn’t staying. He’d never planned on staying. Staying meant taking things to the next level with Nevada. He wasn’t interested in that. He didn’t believe in happy endings or forever. Love was…