The Housekeeper's Daughter Read Free Page B

us anywhere. I came home to find out the truth. I mean to know it before I leave.”
    â€œHow did—” She clamped her lips together.
    â€œHow did I know about the baby? My father wrote. He said you were pregnant and that I should come home and get my affairs in order.”
    â€œAffairs,” she repeated. “That’s the operative word with you Coltons, isn’t it?”
    At that moment, he could have wrung her neck…or kissed her until she stopped this charade she’d decided to act out and responded to his kisses as she had last summer. His body went hard in an instant. Last June she’d been all sweet fire and sexy innocence, as eager to explore him as he had been her.
    â€œYou know me better than that,” he said, the words coming out husky, the hunger evident.
    Her hand flew to the neckline of the robe, which she pulled tightly closed as if fearing he might rip it from her lush body in a fit of uncontrollable passion.
    â€œDo I? Maybe we don’t know each other at all anymore,” she suggested.
    The sudden bleakness in her eyes struck a tender place under his breastbone. He thought of the woman who had told him her plans to finish her degree and teach school in Prosperino, or maybe start her own business and work with the troubled kids over at the Hopechest Ranch where she tutored students in remedial reading. It was her optimistic vision of the future that had forced him to write that note. It was a future he couldn’t hope to share.
    Abruptly he headed for the door. “You’re right. Maybe we don’t know each other now, but once we did. Your mother said I shouldn’t upset you, but don’t think this is the last of this conversation.” He left quietly and headed outside for the steps that led down to the shore.
    Â 
    Maya rubbed her back and paced restlessly about the small room. Was her back hurting worse? Had she injured herself during the ride? She bit her lip against the pain and loneliness of the midnight hour. And the hunger that ate at her since she’d felt Drake’s arms around her once more, strong and sure and capable.
    How long before she forgot those moments last summer? Months? Years? A lifetime?
    Unable to sleep lately or to sit for long periods, she walked the floor for hours. Most of the time she was confident of her ability to care for herself and a child, but sometimes, like now, her courage faltered.
    Drake was a complication she hadn’t foreseen. After his leaving last summer, with only a note to explain that they had no future, she hadn’t thought he would even care if she was carrying his child.
    The pain of that moment rushed over her anew, nearly causing her to cry out. She gritted her teeth and waited for it to pass. She’d learned, during the past eight months, that one could endure.
    Sitting in the rocker and leaning forward as far as she could to relieve the pressure on her lower back, she knew she would have to admit the truth.
    Unless there was a way to hide the truth…
    She picked up the phone and dialed a number in L.A. When her sister answered, Maya spoke quickly and in a low voice.
    â€œLana, this is Maya. I have a question for you. Are you alone? Can you talk?”
    â€œWell, hello, baby sister,” Lana said in surprise. “Yes, I’ve just given my patient her final medication and was heading for bed. What’s happening?”
    Maya took a careful breath. “Drake Colton is home. His father told him about…about…”
    â€œThe baby?” Lana finished helpfully when Maya faltered.
    â€œYes. Listen, I know a DNA test would reveal the identity of the father, but no one could do anything to the baby without my consent, could they? Like take blood?”
    â€œIs Drake threatening to take the baby from you?” Lana demanded indignantly.
    â€œNo, no, nothing like that. He doesn’t know he’s the father—I haven’t told anyone but