Читать книгу Secret Heirs Collection - Кейт Хьюит, Коллектив авторов - Страница 43

JOANNA WAS IN the kitchen, talking to Rowena, when Callie came to tell her she had a visitor. ‘It’s Mr Novak,’ she said in a hushed voice. ‘My grandfather brought him over.’

Mr Novak? For a moment Joanna couldn’t think what she meant. And then she realised: it must be Matt’s father. Dared she hope his wife hadn’t come with him?

Although the Novaks had arrived a couple of days ago, Joanna hadn’t seen them. She’d heard from Callie that Mr Matt’s father spent most of his days in a wheelchair, but she’d also said he was cheerful enough, and obviously pleased to be here.

With a hasty examination of her appearance, Joanna followed the girl into the parlour. But both Oliver Novak and Henry Powell were waiting for her on the veranda; Oliver in his electric wheelchair and Henry standing proudly beside him.

‘Here she is,’ said Oliver at once, only the faint slur in his speech revealing the lingering effects of his stroke. ‘It’s a pleasure to see you again, Jo. Come and give an old man a kiss.’

Joanna smiled and went to hug Matt’s father warmly. ‘It’s great to see you, too,’ she said, regarding him with real affection. ‘It must be nearly two years since we last met.’

‘At least,’ agreed Oliver, glancing up at the man at his side. Then he said, ‘You go and visit with your granddaughter, Henry. I’ll let you know when I want to leave.’

‘Yes, sir, Mr Novak.’

Callie had already gone back to her duties, and as Henry was about to follow her Joanna said, ‘Perhaps you’d ask Rowena to bring us some iced tea? I’m sure Mr Novak is ready for a drink.’

‘A beer would be better,’ muttered Oliver, but both Joanna and Henry pretended not to hear him. It was too early in the day to start drinking alcohol.

After Henry had gone, Joanna seated herself on one of the chairs beside the bamboo table where she often did her work.

Then, with another smile for her visitor, she said, ‘How are you? I know Matt’s been worried about you.’

‘Has he?’ Oliver didn’t sound as if he believed that, but he leant across to pat Joanna’s arm with his right hand. ‘More to the point, how are you? I couldn’t believe my ears when Matt told me you were having a baby.’

Joanna felt a deepening of colour in her cheeks. ‘I couldn’t believe it either. Not at first,’ she admitted honestly. ‘After all those false alarms.’

‘But you’re pleased about it?’

‘Oh, yes. I’m delighted.’

‘Even though Matt’s the father?’

Especially because Matt’s the father, thought Joanna ruefully, but she kept that to herself.

‘We’re working things out,’ she said instead, and Oliver regarded her with thoughtful eyes.

‘I was sorry to hear about your father,’ he said suddenly. ‘Even though he was no friend of mine, I wouldn’t have wished him ill.’

‘Thank you.’

‘But I have to say, he caused a lot of unhappiness for you and Matt, and I’m hoping that this baby will go some way to healing the wounds between you.’

Joanna sighed. ‘Oh, Oliver—’

She would have said more, but Rowena arrived at that moment with a jug of iced tea.

In all honesty, Joanna was glad of the diversion. She had the feeling that Matt’s father hadn’t just come here to say hello. Pouring the iced tea gave her time to absorb what he was saying, but she was still not prepared for what was to come.

Setting his tea aside, Oliver regarded her intently. ‘I know you and Matt are not back together,’ he said quietly, ‘but I’m here to tell you that your father was not the innocent he claimed to be.’ He sighed. ‘There were things Matt didn’t tell you. Things he was fool enough to keep to himself. And then, when he did try to explain the situation, you wouldn’t listen to him.’

Joanna shifted a little uncomfortably. ‘Oliver—’

‘No, listen to me.’ It was obvious he felt strongly about what he was saying, but she was a little alarmed to see the colour that had entered his cheeks as he spoke. ‘Your father resented me from the moment I married Matt’s mother. He and Adrienne were sweethearts, you know? While she was at college in England.’

Joanna’s jaw dropped. ‘You know about that?’

‘Ah.’ Oliver nodded. ‘I’m surprised he told you. In any case, it doesn’t matter,’ he went on firmly. ‘He should have known that my father was every bit as astute as I believe I am, and there was nothing Adrienne did before our marriage that John Novak didn’t know about.’

‘I don’t see what that has to do—’

‘It has everything to do with his attitude towards Matt. Joanna, Angus knew his firm was in difficulties before you married my son, and to begin with it was enough for him to have Matt bail him out.’

‘He was very grateful.’

‘Was he?’ Oliver’s tone was ironic now. ‘Well, I have to tell you, Jo, that gratitude didn’t last very long.’

‘If you’re talking about the accident—’

‘Of course, I’m talking about the accident.’ Oliver reached for his glass and managed to take a mouthful of tea.

‘It was unfortunate that Angus had been diagnosed with terminal cancer at the time, but that was no reason for him to tell lies about my son.’

Joanna shifted awkwardly. ‘If they were lies,’ she murmured unhappily, not wanting to start an argument. The baby was restless and talking about her father again was setting her nerves on edge.

But Oliver had evidently decided to speak his mind.

‘Matt did everything he could to save Carlyle’s reputation,’ he said tersely. ‘But the markings on the steel they’d used to build the platform spoke for themselves.’

Joanna bent her head. ‘I suppose you would say that. Matt’s your son.’

‘Matt is an honest man, which is more than I can say for Angus Carlyle.’ Joanna noticed Oliver was breathing quickly now, and she tried to change the subject by offering him more tea.

But Oliver wasn’t finished. ‘You didn’t know about his gambling, did you, Jo?’ He was evidently finding it difficult to speak now. ‘My God, that man had a lot to answer for.’

Matt wasn’t in the best of moods.

His mother and father had arrived a couple of days ago. And, although he’d been delighted to see that his father had made considerable progress with his mobility, his mother’s attitude was beginning to get on his nerves.

She lost no opportunity to deplore Matt’s decision to bring his ex-wife to the island, which was another reason for his sour disposition. Thankfully, his father didn’t share her opinion, and this morning he’d had Henry take him to the cottage to see Joanna herself.

Matt had to wonder what his father would say to her.

When Oliver had heard that Joanna’s father was blaming NovCo for the accident in the Alaskan oil field, he’d been furious. They all knew—including Angus—that the equipment they’d been using had been built in the Carlyle yard. But by the time Matt had got back from New York, Joanna had heard her father’s version of the story. His claim, that NovCo was using his name to protect their own interests, had apparently seemed believable to her.

It had all been lies, of course. Matt had been stunned by Angus’s betrayal. He’d spent those last weeks in New York trying to protect the old man’s reputation. Angus had been dying, and the last thing Matt had wanted on his obituary was the revelation that he’d been cheating his own company.

Of course, Joanna hadn’t believed him. Angus had never lied, she’d said, and she had no reason to think he was lying now. But the bitterest thing of all was when Angus had told Joanna that Matt had been keeping secrets from her, daring Matt to reveal Angus’s addiction to his wife.

And, of course, he hadn’t. What could he have said? Matt wondered now. Angus had wagered that Matt wouldn’t chance deepening the rift between them by revealing her father’s weaknesses, and when Joanna had demanded to know what her father was talking about, he’d had to deny any knowledge of it.

Angus had been a gambler to the last.

Matt scowled. It was all right to think that Joanna should have had more faith in him, but it was easy to be wise after the event. He feared he was wasting his time, hoping she would stay with him, despite what she’d said. If she hadn’t believed him before, why should she believe him now?

He was in his office at present, trying desperately to complete an article, and when his mother burst into the room, he didn’t know how he kept his temper.

‘What?’ he asked flatly. ‘Ma, if this is—’

‘You’d better come,’ she interrupted him. ‘Powell says that your father’s not feeling well. I believe he’s had an argument with Joanna and he’s resting in one of the bedrooms at the cottage.’

Adrienne sniffed. ‘Don’t say I didn’t warn you,’ she said coldly, as Matt pushed past her onto the veranda. ‘That woman has been nothing but trouble ever since you met her.’

In the event, Matt found his father sleeping, and, judging from his appearance, he had probably just over-tired himself. Joanna was hovering over him, looking anxious, but Oliver looked well enough.

‘It was my fault,’ she said unhappily. ‘He was talking about my father.’ She licked her lips and looked up at her ex-husband. ‘He—he told me Daddy was a gambler. Is that true?’

‘Of course, it’s true,’ said Adrienne disparagingly, who had come into the room behind her son, but Matt hustled her and Joanna out of the bedroom so that they didn’t disturb his father.

‘Not now,’ he said, dark eyes boring warningly into his mother’s. He might regret this chance to redeem himself, but right now he was more concerned about Joanna. ‘I’ve sent for Dr Rodrigues. He should be here soon.’

The doctor arrived soon after, by which point Matt had ensured that Joanna had had a drink and was comfortably installed in a chair on the veranda. He’d sent his mother back to the villa with Henry and couldn’t help a sigh of relief when she’d gone.

He spoke to Dr Rodrigues privately, before the other man could get out of his car. Matt was actually more concerned about Joanna. He’d noticed how agitated she’d become.

The doctor looked in on Oliver first and, according to him, Matt’s father was probably only exhausted, as Matt had thought. When Joanna had had her blood pressure taken, however, the medic looked anxious. He was of the opinion that she should rest completely for the next twenty-four hours.

Joanna stared at him. ‘What do you mean? Rest completely? Are you saying I should stay in bed?’

‘That would be best,’ said Rodrigues, looking a little rueful. ‘You were so well when I saw you a few weeks ago. What have you been doing to raise your blood pressure? This isn’t the time to be indulging in marathons, you know?’

‘I haven’t.’ Joanna glanced guiltily at Matt. ‘I walk every day, but that’s all.’

Matt’s lips tightened. ‘Is she ill?’

‘No.’ The doctor shook his head. ‘But her blood pressure is higher than it ought to be at this stage of her pregnancy. We don’t want to have to consider a condition called pre-eclampsia.’

Matt shook his head, his stomach muscles tightening apprehensively. ‘I gather from your expression that it isn’t a good condition.’

‘No, it can be serious, but I’m not suggesting Mrs Novak is in danger. But she needs to rest and avoid any undue stimulation.’

Matt swallowed a little convulsively. ‘But she will be okay?’

‘She and the baby,’ agreed Dr Rodrigues reassuringly. ‘My wife is a midwife, as you possibly know. I’d like her to examine Mrs Novak, and perhaps she could stay here at Long Point for the next couple of days?’

‘With pleasure,’ said Matt eagerly. ‘I suggest moving Joanna to the villa. We have more room there and I can keep an eye on her myself.’

Joanna caught her lower lip between her teeth. ‘Is that necessary?’ The last thing she wanted was to have to spend time with Adrienne.

‘I think it is necessary,’ declared Rodrigues. ‘Don’t worry, Mrs Novak. I have the suspicion that this baby won’t be long in being born.’

‘But I still have three weeks to go!’ she protested.

‘Dates can be wrong,’ said Rodrigues solemnly. ‘So, if that’s all right with you, Mr Novak?’

‘Of course.’ Matt nodded, and, ignoring Joanna’s silent protest, he took her hand. ‘Relax, Jo. You can leave it with me.’

Joanna was installed in the bedroom she’d occupied on her first night at Long Point, after she’d been frightened by the hutia in the cottage. Matt knew she hadn’t wanted to come here, particularly as his mother was still in residence, and, after her conversation with Oliver Novak, she would rather have avoided him, too.

The trouble was, she couldn’t forget the things he’d told her. Somehow, hearing Matt’s father tell her that Angus Carlyle had been a gambler rang true. Oliver had no axe to grind; particularly not now. The court case was over and the compensation had been paid long ago.

All right, perhaps he was just defending his son. But, after reading that email on her father’s laptop, Joanna couldn’t help thinking that it all made sense.

Her father had never mentioned his previous relationship with Adrienne either. If she hadn’t found that letter, she would never have suspected they’d had an affair. But it was a relief to know that Oliver knew about it. That was one secret she didn’t have to keep.

Looking back now, she guessed that when she’d turned up in Miami, Matt must have thought she’d come to realise there were two sides to every argument. Instead of which, she’d still believed what her father had told her, instead of taking the word of the man she loved.

The man she loved!

Joanna caught her breath. Was that true? Had she ever stopped loving Matt? If only he would give her another chance, she thought despairingly. Dared she tell him she wished she’d never got the divorce?

Matt came to see her after supper. To her relief, no one else appeared. Except Elsa Rodrigues, the doctor’s wife who was a midwife, and who had examined her thoroughly before pronouncing that she agreed with her husband: Joanna might have the baby a little earlier than she’d expected.

For his part, Matt thought he’d never seen Joanna look lovelier, the bloom of her pregnancy adding a becoming softness to her face. During the last week, every time he’d visited the cottage, he’d fought the desire to ask her what she really wanted from him. What he wanted from her was getting easier to explain.

He knew his mother would think he was crazy if he admitted he wanted Joanna back. But could he really believe that the rapport they’d found in recent weeks was just because of the baby?

Seating himself on the side of the bed, he regarded her closely. ‘How are you feeling?’ he asked. ‘I noticed you didn’t eat much for your supper.’

‘I wasn’t hungry,’ Joanna admitted, allowing him to take her hand. ‘I’m sorry if I’ve created a problem. I had no idea the doctor would send me to bed.’

‘It’s no problem,’ said Matt gently. ‘And my father and mother are going home tomorrow anyway. I’m just sorry if my father said anything to upset you. I should have suspected he had an ulterior motive when he asked Henry to take him to see you.’

‘Well, I’m glad he came,’ said Joanna staunchly. ‘I had no idea—’

She broke off abruptly, pressing a hand to her stomach. A pain had just knifed through her abdomen, and although she’d had some backache since Matt had ferried her to the cottage in the SUV, this was something else.

‘What’s wrong?’

Matt was immediately aware of her discomfort. His eyes had darkened in alarm, and she was desperate to reassure him.

This was definitely not the time to give him a master class in Braxton Hicks.

‘It was nothing,’ she denied, arching her back a little to relieve the constriction. ‘I’m always having little aches and pains. It’s just that you’re not usually around when they occur.’

‘I’d like to be,’ muttered Matt, his voice raw with emotion. ‘I know you might not agree, but I wish you’d stay here until the baby is born.’

‘I’d like that—’ Joanna was beginning, when another pain attacked her abdomen. She struggled to breathe the way she’d been told, and then whispered faintly, ‘I think that might be sooner than we think.’

Matt didn’t hesitate. Opening the bedroom door, he yelled for Rowena to fetch Mrs Rodrigues from her room, and then pulled his mobile phone out of his pocket. ‘I hope to hell Jacob isn’t taking the evening off. If he is, I’ll fly the bloody helicopter myself.’

‘I don’t think we have time to summon the helicopter,’ declared Elsa Rodrigues, coming into the room before he could make the call. ‘I have a feeling this baby is likely to arrive within the next couple of hours. If you have no objections, Matt, I think we should make preparations for the birth right here.’

Matt looked down at Joanna. ‘Jo,’ he said thickly, feeling guilty. ‘I never meant for this to happen.’

‘Nor me,’ murmured Joanna faintly, and then broke off when another spasm gripped her. She looked up at him through tear-filled eyes. ‘But stay with me, Matt? Please. Stay with me and hold my hand?’