Читать книгу Lone Star Legacy: Relentless Pursuit - Sara Orwig - Страница 11

Even though Ava had suspected this request was coming, it still surprised her. She thought of Caroline and felt torn.

“Will, thank you for your faith in me. Caroline is adorable and I think she can be helped. She’s a precious child.” Will was desperate, and she had already gotten to know him well enough that she disliked disappointing him. She hated even more hurting Caroline, although his niece would never know about his offer or her rejection.

“If you feel that way, don’t rush to answer me. Think about it tonight and give me an answer tomorrow. You see the situation here, so you know what we’re like and where you’d live and what you’d be doing. Just give it some thought.”

“When we first met I told you my plans. I’ve received my doctorate. I intend to open my own school where I can hire the teachers I want and include some of my teaching methods with my books in the curriculum.”

“I appreciate your ambition. All I’m asking you to do is postpone your plans a little,” he said, leaning slightly closer.

“Opening my own school has been my dream since I was a student aide in high school and helped in a reading program.”

“An admirable dream,” he remarked. His dark gaze consumed her and her heartbeat raced. She had no intention of letting him derail all her plans. She took a deep breath, ready to launch into a refusal.

“You’re perfect to work with Caroline and it’s already June,” he said before she could speak. “It would be the rest of this month, July and only part of August until shortly before school begins. Not quite three full months actually. It would be a three-month delay in your plans at most.”

“I don’t want to put off my dream. I’m really not a private tutor. When you meet and interview Becky, I think you’ll agree that she’s the best person for the job, and I’m sure Caroline will like her.”

He reached in a pocket and brought out a piece of paper, which he unfolded.

She was tempted to refuse to even look at it. She suspected it would be an exorbitant sum of several thousand dollars, like the amount he was paying her for the two days in Dallas.

“I figured you would turn me down, so I’ve thought about what might induce you to stay. Don’t give me an answer now. Promise me you’ll take this and think about it tonight.”

“Will, I know what I want to do,” she persisted. “This isn’t the place for me to get sidetracked, because it’s more than just taking a job for the summer. This involves a child and you—It could be complicated.” The man wasn’t accustomed to hearing no, but he was going to have to adjust.

As if he hadn’t heard her, he continued, “Just remember, a little over three months would not be a big delay in your plans, yet it would give you some finances for your school.” He held the paper out to her. “Here’s what I will pay you if you work through the summer months with Caroline.”

While she could use the money, she didn’t want to look at the amount and be tempted. Will Delaney was temptation in every way. She didn’t want to spend almost three months under the same roof with him, didn’t want to change her plans because it could be a far bigger delay once summer was over and everyone got busy with the school year.

“Will, I’m sorry, but I’ve already commenced several things. I have a real estate agent looking for a location. I’m working on getting grants.”

“Give me half a chance here,” he said quietly. “You can at least look at what I’m offering.”

“It won’t matter,” she said, growing slightly more annoyed because he still held her hand and had the paper in front of her.

“Take it, Ava,” he said in a more commanding tone. “Otherwise you’ll always wonder.”

Certain in another few minutes he would just tell her, she took the paper in exasperation. “Will, this is just ridiculous for you to be so stubborn.”

“I’m not the only one being stubborn. You can at least look at my figures and my offer.”

“Will, I understand how you—” Frowning, Ava held the paper closer to study the figures he had written. Her gaze ran over the amounts several times. Stunned, she looked at one half million dollars to tutor for the summer and another half million if Caroline came out of her withdrawal.

Ava’s astonished gaze jumped to meet his. “You can’t be serious,” she whispered.

“I’m absolutely in earnest,” he replied. “You’ll live here. You’ll be off on Saturdays and Sundays. I can have someone fly you home on weekends if you want. I want you to tutor Caroline so she can go into kindergarten this fall and fit in. Hopefully, you might get her out of her shell. You already have a great start.”

“This is an astronomical figure,” Ava said. Her eyes narrowed. “What else do you expect from me?”

“Nothing personal,” he replied, appearing slightly amused by her question. “Although you know I won’t stop flirting, and I’ll ask you out.”

She opened her mouth and then closed it and gave him another questioning glance. “This is way too much money for such a job.”

“I think you can help Caroline. It’s worth that to me if you will try. I’ve already spent a fortune with no results. I’ve had doctors, counselors, shrinks, tutors—all to no avail. I’ve been told no one can work as well with children as you can.”

“Thanks. That’s nice, but I don’t know that it’s completely accurate.”

“Don’t give me an answer now. Think about it and think about what that money can do for you and your school and your students.”

Their gazes locked. Physically aware of him, she was stunned by the staggering amount of money he offered her. Now she had to give his offer consideration. How could she turn down half a million and a chance for a million if all worked out? She wouldn’t have to worry about grants. She could buy land and a building without a struggle for financing.

Anger and dismay churned in her. He had demolished her well-laid plans. He would derail her dreams to try to get what he wanted. He had already admitted he would flirt and ask her out. Her resistance to his charm was almost nonexistent. How much would she complicate her life? If he went to such lengths to get her to work for him, how persistent would he be in trying to get her in his bed?

She stood to break the mesmerizing spell he wove and to get to herself to think clearly, but there was only one answer to give him now.

He came to his feet the moment she stood.

“I need to turn in for tonight. I’ll think about this, of course,” she said, feeling overwhelmed and still stunned. She could not turn him down now, not with this kind of money. But she wasn’t going to capitulate the instant he waved a paycheck at her.

He took her arm. “I’ll see you to your room.”

She didn’t protest because she was lost in thought, but then she realized what he had said and that he walked beside her.

They were silent until she reached the door of her suite, where she turned to face him. “You barely know me. I’ve only known Caroline for one day. You don’t really know whether I’ll be this much help to Caroline or not.”

“She likes you. You made her smile when no one else has. I’m willing to take the chance. It’s worth the risk to me to have you try. I’ll never miss the money, and even if I did, if it helps Caroline, it’s worth it to me.”

“It doesn’t bother you to wreck someone else’s plans?”

“I haven’t wrecked your plans, Ava. The money I’m offering will help you get that school months or years faster than you would without it. Also, you said you would start with only first and second grade because of limited funds. Now you won’t be quite so limited. I’m not tearing up your plans—I’m aiding them. You’re free to make a choice.”

“That I am,” she said. “It’s been an interesting day. I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.”

She was angry with his high-handed methods, stunned by the amount, shaken that she could earn that much money in just under three months. Weighing more heavily were the problems she would have with Will and Caroline. She didn’t want to fall in love with Will, and that’s what an affair would mean. An affair for her would be an affair of the heart that needed commitment and real love.

When Will’s gaze lowered to her mouth, Ava held her breath. Her lips parted, tingled. She wanted his kisses while at the same time she didn’t. “Good night, Will,” she said, turning blindly and stepping into her suite, closing the door swiftly behind her.

She crossed the room and sat on a chair to stare at the figures scribbled boldly on the paper. Half a million to stay and work with Caroline for the next three months. Three months—a brief postponement of her dreams that would be more than made up when she could open a school, fully funded.

She could not possibly turn down the opportunity for the half million. If she connected and Caroline responded to her, there would be another half million. Ava stared at the paper and the figures danced before her. She had never been a therapist, yet she knew she could work well with the girl—academically and emotionally.

If she didn’t succeed, well, she had warned Will about her inexperience in this area. Three months. In those three months if she bonded with Caroline, she might love the little girl with all her heart and it would hurt to leave. And she would leave when the summer ended. She had a life and a career to pursue. Could she resist Will for the entire summer?

She leaned back in the chair, staring at the ceiling. Tell him no, came a small voice in her mind. Just say no and walk away.

Only she couldn’t. The chance for a half million or, if dreams came true, a million, didn’t come along in most lifetimes. If she turned down Will’s offer, she would be looking back forever. Particularly if financing became difficult. She had planned on grants, investors and relying on tuition. Now she would not be dependent on anything.

“Will Delaney, the demanding Delaney,” she said aloud, her thoughts jumping to their kisses until she was hot, tingly and filled with desire.

Impatiently, she stood to get ready for bed. Later, lying in the darkness, the turn of events and the amount of money being dangled before her kept her awake until almost dawn when she fell into a fitful sleep.

Saturday, Ava showered and dressed carefully in a navy shirt and slacks—casual but professional. When she walked into the kitchen, Will sat outside on the veranda at a table. He read an iPad on the table in front of him. He was in chinos, a black knit shirt and Western boots. Her pulse jumped merely at the sight of him and she had one more moment of reluctance. She had to give him an answer, and as far as she could see, there was only one reply.

He stood and smiled, approval lighting his eyes as his gaze swept over her. “Good morning. You look great.”

“Thank you,” she answered coolly, knowing she should be thrilled and eager when he made such a large offer, but she wanted him to know he couldn’t push her around.

He walked up to her and her pulse drummed faster when he placed his hands on her shoulders.

“Come sit and I’ll get your breakfast. Want coffee and orange juice now?”

“I can help myself,” she said, picking up a china cup.

When Ava was seated and had breakfast in front of her, Will also sat and sipped black coffee. “Have you thought over my offer?”

“Of course,” she replied, meeting his gaze. “And I accept. It’s an offer I can’t refuse, as you well knew. I think you expect miracles.”

“I think you can do miracles,” he answered quietly, his eyes flaring with triumph. It added to her annoyance that he was so confident and able to get his way easily.

“Go to dinner with me tonight. I want to celebrate hiring you for the summer.”

“Maybe we should make some rules from the first,” she answered. “You said there were no demands on me other than where Caroline is concerned.”

Again, amusement flared in his expression so slightly, yet she had no doubt that’s what he felt. “That’s correct, but I thought you might enjoy a night out and to get to see a little of Dallas.”

“I’ve been to Dallas before,” she answered. “Thank you, but I’d like to keep my personal life separate. I don’t care to go out unless it is something involving Caroline.”

“Whatever you want,” he said smoothly and her insides tightened. She would love to go out with him, but she wasn’t going down that road.

“If possible, I should return home today, get my things in order and make arrangements to be gone for the next three months. I’d like a week to get ready and return a week from tomorrow to begin work. How will that fit with your schedule?”

“Fine, I’ll take you home today. I’d like to tell Caroline the news because I think she’ll be pleased.”

“I think you’re reading much more into a relationship between your niece and me than there really is,” she persisted.

“Time will tell,” he said, smiling at her. He reached across the table to squeeze her hand. “Thanks for doing this, Ava.”

The contact made her tingle and the warmth in his voice heightened her reaction to him. Three months in the same house with a charismatic, seductive man. That might turn out to be as big a challenge as working with Caroline.

“There is no way I can turn down your offer, but I can’t give you any guarantees. I’ve never done this before, tutored long-term in a home with a child with problems as deep as Caroline has. I’ll do what I can.”

“That’s all I ask.”

Hours later, when she unlocked the door to her condo, Will stepped inside. He took her arm lightly and turned her to face him.

As she looked up at him, her breathing altered.

“This doesn’t have anything to do with your working for me,” he said in a husky voice. “It’s simply a man and a woman he’s attracted to.” Her lips parted as she drew a deep breath. He leaned down to kiss her, covering her mouth with his before she could answer.

Her heart thudded and she stood still, unresponsive for a heartbeat, and then she melted against his hard frame. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him in return. His fingers wrapped in her hair a few moments as he leaned over her and kissed her passionately.

His tongue thrust deeply into her mouth. His kisses were more devastating than before. Desire blazed, threatening her peaceful world. She stepped back. “This isn’t part of the bargain, Will. It just can’t be. I’ve got my life all lined up and you’ve already turned it upside down for the summer. I don’t want a big emotional upheaval on top of that.”

“I don’t, either,” he said solemnly. “It’s kisses and wanting to dance with you and hold you, nothing deep or involved. Get back in the world, Ava. You’re too full of life to withdraw into a shell.”

“You barely know me or what I do or how I am.”

“I’m beginning to know you, and I know that much about you already,” he whispered, showering kisses on her temple and cheek, brushing them lightly across her lips. She closed her eyes and in seconds they kissed again until she stopped him.

“I have to say goodbye now, Will. I’ll see you a week from Sunday afternoon.”

He smiled at her, running his fingers lightly on her throat. “See you at three next Sunday.”

She watched him climb back into the limo and leave. Dazed, she moved through her condo, feeling as if she had been caught up in a whirlwind and now dropped back to earth.

She got out her iPad to check her calendar and begin listing what she needed to do before she saw Will again on Sunday. Then she sent a text to her sister. In an hour, Trinity was at the door.

“Tell me what you’re doing and where you’ve been and about William Delaney!” Trinity exclaimed, rushing inside, her sandy curls bouncing. “I brought pizza,” she said, waving boxes with enticing smells.

“It’s good to see you and to be home,” Ava said, smiling, knowing an explosion was coming. “What would you like to drink?” She headed to her small kitchen while Trinity followed and set the pizzas on the table.

“Water. I have veggie blast and artichoke, basil and onion pizza.”

“Thanks. Let me pay you.”

“My treat, and you talk. What’s he like? Does he look like his pictures? Does he have a woman in his life? Is he nice?”

Ava laughed. “Trinity, slow down. One question at a time. He’s nicer than I thought he would be. He is more handsome than his pictures,” she said, remembering his kisses. “As far as I know there’s no woman in his life right now, but I really don’t know for sure. He was nice. He has a little niece whose dad was killed in a plane crash, and he’s worried about her because she’s sort of closed off the world.”

“That’s dreadful and sad,” Trinity said, her smile vanishing. “How old is she?”

“Five.” Ava set two glasses of water on the table and told Trinity about Caroline’s situation.

Trinity looked horrified. “Poor little thing. So is he going to interview the tutors you recommended?”

Ava braced herself. “No. He’s hired me for the summer to work with her.”

“You’re going to work for him and give up all your plans?” Trinity asked, her eyebrows arching as she stared at Ava.

“Yes. He gave me an incentive.”

Trinity squinted her eyes and tilted her head to study her sister. “You didn’t fall in love with him, did you?”

“Of course, not,” Ava snapped, while a twinge of guilt about the kisses she’d shared with him plagued her. “He made an offer I really couldn’t refuse.” She withdrew the piece of paper from her purse. “You might want to sit before you read it,” she added, bracing again for her sister’s reaction.

With one more long look at Ava, Trinity took the paper to read. Her mouth dropped open and she looked up at Ava. “Is this real?”

“Very. I’ll have money for my dream and be able to help you and Summer through school.”

Trinity looked at the paper again and read it aloud, suddenly screaming as she jumped up and down.

Ava smiled and held out her hand. “Now you see why I postponed my plans until fall. Give me back my paper. I want to keep it.”

To Ava’s amusement, Trinity reacted in typical fashion and it was an hour before she calmed. They called their youngest sister, Summer, to tell her the change in Ava’s plans, and then Ava spent the next several hours with Trinity. The only topics of discussion were Will, Caroline and summer plans.

It was almost nine before Trinity left. Ava felt wound up, filled with excitement, trying to ignore the constant simmering prospect of spending the summer with Will Delaney. To tell someone else about Will’s offer, actually show Trinity the amount written by Will, made it seem slightly more real.

At ten, a violin rendition of a Strauss waltz played faintly and she rushed to answer her cell phone to hear Will’s voice.

“Did I call too late?”

“Of course not,” she answered, her pulse speeding simply over the sound of his voice. She sat in a cherrywood rocker, rocking slightly. “My sister Trinity just left a little while ago. She’s very excited about my new job and we called our youngest sister and told her.”

“I hope they’re happy about it.”

“That’s a huge understatement. It’s a wonder you didn’t hear Trinity screaming for joy.”

He chuckled. “I told Caroline. In her own quiet way I think she’s pleased.”

“I’m sure she didn’t say anything.”

“No, but I got a little response because she nodded. That’s more than I usually get, so I took that as a positive sign. She also gave me a long look and I think that was another affirmation.”

“I hope so.” She thought about the little girl and grew somber after the evening with Trinity.

“We already miss you being here” he said in a deeper tone of voice that caused another flurry to her heartbeat.

“I’ll be back soon enough.”

“No, not soon enough. If you wind things up there sooner, give me a call and I’ll send someone to get you earlier. If I can do anything to help you move, let me know.”

“Thank you. It’s just a matter of putting things on hold for the summer.”

“Are there really no guys to say goodbye to?”

“There are really no guys,” she said, smiling. “I meant what I said about that.”

“You’ve been shut out of life long enough.”

“That doesn’t go with the job, remember?”

“This is entirely separate from that. If you’d turned me down on my offer, we would still be having this part of the conversation.”

“Stop flirting and getting personal,” she said, trying to sound good-natured about it, but meaning what she said. “You make it difficult because you’re now my boss, so it’s a little strange to tell you what to do.”

“Then don’t.” She detected the laughter in his tone. “You know I could send someone to help you with the arrangements you have to make.”

“Thanks, but I’ll take care of things here myself,” she said, amused that he would try to take charge of what she was involved in at home.

“Some weekend soon, I’ll fly your sisters here so I can meet them and they can meet Caroline and see where you live and work.”

“They would love that,” she said. “We’re not much alike. I’ll warn you now, Trinity is a little dramatic.”

“She didn’t get that from her older sister.”

“You don’t know me well enough to decide whether I’m dramatic or not.”

“I think I do. I’m not much like my brothers, either.”

They talked easily about their families, and when she glanced at the clock, she was surprised an hour had gone by. “Will, we should end this conversation. Do you realize how late it is? I need to get up early in the morning.”

“I’m enjoying the company. It’s worth losing some sleep.”

“Stop it. I’m saying good-night now. Good night, Will.”

“Good night, Ava. I’d rather kiss you than say farewell,” he said in a husky voice.

Her heart beat faster. All summer with him; he could derail her dreams even more if she wasn’t careful. She inhaled deeply. She had no intention of letting him do that no matter how appealing the man was. Or what he offered her, because he had already promised enough that she could afford to turn him down in the future. Half a million was a fortune beyond her dreams. The wealth would give her independence to do as she pleased about some facets in her life, including Will Delaney.

“Thank you, Will,” she said, remembering his dark gaze on her, trying to avoid thinking about his kisses or his sexy voice as he told her goodbye on the phone.

Will Delaney had just opened a whole new world for her.

Smiling, Will shut off his phone. Before he set it down a tune began to play. He answered the call to hear his brother Zach’s voice.

“Had a moment and thought I’d check with you. I’m in the L.A. airport, but I won’t be coming home. I’m on my way from Australia to Winnipeg. Any luck with tutors for Caroline?”

“Actually, I’ve hired the teacher who gave me recommendations. I wanted to get to know her better, and then when she was here, Caroline responded to her in a small way.”

“If Caroline responded in the least, it’s worth a try. Don’t blame you.”

“Caroline asked Ava if she hurt. Ava is a widow.”

“I’ll be damned,” Zach said. “Caroline hasn’t said a word to me since she lost her dad. That’s something.”

“It’s a small thing, but I’m willing to take it. I just have a feeling about this, and with Caroline asking Ava a question—I couldn’t let that go.”

“Hell, no, you couldn’t. That’s amazing. A widow. That’s nice for Caroline. Our mother isn’t grandma material and our stepmother has never been interested in Caroline.”

“Zach, Ava isn’t exactly grandma material, either. She’s twenty-eight. Widowed in college. They married before they graduated. She doesn’t date though.”

“Okay. I assume she’s good-looking.”

“Good-looking wouldn’t have mattered if I hadn’t thought she’d help.”

“I know. Well, that’s good news. I’ll pray for Adam’s dear Caroline and this tutor. What’s her name?”

“Ava Barton.”

“I’ll meet her next time I’m home. Whenever that may be. Let me know how things go. When does she start work?”

“Next Monday.”

“Good deal. And good job, Will. Hey, they’re calling my flight.”

“So long, Zach. Take care.” Will broke the connection, staring into space, but lost in thought about Ava.

After a busy week, Ava wound everything up by Saturday. She’d taken Trinity for a goodbye dinner, then woke up early and excited on Sunday. She dressed with care, in blue linen slacks and a matching shirt, and wound her hair into a bun, fastening it with a clip. She made some last-minute phone calls, did some research and waited for Will.

Promptly at 3:00 p.m. her doorbell rang.

When she opened the door, her breath caught. Tall and handsome, Will smiled at her and stepped inside, closing the door behind him. His brown eyes swept over her, stirring tingles. The impact of seeing him was greater than ever, and she locked her fingers behind her back.

“Hi. You look gorgeous,” he said in a husky voice.

“Thank you. Is it possible for you to keep this a purely business arrangement?” she asked, hating the breathless sound of her voice.

“No,” he said, smiling at her, an irresistible smile showing snow-white teeth and creases bracketing his mouth. “I don’t think it is for you, either, only you won’t admit it. I’ll bet your pulse is racing right now because, all business aside, we react to each other.” He reached out to place his fingers lightly on her throat to feel her pulse. She twisted away from him.

“You’ve proven your point,” she remarked dryly. “I’m ready.” She turned to pick up her things, but he stepped past her to shoulder the carry-on and gather her other bags.

She locked up, and when they stepped out, the chauffeur standing by the limousine came forward quickly to take her luggage.

“I’m glad to get you back to Dallas.”

She smiled at him. “So I might as well save my breath on telling you to keep all this impersonal?”

“Now you’re catching on. If you didn’t react to my flirting and remarks and kisses, I would back off, but you do respond.” He leaned down by her ear. “You set me on fire with your responses.”

“Stubborn, stubborn,” she said before stepping into the limo.

Looking relaxed, Will sat facing her.

“Rosalyn is with Caroline until we get home. Then she is taking tonight off. Tomorrow I’ll be home since it’s your first day. Did you get everything taken care of to your satisfaction?”

“Yes. With money in the bank, it gets easier.”

Will nodded. “Good. I don’t want you to have any regrets. Far from it. We’ll be home in no time.”

In what seemed a short flight to Ava, they landed at Love Field in Dallas. As soon as they were in his mansion, Will turned to her. “I’ll have your things put away.”

“Thanks, Will. Where is Caroline? I’d like to say hello to her.”

“She’s probably upstairs with Rosalyn.” They headed upstairs, and he knocked lightly on Caroline’s door. She sat on the floor playing with dolls and her small brown bear. Rosalyn sat nearby with a book in her hands. Caroline stood up, her gaze on Will although she gave Ava one brief glance.

“How’s my girl?” Will asked, picking her up to hug her and kiss her on the cheek. He turned to Ava. “Looks who’s here. She’ll be staying with us now for the summer.”

When Caroline’s eyes widened, Ava took it for a hopeful sign. She had uncustomary butterflies in her stomach over trying to help Caroline, yet she was hopeful she could do so even in a tiny degree.