To Love An Older Man

“Okay, then, good night.” He eased between her and the door.

“David?” She touched his arm, and when he stopped, she rose on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

Her warm breath and subtle jasmine scent stirred more than friendly concern and panic surged in his chest. “No problem,” he said with unintended gruffness, and then got the hell out of her room.

“GOOD MORNING.” Ida was all smiles in a shocking pink dress and yellow apron, her curly graying hair less wild this morning. “You’re just in time. I made another fresh pot of coffee.”

Beth yawned, and covered her mouth in embarrassment. Bad enough she’d slept so late. Back on the farm she would have been up for over two hours already. “Good morning. Or should I say good afternoon?”

Ida handed her a cup. “Phooey. It’s only nine.”

Beth gave the carafe of rich brown brew a longing look. Caffeine wasn’t good for the baby. But maybe there was a period early in the pregnancy that allowed one cup. She had no idea. There was so much to learn…

“Are you gonna stare it to death or drink it?” Ida picked up the carafe and held it above Beth’s cup.

“Just half, please.”

“There’s only a measly fifty percent caffeine in this blend,” Ida said, and filled Beth’s cup to the brim. “Her Highness worries about too much of that, too.”

“Mrs. Matthews?”

Ida chuckled. “Don’t look so scandalized. I always call her that, and to her face, mind you. Have a seat.”

Beth took the same chair she’d used last night and sipped the much-appreciated coffee. She would drink only half a cup and she intended to make it last as long as possible. “How long have you known Mrs. Matthews?”

Ida sat across from her with a cup of coffee filled with cream and sugar. “Maude and I grew up together. And I suggest you call her that instead of Mrs. Matthews.” She paused and grinned at Beth’s expression. “Now, you wouldn’t be wondering how we grew up together, obviously being from different social circles, would you?”

Heat filled Beth’s cheeks. “Um, well…”

Ida laughed and waved a hand. “Don’t mind me. I never can resist that one. My mother was Maude’s parents’ housekeeper. Mom and I lived in the servants’ quarters on their estate not far from here, and since Maude and I are a year apart in age, we played together.

“Of course we went to different schools, her being a Wellington and all, but once we both got home each day, it didn’t matter a whit. When it was time for her to go away to finishing school, we both pitched fits.” Ida sighed. “It didn’t do any good. She left, and I went and got myself pregnant. Sorry mess that was, but you don’t want to hear about it, and besides, I got myself a fine son out of the bargain.”

She was wrong. Beth wanted very much to hear about Ida and how she had handled being a single woman, pregnant and then raising a child. But how did she urge her to continue without sounding nosy?

“Do you have other children?” Beth asked conversationally.

“A daughter. Later I married Ed Barnes, a sergeant in the Marines. He adopted my boy and then we had Amelia. We ended up traveling around a lot, transferring from one military base to the other. But Maude and I always kept in touch and when my Ed died five years ago, I came here to work for her and David. David Sr. had died soon after young David got out of law school. A second heart attack did him in, God rest his soul.”

Beth had wondered about David’s father, but of course would never have asked. David seemed awfully young to head such a large and prominent firm.

“How long were you a single parent?” She hoped that didn’t sound too nosy.

“About five years. I’d met Ed right away but there was no way I wanted anything to do with a man.” Ida chuckled. “I gave him a run for his money, I did.”

Beth understood completely. If she never trusted a man, or even never dated again it would be too soon. She realized she was unconsciously rubbing her tummy and immediately stilled her hand. But what did it matter if they knew about the baby? David had probably explained to his mother by now, and if Maude knew, Beth bet Ida did, too.

And if not, what did Beth have to lose? After this morning, she’d never see these women again. Or David. The thought was oddly unsettling.

She recalled his reaction to her chaste kiss last night and how surprised she’d been at his obvious discomfort. It was both funny and sweet, and she’d fallen asleep with the warm fuzzy feeling that he’d actually been touched in some way.

But today was a new day, one of making hard decisions and moving forward. The thought scared her to death.

“Now I have a question for you.” Ida stared at her over the rim of her cup. “Do you ever take that coat off?”

“Only if I have to.” Beth sighed. “I’m traveling rather light these days.”

Ida frowned in thoughtful silence for a moment, and then asked, “How long will you be staying?”

She glanced at her watch. “For about another hour.”

“Nonsense.” Maude swept into the kitchen, looking trim and vibrant in a red silk pantsuit, her hair upswept into a chic French twist. “Good morning, ladies.”

“Well, it’s about time Her Highness woke up.” Ida winked at Beth. “I’ve made fresh coffee twice.”

“I’ll have you know I’ve been up for nearly two hours.” She smiled at Beth’s “good morning” as she poured herself a cup of java. “We have so much to do today. I have lists to write, calls to make.”

Ida frowned. “I hope you’re not talking about that foolish party again. David is not going to like it.” Ida shook her head, her frown deepening. “Not one bit.”

“No, I’m not talking about the party.” She looked at Beth again. “I’m talking about shopping.”

Beth took a hasty gulp. “I’ll be out of your way in ten minutes.”

“Nonsense.” Mrs. Matthews waved her hand with an air of authority. She was clearly a woman used to getting her way. “You’re going with me.”

DAVID CLEARED off his desk, and then made a notation in his day planner for tomorrow’s meeting with the mayor. Outside his office he heard the secretaries chattering as they locked their desks and turned off their computers, preparing to leave for the day.

Was it really only five? He glanced at the gold-framed desk clock, a birthday gift from Monique last year. She was a nice woman, sophisticated, attractive, a contract lawyer, whose company he’d always enjoyed. Too bad she got tired of trying to compete with his job. Not that he thought that was a problem, but she had, and that was enough to cool the relationship.

He glanced at the clock again. Five-o-three.

And then he stared at the phone. Where the hell were his mother and Beth? And why was Ida being so cryptic?

He’d called once right before lunch, and then an hour ago. All Ida would say is that the other two were out. He was tempted to call his mother’s cell phone, but she never answered the damn thing. He doubted she even knew how to turn it on.

Besides, he never called in the middle of the day and he wasn’t up to getting the third degree, even though it was perfectly logical that he’d want to know if Beth had left and if his mother had been successful in slipping her some money.

“’Night, Mr. Matthews.”

He looked up as Heather, the secretary his assistant hired last week, poked her head in the door. She was young, late-twenties, blond and with a build that wouldn’t quit. Most of the guys in the office were salivating over her.

“Good night, Heather. Drive carefully.”

She gave him a radiant smile. A dangerous one. He quickly turned his attention back to the day planner. She wasn’t the first secretary in the office with eyes for the boss. He had no illusions that he was God’s gift. The money and power attracted them. He’d already traveled that road once, with only scars to show for it.

Long after Heather had left, he stared restlessly at the senseless words on the page. Dammit, he wasn’t going to get any work done. He ought to just go home. So what if it was earlier than usual? It was his house. He had a right…

He packed up his briefcase, and then got into his private elevator without saying anything to the staff lingering in the office. Not accustomed to rush hour, he cursed the traffic bottling up the Golden Gate Bridge, but managed to dictate two memos by the time he turned into his driveway.