31

Marilyn was watering the plants in her apartment when she heard the knock on her door. Her heart began racing. Could it be Jonathan? Had he forgiven her?

She crossed the room and nervously looked through the peephole. It wasn’t Jonathan...but she couldn’t quite believe who it was. She quickly opened the door.

“Mrs. Madaris, this is a surprise,” Marilyn said. The first time she’d met Jonathan’s mother, she’d thought Felicia Laverne Madaris was an impressive woman, one who carried an aura of power. She looked too young to have had seven sons, four of them married with sons of their own. She was neatly dressed in an outfit that looked more appropriate for church than for visiting. The strand of pearls around her neck and the white gloves on her hands made her seem even more imposing. “Please come in.” Marilyn stepped aside.

“Thank you, dear,” the older woman said as she walked inside. “I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time.”

“No, you didn’t,” Marilyn said, not sure why Mrs. Madaris was here. “I was about to do laundry. Can I get you something? Coffee? Tea?”

“No, I’m fine, thank you. I got your address from Helen. I hope you don’t mind but I thought the two of us should talk. About Jonathan.”

“Oh.” Marilyn doubted Jonathan had sent his mother to see her, so she couldn’t help but wonder what had brought Mrs. Madaris to see her. There was only one way to find out. “Please have a seat,” she said, offering the older woman a spot on the sofa.

When Jonathan’s mother sat down, Marilyn took a chair across from her. “So what about Jonathan, Mrs. Madaris?”

Marilyn watched as the woman pulled off her gloves and placed them in her purse. Mrs. Madaris then turned sharp eyes on her, and asked bluntly, “Do you love my son, Marilyn?”

Marilyn hadn’t been expecting that question. But she answered truthfully. “Yes, I love Jonathan.”

Felicia Laverne Madaris nodded. “Did you know that I picked my four sons’ wives?”

Marilyn shook her head. “No, I didn’t know.”

“Well, I did. The women I chose were ones that I knew would make perfect wives for my boys, long before my sons did. I even picked Diana for Robert.”

“Oh.”

“But I didn’t pick you for Jonathan, Marilyn.”

Marilyn shifted in her chair, not sure what her response should be. Was the woman letting her know she didn’t think Marilyn was right for her son? If that was the case, it didn’t matter. She was the last person Jonathan would marry. Besides, she wouldn’t be seeing him again anyway. Marilyn was about to tell Mrs. Madaris that, when the woman’s next words stopped her.

“Although I didn’t pick you for Jonathan, Marilyn, I wish I had. I don’t think I could have found a better woman myself. You are perfect for him.”

Marilyn blinked, not sure she’d heard correctly. “Me? Perfect for Jonathan?”

“Yes.”

Marilyn fought back tears. “I don’t know what or how much Jonathan has told you, Mrs. Madaris, but--”

“You hurt him badly, I do know that.”

The older woman’s words weren’t an accusation, but mere fact. “Yes, I hurt him.”

“And I also know he hurt you, and I won’t discount that. However, you seemed to have gotten over things better than he has. So what are you going to do about it, Marilyn?”

Marilyn shook her head, sadly. “There’s nothing I can do.”

“Poppycock, of course there is. You admitted to loving him. When you love someone, anything is possible.”

Marilyn sighed. “I wish it could be that easy. I saw Jonathan last week and he told me that he didn’t want to see me again.”

“Men,” the older woman said rolling her eyes. “They really don’t know what they want. Why do you think I took it upon myself to select my sons’ wives?”

Marilyn didn’t know what to say to that. “Trust me, Mrs. Madaris, Jonathan--”

“Loves you. Otherwise he wouldn’t be hurting so badly. Let me tell you what he’s struggling with, Marilyn.”

“What?”

“It’s the Madaris pride. I know all about it. I had a lifetime of it with his father. I think you should know that Madaris men can be bull-headed and stubborn, and they can get on your last nerve at times. All because of that blasted Madaris pride. However, when they fall in love, it’s forever. And nothing, not even an extreme case of pride, can destroy that love. It just takes a strong woman to handle it, head on. I think you’re up to it.”

Marilyn thought the older woman had more faith in her abilities than she did. “How can I do that? Jonathan doesn’t want to see me.”

“Like I said, Jonathan doesn’t know what he wants. Now get ready.”

Marilyn lifted a brow. “Get ready?”

“Yes,” Felicia Laverne said, standing and putting back on her gloves. “You’re going with me.”

Marilyn stood. “Where?”

“I’m taking you to Jonathan.”

Marilyn shook her head. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“It’s the best idea. Jonathan arrived at Whispering Pines yesterday, but instead of staying at the big house, he’s spending a few days at the hunting cabin near the lake. “That’s where I’m taking you. So pack an overnight bag with a few essential things.”

“He’s going to be furious when he sees me.”

“Yes, possibly, however, he’ll get over it. If we time it right, you’ll get there before he does. He joined his brothers with the roundup and won’t be back until around midnight. That will give you plenty of time to get settled before he returns.”

Marilyn’s head was spinning. Did Mrs. Madaris know what she was suggesting? The cold look in Jonathan’s eyes had given Marilyn chills.

“Marilyn, we need to move quickly, if we want things to go according to plan.”

Plan? “But what if he throws me out?”

“He won’t throw you out, child. But if he tries, then I suggest you do whatever it takes to make sure he doesn’t. You have to stand up to him, and not let him bully you. If he tries, then bully him back. Show him how strong you are, Marilyn. Let him know that you have a backbone. Once you work through that Madaris pride, you’ll be home free. Trust me.”

* * * *

Trust me.

Marilyn glanced around the cabin and wondered if she needed to have her head examined. Mrs. Madaris was certain her plan would work. Unfortunately, the older woman hadn’t exactly told Marilyn what the plan was. All she’d said was that she would know what to do when Jonathan arrived, that the two of them needed to talk. She also said that no matter what, she couldn’t let Jonathan get the upper hand. She had to stand her ground.

Marilyn glanced at the clock on the wall. She only had another hour to wait. They had arrived at the cabin that evening. After dropping her off, Mrs. Madaris had given her a hug, then had gotten back into her car and driven off into the sunset. Literally.

Marilyn liked this cabin. It was bigger than she’d originally thought, with one bedroom and one-and-a-half baths. There was also a living room with a sleeper sofa and an eat-in kitchen. The place was rather quaint, cozy and neat as a pin. The refrigerator had been stocked. Mrs. Madaris had said the men would eat out on the range, but that she’d sent Jonathan out with some homemade soup when he’d left earlier.

She wondered what Jonathan was thinking when he’d decided to stay out here for a few days. There was electricity but no television, radio or telephone service. Marilyn had spent the last four hours reading the magazines she’d brought along. She had taken a short nap earlier, but was getting sleepy again.

She decided to stretch out on the sofa and read another magazine. She didn’t think it would be wise to put on her pajamas, though, just in case Jonathan kicked her out. But then, without transportation, she couldn’t go anywhere unless he took her.

Mainly, though, she was worried about what his reaction would be when he saw her. All she had to do was remember how he’d acted when he’d seen her last week. If looks could kill, she would be six-feet under right now.

And how would he react when he found out his mother had been the one to bring Marilyn here?

Well, she’d find out soon. But until then, Marilyn would close her eyes for a few minutes, and relax. She’d have her answers soon.

* * * *

Jonathan pulled his truck into the yard in front of the cabin. He didn’t recall leaving on any lights, but evidently he had. Bringing the truck to a stop, he drew in a deep breath. He was tired but welcomed the exhaustion, which is why he had volunteered to help his brothers. It had helped him forget for a while. Now that he was back at the cabin, he would shower and go straight to bed, too worn out to let Marilyn take over his dreams, which was a good thing. The less he thought of her, the better.

Tomorrow he would sleep late and when he got up, he would go fishing. The lake was loaded with trout and he had a mind to catch one or two for tomorrow’s dinner. Getting out of his truck, he stretched his aching muscles as he recalled his meeting with Joseph Sanders last week. Since Marilyn had withdrawn the complaint, it would be as if the incident had never happened.

That was easy for Joseph to say but Jonathan didn’t feel that way. It had happened and he couldn’t dismiss what she’d done.

He knew something was wrong the minute he opened the door and walked inside. He picked up the scent of a woman, but not just any woman. Why could he pick up Marilyn’s scent in the cabin? Was he imagining it? Wishing for it? No, he didn’t think so. He closed the door behind him and glanced around. He saw the fire lit in the fireplace and knew for certain he hadn’t done that. What the hell was going on?

Suddenly he heard a sound, a soft purring sound, like that of a cat. He crossed the room, then stopped and went still. Marilyn was stretched out on his sofa and she was purring in her sleep. Anger rushed through him. How did she get here?

He knew the answer, even before the question fully left his mind. His mother. How could she? Hadn’t she believed him when he’d told her that he never wanted to see Marilyn again? He’d fully explained that he had needed time alone at this cabin to purge her from his heart.

So then, why was she here? He was about to wake her when she made another sound. This one wasn’t a purr. It was his name. She was moaning his name in her sleep, and he tried not to notice how beautiful she looked doing it.

She was wearing a pullover sweater and a pair of dark corduroy pants. And she was lying on her side, with her head rested against her hands. Jonathan thought she looked peaceful, as if she hadn’t a care in the world, when thanks to her, his world had almost come tumbling down. He was very, very angry with her. But that didn’t stop his gaze from wandering over her slumbering form.

He zeroed in on the lips he had kissed so many times, and the neck he’d memorized with his tongue. Her eyes were closed so he couldn’t see into their charcoal gray depths, but he could recall how they’d turned a hot, smoky gray on the night they’d made love.

She moaned his name again. He tried not to let it affect him that she was obviously dreaming about him. A fierce frown covered his features. He didn’t care if she was thinking about him while she slept. He decided to wake her up and get her out of here. He had come to the cabin seeking seclusion, so he could find a way to erase her from his mind, soul and heart. And he would do it. But first, he had to get her out of here.

* * * *

“Jonathan…”

In the deep recesses of Marilyn’s sleep-induced mind, she and Jonathan were kissing. This is what she’d been missing, and as soon as his lips touched hers, she hadn’t been able to do anything but moan his name. She wanted him to kiss her all over, the way he’d done before and…

Suddenly she felt a firm hand grip her shoulder. Opening her eyes, she looked up into the stern face of Jonathan Madaris. It was obvious he wasn’t happy to see her.

“Wake up, Miss Bannister. What are you doing here?”

His words were loud and fill with anger. She winced as she pulled herself up into a sitting position. “Please Jonathan, I’m right here. Do you have to scream?” Again, she noted that he’d called her Miss Bannister.

“I want to know what you are doing here.”

She craned her neck up to look up at him. It was as if he’d gotten taller, though she knew that wasn’t possible. “I had to see you.”

“Why? I thought I made it clear. We are done.”

“I know that, but we need to talk.”

“We don’t have anything to talk about. You said it all a couple of weeks ago.”

“I’m sorry. I regret everything I said. All of it.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. His broad chest. The chest she used to enjoy resting her head against on those Sunday nights they’d watch television together. “It’s too late.”

She frowned up at him. “An apology can never come too late.”

“Yours did. Now leave.”

“I can’t. Your mother dropped me off,” she argued, getting to her feet.

“Fine, I’ll take you back,” he said, pulling the keys from his pocket. But she snatched them out of his hand.

“What do you think you’re doing? Give me my keys, Miss Bannister.”

At that moment, she remembered Mrs. Madaris’ advice. She needed to do whatever it took to stop him from throwing her out. If he bullied her, she needed to bully him back. She had to show him how strong she was.

Too bad she didn’t feel particularly strong at that moment. But this was the only chance she’d have, so she’d better become strong in a hurry.

“No. I won’t give them to you, at least not yet.” And to make sure he didn’t try wrestling them from her, she quickly dropped them down her sweater and felt the cold metal against her breast.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

From the tone of his voice, she could tell he was really angry now. “I told you we needed to talk. We either do it now or in the morning.”

“Sorry, but we aren’t talking, now or then. I’ve got a mind to put your little behind out the door.”

The thought of him doing that almost made her panic, but she stood her ground. “There are wild animals out there. Maybe even bears. I could be mauled to death. I’m sure there are wolves. They might drag me back to the rest of their pack and--”

“Please stop. You’re giving me a headache.”

Marilyn wasn’t sure if that was a bad thing or a good one, as she watched him rub the bridge of his nose in agitation. “Fine. Stay the night. Sleep on the couch. But make no mistake about it, Miss Bannister. Tomorrow you’re leaving, even if I have to walk you back.” And then he strode into the bedroom, slamming the door behind him with enough force, it made the entire cabin shake.

Marilyn drew in a deep breath as she reached into her sweater and pulled out the keys. She quickly glanced around the cabin for a good place to hide them. She wouldn’t place them with her belongings, in case he decided to search through her stuff. Seeing the huge painting of a ferocious looking bear on the wall, she quickly felt behind it and found a hook. Great! She placed the keys on the hook, then readjusted the art work. He’d never find them there.

When she walked back toward the sofa, she heard the shower going. It didn’t matter that she would have to sleep out here. The most important thing was that they would be sleeping under the same roof. Whether he liked it or not.