8

Jonathan immediately realized that he’d somehow offended Marilyn. Rubbing his hand down his face, he drew in a deep breath. “Good going, Madaris,” he muttered as he glanced across the room and saw Marilyn disappear through the set of double doors after giving Senator Jordan a hug. He quickly moved in that direction.

One day, he would learn not to assume so much. But he’d just figured that most people with good jobs had a way to get to that job. There had to be a reason why she didn’t own a vehicle. For all he knew, she might not be able to drive, although he couldn’t imagine that was the reason. Regardless, he’d had no right to question her about it.

But she’d been wrong about it not being any of his business. Anything involving her was his business, whether she knew it or not. But he would admit to making one major mistake. In his plan to make her a part of his life, he’d assumed that moving her to another school so they could get together was in the best interests of both of them. But now, he could clearly see his actions had caused a major inconvenience for her. How was she getting to Cullers, which was located all the way across town, without a car? Was she catching a cab every day? Riding the bus? Carpooling again? One thing he was certain of--she definitely wasn’t walking.

Stepping out the set of double doors, he glanced around and saw her. Marilyn’s back was to him as she stood in a lighted area waiting for the cab that had been called for her. He paused a moment to stare at the beautiful woman he intended to marry one day.

Should he come clean and tell her the truth, even though it might make the situation worse? He knew that was not the answer, at least, not now. It was important that they get to know each other first, that she learned to love him as much as he loved her, before telling her the entire story. For now, somehow he had to help her and hoped that she’d accept that help. But first, he had to be honest about one thing.

“Marilyn?” Jonathan watched her shoulders stiffen when she realized he’d come after her. “I’m sorry if I upset you. My only excuse is that I was concerned.”

She turned to face him and he saw the anger still lining her lips. “Concerned? Why? I worked for you for two months and not once was I late to school. And if you were to check with Mrs. Chapman, she would tell you that I’ve made it to work on time every day at Cullers, as well. There is no reason for your concern.”

If you only knew, he thought. “I can’t help it.”

“Why?”

Drawing in a deep breath, he said, “I have an overprotective streak when it comes to females under my care.”

That much was true and could be proven. If she’d read the faculty rules that were given to all his teachers on the first day, she’d remember that there was one that stipulated that whenever there was an evening function at Parkwood, it was up to the male teachers to make sure the females got to their cars safely.

“But I’m no longer under your care, Mr. Madaris.”

If she thought she could return to calling him Mr. Madaris, then she was wrong. “It’s Jonathan, remember. And yes, maybe you’re not under my care now, but you were for two months. And during that time, I wasn’t aware of your lack of transportation.”

Angling her head, she stared up at him. “I didn’t mention it because I didn’t think it was a big deal. I still don’t. Not everyone in Houston owns a car.”

“Can you drive?”

She looked at him as if she couldn’t believe he’d ask such a thing. “Of course, I can drive. However, a car isn’t a priority for me at the moment.”

Jonathan couldn’t help wondering why not. It clearly should be. “Sorry, if I seem anxious about it, but I can’t help but remember my aunt Victoria, and what happened to her,” he said.

“Your aunt Victoria?”

“Yes, she was my father’s only sister and my mom’s best friend. She and my mother met at one of those church camps one summer when they were teens and became the best of friends. Aunt Victoria is the one who introduced her brother Milton to my mother.”

He paused a minute, then continued. “One day she took her car in for some maintenance, but the mechanic needed to keep it overnight. Instead of mentioning it to my dad, she decided to catch the bus. She saw it a minor inconvenience, and nothing more. She worked as a nurse at the hospital and had irregular hours. Early one morning, on her way to work, she was robbed and killed on the way to the bus stop.”

“Oh, no.”

“Yes. My father lost his only sister. My mother lost her best friend. And my brothers and I lost the best aunt we could have ever asked for. For years, it was hard on all of us since she’d been such a big part our lives.”

“Did they ever find the person who did it?”

He nodded. “Yes. He was caught when he tried to pawn her jewelry. That was more than ten years ago, yet I can remember the incident as if it were yesterday. So if I seemed a little obsessed with your safety, I apologize.”

Jonathan knew he was more than obsessed with her safety. He was obsessed with her. And the thought that his decision to transfer her to another school could have placed her in danger, deeply bothered him.

“I’m sorry for what happened to your aunt. That was so tragic, Jonathan.”

“Yes, it was.”

At that moment, the cab pulled up. “Here’s my ride. Thanks for keeping me company while I waited...”

“Let me take you home, Marilyn.”

“Thanks, but I’ll be fine.”

He stepped a little closer to her. “I need to make sure of it. For my own peace of mind, please let me take you home, tonight.”

The cab driver suddenly called out, “Lady, are you going with me or not?”

She glanced over her shoulder at the cab driver and then back at him. Jonathan held his breath while she made her decision. Then she turned back to the cab driver and said, “Thanks, but I don’t need a ride after all.”

* * * *

As Marilyn slid into the seat of Jonathan’s car, she hoped she wasn’t making a mistake. But then, she reasoned there was nothing wrong with him taking her home. He’d offered and she’d accepted. End of story. But as she watched him walk around the front of the car to get to the driver’s side, she had a feeling this wasn’t the end of story. Why she thought that, she wasn’t sure. Maybe it had something to do with what he’d told her about his aunt Victoria. What a waste. He must have been very close to his aunt, to want to protect every single female under his care.

Once he got in and closed the car door behind him, he glanced over at her. “What’s your address?”

She usually didn’t tell people where she lived, but he couldn’t very well take her home if she didn’t. “Four-eight-five-six Woodbury Lane. It’s the Peacock Cove Apartments.”

He nodded. “I know exactly where they are. You’re right. They’re only a block from the school.”

He broke eye contact to turn the ignition and she was glad. But then he turned to look at her again, his gaze searching. “So how do you get to work now, Marilyn?”

At first she was tempted to tell him it wasn’t any of his concern, but she didn’t want him to worry. “I catch the bus.”

“How far is the bus stop from your house?”

“Just two blocks.” Too late she remembered what he’d told her about his aunt. “But I’m not the only one in my apartment complex who catches the bus. A number of us leave at the same time and walk together.” At least that’s how it was on most days, but not all. Still, there was no need to tell him that.

“And if it’s raining?” he asked.

“Then I catch a cab.” Before he could ask, she added, “And if for some reason I’m detained at school in the evening, I catch a cab home, as well.”

When he didn’t say anything, she thought it best to change the subject and talk about anything but her transportation woes.

“It’s my fault.”

She glanced over at him. “Excuse me?”

“I said it’s my fault that you were transferred to a school so far away from where you live.”

“Whoa. Wait a minute. It’s not your fault I don’t have a car. I’d like to think you’d have considered me for the position at Cullers, whether I had transportation or not. It was a great opportunity.”

He stopped the car at a traffic light and glanced over at her. “Of course, I would have still considered you for the position. But I would have taken your transportation needs into account. I would have made sure you weren’t catching the bus or riding back and forth in a cab.”

She swallowed. There was a deep intensity in his eyes that unnerved her. “And what would you have done? Bought me a car?” she asked jokingly, trying to break the tension.

“Yes.”

He had to be kidding. Right? “You can’t be serious.”

“As serious as a heart attack. And since I feel responsible, I will still buy you that car. Are you free tomorrow to go look for one?”