Never Give You Up (24 page)

“Mr. McCoy doesn’t want you to leave without an escort. Shall I have Ezra go jogging with you?”

Mary blinked, wondering why—oh, right—the jogging suit. She cleared her throat and approached the front desk. “I’m not going jogging. I—ah—it’s a female thing,” she whispered. “I didn’t have time to dress properly.”

“Oh!” She blushed and whispered back, “You could’ve phoned down. I can help you.” She reached for her purse. “I’m Sal by the way. I’m the dayshift girl and a good friend of Mr. McCoy’s. You can ask me anything.”

The girl would’ve went on and on, but Mary put her hand up. “No, no. Thank you, Sal—I—ah—appreciate your help, but I prefer to purchase my own. I—have a special brand I like to use.” Tampons were of no use to her now, but Sal didn’t know that.

Sal smiled and Mary liked her right away. “Okay, hon. Ezra will walk with you in any case.”

Mary sighed, her shoulders sagging. “All right then.”

This was the second most embarrassing point in her life. First, leaving a hotel in Silver Creek after banging Terry the night before, and now walking in sweats next to a man in a business suit to get a pregnancy test.

Thankfully, she found a pharmacy only a block over. And wonderful Ezra didn’t say a word, or even ask what she needed to buy so desperately.

Once she was safely back in Terry’s apartment, away from prying minds and busy eyes, she locked herself in the bathroom.

When she walked back out three minutes later, with a positive reading in her shaky hand, she went back to the window and bawled her eyes out. Life couldn’t get much more complicated than this.

Can I do this?

But she smiled through her tears, almost as though no matter how scared she felt in this moment, the news was a good thing. Tom couldn’t give her a child but Terry did. It wasn’t her fault. She wasn’t barren. After all this time, now it finally happened.

Something came over her in those terrifying moments. She’d finally gotten what she’d always wanted—a baby to love. Someone to love her back unconditionally.

Could she switch to this new life with a baby in her arms, too? It was one thing to be wined and dined every night, and have a housekeeper to clean the place, but did she really deserve all of this? Maybe it would be better to walk away from this insane world and raise the baby on her own, in the safety of her boring mountain town.

Her thoughts drifted back to when she’d first arrived here.

The Sea Scape was a grand, beautiful hotel, and the city of Victoria a wondrous place as well. No wonder many people lived and vacationed here. It wasn’t just the gorgeous views of the ocean, the laid back atmosphere, or the happy faces on the locals. Above all, to Mary, the Victorian architecture simply stunned her at every turn. Summertime on the island was an exciting affair as well. Music in the streets. Every style of art imaginable, fresh fish and produce. This place had it all.

But those things were simple perks to having Terry in her life.

She stared down at the harbor. Hundreds of boats lined the docks, shining as brilliant as the sparkling water under the bright morning sun. She wondered which of the fancy yachts belonged to Terry. She’d never been on anything bigger than a fourteen-foot aluminum fishing boat.

Again, she laughed. Her life had changed so quickly and drastically it seemed surreal. Maybe this was all a dream. How long would she stay before she had to return home, back to her regular life?

I don’t want to go back.

She glanced around the room at Terry’s things. Few pictures covered the utilitarian walls. The only pops of color in the room were a few throw covers and pillows on the low back leather couches. A couple abstract paintings. A red-handled set of knives on the kitchen counter. Everything else was a bland grey, white and black.

What she really wanted was to be right here with him. She wanted to put color in his life. There was more to this existence than handing somebody a briefcase and having to look over your shoulder.

But what if he didn’t want the same thing?
Maybe this was only an exciting fling for him and soon he’d send her on her way.
What would he say about a baby?

He needs you as you need him.
She rubbed her flat stomach and glanced at the note Terry left for her every morning on the coffee table. Today he would pick her up at noon for a special lunch. Until then, she could do whatever her heart desired, and if she had any questions, she could trust Sal to help her with anything.

Terry had been the first man to make her feel comfortable, and wanted. More and more she was beginning to like it. Was it possible a bad guy could be this wonderful? Tom did nothing but accuse her of not being good enough. Not looking good enough, and not doing anything right. Terry seemed happy to just have her around. He touched her with gentleness while he possessed her body with rough possession. He made love to her as if the world didn’t matter, as if nobody else mattered. She loved him for that. But was it real love, or fascination by the way he treated her so different than Tom had?

Thinking about all these confusing things that had suddenly changed in her life, she took her time getting dressed, and being thankful for what she had.

Since her arrival, Wanda had taken her shopping on several occasions and she actually enjoyed herself. Every time Mary reached for her wallet to pay, Wanda insisted on buying for her. Hush money perhaps? Despite her initial embarrassment, Mary finally caved and allowed Wanda to pay the bill. After all, nobody had ever done that for her before. It was a whole new world and she liked it.

Wanda didn’t treat Mary as though she was beneath her, and she chided herself of her immediate reaction that Terry’s stepmother was a snooty bitch. Still, she’d never forget what she saw in the parkway that day with Sammy Hayes.

Whatever the case, the amount of clothes and accessories piling up in Terry’s apartment was getting a little ridiculous. None of this stuff would be suitable at home in Silver Creek. Not when she lived in the bush.

But she shoved the thought aside. Silver Creek held no importance here, even though she knew she’d have to return one day. Now they would have endless gossip knowing the widow Billings came home from an unknown vacation, fat with child.

With a heavy heart, she chose a snug but stretchy burgundy pencil skirt and loose-fitting beige top that hung a little off the shoulder. Cute with a hint of sexiness. She teased her hair into a loose wave and applied some makeup.

The view in the floor-to-ceiling mirrors along one hallway wall was impressive, she thought to herself, and adjusted her pose. With a critical eye she gazed at her reflection. No more faded jeans and oversized shirt, no rumpled Stetson or wool toque. No mucky work boats or hip waders here. Staring back at her was a smart looking woman who may be small, but she had a big heart and only the best intentions. And maybe she had a cute face. Maybe. She winked at herself.

I hope you see me for me, Terry McCoy. Because I see you.

As she dabbled some perfume under her ears—a flowery vanilla scent Wanda said Terry loved—the buzzer rang.

When she answered the door, Sal stood there with a warm and highly contagious smile. “Hello again, Mary. Did you find what you were looking for this morning?”

Mary’s lip twitched as she smiled. “Yes. Thank you.”

“Oh, good. I tried calling but you didn’t answer.”

“Sorry, I didn’t hear the phone ring.”

The charming woman smiled. “No worries. Your ride is waiting downstairs, and you look lovely, by the way. I’ll escort you down. I know it must be frustrating being watched at all times like this, but it’s important.”

“I know.” She tried to hide her excitement over this special lunch with Terry, and to share her news with him, but failed miserably. If Sal noticed her perma-grin, she didn’t say anything. “Let me get my purse.”

As the elevator descended toward the main floor, Mary checked her watch. It wasn’t quite noon yet, but she was excited to get out of the apartment and spend some alone time with Terry. How would she tell him of the news? Just come out with it, or dance around the subject? Wait until she had a bump or she outweighed him?

Considering the chaos these past few weeks, they sorely needed privacy to have a really good heart-to-heart.

She glanced at Sal under the cover of her eyelashes. She was a beautiful girl, voluptuous, the stark red of her hair a perfect match with such bright green eyes. Mary felt envious, and maybe a little jealous of the beautiful woman. She would give away her best chainsaw to have more than a handful on her chest and such a curvy frame. The men must fall hard and fast for Sal.

She wondered if Terry looked at Sal as a potential bedmate or just an employee.

Why do I have so many doubts all the time?

The elevator opened and Mary made her way through the grand lobby to the huge double doors. Sal returned to her post at the front desk as Mary approached the black limo waiting outside.

The driver opened the rear door and Mary stared in puzzled disappointment at the person waiting for her.

“Hello, darling,” Wanda purred. “I’m sorry Terry couldn’t make it, but I have a special surprise for our lunch today. Come in now.” She patted the seat next to her.

Mary glanced back at the hotel doors, wondering if she should speak with Sal first, but decided not to be a bother. It was only lunch with Wanda after all. Maybe Terry would be able to join them later on. She offered a smile and stepped in, taking the seat beside Terry’s beautiful stepmother.

“Have some champagne.”

Mary shook her head, still feeling ill. “No thank you, I don’t think—”

“Nonsense. A little champagne never hurt anyone.”

Mary reluctantly accepted the glass.
Would one glass hurt the baby?

“We have cause to celebrate, darling. Terry has made a wonderful deal.”

He has no idea what he’s made.

Despite her disappointment that Terry couldn’t make it, and the fact that she didn’t feel comfortable drinking, Mary learned after several outings with Wanda, the woman always had good champagne within reach. Saying no would raise questions she didn’t want to answer until she’d had her talk with Terry. He should be the first to know—not his father’s second wife.

The limo pulled out of the parking lot and headed downtown. As she’d done before, Mary stared out the window at the beautiful architecture of the city. She sipped the champagne slowly, careful not to overdo it, barely listening to Wanda’s endless chatter as they passed numerous buildings and shops.

After a while she didn’t feel normal. Didn’t seem like the car was driving straight. She blinked and stared out the window, realizing the buildings were blending in with each other. Elongated shapes and bright colors filled her hazy vision.

She cleared her throat. “Um—I’m—”

“Yes, darling?” Wanda’s voice didn’t sound right.

Her face felt clammy and pale. “I don’t think—the champagne. . . .”

“Don’t worry. Everything is going to be fine. I’ll take good care of you.”

And the world around her suddenly vanished.

* * * *

Mary opened her eyes and groaned. Her head throbbed and her throat felt so parched she couldn’t swallow properly. She moved to rub her eyes and realized with a start that she couldn’t move. She pulled hard, but her hands were tied behind her back, secured to something cemented in the floor.

Fully awake now, she looked around, blinking rapidly to see through the dim room. “Hello?”

She was trapped in a dingy basement or cellar of some sort. Only a small window ten feet off the floor allowed a sliver of light into the room.

She tried her hardest to remain calm, to breathe and keep her head on.
What happened?
The last thing she remembered was sitting in the limo with Terry’s stepmother. Was Wanda trapped in here, too?

“Wanda?”

“Ah, you’re awake, darling. That’s good.”

That’s good?
Mary turned her head toward the voice, confused why Wanda sounded calm. A chair scraped on the cement floor somewhere behind her. She glanced up and swallowed as Wanda stepped into the shaft of light and looked down at her. This was not a good situation at all. In fact, seeing Wanda look so cool felt very, very wrong.

“How do you feel?”

Mary pulled at her restraints. “I don’t understand. What’s going on? Why am I tied up?”

Wanda’s smile was pure evil, but she sounded calm. “Because I need you.”

Mary’s heart slammed in her chest and she desperately yanked at her restraints.
No.
“For what? What did I ever do to you?”

Wanda chuckled before she nodded to someone in the shadows. A man appeared with a chair and set it down in front of Mary. She tried to make out his face but it was too dark to see him.

Wanda smoothed her skirt, took a seat, and crossed one leg over the other. She appeared calm and completely in control. So she really was a bitch after all.

“Are you thirsty, sweetheart?” Wanda took the offered glass of water from the shadowed man and attempted to press it to Mary’s lips. But she turned away, refusing the water, especially after what the champagne did to her.