Nobody's Fool (19 page)

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Authors: Sarah Hegger

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“Don't play word games with me, Holly.” The edge was back in Grace's tone.

Holly was walking on eggshells around Grace today. “Portia says Josh is the father of the baby.”

“Is he?”

“Not unless he has supersperm that can get a woman four months pregnant instantly.”

“It wouldn't surprise me if he did.” Grace chuckled dryly. “Or at least thought he had. The Josh I remember ranked high on the self-esteem front.”

“He's not like that anymore.” She'd already jumped to that conclusion and tumbled off again. “He's different; kinder, more patient, and less full of himself.” No, that was a lie. Josh was still full of himself, but there were so many other facets to him, and she was only beginning to sort them out. “He's . . . he's very Josh.”

Such a lame finish.

“Oh?” Grace loaded the syllable to the point it should be wearing an abnormal warning.

Holly resisted the bait. She didn't want Grace delving into her feelings, or whatever, for Josh.

Bloody hell. She didn't even want to go there herself.

“I'm pretty sure Emma knew, but she hasn't said so. And Portia is Portia and won't tell me who the real dad is.”

“That's screwed up,” Grace said.

“I know.” It made her head want to explode with how fucked up it was.

“What are you going to do?”

“What do you mean, me? What am
I
going to do?” Holly's throat tightened and resentment swirled like bile in her stomach. “Why is it up to me to do anything?”

“Get off it, Holly,” Grace just about snarled down the line at her. “You don't get to play the victim.”

“Really? And here I thought it was my turn.” And didn't that just beat all? It was so grossly unfair. She wanted to yell and stamp her feet like a child, but that would get her nowhere with Grace. “I'm going to get Portia more stable, take her home, and help her take care of the baby. I don't have any choice.”

“Yes, you do,” Grace said. “You do have choices. I'm not saying the options are fantastic, but there
are
choices.”

“That's easy for you to say.” Why couldn't Grace get off it? Grace always lectured her because Grace always had the damn answers. Except Grace wasn't here, was she? Grace was off in Boston, living the beautiful life with her designer husband and her high-powered job.

“I don't want to fight with you, Holly,” Grace said. “I know you shoulder virtually all the responsibility for the twins. I'm not insensitive to what that means, but I get frustrated for you. You have your own life to lead and you can't babysit them forever.”

“I don't know what else to do.” Holly deflated rapidly; her shoulders sagged under the weight and she leaned her elbows on the table. “If somebody doesn't take care of them, I don't know what will happen to them. I couldn't live with myself if Portia ended up like her.”

It was an old argument that went round and round until they were both too bloodied to continue.

“I know.” Grace sighed. Her voice softened abruptly. “You sound tired.”

“I didn't sleep well last night.”

“Stud muffin keeping you up all night?”

Whoa.
Holly's face heated. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

She winced as she ended up sounding like a Victorian maiden aunt.

“Sure you do.” Grace chuckled. “You are so doing Josh Hunter.”

“How would you know?” Holly was not sunken enough in deceit to go for an outright lie.

“I'm right, though.” Grace wouldn't be Grace if she let it go at that. “I would bet my right arm I called this one.”

Holly writhed inside. “I don't want to discuss it.”

Grace roared with laughter.

Holly's face would burst into flames any moment. “Besides . . .” She raised her voice over Grace's chuckles. “Nothing can come of it.”

“Why not?” Grace stopped laughing. “And if you say because of Portia, I'm going to reach through this phone and rip your heart out.”

“Okay, then.” Holly's heart bottomed out. “I won't say it, butâ”

“Ah, Holly.” Grace let out a long shaky breath. “Life is too short for this shit.”

“Gracie?” Everything in Holly went on alert at her sister's tone. “Are you all right? Are you going to tell me what's going on with you?”

“No.” Grace's voice flattened into a scary, dead calm. “I don't want to talk about it, and I am most definitely not all right, but I will be, Holly, I will be.”

Holly got a nasty feeling in the pit of her stomach. She took a seat at the table. “What's going on, Grace?”

“Just some stuff.” Grace was lying through her teeth. “Actually, a lot,” she said. “But I'm sorting it out. We'll talk again, but not now, okay, Holly? Not now.”

“Okay,” Holly agreed reluctantly. Something was up with Grace and it wasn't good. But if she pushed, Grace would push back harder.

After hanging up, Holly sat there with the phone in her hand. And the hits just kept coming. Now Grace was in trouble.

Josh walked into the kitchen wearing a pair of khaki shorts and a loose cotton shirt.

Holly's entire body stiffened in response. How, in the name of all that was holy, could someone rock shorts and a shirt? He didn't even have any of that impressive muscle on display.

He indicated her phone. “More bad news?”

“I can handle it.” The last thing she needed right now was another lecture from him.

He gave her a slow smile. “I know that, Holly, I was just asking.”

He walked up to her and took the phone from her nerveless fingers.

“Hey.”

He put it on the table and sank to his haunches in front of her. “I'm sorry, Holly.”

“What?” She hadn't seen that one coming and it hit her like a truck. How was she supposed to stay angry with him?

“I said I'm sorry. I got pissy with you earlier and you don't need more crap on your plate right now. I want to help, not make life more difficult for you.” He took a breath. “So, I'm getting out of your face, stepping back. You tell me what you need and I'll see what I can do to make that happen.”

Her mouth must have dropped open because he reached over and shut it for her. “Have I actually rendered you speechless?”

“Uhngnhu.”

“Somebody should get this down for the record books. This is the second time I've managed that amazing feat.”

“No more . . . touching and stuff?”

He raised his hands to the sides of his head. “No pressure of any kind.”

This is what she wanted. Right?

“Am I forgiven?”

“Uh . . . okay.”
Way to go on the together thing, Holly
.

He grinned at her. “As a gesture of atonement, I've made an appointment for you at the Canadian consulate. I have a contact there who might be able to put a rush on your passport.”

“A woman?”

“Yup.” He rose smoothly, his face bland.

Holly wasn't born yesterday. “An ex-girlfriend?”

“An old friend.” He turned the tables on her effortlessly with one of his big charm-school smiles.

Holly snorted as she got to her feet. “Stop messing with me.”

“Okay and no, she really is an old friend. You look good.” He gave her the top-to-toe sweep. “Is that one of the things Lucy lent you?”

Too smooth, too bland. He was up to something.

One of the things Lucy lent her? Right. She had her burgeoning suspicions, but his eyes gave the game away. She let it go.

An appointment at the consulate was good. It meant she could get her passport sooner and go home. And that was the best thing for everyone.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Holly's eyes popped open.
What?

“Joshua, darling? Are you awake? I wanted to let you know I was here.” A woman's voice, rich with the smoothed edges of a French accent.

To hell with this.

“It's not Joshua.” Holly snapped on the light.

“Oh.”

The woman stared at Holly.

Holly stared back.

There was a stunned silence. They both spoke, then stopped.

The woman was older than Holly expected; much older in fact. Her dark hair, liberally laced with silver, was cropped short and elfin around her face. It was an interesting rather than a pretty face, with a delicate but strong bone structure. “Who are you?”

“Holly. I'm Holly Partridge. Who are you?”

“Never mind who I am. What are you doing in Joshua's bed?”

That was a bit personal. “What are you doing in his house?”

The woman's chest swelled. “It's not his house. It's
my
house, and I'll ask the questions. So, Holly, what are you doing in my son's bed?”

Oh, fuck. Recognition hit her like a ton of bricks. Josh's mother; what was her name? Donna. It would have been more helpful if she'd realized it a moment or so earlier.

“Oh. Hi.” Holly pulled the covers up to her chin. She wanted to disappear beneath them altogether.

Donna eyed her speculatively.

Holly got the picture; a girl in Josh's room in the middle of the night. This couldn't be looking good from Donna's perspective. Holly desperately tried to think of a way to explain the situation, but nothing came immediately to mind. Nothing quick, anyway. “Josh said it would be all right if we stayed here.”

Donna crossed her arms over her chest and gave Holly a decidedly unfriendly stare. “I'm sorry to tell you, Miss Holly Partridge, that I do not allow my son to bring his women to this house. You are going to have to get up and get dressed.”

It didn't seem possible that petite Donna could have given birth to her three hulking sons. But she didn't need size when she had that look in her arsenal.

Holly gathered up her courage. “Actually, I'm not one of Josh's women. Not in that way, anyhow.”

Those penetrating blue eyes didn't flicker or waver.

Holly squirmed like a bug on a pin. “Well, not now, anyway. Iâ”

“Maman?”
Josh's voice came from the hallway beyond the door.

Thank you, Jesus.
Let Mr. Smooth Talker come up with an explanation.

Donna stepped back and turned in the direction of his voice.
“Oui. Est-ce que c'est toi? Qui est cette femme?”

Holly quelled the desire to giggle hysterically. It was like being a teenager all over again.

“What are you doing back?” Josh enveloped the smaller woman in a hug.

Donna returned the embrace for a moment before she freed herself and gave her son a slap on the arm. “Put a shirt on, Joshua.” She straightened her linen blouse. “I came back a few days early. What are you doing in my house? And who is the woman in your bed?”

“I see you've met Holly.” Josh jogged into the room, briefly framed by the light behind him in the doorway. “Holly, meet my mother, Donna.” He gestured grandly.

“And Ma, this is Holly, and it's not what it looks like.”

They both murmured something suitable and continued to eye each other suspiciously.

Holly wanted to get out of bed, but she couldn't take the chance Donna would spot Josh's T-shirt in an instant.

A door opened down the hall and Holly tensed.

Josh glanced in that direction and back at her. He grimaced. “Portia.”

Soft footsteps pattered in the hallway, and Donna's eyebrows hit her hairline.

Portia pushed past Donna and into the room. She rubbed her eyes sleepily. “Holly?”

And of course she wore nothing more than sleep shorts and a cami. Perfect.

All eyes snapped in Portia's direction.

Portia looked at Josh and Donna and, finally, Holly. “What's going on, Holly?”

“Yes, Holly.” Donna finished her visual appraisal of Portia and raised her eyebrows. “It's an excellent question.”

It was a bloody farce. Holly stuffed the edge of the sheet into her mouth. She was going to start laughing like a bloody hyena. Another door opened farther down the hall.

“Portia?” Emma's voice reached them.

Ah, hell no
. Not Emma. The funny side of the situation disappeared like smoke and Holly sat up straight.

Donna glared at her son.

He threw up his hands in surrender. “I can explain.”

“Oh, I hope so,” she said and grimly watched the newest addition.

“What are you doing up?” Emma appeared at Portia's shoulder. “And what are you doing in his bed?” Her eyes widened as she spotted Holly. “We talked about this. You said you weren't going to sleep with him anymore.”

“You talked about this?” Josh fired a quick look in her direction.

“He wasn't in it with me.” Holly hushed her sister with a hand motion. The farce had just morphed into a fucking nightmare.

Emma pursed her lips like a maiden aunt and folded her arms primly over her chest. “Oh, really?”

“What does that mean?” Portia blinked at Emma. “Holly?”

“I would like to know what all of this means.” Donna crossed her arms.

Oh, God.
Holly swallowed convulsively.

Josh tugged a T-shirt over his head. He ran a quick hand through his tousled hair. “Emma doesn't mean anything.” He gave Portia's shoulder an awkward pat. “My mother surprised us, that's all.”

“Holly?” Portia frowned at her in childlike confusion. “Why does Emma think you're sleeping with him? You can't be because Josh is with me.”

Emma, Holly, and Josh all froze.

Donna narrowed her eyes.

“Did you just get back?” Josh's voice was too loud as he took his mother by the arm.

“Yes, about half an hour ago.” Donna's gaze moved constantly between Holly, Portia, and Emma.

Josh tugged her arm lightly.

Donna snatched it away. “Stop pulling on me, Joshua. I am not going anywhere until I get an explanation.”

“I will explain.” Josh spread his hands wide. “But could we do this in the kitchen? The girls are standing here in their underwear.”

“That is exactly what I want explained. Why is my house filled with nearly naked young women?” She poked him in the chest. “You may be thirty-one years old, Joshua, but this is still my house and my rules.”

“Holly, who is this?” Emma stuck her chin up imperiously.

For the love of God, could Emma not shut up? Just once in her life, could she take her head out of her ass long enough to clue in to what was happening?

Donna smirked at Emma. “I own this house,
cherie.
I think I should be asking the questions,
n'est-ce pas
?”

“Oh.” Emma's shoulders slumped and she dropped her head.

“I don't understand, Holly.” Portia threw her hands out in a helpless gesture. “Why does Emma think you're sleeping with Josh?” She looked from Holly to Josh and back again. “You can't be sleeping with him. Josh is my boyfriend.”

“No,” yelled Holly and Josh together.

Donna's spine snapped straight.

“Not now, Portia.” Holly tried for a stern, no-nonsense tone of voice. “Let's get dressed and give Josh a chance to tell his mother everything.”

“I can explain all of it.” Josh pushed a hand through his hair.

“I am sure you can.” Donna kept her eyes on the girls. “And am I going to want to hear the explanation?”

Portia touched her belly. “He must tell her about the baby.”

Ah, fuck!

Emma gasped.

Josh paled beneath his tan, and his jaw clenched.

Portia ran to Josh and placed her hands against his chest. She raised herself onto her toes. “Tell her about our baby, Josh.”

“Whaaa . . .” Donna went as pale as her son and her mouth dropped open.
“Que veut-elle dire,
Joshua?
Tu ferais mieux de tout m'expliquer et rapidement. Est-tu le pÃ¨re d' un bÃ©bÃ©? Avec cette jeune fille? Est-ce que tu a mis cette jeune fille enceinte?”

The French was too fast for Holly to follow. The gist of it was that Donna wanted to know what the hell was going on.

Holly didn't blame her. Three strange women standing, nearly naked, in her house, and one of them claiming to be carrying her son's child.

“Don't worry,
maman
.” Josh pushed Portia gently out of the way and approached his mother. “It's not what you're thinking.” He pulled awry face. “I'm not sure exactly what you're thinking, but I can imagine, and it's not that. Only, can you come to the kitchen?” Josh took a deep breath. “Please?”

Donna followed without resistance as he led her away.

Not out of the woods yet, but getting there. Holly let out the breath she'd been holding.

“Why doesn't he tell her about the baby, Emma?” Portia turned huge wounded eyes to her twin. “Doesn't he want the baby?”

Emma bustled over and put her arm around Portia's thin shoulders. “I told you this would happen,” she said fiercely to Holly. “Look what you've done now.”

“Get dressed.” One more word and she might give in to temptation and slap Emma silly.

Holly splashed water on her face, brushed her teeth, and pulled on the same clothes as yesterday. It was just past six thirty in the morning, but she didn't think anyone was going back to sleep. Except Portia, who could sleep most of the day away.

Josh and Donna were in the kitchen, talking quietly.

If only she'd stayed asleep a few minutes longer this morning.

Josh did most of the talking.

Donna listened and tapped her fingers on the table. Her expression was set and forbidding.

As much as it gave Holly the chills, she empathized with the woman. It didn't look good from Donna's angle. She braced for the worst.

“Hey.” Josh gave her one of his beautiful smiles as she walked into the kitchen. “I was explaining things to my mother.”

Holly's mouth dried. “Oh?”

“Yes.” Donna's eyes stopped just short of hostile. “I do not allow my sons to treat my home as party central.” She folded one hand over the other on the table. “I am not a prude, but I am also not running a motel. I was shocked to find you here.”

“I can imagine.” Her voice came out as a breathy whisper. Holly cleared her throat. Where the hell was her spine?

Josh gave her a small smile of encouragement. “I explained the situation,
maman
.”

“I understand; however, it is temporary, and there were circumstances that led to this point,” Donna said in a hard voice.

“I suggested my mother move into the condo for a day or two. Just until we can get things sorted out.”

Say what?
Holly's stomach twisted. “There is no need.” Kicking the woman out of her own house would put the final nail in her coffin. “You don't have to do that.”

“I realize that.” Donna pursed her lips. “I don't mind,” she said in a cold tone. “I like Josh's condo; it is no hardship for me to stay there for a few days. I have not yet unpacked and it will suit me.”

“I don't want to be responsible for ousting you from your own house.” Holly threw a pleading look at Josh.

“You're not,” Donna said. “I have no problem with this and I am very sorry to hear of your troubles. The matter of the baby, howeverâit needs to be sorted out.”

“It will be, Ma.” Josh frowned at his mother.

“Before people start talking about it, Joshua.” Donna tapped her fingers on the table. “You have never had the best reputation with women. People will have no problem believing this is your baby and judging you accordingly.”

“Since when have you cared about gossip?” Josh stuck out his chin and crossed his arms. “Couples who aren't married have babies together all the time.”

“No, Josh,” Holly said. Donna made a good point. “Your mother is right. You can't have people saying you got a young girl pregnant and walked away from her.”

She nodded to Donna. “I'll make sure Portia doesn't spread her story around, and in the meantime, I'll make sure we get her to accept the truth. It's difficult, however. Portia can make up her own reality and live in it.”

“I see.” Donna shrugged her shoulder in a gesture marking her as French as clearly as a neon sign. “I do not like the situation, but I can understand your sister is very ill.” She turned back to her son. “What I do not understand is why you are in this up to your neck. Do you know how this could end?”

Josh's face hardened and his cold, cold blue eyes blazed at his mother. “I'm in this because I chose to be.”

“Then you are a fool.” Donna slapped the table, and Holly jumped. “You could end up supporting a child that is not yours if you are not careful.”

“That's not going to happen,” Holly said, appalled Donna would think so, but not entirely surprised.

“So you say.” Donna kept her eyes locked on her tall son.

Okay, then. She'd shut her mouth.

“Ma?” Josh's voice was laced with dire warning.

Donna shook her head. “I did not raise you to be such an idiot.”

“Then you need to trust my judgment.”