Something's Gotta Give (Tempered Steel Book 3) (8 page)

CHAPTER SEVEN

Chance stretched lazily, grimacing as stiff muscles protested, then grinned at the cause of his discomfort. His Peaches had been a wild woman last night. After overcoming her initial shyness, she had given herself to him with an abandon that had made his head spin. He’d awakened several times during the night to tender kisses and seductive caresses. Their loving had had an almost desperate edge to it, as if she thought their passion would end with the morning light. He almost laughed out loud. He wasn’t going anywhere and neither was she. As a matter of fact, spending the day in bed with the love of his life was definitely the most important thing in his life right now.

He turned his head to tell her of his plans, but her side of the bed was empty, except for a single sheet of paper. An aching coldness formed in the pit of his stomach as he reached for the note. It was straightforward and completely devoid of any emotion. Georgia thanked him for his time, but their business and personal relationship was concluded, effective today. She hadn’t even bothered to sign it.

Chance uttered a savage expletive and threw the covers off his body. He donned his jeans, as he muttered, “No way is this the end, Peaches. And by God, before this day is over, you’re going to realize we are meant to be together.”

He raced across the backyard, and blew through his Mom’s back door, only to find that Georgia and Missy Dee had left. Within minutes, he was at Georgia’s. He flew into the kitchen where Missy Dee was pouring juice into glasses.

“Where is she, Missy Dee?” Chance growled.

“Lord have mercy, you scared the daylights right out of me,” Missy Dee put a beefy hand to her chest. She glanced at his bare feet, bare chest. “And you look like you just rolled out of bed.”

“I did just roll out of bed-the one Georgia shared with me last night. Where the hell is she?” he growled.

Missy Dee took on a mutinous look. “Don’t you take your foul temper out on me, young man. And you had best stop that cursing, unless you want me to whop you upside your head with this here skillet.”

Chance ran his hands through his hair. “I’m sorry, Missy Dee, but she left me a note. She’s running. I can’t let her go, Missy Dee.” His voice held a desperate edge.

“She’s taking a walk in the field by the apple tree.” Missy Dee noticed the fire in Chance’s eyes as he marched to the back door. “Now don’t you hurt her none, boy! She’s scared enough of you.”

Chance turned back for a moment. “I love her, Missy Dee. And after last night, I know she loves me, too. And she’s going to admit it, if I have to turn her over my knee and spank her ass to knock some sense into her.”

Missy Dee smiled. “Just so long as you don’t hurt her, son.”

The screen door slammed as Chance ran out the door and down the hill. As he neared the field, he saw her standing under the tree looking up at him. He slowly made his way over to her, giving himself time to think of what he wanted to say.

Chance felt his eye begin to twitch. She just stood there looking at him with a damn blank stare. It was all he could do not to reach across the space and throttle her. His insides were being ripped apart. “I’m not going anywhere, Peaches. We’re going to talk,” he growled. He reached for her, but she backed away, fear widening her eyes.

“I don’t think there’s anything to talk about. I believe my note was quite clear.” She was thankful her voice barely wobbled. It felt like her knees were knocking together.

He looked so incredibly handsome in the morning light. The stuff of dreams and fantasies. Georgia bit back a sigh of feminine appreciation. But she had always been a practical girl. And dream lovers fade away in the morning light. Handsome men don’t fall forever in love with girls like her. And psycho killers lurk in the shadows.

“Forget the damn note, Peaches. I want you to tell me to my face why you don’t believe there’s a future for us. You wanted me as badly as I wanted you last night, and I know that was pretty fucking bad. When we made love, I know it was as satisfying for you as it was for me. I was inside you, remember?”

Georgia flinched at Chance’s plain speaking, and his words were filled with pain. The pain that she had caused.

“Perhaps you need another demonstration.” He started toward her.

Georgia came alive. “No! Don’t touch me!” She twisted away from him and flew around the tree. Peeking at him from around the fat branch, she said accusingly, “What’s the matter, Chance? Am I the only woman to break it off first?”

“Georgia! What the hell are you talking about?” Chance had no idea what had changed since last night. “I love you.”

“You say that now, but I can’t believe it. If I let you, you will trample across my heart just like my father did to my mother. I’m not going to let you get that far.”

Chance took in her wide-eyed face and the panic in her voice. Missy Dee had filled him in on her parent’s relationship, and Georgia’s feelings on the matter, but he hadn’t really listened. And now he didn’t know what to do.
How do you fight damn ghosts?

“Georgia, honey, you’re overreacting. What happened to your parents was unfortunate, but it doesn’t apply to us. We love each other.” Chance tried to placate her.

“My mother told me how my father would say that he loved her right before he left to be with one of his other women. You can’t trust a man. You can’t give him your heart,” she cried out.

“We are not your parents! We have the choices here,” he roared as he advanced on her. “We chose to make love last night. Me and you. And there were no goddamn ghost lurking around trying to screw it up.”

He stopped for a moment trying to find a way to reason with her. “What we felt last night was not sex, Georgia. We made love. Love manifested in the physical sense. It was precious, sweetheart. You can’t believe I would feel that way with any other woman, now that I’ve had you.”

He noticed Georgia pale at the reminder of his past and Chance cursed his own stupidity.

“I never said I loved you.” Georgia aimed for his heart and struck true with her painful words. “I know all about your perverted experiences. Yeah, that’s right. I told you no last night, but you kept pushing and pushing. You think I liked what we did? Is that what you’re into? I hated it, and I hate you for making me do those things.”

Georgia prayed he would believe her lies. Secretly, she would cherish every moment they had together, he had made her feel for the first time since her mother had died. But she couldn’t deal with psychos, and crazy man whores, and knowing that someday Chance would leave her because she would never be enough for a man like him. He would grow tired of teaching her how to please him. How could he not? She was so damn green, when it came to everything. He’d want a more experienced woman and leave her. Just like her father had done to her mother. He’d move on to greener pastures.

“No! I don’t believe you! I’m not going anywhere until we settle this thing.” Chance shouted. “You love me!”

Georgia couldn’t believe he was still pressing the issue. She hadn’t thought about this type of confrontation at all. She knew she couldn’t hold out much longer. She wanted to weep. She was disgusted with herself for being too afraid to take a chance on love, but what choice did she have? Break it off now or when he started cheating on her. She knew she’d never be able to face that humiliation. It would kill her. Cancer didn’t kill her mom. Her father’s cheating had killed the light within her long before the cancer had ravaged her body.

Georgia strengthened her resolve. “Your check will be mailed at the end of the month. Now please leave.”

Chance heard the emotionless words and looked at her closed face. He knew he had lost her. He couldn’t see the effort she was maintaining to create a show of indifference. He only heard the flatness of her voice and he saw her blank stare. His anger at his own helplessness turned into a full rage at her.

“Well screw the check, sweetheart. I’ll just consider last night payment for services rendered.”

Georgia flinched as if he pierced her heart, which in a sense, he did. All she could do was stand there, wounded and bleeding, as Chance gave her a smart salute and sauntered back up the hill.

              Two days later, a dozen roses arrived at Georgia’s with a note that simply said “
I’m sorry. Please forgive me. When you’re ready to come to me, I’ll be waiting.
I
love you!”
Georgia threw them in the trash. Missy Dee retrieved them and the note. She arranged them in a vase, setting them on a table in the living room so Georgia would see them every day.

Over the next week, Georgia received chocolates, a diamond tennis bracelet, a sexy teddy and a puppy - a black lab with bright blue eyes, which reminded her of Chance. She cried all over the poor thing the night he was delivered.

Missy Dee handed her a tissue. “Georgia, you said you’d never be treated like your mother was treated. You’ve become obsessed with that, darlin’. To the point where you gave up a good man. You did the same thing your father did to your mother. You used Chance, honey, promising forever, and then you ran away like a coward. I’m disappointed in you, baby girl. You go and tell him you love him and you’ll have his babies.”

Georgia drew back in shock at Missy Dee’s words. “I didn’t use him. I promised him nothing,” she retorted.

“You gave yourself to him, Georgia Haines, and for a woman of your moral character to do that, you had to be in love with the man and want forever. Chance is no fool. He knew that. He knew that before he even kissed you the first time. He assumed you were as committed to him as he is to you.”

“Chance is a man of the world. He knows better than to expect forever. Why are you pushing this? Do you want me to turn out like my mother?”

“It wasn’t just a fling to him, girl. And if you’re honest with yourself, it wasn’t to you either. You say you weren’t expecting forever, child, but he was certainly expecting better from you.” Missy Dee retorted. She heaved herself off the sofa and grabbed the puppy. “And frankly, so was I.”

With that parting shot, Missy Dee left the room, shaking her head and muttering under her breath. Georgia sat on the sofa and stared at the moon through the window. She had wanted one taste of passion to last her the rest of her life. She knew if she couldn’t confront her fears in Chance’s arms, there was little hope for love in the future.

But rather than comforting her, the memories of their passion haunted her, day and night.
Had Missy Dee been right? Had she been so selfish that she thought only of her feelings?

Chance had made no bones about the way he felt about her, but she had blithely ignored his words, judging them to have little meaning because of his past reputation.
Was it really so hard to imagine him settling down as a loving, faithful husband? Had she hurt the one person who could love her for herself
?

Was she truly her father’s daughter?

CHAPTER EIGHT

The weeks went by and the heat of summer gave way to the changing weather of fall. Georgia seriously considered closing down the daycare and moving on. Everywhere she looked, every place in town, reminded her of Chance. And the fact that the whole town was talking about Sam and Angel getting back together, wasn’t making it any easier. Angel radiated happiness now and Georgia was truly pleased Angel had been brave enough to get her man.

Georgia, on the other hand, was a pathetic mess
.
She didn’t know what to do about anything anymore. Each day, she would work herself into such a frenzy, that she ended up making herself sick. At night, she would cry herself to sleep, then wake up in the morning feeling nauseous.

Don’t you go blaming it on lovesickness, Peaches. You know as well as I do why you’re waking up for the past three weeks sick as a dog.
There was no longer any doubt. Georgia once again tried to deny what her head was telling her, as she put on a shirt and tried to button it across her breasts. No, she couldn’t deny the fullness of her breasts, or the five sticks with the pretty pink + showing through.

She was definitely pregnant with Chance’s baby. She hadn’t thought about unprotected sex. She had just wanted to feel, to know how to please Chance, to experience passion with her true love.
God, she hadn’t been thinking at all!

Georgia knew from her own childhood how important a father figure was in a child’s life. Chance claimed to love her. But for how long? She didn’t know. Heaven knows, she loved him, no matter what she had said that fateful day when she had rejected him. But the way she’d ended it, how could he forgive her? Even after all the crazy rumors she’d heard the past few weeks about his drinking, and his proclamations, and the women. She still loved him. Perhaps this was why her mother had turned so bitter about men.

And perhaps, she should stop blaming her parents, and start planning for the future since she was about to become a parent herself.

Would Chance be deliriously happy like Mac was, to become a father? Or would he react like her own father, separating himself from her until one day he just leaves altogether? Who was she kidding? He wasn’t with her now.
But that was your own fault, Georgia. You know Chance would love any child of his.

Yes, Chance would face his responsibilities. He’d been brought up that way. His family would expect no less. But Georgia didn’t want to be a responsibility. She didn’t want their child to grow up feeling like a burden. She wanted the everlasting love that Mac and Dixie had, that Chance’s parents shared. But she had probably blown her chance because of her own insecurities and self-doubt.

Or had she?

There was only one way to find out. He said he would wait for her to come to him.  Now she had no choice if she didn’t want to lose him. But Georgia’s blood ran cold at the thought of facing him again after the lies she had told to make him go away.

But first, she had to face Missy Dee.

Georgia went down the stairs, walking quietly across the living room. The loud strains of an
I Love Lucy
sitcom blared across the TV. Georgia mentally reminded herself that she needed to have Missy Dee’s ears checked. “Missy Dee? Can I talk to you for a minute?”

Georgia walked into the room, grabbed the remote, and started to turn it down. Missy Dee sat in her recliner asleep. Georgia thought for a minute that maybe she would leave her in peace, talk to her later, but she knew Missy Dee would notice soon, so it was best to get it over with now.

“Missy Dee?” She walked up to the old lady. “Missy Dee,” she gently shook her. “Missy Dee wake up! I need to a talk to you. It’s important.” She shook her a little more forcefully, but the old lady didn’t open her eyes.

Georgia drew back in shock, then her training kicked in. She reached out for the wrinkled wrist with one hand, and put her other one on the base of Missy Dee’s neck to feel for a pulse.

Nothing.

With a cry of anguish, Georgia reached in her pocket for her cell and dialed 911. Her Missy Dee was gone. She had no one left.

“This is Georgia Haines, Peaches Daycare on Croixford Road. I need an ambulance right away. We have a death.” She dropped the phone, dropped to her knees cradling the old woman’s hand. “Oh Mamma, please come back.”

***

Three days later, Georgia once again stood at the bottom of the stairs in her home, listening to words of comfort from people that had known Missy Dee forever. So many people came out, it seemed it would never end. Families of the children she had watched over the years, now adults, some even with their own children or grandchildren, came to pay their respects.

She had to stand there and smile, murmuring what she hoped were words of comfort and respect, or whatever came to mind. She could do this. She could do this for Missy Dee because it was expected. But all she wanted to do was go upstairs and crawl into bed.

The morning sickness was a dull ache in her stomach. But she knew the slightest hint of any food smell would send her running for the bathroom. She didn’t know how in the world she was going to get through the luncheon after this. But somehow she would do it. Missy Dee deserved her respect.
Oh, Missy Dee, I miss you so much! I don’t know how I’m going to do this without you.

She peeped through the opening at the kitchen door to the sunny day just outside the window. It seemed to mock her darkness and pain with its beauty and brightness. She skimmed the yard for an end to this misery, but the line of people spilled down the porch into the driveway.

It was then she saw him. Chance was standing under the old apple tree. The tree that he had walked her to years ago, after her mother had passed. The tree where he had confronted her, and she had turned him away. He stood, legs braced apart, staring at the house. Was he waiting for her to come to him? Would he comfort her like he had so many years ago? Or would he simply wish her well in that oh so dark voice?

She had to know. It became imperative that she feel his strength. She took a step forward and Rochelle came into her vision, taking Chance’s hand and tugging him away.
After all that woman had done to her, why was he even associating with her?
Rochelle had once again invaded her peace, her special spot with Chance’s memories. The pain sliced through her. She keened with a huge sob and the tears began to fall.

              Miss Maisy bustled up to her, engulfing her in a big hug, her ample body curving into Georgia. She squeezed tight. “Don’t you worry about a thing. We will take care of you. Missy Dee was a good woman, and she’s left a legacy of respect and love for this community. We’re gonna take care of you.”

              Georgia held tight. She had to get away from here. She couldn’t do it. The walls were closing in.
Oh forgive me, Missy Dee. I can’t do this.

She glanced up to see Chance halfway across the yard, coming toward her, Rochelle hot on his heels. She couldn’t stand to see him like this. If she did, if he held her, she would come apart. She still didn’t know what she was going to do about the baby, but she couldn’t tell him now. She didn’t want to think about it. Or about him and Rochelle. She just wanted to go to bed o get away from the pain. So much pain.

“Hush child, don’t you worry about a thing. We’ll get you upstairs and get you tucked into bed. I’ll take care of everything.” Miss Maisy ushered her up the stairs and into her room.

Chance stood outside the bedroom door when Miss Maisy came out. He was desperate to explain to Georgia what she had seen a few moments ago. “She’s sleeping, honey.  All of this has been too much for her. She barely made it to the bathroom, before she became ill.” She patted his shoulder. “We’ll see she gets better.”

She hugged him when he went to open the door, blocking him. “You leave her be for now. I know you love her, and we’re going to get you two back together. We did it for Mac and Dixie. We will do it for you. She needs her rest now.”

Chance accepted the hug and the promise, but he knew it was bad. He had looked up to see Georgia staring at him through the kitchen door as Rochelle tugged on his arm. The pain and betrayal he saw in her eyes had made him sick. How could she know that he was keeping an eye on the traitorous bitch to make sure she didn’t harm Georgia in her time of sorrow? It was the least he could do, even if she wouldn’t see him. Even if he doubted she would ever come back. Especially, after what she had now witnessed.

So he accepted the hug and the support. After all, Miss Maisy didn’t know just how bad he had screwed things up with Georgia. He had no one to blame but himself.

***

Ginny Coalson opened the door to her son’s house one week after the funeral. The first thing that hit her was the smell. Spilled beer, stale cigar smoke, and unwashed body odor made her wrinkle her nose. The second thing to hit her was the filth. Discarded pizza boxes, beer bottles, socks, shirts, broken and dirty dishes lay strewn across the living room. And the third thing, the thing that riled her more than the rest, was the drunken snoring coming from the recliner.

“Chance Coalson! Get your sorry ass up this instant!” she shouted in his ear.

He merely swatted at her. “Go away,” he mumbled as he turned in the chair.

She grabbed his ear and tugged. “Did you think that was a request, son?” She yanked harder and he yelped. “Now do it!”

Chance looked at her through bleary eyes. “All right, all right.” He turned over and sat up, running a hand through his unwashed black hair. “What’s the problem?”

Ginny surveyed him with a critical eye. “The problem is you and your disgusting attitude lately. Good God, you’d think you were the only man to ever have a broken heart. Well, I’ve got news for you, sweetie, you’re not. But what you are is a coward.”

Chance growled at his mother. She had better tread lightly. He was in no mood for her nonsense.

“Ooh, did I hit a nerve, Mr. Charming? Well, it’s nice to see you’ve got at least a little feeling left. I thought you had drank you’re emotions away. Now get up, get this place cleaned up, yourself included, and go get your woman. She’s floundering and badly. There’s rumors going around about her leaving town, Chance.”

He sat up and stared at his mother in horror. “What? When? Dammit, why hasn’t anyone said anything to me?” He jumped off the recliner, sending beer bottles and takeout food containers to the floor as he headed for the shower. His mother was hot on his heels.

“Probably because you haven’t come out of your drunk funk in a week and no one wants to be near you like this.”

“Then why the hell are you here?” he retorted. Sometimes, his mother could really grate on his nerves. “And don’t follow me into the bathroom. I’m not three!” He slammed the door in her face.

“Then stop acting like it!” She pounded on the door. “You have exactly fifteen minutes to clean up and present yourself at the house for lunch, or I’ll send your father down here to break down the door. We are going to get your butt in gear and figure out how to fix the mess you’ve made with Georgia.”

Chance hung his head and let the hot water slosh over him. “There’s nothing to fix. She’s made her mind up,” he yelled from the shower.

“Coward!” he heard his mother shout as she slammed out the front door.

Chance threw the bar of soap across the room in anger. Why the hell couldn’t they leave him alone? Maybe it would be best if Georgia left. At that thought, his heart constricted in pain. He leaned his head on the tiles and rubbed his chest to try and numb the ache.

He had no idea how to fight the goddamn ghosts of her parents, or those mother fuckin’ fathers that left their kids to the system. Couldn’t she see that he wasn’t like that? Maybe she had told him the truth that day at the tree. She didn’t want his love. Hell, she wouldn’t even accept his comfort in her time of need. He had no idea what he was going to do.

Coward.

His mother’s words taunted him. Well, he had no idea what to do after he got up to the house, but he knew an edict when he heard one. He wasn’t a complete idiot. And his mother had never made a threat she hadn’t carried out. He stepped out of the shower and grabbed the soap from the floor.

Fifteen minutes later, he walked up the hill through the back yard to the house. He looked around at the clear blue sky and the beautiful green of the apple trees. Apple season was in full swing and it looked like the workers were having a busy day. School buses, cars, trucks, and people milled around the store. The apple wagons could be heard rumbling along the paths, bringing the families and schoolkids to specific destinations.  He heard the squeals of laughter, smelled the exhaust from the tractors, and eyed the many smiling faces of the patrons. His folks had turned this small apple farm into an enjoyable outing for many. Maybe they had a miracle or two up their sleeves for him and Georgia.

He entered the kitchen and was assailed with the smells of meatball stew and beer bread. God, he loved his momma. After giving him the scolding he knew he deserved, she’d made him his favorite meal. Yeah, she was all about the tough love. She turned from the stove and opened her arms and he went eagerly, knowing at least here, he was loved.

“So, sit down and eat. Then we’ll talk,” she mumbled as she dried her tears on her apron and motioned to the chair. “Sam’s in Alton with his guys looking into something and your dad’s already had lunch.”