The Tawny Gold Man (8 page)

She fretted and worried and tried to hide from everyone, including herself, the deep, empty longing that enveloped her whenever Jud was away, which was most of the time. He had, he said, meetings to go to, conferences to attend, his New York office to check out and people to see. Including Lorna? Just the thought of the redhead twisted through Anne like a bent blade. Lord, she asked herself at least every other day, if she was like this now, what would she feel when he left for good? That eventuality didn't bear thinking about, so she didn't. Instead she concentrated on the twins, her work, her mother, the weather. Anything, anything but the pain in store for her.

But time did, as it always does, move forward and the day finally came for Anne and Margaret to drive upstate for Troy and Todd's graduation exercises.

Jud had been in New York for the last four days and when he sauntered into the dining room as Anne was finishing her breakfast she was so surprised she nearly choked on her toast.

"When did you get home?"

"Early this morning," he grunted.

Anne studied him from under her lashes as he walked to the swinging door to the kitchen and asked Mrs. Davis for orange juice, toast, and a pot of coffee. Then she quickly lowered her eyes to her plate when he turned back to the table. He looked tired and harassed and in a very bad humor, but even so, he was the best thing Anne had seen in close to a week and her eyes devoured him hungrily.

He was quiet until after Mrs. Davis had placed his breakfast in front of him and swung out of the room again; then he asked in the same low grunt, "What time are we leaving?"

Try as she would, Anne could not keep the astonishment out of her voice.

"You're going with us?"

As they had the day he came home, his eyes went over her with slow insolence, his expression putting her firmly in her place.

"My dear Anne," he purred silkily, "I think I had to remind you before that Troy and Todd are not your exclusive property. At the risk of repeating myself, they are my brothers, too. And, yes, whether you approve, or not, I am going with you. Or rather you are going with me, as I'm driving."

"The Beemer?"

"No, I drove the Navigator back. I thought it might come in handy if the twins want us to lug some of their junk home for them. That's why I didn't get back last night. I cancelled my plane reservation and left New York soon after midnight."

Anne wasn't sure she could believe what she'd heard. Jud explaining his actions to her? He must be even more tired than he looks, she reasoned.

"I didn't know you had a Navigator. Or isn't it yours?"

The minute the words were out Anne wished them unsaid. She had no right to pry into what was and was not his and she waited for his verbal slap down. Strangely it didn't come. Instead, Jud refilled his coffee cup, leaned back in his chair, took a sip, then, with a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth murmured, "Yes, Anne, it's mine. It's a gas guzzler of course, so I don't drive it very often. Most of the time it just takes up space in the parking garage at my apartment building. I've considered either selling it or bringing it here, but I haven't decided just what I want to do with it." He paused, then added seriously, "You wouldn't want to use it, would you? That car of yours looks like it has about had it. You're welcome to it, if it takes your fancy."

Tired! The man must be near unconsciousness. Unable to resist taking advantage of his sudden mellowness, Anne teased, "No, thank you. But if you want to keep it here and drive it yourself, I'll gladly run the BMW for you."

"You like the Beemer?" Pale brows went up in question.

"Of course I like it," Anne laughed. "It's a super hunk of machinery, and you know it."

"All right, I'll leave the Navigator here and use it myself." He shrugged. "You can have the Beemer."

He meant it! He really meant it!

"No! Jud, really, I couldn't." Flustered, Anne's words tripped over one another. "I didn't mean—I mean I was only teasing—I couldn't take your—"

"Anne, be quiet," Jud sighed. "I know you were only teasing. But I wasn't. I don't trust that heap you drive."

Anne opened her mouth to argue, then closed it with a snap when he chided, "And don't go all moralistic on me. I'm not making you a gift of the car, simply putting it at your disposal. The car will be here, you have my permission to use it, that settles it."

"That settles what?"

Margaret followed her question into the room, her eyes studying Anne's flushed cheeks before swinging to Jud.

"I've just been telling Anne that since I brought my other vehicle back with me, she may as well make use of the BMW, retire that pile of scrap she drives."

"About time too," her mother agreed promptly. "I've been after her for over a year now to buy a new car. I don't think the one she has is entirely safe."

"Mother," Anne sighed in exasperation, "I told you I'll get another car when I can afford it. My car is not all that bad; it passed inspection, you know. Besides  I can't use Jud's car, I'd be too afraid of something happening while I had it."

"Don't be silly, dear," Margaret brushed aside her argument. "You are an excellent driver and I really think you should accept Jud's offer."

Anne fumed and stared icicles at Jud, who sat back lazily in his chair, a look of smug complacency on his face.

"Mother," Anne breathed angrily.

"Now, Anne, please don't go on about this. As Jud said, it's settled." The subject closed as far as she was concerned, Margaret calmly poured herself coffee.

Simmering, not daring to look at Jud, afraid that if she did and he still wore that self-satisfied expression she'd throw something at him, Anne spoke through clenched teeth.

"What time would you like to leave, Mother?"

Margaret glanced casually at her wristwatch, then answered calmly, "In a half hour."

"A half hour!"

Two outbursts, one male, one female, as both Anne and Jud jumped out of their chairs. As she went out of the room, Jud at her heels, Anne heard her mother laugh softly.

"Do hurry, children. We'll have to stop for lunch on the way, and you know how I dislike rushing through a meal."

Unbelievable, Anne thought in wonder, as she rushed up the stairs. Apparently even her mother was not immune to the electricity Jud generated, or to his brand of humor either,

"Anne."

Jud's voice stopped her as she reached her door. Anne turned, impatient words hovering on her lips, but all that came out was an angry "Oh," for she saw a set of car keys dangling in front of her face, and two amber eyes glittering with steely purpose.

"Why don't you give in gracefully, Anne? Take the keys."