Hot Streak

CHAPTER 48

L ater, twined in each other's arms amidst the shambles of the satin and velvet bedclothes, Molly smiled up at Carey. “You're marvelous at suppressing evening sickness,” she said.

“I'd be happy,” he murmured, a lazy smile on his face, “to serve all your medicinal needs. Consider me on twenty-four-hour call. And since I caused this nausea in the first place, it's only fair I do my duty to alleviate it.”

“I've never considered you as particularly dutiful,” Molly replied, her grin mischievous.

“Fatherhood has startled me into a reappraisal of priorities. Duty first from now on. I'm yours to command,” he finished facetiously.

“Don't go to Australia.”

His smile flickered for a moment, and then was placidly restored. “Let's talk about it later. I'm still basking in the pleasure of this prenuptial evening romp. The loss of several million dollars requires a discussion of some length, and I'm not up to the task at the moment. Hit me with something easier.”

“How much are you up to?” Molly queried, only half-teasing. Moving away, she sat up cross-legged, her back straight and her eyes intent.

Carey's hands went out to stop her. Then, changing his mind, he let his hands drop back onto the sheet. Reclining against the lace-trimmed pillows like a golden surfer, he said, “Anything under ten mil, I'm braced and ready.” His smile was the enchanting one he saved only for her.

“I don't want you to see Sylvie again.”

“I don't intend to.”

“You sound sure.”

“Sure as the sun comes up over the Leonidas mine and sets over the ballpark. For you, Honeybear.”

“That's pretty sure. How do you know she won't appear on our doorstep again? And she's still with Egon.”

“Wrong.”

“Oh?” It was a soft inquiry potent with ruffled feelings.

“I talked to Egon this afternoon. His surgery is scheduled for Monday, if all goes well… and the doctors are extremely optimistic. One hot-shot young turk is betting him he'll be skiing by Christmas. On that happy news, Sylvie excused herself from his bedside and flew back to Nice. It seems some gala in Monaco was determined to go on without her. I expect she's dancing under an enormous chandelier at this very moment, exchanging banalities with some man who's suggesting they share breakfast together.”

“How can you be so flip about her?” Molly still retained a modicum of suspicion after watching them at the Trauma Center. They'd been more than casual friends, and it showed.

“I'm not. It's the simple truth. La Dolce Vita, Monaco style. Sylvie thrives on it.”

“As you once did.”

“Did is the operative word, I believe,” Carey replied, his dark eyes grave.

“Did you ever love her?” Molly asked the old question answered so many times before, but never with the finality that would shut the door on that period in his life.

Carey gazed at her for a long moment, wishing he could find the words that would make her understand how little Sylvie meant to him. He shook his head, no, finally, and shrugged, remembering those years. “Sylvie felt it was time I got married,” he said, as if trying to find the answer himself. “I wasn't conscious of much of anything in those days, so I said, why not? A combination of circumstances which proved disastrous. It was a stupid mistake.”

When he saw the alarm on Molly's face, a terrible dawning of uncertainty and fear, he added in an even tone, “Don't be afraid. It's different with us. We're different. I didn't love Sylvie. You didn't love Bart.”

Molly's expression registered shock.

“You didn't love him,” Carey repeated. “You loved me.”

And she knew it had always been true, though she'd locked away the truth all those years ago. Locked it away behind the wedding arrangements and the impossibility of leaving Bart and their families and friends in limbo at the church. And then she'd thrown away the key when she discovered she was pregnant. One loved one's husband, that's the way things were. You especially loved your husband when you carried his child.

“I know,” she quietly said, pained and honest. “I always loved you, I never stopped loving you. I'm sorry.”

He understood her apology and all the sadness behind it. “Just never leave me again.”

He opened his arms, and she went to him.