The Housekeeper's Daughter. Laurie Paige

about I come out to the ranch Saturday morning? Could you fit that into your schedule? I’d like to work out some word problems, then check with you on his vocabulary level. We’ll see how well he does on reading comprehension when it relates to problem solving.”

      “That would be perfect. Thanks, Andy. You have no idea what a load this is off my mind. I think Johnny has college potential, but he’s going to need extra help to get him up to speed.”

      “No problem.” He checked his watch. “You feel like an early supper or maybe a snack?”

      When she’d realized she was pregnant with Drake’s child, she’d broken off entirely with Andy, refusing even the most casual of meetings with him. When he’d learned of the child, he’d sought her out and offered marriage.

      No questions asked.

      Not like Drake, who apparently wanted to know exactly when she’d became pregnant and with whom. She would never forgive him for that, no matter how sorry she might feel for him because of his parents’ problems or his sad past.

      “I think not.”

      “I hear Drake Colton is back in town,” Andy murmured, a speculative note in his voice.

      She stared at the chalkboard, unable to totally lie and unwilling to admit she’d been a fool. “Yes, he’s home for…for a vacation, I suppose.”

      “Maya—”

      She jumped to her feet—well, okay, it was more of a lunge—and smiled brightly. “I really have to go. The boys are on their own and probably ignoring their homework.”

      Andy walked out to the car with her. He opened the door, then lightly clasped her arm. “I’ve been your friend for a long time. You know that, don’t you?”

      She nodded unhappily. She’d never meant to hurt him.

      “You can come to me at any time. To talk. To just get away. Whatever. Okay?”

      “Thanks.” Impulsively she kissed his cheek, then quickly got in the car and left before she bawled like a motherless calf right there on the main street of town. That would start a buzz on the old grapevine!

      Andy watched, his eyes filled with kindness and worry, until she’d turned the corner and was out of sight.

      Maya sniffed, sighed and turned her mind to her duties at the Colton estate. She had a paper to finish, then she had to e-mail it to the professor. That was after she supervised the boys and got them to bed.

      Heavens, but she was tired. And her back hurt. Also her feet. For a second, she wondered how she’d gotten into such a situation.

      “By being stupid,” she muttered sarcastically. “By falling in love,” she added on a sadder note as she parked near the house and pushed herself wearily out of the car.

      She went from one task to another for the next few hours, checking Joe’s and Teddy’s homework, helping her mother finish getting supper on the table, making sure the boys had their baths and were in bed at lights-out, then doing her own work. She saw Drake briefly in passing. He gave her a narrow-eyed scrutiny and barely spoke.

      Okay, she could handle that, she assured herself as she slipped into a clean nightgown. After all, she’d handled that brief, shattering note—

      A soft knock sounded on the door.

      “Not tonight,” she called out.

      Drake opened the door.

      “I’m really going to have to remember to lock the door from now on,” she said in protest.

      “Why? Are men lining up to get inside?”

      She closed her eyes and spoke to the room at large. “Do I have to take these kinds of insults? No.” She glared at Drake. “Please get out before I scream bloody murder.”

      He had the grace to look slightly remorseful. He paced the room, then took up his usual position straddling her desk chair. “I saw you in town today.”

      She frowned. “So?”

      He slapped his hand on the back of the chair. “Dammit, you were with another man, kissing him right out on the street. What gives?”

      Maya stared blankly at Drake. “I haven’t the foggiest idea what you mean.”

      “Are you with him?” When she continued to stare at him, he added, “Is it serious between you two?”

      She realized who he meant. “Andy is my friend.”

      “That was Andy Martin?” He frowned. “He’s changed.”

      “Well, that’s because you probably haven’t seen him since high school. People do grow up. Some people,” she tossed in for good measure.

      “Meaning I haven’t?” He laughed softly, cynically, at that ridiculous accusation.

      The baby did a double flip, and Maya grimaced and pressed her side in discomfort. Would she ever make it to her due date? At this moment, she had her doubts.

      “I’ll get the liniment,” Drake volunteered.

      “No—”

      But as usual, he was quicker than a cat. He retrieved the bottle from the table and opened it. Then he chuckled.

      “What’s so funny?” she demanded, feeling big and clumsy and at the end of her tether.

      “Our daughter is going to think her parents are of the equine variety if we keep using the horse liniment to rub you down.”

      “She wouldn’t if you’d just leave me alone.”

      “I can’t,” he stated, so simply she couldn’t think of an argument to convince him he could. “Lie down,” he requested, gesturing toward the bed.

      Sighing, she heaved herself up and went to the bed, not caring if he saw her as round as a pumpkin in her gown. It wasn’t as if he were going to ravish her.

      Memories rushed at her, tilting her already shaky emotions. Tears sprang to her eyes. Eight months ago, he had laved her with kisses and caresses and sweet, sweet words of love. And then he’d left.

      “What is it?” he asked softly.

      She shook her head. Maybe the words hadn’t been those of love, only need and physical hunger. Except she’d felt the love in him, saw it in his eyes. Or thought she had. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”

      Putting a knee on the bed, she let herself down on the cool sheet and turned on her stomach as much as she could, her leg drawn up to take her weight. She sighed at her own awkwardness, then at her foolish dreams.