Page 35 of Westbound Awakening

Mae almost laughed out loud.

The woman had yet to ask to see Wesley.

"Alan, please keep the lady company. I will return shortly." Mae stood and went inside to fetch the payment. Anger simmered in her gut, but she kept it at bay. No use in showing the woman how much the visit affected her. When John returned, she'd beg him that Wesley would never learn of this. The pitiful amount the woman demanded almost made her want to pay more just to prove how much Wesley was worth.

19

John watched on as Elma and Mae made a big production out of putting Wesley to bed. The boy was definitely doted upon and would be a handful for him once they moved. Yet he didn't interfere knowing this was one battle he'd not win.

Once tucked in, the tired but still smiling boy looked over to him and held his arms out. "Night Da."

As was customary, he went to the bed and leaned over to hug his son. "Good night Son." Wesley held on to his neck and sighed. John wondered at the boys' thoughts at times. Whenever John was within his sights, Wesley tracked his movements, always watching where he went. He'd hoped by now to have proven to the child he'd not leave him, but sometimes he wondered if there was another reason why Wesley watched him so closely. Perhaps he'd ask Elma her opinion. The woman had told him she'd raised four sons.

"I must speak to you," Mae caught up to him in the hallway. "It's important." She went past him towards the front room and he followed.

Her perfume assailed his senses when he entered the room. Mae closed the door behind them, and John steeled himself against the urge to reach for her, to touch her. Even in her sensible pale green calico dress, her stand was regal and she was breathtaking as always.

What a fool he'd been to think he'd be better able to keep a distance from Mae. He'd actually believed once he'd kissed her again and the illusion was broken, he'd be able to remain impassive.

Quite the opposite, he'd craved her with a hunger that constantly gnawed at him.

The beauty moved across the room, and she stood by the window, her hand on the drapes. While Mae processed whatever she would speak to him about, John took full advantage and studied her profile at leisure. Had he'd noticed how her slightly upturned nose fit her face so perfectly before? She pressed her full lips together for a moment and then faced him. "A woman claiming to be Wesley's mother was here today."

His stomach sank. "Why wasn't I alerted about this as soon as I returned?" He stalked to where she stood and scowled down at her. "What happened? Did she see Wesley?"

Mae took a step backward and stepped on the hem of her skirts. She wobbled and threw her hands out to get her balance. John held her steady until she regained her stability. When she straightened, their faces only a scant inch apart both froze, gazes locked.

Seconds ticked by while they faced off, neither wanting to be the first to move away. Stubborn woman.

John looked away first and motioned to the couch. "The ride to and from town took its toll. I have to sit down."

"Of course, goodness, I didn't think on it. Let's sit."

He cringed at the instant concern in her tone and followed her to the chairs flanking the fireplace sitting across from her. "Now tell me what happened please."

Mae took a breath. "I had Alan stand by while I met with her out front and instructed Elma to keep Wesley out of sight. The woman, Carla, contended her reason for coming was to take Wesley with her out west. I informed her I could not allow it. That it was your decision to make. After several more exchanges, where she claimed not to be able to return another day to speak to you, I offered her payment in exchange for leaving permanently. Without Wesley."

John searched her face. "Why would you do that?"

Mae shrugged. "The woman never once asked to see her son. I am a good judge of character. By the way she sized up my clothing and the house, I knew she was more interested in money than in seeing him."

"Did she take it then?"

"Of course," Mae shook her head. "Honestly John, I don't see any of her in Wesley. I don't know what your relationship is with her, but I must apprise you she insinuated to be married to the outlaw."

"She must be then," John answered then met her questioning look.

"Do you think she'll return again? I mean how can she just leave her son?"

"I didn't get the opportunity to know Carla enough to claim to understand her motivations or what she'll do. From what I understood from her sister, she's always been a bit of a free spirit. After she contacted my parents when Wesley was born, they exchanged correspondence with a solicitor. My parents did not care for her reputation for taking lovers. I wanted to find the child and see for myself whether or not he was mine since it seemed questionable I was the father."

"Yet you went to great lengths to find him," Mae stated. "It's a good thing you did, because there is no question. Wesley is your son."

"Yes he is." He couldn't stop the smile at speaking of his son. "Tell me the amount you paid her, I will repay you of course."

She told him the amount, and it was a much smaller amount than he expected. Pleading eyes met his. "John, promise me you'll never tell Wesley about this." Her concern for his son touched him and he was forced to clear his throat. Mae was such a caring soul.

"Of course, don't worry Mae. He will never learn about it. If I can help it, he will never meet her either."