Free The Housekeeper's Daughter by Laurie Paige Page A

That was what had put him on the run last June, sending him scurrying off on the dangerous mission in relief. Thinking, planning, acting—those things had kept the turbulent emotions at bay. For a while.
    â€œYou make me vulnerable,” he accused. “I can’t afford that. It’s not good for my job.”
    â€œOr your life. Need puts a person at risk.”
    He experienced the jab of truth in her words. On some level, she seemed to know him better than he knew himself. “Yes. A man has to think carefully and plan ahead.”
    Maya caressed his cheeks. “But the feelings are there, Drake, whether you acknowledge them or not. You have to learn to live with them.”
    He frowned. Confusion darted through his eyes. She smiled with a sadness that went soul deep. Although she wasn’t exactly sure what she meant, she knew Drake had to come to terms with his inner self before he could take on a wife and child. She didn’t even know how she had come by this knowledge, but it was there, inside her, all the same.
    Slowly he let her go, his expression grim and now closed to her. “Go,” he said hoarsely. “Go before I take you to the alcove whether you want to come or not.”
    â€œI know you better than that, and you don’t know yourself at all if you think you might force me.”
    â€œI could make you want to go willingly,” he said in blunt honesty.
    She shook her head. “If I come to you, it will be by my will, none other. You wouldn’t accept less.”
    â€œI’d accept whatever you would give.”
    â€œGo find your soul, Drake. Then come to me and share your heart.” She managed a smile.
    Touching his mouth gently, she told him silently of her love, which had never died, she now knew, then she turned and walked up the steps and across the lawn to her lonely room. If she were going to make a future for the baby, she had to study.

Five
    â€œU h, you going to town this morning?” Drake asked the housekeeper as she bustled out of the house, struggling to pull on a jacket. She’d gone to town for groceries every Thursday morning for as long as he could remember.
    She stopped and smiled at him, the usual affection in her eyes. Drake felt immediately better.
    â€œYes,” she said. “I have to get groceries for this crew. They insist on eating several times a day.”
    Drake managed a chuckle and held the jacket for her. “Okay if I ride along?”
    Her dark eyes raked over his face, but she nodded without asking about the vintage pickup he’d bought and restored to gleaming perfection years ago. He walked to the ranch wagon and climbed in when she did.
    â€œMaya will be along in a moment,” Inez informed him. “She had errands, too, and volunteered to help with the groceries.”
    His heart leaped about, banging off the walls of his chest until he got it under control again. Glancing to the side, he saw Maya emerge from the main house, then hesitate when her eyes met his. He sensed her reluctance even as she walked forward. He jumped out of the station wagon and held the door.
    â€œYour chariot awaits,” he said, not very originally but suddenly his mind couldn’t get a grasp on words.
    She nodded curtly and slid inside. He did the same.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” she demanded, forced to scoot over so he could get in.
    â€œDrake needs a ride to town,” Inez explained. She put the car in gear and started off.
    â€œHere’s your seat belt,” Drake said and helped Maya into the contraption, careful to place it below the swell of her abdomen. He repressed an urge to caress her there and fastened his own seat belt instead.
    Inez chatted on the way to Prosperino, but Maya sat in stubborn silence, a disapproving frown on her face. Drake responded to the housekeeper’s remarks, his entire left side burning from Maya’s nearness.
    Last night, after she’d gone to her room