Free Lost in His Arms by Carla Cassidy Page B

together in the same house.”
    Elizabeth frowned. She didn’t know how “cool” it was going to be, but she intended to make the best of the situation for Richard’s sake. And for Andrew’s.
    They drove through the town, then took a two-lane road for half a mile. There, on the right, sitting on a large hill, was the McCarthy mansion.
    A white, two-story house sporting a sweepingfront porch and huge columns, the place resembled a Southern plantation more than a Midwest farmhouse. It was imposing in its grandeur, and Talbot had always seemed to belong here with his cool disdain and touch of arrogance. The lord of the manor and the king of his world.
    She needed to think of him as cool and arrogant and not particularly likable. She had to believe that about him in order to get through the next few weeks of living in his home, being in his immediate presence.
    She definitely needed to forget the Talbot she’d been in the woods with, the one who had displayed a sense of humor, who had held her through the darkness of the night. The one who had kissed her and made her burn from head to toe.
    She parked in front of the house on the circular drive. Before she and Andrew could exit the car, Richard bounded out of the house, radiating energy, his face lit with a huge grin.
    â€œYou’re here!” he said as Andrew got out of the car. He ruffled his son’s hair, then pulled him into a quick embrace. “Your room is all ready for you, and I put your mom in the room next to yours.”
    â€œCool,” Andrew replied. “Where’s Uncle Talbot?”
    â€œHoled up in his office where he is most of the time.” Richard smiled at Elizabeth. “Well, come on. Let’s get you unloaded and settled in.”
    Between the three of them, they managed to get all of the things from Elizabeth’s car in one trip. They put Andrew’s suitcase in his room, then dropped Elizabeth’s in the room next door. A bathroom joined the two rooms.
    â€œTalbot’s room is down the hall on the left, and mine is on the right,” Richard explained to her. “You know if you need anything, all you have to do is ask.”
    â€œI’m sure we’ll be fine,” Elizabeth told him.
    â€œHave you guys had lunch? I thought I’d take us into town to the café.” He looked from Elizabeth to Andrew.
    She knew it was time to lay some ground rules. These days were about Richard and Andrew, not about the three of them spending time together. She didn’t want to confuse Andrew in any way, didn’t want him to start to think that maybe this was the beginning of the three of them being a family again.
    She loved Richard, but not in the way a wife loves a husband. She could never be married to him again. “Why don’t you and Andrew go? Is Rose still here?” When Richard nodded, she continued. “I’d love to have some time just to sit and visit with her.”
    â€œOkay,” Richard agreed easily. “Ready, partner?”
    â€œReady,” Andrew replied, and the two of themhurried down the hallway with barely a backward look.
    Elizabeth sighed in relief. Richard’s easy acceptance lay to rest her concerns about his motives for inviting her here. It was really only to make Andrew more comfortable.
    The room Richard had put her in was attractive, done in soft pastel colors that instantly soothed her. She walked over to the window and pulled aside the peach-colored gossamer curtains to peer out.
    From her vantage point, she had a perfect view of the nearby stable and the corral area. Several horses were in the pasture, their tails flicking as they dipped their heads to the lush grass.
    A soothing room and soothing scenery. So why did she feel as if all the nerves in her body were stretched taut. Why was her stomach so twisted in knots? She refused to consider what the answer might be.
    She left the room and headed for the kitchen. The minute