The Man She Should Have Married (8 page)

“Just tell me one thing,” he said.

“What?” Olivia said softly.

“Do I have a chance?”

She closed her eyes. “Oh, Matt...”

“Do I?”

“I—I do care for you. In fact, I more than care for you, but I...” Her face twisted. “I don't want a life filled with tension and estrangement from family. It was hard enough with Mark...before Thea. I just can't go through all of that again. And it would be worse now. I know it would. If...
when
...I win this custody case, I want something different. I—may have to move away to get it. I don't want to do that, but if that's what it takes for a peaceful life, that's what I'll do.”

His heart sank. He could see the truth of what she was saying in her eyes. And he felt it in his bones. “Please don't make any decisions yet. Just wait. Okay? Will you promise me that? Anything can happen.”

She slowly nodded. “I promise I'll wait. I won't decide anything for sure yet. I need time. And as I said before, if your mother follows through on filing for custody of Thea, I'll need to focus every bit of my energy on defeating her.”

“And I'll do everything in my power to help you do that.”

“Thank you,” she whispered. Then, as if to take the sting out of what she'd said earlier, she rested her head against his chest and hugged him. “Good night, Matt. And thank you for everything.”

He allowed himself to hold her for a long moment, then kissed the top of her head, inhaling its clean, fresh fragrance, and whispered, “I love you,” and left.

As Matt walked out to his car, his thoughts were in turmoil. But one thing he was sure of. He might lose, but that didn't mean he wouldn't give everything he had into fighting for Olivia.

Even if it meant he would have to walk away from everything here and begin again somewhere new.

* * *

Olivia leaned against the door after Matt left. His kiss, and everything he'd said, had shaken her to her core. She'd wanted to tell him that being with him today had meant everything to her, that having him as her husband and as Thea's father would be the answer to all her prayers.

But that couldn't happen.

Because no matter how she felt, she'd meant what she told him. She did want something different. She wanted a close, warm, loving relationship with both her family and a potential husband's family. And that would never happen with Matt and the Brittons. Vivienne would never accept her. Even if she mounted a fight to gain custody of Thea and lost, Vivienne would continue trying to undermine Olivia. She would continue fighting her and finding fault with her and working to make her life miserable.

But Olivia had to be strong. She could no longer allow her mother-in-law to do these things. For the longest time, Olivia had felt she had to do everything in her power to keep communication with Vivienne as pleasant as possible, no matter what the older woman said or did. But this probable suit against her, Vivienne's threat to wrest Thea away, had proven to Olivia that nothing would ever change. And if she allowed Vivienne to continue in this spiteful vein, it would impact Thea's life in ways Olivia couldn't...
wouldn't
tolerate.

So for everyone's good, but most especially Thea's, Olivia would need to start a new life...probably somewhere far away from Crandall Lake and everything Britton.

* * *

Olivia was still turning all these thoughts over in her mind thirty minutes later after changing into her pajamas and pouring herself a glass of wine, with the intention of putting her feet up and watching the latest recorded episode of
The Good Wife
, one of her guilty pleasures, when her cell rang.

Olivia smiled; it was Eve.

“I wondered how your meeting with Austin turned out,” Eve said. “But I gave up on you calling me, so I decided I'd call you.”

“It's been a long day,” Olivia said. She sank into her favorite chair and put her bare feet on the matching ottoman.

“Well? How'd it go?”

Olivia gave her an abbreviated version of the meeting.

“Has Matt come around to agreeing Austin's a good choice for you?” Eve asked.

“Sort of.” Olivia hesitated, then decided it would be good to have Eve's opinion of everything that happened after the meeting. “He said it was clear Austin would work hard for me because Austin likes me.”

“Oh, really? Did he mean
likes
you as in wants to date you?”

“Yes.”

“And what did you say?”

“I said I wasn't sure I was ready for that and that I needed to put all my energy into this court case.”

“Is that what you're going to tell Austin if he asks you out?”

“I don't know.” Maybe it would be best to go out with Austin if he asked her. Maybe that would be the only way to make Matt forget about her. “Um, something else happened today. Later on.”

“I'm all ears.”

“Matt invited himself to dinner at Mom's. And then afterward, he came in to help put Thea to bed. And after he kissed her good-night, she said she wished he was her daddy.”

“Oh, Liv.”

“I know.”

“What did you say?”

“I was too rattled to say anything. But then Matt was leaving to go home, and he said he wished the same thing. And that he wished I was his, too. Then he...he kissed me.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah.”

“Did you kiss him back?”

“I couldn't help myself. But then I pushed him away.”

“See? I
told
you he felt that way about you.”

“I know you did.” Olivia sighed.

“So what happened then? After you pushed him away?”

Olivia repeated the rest of the conversation between her and Matt. “I'd give anything if things were different, Eve. But they aren't. And I meant what I said. I don't want a repeat of my marriage to Mark.”

“I totally understand. And you deserve that. Frankly, I don't think a relationship with Matt could survive the continuous onslaught of viciousness Vivienne would subject you to. Not to mention she could totally ruin Matt's career.”

“I know.”

Eve was silent for a few seconds. Then, thoughtfully, she said, “You know, Liv, you should seriously think about moving out here. Adam was just saying today that he desperately needs to hire a secretary/assistant to take care of things here, not just for his career, but for our personal lives, too, which would mean basing someone here in the house, but he didn't know how I'd feel about having a stranger among us. But if it was
you
...oh, my goodness, that'd be perfect. And you'd be perfect for the job. Oh, Liv, think about it, will you? I know you'd have to wait till the custody hearing is over, but after that...it's the ideal solution. There's even a separate place you could live and have your privacy. We have a guesthouse adjacent to the pool. It has two bedrooms and its own kitchen! The previous owner's mother lived there, so it's entirely self-sufficient. And we have tons of room in the house. There are six bedrooms! Your mom, my mom, Stella, they could all come to stay, whenever they wanted to. It would be wonderful. I would love it. The kids would love it!”

Later, as Olivia settled into bed, she couldn't stop thinking about Eve's suggestion. Everything in her felt sick at the thought of leaving Crandall Lake and Matt. But in her heart of hearts, she knew she was close to a place where she could no longer handle Vivienne and her vindictiveness.

Nor did she want Thea exposed to it, grandmother or no grandmother.

Maybe moving away was the only choice left.

Chapter Eight

M
att waited until Monday morning to call Carter Davis's office. “Is he free to see me for a few minutes?” he asked Mary, Carter's longtime secretary, now officially called his admin.

“Let me check.” A few seconds later, she said, “He said to tell you he's got twenty minutes before he has to leave for an appointment in Austin.”

Two minutes later, Matt accepted a cup of coffee from Mary and settled into one of the chairs in front of Carter's desk. “I've come to a decision,” he said.

“Okay.” Carter put down the pen he'd been using to sign some documents.

“I'm not going to run for the House seat. I'll notify my biggest supporters today.”

Carter seemed surprised. “You're sure about this?”

“Very sure.”

“I have to admit, I wasn't certain you'd go this way. But I'm glad. I think you're the best person for the job. It'll make stepping down a lot easier for me, knowing I'm leaving everything in your hands.”

“Well,” Matt said, “I still have to win an election next year.”

“No doubt in my mind that you will.”

“Nothing's a sure thing when voters are involved.”

“You'll have me in your camp.” Carter stood, extended his hand, then clapped Matt on the back as he walked him out.

Heading back to his own office after leaving Carter's, Matt felt a twinge of guilt. He knew he should have been completely open with Carter and told him there was a possibility he would not be able to follow through on running for district attorney in the next election, that there was a chance—a slim one, but still a chance—that he might actually have to move to another state, and why. But he hadn't said anything because he hoped matters would never come to that. And he'd known if he confessed this possibility to his boss, no matter how slim, Carter would not have felt comfortable recommending him to the governor.

Damn his mother. Why couldn't she be a normal mother, someone who was proud of him and wanted him to be happy?

He tried to wipe the entire problem out of his mind as he reentered his office and began to deal with the day's schedule, and he was nearly successful until his phone rang an hour later and the caller turned out to be his mother's favorite candidate for a daughter-in-law, Charlotte Chambers.

“I haven't seen much of you lately,” she said, “and decided to take matters into my own hands and give you a call.”

“I've been buried in work,” he said. “I'm buried now.” Maybe she'd take the hint.

“I figured as much, especially since you're getting your ducks in a row for your campaign for the House seat.”

“Yes, lots of things going on,” he answered smoothly. He wasn't ready to advertise the fact he didn't intend to run for the House seat. Not until he'd had a chance to talk to the people who had been supporting him. He owed it to them not to say anything to anyone else before notifying them. He especially didn't want Charlotte to even suspect. Knowing her, the first person she'd call would be his mother.

“Surely you can take a break now and then,” Charlotte said in a flirty voice.

He made a noncommittal sound. Good thing she couldn't see his expression.

“Anyway, that's why I'm calling,” Charlotte continued. “I was hoping to persuade you to accompany me to the Harvest Ball next week.” The Harvest Ball was one of the biggest charity events of the year, with the proceeds going to the new women's health center that would serve the entire county.

“Thanks, Charlotte, but I can't. I have another commitment.”

“Oh, darn. I'm disappointed. It would have been good for your campaign to be seen there.”

“I'm sure you're right. But it can't be helped.” He knew she wanted to know what his commitment was, but he refused to fall into the trap of trying to explain. Especially since there was no commitment. But mostly because he didn't owe her an explanation.

“I'm sorry for another reason,” she said, her voice softening. “I miss you. I've barely seen you in the last few months.”

“That's what happens when you're trying to raise money for a campaign as well as holding down a job that requires sixty-and seventy-hour weeks. Your friends get neglected.”

She didn't say anything for a long moment. When she did, her voice turned coy. “All right. You get a pass this time. But I think you owe this friend a rain check, don't you? In fact, I know just how you can make it up to me.”

Matt mentally thought a bad word.

“My sorority is having a casino night the Friday after Halloween. It's loads of fun and all the profits will be donated to the children's museum. You can be my date that night.”

“I can't promise anything, Charlotte. I'll check on some things and get back to you. I may be out of town that weekend.”

“Now, Matt, I'm not going to listen to any more excuses. You work far too hard.”

What was he going to have to do? Come right out and tell her he was not interested? He couldn't help comparing her to Olivia. Hell, there
was
no comparison. Olivia was a beautiful, warmhearted, kind woman and Charlotte was all flash, no substance. However, she seemed to have the hide of an elephant. Hints didn't make a dent. In fact, in this regard, she bore a decided similarity to his mother. With a mental sigh, he knew he could no longer postpone the inevitable.

“Look, Charlotte,” he said, keeping his voice as pleasant as he could manage, “we're both adults and I know you're the kind of person who would prefer honesty. The truth is, I'm involved with someone else. And it's serious.”

For a long moment, there was only silence on the other end of the phone. Finally, in a voice almost as icy as his mother's could be, she said, “I see. Well, it's your loss.”

Then she hung up.

Matt looked at the phone, then returned it to its holder. Had he actually managed to get rid of her? He knew there would probably be repercussions as a result of their conversation, but he no longer cared.

He managed to put Charlotte and her phone call out of his mind and was deep into an analysis of a lengthy crime report when there was a knock at his office door, followed by the entrance of his sister.

He smiled in greeting. Of all his family, Madeleine was his favorite, the only one he felt completely comfortable with, the only one he felt loved him unconditionally. She looked wonderful, as always. Tall, slender, glowing with good health, she was the picture of the all-American girl with her long golden-brown hair, her large green eyes—a throwback to their great-grandmother Britton—and her bright smile. At twenty-seven, she was an accomplished and talented artist who worked for the largest advertising agency in Austin.

“What're you doing here?” he said, getting up to hug her.

“I have to give a presentation to a potential client at one o'clock and hoped I could persuade you to have an early lunch.”

Matt thought about all the work he had to do and the fact he'd taken off early yesterday. “Nothing I'd like better,” he said. “What did you have in mind?”

“You know me. I could eat Tex-Mex five times a week.”

Ten minutes later, after a short walk, they were seated at a window booth in a locally owned restaurant that happened to be one of Matt's favorites. After their waitress had given them their iced tea and set a basket of warm chips and a bowl of salsa on the table, Madeleine said, “What I really wanted to talk to you about is Mom.”

“Not my favorite subject.”

“I just can't believe what she's doing to Olivia.”

“I know.”

“It's just wrong, Matt. Olivia is a wonderful mother.”

“I agree.”

“She called me this morning and said her attorney filed an official petition with family court Friday afternoon.”

Damn. Matt had figured this was coming, but it was still a blow. He wondered if Olivia knew yet. They had only talked on the phone over the weekend because she and Thea spent the weekend in Dallas with friends where Thea enjoyed Halloween festivities and Olivia had been able to forget, at least for a little while, what was happening at home.

“Can't you talk to Mom?” Madeleine said.

“I've tried. It doesn't do any good. Reason doesn't work with our mother. Not where Liv is concerned.”

Madeleine shook her head. “This whole thing is just crazy.”

“It is, but now that she's set this in motion, our mother will see it through to the bitter end, no matter who she hurts or how much harm she does.”

“And there's nothing you can do? I mean, couldn't you talk to the people at family court? Pull some strings?”

“I wish I could, Maddie, but Mom and Dad have a hotshot attorney and now that they've made their charge official, everything is set in motion. At this point, the only way it would stop is if they changed their minds and withdrew their petition. And trust me, there's not a snowball's chance in hell of that happening.”

Madeleine's eyes clouded. “I feel so bad for Olivia.”

“Yeah. Me, too.”

“I want to testify on her behalf.”

“I figured you would.” He reached across the table and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. “You sure you can handle the fallout? It won't be pretty.”

“I can handle it.”

“Good. I intend to testify on Olivia's behalf, too.”

“Oh, I never doubted
that
.”

Something about his sister's tone told him she suspected how he felt about Olivia. He gave her a quizzical look.

“C'mon, Matt. It's obvious how you feel about her. At least, to me it is.”

He started to answer, but just then their waitress brought their food: fish tacos for Madeleine, the house enchiladas for Matt. With unspoken agreement, they waited till the waitress was out of earshot before resuming their conversation.

“Does Olivia know how you feel?” Madeleine asked as she picked up one of her tacos.

So even though he'd never intended to say anything to anyone about what had happened between him and Olivia, especially last Wednesday night, he found himself telling Madeleine everything.

Her eyes were filled with sympathy when he finished. “You can't blame her for wanting calm instead of constant storms, Matt,” she said softly. “If Mom wasn't my mother, I wouldn't want any part of her, either.”

He sighed. “I don't blame Olivia. I understand. Hell, don't you think
I'd
like some peace and quiet for a change? Dealing with our mother is like picking your way through a minefield every day. You never know when something is going to explode under your feet.”

Because the subject of Vivienne had depressed them both, Matt asked his sister what was new in her life, and she gave him an update while they ate. Afterward, they walked back to his building and hugged goodbye.

“Call me if you need me,” Madeleine said.

“I will.”

“I love you, big brother.”

“Ditto, kid.”

Madeleine waved and headed to the parking lot and her car, and Matt went inside. Once he was settled at his desk, he called Olivia.

She answered the phone almost immediately. He could hear squeals and giggling in the background.

“You're at home,” he said. “I thought you'd be at work.”

“I'm on the four-to-midnight shift this week. I have to drop Thea at day care soon.”

“She sounds happy. What's she doing?” He knew he was stalling, but he hated to give her the news about the petition if she didn't already know it.

“Playing with the kitten we picked out this morning.”

“I thought maybe you'd changed your mind.”

“No, I couldn't do that. She's so excited, Matt. Listen to her. And the kitten is so cute. Oh, and guess what she's named her?” Olivia was laughing.

“I have no idea.”

“Kitty Kat!”

He made himself laugh, too, even though he felt murderous. Damn his mother. Olivia should always be laughing. “Well, it makes sense.”

“It does, doesn't it? I'm spelling
cat
with a
K
, though.”

“Send me a picture.”

“Okay. I will.”

He couldn't put off telling her any longer. “I hate to bring up bad news, but has Austin called?”

“About your parents filing their petition Friday?”

“So he did call.”

“Yes. Last night.”

“Did he explain the next step will be for a caseworker to come and interview you? Inspect your home?”

“Yes.”

When she didn't say anything more, he realized she didn't want to talk about this while Thea was in hearing distance. “You okay?” he asked softly.

“I'm fine. Resigned. Besides, I've got a more immediate problem.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, my mom always picks Thea up at day care when I fill in for the afternoon shift, and today she can't. Eve was always my backup, so now I guess I need to call Stella and see if she can do it.”

Matt made a quick decision. “Don't call Stella. I'll pick Thea up. What time do I need to be there?”

“No, Matt, I don't want you to have to do that. I can—”

“I don't
have
to do it. I want to do it. I'm her godfather, remember? What time?”

She started to protest again, and he interrupted her a second time. “C'mon, Olivia. This is not a big deal. In fact, it'll be fun for me. What time should I be there?”

“Um, around five thirty? Is that too early?”

“Five thirty is fine,” Matt said, already mentally juggling his schedule. He could bring work home with him, do some reading after Thea was asleep. “Will you let the day care center know I'm coming?”

“If you're sure...” She still sounded doubtful.

“I'm sure.”

“Okay, I'll call the director and tell her you'll be there.”