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When the limo arrived at Wentworth Villa, Kelly went straight to her room, locked up her weapon and tossed belongings into her suitcase. She only had to get through one more night. One more night, and then she would have her life back.
Or would she?
She collapsed on the bed, hugging a pair of shorts to her chest.
So many things had changed. For one thing, she didn’t have a car, and the insurance company hadn’t yet issued a check. Trey would loan her a vehicle, but for how long? She couldn’t keep a loaner forever. How was she supposed to get back and forth to work? Would the media continue to hound her? If so, would Marshall suspend her? Terminate her?
“You’re going away, too, aren’t you?”
Kelly looked up at the sound of a small voice. Wearing a solemn expression, Jason stood at the threshold of her room, his gaze glued to her suitcase.
She sucked in a deep breath. She had to have this conversation with him sooner or later. But how could she explain why she had to go?
“Hi, Jason,” she said brightly as he moved toward her. “Did you have a nice day?”
He shook his head. “I miss Maria.”
“I know you do, and I’m sorry,” Kelly said. God, but the timing of her departure couldn’t be worse. Feeling like a jerk, she hugged him close. As she breathed in his sweet fragrance, she closed her eyes against an unexpected rush of tears. She’d miss seeing him every day. Obviously, she’d allowed herself to care about Jason too much. Yeah, maybe he was a little spoiled, but that wasn’t his fault. He’d been through so much, and now she was adding to his losses.
He wiggled away and sat on the bed beside her. “I know a secret,” he told her.
“You do?” she asked.
He nodded. “Yes.”
“Do you want to tell me?”
“I don’t know.” He focused on her suitcase behind her on the bed.
“Is it about Maria?” she asked.
“No.” He picked at the hem of his T-shirt. “It’s about you.”
“Is it a good secret or a bad secret?”
He shrugged. “I know you’re not my real mommy. You’re Kelly.”
She blinked. So she and Trey had been right. “That’s right, Jase,” she said carefully. “I’m Kelly.”
He gazed at her with incredibly sad blue eyes. “My mommy is dead,” he said in a tiny voice. “The angels took her.”
“I’m so sorry, sweetie,” Kelly said.
“Me, too,” he whispered, looking away. “I got mixed up.”
“How long have you not been mixed up?”
He shrugged again. “A while.”
“Why didn’t you say anything? Why keep it a secret?”
“Because I knew you’d go away. Are you?”
“Yes,” she said.
“But I want you to stay. Can’t you stay?” His voice was pleading.
“This isn’t my home, Jason. It’s your daddy’s home.”
“He won’t mind. I’ll ask him if it’s okay.”
“But I have a different home somewhere else.”
His eyes widened. “You do?”
“Yes, a little apartment.”
“Where is it?”
“Not on this island, but not too far.”
“Could I come visit you there?”
“I hope you do.”
He smiled for the first time. “I have a new doctor.”
“I heard that. Do you like him?”
“He’s okay. Will I get a new nanny, too?”
“Probably. Yeah, I think so.”
He entwined his fingers with her. “I wish you could be my new mommy.”
So do I. The thought came out of nowhere. Was that what she wanted? To be Jason’s replacement mother?
Or did she want to be Trey’s replacement wife?
Wishing for the moon never did anyone any good. She’d learned that a long time ago. The cold reality was now there was no longer any reason for her to remain. Trey wouldn’t even try to persuade her.
Jason had accepted the truth. He was sad, naturally, but otherwise okay with the fact that his mother was gone. Certainly no more hysterics. He had a new doctor and would soon get a new nanny.
And maybe he’d even get a new mommy someday.
She closed her eyes. She suddenly knew she’d follow Trey in the tabloids like some obsessed fan girl. She’d have to know what he was doing, where he was, if his tennis clinic ever came to fruition. How Jason was.
