Chadwick's Rare Find (An Intriguing Romance Novel) by Heidi Sexton Read Free Book Online

family for their rejection of him.  
    “Didn’t you say she was a masseuse?   Chadwick shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get this girl. Furthermore, I don’t like the massage business.  She may as well make her money washing feet or better yet, shining shoes.  It’s a rich man’s service, which makes her a rich man’s servant. I would be embarrassed to say that my girlfriend was a masseuse”, he sniffed and settled deeper into the chair. 
    “Daddy you need to stop.  I forbid you to say one word when Brittany gets here.  Act the way you act around momma’s family. Be as quiet as a mouse.”  Chadwick was glad his mom had said “appointment” and not “appointments” because it was clear his dad was not going to behave.  He should never have mentioned his father getting a massage.   It wasn’t something his daddy would be comfortable with.  Yes, it was better if it was just mom.  She knew how to act.  He looked at his mom and grinned.  Now, she had class. Good ole mom.  
    “I agree with Chadwick, James. When you are getting the massage, just don’t say a word.  Try to relax and enjoy it.” Both men looked at Mara as if she had grown two heads.  They stared in bewilderment. 
    Mara knew she was getting old.  It was a sad realization, but in a way, a sweet dawning for her.  Her life had been filled to the absolute brim with satisfaction and contentment.  She had known true love and passion.  She had birthed near perfect children, none of whom had brought shame upon her.  She was healthy and still able to watch their lives take root and flourish.  If it took growing old to get to the scenic route, in her eyes it was worth it.  She desperately wanted to see her children married with children of their own.   She wanted grandbabies.  She chose not to look at being sixty as the end of her “day."  Her children’s lives were no more than an extended unraveling of her own.  Considering their present stations, she could easily say her “day” was just beginning.  
    “Mom, please don’t tell me you made the appointment for daddy.”  Chadwick was looking on the brink of an explosion. 
    “I am not about to have that young woman touching on me.  The massage business breeds immorality.  Let Chadwick get the massage.  That’s too much relaxing and letting down your guard.   Mar, I know you didn’t.  Girl, you are going have to go and undo this thing, because it is not going to happen.” James had stood up.  He was looking from Mara to Chadwick as if they both had crossed the boundaries of decency.  
    “James you will have that massage.  You need it.”  Mara crossed the room and sat in the chair James had gotten out of.  She looked up at him and waited. 
    “Why do I need a massage?” he asked. 
    “Do you want me to say it in front of Chadwick?”  
    James jumped and his hands fluttered, before they stilled at his side.  He stared down at Mara.   Her big brown eyes belied the gray hairs on her head.  It was uncanny that her eyes had not aged.  To look into her eyes, she could have been the nineteen-year-old girl he married forty-one years ago.  Children and food had taken over her thin frame, but Lord, the touch of her hand and the feel of her skin was just as potent as it was forty-one years ago.  She was evil though. He had learned that lesson years ago.  Mara Jordan could be bad. 
    “You really are evil.  You know that don’t you,” was all he could say.  
    “Don’t you think you need a massage, baby.  It may really help.  As a matter-of-fact you were right.  People, who can’t relax, always relax with a massage,”  Mara  persisted.
    “Okay, Mara!   I’ll have the massage.  We’ll talk about this tonight.  You’re going to pay for embarrassing me.” He stormed out of the room never once looking at Chadwick, who stood speechless.   
    Chadwick valiantly squelched his curiosity.  There were some things even grown children should