Page 4 of Nick: His to Claim
“For Christ’s sake, Mace, if I went any slower I’d be backing up. I’ve done everything but stand on my head to get through to her. I’ve called, I’ve dropped in, and I’ve even sent flowers. She won’t bend an inch. My practice is starting to suffer, and I’m going to have to make a decision soon. Either I go back to Colorado and give up my son, knowingly this time, or I move back here and force her to accept me as Jason’s father.” Nick’seyes darkened with pain. “Mace, I love Maggie. I have since we were kids. If I’d known she was pregnant, this never would have happened.”
“I realize that, Nick, but there are other people involved now. What about Jason’s feelings? How do you think he’s going to feel when he finds out Jim wasn’t his real father, and Todd and Caitlin are only his half siblings? This is going to affect the whole family. Is he going to blame Maggie for not telling him the truth? Jason is at a difficult age right now and… ”
“Did she love him?” Nick barked out interrupting his brother.
“What?”
“Jim Cassidy, was Maggie in love with him? Did they have a good marriage? Was she happy?”
Mason starred into his beer. Finally, after an uncomfortably long silence he looked at Nick and answered.
“They seemed—compatible. Was she happy? Hell, I don’t know. I didn’t see much of her back then. She didn’t come to work for me until after his death,” Mason pointed out, flustered.
“Was she heartbroken?”
“What the fuck, Nick! She had three kids to support and a dead husband. How the hell was she supposed at act?”
“Sorry,” Nick sighed running a hand down his face. “She’s giving me such a hard time I’m wondering if there was more to her marriage than Jim coming to the rescue. It might help to know what I’m up against.”
“Maybe you should take a break and go home for a while, let things settle down.”
“I’ve thought about that, Mace, and I just don’t see how perpetuating this lie is going to help anyone involved. It’s not like I’m some criminal. I happen to be a respected professional.”
“Yeah, well, you certainly didn’t look too professional twenty minutes ago,” Mason drawled.
Nick laughed.
“No, I guess I didn’t. You have no idea how mad that woman makes me.”
“You think not? It seems to me you’ve stepped between me and Rebecca on more than one occasion.”
“Only because I didn’t want to have to represent you in court.”
Now it was Mason’s turn to laugh.
“I’d never hurt her,” he defended himself.
“I was figuring on you being the victim,” Nick stated smoothly, finishing his beer and standing up to leave.
“Yeah, right. By the way, what did you threaten Maggie with?”
“I told her I would blister her butt right there if she didn’t straighten out. She took it as a threat; actually, it was more of a promise. On one hand, I can’t believe she managed to reduce me to that level, and on the other hand, well, let’s just say that’s the hand that wants to do the blistering.”
“I get that part, believe me,” Mason told him finishing his own beer. “Just don’t do it at work. It would be kind of hard to explain to OSHA if they happened to be around.
“Right,” Nick agreed with a grin.
“So, where to from here, Nick?” Mason asked as they got into the truck.
“I guess you can drop me off at your place. I really appreciate you letting me use the apartment.”
“No problem, we only keep it for out of town clients or family now, but that’s not what I meant and you know it. What are your plans as far as Maggie is concerned?”
“I’m not giving up, if that’s what you’re asking. What happened with us over the holidays wasn’t planned, but it sure wasn’t a mistake either. Mace, when she came into my arms that night the years just melted away,” Nick sighed.
“I really can’t blame you,” Mason told him smiling. “Maggie is one hell of a woman. Just take it easy on her. She’s had it tough.”
“I’ve been trying too. I think the kids really like me. Caitlin is absolutely priceless, and she’s done a great job with both boys. I can’t fault her there. I have no problem taking on the entire family, but she won’t give an inch.”
