Tessa's Temptation(32)

"I didn't come here to upset my daughter." She smiled at Tess. "When I  found out Pat was injured I came straight here. I feel terrible that I  didn't know sooner."

"Dad told you I was here?" Tess didn't understand why her father  wouldn't have warned her that her mother was on her way. "When did you  go see him?"

"I didn't," her mother admitted. "I called the facility but he wouldn't  speak with me. There was a contact number the facility gave me. One that  you authorized in case of emergency."

"I'm not sure what you're talking about." Tess looked to Chase for an explanation. "Shouldn't I be the contact?"

"When I moved your father, I put my attorney's name on the contact information. Did you speak with Audra Sinclair?"

"I believe so," her mother said. "Such a sweet woman and so concerned for you, Tess. She sent me here immediately."

"That still doesn't explain why you're here." Tess's unease was growing the longer her mother was there. "What do you want?"

"I told you in the kitchen," she said. "I'm going to take you back to  Philadelphia with me. I already told Rocco you'll be coming to live with  us. He's thrilled."

"Rocco?" Chase asked.

"That's my husband," she said. "Tess's stepdad."

"I met him once." Tess recalled the balding, middle-aged man with bad  teeth and dirty fingernails. "Why would you think I'd go live with you?"

"You need me."

Is she serious? Tess almost rolled her eyes.

"Don't you remember I always promised you I'd come for you when I  could?" her mother continued. "I'm not exactly in a position to support  you or anything, but you could get a job and we'll go from there."

"When I was twelve you promised you'd come back. That was about two  years after you left. I stopped waiting for you years ago." It wasn't as  if she wanted to leave her dad, but she had always wished for some kind  of relationship with her mother.

"I know I wasn't around much when you were growing up," her mom said.

"Try not at all."

Chase moved closer to her. His presence should have calmed her, but she  harbored years of anger for the woman sitting across from her. She'd  always tried to reach out to her mother. She forgave her more times than  she could count for the missed birthdays and holidays. She'd even  accepted her sorry excuse for not attending her graduation. But when her  mother didn't return her phone calls about her father's accident, Tess  found she was plain out of forgiveness.                       
       
           



       

"After I left your dad, it took me years to get on my feet. It was one  thing after another. I'm still in some financial trouble." She glanced  around the large room. "Not that you would understand, Chase, but not  everyone lives this way."

"I realize that." Chase took Tess's hand and rested it in his lap,  rubbing her wrist with his thumb. "I'm sure Tessa appreciates your offer  but she's fine here with me. She won't be going to Philadelphia."

"I see." Her mother straightened her back. "Are you two together?"

"That's none of your business." Tess didn't want her mother involved in her life.

"I'm just curious why he would answer for you." She focused on their joined hands. "Am I missing something?"

"You missed a whole lot of things," Tess said. "I am with Chase and I won't be leaving with you."

"Well, it figures that your father would find a way to survive." She  shook her head. "That man always manages to land on his feet even if he  has to sell his daughter."

"What?" Tess tried to get up, but Chase squeezed her hand, holding her  in place. "How dare you? You have no idea what's going on here. How  could you?"

"Baby girl, don't you think I've seen it all? I know what a man like  Chase Carlisle wants from a girl like you." She shifted her focus to  Chase. "No offense, but my daughter is young, beautiful and enticing. As  appealing as she is, she's not the type of woman a man like you stays  interested in for long. I remember your family and where you come from.  Tess doesn't belong in your world. Her father shouldn't have allowed her  to come and live here."

"I can't believe this," Tess raised her voice. "I haven't seen you in  years and the first thing you do is insult the man who has done nothing  but treat me with respect? He helped Dad when no one else would. If not  for Chase, I'd be sleeping on the street."

"Don't be so dramatic." Her mother crossed her legs. "The one thing your father is good at is keeping a roof over your head."

"He can't even walk without assistance. Did you know that?" Tess asked.  "Before Chase got him better care, he wasn't making any progress at all.  We were going to be evicted. That's why I called you. I needed help,  but you were nowhere to be found."

Calling her mom to borrow money had been a long shot and the last thing  she wanted to do, but she'd been desperate when she realized there was  no other way to come up with that last month's rent. Tess stopped  holding out hope for her mother the day Chase moved her into his home.

"I'm sorry I didn't return your calls," she said. "I didn't realize your  father was that bad. I figured he was all better when I didn't hear  from you again. You were on my mind. I just …  had a lot to deal with. I'm  on the verge of being evicted myself. Rocco has been unemployed for  months. That's why I'm hoping you'll come back with me. If you got a job  you could help pay the rent like you did with your dad all these  years."

"Dad and I survived together." Tess couldn't believe the audacity of  this woman. "That's how it still is and nothing would make me leave  him."

"It doesn't seem like you're struggling anymore." She looked around the opulent living room.

The bile rose in Tess's throat when she realized what her mother was getting at.

"Your father found a meal ticket for you both. Sweetie, you have to  understand this won't last. I'm only trying to help you. Your dad does  desperate things. He gave you to a man who will grow tired of you, and  when he does you'll be back on the streets. Then what will you do?"

"I've heard quite enough, Nina," Chase spoke, his voice peppered with  irritation. "Pat didn't do anything haphazard where Tessa is concerned.  He asked me to care for his daughter because he loves her and he wanted  to make things right for her. Think whatever you'd like about me and my  intensions, but I won't have you insulting or hurting Tessa any  further."

"That's not what I'm trying to do," her mother responded. "I care about  my daughter too. What kind of mother would I be if I let her stay here  knowing that her body is the only thing you'll ever want from her?"

"Are you out of your mind?' Tess shouted. "You don't know anything about  me or who I've become. You know far less about the man Chase is. I'm  not exactly sure why you've come here, but if it was to mend fences with  me, you're too late. I don't need you! I never have!"                       
       
           



       

"That's not true or you wouldn't have called me when your dad got hurt."

"It was poor judgment on my part but now I know," Tess said. "I'm sorry  you're experiencing some financial trouble but I can't help you."

"Maybe you can't but..." Her mother turned to stare at Chase. "Do you truly care for my daughter?"

"Oh, God, no!" Tess took a deep breath, fearing she would lose the battle with the nausea in her stomach. "Don't you dare."

"It's okay, Tessa," Chase said as he stood. "To answer your question,  yes, I care for your daughter more than I ever thought I could. I had no  business wanting a woman like her. You're right, we do come from two  different worlds. Tessa and I have been through the reasons it could  never work out between us, but luckily for me, your daughter is  strong-willed and very determined. I would do anything for her including  paying you to leave her alone."

"No," Tess said. "That's not what I want."

"Of course you don't," her mother said. "She doesn't want me out of her  life and for you to suggest that proves just how little you know about  my daughter. Tess, sweetie, why don't you go get your things while I  work this out with Chase?"

"He's right." Tess got up and took Chase's hand. "I do want you out of  my life if you're looking for some kind of pay out. I don't want him to  give you any money. Why should he?" Her mother didn't deserve anything  from Chase. She couldn't just show up here looking for a handout. "If  you want a relationship with me, that needs to come separate from  anything you think you could gain here. Did you come for me or did you  come for money?"