The Virgin and Zach Coulter by Lois Faye Dyer Page B

because she wanted something. Usually that something was money.
    â€œI don’t know why you’d care,” Natasha Deacon said dismissively. “Now that Nicholas isn’t there to nitpick over every little fingerprint, I’d think you’d relax a little.”
    â€œI like Nicholas’s neatness. And I love his house. Thetrees are leafed out and the flowers are blooming. It’s lovely here.”
    â€œI’m sure,” Natasha said impatiently. “I don’t know why you like that old house so much. Listen, I don’t have long to talk before Roger comes back…”
    â€œWho’s Roger?” Cynthia asked, trying to put a face with the name.
    â€œYou haven’t met him,” her mother told her. “We’ve only been together for five months.”
    â€œWhat happened to the one before that… George, I think his name was?”
    â€œFor goodness’ sake, Cynthia, try to keep up.” Natasha was clearly exasperated. “I broke up with George over a year ago.”
    â€œAh.” Cynthia didn’t know what to say. Her mother cycled through men too frequently for her to keep track.
    I need a score card, she thought wryly.
    â€œThe point is,” Natasha went on as if Cynthia hadn’t spoken. “Roger is being difficult and I need to move out, get my own apartment and start a new life.”
    This time, Cynthia couldn’t catch the groan before it escaped her lips. “Natasha, not again.”
    â€œDon’t judge me, Cynthia.” Natasha’s voice was sharp. “I only need to borrow enough for first and last months’ rent. I’ll pay you back.”
    â€œI’m sure you would, Natasha, but unfortunately, I can’t swing a loan right now.”
    â€œDon’t be ridiculous. You save money from your paycheck every week. You always have. How long are you staying in Indian Springs?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Cynthia replied cautiously.
    â€œWhy don’t you know? How long did you tell your boss you’d be gone?”
    â€œI no longer have a boss. I quit my job in Palm Springs.”
    The dead silence on the phone was testimony to the unprecedented news.
    â€œThat’s not possible. Unless you took a better position somewhere else.”
    â€œNo, actually, I just walked out.”
    â€œWhy on earth would you leave a job at a posh hotel in Palm Springs?” Natasha demanded, disbelief carrying clearly over the line. “I wanted to visit you there this winter. It was the perfect place to get away from Montana’s cold and snow in February.”
    â€œI left because the head of the company expected me to sleep with him. As I remember, he told me it was one of the ‘perks of the job.’ I disagreed. And I left.”
    â€œThat’s it? That’s the reason you left—because the boss wanted to sleep with you?”
    â€œThat’s pretty much it, yes.” Cynthia braced herself for the tirade she knew was sure to follow her confirmation.
    â€œWhen are you going to grow up and start living in the real world, Cynthia? How many times have I told you this world is ruled by men and a woman has to do whatever’s necessary to get ahead?”
    â€œMore times than I can count,” Cynthia said, stifling a sigh.
    â€œI can’t believe you left a job that paid so well and was in such a perfect vacation spot.” Natasha sounded seriously miffed. “It’s a good thing you always have ahealthy savings account—which brings us back to the important issue here. I need you to send me a check.”
    â€œMother…”
    â€œHow many times have I told you not to call me that?” Natasha’s voice rang with exasperation. “I’m much too young to have a daughter your age and I’m tired of explaining to people that I was barely a child myself when you were born.”
    Cynthia rolled her eyes. “If you want to be called