Temporary Bride

Chapter Fourteen

Mika had never expected that the Collins would come to dinner... not so soon. If she was in Veronica's place, she would never have set foot in Markland again. Then again, she was not in love with someone else's wife... and it was clear that Veronica had seen the reason for their marriage. Maybe, Erika had even telephoned her and explained... or perhaps, at the club, they already talked. Whatever had happened, two days later, Philip came to Markland with his wife in tow.

Bret had already left. But during his brief stay, he had accepted Mika in a way she found unbelievable.

"Soon, Yeye, I will get Erika to bring you to Houston, and you'll stay with me in the penthouse. I would really get to know my new granddaughter." He said to Mika before he left. He had hugged her warmly, kissed her cheeks, and she suddenly found herself tearful at the idea of his going. Instinctively she knew that he was someone she could run to... someone she can rely on as she had once relied on Erika. She watched rather wistfully as the helicopter climbed from Markland and headed out over the creek, and Erika's arm came around her, although she knew it was merely in case Bret should still be watching.

"That did not take long. Did it?" The blue-eyed murmured sardonically... her normal since Mika had repulsed her so firmly. "To convert Bret in such a short time is a great feat. Obviously you are a woman after his own heart." She sneered.

"Nothing magical there." Mika snapped. "He fondly imagines that I love you."

It was a stupid thing to say. Idiotic. She had thought that by now, she had her unruly tongue under control... Apparently she had not.

"He must be getting old then." Erika snarled, letting her go and striding off without her. "There was a time when nobody could pull a wool over Bret Sanford's eyes. Luckily you won't have to keep it up too long."

Mika watched her wife's tall figure striding away... thankful that she had gone ahead. If the blonde ever discovered that she did love her, she would take advantage of it at once.

Although Essie had said nothing outright, her attitude when Veronica arrived unexpectedly had shown the Filipina that she greatly disapproved. The disapproval did not, however, extend itself to Philip Collins. When Mika, in her new role as mistress of Markland, informed her that they would have guests for dinner and told who they were, she smiled in a reminiscent way when Philip's name was mentioned.

"Mr. Philip! That boy. He was as close as a brother to Miss Erika. It was fun to watch the two of them. There was one point we all thought they would end up together... and then boom! Miss Erika announced that she is into women. That did not affect their friendship. They were happy... until..." She closed her mouth firmly and Mika knew that she was going to get nothing else. She don't want additional information, really. It was enough for her to know that Philip Collins married the woman that Erika wanted for herself. The blonde was not the sort to sit and weep over this sort of thing... She made her own plans.

"How did Bret take to you?" Philip asked smiling down at Mika after they had been introduced. He was tall like Erika and was well built... probably the same age as Erika by the look of him. With dark curly hair, rather large spectacles and a sunny smile, he was impossible to dislike. Geeky but pleasant.

His greeting of Erika had been one of great friendliness... there was no animosity there. It was clear to Mika that he was oblivious to what their wives have.

"Bret is bowled over!" Erika said with a laugh as she poured drinks. She was pleasant to Veronica tonight. Mika knew that her own presence here would have made almost anything possible without Philip being suspicious. It made things worse than ever to her, though.

"Bret never liked me, of course." Veronica put in with a little laugh. "I never could please him."

"Not many people can, darling." Philip said with a smile on her. "Don't take it to heart. Bret Sanford makes his own rules."