Always the One

by Tara Randel

  “Well, if you get a break, we’d love to have you.”

  He stopped on the other side of the desk as she shrugged into her coat. “You are coming to the showing Wednesday night?” he asked.

  “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  Last fall, Hannah had stopped into a coffee shop around the corner from the gallery and been drawn into conversation with Layla, a barista working there. They began talking about painting and Layla confessed she was a struggling artist. She’d pulled out her phone to show Hannah some of her creations and Hannah knew right then and there that Layla was gifted with exceptional talent. Once she convinced Jonathan to take a look and he viewed Layla’s canvases, he was as smitten with her talent as much as Hannah. It had taken months of preparation, but now Jonathan was ready to reveal his newest discovery—as he referred to Layla, even though Hannah had talked to her first—to the public. Layla’s watercolors were otherworldly, much like the waif of a girl herself. Hannah couldn’t wait to watch her career take off.

  “I’d come pick you up but I’ll be at the gallery, preparing for the event.”

  “I figured as much. Lynny and I will be there as soon as we can get away. I don’t expect much of a holdup after Mom’s follow-up scan, but I want to be there to support you.”

  The excitement in his eyes dimmed for a flash, then went back to normal. She wasn’t sure if he was unhappy about the possibility of her running late or bringing Lynny along. “Of course. Your mother comes first.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Michelle will be there to help me greet guests.”

  At the mention of Jonathan’s assistant, Hannah went cold. There was something...predatory about that woman.

  “And if you want to invite your other friend...”

  He wanted her to bring Derrick? No way. She was having a hard enough time dealing with his reappearance as it was. She wasn’t about to let him get more ingrained in her routine. Especially at her fiancé’s new showcase.

  “No, it’ll just be Lynny and me.”

  Again, the slight show of displeasure.

  “Is there a problem with her coming?”

  “No, I just get the feeling she doesn’t approve of us.”

  Hannah never got that vibe. “You couldn’t be more wrong.”

  He shrugged. “Still, I don’t mind more people attending.”

  Back to Derrick? “Really, Jonathan, I’m not sure Derrick tagging along would be a good idea.”

  “Why? You’re only old friends, correct?”

  How to answer that question? It wasn’t that Hannah had kept the truth from Jonathan, she just hadn’t told him anything about her previous life. She’d explained that her father had gotten into legal trouble. That they were broke and unsure of the future. That she and her mother had decided they should build a new life, away from the problems that had torn their family apart. Jonathan had understood. Hadn’t pushed for more when she put brakes on the conversation. He definitely didn’t suspect that her name was an alias or that she’d once been engaged to another man. He’d been fine with what she’d confided, until now. Because of Derrick suddenly showing up?

  He skirted the desk and stood before her. “Anna, you are my love and I trust you completely. I only want you to be happy.”

  Tears prickled the backs of her eyes. This wonderful man deserved better than she’d given him. Should she lay it on the line? Tell him the truth? Or would he run from her as fast as he could?

  “I do love you, Jonathan.”

  She smothered a cringe. Even she could hear the but in her tone.

  “That’s all I ask.”

  He leaned down to kiss her when a chirpy voice broke the spell.

  “Look at you two lovebirds.”

  Jonathan tensed and moved away. “As usual your timing is impeccable.”

  Hannah playfully tapped his arm.

  “Hey, what can I say?” Lynny replied without rancor. “I’m talented like that.”

  Jonathan returned his attention to Hannah. “Sweetheart, I’ll meet you at your house.”

  “I’m right behind you,” Hannah answered, her eyes glued to the stately bearing of his shoulders as he left the room.

  “Really, could he be any more stuffy?” Lynny asked.

  Hannah chuckled. “You’re just jealous.”

  Her friend let out a gusty sigh. “Guilty.” She pulled herself from her pity party and said, “So, what are you going to do?”

  “About what?”

  Lynny sent her a don’t even glare.

  “Plan a wedding.”

  “Good try. I meant about your old flame and your fiancé.”

  “Why do I have to do anything?”

  “Please don’t tell me you’re that naive.”

  Hannah sent her a blank look.

  “C’mon. Surely you know Derrick wants to win you back.”

  Hannah ignored the increase in her pulse. Those words shouldn’t give her as much pleasure as they did. “How did you come to that conclusion?”

  “Because I have eyes. And I’m observant. From the first second I met Derrick I knew he still wants a relationship with you. And Jonathan? He pretty much drew an imaginary line in the sand. You, my friend, have a dilemma.”

  Her stomach flopped at the thought.

  “I didn’t ask Derrick to come here.”

  “No, but he’s here and if I’m any judge of character, he’s not going away.”

  “Lynny, I am getting married.”

  “Are you? You’ve been engaged what, six months? No engagement party. No mention to our coworkers.” Lynny grabbed her left hand and held it up. “And you rarely wear his ring to school.”

  “I don’t like wearing it here. Between the chalk dust and the glue and chasing after animals, I don’t want to ruin it.”

  “It’s platinum. A nuclear explosion couldn’t destroy it.”

  “Still, I...”

  “Have an answer for everything.”

  Hannah slumped, growing warm under her heavy coat. “If you’d asked me a few days ago if I was excited about planning a wedding, I would have said yes.”

  Crossing her arms over her chest, Lynny stared her down.

  “I would have,” she protested. “But I will admit, Derrick showing up out of the blue has created a little...hiccup.”

  “Hiccup?” Lynny burst out laughing.

  “Okay, honest truth. I’m a little unnerved by the situation.”

  “Spoken like a woman with two guys after her. If only I was so lucky.”

  “I don’t think I’d call this luck.”

  Lynny dropped her arms, then gave Hannah a big hug. “It’ll work out.”

  Would it? Jonathan wanted to set a wedding date. Derrick looked at her with the same fire in his eyes she remembered from when they were teens. “How on earth am I going to plan a wedding to Jonathan when Derrick is hanging around and throwing me off-balance?”

  Lynny pulled back. “Thankfully you have me and your mom to stand by you. I believe deep down, you’ll know the right thing to do.”

  She pictured Derrick’s beloved face. Heard Jonathan’s velvety voice telling her he wanted her to be happy.

  Why all of this now?

  She grabbed her scarf to wrap around her neck before venturing out into the icy air, wishing she could truly say she was happy instead of majorly confused.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  EVENING SHADOWS GREW LONG and distorted Wednesday evening as Hannah steered her car onto the wet highway leading to Carson City. A love song played on the radio, which Hannah pointedly tuned out. She didn’t need reminders of what was. She and Derrick had had their chance. Now she was with Jonathan. She was content, convincing herself that Derrick showing up out of the blue hadn’t thrown her off-balance.

  As she clicked on the headlights, Lyn
ny asked, “How did the scan go today?”

  “We won’t know until the doctor’s appointment next week.” Hannah smiled despite the ache that had set up permanent residence in her chest. She’d be relieved when they learned the outcome of the last scan and returned to their new normal. “You should have seen Mom. Every day since the treatments have ended she’s been picking up strength. You would have thought she was there for a party instead of a test this afternoon.”

  “That’s your mom.” Lynny shivered and rubbed her hands together. The temperature still hovered around thirty degrees outside. “She doesn’t mind missing the opening-night exhibit?”

  Hannah reached over to adjust the heat. “This is really just a preparty, invite only. The official public viewing starts Friday night.”

  “I’m excited. You’ve gone on and on about the artist’s work.”

  “Layla is talented. I wouldn’t be surprised if she makes a big splash in the art world.”

  Her friend twisted in the passenger seat to face Hannah. “Why do I hear a hint of envy in your voice?”

  Hannah shrugged. “I’ve always been interested in art. I guess I thought I’d work in that field. Find raw talent like Jonathan does.” She chuckled. “Not become a teacher.”

  Lynny’s smile faded. After all, she’d gotten Hannah the job at Ponderosa Day School. “You don’t like teaching?”

  Hannah wrestled with her answer for a drawn-out moment. Listed the pro and cons in her mind. “I do. I love the expressions on the children’s faces when they understand a new concept or discover a special book or can locate a country we’re discussing on the map.” A thought occurred to her. “In a way, seeing the excitement on my students’ faces when they learn something new is like watching the public discover a new artist. Both bring a deep satisfaction.”

  “Is that why you were attracted to Jonathan? Because of the gallery?”

  “I suppose. At first.”

  She thought back to their first meeting. Just before school went back into session after summer break two years ago, Hannah had taken a rare day to herself and ventured to Carson City. She’d shopped, treated herself to a fabulous lunch and just meandered downtown, gazing in store windows. When she happened upon the Prescott Gallery, it didn’t take much of a push for her to venture inside. She’d never forget the echo of her heels on the marble floor as she moved about the quiet room, admiring the exhibits staged in a way to entice the viewer. Colorful paintings, landscapes mixed in with still life and abstract, were mounted on the stark white walls. Pottery and sculptures crafted by local artisans were strategically set out on pedestals or long tables, meant to catch the eye. The sound of a voice in the back room was muffled, until Jonathan emerged to greet Hannah, a potential customer. Certainly not a love interest.

  He’d been solicitous, friendly and so knowledgeable as they chatted that Hannah couldn’t squelch the disappointment at not being a part of this world. But soon, Jonathan invited her to different events, informed her when a new artist showed work at his gallery and before she knew it, they were dating. He was smart, handsome and fun to be with, coming into her life when she’d finally decided she wanted more than a friend.

  “I’ll be honest, Lynny, I never thought Jonathan would take an interest in me. Not that I’m complaining.”

  “I don’t know why you do that.”

  Hannah took her gaze from the road for a split second to catch Lynny’s expression. “Do what?”

  “Act like you aren’t special. Like it’s a big surprise that someone like Jonathan would fall in love with you. You are engaged.”

  “I didn’t realize...” Hannah bit her lip. True, she and Jonathan had gone over details for the ceremony and reception at dinner the other night. He’d been excited to take the lead, but also very interested in her suggestions. “I just never thought I’d fall in love again. It sort of surprised me.”

  “Derrick had that much of a hold on you?”

  He had. For many years. Despite the anger. “Think back to your first love. Tell me what you remember.”

  “Laughing,” Lynny answered, her voice light. “I met Sam in college. We clicked and our time together was like a brightly burning light.”

  “What happened?”

  “The light dimmed.”

  Hannah caught Lynny’s shrug out of the corner of her eye. “It wasn’t a bad breakup or a horrible situation that drew us apart. It was gradual and sad. But I have wonderful memories.”

  “It’s not the same for Derrick and me.” She blew out a breath. “Because of something Derrick did, my family paid the price. So there was no closure. No goodbyes. No way to make things right. I’m just not sure I can forgive him.”

  “Seems like he’s trying to make amends.”

  Could he ever do enough to make up for the upheaval he caused her family? She’d lost her dreams, her dad and her future, because he hadn’t kept his promise. “I think it’s too late.”

  “Because you have Jonathan now?”

  “And a good life here. I love my students, my mother will get well and I have wonderful friends, especially you.” Maybe things hadn’t turned out so horrible after all. Unexpected, for sure, but not horrible. “What more could I ask for?”

  Even though Derrick was law enforcement, she wasn’t nervous around him like she had been with the Marshals. It wasn’t as if she’d done anything wrong. She hadn’t taken the gemstones, and if Derrick insisted on investigating where the one he’d received had come from, no way would she stop him. In fact, if Derrick found who had sent him the stone, then maybe it would lead him to find the other gems and she could go back to being Hannah. A wonderful thought, but he didn’t have much to go on, so for the foreseeable future, she would remain Anna.

  An upbeat song, with a lively drumbeat and a cool brass section, came over the airwaves. Hannah turned up the dial and they both sang along. Once the tune finished, Lynny adjusted the volume. They were close to the city now, ten minutes from the gallery.

  “I have to ask you something,” Lynny said, her tone tentative.

  “By the sound of your voice I’m guessing I might not like it.”

  “No, it’s nothing bad.” She glanced out the window and back again. “Are you one-hundred-percent certain about marrying Jonathan?”

  “Of course.”

  “I only ask because Derrick showing up was unexpected and, well, I feel like you’ll never be truly committed to Jonathan if you don’t get that closure you talked about.”

  Could Lynny be onto something? She wanted to marry Jonathan, but perhaps she needed a little time to move on from Derrick and the past. Not that she wanted to be with Derrick; that ship had sailed, right? Right? Good grief, why was she even thinking this way?

  “I get what you’re saying and you’re not off base. I do need that closure in order to move on with my future.” She eased down the ramp and picked up speed on the main thoroughfare leading to the gallery. Interior lights came on in businesses along the route as the night sky settled into deep tones of purple and navy. A cherry glow emanated from the streetlamps dotting the way to her destination. “Maybe it’s a good thing Derrick came to town. Now we can say what needs to be said and I can marry Jonathan without any regrets.”

  Hannah found a parking spot in the public lot. She gathered her purse and slipped on gloves before exiting the warm confines of the car to brave the frigid night air. Avoiding icy patches, she and Lynny speed walked the block to the gallery.

  “That was perceptive of you,” Hannah told her friend. “About getting closure before marrying Jonathan.”

  “I just call ’em like I see ’em.”

  “Yeah? And how are things progressing with Mr. Garver, the cute gym teacher at Ponderosa?”

  The corners of Lynny’s lips angled down. “Roger and I are still in the friend zone.”

  “So there’s still a cha
nce?”

  “I suppose.”

  Hannah threw her arm around Lynny’s slumped shoulders. “Just give it time.”

  “You think?”

  “I call ’em like I see ’em?”

  That got a laugh out of Lynny. “You’re a good friend.”

  “Back at ya.”

  A lively group of people had just entered the gallery before they walked up. Hannah grabbed the door to hold it open for Lynny before following her inside. As they stepped just beyond the door, Hannah unwound her scarf and shrugged out of her heavy coat, stuffing her gloves in the pockets. She’d just draped it over her arm when a cultured voice greeted her.

  “Anna. You made it.”

  She grinned when Jonathan came her way. He wore a dark suit that made him more handsome than usual. “I said I’d be here.” She went on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “And I must say, I’ve only just walked in, but the gallery looks beautiful.”

  “I wouldn’t have been able to get this done without Michelle.”

  At her name, a slim woman in a tight black dress, her dark hair pulled back into a chignon and her makeup flawlessly applied, joined them.

  “You’re too sweet, Jonathan.” Michelle’s eyes grew frosty and her voice cold when she greeted Hannah. “So glad you made it.”

  Hannah smiled back despite the cool reception. “I wouldn’t miss this.”

  As Michelle viewed Hannah’s outfit, a shimmery silver dress with tall black boots, she wrinkled her nose. Hannah, insecure whenever she was with this very fashion-forward woman, tucked a few stray hairs into the knot at the back of her neck. She’d added dangly black earrings and a chunky black necklace to her ensemble, but suddenly she felt like she was wearing a paper bag.

  “I hope I look all right,” she said in a low voice for only Jonathan’s ears. Years of hiding out and downplaying her appearance to avoid her past made her a bit apprehensive about her clothing choices.

  “You’ll be fine,” he said with a flick of his wrist. “Tonight the art is all anyone will notice.”

  Hannah tried not to let his words sting, but she understood what he meant. This wasn’t a fashion show. People were here to discover a new artist. She blew out a breath, glad he hadn’t said she was totally off base. After being at the hospital this afternoon and then rushing home to change for tonight’s event, she’d thought she’d done a decent job choosing her outfit.