Girl in the Spotlight

by Virginia McCullough

  Seconds ticked by.

  “Thanks for that,” she whispered.

  The call ended. The woman he loved was in pain, and he had no way to help her. Miles tossed the phone on the bed in frustration. Once again, he’d complicated Lark’s life.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  “WHAT HAPPENS NOW?” Evan asked.

  A direct question, but he’d averted his eyes, apparently preferring to study the gray tweed living-room rug.

  “You know me pretty well, Evan, and I don’t make promises I can’t keep.” She swallowed back the urge to demand her son look her in the eye. “Agreed?”

  The weak nod would have to do. Lark had lived with the papers from Lyle sitting in a drawer in her dresser for just over twenty-four hours, and in that time, she’d abruptly broken things off with Miles, chastising herself for what had clearly been a pie-in-the-sky fantasy. Who had she been kidding? While she was spinning daydreams about her future with Miles, Lyle had been busy spinning a custody suit.

  “I wish it weren’t true, but you have an important role in what happens next.”

  Evan looked up at her with troubled eyes. “What do you mean? Dad said it doesn’t matter what I want.”

  “He’s wrong.” She reminded herself to keep her tone strong and confident, but not hostile. “Weeks ago, I asked you if you wanted to spend more time at your dad’s house. Remember that?”

  Evan nodded. “I said I like things the way they are.”

  She rested one hip on the corner of her desk. “Has anything changed since that night?”

  “No.” Instead of meeting her eye, he stared intently at the tall bookshelves to her left. “Dad told me I’d be better off with him, because...” His voice trailed off.

  “Go ahead. Finish the sentence. Because...”

  “You had a baby and didn’t tell him.” He lowered his gaze to again focus on the rug. “That makes you a liar, he says.”

  She folded her arms across her chest, a strategy to contain her anger. She hated grilling Evan, but in order to fight for him, as both Miles and Dawn phrased it, she had to know the truth. “And because of my mistakes, he claims I don’t deserve to share you.”

  Evan jutted his chin defiantly. “I told him I didn’t mind about Perrie Lynn. It’s not her fault she was born.”

  Such insightful logic. It was obvious Evan had given this some thought. “You said that to your dad?”

  “Uh-huh. I told him about the bronze medal she won. Was that okay?”

  The worry in his eyes stabbed her heart. “Evan, whatever you think—or say—about this situation is okay.” Leaving the perch on her desk, she led Evan to the couch, where she pointed for him to sit. She took the chair across from him. “So, by now you know that your dad is taking me to court. Basically, suing me for custody of you.”

  Evan nodded and nervously ran his hand over his mouth.

  “I intend to stand up to him, Evan, but in order to do that I need to know for sure what you want.” Miles’s and Dawn’s words echoed through her head. “I like the arrangement the way it is, too, but that’s not good enough, not in court. Do you understand?”

  “I already told Dad I didn’t want anything to change.”

  “I believe this suit could be dismissed in a hurry, if it’s clear that you didn’t ask for this change. You’ll be thirteen soon, and that counts for something.” She leaned forward in her chair and touched his knee. “In any case, nothing will change right away. Unless I agree to your dad’s terms. But I won’t do that.”

  For the first time, a faint smile appeared on Evan’s face. “You said we’d get a chance to meet Perrie Lynn, like maybe after the world championships.”

  That sent a ripple of anxiety through Lark. “Uh, that’s still true, but when that will happen is unclear.” In as few words as possible, she recounted Miles’s conversation with Eric. “I think the reality is probably hitting her now. It must have taken so much strength to honor her mother by skating at the Internationals, but I’m sure a letdown was inevitable.”

  The change in Evan from the beginning of the conversation to this more relaxed moment confirmed her decision to bring up one more issue.

  “Would you tell me what happened between you and Eduardo?”

  Evan’s eyes widened in surprise.

  “Mr. Howard sent me an email. He’s concerned about you. I think you’ve been stressed out about your dad and me.”

  “I told Eduardo I was sorry about being a jerk.” Evan lowered his head. “He beat me, and I got mad.”

  “Does Mr. Howard know you apologized?”

  “No,” he said with a groan.

  He probably knows exactly what’s coming next. “Then will you tell him?”

  “I guess.” A quick shrug followed.

  “Mr. Howard thinks a lot of you—that’s why he was concerned. He won’t think less of you if you admit you were wrong.”

  Lark smiled to herself, satisfied that she’d said everything possible to convince Evan that she’d stand up for him. She was out of words, and only her actions would do going forward. She fixed tacos for dinner and by the time she went to bed, she was almost numb with fatigue. Evan had done his part, but she had to do hers.

  Should she call Ned Williams, check with him about the plan she’d conceived? Probably. But her instincts told her she trusted herself more. She was resolved to fight Lyle for as long as it took. She’d cash out her retirement account, run through every saved dollar she had and swallow her pride and borrow money from her dad. She’d fight for years and run out the clock, but she would not allow Lyle to bully their son.

  After a night of fitful sleep, she watched Evan leave to catch the bus to school, and with the determination worthy of a trained athlete like Perrie Lynn, Lark put her plan in motion. No responding to messages from Miles and Dawn, or calling Ned Williams. It felt odd—wrong—to avoid Miles, but it had to be that way. She got into her car and drove to Lyle’s office and waited in the parking lot.

  When she saw his car pull in, raw adrenaline pushed her to follow him when he got out of the driver’s side and headed to the entrance. She moved to step in front of him before he had a chance to reach the door. In the split second before his expression turned hostile, she caught the flash of surprise in his face.

  In a tone as cold as the March air, he said, “I suggest we communicate through our lawyers.”

  “No way. I suggest we settle this ourselves, especially if we both want what’s best for Evan.”

  Lyle narrowed his eyes. “You settled this long ago with your lies.”

  Ha! Just as she’d expected, he used her secret as his opening salvo. “Let’s talk about long ago, Lyle, and agree you and I were a big mistake. We never should have married.” She let those words sink in, then added, “What a disaster, huh?”

  “What does that have to do with the situation now?”

  “Evan is the only good thing about our marriage.” His face again registered surprise. She’d caught him off guard—as planned. “Our son is the most important person in my life, and I’m sure that’s true for you.”

  “Of course it is.” He pointed his index finger at her. “And that’s why I’m going to make sure you have as little time with him as possible.”

  She shook her head. “You’re not helping Evan. You’ve chosen this foolish route to get back at me. Despite our son telling you he likes things the way they are. You go ahead with your vindictive custody suit and you risk losing Evan. Or at least you’ll lose his respect.”

  Lyle’s eyes flashed with anger, making it difficult for him to talk. She could see he wanted to shout, call her names, order her off his property. Lark could almost smell his rage.

  “If you try to change our arrangement, Lyle, not only will I fight you, so will Evan. No matter how long it takes.” />
  Lyle shifted his weight from one foot to the other. She read his face, seeing in it his struggle to find the right words. She had the advantage there, but she willed herself not to speak...yet.

  “There’s the little matter of your baby,” Lyle finally said. “Imagine how that’s going to sound in court.”

  “Not good. Your justification for telling Evan about Perrie Lynn against my wishes won’t sound so good to a judge’s ears, either.” She thrust her arms out, palms up. “How are you going to explain that talking about me behind my back protected our son?”

  “You lied to me.”

  “I did. And you would have broken off our engagement if I’d told you about giving up my baby.”

  “I’d have dropped you so fast...”

  She scoffed. “Don’t bother finishing the sentence. We were a big mistake. But Evan isn’t. We’ve both experienced the joy of raising him. That’s where I get stuck in my regrets, Lyle. Without you, I don’t have him.”

  They were in a standoff. Lyle was used to getting the last word, but she wouldn’t let that happen this time. Despite the cold weather, beads of sweat trickled down her back. A response to her pounding heart, no doubt.

  Fixing his face in his characteristic sneer, Lyle said, “What do you really want from me, Lark?”

  “I want us to raise our son well. So far, I’ve done nothing to cast you in a negative light. I’ve not talked to Evan about the way you mocked my writing career.” She paused to catch her breath and consider her next words. “I’ve never described your disrespect, your name-calling. Even now, I’ve refrained from calling your custody suit vindictive.”

  “Oh, yeah, poor you,” Lyle said, thrusting his hands in his jacket pockets.

  Swallowing back her disgust, she stuck to her plan. “Obviously, if you create a custody fight, that will need to change. You’ve gone after my vulnerabilities, behaving as if you have none of your own. You’ve been a good dad, Lyle, but the way you’ve been talking about me is not lost on our son.”

  She let her words hang in the air.

  “He’s stressed, and it’s not only because he knows about Perrie Lynn—Evan has looked her up on the internet. He’s seen her skate. He’s aware that when the time is right, he’ll meet his half sister in person.”

  Lyle rolled his eyes. “Oh, really? How wonderful.”

  Ignoring his sarcasm, she said, “Yes, it will be. But right now, he’s upset because he’s seeing your nastier side on full display.”

  Conscious of her knees shaking, Lark took a few steps back, as if in retreat. But if sarcasm and sneering was all he had left, she could bring this episode to an end.

  “Drop the custody suit, Lyle. Stop the damage before Evan is hurt any more than he already is.”

  She turned on her heel and hurried back to her car. She pulled out of the parking lot and headed down the street, leaving him standing outside his office door.

  * * *

  MILES PACED THE grassy edges of the lakeside park, watching late afternoon turn to evening on the first warm night of April. It was exactly the kind of night he’d been looking forward to since December when he and Lark first hatched their plan to try to identify Perrie Lynn. In the weeks that followed his life had taken on an unexpected shine. He’d even known the exhilaration of falling in love—for real—and it had changed everything.

  He’d gone along with Lark’s wishes and retreated. They hadn’t seen each other for a few weeks, but he’d never considered the idea of letting her go permanently. Not again. If he walked away, he’d never have another chance. The time was right, too. The world championships were behind them now, with Perrie Lynn coming in fourth, not a bad finish considering the season of triumph and sorrow she’d been through.

  Based on her abbreviated text, Lark had successfully fought for Evan. Apparently stunned by her unwillingness to give in to his threats, Lyle had quietly withdrawn his quest for full custody. Miles took that as his signal to come back and fight for her. That’s why he was standing in the park with his heart racing and his eyes fixated on the cars turning onto Night Beach Road. “Come home, Lark,” he murmured. “Please. Whatever you’re doing, come home.”

  He laughed out loud at his own impatience, glad no one was around to hear him talking to himself. He spotted headlights in the distance, but they turned onto another street. He anxiously studied the sky, knowing the full moon would rise soon. When he’d thought this through, the moon was icing on the cake. Now it mocked his hopes.

  Another set of headlights approached, then another. So, are you prepared to stay here all night? Maybe sleep in your car? The answer was yes.

  He almost laughed out loud when at last a set of headlights came close to the park and turned right onto Night Beach Road. When the car turned into her driveway he was sure it was Lark. He waited a few minutes so she could get inside before he pulled out his phone.

  Minutes later, he made the call and got her voice mail. “I’m in the park next to your house, Lark. Will you join me?”

  Pacing the edge of the park again, he waited, agonizing over the minutes ticking by. Five minutes, then ten. He called again. No answer. Only voice mail. “Lark, I’m in the park—I’m not leaving. I’m not walking away. It’s a beautiful night out here.”

  He stuck his phone in the pocket of his windbreaker and let out an impatient sigh. But no matter what happened, he refused to see this as a mistake. It was only one try—if it didn’t work he’d come up with plan B.

  “Miles?”

  He turned to the familiar voice.

  “What are you doing?” She pulled her coat tighter around her.

  “Exactly what it looks like. I’m waiting for you.”

  “But why?” she asked in a plaintive voice.

  He stretched his arm toward her. “Why do you think? I’m here because we belong together.” He paused. “The sooner the better.”

  “I can’t be with you,” she said, enunciating each word. “Or anyone. Too much is on the line. Besides, we were living some kind of fairy tale, Miles.” She circled her hand above her head with a fanciful flourish.

  “I don’t buy that. I love you, and it’s grown-up love, Lark. And I think you have the same feelings for me.”

  She threw her head back and groaned.

  He’d struck a nerve. Of course he had, he’d told the truth. “How hard are you going to make me fight for you?”

  “Miles, c’mon.”

  He widened his stance and threw his shoulders back. “Did you seriously think I’d accept the notion that Lyle won’t let us be together? You fought for Evan and you won. Lyle knows he has no power over you. Not anymore. It’s done...gone forever.”

  “But you have Brooke to consider. As it is, she’s going to have to adjust to having a sister.” She shook her head, dropping her gaze to the patchy grass. “This isn’t only about Evan.”

  Good, she was arguing with him. That was progress. “I’ll worry about Brooke. In fact, I’m way ahead of you. I have a plan.”

  Even with only the dim streetlight illuminating Lark’s features, he could see her frown. At least he’d aroused her curiosity, so it was a good time to dive right in. “I happen to know about visitors night at a certain science fair. Whaddya know, the fair happens to be right here in Two Moon Bay. In two days.”

  That brought a laugh. “Okay, tell me how that’s relevant to what actually unites us—namely, Perrie Lynn.”

  “It isn’t related to Perrie Lynn,” he stated bluntly. “Not everything between us is. The science fair is about Brooke and Evan. It’s about you and me. It’s about the family we’re going to have one day.”

  She swiped her eyes. “Thanks a lot. I thought I was done crying for a while.”

  He took one step closer, but she took a step back. “No. Don’t.”

  “
Evan knew you were in touch with me. You told him we’d become close, that we’d always be friends,” he argued.

  “What’s your point, Miles?”

  “That Evan won’t be the least bit surprised when you introduce me to him at the science fair. And I’ll introduce you and Evan to Brooke. I guarantee she’ll find Evan and his interplanetary travel project very cool.” He took another step closer and waited for her reaction, but she stayed planted where she was. “This is not a fairy tale, Lark. Boston wasn’t a passing fancy. I miss our texts, our calls, our dates. I miss holding you in my arms.”

  She cocked her head. “The science fair, huh?”

  He suppressed a laugh. He was almost there. Well, maybe.

  “That’s right. A small start. Let the kids get used to each other—and to us. Because that’s the end point. I love you, Lark. And I’m not afraid to say it.”

  Silence. She cocked her head the other way and shifted her weight.

  “So? What do you say? It’s just a science fair?”

  “Can we take the kids to Lou’s for pizza afterward?” She put her hand over her mouth to hold back laughter.

  “Absolutely.” He closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her. “I can hardly wait. I know this won’t be easy, Lark. We don’t even know when Eric will contact us.” He cupped her cheeks in his palms and lowered his mouth to cover hers, deepening the kiss when she responded.

  “I’m confident Eric will call when Perrie Lynn is ready,” he said. “But let’s not delay our lives together. This conversation is about us, no matter what happens.” He kissed her again.

  Moving out of his embrace, she turned toward the lake and tucked her arm through his. “You do make it sound easy.” She pointed to the moon rising high enough to leave its shimmering reflection on the calm water. “As easy as the mirror moon on the water.”

  Shaking his head, he said, “No, don’t misunderstand. I’m not naive. You know that, Lark. But I’m not afraid of doing whatever it takes to make us work—kids and careers and all.” He smoothed his hand over her hair. “If I’m afraid of anything, it’s what my life would be without you. That’s why I showed up here, ready to fight you every step of the way.”