Her only regret was that she had not done this a long time ago.
~
The office she sat in had a row of windows against the wall, but it did little to ease the dreariness of the dark wood desk and black, upholstered plastic and aluminum chairs, on one of which she now sat. A half-dead plant was also housed in black plastic, and the pot sported the white and brown wounds of overwatering and leakage. Diana studied the fine veins on a single leaf, struggling to remember all the parts of a plant that she had learned long ago. Blade, vein, margin and petiole… Then the man looked up and blinked at her.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Somerset, but we’ve given him as many extensions as we could. The mortgage hasn’t been paid in a year.”
Diana sensed the blood draining from her face and closed her eyes briefly. She could not be hearing what she thought she was. Hoping it was all a bad dream, she slowly re-opened her eyes. Unfortunately, she was still in the same dreary office sitting across from the same somber man.
“I had no idea we were in arrears, Mr. Simms, but certainly if I can pay what we owe, they’ll let me and Hannah stay in our house?”
“Well, we’d have to have everything you owe in back payments. Can you come up with that kind of cash?”
“How much are we behind?”
The bank manager stared down at the papers on his desk. “Uh,” he stuttered, his face flushing to his light brown roots. “Mrs. Somerset, you would need to pay twenty thousand dollars.”
Diana gasped. “You can’t be serious. Surely there’s something you can do.”
The manager looked over his glasses at her. “Foreclosure proceedings have been in process already. Letters have been sent. Unless you can pay it all, I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do.”
“Wait a minute,” she said. “Peter’s life insurance policy is with this bank. When I get the cash from that would it be enough to pay off the mortgage?”
Mr. Simms looked at his computer screen with a frown. When he turned back to Diana his face was grim. “I’m sorry… the insurance policy was cashed in six months ago. The only accounts I have listed for you are your savings and the joint checking. There’s a savings account for Hannah, but that has a zero balance.”
Diana felt her world come crashing down. Gripping the edge of his desk to prevent herself from pulling out her hair, she peered at the squirming manager in desperation. “He emptied Hannah’s account too?”
The manager looked at his hands. She knew he felt as awkward as she did, and she knew that it was her fault. She should never have trusted Peter.
“If I sold my car, would that be enough to postpone the foreclosure?”
“What I would suggest, Mrs. Somerset, is that you sell what you can before they seize your house. Or try to sell your house quick. Pay off what debts you can under bankruptcy and start anew. If you’d like, I can give you the name of a lawyer…”
Diana could feel tears burn her eyes and blinked rapidly. One by one the salty drops escaped, running unchecked down her pale cheeks. Avoiding her gaze, Simms found an invisible speck of dust on the framed photo of his two beautiful children and busied himself with wiping it away.
Hopelessness devoured all of her good intentions. There was nothing she could do. Dreams shattered, she understood clearly that now she could not pay off the mortgage and purchase a shop. He had blown through it all, every last penny. It was one more ambush Peter had won.
All because she had let him.
Nodding slowly, Diana reached for the number. She stared at the card through blurred vision. A solitary tear dropped onto it before she tucked it into her pocket.
Coming to her feet, she managed a tremulous smile at Mr. Simms. “I’m sorry to take up so much of your time.”
Fumbling in a nearly empty desk drawer, he handed her a box of tissues. She pulled two out and crumpled them in her fist with a short laugh of embarrassment. “Thank you.”
“It was no trouble, Mrs. Somerset. Let me just say how very sorry I am. And if you need any help that I can give you, please don’t hesitate to call me.”
“How about a loan?” she muttered.
Simms laughed awkwardly and led her to the door. Holding it open, he allowed her to pass. She knew he was as eager as she to escape the awkward situation. As she turned to say goodbye, he smiled again.
“Please believe that I’ve done what I could.”
“I know you did.”
She nodded one last time and walked away.
~
“Diana Marie Halliday. Born December 7; age 29. Parents died in small plane crash when she was eighteen and in college. She majored in finance with a minor in business management. Graduated with honors at age 21. Smart chick. One steady boyfriend. Took parent’s money and invested it. Started work straight out of college as a manager at a bookstore. Met your brother. According to my sources, he wined and dined her. Swept her off her feet. They married and had a baby within a year. They bought the house for the baby, using part of her trust fund as a down payment. Peter had odd jobs here and there; Diana kept working part-time at the bookstore. Hannah was born in September four years ago. No exact date for when Peter started cheating, but he has a list of women trailing after him.
“You were right, by the way.”
Devlan glanced up at Mike, his brows raised. “How so?”
“She didn’t sleep around from all appearances. She’s kept pretty much to the straight road… despite the cheating husband.”
“Mmm.” He waved his hand, indicating to Mike to continue.
“Okay. Peter drove the Mustang involved in the crash. Bought new.”
Devlan nodded.
“Diana kept the Corolla we saw her in. She also managed to have a private savings account that she stashed money into. According to the minister, that was how she paid for his funeral. He told me Peter stole and squandered everything else away.”
“Does she have any money now?”
“Nothing. Not a dime. In fact, there’s so much debt over her head now, she’s completely broke.”
A finance major? Devlan shook his head in disbelief. “How did she not know?”
Mike glanced down at his papers. “He controlled everything. I don’t think she had much of a choice… Let me leave it at this: he did not allow her to find out. He was an overbearing bully that liked to shout as loud as he could. Her paycheck was direct deposited into their joint checking account. How she managed to store away what little money she had was a stroke of pure luck or genius on her part.”
Devlan’s lips thinned. “Well, I guess she’s better off without him. Did you happen to find out why she stayed with him?”
Mike shrugged. “Beats me. Although, since she lost both her parents, it appears as though she may have stuck around for Hannah’s sake. An old friend at her last job mentioned that she was known to say that she thought it important that Hannah have both parents.”
“But if the parent is not good for the child?”
“That’s just it. He may have worn down Diana, but everyone we spoke to all agreed that he never hurt his daughter. Her medical records are impeccable. No accidents, no bumps or bruises. Healthy as can be. Besides, from what I’ve learned about her – if he touched his daughter Diana would have torn him to pieces.”
Shaking his head, Devlan wondered if he would ever understand women. “But she allowed him to hurt her? That makes no sense.”
“I’m not so sure it was a regular thing,” Mike offered. He glanced down at his papers again. “I could only find one episode for her at an emergency room, and that was recent. Three cracked ribs. Bound and sent home with no questions asked. Reported she fell down the stairs while home alone.”
Devlan’s brow rose. “Okay? That’s possible.”
“They live in a ranch house, no basement.”
Devlan nodded curtly in understanding, and his jaw tightened in anger. Women. They were all trouble, every last one of them. And this particular woman was bothering him more than she shoul
d, which made him even more annoyed. He should not give two hoots that this woman appeared to be pure, honest and simple. It should not bother him that life had dealt her an unfair blow by his selfish step-brother.
Yet that sad look in her eye still haunted him. She was completely alone now, with a small child to care and provide for and financial ruin hanging over her head. Despite all that, she had still flat out refused to accept the help of the last member of her extended family.
“I gave my connection at the bank your card. He was told that your lawyer is handling Peter’s estate and that you are power of attorney now. That way he can release information. He’s sure to call you.”
“Excellent. Good work Mike, and thanks.”
Mike nodded and backed out of the room. Before he shut the door behind him, Devlan glanced up. “Mike. Do me another favor. Keep that watch on her.”
Mike’s eyes widened in surprise, but Devlan did not notice. “Sir?”
“Desperation can force people to act in reckless ways. I need to make sure she doesn’t do anything too drastic. Hannah’s my priority.”
Though he knew that he was not fooling Mike any more than he was fooling himself, Devlan continued to study the papers in front of him as the door closed behind his closest friend and most trusted employee. He knew Mike would remain discreet and do as he asked. In fact, he thought with a small shake of his head, Mike was more like a brother to him than Peter had ever been.
Forming a steeple with his fingers, he rested his chin upon them as he continued to go over the information Mike had given him. Behind him the sun continued to rise above the hustle and bustle of downtown Los Angeles, but he barely noticed. In the quiet of his office with only the sound of his employee’s muffled voices to distract him, he wondered what it was that had forced Diana to make such sacrifices and fall so hard. If it was love, he hoped he never fell in love.
The intercom buzzed. “Mr. Doyle?”
Devlan pressed down the button to answer his secretary. “Yes, what is it, Kathy?”
“A Mr. Simms, from the bank, sir. He says it’s important.”
Devlan frowned. Then he saw the name on his desk. Ah, yes. Simms was Diana’s banker. That did not take very long.
“Put him through,” he said grimly. He reached for the handset as soon as the light blinked. “Doyle.”
“Mr. Doyle? John Simms.”
“Yes, Mr. Simms, what can I do for you?”
“Mr. O’Hare told me that you are the power of attorney to Peter Somerset’s estate, and that I should contact you with any updates.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that.”
“I spoke with Mrs. Somerset today, and have had a chance to review the accounts. I know you’re in charge of his remaining estate, and I’m hopeful that things can be settled quickly on your end.”
“There are a lot of debts?”
“Well, yes sir. Quite a bit of defaults.”
“I see. Is Diana financially stable?”
Simms cleared his throat. “I can’t really say, sir. I’m sorry. I know he was your brother, but she’s still alive and most of the accounts are in both names. I’m borderline breaking confidentiality now.”
“I understand, Simms, but I will personally handle his debts with the fund in my control. Pull a bureau on my brother and have it ready. My secretary will wire the funds for you to settle the debts. In fact, I’ll buy the mortgage and sell the house outright.”
“Yes sir, Mr. Doyle.” The relief in the banker’s voice was so apparent that Devlan almost smiled.
“Oh, and Simms? Your secret is safe with me as long as mine is safe with you.”
“Of course, thank you sir.”
Devlan smiled. “Thank you. Rest assured that all my brother’s debts will be handled.”
“I’m on it now.”
Devlan hung up the phone and sat back in his chair, spinning it around until he faced the window. Outside the city of Los Angeles came alive in the steamy summer sunlight. How fast-paced and different life here was compared to the relaxed atmosphere he had witnessed in the quiet suburb of Denver. The cost of living for one year in his house in Brentwood would probably cover all of Peter’s debts in Denver, but inside his office on the top floor Devlan shook his head in self-reproach. He was taking on a huge responsibility; one he was now absolutely certain Diana would not want him involved in.
However, he reminded himself yet again, it was really for the child. While the gossip columns might accuse him of not having a heart, never in a million years could he allow the last remnant of his family to suffer needlessly. Not while he had the means to fix things. He was not that selfish and cold.
Diana was just an added distraction.
What did it matter that his heart fluttered in his chest when he thought about all the pain she had been through? It had nothing to do with her. Not even because she looked so vulnerable behind her tough as nails exterior.
His gaze scanned the horizon, staring out at hazy Los Angeles around him. The heat here was stifling, but he had enjoyed the brief reprieve at Peter’s funeral. Back in Colorado the snow had almost completely melted from the high peaks in preparation for the new snow coming soon. As he pondered the differing climates, he wondered what Diana was doing at that moment. She had just left the bank. Chances were that she was heading home to pack. Where would she be when the weather turned?
Closing his eyes against the strong California sun, Devlan envisioned Diana as he had always remembered her. The stunning bride dressed in a sheath ivory silk gown that had clung to her curves like a fitted glove. He still remembered that day as if it were yesterday. She had been so happy, her young face glowing with hope and happiness in the candlelight. Peter, too, had appeared happy until he arrived. Without as much as an invitation to stay and dine with them, Peter had demanded that he leave.
How jealous his brother had been, jealous and selfish from the first moment he had arrived on the scene. Despite the eight year age difference, Peter had constantly tried to best him. It was a feat not accomplished until he had found Diana. Peter glowed with pride over having landed her, and for the first time Devlan had to admit he was envious, especially when she smiled at him. It had reached her bright eyes, the skin around them crinkling endearingly, and her laugh was clear, contagious and so full of joy.
A knock on the door broke his reverie, and he turned away from the window reluctantly. “Yeah.”
Mike came strolling back in. “Simms called already?”
“Word travels fast,” Devlan said with a grimace.
“I was in the office.” Mike took the seat in front of Devlan’s desk and leaned forward. “What’s going on here? What’s making you do this?”
Devlan shrugged. “I need to make sure that Hannah is well cared for. If not, she’ll be in the custody battle of a lifetime.”
Mike shook his head. “No, this goes beyond that. What did your brother do that makes you feel so guilty?”
Devlan laughed shortly and came to his feet. “Believe me, Mike, it’s not Peter. I have absolutely no loyalty to him at all.”
Peter had been the sole black smear upon his father’s good name. His elderly father had found Peter’s mother somewhere in Las Vegas and brought the pretty woman home with him. She had died three years later from a sedative overdose, leaving her thirteen-year-old son behind. But Peter had not missed his mother. Even at a young age he was spoiled and wanted so much more than he deserved. His mother had been merely the key to his step-father’s money. Unfortunately, when his step-father died six months later from a heart attack the only money he had left Peter was stashed away in a college fund. He depleted that by the end of his sophomore year, and that was when he found Diana. She had money left to her by her deceased parents, and apparently the lovely face and charming personality that went with it was an added bonus that he took advantage of.
Devlan’s hands curled into tight fists. It sickened him that it did not take Peter long to squander her money as well as her love. No
w he and Diana were left picking up the pieces.
Everything that Peter had touched he destroyed, but it was not out of guilt that Devlan was trying to clean up after him. No, there was something else that tugged at his heart like a child on someone’s coattails.
But even he was not sure what exactly that was.
~
Hot tears burned Diana’s eyes. She struggled to keep them in, but it was too hard. No matter how quickly she blinked her lashes, the persistent moistness welled and overflowed. Sighing sadly, Diana resigned herself to allowing the tears to fall while she drove home from the bank. There was no holding back anymore; she no longer had to hide her true feelings. While Peter used to ridicule her whenever she felt down, he was gone now. It was time to let it all out. Now, before Hannah saw her.
She pulled into the driveway and stared at the small ranch-style house she had called home for the last five years. It rested in a quiet, family-oriented cul-de-sac, where SUVs were parked next to bicycles and community parks were overflowing with block parties. While the sad memories had begun to outweigh the good ones in recent months, it was the house she carried her newborn baby home to. It was the only home Hannah had ever known.
She was glad Hannah was not there when she had received the news. She could not imagine trying to answer the questions the child was sure to ask. She needed time. Unfortunately, that was a luxury she no longer had.
With shaking fingers, she unlocked the door and went in, taking note of how quiet the house was. There would be no more arguments. She had thought she was finally free now that Peter was gone, but he took with him everything she owned. How could she have been so ignorant, so foolish to believe in him, or so blind to the reality of her life?
Sitting down hard on the couch, Diana sighed as she placed her face in her hands. She deserved a good cry. It was a long time coming. Once she was done crying she would move on and make new plans. There was much to do and she needed to get started. She could survive this; she was tougher than she thought. At least, that was what she kept telling herself.
Hannah's Blessing Page 3
