She gave him a watery smile. “Thanks for everything, Allan. I really do appreciate everything you’ve done.”
“You may not say that if Doyle asks where you are.”
“But I mean it now.”
He smiled. “We know.”
~
“Well, I’ve always wanted to be a daddy. I hope you don’t mind me filling in for the guy?”
Diana laughed. It was a sound that was rarely made in the last month. “Really, Brad. Do you have to keep reminding me?”
With one hand on his hip, Brad waved his paintbrush around flagrantly. “So, will you marry me or what?”
Diana shook her head. “I’ve been married once, and trust me when I say that it’s not fun.”
“But this would be different. I’d be –”
“Saddled with a woman who has two children by two different men, neither of which is you.” Diana glanced up and frowned. It really did sound bad, and even worse when she added that Devlan and Peter were step-brothers. “You can be my coach. Okay?”
Cocking his head to one side, Brad stuck out his lower lip and made a sad face. “Well, if you say so.”
Diana gave her attention back to the papers in front of her. “You have over twenty thousand in your checking account, and you’re getting reminder notices left and right.” He shrugged. “And the mural you sold at your shop last week went for two grand less than it was worth. What are you doing?”
“I’m an artist, babe, not an accountant.”
“You need help if you want to keep on doing your work. Maybe you should hire someone.”
Brad leaned forward and dabbed furiously at the canvas before turning to her. He held his brush in his teeth.
“Fine, you’re hired,” he said in a muffled voice.
She shook her head. “I’m not an accountant.”
“No, but you’re pretty, and you’re smart. You’re exactly what I need to keep the store running.”
“You’re doing okay, Brad, but you need a professional.”
“Baloney. You need a job, and if I remember correctly you did major in business management and finance. You can help me out there and do my books. I’ll pay your rent, health insurance, and a small salary too.”
“Finance was my major; business management my minor. That still doesn’t make me an accountant,” Diana murmured.
“I can offer you flexible hours, and you’re going to need that soon.”
Her hand fell to her still flat abdomen. She still had not told Hannah about the baby, even though she was now eight weeks pregnant. It was too hard to explain. It had taken her a long time just to help Hannah get over the fact they were not going back to Malibu.
The new surroundings had aided Hannah in her recovery. She certainly did well in the dry desert air. She was now re-enrolled in school and an aquatics class, and Brad had helped her find a therapist to ensure that Diana was completing her therapy correctly.
But Brad was right. She needed health insurance to ensure Hannah’s continued care, as well as her own and that of her unborn child. It would not do to try and have a baby without prenatal care.
“Very well,” she said, sighing. “But I can’t guarantee the outcome.”
Brad chuckled. “Baby, you’re the best I’ve got. Besides, you managed the bookstore in Denver. You’ll do fine, I know it.”
“I hope I can fulfill that obligation.”
“I have faith,” he said with a gentle smile. “Besides, I can’t wait to help you birth that baby. This is so exciting.”
~
Devlan sat on the sofa in his library, reading a long overdue book. Though his retirement plans had been put on hold, he had taken time off at the insistence of his doctors. After a week of sitting at home, he was bored out of his mind. Mrs. Maclean knocked softly on the partially open door before popping her head around the corner.
“Tea, Mr. Doyle?”
“Thank you.” Devlan placed down the book between his crossed legs and managed a small smile at his housekeeper.
“How are you today, sir?”
“Fine, thank you. And you?”
“I had a passable holiday.” Her eyes seemed to fill with tears, and Devlan looked away quickly, knowing what she was going to say. “I had gotten used to a larger household in Malibu, so it was too quiet here for my tastes.”
“I know what you mean,” he said abruptly. He had spent Christmas in New York, snowed in, hurting and recovering from a heart attack that made him feel twenty years older.
“I knew there would be trouble when Roxanne showed up that day, but I didn’t do anything to stop it. I’m sorry, sir.”
Devlan glanced up quickly, but the emotion and guilt on Mrs. Maclean’s face made him regret doing so immediately. He was not yet ready to discuss what had happened. “It’s not your fault.”
“I’m glad to see you home again. We were all scared for a bit there.”
Devlan nodded impatiently. Though the subject had changed, he was tired of hearing all the well wishes from people who had no idea what he was going through. “Has Mike called yet?”
“No, sir.”
Just then, as if on cue, the phone rang. Devlan reached for it quickly, almost upsetting the book on his lap. Mrs. Maclean backed from the room as quietly as she entered, her eyes still brimming with tears.
“Yeah.”
“We got a hit on the car. Kathy got a call from the guy in Denver, her friend.”
Devlan pinched the bridge of his nose and forced his next words out. “Is she there?”
After a slight pause, Mike answered softly. “No. She collected her car and asked this guy, Allan, to call you.”
Wow, he thought miserably, that hurt. “I see… At least I know they’re okay.”
“I’ll go out there and drive the car back, if you want.”
“I’m going with you.” Devlan put aside the blanket covering his legs and came to his feet. “Pick me up in an hour.”
“But, sir.”
“Just do it.”
~
Denver was clear and cold when they arrived in the jet late that afternoon. Freshly fallen snow blanketed the city, and driving proved treacherous on the icy streets. Appearing completely oblivious to the cold, Allan Collins met them in the front yard of his home, his face grim. Devlan remembered the tall handsome man from the hospital. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
“Mr. Collins, thank you for calling me.”
Devlan held out his hand, and the other man took it in a firm handshake. His voice was guarded as he answered. “No problem.”
An awkward silence fell over the trio. As much as Devlan longed to ask where she was, he held himself in check. It would not do anyone any good to appear like the love-struck fool that he was.
As if sensing his discomfort, Mike stepped forward and reached for the keys. “Do you need to get anything out of the car before we go?”
Allan shook his head, but his eyes never left Devlan’s. “No. I didn’t have anything in it. I think Diana got all her things out.”
Mike nodded his head and wandered back to the rented car to transfer over their baggage. Devlan stared down at his feet as he collected himself. The very sound of her name evoked memories that he did not care to think about at that moment. He had failed in his attempt to earn her trust and she had fled. For the first time in a long time, Devlan had made a serious tactical error, and he had lost what he had thought would be the deal of a lifetime. Happiness.
It was his inner strength that saved him from growing emotional at that point, the very power he possessed that had kept him so successful in business. A sense of cold detachment fell over him. It was the familiar feeling he experienced whenever he truly wanted something. It was wisest not to show that feeling to anyone, no matter the cost.
“They’re okay?”
“Yes. I heard she tried to call you and tell you herself, but you didn’t answer.”
Devlan suddenly remembered the strange call the day of his heart atta
ck. In fact, there had been two strange calls. He nodded shortly, wondering if he should pull out his bill and do a reverse look up. No, his heart told him, still stinging from her rejection. Let her come to him.
“Do you know where she is?”
“I do,” Allan replied. His voice was as cautious as Devlan’s, yet Devlan’s keen eye took in the look of hopefulness in his stance.
“Will you tell me?”
“Why do you want to know?”
That was a loaded question. Devlan’s eyes narrowed as he stared at Allan intently. He was unsure which way to go. He decided it was best to remain careful, but he was certain the desperation he felt was mirrored in his eyes.
“I was… curious.”
“She really doesn’t want to be found right now,” Allan said, his foot nervously kicking at the snow bank beside him. “But there’s a hell of a lot more warmth where she is now than where she came from.”
Devlan frowned at his evasive words, unsure how to take the riddle. He was about to question him when Mike appeared and shattered the moment. “I’m all set here.”
Devlan nodded and reached out his hand again. “Thank you again, Collins. If you talk to them again, give them my best and tell them to keep in touch.”
Allan nodded his head again, though his shake was quick and weak. Devlan released his hand and turned away, hearing Allan’s low voice behind him, filled with frustration and disgust. “This is all wrong.”
As Devlan wandered away, he was suddenly overwhelmed with the feeling of failure. Allan had wanted to tell him something, and yet he had done something wrong.
But what?
Chapter 19
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport was bustling with activity. Diana glanced at the terminal where the jet out of Denver was arriving. It was now August, and the searing desert heat was taking its toll on her. The monsoon season was in full swing, and while she enjoyed the nightly light show and pounding downpours, the additional humidity was making her suffer. She sat heavily in one of the seats just outside of security and took as deep a breath as her greatly rounded belly would allow. How she longed to kick off her shoes and soak her swollen feet, but now was not the time or the place.
“Watch for Mindy’s plane, okay?”
Hannah made her way to the window and gazed out at the bright sunshine outside. “Is that her plane, Mommy?”
The big jet was slowly making its way to one of the gates, and the noise from the engines vibrated through the thick glass. Just beyond, across the tarmac, was parked a jet like Devlan’s. It was the same white plane with a blue tail. Diana closed her eyes. Just thinking of him still made her heart ache. It had been almost eight long months, and she had never heard from him, not even when Allan had returned the car.
Allan had promised her that he had not divested her whereabouts, but Diana still had her doubts. If he had really wanted to find her, he would have had an artillery of hired hands track her down. Most likely Devlan had not cared enough to ask, and that must have been why seeing the jet made her feel bitter and angry now.
“Mommy look, over there!”
Diana opened her eyes and followed Hannah’s finger past the small jet to another landing plane. After murmuring her acknowledgment, Diana’s gaze was drawn back to the small jet.
A group was descending the steps of the aircraft to slip into the waiting limos. Her breath caught as she took in the tall, dark man who descended last. He was dressed in a dark suit and carried a large briefcase. The people around him hovered, proving that he was the one in charge.
Was it?
Diana shook her head. It was too far away to tell for sure. But she could see that there was no tall blond head to indicate Mike’s presence, nor was there a petite woman with black hair by his side. No, it could not be Devlan. It was merely wishful thinking on her part.
“Diana. Hannah!”
Diana’s attention was brought back to the airport with the arrival of a very ecstatic Mindy. Slowly dragging herself to her feet, Diana waddled to Mindy’s outstretched arms and embraced her friend. Hannah interrupted the two by placing herself between them and hugging them both.
“How are you, Di? My gosh, is that a big little boy you’ve got there?”
Diana took a step back and placed her hand over her abdomen. “You know what they say about those second children? Always more trouble and bigger than the first.”
“Amen to that.”
They laughed together before Hannah threw herself at Mindy once more. “Look Mindy, I can walk without a cane!”
“I see! You’ll have to tell me all about your adventure.”
As they chatted, Diana found herself drawn back to the jet. Everyone had piled into the limo, and it was just preparing to pull away from the jet. Her fingers went to the glass, and she closed her eyes tightly. It could not be him. But how could she know for sure?
“Diana? Are you okay?”
With a jump, Diana’s eyes popped opened. Mindy was staring at her with concern written all over her happy face. She smiled.
“Of course. It’s the blasted heat. I’ll tell you, Mindy; Phoenix is hot. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. It’s hot.”
“It’s the desert.”
Diana nodded. She did like Phoenix. It was better than Malibu and much better than Denver. She just wished that she had the man she loved to share it with.
“Let’s go!” Hannah pulled Diana’s hand, leading her away.
“Do you have luggage?”
“Just these two carry-ons,” Mindy said with a grin.
“Oh, I love you!” Diana said gratefully.
“I’m ready and anxious to see this city everyone rants and raves about.”
~
“Dammit!”
“What is it?”
Devlan stared down between his legs to see that he was truly missing his other laptop. After all these months, he still flaked out. Enough was enough! When would he get his senses back?
“I left my other computer on the plane.”
“That’s not a problem,” Jones said. Jones was Devlan’s new Phoenix lawyer, a bumbling idiot in Devlan’s opinion.
“Fine, let’s go back and get it.”
Devlan sat back as the occupants in the limo scrambled to get the message to the driver, but their rapid-fire voices seemed to fade away and were replaced by the urge to look out his window. His gaze turned to the windows of the terminal above. The outline of a child was briefly visible through the mirrored glass, and the hair on the back of his neck prickled in awareness when he looked up. He was overcome with the urge to go up there and see what it was that held his attention. There was something there, but he had no idea what. All he knew was that it left him feeling lighter.
“Stay there, I’ll get it.”
“On the desk,” Devlan remarked. His gaze returned to the airport, several stories up. He had never been to Phoenix before. What had captured his attention?
Before he could figure it out they were pulling away, leaving the airport and the fleeting feeling of happiness. It was something he had not experienced in a long time. They were trapped for a little while in the traffic around the terminals, and again Devlan turned his gaze outside the vehicle. He allowed the other occupants to discuss that afternoon’s meeting. It gave him a chance to relax.
Through the concrete pillars to his right, walking in the shadow of the parking garage were two women. His gaze locked on the fair one, a heavily pregnant woman, with long blond hair so similar to Diana’s that it took his breath away. It was tied back in a loose braid, with strands falling in her face, also like Diana’s unruly locks. She was chatting excitedly with the other woman, who carried two carry-on bags, but he could not see her face as she was turned away from him.
As Devlan passed them in the limo, he saw the child appear from the other side of the darker woman. His breath caught at the sight of the small blond girl skipping alongside them.
“It can’t be,” he whispered against the hot glass
of the window.
“Pardon me, sir?”
Devlan shook his head. “Nothing. Just remarking on the heat.”
No, it could not be her. Hannah more than likely would not be skipping alongside them yet. Besides, Diana could not have gotten pregnant that quickly.
With a heavy sigh, Devlan dragged his hand over his face and around to massage the back of his neck. He had heard of things like this happening in such extreme heat. He knew he had better slow down. Hallucinations were common, and here he was putting other people’s faces on complete strangers. People that he just could not get out of his mind.
Yes, he would have to take it easy.
~
“Exciting!” Diana gasped. “Do you remember saying that? How exciting do you think it is now, Brad?”
“I feel sick.” Brad’s face was chalky, and it had taken on a slightly greenish hue.
The grip he held on Hannah’s hand was so tight that the child frowned. “Lemme go, Brad.”
Hannah jerked her hand away and hurried over to Brad’s friend, Jimmy. The young man smiled and took Hannah’s hand. “Come on kiddo, I’ll take you to the gift shop.”
Diana watched them go before turning her attention back to Brad. “This isn’t exactly fun, is it?”
They were in the hospital now, in a birthing room awaiting the arrival of Diana and Devlan’s son. She had been in labor for the better part of the day, and as the sun sank lower in the late summer sky Diana grew more impatient.
“I had no idea, Di. I wish you’d told me sooner.”
“Told you what, Brad?” Mindy asked, smoothing Diana’s hair away from her face. “This is natural. Transition is a part of a woman’s labor. It means that the birth is imminent, usually within an hour or so she’ll start to push.”
“Will you shut up? You sound like a damn book!” Diana ground out through clenched teeth.
Mindy met Brad’s eyes over her head. Brad swallowed hard. “So this is the part when the husbands get their ego shredded?”
Mindy grinned as she nodded.
“Cool,” Brad said.
“What’s so cool?” Diana snapped, a grunt escaping her moist lips. Suddenly another grunt escaped.
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