Hannah's Blessing

by Collette Scott

  Devlan’s curiosity was peaked. “Who’s his model? His wife?”

  “No, a good friend, shall we say?” Thomas’ eyes glittered with mischief, and Devlan frowned at his evasiveness.

  “You’ll have to get me his address. I’ve been doing some work in Phoenix lately. Maybe next time I’m in Scottsdale, I’ll check out his shop.”

  Thomas looked satisfied and began to slip back into the crowd. “You do that, Devlan, ol’ boy. His address is stamped on the back of the painting. It should also be on your receipt.”

  Devlan glanced down and nodded. “I’ve got it.”

  “Good. Oh, and I’ve called you a couple of times but haven’t heard back from you yet.”

  “You have?” Devlan asked with a frown. Had Kathy given him messages from Thomas? He really could not remember.

  “Yes. I heard from Diana recently. She contacted me. We have a few things to go over with you.”

  Devlan’s head snapped up. “Wait a minute,” he said, reaching for Thomas’ arm. “Diana called you?”

  “No,” Thomas said, grinning. “Actually, I saw her just a few weeks ago.”

  “In Los Angeles?”

  Devlan’s heart began to pound furiously in his chest. Excitement flooded through him. Could it be? Had she come back?

  “No. She’s got a new job now and is doing fine. Hannah looks great; she’s in the first grade now… Devlan, Diana hired me to represent her against you.”

  Suddenly the evening’s jubilation seemed to drain out of him. Although not overly surprised, Devlan was still a little hurt by her newest action. What had he done to wrong her so terribly?

  “Against me? Did she say why?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

  Thomas’ face softened. “Let’s discuss this in my office, not here with all these people around. We’ll need a bit of privacy when we go over things. I have a lot to share.”

  Though it took every ounce of strength in him, Devlan straightened and stood tall. Putting forth one of his best business-emotionless faces, he gave a nonchalant shrug. “I understand completely,” he said evenly. “I’ll have my lawyer contact you in the morning.”

  Thomas cocked his head to the side and contemplated Devlan. “That’s a real special painting you just bought, Devlan. Go home and enjoy it.”

  Devlan nodded, but his excitement was gone. When he again turned his attention to the waiting young woman, his words were curt. “Have that delivered to my office.”

  “Yes sir, Mr. Doyle,” she replied with a smile.

  “Thank you,” Devlan said, walking away. He wanted to find Roxanne and go back to his office. He had a lot of work to do. And work was the only way to erase Diana from his mind.

  ~

  The painting arrived the following evening. Kathy had stayed late that night, and she opened the door to his office with a curious look on her face. “You have a delivery, sir.”

  Devlan glanced up as the men entered with the painting safely wrapped and balanced between them on a dolly.

  “Come in,” he said, rising from his chair. “Put it in the other room, next to the couch.”

  “What’s going on?” Kathy asked, following the men.

  Devlan watched them remove the painting from the dolly and carefully stand it up. In addition to the blanket that covered it, the piece was wrapped with tan paper to protect it from the elements.

  “I bought a painting last night,” he replied. “Thank you.”

  The men nodded and slipped back the way they had come, leaving Kathy to watch Devlan with a frown. Together they slowly unwrapped the painting, and Kathy gasped as she took in the scene. “My God, it looks like...”

  Devlan glanced at her. Kathy had stopped suddenly and bit her lip to keep the words in. “It’s okay,” Devlan said with a smile. “I liked the comparison of water and desert, life and death. That’s why I bought it.”

  She snorted and came to her feet. Her lip curled as she stared down at the painting. “Sorry sir, but I don’t buy that for a minute.” As Devlan opened his mouth to speak, she put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Why don’t you stop being so damn stubborn and just go find her? Stop torturing yourself and admit that you’re still in love with her.”

  At his angry glare she softened her tone.

  “How can you go on with your life if you don’t have the answers you’re looking for? That’s the hardest part, sir. You should just find her long enough to ask why. Then move on.”

  Devlan chuckled. “Really, Kathy. You need to get your nose out of those romantic novels. You make it sound so easy.”

  “It is that easy, especially when I know Roxanne and how she works. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if she chased that special woman away.”

  “If that is true, she should have talked to me first. But she didn’t; she just left.”

  “But you didn’t ask either. What if Roxanne said something terrible about you? Did you ever think of that?”

  Devlan glared at her in response.

  “Well what about the rest of us? Shouldn’t you talk to her to give the rest of us some closure at least?”

  Devlan had to admit that she had a point there. It was true that Kathy, Mrs. MacLean, Mike and even Wills had all felt defeated following their disappearance. Each one of them felt as though they bore the guilt for Diana’s actions.

  But in truth only he did. He shook his head. “You don’t understand.”

  She groaned and held her hands up to the sky. “I give up. Good night sir, I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Good night. Oh, and send Mike and Wills home too. I’m going to be late tonight.”

  As Devlan watched her go, the loneliness began to fill him again. Maybe she was right. Maybe he needed to stop being so stubborn and confront her to find out why.

  Sitting heavily on the sofa, Devlan turned on the light next to him to get a better look at his newest acquisition. It illuminated the dim room even more, shining its light on the new painting. Yes, he had to admit that the sprite did look an awful lot like Diana. Same blue eyes, same small nose. Even the rounded chin was hers. But then again, it was an artist. Who knew what the real woman looked like? Brad Vember could have been generous with the model and just made her look exquisitely beautiful.

  Devlan nodded as his eyes slowly closed. A brief nap, he promised himself. Then he would get up again, order a take-out dinner, and start working. It was Wednesday already, and if he finished up this week he would have the whole weekend to relax. Then he would start Monday with a new slate.

  It was more than a brief nap. When Devlan again opened his eyes it was pitch black outside, with only the few lights from the other skyscrapers and the moon casting any glow in the night sky.

  “Great.” He glanced at his watch and his scowl deepened. It was near midnight.

  Shaking his head, Devlan swung his legs over the side of the couch and put his head in his hands. He stared down at the painting, taking note of the two children. The blond child was female, and most definitely Hannah.

  The words rang in his head.

  “There’s a hell of a lot more warmth where she is now than where she came from.”

  Devlan sat up straight. It could not be. Had Allan Collins really told him the truth back in January? The 480 area code on the day of his heart attack? Could it be? Thomas said he had seen Diana right around the time he found this new artist. In Scottsdale, Arizona.

  A bitter laugh echoed in the quiet room. Devlan fell to his knees in front of the painting and studied it closely. Roxanne had told him that this new artist was the next great realist. Of course it was Diana. There was the same wary look in her eyes, and the same shy smile. Hannah too. There was no way he was wrong about her. The beautiful golden child had grown up a little, but he would recognize that playful grin and those happy blue eyes anywhere.

  “I’ll be damned,” Devlan muttered.

  Coming to his feet, Devlan went to his office and picked up the phone. He dialed TJ first, and the e
xhausted pilot grumbled his agreement before hanging up on him. His next step was to dial Mike. A true bear when awakened from his beauty sleep, it took several tries and several times of hanging up on the phone service before he could entice his bodyguard to pick up.

  “We’re going to Phoenix. Throw together some clothes for me and meet me at LAX.”

  “Right.”

  Mike hung up on him. Devlan sighed and dialed the number impatiently yet another time. Any other time Devlan would be irritated at his bodyguard’s lax manner, but Devlan was too excited to be angry.

  “Meet me at LAX. We’re going to Scottsdale to find Diana.”

  “Woah, what?”

  “Are you awake?”

  “I’m out of bed.”

  “Good. See you there in an hour.”

  He was about to disconnect when he heard Mike’s jubilant voice. “Finally!”

  Devlan returned to the sitting room and glanced again at the painting. Was it just him, or was there loneliness in Diana’s eyes that mirrored his own? He stared for a long while, remembering Kathy’s words. She was right. It was beyond past the time when stubbornness was the right response. They needed a confrontation to sort things out once and for all. He did need to know why. With growing hopes, Devlan prepared to go to Phoenix.

  Chapter 21

  Devlan gazed down at the sea of orange lights in the darkness with growing trepidation. Just below him, in one of those cookie cutter housing developments and apartment complexes, Hannah and Diana could be soundly sleeping. The trepidation grew to a nervousness he had not felt since he was an inexperienced teen. Even after all this time, it was still a complete mystery to him how Diana made him lose all control. Usually the one to handle everything, Devlan found himself acting like a schoolboy. Right now he felt more vulnerable than ever.

  The night was hot and dry, reminding him again that he was now in the desert. The hotel limo Mike had called for was waiting for them as they stepped off the plane, and its sleek black lines and soft, plush interior relaxed Devlan slightly. This was familiar territory, something he was accustomed to. As soon as they were safely seated, it pulled away from the curb and headed to the most luxurious hotel in Phoenix. From there it was a short ride to the art community of downtown Scottsdale. His plan was to visit Brad Vember’s shop first thing in the morning and find out where exactly Diana was. Then he would take it a little more slowly. He did not want her to flee again.

  He gazed out the darkly tinted window at the luxurious hotel as they pulled onto the red stone drive. Despite the late hour, the hotel manager was standing outside to greet them with a wide smile. Behind him stood two young bellboys, eager to gather his bags and escort them to their suite.

  “Good morning, Mr. Doyle. My name is Williams, sir, Neal Williams.”

  “Hello Williams,” he replied.

  “Welcome back again. I’ve put you in our best suite. It’s on the main floor, but very quiet. I hope you’ll find it acceptable.”

  Devlan nodded absently. “I hope so too.”

  Mike followed the two bellboys while Devlan reached for his computerized key. The manager bowed as he passed, and Devlan shook his head. As much as he hated to admit it, he was not royalty and, thanks to Diana, he had grown to despise being treated like that.

  “By the way Williams,” he remarked, turning back. “What can you tell me about the art galleries in Scottsdale?”

  “Oh,” the man said, beaming. “They’re world famous.”

  “I know that,” he answered dryly. “I’m looking for one artist in particular.”

  “Well every Thursday night this time of year, they have what’s called the Art Walk. Sometimes the artists are there to meet with people, and some of the galleries serve refreshments. It’s actually quite fun.”

  “You mean tonight?”

  “Why yes sir, tonight would be Thursday.”

  Devlan nodded his head and strode away, tossing a cursory thank-you over his shoulder. This would be perfect. As a tourist maybe he could find Diana and Brad Vember at the same time.

  Devlan and Mike followed the staff to his suite on the main floor. As the door opened, Devlan stepped in and took a glance around. It was spacious, with two bedrooms, a large living room, and a large wet bar with a refrigerator. He took everything in with appreciation and then turned to Mike with a curt nod. Without a word, Mike reached into his pocket and pulled free some cash to tip. The two young men thanked them profusely before backing out of the room and shutting the door behind them.

  “Now what?” Mike asked.

  Devlan strode to the patio and pulled back the heavy curtain. He could see the pool outside and took a deep breath. How Hannah would love this place.

  “I’m going to bed for a while. Then we’ll have a late breakfast and find this shop.”

  Mike took the paper with the address written on it and stared at it for a moment. “Okay,” he said, tucking it in his pocket.

  “Tonight there’s some sort of gathering. Some of the artists will be around downtown. I was hoping to get a look at this Brad Vember. Maybe I can find out where they are through him.”

  “Phoenix is a big city.”

  “Yeah,” Devlan said with a nod. “But I have you. See what you can find out about where she lives while I check out the shop.”

  Mike grinned. He took the four steps to the sunken living room in one lunge and sat heavily on one of the velvet sofa chairs. Letting out a loud yawn and kicking off his shoes, Mike placed his white-socked feet upon the nearest chair.

  Seeing his friend relax was tempting to Devlan, but instead he found his laptop and plugged it in and immediately began typing an email to Kathy to explain his disappearance. He still had plenty of work to do, even if he was almost four hundred miles away from the office. He paused in his typing and thought for a moment. Perhaps that was why Diana left. Though she had given him a new outlook for the future, he never had the chance to tell her so. He had planned to tell her after he proposed that he wanted to retire and focus on his new family.

  How quickly that had changed.

  Closing his laptop with a determined snap, he went down the hall to the bedroom. Work could wait. When he began his search for Diana, he wanted to be fully rested and completely focused on the task at hand. For far too long he had put his business first, and everyone was right. This time around, he needed to put old ghosts to rest before moving on with his life.

  Later that morning, Devlan emerged from the hotel freshly showered and determined. He greeted the hired driver with a smile and climbed into the car, thankful for the blasting air conditioning. Traffic was steady, and the limo pulled out slowly. All at once, they were caught up in the other cars, heading into Scottsdale – and to Diana.

  Devlan took a breath and held it. This was a moment he had truly longed for since she had left. He just had never admitted it to himself. Oh yes, he desired to find out answers, to see where he had gone wrong, for one thing remained, and that was that Devlan Doyle rarely made mistakes.

  Yet as the time grew closer he felt more and more uneasy. There was anger brewing within him. He was angry with her for running off without a word to anyone. While he could forgive her for not completely trusting him, he was not so forgiving that she hurt others. Obviously she did not care that there were many people who had feared for her safety.

  “We’re getting into Scottsdale now, sir.”

  Devlan nodded at the eyes staring at him through the rear-view mirror. “I need Vember’s gallery. It’s off Scottsdale Road somewhere.”

  The driver nodded. “I’m sure it’s in the Old Town area. I’ll head that way.”

  “Good.”

  The day was bright and warm, and the sun rose high in the sky. It was turning into a beautiful day, with warm, dry air and a mild breeze. It would be the perfect day to track Diana.

  He saw her car first. It pulled out into traffic just two cars ahead in the right lane. He saw the back of a blond head and sat up straight. “Wait a minut
e,” he snapped. “Follow that Toyota.”

  He could not be positive since the car now had Arizona plates on it, but Devlan was pretty sure it was Diana he was following by the small dent in the rear bumper. He had studied that dent when she splattered him with dust the day of Peter’s funeral. The driver remained a discreet distance away from her as they followed the traffic, too far back to make a positive identification. Then the car pulled into a strip mall parking lot, sliding into a space in front of a grocery store.

  “Stop. Pull in there and park, please.”

  He need not have asked, for they were already following. The driver eased into the fire lane but left the car in drive. Devlan watched the blue car intently, not even aware that he was holding his breath until he let it all out when she emerged. Her hair was in a loose braid and trailed down to mid-back. He had loved her skill with braids; they had been her specialty. With the unrelenting desert heat, he was surprised to see that she had let it grow in the past year but not surprised to see it so skillfully done up.

  From behind he could see she had put on a few pounds and smiled. They were needed. Her long legs were tanned under the short skirt she wore, and her baggy, pale pink top came down below her waist. Even so, she was still beautiful, and Devlan’s breath caught as a flurry of long buried emotions rose within him.

  “Don’t leave yet. Give me another minute.”

  The driver did as he was told, and Devlan watched Diana hurry into the store. He was tempted to go in after her, but eventually thought better of it. They needed privacy for their long overdue confrontation. With bated breath he awaited her, his hands clenched into tight fists on his knees. He noted that his palms were sweating.

  “Follow her when she comes out,” he said.

  Again the driver nodded, and he held his tongue despite the obvious questions in his eyes. Devlan decided he liked the young man. Obviously he knew how to do his job well.

  Diana emerged a few minutes later carrying two large packages, one appearing to be diapers. Devlan frowned. Hannah was potty trained and had been since long before he met them.