by Patricia Kay
Normally, he would join them in the pool. Buy himself some time before having to talk to Eve. Deciding he could probably find a bathing suit in the hotel’s gift shop or one of the other shops he’d noticed earlier, he said to the kids, “Why don’t you all go back in the water? I’m gonna buy a bathing suit, then I’ll come join you.”
“You will?” This came from Nathan, who was so excited he was hopping from one foot to the other.
“I will.” For the first time since the kids had come out of the pool, Adam turned to Eve. “If that’s okay with you?”
She nodded. He wished he could see her eyes, but her glasses were too dark.
Twenty minutes later, wearing a navy suit and carrying a blue-and-white beach towel, his other belongings stowed in a canvas carryall he’d also purchased in the gift shop, Adam rejoined Eve. After dropping his stuff on the chaise next to her, he said, “Want to come in the water with us?”
“Maybe later.”
But an hour passed, and she still hadn’t joined them, and Adam knew she wasn’t going to. He also knew it was time to say goodbye to the kids and get out of there, because the longer he stayed, the harder it was to keep pretending everything was fine. He knew if he didn’t leave soon, he might lose it and say something to Eve, and this was not the time or the place to have that kind of confrontation. Not with the kids in hearing distance.
After promising the twins he would see them again soon, he climbed out of the pool. Walking over to Eve, he reached for his towel, dried himself off and said, “I’m taking off, Eve. I’m going back to the house, getting ready and then flying back to Crandall Lake. I may even go on to Nashville tomorrow. Depends. I need to talk to Austin and then to Bethany. Get that whole mess straightened out.”
“Okay,” she said in a small voice.
Part of him felt sorry for her, knowing she was as upset as he was, but the other part of him, the part that had been denied knowledge of his children for twelve years, wanted to lash out at her. Hurt her the way she’d hurt him. Because the truth was, if she had been brave enough to leave with him all those years ago, none of the rest of this would have happened. He would have been there when the twins were born. He would have had the past twelve years with them. They would know he was their father. “And you need to get some things straightened out, too, don’t you?” he said. When she didn’t reply, he hardened his heart. “When you get back home, we’ll talk. Decide just how we’re going to deal with this mess.”
And then he left.
He didn’t look back.
* * *
The rest of the day was difficult for Eve. All she could think about was the look on Adam’s face when he’d realized the twins were his. She knew he was hurt, that he felt betrayed. And yet, how could things have been any different? If she’d gone to Nashville with him when they were kids, and then discovered her pregnancy, he would have had to do things very differently. He would have had to get a job and wouldn’t have been able to keep making music, to keep pounding the sidewalks and haunting producers’ offices. Adam Crenshaw and Version II wouldn’t exist. And how happy would Adam have been if she’d been the reason he’d had to give up his dreams? Would they even be together now, twins or not?
Hadn’t she given him the freedom and time necessary to achieve what he’d achieved? Hadn’t she, in the end, been responsible for his success just as much as he was?
This, and many other thoughts, tumbled through her mind as she pretended to be enjoying the day with the kids. They were all excited, of course. Seeing Adam, spending time in the pool with him, had made their day and they couldn’t talk about anything else.
Every word out of their mouths added to the pain in Eve’s heart. How would they feel about her—and him—once they learned the truth? And learn it they would. Of that, Eve was certain. Adam would not be content to be the secret father. She knew him well enough to know that. He would want to be a part of their lives.
But no matter what he wanted, she knew Bill would be adamantly opposed. She really had made a mess of things. And no matter how she looked at their dilemma, it seemed that nothing but trouble lay ahead.
* * *
Austin stared at him as Adam told him about the twins.
“You’re kidding.”
Adam shook his head. “No, I’m not.”
“You have eleven-year-old twins.”
“Yeah.”
“And possibly another baby on the way courtesy of Bethany.”
“So she says.”
“Jesus, Adam.”
“I know. It’s a mess, isn’t it?”
“It’s more than a mess. It’s a damned circus.”
Adam laughed mirthlessly.
“What’re you doing to do?” Austin’s hazel eyes, so like their mother’s, shone sympathetically.
“Hell, I don’t know. When I first realized Eve had concealed the truth about the twins, I was so upset I wanted to tell her off, make her suffer. But after I calmed down, I started to kind of understand. When she got pregnant, she was just a kid, Austin. I’m sure she felt desperate and scared out of her mind.”
Austin nodded. “You know, if she had told you, you’d have had to support a wife and two kids and you’d have probably never had the kind of career you have now.”
Adam nodded grimly. “I know.”
“So do the kids know?”
“No. But I want ’em to. I want ’em to know I’m their father, not Bill Kelly.” Adam sighed heavily. “But before I can do anything about the twins, I need to do something about Bethany.”
“I figured that, so I’ve done some checking, and as far as I can tell, she hasn’t seen a doctor yet.”
Adam frowned. “You sure?”
“Positive.”
“So she’s basing her claim on a home pregnancy test?”
“I don’t know what she’s basing it on. You’ll have to ask her.”
“Nothing like the present.” So saying, Adam reached for his cell phone and placed the call.
She answered almost immediately. “Well, well, well,” she said. “Look who’s calling.”
“Don’t act as if you didn’t expect it,” Adam said.
She chuckled. “You’re right. I expected it. In fact, I expected it sooner.”
“I was out in LA. I waited till I got back to Texas.”
“Yes, I knew you were in LA.”
“That’s right. I forgot. You hired a PI to keep tabs on me.”
“Yes, I did.” She sounded smug.
“So, Bethany, let’s cut to the chase. How far along are you and what do you want?”
“I’m three months along, according to my calculations, and I want you to acknowledge your role in the creation of this baby and to act like its father.”
“According to your calculations. Does that mean you haven’t seen a doctor?”
“I don’t need to see one yet. I tested myself. Three times!”
“I need more than your word, Bethany. So once your pregnancy is confirmed by a doctor, and once I’m confirmed as the father, I’ll take full financial responsibility.”
“Only financial responsibility?”
“First things first. When I see the results of DNA testing, then we’ll talk further.”
“I have no intention of having amniocentesis, if that’s what you’re suggesting. It’s too invasive and possibly dangerous.”
“Austin tells me there are several noninvasive tests that can be done.”
“I didn’t know Austin was a doctor.”
“He’s done his research. He can make the arrangements for you.”
“Excuse me? I see no reason for any kind of test at this point. You’ll just have to wait till after the baby’s born. Now, I realize that’s going to cramp your style, but—”
“New publicist?”
“Sorry. Did I forget to tell you? You’re fired.”
“You’re firing me?”
“Is that so hard to believe?”
“Won’t the tabloids love that picture of you being vindictive?” she said sharply. “You sure you want that kind of publicity on top of everything else?”
“The publicity won’t be targeting me. Not after I point out that you never saw fit to talk to me before springing your story all over the news. That you were obviously trying to do as much harm as you could, which means you forgot you still worked for me when you deliberately sabotaged me.”
Austin was nodding his approval. He’d never liked Bethany.
Adam was tired. Tired of her, tired of the whole conversation, tired of everyone who’d let him down. So he ignored her sputtering protests and said, “I’m hanging up, Bethany. Let me know when you’re ready for testing. Until then, we have nothing more to say to each other.”
* * *
When Eve brought the twins back to Bill’s the next afternoon, she quietly told him they needed to talk privately. So he walked outside with her, and she told him about Adam showing up at the pool the day before and what had transpired.
“So he knows,” Bill said flatly.
“Yes. He knew the moment he met them.”
“What does he intend to do about it?”
Eve shrugged. “I don’t know. He wasn’t happy with me when he left. And yes, he’s leaving California. Might already be gone.”
“I don’t care whether he’s happy or not. Legally, he has no standing.”
“Bill...”
“He doesn’t, Eve. The law says I’m their father.”
Eve didn’t want to make things worse, but he had to face facts. “Yes, right now that’s true. But I never let him know about the twins, Bill. If he goes to court, he can demand his rights.” She didn’t add that Austin Crenshaw, who handled all Adam’s legal matters, was one of the best lawyers around. Or that Adam had the financial resources to fight forever, if necessary.
“Have you told the twins?”
“No, of course not. I wouldn’t do that without you being there.”
“I suppose they were all excited to meet the great Adam Crenshaw,” he said bitterly.
“They’re just kids, Bill.”
“And when they find out he’s their real father...” His shoulders sagged, and he looked as if someone had kicked him.
Dear God. She’d hurt so many people. “I’m really sorry, Bill.”
He stared at her. “You’re not sorry. This is what you wanted to happen. So you can go off and play happy families together.”
“I didn’t want this to happen! It’s the last thing I wanted.” But was she being completely truthful? Hadn’t she, deep down in her secret heart of hearts, wished she could tell Adam about the wonderful children they had created between them?
“I promise you, Eve, if he takes this to court, if he tries to push me out of the picture, I will fight him, and it will get ugly. You tell him that. Tell him to think twice about what he does. ’Cause I don’t intend to go down easy.”
* * *
When Eve returned to Crandall Lake two days later, Adam was gone. He’d texted her to say he was going to Nashville and would be away for a few days. That they would talk and decide what to do when he returned.
Eve was a wreck while he was gone. She told her mother everything that had happened, and although Anna was sympathetic, she had no advice to offer.
“It’s a mess, Eve,” she said. “I can’t think how everyone is going to come out of this happy. Someone is bound to get hurt.”
Olivia agreed. “I thought my situation with Vivienne was bad. But my life is a piece of cake compared to yours.”
“Gee, thanks,” Eve said wearily.
“Well, just sayin’.”
The twins were oblivious, though. When Eve talked to them, they chattered happily. They were having a great time, they loved California, they were excited about meeting Adam and couldn’t wait to see him again and this was the best summer ever.
Eve listened, her heart aching. They had no idea what was coming. How their lives were going to be turned upside down.
If only she could do something. Anything. But she couldn’t. All she could do was wait for Adam to come back.
But Adam didn’t come back when he’d said he would. And she didn’t hear from him, either. She did hear from Bill, who wanted to know what was going to happen, and she couldn’t tell him.
“This is unacceptable,” he said. “What is he waiting for?”
But Eve didn’t know, and her misery and worry grew each day. She thought about calling Adam, but each time she started to, she changed her mind. She wasn’t sure why, but she had this feeling that it was better not to push him, to just wait and let him call her.
Finally he did.
“I’ve had a change of plans,” he said. “I’m not coming back to Crandall Lake right now. I’m going to stay here in Nashville for a while.”
“But—” Eve stopped. She didn’t know what to say. What did his decision mean? “I—I thought you wanted to talk.”
“I need more time to think about everything before we talk. When will the twins be home again?”
“They’ll be back the second week of August. They have to be. School starts the following week.”
“Okay. Maybe by then we’ll know how we want to go forward.”
“You mean you’re not coming back until then, either?”
“There’s no reason to, is there?”
Eve closed her eyes. Fought the tears that threatened. His voice was so reasonable and so cold. He was making it so clear that he no longer loved her. Finding out about the twins had changed everything for him.
“Have you told the twins about me yet?” he asked calmly, for all the world as if he hadn’t just broken her heart.
“No. I...didn’t know if you wanted to be there...” Her voice trailed off. She didn’t trust herself to say anything more.
“I’ve thought about that. I think you and Bill should tell them. Let them get used to the idea before they see me again. That might make everything easier...for all of us...don’t you think?”
I can’t do this. I cannot do this. “If...if you think so.”
“I do think so.”
He sounded so impersonal. As if she were a stranger. She wanted to weep. He hated her now. She wanted to ask what would happen with his mother, if Lucy would be going to Nashville, or what, but she couldn’t. His distance, the way he was talking to her as if she were a stranger, wouldn’t let her. She wanted to say, Don’t do this, Adam. Don’t shut me out. Forgive me. Please forgive me. But she couldn’t say that, either. She couldn’t say anything.
Somehow she got through the rest of the call without breaking down. Adam said he would keep in touch, let her know exactly when he was coming back. Then just before hanging up, he added, “If the twins, either one of them, want to call me, give them my cell number.”
“I... Okay.”
“Thank you. I’ll see you next month.”
Eve could barely function the rest of the day. And that night, she cried herself to sleep, knowing this was only the first of many more lonely, tear-filled nights in her future.
* * *
At the end of July, Eve flew out to California again. She had been afraid Bill would fight her about telling the twins anything, but he surprised her, saying he and Missy had had several long talks about the situation, and
she had pointed out to him how happy they were and how Eve deserved a second chance at happiness, too.
“I’m still not thrilled about having to tell the twins I’m not their birth father,” he said, “but I know it has to be done.”
Eve, who seemed to cry at the drop of a hat nowadays, got teary-eyed again. Bless Bill. Bless Missy. So Eve and Bill told the twins about Adam together.
Nathan squealed when he realized what they were saying. “Adam? Adam Crenshaw is our father!” His eyes were huge, his grin infectious.
Natalie’s mouth dropped open and the color drained from her face. She seemed to be in shock. “Mom?” she said softly, moving closer to Eve. “Is it true?”
Eve took her hand. “Yes, darling, it is.”
“But, Mom...” Natalie’s eyes filled with tears.
With all her heart, Eve wished she could have spared her children this trauma.
The four of them talked for a long time. After putting little Will to bed, Missy joined them.
“Does this mean Will isn’t our brother?” Natalie asked, her lip quivering.
“Of course he is,” Missy said. “He’ll always be your brother.”
“Just like I’ll always be your father,” Bill said.
Natalie nodded, but her eyes were sad, and Eve knew her daughter was smart enough to know that nothing would ever be the same again.
Eve stayed in California for three more days before going home again, and by the time she left, the twins seemed to have absorbed this new fact of their lives without any more drama. Kids were resilient, it seemed. They’d even asked if they could call Adam and talk to him, and she’d given them his cell number, although she knew Bill wasn’t happy about that, either. But he loved the twins enough not to make a fuss.
Her heart felt like a stone in her chest as she boarded her plane. She thought about her upcoming birthday, which was her thirtieth, and how everyone would be wishing her happiness.
Right now, she wasn’t sure she’d ever be truly happy again.
Chapter Fourteen
It took three weeks of bad publicity and reporters hounding her before Bethany finally barged into Adam’s office, glared at him and said, “You win, you bastard! I’m not pregnant, never was, and trust me on this one—I’m thrilled to not be having your baby!”
