by Francis Ray
“Let’s hope so.” He kissed her. “Get back inside. I’ll see you tomorrow and don’t worry.”
“I’ll try.”
“Maybe this will help.” He pulled her into his arms, kissing her, hot and possessive.
“You have very persuasive powers.”
“Good night, Laurel. Thank you for believing me,” he said. “I was lost without you.”
“I wasn’t much better.” She stood there in his arms.
“One of us has to let go of the other.”
“I know.” She didn’t move.
“Laurel.”
They both jumped, then laughed. The sound had come from inside the house.
“Mother is looking for me.” She went back up the steps. “She probably knows I’m out here.”
“It would be my guess. Good night, honey.”
“ ’Night, Zach.” Laurel let herself back inside. Her mother stood at the edge of the entryway.
“Zach?” Mrs. Raineau questioned.
“We hadn’t finished talking,” Laurel said.
“Hmmm.” Her mother started back up the stairs. “Perhaps you should start carrying a comb for these ‘talks.’ ”
Laughing, Laurel ran to catch up with her mother. “I love you. You’ll see, Zach is a great guy.”
“For you, I want him to be.”
Twelve
By the time Zach arrived back home, everyone had gone to bed. They’d told him as much when he left to go see Laurel. All of them, except his mother, had teased and warned him against throwing rocks at the wrong window. He’d held up his BlackBerry, hugged his mother, and left. It had felt good knowing his family was pulling for him, a family that now included a no-nonsense half brother and his outspoken wife.
Since he worked best in the morning, he was up and dressed by seven thirty. He headed to the kitchen for a cup of coffee and a cinnamon raisin bagel to fortify himself until the chef prepared breakfast.
Zach frowned. He had forgotten to tell Kim everyone was spending the night. Hopefully he’d remember his family always stayed, and that by eight thirty all of them were usually down.
He was almost to the kitchen when he heard laughter and voices. Entering, he saw his mother in front of a large griddle, Trent leaning against the counter next to her. Paige was at the stove stirring something in a skillet, and Shane and Dominique were setting the table. The chef was nowhere in sight.
“Good morning. It seems I’m the last to come down.”
“Good morning,” they greeted him.
“I see you banished Kim from the kitchen again.” Zach went to his mother, kissed her on the cheek, and placed a hand on her shoulder.
She smiled up at him, then slid a blueberry pancake off the griddle. “I wanted to cook my children their favorite breakfast.”
“What’s yours, Trent?” he asked. Quiet descended in the room. Zach knew better than anyone how life took turns you didn’t expect. There was no way Trent should ever be considered a mistake or someone to be ashamed of. Somehow they’d find a way for their mother to acknowledge her oldest child. It wasn’t fair to either of them.
Trent blinked, swallowed. “Pancakes. Plain.”
“Just like me. Paige likes blueberry, as you probably know.” Zach went to the cabinet. “I’ll get the coffee cups. Anything else I can do?”
“No,” Dominique said, brushing beneath both eyes. “You’ve done enough.”
“Glad I wasn’t wrong about you,” Shane said.
“Really?” Zach said, his voice doubtful as he placed the cups on the table.
Paige laughed and put the scrambled eggs on a platter. “How do you think you got two weeks?”
“What’s this about two weeks?” his mother asked, taking the platter of pancakes to the table.
“Nothing,” they all chorused.
His mother, intelligent woman that she was, didn’t appear convinced.
“I need your help, Mother,” Zach said, well aware that he’d have her undivided attention.
She immediately went to him. “What is it? Is everything all right between you and Laurel?”
“Let’s sit down to eat, and I’ll tell you.”
“Tell me now,” she said.
Her stubbornness made him feel buoyant. There wasn’t anything his mother couldn’t accomplish. “Laurel’s mother. She doesn’t like me.”
His mother’s eyes narrowed. Her lips pursed just the tiniest bit. He’d seen that look numerous times in the past—and always when she thought he or Paige wasn’t being treated fairly and just before she stepped in to help. “We’ll just have to change her mind, won’t we?”
Zach smiled and hugged her. He caught Paige’s gaze and realized she remembered as well. His gaze unerringly moved to Trent’s. Whatever his life had been, it hadn’t been with a mother who was always there for him. Zach straightened, his gaze moving around the table. “I might need the entire family on this one.”
“That’s what families are for,” his mother said, taking the seat he pulled out for her.
Zach got out of the Bentley and grinned as he helped his mother and Dominique out of the car, while Toby helped Paige. Trent pulled up behind him in the BMW 750 that was a birthday present from a client. Zach hadn’t driven the car more than a couple of times. He’d playfully told Trent there had better not be a scratch on it when he returned. He finally had an entourage, his family.
“I’ll go help,” Zach said, moving to the open trunk of the BMW where Trent and Shane stood. It had been his mother’s idea to have an impromptu brunch when he’d told her that Laurel’s mother was coming to the recording session that morning. He wouldn’t be surprised if Peterson or Laurel’s agent showed up as well.
“People tend to be more social when they’re eating or drinking. They feel less awkward,” she’d said. The stop at Celebrity Bakery & Café had taken less than fifteen minutes and they were on their way again.
“I’ll go with you,” Dominique said.
He’d learned that it did no good to try to dissuade Dominique from anything she wanted to do. He was quickly learning Paige had adopted the same self-assured way. She hadn’t said anything, just handed their mother her handbag and trailed after him.
“I could help if I wasn’t holding handbags,” his mother said, shaking her head.
“Gee, thanks.” Dominique made a smart turn, draped the strap of her bag over her mother-in-law’s shoulder, and went to help.
Mrs. Albright turned to the security guard staring at Dominique and Paige. “Could you please open the door for them?”
He jumped to open the door. “Yes, ma’am.”
With everyone helping, it only took them one trip to take everything inside. It took longer finding a long table to place inside an isolation booth that looked into the control room where Zach would be working. His mother wanted Laurel’s mother to be able to watch Zach and see how he and Laurel interacted with each other.
Aware that this was her domain, all of them stood back as she adjusted the ecru tablecloth, then placed matching linen napkins, sterling flatware, flowers, and finally the food. Finished, she stepped back. “On short notice, I think it came out fairly well.”
“It’s beautiful, Mother,” Paige said.
“It certainly is.” Dominique shook her dark head. “You always make things appear so effortless.”
Mrs. Albright slipped her arms around her daughter’s and daughter-in-law’s waists. “I’ve been doing this since I was a little girl. While you were growing up thinking of what you wanted to be, my destiny was already ordained. I was learning the best way to steep tea, how to arrange flowers, and all the other myriad things needed to be the perfect hostess, wife, and mother.”
“It’s a good thing you did, but we all know that’s only a tiny part of who you are.” Zach turned toward the sound of the door opening and wanted to groan. “Excuse me.”
Crossing the room, he met Mr. Peterson and the other two executives with him. Peterson had a hard frown on hi
s thin face. So did Morris and Keats. Last night he and Laurel hadn’t been able to talk directly to her agent or Mr. Peterson.
“Good morning, Mr. Peterson. Mr. Morris. Mr. Keats.”
“R.D., what is going on?” Peterson said. “I just spoke with our lawyer this morning, and heard the message you left on my cell phone.”
“Laurel and I have worked through our creative differences and decided to do the album as planned,” Zach told him.
“What about the exclusive?” he questioned, his gaze sharp.
Zach folded his arms. “The exclusive was on the condition that Laurel be happy once the negotiations were over for her to be let out of her contract. Since she’s staying, it negates our talk of an exclusive.”
“Are you sure this time?” Peterson asked.
The door opened again. His heart smiled. “Why don’t you ask her yourself?”
Zach purposefully hung back as the three men rushed to Laurel and her mother. He wanted to drink in the sight of the woman who moved him. She was breathtaking. This morning she wore an off-the-shoulder turquoise sheath dress. The turquoise jewelry he still planned to give her would look stunning with what she had on or with nothing but bare skin.
Her slow grin made his body tighten. He mouthed Behave just before Peterson blocked his view. Probably for the best since her mother wasn’t smiling.
Zach joined them and heard Peterson tell Laurel how pleased he was that the album was going forward. Seeing her eyes narrow, Zach rushed to say, “I am, too. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time.”
Peterson grinned jovially. “I can’t wait to make the announcement. This is going to be big.”
“I already have a marketing plan,” Morris put in.
“Give us a couple of weeks first,” Zach said. Once the word was out, Laurel’s life would change. He wanted to give her time to become adjusted. “Neither one of us wants anything to distract Laurel. When people learn that we’re working together, she’ll have to deal with the craziness of the fans who tend to follow me. She’s not used to that.”
Frown lines darted across Peterson’s brow. “Morris has great ideas. I was thinking of making an announcement this afternoon since you both say you’re moving forward.”
“We need to move on this,” Keats said. “This is big news.”
Clearly they wanted to box them in. “Laurel and I are committed to the album, but the announcement would have even more buzz appeal if, at the time, you had the first single from the album to release. We could have the announcement at my place,” Zach said, upping the ante.
“Your place,” Peterson repeated, his eyes widening. “I’ve never heard of you having a party at your home.”
Zach wished he could see Laurel’s expression. More proof that he wasn’t the party animal she thought. “Then the fact that I am doing so will certainly up the expectation and make the guest list that much more exclusive. But I want the two weeks, and once the announcement is made, Laurel is to be provided twenty-four-hour staffed security at the entrance of her home. That’s not negotiable.”
“Zach, I don’t need all that,” Laurel protested.
“My fans can get crazy,” he told her. “Why don’t we put security in place and if you see it isn’t warranted, it can be dropped.”
“It might be wise,” her mother said.
“Peterson?” Zach prompted.
Peterson’s gaze flickered from Laurel to Zach and finally to Keats, the CFO, who promptly said. “There’s nothing in her contract that—”
“It’s the right thing to do,” Zach said, cutting him off. “I like working with people who are prudent. So does Laurel. I know you’ve thought of a follow-up album because you’re a man who thinks ahead.”
Peterson got the message. Once the album was finished, Laurel was free to go elsewhere. If the album was a hit, and the possibility was very good, record labels would be beating down her door. “A week and I’ll see that it’s done.”
“A week it is.” The album was set to be released in less than two months. There was nothing on the streets about it, no buzz, no anticipation. Zach planned to change that, so they needed to move quickly.
“I’d like to select the security company, if you don’t mind,” Laurel said, smiling sweetly up at Peterson. “It would make me feel so much better. I’d just like to say that it’s wonderful knowing the company you work for cares more about you than the bottom line.”
“It certainly is,” added her mother.
Zach coughed to keep from laughing. The women were a great team, stroking Peterson and effectively blocking him in.
“Yes. Yes,” he said, blinking as if he wasn’t sure what had happened. The two men with him looked almost as stunned. “We pride ourselves on caring for our clients.”
“Arial has a great reputation,” Zach said. “Peterson, if you don’t have to rush off, I’d like to introduce all of you and Mrs. Raineau to my family and friends.”
“I’d like nothing better,” the exec said. The two men with him nodded their agreement.
Laurel’s mother said nothing.
Joann Albright watched Zach approach with the three men, Laurel, and her mother, and easily saw that he had been correct. The smile on Carolyn Raineau’s face had faded the instant she saw Zach. Joann understood the protective instincts of a mother and applauded them. She had sought to protect Paige from an unscrupulous man, and when she didn’t have the power, she had sought help from another mother who did.
Smiling graciously, she listened as Zach introduced everyone, extending her hand to the men. Glad they didn’t try to crush her bones, she offered her cheek for air kisses. “It’s a pleasure. Please help yourself to the food. Zach said today might be a long one.”
“Let me get you a plate,” Paige offered, taking Peterson’s arm.
“Coffee or orange juice?” Dominique asked the men with him.
“Arial’s stock is up this morning on the market,” Shane said.
“It will go higher with albums like Laurel and Zach are going to make,” Trent said. “Glad to meet the men who are going to make it happen.”
Peterson and the men with him smiled as her family led them to another small table once they had their food. They’d keep them busy while Joann talked with Laurel’s mother.
“May I get you a cup of coffee?” Joann asked.
“Thank you,” Mrs. Raineau said, her voice frosty. She stared at Laurel and Zach, who paid more attention to each other than the food.
Joann picked up a porcelain cup. “Zach, why don’t you and Laurel let Mr. Peterson and the men with him hear her magic?”
“Great idea.” Zach reached for Laurel’s hand, but then he paused and stuck his hand into his pocket.
“Chicken,” Laurel whispered and laughed. Opening her case, she removed her violin, then went into the isolation booth and spoke into the mike. “How about Bach?”
Zach nodded, turning on and adjusting the controls. He spoke into the mike so she could hear him. His mother and the others could hear both of them because he’d turned on the speakers in the room they were in. He couldn’t hear them. “Just remember you’re on stage. Give me more bow. Make me weep.”
“I’d like to,” Mrs. Raineau whispered loud enough for Joann to hear.
“He did.” Joann stared straight at the other woman.
Just then, a crystal pure note had both women turning toward the glass partition. Laurel, eyes closed, her wrist elegantly arched, was playing. She opened her eyes and stared straight at Zach while she played Bach as it was meant to be played, beautifully, passionately, hitting every note just right, pulling, tugging at the heartstrings. Then the last mesmerizing note hung in the air. She and Zach stared across the space at each other.
Even ten feet away in the booth behind them, Joann could feel the intensity. Her eyes teared. She wasn’t sure if it was because of the powerful music she’d just heard, or her happiness to see Zach in love with a woman who loved him back. Joann knew too well how emo
tions could be one-sided.
“Thank you,” Zach finally said, his voice rough.
Laurel smiled.
“The album will set sales records for classical music.” Morris grinned, standing with the other executives several feet behind Joann and Laurel’s mother.
“It might be the best selling yet for the company.” Keats nodded his balding head emphatically.
“I’ve never heard her play so eloquently,” Peterson said, his voice hushed.
“Neither have I,” Carolyn Raineau whispered, her own voice unsteady. “If he hurts her again—”
“He won’t,” Joann told her. “He learned from his mistake and regrets more than you or I can imagine. But who has lived and not made a mistake? I know I’ve done so.”
Carolyn brushed a tear from her eye. “Of course you’d take up for him.”
“Not if he were wrong. That’s not how you raise a child you’re proud to call your own.”
Mrs. Raineau jerked her head up.
“I prepared his favorite breakfast this morning, set up this impromptu brunch because he knows you don’t like him.” Joann smiled sadly. “He wanted his mother, his family, to help.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Mrs. Raineau asked.
“Because, as a mother, you know what it is to love a child, to want the best for them, to hurt when they hurt. You’d do anything within your power to take that pain away.”
Mrs. Raineau nodded and stared at Laurel. She had come out of the isolation booth to sit beside Zach as he replayed the song and worked on the editing screen. “I stayed away as long as I could. I expected to find her heartbroken; instead she was standing happily in your son’s arms.”
“Earlier that evening, before she came to see him, he wouldn’t eat. Laurel brought the happiness back into his life.”
“The cook reported Laurel hadn’t been eating. This morning, she gobbled up the breakfast I prepared for her. Her eyes were shining. She couldn’t stop smiling. She was so excited, hurrying me to the car he sent,” Mrs. Raineau admitted. “She couldn’t wait to see him.”
“Zach was up early. For the first time since they broke up, it wasn’t because he couldn’t sleep. He cares about her.”
