Glow (Glimmer and Glow #2)

by BETH KERY

  “I don’t believe it,” she whispered.

  She noticed Noble D next, whose head was nearly as tall as Terrance’s. Terrance waved at her cheekily. Another hand flew up and pressed Terrance’s hand to his side. A smile flickered across Alice’s mouth when she saw that it was Judith who contained Terrance. A grinning Noble D stood behind Judith, his hands on her shoulders. Between Terrance and D, she spotted Angela Knox and over to the side, Justin Arun. An eager face peered up over the crowd. It was Jill Sanchez, who appeared to have sprouted several inches even since Alice had last seen her. Matt Dinorio suddenly jumped up over the heads of the audience, hand in the air. Judith hissed something at him, bringing him to order, too. Alice repressed an urge to laugh.

  Seeing their faces made the entire experience shift for her. She listened to the end of Guy Morales’s introduction with a dawning sense of wonder. The new human resources VP was right. This was an incredible story. A couple that loved one another and who were seemingly blessed with everything, longed for a child more than anything else. After strife and struggling, they were given that child, only to have her ripped away from them by a man’s single-minded greed and jealousy. Because a lonely, scarred boy’s life had been touched indelibly by a man’s kindness and a child’s innocent love, he’d never given up on finding that girl.

  A young woman, ignorant of her roots and the love she’d once breathed like the air surrounding her, had followed the tendencies and talents inherent to her blood, studying business and mathematics, even undertaking a research project that would have swelled her parents with pride, had they ever known of it. The young woman had come to a place where she could make a difference, and had touched the lives of unique children, and been touched by them, in turn, just like Dylan Fall had been altered forever by Alan Durand.

  She looked over at Dylan as Guy Morales came to the conclusion of his introduction. Tears burned in her eyes, but her smile reflected genuine happiness.

  And the woman and the man met, and everything came full circle . . .

  Dylan stood to pull back her chair when Guy Morales introduced her. He grabbed her hand briefly as she rose, squeezing it for reassurance. This time, when Terrance put both hands up and waved and Matt jumped up, Alice grinned and gave them a wave back.

  SHE approached the podium. The sound of her clearing her throat in the microphone sounded abnormally loud in the absolute silence that followed. She gripped the podium to steady herself.

  “First off, let me just say that while you all may have a lot of questions, the chances are I can’t answer them. Most of you probably wonder if you should refer to me as Alice Reed or Addie Durand. The fact of the matter is, I don’t have an answer to even that question at the moment. A name . . . one of the most basic things a person knows about themselves, and yet I’d have to claim temporary ignorance. That’s how new, incredible, and earthshaking this all is to me.

  “I’d like to personally thank Dylan Fall, and the Durand board, for being so supportive and patient in guiding me through what’s ended up being a really confusing time. I’ll let Special Agent Lee and Ms. Sparrow answer any questions associated with the kidnapping or the FBI’s investigation. But I just wanted to make one thing very clear. I’m here today because of one man. If it weren’t for Dylan Fall never giving up on finding Addie Durand, I would have died believing I’d been born Alice Reed. Thank you for not giving up on me, no matter how tiny the odds of Adelaide Durand ever being found,” she said thickly, looking at Dylan. She paused, emotion tightening her throat. She took strength from Dylan’s steady, lambent stare. Cameras snapped like crazy in the tense silence.

  “Because of the involvement of Durand Enterprises and the trust and the money, I know there’s going to be a tendency for this story to become about all that,” she continued shakily. “But for me, this is an extremely personal story, and it’s got nothing to do with money.” Her gaze ran over the teenagers standing at the back of the room. Judith appeared both anxious and rapt, watching her. “For me, the past several weeks have been about making connections with some incredible people, about learning to trust . . . about finding the faith to hope . . .”

  Awkwardness suddenly crowded her conscious at the realization of how emotional and raw she sounded. It wasn’t really like her, to be so transparent in a public venue like that. Rick Preston caught her eye and she nodded once.

  “A few questions,” Preston said. The room exploded with shouts, scuffling chairs, and waving hands. Preston pointed and called a name.

  “Danny Zarnoff, the Detroit News,” an older, heavyset man called out. “Given the fact that you’re the owner of Durand Enterprises, how likely is it that you’ll be happy working as a junior executive in marketing?”

  Alice blinked at the brash question.

  “Very likely,” she replied. She glanced at Rick Preston expectantly. Danny Zarnoff looked nonplussed by her simple answer and started to call out a follow-up, but he was eclipsed by the cacophony of shouting reporters. Alice glanced aside nervously. Dylan arched his eyebrows slightly. Even though his face was otherwise impassive, she would have guessed he was amused.

  Preston called out a name and one woman was left standing.

  “Katie Jordan, Crain’s Chicago Business. You’re now the largest shareholder of Durand Enterprises, and it sounds as if you’ve got a brain for business and a knack for leadership. Any plans to take Dylan Fall’s place as CEO of the company one day?”

  Alice braced herself.

  “Dylan Fall has made Durand Enterprises the most profitable and fastest-growing company in our industry. As a shareholder, I wouldn’t want to do anything to hinder the growth or value of this company. Alan Durand was smart enough to see his potential, and since then, Dylan has proven himself as worthy of that trust again and again. I told you all that I wouldn’t be able to answer a lot of your questions, but I can tell you this for certain: Dylan Fall will continue as the CEO of Durand Enterprises for as long as he wants the job.”

  By the time she finished with two other questions and sat down, Alice’s legs were rubbery from adrenaline running weak in her blood.

  Dylan’s full attention appeared to be on Special Agent Lee making the FBI’s statement. Beneath the cover of the white cloth that covered the table, however, his hand closed on Alice’s knee. He gave her a squeeze. As always happened at Dylan’s touch, Alice’s tottering world slowly steadied once again.

  A party-like atmosphere prevailed in the anteroom of the ballroom after the press conference came to an end. Not all of the Red Team had been able to come, but the ones who had were escorted back. A few of them looked a little tongue-tied at first by the news of Alice’s discovered identity and past. As soon as Alice hugged them each warmly, however, the hesitant ones quickly slid back into their former camp comfort levels. Dylan had surprised her—yet again—by having someone bring the Team Championship trophy. Alice and her kids finally got their opportunity to pass it among themselves, admire it, and share stories about what had led to their victory.

  After they’d reminisced and caught up for a while, Judith covertly asked Alice if she could talk to her alone for a moment. Alice agreed and they went over to an empty corner.

  “You did a good job up there,” Judith told her. “It must have been hard.”

  “Yeah. I always was telling you guys that public speaking isn’t my forte,” Alice agreed dryly.

  Judith shifted on her feet, clearly hesitant.

  “Is everything okay, Judith?” Alice asked.

  “It’s just . . . I know what it’s like. To go from one world to another,” Judith finally said reluctantly. She noticed Alice’s confusion. “My mom, grandma, and I lived on Wyoming Street in Detroit while my mom finished her college degree and first started out at the bank. When she got promoted to a management position, we moved to Sterling Heights. It was like moving to another planet. Maybe my leap wasn’t as huge as yours, but still—I at least have a hint of what you’re going through.”

&n
bsp; “How long did it take you to adjust?” Alice wondered.

  Judith shrugged and crossed her arms beneath her breasts. For a few seconds, Alice thought she was going to go aloof on her again.

  “I never really did,” Judith blurted out suddenly. She gave Alice a sheepish glance. “Not until recently, anyway, and I’ve still got a long way to go. Look, I know I was a bitch when I first got to camp. I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time.”

  “Apology accepted. I probably could have been a little more patient with you.”

  Judith rolled her eyes. “If you were too patient, I would have walked all over you. You know that.”

  Alice grinned in agreement.

  “I wasn’t sure where I belonged. My mom wanted me to cut off all my ties with my friends in the old neighborhood and start out fresh in Sterling Heights. It was like she wanted to wash off the taint of Wyoming Street and never think about it again. Part of me agreed with her. I wanted to blend, just like her.”

  “And the other part?” Alice asked softly.

  “Felt like a hypocrite,” Judith said, her mouth twisting in anger.

  “That’s understandable. I know I felt that way when I first went to college. I didn’t tell anyone where I’d grown up. It was one of my deepest shames.”

  “Yeah. But even though I felt that way, I sort of wanted to get back at my mom for turning my whole life upside-down, too. I was always doing things to piss her off.”

  “Like applying for Camp Durand?” Alice asked. She’d long wondered why Judith had insisted upon defying her mother and attending a camp that was largely populated by impoverished kids, especially since Judith had acted so superior and above everyone once she got there.

  Judith’s chin went up in a familiar gesture of defiance. When Alice didn’t say anything else and just waited, the girl’s rebellion seemed to drain out of her. For a few seconds, she looked exactly like what she was: an intelligent, pretty, very vulnerable teenage girl.

  “How pitiful am I?” Judith wondered gruffly under her breath.

  “It’s not pitiful at all,” Alice said. “I think it makes sense. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Know what else I think?” Judith glanced up at her uncertainly. “I think maybe you thought getting back at your mom was the only reason you applied to Camp Durand, but I think there could have been another reason. I think you felt alienated and missed your old neighborhood, and your friends, and your roots, and part of you just wanted to connect again. And you did, Judith. In the most amazing way. Personally, I think you’ll be able to do it anywhere from now on. Wyoming Street. Sterling Heights . . . wherever you want to make a difference, you will.”

  “So will you.”

  Alice shrugged and grinned. “As far as Durand goes, they’re sort of forced to put up with me, at this point.”

  Judith gave a bark of laughter. “Well, it’s like you were always proving to me. Sometimes the best leader isn’t the obvious one.”

  She gave Alice a brief, but fierce—and unforgettable—hug before she walked away.

  HER kids, Dylan, and a few members of the Durand staff weren’t the only ones to show up at the little impromptu party. She was happy to see Sidney Gates and Jim Sheridan when they arrived. As she was talking to Jim, Terrance, and Judith about the now famous Bang pizza party, Dylan stepped up to her while escorting an older but fit-looking blond woman.

  “I wanted to introduce you to someone who’s been dying to meet you,” Dylan said. “Alice Reed, meet Virginia Davenport. She’s my right hand, and never fails to remind me of it. She was Alan’s administrative assistant for years, too.”

  “It’s so nice to meet you,” Alice said sincerely, putting out her hand. Instead of shaking it, however, the woman grasped it warmly in both of her hands.

  “Call me Mrs. Davenport. It may seem more formal, but it’s not. It’s what Dylan and Alan both called me. I’m surprised Dylan even knows my first name.” Alice grinned at Dylan’s forbearing expression. She noticed Mrs. Davenport searching her face and realized her blue eyes were shiny with tears.

  “Is everything all right?” Alice asked quietly, concerned, especially because Mrs. Davenport seemed like such a formidable character, certainly not someone prone to public displays of emotion.

  Mrs. Davenport nodded briskly. “It’s just that you remind me of him.”

  “Of Alan?” Alice asked, touched. “Thanks. Most people seem to think I look like Lynn.”

  Mrs. Davenport sniffed and started searching for something in her handbag. “You do. It’s not your looks that remind me of Alan,” she admitted thickly, pulling out a plastic bag of Kleenex.

  “What, then?” Dylan asked, clearly curious.

  “It’s your manner,” Mrs. Davenport said before she blew her nose. “Alan had the kindness of a saint and was a real gentleman, but he could be sharp as a knife to someone who was rude. That Danny Zarnoff from the Detroit News? He always did get Alan’s goat. Alan would have loved to see the way you put Zarnoff in his place out there.”

  EPILOGUE

  SIX WEEKS LATER

  “No, no! My treat,” Alice cried out excitedly when Dylan reached for the bill. “You’re always buying. My turn, now that I’ve started getting paychecks.”

  The waiter looked at Dylan. Dylan nodded once, although he appeared a little exacerbated.

  They were having lunch at a sleek new Chinese restaurant called the Great Wall. They made a point of having lunch together during their workday whenever they could. It was gratifying, to no longer have to hide their relationship. They didn’t flaunt it, by any means, but the days of sneaking around were officially over for Dylan and her.

  With great excitement, she withdrew the credit card from her wallet. She held it up next to her cheek and struck a pose.

  “My first credit card ever,” she said.

  Dylan reached across the table and grabbed the card. He looked exceptionally handsome today, wearing the new bronze and black tie she’d bought him yesterday—also with her new card. She thought the colors made his eyes look especially lustrous and mesmerizing. He peered at the credit card, a grin softening his firm mouth. He handed it back to her.

  “You got it with the new name,” he said as she tucked the card into the folder and held it up for the waiter.

  “I did. What do you think?”

  “You know I like it very much.” He reached across the table and she put her hand in his. “Are you sure you don’t want an expense account from the trust? It could be arranged in a matter of hours. I’m sure Dick has told you,” he said, referring to the new executor of her trust, a financial guru by the name of Dick Everhill. She and Dick, with Dylan’s helpful input from years of experience, had decided for the time being to not make any changes to the trust. Alan had supplied such worthy directives, and Dylan had done a brilliant job managing it. Alice couldn’t think of anything better for it than to keep it just as it was.

  “He did tell me. But don’t ruin my fun. I’m happy being a working girl and earning a paycheck.”

  “Heaven forbid I suggest anything that defeats your happiness. But I don’t want you going overboard, buying things for me,” he told her sternly, briefly touching his new tie.

  “I like buying little bobbles for you,” she joked. She sighed when his dark look didn’t remit. “You spoil me constantly, Dylan. There’s no reason I shouldn’t be able to return the favor, in my little way.”

  He stroked her thumb and palm, looking thoughtful. Prickles of pleasure danced across her nerves at his simple caress. She reached and ran her finger over his knuckles, admiring his masculine hand. When she encircled his forefinger and squeezed, he blinked and met her stare.

  “You’ll definitely be home early tonight?” he asked, his deep, quiet voice and the heat in his eyes telling her loud and clear that he shared her amplified sensual awareness of him. Since they’d begun living together, Alice had reaped the benefits of not only fewer restrictions on how much time they could spend together, but Dylan’s
considerable imagination and energy when it came to lovemaking. She was a very lucky woman.

  “If I get through the analyses on the Sweet Adelaide campaign . . . and Gabriel says I can,” she added with a wry smile, referring to her boss in the marketing division. Alice liked her new job a lot. She was learning so much, sometimes it felt like her head was going to explode at the end of the day. It was a lot to take in, learning the ropes at a demanding new job while also trying to assimilate all that it meant to be Adelaide Durand. She was slowly, but steadily, going through all of Alan’s and Lynn’s remaining personal effects on the weekends, a process that could be intense and wonderful, yet emotional and exhausting, as well. She also was absorbing as many of Durand Enterprises’ financial reports and historical information as she possibly could.

  Fortunately, Sidney Gates had referred her to a counselor in Morgantown. It’d helped Alice, to have somewhere to go every week where she could just spill everything to an objective listener. Slowly, she was starting to rework all the confusion and discrepancy of her dual existence into a single new identity that increasingly made sense to her.

  That she was growing to love.

  Dylan’s gaze narrowed. “You’d think the fact that the product Gabriel is having you work on was named for you by the founder of the company would have some weight on the whole matter.”

  “Well it doesn’t,” she said crisply, squeezing his finger again and running her fist up and down it suggestively. She smiled when his eyes flashed. “And that’s the way I want it, remember?”

  “You won’t let me forget.”

  “What are you thinking about?” she murmured after a moment, recognizing his preoccupation.

  “Your name,” he said bluntly. “Now that you’ve legally changed it, I don’t suppose you’d ever consider changing it again?”

  Her heart gave a little leap.

  “Absolutely not,” Alice replied. “I mean . . . I had to live without it for twenty years of my life. I’ll never surrender it willingly again.”