by Diane Darcy
Izzy’s heart started pounding in her chest. “I’ll leave right now. I’ll let you know what’s happening.”
“I have your car,” Courtney said tearfully.
Izzy was already hurrying through the house. “I’ll ask Adam to drive me.”
Courtney sobbed again. “Do you think Dad’s drinking again? Is this my fault?”
“If he is, it’s not your fault. Don’t worry, just go back to work. I’ll take care of this and I’ll call you as soon as I can.”
Isabelle ran up the stairs and went directly into Adam’s office. Breathless, she said, “Adam, I need your help. Could you give me a ride to my dad’s place? Courtney just called, and apparently he’s acting strange.”
Adam was standing before she’d even finished speaking. “You bet.” Gratitude flooded her as he led her straight back down the stairs and out to his car. Within two minutes, they were on the road.
~~~
When they arrived at the apartment complex, Isabelle jumped out of the car and Adam quickly followed.
A crowd had gathered around a big eucalyptus tree and Isabelle’s father sat at the base, rocking slightly and holding his arm. Rosie was crying as her mother tried to comfort her.
Isabelle hurried forward and was intercepted when Rosie’s mother, Olivia, placed a hand on her shoulder. “Isabelle. I’m glad you’re here.” She lowered her voice. “Your father chased Rosie’s cat up the tree and then followed it. He was acting crazy and then he slipped and fell. He’s holding his arm, and we’ve asked him if he wants to go to the hospital, but he won’t leave the tree. He’s been ranting. Some of the other neighbors are threatening to call the police.”
“Thanks, Olivia.” Isabelle knelt beside her father. She placed a hand on his bent knee. “Dad, what’s going on?”
“Izzy.” He let out a pained sigh. “I’m glad you’re here.”
She leaned down and breathed in, trying to smell alcohol. “Have you been drinking?” She asked in a quiet whisper. She didn’t want to embarrass him in front of all their neighbors, but she needed to know what was going on. She glanced around, recognizing some of the faces, but not others, and the crowd seemed to be growing.
Dad jerked his knee away. “No. I haven’t been drinking. I have to get that cat.” He tilted his head to look up into the tree, and Izzy followed his gaze. Queenie, Rosie’s black-and-white cat, perched high among the leaves.
“Come on, Dad. Let’s go inside and we’ll talk about this, okay?”
“I’d have caught her, but I slipped on the bark and fell out of the tree.” He glared up at the cat.
Adam moved forward to stand beside Isabelle. “Thanks, everyone, for your concern. We’ll take it from here.” His confident, authoritative tone prompted the neighbors to give them some breathing room.
As the crowd started to disburse, Isabelle looked up at Adam, so grateful for his large, solid presence.
Olivia tried to draw Rosie away but the girl ran to the tree, threw her head back, and beseeched the cat. “Queenie, come down. I won’t let him hurt you.” She turned her head to glare at Isabelle’s father.
Isabelle didn’t dare grab her father’s arm until she knew the extent of the damage, so she held out a hand. “Come on, Dad.” She tried to urge him to his feet. “Let’s get out of here, okay?”
Dad looked her in the face. “Izzy, I was walking to our apartment when the cat streaked by.”
Isabelle was glad to see her father seemed clear-eyed and sober.
“It looked…” He glanced up at Adam and straightened his back. “It looked like she was wearing the Starfire.”
Isabelle looked at him with pity. “Dad, Rosie’s always dressing up her kitties. I’m sure it was just some costume jewelry. We need to get you to a doctor to see about your arm.”
Dad’s jaw jutted forward. “I’m not going anywhere until I get my hands on that cat.”
Big tears welled in Rosie’s eyes. “It’s my kitty, it’s my pretties,” she wailed.
Olivia stepped forward, looking between Isabelle and her father. “Rosie does have a lot of jewelry for her cats.”
Dad was shaking his head back and forth. “We have to get that cat before it gets away.”
Isabelle wanted to cry along with Rosie.
Adam sighed. “I’ll go up and get the cat and we’ll get to the bottom of this.”
Isabelle straightened and turned to him. “Are you sure? I don’t want you hurting your leg. Maybe we should just wait it out.”
“Don’t worry about me. It looks like the cat’s stuck up there. I’ll get her down.”
She studied his handsome face for a long moment, feeling guilty for dragging him into yet another of their family dramas, yet so grateful he was there. “Thank you, so much.”
~~~
Adam climbed the tree, one branch at a time. The bark was slippery and tore easily, so he made sure his grip was firm before he pulled himself up. His knee, bending further than usual, started to ache like the devil, so it was slow going.
“Adam, are you okay?”
He looked down at Izzy’s worried face and smiled. “I’m fine.” He realized he liked playing the hero for her, liked that she was worried about him. While he wanted to rush up the tree and impress her with his strength and agility, he’d better keep going slowly or he’d fall and end up in the same situation as Stephen.
The cat had climbed quite high and did look to be stuck, its tail twitching as it maneuvered on two thin branches and meowed pathetically. Its cries grew louder as Adam neared.
When he was within a few feet of the animal, he looked up to see that the cat wore two necklaces, one made of bright pink plastic beads, and the other dangling from an 18-karat gold chain. His breath caught as the star-shaped pendant flashed sunlight off the jewels, making the rubies, diamonds, and sapphires glow.
Stephen was right. The stupid cat was wearing the Starfire. The ridiculousness of the situation made him want to laugh until his next thought hit.
If he found the necklace, Izzy would move out. He might lose her.
His stomach dropped. He suddenly wished with everything inside him that it wasn’t his necklace. Adam no longer cared about the stupid hunk of junk. He wasn’t willing to lose Izzy over it.
When he reached the cat, he wedged himself between two branches and hauled the animal onto his stomach where it clung to him, digging claws into his skin.
Adam untangled the two necklaces from the cat’s neck, putting the Starfire in one pocket and the beaded necklace in the other.
He looked down to see Izzy gazing up, her hand shading her eyes.
Something dark and dangerous pushed at him. Lie, cheat, and steal. What if he just kept the necklace? Only for a little while longer. Just until Isabelle’s affection was assured. After their kiss earlier today, he was positive he just needed a little more time to help her fall in love with him.
He carefully climbed down the tree, one hand holding the cat making a pincushion of his shoulder.
What if he just kept it until Izzy was safely his? What if it was found after they were married? A pawnshop contacting him, or an anonymous package in the mail? As soon after the wedding as possible…
He reached the ground, and with both feet firmly planted, he handed the cat to Isabelle, who handed it to the wide-eyed little girl. The child latched onto her cat and hugged her tight.
Stephen looked at him hopefully, and Adam looked at Izzy’s concerned expression, and he let out a breath. He just couldn’t do it. Even though it meant he could lose Izzy--maybe forever--if she didn’t want to see his ugly mug again. Would his face be a reminder of a stressful time in her life?
Adam fished the beaded necklace out of his pocket and handed it to Rosie. “I believe this belongs to you?”
Stephen let out a sound of distress as he looked at the cheap necklace.
“Where is the other one?” Rosie demanded.
Adam knelt. “I’m sorry, sweetie, but that one belongs to me. How a
bout if I get you a new one?”
Izzy sucked in a breath.
“Is…is it…” Stephen stuttered, clutching his injured arm.
“It’s mine,” screamed Rosie and the cat launched itself out of her arms and over her back. Rosie turned and ran after it for a moment, then turned back to Adam. “Queenie brought it to me and I want it back!”
Adam straightened. Here it was—the moment of truth.
He pulled the necklace out of his pocket and held it up for everyone to see. The Starfire--twirling, shining, and brilliant--caught the sunlight and exploded with color. The gold of the star, the blues of the sapphires, the red rubies, and sparkling diamonds.
Stephen’s breath audibly left him in a rush and he started to cry. Izzy knelt down to comfort him, her eyes never leaving the necklace.
Rosie launched herself at Adam and tried to grab it from him, but he anticipated her and lifted it high.
Rosie’s mother rushed forward and grabbed the child. “Rosie, you had the necklace all along? You knew Mr. Kenna was looking for it. I showed you the flyer he posted around the neighborhood.”
Olivia looked at Stephen, leaning against the tree, his face in his hands as he sobbed. “Stephen, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to say.” She tugged her daughter. “Come on, we’re going home.”
“Queenie brought it to me!” Rosie screamed. “She found it! It’s mine!”
“Enough.” The child’s mother dragged Rosie, tugging and crying, back to their apartment. When the door slammed, Adam turned to look at Isabelle.
She stood, hugged Adam, clung to him, and started to cry. “I can’t believe it was here the whole time.”
He gathered her close and she fit in his arms exactly as if she was made for him. He wanted this forever: wanted the right to comfort her, laugh with her, be with her. Wanted her to lean on his strength, turn to him, and know he’d always be there for her.
As his arms tightened and his eyes closed, he wondered if this was the only time he’d get to hold her like this. He hoped he hadn’t lost her.
“Izzy,” he leaned down so he could press a kiss into her soft hair. “I hope you know this doesn’t mean I want you to leave. I’d like you to stay with me, at my place--forever, if possible.”
She stilled against him, tried to catch her breath, and then tilted her head. Eyes wet with tears, she slowly shook her head. She loosened her grip and Adam hesitated before letting her go, his gaze never leaving hers. “Please, Izzy…”
She took a step back. “I’m sorry. I…I can’t.”
Chapter Twelve
ADAM TAPPED ON IZZY’S BEDROOM door, heard a muffled come in, and pushed inside to see Izzy packing. He’d followed her back to his place--she’d insisted on driving her father’s car--as his mind raced desperately for something to change her mind.
He rubbed his chest as the aching intensified. “You’re leaving?”
“I think it would be for the best, don’t you?”
Adam watched her hands fly as she folded one shirt, then another. Was it his imagination or was she packing incredibly fast? “You haven’t even had dinner yet. I could make us something.”
“That’s okay, Adam. I’ll eat with my family tonight. They’ll be expecting me.”
He swallowed. “It won’t be the same without you here. The house is going to feel empty.”
When she didn’t respond, packing relentlessly, he decided he had nothing left to lose. “There’s plenty of room here if you want to stay. I like having you as a roommate.”
Isabelle smiled tightly. “I’m sure you’ll be glad to have your house back to yourself again.”
And he was just as sure he wouldn’t. “It’s a big house for one person,” he quickly inserted. “Can’t you stay? I don’t want you to leave. I’m hoping that…that we will…” He trailed off.
Her hands finally stilled, but she didn’t look up, she looked at the shirt in her hand. Finally, she shook her head. “I’m ready to go back home and get my life back on track.”
He paced to the window and ran a hand across his mouth. “What about the kiss we shared?” he said without looking at her. “It meant a lot to me.” He finally turned around. “I thought maybe it had changed things between us.”
Isabelle blushed and he felt bad for embarrassing her, but he was fighting for his future here, their future, and if he had to lay things out, if they had to have an uncomfortable conversation, then so be it.
She didn’t say anything, she just continued to pack, more quickly than he could have possibly imagined. His frustration level rose. She really was leaving him.
She took a breath. “I just want to thank you for everything. For holding off prosecution of my father, for letting me stay here, for being so nice to me.”
Guilt pierced Adam again as he thought about his part in getting her to live here in the first place. “Izzy, I’m sorry I had you move in with me. I should’ve worked something else out. But it’s turned out okay, hasn’t it?”
She waved a hand. “I was the one who insisted.”
“I know, but I still feel guilty about the way it all went down. The thing is, Izzy…” He paced to the window again. It was now or never. She was leaving him. He had to tell her how he felt or he’d regret it later and wonder if it would have made a difference. He turned back, and took her soft hand.
She finally looked at him, her blue eyes wide.
“I love you.”
She winced.
His throat clenched. “I…” He swallowed. “I don’t want you to go. I feel like if you walk out that door, I’m going to lose you forever. Stay with me. Please.”
She clutched his hand. Sucked in a breath. Shook her head. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
Looking as tortured as he felt, she bowed her head.
“Look, I know you wanted to wait until the end of the summer to start dating. I wish this whole thing hadn’t happened. I mean the whole thing with the necklace. But it did, and it changed things. I realize that. But can’t we just start over now?”
Her expression was agonized. She shook her head. “That’s not possible.” She pulled her hand away, closed her suitcase, and looked around the room now devoid of all her possessions. She hurried to the bathroom, flipped on the light and looked around.
Adam followed her. “Give me a chance.” He swallowed against the tightness in his throat. “Look, I don’t want to, but I’m willing to wait until the end of summer. Just like we talked about before. Remember--in the clinic? When you promised me we could start dating at the end of summer? I guess I could wait until then if I have to. Can’t you just give me some hope?”
“Sure,” Isabelle said. “That would be fine. I’ve got to go now.” She slung her purse over her shoulder, picked up a bag of laundry, and then her suitcase.
“Let me carry that.”
“No, I’ve got it, thank you.”
Adam followed, his limp more pronounced than usual, trying to think of anything he could say to get her to stay. “Isabelle, wait.”
“I’m sorry, Adam,” she said as she headed down the stairs. “I really am. I’m anxious to be back with my family again. They need me.”
“So do I. I need you.”
“That’s different.”
“It’s not.”
“I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon.” She threw the words over her shoulder, but she didn’t so much as slow down as she crossed the living room. In seconds, she was out the front door. Adam was right behind her, his chest tightening.
“Isabelle, Izzy, can I see you later tonight? Or maybe dinner tomorrow?”
She was already shaking her head. “I really don’t think that’s a good idea.” She stowed her things in the backseat of her father’s car, rounded it and opened the driver’s door. Finally, she paused. She looked at him. “Again, Adam, thank you for everything.” She nodded. “You’re a really great guy. A nice person.”
That was the last thing he wanted to hear from
her. “Izzy, come on. Don’t leave this way.”
She looked at him for a long moment, her gaze on his face, a hint of tears in her eyes. He thought she might be weakening.
“Goodbye, Adam.”
Feeling helpless, he watched her get into the car, back out of the driveway, swing around, and drive away. Jaw clenched tight, he watched until she was out of sight. She didn’t look back.
~~~
Isabelle brushed away tears as quickly as they spilled over. He’d made it so hard to leave. He’d said he loved her, but how could he? How could he love her after all her family had put him through?
He’d had to climb that tree, using his injured leg, to fetch his own necklace off a cat, and then come down to be attacked by the neighbor girl. And then he’d been the one to comfort Isabelle and her father!
She was just so embarrassed!
And confused.
The relief of finding the necklace, the embarrassment over the way it had been found, her worry for him, for her father, the neighbors witnessing it all, and finally, the realization of her family’s reestablished freedom. It was too much to take in.
She sobbed, pressed the back of one hand to her mouth, and clung to the steering wheel with the other. She was a mess!
And him telling her he loved her? What was that about? When he’d said the words she’d wanted to throw herself at him, cling to him, cry all over him again, and absorb his strength. He couldn’t love her. He just couldn’t. Not after all this.
Could he?
She didn’t know. She didn’t even know for sure how she felt about him because she hadn’t really been herself these last few weeks, had she? Not completely.
But she’d certainly wanted to reach for him and pull him close, bury her face against his neck, and feel his arms close around her. She’d wanted to cling until she was grounded by his solid strength so she could escape this whirlwind of emotion.
