His gravelly chuckle matched his voice. “No, no, not that. It’s a letter addressed to you. My secretary, bless her, remembered it when she read your wedding announcement in the paper. She dug it out the other day. We’ve been keeping it safe for years.”
A quiver shot through her. Who could have sent a letter to Gil to hold onto for her all this time? “Years?”
He patted her shoulder fondly, saying, “Your mother attached it to her will. She wanted you to have it after you married.” Lifting his hand to wave to someone, he said, “I see Devon over there. Let me go say hello before the hunt begins.” As he left, he tossed out, “Don’t forget to stop by.”
“As if I could,” she said, shaking inwardly at the knowledge that her mother had bestowed a precious link to her. Butterflies swirled in her middle. She couldn’t be sure if it was due to nerves, the baby, or a combination of both.
“Over here, Jewel,” Tessa sang out over the din of the partygoers.
A few seconds later, she stood beside a seated Tessa. The red hair, teased to an abnormal height, danced wildly as her friend moved her head. Several bangles on her wrist clanged as Tessa flicked her hand to the opposite chair. “Pleaze be seated for Mizz Tezza’s reading.”
Complying, Jewel plopped gratefully onto the cushion. “Geez, you’re really playing the Gypsy bit to the hilt, aren’t you?”
Ignoring her, Tessa gazed into the large crystal ball in the center of the round table, then said, “I zee many changez for you ahead.”
“No kidding. Even a five-year-old could have guessed that much,” Jewel muttered under her breath, considering how Devon had rushed back in her life and swept it into a frenzy. Thinking of her husband had her searching around the packed bodies. “Ah, there he is.” She frowned at how bewildered and shell-shocked he seemed. “It must be all the people,” she guessed, watching as many of their neighbors and townspeople shook his hand and slapped him on the back.
“You muzt help Mizz Tezza.” Her friend pulled her attention away from Devon for a moment. The color drained from her face as she gazed into the clear ball. “Great heartache iz in store for you in zee coming days.”
A frisson of fear slid through her middle. “Hey, cut that out, will ya?”
Troubled eyes found hers and Jewel grew concerned. Sobering and losing her fake accent, Tessa exclaimed, “I swear, Jewel, I saw something. You were crying.”
A chill seized her and she shivered. The fun had suddenly gone out of the game. “I hope you don’t tell all your clients bad news, or you’ll ruin my party,” she made light of it, trying to brush aside the cloud that had descended.
Tessa reached a hand across the table and covered Jewel’s cold one. “Hang in there, girlfriend. It’s like the dark before the light. You just have to have faith, that’s all. Devon will be tested beyond anything else he’s ever been and…so will you. But, if you believe, really believe, he’ll find the right way for all of you.”
Her gibberish began to make sense. It must be Devon’s plans for revenge that would test them all. Hadn’t it already? Hadn’t it made them do things and say things they wouldn’t normally have done? Then she realized it was drama queen Tessa talking. It had to be Tessa’s overactive imagination conjuring up the dire warning. “You’re just saying this cause you know me and my situation.”
An impish grin split the redhead’s face, washing away the mask of doom. “Of course. But I do have some Gypsy in my blood. I confess I read the testing and believing part in a book once. Cool, wasn’t it?”
“Not.” She rose, figuring she’d had enough of her friend for the moment.
“Hey, where you going? I haven’t practiced everything on you yet.”
Smiling weakly, she said, “Not on me you’re not.”
Tessa gave her a sour look. “Send your hubby over then. I can look into his future.”
“I’ll pass that along to him. But for now I’m going to go enjoy my party, Tessa.” As she walked away a part of her still held onto the sense of foreboding.
When she found Devon an instant later she couldn’t shake the uneasiness gripping her. “Hey, handsome,” she called softly, drinking in his lean, muscular body and rugged good looks. At the sound of her voice, he caught her gaze and sent her a heart-stopping grin.
“Dollface.” He skirted a two man operated dinosaur and closed the gap between them. His expression still held a hint of dazed wonder, his dark eyes slightly unfocused.
“Are you all right?”
His smile widened as he stared down at her. Something deep and unfathomable shifted in the depths of his darkening green eyes. Suddenly his stark features softened. “I’m fine now.” Cupping her cheek, he caressed his work-roughened thumb along her skin. “I’m glad you’re in my life,” he murmured, and then gently kissed her forehead. She sucked in a breath.
Bemused, she mumbled, “Tessa wants to read your future in her crystal ball.”
His rich, deep chuckle sent tingles from her head to her toes. “Well, Scarlett, I happen to know from experience that a man has to make peace with his past before he can ever hope for a future with the ones he loves.”
Gulping hard, she wondered if once he extracted his revenge if he would even want to be with the two people who loved him more than anything else in the world.
***
The next afternoon, Jewel strolled through the stables, inhaling the wonderful mingled scents of horse, leather, and hay. A sweet rush of memories flooded her, memories of her many encounters with Devon here in this building. The recalled anticipation from long ago days fluttered in her middle. Devon always had a way of making her feel alive and womanly. He still possessed that same devastating ability.
A pang of loneliness shot through her; Devon and Sean had left after the cleaning crew he’d hired had departed. “Where could they be?”
The Arabian she stood before nuzzled her hand, making her giggle. “Oh, you’re an affectionate one, aren’t you?” Smiling, she rubbed his neck. A part of her remained sad for the many months ahead when she wouldn’t be able to ride. The other half overruled; she’d forgo any momentary pleasure for the sake of her unborn child.
Underlying everything she did today, restlessness prevailed. She couldn’t wait until Monday morning when she could find out what her mother had written to her.
“What do you think it could be?” she asked the horse, knowing no answer would come until the next day. She sighed wearily, wondering if the hum in her blood had more to do with hope, dread, or excitement.
A loud bang from outdoors brought her up short. “Maybe that’s them now.”
A few seconds later, on the way to the house, she slowed her steps. There near the side entrance was the beginning of Devon and Sean’s secret project. Until today, at their request, she hadn’t ventured back here. Drawing close, she took in the slab of concrete and building materials nearby. Her breath caught in the back of her throat when a breeze whipped a portion of the tarp away from the large panes of glass. “It can’t be.”
Sean’s excited voice called for her. “Mom, where are you? We’ve got a surprise.” Before she could answer, he appeared in the bank of kitchen windows and beamed from ear to ear when he spotted her.
A well of love washed over her at the sight of her son.
How did I get so lucky?
Her thoughts immediately rushed to the baby growing inside her, Devon’s baby, and another wave of joy gripped her so fiercely she had to blink back the tears. “Oh gripes, hormones,” she complained good-naturedly, grasping the back door handle. “Is it true, are you and your dad building a greenhouse for me?”
Sean greeted her by grabbing her hand in his small one. “Mom, you’re not supposed to know that. For dad’s sake pretend you didn’t see anything, all right?”
She nodded, too overcome to utter a word. Her two guys were joining ranks to give her her long time dream of a greenhouse and growing flowers year round. Her heart overflowed with the precious gift they were making for her.
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“Come on, dad’s outside with the surprise, well, part of it. It’s cool.” He tugged her through the kitchen, down the long hall, then out the front door. He flung out his arm, yelling, “Ta dah!”
Devon, clad in black jeans and shirt, leaned against a brand new black SUV. “Hey, dollface, want to go for a ride with our son and me?”
His devilish grin was only part of what contributed to her muddled brain. “What about the Corvette?”
Shrugging carelessly, he said, “I sold it. I figured we needed something all of us could travel in.” He held up a hand, saying, “I know you have the blue bomber, but, call me crazy, I don’t want my family riding in that death trap.”
Swallowing hard, she looked from the shiny automobile to Devon. Wonder overtook her as he held her gaze. “But you loved that car.”
“I love you two more,” he said hoarsely.
The simple declaration robbed her of speech. A wealth of meaning and understanding passed between them. With everything he had he was trying. Damn, but she loved this man.
“Hey, Mom, the coolest part is dad also bought a beat up 1970 SS 454 Chevelle we’re gonna rebuild together. Kev, too. Isn’t that the greatest?”
Without taking her eyes from her dear husband, she choked out to her son, “No, your dad’s the greatest.” She paused for a moment to collect herself, and then said to Devon, “It’s the same one as your first car, isn’t it?”
Something crossed over Devon’s features. Desire, she figured, as a tugging sensation echoed in her abdomen. “Yeah,” he said roughly. “The same.” The unspoken part of his answer reverberated through her head. The same one we made love in that last time twelve years ago before we snuck into the barn and Cyrus found us.
Gulping hard, she almost missed Sean’s next words.
“Come on, Mom, we got to hurry, visiting hours don’t last all day.”
Shaking her head, she asked, “Visiting hours?”
Devon cleared his throat. “I thought it was about time Sean met his grandmother.”
Tenderness bubbled up inside of Jewel for her husband. This more than anything showed her how much he’d do to settle the past and try to find forgiveness in his heart. With all she learned today, and all he’d done, for the first time she truly believed they could have a future together.
“So, how about it, would you like to come with us?” The quiver that threaded his voice pierced the softest part of her soul.
Going to Devon, she wrapped her arms around his neck. He held her tight. She welcomed the warmth and solid strength of her husband. On tip-toe she kissed his jaw, and then said, “I’d love to go see Bea with you.”
“Thank you,” he whispered in her ear, shaking slightly.
“Hey, Dad, does grandma like candy?”
Jewel twisted in Devon’s arms as she looked over her shoulder to Sean.
“She always did have a sweet tooth. Why, son?”
The grin that split their son’s face was priceless. He wiggled his eyebrows, saying, “Have we got a bunch of stuff for her and her buddies.”
As his meaning sank in, delight beamed in Jewel. Sean had always been so giving to others. Devon’s roguish chuckle sent a curl of heat to her core. Turning back to him she witnessed the wicked sense of humor dancing in his eyes. “She’s gonna love the chocolate spiders.”
The image of Beatrice giggling like a schoolgirl when Devon presented her with the wide assortment of creepy treats caused Jewel’s heart to expand to overflowing. “I think, my wonderful husband, and equally wonderful son, that the two of you will enjoy it just as much as her.”
Shrugging, Devon said, “What can I say? It must run in the family.”
Gazing into his eyes, she noticed the subtle change deep within him. When had it happened? What had made him shift from the ruthless businessman bent on revenge to the loving, caring family man standing before her now? Or did she misread the lack of vengeance?
Tessa’s dire warnings of last night rushed back now, unnerving Jewel. Only time will tell if she’s wrong. Somewhere in her core a pocket of dread opened, spilling its poisonous contents.
Searching his endearing features, she imprinted this moment, the soft smile and love-filled eyes of the man she’d married, in her mind. This was how she’d remember him when she thought back on this time. For surely the years of hatred, plotting, and planning to regain his family’s reputation could never be totally extinguished. Someday, in some way, he’d win.
But at what cost and to whom?
Chapter 23
With a shaky hand, Devon twisted the doorknob to the solarium. A fluttery sensation rippled through his middle at the knowledge that after all this time his mother was only a few feet away on the other side. With a great deal of effort he shoved passed the expanding uncertainty and opened the door.
Out of courtesy, he waved Sean and Jewel ahead of him. She halted just inside the door, and then turned to him as he entered. “Would you like to be alone with Bea for a few minutes first?”
The gently asked question and empathy crossing her features brought a tight smile to his lips. How had she known he needed a private meeting, unsure of how much his mother would recall, or even if she’d remember her own son this time? He nodded, too choked up to reply.
“Sean and I will take care of finding the person in charge and get their permission to bring the food in.”
A moment later, he stood alone. Taking a deep, unsteady breath, he scanned the sunny, glassed-in room filled with tall leafy plants, comfortable looking chairs, and several tables where patients played games. The low murmurs of conversations rose as one lady cheered her win in a card game.
Moving further into the room, Devon widened his search. Instantly, he spotted her sitting by herself, staring out the windows into the garden far beyond. His heart jumped in his chest and he had to gulp in several deep breaths of air.
Her once dark hair was now an iron gray tucked up into her usual efficient bun on top of her head. From here, he could only get a glimpse of her profile, but clearly she’d aged drastically. The deeply carved wrinkles in her cheek told a story of a hard, difficult life. Why had she refused his help so many times over the last twelve years? He could have made it so much easier for her.
With each step he took, he closed the long gap of distance and time, the hollow ache behind his ribs filling with unconditional love and concern for the woman who had given birth to him.
Devon found a nearby straight back chair, and then settled it in front of her. The movement must have snapped her out of her trance; she turned to him with a vacant look and a small smile. He sucked in a sharp breath; he realized just how much she’d changed, the years of suffering etched in every line and groove on her once lovely face.
“Hello.” Her voice still held the soft quality he’d remembered.
An invisible hand gripped his heart and squeezed. She didn’t know him. Clearing his throat, he asked, “May I sit with you for awhile?”
She beamed at his request. “Oh, yes, I’d love to have some company. What’s your name?”
A dagger of pain sliced through him. Now seated, he said, “Devon.” He hoped it would jog her memory. But only emptiness resided in her dark eyes.
Slowly, he let his gaze travel over her. From the perfectly groomed look of her, she’d been well cared for here. Her navy blue dress and matching shoes seemed new. As she grasped what appeared to be a picture frame to her bosom, he noticed her neatly, rounded manicured nails. Silently, he thanked Father Tom and Gil for finding this place.
“Who are you?” she asked, dragging him from his survey.
Your son, he shouted inwardly. To her, he answered, “We knew each other a long time ago.” He stopped himself from elaborating when a frown gathered between her brows.
Gently, he reached for one of her hands. With the trust of a child, she allowed him to hold it. Devon blinked back a well of tears as he touched the thick, hardened skin on her palm and fingers earned from decades of labor.<
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Smiling sadly, he glanced at her face, and then did a double take. A radiance glowed, bringing color to her cheeks and a sparkle to her eyes. Suddenly, he saw the woman she’d been: the caring mother, the obliging mistress, and the giving cook. All the questions that he’d wondered about that had gone unanswered for so long rushed to him now. Wonder filled him at the simple truth: Love had guided her every decision, every course of action she’d taken. Just as Jewel had, he realized in stunned wonder, seeing it for the first time as he absorbed the parallels in his and Sean’s lives.
He focused fully on his mother now, his view altered forever. “I’m sorry. So very sorry for everything I put you through.” He paused, and then whispered, “For being born.” He knew she’d never understand. But for him, admitting it was a balm to the hole he’d always carried. In his soul, the heaviness lifted, the long denied forgiveness for the sins of his parents granted to them and to himself for being the byproduct of them.
“Would you like to see my baby?” she asked, holding out the silver frame she’d been clutching to her.
His middle dipped. Could she possibly be talking about him? “I’d like that,” he choked out. When he turned it around, his heart jumped and he had to swipe at the gathering moisture in the corners of his eyes. There he sat at the age of six or seven, grinning from ear to ear, near a pile of dirt playing with his toy cars.
“That’s my baby.” Pride filled her words.
“You remember him?” Devon couldn’t keep the anxious note out of his voice.
Sadness clouded her features and she shook her head. “They tell me, though. They say he was my baby. Did you know my baby?”
“Yes, and I know he loved you very much. He still does,” he barely got the words past the lump in his throat.
She giggled like a schoolgirl, and then slapped her hands on her thighs. Leaning forward, she asked, “Do you know where he is?”
For a long moment, he stared at her, the overwhelming love spreading to every part of his being. “I’m here, Mom.”
Crimes of the Heart (Heart Romance #2) Page 20
