by Neil, Louisa
There was a long, dead silence, and she knew he wouldn’t tell her. Even if he did, there was still a chance he would lie.
“No deal. I’ll take my chances with the legal system. You really don’t have anything on me, Thea. It was a simple error in all the confusion.”
“Ah, but that’s not what you told me yesterday, and there were so many people who were there to listen to it all.”
“All hearsay. Nobody was in the room, and if you taped our conversation it wouldn’t be admissible. You’ve got a dead hand, Thea. Give me what I want, and I’ll disappear.”
“No. I may literally have a dead husband, but I’ll not let you walk away. You were planning on making my life miserable, taking my children from me, and heaven forbid Alex or my father might have gotten in your way. But, as you told me, they were minor inconveniences. Where would you have stopped, Lloyd?”
“When I had it all,” he told her brazenly. She could hear another male voice in the background and realized it was his lawyer, advising him to hang up.
“Lloyd, just remember one thing. I’ve got you on assault charges and attempted rape. The only reason you’re not sitting in a jail cell as we speak is because you might still prove useful to me. Don’t make me second-guess that decision. Your situation can be changed in the blink of my eyes. Give me the correct location and we’ll talk.”
“Go to hell, Thea, along with your father and brother and especially your precious Dexter P. Norden. I hope he suffered, Thea. I hope every bone in his body was broken and he was alive long enough to feel the pain. Then I wanted him to slowly burn to death, to feel the flesh melt from his body. That’s what he deserved, along with his buddy, Russell.”
“Are you bucking for the psycho route? Do you think it will help?”
“I’m not crazy, Thea. I’ve never been more in my right mind than these last two years. I deserved so much more from all of you. I worked harder for that company than all of you together. And for what? For you to marry Dexter and Russell to be his sidekick, leaving me the office errand boy. I saw my opportunity and I took it.”
“There was never anything between us, Lloyd, and you know it. Besides, I knew Dexter before he brought you into the company. What makes you think you had a right to even think I might have been interested in you? Dexter and I were a couple from the first time we met.”
“It should have been me. I’ve always had to work harder and longer to get what Dexter sailed through.”
“That’s because Dexter is a good person, Lloyd. He has heart and a kind soul, and he was smart. He worked hard for his advantages, and he played hard, too. You never could keep up with him and Russell, could you? Never athletic, always the third wheel as they say.”
“Bitch. When this is over, I’ll find you when you least expect it, Thea. And I won’t be kind to you then.”
Again she heard a second voice in the background and the line went dead. She closed her eyes for just a moment before looking to Alex.
“Did you get all that?” He hit a few buttons on the small recording machine in front of him, and they all listened to the playback of the conversation. “So now we sit and wait. For Lloyd to change his mind and try a second deal, for the rescue team to find Dexter and Russell?”
“I’m sorry, Thea, it’s all we can do right now.” Alistair went and stood beside her, taking her hand in his. “I know you feel you should be doing something constructive, but for right now, we have to be patient. The team was given the new coordinates you and Alex put together.” Her father was trying so hard to reassure her, and she loved him for it.
“I know, Dad, it’s just so frustrating.”
“I know.”
“Grace, Marie, anybody interested in a walk through the gardens? Lucas could probably use some exercise. I know I can.” Thea plastered a smile on her lips and headed toward the back door.
Chapter Three
The next two days dragged by. With the time differences from the East Coast to the Pacific and the uselessness Thea felt, she tried to keep a brave face for the rest of them. She had taken Lucas for a while this afternoon, giving Grace a chance to rest. It was the only time she’d relaxed herself, watching the unknowing child play with a smile. When the phone rang, each time everyone would pause, waiting for the answer to their questions. None of them were what they wanted to hear.
Michelle had gone home to get clothes and stopped at the office on her way back. She’d left instructions that Alistair had sent with her in regard to Lloyd and his position with the company. Saturday, when the wedding was cancelled and the situation came to light, she’d cancelled all Lloyd’s company credit cards, his telephone, and his car lease. His treasured Mercedes was probably being picked up this very afternoon. She’d made sure of it for Alistair. It was a small victory for them. Both she and Thea knew the vehicle meant more to Lloyd than anything else, except money. All his accounts had been frozen. The accountants had been scouring files since Saturday to make sure he hadn’t been funneling money where it shouldn’t have been.
Keeping him at this apartment with the security team was a compromise. Michelle had wanted to see him in jail for all the harm he’d caused both families, but they knew he might make bail. If he did and he jumped, they might never get a second chance at him.
They’d come to the agreement of “house arrest” as a means to an end. With him safely locked away, he wouldn’t be able to make plans or contacts that they wouldn’t know about. It was the least Michelle could arrange for Alistair and his family. Having worked with Alistair for nine years, she’d become his trusted assistant. Just when they were beginning to notice each other, the plane had crashed. Nothing else had mattered at that time, and she understood. Now, in the back of her mind, she hoped once it was settled, maybe she and Al, as she only referred to him in private, could find their start. If it wasn’t meant to be, she could accept that, but she wanted her chance. She was genuinely fond of Alex and Thea. She’d known Dexter and Russell and had become fond of them too.
She’d witnessed firsthand the grief they’d all experienced, and the love that kept them together through it all. As an only child, she longed to be a part of the family, to know the people around her loved and cared for her. While her childhood hadn’t been horrible, she’d been handed off to sitters and nannies often because her parents were both artists. Their lives revolved around their work and their passion for each other. Michelle always thought they should have gotten a pet instead of having a child. But that was behind her now, and Al was ahead. As she arrived back at the Wainwright house, she prayed this situation wouldn’t drag on much longer. It was taking its toll on everyone involved. Alistair was looking tired, and she didn’t want his health do decline. She also knew they all needed closure.
At ten thirty Tuesday night, everyone was deciding what they would do. Grace was going to try and get some sleep, the Nordens would occupy their guest suite again, and Michelle had been given the guest room across from Alistair’s. Thea knew she’d head up to bed with the rest of them, if only to make them comfortable. Later, she’d slip down the back staircase and wander as she had done last night. In the quiet of the space, she felt secure. So when the telephone let out with its shrill ring, everyone again froze. Alex answered and listened. He didn’t say much, but ended the call quickly.
“Thea, that was the rescue team.” He watched her intently for her reaction. Thea was afraid of what the caller might have told him, but she drew a breath and stood tall knowing her reaction would set the tone for everyone else. She reached to Marie, who took her hand.
“Go on, Alex, just tell us.” Thea squared her shoulders and stared at her brother. He seemed to be hesitating, and she understood. He simply couldn’t say the words. Her gaze met his, and she studied him carefully. It wasn’t pain she saw, it was something else. When the phone rang a second time, he flipped it open, his voice strong.
“Yes, right here.” He handed Thea the phone. She took it with shaking hands.
�
�Hello?”
“Hello, my aqua queen. I’ve missed you.”
Thea gasped, and tears flowed freely. Her breathing lost all pattern, and she sat exactly where she had stood—square in the center of the kitchen.
“Oh, God, Dexter, is that really you? Are you all right?”
“I will be, love, I will be. Thea, are you there?”
“If you’re really Dex, what was the last thing you said to me before you left on your trip?” She had to know if this was really Dexter or some horrible hoax. His laughter filled the telephone line.
“I told you it was about time we started making some aqua princes and princesses. Only I guess that would be hard with me gone all this time. Thea, are you okay?”
“Now I am. Oh, Dexter, I’m so sorry we didn’t find you earlier. It became a horrible mess, and it’s my fault. Please forgive me.”
“Somehow I don’t see this as being your fault, unless, of course, you disabled the planes hydraulic lines.”
Thea breathed in a rush of air. “What?”
“We’ll talk when I get home.”
“When will that be? I’ll come to you.”
“No, love. I’ve thought about it for two years. I don’t want a public reunion in some airport with reporters and television cameras. Meet me at the lake house.”
“Anything you say, Dex.” She choked back tears. “Dex, is Russ with you?”
“Yes, he’s with me and anxious to get back to civilization and all its rewards.”
“We’ve all been praying for both of you and missing you like crazy. Dex, this is really you, not a dream?”
“It’s me, love. The lake house, tomorrow night. Alex will work out a way to get us home without much publicity. It will give Russ and me a few days to settle back before we go public.”
“The lake house, tomorrow night. Anything special you want? Pizza, steak?”
“Yes, but most of all you, Thea, my love. Russ will want a few quiet days, too, before we start telling our story.”
“Bring him to the lake with you. He can unwind there.” There was a dead silence on the line. “Dex, are you there?”
“Yeah, I’m here. We’ll bring Russ the next time. He’ll want to find his own kind of civilization first.”
“Dex, I don’t want to stop talking to you. I’m afraid you aren’t real.”
“I’m real, Thea, and tomorrow night I’ll prove it to you. I promise.”
“I’ll be waiting, Dex. I want to put your mom on before we lose the connection. Dex, I’ve always loved you.”
“I know. It’s what got me through this. Let me say a quick hello to Mom and then I’ll give Russ the phone. He has some information on the plane Alex will need to know. Tomorrow, Thea, nobody but us, all right?”
“Yes, Dex, tomorrow night.” She handed up the phone to Marie, accepting her father’s hand to help her stand, and folded herself against him. When the call finally ended, Alex took a deep breath and looked to all the faces staring at him.
“Our work isn’t done yet. We have to make the arrangements to get the men home quietly, and then we’ll collapse and get some sleep.”
Thea didn’t miss the look that passed between him and Grace.
When all the crying had finally subsided and all the questions were asked and answered once again, Thea moved through the kitchen, pulling pans from the cabinet. Grace was confused, asking Thea what she was doing.
“My husband’s coming home tomorrow. He deserves a chocolate cake.” There was a unisonous round of applause, and suddenly the kitchen became a beehive of activity. Thea worked on two chocolate cakes, one for Dex and one for Russ. Marie went about making a double batch of her famous brownies, and Grace washed up behind them.
“Thanks for all your help, Michelle.” Her cheeks blushed at Alistair’s comment. He stood and walked around the table, reaching for her hand and holding her tight to him. While it didn’t go unnoticed by anyone in the room, nobody said a word about the embrace.
Thea packed her car early the next morning. They’d all attempted to get some sleep, but she couldn’t. She’d taken Grace home and helped settle Lucas. Then she’d gone to her apartment and unpacked her suitcases for the Caribbean honeymoon that would never happen and tossed in jeans and sweaters for the lake. There were suitcases with her clothes and some of Dex’s stuff. Funny, she’d never been able to make herself clean out his side of the closet.
She’d called the lake this morning and given a large grocery order to the local market. They’d meet her at the house at noon. That would give her plenty of time to settle in, shower, and be waiting for Dexter when he arrived.
On the drive up, she hoped they could keep the rescue under wraps for at least two days. It would give Dex and Russ some time to adjust before the onslaught began. It would also give the accountants at the company more time to go over Lloyd’s records. Now she knew it would give Alex and his design team time to go over the information Dex and Russ gave him about the plane’s hydraulic system and how it had been tampered with. He told him he was bringing home the proof.
Now it was up to Alex to see if Lloyd fit into the picture. If he’d sabotaged the plane, she’d, she’d…Thea didn’t know what she’d do, but it would be something. For now, she turned up the car radio and carefully navigated the backcountry roads to the lake house, their special place.
Thea had never been more nervous in her life. Even on the day they married, she’d been calm and happy. She’d never felt wedding-day jitters, for she knew Dexter was her mate. They’d both known right from the start at that first meeting when she caught sight of him across Alistair’s office. She’d simply known he was her match in all ways.
Things were going according to plan. Her groceries were delivered and stored, supper was started, and the chocolate cake and brownies were ready when he wanted them. As was Thea, showered and dressed, waiting for him. Alex had called her an hour ago and said Dexter was on his way. He and Russ had been brought from the private plane directly to her father’s house to clean up. They’d all had a few moments together, and he’d seen his parents. Now he was being driven to her.
She wandered around the house that had been in Thea’s family for generations, and only technical updates had been made to the old place. It was a large white clapboard structure with a wall of windows facing the Pennsylvania Lake. It had several bedrooms and baths upstairs, but the downstairs master suite was theirs. The large fireplace was made from fieldstone and continued up through the two-story home. Its pine-covered walls and floors held a high shine. The furniture was old and comfortable, plaids and nubby tweeds with soft cotton pillows and throws.
The kitchen was open to the dining room, which opened to the living room. The view from all three rooms was magnificent. To the left side was a small hallway with a den and a guest bedroom and bath. Across the other side of the home was their master suite. It, too, was rustic in style but elegant with comfort. The large king-size bed faced the lake and was covered with layers of down-filled blankets and pillows. The bath was updated to include a large steam shower, and outside on the private deck was a hot tub. Thea had made sure the large fluffy towels were clean and soft and that all of Dex’s favorite personal items were waiting on the shelf. His old clothes were hanging in the closet beside hers.
It seemed a longer wait than the last two years. Russell had been dropped off at his old apartment, still exactly as he left. Michelle had taken responsibility to fill it with fresh groceries. Alistair and Alex would be available if he needed anything.
The sound of automobile tires crunched against the gravel on the driveway. Thea felt sick to her stomach, but a few breaths cleared her nerves. She went to the door, pulling it open just as he opened the back door of the car. Her first glimpse of him was heaven on this earth. His brown hair had golden highlights from the sun, but his brown eyes hadn’t lost their flair. She wasn’t used to seeing him with a beard, but she’d adapt.
As he turned, he caught sight of her and froze a
s she did, several feet apart. The driver eased away quickly, leaving them to reunite in private.
“Dex,” was all she managed before taking the few steps separating them. She launched herself into his arms, and he caught her with delight. For long seconds they didn’t move, simply held on to each other. Reluctantly, she pulled away, her eyes meeting his for the first time in two years. She saw the small lines around his brown eyes and took in the deep tan he’d acquired. His face was half covered with a trim beard and moustache. Automatically, her fingers moved to touch it. “We thought you were dead.”
“I was inside, Thea. God, how I prayed I’d get to see you again.”
“Dex, I’ve missed you every day.”
“Let’s go inside, Thea, I want to kiss you properly and I don’t want to do it out here.”
Her smile widened, and she moved with him. Dexter picked her up against his body and moved quickly into their special place. Dex let her feet fall softly to the floor once they reached the inside of the house. Only then did he turn her to face him again, drinking in the sight of her. He held her gaze as she drowned in his. As if in slow motion, her arms slid up around his neck and her head came to rest on his shoulder.
“Dex, if this is a dream, I never want to wake up.” Her lips touched his warm skin under the collar of his shirt, and she felt him sigh against her.
“Thea, we’re both real, and I know we have to talk, but for right now, just let me hold you.” He pulled her closer, and it wasn’t long before she felt his tears against her cheek. Somehow, with him letting go, she was able to also. Her tears fell silently at first, her body relaxing against him. Soon they were both crying, tears of sadness and joy.
Dex recovered first, his hands moving to the sides of her face, his thumbs wiping away moisture from her cheeks. It was then his lips met hers for the first time in two years. Heaven existed for both of them once again. There was no discussion, no need for it. Thea sank to the carpet before the fire and pulled him down with her. In a flurry of arms and legs, discarded clothing and a sprinkling of laughter, they joined quickly, both wanting the reassurance. It was over too soon, but they didn’t care. It was as if it were something to get out of the way. Thea smiled at Dex as she snuggled against his bare chest, her fingers running through his dark, curling hairs. She hadn’t felt this good since the night before he left for the trip, the last time they’d made love.
