Divided Dreams

by Walters, Janet Lane;

  “If I’m still in Fern Lake we have a date.” She rose. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

  “Probably not me. Rob returns Sunday.” Though Andi saw a question in the other woman’s eyes Janine didn’t ask. Andi was glad. With her mixed feelings about Rob how would she answer?

  * * *

  Rob reached the baggage area at JFK and saw a limo driver holding a sign with his name. Moments later, he carried an overnight case and a hanging bag and greeted the man. The driver took the bags. Rob settled in the rear seat of the limo, fastened the seat belt and leaned back. Soon they entered the mad rush of cars from the airport leading into the city and the hotel.

  He closed his eyes and thought about Andi. When he reached home they would settle their relationship for good or bad. Rob tipped the driver and rode the escalator to the lobby. He paused at the desk to check in. Then he rode the elevator to the forty-fifth floor and opened the door into a junior suite. A couch and two chairs and a desk faced the wall that hid the sleeping area,

  After hanging his summer suit and shirts he relaxed in the living room with a soda from the refrigerator. The cool air was welcome from the heat and humidity of the city street.

  A knock at the door announced the arrival of his agent. The tall woman with red hair and a huge smile air kissed him. “Ready to sign the contract and face an interview?”

  “Interview?”

  “Arranged by Chad Morgan. We’ll do both at my office.”

  “Then I can come back here and go home tomorrow.”

  Denise laughed. “You’ll come back, change clothes, and go to dinner and dancing with Morgan and the women fighting for the heroine’s role.”

  Rob rolled his eyes. “Do I have to?”

  “Suck it up.” She opened the door. “Welcome to a new and hectic world.” She paused. “You did bring a suit?”

  “Yes.”

  They walked the three blocks to the building housing her office and entered the conference room. Chad waited with two men who must be lawyers. A photographer followed them inside.

  Rob startled everyone by reading the entire contract and initialing every page. Finally he signed and so did Chad. Delores accepted the check.

  “Show off. Did you have to read everything?”

  “That’s the one good thing my father taught me.”

  Chad laughed. “I’d forgotten how fast you read.” He clapped Rob’s shoulder. “When we were teens, he studied between races, jumped to his feet and performed, often to victory.”

  “We were pretty evenly matched. You were better in shot putt.”

  “And you in javelin.”

  The photographer snapped pictures and set up one to tape the interview. The hostess of the show joined them. They answered questions about the past and the races they’d won.

  The interview turned to the present and the future. Rob spoke about his book and the one he was working on. Chad spoke of his coming trip and his new movie.

  The interviewer asked Chad about women. “Still playing the field.” Chad laughed. “Maybe someday I’ll settle down.”

  “And you,” She turned to Rob.

  He wasn’t about to mention his hopes on national television. “Just one at present. Tammy is almost three months old.”

  “Is she yours? I understood you’re a bachelor.”

  He shook his head. “She’s my niece. My sister died, and I’m now Tammy’s guardian.”

  “Pictures?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “Not into cameras.”

  The interview ended. While the crew packed to leave, Chad grasped Rob’s arm. “I’ll drop you at the hotel and pick you up at seven thirty. We’ll go to the restaurant party. Are you ready for some action?”

  Rob wanted to ask Chad when he would grow up. “Since I stopped practicing medicine it’s been me and my computer until Tammy.”

  “Sorry to hear about Patricia.” Chad halted as a limo. “What about the baby’s father?”

  Rob entered the vehicle. “Dan Sherman.”

  “Are you serious? He’s not father material.” He gave the driver directions. “Weren’t you and Andi Sherman an item back then? What happened to her? She was the different one in that family.”

  “She was. After she graduated high school she left town and pretty much vanished.” He drew a deep breath. “She’s back. A pediatric nurse practitioner and is watching our niece this weekend.”

  “She was one hot woman.” Chad chuckled. “You pursuing?”

  “Maybe. About tonight and those women.”

  “All hot. All actresses aiming to be my costar.” He arched an eyebrow. “Help me choose.”

  “I know nothing about acting.” He groaned. “Is this another promo op?”

  “What do you think? Life is a promo op.” The limo halted in front of the hotel. “See you at seven thirty.”

  Rob waved and entered the hotel. As he rode the elevator to his floor he rolled his eyes. What had he been dragged into? He would rather be home with Andi and Tammy.

  * * *

  Rob reached the lobby a few minutes before Chad arrived. “Ready?” the other man asked.

  Rob shrugged. He felt uneasy about this entire episode. He glanced at his companion and laughed. “Chad’s summer suit matched his in color and style. “We’re a matched set.”

  “Seems so.”

  The flash of bulbs and the mikes thrust in his face startled Rob. Chad waved, smiled and quipped with the reporters. Rob felt like a microbe under examination.

  “How much did you stoke these fires?” he asked.

  Chad laughed. “Get used to being in the spotlight. Eligible bachelors are always in demand.”

  Rob crossed his fingers. “I have hope I won’t be one for long.”

  “Good luck.”

  The limo pulled in front of the restaurant/club. Rob slid out first. What had Chad arranged? He turned his head and saw four limos lined behind theirs.

  Chad emerged and posed for the cameras. He slung an arm around Rob’s shoulders. “Let’s go meet the ladies.”

  The flash of cameras continued as each of the limo doors opened and a woman emerged. Chad hugged each one of the beauties and introduced them to Rob.

  With a woman on each of his arms Rob entered the restaurant. The flashes ceased. Relief shuddered through Rob. Then he saw the raised phones. Photo Ops never ended.

  One of the women halted and posed. “I’m so glad to see you rival Chad in looks.”

  Rob groaned. “This isn’t my idea of fun.”

  “Get used to it,” Chad said.

  The maitre de arrived and escorted them to an isolated round table overlooking the dance floor. Memories of the night he and Andi ate and danced at Tickled Ivories rose. He preferred that venue to this glittering place.

  Cocktails and appetizers arrived. The conversation focused on places and people he didn’t know. Occasionally one of the women asked about the book or about his rivalry with Chad.

  Rob sipped his Manhattan. What was he doing here? He preferred Fern Lake and Andi. He leaned back and let his thoughts drift.

  Chad rose and offered his arm to one of the women. He arched a brow. Rob took the hint and led one of the women to dance. For the rest of the evening he played the game, danced with each of the women, enjoyed surf and turf, drank more than he wanted and wished he was at home.

  When the evening ended with air kisses, Rob settled in the limo beside Chad. He rubbed his head.

  Chad punched Rob’s shoulder. “Great evening.”

  Rob opened his eyes. “How can you tolerate all this fuss and bother?”

  “Always loved attention.” Chad grinned. “You never did.”

  “You are so right.”

  The limo stopped at the hotel. “I’ll buzz you tomorrow. We can hit a gym and party. I know some hot spots.”

  “We’ll see.” Rob exited. He went to his suite, showered, popped some aspirin and fell into bed.

  Chapter 11

  Andi woke to silence. Sh
e rolled on her side and stared at the clock. After seven AM. She panicked and tangled her feet in the covers trying to get out of bed. She turned the volume of the baby monitor higher. She heard breath sounds and a faint whimper. There was time to start her day before Tammy demanded attention.

  Shower or coffee?

  Coffee won. She scurried to the main room and started a pot. The fragrant aroma began the wake up process. After catching the first cup she added cream and sipped. The fussing noises on the monitor grew louder. After the last gulp she set the cup on the counter and went to her niece.

  The baby gurgled. Andi stripped the child and carried her to the bathroom. “You are growing. Soon you’ll be three months old.”

  In the sink Tammy splashed and kicked. Though her sleep shirt had large splotches of water Andi chuckled. Before long the little girl was dried and dressed. Andi popped her niece in the cradle and hurried to the bathroom for her own morning preparations.

  As she stepped beneath the spray, images of Rob flashed. The moment he’d climaxed and his expression had changed from pain and exertion to joy sent a spear of desire to her core. She ran her hands over her breasts and slid them lower. She stroked until the spear exploded into a shuddering climax.

  “Rob,” she whispered.

  She leaned against the cool tile and drew deep breaths. The water washed away a stream of tears. The realization hurt. She loved him. He held her heart in a firm grip, but the shards of hurt from the past kept her from trusting him not to walk away again.

  She turned off the shower, dried and dressed. She was trapped in an abyss she feared had glass sides preventing her from escape.

  As she walked toward the main room the phone rang. Answer or not? She lifted the receiver. “Grantlan residence.”

  “Hi, Andi. Simon here. What are you doing at Rob’s?”

  “Staying with Tammy while Rob’s in New York signing the contract.”

  “We were supposed to start the security system yesterday. Some of the components haven’t arrived. Looks like we’ll start Monday.”

  “I’ll let Rob know tomorrow when he returns." She paused for several seconds. Any news about my brother?”

  “Nothing. We’ll keep looking. Did you see the clips of Rob and Chad on TV morning? Dana and I missed the news until this morning. Good to see them acting like friends.”

  Andi smiled. “I saw one or two. They looked great. I don’t remember them acting like anything except rivals years ago.”

  “Turn the TV to the local channel.”

  “Why?” But she hit the remote and the number.

  Images of Rob and Chad Morgan filled the screen. There were clips from their track meets. The announcer gave comments. “Once rivals and now friends they are Fern Lake’s most famous residents. Rob Grantlan is on the way to becoming a big name author. Chad Morgan was recently named the year’s most eligible bachelor.”

  Andi found herself reacting to the pictures of Rob. Then a group of clips showed him with two beautiful women. She recognized them from movies she’d seen. Her hands clenched.

  The announcer continued. “Rob Grantlan has signed a contract for his yet to be released novel to be turned into a movie starring his frenemy, Chad. One of these women will play the heroine.” He chuckled. “Will one of these women end Rob’s bachelor days?” Snippets about the four women accompanied pictures. “They’re vying for a starring role in the movie. How far will they go?”

  The innuendos in his voice made her flick off the TV. Her stomach knotted. What chance did she have with Rob? Why did she consider having one? Remember the past. She wished she could forget but she couldn’t.

  Just as she was about to take Tammy for a walk around the property her phone buzzed. She pressed to answer. Maybe Rob wanted to know how his niece fared.

  The sound of her brother’s voice made her hand shake. “What do you want?” She heard a shrill sound of fear in the voice. Though she wanted to hang up she couldn’t. She needed to learn what he planned.

  “What do I want? A bit of info. Saw your old flame on TV. He’s sure moving in hot circles.”

  “Looks that way.” Andi gulped a breath.

  “He has something I want.”

  “What?”

  “A bank book. That bitch stole money from me.” His laughter chilled her. “Tell him I’m coming for the money and a paper with numbers. I’ll be waiting on Sunday when he returns.”

  “How do you know when he’s coming back?”

  “I have ways. After I hang up, call him and spread the word.”

  Her hand shook so violently he had to put the rectangle on the table. “What are you going to do about your daughter?”

  “Nada. Don’t need or want her. How else do you think Patricia trapped me? That and all the cash she’d siphoned from her father.”

  “Dan.”

  “Remember what you must do. If you don’t you’ll be sorry.” He clicked off.

  Andi’s body shook in the same rhythm as her hand had. What could she do? She drew deep breaths. The shudders stopped. Her galloping heart settled into a normal rhythm. She pressed Simon’s number. When he answered she told him about her brother’s call.”

  “Did you forget about the connection to my office?”

  “Yes.” She’d been so rattled she couldn’t think.

  “What time does Rob arrive tomorrow?”

  “I’m not sure but he said he would be here by four.”

  “Here’s what I’ll do. Tomorrow, I’ll be at the cabin around noon. I’ll install a system like the one on your door. How many lead outside.”

  “Two. No, make that four. There are two sets of French doors.” More of her panic ebbed. “Should I call Rob and warn him?”

  “Might be a good idea to catch him in the morning before the flight leaves. I’ll handle that.”

  “Do you think Dan’s in Fern Lake?” she asked.

  “Don’t know, but I’ll check the motels in the area. Can you think of any of his old friends who might be in the area?”

  Andi sorted through her memories. No name popped out. Though close in age she and Dan hadn’t shared much. Even then she’d hated his lifestyle. “I’m not much help.”

  “Just stay calm. Maybe you’ll have some ideas before I arrive tomorrow.”

  * * *

  Rob groaned. His head ached. He felt wrecked. He showered, popped more aspirin and called room service for coffee and tomato juice. The clock showed ten AM. Though Chad had mentioned getting together, there’d been no set plan. Rob pulled out the plane tickets. One for two PM today and one for tomorrow. The pain in his head subsided. Plenty of time to make today’s flight. He was going home.

  He drank the juice and coffee, packed and left money for the maid. After checking out, the doorman signaled for a cab. During the hair-raising ride to the airport, he closed his eyes. He checked in and cancelled tomorrow’s flight. He went through the X-ray machine and walked to his gate.

  Rob sank on one of the plastic chairs. His phone vibrated. He answered,

  “Where are you?” Chad asked. “I phoned the hotel. They said you had checked out.”

  “I’m at the airport waiting for my flight home.”

  Chad chuckled. “Big city too much for a small town boy?”

  “Not really. There could be a situation brewing in Fern Lake.” Though Simon hadn’t found Dan Sherman, Rob wouldn’t be comfortable until the man signed away his parental rights.

  Chad snorted. “A situation in Fern Lake. Hard to believe.”

  “Remember what I told you about Dan Sherman being my niece’s father?”

  “Are you worried about the baby?”

  “Not that. My sister had a checkbook with a very hefty balance. If he claims Tammy he can take that.”

  “Now I see. Good luck.” Chad cleared his throat. “You might see me in Fern Lake one of these days.”

  “Let me know and I’ll throw a party at the cabin.”

  “Maybe for your book’s release or the movie�
��s next year. Safe home.”

  “Safe wherever you’re headed.”

  Rob opened his tablet and pulled up the latest notes on book two. He read through what he’d written.

  Anything to keep from calling Andi just to hear her voice and to learn if she missed him. He shifted in his seat and adjusted. Thinking about her brought him to full attention. He wanted a lifetime of making love with her and using every technique he knew and filling the cabin with her cries of fulfillment. When he reached home he would ask her to stay and keep asking until she said yes.

  Finally his flight was announced. He slumped in his first class seat. Before the plane took off he fell asleep and didn’t wake until after touch down.

  Excitement fluttered in his chest. Andi, Tammy and the cabin meant home. While he claimed his baggage and found his car he considered ways to persuade her to stay.

  An hour plus later as he drove through Fern Lake, a sudden thought occurred. Simon had planned to start installing the security system yesterday. Rob chuckled at the thought he might be locked out because he didn’t have the key or know the password.

  He turned into the long drive and saw no box or cameras set on the open gate. He parked beside Andi’s eco-car, grabbed his suitcase and strode to the door. Nothing here either. What had gone wrong?

  He stepped inside and dropped his case. Andi screamed. Tammy cried. Andi scooped the baby into her arms.

  Rob walked toward them. “It’s just me. Why so tense?” He pulled them into an embrace.

  Andi stepped away. “It’s…Dan called. He wants a checkbook and some numbers.”

  Rob drew a deep breath. “He won’t get them. They’re with Nate, and Patricia’s is the only name on the checkbook.”

  “”I feared that’s where they were.” She patted Tammy’s back. The child’s cries stopped.

  Andi handed him the baby. “Simon hit a snag. Some of the components haven’t arrived. He’ll be here tomorrow morning and do locks on the doors like the ones at my apartment.”