by Mona Ingram
“Hello?” She sounded abrupt, and he wondered if she spoke to everyone in that tone. “Hello, Cynthia.”
“Brent, darling.” The saccharine tone made him want to gag. “Are you back in town?”
“Almost. I’m on Deerfoot near Tuxedo Park, and I’m starving. Do you know any restaurants around here?” It was a set-up, and he felt a bit guilty, but he knew she’d volunteer to meet him. It was the best way he could think to get her in a public place.
“What are you looking for?”
“Just a hamburger and a coffee, but I’d like somewhere comfortable.”
“Then I know the perfect spot.” She proceeded to give him the name and directions. “I’ll meet you, and we can have coffee.”
She arrived before his hamburger had been delivered. As usual, she didn’t want to eat and ordered a cup of coffee.
“I’ve missed you,” she said, looking at him expectantly.
The server brought her coffee and his hamburger. He bit into it hungrily. “I’m getting tired of these long stints away from home. I miss everybody when I’m away.” His thoughts turned to Maddie, and he forced himself to focus on the task at hand. “How’s Annie?”
She frowned. “Really, Brent. You should do something about that child. She’s getting to be quite a handful.”
“In what way?” He tilted his head but she was too busy working herself up to see the challenge in his eyes.
She placed her cup carefully in the saucer and raised her eyes. “Well, she hangs around with that Maddie all the time. I don’t know what the attraction is there.” She dabbed at her lips with a napkin. “Darling, when we’re married do you think we could live alone? Chase could take care of her, couldn’t he?”
“What’s the matter with us?”
She pouted her lips. “I just don’t think it’s fair to ask me to raise someone else’s child.”
“You know, you’re right.” Brent nodded his agreement. “It’s not fair at all.”
“Darling! You understand.”
“Yes.” He leaned across the table and lowered his voice. “I understand that you’re a mean spirited, selfish woman.” He was so angry he was trembling. “You don’t have an ounce of compassion for anyone besides yourself, do you?”
It took a moment for his words to sink in. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that it’s over between us, Cynthia. I hoped maybe you’d grow to love Annie the way I do, but I see that isn’t going to happen.”
Her eyes narrowed into slits. “You’re dumping me? Is that what this is?”
He saw her clearly for the first time. “There was never anything real between us, Cynthia. I can see that now.”
She slid out of the booth and stood over him, shaking with rage. “I never should have wasted my time on you. I went for the wrong brother. At least Chase appreciates a good woman.”
He was tempted to laugh, but her outburst saddened him. “You’re right about that,” he said to her retreating back. “He appreciates a good woman all right.”
Brent watched her car pull out, and then went back to eating his hamburger. He was sorry he had to do it that way, but there was no time to waste. He pulled out his phone and called Chase.
“Hi, I’m on my way back in. What’s up?”
“Nothing much. Mom and Dad got here yesterday. Oh, and I got that data you sent; the site looks promising.” His brother sounded tired. “Annie is over at the skating rink, if you’re in the area.”
“I’m not far away. I’ll stop before I come back to the office.”
Brent pulled his SUV into a parking spot and leaned back, exhausted. Light snow was falling, and it took him a minute to find Annie. She was skating with her friends, and he watched for a while, a smile on his face. At least with Maddie he knew how she felt about the child. He glanced over toward where they’d sat together. Was that her? He turned on the windshield wipers to get a better look. Yes, she was sitting on the step, and if he wasn’t mistaken, she wasn’t sitting on anything. He reached into the back seat for the old blanket he’d used last time.
He had one hand on the door handle when he saw him. A man walked up and stood behind Maddie. She looked up at him and jumped up. They exchanged a few words, and he watched in disbelief as the man put his arms around her. Something twisted inside his chest. He dropped the blanket, turned on the ignition and drove away before he could see any more.
Parked in the basement of the building that bore his name, Brent slumped back against the headrest. What had just happened? He closed his eyes, but all he could see was Maddie in the arms of a man.
There were many times since their last conversation that he’d wanted to phone her again, but something had held him back. When he saw her again, he’d wanted to be free of Cynthia. He gave a short, mirthless laugh. At least something good had come out of his interest in Maddie; he’d managed to break free of Cynthia.
He scrubbed a hand over his face and felt the beginnings of a beard. He’d been so anxious to get home that he hadn’t shaved this morning. His mother wouldn’t approve. Maybe that’s what he needed right now... a little motherly advice. He sure wasn’t doing that well on his own.
Brent took the elevator up to the office, smiled at Marilyn and walked into his brother’s office. He was tempted to put his feet up on Chase’s desk but didn’t have the energy for the lively argument that would ensue. He was disappointed, exhausted and wanted only a warm shower and some of Hannah’s home cooking.
“You were right.” Chase spoke as though they’d been in the middle of a conversation. “I should have done something about Laurel a long time ago.”
Brent took a second look at his brother. It was rare for Chase to admit to being wrong. Dark smudges under his eyes spoke of a lack of sleep.
“What has she done now?”
Chase explained the weekend wedding fiasco. “And now Lily doesn’t want anything to do with me, not that I can blame her.” He raised tortured eyes.
“Well it looks like I’ve struck out in the romance department as well. I saw Maddie over at the rink with a man.”
Chase re-arranged a few files on his desk. “That doesn’t necessarily mean anything.”
“Trust me, they were together.” Brent stood. “Are you still going to the ball tomorrow?”
“I have to. I’m president of the association this year, remember? What about you?”
“I don’t know.” Brent toyed with a model of an oil derrick that sat on the edge of the desk. “I sure don’t feel like it.”
“No pressure, Bro, but I think Annie was counting on us being there. She has a new dress, and I haven’t heard about anything else all week.”
Brent smiled. “She’s a determined little thing. Okay, I’ll think about it.”
“By the way.” Chase looked down at a piece of paper. “Did you authorize Maddie to buy a puppy for Annie? Plus a thousand dollar donation?”
Brent brightened and leaned over the desk. “Yes. Did she find something?”
“It appears so. She’s arranged for it to be delivered to the ranch on Christmas Eve.”
“The day after tomorrow.” Brent spoke to himself as he walked out. “Perfect.”
“HE’S GOING TO BE A handful.” Lily walked downstairs with her mother. Her father had been brought into the house in a wheelchair, complaining all the way. In spite of his protests, he was tired and had fallen asleep almost instantly.
“Don’t worry, I’m used to him after all these years.” Her mother led her into the kitchen. They’d consumed many cups of tea since her arrival, and were about to have another. “I’d rather have him like this, eager to go back to work than the alternative.”
“Yes, I suppose so.” Lily filled the kettle and set it on the stove. “He was lucky.”
“Yes, he was lucky.” Her mother nodded her agreement. “And now it’s time for you to get back to your own life.”
Lily looked out the window. Large flakes had started to fall. The temperature hove
red around freezing, and they were melting as they hit the grass in the back yard, but a cold snap was predicted. Suddenly she ached for the cold, crisp prairie air. “You’re right,” she said, turning to her mother with a smile. “It’s time I went back.”
“TWO DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS.” Zelda was her usual cheerful self. “I can’t believe how many orders we’ve processed in a short time.” She sipped on her latte, her gaze thoughtful. “Have you considered what you’re going to do in the New Year?”
“Not really.” Maddie looked up from her ever-present list. “But if we decide to continue this business, I think it should be as partners.” The elevator opened and she glanced toward it, but Brent wasn’t there. She thought she’d recognized his vehicle in the basement yesterday, but she wasn’t sure. She wanted to see him once more, to look into his eyes and see if she’d imagined their previous attraction for each other. It still hurt every time she replayed Cynthia’s words, but a glimmer of hope still burned somewhere deep inside. It didn’t make sense, but it was there, nonetheless.
“I’m in, but maybe we should wait until after Christmas to make any decisions.”
Maddie frowned, trying to recall what they’d been talking about. Oh yes, the business. “Good call. We’ll get together early in January.” She looked around the shop. Only a few gifts remained, and they were to be picked up shortly. She looked outside; it was already getting dark. “You can handle everything if I leave now, can’t you? I have to go to the shelter and pick up the puppy.”
Zelda raised an eyebrow. “Good luck with that.”
“No kidding.” She touched one of the Christmas lights, still amazed that someone had invented lights that were cool to the touch. “One more day. We’ll take this down tomorrow, right?”
Zelda nodded. “See you then.”
“HI, DAD!” BRENT GAVE his father an affectionate hug. “Good to see you.”
His mother came into the kitchen, and he leaned over to hug her as well. “Mom, you look more beautiful than ever.” He held her away. “You really do.”
She laid a hand on his bristly face. “If you’re trying to distract me from the fact that you need a shave, it’s not working.” She gave him a quick kiss. “Hello, Son.”
Annie launched herself into his arms. “Uncle Brent!”
“Hello, Munchkin.” He held her in his arms a bit longer than normal. “I’ve missed you.”’
“Me too.” She tugged at his hand. “Come and see my dress. I’m going to wear it tonight.”
“Not now, sweetie. I need to have a shower and shave.”
She tried to hide her disappointment.
“I want to see you all dressed up. We’ll take some happy pictures, okay?”
She nodded solemnly. “I’ve got my camera all charged up. I promised Maddie, too.”
Pain sliced into his chest, but he managed to smile. “That’s great.” He glanced at his parents, then left the room.
Chapter Eighteen
“LISTEN, YOU. STOP THAT.” The puppy had managed to wrap the leash around Maddie’s legs for the umpteenth time. She was trying to be firm but it was difficult with the squirming bundle of energy. “Lily’s probably home by now so you’d better be on your best behaviour.”
Right. And pigs were going to fly. Any day now.
Maddie let herself into the condo. Lily’s purse sat on the counter next to a glass of wine. She could hear the shower, and Lily singing some unrecognizable tune.
She spread out the newspapers she’d brought home, covering a portion of the floor in her bedroom. She set the dog on the paper; he looked up at her, wagged his tail as if he understood, then commenced sniffing everything in the room. She noticed him heading toward her shoes and quickly closed the closet door.
“I’ll just leave you in here for a few minutes while I talk to Lily, okay?” He tilted his head as though listening and then carried on with his sniffing expedition.
“Who were you talking to?” Lily padded down the hall in a bathrobe that doubled her size, which wasn’t difficult. There was a light in her eyes that hadn’t been there when they’d parted.
“It’s Annie’s puppy,” she blurted. “It’s just for overnight.”
“Okay. Just don’t let him near the carpet.” The condo floors were hardwood, but a spectacular area rug graced the center of the living area. Maddie knew her roommate had paid a fortune for it.
“Promise,” she said. “How’s your dad?”
“Feisty as ever. He wants to go back to work.” Lily picked up her wine glass, then set it back down. “I’m going to the ball tonight.” She turned to look at Maddie. “My mother said a few things to me that made me rethink my position.”
Maddie’s mouth fell open, but she closed it quickly. “I guess Chase is delighted about that.”
“He doesn’t know.” She picked up the glass, and this time she took a sip. “I’m going to just show up. If he’s with someone else already, then I’ll have made a mistake.” She ran a finger around the rim of the glass. “But at least I’ll have tried.”
Maddie had never seen Lily like this. Her friend had spoken with a vulnerability that was touching. She recalled the way energy had sparked between Chase and Lily on their very first meeting. “I have a feeling that this is going to work out just fine,” she said with a smile. “I just wish I could be there to see it.”
CHASE CIRCULATED AMONG the crowd. A server offered him a drink, but he declined with a polite shake of the head. He had nothing to celebrate. Besides, he’d never been intoxicated in front of his mother and father, and he wasn’t about to start now. He shoved a hand into his jacket pocket and frowned. What was that? He pulled his hand out, revealing the black beads that had fallen from Lily’s dress the night of the fashion show.
Regret curled around him like a boa constrictor, threatening to cut off his air. How had he been so foolish as to let her get away? He rolled the beads in his hand, admiring the way they reflected shards of light, then closed his fingers tightly around them, surprised that they were so sharp. Sharp, brilliant and unfathomable. Some of the qualities he admired in Lily.
It’s your own fault. He was beginning to hate that voice in his head. It reminded him constantly of what he had lost. It was time to pull himself together and be a proper host, if only to his own family.
He looked for his father. He was across the room, schmoozing with some old friends. He turned to his mother and asked her to dance.
She set down her glass, and he noticed that she’d barely touched it. “Thank you, Chase. I was getting tired of just standing there.”
He was beginning to relax when his mother gave him a piercing look. “Who is she, Chase?”
“Who is who?”
She gave him that serene, all-knowing look he’d learned to dread over the years.
“Chase Drummond, I’ve been home for thirty-six hours, and I haven’t seen you smile once. Not really smile. There’s something bothering you, and I’m willing to bet it’s a woman.”
There was no use fighting; she’d get it out of him in the end.
“I met a beautiful woman last month.” His voice softened when he talked about her. “She owns a local business and is quite successful. She’s fiercely independent, and she’s probably the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
His mother smiled knowingly. “So what happened?”
“I blew it.” He shrugged. “I let Laurel Carmichael manipulate me.” He hesitated. “And I told Lily a bit of a lie, and now she doesn’t want to have anything to do with me.”
His mother shook her head. “There’s no such thing as a bit of a lie. Why can’t you just admit it? You told her a lie.”
“Yes, I did. And you know what? I think it was the lie that ruined everything between us. She might have forgiven Laurel’s nonsense after a while, but not the lie.”
“Don’t be too sure about that.” His mother had an odd look in her eye.
“Why do you say that?”
“Look over there
.” She stopped dancing and turned him toward the entrance. “Is that her?”
Chase’s heart stopped when he saw her. She stood alone at the entrance to the ballroom, flanked by Christmas trees on either side and clutching her invitation. A form-fitting, brilliant green cheongsam clung to her figure. He was vaguely aware that every male in the ballroom had turned to look at her. Her dark eyes swept the crowd slowly, and then her gaze came to rest on him. A small smile played around the corners of her mouth when she spotted him, and the pain that had taken up residence in his chest moved on like it had never existed.
“Lily,” he mouthed across the expanse of the ballroom. He turned back to his mother. “Excuse me, Mom, but that’s Lily.” He didn’t wait for a response, but closed the distance in a few long strides.
She looked up at him. “Hello, Chase.” She waved the invitation. “Am I too late?”
He had no idea what had caused her to change her mind. He’d figure that out later. Right now, all he wanted to do was hold her. “Never,” he whispered, gathering her into his arms.
The orchestra started up again and they swayed together, paying no attention to the music. “I’m sorry, Lily. Sorry about everything.”
She placed a finger against his lips. “That’s over, Chase. Life is too short for regrets.”
Her words were the only music he needed. “I love you, Lily. I know it sounds crazy because we haven’t spent that much time together, but I know you.” He tilted up her chin so he could look into her eyes. “And I love everything I know.”
“Chase?”
“Hmmm?” She moved against him, and he groaned with need.
“Would you do something for me?”
“Anything.”
“Good. Would you kiss me, please?”
He didn’t care who was watching. With a whoop of joy, he lifted her off her feet and kissed her, aware of the way her body fitted against his in all the right places. When he finally put her down, the entire ballroom erupted in applause.
