Love You Madly
Page 8
She didn’t say anything, and he glanced over to see she was staring out into space.
“Go on,” she finally said, not looking at him.
“I’m just saying to the casual observer, Darcy appeared to be someone whose disappearance would go unnoticed. Maybe. It’s just a theory. But I think your appearance now, telling everyone watching that you care and you’re not giving up…it might work. It’s worth a shot.”
“Good.” She nodded quickly, smoothing her hair around her shoulders. All businesslike. Cool. Unaffected.
A contrast to the real, raw emotion he’d seen just moments ago.
If that’s what she needed to do to get through the next hour, then he’d let her have it.
Chapter Eight
The lights on the studio dimmed as they faded to a commercial, and Travis watched from the wings as Meredith faced Annabeth, who, without the cameras on her, was smiling like a feral alley cat.
“You don’t think you could have clued me into the change in direction for your interview, Mer? Not that I don’t have sympathy for your plight, but this is my show. And your hijacking the interview made me look anything but professional.”
Ah, there’s the Annabeth he knew so well. She’d given them both a glowing smile when they first arrived, as, like Meredith before, she hadn’t realized she’d previously made his acquaintance. Now, her lips were stretched tightly over her lips, and she was ready for a fight. Unbelievable.
Meredith didn’t look concerned as she stood, pressing her hands down over her dress. “I’m sure that your exclusive interview with the mayor after he announces his intention to run again in the next election should help your injured pride.”
That also sounded right. Annabeth wouldn’t do anyone a favor, not even her own mother, unless she had something to gain.
The scary stretched smile on the woman’s face loosened. “Yes. As long as you hold true to your word.”
He walked out to join them, coming to Meredith’s side.
“Travis, any word?” she said immediately on noticing him.
He shook his head, aware of Annabeth’s gaze raking over him and then settling back on his face. Her face scrunched up as she took a minute. “Do we know each other? Wait. Oh my God. You’re not that computer guy, are you? From high school?”
His silence spoke for itself, and the woman placed her hand on his arm. “Wow. You sure have changed. For the better.” She laughed and wrapped her arms around him like they were old friends, her cloying scent also wrapping around him like a snake, suffocating him.
A glimpse of Meredith’s face showed clear exasperation.
He pulled away, eager for air, as Annabeth continued, “And you’re here with Meredith? That’s rich, considering your history.”
Meredith smoothed her face into a neutral mask. Save for the slight twitch under her left eye that had returned. “Travis is helping me find Darcy. He’s with a private security company.”
Annabeth ripped her gaze from him and stared at Meredith, that cunning smile back. “Really, Mer? I was certain that stunt out there on air was just a ploy to grab attention for yourself. Are you actually serious about this missing daughter thing?”
“I appreciate your graciousness in giving me the airtime, Annabeth,” Meredith continued, not bothering to respond to the jab. “I trust I’ll see you tomorrow night at the event?”
“So you’re going?” The woman’s voice dripped with condemnation.
“I have every confidence that Travis will find my daughter and things will be back to business as usual.” Meredith accepted her purse from a page who appeared at her other side. “Thanks again, Annabeth. You’ve been…gracious, as always.”
With that special swish of her head, she walked away, graceful and poised like the queen bee he’d known her to be. Only in this instance, he admired the spunk she’d shown. Not lowering herself to the other woman’s level.
She kept a fast pace, not stopping until they were outside, the heat hitting them like a furnace.
“Interesting friends you keep,” he said when she took a breath in, her face relaxing after the tension moments before.
“She’s been useful.” She gave him a side glance. “Although you didn’t seem to mind when she was rubbing herself against you.”
“Careful, Mer. If I didn’t know you better I’d think you might be jealous.”
She choked. “Believe me, Travis, I’m not jealous. You can hug and grope whoever you want, I could care less. Just try not to do it in front of me. I think I have to bleach my eyes to unsee it.”
He wasn’t buying it for a minute. With a smug smile, he walked to the car and unlocked it, opening the door for her. “I’ll work on it.”
The door slammed shut, and he whistled to himself as he reached the driver’s side and climbed in. He turned the ignition. A high screeching ring ripped the silence before the engine started and then hummed.
“What did you think? Will it work?” she asked. It took him a moment to realize she was asking about her on-air plea for information about her daughter.
He shrugged. “You did good. Now we wait. Review those files Meems gave us to see if we can find anything else to help. But first, since we’re in the area, let’s stop at the police station and file a report on your stolen car and update the missing persons report. Then we’ll swing by and get my car before heading to your place.”
The car let out another high-pitched squeal as he pulled away from the curb. “Let’s just get it returned before it falls apart.”
…
After spending another hour at the police station completing more paperwork and hiking back to the car, Meredith was drained. Not helped by the temperature inside the car barely hitting ten degrees cooler than the upper nineties outside, despite the air-conditioning blasting on high.
It would be a relief to sit inside a car that actually had climate control. And was made in the present century.
With the back of her hand, she wiped the moisture from her forehead and pulled the damp fabric of her dress away from her body. A glance at Travis showed him not suffering in the slightest. Not even a bead of sweat trickled down that stern face.
Figured.
He hadn’t broken a sweat earlier, either, when Annabeth practically performed a lap dance on him. It irked her to find that so far, she was the only one who hadn’t recognized Travis.
But then the purpose of today’s show pushed center in her mind, and she didn’t have to think about her reaction to Travis.
Her guilt weighed heavily on her.
Sure, she had never been much for public displays of affection, or for heaping on the praise and adoration ad nauseam. She’d wanted Darcy to be strong. Independent. To not need someone else’s constant approval.
Something that might have backfired in some instances, like Darcy’s resistance to Meredith’s suggestions about having more of a social life. Why had she thought Darcy needed anyone’s approval to live her life? That she needed anyone, really, other than herself?
But a sick feeling had been growing over the past couple of days. How much of her own actions had been for Darcy’s benefit, and how much had been for Meredith’s? An attempt at maintaining emotional distance from another person who might leave her like everyone else?
Had she kept her daughter at arm’s length out of fear? Which in the end had been all for naught, because Meredith’s pain at possibly losing Darcy when she moved away hadn’t been any less. And now that she might lose her forever, she was seeing the folly in her actions.
It wasn’t until Travis put the car in park that she realized where they’d stopped. The county golf course?
“Why are we here?” She’d been under the impression they would be swinging by Claire’s, where she’d hoped to give a quick wave thanking his sister for the use of her car before getting into Travis’s and heading on their merry way.
Travis pushed the car door open and got out. “Claire had a golf lesson. We arranged to meet here.”
Meredith stepped out and followed his gaze to the picnic area next to the clubhouse. There, on a rolling hill sitting on blankets, she spied a few people with hands waving in the air. In their direction.
She squinted, trying to make out who was waving.
Allie. The brunette whom she now knew to be Travis’s sister, Claire. Along with an older woman with bright Orphan Annie red hair, who she knew was Allie’s grandma. And lastly…Rick Denton.
Her stomach twisted into a knot. Undoubtedly, none of them were members of the Meredith Sanders fan club.
“Is there a problem?” Travis asked.
“Not the slightest,” she said with forced confidence, swinging her purse over her arm. She could do this.
Claire jumped up first and came over to greet her big brother, giving him another effusive hug. He returned it, the motion exemplifying the muscles that seemed to run along his back.
Good grief. Had she really noticed that?
Claire released her brother and turned to acknowledge Meredith’s presence. “Hello, Meredith,” Claire said, her tone neutral. “I’m sorry to hear about Darcy. She’s a sweet kid.”
“Thank you,” she said, equally polite. “And thanks for letting us use your car.”
Claire nodded and, as if she’d been fulfilling her obligatory duty in greeting her, returned her gaze to Travis. She broke into a wider smile and grabbed his arm. “Do you have a minute before you go? I know your time is probably tight, but I’d really like you to meet Rick.”
Meredith had already had the pleasure on a couple of occasions. Unfortunately.
“Rick,” Claire said to the man in khaki shorts and a green polo shirt already rising from the blanket, “I’d like you to meet my brother, Travis. My little brother,” she added with emphasis even though the idea of Travis being little was impossible. “Travis, this is Rick Denton.”
“Hey, pal, how ya’ doing? I’ve heard so much about you that I feel like I already know you,” Rick said as they shook hands, the sun gleaming off a gold Rolex on his wrist. He was all polish and movie star shine with his golden-blond hair offset by a dark tan that made his toothy smile seem even more unnaturally white…and smarmy.
Travis nodded, not responding.
“And Meredith, nice to see you again, although I wish it were under better circumstances.” Rick’s brown eyes tried to look sympathetic, his brow furrowed, but the affect felt phony.
For a seemingly smart and rational woman, Claire’s inability to see that there was an artifice behind this guy’s gleam was surprising. Meredith was curious to see what Travis’s take on his future brother-in-law would be.
A loud clearing of a throat sounded from the blanket. The old woman cleared her throat again, not trying to be subtle, and Meredith looked over in time to see Allie roll her eyes at the woman.
Claire laughed. “And may I also introduce you to Allie’s grandmother Molly.”
“Thanks, Claire,” Molly said and huffed. “It seems that lately I’ve become invisible when it comes time to make the introductions to fine, hunky male specimens”—her gaze settled on Travis—“like yourself. So you’re Claire’s brother, huh? The hero.” She carefully inspected him, and Meredith was certain when Molly was done, even from her seated position, she could give Travis’s precise measurements and the cotton count of his shirt.
“Not a hero, ma’am,” Travis said. “But it’s nice to meet you.”
“Sorry to be so rude, but my arthritis is acting up today and it might take a crane to get me up off my duff. But take a seat. I made popcorn balls.”
Did people really make popcorn balls anymore? Sure enough, Molly pulled out a ball of pink popcorn wrapped in cellophane.
“Thanks,” he said accepting it, not yet taking a seat.
“Meredith, right?” Molly asked her and she nodded, mute, waiting for a jibe. Although she hadn’t seen Molly since she was fourteen, when she’d made a permanent enemy of the woman’s granddaughter, she knew the woman’s propensity for saying exactly what was on her mind. Instead, though, she surprised her. “Here, have a ball.”
Not sure there was really any other option, Meredith took the popcorn ball from the woman’s grasp. “Thanks, Mrs.…” Crap. What was her last name? It had been so long.
“Molly. I’m Molly, and I don’t want to hear any Mrs. or ma’am,” she said, throwing that last warning in Travis’s direction. “Got it?”
“Are you guys hungry?” Claire asked. “We decided to pack a huge picnic basket to enjoy after we played a round of golf. I can safely say that I have absolutely no skill or propensity to the illustrious game—sorry, hon,” she said and placed her hand on Rick’s knee. “Unlike Allie here.”
“Only because I’m determined,” Allie added. “I need to be able to at least tee off properly. Sam loves golf, and I was hoping we could make a day of it for his birthday next month. As a surprise.”
“From the way Sam looks at you, I don’t think you need to learn any new skill to impress him,” Claire said. “He’s completely head over heels for you, Allie.” She met Meredith’s gaze, and added, “You two were made for each other.”
It didn’t take a genius to realize the message Claire was sending her. Hands off.
Sure, Meredith might have hoped to ignite Sam’s interest when he first got to town a few months ago. But how could she not? He was handsome, intelligent, successful, and she’d hoped maybe he’d finally see something in her that he never saw in high school.
She had, after all, always had a thing for him.
A feeling that Allie also seemed to share, but far less conspicuously. Allie had mooned blatantly over Sam, writing her name with his on her notebooks and gazing at him like a little lost puppy dog. Meredith couldn’t stand for anyone to see her that vulnerable, so she’d kept her true feelings to herself.
Not that Sam had been paying attention to either of them anyhow.
When Allie made it on the high school newspaper the next year—something Meredith had also applied for and been declined—she knew it was only a matter of time. With Allie and Sam working on the school newspaper together, it was inevitable she’d win him over as she did everyone. She’d get the boy and the position on the paper that Meredith had wanted. So in a pique of fourteen-year-old jealousy and resentment, Meredith had made up a story about how she’d hooked up with the cute jock at the latest party.
It had broken Allie’s heart. Earning Meredith a brief moment of satisfaction that later only turned bitter in her mouth as she reaped the fruits of that lie. Sure, she was even more envied by the girls inside and outside the freshman class, and desired by boys of all classes, but she’d also lost her one true best friend.
Meredith still didn’t know exactly why she’d done it. Sam hadn’t slept with her. Never even paid attention to her back then. Which drove her insane. But she’d spread the rumor and, to this day, had never come clean.
Who would admit to making up a story that made them the school slut anyhow?
And then Sam came back to town, nearly ten years later, even more good-looking than he’d once been. And sure, Meredith might not have been looking for an emotional connection or a happily ever after with the man—because, really? Was there such thing? Definitely not for her—but a little conversation with someone like Sam would have been welcome.
Meredith caught the small, grateful smile Allie shared with Claire, and felt a pang of envy.
“Claire’s right about having more than enough food,” Allie said. “We have fruit salad and crackers, along with a variety of cheeses, homemade chocolate chip cookies, and salt and vinegar potato chips. And thanks to Rick, we have a dozen sandwiches to choose from. They’re from that new Italian deli downtown.”
“No, but thanks—” Meredith started but was interrupted by Rick
, who had been crouched on the blanket digging through a cooler.
“I insist. We have more than enough. Ten minutes. You’ve got to eat, right?” He stood up, a handful of wrapped sandwiches in his hands. He smiled. Seemingly innocent. Friendly.
Except for the brief moment his eyes dropped to her boobs before returning to her face.
She wanted to hit him.
Travis was more courteous. “We’ll grab a couple.”
“Italian club okay?” he directed toward Travis, who nodded and opened his hands and caught the sandwich tossed to him.
“And Meredith, I have a turkey with light mayo on a whole wheat bun.” Rick held it out to her, his smile almost daring her to deny him.
Short of insulting him and everyone there, she didn’t see any option but to take it. His fingers grazed the underside of her hand—intentionally, she was certain—and she almost dropped the sandwich as she flinched.
Travis plopped down on the blanket and took a bite. At seeing Meredith still standing, trying to decide who to squeeze in by, he slid a couple of feet to the right and patted the area he’d just left. She took a seat next to him on the blanket.
Only a hard object, likely a rock the size of a golf ball, was lodged under her butt.
Sensing Travis’s attention, she turned and found him grinning. “Everything okay, Mer?”
He knew of course what she was sitting on, probably expecting her to eviscerate him now with a stern reproach. But she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Instead, she moved slightly to the right, so the length of her leg pressed against his.
His smile fell off his face.
Feeling the tiniest victory, she bit into her sandwich. Trying her best to ignore the near scorching heat at having his body so near hers.