Letters to Caroline (The Talmadge Sisters Book 1)

by Barbara McMahon

  "No, child. I surely wouldn't expect she'd learn from the past. She was one determined woman. What Eugenia wanted, Eugenia did all she could to get it—by fair means or foul. I wrote her once about it—she was never the same friend afterward. Our friendship dwindled. But I was truly sorry when I heard of her death a few days ago. We were girls together, you know. Don't have many friends left who remember when we were girls," Edith said.

  Brandon didn't say anything as he walked beside Caroline to the car. He tried to imagine how she felt. He was furious with Eugenia, not only for the separation she fostered between him and Caroline, but for the three little girls who had been denied a father's love and support during their growing years. All for her own idea of what her daughter's life should be.

  "Are you all right?" he asked as she stopped by the car door.

  She nodded and looked up at him.

  "I'm sad for my parents. They got a raw deal. But my father didn't desert us! He was driven away. A murder charge would be enough to drive anyone away and keep him away. Especially from a rich and powerful family like the Talmadges. I wonder what happened to the warrant? Is there still one out for my father?"

  "We can check in with the local police and find out." He lightly touched her shoulder. "I'm glad you let me come with you."

  She nodded. "I almost didn't, I was so impatient this morning, but figured I might need the moral support."

  "And I can give you that?"

  "That and a lot more," she said, reaching up to brush her lips across his cheek. "I can't wait to call Abby and Michelle and let them know."

  "What next?"

  "Home, I guess. Unless you want to stop at the police station first?"

  "Might as well get it all cleared up this afternoon. Are you going to pursue this?"

  "Pursue what?" she asked.

  "Finding your father."

  "I guess so. I hadn't thought that far ahead. Actually just finding out the truth is a lot to deal with. Though I guess it's important to find him. To learn what he's done over the years. And let him know his daughters are doing all right."

  The stop at the police station turned up no outstanding warrants for a Sam Williams. There was no indication that one had ever been issued. There was no way to tell if Eugenia's threat had been an empty one or if Judge Sutherland had rescinded it long ago.

  On a hunch, Brandon drove to the library. Looking through back issues of the local paper, they found an article concerning a death of an old itinerant laborer. And another one several months later that announced the killer had been apprehended. The date of that paper was shortly after Amanda's death.

  Caroline made copies of both articles before turning off the microfilm reader.

  "It's so sad," she said softly, looking at Brandon. "I wonder if my mother ever found out why Sam left? If she ever heard from him again. I know how devastated she must have been."

  She reached out and touched his hand. "And history almost repeated itself with us, didn't it?"

  He turned his hand, taking hers and bringing it to his lips to kiss her palm. "Almost. Eugenia was a dangerous woman!"

  "Ready to go back home?" he asked as they left the library.

  "Yes. Rosalie knew you were coming and is preparing another elaborate dinner for us."

  "Sounds good."

  "Just don't get used to such fancy meals. I won't have as much time to spend on cooking while I'm trying to get going in real estate in New Orleans."

  "About that. I've been thinking," he said. "Real estate isn't exactly like office work. You have to know the area, neighborhoods, school districts, shopping areas, and a lot more when trying to match people to the perfect home."

  She nodded. She'd spent most of the last five years learning all she could in and around Dallas and Fort Worth.

  "Whereas I can pretty much work anywhere."

  He saw her turn to stare at him.

  "What are you saying?" she asked.

  "Nothing says we have to live in New Orleans. I can fly over a few times a month if I'm needed in the office. In the meantime, set up a branch in Dallas. The company is poised to expand, I'll just expand in Texas."

  "That would be wonderful!" she exclaimed.

  If he hadn't been driving, she'd have throw her arms around him and kissed him. The possibilities exploded.

  Brandon's cell phone rang just as they arrived at Talmadge Hall. He answered as Caroline indicated she'd go on inside.

  As she hurried up the stairs, she tried to take in everything she' d learned today. From her grandmother’s egregious behavior to Brandon's being willing to move to Dallas.

  Hurrying up the stairs, she wanted to change into something more comfortable than her suit. She wouldn't mind taking a brief nap, she felt tired and drained. Learning the history of her parents' brief marriage and its ending had been almost more than she could stand. She needed to call her sisters. They'd be blown away. Lying down, she closed her eyes. She'd rest just for a moment and then call Michelle and Abby.

  "Miss Caroline, dinner's ready," Rosalie said, leaning over her and shaking her shoulder gently.

  Caroline opened her eyes. Instead of resting for a minute, she'd fallen sound asleep!

  "And you best look to finding Mr. Brandon. He was wandering around the downstairs rooms for a while. I saw him in the study. But now I don't know where he is. I don't want dinner to get cold!"

  Caroline quickly brushed her hair then ran down the steps. She peeked into every room on the ground floor, but didn't find Brandon.

  Going out on the veranda, she looked around the yard. There he was walking on the levee.

  She called to Rosalie that she'd be right back and started off to intercept him.

  Smiling happily, she didn't realize at first he didn't reciprocate.

  "Hi," she said as she drew close. Her eyes searched his face. He looked tired. An early night for them would be good.

  Brandon said nothing, just looked at her, his face impassive.

  Oh-oh, Caroline thought, now what?

  Her heart began to beat heavily. Had he received bad news?

  "Rosalie has dinner ready," she said brightly.

  "I won't be staying for dinner."

  "What's wrong?" The smile faded.

  His gaze was hard, direct.

  "You tell me, Caroline." He stepped closer and gripped her arms. "When did you plan to tell me about your grandmother's debts?"

  Caroline stared at him. Her heart raced. Heat washed through her.

  "I don't know that I ever was," she said slowly. "It doesn't concern you, just my sisters and me."

  "Didn't you think I'd find it interesting that you decided to restart this marriage at exactly the time I'm poised to make a huge profit while your own personal fortune has vanished?"

  "You think I wanted to come back because of money?" she asked, hurt he'd ever suspect her of such a thing.

  Yet hadn't she withheld the information for that very fear?

  "You're good with that disingenuous display of amazement."

  His words hurt.

  "When did you find out?" he asked sharply.

  She hesitated, then raised her chin. "Two weeks ago. Eugenia's attorney called me in to his office to go over the estate. That's the reason I met with my sisters when I was in New Orleans. It impacts them too. And me. But not you."

  She broke his hold and stepped back. "How did you find out?"

  "Your attorney called this afternoon. When you didn't respond to Rosalie's call, I took it."

  "You should have taken a message."

  "The timing of this reconciliation seems mighty convenient to me, don't you think? I foolishly try to establish a base of honesty by telling you about the company's expansion plans. You still held me off, but once you learn of your grandmother's lack of money, suddenly you want to move back. Suddenly, it's a good idea to start over."

  Caroline felt sick. He interpreted everything wrong. Her grandmother's estate, or lack of one, had nothing to do with her wa
nting to start over with Brandon. Hadn't he felt any of the attraction she felt?

  She loved him, hadn't he felt even a glimmer of that?

  Did he feel anything for her? He'd never said a word about love or caring.

  "If that's what you believe," she said tightly, "please leave."

  "Want to explain the timing if nothing else?"

  She tightened her lips and shook her head. The last thing she'd do is argue.

  The hurt pierced as sharp as last time.

  She'd thought they'd been given a second chance. Now she knew she'd been fooling herself.

  There were no second chances.

  For once her grandmother had been correct. She should have divorced the man and gotten on with her life years ago.

  "I don't have to justify my actions to you. If you can't take my word that money has nothing to do with us, then I think we are better off apart."

  Sweep me into your arms, tell me you love me, that money doesn't matter at all, she silently urged him.

  But Brandon made no move to touch her.

  Without another word, he walked away.

  She remained on the levee until she heard his car leave. Slowly walking back to the house, she told Rosalie she wasn't hungry and went up to her room.

  Caroline went to bed but lay awake staring at the darkness for hours. Her nap had robbed her of the fatigue she needed to sleep.

  Brandon's parting words echoed over and over in her mind, keeping her restless and awake. How could he have thought that about her? How could he think she only wanted his money? If that was the way he thought, she was better off going it alone.

  The next day Caroline collected all the papers she needed from Eugenia's desk. She walked through the house one last time and marked the items each of her sisters and herself had decided to keep.

  She gave Rosalie instructions on keeping the house dusted and aired out each day until the estate sale, then left. She had no intention of returning until the day of the sale. And maybe not even then, if one of her sisters could handle it.

  Refusing to think about Brandon, she headed for the airport.

  By the time she reached her condo her lack of sleep was catching up with her, as was her refusal to eat. She felt queasy and tired, disheartened. Falling into bed, she was grateful for the sleep that overtook her.

  Saturday Caroline slept in late. Feeling refreshed when she woke, she realized she'd forgotten to let her sisters know what she'd found out from Edith. She called Michelle and told her she was no longer at Talmadge Hall. She also told her about meeting with Edith and asked her to call Abby.

  "Things okay, Caroline?" Michelle asked.

  "Sure, what's not to be okay?" Caroline tried flippantly. But she mustn't have been successful.

  "I don't know, but you sound upset. Did something happen in Dallas that you had to return so soon?"

  "I guess I'm upset to find out our father was driven away by the machinations of a manipulative old woman? And Edith thought our mother died of a broken heart! We were robbed of both of our parents!"

  "It was the flu," Michelle said. "Grandmother told us that often enough."

  "But if a person has no will to live, they give in to illnesses that would not ordinarily affect them."

  "Now you sound like Abby."

  "You don't have to be a nurse to know that."

  "So what's next?"

  "The estate sale will be within the month. I marked the furniture we each wanted. The appraisers are finished. The tax bill will be forthcoming soon, I'm sure. I think I have a full recount of the medical—"

  "Caroline, what's up with you and Brandon? Will you be there to handle all that or be living here by then?"

  Caroline swallowed desperately and tried for control. She refused to let that man get to her a second time. Taking a shaky breath, she tried to keep her voice even.

  "Brandon and I are not resuming our marriage after all."

  "What?"

  Quickly explaining what happened before getting off the phone, Caroline was surprised at how much she hurt.

  Better get used to it, girl, she admonished herself.

  She'd done it once before, she could do it again. Work would be the best antidote. She understood more and more why Brandon had found solace in work after she'd lost the baby.

  Thursday she received a letter from Brandon's attorneys with the divorce papers that Rosalie had forwarded to her.

  Angry at the callous way he proceeded, she fumed all afternoon.

  She ought to teach him a lesson. She wasn't the money hungry gold-digger he thought, but maybe she should give him a taste of that. Maybe she'd show the man she wasn't easily pushed aside.

  The following week a registered letter arrived—another letter from Brandon's attorneys and a new set of divorce papers.

  Caroline began to make plans.

  By Friday afternoon her head was reeling. She'd had enough. Tomorrow morning, early, she was heading for New Orleans to see Brandon. To finalize things once and for all.

  Early the next morning Caroline parked her rental car across the street from Brandon's apartment building, considering it a good omen to get an early flight and then find a parking place so easily. At the lobby door, she started to ring the downstairs bell. Then hesitated. Rummaging in her purse, she found the key he'd given her. Opening the heavy glass door, she sailed up to his apartment without a qualm. The next few minutes would determine her life once and for all.

  Odd how she felt calm and controlled. She should be ranting and raving or scared to death.

  Maybe that would all come later.

  But for now, she wasn't some young twenty-year-old anymore. Her grandmother was no longer in the picture. For better or worse, she was on her own now. It could be that some of Eugenia's determination had shown up in her oldest granddaughter.

  She opened his apartment and stepped inside, listening. The aroma of fresh coffee filled the air. She heard the rustle of a newspaper from the kitchen. He was probably eating breakfast. She glanced at her watch—at 9:34 in the morning. He should have been at work hours ago, never mind that it was Saturday. She'd planned to stop here first and then check at his office.

  Slowly she walked to the kitchen door and stopped, the sight of him unexpectedly surprising her. He looked tired—lines bracketed his mouth that hadn't been there a few days ago. He hadn't shaved. The sweats he wore were baggy and old. The man was worth a ton of money and still wore old baggy sweats from five years ago?

  Though she didn't move or make a sound, he looked up suddenly and froze. Slowly, he lowered the paper.

  Boldly, Caroline raised her chin and crossed the room. "I have two things to say to you. Depending on how you react, we will end this foolishness one way or the other."

  "What foolishness?"

  Even his voice had a disturbing effect on her nerves. Her knees felt wobbly, but she refused to sit down. Standing gave her the power position.

  Opening her purse, she drew out the divorce papers—and the additional sheet her attorney had prepared.

  "I will tell you this only once. You can accept it or not. If not, then I will sign the papers you so kindly sent—with this one additional one that says you relinquish everything that is mine. I want nothing from you, Brandon, and I expect you to sign this sheet relinquishing anything of mine of which I now possess."

  His eyes narrowed as he studied her. "Go on."

  She took a deep breath—now or never!

  "I love you," she said baldly. "I realize that I haven't told you that in five years. I don't know how you feel, but I wanted you to know that I love you. I have from almost the first day we met. I probably will until the day I die. I agreed to resume our marriage for the sole reason that I love you. I wanted to be with you. We were young when tragedy hit and we didn't know how to cope. I've learned coping techniques over the years but that changes nothing. I still feel as strongly about you as ever. I never asked for a divorce, never dated other men, never wanted anyone but you in a
ll my life."

  "And our baby."

  She nodded. "That goes without saying." She took a deep breath. "Whether you believe me or not is up to you. But it was never about money. Not for me."

  Slowly he rose, took a step that placed him right in front of her.

  The back of his fingers brushed against her cheek, the hard glint in his eye belying the gentleness of his touch. "And if I say I don't believe you?"

  Chapter Eleven

  "Then I'll sign the papers here and now, as long as you agree to the additional term that my attorney prepared," she said evenly.

  Brandon tried to ignore the surge of feelings that filled him with her declaration of love. He'd never loved anyone as intensely, as completely as he did Caroline Talmadge.

  He'd been so long without her, he actually thought he could live the rest of his life and never see her again.

  These last few weeks proved him wrong. He'd missed her with a longing that scared him. She was right. They'd been young when they'd first married and he'd been bent on proving to himself and to the world he could succeed. But at what cost?

  He didn't want to be alone—he wanted Caroline in his life.

  Did she really love him? Looking into her eyes convinced him—if he'd ever truly doubted it.

  Despite the interference of her grandmother, despite the years apart, despite the misunderstanding and evidence to the contrary, and his cynical lawyer's remarks, he believed her.

  Slowly, he cupped her face. "I love you, Caroline."

  She released her breath in a whoosh and clung to his wrists.

  "I was bluffing," she confessed. "I don't think I could have walked away no matter what you said."

  "Good bluff."

  He lowered his head and kissed her, drawing her tightly into his arms where she belonged. The feel of her body set his afire. Her scent sparked memories and desire. Her warmth lit a conflagration and the way she returned his kiss told him he had his true love.

  They'd sort the rest out later. For now he just wanted to hold her, love her.

  A long time later Brandon lifted his head, taking in her flushed cheeks, the stars that seemed to shine in her eyes, the damp, slightly swollen lips that had so passionately returned his kisses.