by Ronna Gage
“More than you know.” Rae Anne lay in silent bliss. Landy held her. He was a part of her.
How fitting, because in the morning, Daddy will meet us at the docks and know that his plans didn’t work out as he thought. There’s no going back now.
Chapter Forty-Four
Robert Jamison frantically paced the floors in his office. Hearing of Rae Anne’s disappearance shocked him to the point that his blood pressure had skyrocketed. After he’d ranted for two hours, the room had spun, he had become lightheaded, and he had almost fallen. But he slowed his quickly rising blood pressure with a few seconds of calming quiet. Now righted, he measured his steps in small, leisurely strolls, but no farther past the door to the office.
“Rae Anne’s shipwreck would not have been known if not for Roger Bassham,” he griped, looking at Jamie Tompkins. “I should have put my foot down when she left Washington.” He waved his arms, stressing his point. “But, no, I had to agree with her.” He narrowed his eyes at Jamie. “And I’m sure you had something to do with it.”
Jamie folded his arms over his chest. “How and what did I have to do with it?”
Robert brewed over a reply but didn’t elaborate about Jamie’s involvement. He gazed out the window. “Hell, I thought it was an idea with good intentions when she brought it up, but not a well thought plan.” He thought about his daughter’s life experiences so far. How did she get caught up on an island? “Rae Anne has had more than one person can take in a lifetime. I don’t see how she can care for herself.”
“What has she endured?”
He looked over his shoulder at Jamie. “First, the loss of her high school sweetheart ten years ago. Next, she had to endure the loss of her baby daughter, and then the death of her husband.” He faced Jamie. “I’m afraid she’s too fragile.”
He stopped stammering long enough to realize something about his little girl, which saddened him in a way. “I guess love isn’t in the cards for her.” Robert began pacing again with his hands at his back. “I don’t want to think about what could have happened to her if Roger hadn’t been aware of the Barcelona stop. God only knows how long she’d have been on that damned island.”
“Well, she wasn’t alone, thank God,” Jamie reminded him.
Robert nodded. “Yes. She did have the two surviving crew members to help look after her. Rae Anne is strong, but I don’t know if she could have survived the island alone.”
“Yes, you’re probably right. But something tells me she was in her element and done just fine,” Jamie said, looking at Robert.
Doubting Jamie’s theory, he shifted on his feet. “Maybe, but I think I know my daughter better than you do.” Robert gulped down the shot of bourbon he’d poured earlier. The warm liquid burned in his stomach.
* * * *
Jamie watched Robert walk around the office like a crazed animal. You have to pay for your mistakes, Senator. And what better person to ensure your fall from grace than a ghost? Jamie smiled at the thought of Landy’s retribution. I’ll have a ringside seat.
Chapter Forty-Five
Rae Anne entered the salon. The hushed, whispered conversation stopped. The strain of Landy’s voice indicated his fragile control on restraint. His face, set in a hard, cold expression, worried her. “I get the sneaking suspicion that you are keeping something from me, Landy.”
The sudden change in the atmosphere, and the looks shared by Landy and Roger at the simple statement confirmed it. Landy stood up, replaced his frown with a smile, and met her at the door.
“Not at all.” He kissed her on the cheek. “We are determining the best approach for a quicker, but safe, return home.” He led her to the dining table, pulled out her chair and waited for her to sit down. “Hungry?”
“Famished. What—”
“Shh.” He touched her lips with his and then pulled back. “No questions. Have I told you how beautiful you look?”
Her face flushed. Anger or arousal had both charged her spirit the moment she walked into the room. “Not yet.”
“Well, let me second that one,” Roger insisted. “You do look lovely.”
“Here, here!” Kip cheered.
“Thank you, everyone. I do hope this will be a good night for all of us.”
“Dessert and coffee on the deck afterward?” Lydia asked Roger at the other end of the table.
“If you wish.” Roger softly kissed her hand, and she beamed.
Rae Anne smiled. A weight the size of the world had lifted from her shoulders. Landy and Lydia didn’t have as intimate of a history as she feared. Compared to the future she openly welcomed with Roger reinforced her confidence that Lydia wasn’t interested in Landy as a lover.
“That sounds delicious,” Rae Ann commented, looking at Lydia and then Landy. “I think we’ll join you.”
* * * *
Roger looked around the table, and Rae Anne watched Landy, who seemed too lost and brewing in his own thoughts to notice her observations. She looked back at him. The first reaction he considered was to avoid eye contact. Too late! She had him in her sights. Damn!
She tossed the napkin by her plate, gaining everyone’s attention. “What’s going on, Landy?”
The sharp cut of her glare to his surprised eyes registered his regret. Busted.
Landy looked at Roger, waiting for the rehearsed answer, no doubt, but for the life of him, Roger couldn’t remember. Landy intentionally kept things quiet about his plan. The only person who knew anything about it was Jamie Tompkins, and he wouldn’t say a word.
Roger regained his composure. “Rae Anne, I don’t understand.”
She huffed. “Let’s try one that is easy. When will we arrive in California?”
“We will arrive in California first thing in the morning.” Roger stayed focused on her. If he took one glimpse in Landy’s direction, she’d be tipped off.
Rae Anne sat in her chair, looked at each man with intense scrutiny. Her fingers strumming on the dining table were the only sound in the room. Tap—tap—tap—tap!
She narrowed eyes on Roger and tilted her head slightly. “Why don’t you tell me what it is you and Landy don’t want me to know?”
Her stone-cold glare, indicative of her determination to get answers unsettled him. “Rae Anne, there is nothing being kept from you,” Roger insisted. He took a large swallow of wine to stay busy. Damn! Rae Anne isn’t the helpless little woman Jamie painted her as. She is a powerfully magnetic woman who draws people in.
In a calm moment, he profiled her passionate side. If her anger reached the surface, there would be hell to pay. Her suspicions were warranted by his carelessness. If she interrogated prisoners, she’d make them crack under her scrutiny alone. Her gaze almost pierced a man’s soul. Lucky for me and Landy, we have special experience in deflecting an interrogator. One positive outlook he labeled with Rae Anne’s passion. If she loves you, it is with her whole heart, and if she hates you, the wrath would be great.
Landy cleared his throat. “Rae Anne, Roger has already told you we will be in California tomorrow morning.”
About damn time!
“But we’ll be greeted silently. There will be no fanfare or press.”
Roger raised a glass to him, saluting his decision to let her in on some of the details and getting him off the hook.
Rae Anne’s anger turned to surprise. “How can that be? Surely, the press will have heard of our shipwreck. They must be curious?”
“No. We didn’t tell anyone that the yacht was missing,” Roger explained. “No one knows that either of you were aboard.”
“What about my father?” Rae Anne’s eyes shot back to Landy so fast Landy seemed to cower.
“He will be told once we dock. I know he’s your father and you love him, but right now, I want you for myself.”
Landy, you sly fox! Good add of her father, and her love for him. And to cover your contempt for the man, you did it so well.
“Why?”
Think fast, Landy! However, do
n’t upset her. Keep her calm!
“I thought it best if the two of you had a private reunion.”
Rae Anne visibly relaxed at that explanation. Landy slowly released the breath he held.
That was close.
“Why didn’t you just say so?” Rae Anne stood, the men stood up as well. She turned and smiled at Landy. “I’ll be on deck waiting to have dessert with you.” She left the dining room, leaving the small group in a vacuum of silent wondering.
“That was too damn close.” Landy wiped his hands down his face.
“You aren’t kidding.” Roger took a huge drink of wine.
“You need to tell her the truth, Landy,” Kip warned. “It would be best if it came from you.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” Landy’s jaw flexed with renewed tension. “How do you tell the woman you love that her father played a power card and ruined her life?”
“That’s just the beginning, and you know it.” Roger’s annoyance sparked. “Tell her the damn truth.”
“You’re out of line,” Landy quipped back.
“Tell her before someone else does.” His voice pitched with urgency.
Lydia, with her soft voice, got the attention of the table. “Landy? I don’t know much more than what you’ve told Julian and me for years, but if it is any conciliation, I agree with Roger and Kip. It would be best if you told her. After meeting her, I can attest that she isn’t as fragile as you may think. She can handle anything, as long as you’re with her.”
Landy pursed his lips. “You’re right. We have to confront this together.” Landy stood. “I just don’t know how she will feel about me or her father once this comes to light.”
“Well, amigo,” Julian said, “roll the dice and play your luck.”
Landy smiled. “If you’ll excuse me, I plan to have one more night of heaven. Come hell or high water.”
Roger watched him leave in search of Rae Anne. He understood how Landy felt. Things will definitely change after tomorrow afternoon.
Chapter Forty-Six
“Where is she, Jamie?”
Jamie stood by the fireplace, his hands in his pockets, and his briefcase lay closed by his feet. “On her way, Mr. Jamison.”
The answer didn’t soothe Robert. She had phoned this morning when they docked at the marina. “She asked me to give her two hours to change and clean up before she came over.”
“You know women, Mr. Jamison.”
“That was over four hours ago. Hell, which marina did she dock in? The one in California or here in Washington?” Robert stood by the window. He wanted to be the first to see her when she got out of the cab.
“I honestly can’t say, sir. You received the phone call,” Jamie answered in the same monotone.
Robert lashed out. “You know, I hate the sound of your voice. It gets on my—”
“Daddy!” Rae Anne’s voice came through the doors of the living room.
“Rae Anne?” He ran to the doorway and opened his arms to her in an automatic reflex. The sound of her voice triggered a paternal instinct. She ran to him.
“I have missed you.” She cried, hugging him repeatedly.
“I missed you too, princess.” He focused on his daughter. “Are you all right?” He pulled her away and looked her over. “The time on the island did nothing more than give you a good suntan? You have brightness in your eyes I haven’t seen in a long time. Moreover, your beautiful smile. God, I missed it.”
She smiled and gushed.
“Looks like being stranded agrees with you.” He kissed her firmly on the forehead and pulled her to him again. “I haven’t seen you so happy.”
“Oh, Daddy, I am happy.” She pulled away from him. “I found the love of my life on that island.”
Robert looked at her confused by her statement. “I don’t understand.”
“Will this help you understand better?”
Robert looked to the person who spoke from the doorway. Shocked by the man standing within the room, he paled. “Landy?” The young man grinned. Robert set Rae Anne away from him and took a closer look at the ghost. Tailored Italian suit, manicured nails, expensive cologne.
“Laurent!” he forced out. The room spun, and he fell to his knees into Rae Anne’s arms. “You’re alive?” Robert grabbed his chest and fell to the floor aware of Rae Anne’s screams.
“Daddy!”
Laurent’s urgent need to protect her.
“Rae Anne, get back. Jamie, call nine-one-one!”
Chapter Forty-Seven
A continuous successions of beeps, blips, and the occasional paging of personnel over an intercom set the already tense situation on edge. Landy stood at the bedside and watched in loving care over Rae Anne, who slept at the edge of her father’s bed. Landy’s gaze roamed over her tear-swollen eyes, down to her relaxed lips. Sleep well, my love. Please don’t hate me for what I am about to do.
Robert’s eyes blinked several times, and then finally opened. He looked around the small room, his eyes fixed on Rae Anne by his side. He smiled down at her. Robert’s gratitude for having her by his side galled Landy. Knowing the facts thus far, the gesture ate at him. He hated the man with every fiber of his body. Robert closed his eyes and actually spoke.
“Thank you, God, for giving me this wonderful miracle.”
In a matter of seconds, his eyes popped again, searched the room and fixed their gaze on Landy.
“Sleep well?” The sarcastic question seemed to rile the good senator. Robert flinched in response.
“What?” He tried to sit up, but didn’t have the strength. “What happened?”
“You had a stroke.” Landy walked to Rae Anne, pulled the blanket from around her waist, and recovered her shoulders.
“What have you done to my daughter?” Robert demanded. “Why can’t I lift my left arm?”
“Your left side is paralyzed due to the stroke. And to answer your first question, I haven’t done anything to her. She’s been sedated.” Landy lifted her from the chair and laid her down on the rollaway bed a few feet away. She turned and settled back into sleep.
“Rest easy, baby.” Landy laid a gentle kiss to her lips.
“Why would she have to be sedated?”
Robert’s panicked query was in sharp contrast to the usual calmness of Senator Jamison. Landy faced him, narrowed his eyes, loathing every concerning comment he made about Rae Anne.
“She blames herself for your stroke.”
“That’s ridiculous. She knows better than that.”
“Really? Do you?”
“Daddy?” Rae Anne bound out of the bed. “Whoa.”
She staggered a step toward his bedside. She swayed.
Landy grabbed her before she fell onto the roll a bed. “Easy, babe! Not too fast. Take your time,” Landy cooed. He wrapped a bracing arm around her. “I got you.” He assisted her to the chair. “Here you go, sit back.”
Rae Anne reached out to Robert’s arm. “Daddy, I’m so sorry. I should have told you that Landy’s alive when I called you earlier. I didn’t think,” Rae Anne cried.
“No, princess, it’s not your fault.”
Robert grunted in effort to lift is arm, but it only moved a fraction of an inch. His fingers twitched, Rae Anne grabbed his hand. He gasped.
“What is it, Daddy?”
“I can feel your touch. It’s amazing to think how something can be almost dead but still have feeling.” He turned back to Landy. “Mr. Laurent, is there something on your mind?”
Landy smirked at the obscene question. “I keep wondering what strings you pulled to have me missing in action? And then to have me die?”
“Landy, what are you saying?” Rae Anne asked. “This isn’t the right time or place. My God, he’s had a stroke.”
“He’ll live. Besides, your father knows what I’m talking about?” Landy softly touched her cheek. “Tell her, Robert.”
Rae Anne looked back at her father. “Daddy?”
Robert looked fr
om Landy to Rae Anne. “Your happiness is all that matters now.” He looked back at Landy. “It wasn’t hard really. In Operation Desert Storm, as with any war or conflict, records get lost.”
Rae Anne’s wide eyes fixed on him.
“I never thought you were good enough for her anyway.”
“Daddy, I loved him! My God.”
Landy touched her shoulder and she quieted.
“That wasn’t for you to decide,” Landy said, calm and cold. “Do you know the repercussion of your actions?” Landy looked back to Rae Anne, and then to Robert.
“What repercussions? She married a politician, someone of wealth and stature.”
“You say I was never good enough, but what you don’t realize is that she loved me for me, in spite of my money.”
“You don’t have any money. You are the grandson of a farmer.” Robert retorted. “The idea of my little girl as a farmer’s wife doesn’t thrill me in the slightest.”
“My father is the cofounder of Landon Oil. My mother, Jennifer, was a successful pediatric surgeon before she and my father were killed in a car accident.” Landy took a step closer to Robert’s bed. “I have more money than you, because that farmer you spoke of earlier, the man who raised me actually owns the L&L.”
Robert gaped at him.
“That’s right. The Texas cooperation that bankrolled your opponent is me and my family.”
“Your last name is Laurent. Not Landon.”
“Laurent was my father’s name. My mother’s maiden name is Landon. They named their only child, a son, Landon Laurent. But since your people are such wonders at getting you elected, they missed that little bit of information in the bio.”
“I didn’t feel the need to have your family investigated. The old man lived a…desolate life.”
“No, he lived a simple life. He figured too many high tech gadgets made a man lazy.”
“Daddy, why did you write Landy in Fallujah and lie about me.”
“What?”
“You told him I cheated while he was at war. How could you do that to me?”