She wanted to push back against the legal advice. The problem was Vicki did have a point. Rose had terminated her contract without fulfilling her legal obligation. Her signature was on the paper and he had the money to make her life miserable. Legally speaking, since she was already miserable in a very personal way.
“I’ll consider it,” Rose said. “But in the spirit of full disclosure I should probably tell you that I’ve already ignored your advice once.”
“I know,” Vicki said drily. “You took the job.”
“Thanks for not saying ‘I told you so.’” Rose knew her friend was trying to look sympathetic instead of smug and the effort was much appreciated. “Considering that I did it anyway, I guess you could say that I’ve not listened to you twice.”
“Oh, dear Lord, what else did you do?”
“I signed the divorce papers.”
“Please tell me the terms are generous to you,” the other woman begged.
“I could do that,” she said, “if I’d actually read them.”
“Oh, pickles.” Her friend groaned. “Kids. They don’t call. They don’t write. They don’t pay attention to excellent professional advice.”
“You have to understand. I found them right after he walked out. I was...feeling a lot of emotions. You could probably say my signature was knee-jerk.”
Vicki slapped a hand to her forehead. “What am I going to do with you?”
Rose didn’t get a chance to respond to the question because her cell phone rang. She picked it up and looked at the caller ID. “It’s Linc.”
“Answer it.”
“I don’t want to.”
“You wanted to know what you can do for me. That would be to talk to him.” It rang again. “Now.”
Rose stared at the other woman for several moments, then sighed and hit the talk button. “This is Rose Tucker.”
There was a brief hesitation on the other end of the line before Linc said, “Is it really you? Not voice mail?”
“My mailbox is full thanks to you.”
“So you got my messages.”
“Yes. Did you get mine about terminating my contract with you?” Rose saw her lawyer nodding approval.
“Which one? The condo work or divorce papers?” Linc sounded ticked off. “I just got them from my lawyer with your signature.”
“Good.” Something inside her came apart and it was all she could do to get out a single word in a normal tone. She took a deep breath, then added, “So that’s done. About the design contract—”
“That’s not why I called.”
“Oh? As far as I’m concerned there’s nothing more to say.”
“I couldn’t disagree more.”
Rose heard something in his voice that tugged at her heart, but giving in to the weakness was just asking for more trouble. That’s the last thing she needed. “Linc, the only thing we could possibly have to discuss is why I’m unable to fulfill my legal obligation to decorate your condo—”
“Screw the contract. I don’t give a damn about that.”
“Glad to hear it. Thanks for calling and—” She was about to say “have a good life and don’t ever darken my door again.” Instead she added, “I’ll watch for the final divorce papers with your signature.”
“Everything is not even close to being settled.”
She heard a deep, dark element in his voice and could picture intensity in his eyes. Her heart started to pound. “Linc, I can’t—”
“I need to talk to you, Rose. Face-to-face. I’ll come by and... There’s a lot I have to tell you.”
“No. I’ll expect to receive a copy of the divorce papers. Goodbye, Linc.” She tapped the end button and felt her anger go poof just before the pain rushed in.
“Way to keep it all about business,” Vicki said.
“I tried. But it’s always been personal with Linc.”
The dam of feelings burst and Rose buried her face in her hands and started to cry. Damn him for doing this to her again.
Chapter Fifteen
After Rose hung up on him Linc stared at his cell phone and had the sinking feeling that he’d lost her forever. He was like his biological father, always losing at love. But unlike Robert Pierce, a lifetime of unhappiness would be his own fault. She could have been his but he blew it, as his sister said, by going all lone wolf.
Now what?
He left his Dallas condo and drove around for a while, somehow ending up in his parents’ upscale suburban neighborhood. They probably didn’t want to talk to him any more than his sister or Rose, but this was where he’d come all his life to get his head on straight. This time, them talking wasn’t required when he apologized for being a jerk. All they had to do was listen.
Once he’d pulled his SUV into the semicircular driveway, he exited the vehicle and walked to the double-door entry of the impressive redbrick mansion. There was light coming through the glass panes so he rang the bell and waited long enough to wonder if he was deliberately being ignored. Not that they weren’t justified, but he wasn’t in the mood for this.
Then the outside porch light went on and his father opened the door. “Linc. Come in.”
“Thanks.”
The house hadn’t changed since he’d last seen it. A crystal chandelier glittered from the ceiling of the two-story entryway and a circular table holding an impressive fresh bouquet of flowers sat on it.
“Your mother is in the family room.” Hastings didn’t hesitate and there was no surprise in his voice. No indication of resentment toward Linc for being a jackass.
When Hastings headed for the stairs and it looked as if he was going up, Linc said, “I’d like to talk to you and Mom both. If that’s okay.”
“All right.” The older man led the way to the back of the house with its spacious, state-of-the-art kitchen and family-room combination. The ten-foot-high wall of windows looked out on the pool in the backyard and a golf course beyond. Nighttime lights illuminated the impressive view.
Katherine was sitting in a floral-patterned club chair reading a book. The Dallas newspapers were spread out on the leather corner group sitting in front of the formal fireplace and flat-screen TV above it. The scene brought an instant flash of familiarity and warmth. He’d missed it more than he would let himself acknowledge and regretted the time that could never be recovered. He also knew how the prodigal son must have felt.
“Lincoln.” His mother stood and put down her book on the ottoman. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him tight. “It’s good to see you.”
“You, too.” And it really was, even though it had only been a short time since that night in Ellie’s kitchen. But he knew she meant it was good to see him here.
Katherine gave him one last firm squeeze before backing away. There was a puzzled expression on her face. “I don’t mean to sound critical or ungrateful that you’ve come for a visit. But why are you here?”
“Several reasons. I need advice.” He looked at his father specifically.
“Happy to help. And I’m touched. More than you’ll ever know.” He put his big hand on Linc’s shoulder.
“I appreciate that, even though I don’t deserve it. You have absolutely no reason to be gracious to me after the way I’ve behaved—”
“Let me stop you right there,” Hastings said. “I love you. And I’m not going to qualify that statement by adding like my own son.” The man’s eyes were fierce with protective paternal pride and affection. “You are my son. And I h
ave always tried to be the best father I knew how to be.”
“You’re the best dad in the world—” Linc’s throat grew thick with emotion and he moved closer to embrace the good man who’d taught him to be a good man. “Thanks, Dad.”
Hastings hugged him back, then cleared his throat as he stepped away. There was a suspicious moisture in his eyes. “Okay, then—”
“Mom, Dad—” Linc blew out a long breath as he looked at each of them. “I want to apologize to you both for turning my back on you and being a stubborn ass. It was not my finest hour and I deeply regret hurting you both. You didn’t deserve that kind of treatment and I’m more sorry than you’ll ever know.”
“I wish I could tell you I wasn’t hurt,” his mother said, “but that would be a lie. Still, I’m so very happy to see you and accept your apology.”
“As easy as that? You’re not going to make me grovel?”
Katherine shook her head. “It was very painful to see you confused, hurt, angry and blaming me. But the joy I have right this second at this reconciliation is in direct proportion to the love I have for you. It’s never-ending and unconditional.”
“I don’t deserve it.”
“Of course you do.” She brushed off his denial.
“What made you come around?” Hastings asked.
“Yes,” his mother chimed in. “How did this change of heart happen?”
Rose, he thought. When she said she loved him. At first he was frustrated and angry that he’d broken his vow and compromised her. Then some primal instinct took over and he was tired to the bone of not having the answers he needed to move forward with her. He knew he had to deal with the past first.
“I took your advice, Mom.” He met his father’s gaze. “Dad, I don’t want to hurt you, but it’s best to be up front. I went to see Robert Pierce.”
“It’s about damn time, son,” Hastings said.
Linc couldn’t help smiling. “Wow, okay then. You’re not upset.”
“How did it go?” His mother looked protective, wary.
“It sounds weird to say great, but it was. He’s not the monster I’d made him out to be.”
“And by hereditary extension that made you not a monster, too,” Katherine said.
“Yeah. He just had the bad luck to fall in love with someone who wasn’t free to love him back.”
Hastings slipped his arm around his wife’s waist. “He’s a fine man, Linc. Smart. Ethical. An excellent attorney and businessman. Pillar of the community.”
“I should have gone to see him a long time ago.” Before he’d left Rose the first time. His own stubbornness and stupidity made him want to put his fist through a wall. The colossal waste...
“You still haven’t explained what made you go now.”
Linc looked at his mother. “Something tells me you already have a pretty good idea.”
“I have a theory,” she confirmed.
“If it involves Rose, you’d be right. She said I was acting like a twelve-year-old. That there’s room in my life for all family. She didn’t know her father and I was lucky enough to have two.”
“A very insightful young woman,” Hastings said.
“One of many sterling qualities,” Linc confirmed. His chest squeezed tight at the thought that he might never be able to make things right with her.
“So, you needed to see your biological father and make sure he isn’t a despicable human being before setting your cap for her, as they say.” His father nodded understanding.
“In my head it sounded much nobler than that,” he admitted, “but essentially that is correct.”
“So you’ve come to ask our advice about how to propose to Rose.” Katherine’s eyes sparkled with excitement at the scent of romance in the air.
“Technically I don’t have to propose since we’re not divorced.”
His mother frowned. “Why do I get the feeling this visit is groveling practice? For seeing Rose?”
“Look, you guys, I’ve made mistakes in my life but this one is off the charts. And I don’t know how to fix it.” He explained to them about old habits kicking in, his leaving and her refusal to even talk to him now. “I have no idea what to do. How did you guys get past what happened when you were separated?”
Hastings smiled at his wife. “When you love someone, you forgive them. It’s that simple.”
“I’m not sure Rose can forgive me. The mistake I made is really big.”
“Then the apology needs to be big, too,” his father said thoughtfully. “This might be hard to understand, but you brought Katherine and I together.”
He remembered his mother saying that and still couldn’t wrap his mind around it. “But I was a mistake.”
“I never want to hear you say that again,” his mother said sternly. “You were then, and always will be, a blessing.”
“Sorry, Mom. I really wasn’t being that spoiled brat again. Just talking out loud.” Linc looked at his father. “And I think I get where you’re coming from, Dad. Use the personal flaw and turn it into a win.”
Hastings beamed at him. “That’s my boy.”
“I’m glad you two are on the same testosterone wavelength,” his mother said. “But can you translate that for little ol’ me?”
“I’m still working on the plan,” Linc said, “but I’ll let you know how it all comes together.”
He was going to do something big and bold to win Rose back. If it took the rest of his life he would show her that he’d never walk away from her again.
* * *
Rose closed up Tucker Designs for the night and walked up the stairs to her apartment on the building’s second floor. She was a little more hopeful about her business after landing a wealthy client who wanted a recently purchased mansion in Highland Park decorated. It was a Dallas suburb where tech and oil millionaires lived and that made her a little suspicious that Linc might have sent her the client. Because he’d been sending other stuff, too.
She unlocked her door, then opened it and walked inside, taking a deep breath to smell the sweet floral fragrance that filled the apartment. There were rose-filled vases everywhere. Beautiful lavender roses. White ones blushing pink. Yellow and coral. Just gorgeous. But looking at them made her heart hurt because of how much she missed Linc.
She missed talking, teasing and laughing with him. She loved him and this apology with flowers was so tempting. How was she supposed to resist that? But how could she let herself trust him? It would destroy her to let her guard down and be abandoned again. There wouldn’t just be heart damage; she would need to have her head examined.
Her cell phone rang and she pulled it from the pocket of her slacks and checked caller ID. It was Linc again. Her rational self warned her not to answer but the emotional part of her ignored it. Time to make that shrink appointment, she thought, after hitting the talk button.
“Linc, please, I’m begging you to leave me alone.”
“Do you like the flowers?”
His voice, the deep smoothness of it, slid inside and squeezed her heart. This was absolute torture. Like having red velvet cupcakes in the house while struggling to lose that last five stubborn pounds.
And who didn’t like flowers, for Pete’s sake? Unless you were allergic to them. She was allergic to Linc; he was bad for her and made her eyes water.
“Rose?”
“The flowers are beautiful,” she finally said.
“Which color is your favorite?”
It was on the tip of her tongue to say lavender, then she realized he was effortlessly sucking her into his web. “My favorite is of no concern to you. I’m not speaking to you anymore. We have nothing more to talk about.”
She ended the call and realized her cheeks were wet from tears. See? Allergic to Linc. The best way to live with it was not to live with it. No matter how much she wanted to.
The doorbell rang, startling her out of the “allergy” attack, and she brushed the moisture from her cheeks. If this was another florist delivering flowers from Linc...
She opened the door. It wasn’t a delivery person, but the sender himself with a cell phone in one hand and the handle of a wheeled suitcase in the other. Speechless didn’t even begin to describe how she felt.
“Hi.” Without waiting for an invitation he walked inside, as brazen as could be, and shut the door behind him. As if he was staying.
That loosened her tongue. “What are you doing?”
“I’m moving in. Where should I put my stuff?”
“You can’t be serious.”
“And yet, I am,” he said cheerfully.
“This is my place and I most definitely did not invite you into it.”
He looked around and nodded with satisfaction at the vases covering every flat surface in the room. “The flowers look great. Not that this place needs them. It’s perfect because of your special touch.”
Her heart began a steady pounding against the inside of her chest. “I want you to leave, Linc. Now.”
“No, you don’t.”
“You have no right to tell me what I want. No right to come into my home and demand a drawer. You walked away from me. Twice. And we’re divorced. I signed the papers.”
“That reminds me.” He snapped his fingers and pulled a familiar-looking manila envelope from an outside pocket of his suitcase. He held it out. “Here are the papers you signed.”
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