She eyed her watch. She’d touch up her makeup and be on her way.
***
Susan’s phone rang as she was merging onto the freeway. She attempted to retrieve it from her purse sitting on the passenger seat but knocked the purse onto the floor, sending its contents scattering. “Darn it,” she mumbled, casting a quick glance at the items rolling around the rental car. She’d either have to pull off the highway or wait until she got to the airport to find her phone. Since Aaron would still be in the air, she reasoned, it couldn’t be him. Anyone else would have to wait. She’d be parked at the airport in under an hour.
Susan pulled into a spot in the short-term parking lot and lunged over the passenger seat to retrieve the contents of her purse. Her pulse quickened when she saw that the missed call had been from Aaron. They must have arrived early, aided by strong tailwinds from the storm that was rolling in. She punched the playback button as she hurried to the terminal.
She was pushing through the heavy glass door when she stopped abruptly. Aaron’s flight had been delayed on the tarmac for almost five hours before they’d been told that it had been canceled for mechanical issues. He was waiting in line at the ticket counter to book himself on another flight. Susan slumped against the large trash barrel outside the door.
“Are you all right, miss?” asked an older gentleman in an expensive-looking business suit. He peered at her over the top of his half-moon glasses.
“Yes, thank you.” She straightened. “Fine. I’ve just had some disappointing news.”
He nodded and moved on. Susan retraced her steps to her car and placed a call to Aaron.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” he said. “I can’t believe the damned airline let us sit on that blasted plane all afternoon. If they would have returned to the gate and let us off, I’m sure I would have been able to get on another flight. As it is, I’ve been waiting in line at the ticket counter for almost an hour and there are still at least fifty people in front of me. Some customer service!”
Susan drew a deep breath. “Even if you leave within the hour, you won’t make it to the party. And we’re all scheduled to come back day after tomorrow. There’s no point in your raising heaven and hell to get here now. Don’t bother.”
“This is all my fault. If I hadn’t let my license expire, I’d be in Westbury right now. I hate not being there for Alex’s party, but I mainly regret not having the time with you. I know I’ve been busy, but don’t think for a moment that I haven’t missed you. That’s the worst part of all of it,” he concluded miserably.
“Don’t beat yourself up over this,” Susan said. “You’re not responsible for the flight cancellation, and I know you wanted to surprise Alex and spend time with me. You’ve worked yourself to the bone, and you deserved this break.” She drew a deep breath. Now was the time to swallow her disappointment and comfort him. “Here’s what you do. Get out of that stupid line and go straight to the nearest steakhouse. Order the biggest steak on the menu, then go home and watch the Padres on that enormous television of yours. I’ll text you at the right moment, and you can call in your toast to Alex.”
Aaron paused. “That sounds awfully tempting. Are you sure?”
“Positive. You need to do something fun for you. Since what we’d planned can’t work out, you need to go to plan B.”
“I’m exhausted. Sitting on the tarmac all day was horrendous. I’d love to get something to eat and take a long, hot shower. I’ll be ready for your call. I have things I’d like to say to my big brother.”
“And you will say them. You go eat, and I’ll turn around and head back to Rosemont before the storm hits. I’ll talk to you tonight.”
“You’re wonderful. You know that, don’t you? One in a million. I’m the luckiest guy on Earth.”
***
Alex Scanlon tossed his keys onto the kitchen counter and headed for the stairs. He was exhausted from the months of long days working on the fraud case as special counsel to Westbury. Marc was right—it was his birthday, and he was entitled to leave the office at a normal hour. All he wanted was to take a shower and park himself in front of the television. The Padres were playing, and it would be a real treat to watch his favorite team on the tube.
He was starting his assent of the stairs when his partner, Marc, called out to him. “Happy birthday!” He approached the stairway. “Where are you headed?”
“To the shower and then the couch. With no stops in between.” He surveyed Marc. “Looks like you’re going somewhere.”
“I left the cord for my amp at The Mill last night. You know how hard it was to find a replacement last time I did that. I should have bought two, like you suggested. Anyway,” he said, motioning to Alex. “Why don’t you ride out there with me? It’s a gorgeous drive. We can have dinner and come straight home.” Alex began to shake his head. “It’s your birthday,” Marc pressed. “You deserve a decent meal. And they have that new chef. Everyone was raving about him last night. We’ll be back in a couple of hours. I’ve got the game set to record.”
Alex turned and retraced his steps down the stairs. “Sounds good. I’d rather watch the game when I can speed through the commercials. A good meal and a quiet evening are just what I want for my birthday.”
***
Alex took two quick steps back and grasped the hostess stand to steady himself when fifty of his best friends yelled “Surprise!” as he entered the rear dining room at The Mill. He clutched his chest with one hand while turning to his partner.
Marc beamed. “Happy birthday, buddy.”
Alex made his way around the room, shaking hands and accepting hugs. Waiters circulated with trays of appetizers
“You knew, didn’t you?” Susan whispered in his ear as she drew him close.
“I’ll neither confirm nor deny,” he replied softly. He leaned back and looked at her. “Was it obvious?”
Susan shook her head. “Not really. You’re a good actor. I was standing by the door and saw the look on your face as you approached. You were anticipating your next move—or so I thought.”
“I wasn’t sure. No one said anything. But I caught wind of the fact that you were in town, and Maggie didn’t mention it to me. That was odd. And Marc has been secretive about something lately. I put two and two together.”
“Glad you didn’t spoil his surprise,” Susan said, patting his arm. “Aaron planned to be here, too, but a comedy of errors got in the way.”
“I’d have bet he wouldn’t take time away from work. That seems to be a common failing of the Scanlon brothers.”
“That’s part of it. He can fill you in on the rest.” Susan arched her brows at him. “The two of you need to learn how to lighten up.”
“True enough. I’ll talk to him. He doesn’t want to become a workaholic and lose the best thing that’s ever happened to him.” Alex smiled at Susan.
“See that you do. Now, go mingle with your other guests.”
The dinner of lobster bisque, an heirloom tomato salad, filet mignon, and tri-color potatoes au gratin was flawless. The new chef clearly intended to impress the crowd. The head waiter wheeled in a two-tiered cake dressed in fondant that replicated a stack of law books. Forty candles blazed on top. Servers circulated with glasses of champagne.
Alex inhaled deeply and blew out the candles in one long, sputtering breath. He closed his eyes, presumably making his wish, and the room erupted in applause when he opened them.
Susan walked over to him, cell phone and wireless speaker in hand, and motioned for the crowd to be quiet. “Alex’s brother planned to be here today to mark this momentous occasion,” she gestured to Alex and the cake, “but airline maintenance got in the way. I’ve got Aaron on the phone with me now, and he’d like to deliver a toast to his brother.
“I’m so sorry that I’m not with you all tonight to celebrate in person.” The speaker projected the voice into the room. “Here’s to a man that exemplifies courage, tenacity, and integrity. From working your way through c
ollege and law school to recovering from your horrific injuries in that crash—without a moment’s complaint or self-pity—to your tireless efforts to bring the perpetrators of fraud to justice, you are a role model and tireless public servant. I also want to say, personally, that you have been a kind, supportive, and generous big brother. TO ALEX SCANLON!”
The room erupted in a chorus of “Hear, hear!” as Alex’s friends raised their glasses and drank.
With the toast completed, Marc leaned in. “The weather’s cleared enough to allow the fireworks to go forward. Grab your cake, and let’s head out to the back lawn.”
“You two go find a spot. I’ll bring us all a piece of cake,” John said to Maggie and Susan.
Mother and daughter linked arms and wove their way to the edge of the crowd. Susan sighed heavily and leaned against her mother.
“You miss him, don’t you?” Maggie asked.
Susan nodded. “I just hope I don’t have to spend my whole life missing him during every big occasion or event. I don’t want that kind of life.”
“I understand that, sweetie, but I think you may be jumping to conclusions. I know that this isn’t what you want to hear—no one really likes to hear this—but my advice? Give it some time. Quit reading too much into this. Aaron’s failure to get here doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you. The airlines got in the way here. Stuff happens. Don’t condemn him for that.”
Susan brushed the hair off her face. “You really think so?”
“I know so.” Maggie smiled as John approached, juggling three plates loaded with thick slices of birthday cake. The first fireworks exploded over the crowd. “Let’s enjoy this night and leave tomorrow’s worries until tomorrow.”
***
Maggie Martin settled their shopping bags on the bench of the booth at the ice cream parlor and handed Sophie and Sarah laminated menus featuring photos of burgers and fries, sodas and sundaes. They looked identical to the menus in use when she was their age; it was nice that some things didn’t change. She looked at the shining faces of her granddaughters, seated opposite her. “You’ve both picked out wonderful outfits for the first day of school,” she praised. “You’ve become quite the savvy shoppers, and you know what you like. And the outfits are both very different from each other.”
Sarah nodded. “We each have our own style now, Gramma. We’re too old to dress alike.”
“I still like to, sometimes,” Sophie cast her sister a reproachful glance. “But I’m okay with not doing it at school.”
“I know,” Sarah said. “We talked about this. I still like our matching jammies. That’s at home. We can do it there and not get teased.”
They’re growing up, Maggie thought. How much longer will they want to come visit their grandmother? “Did you have fun this visit?’
Both girls nodded vigorously.
“What was the best part?”
“I liked the pottery place,” Sophie replied.
“That was fun,” Sarah agreed, “but I liked horseback riding the best. I’m going to ask Mom and Dad if I can take lessons when we get home.”
“Did you have fun at Marissa’s?”
Sarah shrugged. “It was fine. We made pizza and her mom taught us how to upside-down braid our hair. But her little sister is really sick. So it was kinda sad.”
Maggie felt her chest tighten. “The last I heard, her medication was working,” she said, a touch of chill in her voice.
Sophie shook her head sadly. “Not anymore. She had to go to the hospital again to get her blood cleaned. Like when we went to the hospital to see her last time we were here. Didn’t Aunt Susan tell you?”
“She didn’t mention it.”
“Marissa is really scared for her,” Sarah said. “So are we. We’re praying for her, Gramma. Every night. Is there anything else we can do?”
“Praying is exactly what you should be doing for her,” Maggie replied. But there might be something else I can do, she thought.
Chapter 36
Loretta Nash checked her watch. It was almost time for them to board their flight home. It had been an exhausting ten days at the transplant center. All the doctors agreed with the recommendation, and Nicole was now on the national transplant list. Loretta took Nicole’s hand and approached the boarding agent. “We’re here for early boarding of families with children,” she said.
The agent took in Loretta’s weary countenance and noted the hospital brochure protruding from her carry-on. “Let’s move you two lovely ladies to the front of the line, shall we?” She reached for their tickets “You can go right on through. Why don’t you sit up front, so we can help you be the first to get off the plane?” She watched Loretta lead the listless child down the Jetway to the plane.
Nicole, exhausted from her hospital evaluation, snuggled into her mother as soon as they sat down, and fell asleep. Loretta’s mind was swirling with all she’d learned during their visit and sleep eluded her yet again.
One thing was certain: her deep, dark secret would come out. Nicole was almost certainly Paul Martin’s daughter. In Scottsdale, that truth would not have been a big deal. But in Westbury, where Paul’s wife was the owner of Rosemont and mayor of the town, that truth would be another matter. She would be the subject of gossip and the butt of crude jokes at every turn. She might deserve that treatment, but her children did not. Her innocent kids would be tarred and feathered with the same brush. Sean and Marissa were old enough to understand any cruel rumors they heard. Loretta’s cheeks burned. For the thousandth time, she wished she could undo her past.
She considered again the possibility of leaving Westbury behind and returning to Scottsdale or moving somewhere new. As she thought about it, she knew it wasn’t possible. She couldn’t switch insurance plans now, and who would hire her and put up with her absenteeism? She was stuck. And as she thought this, she knew there was another reason she wanted to stay. Frank Haynes. Her feelings for him were complicated, and she didn’t have the energy to think about them.
Loretta shifted carefully in her seat, taking care not to wake her sleeping daughter. She needed to convince Susan or Mike to be the donor if they proved to be a match for Nicole. But how was she going to do that?
Should she approach Maggie Martin? Loretta shuddered as she remembered their tense meeting last winter. She had tried to give Maggie the jump drive, which she’d felt certain contained incriminating evidence related to the fraud and embezzlement from the town.
Maggie hadn’t given her the time of day. She had known that Loretta was Paul’s mistress. But how? Had Paul told his wife about them, like he’d promised Loretta he would? Maggie was angry with her and didn’t want anything to do with her, telling her to take whatever evidence she thought she had to the police and escorting her to the door. Loretta doubted that Maggie would be more receptive this time.
What if Susan and Mike wanted proof of Nicole’s relationship to Paul? She didn’t know if she could get Paul’s body exhumed for DNA testing. Could she turn to Frank Haynes for help? Whatever good opinion of her he might have would surely be ruined by revelation of her affair with Paul Martin. Aside from her growing feelings for Frank, it was imperative that she retain her job at Haynes Enterprises. She had to tell Frank the truth and deal with the consequences.
She closed her eyes and smiled at the memory of Nicole’s brief meeting with Susan in the hospital right before Maggie’s wedding. Loretta had been astonished that Nicole had insisted Susan hold her doll while Nicole got dressed. She guarded her doll with the ferocity of a mama bear. And she’d renamed her doll Susan. There was an undeniable connection between those two. She’d seen it in that moment.
Loretta relaxed back into her seat. If she could just get to Susan, she felt certain that this kind and generous woman would agree to be a kidney donor for her half-sister. Loretta sent up a silent prayer. Let her be a match.
***
Frank Haynes hovered in front of Loretta Nash’s desk shortly before two o’clock. “Let me know when
you have the deposit ready. I’ll run it to the bank, and you can go home. You’ve worked hard to get your desk caught up. I’m sure you want to spend time with Marissa and Sean after being away with Nicole.”
Loretta Nash studied her mercurial boss carefully. Today was definitely one of his good days. He’d had a lot of those lately. Maybe now was the time. She knew she had to have this conversation with him and the sooner, the better. For Nicole’s sake. “The deposit is ready now,” she said, pointing to the bag on the corner of her desk.
“Then you’re free to go—” he began before she cut him off.
“Actually, I’d like to talk to you about something,” she said, twisting a strand of hair around her fingertip.
He nodded and waited.
“Can we go into your office?” she asked.
“Of course.” He led the way and sat in the client chair next to her rather than on the other side of his massive desk. “What’s troubling you? It isn’t the cost of the transplant, is it? You know I’ve guaranteed anything that insurance won’t cover.”
“Yes, Frank, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. I can’t tell you how much,” she said, her voice cracking.
Frank Haynes waited patiently.
“I have something to tell you that you’re not going to like. Something I’m not proud of, either.” Loretta drew a deep breath and said in a rush. “I think Paul Martin is Nicole’s father.”
She paused, waiting for his reaction. Frank Haynes remained motionless in his chair.
Loretta continued. “I met Paul when I was in college, and we had an affair. I was so naive and stupid. He used every cliché in the book—how bad his marriage was and that he was waiting for the right time to leave his wife and marry me. I bought it all, hook, line, and sinker.” Loretta dropped her gaze. “I know now that they were all lies.”
Frank Haynes absorbed this information. “You say you think he’s Nicole’s father. You aren’t sure?”
Drawing Close: The Fourth Novel in the Rosemont Series Page 16