Gathering up his notes, Manning strode past the small, shocked remaining audience, leaving the room and the red-faced student behind. Brie hesitated long enough to fortify her courage and push doubts aside before running after him.
“Wow,” she heard a boy say, “that’s one scary dude.”
Brie agreed. Manning was terrifying, but fear was a luxury she couldn’t afford. She left the building and went after him. “Dr. Manning? Dr. Manning! May I have a moment of your time?”
Manning pivoted. He glowered at her. Her courage faltered.
“What is it?”
“A-about your research. Into curing cancer?” She would not allow herself to be cowed. Her mother’s life was at stake. “When will you be ready to start human testing?”
“Are you volunteering?”
Overhead, the intense sun dimmed as a cloud skipped across its surface. Chills raced down her arms despite the late-afternoon heat. Leland Manning’s avid stare made her want to retreat and keep going. Only desperation kept her standing before him.
“No! That is, I don’t need gene therapy, but my mother does. She has brain cancer.”
“Then I suggest she consult an oncologist.”
He started to turn away. She laid a detaining hand on his jacketed arm. She quickly dropped it to her side, startled by the energy inside this man.
“She has seen an oncologist. She’s had all the treatments, but the surgery wasn’t successful. They weren’t able to get all the cells. Her tumor is returning. You’re her only hope.”
He studied her as if she were a particularly useless stain on a slide under his microscope. How had any woman dared to marry this man?
“Even if I were ready to test my theories, the cost of this sort of therapy is prohibitive. Insurance doesn’t cover experimental treatments, you know.”
“I do know,” she said stubbornly.
He named a sum that made her gasp. With a cold smile of dismissal he turned and began striding away. She couldn’t let him do that. There weren’t any options. Heart pounding, she played her ace.
“My mother is descended from a local witch.”
The doctor stopped walking. He turned slowly. Her heart threatened to burst through her chest as his unwavering gaze cemented her in place.
“Which witch?”
She rolled her hands into fists to keep them from shaking. “Annabel Trantor.”
Brianna could practically see him cataloging and sorting through his memory bank for the knowledge marked “Annabel Trantor.”
“You are a direct descendant?”
“Yes.” Something avaricious in his expression made her want to deny it. “My family lineage is unbroken.” She resisted the urge to quail from that expression and slink away.
“Would you be willing to let me have a sample of your blood for my research?”
Her mind recoiled in horror. The oily seduction of that question repulsed her. But as much as she disliked Leland Manning, she would do whatever it took to get help for her mother.
“Yes,” she agreed before she could have second thoughts. “Absolutely. But only if you’re willing to consider my mother’s case.”
The smile froze her blood.
“Very well.” He named a lower price. “I’ll review her records and let you know my findings. In the meantime, you’ll need to find a way to come up with that amount. To cover my cost, you understand.”
“I will.” Somehow. If it meant selling everything she owned.
“And you understand this is experimental. Your mother could still die. Unless my theory is correct and this protocol works as it should.”
“So there is a chance?”
“A slim chance.”
“We’ll take it,” she said stubbornly.
“Very well. Her name?”
“Pamela Dudley. Sheffield Thornton is her oncologist. He’s the one who told me about your research.”
Manning nodded, filing that information away as well. He reached in his pocket to withdraw a leather business card holder. The ivory card was embossed in a dark red that reminded her of blood.
Her hand shook so badly she nearly dropped his card. Everything inside her wanted to cringe away from the aura this man projected.
“Thank you.”
“Perhaps I should be thanking you.” He inclined his head and strode away. Brie stared after him long after he’d disappeared from sight. The sun slowly crept from behind the cloud as if making certain he was gone first. Its warmth did little to negate the chill that had seeped inside her. No wonder people called Manning a vampire. He had the most terrifying presence she had ever encountered.
She began walking toward the town green to meet her mother and daughter. Her heart was heavy with the weight of fear and worry. She was thankful that at least she didn’t have to work tonight.
Had she made a mistake approaching Manning? Would her mother thank her, or reject the idea completely? Brie had known experimental procedures were costly, but how was she ever going to pull together enough money to do this? Even if her mother was willing to use the house as collateral, it wouldn’t be nearly enough. Their credit was good, but Brie was a waitress. What bank would take a chance on someone like her?
A silver sedan roared up beside her, honking to gain her attention. She was startled when Drew leaned across the seat and threw open the passenger door.
“Get in.”
People were everywhere, but no one seemed to be paying them any attention.
“I can’t. I’m meeting my mother at the library.”
“I’ll give you a lift.”
For a moment, she didn’t move. His stern expression told her something was very wrong. Brie slid inside.
“How many cars do you own?” she asked nervously when he didn’t say anything.
“It’s my father’s,” Drew said tersely.
His fingers gripped the steering wheel like a vise. Fearfully, she searched his features for a clue as to what was wrong. “What is it? What are you doing here? I thought you were working on the float this afternoon.”
“I was.”
His flat tone alarmed her even more.
“What is it? My…mother?”
“No. Nothing like that. Look, I don’t want to have this conversation while I’m driving.”
“I don’t understand.” She took a deep breath as he steered the car toward the town green. “There’ll be people all over the park,” she reminded him nervously.
“Are you ashamed to be seen with me?”
The darkly asked question bewildered her. “Of course not. I was thinking of you, not me.”
Drew pulled into a parking space, killed the engine and stared at her. Busy people were everywhere, setting up for tomorrow’s festivities, but he ignored the activity, focusing on Brie.
“Why is it you think I’d be ashamed to be seen with you, Brie?”
Mutely, she stared at him, her eyes wide with apprehension. Drew found he couldn’t blurt out the question eating at him.
“Why didn’t you come to me when your mother got sick four years ago?”
Color leached from her face. The sprinkle of freckles stood out in harsh contrast.
“Why would I go to you?”
Her genuine puzzlement cut deep. “I would have given you the money with no strings attached.”
Red suffused her pale cheeks, but she lifted her chin and held his gaze. “But you weren’t around anymore, now were you?”
Drew cursed. Brie reached for the door handle before he could stop her. She was halfway to the gazebo before he caught up to her.
“Take your hand off me.”
“Calm down.” But he released her arm. “We have to talk. I want to know—”
“Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!”
The universe spun and shattered. As if from some enormous distance, Drew watched a miniature version of Brianna break away from Pamela Dudley as they left the library. The child pelted across the grass toward Brie. He didn’t need the consternati
on on Pamela’s face, or Brie’s stricken expression to know the truth. He saw those same brilliant blue eyes every day when he looked in the mirror.
“There you are. We got a book on kittens, see? Gran’ma says we gotta train Lil’ Imp right.”
“Grandma’s right,” Brie whispered. She cleared her throat, hugging the little girl close.
“Too tight, Mommy.”
“Sorry, honey.” Her voice was shaken. “Where’s Imp now?”
“Gran’ma took her to the vet. She’s there now. She has to get shots just like me. Do you think Lil’ Imp will cry?” the child asked.
“No, sweetie. She’ll be brave just like you.”
Drew tried to relax his fists, but he doubted anything would unclench the pain gripping his insides. Nancy’s investigator had been right. Brianna had had his baby. And she’d never told him. Tears stung his eyes as the enormity of the truth settled over him.
“Who are you?” the little girl asked suddenly, looking up at him.
Your daddy. The words formed in his head, but he couldn’t get them past his lips. His daughter. And he hadn’t known.
“Do you got a kitty? I do. Her name’s Lil’ Imp, ’ cause Gran’ma says she’s a holy terror just like me.”
He became aware of Pamela Dudley standing to one side. Lines of strain had etched themselves deeply around her mouth and eyes. Her green eyes, so like her daughter’s, observed him from a well of sadness.
“Hello, Drew.”
“Mrs. Dudley,” he acknowledged. “Brie’s daughter was just telling me about her cat.”
Pamela flinched but nodded. “Yes. She’s pretty excited about having a kitten of her own.”
The beautiful child also watched him, as if sensing the tension that isolated the four of them there on the busy green.
“I always wanted a pet,” he told his daughter softly, “but my parents wouldn’t let me have one.”
“Not even a bird?” the child asked.
“Not even a goldfish.”
“Gran’ma’s got a bird. He’s big and white.”
“Yes. I’ve met Fitzwiggy.”
Pamela reached for her granddaughter’s hand. “Come on, Nicole.”
His daughter’s name was Nicole. Hurt, regret, anger. So many emotions tumbled inside him that his equilibrium was threatened.
“Let’s go get that ice cream now. We have to pick up Little Imp and get her home. I’m sure she’s hungry by now.”
“Isn’t Mommy coming, too?”
“No,” Drew stated before Brie could break her silence. “Mommy is going to stay and talk to me for a while. Is that okay?”
The child hesitated. She reached out her tiny hand and touched the back of his. Anger and resentment drained away, leaving only regret. His daughter.
“Okay,” Nicole said solemnly. “Bye, Mommy. Bye, man. Come on, Gran’ma.”
Brie straightened with a fragile care that was almost painful to watch.
“I couldn’t tell you because you weren’t here to tell,” Brie said quietly.
“What about the day I came to see you at the college? You were laughing with some boy, but you must have known then.”
She lifted her chin, her expression blank. “Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes!” The intensity of his feelings surprised even him. It mattered a great deal. “Was it because of what happened that night? Or because of my grandfather?”
“Your grandfather didn’t know, either. No one knew. No one ever would have known if you hadn’t come back to town and decided to run for office.”
“Brie, those eyes are impossible to miss.”
“Not if you had stayed in your part of town. I did what I had to do to survive. And I’ll continue doing whatever I need to do to protect my family.”
Stunned, he shook his head. “Protect them from what? Me?”
“You, your cold, imperious family, the sly comments of the town—anyone and everyone. Nicole is my daughter. It was a one-night stand. You even apologized! Or don’t you remember?”
Her pain lashed him where he stood.
“Get back in your car. Drive back to your safe little compound. We’ll forget this scene ever took place.”
The last of his anger trickled away as he saw how badly she was trembling. He could almost taste her fear. And that was another lash. Brie was afraid. Of him.
“Nicole is my daughter.”
Panic suffused her face. “No! She’s my daughter! A quickie in a sand dune doesn’t make you a father.”
She whirled away, but not before he glimpsed the sheen of tears in her eyes. Drew stood there, trying to marshal his chaotic thoughts. He stared up at the gnarled branches of the massive oak tree where they used to hang women branded as witches. He seldom came here. There was a malignant sensation of evil under that dark canopy of leaves. Drew looked to where Brie stood, a few yards away. Her head was bowed. Was she wiping at tears?
Torn between anger, hurt and sorrow, Drew thrust his hands deep into his pockets and set off in the opposite direction. He wasn’t ready for the sort of talk the two of them needed to have. He had some thinking to do first.
BRIE WIPED furiously at her eyes, expecting his hand on her shoulder any second. But the hand never came. When she turned around, Drew was gone.
Stunned, she scanned the park looking for him, but there were too many people. Why had he walked away? What was he thinking? Did he hate her? The thought was unbearable. What was she going to do?
Slowly, she headed for a path that would carry her out of the park. When Drew’s green sports car pulled up beside her on the street, her heart began pounding rapidly. But it was Carey, not Drew, behind the wheel.
“Want a lift?”
Brie hesitated, but she wanted to get home and be with her daughter. Accepting his offer would make that happen quicker.
“Thanks. Isn’t this Drew’s car?” she asked getting in.
“My car’s still in the shop. They claim they’re having trouble getting the part it needs. Drew lent me this one while I’m waiting.”
Brie nodded, but she wondered why Carey hadn’t borrowed a car from someone in his own family. The Eldrich clan had nearly as much money as Drew’s family did. Brie gave Carey directions and they rode in uncomfortable silence until they pulled onto her street.
“Look,” Carey said abruptly. “I don’t want to get into your business, but Drew’s my friend. Your association with him…well, it could prove awkward, if you know what I mean.”
Brie had never cared for Carey. He was too vain, too flashy, too arrogant. And he’d had a reputation on campus when she was going to school.
“Awkward how?”
“Uh, well, to put it delicately, you aren’t his type.”
“Does Drew know that?”
He reddened. “Look, Brie, Drew has women falling all over him. You’re very attractive, don’t get me wrong, but I’m talking gorgeous models, movie stars—”
“Rich people?” she asked.
“Well, uh, yes.”
“Ah. So you think I’m outclassed in all areas.”
Carey swore. “Drew’ll have my head.”
Brie relented, seeing he was genuinely upset. “Only if I tell him. Which I won’t.”
He pulled to the curb in front of her mother’s house. The garage stood open and empty, which meant her mother and daughter weren’t home yet.
“Look, just forget I said anything at all, okay?” Carey asked.
“Carey, I know I’m out of my league.”
“Hey, look, I didn’t mean—”
“Of course you did, but it’s the simple truth, isn’t it? Drew’s going to make a terrific mayor, and one day I’m going to be a lawyer. But all we can ever be is friends, so don’t worry.”
“Oh. Well. Okay then.” He studied her openly. A flicker of masculine interest lit his eyes. “You really are quite attractive, Brie.”
He sounded su
rprised. Brie didn’t know whether to laugh or be insulted. Carey might be handsome, but he was a rather superficial sort of person.
“You may not have money, but you do have class.”
Brie blinked in surprise.
“You should know his family handpicked Nancy Bell to be more than his publicist.”
“I figured as much.”
“Sometimes Drew chafes under his family yoke, but he generally comes around and does what they want. His folks have been after him since he finished school to get married. And his grandfather’s been drilling it into his head for years that he needs the right woman by his side if he’s going to run for president one day.”
“Like I said, don’t worry. I have no aspirations to be the first lady.” The very idea was too ludicrous to contemplate. “Thanks for the ride home.”
“Sure. My pleasure. Look, uh, Brie, I’m, uh, not planning to run for office. Mind if I stop by the diner some night?”
Surprised again, Brie shook her head. “The diner is a public place, but I’m not looking for any entanglements.”
“Hey, great. Me neither.”
She sighed internally. Carey’s frequent and fleeting relationships with half the women in Moriah’s Landing were well-known. She wasn’t particularly flattered to learn she had finally captured his interest.
“Thanks for the ride.” As she opened the car door, her skirt tangled on the seat belt latch. Pulling it free she waved and shut the door. Something tumbled to the grass at her feet. A fragile gold necklace with a broken clasp and an expensive-looking pendant glittered up at her.
“Carey, I think one of your lady friends may have lost this.”
But the car was already halfway down the hill. Brie stared at the broken necklace. She had a feeling the delicate heart pendant might be made of real rubies and diamonds. It didn’t look or feel like costume jewelry. One of his girlfriends was undoubtedly missing the bauble.
Or maybe one of Drew’s girlfriends?
Brie refused to dwell on that thought. She’d call Carey and ask him to stop by the diner tomorrow and retrieve the necklace. For now, she’d leave it next to her purse so she wouldn’t forget to take it with her tomorrow.
Moriah's Landing Bundle Page 47