“I promise to have fun. Don’t worry, I’m not leaving town for good.” Christina grabbed the handle of her carry-on. “I want you to head out early today,” she said to Jill, and then pointed at Vince. “Don’t forget to come up for air. I know how you get when you’re deep into research.”
“Have a good weekend,” they called as she headed toward the elevator.
****
Once in flight, Christina closed her eyes and rested her head against the back of the seat. She was anxious to visit with her sister and hoped to get lost in the wedding plans. Anything to forget about that horrible confrontation in the boardroom.
Of all the lawyers in town, why had Steven been her opposition? She could handle anyone else. His timing couldn’t have been worse, the thought of her dateless social life twisting the knife in her back even more. If she had a husband and family, she’d rub his nose in her overall success, but all she had was her standing at the firm. Her personal life was a bust, no thanks to him. Learning from the pain Steven caused, she dated cautiously, never truly exposing her heart.
Her thoughts wandered throughout the rest of the flight. She banished Steven from her mind, but couldn’t shake the sinking feeling more was behind his return than this case.
By the time the seatbelt light went out, she had a pounding headache. Christina collected her carry-on and disembarked the plane, faking a smile. She spied her sister at the opposite end of the terminal, frantically waving her arms in the air.
Tanya pushed through the crowd toward Christina and gathered her in a tight embrace. “You’re late.” Her lips were firmly set together.
“I’m happy to see you, too.” Christina kissed her sister’s cheek. She enjoyed throwing jabs at her sister, but was genuinely happy to spend time with family.
“How did your meeting go?”
“No work-talk.” She squeezed Tanya’s hand. “I want to hear all about the wedding plans.”
Tanya squealed with delight. She described her dress, barely taking a breath until they reached the parking lot.
Brian rested his tall, thin frame against a black sedan. He smiled and straightened as they approached. The gentle summer breeze ruffled his dark brown hair, and two deep dimples dented his cheeks. Brian embraced Christina in a warm hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. Your sister claims she’s having a breakdown. She worries about everything.”
“That’s not true.” Tanya went up on her tiptoes and planted a playful kiss on his cheek. “I just want our day to be perfect.”
Christina smiled when Brian’s hands lingered around Tanya’s waist, while she wiped the pink lipstick smear off his face. They were so happy, and totally meant for each other. Brian’s calm personality balanced her sister’s energetic temperament. They met at a gala in New York. Brian had a position as a judge in the city and Tanya was meeting with a prospective buyer for her fashion line. Love at first sight struck them both that night, and Brian told Tanya she would one day be his wife.
For almost a year, they continued a long-distance romance, until the travelling grew weary and they couldn’t stand to be apart. Brian moved back to Ottawa, accepted a job with his father in the Supreme Court, bought a house, and convinced Tanya to join him. A month later, he asked her to marry him. Their love story would make a perfect weepy chick-flick.
A stab of envy pierced Christina’s chest. “Find a room you two. Can we get out of this humidity?” The thickness of the air pulsated through her temples.
“It takes some getting used to.” Tanya took a deep breath. “There’s no East Coast ocean breeze to lower the temperature here. The heat I can take, but I can’t stand the humid air.”
Brian packed Christina’s carry-on in the trunk of his car, and then opened the back door. “Hop in. The air conditioning is heaven on days like this.”
She slipped in the backseat and leaned against the headrest, relaxing in the cool vehicle.
Tanya slid in the front passenger seat and Brian shifted the gear into drive.
Tanya glanced over her shoulder. “Outside of the city, the humidity and smog lessens. The countryside is breathtaking. You’ll love the scenery.”
Her sister was right. The scenery was exceptional. Lush greens everywhere, with hills and valleys that spread like a canvas in a painter’s backdrop. She wanted to close her eyes and rest her tired head, but rallied against missing a single moment of the stunning landscape.
They drove about forty-five minutes, and Tanya chattered the entire time.
Christina missed her sister’s non-stop babbling. Living alone in the quiet townhouse, she welcomed any noise…other than the steady pounding in her head. She cursed herself for packing the pain relievers in her carry-on bag instead of her purse.
Brian turned onto an exit off the highway and drove another fifteen minutes. The newly developed areas screamed of money. High-priced homes sat on acres of land. Some backed onto lakefront, while others enjoyed a backyard of thick, green forest.
Tanya bounced in her seat as they passed their new property. She and Brian had sold their small home in town and bought the five-acre countryside land. Until the house was completed, they were staying with his parents.
He slowed the car so they could admire the Cape Cod design.
“Once the plumbing and electrical are done, our furniture is set to arrive. We should be able to move in right after the honeymoon.” Tanya beamed a huge smile.
“It’s beautiful.” Christina gazed at the lush green lawn and newly planted maple trees, which would one day provide a sanctuary from the summer sun.
Ten minutes further down the road another lot, recently cleared, buzzed with construction. Wood chippers droned and cement trucks rumbled, laying a foundation.
“My brother’s property.” Brian glanced at Christina in the rear view mirror. “The spot was already spoken for, but he pulled some strings and paid a fortune to get it. He’s tired of the big city, wants to start a family, and plant roots.”
“Here we are!” Tanya turned toward the window, eyes wide as she pointed to the large home.
Christina stepped out of the car. The warm air immediately blanketed her air-conditioned skin. She stared in awe at the Peterson’s European-inspired private estate, then winced and closed her eyes as an intense pain shot across her forehead. She fell back against the sedan.
Tanya rushed to her side. “Christina, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s probably just the heat.” She regained her balance, rummaged through her purse for her sunglasses, and then stepped along the lock-stone driveway. “This place takes away my breath.”
Brian retrieved her luggage from the trunk.
“The house alone must be worth a million.” Christina shook her head.
“Two point five actually.” Brian chuckled.
She couldn’t believe her ears. Christina knew Brian’s father was a Supreme Court judge, and his mother a painter, so money obviously wasn’t an issue. Tanya had described the home, but the whitewashed stone mansion and five-car garage had to be seen to be appreciated.
“Seven bedrooms with master suites on the top level.” Tanya pointed to the windows on the upper level. “On the main floor are the media and game rooms, a library, and private study. The kitchen is in the back, and a huge dining room. They also have a ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking a spectacular garden and pool.”
“Wow.” Christina didn’t know what else to say. Simple words couldn’t describe this home with its manicured lawn and lush flowerbeds of reds and blues. Never before had she seen a house so incredible.
On the walk to the door, Christina’s head throbbed with each step she took. She should have taken something for the headache when she arrived at the airport. Now a full-blown migraine sought refuge between her ears. She stumbled up the stone pathway.
Brian grabbed her elbow, steadying her.
Tanya stopped at the doorway, a frown wrinkling her slender face. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I have a bit of a headache. I’ll take something as soon as I get settled.” Christina placed a reassuring hand on her sister’s arm. To her surprise, the door swung open before they knocked.
A man in a black suit stood inside the threshold.
Tanya had told her Brian’s parents employed a small staff for preparing meals, cleaning, and general maintenance of the property. Apparently they had a butler, too.
As she stepped through the entry, Christina put a hand to her chest. The hand-forged maple doors imitated the craftsmanship of the spiral staircase and balcony railing. A large crystal chandelier hung from the cathedral ceiling, casting a shimmering light on the framed paintings displayed on the walls. Down the hall, twin Persian carpets of intricate design adorned the hardwood floor.
“My mother insisted you stay in the east wing. It gets the morning sun and overlooks her rose garden.” Brian pointed to the bushes at the side of the yard.
The butler lifted her bag from her hand. “I’ll take this to your room, madam.”
“Thank you.” The warmth shown by Brian and his family made her feel welcomed and eased a bit of her stress.
He nodded and walked down the hallway, pressed a button on the wall, and stepped into an elevator.
“Now that’s cool.” She smiled.
“My parents are in the study waiting for us.” He held out his hand for Christina and Tanya to lead the way.
They passed by the library, and another room where a large oak billiard table sat in the middle. Christina couldn’t wait to tour the whole house with leisure.
When she entered the study, Christina admired the view from the glass patio doors overlooking a garden of multi-colored roses.
An older gentleman, dressed in black pants and a grey polo shirt, stood to greet them, while the woman with silver-grey hair sipped from a teacup.
Christina learned from Tanya during a recent telephone conversation that Brian’s mother had fallen and sprained her ankle. The flowered cotton dress she wore lay neatly over her left leg as it rested on a stool. A white bandage swathed her foot.
Brian introduced Christina to his father.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Peterson.” She shook the strong hand of a very distinguished man with salt-and-pepper wavy hair. The room went vaguely out of focus when she smiled into his dark blue eyes.
“Please, call me Carson.” He smiled back. “You’re soon to be part of our family.”
“This is my mother, Theresa.” Brian kissed the older woman’s cheek, and then joined Tanya on the settee.
Theresa smiled, wrinkles creasing the corners of her lips, and her hazel eyes sparkled. “Tanya has told us so much about you.”
“I bet she can’t say the same about us…”
Someone spoke behind Christina and her body stiffened. That voice! Damn! She knew that voice! Strong and powerful, memorized in the depths of her soul. Panic surged within her. It couldn’t be…oh no, please no.
Slowly, she turned to face the man in the doorway. She could only stare. What was Steven doing here?
In a far distance, Brian spoke. “Well, brother dear, this is a quite a surprise. We didn’t expect you until tomorrow.”
A loud drumming roared in her head. Her throat went dry and threatened to close. Her fingertips tingled and her hands shook. The light in the room dimmed as a grey cloud blocked her vision. She staggered backwards against a heavy pressure slamming in her chest.
Christina fought her body’s will to shut down. She had to confirm the identity of this man! Her legs wobbled unsteadily, as if floating in the air. Darkness swept around her. She was faintly aware of strong arms wrapping around her as she collapsed toward the floor.
Chapter Five
The element of surprise was definitely Steven’s intent, but he hadn’t anticipated Christina would faint. He rushed to her side as she swayed forward and stumbled backwards. Steven caught her with ease, one arm behind her shoulders, the other around the back of her legs. He glanced down at her head resting against his chest. He inhaled the sweet fragrance of wild orchids and rosewood, and closed his eyes for a brief moment as memories flashed through his mind.
Steven shook his head and carried her up the spiral staircase, climbing the stairs two at a time. When he reached the room his mother had prepared, he nudged the door open with the tip of his boot and placed her gently on the bed.
Tanya and Brian followed quickly behind.
Brian grasped Tanya’s shoulder. “Should we call a doctor?”
“I’ve seen this before.” Tanya’s eyes glistened with tears. “Not the fainting part. Christina said she had a headache, but her dizziness outside probably means she’s suffering from a migraine.”
Steven grabbed the afghan from the footboard and pulled it over Christina, tucking it under her chin. He stared at her ghostly pale face. An electric shock trickled through the tips of his fingers as he brushed her hair from her cheeks. He swallowed past the lump in his throat. She was so small and vulnerable, yet she still took away his breath. The very first day he met her felt like someone had punched him hard in the gut, knocking the air from his lungs.
The way her long brown hair spread across the pillow, reminded him of a night she’d spent at his place. She was leaning on the sofa cushions, her hair floating over her shoulders as she laughed at something he had said. She then pulled him down with her and kissed him—
Christina stirred.
Steven stepped aside, running a hand through his thick hair. He had to reel in his emotions, hoping they weren’t displayed all over his face. He was almost certain Tanya had no idea of the past he shared with Christina, and he wanted to keep it that way.
“Does your sister get migraines often?” He moved behind his brother, out of Christina’s line of vision.
Tanya sat on the edge of the bed. “Only when she’s over-worked and stressed. Which is most of the time.” She rubbed Christina’s arm. “The humidity probably intensified the pain. She has medication, but obviously, she didn’t take any.”
Christina rocked her head from side to side. Her eyes fluttered open. “Tanya,” she whispered. “Where are we? What happened?”
“We’re at Brian’s parents, the Peterson’s. You fainted.” Tanya traced the line of Christina’s eyebrows with a fingertip, caressing her sister’s forehead. “Do you have your medication?”
Christina nodded. “In my carry-on.”
Tanya eyed Brian and tipped her chin toward Christina’s luggage, sitting beside the dresser.
Steven reached down and passed the leather bag to Tanya.
She ruffled through the contents and retrieved a square container from a cosmetic bag. “Here you go.” She popped out a wafer and slid it between Christina’s lips.
For a second, Christina closed her eyes and swallowed. “I’m sorry.”
“You gave us quite a scare.” Tanya wagged her finger in the air. “But I’ll lecture you later.”
“We should let her rest.” Steven moved behind Tanya, hoping to hide his identity. When he spotted Christina’s gaze shift to him, he cursed under his breath. Why hadn’t he kept his mouth shut? He stepped quickly toward the door.
“It’s him.” She pointed.
Tanya placed a hand on his arm, stopping his exit. “This is Steven, Brian’s brother. He caught you when you fainted.”
Christina leaned forward, pushing up on an elbow. “No…he’s…”
“She needs to sleep,” Steven interrupted. “So the medication can work.”
She struggled to sit, but Tanya set her hand on Christina’s shoulder to stop her. She then placed her fingers over her sister’s mouth, stilling Christina’s next words. “He’s right.” Tanya nodded. “We’ll have plenty of time to talk after you’ve rested. Just close your eyes. Don’t worry. I’ll be here when you wake.”
Christina glared at Steven, her eyelids growing droopy until exhaustion won.
He released a breath as she drifted off to sleep. Whew, that was close! He wait
ed for Tanya and Brian to proceed through the doorway. When they were halfway down the hall, he stole another glance at Christina over his shoulder. Steven gripped the doorknob until his knuckles turned white. He had to be here when she woke. After her reaction in the boardroom this morning, she would undoubtedly tell Tanya everything without considering the consequences. He couldn’t let that happen. He’d have to convince her to keep their past a secret.
Brian and Tanya’s future depended on her silence.
Steven had a lot to make up for, and Christina’s forgiveness wouldn’t come easy. She’d fight him every step of the way. He’d given her the space she needed, five years of distance, but he couldn’t stand on the sidelines any longer. He couldn’t forget her. Damn, he’d tried! He’d lost count of the unfulfilling affairs he had, trying to remove her from his mind. Every time he came close to moving on, he’d pick up a magazine or newspaper and there she was, haunting his thoughts, invading his dreams.
Christina had moved on without him. She was driven to prove him wrong, and she’d done exactly that. Staying out of her life made sense, until he remembered how good they were together. The past wasn’t all bad. They were close at one time…very close. He just needed to remind her.
Steven Mitchell and Steven Peterson were the same person, and once he explained his multiple identities to Christina, he would set his plan in motion.
Chapter Six
Wake up! Christina fought the thick fog inside her head. She had seen him—Steven. He was here! Why did Tanya introduce him as Brian’s brother? He couldn’t be. Tanya would have said something if she knew Steven.
The ability to think clearly about what made sense and what didn’t was slipping. The medication quickly had control and her eyelids fluttered closed, leaving her lost in a dream. She slipped back five years in time—when her relationship with Steven first began.
****
Christina wove through the crowd to a quiet corner of the room, swirling the ice in her glass of soda. Some guests were dressed casually in jeans or khaki pants, while those who came straight from the office were still in their business clothes. Several people huddled in small groups, chattering about different cases. Others gathered near the bar, and a few men retired to the balcony, puffing on Phil’s cigar collection.
Law Of Attraction Page 4