By the time he’d completed his shower, Anna had left his bed, and when he got downstairs to the breakfast room she was already there, looking her usual serene and unruffled self and talking to Charles. No one would have dreamed she was such a vixen in bed.
“Good morning,” he said with a smile.
To his delight, she blushed. “Good morning to you, too.”
“Sleep well?”
He couldn’t resist provoking her. He, better than anyone, knew how well she had slept in those tiny snatches when they were both so exhausted they finally left one another well alone.
“Thank you, I did,” she replied before lifting her morning coffee to her lips.
Lips that had done wild things to him yesterday. He slammed the door on his wayward thoughts. There was a time and a place for everything. For now he needed to concentrate on Wilson Wines. He felt like he’d reached a crossroads in relation to the business. While he’d come here with the express intent of undermining everything his father had worked for, and delivering his share of the business on a platter to his father’s strongest competitor, there was a part of him now that hesitated.
Growing Wilson Wines in a new direction excited him, but did he really want to throw away the revenge he’d longed for ever since he’d accepted his father would never come to get him? It was a difficult decision, and one he would have to face soon.
As an added factor, his mother had started to email him regularly, asking for updates on the house and pestering him to allow her to visit. Right now, Cynthia was the last complication he needed. Her bitterness toward Charles had only grown over the years, and the prospect of seeing the two of them under one roof again was enough to make the milk in his cereal curdle.
He shot a look across the table at Charles. The older man looked gray and tired. Judd had no doubt that following through on his initial plans would see his father into an early grave and that thought clenched tight in his chest. Somewhere along the line, he’d developed respect for Charles and particularly for his business acumen. He’d held it together through stock market crashes, recession and more. Wilson Wines, while not reaching its fullest potential, was still doing extremely well in what had been a difficult and competitive market.
Judd still bore a grudge over the way Charles had handled his personal life, and the way he had treated his wife and son, but he felt a little more sympathy now. He’d seen how deeply angry and hurt Charles could be at what he perceived as disloyalty from someone he loved. Even though he’d jumped to conclusions and judged unfairly, the suspicion that Cynthia had been cheating on him must have hit him hard.
Additionally, the challenges for Charles of running a company—by himself, since the split with his business partner had happened around then, hadn’t it?—and dealing with a marriage that had been falling apart must have taken its toll on his behavior. And according to Anna, Charles was already struggling with diabetes-related health issues then, which couldn’t have helped. None of that justified his actions, but taking everything into account did help to put them in perspective.
He looked again at Charles, watched as he picked up his knife to butter a slice of toast and saw the way his hand trembled, then looked away as a sharp spear of concern shot through him. He didn’t want his father’s further deterioration to be on his hands.
A loud clatter of cutlery on a plate, followed by Anna’s gasp of shock, dragged his attention back to Charles, who now leaned to one side in his chair, his color even worse than before, his eyes closed and his breathing laboring in his chest.
“Quick,” he said to Anna, “call an ambulance.”
Anna raced out the room and Judd shot to his father’s side, loosening his tie and the top button of his shirt before lowering Charles to the floor. Charles’s skin was cool and clammy to the touch, and Judd felt a surge of genuine fear pour through him.
Charles slipped in and out of consciousness, oblivious to Judd’s voice as he repeatedly fired questions at him in an effort to keep his father awake. By the time the ambulance arrived, Judd was beginning to worry that the older man wouldn’t make it.
As Anna gave the paramedics a rundown of Charles’s health and medications, he began to understand just how fragile his father’s life was.
“I’ll go with him in the ambulance,” Judd said as Charles was lifted onto a gurney and carted out toward the waiting vehicle.
Anna nodded and squeezed his hand. “I’ll see you at the hospital. I’ll just need to make a few calls first. Let people know we won’t be in to the office.”
“Thanks.”
Judd followed the medics out to the ambulance and was directed into a passenger seat in the front of the vehicle. The ride to Auckland City Hospital was short, although for Judd it felt as if it took hours. Craning his head to see in the back, he watched as the ambulance officer attended to his father and took stats, which he then radioed ahead to the hospital emergency room. Seeing Charles so helpless made the seriousness of his father’s state really hit home.
At the hospital there was a blur of activity, and Judd was forced to wait as a medical team took over his father’s assessment and treatment. Finally Anna arrived, her face pale and concerned but lightening a little when she saw him. The instant they made eye contact, Judd began to feel some of the tension within him unwind just a notch and he took Anna into his arms, relishing the feel of her and soaking up the comfort her embrace provided.
“How’s he doing?” Anna said as she pulled away.
“They’re still doing tests.”
A sudden flurry of activity at the emergency room door dragged his attention in that direction and he saw his sister striding through the door.
“Where is he? I want to see him.”
Anna interceded before he could speak.
“He’s with the doctors. They’re still assessing him.”
“What happened?” Nicole demanded, turning to Judd, her eyes snapping fire.
“He collapsed at breakfast,” Judd replied.
“I thought your being here was supposed to make him feel better, not worse,” Nicole fired back before promptly bursting into tears.
Judd bit back the response that flew to his tongue, that perhaps if his sister hadn’t left the way she did, Charles wouldn’t have been pushing himself so hard with work when he should have been taking things easier. But he could see Nicole was fighting her own demons.
A nurse came toward them. “Mr. Wilson, you can see your father now.”
Judd reached for Anna, who shook her head. “No, take Nicole. She needs to be with him more than I do.”
With a shrug, Judd turned to Nicole. “Are you coming?”
“Of course I’m coming. He’s my father.”
Together they followed the nurse. Charles was conscious but still looked terribly ill. Lines ran into his arms and monitors were beeping around him.
“What’s she doing here?” he rasped, staring at Nicole with a mixture of surprise and anger.
Judd felt his sister stiffen at his side.
“I came to see if you were all right, but obviously you’re just fine. You won’t be needing me here,” she said with a quiet dignity that didn’t quite mask the hurt in her eyes.
Judd watched her walk back the way she’d come. Anna went to intercept her but was brushed away as Nicole kept walking straight toward the exit.
“Was that really necessary?” Judd asked his father, going to stand next to his bed.
“She betrayed us. She made the decision to leave us—that means that this isn’t her place any longer, here with us. You’d do well to remember that, my boy.” The strain of forcing the words he’d had to say took its toll, and Charles’s eyes slid closed again.
A bitter taste flooded Judd’s mouth. Betrayed, yes, like his father had betrayed
the love and trust of his only son by sending him away—banishing him with his mother to another country. Judd couldn’t believe that only an hour ago, he’d been halfway convinced he should forgive his father’s actions. The man didn’t deserve Judd’s compassion, or his forgiveness. Look at how he’d just treated his daughter—banishing her with the same ease he’d banished Judd and his mother so long ago. The concern he’d felt for his father diminished as it was replaced by the old familiar anger, and with it, his resolve to continue on his original course hardened.
Anna straightened up the last of the paperwork she’d been collating and put it in her briefcase, ready to bring home and discuss with Judd this evening. She and Judd took turns at the hospital during the allocated visiting times—today was his turn while she covered at the office.
Charles had slipped into a coma after his admission and things had been touch-and-go over the past five days. If he recovered, it was clear that dialysis would be a regular part of his life from here on in. There was no word yet on when he would be allowed back home, but Anna had already made inquiries with private nursing bureaus to ensure he had the care he would need when, God willing, that eventually happened.
While Judd went through the motions of visiting with his father, Anna was certain there was a new distance now between son and father. Something had happened on the day Charles was admitted to hospital, which had created an intangible wall between them. Judd wouldn’t be drawn on the subject and Nicole had also retreated back behind her curtain of silence. Well, there was nothing for it but to be there if they needed her, Anna had decided and, as far as Judd was concerned, being where she was needed meant that she was in his bed at night and by his side during the day.
Rain swiped at her windscreen as she drove home. It was already dark and she was bone weary as she pulled her car into the multicar garage at the back of the house. What she needed most right now was a long, relaxing soak in the bath, followed by dinner and maybe a good movie. She wondered if Judd would be up for that, too. A bath together would be just the distraction they both deserved after the past working week. She already could feel herself relaxing by increments as she imagined it.
Anna felt the difference in the house the moment she set foot inside. It wasn’t anything she could immediately put her finger on, but something had changed and it was more than the fact that the hall flowers were arranged on the left-hand side of the hall table, rather than the middle where they normally stood.
She made her way to the front of the house and the main stairs but her feet arrested on the tiled surface of the lobby as a vaguely familiar voice greeted her from halfway up the stairs.
“I should have known you’d be living here,” Cynthia drawled with an expression of distaste on her elegant features.
“Cynthia? I didn’t know you were coming,” Anna managed through lips that felt stiff with shock.
“I’m sure Judd doesn’t find it necessary to tell you everything, my dear,” Cynthia replied as she continued down the stairs and came to a halt one step up from the bottom—a position that continued to force Anna to look up at her.
“I trust Mrs. Evans has made you comfortable.”
“Mrs. Evans? Oh, yes, that housekeeper. She’ll have to go when I’m back here permanently, you know. No idea of etiquette whatsoever.”
“What do you mean, when you’re here permanently?”
“When my ex-husband dies, of course. I came as soon as I heard he was ill. So sad for you all, but only to be expected.”
“Charles is improving every day. I don’t know where you got the idea that he’s dying,” Anna replied staunchly. “And I’m not that certain he would like you under his roof.”
“I think you’re forgetting a vitally important point,” Cynthia said with a smile that was as cold as the expression in her eyes.
“And what would that be?” Anna asked, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck rise in response to the woman’s attitude.
“That this is Judd’s house now and, very soon, he’ll be giving it to me.”
With that, Cynthia swept past Anna in the direction of the salon. All thoughts of a relaxing bath now banished from her mind, Anna went upstairs to her room to change and try and clear her head. Of course the house was now Judd’s. How could she have forgotten that? Had he planned to install his mother back in here all along? And what of Charles? What would happen to him when he was well enough to come out of the hospital?
She rushed through a shower and changed into a more comfortable pair of wide-legged black trousers and a long-sleeved tunic top, also in black but chased with silver threads that broke the starkness of the garment. Once she was dressed and had reapplied her makeup, she felt better able to cope with the perfectly coiffed woman who was downstairs. During her shower she’d all but talked herself into believing that Cynthia was sadly mistaken and that Judd transferring the property into her name was a possibility so remote it was laughable.
But a tightening low down in her gut told her it was entirely possible. The doubts that she’d had for the past few days surged up to remind her of what Judd had told her about his mother’s obsession with Masters’ Rise.
Anna drew in a deep breath and tried to summon the courage she knew she’d need to face Cynthia downstairs. No, it was no good. No amount of breathing would make her feel right about this. She’d just have to haul on her big-girl panties and get it over with. She descended the stairs with a knot in her stomach the size of a boulder, and headed for the salon. Inside, Cynthia sat upon one of the love seats, a glass of wine in her hand and a disapproving look upon her face.
“I’ll need to do quite a bit of upgrading,” she commented. “Charles has really let this place slide.”
Anna felt her back stiffen in response. Not only had Charles done everything but let the place slide, Anna’s mother had enjoyed a free hand in redecorating and refurbishing as and when required.
“It’s a home,” Anna answered carefully. “Charles felt it was important that we be comfortable.”
“Well, you’ve certainly been comfortable here, haven’t you? I imagine it was quite the come up in ranks from where you and your mother used to live. Tell me, how is dear Donna these days?”
“My mother passed away several years ago,” Anna responded uncomfortably. She’d bet Cynthia never called Donna Garrick “dear” anything to her face the whole time she’d known her.
“I am sorry to hear that.” Cynthia took a sip of her wine before continuing, “And yet, you’re still here. Why is that?”
“Charles said it was to be my home for as long as I wanted.”
“But it’s no longer his place to offer you that roof over your head.” Cynthia shook her head, an expression of sympathy on her face that looked as false as the tone of her voice. “I’d suggest you begin looking elsewhere for your accommodation, although I doubt you’ll be as lucky as to find anyone as…accommodating as Charles.”
“I really don’t think it’s quite your place to suggest where I should be living,” Anna snapped back, suddenly angry where before she’d only felt apprehension. “Judd wouldn’t dream of putting me out from under his roof.”
“Ah, so the kitten has claws. How charming.” Cynthia laughed—the sound grating along Anna’s last nerve. “Although you may not feel quite so inclined to leap to Judd’s defense when you understand what Judd’s plan was all along. Ask yourself, with everything he has in Adelaide, why else would he have come back if not for some well-aimed revenge? It’s not as if Charles was ever a father to him.
“You look shocked. Poor dear, I suppose Judd has taken you to his bed and now you’ve gone and fallen in love with him.” Cynthia shook her head and tsked softly. “He’s only using you, you know. Despite everything, Judd’s a lot like Charles. He won’t marry you. Do you really think you’re worthy of a place like this when your m
other never was? Like father like son, like mother like daughter. My son will ask you to leave soon enough. Wouldn’t you rather save face and go before that happens?”
Anna reeled under the onslaught of Cynthia’s words. “Judd wouldn’t do that,” she said woodenly.
Or would he? Her fingers curled in her palms, her nails biting into the skin—the pain an offset to the pain that now squeezed her heart tight. She really didn’t know Judd Wilson beyond what he’d presented to her. She knew he was determined and had an edge of ruthlessness lingering beneath the surface at all times. Could Cynthia’s words be the truth? She didn’t want to believe it. She loved him. He wasn’t that kind of man.
Anna felt an arctic chill shiver through her body. Despite her instinct to protest Cynthia’s words, they held all too much of a ring of truth about them. The older woman had given voice to Anna’s greatest fear—that she would never have the wholehearted love of the man she loved in return.
Thirteen
Judd was exhausted as he got out of his car and climbed the front steps into the house. Funny how it had so rapidly begun to feel like home, he realized, when before it had always been nothing more than something to be acquired and used. Perhaps it was the thought of the woman waiting inside for him. He knew Anna had already left the office and would be waiting for his report on Charles’s condition.
He felt like a hypocrite attending the old man at the hospital, but today hadn’t been a good one for his father, with his health deteriorating further. Even unconscious, Charles didn’t make a good patient. In fact, Judd suspected the word “patient” was totally lacking in his vocabulary. Still, he’d seemed more settled when Judd had left him.
It had been a tough day all around, really. He’d battled with his decision to go ahead and test the waters with Nate Hunter but, in the face of Charles’s treatment of Nicole at the hospital, eventually he’d decided to go ahead. He’d spent the better part of the morning trying to set up a meeting with Hunter, but the man was as elusive as quicksilver. Judd hadn’t wanted to leave a message with Nate’s staff—all too aware that Nicole could easily intercept it and somehow block him reaching the other man altogether. Maybe tomorrow would see success.
The Wayward Son Page 14