Texas Whirlwind

by Bonnie Blythe

  Stephen arched his brow at her. She returned his look, communicating assent. He slid from his stool and approached her table. The scent of her spicy designer perfume quickened his senses. He held out his hand. “Stephen Collins.”

  Lucy refrained from shaking his hand, but turned her body toward him, giving him an assessing look from her green eyes.

  “My name’s Lucy. Please join me.”

  Stephen mustered his most charming smile and sat opposite her. Step lightly, Collins. She’s not stupid. “I heard you say your parents are celebrating their anniversary.”

  She took a sip from her glass. “Yes.”

  “It’s wonderful to hear they’ve been married so long. That seems rare these days.” He motioned to ‘old Harry’. “I’ll have what the lady is having.” Best to keep a clear head.

  Lucy seemed to consider her response while Harry bustled behind the bar. When he brought him the soda, Stephen took a sip, hating the saccharine sweet taste.

  “Are you married?” she suddenly asked.

  He looked at her in surprise, not expecting such a question. Her gaze seemed troubled. Stephen shook his head, struggling to think two steps ahead.

  He doubted if she was the type to come on to him in such a blatant way and the clouded look in her eyes was probably due to Emma’s new male friend. How best to proceed?

  He cleared his throat. “No, I’m not, though I was recently engaged.”

  Her fascinating eyes widened. Bingo. He schooled his face into a sad expression—reminding himself not to overdo it—and stared into the depths of his Coke.

  She leaned closer. “What happened?”

  He shrugged manfully. “She found someone else better than me. Someone from her past.”

  Lucy gasped. Her manicured fingers reached out to touch his hand, briefly. “I’m so sorry,” she breathed.

  Stephen forced himself to keep the glee out of his voice. This was too easy! He blinked a couple of times and looked at her. “I have to admit, it hurts.”

  “Did you have any idea she was straying?”

  He stared at the ceiling before returning her doe-like gaze. “I guess there were signs, but I must’ve ignored them. Love can make you blind.”

  Stephen caught sight of Harry rolling his eyes. Too thick. Tone it down a bit. But Lucy seemed taken.

  She studied his face, leaning closer. “I know what you’re going through,” she whispered.

  “You do?”

  She nodded.

  “I don’t believe it. Not a girl like you. No man would let you slip through his fingers.”

  Harry coughed. Stephen ignored him.

  Lucy bit her lip and turned away. He watched a blush stain her cheeks as she stared at her hands. Finally, she turned to him.

  “Do you want go talk somewhere? There’s a park across the street and it’s such a beautiful day.”

  “Now, Miss Lucy, I have to object,” Harry said, his eyes sharp. Too sharp.

  “We’re just going to the park, Harry. Don’t worry. I know how to take care of myself.”

  Stephen sent the bartender a bland smile, restraining himself from appearing smug with an effort. He slapped some bills on the bar, enough to cover all the drinks.

  “Don’t worry, Harry. Lucy will be safe with me.”

  ****

  Lucy led the way to the small park, barely aware of the cloudless blue sky, of the palmettos and oaks shading the occasional bench. Her heart beat out an arrhythmic tattoo. This Stephen looked like someone who would listen to her problems. Pride had kept her from admitting to family and friends that she and Travis had split up.

  The anger, the thirst for revenge, the hurt, made her feel she would burst if she didn’t unburden her self to someone. The fact that Stephen appeared to share her misfortune made the temptation irresistible.

  Cicadas buzzed loudly in the still air. A few kids played nearby. She seated herself on a park bench, and looked up at Stephen, who sat next to her. He was fair and handsome in an Ivy League way with his clean cut face and Ralph Lauren attire—though she much preferred Travis’s dark good looks. The thought of Travis made her clench her hands in her lap.

  Stephen touched her shoulder. “Hey, are you okay?”

  Lucy took a deep breath and looked up at him, finding a modicum of ease in the fact that he didn’t know her last name. I just have to tell someone.

  His blue eyes seemed so compassionate. “I...I’m going through the same thing as you.”

  “I’m sorry.” He drew his brows together and suddenly smacked his fist into his other hand. “What makes people think they can treat each other that way?”

  She swallowed. “I wasn’t exactly engaged, but my boyfriend and I had an understanding before—”

  He snorted. “Before she broke it up. Am I right?”

  Lucy nodded, gratified that he understood.

  “What was she like? No wait, let me guess. She was probably blonde and frilly, the kind of female that sees men as playthings.”

  “Yes!” Lucy stared at him, wondering how he hit the nail on the head so squarely. “It almost sounds like you know her.”

  “I only know that my fiancée was that kind of woman. I should’ve known better, should’ve seen through her type. But yeah, she played me like a fiddle until something better came along.” He leaned back, his shoulders slumped.

  Lucy felt tears sting her eyes, disgust for Travis succumbing to Emma’s wiles filling her.

  “Sorry to unload on you,” Stephen said softly. “I’m being selfish. I’d rather hear about you anyway.”

  She smiled at him. “It helps to talk about it, I think.” Lucy stared down at her hands. “And I have to confess that I’ve really struggled with anger.”

  “You and me both,” he said grimly.

  “In fact,” she went on, for the first time voicing her doubts about her Uncle aloud, “I’ve taken some action that might be construed as revenge.” Her hands fluttered. “I know I’m being petty.”

  “Believe me, such thoughts have crossed my mind as well.”

  She took comfort in his easy smile. “You’ll think I’m horrible if I tell you.”

  He stretched his arm along the back of the bench. “Try me.”

  Lucy glanced around the immediate area, terrified someone might overhear. Looking into Stephen’s calm blue eyes erased the last vestiges of worry. She bit her lip before beginning.

  “Travis has fallen for a woman with twin girls. Apparently there are some legal problems with the adoption that have to go to family court where my uncle is a judge” Her words dried up when she noticed a muscle jumping in Stephen’s jaw. “What’s wrong?”

  “Is the woman’s name Emma?” he asked, white-lipped.

  She nodded, horror spreading through her in dawning awareness. “You don’t mean...it can’t be—”

  His eyes looked like ice. “Lucy, we’re being duped by the same woman, and it’s up to us to stop her.”

  16

  The locks of an approaching storm. Thou dirge.

  -Percy Bysshe Shelley

  I wish Travis were here.

  Emma tightened her hands in her lap, regretting that she couldn’t seem to face anything without him. The girls played at her feet while she sat in her lawyer’s office.

  Outside the windows, steady traffic zipped by, the noise muffled by the windows. The office was modern and tidy with a desk, file cabinet, and bookcase, and only a glossy plant in the corner to soften the starkness. Mr. Belling was a perfect occupant with his crisp suit, manicured hands, and perfect hair.

  Except his hair wasn’t so perfect now. His hands mussed it as his exasperation increased over the documents in front of him. He looked up at her, his usual expression of calm confidence crumpled under obvious upset.

  “This is just unbelievable, Miss Hayes. Since they can’t touch the documentation, they’re going after you personally. They’re questioning your ability to care for the girls.”

  “What? Why? It just doesn�
��t make any sense. I don’t even know these people.”

  “The paperwork from their attorney says they saw the twins first and want them now.”

  Emma bit her lip to stop from crying out. “There are so many needy children at the orphanage. I can’t imagine fighting over two of them.”

  “But there are no other twins.”

  “Not that I remember.”

  He tapped his pen on the paperwork. “Apparently they saw the girls on the orphanage website and had their hearts set on them.”

  Tears stung her eyes. “I just can’t comprehend this.”

  “And since the orphanage failed to take the photos down after the girls were unavailable, the couple feels they were misled.”

  Emma closed her eyes. “Will they go after the orphanage itself?”

  “Their attorney hinted that they’re pursuing all options.”

  Emma shook her head. “If the orphanage is sued, it will have to close. All the children there would be homeless again.” She opened her eyes and stared at Mr. Belling. “It’s madness.”

  “Agreed. But they’re also apparently a wealthy, powerful family used to getting their way.” He leaned forward and cleared his throat. “Their attorney approached me first with an offer. They are willing to pay handsomely if you give up your right to the girls.”

  Emma gasped. “There’s no way I’d do such a thing!”

  “I told him that,” he said quickly, “and that’s when he turned up the heat.” Mr. Belling sat back. “From here, we’ll have to see what they’ll do. But don’t be surprised if this gets a whole lot nastier.”

  Emma blew out a disgusted breath. “What kind of judge would hear such a case? Surely they have no legal foundation.”

  “If they try to bring your parenting into question, they might be heard. Obviously they’re prepared to play hardball. There are a couple of family judges in this district” He lowered his gaze.

  “What? Are they not any good? Are you saying there’s a chance that they might rule against me?”

  “The couple will have no evidence, Miss Hayes, but I can’t say for sure if either of the judges would be sympathetic to their request for a hearing.”

  Emma pulled the girls onto her lap. Katrina patted her cheek and Kendra snuggled her face into the hollow of her shoulder. A flood of maternal protectiveness swept over her. I could never give up the girls! She gritted her teeth, hoping, praying, God would never ask for such a thing.

  ****

  Travis glanced at the chart before opening the door. He choked back shock when Emma’s name leapt off the file. The appointment was a follow-up. He knew she’d be in soon, just not exactly when.

  Looks like it’s now. Travis stared blindly at the chart information. Why didn’t Emma call and let me know? He frowned. Why should she let you know? She doesn’t want you interfering in her life, remember?

  He released a deep sigh, frustrated by his feelings. He needed to be professional above all. God, I need help. Give me wisdom in the way I feel about Emma. Help me see Your purpose here. Travis drew in a deep breath, straightened his shoulders, and opened the door.

  Emma sat in the chair, the twins in her lap. She gazed up at him with something in her eyes he couldn’t identify. Fear? Sadness? What’s going on? His heart twisted and his smile felt forced. “Hello, Emma.”

  She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Her face seemed unnaturally pale under the fluorescent lights. Smudges of fatigue shadowed her eyes.

  Something’s wrong. I can feel it. “How are you and the girls today?” he said evenly, while his heart hammered in his chest.

  Katrina and Kendra grinned at him, obviously after some candy. He crouched down and scooped them into his arms. “How ‘bout a hug, little ladies?”

  The girls giggled and hugged him, then wriggled out of his arms. Travis released them and slowly stood. Emma sat, looking down at her hands linked in her lap. He leaned his hip against the examination table and flipped open the chart.

  “The results of the blood work are in. There was presence of a slightly elevated white cell count, but their subsequent fevers show they were fighting something. And they’re a bit anemic.”

  “I have them on that vitamin with iron you prescribed,” she said quietly without looking up.

  “Then they’ve probably improved in that area as well.” He glanced at several forms. “Looks like they’ve gained a little weight, too. Temperatures were a bit high today, but that can be normal for an afternoon reading.”

  She nodded her head in a distracted manner. Travis stifled a stab of impatience. “Dr. Winthrop sent me some information that will help us get the girls up to par, health-wise.”

  Emma wrung her hands, watching the girls with something like wistfulness.

  “Do you have any concerns you’d like to talk over today?”

  Her head snapped up, her blue eyes wide with a drowned look. Travis closed the file and studied her face.

  “About the twins,” he pressed. “Any concerns?”

  Travis looked so tall, so solid and steady. Emma knew she only needed to ask and he’d drop everything to help her. But can I really ask? Do I have the right? What do I have to offer in return? Nebulous excuses of why I don’t want a relationship?

  Emma rummaged in her purse for a list of health questions she had for him. When he’d answered them to her satisfaction, she took a deep breath. “Has your office ever had to turn over medical files to court cases?”

  Travis jerked straight. “Huh?”

  She felt her face flame. “I mean do you have to comply if someone demands records?”

  He blinked and scrutinized her for a moment. “To my knowledge, we’ve never had medical records requested by anyone other than doctors’ offices.” He set the folder on the exam table. “But, I suppose if a district attorney subpoenaed records for a criminal investigation, then we’d have to comply.”

  “What about for non-criminal cases?”

  He sunk his hands into his white coat pockets. “Emma, do you want to tell me what’s going on?”

  Do I want to tell you? Yes! With everything within me, I want your help. But I don’t deserve it.

  Travis glanced at his watch. “I have another appointment in a few minutes, so if you have anything else you’d like to discuss, we should do it now.”

  Emma noted his rigid stature, his unsmiling face—and felt his emotional retreat keenly. She blew out a breath. He’d find out at some point anyway, and might even be more hurt that she hadn’t confided in him.

  She reached down and pulled the girls onto her lap, needing the weight of their little bodies to anchor her. Struggling to clear her mind with the clutter of chaos and details, she looked up at him and steeled herself not to cry.

  “Remember when I got that notification of a suit for the custody of the twins?”

  He nodded, his expression void of emotion.

  “Well, it’s valid. A couple from New York is going after Kendra and Katrina.”

  Travis leaned back hard against the exam table, his mind reeling. “What? Isn’t your adoption final?”

  Emma’s gaze implored him. “Not quite. Technically, I’m still on probation. My attorney thinks they’ll try to take me to court for being an unfit parent.”

  A thousand thoughts whipped through his mind like a tornado. “Do you know these people?”

  She shook her head. “They apparently saw the girls on the orphanage’s website and decided to adopt them—except I already had.”

  “They can’t do that.”

  “They are doing it.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  She glared at him. “I’m going to fight it!”

  He put up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Whoa, I’m on your side, Emma.”

  She blew out a sigh. “I know you are. I...I guess I just wanted you to know in case—”

  “In case the twins’ records are requested?”

  Emma nodded.

  “I don’t thin
k that would happen unless it was a criminal matter, but in case I’m asked, their records state that they’ve only improved under your care. You have nothing to worry about there.” He cleared his throat. “Is there anything I can do to help in the meantime?”

  Her weary smile tore at his heart as she scooted the girls from her lap. “You can pray.”

  “Of course.” If she only knew how much more he wanted to help. But she wouldn’t let him. Of that he was becoming more certain.

  Emma stood and looped the diaper bag strap over her shoulder. She took one each of the girls’ hand. Travis detected worry behind her smile as she led the girls past him into the hall.

  He followed them, watching as they turned the corner to the check-out desk, wondering why she’d been so hesitant and roundabout with him over the custody suit. His tired mind twisted and turned, seeking an answer. Suddenly it hit him. Travis grimaced, whether from pain or anger, he didn’t know.

  What he did know was that Emma had considered telling him nothing at all.

  ****

  Emma gulped. Now I’ve gone and done it. I’ve been trying to push Travis away, and he’s finally got the message. She sat in the van for a moment after the appointment, gripping the steering wheel and clenching her jaw.

  So why do I feel like I’ve just made the biggest mistake of my life? Why do I try so hard to make the right decision, only to have it blow up in my face?

  Kendra let out a holler, jolting Emma from the dark turn of her thoughts. She started the van and headed for home.

  ****

  The phone rang just as Emma got the girls settled for their afternoon nap. She approached the phone, dreading the thought of answering it. Who will it be this time trying to ruin my life?

  The answering machine came on, then she heard the sound of her lawyer’s voice. Emma snatched up the receiver. “Please tell me you have good news, Mr. Belling.”

  A deep sigh on the other end of the line made her heart pound hard.

  “I’m afraid not, Miss Hayes. We have a hearing date.”