by Lori Ryan
“There are videos. Sex videos.” He ran his hand through his hair. “God, I shouldn’t be telling you all this.” He felt her hand on his arm and he glanced down.
“Jake.”
Her eyes were soft as she met his gaze. “You know I would never say anything.”
“I know.” And he did. “I just don’t want to burden you with keeping the secret. I want to get this all taken care of without any of this coming out. It won’t be good for his career, but it would also hurt his wife, Hannah, and even Cassie, the woman threatening to release it.”
“You’re trying to protect this woman who made a sex video with him? With a married man?”
“I know, it sounds weird, but I honestly think Cassie is almost as much a victim here as Hannah. Yes, she’s sleeping with a married man and she videotaped it, but…”
How could he explain this without sounding batshit crazy?
Jake shook his head in frustration. “I didn’t realize Cassie and Todd were having an affair all this time, but I knew her when they dated years ago, before he was married. She was an intern in the office. He never should have been with her.”
He noticed Lina staring at him intently, no judgment, just concern.
“Cassie stayed in politics,” Jake continued, “she works for a trade association now. It turns out, she and Todd have been together throughout his whole marriage to Hannah. I have a feeling Cassie’s in love with Todd. He’s been stringing her along. I think she’s really hurting and angry.”
“And she never fell out of love with him? Not even when he fell in love with politics and power?”
“Something like that.”
“Men,” she said, shaking her head.
“Hey, we’re not all like that. I’m trying to help her, and Hannah.”
“Again, why would you help this Cassie person?”
“Look at the American political system. From the White House down to local governments, sexual scandals destroy the women involved while many of the men keep going strong. I don’t want to see that happen to them. Cassie might not be smart when it comes to Todd, but she’s actually good at what she does.”
“You’re working for him, Jake. You’re basically saying it’s okay for him to do these things.”
“It’s not, I know that. I keep thinking I can get this legislation passed and then I can leave. And maybe I can resolve this issue with Cassie in a way that lets Cassie and Hannah both walk away without ending up with reporters chasing them and printing God knows what about them for months.”
He rubbed a hand over the tense muscles at the back of his neck and he felt Lina move closer.
“If my daughter was in this position,” he said, “I’d want someone to stop her from acting out in anger. Todd’s taken advantage of Cassie enough. She doesn’t need the added damage that this could do to her career and reputation if she goes through with her threat to release the tapes.”
If Jake didn’t have a daughter now, he wasn’t sure how he would feel about Cassie Huntley. Discovering he had a daughter had opened his eyes.
Cassie was someone’s daughter, and he thought about what he would want someone in his shoes to do if Cassie were Becca. He’d stopped thinking of Cassandra Huntley as a vindictive psychopath looking for money in exchange for a sex tape. She was someone who’d been used by a powerful man and that abuse had made her desperate. Yes, her actions were deplorable, and criminal, but her desperation was understandable. Above all else, Jake had a feeling she still loved Todd and was genuinely hurting. And for that Jake truly was sorry.
“I’ll go with you to the fundraiser,” Lina said softly.
“You will?” He hadn’t thought it was possible. He thought she wouldn’t forgive him for trying to cover up the affair Todd was having.
“What about Becca? Will she be coming?”
“Phoebe and Steven will be coming back with us so she can stay with them for the night.”
“Oh, that reminds me.” She pulled from his hold. “I promised Phoebe I would show her Wellspring Personal Care Home. Hopefully she can find something like it in California.”
Jake stepped closer and pulled her into his chest again. “You both surprise and amaze me, Ms. Bianchi.”
She drew back her head. “Why?”
He smiled, leaning down to press a light kiss against her lips. She didn’t protest and he deepened the kiss. Slowly he pulled away, reluctantly, staring down at that Italian mouth he was growing addicted to.
“Why?” she asked again.
His brows furrowed. “Why what?”
She laughed. “Why do I surprise and amaze you, Mr. Sumner?”
“You mean, apart from that delectable Italian mouth of yours?”
“Yeah, apart from that.”
He took a moment to study her beautiful face. She really had no idea how incredible she was. “Lina, you have the power to effect change and you don’t even realize it. In so many ways.”
“What do you mean?”
“I can’t explain it,” he said, sad that he couldn’t. He wanted her to see it, but he didn’t know how to show her. “Have you seen your video?”
She shook her head. “I hate listening to my own voice.”
“Watch the video and you’ll see what I mean.”
Her nose scrunched and her brows drew together.
Unable to resist, he leaned down and kissed her nose, then her cheeks, and finally her lips.
“So you’ll come with me?” he asked. “To California.”
“I don’t have anything to wear to the benefit,” she said.
“Leave that to me.” He held his breath while she studied him for several heartbeats.
“I said I will,” she said. “But you can’t fall in love with me when you see me all dressed up.” She laughed nervously.
He stared at her, her gaze seeming to trap him, unable to promise he wouldn’t do something that might have already happened.
“Jake,” she said, her eyes darting between his. “I was just kidding.”
He leaned in, pressing his mouth to hers to stop her from saying more. She might be kidding, but he wasn’t.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Lina pulled her car to a stop in front of Wellspring Personal Care Home. It had taken a couple of days to arrange the visit for Phoebe and Steven.
“Here we are,” Lina said, cutting off the engine.
“Where the hell are we?” Steven Howard asked from the back seat.
“Grandpa,” Becca said, unbuckling herself from her booster seat, before getting her grandfather’s buckle undone, “that’s a bad word. You owe me a dollar.”
Lina watched in the rearview mirror with amusement as Mr. Howard pulled his wallet from his back pocket and fished out money with no protest. “Sorry, Sunshine,” he said.
Lina’s gaze turned to Phoebe who was staring back at her husband of over forty-five years, her eyes brimming with tears. Lina slid her hand to Phoebe’s and gave a squeeze. She couldn’t imagine the pain of seeing a loved one slip away like this.
Phoebe glanced over at her and smiled. “He forgets so many things, but he never forgets his precious Rebecca,” Phoebe said. “Sometimes he calls her Jenni but Becca never corrects him. It’s as if she knows.” Phoebe swallowed hard before offering a bracing smile. “Well, shall we?”
Before Lina could answer, Phoebe’s hand was on the door and she was quickly moving out of the car.
Lina stepped out and opened the back door, helping Steven to his feet.
“You sure are a pretty little thing,” he said with a genuine smile. “I know I should probably know who you are but I’m sorry, I don’t.”
Lina’s heart pinched with sadness at the confusion in the man’s eyes. She’d met some of the patients here at Wellspring who suffered from Alzheimer’s and dementia. They lost a little more of themselves every day, and sometimes they knew it was happening. Today was one of those days for Steven. He knew he was losing the battle.
Phoebe had shared
a little of their history. They’d had their daughter, Jenni, later in life. Just like Becca was now, Jenni had been their biggest joy. She could tell from the emotion in Phoebe’s stories that losing Jenni had nearly broken her. It probably would have if they hadn’t had Becca. And she heard the concern in her voice when she talked about Jake. The fear that he might take their granddaughter away from them was probably never far from her mind.
Lina looked up to see Felicity Davidson, owner of the home, waving from the front door.
“Welcome, welcome,” Felicity called. “Come on in.”
Felicity was in her late forties and had two daughters. Her husband, Gerry, and she had started their family early, unlike Phoebe and Steven. Felicity and Gerry were empty nesters now, both their daughters attending colleges in Colorado. Felicity said the girls visited often but now she got to spoil her residents every day, and that suited her just fine.
“Hey, Felicity,” Lina said, making her way up the sidewalk. “Thanks for showing us around.”
“Of course, of course.” Felicity opened her arms wide in a welcoming invitation as she held the door for them.
Lina stepped forward and hugged the woman who was a nearly a foot shorter than her. Felicity’s flaming red hair was pulled back in a long ponytail, streaks of grey threading through the mass.
“Becca,” Felicity squealed, releasing Lina and squatting to scoop up Becca.
“You know my granddaughter?” Phoebe asked.
Phoebe was dressed impeccably, again. Something Lina had discovered was the case most days. At first Lina had thought she was a little snobbish but she was wrong. Phoebe came from money, was used to the finer things, but she couldn’t be more caring and genuine.
“Oh yes,” Felicity said, bouncing Becca on her hip. “Becca has come several times with Lina.”
“I told you, Grammy,” Becca said.
“Yes,” Phoebe said, rubbing her head as if she had a headache, “yes, you did. I’m sorry dear.”
Felicity dropped Becca and held out her hand. “I’m Felicity Davidson, and this is Wellspring.”
The two-story house was painted a light, but bright, yellow with navy shutters and trim. A wide porch boasted large flower baskets and the front path was lined with flower beds on either side.
“Your landscaping is beautiful,” Phoebe said.
“Oh, thank you. We have a local troop of boy scouts and girl scouts that volunteer, but the residents do just as much work.”
“The residents garden?”
“Oh yes,” Felicity smiled. “You should see the backyard. It’s an excellent form of therapy for all of us. Who doesn’t like getting their hands dirty? Right?” She bent down and tickled Becca.
“I do, I do.” Becca bounced on her toes.
Lina felt her phone buzz in her pocket with another incoming email but ignored the intrusion. She really needed to change her settings.
Somehow her email had been leaked to the public after her video went viral. Several bloggers had contacted her to see if they could interview her on their sites. There were podcasts who wanted her on their shows and one group had even offered her a job. The entire thing was surreal. She’d never really seen herself as a spokesperson per se, but it seemed she’d taken on the role.
Setting aside the thoughts of what the future might hold, she turned and smiled at Steven, hoping he would feel the warmth and welcome of the home Felicity had created. “Felicity, this is Steven Howard, Becca’s grandfather.”
“Hello, Steven, I’m Felicity Davidson. It’s so nice to meet you.” Lina noted that Felicity didn’t try to touch Steven, something that could upset an Alzheimer’s patient. Instead she stood back and ushered them through the front door.
“It’s a lovely home,” Phoebe said, walking in behind them.
“It really is,” Lina agreed.
“Oh, thank you,” Felicity said. “It was my mother-in-law’s home originally. When she passed away six years ago, my husband and I converted it into a personal care home. We cared for her in this home until she passed away. I’ve worked with the senior population most of my professional life,” she said, wandering through this house.
“This is the kitchen.” Felicity pointed to the vast open-air room. “We try to make our home a smooth transition for residents so they’re free to roam throughout the house. Of course we have safety procedures in place for those who need them, especially in the kitchen, but we try to give residents as much freedom as we can.”
“What kind of experience do you have?” Phoebe asked.
Lina noted the hint of skepticism in Phoebe’s voice but took it for what it probably was; caution. If Lina were looking for a facility for her loved one she’d be just as careful.
“Oh, my goodness, I’m sorry, hun,” Felicity said, turning to face them. “I should have said. I’m a registered nurse, specializing in geriatric care.”
“I didn’t know there was such a specialty,” Phoebe said.
“Oh yes,” Felicity nodded. “It’s a thriving, ever growing specialty. I also have my masters in geriatric social work. I love working with residents and their family members, helping them through all the mental, physical, and emotional stages of life.”
“My goodness, that’s a lot of education,” Phoebe said.
Felicity smiled. “I love what I do.”
Phoebe glanced around the bright, cheery room. “It definitely shows.”
“Grandpa,” Becca pulled on her grandfather’s hand, “do you want to do a puzzle? Ms. Felicity has a bunch of them and I’m really good.”
“Of course,” he said, taking his granddaughter’s hand.
“Ms. Felicity may I show my grandpa the puzzles?”
“Sure, sweetie,” Felicity smiled. “They’re in the bottom drawer under the TV stand, you remember.”
Becca nodded and bounced off, tugging her grandfather behind her.
“She’s adorable. And smart as a whip,” Felicity said. “I can tell she means a lot to Steven. Having her nearby is good for him.”
Lina watched as Phoebe stared after the two.
Phoebe’s eyes didn’t leave her husband as she spoke. “He loves her so much. Losing our daughter was so hard on him. I don’t know if either of us would have survived without Becca.”
“Oh my goodness, I had no idea you’d lost a daughter. I’m so sorry.” Felicity put a hand on Phoebe’s arm and Lina was surprised when the older woman clutched Felicity’s hand with her own, squeezing it tight. In that moment Lina wondered if Phoebe had anyone she’d ever been able to lean on through all of this. She’d been so busy caring for her husband and granddaughter, Phoebe Howard had probably been forgotten.
“Did Steven’s Alzheimer’s symptoms get worse after you lost your daughter?” Felicity asked.
“Not at first,” Phoebe said, “but almost exponentially as the weeks and months went by, it became evident the disease was progressing at a much faster rate than any of us had anticipated.”
Felicity nodded. “That can happen. Stresses of any kind can be traumatic on Alzheimer’s patients. I will also warn you that moves are not easy, either. So wherever you place Steven, you’ll need to prepare for that.”
Phoebe drew in a deep breath and sighed heavily.
Felicity’s smile fell. “I’m very sorry, Phoebe. I know how difficult this is for you.”
Phoebe’s lips went white as she pinched them together, obviously trying to hold in her emotions.
“Why don’t you show her the garden?” Lina suggested.
“Oh yes, the garden.” Felicity smiled and clapped her hands.
Lina followed after the women as Felicity led them through the living room. Two other residents sat on the couch, one watching Jeopardy and screaming out answers—usually wrong—the other working the puzzle with Becca and Steven.
“How many residents do you have here?” Phoebe asked as they walked out onto the back porch.
“We’re licensed for six but I have a limit of five per facility.
”
“You have others?”
“We’re about to open another one a few streets down that will be strictly for Alzheimer’s patients. Their needs are so much different and the level of care more intense than others.”
“Yes,” Phoebe nodded. “And costlier too, I’ve discovered.”
“That’s one of the beauties of personal care homes,” Felicity said. “We don’t have the overhead of some of the larger facilities, or the bureaucracy. We can keep costs low. Believe me, I worked years in those larger places. I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t.”
“What doesn’t?” Phoebe said.
“Having a lot of managers in the middle. Here at Wellspring, we maintain a direct link between me and the nurses and caregivers. We have open communication and constant feedback back and forth from the top down and back up.”
Phoebe walked down the steps into the vibrant garden in the backyard. “This is beautiful. It reminds me of Valerie’s garden at the lodge.”
Felicity smiled. “Oh yes, Valerie and I share a lot of trade secrets when it comes to gardening. Our residents are heavily involved, like I said. Getting them outdoors really helps with cognitive stimulation. And it offers a wonderful form of exercise without being too formal or intense.”
“It’s very relaxing and peaceful here,” Phoebe said. “I must admit, I was never really much of a gardener.”
“Well, that’s okay,” Felicity said. “There are other therapeutic things we’re incorporating in the new facility.”
“Like what?”
Lina listened intently, learning more, absorbing what she could. This was what she loved, interacting with her community, listening to the needs of people and trying to help where she could.
“Well,” Felicity said, “a lot of children and grandchildren who are caring for their loved ones have small kiddos of their own. Sometimes those little ones running around can be very stressful for the residents, but we want to encourage all the family members to visit.”
Phoebe nodded. “I can imagine.” Lina noticed she swallowed hard and wondered if she was thinking about losing her own daughter. Who would care for Phoebe if she needed help in the future?