“That’s his loss, and my gain. I’m sorry you went through all that sadness and misery. I wish I could have kept you from it somehow.”
“You’re my reward for all that pain. I truly believe that.”
He leaned close, kissed her mouth.
“Go back to sleep now. You need a lot of rest. I’ll be here when you wake again.”
“Promise me?”
“I promise.”
She drifted into a soothing slumber while Taury hummed a gentle tune.
This time her dreams came sweetly, with visions of a mountaintop sanctuary where they could hide away from their controlling families and all the cruelties of the world.
FOURTEEN
The bottom fell out of the sky and it rained for days on end. Fawn began to stir from her bed, and to shower, and shave – little things that made her feel human again.
Taury remained by her side night and day; catering to her every need and whim. He brought her delectable dinners from the fanciest restaurants, and special chocolates from the factory. He gave her back rubs and foot massages. He sang to her and cuddled her, never expecting anything in return, though she couldn’t help but offer him her hands and mouth to satisfy his own needs now and then.
Her parents were in a hotel down the street. Taury refused to let them hassle Fawn with their troubles until she was strong enough. What troubles that might be haunted her. They’d never been very forthcoming about things they considered ‘their’ business, meaning anything to do with finances or their relationship.
“Do you want me to see them, Fawn?” Taury asked her as they curled up together on her bed. The nurses had scolded him about sleeping with her, fearing he might pull out an IV or something but he was paying their salaries – his company owned the Cambridge Private Hospital - so they didn’t protest too much.
“Oh, no, I can handle it. I only wish I knew what your mother … I mean Elizabeth … had up her sleeve.”
“Whatever it is, I won’t let her use it against them, or us! I swear she’s like one of those evil Disney characters, the queen in Snow White or Cruella deVille!”
His cell phone whirred, causing a tickle on Fawn’s hip. He answered it.
“Yes.” He paused for a long time, listening to a frantic male voice on the other end. Fawn watched as a dark frown replaced his smile. “Fine. Calm down! I’ll be there as soon as I can. They can’t sell it without my blessing, and I’ll never give it to them!”
He flipped the phone shut, heaved a bothered sigh.
“What’s wrong, Taury?”
He climbed up off the bed, began to slip on his shoes.
“All hell seems to be breaking loose at work! Apparently Harper has gone in with that jerk Allen Ainsworth! They’ve finagled a deal with a private equity group to buy my company! I don’t get her. I thought I could trust her with my life!”
“I told you she was jealous of us. You’re feeling that age old thing called a woman’s scorn. What is a private equity group, anyway?”
“For the most part they’re a bunch of coyotes that buy a company, run it into the ground and sell it off, making a huge profit while causing job losses and bankruptcies! I’d die before I let them get hold of the Trahern Candy Company!”
He threw on a black leather slicker, leaned down for a sweet kiss.
“I hate to leave you. I can’t bear the thought of being without you even for a second. You’ve got your brand on me, Fawn Hamilton.”
“I can’t wait until your brand … Trahern … is on me.”
“Yeah, I’ve thought about bringing a chaplain or some such person up here. The sooner we’re legal, the better. But I want our wedding to be special. I know you don’t want another big show. I don’t like the idea of that, either; maybe a simple ceremony behind the beach house? How does that sound to you?”
“Wonderful!” she sighed. “Just wonderful! Can I start planning it, Taury? I want Stephanie to be there, and the Finches, and the De Paolos. I miss them all so much!”
“So do I! After I straighten out this thing at the company I’m flying you home on the private plane! The doctors be damned!”
His lips found hers again, lingered until she thought she’d swoon.
“I’ll call you later. Love me?”
“Forever!”
“That isn’t long enough,” he whispered, stealing one more kiss. Then he was out the door, and Fawn was alone for the first time since she’d been there.
Afternoon found her flicking the remote towards a wall-mounted TV – the programs full of haughty judges and childish defendants, or brassy baby mamas there to prove which of three guys was the father, or dull, noisy game shows, or movies she’d seen so often she could recite the dialogue. She wanted out of that place, was weary of the waiting and the bleeding and the pills. If only she could go home with Taury to her little bungalow on the hill!
Her phone rang; it was Stephanie.
“Hey, girl! Taury called me, told me what went down. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to keep you company.”
“Oh, you couldn’t have known I’d wind up like this.”
“You don’t sound good, Fawn. Going stir crazy?”
“Yes, I am! I don’t see why I can’t go home!”
“Well, from what little I know about these things, I’d say the doctors are being cautious. Traveling might rip some stitches, right?”
“I suppose. But I didn’t mean to lash out at you. How are you, Steph? Is everything going okay with Tom?”
“I should say so! We got hitched, Fawn! Can you believe it?”
“You’re married? Ha! I’m in shock!”
“Yeah, I know, it’s wild! He took me to London to meet his family, and we got married in a tiny little church near the house he was born in.”
“Sounds romantic.”
“Oh, it was! And, I’ve got some other news … but I kind of hate to throw it at you, seeing what you’ve been through…”
“You’re pregnant! Really?”
“Yep!”
“God, Steph, that’s wonderful! Don’t think you have to hide it from me! I’m thrilled! I can be Auntie Fawn, I hope, and spoil it rotten!”
“Him, it’s a boy. We’re naming him London, after his dad’s hometown.”
“London Cedar. That’s a hell of a name! But I like it!” She paused, she’d been thinking about Taury’s real mother a lot lately, wondering what had happened to her. “Steph, can I ask you something?”
“Sure. What is it?”
“You’re a lawyer, so you know private eyes, right? Some really good ones?”
“I do. I’ve had to use their services plenty of times. Why?”
“I want you to find someone.”
“Who?”
“A maid. She used to work for Taury’s family about twenty two years ago.”
“Do you have a name?”
“Just Inger.”
“And you want to find her because…”
“It’s important, Steph. Could you look into her disappearance, please?”
“Of course. I know someone in San Francisco who is really good at finding skeletons in closets … even when they’re still alive!” She laughed.
“Thanks, Steph! You’re the best!”
“Don’t I know it! Bye, love, as the Brits would say!”
“Bye.”
Fawn sat on the bed, thought about how strange it was that Stephanie could be married and expecting. The two things Fawn truly wished she could be at that moment. She felt a tugging in her heart, and sighed.
“Well, maybe I can be married, anyway. But Taury deserves to have children. I know he’d be such a great father.”
She sighed again, walked to the open window, watched as the miserable rain rushed past her. The sky was charcoal, ripe with threatening storms; it cast a gloom over the city. A strange chill went down her spine.
The door creaked behind her; she turned, hoping it would be Taury, but it was Elizabeth Trahern who entered the room, silently accom
panied by the two guardians, Greg and Henry. She removed a wet raincoat and discarded it on a chair, revealing a neat black pinstriped jacket and hip-hugging skirt. Fawn readjusted the plain blue robe she wore, feeling ugly.
“Well, you look better than the last time I saw you,” the Queen announced. “Where is your rescuer? Moved on to greener pastures?”
“He’s taking care of his business. Isn’t that what you’d want him to be doing?”
“Certainly! Anything to keep him far from you.”
“He loves me, Mrs. Trahern. Why can’t you accept that?”
“For the moment, he does, but once he realizes that you are merely damaged goods, shall we say, then he’ll abandon you, and you’ll have to pay for this hospital stay yourself. I know you’re not poor, but you’re not rich, either. I can help you out with the bills, and more, if you’ll let me.”
“I don’t think you can make me disappear, the way you did Meg and her family.”
“No? Your parents haven’t been to see you yet, have they?”
“What have they got to do with it?”
“Your father is in dire straits. If you leave Taurus, I’ll help him, but if you insist on keeping my son ensnared in your feeble trap…”
“I couldn’t hold him if he didn’t truly love me. I’m not glamorous or beautiful like you.”
“I cannot understand the attraction at all myself. But then I’m not a man. Maybe you have talents that aren’t evident to another woman.”
“Especially not one like you,” Fawn huffed, weary of the insults.
“I have thick skin, Ms. Hamilton. Your lame attempts to wound me do not succeed. I think you should talk to your father. If you care for him at all, you will see that a decision must be made, and quickly.”
“And just where will you send us if we accept your proposal? Will we vanish from the Earth, just as Taury’s real mother did?”
Elizabeth Trahern’s face registered an abrupt, seething scowl. Greg and Henry glanced at each other, surprised.
“I can’t imagine what you mean.”
“Of course you can. You know exactly what I’m saying.”
“And where did you learn this information?”
“From Taury; he’s known about her since his father died.”
“I don’t believe it!”
“How else could I find out?”
“If he knew, why didn’t he tell me? Why hasn’t he tried to find her … or, has he?”
“No, he figured she wasn’t interested in knowing him. And as for why he didn’t discuss it with you, well, maybe he was afraid he’d lose his temper and slap you or something! You certainly deserve it!”
“Little bitch! I took Taurus as my own after my wretched husband had an affair with a maid, of all people! I was horrified, and humiliated, but I took him in, and loved him as if he were mine! Hell, he is mine! I want him to marry someone with class and breeding. Someone who will give me beautiful grandchildren I can be proud of. And no barren little nobody like you is going to take that dream away from me! Just see that you talk to your parents, and give me an answer soon! I’m tired of waiting!”
She snatched up her raincoat and stormed out of the room, followed by her henchmen.
Fawn had stifled her tears until the woman was out of sight – now they streamed from her eyes, and dripped wet shadows over her robe.
She picked up the phone. “Yes, please can you put me through to the Bayview Hotel? Thank you,” she said, wiping the tears with her sleeve. “Yes, hello. Could I speak to Mr. or Mrs. Kent Brennan? Their room number is five twenty two, I believe. Thank you.” She waited. “Mom? It’s me. Yes, we need to talk. Come over, now.” She hung up without further explanation, looked out the window and sighed heavily. “Taury, please come to me! I need you so much!”
She stepped into the bathroom to wash her face and slip on something more attractive. He’d brought her prettier robes but she hadn’t felt like wearing them just yet. Now she was determined to be as strong and confident and attractive as possible. No one was going to control her or get the best of her in any situation ever again!
Her parents arrived about fifteen minutes later, both looking guilty and haggard.
“So, what’s the big secret, Dad?” Fawn asked her father as he sat in the darkest corner of her room. He sipped at a half-empty glass of water while June nervously twiddled her fingers. Fawn examined them as if they were strangers which were what they seemed to be – her parents never let any problem wear them down. They approached things rationally, calmly, without emotion. These two people looked about ready to collapse in utter exhaustion and worry.
“I didn’t want you to know about our situation. It has nothing to do with you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your father made some bad investments, Fawn. We lost our savings. Then he was laid off from his job.” Her mother seemed to be on the edge of a breakdown. “We couldn’t pay the mortgage on my income. The final blow was my losing my job at the real estate office. The house … the house is in foreclosure…”
“My God! Why didn’t you tell me? I have the divorce settlement. I could help you pay the mortgage!”
“You’re going to need that money for property taxes. I’ve heard Malibu has some of the highest in the state. Besides, we couldn’t accept anything from you.”
“Why not, Dad? You paid my way for eighteen years, from birth to high school graduation. Why can’t I help you now?”
“I can’t bring myself to accept charity from my own child. Look, I know I’ve been an ass. And I apologize. I thought ruling your family like a king was what men did. And I’ve come to see Richard Hamilton for what he really is … a complete fool. When he got back to San Diego he had the nerve to hit me up for a loan! He said that young woman conned him out of his divorce settlement, even lied about being pregnant. And he wanted me to fund his new business! But, anyway, I’m sorry I talked you into marrying him. I’m sorry for what he put you through. Most of all, I’m sorry we weren’t there for you when you needed us. But we can’t handle losing everything. If you’ll stop seeing this boy…”
“I’m not seeing a boy. I’m in love with a wonderful man! Taury is my soul-mate! I’d sooner die than be without him. I don’t get why you think it’s okay to take blackmail money and not okay to let me help you instead.”
“I don’t see it as blackmail, Fawn. I fully intend to repay Mrs. Trahern when I’m able.”
“Then borrow it from me, and pay me back!”
“You couldn’t possibly have enough to cover everything we owe! We need more than two million dollars!” June cried. “Just leave the man alone! You’re both young enough to find someone else!”
“We don’t want anyone else!”
“Fawn, please, we almost lost you. The doctors told us that. And I don’t want to upset you. You’re my child. My only child. But if you do this one thing, we’ll help you get over him. We’ll take care of you. Just don’t make us beg.”
Fawn looked at them; they lowered their gazes. She thought of Taury, of what it would be like without him; imagined the loneliness and the misery. Saw herself facing all the mood changes and hot flashes that an early menopause would inflict upon her now, without his cheering her on. He’d talked about it, had done research online. He was more than willing to help her through, to give her ice baths or hold her while she cried or calm her when she raged at the unfairness of it all. How could she survive alone? She needed him, loved him, wanted him to be near her always. But her parents were in trouble. And there was only one way out for them, or so they believed.
“So that’s it? Elizabeth has won?”
“The hell she has!” A lyrical voice shouted from the doorway.
FIFTEEN
Fawn turned to see Taury standing there like a knight in shining leather. He tore off his wet slicker and swept her gently into his arms.
“Were you giving up so easily? I thought you’d at least fight a little to keep me.”
“Son, I can see how much you care about our girl, but I have no other recourse. I’ve told your mother I could pay her back eventually, and I hope to be able to, once I get some strong investments going.”
“I think I have a different option, if you’ll hear me out?”
“I’m listening.”
“You have some shrewd business sense, I know. A man doesn’t lose that simply because he made a bad investment or two. I’ve done some research into your background, Mr. Brennan, and I’d like to hire you to run the Los Angeles office of my company.”
The Brennans glanced at each other, wary. Fawn gasped a little, threw a puzzled smile at Taury.
“You’re not serious?”
“Yes, Mr. Brennan, I am. You see, I’m locked in a tug of war right now with my CEO and my conniving secretary. They think they have enough brownie points … that is, shares … to take over my company and sell it to the Clanton-Laredo Group…”
“That’s a bloodthirsty bunch of raiders! I hope you have your ducks in a row!”
“I thought I did. But I need a new perspective. Would you be willing to step aboard and help me stop them?”
Kent Brennan looked at his wife. She shrugged, nodded her head. He turned to Fawn; she did the same.
“Well, I can try, son, I can’t promise I’ll succeed.”
“That’s all I could ask of anybody. Come with me now, if you will. We’ve got to move fast!”
“Taury, what about me?”
“I wanted to take you home, but the doctor won’t agree to it. He doesn’t want you flying for at least three more weeks. But I’ve found a way to get you out of the hospital, anyway. I have a place just up the coast, in Bodega Bay, a beautiful house near the sea. It reminds me a lot of Connie’s bungalow.”
Connie’s bungalow; oh how she missed that house! She thought of all the times she’d spent there with Connie, and then with Taury. The tears swelled in her eyes; made her sight blurry.
Losing Control Page 9