When Wishes Collide

by Barbara Freethy

  "My parents have a great view of the city from their house. I'll have to show it to you."

  "I'd like that. Growing up the way I did, I was always wishing for a view, something to remind me that there was a better life out there somewhere. That's why I wanted to live on the top floor. Unfortunately, my apartment building is only three stories high."

  "You could go for a skyscraper."

  "Maybe when I win the lottery."

  "Or when you take that job at Vincenzo's?"

  "Don't remind me that I'm in danger of throwing away everything I worked so hard to get."

  "You shouldn't throw it away. Don't let what happened at the restaurant take away everything you've achieved. You've lost too much already."

  "I don't want to let that happen," she said. "I just don't know how to stop it."

  "You have to fight fear, and from what I know about you, I'm sure at some point that will happen. You just need a little time."

  "So tell me about your family," she said, changing the subject. "What are your parents like?"

  "My parents are … what's the right word … adventurers."

  "Really?" she asked, turning in her seat. "That sounds exciting."

  "They're aging hippies," he said. "They met in Haight Ashbury in the late sixties. My father wore his hair in a ponytail and played in a band, and my mother was a tattoo artist."

  "No way," she said in surprise. "And they had you?"

  "What does that mean?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

  "Well, you're a cop, and you seem kind of buttoned up."

  "That's because you've seen me on the job. I can let loose."

  "Okay, if you say so," she said doubtfully.

  "It's true." He paused. "Anyway, my parents grew up on Bob Dylan, flower power, and peace signs. They lived in a commune for a few years before they got married and grew organic produce. My mother even had a cow for a while, and to this day she is very proud of her milking skills."

  "She sounds amazing."

  "She's a character. So is my dad. After his band split up, he became a carpenter. He learned how to build cabinets, and little did he know that his business would become quite lucrative. He went from being a poor hippie to a successful businessman, although he still doesn't like to admit that. My mom eventually left her farming days behind and became a nurse/midwife."

  "Again, she sounds amazing. They both do."

  "It gets better," he continued.

  "How is that possible?"

  He shot her a dry smile. "They volunteer to help at every big catastrophe in the world. They went to New Orleans after Katrina, to Haiti after the earthquake, and right now they're planning a trip to Africa. They're big believers in we're all one family, one community, one planet. I spent a lot of summers building houses in Mexico."

  "Now, I'm impressed by you, too."

  "If that gets me one step closer to gaining your trust, I'll take it."

  "So you have perfect parents."

  "No, they're not perfect. They're nosy. They like to meddle. They're disorganized and always late, especially my mother. She likes to say that life is too short to wear a watch, whatever that means. Oh, and they hug way too much. You can't stop them, so don't even try. Just surrender. It goes quicker that way."

  She smiled, touched by his words. "I can hear the love in your voice."

  "They've been good to me."

  "Tell me about your siblings. Are they just as wonderful?"

  "My oldest brother, Connor, is a curator in a museum. I had no idea he could turn his love of dinosaurs into an actual profession, but somehow he did it. My little sister, Summer, is a dancer. And when she isn't on stage, she teaches ballet to first graders."

  "And then there's you," she said. "The cop."

  "Odd man out, not a creative bone in my body," he said.

  "What did your hippie parents think of you becoming a police officer?"

  "My father was horrified. Like you, he doesn't have fond memories of the police force. He got arrested at several protests, and he doesn't like authority figures."

  "But you did it anyway."

  "It's what I wanted to do. And my parents always have been big believers in following your heart. So even though my heart took me to a job they don't particularly like, they still support me."

  He had the kind of family she'd always dreamed about, loving, supporting, kind, and generous. "You're lucky," she said. As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized her mistake. "I mean, you're lucky that you have good parents and that you grew up in a loving home. Obviously, your current situation is not so great."

  "Not even close to great. But that's going to change."

  Wyatt fell silent as they exited the bridge and merged into the traffic heading north into Berkeley. They got off the freeway and drove up a very crowded University Avenue. While the nearby college was only in summer session, there were throngs of young people strolling the streets.

  Leaving the city behind, they made their way up the narrow and winding hills behind the university, eventually stopping at the end of a long drive, behind four other cars. Beyond the drive, she could see a huge Mediterranean style house with peach-colored stucco and a red tile roof. There was a large front patio, a garden full of colorful flowers and several tiers of decks working their way around the house. On one of those decks was a large group of people, who appeared to be dressed up, and as Wyatt turned off the car engine, Adrianna could hear music playing.

  "I thought we were just having dinner with your family," she said.

  "We are having dinner."

  "This is a party," she said pointedly.

  He nodded. "It's my sister's engagement party."

  "Are you serious?" She couldn't believe he was taking her to such an important family event. "Why didn't you tell me?"

  "I didn't think you'd come if you knew."

  "I absolutely wouldn't have come. I don't belong here."

  "You wanted to know more about me. Everyone who knows me is here."

  "I don't think I need to know that much."

  He grinned. "It's too late now. Come on, the sooner we go in, the sooner we can leave."

  "Soon won't be soon enough," she grumbled as she got out of the car.

  Chapter Seven

  Wyatt could feel Adrianna's tension as they headed up the driveway. She might not be happy to be with him, but he liked having her at his side. Family events were always awkward for him these days. No one knew what to say, so they either said too little or too much, just as Adrianna had guessed earlier. Usually, he tried to avoid the family occasions, but this was one event too important to skip. Hopefully, the dinner would serve two purposes. He'd make his dutiful appearance and he'd wipe away any lingering doubts Adrianna might have about helping him.

  "Your parents must be rich," Adrianna said.

  "I told you my dad accidentally made some money."

  "Well, I'd like to accidentally make this much money," she said dryly. As they passed a waiter holding a tray of champagne glasses, Adrianna added, "Do you have a housekeeper?"

  "Well, I don't live here, but my parents do have help. Although, my mother refers to Gloria as her good friend and not her housekeeper. She doesn't like class distinctions."

  "But Gloria still cleans the toilets?"

  "She does," he said with a nod. "But my parents also gave her extra money to pay for her daughter's college tuition. So it seems to all work out."

  "Wyatt." His mother's excited voice broke out over the chatter of the guests on the deck. She ran down the front steps to greet him, her floor-length sundress flowing out behind her. She had dark brown hair that showed no trace of gray today, and her eyes were the same color blue as his. She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed tight. She smelled like peaches, an ingredient in her favorite shampoo. For some reason, the smell made him feel safe, as if home would solve all his problems. But this wasn't his home, he reminded himself. His home was with his daughter.

  "I'm so glad you're h
ere," she said, stepping back to give him a long look. Then she turned her gaze on Adrianna. "And you brought someone."

  There was surprise in her eyes and no wonder. He'd made it clear to her that he had no intention of dating anyone until he had Stephanie back. He suddenly realized the number of questions he was going to have to field regarding Adrianna's presence.

  "This is Adrianna Cavello," he said. "My mother, Daria Randall."

  "It's nice to meet you," Adrianna said, extending her hand.

  "And you, dear," his mother replied. "And we hug around here." She gave Adrianna's stiff body, a quick squeeze. "I hope you don't mind."

  "I already warned her," Wyatt said.

  "I feel like I'm intruding," Adrianna said as his mother released her. "Wyatt did not tell me this was an engagement party."

  "Wyatt has always been full of surprises, but you're not intruding at all. We always have room for one more," Daria replied.

  "Her favorite motto," he said to Adriana.

  "It's true," Daria said, giving them both a big smile. Then her lips turned down into a frown. "You look skinny, Wyatt. Are you eating?"

  "Better now that I met Adrianna. She's a chef."

  As expected, his mother turned to Adrianna with a whole host of questions. As they were talking, he looked around the crowd. His brother Connor was standing with his father and two other men. Connor gave him a wave, but he didn't move. He'd catch up with him later.

  "Wyatt!" His sister squealed and came running across the deck, giving him a great big hug. Summer had light brown hair and the green eyes that matched their father. Today, there was a glowing smile on her face, and who could blame her? She'd put off her wedding for over a year because of Stephanie's disappearance. Finally, she'd given in and set a date, something she'd expressed some guilt about. But while he couldn't go on with his life, she needed to go on with hers, and he completely understood her decision.

  "Thank you for coming," she said.

  "You're welcome. You look happy," he added.

  "I'm so happy," she said, her smile widening. "I have my whole family here, and so does Ron. It's perfect."

  "I'm glad. This is my sister, Summer," he said, introducing her to Adrianna.

  "Congratulations," Adrianna said.

  "Thank you. I'm so glad you could come. Do you mind if I steal Wyatt for a minute. I promise it won't take too long."

  "Uh …" Adrianna sent him a pleading look, but he could hardly deny his sister at her engagement party.

  "I'll take care of Adrianna," his mother said quickly, putting her arm around Adrianna's waist. "We'll get better acquainted. This will be fun."

  "Yes, fun," Adrianna echoed somewhat weakly. "Hurry back."

  "I will." He felt a little guilty for leaving Adrianna so soon, but his sister was dragging him up the stairs and into the house.

  They ended up in Summer's old bedroom. The room still bore the remnants of her youth, the posters of teen stars, the dance trophies and the enormous pile of stuffed animals on the bed. The furry brown bear in front made his gut clench. Summer had given Stephanie the same bear when she was born, and his daughter had loved that bear as if he were her best friend. But she hadn't taken the bear with her. Brown Bear, as Stephanie called him, had been laying on her bed, waiting for her to come home.

  "Wyatt," Summer said, drawing his attention back to her.

  "Sorry, what?"

  "I know tonight is hard for you. I really appreciate you being here."

  "I want you to be happy, Summer."

  "I want you to be happy."

  "I'm working on that."

  "Mom said you had a lead. Is there any news?"

  "Not yet. What did you want to talk to me about?"

  She walked over and closed the door to her room. "I'm nervous, Wyatt. I love Ron. I've known him for four years, and I've wanted to marry him since our first date, but the closer the time comes to actually saying, I do, the more worried I become."

  "Why?" he asked.

  "Because of you and Jen. You were in love, too. You had a fairytale wedding. You left in a carriage with two white horses. It was beautiful."

  "That was Jen's idea -- Jen and her mother," he added with an edge of bitterness. If Jen's mother hadn't spoiled her rotten, maybe she wouldn't have been so used to getting her own way in everything.

  "It was such a perfect day," Summer continued. "And your first year was good, too, and then everything changed. What if that happens to Ron and me? What if we wake up one day and we hate each other? I don't want to go through that kind of pain. I'm afraid."

  "That won't happen."

  "You didn't think it would happen to you."

  He couldn't argue with that logic. "No, I didn't think it would go down that way," he admitted. "But love is a risk. No one knows what will happen. You put your heart on the line and hope no one breaks it. I don't think you have anything to worry about."

  "Ron is wonderful. He treats me well, and he gets me."

  "Then marry him. And stop thinking about my disaster of a marriage. You've got a great example right in front of you."

  "Mom and Dad are still crazy about each other," she agreed.

  "Still crazy in every way," he said with a grin.

  "That's true." Her eyes clouded with tears. "I wanted Stephanie to be my flower girl, Wyatt. I had a dress all picked out for her. I couldn't ask anyone else to do it. And it's killing me that she's not going to be there. I love that kid. And part of me thinks it's wrong for me to have this wedding. I should wait."

  He drew in a breath. "I appreciate the sentiment, but you've waited long enough. And there's still a chance I'll have her back before the wedding. We have a month."

  She put her hand on his arm. "I really hope so. I'm sorry if I shouldn't have mentione Stephanie. I never know if I should talk about her or not."

  "You can always talk about her. I wish she could be here, too."

  "I didn’t think it would take this long to get her back. I thought Jen would change her mind, or if she didn't, that you'd find them."

  "That's still going to happen. We should get you back to the party." He held open the door for her.

  As she walked through it, she said, "So who's the woman you brought with you?"

  "She's a … friend," he said. The word wasn't quite right. There was a connection between them that was more personal, more tense, but he couldn't explain that to his sister.

  "She's beautiful with all that hair. Like a woman in an Italian painting."

  When he didn't reply, Summer gave him a pointed look. "Don't tell me you haven't noticed."

  "I've noticed."

  "It's nice to see you with someone."

  "Don't make any assumptions. She's just a friend," he repeated.

  "Sometimes that's a good way to start," Summer said, a sparkle in her eye.

  He knew he wasn't going to talk her out of anything, so he simply shrugged.

  "You better go find Adrianna before Mom tells her all your dark secrets," Summer added as they walked down the stairs. "Or Mom starts showing her pictures from your childhood."

  He nodded, then stopped abruptly as he saw Mandy enter the house.

  Summer followed his gaze. "I'm sorry if she brings back bad memories, but she's dating Ron's best man. I had to invite her. And she's apologize to the family a number of times for not believing you right away."

  "It's not a problem. I'd like to talk to her again."

  "Really? Can it wait?"

  "Don't worry. I'm not going to get into a fight with her."

  "You know, it's fine if that happens. Whatever it takes to bring our girl home is okay with me."

  "Thanks." As his sister walked away, he jogged down the stairs, catching up with Mandy in the living room. A short, busty redhead, Mandy had always been one of his favorites among Jen's friends. But their friendship had changed when Mandy had taken Jen's side.

  Mandy stiffened when she saw him, but she held her ground. "Hello, Wyatt."

 
"Mandy," he said. "We could exchange polite conversation, but all I really want to ask you is if you've heard from Jen."

  "You know I haven't," she said. "If she'd gotten in contact with me, I would have told you. I know now the things she said about you were lies. I'm sorry I ever doubted you. I didn't realize that Jen could be so devious or manipulative. And I never imagined that she could stay hidden so long."

  "She has to have had help," he said.

  "Her parents swear they don't know where she is. They're still friends with my folks. It came up again last Christmas."

  Her answer jived with his investigation, so he let it go. "Right now I'm more interested in locating another woman about Jen's age. She has two kids, a boy about eleven or twelve and a girl about nine. The boy's name is Ben. Does that ring any bells?"

  "I'm sorry, it doesn't," she said slowly. "Do you have some new information?"

  He wouldn't tell her if he did, because he still didn't trust her. "I'm just following some leads."

  "Maybe it's a new friend. Most people gave up on Jen after you won custody and she disappeared. No one wanted to get involved with her."

  "It's possible that it's someone new," he said. "But what about someone further back in the past – maybe from high school?"

  "That was a long time ago, Wyatt. I went away to college in another state. I didn't keep up with everyone."

  "Just think, Mandy. It's important."

  Mandy stared back at him for a long minute. "The only person I can think of is Rebecca Mooney. She has a boy and a girl and lives in San Francisco somewhere, but I don't think she and Jen have been friends in years."

  "That name wasn’t on anyone's list of Jen's friends." He'd been in contact with every person he'd ever heard Jen mention.

  "I don't know if they've seen each other since high school. But she has a boy and a girl. I don’t know the boy's name."