by Lisa Harris
Richard Abbott leaned back in his leather office chair and struggled to loosen his designer tie. How had it come to this? Thirty-five years ago he’d been one of hundreds of ambitious Yale graduates with an empty bank account and a suitcase of dreams. Today he was the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. The Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, and even The New York Times had declared him one of America’s leading businessmen.
Now he faced the threat of indictment, while questions were being whispered throughout office cubicles. He might have $175 million hidden in offshore accounts, but if something didn’t happen quickly his name was about to be trampled across Wall Street as the latest executive to have let the lure of money ruin him. He might deserve prison time, but it wasn’t going to happen if he could help it. Ty Lawrence flashed in his mind. If he went down, he wasn’t going down by himself.
two
“This was a mistake.” Kayla twirled around in front of the full-length mirror and studied the sixth outfit she’d tried on in the past thirty minutes. Normally she loved the semiformal, black and white dress, but today it looked too … too inviting. An impression she certainly couldn’t leave. How could she have ever agreed to see him again?
She turned to her best friend, Jenny, who sat cross-legged on Kayla’s quilt-covered bed for moral support. “So what do you think?”
Jenny flipped one of her bobbed, dark-brown tresses behind her ear and cocked her head. “About the dress or your date with Ty?”
Kayla shot a pointed look, then frowned. This wasn’t a date; it was simply a casual get-together. “Both, I suppose.”
“The dress looks beautiful. It’s the other part of the equation that’s incorrect in my opinion.”
Kayla fell back on the bed and blew out a sharp breath of air. “You sound like a mathematician.”
“I am a mathematician.”
Kayla laughed. “Then you sound like my mother.”
Her mother’s reaction to Ty’s dinner invitation had been received about as well as a case of the measles. This was the one disadvantage of living five minutes from her mother’s house in a small town where everyone assumed everyone else’s business was their own. In Boston, where Sam Peterson ate lunch Sunday after church or who was visiting the Bakers for the Memorial Day weekend wasn’t printed in the Boston Globe. No doubt tomorrow’s leading story of the Farrington Chronicle would be a play-by-play recap of her date with Ty. She could see the headlines now: OLD FLAME STIRS up TROUBLE FOR EX-FIANCéE. Or if nothing else, stirs up unwanted emotions that were better left buried and forgotten.
No doubt about it. Ty Lawrence spelled trouble. All seventy-four inches of his muscular frame … Kayla groaned. If just the thought of his pale blue eyes and square jawline made her pulse race, how was she going to handle him sitting across from her at an intimate table for two?
“Kayla?”
Kayla jerked her head up and caught her friend’s gaze. “Sorry. I was just …” Just what? Daydreaming about the one man she’d vowed to forget?
Jenny frowned. “You need to focus, Kayla, or he’s going to have you wrapped around his little finger by the end of the evening.”
“Never.”
Jenny began pacing the beige carpet of Kayla’s bedroom, her finger tapping the bottom of her chin. “Think of it this way. You’re a top military officer—make that a navy seal—and you’re going in to face the enemy. You have something he wants—”
“Something he wants?” Kayla’s eyes widened.
Jenny stopped in front of the window and quirked her left eyebrow. “He wants you back, doesn’t he?”
“I don’t know that. He told me he just wanted to talk—”
“And you believed him?” Jenny shook her head. “Please, honey. Guys don’t call up their ex-girlfriends just because they want to gossip like a group of old ladies sitting around a pile of quilting squares. Either he’s getting married, or he’s got a plan to win you back.”
“Married?” She hadn’t thought of that scenario.
“Forget the married picture for now. What are you going to do if he makes a move?”
“Don’t you think you’re taking things a bit too far?” Kayla fiddled with the top button of the dress. Any anxiety that had been swirling in her stomach had just escalated a notch or two due to Jenny’s incessant suspicions. Which she had to admit had merit. Dealing with Ty required the precision of a surgeon paired with the intuitive skills of an undercover agent.
Jenny obviously didn’t agree with her assessment of taking things too far. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“It’s just dinner. What could happen?”
“This is serious.”
Kayla blew out a sharp breath. “So what do I wear?”
“The purple dress. It’s pretty while extra conservative. It will make him think about how much he lost without giving him the impression you’re ready to restart your relationship with him.”
Kayla jumped off the bed and pulled the dress from the pile. “Are you sure?”
Jenny let out a short breath. “What’s up with you? I might be the mathematician, but you’re normally the decisive one.”
Decisive until Ty had somehow managed to step back into her life. He’d always left her emotions fluctuating wider than a barometer in a storm. “I’m just nervous.”
“And I suppose I’m not helping.” A sympathetic grin flashed across Jenny’s face. “Listen—you’re right. It’s just dinner. All you need to remember is that when you’re finished you have to tell him you don’t ever want to see him again. Now get moving. You have to leave, or you’re going to be late. Put on that purple dress.”
Kayla held the dress in front of her and cocked her head. “First, remind me again why I broke things off with the most gorgeous guy I’ve ever known. Handsome, considerate, funny—”
“A workaholic, a manipulator, and a liar.” Jenny jumped off the bed and rested her hands on Kayla’s shoulders. “Listen, honey. You did what you knew was right, and nothing has changed since you gave him back your ring.”
Kayla quickly put on the other dress, her heart still heavy with the reminder of what might have been between them if things had been different. “Why couldn’t he have been a Christian? Why did he have to lie to me about that?”
“It will all be over before you know it.” Jenny handed Kayla a lavender beaded necklace from her dresser to go with the outfit. “Let him say whatever it is he has to say; then you can close that chapter of your life forever. One day you’ll find someone ten times better than Ty. Trust me.”
Kayla slipped on the earrings and sighed. “How come your life is so simple and mine’s so complicated?”
Jenny lowered her glance. “My life is simple?”
“You know what I mean.” Kayla turned around and caught her gaze. “You met Greg and fell in love, and before you know it he’ll be asking you to marry him.”
Kayla stood once more in front of the mirror. Jenny had been right. The outfit was perfect. The simple, sleeveless dress almost reached her ankles, but most important it was extremely modest. No need to give him any ideas and make him think she was reconsidering their relationship.
Besides, she didn’t believe in happily ever after anymore. Let Romeo have his Juliet, and Anthony, his Cleopatra. She ran a successful catering business with her mom, had great friends, and a wonderful church home … there simply wasn’t room for Ty in her life again.
Then why did the thought of seeing him make her knees weak and her palms sweat?
Kayla prayed the entire drive through the small town, down the narrow country road toward the club and up its long meandering drive. When she found a parking spot outside that overlooked the town below, she said another prayer for added strength. Keep this line open, Lord. I’m going to need You tonight.
Acres of velvety green lawns and towering pines surrounded the renovated nineteenth-century farmhouse that loomed before her. She walked past rows of flowers toward the front porch where violin music drifted outs
ide, lending an aura of romance to the evening.
A subject that should have been the last thing on her mind tonight.
She brushed the back of her head with her fingers and tried to calm the nervous flutter in her stomach. Jenny had helped her put her shoulder length hair up, leaving a few loose wisps around her face to soften the look. Of course it really didn’t matter what she looked like. She’d listen to what he had to say, and that would be the end of it.
Kayla started up the wide steps, then turned around slowly when she heard a familiar voice call her name. Dressed in khaki slacks and a matching button-down shirt, Ty walked toward her. She drew in a sharp breath.
“If I couldn’t drive you here, the least I can do is escort you up to the restaurant, Kayla.” He said her name like a familiar caress. Her stomach clenched. “You look beautiful. I always loved that dress. You wore it when you met my mom and dad for the first time.”
“I … thank you.” Kayla looked down at the dress. How could she have forgotten something important like that? She should have worn her new navy pantsuit. It had no history of the two of them together.
“You’re not wearing a tie.” In the past Ty had rarely shed his coat and tie because there were few times when he hadn’t been working.
“I told you a few things had changed.” He stuck his hands in his pockets—a nervous habit she remembered from their two years together. Apparently this evening was going to be as nerve-wracking on him as it was on her.
“Shall we go inside?”
Kayla nodded, taking a second peek at his profile. He looked stunning. Dark hair framed a perfectly proportioned face; from the cleft in his chin to the small scar above his left brow to his blue eyes. They were all so … familiar. For a slight second, when he caught her glance, she wanted him to take her in his arms and kiss her.
But that was something she could never do.
“Are you all right?” Ty touched her elbow for a brief second, sending a tremor up her arm.
“Yes.” She stammered, disturbed by the lack of control she had over her emotions. “I’m fine.”
Ty stopped at the top of the stairs. “Not having second thoughts about seeing me, are you?”
Kayla caught the strain in his voice. “Of course not.”
She breathed in deeply and caught a whiff of his cologne. The same cologne she bought him for his thirtieth birthday. Once she had told him it made him irresistible. But not anymore.
Inside the formal entry Kayla glanced toward the Blue Moon’s candlelit tables and guests in their starched attire. Ty had always taken her to the finest restaurants, a detail she’d never felt entirely comfortable with. Her family had always preferred a trip to the beach and a plate of soft-shelled crabs.
“Wait.” Ty reached for her arm but pulled back before touching her. “I thought we might try the smaller, more informal dining area.”
Kayla looked at him with wide eyes.
“You don’t mind, do you?” Ty said quickly. “From what I hear the view is just as stunning, and I thought you might like the casual atmosphere better.”
“That’s fine,” Kayla managed to get out. The Ty she knew would have taken her to the finer restaurant to impress her. On the other hand, he had always been good at portraying the image he wanted, and maybe this was just an act. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—let herself forget who he really was.
Ty guided Kayla toward the smaller restaurant, afraid that her nearness was enough to make him lose his resolve to keep his distance. From the moment he first saw her, it had taken every ounce of determination he could muster to stop himself from pulling her into his arms and kissing her.
After a year he hadn’t forgotten the subtle beauty of her face. But that was not why he had asked to see her tonight. He worked to control his emotions. He could only pray she would accept the one request he had for her tonight. They followed the hostess to an empty table next to the glass walls that overlooked the countryside and in the distance, the town of Farrington.
“Well, here we are.” Ty sat down across from her and pulled his chair toward the table, before clearing his throat. “I hope you don’t mind hamburgers and fries.”
“Not at all. You were right. The view is fabulous.” Kayla bit the edge of her lip. He hated seeing her so uncomfortable, especially knowing he was the reason behind her uneasiness tonight.
“I want to hear all about your business.” He’d decided to start off by keeping the conversation light and impersonal. “And whatever else is going on in your life.”
He caught her glance, and she quickly held up the menu to study it, while tapping her fingers on the table. The waiter interrupted, giving them a moment of reprieve, and took their orders of hamburger and fries.
“Business is good,” Kayla said after they were alone again. “We do some birthdays, retirement parties, weddings, and anniversary dinners, but our main thrust is business dinners for local clients.”
“Sounds like you’ve done well.” He wasn’t surprised at all. Kayla had always excelled in whatever she did, but as a culinary expert she was one of the best. He’d enjoyed more than one home-cooked meal by her while they were together, most of the time while she experimented with different recipes.
Desserts were her specialty. Cheesecake, tortes, sponge cakes, and pies—it was amazing he’d managed to stay in shape while dating her. She’d always had something new for him to try.
“Mom’s the one who has really built up the business.” She pushed a loose strand of ginger-colored hair behind her ear.
“What’s your role?”
Kayla laughed, and his heart melted at her smile. “You name it—I do it. I’m in charge of planning the menus with the clients, but I also do a lot of the cooking and serving.”
“Do you miss teaching?” Ty took a sip of his iced tea, keeping his eyes focused on her.
“Part of me does. I know I made a difference in the lives of the students, but I love what I’m doing now so I can’t complain.”
“You’d be good at whatever you set your mind to.”
Her fingers tapped against the edge of the table. “What about your parents? How are they doing?”
He noted how she avoided his gaze and how she’d changed the subject away from her. “They’re fine. Still living in Florida and enjoying every minute of being retired. The only drawback for me is that I rarely get to see them.”
After ten more minutes of awkward small talk, the waiter placed two hot plates of food in front of them.
“Shall we pray?” he asked.
Kayla glanced at him, a sadness filling her eyes, and a wave of guilt washed over him. While they were dating he had always prayed before they ate. Then she found out the truth that his prayers were nothing more than empty rituals to win her over. How could he convince her that now he prayed to Someone he knew and had an intimate relationship with?
They bowed their heads, and Ty began his prayer. “Lord, I want to thank You for this time Kayla and I have to spend together. I pray that Your name will be glorified in everything we do and say to one another. Thank You also for the food that is set before us. We know that many people around our world don’t have enough to eat. Help us to be grateful for all You have given us. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Kayla took a bite of her burger as he fiddled with a fry and tried to eat. Conversation came in spurts, a far cry from the easy dialogue they used to share. Halfway through he lost his appetite. What he had to tell her tonight wasn’t going to be easy. “I guess there’s no use putting off what I have to say.” Ty put down his fork. “Please let me try to get through this before you respond.”
Kayla folded her hands in front of her and waited for him to continue.
“So much has happened in the past year I don’t even know where to begin.” He clutched his napkin between his fingers. “Maybe someday I will get around to telling you the long version, but for now I’ll just tell you what’s important.
“Eleven months ago Jack committed suici
de.”
“Oh, Ty. I’m sorry.” She leaned forward, her eyes wide with dismay. “I didn’t know. I’d heard there had been an accident—but suicide?”
“You had just broken off our engagement, and I have to tell you it was the lowest point I’ve ever been at in my life.”
He watched her expression soften at the declaration. Friends since the fifth grade, Jack was supposed to have been the best man at their wedding. His death had been the second life-changing event in his life. One, like Kayla, he’d probably never get over.
“I really am sorry, Ty.”
He combed his fingers through his hair. “I started thinking and searching for answers. Things you told me kept going through my head. I never listened to you back then when you talked about God and religion. It was just an act to win you over.”
“You did it very well.” The bitterness was evident in her voice.
“I know.” He couldn’t change the past, but he could at least try to make things right now. “I started spending Saturday afternoons with my grandfather. He’s the only Christian in my family, and I sat with him for hours trying to prove that this belief you have for a man who died for our sins wasn’t true.
“After about two months I quit fighting. I realized I was a sinner. Not only for the way I had treated you, but because I had separated myself from God. From the One who created me.”
Ty paused and looked intently into Kayla’s eyes. “Six months ago I gave my life to Christ, totally and completely.”
The fork she’d been twisting between her fingers clamored against the table. He knew it would take a miracle for her to believe him. He’d played games to get what he wanted and had used religion to win her over. She had no reason to believe him this time.
She tilted her head slightly, and her eyes narrowed. With disbelief? He hoped not. “I … that’s wonderful.”
He held up his hand. “Before you say anything else, I want you to know I understand if you don’t believe me. In the past I’ve lied to you and tricked you. If nothing else, I need to ask you to forgive me. If that is as far as tonight goes, then that’s okay.”