“Yes, Sir.”
“Good. Now get out of here and take care of your wife.”
***
Gwen had impeccable timing. The restroom door flung open wide, and she stopped him in his tracks. “I heard you had a pretty tough time in the Americas. Why is it that Pearson assigns all the Europeans to the U.S. and all the Americans to Europe? Anyway, I’m glad you made it back alive, and it looks like in reasonably good form.”
He realized he was silent just a bit too long. “I’m pleased that you’re still alive, too.”
She was perfection in brunette. Her eyes were the color of smoke, her smile like a beacon. His eyes lingered over dangerous curves and then to those long legs that had kicked many an unsuspecting terrorist straight to hell. Perhaps a few had enjoyed a moment in paradise along the way.
Her eyes smoldered. “Maybe we can have a drink when we get in to Salzburg and catch up—celebrate old times.”
He raised his left hand to let the simple gold band speak for itself.
A faint blush came over her exquisite cheek bones. “Well, I guess we’ll have to be—discreet.”
Glori
We stood at floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the foothills of the Austrian Alps. Cin had most of her stuff put away, but there was still a ton of clothes strewn on her bed. It was a great room with a beautiful view, and when I came through her door, I marched to the window to take in that view. Like I’d done with every other window in that house. I couldn’t quite believe it. This was a whole new world for me. Cin joined me at her window.
“Cin, I thought The Sound of Music was just a movie. But we’re livin’ in a movie here.” Her lilting laughter only encouraged me. “You think I’m teasin’—I’m not. There’s a cow outside my window, Cin. Yes, a cow. They have horses. They have cows. I think those other things I saw are goats or sheep or something. They have mountains. They have mountains everywhere you look. They sure don’t have many people. Which I guess is good for me, cuz it doesn’t matter that I don’t speak German. And what do we do for fun? Well, I guess you ride the horses and chase the cows.”
“Glori!” Cindy continued laughing at me.
“I’m standin’ there minding my own business, you know, tryin’ to stay out of the way of the horses and cows? I guess someone’s fence was broken or somethin’. And none of the horses have reins on or anything. Cat just goes in there—you know Cat—like all five feet of her—she jumps like six feet on top of this horse and brings it back to the barn. No reins. No saddle. The thing is buckin’ around. I don’t know why it went where she wanted it to.”
Cindy exploded into more laughter when I used an elaborate French accent to imitate Alain. “Then Alain says—Glori—you want to go riding?”
I paused for effect. “Yeah, sure, Alain, let’s go back to our room.”
Cin collapsed into an overstuffed chair by the window. “Glori, I’m sure you’ll get used to it here. Debbie is thrilled to pieces.”
“That’s for sure. She spent an hour introducing me to her horse, Valentine. And she made David take her for a ride on the horse. Of course, ol’ George and Marion show up just as he gets on the horse with her. Then George gets all worked up. At least George and Marion are staying with David’s parents. That’s a relief.”
I plopped into the other chair. “I know I sound like I’m complaining. But this is a beautiful house. Raphael’s company did a fantastic job. There’s plenty of room and privacy. We have a great fireplace in our room. Really comfortable bed—one of those featherbeds. Kind of like being in a country inn, ya know, in Aspen or somewhere. A country inn with Debbie’s paintings everywhere.”
“I guess it’s going to take some getting used to the climate here,” Cindy said.
“Yeah. The climate and everything else.”
***
The next evening the family gathered at David’s parents’ home. Ellen was well enough to join us. Paulo waited on her hand and foot while she sat content on the sofa, propped on a pile of pillows. Paulo’s dad, Francisco, played chess with David’s dad, Frederick. Paulo’s grandfather pulled Bud and George over to offer their unsolicited opinions on the game.
Raphael’s dad discussed politics and economics with Nita’s father. Paulo played his guitar. Many of the women gathered in the large kitchen to assist Maria with food preparation. The mood was celebratory.
I found Joe and Doug on the stone terrace at the back of the house when I sneaked off for a cigarette. Cigar smoke curled around Joe’s head and wafted off into a starry sky. Moonlight shimmered over the treetops and the lake in the distance.
“It’s a pretty place, huh?” Doug said.
Joe reached his arm around me. “Yeah. Sure is. I never knew there were so many stars up there,” Joe cackled. “I guess I won’t mind spendin’ time here. It sure is peaceful. I haven’t had peaceful in a lot of years.”
Doug smiled. “Yeah. It is a nice place for a change.”
“I guess,” I said. I wasn’t sure I wanted a change.
Loud laughter came from the house. Joe turned to look. “Sounds like those guys are at it again. You put Eduardo together with Raphael and Jimmy, add David, Cisco and Alain—there’s always some practical joke goin’ on. It’s kind of fun, actually.” He puffed his cigar, smiled, and turned back toward the glistening lake.
I took out a cigarette, and Doug grabbed it before I could find a lighter. “Not good for the voice, Glori.”
I wasn’t sure how else to cope.
***
Late Sunday afternoon Cindy dragged me out for a walk along the winding rural road. She practically gulped in the fresh air and sunshine. “You should’ve gone to church with us this morning, Glori. It was such a cute little place. The village is tiny. The church is so tiny the family took up half the space.” Cin chuckled. “And it was so funny—David and Debbie showed up late. Those two are on their second honeymoon. And Camellia gets so bent out of shape—and Eduardo goads her on, joking out loud about following the priest in. And the way Maria arches her eyebrows at David. It’s hysterical to watch them.”
“They are funny. I’ll give them that.” I concentrated on not twisting my ankle on the gravel. These roads weren’t meant for designer heels.
Cin looked utterly content in her sensible shoes. She led me up a small hill. I had to admit the view of the lake with the mountains in the distance was breathtaking.
“This is where Raphael is building our home.” Cin’s eyes shone bright blue with the tears that were coming. “Isn’t it perfect?”
“Yeah.” I felt my mascara giving way.
***
Back on the road, we headed to Paulo’s parents’ home. “Well, at least we’ll never lack for a good meal, Cin.” I was trying to be positive. “Maria is a fantastic cook, and I hear Camellia’s the same. The two of them are like peas in a pod. So domestic. They even make all their own skin care stuff.”
“I know. They’re amazing. Camellia was showing me their workroom. Did you see it?”
“No. But I heard they’ve got everything from the plants to the final product. Who could be bothered with all that work? I suppose the stores are a million miles away from here, though,” I said.
Cin just laughed.
We arrived at the Clemente homestead in time to get the music tour. Doug took a seat at a cluttered desk. “I’m impressed. This is a great little studio—pretty much everything we need.”
Joe and our band mates—Robby and Kurt—puttered around the room, nodding their approval. Cindy and I took a seat on some office chairs. My feet were killing me by that point. Paulo stood in the doorway with Nita and Cat.
Paulo spoke up. “We can also use the music room. Raphael had his men fix it for me, so the acoustics would be good. It’s a nice big room, too.” He led us through the house to a set of double doors. He pushed them open to reveal a massive room drenched in the late afternoon sun. Large windows looked out over the gardens and a well-manicured lawn reaching to the lake.
Most of the family followed the band into the room. Debbie and David admired the view.
“Oh David! Can I take Cindy and Glori down to show them the dock?” Debbie peered around her husband to address Cindy. “David took me for a ride in the boat yesterday.”
“A boat?’ Cindy looked surprised.
Raphael and David laughed out loud.
“A rowboat, Cindy,” David said.
“Oh it was wonderful!” Debbie was practically jumping up and down.
“Geez, Debbie, you think everything here is wonderful,” I said. Then I realized I shouldn’t be so negative. “I mean, it’s a nice place and everything, but you gotta calm down.”
She never paid a bit of attention. Debbie grabbed Cin’s hand and led her out the French doors to the terrace, then bolted toward the lake.
David rolled his eyes. “Perhaps I should make sure she doesn’t end up in the lake.” He turned on his heel, and we followed him outside to the terrace.
Raphael and David smiled watching them fling their shoes off and wade into the water. Debbie screamed from the cold then burst out laughing. She splashed Cindy, who returned the favor.
Raphael said, “Debbie seems so happy here. I’ve never seen her with so much energy.”
Alain nodded his agreement. “I don’t think you have to worry so much now—about her health—and the baby.”
“I hope you’re right. She told me today she’s gained a pound since we’ve been here. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but it’s only been a couple of days. And the last time she was weighed she was losing weight. So it’s hopeful.”
Alain slapped him on the back. “She’ll be fine.”
We watched Debbie fall on her butt in the water. She and Cindy broke into more gales of laughter. David shook his head, grinning.
“Yeah. She’ll be fine,” I said.
***
Camellia and Maria filled the table with countless serving dishes, all piled high with food to please every palate. After the day’s activities, we were all ready for a feast. My trek around the neighborhood in designer heels was more tiring than my usual day. Debbie was still smiling, but a lot more subdued after her splash in the lake.
Eduardo carried Ellen to her seat. Paulo had cushioned the chair with so many pillows, Eduardo cracked up laughing. “And what are you tryin’ to do here, pal? You think she got shot in the butt?”
“Eduardo!” Camellia was again taken aback with her son’s crude comments, while the rest of us—including Ellen—joined him in laughter. Eduardo grabbed an extra pillow and threw it across the table to David.
“Eduardo!” Camellia boiled as it flew past her face.
Eduardo grinned. “Debbie can use a pillow on her chair.”
As soon as Papa Roberto, the patriarch of the family, said the prayer, everyone began grabbing dishes. I wasn’t the only hungry one.
Joe spoke with his mouth full. “I just got a call from Emily. She tells me you guys are on the cover of Gossamer Magazine for the third month in a row. And just in case you didn’t know—that’s a record.”
“Cool,” I said. And I almost wished I was back at home to gloat over the covers with my friends.
Chapter Sixteen
Debbie
I was nervous about Tuesday morning, but David was with me every step of the way. He helped me into the car and drove into Salzburg. My new doctor, Anna Schechter, greeted us in her private office and chatted with us to update my medical record. She had already familiarized herself with my history through records sent from my doctors in California, and personal conversations with Nita.
After an examination, Dr. Schechter reported on her findings and complimented me on a healthy weight gain. We got a schedule of appointments and then went down the hall to Dr. Hilde Raich, the nutrition and eating disorders specialist.
Dr. Raich extended a warm welcome and invited us to sit on a couch across from her own chair. Unlike my previous doctors, she did not sit behind a desk, and that appealed to me. I found it easier to speak to her.
“I’m looking forward to working together on a regular basis, Debbie. I’ve read all your records, and I’ve spoken with all your doctors, including Anna Schechter and Nita Lopez-Garcia. I know you are working very hard to recover from anorexia and give birth to a healthy baby. I believe we’ll be able to help you do that. As I told you in June, when we first met—here at the hospital we have a wonderful group that meets each Wednesday morning at ten. I suggest you attend the group, and then we can meet privately afterwards. Sometimes, I may ask your husband to join us here, but for the most part, you and I will work together.”
I wasn’t so sure I wanted to participate—especially in a group. “Well, that’s very nice, thank you, Dr. Raich. But—but David has to work, so I probably won’t be able to come here very often.”
David turned to me with a shocked expression. I didn’t have anything else to say. Then he turned to Dr. Raich. “Doctor, whatever appointments Debbie needs, she’ll be here. I will see to that.”
Dr. Raich smiled. “Excellent. I’m sure when you visit with us tomorrow, Debbie, you’ll see the value of this group. Also, I’d like you to know that you may call upon me anytime. I will give you my card with all my contact information. Sometimes, as we progress, issues arise. And all these issues do not necessarily confine themselves to Wednesdays. So please do feel free to call me if and when you need me.”
I nodded. But I wouldn’t be calling. I was fine.
David questioned Dr. Raich. “Perhaps you could tell me a bit more about this group, Doctor.”
“Certainly. It is a group of about a dozen women recovering from eating disorders. Are you familiar with eating disorders, Mr. Lambrecht?”
David raised an eyebrow. “Not really. I just know from Debbie’s experience that the consequences of not eating properly can be devastating.”
Dr. Raich nodded. “Our group is comprised of women who suffer from anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating. I have some literature that I’ll give to you, so you may educate yourself a bit. Please share this with Debbie. Unfortunately, I have this only in German. Perhaps you could review this with her, to make certain it is clear?”
“Of course. But I’m not sure why Debbie would benefit from having women with these other disorders in the group.”
“Well, Mr. Lambrecht, I find these women often share many of the same underlying issues. Often their disease takes them along the spectrum, and it is helpful for them to understand they are not going through this alone.”
“Along the spectrum?”
My stomach started to ache. I really didn’t want David to know about all the insanity in my life. How could he love me, if he knew everything about me?
Dr. Raich seemed to ignore his question. “Debbie, so many young women with anorexia find sometimes they have a need to get rid of the food they’ve eaten. They feel, perhaps they shouldn’t have eaten it—and so they feel they need to purge themselves of that food. Did that ever happen to you, too?”
I hung my head and felt like I was going to puke, right there in the office. How could David love me? Grammy’s face appeared in my mind, and I started to cry. Yes, I knew God loved me. But how could David love me?
David read the answer on my face, and he embraced me in a warm hug. He kissed the tears away, and I loved him so much I ached even more.
There was no doubt in my mind that I was in the right place. I just didn’t want to be there. There was no doubt in my mind that David loved me. I just didn’t understand how he could love someone like me. And I didn’t know what I’d do if he ever stopped loving me.
David
David reached over to secure the seatbelt around his wife. Although she had been composed when she left Dr. Raich, she began a new round of tears as they sat in the car.
Panic ate at his gut. “Sweetheart, you mustn’t cry. Everything is going to be fine now. Dr. Schechter said you’re doing remarkably well, and Dr. Raich seems very knowledgeable. I think
she’ll be able to help us.” He patted her face with a tissue.
“I’m sorry, David. I—I didn’t mean to do those things—but I just—just couldn’t help it. But I—I didn’t do it in a long time. Really.” She focused on crimping her skirt into pleats.
He took her hands and massaged them. A tiny sigh signaled she was beginning to come back to him.
“It’s all in the past, Debbie. You need to put all that behind you and concentrate on taking care of yourself now. I love you, Sweetheart, and I want you to be healthy, so we can enjoy our life together—a long, healthy life together.”
Glori
I was ecstatic. As Frau Rosengarten left the dressing room with another armload of clothes, I whispered to my friends, “I can’t believe they have this place in Salzburg.”
Nita chuckled. “I told you not to worry, Glori. Frau Rosengarten always has all the latest from Paris, Milan, and New York. I love the lingerie. This is beautiful.” She fingered the soft silk of a camisole she’d picked.
Cindy came up behind her to see. “Oh! That is gorgeous. I can’t believe all this stuff. I can’t resist it, and there aren’t enough days in the week to wear it all.”
I popped my head out of the room to see Alain wearily pacing the tiny waiting area. Raphael and Cisco amused themselves with conversation on finance. Frau Rosengarten went over to offer them tea and pastries, but they refused.
Fame, Fortune & Secrets (The Redemption Series: Book 2) Page 15