Harley ignored her hand. “Yes, only the innocent messenger.” She laughed dryly. “Remember what they did to them in Greece.” Turning to the nun, she laughed dryly, “Oh, Sister, our Number Two here has looked for jobs at other schools. She tells them you’re too controlling.” She heard Troxler’s gasp as she walked away.
Relief flooded through Harley’s veins like a waterfall as she turned on her heel. She went to her classroom and retrieved the small cactus that she’d brought with her when she began teaching. Every other supply could remain.
The other teachers whispered when they saw her walking down the hall. Some approached to offer their regrets. A school is a small community, and they all now knew of Harley’s secret life. Many of them also were friends with Mary Ann Marks Saltaformaggio. Harley suddenly understood why she never was comfortable here.
Jennifer approached her with what appeared to be sincere sorrow. “I’m really sorry this happened to you, Harley. You were the best teacher any of us ever had.”
“That’s sweet.” Harley embraced her. She’d been a good student when she attended the school. “You know what’s funny, Jen? I’m not sad at all. Not one iota.”
Several people promised to call her for lunch. She knew they wouldn’t. People grew preoccupied with their own lives and forgot those who fell off the radar. Oh, well, some loss was inevitable. Her mother always said that God never closed one door without opening another. Sometimes, people needed a kick in the ass to start moving.
Chapter 9
“You really told the old bitch that? I’m so happy you did. She flunked me in American History.” Harley rolled her eyes as Judy squealed with delight.
Donna passed around a tray of cheese while Michael placed an Irving Mayfield CD on Harley’s small CD player. Pete poured everyone a glass of champagne. Harley had invited them all over the same night she was terminated. They were in her back yard, munching on cheese, wine, and champagne. The afternoon was muggy, and a brief shower had left the ground wet and steamy.
“Can’t complain too much. They gave me six months’ severance.” Harley tipped glasses with them. “Guess I’ll be sprucing up my resume in the next few days.”
“The creeps. They did this at the start of the school year. Are you going to have a hard time finding a job?” Judy took a sip of the champagne and grimaced.
“Oh, I may find something. If not, I’m okay. I save lots of money. The house is mine free and clear. I’ll just spend time with Nico.” The dog wagged his tail happily and rubbed against her long sundress. “I’m going to concentrate on my writing. The Grace O’Malley plot is really progressing. Besides, I have to start chats and marketing for my new release. I’ll have plenty to do.”
“If you need anything, let me know.” Pete winked at her. “John would want me to look out for you.” He poured more champagne into Judy’s glass and let his stare linger on her.
Harley smiled at Pete. She read only genuine concern and no lascivious meaning in his offer to help her. She also noted with gratitude the appreciative gaze he cast on Judy. Well, Judy had lost a great deal of weight and invested in a new wardrobe. She hoped Pete would give Judy a call and decided she would slip Judy’s phone number into Pete’s pocket during the course of the evening. “Well, I may be looking for another job. Keep an eye open for anything with the Tourist Commission.”
“Would you really leave teaching?” Donna placed cheese on a cracker.
Harley shrugged. What struck her was that she might miss teaching. At one time, she’d loved stimulating kids. Maybe it was that teaching position that had her depressed. “I’m not sure. I like the time teaching affords me to write. Those summers and long Christmas vacation do wonders for me as a writer.”
“Yeah, I bet.” Pete stared at her like he’d just met a rock star. “I’m only just finding out about this secret life.”
“I’d always written as a kid. My mother always encouraged me.” A wave of sadness washed over her when she remembered Eden sitting with her at the dining room table while she wrote. She swallowed. “Then, when John, well, after he wasn’t here, I needed something to fill my time. Time off wasn’t happy. I needed to fill the space.”
“I’m shocked you kept it secret for as long as you did.” Donna swayed to the music pulsing from the CD player. “That goddamned Parents Club always was composed of the nosiest old biddies you’d ever want to meet. Now, their daughters run the damned thing. Jade goes to the meetings, and she tells me some shit about how those women diss each other.”
“I will miss chatting with Jade at those meetings. We had to go to every damned one.” Harley moved rhythmically to Mayfield’s trumpet. Jade was Donna’s sister. Her daughter was a senior at the school.
“You won’t miss any gossip. You’ll be coming to lunch with us whenever you can, and Jade will keep you in the loop.” Donna swatted a mosquito.
“I don’t care much. All of those people are too petty, but I will take this to the Archdiocese.” Harley adjusted the volume on her CD player.
“Do you want your job back?” Pete knelt at the side of the entertainment system, searching through the stack of CDs.
“No, that’s not the point. I want the bishop and the superintendent to see those bunch of hypocrites for what they are, especially Sr. Elizabeth.” Harley nibbled on a piece of cheese. “So hypocritical of her to go on about justice and then to malign other people. I guess she only wanted justice for her own people.” She clamped her mouth shut, shocked at her own vehemence. The blood raced through her veins when she thought of the nun’s narrow-mindedness. No one could impugn Abisi’s character. No matter what had happened between them, Harley knew he was the essence of honor. She winked mischievously. “Besides, I might hint that I’ll bring this up to an equal opportunity group and make them sweat.”
Donna moved closer to her. “You really have it for this guy, don’t you?”
“I can’t talk about it right now.” A numbing hurt sliced into Harley’s soul. She looked away and said softly. “I won’t make this night heavy, and I’m not sure I can make it right with Abisi. I also need to talk to Vera. I wondered why I hadn’t heard from her and why she didn’t call me when I left a message on her machine. I know why now. I can’t lose that link to John, D.”
Donna affectionately brushed Harley’s arm. “You won’t lose her. She loves you. Just talk to her.”
The doorbell rang, echoing on the patio. “Who in hell can that be?” Harley was glad for the diversion. She traversed the room and headed for the foyer.
“Look before you open it,” Judy called as Harley vanished into the hall.
“I will, Mom.” Harley rolled her eyes as she made for the door with Michael and Pete at her heels.
Harley peered through the peephole and gasped. Pete moved to her side. “What is it?”
“It’s okay, guys. Go back outside and enjoy the company.”
The two men cast puzzled glances at her but turned to go.
Harley flung the door open. Abisi’s beautiful daughter stood on her porch. Jessica was looking down but snapped to attention when she saw Harley. Harley was momentarily speechless. Then, fear pierced her breast like tiny pins. “Jessica, what are you doing here? Is your dad okay?”
The other woman stood open-mouthed for a long time. She cleared her throat. “My dad’s fine. He doesn’t know I’m here.” She stopped, looked away, and then added, “Let me clarify that. My dad’s as fine as he can be considering he doesn’t have you. Oh, and by the way, he didn’t ask me to come the first time. I was totally out of bounds on that one.” Her words came out in one long breath.
Harley listened with raised eyebrows. “You still haven’t told me why you’re here.”
Jessica shook herself. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to invite you to lunch. I have to explain something about my dad. In two days, I g
o back to London.”
“That’s right. The collection. Sounds exciting.”
Jessica smiled. She was truly beautiful. “It is. Will you have lunch tomorrow? Maybe dinner? Are you back at work?”
“No, I’m currently unemployed.” Harley laughed as she said the words. Why was relief flooding her body?
“What—?”
“I’ll explain at lunch. Mona’s on Banks?”
“Yes.” Jessica’s accent was refined. Boarding schools and then Oxford, Harley guessed. “I’ll pay.”
“I’ll accept.” Harley grinned as the girl walked away. Why did she instinctively like Abisi’s daughter? Only a few days ago, she thought she was a spoiled brat. She called after her, “Don’t tell your dad we’re meeting or that I don’t have a job, please.”
“My lips are sealed.” The girl cast a smile in Harley’s direction that was so like Abisi’s that Harley’s heart bled.
Harley arrived early and sat at a round table. An angular college-aged woman with close-cropped ebony hair handed her a menu. Mona’s was a Middle Eastern grocery that also served lunch. Jessica pulled up shortly in Abisi’s Porsche and parked in front of the building.
Harley waited for the waitress to hand Jessica the menu and leave. “The hummus is very good.”
“Yes, of course.” Jessica studied Harley for a long time. “I leave for London tomorrow.”
Harley nodded and motioned the waitress over. She and Jessica placed their orders. “Yes, I understand your employer is about to reveal a very important collection.”
Abisi’s daughter’s eyes misted over. “I’m really worried about my dad.”
Harley’s heart skipped a beat as her bowels turned to liquid. “Is he okay? Tell me the truth.”
“He’s not all right since losing you.” Jessica was quiet while the woman placed their orders in front of them.
“I don’t know what you want me to say.” Harley swallowed hard. She missed Abisi, but he hadn’t trusted her. She’d lain in his arms, but he’d thought her capable of sleeping with another man while she was with him. Now, she didn’t trust him, but she was undoubtedly falling for him. She’d defied the scariest nun in history for him and even lost her job. Harley loved him, but she wasn’t sure she could work past what she saw as betrayal. What she wouldn’t admit to anyone was how much she missed their walks along the river, their long dinners in which they discussed everything, and the sensation of his hands exploring her body. Why in hell was life so damned complicated?
“Do you love my dad?” Jessica gazed at her hard.
Harley stirred her tea. “I think I was starting to.” She hadn’t admitted that to anyone, except Donna and only because Donna had confronted her after a lot of wine. Besides, she’d realized it too late to make things right when the wine was numbing her brain.
“Then what’s the problem?” The younger woman leaned forward. “Look, he’s my dad, but I know he’s handsome. I see women look at him when we’re together. He’s educated, sophisticated, and gentlemanly.”
Harley smiled. Jessica’s fervor was endearing. “I quite agree. You should have written his profile on the dating site.”
“He only did that on a dare.” Jessica sniffed derisively. “You mean he didn’t tell you? He lost a poker bet with a colleague.”
Harley laughed outright. A couple at another table stared at her. “No, he never told me.” She gave Jessica a sheepish smile. “I was badgered into it by my friends.”
The girl grinned. “You’re not afraid to laugh. My father needs that.” She took a bite of the hummus and pita bread. “I’m also sorry that that psycho Kimberly harassed you.”
“Forget about her.” Harley meant it, but she also wanted to hear more about how a man obviously as intelligent and sophisticated as Abisi became entrapped by a needy nut job.
“Believe me, I’d like to, but she’s mixed up in what I’m about to tell you.” Jessica paused, took a deep breath, and then took a gulp of tea before continuing. “You have to understand about my mother. I loved my mother dearly, but she and my father weren’t compatible. My dad really wants to save the world.”
Harley nodded. Abisi had indicated that was the reason he’d come to New Orleans. She hadn’t known that he’d performed such work for a long time. She took a bite of the hummus and let Jessica continue.
“He did this in every community where we were living. My mother’s father is an earl. She liked parties and society. At first, she was fascinated by my father’s work ethic and dedication, but she wanted him to live like her father had.” She took a sip of tea and added quickly. “It’s not that my father’s family are paupers. They’re not.”
No, Harley had thought not but remained silent. Poorer Egyptians often did not have the opportunity to study in Britain and become doctors. Not that she’d ever inquired about his finances, but any man who bought an expensive car for a woman he knew only a short time was no pauper. She let Jessica continue.
“My father wouldn’t act like some playboy prince. He wasn’t neglectful by any means, and he made it to my plays and dance recitals. It’s just that he was committed to his profession. My mum couldn’t take that. Even when we’d moved to New York, she spent more time in London and would take me and Jordan back with her.”
Harley’s heart raced. The elusive Jordan. “Who is Jordan? Your father’s never mentioned—”
“My brother,” Jessica said, almost too quickly. Her lower lips suddenly trembled. “Jord— He died.”
“Oh, God, I’m so sorry.” Harley suddenly felt as if she were carrying forty extra pounds in her heart. Her breast constricted with such a fierce pity that she thought she would suffocate. “Abisi never mentioned his son.”
Jessica shook her head. “He can’t deal with it.”
“How?” Harley stared at her, almost speechless.
Jessica swallowed. “My father needs to explain that to you. If he hasn’t, I won’t. My mother blamed him. My grandparents blamed him. He blamed himself because he worked so much when we were kids.” She smiled weakly at Harley. “I think things would be different with him now. He’s seen what can happen in a marriage when you don’t spend as much time with a partner as you should.” She stared into her lap. “It wasn’t all my mum’s fault, either. She just missed him and wanted a different life.”
“What makes you think I’d be different?” Harley cut into the pita bread.
Jessica leaned forward. “Dad’s told me about you. You love teaching, and you’re always looking for something more challenging. You’re like him.” She stared into the distance. “Besides, I think you’re loyal. I mean, if you’re this upset because you think he didn’t trust you, I know loyalty means a lot to you.”
“What aren’t you saying, Jessica?” Harley stared evenly at the girl.
“My mother cheated on my father.” Jessica threw her napkin onto her plate.
“I see.” Harley exhaled. She now understood why seeing her embrace another man on her porch had devastated Abisi.
Jessica swallowed and wiped a stray tear from her cheek. “I’d see her come home with them sometimes when we were at my grandparents’ estate in Kent. She thought she was discreet.” The girl took a breath and fought to control the sobs threatening to erupt. “Y-You see, my parents were never officially separated or divorced. Maybe they should have divorced, but Dad always thought we could make the family work.”
Harley nodded. Her heart ached for Abisi and for the child that had been Jessica. Why was life composed of so much loss? Abisi’s loss of his family, the mysterious death of his son, her own loss of John, and now, their loss of each other! Sorrow as crushing as a tidal wave lay across her lungs. She took a deep breath.
Jessica’s voice cut through her reverie. “She’d leave for long periods of time and take Jordan and me with her
. He’d come back to England and talk her into returning. Then, she got sick after I was an adult. She wouldn’t let him come near her. She’d met another man by then. He was with her when she died.” Jessica stopped fighting her tears. She reached into her purse and dabbed her eyes with a tissue.
“What do you want of me? Why have you told me all of this?” Harley fought the sadness subsuming her. No, she wouldn’t let sympathy sway her. Abisi’s condemnation of her had hurt. She was tired of being hurt and of hurting, but she also couldn’t deny that she still wanted him.
“I just want you to understand my dad. He hasn’t been the same since you’re not around.” Jessica met her gaze imploringly. “I’ve only seen him this depressed twice before. When Jordan died—” She looked down and continued, “Then when my mum got sick. He was trying so hard to see my mother in her last days, and she wouldn’t see him. I’d never seen anyone so hurt. My father was open to someone seductive like Kimberly, and for a while, he couldn’t see what she was. Then, he met you. I think you’re a sincere person, not like her. I can tell he misses you. He doesn’t sleep at night since you’re not round. I hear him walking about at two in the morning.”
“Jessica, I’ve been hurt, too.”
“I understand that, but please, just talk to him.”
Harley placed a hand on hers. “I won’t promise anything, but I miss him, too.” She studied Jessica a long time before adding, “Do you love Geoffrey?”
Jessica looked startled. “Yes, why?”
“Why are you putting off the wedding?”
“He wants a baby right away. I don’t want it to end my career.” Jessica shrugged and took a sip of tea.
“It doesn’t have to, you know. Many women who are mothers now have careers.” Harley leaned closer. “Life is really short. I never thought I would be a widow at thirty. You can’t deny love when it’s real.”
The Doctor and the War Widow Page 10