Angel's Peak (23 page)

She knew he kept office hours on Thursdays when he was in town, so after teaching her two classes she went to his office. She found he was in conference with a student when she arrived, so she jotted a note on the clipboard hanging outside the closed door. Went to get a soda, she wrote. Be back in ten minutes to see you. When she returned, his door was ajar and he was seated at his desk in the small campus office. She tapped on the open door and he looked up. Then he sat back in the chair, pulled off his reading glasses and swiveled in her direction. “Come in, Francine. Close the door. I’ve been wondering when you’d show up.”

“I should have stopped by sooner, but life got real hectic,” she said, entering and pulling the door closed. There was one chair beside his desk and she sat there.

“I can imagine,” he said. “How’s the new guy working out?”

She laughed uncomfortably. “That was direct,” she said. “He’s not new, as you already know. And he came with a mother and four brothers and lots of other complications. But we’re getting along just fine, thank you.”

“I can see that,” he said.

She tilted her head and frowned a little bit. “You can?”

He leaned toward her. “I used to be the one to put that shine in your eyes.” Then he laughed when she took on a slight blush. “So…I guess it’s all settled. You’re taking the leap. You’ve moved on.”

She didn’t know what to say for a moment. She was frankly surprised to find he was as pleasant as that. “I guess you’re letting me off without any explanation.”

“Don’t waste your breath. No matter what you say, Francine, we both know you’re making a big mistake here. And we both know you’re going to do it, anyway.”

“Mistake? Do you have any idea what it is I’m doing? Because I don’t recall explaining my plans to you.”

“As if that’s necessary,” he said with a harsh laugh. “You’re going to give up everything you’ve established here—the stability of your job, your friends, the option of a normal relationship with a man you can count on who will make sure your happiness comes first. And you’re going to do that for some flyboy kid who wouldn’t commit to you in the first place. You’ll end up sorry. Unhappy and full of regrets. He let you down before and he’ll let you down again.”

Ah. Now that was what she expected. She almost smiled—she’d never seen this side of T.J. when he was ordering her meals and asking her to grow out her hair, and she wondered now how she could have been so naive. Undoubtedly he thought he had been doing her a great service. But the second Sean turned up, he’d let his true colors come out. He must have thought she would defer to him forever. He thought he owned her. She leaned toward him. “When did you turn into this person?” she asked, her voice rather soft under the circumstances. “Were you always like this and I just didn’t realize it? When you were telling me what to eat and how to wear my hair—was that just the tip of the iceberg and I was too accommodating to understand what a mistake it was to allow that behavior?”

He actually sneered at her. “How like you to see the worst in a good situation. I should have known better than to get mixed up with someone like you. You’re a child.”

“Oh, T.J., when did you become this kind of man? What did I miss? We dated for a few months, and in fact no more often than once a week, but I don’t recall that we had the kind of relationship that would invite this kind of anger from you. We didn’t have future plans, you and I.”

“Our relationship was stable. This thing you’re trading it for, it’ll be a disaster because he isn’t moving to Humboldt County. Even if he could, you and I both know he isn’t the kind of man who will give up anything for you. Or for his daughter. You’ll have to give up everything you value and go chasing him around the world if you want to be with him. Trust me, you’ll be right back where you started. Abandoned.”

“Whoa,” she said, affronted. “I’m not even going to ask you how you came to all these conclusions. I’m not going to defend Sean to you, but have you ever met him?”

“I know that any man who cared about you would have made it his business to find you a long time ago. I would have. If I thought you had any feelings for me whatsoever, I’d tear up the country looking for you. And he never even tried.”

Well, she thought, she had told him the whole, sad story. “There are things to resolve about that, but—”

“Before you pull up stakes, you’d better try to think clearly, Franci. There’s still time for you to be smart, use that little tiny brain of yours. You know how I feel about you. And you know I can keep the blush on your cheeks, too. He might seem a little dangerous and daring and have that sex appeal that goes with jets and secret missions, but that will wear thin. He’s a young idiot who likes living on the edge, and that isn’t father material. You’re going to be very disappointed.”

A huff of laughter escaped her in spite of herself. “Sean? Dangerous?” Then she laughed outright. “My tiny brain?” She stood. “I guess I’m a little confused, T.J. I thought you liked me, but I had no idea you took our relationship as seriously as that, nor did I realize you didn’t think I was smart. I’m sorry you’re angry. But I can’t possibly describe how positively relieved I am that I won’t be spending time with you ever again.”

He stood as well. “If I’m angry at all, it’s because you led me on. I’m not a kid anymore, Francine, and I know what works and what doesn’t. A lot of that I learned the hard way, through my own mistakes. Just the way you will.”

“Best of luck, T.J.,” she said, turning to leave his office.

“If you come to your senses soon, get in touch. But I won’t wait around long.”

Well, that’s a good thing, she thought. She turned back to look at him. “Don’t wait for me. In fact, go ahead and delete my phone number.” And then she left the building.

It hit her that something about that little confrontation was all wrong! What was this talk about being the one to put the shine in her eyes? Hadn’t he complained that they needed to “turn up the heat”? And how in the world had she led him on? By not complaining when he wanted to order for both of them? When going along with his plans for a date, though he never once asked her what she’d like to do? She hadn’t questioned the relationship because it had worked for her. And it had worked for her because she hadn’t been emotionally invested. But neither had he!

She left the campus. All the way home she was asking herself how she had missed who he really was. And why hadn’t the relationship grated on her more? You’re a child, rang in her ears.

And then something occurred to her—she’d lost her father when she was only seven. She’d always longed for her father, for any father. The loss had devastated her! It was one of the many reasons she was so protective of Rosie—she didn’t want her hurt by a loss like that! In some convoluted way it seemed safer to raise Rosie alone rather than watch her little heart break with longing for a father she couldn’t have!

And maybe it was that same sense of loss that allowed her to be so cooperative with a man like Professor Hottie! He took charge; he made as many decisions for her as she would allow! And if Sean hadn’t come back into her life, who knows how far she would have let him go with his controlling, manipulative behavior.

He was right; she had been a child. She had allowed the whole thing to happen; she had no one to blame but herself. She hadn’t realized what was happening.

But she had never behaved that way with Sean; she had been strong, independent and convicted. And to his credit, Sean had never tried to control or manipulate her. He didn’t always bend to her desires, but neither did he act as if he owned her. It was with great relief that she realized that, even in the worst of times, they didn’t have that kind of relationship.

Oh, if they could ever get everything straight, she thought they had a chance of having the right kind of relationship. She almost laughed! As hard as things had been for them, they were healthy, well-adjusted people—unlike T.J.

When she got home, she found Sean in the kitchen. He was turning thick pork chops over in a marinade and Franci could hear Rosie in the bedroom playing.

Sean grinned at her. “How was your day, dear?” he asked, tilting his head in the direction of Rosie’s room.

“Surreal,” she said in a whisper. “Did you by any chance deal with that girl who’s been texting you night and day?”

“Didn’t I tell you? I finally got around to that a few days ago.”

“How’d it go?”

“As expected. I asked her not to text or call anymore because I was back with my old girlfriend and she told me to go to hell.”

“That’s all?”

“No. She said if she saw me again she’d kill me, and if she had a chance to loosen a few bolts on my airplane she’d do it. She called me some choice names and hung up. Why?”

“Nothing,” she said, shaking her head, looking away.

“You had a meeting with him,” he said. “Let me guess, he listed my shortcomings even though he doesn’t know me.”

“How’d you know?”

Sean pulled her close and, on his way to whisper in her ear, he gently sucked on her lobe. “He doesn’t want to give you up, because you’re you. Now, let’s not talk about why. It makes me want to kill him.”

“I saw a side of him that’s always been there, but I completely overlooked it. It was very disturbing,” she said. “Guess what I just realized? You’re the devil I know…”

“Good,” he said. “Let’s stick with that.”

Maureen had gone home to Phoenix as planned. She only stayed in her condo for a week, during which time she gave away her houseplants, stopped the paper, forwarded her mail, closed up her condo and headed back, her trunk and backseat full of her essentials.

Maureen and Vivian had worked things out; Maureen was going back to Humboldt County for a rather long visit. She would stay through Thanksgiving—a good three weeks. Although she would make use of Vivian’s second bedroom, usually reserved for Rosie’s overnights, and having her own car would allow her to spend quality time with Rosie, and everyone else. This arrangement would also allow her to give them all their space. In fact, not being dependent on her sons or her new friend Vivian for transportation would enable her to come and go as she pleased. After all, Vivian had a man in her life and would surely appreciate time alone with him now and then.

Other than telling Luke and Sean that she’d be back for a visit and that she planned to stay through Thanksgiving, they didn’t know her plans. They would no doubt be secretly thrilled to learn she wouldn’t be staying with them! Vivian was a remarkable woman who wanted to assist Maureen in getting better acquainted with their mutual granddaughter, a gesture generous beyond belief. But as it turned out, different as they were, the women enjoyed each other’s company.

While she was headed north, driving through the Arizona desert, she decided to check in with all her sons. Of course, she only had to call one to do so. “You’re doing what?” Aiden demanded.

“Driving to Virgin River. So I’ll have a car while I’m there. And I’m staying with Rosie’s other grandma so I don’t become an annoying mother-in-law. I like Vivian. She’s too liberal, but very sincere.”

“Oh, God,” Aiden moaned into the phone. “How many hours is the drive?”

“Well, that all depends on how fast I go,” she said. “It’s very long. I plan on stopping off for the night.”

“Stopping off where?” he asked in frustration.

“Okay, I might be all done talking to you now, since you insist on treating me like I just got my learner’s permit.”

“All right,” he said, deliberately calming his voice. “Where do you suppose you’ll stay the night?”

“I don’t know. I left early, so I might make it all the way to Carson City. I’ve been there—nice little town. And Gardnerville is nearby. So is Reno and Lake Tahoe and—”

“How many hours of driving is that?” he asked.

“Many,” she said. “I wish you’d stop this. I’m a very good, confident driver. And I’ve lived alone for twelve years. I know how to be safe.”

“Why didn’t you call me? I would have come to Phoenix and driven you,” he said tiredly.

“Oh, doesn’t that sound like fun,” she said with a short laugh. “It would probably turn into elder abuse. Besides, it’s not practical. Someone—probably me—would have had to drive you back to Sacramento or at least Redding to catch a flight home.”

He sighed into the phone. “Do Luke and Sean know your plans yet?”

“I told them I’d be back for a long visit, but they might be in denial,” she said. She heard Aiden laugh. “It makes sense for me to stay with Vivian. I’ll be very busy, running between Rosie, and Luke and Shelby, and also hanging around with Vivian when neither of us has plans. I only want to be nearby to get to know Rosie better and I don’t want to be a burden to my sons.”

“You’re not a burden, Mom,” he said.

“Oh? Then why does my doing as I please make you yell?”

Aiden took a breath. “I want you to check in every few hours as long as you have a signal. I want to hear from you when you stop for the night—I want to know exactly where you are. Can we please agree to that?”

“I hope I live to see you at sixty-two. I’d like to hear firsthand just how you handle people pushing you around as though you’re some doddering old—”

“I didn’t do that! I’m just being cautious. It’s not your age, it’s your…your…You’re a woman out on the road alone, Mom! And if I remember my geography, from Las Vegas to Reno is a pretty lonely stretch of road.”

“I’ll lock my car doors so the wild mules don’t get me.”

“What do you mean, she’s too liberal? Rosie’s other grandmother?” Aiden asked.

“Oh, you know. A lovely woman, really. Very likable and with a wonderful sense of humor. Just…Her values are more on the relaxed side, if you know what I mean.”

“I wouldn’t dare guess,” Aiden muttered into the phone.

“For example, she’s not too worried about Sean and Francine making this whole event right and proper. She’d be happy as a clam if they’d at least get together romantically, as if that will solve their problems. Wasn’t that what got them into this mess? Not that I’m the least sorry about Rosie—she’s the most brilliant child! I’m so crazy about her! She reminds me a lot of Patrick when he was little—except for the princess dresses and high-heeled slippers.”