Love Will Find a Way (31 page)

Emily smiled. “You always think of everything, don't you?"

"I try. Larry says you left your car in the city. I'll be right over."

Emily wondered if there was anything Larry hadn't discussed with Dennis. “Larry's here. He can drive me back to the city.” She didn't want Dennis here under any circumstances.

Dennis was gently persistent. “Perhaps you should have him take you there now."

He was bordering on being intrusive. Emily replied, “I can't leave Clara and George alone until Debra gets here."

For the first time a bit of testiness crept into Dennis's voice. “Their son is there, isn't he? Doesn't he count?"

Emily was in no mood to argue. “I should stay until Debra gets here. George and Clara need me."

"And what about you, Emily?” Dennis's agitation was growing. “Who's going to look after you? Your ex in-laws are not capable of looking after themselves.” He sounded like a man determined to have his own way.

"No, Dennis. That's not—” She was talking into a dead instrument. Dennis had hung up the telephone.

Emily dropped the receiver into its cradle and sighed. “Damn."

From behind her, Robert asked, “Is there a problem?"

There was. Emily decided to tackle it head-on. “Dennis is coming out. He should be here within the hour."

"You had the nerve to ask him here?"

Emily snapped, “I didn't ask him. He invited himself."

Robert flexed both hands. “I don't want him here."

"Please don't make a scene. He won't stay long. He's taking me to get my car."

Robert took a menacing step in her direction. “He can't come here. Do I make myself clear? I'll meet him at the door and ask him to leave."

"You can't do that."

"Oh, can't I?” With an arrogant toss of his head, Robert invited, “Watch me."

Emily nodded toward a chair. “Sit down, Robert and listen to me."

Much to her surprise, he obeyed. “Go ahead, have your say, but it won't change a damn thing."

Maybe she couldn't make him listen to reason, but she had to try. “If you get into a useless dispute with Dennis you will lose all the ground you've gained with Kevin."

Robert's eyes narrowed to blue slits. “You don't miss a trick, do you?"

She didn't know what he meant, and she wasn't sure she wanted to know. “You can think what you want to about me; just don't mess up with Kevin again."

Robert brushed a weary hand through his hair. “Dennis Morrison is trying to ingratiate himself with you and he doesn't give a particular damn how he does it."

If only Robert would pursue her with a fraction of the tenacity that Dennis displayed. “I thought I could help here, instead I'm causing nothing but trouble."

Robert moved with lightening speed to stand directly in front of her. “Emily?” The word seemed to suspend and hang in mid air. “I...” He stepped back and moved to one side. “Never mind. Go ahead, ask Reverend Morrison in. I promise to behave."

Considering Robert's mood, it was best to accept what he said at face value. “I'll go and sit with George and Clara.” She lagged, waiting, hoping, Robert would say something, do something to stop her from leaving. He didn't. There was nothing left to say, nothing left to do. Emily walked slowly away.

She sat in the living room with Larry, George and Clara waiting for Dennis to put in an appearance. She had no idea where Robert might be.

When the doorbell sounded, Larry jumped to his feet. “I'll get it.” He opened the door and the pleasant exchange of voices drifted into the living room. Larry reentered the room with Dennis in tow.

Dennis smiled as he greeted George and Clara. “Mr. and Mrs. Franklin, it's good to see you again, even under such distressing circumstances.” He shook George's hand and patted Clara's arm. “Is there anything I can do?"

Clara warmed instantly to his charm. “That's very nice of you, Reverend Morrison, but Aunt Beth made all her funeral arrangements long ago."

"I was thinking more in terms of spiritual comfort.” Dennis had the audacity to drop a kiss on Emily's cheek. “How are you, my dear?"

Neither George nor Clara seemed in the least perturbed by his unexpected gesture, or his possessive words. With as much dignity as she could muster, Emily said, “I'm managing."

"But not too well,” Dennis observed. “Get your things,” he ordered, “I'm taking you home."

"Maybe Emily doesn't want to go home.” Robert stood in the dinning room entrance looking like a menacing predator contemplating an unsuspecting prey.

Perceptive Clara was quick to assess the situation. “It would be nice if Emily could stay at least until Debra gets here.” Her anxious eyes darted from Robert to Dennis, then back to Robert again.

Without an invitation, or the slightest qualm, Dennis sat on the sofa beside George and put his hat on the table beside the couch. “Then I'll wait with you.” He smiled that affable grin that made his words seem less abrasive. “Later we can go for your car."

Emily stared at him in disbelief. “Larry can take me to my car. I'm sure you should be getting home to Kim and Amy."

"The housekeeper's staying over. The twins are fine.” Dennis leaned back and put one arm across the back of the sofa. “Except for being disappointed that you couldn't make it to dinner tonight. They send their love and condolences."

Moving with the easy grace of an angry panther, Robert crossed the room and came to stand beside Emily's chair.” He laid his hand on her shoulder. “If you want to help, you can drive Larry to get Emily's car. She can drive Larry's car home."

By now Larry had picked up on the animosity that ran rampant through the room. “That's a great idea. You wouldn't mind would you, Dennis?” He moved toward the door. “Mom, where are your car keys?"

"In my handbag, it's in the spare bedroom."

Larry volunteered, “I'll bring it to you."

"Take the keys and leave the handbag there,” Emily called as Larry made his way toward the bedroom.

Dennis kept his seat. “I don't like leaving you here, Emily."

Emily wanted Dennis out of here and the sooner the better. “Please, go with Larry.” She could feel the heat from Robert's hand burning into her shoulder.

Dennis said, “Your wish is my command.” He retrieved his hat and placed it on his head. “Call me when you get home. If you feel the need for company, I'll come over."

Larry reappeared, swinging the keys to Emily's car around his index finger. “We should go. We don't want to get caught in the five o'clock traffic."

A protracted silence ensued before George said, “Mamma, I think I'll lie down and rest for a spell. Maybe you should do the same."

"That's a good idea.” Clara agreed, almost too readily. She placed both hands on the arms of her chair and pushed herself to a standing position. “You will excuse us, won't you?"

Emily didn't want to be alone with Robert. “Debra and Mike should be here soon. Don't you want to wait for them?"

"They won't leave before we're up again.” George followed Clara from the room and closed the door behind him.

Emily drummed her fingers on the arm of her chair. “I hope Larry's having to miss a few days of school doesn't affect his grades. Summer school is so fast paced anyway."

"I'm sure he will be allowed to make up what he missed.” Robert's hostility had cooled to icy disdain. “Just how far do you intend to go?"

She had no idea what he meant and she said so before adding with a touch of malice, “I'm not up to solving stupid riddles."

"Then I'll spell it out, I'm talking about revenge. You agreed to help me reconcile with my sons, instead you've aided and abetted Dennis Morrison in seducing them away from me."

Chapter 16

The last thing Emily had expected from Robert was a verbal attack. “Do you really think I'm capable of such an atrocious act?"

Robert's brows drew together in a pensive expression. “You have the good Reverend wrapped around your little finger."

"Dennis and I are good friends. That's all."

Robert snorted, “The man is completely besotted with you. Did you tell him you had come from my bed to his arms the day he asked you to marry him?"

Emily's gasp exploded into the quiet air. “Who are you to condemn me?"

He flinched as if she had struck him a physical blow. “I can understand you wanting to strike back at me. But trying to alienate my sons? How could you be so cruel?"

Emily retorted, “I'm not a cruel person."

Robert nodded his head in agreement. “You have honed cruelty to a brutally refined, sadistically stylized torture.” Suddenly he was on his feet and pacing across the room. “And I have stood around like some lovesick fool and let you tie me to the rack and tighten the screws.” He stopped pacing and turned to face her. “Well not anymore. You want a fight? You've got one. I don't intend to surrender my sons to Dennis Morrison."

"And I don't intend to let you blame me for something that's your fault.” Anger sent Emily bolting to her feet. “Is this another ultimatum?"

"It's more than an ultimatum, it's a promise."

"No,” Emily corrected, “It's a threat, and I won't let you get away with it! If you try to come between me and my sons, I will show you just how cruel I can be."

"Those boys are all I have. I don't intend to lose them. If that means letting them see you for what you really are, so be it."

"I don't have to stay here and take this abuse.” Emily's voice increased in pitch and volume. “I'm leaving.” She turned toward the bedroom just as the front door opened to admit Debra and Mike.

"What is going on here?” Debra stepped through the entranceway. “We could hear you two shouting all the way from the car."

Mike eased the front door shut as he and Debra exchanged bewildered glances.

Emily raced for the bedroom. She emerged only seconds later, clutching her handbag with both hands. Veering around Debra, she headed for the front door.

Debra called after her, “Emily, wait” Then she focused her gaze on Robert. “Where are Mom and Dad?"

Robert inclined his head toward the bedroom. “They're sleeping."

Debra snapped, “They'd have to be stone deaf to sleep through the noise you two are making."

Emily hurried out the door and down the walkway. She was angry, savagely, furiously angry, but beneath that anger ran a hurt too deep to measure. She got into Larry's car and slammed the door. Never before had Robert lashed out at her with such venomous ferocity. Even when he had asked her for a divorce, it had been with restraint and deference. Regardless of what else he felt for her, she had always had Robert's respect, until now. She backed from the driveway and sped toward home.

Emily was so lost in her own thoughts that she almost missed the turn that took her into her own driveway. She made a sharp turn and pulled to a stop just as Larry emerged from the front door. “I didn't expect you so soon."

Emily got out of the car and slammed the door. “I left as soon as Debra and Mike arrived.” She offered Larry his car keys.

He dropped them into his pants’ pocket. “Dennis has invited us to dinner. Are you ready to go?"

Did every man in her life think he had the right to make decisions for her? “You should have asked me before you accepted."

Larry seemed surprised. “I thought you'd jump at the chance to have someone make dinner for you.” His eyes narrowed. “Did you and Dad have another fight?"

Emily lied with the best of motives, her son's peace of mind. “No.” Hadn't she done enough damage for one day? Pasting a bright smile on her face, she said, “You're right. I am glad.” She laced her hand through his arm. “Let's go."

As always, in the presence of Dennis and his daughters, Emily’ spirits lifted. By the time the meal was over and the group had retired to the living room, she had pushed her quarrel with Robert to the back of her mind.

As the evening wore on, Dennis hinted several times that he would like to be alone with Emily. When his subtle suggestions failed, he asked point blank, “Larry would you mind leaving your mother and me alone for a while?” He nodded to the twins. “Upstairs, ladies, I have something to discuss with Emily in private."

Larry was hesitant. “After what happened at Grandma's today, maybe you two should cool it for a while."

Emily didn't want her problems to become her son's burden. And she was beginning to see how quickly that could happen. She smiled at him with what she hoped was assurance. “Why don't you go home? I'll be there soon."

Larry said, “I have a better idea. Why don't I take Kim and Amy to McDonald's for a soda? Then I can walk home with you afterward."

Sweet sensitive Larry was concerned about his mother. That was thoughtful. It was also unnecessary. She could take care of herself, “If it's all right with Dennis."

The twins, who had been uncharacteristically quiet through the evening, began to talk at once. Amy's, “May we go, Daddy?” collided with Kim's, “I get to ride in the front seat by Larry."

By now even Dennis's composure had begun to wear a little thin. “Yes. Go. Please. But be back by ten o'clock.” He sighed as the sound of the slamming door echoed through the still room “Alone at last."

Emily put her feet on the stool in front of her. “So we are. What do you have to say to me that can't be said in the presence of Larry and the twins?"

"You look beat.” Dennis observed. “This has been a tiring day for you, both physically and emotionally. I know how deeply you cared for your Aunt Beth and how attached you are to George and Clara Franklin and I suspect that Robert has been giving you a bad time."

Emily snorted, “That's putting it mildly.” She wondered if Dennis was as naive as he would have her believe. She decided to give him the benefit of a doubt. “Robert thought you were being intrusive."

"Why would he think that?” Dennis asked with the lifting of one eyebrow.

Emily may as well tell him. Sooner or later he would find out anyway. “Robert is jealous of your friendship with his sons."

"He's also jealous of my friendship with you.” Dennis announced flatly.

Emily tried to look indifferent. “That's Robert's problem."

"It's your problem, too.” Dennis studied his tented fingers. “One you are going to have to deal with sooner or later."