The Girl He Left Behind (7 page)

But much as he hated to admit it, Eve might be right. Her life
was
here, and his
was
somewhere else. And although he'd said he was free, he wasn't. Not really. First of all, there was Bethany. And even once he extricated himself from that relationship, there was still his career and all the people who depended upon that career.

He had commitments out the wazoo—not just the summer tour, but other bookings and possible bookings, including a television show in the works—which he had not told Eve about because he didn't want any word of it out there until the deal was finalized, if it ever was.

On top of that, there was his mother, and he really did want to try to get her to move to Nashville, so he could keep an eye on her. Then there was his place in LA. And if that television show worked out, he'd be spending more time there.

Lots of women might be interested in that kind of nomadic life, but he doubted Eve was. She had two children. Young children. He couldn't imagine her wanting to uproot them or take them away from their father. The truth was, he and Eve were like shooting stars going in opposite directions.

So he didn't stop her when she walked out of the suite.

But he didn't have to like it.

* * *

Eve spent another sleepless night filled with fitful dreams. But the next morning, she determinedly put them and all thoughts of Adam and what might have been out of her mind and concentrated her energies on writing the best, most objective story about him she possibly could.

Joan loved it. “Is he as nice as you've painted him?” she asked after reading it.

Eve smiled. “He is.”

“Not arrogant or obnoxious?”

“Not in the least.”

“You two were in the same graduating class, right?”

“Yes.”

“And you were friends?”

“Casual friends.”

Joan cocked her head, studying Eve. “Nothing more?”

Eve shook her head. Hoped her voice or expression wouldn't betray her. “Nope. Nothing more.”

“Was he as good-looking then as he is now?”

“He was always cute, but he was a loner. A bit weird. He didn't pay much attention to girls.”

“Really?” Joan's expression was skeptical.

Eve knew Joan wasn't buying it, but too bad. Eve had no intention of feeding her boss's curiosity, or anyone else's. She had her story and she was sticking to it.

“And all the girls accepted that?”

Eve shrugged. “I wouldn't know. I was kind of a loner myself.”

Joan grinned. “We have that in common, don't we?”

Eve breathed an inner sigh of relief, glad she'd managed to steer Joan away from the subject of Adam.

“Well, thank you for a great article,” Joan said. “And for the pictures.”

For the rest of the afternoon, Eve wondered whether she should call Bill and tell him about seeing Adam again—and why. But something stopped her. The interview had been part of her job, and Bill would know that. She didn't owe him an explanation.

The story about Adam ran in Thursday's edition, on the front page of the Lifestyle section, under Eve's byline. And even though Eve had been telling herself Bill would be fine with it, she wasn't really surprised to receive a phone call from him that afternoon.

“I thought we had a meeting of the minds,” he said tightly.

So he was angry. “We do. But I had no choice in the matter of the interview.”

“You could have gotten out of it.”

“And just how would I have managed that?” Now
she
was getting angry.

“If you'd wanted to, you'd have figured out something.”

“You know, Bill, you're being unfair. I'm very lucky to still have a job. So when Joan asked me personally to do the interview, I didn't think it would be wise to try to fob it off on someone else.”

The silence that followed was pregnant with tension. Finally, he said, “Tell me the truth, Eve. Are you going to see him again?”

“No. And I told him that.”

Another silence. But this time, when he spoke, his voice had softened. “Okay. Thank you.”

After they'd hung up, Eve gathered up her things and prepared to leave the office. She felt absurdly close to tears and too upset to face any more questions or congratulatory or curious calls from anyone else. For about the dozenth time since Adam had returned to Crandall Lake she asked herself why. Why had this happened? Why? And when would Adam leave so that her life could go back to normal?

You're kidding yourself. It'll never go back to normal, not now that you've seen Adam again. Not now that you know you've never really gotten over him. And especially not now that you know he feels the same way about you.

And yet... What could she do about any of it? No amount of thinking or bargaining with the heavens was going to change her situation. Seeing Adam, lying to herself that they might still have a chance to build a life together, was folly. Very dangerous folly.

The twins were number one in her life. Their happiness and security were more important than anything or anyone else. And there was no changing the circumstances of their birth or the bargain she'd made with Bill. She had no choice but to forget about Adam—again.

* * *

By the time Friday rolled around, and Bill had picked up the twins for the jaunt to Houston and their cousin's birthday weekend, Eve had finally managed to come to some kind of acceptance of the situation with Adam. She hated the phrase “it is what it is,” but that fit her life to a T.

And now she was facing another lonely weekend that she'd have to fill somehow...and fill without going anyplace where she might bump into Adam again.

She decided the smart thing to do was to work all weekend. In fact, if she did that, if she wrote a couple of blogs ahead, and did as much research and prep work on a couple of articles hanging fire from Penny's departure, she might be able to take a few days off next week. Maybe take the twins somewhere for a long weekend. They'd love that. She could even invite her mother to come along.

So at eight the next morning, she was already at the paper, sitting at her desk and working on blog ideas. Her mother had invited her to come over for lunch, and tonight she would order takeout for dinner, then work late. And tomorrow she had church in the morning, and if necessary, she could come back into the office for the afternoon. Or, if she got desperate to do something else, she could go to a movie. And Bill was bringing the twins home by six. The weekend would be tolerable.

At twelve fifteen she saved her work, took her purse out of her desk drawer and waved goodbye to the two coworkers who were also there. “I'll be back in a couple of hours,” she said.

She blinked as she walked out into the sunshine and put on her sunglasses. Heading for her car, which was parked in the small lot next to the building housing the paper, she didn't at first see the man leaning against her car. When she did, her heart did a somersault.

It was Adam.

“Hey,” he said, straightening and giving her his sexy, crooked grin. Today he wore the black biker boots, weathered-looking jeans and a gray T-shirt that was inscribed Peace, Love, Music. The bad boy grown up.

“What are you doing here?” she said.

“I was driving by and saw your car.”

She couldn't see his eyes, which were hidden by reflective sunglasses. “So?”

“So since it's almost lunchtime, I was waiting to see if you'd come out. If not, I was going to go in and get you.”

“Why? Wh-what do you want?” She hated how she'd stammered. How he seemed to reduce her insides to a bowlful of jelly.

“Just to say thanks for the great article you wrote. And I wanted to take you to lunch.”

“You're welcome, on the article. But I can't go to lunch with you. My mother's expecting me. She made stuffed cabbage rolls because she knows how much I love them.” Now,
why
had she said that? She was an idiot.

“Stuffed cabbage rolls!” He gave her a wicked grin. “I'll go with
you
, then.”

Eve stared at him. Go
with
her? She opened her mouth to say she didn't remember inviting him, but before she could, his grin grew even wider, and even though she couldn't see his eyes, she knew they were twinkling. Oh, he was pleased with himself. Childishly, she felt like kicking him.

“C'mon, Eve. What's the big deal? It's just lunch. Anyway, don't you think it's
time
I met your mother?”

Eve swallowed. She felt helpless in the face of his audacity. His assurance that she wouldn't deny him. That whatever he wanted, she'd go along with it.

And the truth was, she didn't
want
to say no to him ever—about anything. And he knew it. He'd known it on Tuesday when she'd said she wasn't going to see him again. And he knew it now. She could hear the knowledge in his voice. She wondered if he also knew how her heart was hammering, and how weak with desire she felt. Oh, God, she was a mess.

“I'll drive,” he said, knowing he'd won. He inclined his head, and she saw a red Porsche convertible parked at the curb. He laughed at her expression. “Yeah, I traded in the other rental yesterday. Figured if I was gonna be here awhile, I might as well drive something fun.”

Eve knew this was crazy. Utterly and completely crazy. But at that moment, she was powerless to stop herself. When he reached for her hand, she gave it to him, and she let him lead her to the car and help her in.

“Your mom still live in the same house?” he asked when he climbed into the driver's seat and started the car.

“Yes,” she said weakly. Dear God. What would her mother
think
when she saw him?

Eve didn't have long to wonder. Less than ten minutes later he swung into the driveway of her mother's house. Almost instantly, her mother opened the door. Eve wished she could take a photo of the astounded expression on Anna's face when she realized who the man was walking to the door with her daughter. When her mother's eyes met Eve's, Eve saw a dozen questions reflected in them.

I'm in for it now. What in the world am I going to tell her when she starts asking those questions? And wanting them answered?

Well, it was too late to worry about that problem. Now she'd better concentrate on giving the best performance of her life, and worry about the rest of it after she'd survived lunch.

Chapter Seven

“I
hope you don't mind another mouth to feed, Mrs. Cermak,” Adam said.

“Of course I don't mind,” Anna said.

“I dropped by the paper to invite Eve to lunch, and when she said she was coming here and that you'd made cabbage rolls, I invited myself along.”

When Adam gave Anna his famous smile, Eve could see her mother beginning to melt. “Well, come on in,” she said.

As always, her mother's small bungalow was spotless. The furniture gleamed with polish, the air smelled like lemon Pledge and there wasn't a speck of dust anywhere. A vase of fresh flowers adorned the small gateleg table in the entryway, and the grandfather clock that Anna had inherited from her parents chimed the half hour from its place of honor in the corner. As they walked back into the bright red-and-white kitchen, they were greeted with wonderful smells. Eve smiled when she saw Daisy, her mother's calico cat, snoozing in the bay window overlooking the backyard. The cat barely opened one eye at their entrance, then settled back into her comfortable nap.

“If I'd known Eve was bringing a guest, I'd've set the dining room table,” Anna fretted, giving Eve an accusatory glance.

“This is better. I like eating in the kitchen,” Adam said.

Eve's mother hurriedly set a third place, and invited them to sit. Eve said she'd get them something to drink, and when Adam said yes to iced tea, she went to the fridge and took out the pitcher her mother always had on hand. By the time she'd poured them each a glass, Anna had put the food out. Eve and Adam were seated across from each other at the round table, with her mother between them.

Adam took a generous helping of cabbage rolls and mashed potatoes and immediately dug in. “This is wonderful stuff,” he said after a couple of mouthfuls. “I haven't had them since I was a kid.”

Anna beamed. Nothing made her happier than feeding people.

Eve knew her mother was dying to ask questions, but she tried to forestall her by saying, “Did you read the article I wrote about Adam in Thursday's paper, Mom?”

“I did. It was really good.”

“I thought so,” Adam said. “Your daughter made me sound a lot nicer than I am.”

“Oh, I'm sure that's not true,” Anna said. “She tells me you two were in the same high school graduating class?”

“Yes, we were.” Adam's eyes met Eve's across the table. “What else did she tell you?”

Anna frowned a little. She looked at Eve.

Eve hated the way she blushed. Now she
really
wanted to kick Adam. What was he
doing
?

“Was there something else to tell?” Anna said, turning her blue-eyed gaze back to Adam.

“You know how it is with teenagers, Mrs. Cermak,” Adam said, chuckling. “They never tell their parents everything.”

I'll kill him
, Eve thought.
I will cheerfully kill him.
“He's teasing you, Mom. We, uh, hung out together our senior year. It was kind of...group dating. You know.”

“Group dating? Really? You never said.”

Eve knew she was
really
in for it when her mother got her alone again, because both her parents had always believed she'd been totally honest with them. She could see even more questions in her mother's eyes, the dawning awareness that maybe her daughter had hidden more than one thing from her.

“She probably knew you wouldn't approve of me,” Adam said. “I was kind of a wild kid.”

“Were you?”

“Yeah. My dad took off when I was pretty young, and I acted out a lot.”

“That must have been hard on you.” Anna's voice had softened in sympathy.

Adam shrugged. “I survived. It made me tough.”

“I don't think you're tough. I think you just pretend to be tough.” Her mother smiled. “Anyway, you've certainly made something of your life now.”

“I've been lucky.”

“It takes more than luck to accomplish what you have.”

How did he do it? Eve wondered. Every female who came within ten feet of him fell under his spell. She knew darned well her mother would have had a stroke if Eve had told her about him during their high school days, but here she was now, completely charmed by him.

Soon her mother was asking him all kinds of questions about his family and his career.

“Your mother must be so proud of you,” she finally said.

“I hope so,” he said. “I've tried to be a good son.”

“From what I hear, you've been a wonderful son.”

“Thank you.”

“And you've never married?”

“No. I only came close once.” His gaze sought Eve's. “But she got away,” he added softly.

Eve's heart skipped and she looked down at her plate.

“I'm sure you wouldn't have any problem finding someone now,” Anna said.

Adam laughed. “I'm picky. I want somebody who can cook like you do! This is the best meal I've had in a long time.”

“You're welcome to come and eat here anytime you like. That hospital food is horrible. I'm sure you're sick of it.”

“My mother's actually out of the hospital and in rehab now.”

“Even so. I'm sure she won't be cooking anytime soon.” Anna turned to Eve. “Bring him to lunch on Wednesday. I'm making pierogies.”

“Pierogies!” Adam said. “You don't have to ask me twice! I'll be here.”

Eve knew her mother had no idea what she was doing to Eve or to her resolve to stay away from Adam. If Anna only knew the Pandora's box she was flirting with.

Eve had to wait before she could gracefully find a reason to leave, but fifteen minutes later she figured it was okay to say, “Mom, I've got to get back to the paper. I still have a ton of stuff to do this weekend before the twins get home again.”

At the door, Anna embraced Adam. “I'm so glad you came.”

“I am, too.” He kissed her cheek, saying softly, “I wish I'd known you when I was young.”

“I wish that, too.” Anna gave Eve another reproachful look.

Eve squirmed, her guilty feelings almost overwhelming her. Had she misjudged her parents?
Would
they have accepted Adam years ago?

As she and Adam walked outside, Adam said, “Thanks for letting me come. I really enjoyed myself.”

“I'm sure you did,” Eve said drily. “Another notch in your belt.”

Adam gave her a sidelong look. “Think so?”

Eve shook her head. “Don't play dumb. You've won my mother over and you know it.”

He chuckled softly and opened the passenger door of the Porsche to help her in. “Now all I have to do is win
you
over.”

* * *

Eve half expected Adam to try to talk her into spending more time with him that weekend, but surprisingly, he didn't. He dropped her back at the paper, thanked her again, said he'd call her before Wednesday and took off. She knew she should be grateful—wasn't that what she
wanted
? Yet perversely, she was disappointed.

She didn't hear from him on Sunday, either. She told herself that was good. She did manage to get a lot of work done, just as she'd planned. So maybe she would ask Joan for Thursday and Friday off and take the twins somewhere for a really long weekend.

As promised, Bill brought Natalie and Nathan home at six. “They've already eaten,” he said. “We stopped for hamburgers on the way.”

“Thanks.”

“So how was your weekend?”

“Good. I got lots of work done.”

“You gonna be at the office tomorrow?”

“Yes. The twins are spending the day with Olivia.” Her cousin had Monday and Tuesday off this week.

“Can we have lunch? There's something I need to discuss with you.”

“Sure. Noon?”

“How about one? I have an appointment at eleven thirty. Can we meet at Tony's?” Tony's was a favorite Italian restaurant near the paper's office.

“Okay.”

After Bill left, Eve wondered what it was he wanted to talk about that he couldn't discuss in front of the twins. She hoped he wasn't going to throw another curveball at her about next weekend. If he did, she would just have to be firm about not letting him disrupt her plans again.

She was too busy Monday morning to spend much time thinking about what he might say, and before she knew it, it was twelve forty-five and time to head to Tony's to meet him.

Bill was already seated at a window table when she walked in. After greeting Rose, Tony's wife, who served as the hostess, Eve joined Bill. “So what's up?” she said.

“Let's wait and talk after we order.”

Eve didn't like his solemn tone. It made her think his news wasn't going to be something she'd be happy about.

After placing their orders, he leaned forward. “On Wednesday, I'm leaving for California. I'll be on assignment out there for at least six weeks.”

Eve blinked. “You're kidding.”

“No, I'm not. It's sudden, I know.”

“I guess.” Eve's thoughts were beginning to whirl. Bill being gone for six weeks was going to throw the entire summer schedule into chaos. Part of her was thrilled she'd have the twins all to herself for the bulk of the summer. The other part of her worried how she'd manage. Would her mother help her out? But hadn't her mother said something about going to a bridge tournament next month?

“The whole family's going,” Bill continued, “and I want to take the twins with us.”

Eve's mouth fell open and she shook her head reflexively.

“Eve, before you say no, at least
listen
to me. The company has rented a house for us that's only a block from the beach. The twins will love it out there. And you won't have to worry about finding things for them to do this summer. They'll be safe and having fun, and you'll be free to work.”

“But—”

“You can even come out and join us one weekend. Missy said to invite you.” He smiled at her. “I know this is a shock, and you haven't had any time to think about it, but it's a terrific opportunity for the twins. They'll have a wonderful summer if you let them.”

Although Eve hated to admit it, she knew Bill was right. She gave a few more halfhearted objections, but in the end, she agreed. And before lunch was over, she also agreed to pack everything the twins would need the next day. They would spend Tuesday night with Bill because their flight to California was leaving early Wednesday morning.

As she headed back to the office, she realized fate had handed her a gift. With the twins gone, if she wanted to see Adam, she could. He wouldn't see them, so there'd be no danger he'd ever put two and two together. This was an opportunity for her to get him out of her system. Then, by the time the twins returned from California, he would be long gone.

And Eve's secret would still be safe.

* * *

That night, as Eve was helping Natalie pack—she'd already gotten Nathan's things ready and he was happily playing an online game—Natalie said, “Janie Logan's mom told me that you know Adam Crenshaw. Is that true, Mom?”

Eve gave an inward sigh. Looked down into her daughter's eyes—eyes that would never allow Eve to forget how and when her children had been conceived—and said in as casual a tone as she could manage, “Yes, honey, that's true.”

“Janie said he's here, in Crandall Lake.”

“Yes. His mother's been sick, so he came home.”

“Why didn't you
tell
me?”

Eve pretended to be amused by forcing a chuckle. “
Tell
you? It wasn't that important.”

“Not important! Mom! Adam
Crenshaw
? He's the lead singer in Version II! I
love
him! And you
know
him! I can't believe we're going to California and I won't get to meet him!”

“Natalie, it's not a big d—”

“Can you call him up? Maybe ask him to come over tonight? So I can meet him before I leave?”

“No. I can't just—”

“Please? All the kids are talking about him. Janie even
saw
him at the store the other day. And they all know that you know him. It's not
fair
! I didn't even know you'd written a story about him until Janie told me. I felt so stupid.”

Now Eve did sigh. “Look, honey, I'm sorry I didn't say anything about him, but really, I—I just didn't think it was important.”

“You said that already. And it
is
important. He's one of the biggest stars
ever.
And he's from
here.
And you
know
him.” Natalie's voice had gone from a wail punctuated with exclamation points to injured disbelief at her mother's ignorance.

“I'm sorry, Natalie. I guess I'm out of it.” Eve realized she should have known the twins were bound to hear about Adam. After all, the whole town was buzzing about him.

“So will you call him? Please, Mom, please? I just want to be able to tell my friends I've met him. If I could get a selfie with him my friends would
die
!”

“I can't do that, honey. He spends most of his time at the rehab center with his mother. Besides, it's late.”

Natalie looked at Eve as if she had two heads. “It's only nine o'clock.”

“I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not calling him.”

“Mom!”

“Please don't argue, Natalie. It won't change anything.”

Natalie's eyes filled with tears as she stared at Eve. “This is so not fair!”

Eve thought about resorting to that old standby, “Who told you life was going to be fair?” but thought better of it when she saw how upset her daughter was. “Sweetheart, I can't call him tonight, but I'll tell you what. If he's still in town when you get back from California, I'll invite him over so you can meet him.”