Trouble Don’t Last Always (29 page)

“How did it go?” Adam asked the moment she sat down in the swing beside him. Since he usually didn’t sit outside, she had to assume he had been waiting for her. The idea warmed and shamed her.

She bit her lip before answering. “It might be a bit more difficult than I thought. Maybe I should wait until regular classes.” He twisted toward her. “What happened?” She explained and ended by saying, “I can’t keep up.” “You can’t keep up because you’re so busy writing that you can’t process the information,” he told her. “I had the same problem. What you need is a tape recorder.” He stood and reached for her hand. “We’ll go into town and get one.”

Adam hadn’t been to town since their shopping expedition to the grocery store.

“I can use the other one,” Lilly said.

He was already heading back inside the house. “Too bulky. Besides, you don’t have any blank tapes.” He stopped at the phone in the hallway and dialed. “Mother, Lilly and I are going into town.…All right, bye.” He hung up and took her arm. “Let’s go.”

She didn’t budge. “Eleanor coming?”

“No, she’s working on Jonathan’s painting. Stop stalling.”

She started toward the door. “The only reason I’m letting you get away with this is on the outside possibility that you might be right, plus there’s a drive-in hamburger place on the way.”

Adam shuddered. “Your cholesterol level is probably three-ninety.”

Lilly opened the door of her car she had left in the driveway. “Does that mean you don’t want one or the French fries or a thick strawberry shake I’m going to order?”

Breaking down his cane, Adam got inside the car. “No. I don’t.” He waited until he heard the squeak in the door. “I want a chocolate shake.”

Lilly grinned and closed his door.

They found a tape recorder Lilly could hold in the palm of her hand. She blinked when she saw the price of the tapes, but she went to the register anyway with them and the tape recorder. She was relatively sure that if she didn’t get them they would show up much as her dress had.

The hamburger was greasy and delicious; so were the French fries and shakes. To make up for their gluttony, they went for a long walk when they arrived back at the house. Dinner was a salad with low-calorie dressing.

While Adam kept her company and measured out the nuts for the pies, she rolled out the piecrusts for the ten pies for the ladies’ auxiliary at Memorial Hospital. Word of mouth was bringing in a steady flow of orders. Her life would be wonderful if she didn’t have the divorce hanging over her head.

Her hand paused as she crimped the edges of the piecrusts. She had to gain her freedom, and she had to expose Myron for what he was. She had a chance for a better life and she was taking it.

The next day when she went to class, she found Adam had been right. With her mind on what the instructor said and not on getting it down on paper, she was able to absorb the information better. When she told Adam over a late lunch, his comment was, “Told you we made a good team.”

She went to sleep wishing that were true.

Lilly had never flown before. Of course, she’d seen the private jets on television and wasn’t that surprised to see the flight attendant or that the inside of the cabin resembled a small living room. Adam, Eleanor, and Jonathan insisted it was no big deal, and Lilly wanted to believe them until the Gulfstream started down the runway, then lifted skyward. Her newly manicured nails dug into the armrests. She pressed her head against the back of the seat, flattening her freshly done curls.

Lilly inhaled sharply; Adam’s hand was suddenly there. She clutched it thankfully and prayed her stomach she had left on the ground would catch up with her.

“It’s all right, Lilly. We’re just climbing to get altitude,” Adam reassured her. “Pretty soon, we’ll level off and you won’t feel like you’ve been shot out of a cannon.”

“I–I just wasn’t expecting it.”

“You’ll soon be an old pro at this,” he said, then added, “Are your eyes open or shut?”

“Shut.”

He laughed. “Well, take a deep breath and open them. We’re flying into a sunrise, and there’s nothing like those vivid colors.”

Lilly partially opened one eye, then the other, and looked out the window by her shoulder. Brilliant shades of blue and purple filled the horizon. “Oh, Adam, it’s breathtaking!”

“See, flying does have its advantages. This is worth missing classes Monday.”

“My instructors didn’t mind my leaving the two tape recorders to tape the classes just like you said,” she agreed. “I just hope I do well on the tests next week.”

“You will. I’ll help you study,” he told her. “Now, how about a glass of wine to celebrate your first flight?”

“Are you going to have one, too?”

“A gentleman never lets a lady drink alone.”

Across from them, Eleanor listened to Lilly’s and Adam’s easy banter. She had once been the same way with Jonathan. Now, she stared down at a decorating magazine. It was a shield. She wasn’t proud of it, but she hadn’t been proud in a long time.

“You thinking of redoing your house in San Francisco?”

She glanced up and was caught by brilliant brown eyes. She quickly glanced back at the magazine. “No.”

“I see.” Jonathan settled back in his seat. Indeed he did see. He and Eleanor had flown together many times in the past. She might bring a magazine, but she never got around to opening it. They had too much to talk about.

He settled back in his seat and listened to Lilly talk quietly to Adam. Eleanor could ignore him all she wanted for now, but tonight…tonight that would definitely change.

San Francisco International Airport resembled a shopping mall to Lilly. Stores lined the wide corridors as far as she could see. The only difference was the luggage people carried with them.

She probably would have gotten a crick in her neck except that she forgot about the shops and the people when Adam hesitated. She edged closer. “I’ve never seen so many rushing people in one place. I’m glad I’m not here by myself.”

“So am I,” he admitted quietly.

Outside, a limousine waited. The driver loaded the luggage and they were off again. It was Lilly’s first limousine ride, and her eyes widened at the spa-ciousness inside, the TV, and the wet bar. “I have to say it again.”

“Say what?” Eleanor asked.

“Rich people sure know how to live,” Lilly said, then, thinking they might be offended added, “They also know how to love.”

“We certainly do,” Jonathan said.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Adam said, sitting hip to shoulder beside Lilly, her hand in his.

Lilly’s heart beat faster.

Eleanor swallowed.

The residential neighborhood was very exclusive. All the homes were located behind an ivy-covered ten-foot stone wall. Lilly edged forward on her seat as the limousine turned into a stone entrance and the black wrought-iron gates slowly opened. The car pulled through and followed the tree-lined curve.

As the driveway straightened there stood a French chaˆteau nestled in a veritable forest. The immaculate grounds were as well tended as those at Wake-field Manor.

Kristen, wearing navy pants and a cream-colored blouse, ran out of the double front door. Directly behind her was Nicole in a hot pink double-breasted jacket and matching skirt that stopped midway on her long legs. Lilly didn’t know why the sight of the other woman annoyed her but was immensely happy she had gone back to Foley’s and purchased black linen slacks and a crisp white blouse for the trip and another dress for the baccalaureate services.

“Adam!” Kristen exclaimed, throwing her arms exuberantly around him as soon as he emerged from the limousine and straightened. “I missed you.”

He hugged her to him. “Same here.”

“I–I was afraid you wouldn’t make it.”

Stepping back, he playfully pulled her long, straight hair. “Not for anything would I have missed tomorrow. You’re my annoying little sister.”

“Hello, Adam.”

Adam tensed, then turned toward the silken honeyed voice. “Hello, Nicole. I didn’t know you were going to be here.”

“Kristen invited me over. I hope you don’t mind?”

“No. This is an important time for Kristen,” he said politely. “I’m glad you could come.”

“Why don’t we all go inside?” Eleanor said. She had spoken only briefly to Nicole since the day Adam had fired, then rehired Lilly. Eleanor didn’t think Adam had spoken to Nicole at all. From the way Kristen kept glancing between the two, she wasn’t aware that their relationship had changed.

“Good idea,” Jonathan said finally. “I’ll help the driver with the luggage, then settle up with him.”

“That’s already taken care of, Jonathan,” Eleanor said.

“Then I’ll just help with the luggage,” he said.

“Carl can get them,” she said, referring to the butler.

“I’ll just help.”

For some ungodly reason Jonathan’s answer annoyed the hell out of Eleanor. “Suit yourself.” She started toward the house.

“You bet I will,” Jonathan said under his breath and went to help the driver pull suitcases from the trunk.

“Lilly,” Adam said, and Lilly moved to his side. Leaning over, she whispered in his ear, reacclimating him. Nodding, he extended his cane, and they started toward the house. Kristen walked beside Adam.

Nicole noted the tableau and her lush red mouth tightened.

Jonathan looked from Nicole to Lilly and his lips twitched. Should be an interesting weekend.

The high arched entryway led to an immense living room with pale golden walls, designer furniture, and thick off-white carpeting. Lilly and Adam sat by each other on the cream-colored silk sofa. Kristen was on Adam’s other side. Across from them, Eleanor and Nicole were seated in the matching love seat.

“How was the trip?” Kristen asked, one long leg pulled under her.

“Fine,” Adam said, a glass of white wine in his hand. “We’ll make a flyer out of Lilly yet.”

“Don’t bet on it.” Lilly rubbed her stomach and sipped her iced tea.

Nicole, seated across from them, barely kept from snarling. “Adam, some friends are going to Dino’s tonight. You want to go?”

“Thanks, but count me out. The flight wore me out.”

“You want to lie down?” Lilly asked, her hand on his shoulder.

“I’m fine.”

Reassured, Lilly settled back in her seat. When she bent to set her glass down, she stared straight into the open animosity on Nicole’s beautiful face. Lilly tensed. She’d almost forgotten how it felt to be disliked so intensely. “I’ll go help Jonathan with the luggage.”

“Carl can help,” Adam said.

“I’ll just check and make sure. Excuse me.” Lilly rose before Adam could stop her and left the room.

“I wasn’t aware that she was coming,” Nicole said tightly, her fingers gripping the stem of the wineglass in agitation.

“I invited her,” Adam said.

“We both invited her,” Eleanor added, her tone crisp.

“Isn’t it a little unusual for the hired help to accompany her employer on a family trip?” Nicole set her glass on the round glass-topped table with a sharp clink.

Adam’s face hardened. “I’m not concerned with what’s unusual or not. Lilly is a big part of the reason I’m here.”

“Of course,” Nicole quickly placated him, but her eyes were glacial.

Lilly opened the front door just as Jonathan was about to open it. “Here. Let me help.”

He handed her Eleanor’s Louis Vuitton overnight case. “Get too hot in there for you?”

She wrinkled her nose. There was no sense in pretending. “You might say that.”

“No pain, no glory.” He set two large suitcases inside the entryway, then reached for the other three.

“Some of us aren’t as good at fighting for what we want.” Her gaze centered on Nicole snuggled up against Adam.

Jonathan closed the door and followed the direction of Lilly’s gaze. Eleanor glanced at him, then away.

“It’s not strength as much as finding out how badly you want it and what you’re willing to go through to get it. Once you decide that, the rest is easy.”

Lilly shook her head. Some wars were impossible to win. “No offense, but I think you’re wrong.”

“None taken.”

“Dr. Delacroix, I’ll take those bags,” Carl said, picking up some of Eleanor’s luggage. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here. I was giving instructions to the cook for tonight’s dinner.”

“No problem, Carl. This is Mrs. Crawford, Adam’s assistant.”

“Hello, Carl,” Lilly greeted him.

The middle-aged man nodded. “Mrs. Crawford. Your room is next to Dr. Wakefield’s. You’re on the same wing, Dr. Delacroix, in the last room.”

Jonathan didn’t say anything but followed the butler to his new room assignment, at the farthest possible distance from Eleanor’s room. A few minutes later he met Lilly in the hallway as she came out of her room. Together they joined the others downstairs.

“Mission accomplished,” Jonathan said as he walked into the living room.

“Was your room all right, Lilly?” Adam asked, glancing over his shoulder in the direction Jonathan’s voice had come from.

“It’s beautiful,” she said, suddenly feeling awkward again. “I think I’ll go upstairs and unpack.”

“That can wait,” Adam said. “Sit down.”

Since Nicole had taken her seat, Lilly sat on the tufted hassock near Adam’s feet. She glanced up at him. “I feel as if I should have a book in my hand.”

Adam smiled. “I’m sure, if you insist, we could find one.”

Nicole’s eyes narrowed.

“Uncle Jon, what would you like to drink?” Unfolding her leg, Kristen went to the glass serving cart near the sofa.

“Mineral water.” He purposefully sat beside Eleanor. Every chance he got he intended to remind her of his presence.

“Here you are.” Kristen handed him a heavy cut-crystal glass, then returned to her seat beside Adam.

“Thanks, Kristen.” Jonathan casually placed one arm on the back of the love seat and sipped his drink.

Eleanor leaned forward to set her glass on the table, then stood. “I’ll go see how Alice is coming with our lunch. Nicole, will you be joining us?”

She snuggled closer to Adam; her pink nails, the exact color of her skirt and jacket, clutched his arm. “I’d love to, thank you.”

Lilly stared down at her worn hands. The manicure couldn’t take away the calluses or the dryness.

Jonathan set his glass down and pushed to his feet. “Lilly, why don’t I show you around?”

She lifted grateful eyes to him. “Thank you.”

Eleanor watched them leave through the open French door. The grounds were as well kept as those at Wakefield Manor. There were also lots of private places for a couple who wanted to be alone.

“Mother, are you all right?” Kristen asked.

Eleanor came out of her musing and forced a smile. “Of course. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” She walked from the room, a strange tightness in her chest.

Lunch was served on the loggia, a covered porch, Lilly learned. She also learned jealousy could steal your appetite and tie your stomach in knots. She barely ate the shrimp on her plate. Nicole’s bubbly chatter gave her a headache. She would have gone to her room, but she didn’t want to leave Adam.

He wasn’t eating, either. He’d said he wasn’t hungry. Lilly wasn’t sure if that was true or whether he wasn’t entirely comfortable eating around Nicole. The woman impressed Lilly as being meticulous and rigid. She certainly sounded like she was that way with her employees.

“My business is really growing, but it’s so aggravating trying to hire competent people.” She took a sip of wine. “I had to fire a new hire this morning because she was late for her assignment the second day in a row.”

“Did she give you an explanation?” Jonathan asked from the foot of the table. Eleanor was at the head.

Nicole waved a negligent hand. Her five-carat diamond-and-sapphire tennis bracelet glinted on her slim wrist. “Something about her car wouldn’t start.”

Adam’s brows bunched. “Then she had a reason.”

“An unreliable car translates into an unreliable employee. She should have foreseen the problem the first day she was late and taken measures then for an alternate way of getting to work on time.” Her white teeth bit into a shrimp. “I advertise as the best, and that’s what I have. If you can’t be the best, why bother?”

A quietness settled over the table. Nicole glanced around and saw all eyes except Adam’s were on her. “Adam, I–I—”

Sitting next to her, he held up his hand. “Since I’ve spouted the same words, I have no right to be offended by them now.”

“You’ll get your sight back, and it will be just as it was before.” She laid a trembling hand on his arm.

“I’m beginning to wonder if I want it the way it was before,” he said quietly. “I wasn’t a nice person at times to those working under me.”

“You got the job done,” Nicole protested, withdrawing her hand.

“Yes, but could there have been a better way?” He frowned down toward the wine in his wineglass.

“You can’t be chummy with underlings,” Nicole said, and shot Lilly a withering glance. “They try and take advantage of you.”

Lilly had had enough. “Excuse me. I need to unpack.”

“Certainly,” Nicole beamed.

Adam’s jaw tightened. Nicole had her claws out today, but he planned to clip them. “I hope you’ll be equally as gracious and excuse me.”