Trouble Don’t Last Always (37 page)

Long after Lilly had returned to her room and gone to bed, she lay awake. The Wakefields were a close-knit family, perhaps too close to allow anyone else in. She didn’t have any illusions about Adam’s feelings for her. He depended on her, but he didn’t love her. She wasn’t sophisticated, beautiful, wealthy, or cultured. She’d never traveled farther than 300 miles from her birthplace until she’d gone to California. He’d settled for her because she was comfortable. He was at ease around her. He might tell himself it went deeper than that, but she knew better. And once his sight returned, he’d leave.

Still, she wanted him to see again, prayed nightly that God would grant that miracle. She’d lose him, but the world would regain a great surgeon and he’d stand at the helm of his speedboat again, plan his garden, and perhaps think of her sometimes.

She knew she’d never forget him.

A little after ten the next morning Lilly pulled her car into the parking space across from the medical center in downtown Shreveport and switched off the key. By the time she had gotten out of the car and gone around to the passenger door, Adam was already out of the car.

“You’re sure you want to do this? Kristen won’t like it,” she warned, allowing Adam to take her arm.

“Jonathan deserved better than he’s getting. He took enough crap from me not to have to take it from Kristen as well.”

“Curb.” Lilly waited until Adam stepped on the sidewalk, then continued down the sidewalk. “You had reason.”

“I had an excuse. So does she.” He squinted at the bright reflection of light. The medical center was thirteen stories of golden glass. “Jonathan’s office building is dead ahead,” he said, pleased with himself.

“In the center is the revolving door. We better take the outer one.” She pulled open the heavy glass door. “I almost lost one of my pies that way.”

“You sure you’re not saying that to spare my feelings?” he questioned lightly, but she heard the disquiet beneath his words.

“What I’m sparing you is me tripping all over you while trying to get out of the thing.” Crossing the lobby, she jabbed the button for the elevator. “The people behind or in front of me always go too fast. I bet you’re the same way.”

“Guilty.” He heard the
ping
announcing the arrival of the elevator, the doors opening. Lilly stepped on first. He followed closely.

The elevator stopped on the third and fifth floors. People piled on and they were crowded like sardines. It annoyed him as it always did until he felt the pressure of Lilly’s soft breasts pressed against his back. He’d bet her head was downcast, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He probably should be ashamed of himself for enjoying the sensation. He smiled. He wasn’t in the least.

The elevator door opened and they stepped off. “That was interesting.”

“I…I…guess so.” Her hand trembling, she opened the door to Jonathan’s office. Pale pastels and light greeted them.

“There’s a small couch in the corner.” Lilly led Adam to a light blue seat, then went to the receptionist, trying to forget the tingling sensation in her breasts and how she had wantonly wanted to press her body closer to Adam’s.

“Hi, Sandy.”

The pretty brunette glanced up from behind the partial glass enclosure. The welcoming smile on her heart-shaped face widened. “Hello, Lilly. Who ordered a pie this time?”

“No one,” Lilly answered. “Could you please let Dr. Delacroix know that Dr. Wakefield would like to see him?”

The receptionist’s hazel eyes widened perceptibly, then searched the waiting area before stopping on Adam in the far corner of the room. “Right away.”

Lilly went back and sat on the love seat beside Adam. “Sandy, the receptionist, went to tell Jonathan.”

He nodded, then leaned over. “I hope I’m not the only man in here.”

“You aren’t,” she whispered, then glanced at the other two men. One wore a business suit; the other wore jeans and a T-shirt. They were probably husbands of the pregnant women they were seated beside. Instead of looking at the numerous fashion and parenting magazines on the table and in the racks, the couples were talking softly to each other.

A baby represented the completion and the beginning of a circle of a couple’s love. Lilly had regretted that she hadn’t gotten pregnant after she married Myron; she’d foolishly thought a baby might change him and prayed to get pregnant. Thankfully, God knew better.

The wooden door beside the glass-enclosed reception area opened and Jonathan came out. He spoke to his patients but never slacked his long stride toward Adam. Jonathan wore a starched, pristine white lab coat over a white shirt and silk tie. Tasseled loafers peeked from beneath tailored gray pants. He looked as tired and as miserable as Eleanor had this morning when she thought no one was looking, Lilly thought.

“Is she all right?” Jonathan asked the moment he stopped in front of them.

“About as well as you’d imagine.” Adam stood. “Can we talk?”

“Come on.” Jonathan took Adam’s arm, then stopped to ask Lilly, “Will you be all right here?”

She picked up a fashion magazine. “I’m fine. Go on.”

Jonathan didn’t need any further urging to take Adam to his office. “No matter what you think, this is my fault and not Eleanor’s,” he said when he closed his office door.

“I’m not here to find fault, Jonathan,” Adam said, extending his cane. “I’ve known you all my life. You’ve never committed a single act that would make me doubt your integrity.”

Jonathan paced away, then returned. “I love your mother.”

“If I thought otherwise, this cane would be on your head instead of the floor,” Adam said calmly.

Jonathan’s lips curved slightly upward for a brief moment. “How does Kristen feel?”

Adam wouldn’t lie. “At the moment she can’t accept the idea of you and Mother together.”

“Oh, God. What a mess.” Jonathan went to the window to look out toward the sprawling Shreveport Memorial Hospital. “Eleanor loves her children more than her life. She’d cut off her arm with a smile on her face before willingly hurting either of you.”

“That doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you.”

“It means I don’t have a chance. I’d fight for her if I thought I’d win, but I wouldn’t, and Eleanor and Kristen’s relationship would be damaged irrevocably.”

“I’m sorry.” Jonathan knew Eleanor as well as Adam. “Kristen is going through a rough time now. She and Eric broke up. She’s not talking, but it’s obvious she’s hurting badly. It’s my bet there’s another woman involved.”

Jonathan turned from the window. “The little bastard.”

Adam wasn’t surprised by the venom in Jonathan’s voice on behalf of Kristen. She may have tried to cut Jonathan out of her life, but she’d always be a part of his. “Kristen thinks you loved me best; I always knew it was her.”

Jonathan nodded. “She needed me. You were always independent and cocky.”

“She still needs us, Jonathan,” Adam said, his hand clenched on the cane. “She’s still trying to find her place in this crazy world.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Jonathan asked heatedly. “I won’t make it any more difficult for her. I told you I’m out of the picture. If that’s all you came to tell me, you can go. I have patients to see.”

Adam took a step toward the shadow that moved through the bright light. “I came because I admire you and I don’t think there’s a better man in the world for my mother or to be a friend to this family. I came because I wanted to let you know that my surgery is scheduled for eight in the morning.”

Strong fingers closed around his upper forearms. “I…I wish I could be there with you.”

“I’ll have Lilly call when we know.”

“You do that.” Jonathan’s hands fell; he stepped back.

Adam extended his hand. “I’ll be gone for several weeks, but I’ll see you when I get back.”

Jonathan’s hand closed around Adam’s; then he pulled him roughly against his chest. Adam had come a long way. Seeing no longer just meant visually; it meant being with a person. “You take care of yourself and tell Scott he had damn well better live up to his reputation.”

“Is that the only message you want me to deliver?”

There was a long silence; then, as if the word was dragged from the depth of his soul, Jonathan said, “Yes.”

The jet was waiting for them on the runway. Lilly followed Adam up the stairs and into the plane. Eleanor and Kristen were already aboard and seated side by side.

“You saw him, didn’t you? That’s the errand you had to take care of, isn’t it?” From her window seat Kristen peered around her mother’s suddenly tense body. The magazine in Eleanor’s hand shook.

Adam allowed Lilly to take her seat, then sat beside her and buckled his seat belt. “I saw Jonathan. I wanted to let him know about the surgery.”

Kristen’s gaze flew to the door. “He’s not coming, is he?”

“No, Jonathan doesn’t want us to take sides,” Adam said.

“Meaning I do,” she tossed back.

“Meaning he loves you.” Adam removed his glasses, trying to will himself to see through the smoky haze. It was useless, as useless as trying to get his sister to understand that the love between Jonathan and their mother didn’t diminish what she and their father had shared. But he wasn’t giving up on either.

“We all do. Love is what has kept this family together through the bad times. That’s not going to change. Did you stop loving me when I was going through my depression and being an ass?”

“Adam.”

He ignored his mother’s outrage. “Did you, Kristen?”

“No.”

“Then why would you think we’d stop loving you?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “You’re hurting and you may want to hurt. I can handle that because I know deep down the capacity for love you have. I remember the little girl who always wanted to include everyone at her party, went out of her way to help others. That person understood love and loving.”

“I’m not a little girl anymore.”

“No, you aren’t. You’re an adult, so act like one.”

Kristen looked at the window; then a sound made her turn. She glanced around. Her mother’s head was bowed. Kristen heard the sound again. Frown-ing, she saw the teardrops splatter on the page of the fashion magazine in her mother’s hands.

Quickly Kristen glanced away, fighting her own tears.

There was a steady procession of hospital staff in and out of Adam’s room the next morning. Although vitrectomy surgery was usually done in day surgery, Dr. Scott had decided to keep Adam overnight for precautionary measures. Thus he’d been given a private room instead of a cubicle in the day surgery area. The fragrant scent of flowers lingered in the air. Flowers had been in his suite when he checked in, and more had arrived as the morning lengthened.

“You ready to do this?” Dr. Scott asked, coming to Adam’s bedside.

“You should be in the OR scrubbing up,” Adam said playfully, grasping the hand that took his.

“Still giving orders.” Dr. Scott turned to Eleanor and glanced around the room. “Where’s Jonathan?”

“He couldn’t make it,” Adam answered into the growing silence.

“Must have been mighty important,” Dr. Scott said. “I thought he’d want to scrub in and watch over my shoulder. He’s hovered over you like a guardian angel in the past.”

“You’ll take care of Adam, won’t you, Louis?” Eleanor asked from the other side of the bed.

“I’ve got the best team in the country. We’ll be in about two or three hours, depending on what we find. I’ll keep you posted,” he said, then nodded to the orderly standing just inside the door.

The man opened the door and pulled in a gurney. A middle-aged woman came in behind him wearing a pink smock.

“The volunteer will show you where to wait.”

Eleanor leaned over and kissed Adam on the cheek. Kristen followed suit. “We’ll be waiting and praying.” They left with the volunteer.

“I’m missing a kiss,” Adam said lightly.

Lilly flushed.

“I don’t think you meant me,” Dr. Scott said with a broad grin. “I’ll herd everyone outside and give you one minute.”

“Lilly,” Adam said as soon as he heard the sound of the door swinging open, then closed. “Did I embarrass you?”

“No. I wanted to kiss you,” she admitted truthfully. It would be one more memory.

“Then kiss me.” Her mouth brushed against his, a gentle pressing of lips; then her cheek was against his. He felt the wetness. “I’ll be all right. Either way. I’ll be all right.”

“I know.”

“Do me a favor? You’ll know before I do. Call Jonathan for me.”

“I will.”

The door opened and Dr. Scott and the orderly came back. “They’re waiting for you outside, Ms. Crawford.”

Squeezing Adam’s hand, she started from the room. Opening the door, she heard the doctor say, “You sure know how to pick ‘em, Adam.”

Her heart in her throat, she paused in spite of herself and listened for a response from Adam. “You don’t have to tell me she’s beautiful, Louis; I already know.”

Letting the door swing shut, Lilly fought the stinging in her eyes. More than anything she wanted Adam to regain his sight. What she didn’t want was to see the disappointment on his face when he saw her for the first time.

Adam drifted in and out of consciousness on the operating table, catching bits and pieces of conversation about a golf tournament, needing more suctioning, the high cost of malpractice insurance, the cute 11–7 nurse in ICU. He tried to remain conscious, but the anesthesia was taking him down under a black layer of clouds. His last conscious thought was a prayer that when he awoke the clouds would have lifted forever from his eyes.

Waiting had never been easy for Eleanor. With each dragging minute, she prayed for Adam and wished Jonathan were with them. The day surgery waiting room was empty except for her and Kristen. Lilly had gone to the chapel. Kristen had wanted to stay, and Eleanor had stayed with her. The door opened and Eleanor turned and blinked.

“Jonathan!” Eleanor cried and started toward him, then stopped abruptly as if she had run into a solid wall. She turned away, her eyes shut.

Jonathan’s gaze hungrily followed Eleanor; then he saw Kristen sitting in a straight chair looking at him with narrow, watchful eyes. Despite her phone call to him early that morning asking him to come as quickly as possible, she obviously hadn’t forgiven or accepted him. How much pain was a man supposed to take in a lifetime? He started to back out of the room.

“Where’re you going?” Kristen asked casually, her long legs crossed at the ankles, her hands loosely linked in her lap.

“Is this your idea of a sick joke?” Jonathan asked, his jaw clenched.

She shrugged. “I thought when a man really cared about a woman, he’d fight for her. But I see you don’t deserve my mother.”

Jonathan stalked across the room until he towered over the young woman he loved like a daughter. After two sleepless nights he’d been pushed to his limit. “Don’t you dare tell me I don’t love your mother. I’ve loved her from the first time I saw her. I loved her through her pregnancies with Adam and you, felt blessed and tortured that she and Randolph allowed me to be a part of your lives. But I know what you and Adam mean to her. I won’t make her choose.”

“Afraid you’d lose?” Kristen taunted, her gaze intent.

“Eleanor would lose. When she hurts, I hurt. Maybe one day you’ll be the woman I thought you were and realize that.” He whirled to leave.

“Jonathan, wait,” Eleanor said. “Kristen, I told you I wouldn’t see Jonathan again. But what you’ve done is reprehensible.”

Kristen studied her mauve-colored manicured nails. “I had to see something for myself.”

“How badly you could hurt us?” her mother asked, fighting the stinging moisture in her eyes.

“No. How much you loved each other,” Kristen said quietly and looked up. “You’ve been miserable since the other night, but you would have let him walk out again, and he would have given you up to keep from hurting you further. It seems I didn’t know what love is any more than Eric did.”

“He hurt you.” Jonathan’s eyes went flint-hard.

“I’ll get over it.” Kristen came to her feet. “Now, give my mother a kiss and we can go join Lilly in the chapel.”

Jonathan didn’t move. “I have to know something first.” He faced Eleanor. “I can’t go through losing you again. If Kristen suddenly decided she didn’t want me around, would you walk out on me again? Before you answer, be sure.”

“Don’t I have anything to say about this?” Kristen asked.

“No,” Jonathan and Eleanor answered at the same time.

Hope shone in his eyes. “I love you, Eleanor. I loved you yesterday. I love you today. I’ll love you forever.”

“I love you,” she repeated, then rushed into the shelter of his arms. She was lifted and held tight against his wide chest. When her feet touched the floor his lips were on hers. The kiss was full of need and promises that would never be broken.

Eleanor’s shaky fingertips replaced her lips. “I couldn’t stand to lose you again.” She turned to Kristen. “You have to live your life just as I have to live mine. I love him.”

Kristen glanced from her mother to Jonathan. It didn’t take much effort to remember a similar look between her mother and father. Her father had loved her mother unconditionally. Adam was right. He wouldn’t have wanted her to be alone. “So when’s the wedding?”

Eleanor flushed again. “He hasn’t—”

“Will you marry me, Eleanor?” Jonathan asked, cutting her off.

Eleanor beamed. “Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes.”

Kristen smiled, her own heart lighter. “I’d say we have a big surprise for Adam when he wakes up.”

The instant Eleanor saw Dr. Scott’s face she knew. Tears flooded her eyes. She leaned into Jonathan. Lilly and Kristen rose in tandem from the leather couch.

Grinning broadly, Dr. Scott stopped in front of Eleanor. “He came through the surgery just fine. Optic nerve and retina intact in both eyes. Macula looks healthy. I removed the hemorrhage without any problems. Barring complications, he should be back to twenty-thirty within a couple of months.”

Jonathan clapped the surgeon on the back. “I always heard you had the best hands next to God.”

“That’s a compliment I don’t take lightly,” he said. “Glad you showed up.”

Jonathan glanced down at Eleanor. “My family needed me.”

Adam woke slowly. He heard voices. He blinked. Blackness surrounded him. His heart booming, he tried to send a message to his brain. He needed—

“Dr. Wakefield, you’re in the recovery room.” A gentle hand restrained his hand from touching the bandages on his eyes. “You came through just fine. Optic nerve intact, retina intact, macula intact, hemorrhage removed,” continued a calm, soothing voice that understood what he’d want to know. “You’re probably a little groggy. Dr. Scott went to talk to your family. You’re going to be fine. Try not to touch the bandages on your eyes. You’re fine. You’re fine.”

With a litany of thanks going though his brain, Adam drifted back to sleep. He was going to see again.

The next time he woke up, they were moving him to his room. He barely got inside before he heard the women, then Jonathan’s voice. Kristen explained how she had called him and finished by telling of their mother and Jonathan’s plans to get married.

Adam knew Kristen had it in her. But one person had been quiet.

“Lilly?” He lifted his hand.

Hers quickly closed around his. “Rest. I’m here, Adam.”

He went to sleep vowing that by his side was where she’d remain. His life was finally getting back on track.

“You should have told me.” Arms folded, Adam sat on the couch in his home in Sausalito Saturday afternoon. “I could have postponed the surgery.”

“No.” Lilly knelt in front of him and placed her hands on his denim-covered knees. They’d only been home from the hospital a couple of hours and had been arguing half that time. “I told you I have to take care of this myself.”

“You need a character reference. I could have gone with you.”

“Adam, you aren’t listening,” she said patiently. He’d been upset since she told him that her court date was Monday and she was flying to Dallas the next afternoon. “I need to do this on my own. I have to face Myron, look him in the eye, and be unafraid.”

“What if he tries to harm you?” Adam asked, unfolding his arms.

Her hands trembled, then steadied. “I’ll be in a court full of people. Nothing is going to happen to me.”

“You can’t be sure. If that scum touches you—”

“He won’t,” Lilly said quietly. “Please don’t get upset about this. Don’t make me regret telling you.”

“Scott won’t allow me to fly, dammit!”

“Neither will I. Please let me do this on my own. Trust me.” She needed him to understand. “Please.”

Suddenly his hands reached out and closed around her forearms, then lifted her. She tensed, then relaxed as she landed in his lap. The arms locked around her were fierce and protective. “You aren’t going alone and that’s final. If Mother or Kristen can’t go with you, I’ll hire someone. Your choice.”

“Were you always this dictatorial?” she asked, her voice unsteady.

“Yes.”

It took all of her willpower not to kiss his stubborn chin or lean into the shelter of his arms. “In that case, I’ll ask Eleanor. Now, if you’ll let me up, I need to pack.”

“Call Mother first.” His hold loosened.

Reluctantly she came off his lap. “All right. Any other orders?”

“Just be safe and come back to me.”

Warmth and love swept through her. If only he loved her instead of needed her she’d be the happiest woman in the world.

“I will,” she said and walked from the room.

The private jet landed at Love Field in Dallas, Texas, at nine-thirty Monday morning. A car and driver were waiting for Lilly and Eleanor. Lilly was grateful. She wanted to be able to get back to Adam as soon as the hearing was over.

She and Eleanor got inside the stretch limousine, and the driver hit Carpenter Freeway and headed south toward Highway 45 and Little Elm. Less than an hour later, Lilly saw the city sign and fought against the fear creeping through her. Opening her purse, she took out Adam’s medical school graduation ring. He’d given it to her that morning since he couldn’t be with her. Nothing could have pleased or encouraged her more.

Arriving at the red brick courthouse, Lilly stepped out on the brick pavement. Eleanor followed. A hush fell over the gathered crowd. Lilly knew that her white Armani suit (purchased at Adam’s and Eleanor’s insistence after a trip to Neiman Marcus Sunday afternoon) and the limo were going to cause speculation. She no longer cared.

She wanted Myron to know that no matter how the hearing went, he hadn’t beaten her down; he hadn’t won. Her life was better after leaving him, not worse.

She recognized several faces in the crowd. None of them returned her greeting or smile. A heaviness centered in her chest. “They act as if I’m a stranger.”

“Come on, Lilly; let’s go inside.” Eleanor took her arm and they had started up the walkway to the steps of the courthouse when she heard her name.

“Mrs. Crawford.”

She turned to see her lawyer, Kent Powell, rushing toward her. He wore a conservative three-piece blue suit with a striped silk tie and a pearl gray Stetson. In his hand was a leather briefcase. He looked young and inexperienced. Her flagging courage wavered.

“I almost didn’t recognize you,” he said, his gaze drifting to Eleanor.

“Mr. Powell, I’d like you to meet Eleanor Wakefield, a friend of mine.”

Eleanor inclined her head. “Mr. Powell.”

He quickly tipped his hat, his shrewd eyes taking in Eleanor’s tailored suit, the expensive but tasteful jewelry, the sophistication that came from years of wealth and privilege. “Mrs. Wakefield.”

Lilly could see the questions in his face. “Why don’t we go inside and talk?”

“Certainly.”

Inside the courtroom that had remained unchanged for the past fifty years, they took their seats on the hard, solid oak chairs in front of the scarred wooden table.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to know how you know my client.”

Lilly told him everything.

“I’m glad you could come, Mrs. Wakefield. The story has been circulating that Mrs. Crawford ran off with a man.”

Lilly’s mouth thinned. “I guess we know who’s behind it.”

“Yes, but he has a lot of friends. They’re all set to testify at his behest,” the lawyer paused. “Perhaps you should reconsider changing the wording on your divorce decree. You could walk out of here today a free woman.”

“No. Myron took enough from me; he’s not winning this.”

“All right, but remember this could get messy.”

Lilly didn’t realize how accurate her lawyer’s words would be until Myron’s lawyer began calling witnesses to the stand. She listened as three men told how she had tried to seduce them. Her lawyer’s objections and the fact that they were fishing and hunting buddies of Myron didn’t matter.

Her lawyer’s cross examination did little to shake their story. Myron’s lawyer paraded witness after witness who sullied her reputation and depicted her as being as free with her body as her mother had been. Not one person spoke in her defense. She looked at the women who had stood shoulder to shoulder with her in her kitchen after Mother Crawford’s death. Each one turned away. Shayla’s testimony that Lilly had been uncaring and cold damaged Lilly’s case even more.

“Your Honor, I call Myron Crawford to the stand.”

Lilly closed her eyes. She wanted to run from the room. Instead she gripped Adam’s ring and opened her eyes. Myron might win in court, but she’d never cower before him again.

“Do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the whole truth?”

“I do.”

“You may be seated.”

“Mr. Crawford, you’ve heard the witnesses in this courtroom say some pretty bad things about your wife. If they’re true, why didn’t you divorce her?” his lawyer asked.

Myron, in a black suit, looked handsome and tortured, the picture of a wronged husband. But he was a man whose good-looking face hid his evil heart. Briefly he hung his head. When he looked at Lilly, there were tears in his eyes. “I loved her. God help me, but I still do.”

The lawyer turned and stared hard at Lilly. “You love her? You love a woman who would make Jezebel look like a saint?”

“I object.” Kent Powell shot up from his chair.

“Objection sustained.”

Myron’s lawyer continued looking at Lilly. “I’ll rephrase the ques—”

A hush fell over the courtroom as a tall, broad-shouldered man entered. He looked neither to the right nor to the left as he made his way down the aisle.

On the stand Myron’s eyes widened, then narrowed with hatred.

Lilly knew that look of rage. When she looked behind her she knew the reason. She was up and on her feet in seconds. The young man’s arms closed securely around her. Conversations broke out over the room.

Judge Lowell’s gavel banged for the courtroom to be quiet. Kent Powell watched with a sinking heart as his case went down the drain. He’d actually believed her.

“Order. Order in the court,” the judge demanded, banging his gavel. “Mr. Powell, control the exuberance of your client and have her take a seat,” he said, his lips sneering.

“Mrs. Crawford, you and the man please sit down,” Mr. Powell pleaded.

Neither moved to obey him. “I heard you needed me as a witness to my father’s cruelty to Lilly,” the man said.