Truth (48 page)

Without a doubt, the possibility of an
encounter with this mystery woman seemed odd!

Sophia sat back, enjoyed her lunch, and
watched the man and woman converse with a heartwarming sense of
familiarity. She hoped they liked her work.

The strength of a family,
like the strength of an army,
is in its loyalty to each other.
–
Mario Puzo

Chapter
30

His sparkling blue eyes were right in front
of Claire before she noticed Harry’s presence. His rich voice rose
above the clatter, “Your color looks much better. How are you
feeling?”

Claire beamed toward the handsome face and
turned her cheek making it available for his friendly kiss. “I’m
feeling much better, thank you. I’m not sure what my problem was
this morning.”

Harry took the seat opposite Claire.

She continued, “I love having Emily and John
here. I don’t know why I’m so on edge.”

Harry leaned over and covered Claire’s hand.
“Your sister is thrilled to be here with you. Just enjoy the time.
They’re leaving Thursday.”

Claire looked down toward her half eaten
salad. “I know,” she looked up and her emerald eyes twinkled, “and
on Friday I get to see you in a tuxedo!”

Harry shook his head from side to side,
“It’s not too late. We can get someone else to go to that gala.
It’s nothing more than stuffed shirts acting all self-righteous
about their donation.”

Claire smiled smugly, “I know what to
expect, been there done that. But, I haven’t seen you in a tux, and
I want to do that. Besides, I promised Amber.”

Harry picked a strawberry from Claire’s
uneaten salad and plopped it in his mouth. Immediately, she thought
about his lips as they closed around the small red fruit. She tried
to compartmentalize the thought smoldering deep within her. To aid
in her diversion, Claire chose to speak, “I thought Amber said you
hadn’t been to any of these things with her. How do you know what
to expect?”

“
I haven’t been, as a
guest. I’ve worked security at events like this, as a cop and for
SiJo.” He reached for a sleek slice of orange.

Claire giggled, “Do you want the rest of my
salad? I’m really not hungry.”

Bashfully he replied, “No, you should eat
it. I don’t think you had much breakfast. Besides,” his voice
slowed, “I was wondering...”

Looking up, Claire saw his expression change
subtly, with a gleam to his eyes and a crease on his forehead. She
couldn’t pin point the exact difference, but whatever it was, it
caused that fire she’d felt moments ago to reignite. Trying to
sound more seductive than shy, Claire leaned toward Harry, “Yes?”
She allowed the word to be drawn out, asking a question, not
answering one. “What were you wondering?”

“
Well, you see I was at
work -- minding my own business -- when I received this
text.”

Claire raised her eyebrows, yes, she’d sent
a text. It wasn’t intended as a request.

He went on, “It said
something like:
hope your day’s going
well. Heading to Clancy’s on Hamilton for some lunch. Emily and
John took my car for a road trip to San Francisco for the
day
.”

“
Yes, I believe I know
about that text. I sent it. And I received one in return. It said
something like:
have a good
lunch
. Oh, there may have been a smiley
face.”

Harry shrugged, “Well, yes. But then I
started to think about you... all alone.”

“
I’m a big
girl.”

His eyes now held the same smoldering fire
she’d been trying to conceal. “Yes, you are.” His fingers rubbed
the top of her knuckles. “You see, I wasn’t sure how you would
handle being all alone back at the condo. It seems like with your
company, you haven’t been alone in a while.”

Claire’s grin caused her eyes to twinkle;
the fire now glowed behind the green. “You’re very kind to leave
work just to assist me. Maybe, I do need some help.”

He seized her hand as she started to push
her chair away from the table. “I’m here to assist, anyway I
can.”

She leaned closer to his ear, “What would
your boss say about you playing hooky?”

“
My job definition is open
to outside security.”

“
Oh, so you’re providing
me with security?” She smiled, looking back at Phil sitting with a
sandwich and tea. “Should we tell Phil to take the afternoon
off?”

Harry shrugged, “I don’t think it’d do any
good. Now Ms. Nichols, what assistance do you need?”

Claire felt her cheeks flush, “Well, maybe
from here to the condo, we can think of something?”

The Brazilian restaurant offered amazing
cuisine with impeccable service. Keaton, Amber’s friend, held his
own in their small crowd. He jumped right in, as the conversation
moved from person to person. Claire enjoyed hearing her
brother-in-law banter jokingly with the others. Her shoulders
relaxed realizing the stress she used to feel whenever John and
Tony were together was now gone. Maybe that old feeling was what
had been bothering her.

Harry laughed as Emily questioned Claire’s
diet. “Why are you so hungry?”

Claire smiled... perhaps her afternoon
activity had helped return her appetite. “I guess I really like
this restaurant.”

Emily couldn’t see Harry’s hand squeezing
Claire’s dress covered knee.

After the waiter cleared the dishes from
their main course, Claire noticed glances, bemused smiles, and nods
between Amber, John, and Emily. Her curiosity got the better of
her, “What’s going on?”

Amber raised her glass of wine and said,
“I’d like to propose a toast.”

Claire obediently lifted her Chianti filled
goblet and listened, “To Claire,” the temperature of the room rose
as Claire felt self-conscious at the sudden attention. Amber went
on, “The past three months, well almost three, have changed Harry’s
and my lives. We’ve not only found a good friend, but learned about
life in the spotlight.” Everyone giggled. She continued, “You’ve
done more than that. You’ve brought others to our life. Thank you.”
Everyone sipped their wine. Amber continued, “Now to John and
Emily. When Claire spoke to me about your visit, I was thrilled to
have you stay with us, for her. But as the two of you know, it’s
become more than that. Here is to a long relationship between us
and more importantly, between you, John, and SiJo Gaming.” Again
glasses went to lips.

Claire’s glass didn’t move. Her stomach
lurched; she had to ask, “What does that mean?”

Emily leaned toward her sister; their
shoulders touched, “It means we’re moving to Palo Alto.”

Claire glanced around the table still in
disbelief. Amber continued, “John and I spoke about the possibility
of him working for SiJo. I called an emergency meeting of the board
yesterday and they agreed. SiJo needs someone to spearhead our
investment division. Diversifying is essential and we’re lacking.
Claire, your brother-in-law is very intelligent and I’ll be forever
grateful that we’ve met.”

Stammering, Claire looked at the wide eyes
around her. Turning to Harry, “You’re on the board, you knew about
this?” He nodded. Looking to Emily she asked, “Did you go to San
Francisco today?”

Emily shook her head, “No, we spent the day
at SiJo. John had paperwork to complete and people to meet.”

Claire placed her glass on the linen covered
table and exhaled, “So why’d everyone know about this but me?”

Staying quiet during this personal
conversation, Keaton interjected, “I didn’t know.”

Claire smiled a weary smile, “Wow, I’m
shocked.” Tears filled her eyes as she turned to Emily. “I never
dreamt we’d be together again.”

Emily embraced Claire’s shoulders. “Honey,
we’re thrilled. Are you all right with this?”

She nodded into Emily’s shoulder. The entire
table laughed as Harry patted Claire’s back.

Emily whispered, “You’re so emotional. Are
you sure you’re on board with this?”

Claire sat up and wiped her eyes with the
napkin from her lap. “Shocked, that’s all.” Then as she beamed at
everyone she added, “It’s a very good shock! Thank you, Amber, and
welcome, Emily and John. When are you moving?”

John answered, “We have some things to do in
Indiana. A few legal hoops to jump through, but we’re hoping to be
here by the first of July.”

Claire leaned back, rested
her head against Harry’s shoulder, and settled into his comforting
embrace. When she refocused on the table, she saw everyone’s
questioning looks.
Oh, that’s right, they
don’t know about us.
She thought as she
glanced up at Harry and grinned. He shrugged and remained quiet.
Claire followed his lead and allowed conversations to
resume.

Back at the condo Amber, John, Emily, Harry,
and Claire relaxed in the kitchen before retiring for the night.
Claire was coming to terms with her family living near. “Near, not
in the same condominium,” John smirked.

“
I’ll be glad to start the
search for your new place, if you’d like,” Claire
offered.

Changing the subject, Amber announced, “Liz
submitted your names to the National Center for Learning
Disabilities Gala today.”

Claire didn’t know if the statement made her
bristle due to the mention of Liz’s name or the apprehension
regarding SiJo’s and Shedis-tics’ shared table. “I still don’t have
a dress.”

“
Oh, I’ll help you with
that tomorrow, if you’d like.” Emily offered. Claire nodded
enthusiastically. Yes, she’d like having her sister
near.

Amber continued, “And Liz also gave me the
names of everyone at your table.”

Both Claire and Harry stiffened.

Amber smiled and said, “I didn’t recognize
any of them.”

Claire and Harry exhaled together.

Emily looked at the two of them, “You two
are scaring me. You’re breathing in unison.”

Claire realized the cause of her recent
headaches. She hadn’t really talked to Emily about Tony since she’d
had dinner with him. That was the argument Claire had been
anticipating. Emily knew she and Tony had a few discussions, but
even on the phone, the subject caused tension. The only time Emily
or John were open to discuss Tony was in the context of
revenge.

The only person who knew Claire’s mixed
emotions: the way she hated Tony and still loved him, the way she
pitied him for the tragic loss of his parents at a young age and
became exasperated by him every time he foiled her plans, was
Courtney.

Harry knew about
Claire’s
requests
, no
demands
of Tony, regarding her friends and specifically John’s law
license. Nevertheless, Claire found it difficult to discuss any
amicable or enlightening interactions with Tony with the people
around her. To them, Anthony Rawlings was a monster. Claire
realized she
could
also see him that way. However, she knew it wasn’t the entire
person, only one side of the multidimensional man.

With Claire lost in thought, Amber responded
to Emily’s statement, “SiJo shares a table at the gala with a local
company, Shedis-tics; it’s a subsidiary of Rawlings. In the past
Claire’s ex has attended this event. We were waiting to submit
SiJo’s attendees until we knew if he were attending.”

Emily obviously stiffened,
“So if he
were
,”
she paused and looked at Claire, “you wouldn’t go, would
you?”

The familiar throbbing erupted behind
Claire’s temples. She stood straighter, looked to Harry for
reinforcement and responded to her sister, “We promised to attend,
no matter what.”

Emily’s tone hardened,
“Claire that’s ridiculous. Why would you willingly put yourself
near
him
?”

Harry squeezed Claire’s shoulder and spoke,
“Your sister is a very tough lady. She can handle any
confrontation.” He added with a sense of pride, “She has many
times.”

Shit!
Claire thought.
Emily doesn’t know
how many times I’ve seen him.

Emily stared directly at
her sister, “What does he mean
many
times? I thought you just had dinner that one
time.”

Claire didn’t like Emily’s
tone. It was the
I’m the older sister you
need to listen to me
tone. Maybe their
move to California wasn’t such a good idea. Claire answered, “Don’t
worry about it. I’m good.
If
he were at the gala, Harry and I’d still be
there. Things change,
I
can handle myself. Besides, I wouldn’t be alone.
Harry’d be with me.”

“
When else have you seen
him? Besides the dinner, I mean.”

Amber and John remained silent, hanging on
each word. Emily and Claire’s stares intensified as each woman’s
emerald eyes bore into the other. While Claire contemplated her
answer, Harry spoke. The soft tenor of his voice eased Claire’s
head, “Claire is quite capable...”

Emily interrupted, “I’m sorry, Harry. That’s
very nice of you to support my sister. But I doubt you know the
complete history.”

Claire found her voice, “Actually, Emily, he
does.”

Harry’s calm voice released the tension from
the room, like the air from a gently deflating balloon. Everyone
relaxed as he spoke, “I’m sorry if I mentioned something that has
overshadowed our wonderful evening.” Refocusing the conversation,
he added, “It’s great that the two of you are moving here. John,
Amber has high hopes for your assistance with SiJo and the rest of
us on the board are anxiously waiting to see if her hopes
payoff.”