Debbie Macomber_Blossom Street 04 (25 page)

T
hursday afternoon, Anne Marie waited for her pulse to slow before she called Robert’s office. Even after nearly two years, the number was ingrained in her memory.

Anne Marie knew she finally had to see Rebecca Gilroy. She didn’t want to show up without warning, so she’d decided to phone Robert’s assistant and make a formal appointment first.

She had to know the truth before she could put this behind her—or at least in perspective.

Was
the child Robert’s? If so, she wondered why Rebecca hadn’t come forward. Robert’s son deserved part of his estate, was entitled to an inheritance. Despite the circumstances, that was only right.

Her heart in her throat, she made the call. A moment later, she heard Rebecca’s voice.

“This is Rebecca Gilroy. How may I help you?” The young woman, now presumably an assistant to one of the other partners, sounded businesslike and professional.

Anne Marie took a deep breath. “Hello, Rebecca,” she said, speaking quickly. “It’s Anne Marie Roche, Robert’s wife.”

Rebecca’s tone softened instantly. “Anne Marie, of course. How are you?”

“Better.” Which was true. “What about you?”

“Busy.”

Anne Marie couldn’t tell if this was a brush-off or an indication that Rebecca couldn’t speak now.

“I won’t keep you then,” she said, following the other woman’s lead. “I was hoping we could get together soon. Would that be possible?”

“You and me?” Rebecca didn’t bother to conceal her surprise, or her reluctance.

“Could we meet for lunch? When it’s convenient for you…”

“Well, I suppose lunch would work. How about tomorrow?”

A strange calm settled over Anne Marie. A day from now she’d know the truth, whatever it might be. She’d make this as painless as she could for all involved. Two months ago, when Melissa had told her about this, she’d wanted to hate Robert’s assistant, to view her as the manipulative other woman. She still tended to see Rebecca as a gold digger who saw her big chance when Robert and Anne Marie separated. And yet…she’d never approached the family for child support.

Rebecca suggested a small, upscale restaurant close to Pike Place Market. Anne Marie knew it well; Robert had taken her there on a number of occasions. It catered to businessmen who wanted privacy to conduct negotiations over lunch or dinner—and the deals they negotiated obviously weren’t all business.

Rebecca said it would have to be an early lunch and asked if eleven-thirty was okay. Anne Marie agreed.

Rebecca must know why Anne Marie had called her. The choice of restaurant told her so. Anne Marie tried not to imagine the younger woman and Robert at the dark corner table, the one he used to reserve for their intimate lunches.

On Friday Anne Marie arrived at eleven-fifteen, fifteen minutes early. Theresa had promised to substitute for her at the bookstore for the rest of the day. In an effort to pack as much into one free afternoon as she possibly could, Anne Marie was going shopping with Melissa after lunch.

The wedding plans consumed every free moment Melissa had and much of Anne Marie’s time, as well. Unfortunately Melissa’s mother continued to shun her, but Anne Marie believed that once the baby was born, Pamela would have a change of heart. How could she
not
love her very own grandchild?

The hostess led Anne Marie to a quiet table near the window. The restaurant typically wasn’t busy until noon and she appreciated the privacy. So far, only one other table was filled, with three men and a woman engaged in some intense discussion. Anne Marie ordered iced tea while she waited. She nervously squeezed lemon into the tea as she rehearsed her remarks.

Rebecca got there right at eleven-thirty and was escorted to the table. “Hello again,” the other woman greeted her. She pulled out the chair across from Anne Marie.

What struck her all over again was how very young Robert’s assistant was. Young and lovely. Her hair was a rich auburn, shoulder-length and naturally thick. She wore an olive-green skirt and matching jacket with a white silk
blouse. An antique cameo—a family heirloom? a gift from Robert?—was pinned at her throat.

“Thank you for taking the time to join me,” Anne Marie said, keeping her voice neutral.

Rebecca didn’t respond; she opened the menu and scanned it, saying, “Perhaps we should order first.”

“Good idea,” Anne Marie said, eager to do anything to delay this uncomfortable conversation. “By the way, this is on me.”

“That’s not necessary,” Rebecca said with cool politeness, “but thanks.”

Anne Marie amended her assessment of Rebecca Gilroy. She might be young and vulnerable-looking, but she had a self-confidence that wouldn’t have been out of place in someone much older.

When the waitress came to take their order, they both chose a soup and salad combination.

“I expect you’re here to discuss what happened between Robert and me,” Rebecca said, leaping headfirst into the conversation Anne Marie had been avoiding—until today.

“Yes.”

“I thought so.” Rebecca kept her eyes lowered and toyed with the spoon, belying the confidence she’d shown just moments before.

“Did Robert lead you to believe we were divorced?” Anne Marie asked bluntly.

“No.”

“Had you been…physically involved before the two of us separated?”

Rebecca shook her head. “No. We…we weren’t actually involved at all.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, physically—as you put it—we were.” Rebecca shrugged. “I knew the two of you were going through some difficulties and that you were working toward a reconciliation. Mr. Roche didn’t share much of his personal life with me, or anyone else for that matter. I learned you were living apart quite by accident.”

“I see.” Her own fingers moved to the silverware. She caressed the tines of the fork as she listened.

“We were both working lots of extra hours.”

The muscles in Anne Marie’s throat tightened, in nervous anticipation of what Rebecca was about to tell her.

“It was a bad time emotionally for us both. I’d recently broken up with my boyfriend, and I knew you and Robert weren’t living together anymore.”

That was no excuse for what they’d done! Anger and pain raged within her, but Anne Marie dared not let either emotion show.

The waitress chose that moment to bring their meals. The soup, tomato basil, smelled delicious and was accompanied by a Caesar salad with homemade croutons. Anne Marie waited until Rebecca reached for her spoon before she did.

“As I was saying,” Rebecca said, picking up the conversation. “Both Robert and I were at a low point in our lives.”

“And spending a lot of time together,” Anne Marie added.

“Yes.”

“So it was…natural for you to be attracted to each other.”

She shrugged again. “I suppose.”

Any appetite Anne Marie might have had vanished.

“I’m not proud of what happened,” Rebecca said, “and I believe Robert was…ashamed of it.”

“How long did this affair last?” Anne Marie didn’t know what had prompted the question other than the fact that she was obviously looking for more pain. “How…many times did you—”

“Does it matter?” She stared down at the table.

Well, yes, it does,
she wanted to say but didn’t. That night she and Robert had slept together, shortly before his death—was he still involved with Rebecca then?

“Afterward everything changed between us,” Rebecca was saying. “We’d had a great working relationship and that was completely ruined by the affair. We tried to keep it quiet and except for that one time when Melissa walked in on us, I don’t think anyone knew.”

She lowered her head and Anne Marie could see that this was as embarrassing for Rebecca as it was for her.

Rebecca raised her head. “I’m surprised Melissa told you. That’s how you found out, isn’t it?”

“She…she was very upset.”

“Robert was, too. He was mortified. His biggest fear was that you’d learn the truth.”

That news was of little comfort. “Had…did he…”

“Did he what?” Rebecca pressed.

It was increasingly difficult even to speak. “Did he see other women? Were there others?” As his personal assistant, Rebecca was in a position to know.

Her hesitation said it all.

“How many?” She would never have believed it. She felt shocked,
grieved
, that she’d misjudged him so completely.

“One, I think,” Rebecca admitted reluctantly. She seemed unwilling to divulge any more.

“Please,” Anne Marie said urgently. “I need to know.”

“He had me make a reservation at a hotel by the ocean under a different name.”

“Redford?” she asked.

Rebecca’s gaze widened. “You know about her?”

Her throat muscles relaxed. “That was me. Us. We…played this game.” A smile came and went, tinged with humor and relief. Memories of their getaway weekend immediately came to mind. Happy, playful memories that were in stark contrast to what she’d just experienced.

“Okay, well, like I said, that’s the only other time. And it turns out he
wasn’t
cheating on you.”

“Thank you,” Anne Marie whispered, and she meant it.

“I should tell you that the night Melissa caught us was the last time.” She paused. “Deep down, I know that if we could do everything over again, neither of us would’ve done it.” Her eyes held Anne Marie’s. “I’m not just saying that, either. It’s the truth. If Robert were here, he’d agree.”

“Was there…” The moment had come, and still Anne Marie couldn’t make herself ask the question. “Did he ever tell you why we’d separated?” she asked, taking another route to the question that burned in her heart.

Rebecca looped a strand of thick auburn hair around her ear. “Actually, we didn’t talk about you very often.”

That made sense. “Robert was a private person,” Anne Marie murmured.

“Yes, he was.”

“I wanted a baby,” Anne Marie said.

Rebecca looked away. “I didn’t know that. I guess Robert didn’t want another child.”

“No. He…he was opposed to starting a second family and I felt that if I could show him how important this was to me, he’d change his mind.”

“But you were getting back together,” Rebecca said.

Anne Marie suddenly realized something. She knew why Robert had left after that night they’d spent together. He’d been gone in the morning, and the callous way he’d simply disappeared without a word or even a note had devastated her. For the first time, Anne Marie understood why he’d done it. Robert had been overcome with guilt. He was sorry about the affair with Rebecca. He’d probably wanted to tell her and ask her forgiveness, and at the last second he’d backed down. She assumed the affair was over by then; if not, she felt certain he would’ve ended it.

“You had a baby,” Anne Marie said without flinching.

“A son. I named him Reed.”

“Is the baby’s father—is this Robert’s child?” The question was out at last. Much as she feared the answer, she needed to know.

“Robert’s?” Rebecca repeated, looking stunned. “No!”

“No?”

“Of course Reed isn’t Robert’s! Oh, my goodness, that’s what this lunch is all about? You thought I’d had Robert’s child. No, no, no. Reed’s father is my ex-boyfriend. Denny cheated on me and I found out the same week I discovered I was pregnant. I should’ve explained. The only reason I slept with Robert was because I was trying to hurt Denny. It was just so twisted and stupid.”

“Denny knew about Robert?”

“Yes.”

“And he knows about Reed?”

“Of course, and so far he’s been a good father.”

“You’re getting married?”

“No way! I’m not an idiot. If Denny couldn’t keep his pants zipped before the wedding, he won’t afterward. I’m seeing someone else now.”

“Oh.” Anne Marie had to resist hugging the other woman and thanking her for not giving birth to Robert’s son.

“You must’ve heard about Robert and me and then learned I was pregnant and thought—”

Anne Marie nodded. “That’s exactly what happened.”

“But if that was the case, don’t you think I would’ve contacted his attorney? I mean, Reed would’ve been a legal heir once paternity was established.”

“I wondered why you hadn’t.”

“Well, it was for a very good reason. Reed isn’t Robert’s son.”

Anne Marie’s heart soared with relief and, even more than that, with joy.

“I didn’t know Robert all that well,” Rebecca told her. “But I know one thing about him—he loved you.”

“He loved
me,
” Anne Marie said.

“He did,” Rebecca concurred with a smile.

That was all that mattered. Robert wasn’t going to win any Husband of the Year award. The pain of his betrayal would always be with her but
he’d loved her
. It was what she’d known all along, despite the doubts and the mistakes they’d both made.

Yes, that was all that mattered.

The past wouldn’t change.

But the way Anne Marie saw the future would.

L
illie estimated that it’d been three weeks since Hector had received her letter. She hadn’t heard from him, and after all this time, she didn’t expect to. The last thing she wanted was to cause problems between Hector and his children.

After mailing the letter, Lillie had spent a week by the ocean and found solace. The ocean had always been her escape. Whenever she learned about another of David’s affairs, she’d booked a visit to her favorite ocean resort. She’d gone there three or four times every year, often enough that she had her own room, and the staff knew her by her first name. Although it’d been well over three years since her last visit, she’d been greeted warmly. Her regular room was ready and waiting for her.

She’d regained her emotional equilibrium walking along the beach. Every morning, she’d strolled in the sand, letting the waves lap against her bare feet, thinking, meditating, praying. After a while, the ache would gradually diminish as she was reminded that her worth as a
woman, as a human being, didn’t depend on David. His actions couldn’t demean her. Her husband, sad though it was to admit, was a man without honor.

When she returned from the ocean, Lillie carefully sorted through the mail, searching for a response from Hector. There was none. She’d hoped he’d answer her note, although she hadn’t really expected it.

On Monday, the twelfth of May, Lillie spent the morning working in her garden. She loved her Martha Washington geraniums, and with the rhododendrons in full bloom and the azaleas as well, her garden had never looked better. Her neighbors hired landscape specialists and Lillie had a company that performed the more demanding physical tasks, such as mowing. The flower beds, however, were her domain. Her personal joy.

At noon, she took a break and went inside for a glass of iced tea. The mail had been delivered and, as she drank, she leafed through the few advertisements and set the bills aside. A hand-addressed envelope caught her attention.

She didn’t immediately recognize the writing. Curious, she opened it to discover an invitation to a retirement party for Hector Silva.

Lillie read it twice.

The party was planned for that very evening and when she studied the handwriting a second time, she realized the envelope had been personally addressed to her by Hector. She recognized his penmanship from the work order on her car.

All the necessary details were there. Date. Time. Place.

Lillie inhaled sharply. The party would be held at the dealership at seven that night, and she had every intention of attending.

By six forty-five, Lillie was dressed in a semiformal knee-length linen dress with a cropped jacket. Barbie phoned just as she was about to walk out the door and Lillie explained where she was going.

“I was
sure
Hector would be in touch,” her daughter said in that gleeful way of hers when she knew she was right. “Have a wonderful evening, Mom.”

“I will,” Lillie promised.

They spoke for a few more minutes and then it was time for Lillie to go. Although she was nervous, she had a strong intuition that this was going to be one of the most magical evenings of her life. Happiness spread through her and she felt so light it was as though she could float.

When Lillie arrived at the dealership, the retirement party was in full swing. The showroom floor was decorated with banners and balloons, the counters spread with bottles of champagne and trays of lovely hors d’oeuvres. Surrounded by his children, customers and coworkers, Hector didn’t see her right away. As soon as he did, his eyes flew wide open and he said something to his daughter, whom Lillie recognized from the photographs she’d seen in his home. Hector broke away from the group and hurried toward her.

“Lillie.” He held out both hands.

“Hello, Hector.”

“I’m so pleased you came.” His gaze seemed to devour her, and she couldn’t doubt the sincerity of his words.

Her own eyes were equally hungry for him. “Thank you for the invitation, and congratulations on your retirement.” Words hardly seemed necessary. All she wanted to do was stare at him.

“Thank you.” His hands firmly clasped hers. Then, as
if he’d forgotten himself, he asked, “Can I get you some champagne?”

“I’d like that.”

But Hector didn’t need to leave her. Rita, his daughter, brought over a champagne flute and offered it to Lillie.

“I’m Rita,” she said unnecessarily.

“You’re as lovely as your pictures,” Lillie said as she accepted the flute and impulsively hugged his daughter. Rita hugged her back, her expression welcoming.

“This is Andy, my fiancé,” she said, introducing the man at her side. “Dad wasn’t sure you’d come. I told him you would.”

“I don’t think I could’ve stayed away if I’d tried,” Lillie confessed.

Hector stood close by as his two sons, Manuel and Luis, walked toward them, their progress hindered by the crowd. Manuel studied Lillie, his eyes devoid of emotion; that, to her way of thinking, was an improvement over the hostility he’d shown at their previous meeting. A lovely red-haired young woman—obviously pregnant—was with him.

“You came,” Manuel said, not bothering with any form of greeting.

“Manuel,” Hector warned in low tones. “I won’t have you disrespecting Lillie.”

His oldest son conceded with a nod. “Welcome, Ms. Higgins,” he said. He introduced his wife, Colleen.

“Thank you, Manuel. Nice to meet you, Colleen. Both of you, please call me Lillie.”

“This is my son Luis,” Hector said, gesturing toward the second young man.

Luis and Lillie exchanged a friendly greeting under Hector’s watchful eye—and Manuel’s.

“You made my father very happy by accepting his invitation,” Manuel told her when Luis had drifted off to talk to someone else.

“He made me happy by sending it to me.”

Manuel gave her a tentative smile.

Lillie smiled back. She hoped that in time the two of them could be friends.

“We’re all going to dinner after the party,” Hector said, leaning closer. “Can you join us?”

Lillie readily agreed.

“Allow me to introduce you to my friends,” Hector said and led her away. As they moved from one group to another, she became even more aware of how greatly he was respected and loved. His coworkers told story after story about Hector, embarrassing him since he was a modest man. Lillie enjoyed every word. If she needed confirmation that this man was everything she’d imagined, then she received it tonight, many times over.

The party started to break up at about eight-thirty. She’d remained at Hector’s side, either clasping his hand or with his arm about her waist. There could be no doubt that they were together.

At the Mexican restaurant a little later, Lillie met more members of his family. A brother and sister, nieces and nephews, various in-laws. The table seated at least thirty, and the names flew past her, although she made a determined effort to remember each one. She sat between Hector and Manuel.

Music and laughter filled the room. Children ducked under the table and raced around the chairs while their parents—Hector’s nieces and nephews—did their best to contain them. Although Hector introduced Lillie to everyone in his extended family, it seemed they already knew
her. They accepted her without question and seemed genuinely pleased to make her acquaintance.

When the food arrived, it was served family style. Manuel passed Lillie the first dish, holding the heavy platter of rice while she helped herself. Next came
chilaquites
, which seemed to be some kind of tortilla casserole, followed by corn tamales, chili rellenos and another dish Lillie didn’t hear the name of.

“My father’s in love with you,” Manuel said quietly.

“I beg your pardon?”

“He showed me your letter. You love him, too, don’t you?”

Lillie could see no reason to deny it. “Very much.”

“He’s a man of strong feelings,” Manuel said. “His family is important to him.”

“I know.” That was the reason she’d decided to break off the relationship; she refused to place Hector in the impossible position of choosing between his family and her.

Manuel acknowledged her statement. “Yes. He was willing to give you up for our—
my
sake.”

“He already had.” She couldn’t resist asking, “Can you tell me what changed?”

Rita slapped her brother’s arm. “Hey, Manuel, what’s the holdup here? You’re supposed to be passing the food.”

“Sorry.” Manuel handed the dish to his sister.

“I’ve never seen my father this miserable,” Manuel informed Lillie. “Even when Mom was ill, the entire family counted on our father to keep up our spirits and he did. He nursed Mom, cared for her, held her when she breathed her last and loved her to the very end.”

“He still loves her.” Lillie blinked hard as tears welled up in her eyes. This was how she wanted to be loved.

“After Mom died it was Dad who held our family to
gether. Don’t misunderstand me—he grieved for our mother. But her death was also a release from terrible pain. Dad understood that better than anyone. He was lonely and lost but he found ways to cope. Through work, family—and now you.”

Mesmerized by Manuel’s words, Lillie passed plate after plate without serving herself.

“After receiving your letter, my father wept.” Luis, who’d been listening avidly, spoke from across the table while Hector was busy talking to a nephew on his other side.

“He…did?”

Manuel frowned at him, but he acknowledged Luis’s words. “It’s true.” He paused to take a gulp of his Corona. “I knew then that you were no ordinary woman,” he resumed, “and that I’d made a mistake. If my father loves you, then I need to be willing to look past my own prejudices and give you a chance, as well.”

That did it. Tears spilled down her cheeks. “Thank you, Manuel.”

He nodded and passed her another dish.

Lillie wondered why Hector had waited so long to reach out to her. As if reading her thoughts, Manuel added, “Rather than repeat what happened with me, Dad decided he needed to let the family know. So he went to everyone and explained that he’d met someone very special.”

No wonder his family behaved as though they already knew her.

“My fear was that you’d break his heart,” Manuel murmured. “Unfortunately my attitude toward you was what did that. I hope you can look past our rather…difficult beginning and start again.”

“Of course,” she said and when the next dish was
handed to her, she scooped up a huge helping of
chili conqueso
and placed it on Manuel’s plate before serving herself.

Manuel grinned and then winked at her.

After dinner, the music began, and Hector took Lillie’s hand and led her onto the dance floor. “You and Manuel seemed to be deeply involved in conversation,” he said as he turned her into his arms.

“Hmm.” She leaned her forehead against his and closed her eyes, grateful that this was a slow number.

“He apologized?”

“He said you loved me.”

Hector exhaled noisily. “I never expected to fall in love a second time and certainly not like this.”

“I didn’t, either. Blame the wishes if you want.”

“Your Twenty Wishes?”

“I wrote that I wanted to be loved by an honorable man.”

“You are loved, my Lillie. By me.”

“I love you back.”

His hold on her tightened briefly. “Manuel still has doubts that it’ll work out between you and me.”

“At least he’s agreed not to interfere.”

Hector nodded. “He said he’d be willing to wait and see—after he told me there’s no fool like an old fool.”

“Shall we be foolish together?”

Hector laughed. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

Lillie lifted her head. “Are we a pair of fools, Hector?”

“I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be foolish with than you, my Lillie.”

“Me, neither.”

With their eyes closed, they continued dancing until the music ended. When the last note faded, they reluctantly
broke apart in order to applaud politely. To Lillie’s astonishment, the entire Silva family had formed a circle around them and started to clap.

Lillie blushed profusely and Hector laughed.

It was a relief when the musicians began again. This time, his family joined them on the dance floor. The mariachi music was lively, punctuated by slow, plaintive songs. Hector and Lillie danced every dance and stayed until the restaurant was ready to close.

Hector drove them back to the dealership, where Lillie had left her car. There, in the shadows, he kissed her. Lillie slipped her arms around him and leaned into his embrace, letting her actions tell him of all the love in her heart.

“How did you know I’d come to the party?” she asked.

“I prayed you would.”

“And if I hadn’t?”

“Then I would have come to you. Most men don’t find a love this good, this pure, once in a lifetime—let alone twice. I wasn’t letting you go, Lillie, not without a fight.”

“But you already had,” she reminded him.

“No,” he said swiftly. “I needed time to regroup and to reason with my son. You were always with me, always in my heart.” He took her hand and pressed her palm against his chest. “You inspired me, my Lillie.”

“I did?”

“Yes. I have my own list of Twenty Wishes now.”

“Really?”

“Oh, yes.” He paused to kiss her again. “And every one of those wishes is about you.”