Truth, стр. 113
Sincerely he asked, “How are you feeling?”
Genteel and reticent, she responded, “I am feeling better, thank you for asking.” And then Claire did what Tony had done to her over and over. She conversed about anything and everything except the pregnancy. On his few attempts to discuss it, she changed the subject. Her change of subject wasn’t as direct as saying, “The subject is closed” but subtly she’d mention something else. For instance her dress – it was one from the closet. She told Tony how much she liked it and thanked him for having it bought.
The dessert celebration proceeded with equal poise. Claire stayed dutifully by his side and said and did everything to continue their charade. After all, this gathering contained people they didn’t know. It was Claire’s experience that information can be leaked at any moment by any source. To everyone, they appeared the happy couple trying for reconciliation.
When the waiter offered glasses of champagne, Claire smirked as Tony asked for non-alcoholic. Even he drank the disgustingly sweet bubbly grape juice. It didn’t make up for his initial reaction, but it did incite a genuine smile on Claire’s lips.
On their way back to the estate, Tony detoured to a secluded back road. The June night was warmer than the one before, and the stars were bright. Although she didn’t know where they were going, Claire didn’t ask. She remained reserved, answering questions, and continuing courteous conversation. Finally after a bumpy dirt road, Tony stopped the Mercedes. His headlights faded into the darkness illuminating a meadow. “Do you know where we are?”
Claire looked from side to side. Beyond the meadow were trees, but they were no more distinctive than any other trees. “I don’t.”
He got out of the car and walked to her door. After opening it, he extended his hand and asked, “Will you please walk with me a moment?”
Claire looked down at her shoes. They too were from his closet of clothes, Casadsi platform pumps with a very thin four inch heel. She wasn’t sure of their cost, but from experience she was certain they weren’t intended for hiking. “I don’t think my shoes are meant for...”
“I don’t give a damn about the shoes.” His polite invitation gave way to the emotions he’d been suppressing all evening.
Claire shrugged and accepted his outstretched hand. Her facade once again in place she replied, “Of course, Mr. Rawlings, I’d be delighted.”
They took a few steps when Claire stumbled, falling into Tony’s strong embrace. She straightened and secured herself. “Have you figured out where we are?” He asked.
“I really don’t know.”
“This is where I brought you the day I apologized for your accident.” Claire’s back straightened and her chin rose indignantly. He added, “I meant every word that day.”
“Tony, I don’t want to talk about...”
“I have done some things in my life I’m not proud of. I never in all of my life considered having a child.”
Claire turned to look at his face. The faint glow of the moon saved them from total blackness and shadowed his features. He continued, “I can run businesses, I can make deals, and I can multi-task better than most.” His volume increased, “Nothing frightens me. I can take on an entire board of directors and know that tomorrow they will all be jobless. I have eliminated adversaries and obstacles.” He turned toward his ex-wife, “This is totally new territory.”
Her facade melted, “I know, it scares me too.”
“Do I?”
His question surprised her. Claire considered her answer and spoke, “I’m afraid of what you’re capable of doing. You made a point of showing me your control over my friends’ futures.” She reached for his hand. “But of you – personally – not anymore. There was a time. But I’ve changed and you’ve changed. No, I’m not.”
“I don’t want you and this baby living in California.”
“I know. But Tony, I can’t go back to the past.”
“To here?”
“No, I love here. I won’t go back to your supreme control over my every move. I can’t. And I can’t allow that kind of life for our child.”
“Our child.” He repeated as he gently touched her midsection.
Claire nodded, “I went to the doctor on Wednesday. She did an ultrasound. I saw the image of our baby and his heart beating. The sound of his heart reminded me of my lake, here. From that moment on, everything felt right.”
“You keep saying him?”
She mused, “I have no idea of gender. Him sounds better than it, don’t you think?”
Tony thought about her words. Finally he said, “You know you’re very good at pretending. I knew it before, but tonight you were perfect at every turn. I felt your anger, yet you appeared perfect. How do I really know how you feel?”
“How do I know how you feel? Or that you won’t do something to me like you did before, with the attempted murder thing.”
Tony lowered his lips to the top of her head, “I guess we need to trust one another.”
“Can we do that?” Claire asked.
“I don’t know.” He answered, as he took her hand and helped her back to the car.
On the ride home Tony asked questions and Claire answered. No one else knows about the pregnancy. She wanted to see him and decide what she’d do. However, from the moment she saw the ultrasound, Claire knew, not having this baby was not an option. She told him about the sickness, what she’d thought was food poisoning and the bacon. He asked when she knew. It was Sunday, less than a week ago. She did a home pregnancy test. Wednesday she saw the doctor and Thursday she flew here.
At the bottom of the stairs, Claire said good night to Tony.
Before releasing her hand, Tony said, “I would like to join you, just to talk.”
“Not tonight. I’ve got a lot to think about.”
He didn’t argue.
When she reached her suite, she closed the door and collapsed on the soft sofa. The vibration in her purse caught her attention, three missed calls from Harry. If it were one, she could wait until morning, but three needed attention. There were no voice mails, but she did have a text message, simply saying: CALL AS SOON AS YOU CAN.
Harry answered on the first ring. “Claire?”
“Yes, what’s the matter?”
“Amber’s condo was broken into tonight.”
Claire’s heart stopped, “Is she all right?”
“Yes, she was out with Keaton.”
“How did it happen? I thought security had been tightened?”
“It has. Now it’s been stepped up another notch.”
“Did they catch the person?”
“No, whoever it was got away. Security noticed the breach. Do you think Mr. Rawlings is responsible for this, too?”
Claire sat straighter, indignantly she replied, “No.” Her mind whirled; he wouldn’t do that, would he? “Besides, he’s here.” She hastily added, “In Iowa, not here in this room.”
“Well, the thing is – whoever it was tore your room apart. Drawers dumped, closet torn apart. We won’t know until you come home and do inventory, but so far we’ve determined the only thing missing is your laptop. Or do you have it?”
As the blood left her face, she felt violated, “No, I have my tablet, but my laptop should be on the desk.” Her once strong voice quivered, “They only disturbed my room?”
“Yes.”
Love comes when manipulation stops; when you think moreabout the other person than about his or her reactions to you. When you dare to reveal yourself fully. When you dare to be vulnerable.
—Dr. Joyce Brothers
Chapter 47
Reality began to focus as Claire’s blissful dreams gave way to the intermittent beeping of her iPhone. She tried to push the sound of her unanswered text messages away and stay in her warm safe cocoon. Undaunted, the beeping continued. Blindly, Claire reached next to her on the large ornately carved four poster bed, for her iPhone. It was where she’d left it, after falling asleep talking to Amber until very late, Iowa time. Claire concentrated on the time: 7:35.