As last lines went, it was a good one, and Jared had been left staring after her, intrigued, amused, and aroused as hell.
Shed stolen his heart that day, but it wasnt until the end of the summer that hed learned what an accomplished thief she truly was.
Scrubbing his face with his hands, he leaned his head back against his chair and closed his eyes. But strangely enough, it wasnt Tesss image that troubled him. It was the little girls picture in the paper that haunted him. The missing child. For some reason, Jared couldnt get her out of his head.
WHAT ABOUT THE BANK? Tesss mother asked at dinner that night. She looked tired tonight, Tess thought. Joelle Granger was still a young woman, not yet fifty, but Emilys disappearance had aged her. The lines in her careworn face had deepened, and her light brown hair had seemed to gray overnight. Like Tesss, her hazel eyes were rimmed with shadows.
She, Tess, and Melanie Kent, Tesss best friend, were seated around her dining-room table, but no one felt like eating, even though the chicken casserole was one of Joelles specialities.
Tess stared at her plate. Wherever Emily was, had she been given food? Or was she hungry, her little stomach swollen and knotted in pain?
Tess pictured her little girl, weak from hunger, too sick even to cry out
Overcome by the images, she pushed away her plate. Im sorry, Mama, but I cant eat a bite.
Try to force something down, honey. You cant keep doing this.
Maybe in a little while. The thought of food made Tess nauseated, so she tried to concentrate on something else. I went to the bank this afternoon after I talked to Naomi Cross. Theres nothing they can do. I dont have enough equity in my house to use as collateral, and theres nothing in the business worth liquidating. Tesss cleaning service had been built primarily on her own blood, sweat and tears, commodities not necessarily valued by a loan institution. Mr. Cobb was very nice, but as he pointed out, he isnt running a charity organization.
Melanie gasped. Her lovely features contorted in anger. Shed always reminded Tess of a classical painting with her large, lost eyes and brooding mouth. He didnt say that!
Not in so many words, but that was the implication. Tess rubbed her forehead. I understand their decision. I do. Its business. They cant afford to take on hard-luck cases, but my daughters life is at stake. You would think She broke off, shoving back her chair as she began stacking plates.
Leave the dishes, her mother scolded. Ill take care of them later.
No, Mama, let me do them. I need to keep busy.
When her mother started to get up, Melanie said quickly, Keep your seat, Joelle. Ill help Tess. Grabbing the plates, she balanced them in her lap as she deftly guided her wheelchair toward the kitchen.
You girls dont have to do that, Joelle protested. Im perfectly capable of washing my own dishes.
Youve done more than your share of dishes, Melanie insisted, referring to Joelles long tenure as the Spencers housekeeper. You deserve a little pampering.
But even though both Joelle and Tess had installed ramps and made their homes as wheelchair accessible as possible after the accident, Joelles cramped kitchen was still hard for Melanie to navigate. She unloaded the dishes in the sink, then moved back to give Tess room to work.
Im just in the way, she muttered.
Tess glanced over her shoulder as she started the dish water. Stop that. Youre never in the way, and you know it. I dont know what I would have done without you these last weeks.
Melanie bit her lip. I just wish I could have done more. I wish I could have prevented this. Oh, Tess, when I think about the way she looked that afternoon She broke off, her blue eyes filling with tears. If Id just waited with her a little longer
Melanie was the librarian at Fairhaven Academy, and she always stopped by every afternoon to see Emily before Tess picked her up from school. On that particular day, shed been one of the last people to see Emily before she disappeared.
Tess sighed. Its not your fault. You couldnt have known. And besides, there were other teachers on the playground that day. They didnt see anything, either.
I know, but
But nothing. I meant what I said earlier. I dont know how I would have gotten through this without you.
Melanies eyes softened. Weve always been there for each other, havent we? Melanies rehabilitation after the accident six years ago had been a long and painful ordeal, but contrary to what shed said, Tess hadnt been there for her. Not for a long time. And for that, shed never quite been able to forgive herself.
She forced a smile. Weve been through a lot together, thats for sure.
Too much, Melanie said with a grimace, tucking her silky blond hair behind one ear.
Tess turned back to the sink, squirted soap into the hot water and began washing the dishes. As she worked, her mind drifted back in time, to the summer her and Melanies lives had been linkedand changedforever
Friends since childhood, Tess had always been the more practical of the two, the more studious, the one who never got into trouble while the impetuous Melanie seemed to hover on the brink of one disaster after another.
So it had come as a surprise to both of them when, in the summer after their junior year in college, Tess had been the one to fall in love, and with a man totally unsuited for her.
Jared Spencer was older, for one thing. More sophisticated. More worldly. Tess sometimes wondered how she had ever let him get under her skin the way he had. He wasnt her type at all. Shed always held nothing but contempt for the southern aristocracy with their customs and attitudes and machinations.
But in spite of her disdain and no small amount of resistance, Jared had finally gotten to her. Hed pursued her arduously and won her over, and sometimes still, in looking back, Tess wondered why hed been so persistent. Was it a simple case of the forbidden fruit? Had she, the housekeepers daughter, been an irresistible temptation to rebel against a lifetime of expectations?
Melanie, perhaps not to be outdone, or perhaps because the Spencer charisma had enthralled her, too, had promptly gotten involved with Jareds younger brother, Royce, although shed kept the relationship a secret. Tess hadnt suspected a thing until shed opened the door one night, and Melanie had collapsed, hysterical, into her arms.
It wasnt until Tess had finally gotten Melanie to calm down that she noticed the marks on her friends arms, the telltale discoloration where someone had grabbed her roughly.
Tess stared at the bruises in shock. Melanie, who did this to you?
Melanie didnt want to tell her at first, but then finally she whispered, Royce.
Tess gasped. Royce Spencer? But you dont even know him!
Melanie glanced away, unable to meet her friends gaze. Weve been seeing each other.
Melanie! Hes married! Tess blurted in horror. In fact, he was practically a newlywed. His sudden marriage had created quite a clamor within the family, Joelle said, coming as it had after his announcement that he would not pursue an MBA at Harvard, as his brother had done before him, but would instead go directly to work for the Spencer Hotels Corporation.
I didnt know he was married, Melanie defended. Not at first. And then when I found out, I was already in love with him. I tried to break it off. I swear I did. I know now what a mistake it was. Tess She clutched Tesss arm. You should have seen the look in his eyes tonight when he grabbed me. I thought he was going to kill me. He was completely out of control.
Tess could hardly comprehend what her friend was telling her. Melanie, involved with a married man? Royce Spencer, capable not only of infidelity, but violence?
In truth, Tess had never cared much for Royce Spencer. Hed always been on the wild side, and just a little too sure that he could get whatever, and whomever, he wanted. He and Tess had had an altercation once at the lake house when hed made a pass at her. Tess hadnt told her mother about it because shed handled things herself. Shed slapped Royces face, hed laughed and apologized, and for a while, hed pursued her even harder. But then hed finally given up, and that had been the end of it.
But this!
What happened? she asked.
I gave him an ultimatum, Melanie said almost defiantly. I told him if he didnt leave his wife, Id tell her about us.
Oh, Mel.
You hate me, Melanie whispered. I can see it in your eyes.
I dont hate you. What Tess felt at the moment was shock. Disbelief. And, yes, more than a little disappointed. Dating a married manthat just wasnt done in her book.
But youve lost respect for me, Melanie said. I dont blame you. I dont respect myself much at the moment.
Well sort all that out later, Tess murmured, her mind still reeling. What we have to do now is make sure youre okay. Do you need to see a doctor?
He just grabbed me. He didnthit me.
But he threatened you, Tess said. Maybe we should go to the police.
No! Melanies eyes widened in terror. Dont you see? No one can know about this. Royce said if I told anyone, hed kill me. And I believe him. You dont know how dangerous he is
Shes right, Tesss mother said from her bedroom doorway.
Both girls spun to face her. Wrapping a white chenille robe tightly around her, Joelle crossed the room to examine the bruises on Melanies arms. When she finally looked up, her eyes were grave, almost frightened. No one can find out about this, Tess.
But he threatened her! We cant let him get away with that!
Joelles expression was resolved, worried. You think the police would believe you? It would be Melanies word against Royces, and even if she did manage to convince the authorities she was telling the truth, the family would buy Royces way out of it. Ive watched them get him out of one scrape after another for years, always making excuses for his behavior, always covering up for him. Ive been afraid for a long time what that boy might be capable of.
Tess stared at her, stunned. Why didnt you ever say anything?
I didnt think I had to, Joelle said wearily. I hardly ever let you go over to the lake house. I thought all I had to do was keep you away from him. From all of them. And it wasnt hard, because you never seemed to like any of the Spencers anyway.
But Jareds different, Tess protested. He would never hurt anyone.
Joelle gave her an uneasy glance. He may not be like Royce, but he is still a Spencer. Its time you realize what that means, Tess. The Spencers will protect their own, no matter who they have to step on in the process. I want you to stay away from him. Do you hear me?
Shes right, Melanie whispered. You have to stay away from the Spencers before something like this happens to you.
But what none of them had known at that moment, not even Tess, was that she was already irrevocably tied to the Spencers.
Shoving the memories aside, Tess finished the last of the dishes. She dried her hands on a dish towel, then went to kneel beside Melanie. I need to talk to you.
Melanie looked surprised by the urgency in Tesss voice. Of course. What is it?
I know where I can get the money I need.
Melanie frowned. Where?
Tess bit her lip. Jareds back in Mississippi. I read in the paper that hes been named president of the Spencer Hotels Corporation. The article had featured a picture of Jared at a big charity event held at the New Orleans Spencer. Hed been accompanied by a beautiful redhead with a spectacular figure. His fiancé, the caption had said. Tess hadnt wanted to look at that picture too closely, but somehow she hadnt been able to tear her gaze from it. Jared was getting married. Im going to drive to Jackson tomorrow and see him, she told Melanie.
Melanie gripped the arms of her wheelchair. No!
Its the only way, Mel. I have to do this for Emily.
Emily is precisely the reason why you cant do this! Melanies face had gone deathly white. Have you forgotten why you left town that summer? Why you felt you had to marry Alan Campbell, a man you werent in love with? Have you forgotten what happened to me?
I havent forgotten anything. Tesss gaze dropped to Melanies wheelchair. How could I?
You cant tell him about Emily. You cant!
I know all the reasons why I shouldnt, Tess said quietly. I know what the dangers are. But what if were wrong about the kidnapping, Melanie? What if Royce had something to do with Emilys disappearance, and I didnt tell the police about him? What if he has her, and Ive kept silent all this time?
Tess, listen to me, Melanie said desperately. You know thats not possible. The police think that whoever kidnapped Sadie Cross ten years ago came back and abducted Emily. Royce had nothing to do with it. But if he finds out about her now, do you think hed stand by and let that trust slip through his fingers? Even with Emily missing, if he thought you were still a threat to him, hed come after you in a heartbeat and you know it. He might even come after me, too.
Melanies pale, thin face hardened with hatred. Look at me, Tess. Take a good long look. Im in this wheelchair because I threatened Royce Spencer. Hes the one who forced us off the road that night and left us both for dead.
I know youve always thought that, but the police
Wouldnt even investigate. They never even went out to check Royces car. It was all swept under the rug, just like it would be now, if you threatened the Spencers. But you thought it was Royce, too, that night, Tess, or else you never would have left town. You would have stayed and fought the Spencers if you hadnt been afraid for your life. And for your babys life. Melanie cast a glance toward the kitchen door, then lowered her voice so that Joelle wouldnt overhear them. You burned your bridges by keeping silent, and that took extraordinary courage. Dont get cold feet now. Think of everything youve done to protect your daughter.
It was true. Tess had gone to great lengths to guard her secret, not the least of which had been changing Emilys birth certificate. Alan Campbell had been a medical student before hed gotten too sick to continue his studies, but hed still had connections at the hospital in Memphis where hed trained. Hed had one of his friends who worked in medical records change the entry of Emilys birth from April to August, a full year after Tess had left Eden, as well as the date on all Tesss medical records.