All shed had to do then was apply for a corrected birth certificate from the state. And since Emily was small for her age, no one had questioned the four-month discrepancy in her development when Tess had returned to Eden two years later. No one knew Emilys true birthday except for Tess, Joelle, Melanie and Emilys pediatrician. And there was no way Royce could get his hands on those records.
Please, please, think about what youre doing, Melanie begged. You cant tell Jared the truth. You cant. Only one other time had Tess seen the same level of terror in her friends eyes. You cant take the chance that Royce would find out. Hes still dangerous. He got away with attempted murder back then, and his family helped him. Theyd help him now, too, if they had to. For Gods sake, dont bring those people back into our lives.
Tess glanced up at her friend. Im sorry, but I dont have a choice. They have money and I dont.
Yes, Melanie said bitterly. And what if Royce uses his money to make certain Emily stays missing forever? Have you considered that?
Chapter Three
Secrets have a way of coming back to haunt you, Tesss mother had warned her that summer. As Tess hovered nervously in Jareds office doorway the next day, she felt almost sick with apprehension. The prospect of what she was about to do terrified her.
Melanie was right. The consequences of Tesss actions today could be dire. The threat that had driven her from townand from Jareds armsthat summer still posed a grave danger. If he refused to help her, she could be risking everything for nothing. She could be putting her daughter in even more jeopardy.
But what choice did she have? What choice had she had six years ago?
Tess swallowed and took a fortifying breath, slowly, deeply, to calm herself, repeating the litany shed chanted to herself all through the sleepless night. Im doing this for Emily.
Across the room, Jared stood at the window, oblivious to her presence, and for a moment, the urge to slip away before he noticed her was almost overwhelming. But Tess hesitated, her gaze moving over him, drinking in the familiar lines of his body. The wide shoulders. The narrow waist and slim hips. He was just as tall as shed remembered, his hair still dark.
In point of fact, Tess had forgotten nothing about Jared Spencer because she still dreamed about him. She still thought about him at night, after Emily had gone to sleep, when the TV was turned off and the house settled into deep silence. Sometimes lying in bed, unable to drift off, Tess would wonder about what might have been, but mostly she thought about what was never meant to be.
She and Jared had come from two very different worldshis one of wealth and privilege, hers one of hard work and sacrifice. Still, it might have worked, they might have made it work, if it hadnt been for a series of events that summer that had changed Tesss lifeand Melaniesforever. The night Melanie had showed up at Tesss door had only been a portent.
But Jared had loved her once, Tess thought, her eyes misting. Hed once promised her there wasnt anything he wouldnt do for her.
Would he feel that way now when he found out the truth?
Promise me, Tess whispered as she and Jared lay on his boat, watching the stars turn on one by one in an indigo sky. They were alone on the lake, drifting aimlessly, neither of them anxious to return to shore. To reality. Promise you wont say anything until Im ready.
Jared rolled to his side and propped himself on his elbow, gazing down at her. Theyre going to find out about us sooner or later, Tess. They may even already know. He trailed a finger down her bare stomach, making her shiver. Why are you so afraid?
You know why. Im not the sort of girl your parents would want to see you bring home. They wont approve of me and you know it.
He hesitated, frowning. They will in time.
But what if they dont? What if my mother loses her job?
You think shed get fired because of us? I wouldnt let that happen.
Maybe you couldnt stop it. Maybe theyd kick you out, too.
Im not a kid, Tess. Ive got my own place. Im not exactly worried about being homeless.
But youre destined to take over the company someday. Its what you want. Your father could force you out because of me.
Stop borrowing trouble. Thats not going to happen, either.
He was trying to reassure her, but Tess longed to hear him say that he didnt care if it did happen. He could be happy without the Spencer money, without the prestige and power, so long as he had her.
But he didnt say it, and Tess was afraid his silence spoke volumes.
She closed her eyes as his fingers whispered along her skin, barely touching her and yet eliciting a response so needy, so primal, she hardly recognized herself. This wasnt supposed to happen. Not to her. She was too levelheaded. And she didnt even like the Spencers.
But Jared was different. He always had been, and Tess was only now starting to admit to herself that shed nursed secret feelings for him for years. Maybe that was why she was so reluctant to bring their relationship out into the open. Jared Spencer was a fantasy come true. She didnt want reality screwing up everything. When his family found out about themif they made him choose
Tess shivered, and Jared pulled her even closer.
Ive got an idea, he murmured.
What?
My familys having a celebration here at the lake next week. Its my parents anniversary. I want you to come as my date. Maybe once you get to know us, youll realize we arent the monsters you seem to think we are.
I cant, Tess said in alarm. My mother has to work that night, and I promised Id help her.
Jared rolled to his back and stared at the sky. You dont have to do that.
Why not? she challenged. Im not ashamed of what my mother does for a living. If its good enough for her, its good enough for me.
Still wearing that chip on your shoulder, Tess? Still think youve got something to prove?
Its not that. She drew her knees into her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. I just want you to see me for who I really am. Dont expect me to change just because of us.
Then why should I have to change?
I never said you did.
Not in so many words, but theres always this underlying tension when were together, he said. I always feel as if I have to make excuses for who I am and for what my family has. You put up defenses that I dont know how to break through.
If Im so much trouble, why do you even bother? she asked, stung by his words.
Because no matter how hard you try to push me away, I cant stop thinking about you. He tugged her down beside him, holding her close, discarding her bathing-suit top in one fluid motion. I cant stop wanting you, he whispered.
The night air swept over Tess, cooling her, drawing an inevitable response. But Jared was there to keep her warm. Jared was there to cover her nakedness with his, making her want him so badly Tess could hardly believe that just a few short weeks ago, shed never been with a man, never experienced the intense pleasure of lovemaking.
But Jared had changed all that.
He kissed her deeply, making her melt in his arms. Making her sigh his name.
Meet me, he whispered in her ear.
When? Where?
Im going to New Orleans tomorrow, but Ill be back next week for the party. Meet me down by the lake after dinner. I cant spend the whole evening under the same roof with you and not touch you.
Touch me now, she begged.
And he did. Over and over.
As the memories spun away, Tess saw that Jared had turned from the window and was staring at her. Her face flushed hot, and she braced herself for his reaction. Her mouth dry, the muscles in her throat taut and aching, she stared back at him. And for the life of her, she couldnt think of a single thing to say.
But it didnt matter because his first words said it all.
May I help you? he asked in a tone that held not the slightest note of recognition.
THE YOUNG WOMAN who stood in his doorway looked as if she might turn and bolt at any second. When Jared started across the room toward her, she did exactly that.
Wait!
She hesitated, glancing over her shoulder. Uncertainty flickered in her eyes.
Are you lost? When she didnt answer immediately, he said, Whose office are you trying to find? Maybe I can help you.
Resentment flashed in her hazel eyes. Im not lost. I came here to see you.
Do we have an appointment?
No. Her chin lifted. I slipped passed the receptionist in the lobby. And your secretary wasnt at her desk.
He cocked his head slightly, studying her. Do I know you?
Im Tess, she said, and now it was annoyance that settled over her features, precisely the way it had six years ago when hed failed to recognize her.
Stunned, Jared could only stare at her. Back then her transformation from a gangly teenager to a striking young woman had taken him by surprise, but this new metamorphosis was even more shocking. And disturbing.
He wouldnt have recognized her. Not in a million years. Her face was pale and drawn, with dark circles underneath her eyes and deep pain within. And she was so thin! Not fashionably slender, but skin and bones, as if shed been sick recently and hadnt completely recovered. She wore a slim, dark skirt and white, sleeveless blouse, but the elegant lines of her clothing did little more than hint at the curves shed once had. The curves he still remembered so well.
Shed pinned up her hair, taming the curls that used to cascade down her back so freely. Gone was the luster, the golden highlights that had glinted like fire in the sunlight. Hed always loved Tesss hair, Jared thought with a stab of regret he didnt want to analyze too closely.
It was he who stood speechless now.
She took a tentative step inside his office. If you have a moment, Id like to speak with you.
At least her voice hadnt changed. It was low and slightly husky, not as overtly sexy as Demi Moores or Kathleen Turners but close. When shed used that voice to whisper to him, to tell him how much she loved him, how much she wanted him
It had been a lie, of course. Shed played him for a fool that summer, and he would be crazy if he gave her anything more than the time of day.
He glanced at his watch and frowned. I have a meeting in fifteen minutes. I can spare you ten of those.
Some of the old resentment flashed again in her eyes, but something else, another emotion he couldnt quite define, subdued it. She nodded and walked into his office.
He motioned for her to take a seat and he moved around his desk, putting the heavy expanse of granite between them. So what can I do for you?
First, let me say, I heard about your father, and Im sorry.
Thanks, Jared said curtly. He wished he could take some satisfaction in the pain he saw in her face, but he couldnt. Not even after what shed done.
So this is all yours now, she said softly, glancing around the commodious office. Her gaze came back to his. Just the way it was always meant to be.
He shrugged. Somehow I dont think you came here to congratulate me.
Regret flickered in her eyes. Regret for what shed done? For what shed thrown away?
She placed her purse in her lap, the fingers of her right hand moving back and forth over the clasp, squeezing and releasing, squeezing and releasing. She was obviously nervous. Jared couldnt imagine what she had to say to him after all these years. And though he had a good deal hed like to say to her, he held his tongue.
I realize youre a busy man, so Ill get right to the point. Her chin lifted slightly. I need money. A lot of it.
He schooled his outward reaction, but inside, Jared was astounded. Tess Granger was the last person he would have expected to come asking for money. Six years ago, shed worn her pride like a shield, against him, against his family. Against the whole world, he sometimes thought.
And now here she was, with her hand out.
Thats a little ironic, dont you think? That you would come here, of all places.
Color tinged her pale cheeks. This isnt easy for me. Believe me, if thered been any other way She trailed off, closing her eyes for a moment. But I thoughtwe were close once
He cut her off. Do yourself a favor, Tess. Dont go there.
The flush deepened, but anger glinted in her eyes.
All right, she said in a grim, determined voice. Ill put it as simply as I can. My daughter is missing, and I need money to get her back.
Your daughter? Jareds gaze dropped to her left hand. She wore a thin, gold band around her third finger. Youre married?
I was. Her gaze met his without wavering. My husband died a few years ago. I have a five-year-old daughter named Emily. Almost three weeks ago, she was kidnapped from a school playground. We dont know by whom or where she was taken. The police have
Wait a minute. Jared picked up the newspaper from his desk and opened it to the picture of the missing child. For some reason, he hadnt been able to toss the paper out. Is this your daughter?
Tesss face grew even paler as she stared at the photograph. Yes. Thats Emily.
Jared turned the paper so that he could study the picture. He was struck, as he had been yesterday, by the extraordinary beauty of the child. In spite of her dark hair and eyes, she looked a lot like Tess, although he hadnt made the connection before, at least not consciously. But now he could even see that same damnable pride in the way the little girl held her chin, that same glow of defiance emanating from her brown eyes. And also like Tess, there was something exquisitely vulnerable about the child, something that brought out a protective instinct in Jared he never even knew he possessed. The thought of someone taking that innocent little girl, harming her
He glanced up at Tess. Im sorry. Ive only been back in Mississippi a few days. Ive been living in New Orleans for the past six years.
Yes, I know. Iheard, she stammered, as if not wanting to reveal how shed come by the information. Had she been asking about him? Keeping tabs on him? Jared was hard-pressed to believe it considering their final conversation.
I heard about the kidnapping, but I never dreamed the victim was your daughter. He got up and moved around the desk to stand in front of her. What happened?