There had been only him. The strength of his arms. The warmth of his smile. The feel of his mouth on hers. For one night, she had ceased to be sensible, dependable, predictable Lily Miller who had never done anything remotely reckless in her life. For one night, she had allowed herself to experience passion instead of just reading about it. For one night, she had followed her heart instead of her head. And because she had, she was pregnant and expecting Jack Cartwrights child.
Grant her eternal rest, O Lord
Shaking off the memory, Lily took a breath, then released it. She scanned the faces of those gathered. Not surprisingly, many of them were familiarmembers of Eastwick society, local dignitaries and politicians. Quite a few of them shed met through her position at Eastwick Cares. Others she knew from the news or social columns. Then she saw himthe tall, dark-haired man standing two rows back from the minister. Her pulse quickened. Even without seeing his face, she knew from the set of his broad shoulders and the conservative cut of his hair that it was Jack Cartwright.
Of course, she hadnt known it was him at the ball. If she had known that the dashing man with the Tom Cruise smile behind the mask was the newest nominee to the Eastwick Cares board, she might have refused his request to dance. She certainly never would have accepted the key to his hotel room. But she hadnt known it was him. Or maybe she hadnt wanted to know. Shed wanted to believe that wearing masks and not exchanging names meant that she could steal those hours of happiness without consequences.
She had been wrong.
Yet, she didnt regret what had happened, Lily admitted. How could she when the result was that she was going to have a baby? Smoothing a hand over her stomach, she felt a flutter of excitement as she realized that in just under four months, she would be able to hold her baby in her arms. She wanted this child, had from the moment shed discovered she was pregnant. After being alone all these years, she was finally going to have a family.
You are loved, my baby. You are wanted. You will always be loved. You will always belong.
Silently, she repeated the vows she had made to her unborn child the moment she had learned the baby was growing inside her. And as much as she already loved her child, she struggled once again with her decision to remain silent.
Was she doing the right thing by not telling Jack he was going to be a father? she wondered. But how was she supposed to tell one of Eastwicks wealthiest and most sought-after bachelors that the stranger hed spent one night with was pregnant with his child? The answer eluded herjust as it had for nearly five months now.
Or was she simply avoiding the answer rather than risk rejection? She could handle rejection, Lily told herself. But her baby her baby was another story. She didnt want her child, even at this stage in his or her life, to be unwanted.
As though sensing her gaze, Jack turned and looked in her direction. He scanned the crowd of mourners as though searching for someone and then his eyes met hers. For the space of a heartbeat, she couldnt move. She simply stared into those blue eyes. Suddenly his eyes darkened, narrowed, and she realized he had recognized her.
May her soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed rest in peace.
Lily didnt wait for the minister to finish, she simply turned and fled.
Jack Cartwright stared in disbelief. There she wasthe mystery woman from the ball. Hed begun to think hed dreamed that night, that there had been no beautiful redhead, that there had been no passionate hours spent in his hotel room, that there had been no woman with ghost-blue eyes and skin as soft as silk. But she hadnt been a dream. She was real. And she was getting away.
Jack, where are you going? his mother demanded in hushed tones as she clutched the sleeve of his jacket. The reverends not finished the service.
Beneath the net veil of Sandra Cartwrights hat, Jack noted the disapproval in his mothers eyes. It couldnt be helped, he told himself as he spied the redhead in the dark coat walking briskly toward the cemetery gates. Im sorry. I have to go. Theres someone I have to see.
But, Jack
Ignoring his mothers protest and the questioning look his father cast his way, Jack began to maneuver his way toward the rear of the crowd. Excuse me. Sorry. Excuse me, he repeated in a low voice as he shouldered his way past friends, business associates and acquaintances.
and may perpetual light shine upon them.
Moments later, a chorus of Amen rang out and then the crowd began to surge forward while he continued in the opposite direction. Sorry. Pardon me, he said as he bumped elbows and dodged hat brims. After hed finally made his way to the edge of the moving throng, he rushed down a grassy slope toward the cemeterys entrance where she had exited. When he reached the wrought-iron gates at the entrance, he searched the street in both directions. But he was too late. She was gone, vanishedjust as she had vanished from his bed that winter night while he had slept.
Dammit.
He jammed his fingers through his hair. Shed gotten awayagain. And he still didnt even know her name, let alone how to find her.
Jack? Jack Cartwright, is that you?
Jack recognized the husky purr of Delia Forrester behind him. Gritting his teeth, he turned to face Frank Forresters trophy wife. He didnt like the woman, hadnt liked her from the moment the seventy-year-old Frank had shown up at the Eastwick Country Club and introduced the statuesque blonde as his new bride. He considered himself broad-minded enough not to prejudge Delia because of the thirty-year age difference between her and Frank, Jack admitted. After all, hed witnessed the success of Stuart and Vanessa Thorpes May-December marriage during the last years of Stuarts life. Nor did he pay heed to the rumors about Delia spending Franks money as though it was water. What he did hold against Delia was the fact that the woman had come on to himand shed done it practically under her husbands nose. He didnt trust Delia and, for the life of him, he didnt understand why Frank did. Hello, Delia, he said and cast another glance down the street, hoping to catch a glimpse of his mystery woman again.
I thought that was you I saw leaving the service in such a hurry. She looked down the street in the direction where his attention was focused. Looking for someone?
I thought I saw someone I knew and I was hoping Id be able to catch her.
Whats her name? she asked and placed a hand on her hip, drawing attention to the way the shiny black all-weather coat had been cinched at the waist. He couldnt help wondering how the woman walked in the killer heels she had on. She tossed her platinum-blond hair back in a way he suspected was supposed to draw his interest, and stared at him out of brown eyes that were dry and clear, not a bit of smudged mascara in sight. She licked her lips, making the blood-red lipstick glisten. Maybe I know her.
Jack considered that for a moment and couldnt help noting the marked contrasts between his mystery redhead and Delia. The chances of Delia knowing his mystery woman were slim to none. I doubt it. She doesnt move in your circles.
Well, Im sure shell be sorry to have missed you. I know I would.
Choosing to ignore the overture, Jack asked, Wheres Frank?
Jack considered that for a moment and couldnt help noting the marked contrasts between his mystery redhead and Delia. The chances of Delia knowing his mystery woman were slim to none. I doubt it. She doesnt move in your circles.
Well, Im sure shell be sorry to have missed you. I know I would.
Choosing to ignore the overture, Jack asked, Wheres Frank?
She sighed. Hes waiting in the car. You know how weak hes been since his heart attack and since it looked like it might rain, I didnt think it would be a good idea for him to be out in this damp air.
How considerate of you.
I was trying to be, she said, a wounded look in her eyes.
Regretting his sharp tone, Jack told himself he wasnt being fair. Maybe he had misjudged the woman, he reasoned. After all, from all accounts Delia had seemed to pay considerable attention to Frank since his heart attack. You were right to have Frank wait in the car. The damp air probably isnt good for him.
Thats what I told Frank. Unfortunately, being an invalid isnt easy for him. Its not easy for me either. She lowered her gaze a moment, then looked back up at him. Franks not the man he was before his heart attack. Theres so many things that he cant do now.
Then I guess hes lucky to have you to help him, Jack told her and decided he hadnt misjudged Delia after all.
Thats what Frank says, too. And I dont mind. Really, I dont. But every now and then it feels so overwhelming, she continued and took a step closer. It makes me wish I had someone that I could lean on, someone who would take care of my needs for a change.
Maybe you should get a nurse to help you with Frank, Jack suggested, ignoring the obvious invitation. He took a step back. Im sure Franks doctor could recommend someone.
Temper flashed in Delias eyes, but it was gone so quickly Jack wondered if hed imagined it. Oh, I couldnt possibly trust Franks care to anyone elsenot after that close call he had. Why, I dont know what Id do if something happened and I lost my Frank.
Somehow I think youd manage. But hopefully you wont have to because Frank will be with us for a long, long time.
Of course he will, she said. But enough talk about Frank and my problems. What I want to know is if the rumors are true? Are you really planning to run for the state senate?
Jack frowned. Where did you hear that?
Never mind where I heard it. Is it true?
He supposed it had been foolish of him to think that word wouldnt get out, Jack told himself. He had been approached by a group of business leaders and asked to run for the soon-to-be-vacated seat. As yet, he hadnt made up his mind. He still wasnt sure he was ready to take on the demanding task of a campaign and life in the public eyewhich was why he hadnt wanted the news to get out. I havent decided whether to run or not, he answered honestly. But I am considering it.
Delia brought her hands together. Oh, but you have to run, Jack. Youd make such a wonderful senator. Everyone thinks so, she said with a smile. And of course you know you can count on my support.
Thanks, he told her.
You must let me host a party for you.
I appreciate that, but, as I said, I havent decided to run yet, he told her just as thunder boomed overhead. Grateful for the interruption, he noted the crowd beginning to disperse as the sky darkened and rain scented the air. I should go pay my respects to Abby and Luke before the rain hits. Give my best to Frank.
Delia turned up the collar of her coat and glanced at the threatening skies. You might want to wait until you get to Abbys. She paused. You are going to Abbys house, arent you?
For what?
The after-service reception. At a time like this, Abby needs the support of all of her friends. Im bringing a layer cake.
I see, he said, surprised. He wouldnt have pegged Delia as a friend of Abbys. After all, everyone in Eastwick knew that Abby was part of the Debs Clubthe name the members of the country club had given the group of women who met regularly for lunch at the club. As far as he knew, Delia wasnt a part of that circle.
As though reading his thoughts, Delia said, Just because Im not part of the Debs Club doesnt mean I dont feel bad for Abby. I do. After all, I know what its like to lose a parent. I lost both of mine when I was a teenager.
Im sorry, he said when he saw tears filling her eyes. I didnt know.
Its all right, she said and dabbed at her eyes with a lacy handkerchief. I dont like to talk about it. She sniffed and shoved the handkerchief into the pocket of her coat. Id better go. Franks waiting for me. But you should go to the Talbots. Maybe your lady friend will be there.
She wasnt there, Jack decided after spending the better part of an hour moving from room to room in Abby and Luke Talbots home. She wasnt there, but practically everyone else was. Half the members of the Eastwick Country Club were there. So were most of the politicians, the newspaper editor and the entire board of Eastwick Cares. As he scanned the room in search of his mystery woman, he noted Luke Talbot excusing himself from a group and disappearing down the hall. He couldnt help but note the way Abbys eyes followed her husband.
A hand came down on his shoulder. Jack, my boy, Ive been looking for you.
Turning, Jack stared at his father. At sixty-eight, John was the picture of health. He kept his six-foot frame just under two hundred pounds. The tan hed acquired from his weekly round of golf at the country club accented his silver hair and gray eyes. He suspected his fathers recent retirement from the law firm accounted for his relaxed demeanor. Hey, Dad.
You looked like you were in a bit of a hurry when you left the funeral service. Everything okay?
Everythings fine.
His father eyed him skeptically. You sure theres no problem at the office? Because if there is, you know Ill be happy to help out.
Relax, Dad, Jack told him, knowing that his father had not found it easy to turn over the reins of the law firm hed founded, even though he had wanted the freedom of retirement. Everything at the office is fine. I just saw a friend at the service that Id been trying to reach for a while.
His father arched his eyebrow. Did you catch up with her?
I never said it was a woman. But no, I missed her. Not wanting to give his father the chance to question him further about who she was, he said, You said you were looking for me. Did you need something?
Your mother wanted me to tell you that she brought a spinach quiche. Its one of her new recipes and she wants you to be sure to try it. Its in the dining room.
Jack grimaced. His mother was a lousy cook. When hed been growing up, the lady had managed to burn, undercook and virtually ruin more meals than his stomach cared to remember. Unfortunately, she loved to cook and neither he nor his two sisters nor his father had ever had the heart to tell her how truly awful she was at it. Thankfully, their housekeeper Alice did most of the cooking. But his mother continued to astound them with new recipes. Is it as bad as her liver mousse?