He still had the power to take her breath away
It wasnt fair, Elizabeth thought fleetingly. It wasnt fair that after everything theyd been through, after all the grief and hurt and bitterness of the past eighteen months, he still had the power to take her breath away.
Elizabeth! What are youwhat brings you by here?
He chose his words carefully around her, for so long, she wondered if either of them even knew how to relax anymore.
Coming over to stand behind his desk, his gray eyes raked her curiously. And no wonder. She hadnt been in his office in over a year. Not since before the accident.
I decided to drop by and see if you have dinner plans.
He lifted a brow as he regarded her across the expanse of the desk. For the longest moment he said nothing and Elizabeth rushed to explain. Theressomething I need to talk to you about.
I see. His gaze flickered, but she didnt have a clue what he was thinking. He seemed so remote, so cold. Nothing at all like the man who had barely let her out of bed on their honeymoon.
She didnt want to remember their honeymoon now. Or the night theyd made their precious son. She couldnt do what she had to.
The Edge of Eternity
Amanda Stevens
www.millsandboon.co.uk
MILLS & BOON
Before you start reading, why not sign up?
Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!
SIGN ME UP!
Or simply visit
signup.millsandboon.co.uk
Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amanda Stevens is the bestselling author of over thirty novels of romantic suspense. In addition to being a Romance Writers of America RITA® Award finalist, she is also the recipient of awards in Career Achievement in Romantic/Mystery and Career Achievement in Romantic/Suspense from Romantic Times magazine. She currently resides in Texas. To find out more about past, present and future projects, please visit her Web site at www.amandastevens.com.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Elizabeth BlackstoneHaunted by her sons death, she becomes vulnerable to an evil seduction. The only one who can save her is the man she turned away from.
Paul BlackstoneA weekend trip to save his marriage becomes a battle to save his wifes soul.
Roland LatimerIs he a ghost trapped in the mists of Fernhavenor a figment of Elizabeths imagination?
Frankie NovakElizabeths business partner has secrets of her own she must hide.
Nina WilsonA woman who insists that she and Paul are meant to be together.
Dr. Julian SummersHas he formed an unnatural attachment to his patient?
Zoë LindstromIs she truly a psychic with the ability to hear messages from beyond, or merely a clever shyster?
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter One
After weeks of gloomy weather, the sun finally broke over the Olympic Mountains and danced in flames across the steely waters of Puget Sound. There was even a rainbow arching like a mystical doorway over the bay. It was one of those golden, fleeting days that Seattleites celebrate and revere, and it was in that moment of sparkling sunlight and glimmering rainbows that Elizabeth Blackstone decided to divorce her husband.
How do you think hell take it? her friend and business partner, Frankie Novak, asked, concerned. To take advantage of the glorious weather, theyd strolled from their shop in Pioneer Square to a trendy new restaurant on the waterfront that Frankie had been dying to try. Instead of being seated at one of the coveted tables with a view, however, theyd been led to what Frankie called the second-tier seating area. The tables along the windows overlooking the bay were reserved for the business moguls and the high-tech movers and shakers that dominated Seattles economy. An unknown fashion designer and a struggling entrepreneur hardly rated first-tier seating in the citys hottest new restaurant.
It wont come as that much of a surprise, Elizabeth said in answer to Frankies question. We may still live in the same house, but weve been separated for months. Things havent been the same since Say it, a little voice commanded. Say his name.
Frankie reached over and put her hand over Elizabeths. I know. But divorce is never easy, especially after everything else youve been through. Arent you Now it was Frankie who trailed off uncomfortably.
Arent I what?
Frankie shrugged. You and Paul have been married forever. Arent you afraid of being alone?
But Im already alone, Elizabeth wanted to tell her. Living by herself couldnt possibly be as lonely as living with a man who no longer loved her. Paul still cared for her in his own way, she supposed, but the passion and closeness had long since been spent.
Ill survive, she said numbly. She always did. Somehow.
Frankie stabbed a prawn in her spinach salad and took a moment to savor the seafood morsel. Still, you have to wonder what hes going to say, dont you?
I dont expect hell say much of anything. Elizabeth toyed with her pear salad. Hell probably move out and then hell have his lawyer contact my lawyer to negotiate an equitable distribution of the assets.
Are you so sure it will be all that equitable?
Elizabeth glanced up. What do you mean?
Paul has a lot more to lose in a divorce settlement than you do. Hes a rich man, at least on paper. Financial and real-estate holdings, investment deals, retirement and savings accounts, 401(k)syou think hes going to want to split all that evenly with you? Frankie leaned forward. Look, I know hes basically a good guy, but divorce can bring out the worst in people. Especially greed. Believe me, I know. My poor sister got taken to the cleaners when she and her husband split up. Frankie grimaced as she picked up her wineglass. You need to look out for your own best interests. Take my advice and hire yourself a shark. Because Ill bet you anything he will.
Youre assuming that I want half of everything, Elizabeth said with a scowl. I dont. Ill take the condo, and he can have the lake house. Well each keep our cars, split the savings and the rest is his.
And you think hell go for that?
Why wouldnt he? Its more than fair.
Fair has nothing to do with it. Hes a man, so his ego is going to get all tangled up in the negotiations, particularly if he doesnt want this divorce. All Im saying is that you have to protect yourself. Frankie sipped her wine. What about the shop?
What about it?
Need I remind you that it was Paul who bailed us out last year when we were having cash-flow problems after the Nordstrom deal put us in a bind? What if he decides to call in the loan? The last three quarters have looked good, but were in no shape to cough up that kind of capital right now. Wed have to sell.
He wont do that, Elizabeth said firmly. Paul isnt a vengeful person. Hes just
A savvy businessman? A husband scorned? Take it from me, thats a dangerous combination, Frankie said. At least, for us.
He wont call in the loan. He has no interest in the shop, and besides Elizabeth glanced down at her barely touched salad. Im thinking of selling my partnership anyway.
Frankie laid down her fork and glared at Elizabeth. What did you just say?
Elizabeth sighed. I didnt mean to spring it on you like that, butIm thinking of moving back to Chicago once the divorce is final.
For Gods sakes, why? Frankie demanded. Why would you do that? You havent lived there since college, and your family has all moved away since then. Theyre scattered all over the country. You said so yourself. Whats back in Chicago? All your friends are here in Seattle. Not to mention your business.
And so were her memories. Elizabeth rubbed her forehead where a headache started to pound. Its not definite. Just an idea Ive been toying with. I need a change, thats all.
Youre getting a divorce. Isnt that enough of a change?
Yes, maybe. But maybe what she needed more than a change was a clean break. A new start in a place familiar enough that she wouldnt feel lost, but one in which memories didnt lurk around every corner.
But the past would always be with her, no matter where she went. She would always have memories of her son, and that was the way it should be. Elizabeth wanted to remember Damonthe sound of his voice, his laugh, his hurried footfalls on Christmas morning. She wanted to remember everything about him, but more than anything she wanted to be able to look at his picture and say his name without going to pieces.
She wanted to remember Paul, too, but the way he used to be, when they were happy. Not the cold, steely-eyed stranger who had moved out of her bedroom months ago.
The death of their son had affected them both so deeply they were like different people now. For Elizabeth, the changes were more profound than even Dr. Summers knew, because there were some things she couldnt confide even to her therapist, and certainly not to Paul. Like how she could still sense her sons presence, so strongly at times that she would find herself calling out his name. Like how when she went for walks, she could feel him beside her, could even smell the unique scent of him, all dirt, sunshine and little boy.
Those moments were private and special and Elizabeth savored them. She didnt want to share them with anyone, not even Paul, because he wouldnt understand. He might think that she was losing her grip on reality and have her committedagain.
So, no, she couldnt tell Paul. She couldnt tell Frankie or Dr. Summers. She couldnt tell anyone.
But there were other times, other moments that Elizabeth didnt savor. Sometimes when she was alone in the apartment, she would hear doors closing and music playing in her dead sons bedroom. Going inside, she would find toys scattered about as if hed been hurriedly called away in the middle of a game.
It was during those times that Elizabeth would sense another presence.
Someone who seemed to be watching her.
Someone who had been with her ever since shed awakened from a coma eighteen months ago.
No, Elizabeth most certainly did not savor those moments. Shed come to dread them. And that was why shed decided to make some changes in her life. Obviously her subconscious was warning her that she couldnt continue in the same vein. She had to come to grips with reality. She had to accept what had happened to her son and to her marriage. She had to try and find a way to be at peace again, because trapped in the depths of despair was no way to live.
Elizabeth?
She glanced across the table at Frankie. Im sorry. Did you say something?
I was just asking if youre okay. You seemed a million miles away just now.
Im fine. She blotted her lips on her napkin.
Frankie checked her watch. We should probably get back. Although Wednesday afternoons are always slow. I dont suppose theres any real need to hurry.
Elizabeth scooted back her chair. Let me visit the ladies room and then Ill be ready to go.
Take your time. Frankies concerned gaze searched Elizabeths face. Ill pay the check when it comes.
THE LOW RUMBLE OF VOICES unnerved Elizabeth as she maneuvered her way through the maze of tables to the front of the restaurant. She had that uncomfortable feeling of being watched, but when she turned once to scan the crowded room, no one even seemed aware of her.
It was just her imagination, she decided. The conversation with Frankie had left her understandably anxious. She dreaded telling Paul what shed decided, but she knew she couldnt put it off any longer. He would probably be relieved, and Elizabeth had to wonder if that was what she dreaded the most.
The lounge area outside the ladies room was furnished with an upholstered bench and a pay phone which began to ring as Elizabeth entered through the arched doorway. Pausing, she glanced around to see if anyone hurried to answer it, but when no one came, she ignored it herself and pushed open the door to the ladies room.
Turning on the water at one of the sinks, she washed her hands, then moistened a paper towel and held it to her face, wincing at the dark circles under her eyes, the fine lines in her face that hadnt been there eighteen months ago.
She didnt look like herself anymore, which was fitting, she supposed. She wasnt herself. She wasnt the same Elizabeth Blackstone who had taken her eyes off the road long enough for a drunk driver to swerve into her lane, hitting her vehicle head-on.
The doctors had later told her that it was not uncommon to suffer short-term amnesia following a trauma. She might never remember the details of the crash, but after a while everything had come back to herDamon buckled into the front seat beside her, screaming a warning because he saw the car first. And then her own scream. The sound of brakes squealing, metal crunching and her heartbeat pounding in her ears.
Later, the sirens. Shed been told that she hadnt been conscious when the paramedics arrived, but she remembered their voices, their frantic shouts as they used the Jaws of Life to pry her and Damon from the car. She had been floating above it all, conscious on some level but helpless to change the outcome.
When they finally got them free of the twisted metal, she knew when a policeman covered Damon with a sheet. The paramedics were frantically working on her, and she wanted to scream at them to leave her alone and go help her son. But it was too late. Damon was gone. And Elizabeth had wanted to die, too.