There was no decision, either for or against them. She forced herself to look at Link. His set face probably hid feelings as appalled and shocked as hers.
She wouldnt be going back to Boston with Marcy today. Shed spend the next four weeks living in Lakeview with Link, trying to pretend to the world that they were just like any other newly married couple. And knowing that at any moment a social worker could decide she wasnt doing a good enough job and take Marcy away from her.
Link stirred restlessly in the leather chair in the family room. It was a comfortable chair, but he couldnt seem to find comfort at the moment. What he wanted to do was throw on some shorts and go for a run, then go back to his quiet apartment.
He couldnt. Because of the judges ruling, he was stuck here, trying to figure out how he and Annie were going to deal with this situation for the next month.
Chet had come over for a conference after theyd gotten Marcy to beda council of war was more like it. Hed been cautiously optimistic about the results of the hearing.
wouldnt have given you even temporary custody if she hadnt felt you were the right people to have Marcy, he was saying reassuringly.
Impossible to tell if Annie felt reassured. She sat very erect in the bentwood rocking chair, still and collected. The Annie who had gripped his hand so tightly during the hearing was submerged beneath that composed exterior she wore so well.
For an instant he felt annoyed with her for not showing more distress at the way things had blown up in their faces. Talk about irrational. Would he be happier if she were having hysterics? It was just as well that Annie kept her feelings to herself, given the situation they were in.
Chet glanced at him. As far as I can see, the best thing the two of youwell, the three of youcan do is stay right here in Davis and Beccas house. It comes to Marcy anyway, and Im sure it was the judges intention that she not be moved.
Link gave a wistful thought to his small apartment, then dismissed it. He nodded toward the bright plastic slide and playhouse in the backyard, visible through the French doors of the family room. We certainly couldnt fit that into my place. And I doubt Annie would like my decor.
A sudden smile broke through the somber expression on Annies face. Becca said it was decorated in early motel.
Actually its the furniture that was there when I moved in. I always thought someday Id get around to having a house of my own.
But not Daviss house. It didnt feel right to be sitting in this warm family room without Davis opposite him.
Thats settled, then, Chet said. Youll stay here, carry on like any normal family.
We need to talk about the company. That probably sounded abrupt, but he had to know where they stood.
Chet glanced toward Annie, probably thinking he wouldnt want to discuss this in front of her. I could meet you at the office tomorrow.
No. Annies just as involved as I am in this situation. Its Marcys future were talking about, after all. Again he pictured Davis sitting in the chair opposite him. Protecting Marcys future meant protecting the company.
Annie stirred. I know you said that Frank had bought a share in the company. But I dont understand why anything would change now that Davis is gone.
Originally, Davis and I were equal partners. He clenched the chair arms. Actually, he put up most of the start-up money, but he insisted on a partnership. Most of the Conrad fortune was gone by that time, but there was still enough for Davis to invest in their futures. Then when we wanted to expand, we divided the pot. Davis and I each owned thirty percent of the company. The remaining forty percent was split among four investorsFrank, Delbert ConradDaviss great-uncle, and two friends of his father, Harvey Ward and old Doc Adams. Davis was company president, I was chairman.
Daviss share goes to Marcy, but with the custody still not settled Annie let her voice trail off.
Exactly. It leaves us in limbo. Davis and I would vote together on any decision, and together we had a majority. He didnt want to voice what hed been thinking, but he forced himself to. Even without Marcys shares, Frank could outvote me if he got the rest of the board on his side. With Marcys share, all hed need is his great-uncles vote for complete control.
She leaned forward in the rocker. But why would he want it? He doesnt know anything about building, does he?
No. Chet answered for him. Frank manages the rental properties he inherited and sits on the boards of a few institutions. He likes running things. And theres that lakefront property. Hes said more than once that its a potential gold mine, and Ive had the impression lately that his expensive tastes are outrunning his income. He stood. All I can say is that you should continue the way you are. The rest of the board wont rush into any changes. I certainly wouldnt advise it.
Link stood, too, holding out his hand. Thanks, Chet. For everything.
Annie joined him as Chet moved to the door. Yes, thank you. She managed a smile. I dont know how wed have gotten through today without you.
Just doing my job.
They stood together like any married couple saying good-night to a visitor. Was that what Annie was thinking, too? How were they going to do this, especially with a social worker looking over their shoulders, taking note of every mistake?
He closed the door, realizing that thought had been lurking at the back of his mind ever since the judges ruling. Annie, with her nice, stable, middle-class up-bringing, couldnt possibly guess what terrors the threat of a social worker raised in his mind.
Theyll take you away and put you in a home. His mothers voice, slurred with alcohol, sounded in his memory. Those were the words shed always used when he got too much for her to handle.
At five or six, he hadnt understood what she meant, but it had terrified him enough to keep him in line through yet another move to yet another rented room in another town that didnt welcome them.
Do you want anything to eat? Annie gestured toward the kitchen.
No. He didnt realize how sharply that had come out until he saw anger flare in her eyes.
If you think I should have produced a six-course dinner after a day like this
No, of course not. Im sorry. I wasnt even thinking about food.
She looked a bit mollified. What were you thinking about? The company?
Not exactly. She didnt need to know he was remembering a childhood she couldnt begin to imagine. Just all we have to do to make this work.
Annie rubbed her forehead, as if the very idea gave her a headache. Home visits, social workers. How do you prepare for something like that?
That was certainly the last thing he wanted to discuss. Wed better start with telling your parents whats going on. I know your fathers worried. And then theres your job. Youd better apply for a leave of absence.
He stopped, realizing that Annie no longer looked tired. She just looked mad.
We? she said pointedly. It sounds to me as if all those things concern me, not you.
He picked up her hand, touching the plain gold band on her finger. Married, remember? We have to start acting that way.
That doesnt mean you need to tell me what to do. She yanked her hand away. But then, youre really good at telling people what to do, arent you.
Something seemed to snap inside him. Are you still talking about the past? Get over it, Annie. Weve got more important things to handle now.
Definitely more important. And that reminds me that I couldnt trust you once before.
He put his fists on his hips, glaring at her. All the things hed wanted to say for years bubbled up inside him. Only now, he didnt have any reason to keep them back. Everyone involved in his original promise was gone.
It wasnt a matter of trust, he said evenly. I made a promise.
A promise to do what? Keep Davis safe from unworthy females like Becca?
He could only stare at her. Of course that was what she thought. He hadnt given her any other possibilities.
It wasnt that. Dont ever think that. Becca was probably the best thing that ever happened to Davis. As you were to me. His first love had come back to haunt him. It was Davis, not Becca. His parents made me promise to look out for him that summer.
Her chin set firmly. Did they expect you to keep him from falling in love?
No. He took a breath, knowing it was time to speak. They expected me to keep him from acting irrationally. Davis had bipolar disorder. They didnt want him doing anything rash while he was in a manic phase. I was supposed to prevent that.
Bipolar disorder? She looked up at him, and he could see the wheels turning in her mind, trying to make sense of the term. Well, for goodness sake, why make such a big secret out of it? Its nothing to be ashamed of.
You know that. I know that. But Daviss parents never coped with it very well, and at the time, there was more of a stigma attached to it. And the least change in Daviss routine could trigger a problem.
And Becca was a trigger? She flared up again, anger making her eyes bright. You should have told me. You should have told Becca! She certainly had a right to know.
I couldnt. Will you get that through your head? I knew it was dumb, but Id promised to keep it a secret, and I keep my promises.
Quite suddenly the anger in her eyes was drowned by tears. Becca never told me. She did mention stress a few times, when Davis didnt come with her on a visit, but she never explained. All these years I thought we shared everything, and she never told me about it.
He felt helpless in the face of her tears. She probably never thought it was necessary.
Necessary? I was her sister!
He certainly had a gift for making a bad situation worse. I mean, she probably didnt even think about it as a problem. His medication was so much better in recent years that it rarely became an issue. I worked with him every day, and Id nearly forgotten about it.
Annie brushed tears from her cheeks. I thought She stopped, shook her head. Im sorry. Its ridiculous to be falling apart over that now.
Sympathy welled up in him. No, not sympathy. Empathy. He knew exactly what she was feeling, because he felt it, too. They were both being blindsided by grief.
He touched her cheek gently, wiping away a tear. I dont think thats why, is it? But if it helps, go ahead and be mad at me.
Her sudden smile knocked him off balance. Can I really?
He was being drawn into that smile. He couldnt help himself. All the warmth Annie hid behind her cool exterior blazed in it, drawing him closer and closer.
His wife. The words seemed to twitch a chord inside him. Annie was his wife. Hed thought he was immune to what that phrase represented. He wasnt.
That sham wedding night had been bad enough. Hed seen the wariness in Annies face as shed said good-night and scurried up the stairs. Hed deliberately stayed downstairs, giving her time to settle, aware of every footstep overhead, every creak of the bed.
Then shed been at a safe distance. Now she was inches away, her warmth drawing him closer and closer.
Oh, no. He drew back, his hand dropping away from her face. No, indeed. This business of marriage was going to be difficult enough as it was. If he let himself give in to that surge of attraction for Annie, it would be impossible.