Again he paused. “You’ve changed, Phoebe.”
She wouldn’t deny it. “Thanks to you, I’m not the same gullible woman I used to be. I refuse to play your games anymore.”
His tone sobered. “My father’s close to dying, Phoebe. This isn’t a game.”
“I’ll come, Clark, but if you’re anywhere in the vicinity, I guarantee you I’ll walk right out the door.”
Clark laughed.
“You think this is amusing?” she demanded irritably. She refused to let Clark manipulate her as he so often had in the past.
“I like the new you,” he said, cajoling her. “I’ve seen that stubborn streak before, but there’s a new determination in you that intrigues me. If this is how you want it, Phoebe, then so be it.”
“I mean it, Clark.”
“I don’t doubt you for a moment. I won’t be anywhere near the hospital. I promise.”
She wasn’t sure she could trust him and said nothing. If he did “just happen” to stop by, she’d keep her word. She’d simply leave.
As she hung up the phone, Phoebe closed her eyes. Why Max wanted to see her right now, she couldn’t begin to guess. Was his condition really so dire that she had to rush to the hospital immediately?
Reaching for her sweater and purse, Phoebe hurried to the parking garage. All the way to the hospital, she resisted the urge to call Hutch and tell him about this unexpected turn of events.
But she couldn’t discuss Clark with Hutch because he thought her fiancé was dead. That was the problem with a lie: it occasioned other lies and soon you’d created an ever-increasing spiral of them. And when it came to revealing the truth—well, that was difficult. She’d wanted to tell him; Hutch deserved to know about Clark. Yet she hadn’t. She was afraid her deception would taint their relationship. And the longer she delayed, the more embarrassing and awkward the truth became.
Phoebe found a parking spot on a street that would be well lit once the sun went down and walked the short distance to Swedish Hospital. She wasn’t all that far from Blossom Street.
Really, when she thought about it, she had a great deal for which to thank Clark. If not for him, she would never have met Alix, Lydia and Margaret, or for that matter, Hutch. Just thinking about him produced a sense of anticipation.
She had Max Snowden’s room number, so Phoebe took the elevator directly to his floor and entered the surgical ward.
In the room, Phoebe found Marlene Snowden sitting by her husband’s bedside, holding his hand. Thankfully, Clark was nowhere in sight.
When she saw Phoebe, Clark’s mother released Max’s hand and rose to her feet. “Phoebe! I’m so grateful you’re here.”
Max opened his eyes and smiled, stretching out his arm. “My dear.”
“Oh, Max.” He looked pale and weak, so unlike the robust man she’d known. “I’m so sorry this happened.”
“He’s going to get better soon. It’s only a matter of time before he’s back on the golf course and we’re dancing at the country club again. Isn’t that right, Max?” Marlene gazed down at her husband. “Of course, we’ll be making some small lifestyle changes and—”
“Yes, Marlene,” her husband said, cutting her off.
Marlene Snowden sighed. “I know Max wants to talk to you privately,” she said, patting her husband’s hand, “so I’ll leave you to chat.” She leaned forward and kissed Max on the brow. “I’ll go get a cup of coffee.”
Phoebe watched her go, then turned to Max. “What can I do for you?” she asked, frankly curious.
“You know I’ve always loved you,” Max said hoarsely.
Phoebe nodded; the affection was mutual.
“I’m the one who talked you into taking Clark back the first time.”
“Yes,” she acknowledged. Pressure had come from all sides, including her own mother, but it was Max who’d convinced her to give Clark another chance. “You were so sure it would never happen again. Only it did, Max, and frankly I don’t think Clark will ever stop.”
Max shook his head in disgust. “My son can be an idiot.”
She squeezed his hand, echoing his sentiment.
“I would’ve enjoyed having you as my daughter-in-law—the daughter I never had.”
It went without saying that she would’ve enjoyed being part of the Snowden family, too.
To her horror, Max’s eyes filled with tears. “Is there any possibility that you’d be willing to forgive Clark and marry him?”
Phoebe hardly knew how to respond. “I—”
“You don’t need to tell me that Clark deserves to lose you. If he hadn’t done this before…” He let the rest fade and turned his head to stare out the hospital window. “In my heart I know Clark loves you. You’re good for him, Phoebe. When he’s with you, Clark is a better man.”
“I’m not sure that’s true. I—”
Again Max interrupted her. “Although Marlene insists I’m going to be as healthy as ever, I’m not convinced. As far as I can tell, I’m living on borrowed time.”
“Oh, Max.” Phoebe bit her lower lip. She had only vague memories of her own father, who’d played such a minor role in her life. From the first she’d felt a bond with Max, who was like a second father to her.
“I want to see my son married and settled down. I’d be grateful to hold a grandchild in my arms one day, God willing. Now, I don’t know if that’ll ever happen.”
“You’ve had a fright,” she told him.
“It’s more than that, Phoebe.”
She swallowed hard. “Do you know something the doctors haven’t told your family?”
Max didn’t answer but he looked away, and she realized then that he did. She tightened her grip on his hand.
“I love my son,” Max murmured. “I know his strengths and his weaknesses. I also know he regrets this mess and that he misses you terribly. He’d do anything to get you back.”
“I don’t think that’s possible anymore,” Phoebe whispered.
“If you’d be willing to reconsider, I could have a stipulation put in my will.” Max’s gaze implored her. “If Clark ever again commits any form of infidelity, I’d disinherit him.”
“Max, I—”
“Hear me out,” he pleaded. “You alone would inherit—not Clark. You and any children the two of you might have.”
Aware of how much it must’ve hurt him to make such a suggestion, Phoebe pressed the back of his hand against her cheek. “Max, I’m sorry but I really don’t think that’s a solution.”
“Consider it. That’s all I ask.” Max smiled up at her, although the effort seemed to drain him.
“You need to rest.”
“I do,” he said, “but I’d sleep a whole lot easier if I knew you’d reconsider marrying Clark.” He paused as though gathering his strength in order to continue. “Clark might not admit it, but he needs you, Phoebe.”
She didn’t confirm or deny that. Knowing Clark so well, she believed he didn’t need her as much as the evidence that he could manipulate her. What Clark craved above all was control, of everyone and everything around him.
“You’re a good woman.”
“Thank you, but…”
Max closed his eyes, his strength nearly gone. “Clark’s learned his lesson.”
“Does he know why you wanted to see me?” She had to find out whether Clark had a role in this before she could promise Max she’d reconsider.
“Yes,” Max whispered. “He’s desperate to have you back, on any terms, Phoebe, and asked me to help persuade you.”
Oh, very clever of him, she mused skeptically. Being an attorney, a very skilled one, meant that his father’s wishes wouldn’t stand in his way. Clark would uncover a loophole. He certainly wouldn’t allow her to take away his inheritance. None of that mattered, though.
Phoebe shook her head. “Max, I don’t want a husband tied to me because of a stipulation in a will,” she said softly. “If the bonds of love and commitment aren’t enough, then there’s nothing l
eft to say.”
“I agree…”
“Then why—”
“The fact that I’d even ask such a thing of you proves how badly I want to see my son settled. You’re his equal in every way. Clark isn’t an easy man to love—he’s already proven that.”
Despite herself Phoebe grinned.
“I wouldn’t suggest this if I didn’t believe he was truly sorry. He swore to me that it’ll never happen again.”
“He swore that to me, as well,” Phoebe reminded him. “The first time.”
Max frowned. “Like I said earlier, he doesn’t deserve your forgiveness or your love.”
Phoebe debated how much to tell Max, then decided she couldn’t mislead him. “I’ve met someone else, Max.”
Max’s eyes dulled and it was several minutes before he spoke. “Clark doesn’t know that, does he?”
Phoebe looked away. “I told him, but he didn’t take it well. That’s one of the reasons I insisted he not be here, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to come.”
Max sighed. “Forgive an old man for trying to make things right.”
“There’s nothing to forgive. You love your son.”
“I love you, too, Phoebe. I wish this had worked out differently.”
“So do I.”
Max squeezed her hand. “Thank you for being honest with me.”
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention our conversation to Clark.”
“I won’t,” he assured her.
“Phoebe,” Marlene Snowden said, startling her as she stepped into the room, holding a cup of coffee. “You’re dating someone else now. It didn’t take you long, did it?”
“Marlene,” Max protested.
“Clark told me. He was in the cafeteria because you refused to see him. You were with that other man this weekend, weren’t you?” Marlene Snowden demanded in a shrill voice. “No wonder we couldn’t reach you.”
Phoebe ignored the accusation.
“How dare you accuse my son of cheating!” Marlene continued. “Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?”
“I think it’s time I left,” Phoebe said. She kissed the back of Max’s hand and walked out of the room.
Thankfully, Clark’s mother didn’t follow her. She wished Max the very best, she’d miss him painfully, but she could never marry his son.
CHAPTER 23
Anne Marie Roche
Beach towels tucked under their arms, Ellen and her friend, Hallie Reynolds, paced anxiously in the apartment, waiting for Anne Marie.
“Hurry, Mom!” Ellen cried. “We’ll be late.”
“No, we won’t,” Anne Marie said as she grabbed the sunblock and threw it in her beach bag. She’d lathered each of the girls earlier. They were all headed to the water park, and even now, Anne Marie wasn’t quite sure how she’d let Ellen and Tim talk her into this. She wore her swimsuit under her shorts and T-shirt, but she had no intention of going in the water. She’d leave that to Tim and the girls. Anne Marie planned to lie on the grass or the beach or whatever was there and laze away the afternoon reading.
“Mom!” Ellen cried again. “If you don’t hurry up, everyone else will get the best spots.”
“I’m almost ready.” Anne Marie quickly put on lip gloss and paused to check her reflection in the bathroom mirror. She ran a brush through her hair, then plopped a brand-new straw hat on her head. This was about as good as it got.
She joined the girls, who’d linked arms around each other’s necks. They’d met at the day camp and become instant friends. For the last few weeks, they’d been inseparable.
After making sure Baxter had enough water, Anne Marie loaded the girls into her car. They squealed with delight at the prospect of spending the whole afternoon at the water park. When Tim had suggested the outing last weekend, Ellen had been so excited she could barely hold still. Anne Marie couldn’t possibly have declined after that. So here she was, on her one free day of the week, wearing an old swimsuit, a cheap hat and sunglasses.
It’d been years since she’d worn this swimsuit. At least it fit, although she had to admit it wasn’t even close to being fashionable. But that was fine, because she didn’t intend for anyone other than Ellen to see it.
“Tim is my mom’s boyfriend,” Ellen told Hallie on the way to the water park. She was obviously pleased about imparting this information.
Anne Marie stopped herself from correcting her daughter just in time. Her relationship with Tim was far too complicated to explain. He’d dropped by the bookstore on Saturday and afterward they’d all gone to a movie. When it ended, he’d taken them to dinner at a pizza place, where he’d brought up this Wednesday outing.
Tim wasn’t her boyfriend, of course, but Anne Marie had begun to enjoy his company. So had Ellen—who’d started asking a few too many questions about this purported romance.
However, except for that night at the diner, she’d only seen him in Ellen’s presence. Nothing “romantic” could happen in those circumstances, and yet…Anne Marie wouldn’t have minded if he’d tried to kiss her. Or wanted to see her on her own. Thinking of Tim in that way was the very last thing she would’ve expected. She suddenly recalled that at her stepdaughter, Melissa’s, wedding, she’d caught the bouquet. Anne Marie had laughed at the time, telling everyone it was clearly a mistake. Then, all these months later, she’d met Tim, and now everything was falling into place. She was attracted to him, he was her daughter’s father—it all seemed to fit. A picture of the three of them creating a family was so tempting, she had to force herself to be sensible. She’d started to build this fantasy and it had to stop.
When they arrived at their destination, Anne Marie had to drive to the farthest reaches of the parking lot before she located an empty space.
Ellen and Hallie were fidgeting, eager to get to the water. The second she turned off the engine, the girls unfastened their seat belts and leaped out of the car. Anne Marie was stuck hauling the beach bag with their inflatables, changes of clothing and everything else. As they neared the ticket stand, she saw Tim waiting there, as they’d agreed earlier.
When he saw them, he hurried over to Anne Marie and took the heavy bag from her arms.
“Thanks,” she murmured.
He smiled at her, then asked the girls, “Are you two ready for some fun?”
In response, they gave high-pitched squeals.
Once inside the park, they chose a shady spot to arrange their towels and other paraphernalia. Tim helped Anne Marie spread out the blanket she’d brought, while the girls, unable to wait a moment longer, raced toward the wave pool.
“Go on, Tim,” Anne Marie said. “I’ll stay here.”
“Aren’t you coming in, too?” he asked, sounding disappointed.
“Maybe later,” she said, kicking off her sandals and taking out a paperback novel she’d been looking forward to reading. “I’ll hold down the fort,” she told him, sitting cross-legged on the blanket. They’d been fortunate enough to secure a place on the grassy area in front of the water.
He jerked the T-shirt over his head, tossed it onto the blanket and ran to the wave pool. She couldn’t help noticing that he had an impressive physique, with sculpted muscles and broad shoulders. He probably worked out, but he wasn’t excessively muscular with that weight-lifter look she hated. He joined in the girls’ antics as if he were nine years old all over again.
Anne Marie did make an effort to read. Soon, however, she abandoned all pretense of following the story and spent her time watching Tim and the girls.
“This is silly,” she muttered and stripped off her T-shirt and shorts. She waded into the pool. The shock of the cool water made her gasp, but after a minute or two she’d adjusted to the temperature. The wave machine, which was periodically turned off, wasn’t on just then.
Ellen and Hallie rushed toward her, and Anne Marie instinctively held up her hands. “I’d like to keep my hair from getting—”
She didn’t have a chance to finish before two
teenage boys nearby decided to have a water fight. Caught between them, Anne Marie was drenched within seconds. Her hair hung in wet tendrils about her face. She wiped her eyes, blinking to clear them of water.
So much for that idea.
“You want me to splash them back?” Tim asked, making no effort to disguise his amusement. “I’ll defend your honor.”
Anne Marie played along, clasping her hands and batting her lashes outrageously. “My hero!”
“Mom, watch!” Ellen shouted and dove underwater. In a few seconds, she’d thrust her skinny legs into the air as she stood on her hands. She surfaced and shoved the wet hair out of her eyes. “Did you see? Did you see?”
“I didn’t realize you were so agile,” Anne Marie teased.
“What’s agile?” Hallie asked.
“Limber,” Tim explained.
Hallie exchanged a blank look with Ellen.
“It means I’m talented,” Ellen said.
“So am I!” Hallie imitated the trick and a moment later both girls were upside down.
A bell rang, indicating that the waves were about to start again. When Anne Marie had watched earlier, she thought it looked tame enough—at least from the sidelines.
“Get back, Mom,” Ellen warned.
“I’m fine,” Anne Marie said.
Standing near the “shore” with both girls, Tim called out, “You might want to move to the shallow end.”
“Would you two cut it out?” Anne Marie said as the first wave hit her. She was swept off her feet and went tumbling through the water. She came up choking and sputtering to the sounds of Tim, Ellen and Hallie roaring with laughter.
“Very funny,” Anne Marie managed to say. Clutching her throat, she made a show of choking. Soon Ellen and Hallie were pounding her on the back.
Anne Marie’s biggest concern was that the girls not get sunburned. Throughout the afternoon she repeatedly slathered them with sunblock. Returning the favor, Ellen rubbed the lotion on Anne Marie’s back. At one point, Anne Marie caught Tim watching her—and suspected he would’ve enjoyed being the one to rub her back. It was a good feeling and she held on to it for several minutes.