A New Day (80 page)

    
Debora raised an arched eyebrow.  "No.  I will be very happy to come to the point.  I have come to see you about Gary's children.  Your notoriety has been very distressing to our family."

    
Tasha smiled.  "Yes, it's been distressing to everybody.  The children are fine."

    
"
Are
they?  Tasha, we are concerned about your relationship with this man, and the fact that it appears you're having an affair.  We'd like to take the children and provide them with a stable family atmosphere.  At least, temporarily."

    
Tasha just looked at her for a moment, in shock. "You can't be serious!  Debora, I am not having an affair with anybody.  A few photographs in a magazine that have been misinterpreted do not constitute a basis for taking my children away.  For your information, I am getting married to a wonderful man.  We have everything perfectly in hand."

    
"The Pentecostal Tabloids that have smeared my cousin's good name, hardly appear to agree."  Debora said coldly.  "I hardly think that getting involved with another man so soon after Gary's death was wise."

    
Tasha just set her jaw.  "Debora.  Three years or thirty, it doesn't matter to Gary.  He's dead.  I didn't go looking for Tim, God sent him to me.  I'd think that you would be happy that the children I and have had a good, Christian man come along!  He is so fine, I know that you would love him."

    
"Actually, I don't think so."  Debora argued.  "I have seen him on television; and we all agree that he is excessive and irreverent."

    
Tasha gasped.  "Well, Gary thought that he was all right.  They were very good friends, actually."

    
"I am aware of that.  Mr. Rain was a nice young man when he and Gary were in college.  However, this stance that he has taken for excessiveness of expression in the church, is simply not our way.  We don't want Gary's children raised with this mentality."

    
"Well, I'm sorry that you disagree.  But you can't have my children." Tasha answered firmly.

    
"Tasha, you were no good when Gary picked you up out of the gutter, and you've sunk lower now.  We'll fight fire with fire." Deborah threatened harshly.

    
"No, you won't."  A calm, masculine voice intruded.  Both women looked up at the balcony, to find Tim standing over the rail, watching.  They both jumped when Tim's book shut with a snap.  He slowly came down the steps, and stood behind Tasha's chair.  His eyes were piercing, and his face was set like stone.

    
"I don't know why you think you have the right to come in here and threaten to take Tasha's children, but you had better think again.  This is pathetic."

    
"Tim, this is Debora Wright.  She is Gary's cousin."  Tasha intervened quietly.

    
"I don't care if she's the Queen of England, I'm not going to tolerate any more of this."  He said firmly.  "Lady, just because you haven't been able to have children doesn't mean you have a right to your cousin's."  Tim said quietly.

    
Debora gasped and paled.  "Who told you that?"

    
"You've tried everything -- fertility pills, operations, injections.  When that didn't work, you began to listen to lies that told you it wasn't
fair
for Tasha to have kids.  You began to yearn and lust after her children, feeding on the lies of the press.” 

    
"Now, you hear me."  Tim said in a low voice.  "There is not a judge in the land who would give you custody of these children.  They are the healthiest, happiest, most loved children I've ever met.  I suggest that you get on your face before God; and allow Him to search your heart, and show you what you're trying to do.  It's not pretty."

    
Debora just looked at him in shock.  He stared her down without flagging.

    
"It … it may be true that Doug and I have not been able to have any children.  I really thought it would be best if Naomi and Lucas came to be with us.   But, I can see that I was mistaken.  I owe you an apology."  She said quickly.

    
"Accepted."  Tasha replied immediately.

    
"I will be going."  Debora said, flashing a fearful look at the two of them.  She got up and left, without further ado.

    
Tasha looked at Tim in amazement.  He’d done the incredible, one more time.  He gave her a knowing look and a wink, then he went back upstairs to the Library loft to continue his studies.

     Finally, the day came for Elaine to fly in for a visit.  Tasha could hardly wait!  She needed Elaine's help, her flair for color and fashion.  She could hardly keep her feet on the ground! 

    
She'd been lonely, too.  Tim had flown out to Jackson to take care of some business matters, and he and Elaine were coming in to Salt Lake airport almost simultaneously.  Tasha was ecstatic to be able to pick them both up at once.

    
She waited for Tim's flight, first.  When he got off the plane, he looked tired; but very happy to see her.  There were a few reporters waiting, but they were respectful, and just took their pictures. 

    
Tim spoke to them briefly, then they went to the baggage claim area.  Once Tim had his luggage, he and Tasha went to the truck and stashed them.  Then, it was back inside the terminal to wait for Elaine's flight. 

    
While they waited, they ate something in one of the airport restaurants, and caught up.  Tasha marveled that they never seemed to run out of things to talk about.  When they went to the gate, they discovered that Elaine's plane was going to be a bit late landing. 

    
Tim sighed, and gave Tasha one of his looks that asked her not to be too angry.  "Mind if I close my eyes?" he asked sleepily. 

    
Tasha  shook her head at him ruefully.  "You pathetic man.  Is that all you do, sleep?"

    
He grinned.  "It's the safest choice, right now."  He threatened her, with that lazy twinkle in his eye.  He slid down in a seat, and pulled his Stetson over his face.  When Elaine got off the plane, he was still sound asleep. 

    
Tasha greeted Elaine with a hug, and a kiss on the cheek. 

    
"Where's Tim?  Didn't you say he was coming in now, too?"  Elaine asked brightly.

    
Tasha made a face, and pointed.  Elaine followed her gesture and saw his tall frame draped into a chair, his face covered by a hat.

    
"What a mess.  Let's buy some Vaseline and put it behind his ears and under his nose."  Elaine suggested in a mean voice.

    
"Ooh.  That sounds wonderful!  Maybe we could find some of that gooey green putty stuff they sell to kids, and put it on his hand."

    
Elaine laughed aloud, and Tim pulled his hat back into place. 

    
"Oh, no fair!  We were just plotting against you."  Elaine complained.

    
Tim gave her a wise look.  "Yeah.  I could feel imminent danger approaching."  He assured her, with a hug around the shoulders.  "Let's go home."

    
When they got to the house, Tasha showed Elaine to her room, and Tim got settled in his.  Tim met Elaine in the hall a bit later, and she grabbed his arm. 

    
"Timothy, I have a very big favor to ask."  She said quickly.

    
"Sure, Elaine.  What's up?"  he asked sleepily. 

    
"Oh, you poor man.  You're exhausted, aren't you?  I can't impose."

    
"Nah.  Elaine, I'm always tired.  Don't worry about it."  He assured her.  "What's on your mind?"

    
"Could you ... Is Tasha's father at home?"

    
Tim raised his eyebrows in puzzlement.  "I don't know.  I didn't hear anything from his office, but his Jeep was in the garage."

    
"Could you keep Tasha busy, for a time?" Elaine asked uneasily.  "I have something of a surprise for her, and I ... I need to talk to her father about it, without her knowing."

    
"Sure.  We'll take a walk or something, if we have to."  Tim agreed.

    
"Which door is his office?"

    
"Downstairs, go left, first door, next to the stairwell."

    
"Thank you, Tim.  It's very important."  Elaine said nervously.

    
Tim grinned at her.  "Go on down.  When I know you're inside and that he's there, I'll take care of the rest."

    
Elaine smiled her thanks, and went downstairs.  With Tim there watching, she had no choice but to do it now, and get it over with. 

    
Tim followed her far enough down the stairs that he could hear Brent answer her knock, and see him sitting at his desk when she opened the door and went in.

     
She closed the door behind her and waited for him to look up.  When he did, she was gratified to watch the blood drain from his face.

    
"Hello, Brent." She said quietly.

"
Elana?
  What are you doing here?" he asked incredulously.               

    
"Well, it seems that I am … your guest."

    
"
You're
the Elaine Tasha's been talking about?"

    
"Yes.  We have become very fast friends."

    
"How much does she know?"

    
"Nothing.  Well; next to nothing.  Brent, I want you to know that this was innocent!  She was lovely, and she reminded me of her mother; but I didn't put the pieces together for a while.  She used the name Taylor, and so I didn't realize she was your daughter until Tim said the name 'Charles', and I started following the stories."

    
"How did you meet?" he asked, clearly dumbfounded.

    
"She came into my dress shop in Los Angeles.  She needed something to wear on the TV show, and we made plans for dinner.  She was like a lost lamb, and she needed a friendly ear."

    
Brent sighed and ran his hands through his hair.  "Have you told her mother?" he asked warily.

    
"No.  I came to you, first.  You know that Emilie has married again?"

    
"Yes."  Brent answered tersely.

    
"She had a daughter, Isabelle, who was just lost in an airplane crash.  I don't know that it is prudent to deliver such a shock, so soon after."

    
"I'm very sorry.”  Brent answered thoughtfully.  "Well.  What do we do now?" he asked with wonder.  "Are you going to tell her about yourself?"

    
Elaine sighed.  "I don't know.  I am afraid that when I do, she'll want to know about her mother; and so, of course, I hesitate.  I wanted to consult with you."             

    
Brent chuckled.  "Now, that is a surprise.  But I'm grateful to you, for Tasha's sake."

    
"She is all that I care about.”  Elaine assured him.  She gave him a suspicious look.  “So, you aren't going to have your thugs tie an anvil around my ankle, and dump me in the river?" she asked suspiciously.

    
He laughed, and shook his head.  "No, no, no!  I've spent too much time and money looking for you, to do that.  You little weasel, you hid yourself well!  Now, I suggest that we talk to the wisest man I know."

    
Elaine looked at him blankly.  "Who might that be?" she asked worriedly.

    
"One Mr. Timothy Rain."  He said emphatically.

    
"Oh, Brent!  I don't know if I can."  She hedged.

    
He laughed.  "Trust me, he can take it.  He'll keep his head on, and he'll know just what to do.  It's amazing, he's got the wisdom of Solomon.  I'll get him."

    
Elaine almost stopped him, and then sat down hard in a chair and put her hands to her lips, when she realized she couldn't stop him.  He'd already made up his mind.  She heard the two of them talking and had to blink back tears, so Tim couldn't see how upset she was.

    
"What, you're going to let me in on the surprise?" Tim asked curiously.  His smile faded when he saw Elaine's face.

    
"Where is Tasha?" she asked tightly.

    
"She went out."  Tim answered, scanning Elaine's face with wary interest.

    
"Have a seat, Tim."  Brent offered lightly.

    
Tim sat, still watching Elaine.  He could see that she was extremely upset.  "What's wrong, Elaine?" he asked worriedly.

    
Elaine turned panicked eyes toward Brent.  "I shouldn't have come here.  Oh, God.  Brent!"  she begged nervously.

    
"No, Elaine.  Surely you can see; you can't run away from this one.  Tasha's bound to find out.  Let's think this through, and come up with the best solution.  It's a tangled web, Elaine, but Tim can handle it.  Just start talking, or Tim will start reading.  You ought to know that, already."

    
"Do start talking, Elaine." Tim agreed softly.  His penetrating eyes told her he wasn't leaving the room until he had the whole story.  He knew it concerned Tasha, and therefore, he wasn't about to let it be.

    
Elaine stared at her hands, and gathered her courage.  "I didn't know, Tim.  I didn't know, at first.  After she went on television, and we were at the airport that day with you, I found out."

    
"Found out what?" he asked patiently.

    
"That she was Brent's daughter.  I came to Brent because I didn't know what else to do!  Only he doesn't know what to do, either."

    
"About what?  Elaine, you're not making sense."

    
She managed to look up at him, and then had to look away.  "I know.  It's rather difficult."  She explained.  "You see, I used to ..."

    
"She used to live with me."  Brent finished for her finally.  "She was the love of my life.  But, she left me, and I couldn't find her.  So, I married her sister, instead." Brent admitted lightly.

    
Tim looked at Brent incredulously.

    
"Emilie looked strikingly like Elaine.  I thought she'd do, but I was wrong.  But I got a beautiful daughter out of the deal, anyway."

    
Tim closed his eyes, and tried to absorb the shock.  Finally, he turned his eyes to Elaine.  "You're Tasha's aunt?"

    
She nodded, not looking up.

    
"And she doesn't have a clue." He sighed.

    
"No." Elaine sniffed.

    
"It's going to be a bit complicated, Tim.  You see, I never allowed Tasha to see her mother, or receive her letters.  It was self-serving, but I just didn't want the difficulties of it.  I was angry with Elaine and Emilie, and I thought Tasha would be better off without her mother's influence."

    
"What in the world would have been wrong with it, Brent?" Elaine demanded harshly.

      
Brent winced.  "Elaine, I was afraid."  He admitted slowly.  "I was afraid that I'd lose Tasha, too.  I'm sorry, but that's the truth of it."

     
Elaine shut her mouth, and lowered her eyes.  It wasn't like Brent to make such an admission.  "I rather thought you'd done it all to spite me." Elaine said.  "I thought you married Emilie to spite me, divorced her and withheld your daughter from her to have your revenge."