Round the Clock (10 page)

“H
ow quaint,” Tracie said, staring up at the small A-frame house.

Anna Marie ignored her sister’s condescending tone. “It’s comfortable.”

“And you live here with other, um…?” she searched for a word.

“Boarders? Yes.”

“What do they do?”

“They don’t work. They’re retired.” I think.

“What did they used to do?”

“I don’t know.”

“You mean you’re living with people you don’t know anything about? Do you think that’s wise?”

“They’re harmless.”

“I still think you should check. You probably don’t have enough money to afford to do a background check, so I’ll do it for you.” She followed Anna Marie inside and stopped. “Why is there a spiderweb in that corner? You need a housekeeper.”

“I have someone who does the cleaning.”

“Then fire her and get someone who knows how to do it right.”

“Keep your voice down. They’re in the next room.” Anna Marie walked into the living room. “This is my sister, Tracie.”

Each of them introduced themselves and Tracie smiled, then excused herself to use the restroom. When she reemerged Anna Marie showed her the dining room. Tracie placed the picnic basket she’d brought with her on the table, casting a glance at the living room. “I will definitely find out what’s going on here,” she said as she took several items out of the basket.

“What do you mean?”

“First, that woman with that horrible-looking wig seems shifty and that old man seems very suspicious.”

“You’re just prejudiced because this is a boarding house.”

“I care about you. You’re my big sister, but you don’t take care of yourself the way you should.”

“You look great,” Anna Marie said, determined to change the subject.

“Thank you.”

Anna Marie waited for a compliment about her new look, but it never came. She didn’t care because she knew she looked great and had decided to wear the same outfit when she met with Desmond.

“Why did you leave Bruno?”

“Because our relationship wasn’t working. What’s going on with you?”

“I just—”

“Stop pretending, Tracie. You never think of me for no reason.”

Suddenly, her sister fell into the chair and her eyes welled with tears. “You hate me, don’t you?”

“I don’t hate you.”

“I know I’ve made some mistakes. One was not getting in touch with you sooner.”

“I’m fine.”

“And my divorce has left me very shaken.”

Anna Marie handed her a napkin. “Your divorce? I didn’t even know you’d been married.”

“It was a rush job. We weren’t married that long. Two years. I loved him and I lost him and now I want him back.” She wiped her eyes with the napkin. “But I know getting Desmond back won’t be that easy.”

Anna Marie nearly laughed at the coincidence. How funny. They’d both been involved with a man with the same name. She unwrapped a sandwich and took a bite. “His name is Desmond?”

“Yes, Desmond Rockwell.”

Anna Marie nearly choked.

Tracie didn’t notice. “He’s a lawyer, but he doesn’t have to be. I thought once we sold the business he’d relax, but he was still so restless.”

Her sister had married her one true love? What were the odds? Out of all the men in the world, she’d married him? She wanted to scream.

The doorbell rang.

Anna Marie jumped to her feet and said, “I’ll get it,” and reached the door before anyone else could. She opened it and saw Desmond. She stared at him as though he’d appeared out of thin air. He stared at her with the same expression of surprise then a naughty grin touched his mouth.

“Somehow you knew I was coming.”

She blinked, unable to focus. “What?”

“And you wanted to make me happy.” His gaze swept her body. “You look fantastic. Especially the legs.”

“Thank you,” she said, gripping the door.

He pulled her close and kissed her. “I thought I’d surprise you and take you to lunch.”

She shoved him away and sent a cautious glance behind her. “This isn’t a good idea.”

He looked at her, confused. “Why?”

“I have a visitor.”

“Then I’ll introduce myself.” He started to walk past her.

“No, you don’t want to do that.”

“Why not?”

Tracie came around the corner. “Anna Marie, your food will get cold.” She halted. “Desmond?”

He froze. “What are you doing here?”

She walked toward him. “Visiting my sister.”

He glanced down at Anna Marie as though he didn’t know who she was. “Your
sister?
I didn’t even know you had a sister. I thought you were an only child.”

“With my adopted family, yes. But—well it’s complicated. What are you doing here?” she asked, with a predatory look in her eyes.

“I came to see Anna Marie.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m seeing her—”

“About some things,” Anna Marie interrupted. “I’m his client. I acquired this house through an inheritance and Desmond, I mean, Mr. Rockwell, is helping me with the logistics.” She looked at Desmond, begging him to play along.

Tracie turned to him. “I thought you didn’t do that kind of trivial stuff any more.”

“It’s not trivial,” he said, casting Anna Marie a wary look. “But no, I don’t usually do it. This was a special case.”

Anna Marie folded her arms and made her tone nonchalant. “Yes, I’m just a special case. There’s nothing more to it than that.” When Desmond narrowed his gaze, she took a hasty step back. “I’d
better leave you two alone and, um…get back to my lunch.” She turned and left.

Once she reached the dining room, Anna Marie fell into a chair and closed her eyes. For the first time in her life, she hated her sister. She hated her elegant manners, her height—five foot eleven compared to her five foot three—and her degrees. But she mostly hated the fact that her sister had had Desmond in the most intimate way—a way Anna Marie knew she never would.

She rubbed her temples, determined not to imagine what they were saying to each other. It had all been so perfect. Too perfect. Now it was over. Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching. She picked up her fork, pretending to eat. “That was fast, Tracie,” she said, staring at the food on her plate. “Is he gone?”

“No, he’s not gone,” Desmond said.

Anna Marie looked up at him, alarmed. “What are you doing here?” she said in a harsh voice. “Where’s Tracie?”

“She’s getting something from her car.” He casually pulled out the chair beside her and sat.

Anna Marie jumped to her feet. “What are you doing? You can’t stay here.”

“Sure I can. Tracie invited me to lunch. Something you neglected to do.” He reached for the chicken salad. “Could you get me a plate and a fork?”

“You should leave.”

He slid her plate over to him. “Okay, we’ll share.”

Anna Marie turned. “I’ll get you a plate.” She went into the kitchen and seconds later returned with a plate, knife and fork and a glass. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“Why?”

“Because—” She stopped when Tracie appeared in the doorway.

“Desmond’s staying for lunch,” she said in a bright voice. “Isn’t that wonderful?” She reached across the table, briefly covered his hand with hers and smiled at him.

Anna Marie turned away. “Yes, wonderful.”

“Why are you sitting over there? Sit by me.”

Desmond poured grape juice into his glass. “I’m comfortable where I am.”

Anna Marie saw Tracie frown and said, “I’m sure he’d prefer to look at you instead of me.”

Tracie’s smile returned; Desmond stiffened and set the pitcher down with a bang.

Tracie smoothed her hair. “I remember when we were first dating you couldn’t keep your eyes off me. I guess some things never change.”

Desmond picked up his fork, then set it back down. “Look, Tracie, there’s something I have to tell you. I’m more than Anna Marie’s lawyer. Ow!” He glared at Anna Marie and rubbed his shin where she’d kicked him.

“Are you okay?” Tracie asked.

“Yes,” he grumbled, sending Anna Marie a fierce look.

Anna Marie patted him on the shoulder. “It’s probably a leg cramp.” Anna Marie lifted her knife. “I know they can be very painful and unexpected.”

Tracie cut a tomato slice. “What were you telling me about you and Anna Marie?”

Anna Marie made a dismissive gesture with her hand. “It’s just business, nothing to concern you.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Desmond said. “Because Anna Marie and I are—” He suddenly swore and grabbed his arm. When he removed his hand, blood stained his palm.

Anna Marie glanced down at the knife which she’d used to jab him. She swallowed, then said in a small voice, “I’m sorry.”

“You’re so clumsy,” Tracie said, grabbing a bunch of napkins and handing them to Desmond.

Desmond pushed the chair back with such force it made a loud squeak as it scraped against the floor. He stood, keeping his voice low. “Excuse me.”

Tracie jumped to her feet, ready to help him, but he shook his head. “No, you stay here. Anna Marie, show me where you keep your first-aid kit.”

From the look in his eyes, she knew best not to argue.

“I
can’t believe you stabbed me,” Desmond said as he sat on the edge of the bathtub while Anna Marie cleaned his wound with hydrogen peroxide. She then dabbed on an antibiotic ointment and covered the wound with a small bandage.

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to jab that hard.”

“Why did you lie?” he said in a hard tone.

Anna Marie returned the first-aid items to the kit. “I didn’t lie. I am a client of yours.”

“You’re more than that and I was trying to tell Tracie before you became violent.”

“You can’t tell her.”

“Why not?”

“Because she’s my sister.”

“So what?”

“And she still loves you. She wants you back.”

He started to laugh.

“You think that’s funny?”

“Yes, I also know it’s impossible. Especially since…never mind. The point is we need to tell her the truth.”

“I don’t—”

Desmond surged to his feet. “I’m not going to pretend there’s nothing between us. And—” He stopped and frowned. “Why did you flinch like that?”

“Like what?”

“Like I was going to hit you.”

“No.” She waved her hands. “I wasn’t flinching, I was just reacting.”

“Yes, you did,” he said in a grim tone. “As though I was about to slap you across the face or something.” He seized her arms and looked into her eyes with such tenderness that she had to look away. “I have a temper, but I’ve never hit a woman in my life. And I swear to you that I’d never hurt you.” He then cupped her face, his hands warm against her skin, and for a moment Anna Marie brushed her cheek against them, feeling his strength and knowing he’d never use it against her. He sighed. “It’s at times like this that I wish I knew more about you.” He let his hands fall. “Why won’t you tell me about your past?”

“Because it’s not that interesting. I know you’d never hurt me, it was just reflex. No big deal.”

Desmond shut his eyes and rested his head against the door. “Anna Marie, don’t do this to me.” He opened his eyes and held out his hand. “Every time I think I have a hold of you—” he closed his hand “—you somehow slip free.” He opened his hand.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

He leaned against the sink. “Do we have something special here or don’t we? I think we do, but that doesn’t matter because I’m not the one trying to lie.”

“I don’t want to lie, but—”

He wrapped an arm around her waist. “So you agree we have something special?”

“Yes.”

He wrapped his other arm around her waist and lowered his head. “And you don’t want to lose it?” He placed a kiss behind her ear.

Her body responded to the gentle pressure of his mouth as though he’d switched on a button. “No.” She took a deep breath, but it didn’t stop her pulse from pounding. “I don’t want to lose it.”

He nuzzled her neck. “So we have to tell Tracie the truth.”

“But—”

Desmond straightened and looked at her. “I know she’s your sister and my ex-wife. That makes the situation awkward, weird and, er…strange, but
we’re not doing anything illegal. We’re adults. She’ll understand.”

Anna Marie dropped her gaze, unconvinced.

He turned to the door. “I’ll tell her.”

“No. Not now.” She pulled on his arm, realizing too late that it was the wounded one when Desmond winced. She immediately let go. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re going to pay for this,” he softened his words with a teasing grin.

“Is everything okay?” Tracie said on the other side of the door. She tried the knob. “Did you know the door is locked? Is that safe?”

“We’re fine,” Anna Marie said.

“Oh. I didn’t think bandaging a wound would take that long.”

“We’re almost done,” Desmond said, then lowered his voice. “When do you want me to tell her?”

Anna Marie rubbed her hands together, unsure. “I’ll tell her later.”

“When?”

“Soon, but not today. Enough has happened. I haven’t seen her in years. I didn’t even know she’d been married, much less divorced, and then you show up. I just need time to recover.”

“Okay. You promise me you’ll tell her?”

“Yes,” Anna Marie said, then opened the bathroom door and left before he could probe further. Tracie stood in the hallway with her hands on her hips looking annoyed.

“What happened?” she demanded. “You were in there forever.”

“The bandage kept unraveling,” Anna Marie said.

Desmond nodded. “Sort of like a lie. They tend to do that.”

“Only when they’re not done right,” she shot back.

“Then maybe you shouldn’t try.” He walked past her and returned to the dining room.

They all settled down to lunch again when Tracie brought up the subject Anna Marie had hoped to avoid.

“Desmond, what were you telling me about you and Anna Marie earlier?”

“That he’s also my financial adviser,” Anna Marie said before he could speak. “We’ve been discussing the cost of repairs to this place.”

Tracie turned to him. “Is that why you stopped by?”

Desmond’s jaw twitched. “One of the reasons, but let’s eat. I’m tired of talking.”

“It’s fate,” Tracie said as she and Anna Marie walked in the back garden after Desmond had gone. “I was meant to see him again. You like him, don’t you?”

Anna Marie shoved her hands in her pockets. “Yes, he’s very nice.”

“And smart and handsome and—”

“Yes, he’s all those things.”

“Will you help me get him back?”

Anna Marie kicked a pebble out of her path. “I don’t think I can.”

“Why not? Just tell him how much you care about me and tell him all my good qualities.”

“He married you. Wouldn’t he already know that?”

“Sometimes a man needs reminding.”

Anna Marie stopped and looked at her. “The thing is I—”

Tracie looped her arm through her sister’s, forcing her to walk again. “I know it’s unfair of me to drag you into my private affairs. I’m just glad to be here with you again. Forget I said anything.”

Anna Marie glanced up at the trees. I wish I could.

At dinner Anna Marie pushed food around her plate, unable to eat as the afternoon’s events continued to replay in her mind.

“Are you coming down with something?” Jane asked anxiously.

She scooped up some peas. “No, I’m fine.”

“Your sister’s visit bothered you, didn’t it?” Leona said.

“And that man,” Gerald added.

Anna Marie set her fork down, ready to lie, but one look at their earnest, caring expressions forced her to change her mind. She was used to telling lies
or hiding the truth, but tonight she didn’t want to. She clasped her hands together and told them all that had happened. When she was done, Leona stared at her, openmouthed, Jane wiped her forehead with a napkin and Gerald gave a low whistle.

Jane nodded. “That’s quite a mess.”

“So when will you tell her?” Leona asked.

Anna Marie shrugged. “Soon. I have to choose the right moment.”

Gerald lifted his glass and jerked it toward her to emphasize his point, spilling some of his juice. “Make it quick, that way it won’t hurt too much. It’s like removing a Band-Aid.”

Jane took her napkin and cleaned up the minor spill. “Yes, that sounds like a good idea. Do it as soon as you can.”

Anna Marie nodded. “I know, but I feel guilty.”

“Why?”

“Because she still loves him.”

“Don’t you?”

“I don’t know—”

“Yes, you do,” Leona said with a smug grin. “It’s written all over your face. You love him so don’t let him go. She had him once, but he wants you now.”

Gerald shook his head in amazement. “He’s certainly a lucky man to have two women who want him.”

Anna Marie laughed. “That’s nothing new for Desmond. You should have seen him in high school.”

Jane leaned forward, her eyes bright with curiosity. “You’ve known him since high school?”

Anna Marie squirmed in her seat. “Sort of. I mean, I knew him in high school, then lost touch until a few months ago.”

“How did your sister meet him?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t ask.”

“I’m sure it doesn’t matter,” Leona said.

“I was just curious,” Jane said. “It seems strange to me.”

“Me, too,” Anna Marie admitted.

Jane looked pensive. “Almost too much of a coincidence.”

“What do you mean by that?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. I was just thinking that it’s odd. Of all the men in the world, your sister married your high-school crush?”

“Stranger things have happened,” Leona said.

“Yes,” Anna Marie said. “Tracie never knew how I felt about him. She didn’t even know who he was. She didn’t go to the same school I did and she’s five years younger than I am. We only reconnected after I’d left school. It’s just one of those things.”

“A real mess,” Gerald said.

The phone rang and Jane left to answer it, then came back and whispered, “It’s him.” She handed Anna Marie the phone.

Anna Marie looked at the group, crossed her fingers, then left the dining room. “Hi,” she said.

“I was wondering how you were doing.”

“I should be asking you that question.”

“The doctor said I get to keep my arm,” he teased.

Anna Marie walked into the living room and laid on the couch. “I truly am sorry about that.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll make it up to me on our date.”

She sat up. “What?”

“I’m coming by this Saturday for breakfast, remember? Then I’m taking you out.”

“Yes, I remember.” Anna Marie rested her head against the back of the couch and stared up at the ceiling, trying to keep the note of panic from her voice. A daytime date with Desmond. She was a creature of the night who never felt safe in the day. What would they do? Where would they go? What would they talk about? Would he still find her appealing? “I’m looking forward to it,” she said, trying to sound enthusiastic. “Where are you taking me?”

“It’s a surprise.”