Ginger and Lynn were clearing the table when Amber returned from seeing the FBI agent out.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“No trouble,” Lynn said. “It’s been a nightmare, hasn’t it?”
Amber could only nod in agreement.
“Perhaps you should think about getting away for awhile. Easter break starts next Thursday. The school will be closed for two weeks. A cruise would be just the thing,” Ginger suggested, once they were all relaxing in the living room.
“What a great idea!” Lynn echoed.
“Absolutely not. I couldn’t possibly enjoy myself.”
The two women exchanged a worried look. Lynn was the one who said, “Amber, you have to stop blaming yourself. None of this is your fault.”
“I’m not! It’s just—”
Ginger broke in to say, “You most certainly are. That can be very destructive. I think you and Wayne have hit on the perfect solution. The series of workshops on sexual abuse for the children’s parents is a positive step. We will all feel prepared to deal with this issue.”
“Alex is excited about it, too. He and Wayne were on the phone for hours last night. This morning he made some calls. He knows people knowledgeable in the field who may gladly volunteer their services to the school.” Lynn added quickly, “So you see, there is nothing to worry about.”
Amber’s throat locked with emotion. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. The nursery school has been an asset to our community, not to mention the leg up it has given our lives personally. We’re family, sisters. We’re going to help you through this,” Lynn ended with a smile.
Amber knew that logically she had no reason to feel guilty—nevertheless, she knew she would not be able to draw a peaceful breath until Harris was behind bars where he belonged and Wayne had spoken to every child in the school and given them the thumbs-up sign.
“Perhaps this isn’t the time, but I have some good news. I thought you two would like to be the first to hear about it,” Ginger beamed.
“Personally I can’t think of a better time. What is it?” Lynn demanded, eyes sparkling.
“The adoption agency has found our baby. In a few short months we’re going to be parents. Oh, I am so excited!” Ginger confessed.
Both of them rushed over to hug her. Everyone talked at the same time.
“This is wonderful!” Lynn said, tears in her eyes.
Amber declared, “We’ll give you a baby shower.” They were so excited that they were laughing and crying at the same time.
“It’s been so long. We’d almost given up.”
“Aren’t you glad you didn’t,” Amber said. “This is the best news I’ve heard all week... all month!”
“Tell us everything,” Lynn insisted.
“The birth mother is a senior in college. She hadn’t planned on having children and was eager to place the child in a good home. She is in her third trimester. We met her and her boyfriend. We plan to be there the day the baby is born. Within a few days, baring any complication, we’ll be taking our baby home. Isn’t it exciting? I can’t wait to start the nursery. There is so much to do. I want everything to be perfect.”
They were engrossed in a discussion of the baby when the telephone rang.
Excusing herself, Amber twisted around in order to reach the extension on the table behind the sofa. “Hello?”
“Did you get any sleep last night?”
“Ray.” His name came out in a gentle rush of air, leaving her breathless with pleasure. “How are you?”
Whatever Lynn had started to say was forgotten as both women shamelessly watched the way Amber’s face lit up with pleasure.
“Missing you. And you?”
“Doing the same,” she said softly, oblivious to her audience.
“Good.” His voice was deep, gravelly. “Come to me, Amber. Fly in this afternoon. I’ll have a ticket waiting for you at the airport for the twelve o’clock flight. Bring your prettiest dress. We’re going to a black-tie show at the Caldwell Gallery. One of your favorite photographer’s work will be on display.”
“You changed your mind about going,” Amber murmured, wondering if the lovely gallery owner had anything to do with the change of heart. Thank goodness she had sense enough not to ask.
“Will you come?”
“Yes,” she said without hesitation, disregarding her hurt feelings. He had wanted her there with him, didn’t he? And what about Rita Caldwell? Was she the reason Ray had changed his plans?
“Good. See you soon.”
“Well?” Ginger prompted as Amber hung up the phone.
“That was Ray.”
“Really? I never would have guessed!” Lynn laughed playfully.
“More coffee anyone?” Amber was determined to hide her confusion. A one-man show and he was just now asking her. What caused him to change his mind? Amber’s mind kept flitting back to the telephone call from the woman just the other morning. The assertive way she asked for him indicated that Rita Caldwell was used to having her way.
Lynn and Ginger exchanged an exasperated look. “Should I strangle her, or would you like the pleasure?”
“Me first,” Lynn volunteered sweetly. “Girl, you have ten seconds to tell us what is going on between you and that man—one, two, three...”
“What makes you think there is something to tell?”
“Talk!” the two said at once.
“I don’t know why either one of you seems surprised. You both know I’ve been hopelessly in love with the man for years.” Amber blushed in spite of herself. The other night in his arms had been sheer magic.
“For heaven’s sake—girl, will you open your mouth and talk,” Lynn said impatiently.
“I’d been upset after learning about Harris, so when Ray told me about what happened with the bus, I just broke down. He helped me through it. One thing led to another, and we ended up in bed together.” She smiled at the admission. “I couldn’t continue to fight my feelings for him, and apparently his defenses were down as well. He seemed to need to be with me as much as I needed him.”
“They made love!” Ginger squealed like a teenager.
Amber giggled when she looked up to find both of her dear friends faces lit with excitement.
“All I can say is, it’s about time!” Lynn added. “I told you the man was wild about you.”
“Was it worth the wait?” Ginger asked recklessly.
“Definitely.” Amber’s answer caused a peal of laughter.
“And now you’re going to meet him in D.C. I say go for it, girl!”
“Wait a minute. Perhaps it’s time to proceed with a bit more caution. We don’t want to scare him away,” Ginger speculated, chewing on her bottom lip.
“Have you suddenly lost your mind? The man wants her in Washington. She’s goin’. End of subject,” Lynn broke in.
“Naturally. That’s not what I meant, Lynn. I’m thinking about the future. Has he declared himself?” Ginger wanted to know.
“If you mean, am I planning the wedding, forget it. No—we live in two separate worlds. Ray travels constantly. He is away more than he’s in the States. My life is here, in Vermont, at the nursery school. All I want is to be with him whenever I can.” What about Rita Caldwell—just how did she fit into the puzzle? Was she also in love with him?
“What does Ray think? Somehow I don’t think he’s indifferent to the two of you spending so much time apart,” Lynn speculated. “Perhaps he wants more?”
“What we have is enough for me,” Amber revealed. “He was very reluctant to change the relationship that we’ve had for so long. He doesn’t think I can handle being emotionally involved with him, especially considering knowing the risks he must take because of his job.”
“He could be right. It won’t be easy, Amber,” Lynn said, watching her closely. “I wonder how long this will be enough for you.”
Ginger said, “She’s in love with that man. It’s only natural to want to be with him and someday wear his ring.” Deep in thought, Amber moved to the fireplace and absently traced the marbled veins. “Maybe . ..” she finally said, with troubled eyes.
Lynn and Ginger exchanged a concerned look. Ginger was the first to speak. “Does Elliott know?”
“About me and Ray?”
Ginger nodded.
“No, and I have no intention of discussing it with him. We were never anything more than friends.”
“That’s what you said about Ray and look what happened,” Lynn reminded her. All three giggled.
“Come on, you two can help me decide on what dress to take. Ray’s having a showing at the Caldwell Gallery. I plan to knock his eyes out.”
“Wow! Caldwell Gallery is on the same level as some of the New York and London galleries. I saw Rita Caldwell in the society pages of the newspaper. She’s very beautiful and very rich.”
Amber refused to voice her worries. Their relationship had changed drastically. They were lovers now. There would be no turning back. She was going to him because she needed to be with him just as much as he seemed to need and want her there. If Rita Caldwell wanted him, she would have to go through Amber to get to him.
It was only after his fingers began to ache from the way they were clamped around the receiver that Ray remembered to return it to its cradle. He hadn’t so much as considered Amber’s reaction to the late invitation to the showing. Nor had he allowed himself to dwell on the delicacy of the bonds holding their new relationship together.
He was troubled. What he had not told Amber was that the news out of the Middle East was bad. He would be flying back tomorrow. They would have only one more night together.
It could not have come at a worse time. Not for one second did he delude himself into thinking that his leaving would not affect their relationship. It might destroy it.
He’d lived too many years, seen more than enough solid relationships fall apart, for him to believe theirs would be the exception. There weren’t any guarantees floating around. Time and time again, he’d watched as good men were forced to retire from the work they loved. Or worse, they’d refused to alter their deadly occupations and ended up divorced, isolated from the women they adored and children they loved.
It was not only the constant separation that destroyed the closeness, but the ever present element of danger that was a necessary part of the work. Some women would put up with the life-style for a time. Ray had found it safer to just not get involved.
That had all changed the instant he and Amber had become lovers. Everything was different because of Amber. She alone could touch his heart, his very soul. Amber...
“Damn it!” he said, scowling at the antique clock in the corner of his living room. They needed more time... time to love each other... time to understand each other ... time to come to a deep appreciation and acceptance of each other. That could not happen in a single night.
His eyes slowly scanned the tastefully furnished bronze room as if he could see it as Amber would. Persian rugs from India, rock crystal objects from China, the Syrian certosina mirror embellishing a Regency serpentine chest, an antique Egyptian mask on the mantel, African carvings from all over the continent, seventeenth-century Japanese lacquered chest-on-stand, and English armchairs. All had been collected during his travels in a vain attempt to make a real home for himself, just as the investments he’d made over the years were an effort to prove to himself that he was good enough for a Spencer.
Although Ray was a wealthy man, it no longer mattered as it once had. He had nothing to prove to anyone. He was at the top of his field, and he was paid well for the risks he took. His thoughts were not on the challenge ahead.
After twelve long and lonely years, he’d allowed himself the luxury of making love to the only woman he had ever cared for deeply. Had he come to terms with all that entailed? Perhaps he had looked after her and been her friend for too many years. Suddenly he was hungry for more, much much more.
Amber hinted that she was strong enough to deal with the long separations and the ever present possibility that this was the time he would not be returning. Unfortunately she would be given the chance all too soon to test her strength.