Finding Isadora(47)

My mother reached out to hug me. “Sounds wonderful, hon. I can bring her over … let’s see, probably on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I don’t have any tutoring clients those afternoons. Does that work for you?”

“Sure. I’m guessing you still haven’t told Gabriel about her?”

My parents didn’t answer—and that was, of course, their answer. I hated being part of this conspiracy to keep Jimmy Lee’s lawyer from knowing what his client was up to. “You could be shooting yourself in the foot, Jimmy Lee.”

“Hell, Izzie, look at the girl. Can’t have her going into the system.”

I looked, my heart gave a mushy throb, and I shook my head. “No. But Gabriel might come up with a better alternative.”

Jimmy Lee shook his head. “I know the alternatives. They aren’t good.”

I gave a sigh of resignation and hugged him. “I love you, you stubborn man.”

He hugged back. “Love you too, baby.”

Just after I got home, I got a call from Caroline Winston. She sounded sincerely concerned for her son’s welfare and I did my best to assure her Richard’s intentions were honorable.

“Eric’s father walked out on us,” Caroline said softly. “It shattered him. What happens if he gets too attached to Richard and Richard doesn’t stick around?”

“I hear you, but…” I nibbled my lip. “I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but Richard felt a bit, uh, neglected by his own father and—”

“Yeah, he mentioned that.”

Oh. Richard really had been sharing confidences with this woman. Absurd to feel a twinge of jealousy. Quickly, I said, “Then you can appreciate that he wouldn’t do that to your son.”

“That’s what he said. It’s good to hear it from someone else, too. He seems like a really nice guy. I’ve talked to his parents—well, his mom and stepdad—and they say he’s, like, totally responsible.” The woman paused. “You’re his fiancée?”

“Yes.”

“Uh, can I ask how you feel about this? It’d mean him spending less time with you. Then, after you get married, you’ll probably have kids of your own and, well…”

“You’re wondering if I’m the possessive type who’d try to stop him from seeing Eric? No, that won’t happen. I’d like to meet Eric myself, and maybe we can all do things together from time to time. No, Caroline, this is important to Richard. I support him totally.”

“Thanks.” She gave a small laugh. “You’re nicer than I’d be if Richard was my guy.”

What did she mean by that?

“Well,” she went on, “I appreciate your being so open and generous. I’ll think this over, talk to Eric.”

I hung up, grateful I would never be in Caroline’s position. When Richard and I married, it would be forever. It was so important to pick the right man, one you loved and trusted completely.

I felt a twinge at the thought of trust. Richard trusted me too, and of course I deserved that trust. No human being could avoid having a few lustful feelings for people other than our partners. The critical thing was to not act on them.

It didn’t surprise me when Richard phoned late in the afternoon and said they were still working on the merger, and were having pizza delivered to the office. I told him about my conversation with Caroline. “I think it’s looking good, sweetheart.”

“That’s great. Now if only things go smoothly with Gabe.”

“You haven’t had a chance to talk to him about the DNA test?”

“And I won’t get it today. I’ll try to call him tomorrow.”

“At the office?”

“Sure, why not?”

Should I point out that the usually considerate Richard was being callous about his father’s feelings? But then he didn’t believe Gabriel had much in the way of feelings when it came to his son. “Let me know how it goes.”

“About dinner tomorrow…”

“I’m afraid I’m working. Sorry.”

He sighed. “It’s probably just as well. We have a big meeting with all the parties tomorrow morning—we’re getting everything ready tonight—and who knows what will come out of that? I’ll probably have to work, too. We really do have to find time to go apartment hunting. Maybe this weekend?”

“Let’s plan on it.”

As we hung up, I envisioned Richard as a juggler, tossing balls in the air. And now he intended to add an Eric ball, so he’d have to juggle even faster. Or maybe he’d reexamine his priorities. Maybe the partnership fast-track wouldn’t prove to be so important after all. For me, all I cared about was that he had a job he enjoyed, with a decent—and regular—pay check.

Having been given an unexpected free evening, I called Janice and asked if she’d like to come over and cook dinner with me.

“You’ve saved me,” she said dramatically. “I’m utterly fed up with my own company. What should I pick up on my way?”

“I have some leftover pad thai and a bunch of vegetables that need to be used. What about a stir fry, over rice?”

“Sounds good.”

“Can you get some ginger? And I’m low on soy sauce. Shrimp, if they look good.” Janice wasn’t a vegetarian, but was always happy to respect my food choices. Just so long as I kept some caffeinated coffee beans in my freezer for her.