Love Will Find a Way (8 page)

Her eyes roamed restlessly around the crowded restaurant. How strange it was to feel alone in the midst of so many people. Since her divorce, the pain inside her had reduced to an intermittent ache that returned to torment her at inopportune moments such as this.

In the periphery of her vision, Emily caught a glimpse of a man whose profile was so like Robert's that she gasped before looking away. This was not the first time she had felt the sharp pang of recognition then realized she was staring at a stranger.

The man turned. Emily's heart skipped a beat. It was Robert. It would be best if she made a quiet exit. She was reaching for her handbag when she felt his presence and knew he was standing directly behind her.

"Emily?” His cool voice held an ironic note.

She didn't turn. “Yes?"

"It's been a long time. May I sit down?” He came around the table, pulled out a chair and stood waiting for her to answer.

A nod of her head was the best she could manage.

Robert took that for a yes and sat down across from her. “Are you sure you don't mind?"

Emily refused to look at him. “Why should I?"

He scooted his chair nearer the table. “The last time I sat down at a table with you, I got the tongue lashing of a lifetime."

Remembering made her wince. “Do you want an apology?"

He asked, “Why should you apologize for telling the truth?"

"I am sorry.” She dropped her handbag onto the table. “I was angry and hurt, but that was no excuse for lashing out at you."

"I'm the one who should apologize.” Robert signaled for a waiter and ordered a cup of coffee. “Would you like something else?"

She would like to get out of here as quickly as possible. “No."

As the waiter set a cup of coffee in front of him, Robert asked, “Do you want it now?"

His presence was playing havoc with Emily's nervous system. “Want what?"

"That long overdue apology.” Robert's eyes narrowed. “Emily, look at me, please."

Slowly, cautiously, she raised her eyes to stare into his face. She saw uncertainty there and something akin to regret. She couldn't deal with this, not now. Her wounds were still too raw, her hurt too intense. “I should go."

"Please,” Robert pleaded, “this won't take long.” She had never before known him to be so humble.

Emily clutched her handbag with shaky fingers. “All right."

He looked tired and old. “Can you ever forgive me?"

What did he want forgiveness for? Betraying her, deserting her, tearing her world asunder? “You're forgiven.” It was a lie. She didn't know if she could ever forgive him.

"Just like that.” The air cracked with the snapping of his fingers. “Do you have any idea what I'm asking forgiveness for?"

She didn't. Her puzzled look must have said as much. “Does it matter?"

His voice became strident. “It matters to me."

Emily didn't want to have this conversation. “I'm not talking about differences.” She glanced over his shoulder toward the front door and safety. “I have to go."

"Then you name the time and the place.” Determination was etched in every line of his face. “When can I see you?"

"I don't want to see you.” She would never heal if her ex-husband kept showing up, intent on probing old wounds. “I have nothing to discuss with you."

"So you haven't forgiven me? Maybe you never will.” His voice was resigned. “Maybe you can't."

Leaning back in her chair, she sighed. “What are you trying to tell me?"

His jaw tightened. “I didn't think you could make it without my financial assistance."

Her eyes widened in surprise. “I'm managing quite well, thank you."

"I know that—now.” He took a quick sip of coffee. “Call it conceit, call it stupidity, but that's what I believed. I underestimated you in so many ways. I'm sorry."

She should have known his apology was nothing more than another attempt to ease his guilty conscience. “You can stop feeling guilty. I can make it on my own."

"So I observed. I'm also surprised at how soon you replaced me with another man.” A touch of bitterness edged his voice. “You deserve better than Thad Thackery."

"You don't even know Thad."

"I know his reputation.” Robert turned his cup around in its saucer. “You could get hurt, Emily."

Why did he insist on intruding into her life when he had deliberately driven her from his? “It wouldn't be the first time.” She grabbed her handbag and jumped to her feet. “I have to go."

"It's hopeless, isn't it?” Robert asked on a sigh.

She had no idea what he was referring to and at this point, she couldn't afford to ask. “Completely.” She left without looking back.

Once in her office, Emily was able to put the incident from her mind. She worked steadily through the afternoon. By five o'clock, her monthly reports were completed. She was putting the last one into a folder when a knock on the door brought her head up. Kevin stood in the doorway, “Hi, Mom."

"Kevin! What a pleasant surprise. Come in. I was about to call it a day."

"Are you free for dinner?” He leaned against the doorframe and smiled down at her.

"As a matter of fact, I am. Larry is having dinner with the Carsons."

"Good. I have some news for you.” When she lifted an eyebrow he added, “Some good news."

"You got the promotion!” Emily exclaimed.

"That, too, but this is even better."

"What could possibly be better than a promotion?” Emily closed her desk drawer and locked it.

"Come to dinner with me and I'll tell you."

His joyous attitude lifted Emily's spirits. “My mother's intuition tells me this has to do with affairs of the heart.” She took his arm. “Am I right?"

"For an older woman, you're pretty smart."

"Older woman indeed.” Emily struck him playfully on his arm. “I will have you know I am in the prime of life."

"Looking at you now I can believe that.” Kevin sobered. “You really are a remarkable person,” the ghost of a grin pulled at his lips again, “for an older woman."

They had dinner at a little seafood restaurant. Emily's suspicions had been correct. They were scarcely seated at the table when Kevin said, “I've fallen in love, Mom. Her name is Stacy Morrison. She's beautiful and so sweet and loving. I want to spend the rest of my life with her."

The rest of his life, how blind could young love be? Emily asked, “How long have you known this woman?"

"Not very long,” Kevin admitted ruefully.

Emily persisted, “How long?” Uneasiness began to move in around her feeling of well being.

Kevin lowered his menu and smiled. “Four months. You should try the catfish. It's delicious."

"Four months!” Emily was flabbergasted. “Good heavens, Kevin, you can't be in love with someone you've known only four months."

"Yes I can. I am.” Kevin laid his menu aside. “I'm having the catfish."

Emily's overactive imagination began to conjure up visions of some femme fatale who had led her son right down the garden path. “How old is this woman?"

He hung his head. “Almost nineteen."

"Almost nineteen,” Emily echoed. “That means she's only eighteen years old. Eighteen is a child!"

Kevin reminded her, “You were eighteen when you married Dad."

"Then maybe you should listen to the voice of experience.” A waiter appeared from nowhere to take Emily's order. She chose a seafood salad and waited as Kevin, after some indecision, ordered catfish. As the waiter hurried away, she picked up the threads of their conversation. “I know now that I should have given myself more time to grow up before I jumped into marriage."

"Maturity is not a matter of age, Mom,” Kevin argued in true attorney fashion, “it's a matter of experience and background. Stacy is mature."

It was not Stacy's maturity or lack of it that concerned Emily at the moment. Kevin was far too emotionally immature to be thinking about marriage. “I don't want you to rush into something you will regret later."

"Like you regret now that you married Dad?"

"I don't regret marrying your dad. We had some good years together.” She didn't want to talk about her failed marriage to her son, or to anyone else for that matter. “Maybe you should give yourself more time."

Kevin frowned. “I thought you would be happy for me."

The waiter reappeared with a tray of food. Not caring if he heard, Emily answered, “I am happy for you.” Reaching across the table she patted his hand. “Tell me about your Stacy."

Kevin's frown vanished. “As I was saying, she's almost nineteen. She's a student at City Business College. I met her through a mutual friend. It was love at first sight for both of us."

Emily's appetite had diminished and was threatening to disappear. “Does Stacy have a family?"

"Yes. I've only met them once, but they're very nice. I want you to meet them, too, and so does Stacy. And she's dying to meet you."

Emily tried to match his enthusiasm. “Perhaps I should call Stacy's mother."

"Stacy's mother is dead.” Kevin dumped catsup over his catfish. “She lives with her father and her two younger sisters."

Emily asked, “Would you like me to invite them to the house some evening?” She couldn't shake a feeling of apprehension.

"You're really being nice about this, Mom.” Kevin said between bites. “I was afraid you'd give me a bad time.” He touched his napkin to his lips. “Stacy and I have talked about introducing our families to each other. We think it would be best if my family came to her home. Can we set a date for sometime this week? I'd like to do it before Larry leaves for college."

Why did she feel she was being manipulated? “I have to know a few days in advance. I have so many evening commitments. Going out requires some planning."

Without a moment's hesitation, Kevin asked, “How about next Tuesday evening?"

Emily nodded. “I could manage that. I don't know about Larry."

"I've already talked to Larry.” Kevin's relief was evident. “Tuesday is fine for him."

"Oh?” Emily lifted an eyebrow. So her sons were co-conspirators in this little scheme.

"Larry knows Stacy.” Kevin's voice gained momentum. “They went to high school together. He thinks Stacy and I were made for each other."

"Larry thinks anything you do is perfect.” Emily pushed her salad away. “You're his big brother."

"And I don't take that lightly,” Kevin assured her. “I'm not much of a role model, but I guess I'll have to do now that he has no father."

Emily protested. “Larry does have a father. He sees Dad every other weekend."

"We're talking about role models, Mom.” Kevin snorted his disapproval. “Not middle-aged playboys."

Emily was appalled that her older son would even think such a thing, let alone voice that opinion. “I hope you haven't been saying things like this to Larry."

"I don't have to tell Larry how I feel about the old man, he knows."

Emily supposed that it was an ill wind that blew no good. Their parents’ divorce had brought Larry and Kevin closer together. She had promised herself that she wouldn't interfere with Robert's relationship with his sons. She tactfully changed the subject. “Shouldn't you give me Stacy's address?"

"Larry knows the way.” Kevin couldn't hide his elation. “You can ride over with him."

"I may have to drive directly from work."

"She lives at 241 Oakdale Drive. That's over in Northern Heights.” Kevin scribbled the address on a napkin. “It's the house behind the Oakdale Baptist Church.” He handed Emily the napkin. “Stacy's dad is the Reverend Dennis Morrison."

"Stacy's father is a minister?” Emily couldn't keep the surprise out of her voice.

"Does that bother you?” Kevin asked.

"No.” Emily couldn't believe that her son who had always been, to say the least, on the wild side, would look twice at a minister's daughter, let alone contemplate spending the rest of his life with her. “Not if it doesn't bother you."

"It did, at first.” Kevin admitted hesitantly.

"And now?"

"Is this some kind of third degree?” A note of agitation sounded through Kevin's bantering tone. Emily got the message. It said, don't intrude.

"I look forward to meeting Stacy and her father and her sisters.” She tried to sound pleased. “I have to go. Larry will be home and wondering where I am."

Kevin helped her from her chair. “Mom, be happy for me."

"I am, Kevin. Truly, I am."

"Then sound like it. I'll see you Tuesday evening.” He gave her arm a pat before saying good-bye.

Emily told herself she was worrying needlessly; but that little prod of apprehension wouldn't go away. Even from her skewed point of view, Kevin seemed an unlikely candidate for marriage. And to a minister's daughter who was only eighteen years old? The next day over lunch, Emily voiced her misgivings to Thad, who listened patiently and then suggested that she adopt a wait and see attitude. “Sometimes those things that loom largest on the horizon of the future never come to pass."

Good advice, Emily decided, but she had trouble following it. Doubts kept cropping up at the oddest times and in the most unlikely places, like the following Friday evening.

Emily was standing in the midst of a group of chattering people, holding a wineglass in her hand, when she found her mind wandering back to her last conversation with Kevin. He seemed to have no qualms at all about what the future might hold. Maybe that was the problem. How could any human being be that sure about anything?

"Emily, I've been looking for you.” Lee Morgan's voice brought her back to the present. He had pushed his way through the group of people and was standing beside her. “There's someone here I want you to meet.” He took her arm.

They were half way across the floor, threading their way through the crowd, when Emily saw the profile of a tall man standing near the door. She sucked in her breath. “That's Robert."

"Who's Robert?” Lee slowed his advance.

Emily fought to control her emotions. “Robert is my ex-husband. He's here."

"This is a cocktail party given by the Greater Chamber of Commerce.” Lee was once more moving through the crowd with Emily in tow. “Almost anybody could be here."

Emily nodded to the couple Lee introduced and made small talk. She asked all the appropriate questions and gave satisfactory answers. As quickly as possible she excused herself and found a chair in a corner. Could it be a coincidence that Robert was here? Since she had seen him in the restaurant almost a month ago, she had thought she'd caught sight of him in a half dozen places she'd chanced to be. “Don't be stupid,” she told herself. She got up and began to circulate.