The Doctor and the War Widow (22 page)

Chapter 21

Harley appeared in court to tell a grand jury about the circumstances leading to Kimberly Cheramie’s death. Carville and his partner testified that Harley and Abisi had taken out a restraining order on the woman and that she was a suspect in the fire that destroyed Abisi’s house. Abisi testified about his wife’s miscarriage and his own terror for her safety. A grand jury ruled justifiable homicide in less than twenty minutes. The same grand jury indicted Mary Ann Saltaformaggio for conspiracy to commit murder. She looked worn and old without makeup and her stylish hairdo. The woman had obviously worn extensions. She stood with her lawyer, looking naked without the false beauty enhancing her appearance. During her arraignment, her husband was nowhere in sight. The two girls barely looked at Harley. Melissa looked even smaller and heavier than she usually did, and Mallory was covered in zits. Harley only felt numb. Maybe one day she would pity the girls, but she couldn’t do it. Not now.

Harley clutched Abisi’s hand as they left the courtroom. Reporters snapped pictures of her. It hadn’t taken them long to learn that she was a famous author involved in a shooting. This whole sordid tale was good press. She leaned against him when he slipped an arm around her waist.

Harley swallowed and buried her face in his jacket. She took deep breaths to keep her breathing steady. “Let’s go home. Just take me home.”

When they arrived home, Abisi unlocked the door and let Harley brush past him. Nico bounded up to them, wagging his tail.

Harley wrapped her arms around the dog’s neck and stifled a sob. Abisi was taking care of her. To anyone observing them, he was an attentive husband, but Harley found him distant. They had once shared their deepest thoughts. She’d thought him a soul mate, but now, he revealed little of what he was thinking. Harley’s isolation threatened to suffocate her. She didn’t know what was causing the distance between them. Did he think of her as a foul killer because she’d defended herself against that hellhound? No, she didn’t think so. Rather, she feared that he’d only married her because of the baby, and now, his interest had waned.

“How’s Mama’s big, brave boy?” Harley held the dog tight and stifled her sobs in his fur. The dog’s unconditional love warmed her in her loneliness. She ran her hand over his fur and then wiped her eyes. Nico nestled against her as if sensing her pain.

“Harley, are you all right, my darling?” Abisi’s words were so gentle that Harley’s heart pounded with hope. She turned a tear-stained face to him.

He took her in his arms and caressed her face. “Let me put you to bed. I’ll fix you some tea and toast.”

Harley pulled from him. “Why are you so distant with me? We haven’t really talked since this—” Harley closed her eyes and swallowed. An involuntary, violent shudder turned her skin to gooseflesh. “Since Kimberly broke in.”

“Sweetheart, I’m taking care of you. I haven’t left you.” He clutched her shoulders and stared into her face. “When I thought I’d lost you, I didn’t know what I’d do. I couldn’t have gone on.”

Harley gazed at him. She wanted to believe him. “Why have you been so quiet about what you’re thinking? This is the first time you’ve told me anything about what you think, and I had to practically pull it out of you. You take care of me.” She put quotations around the words. “You take care of me, but you barely speak to me. I sometimes see you look at me in a way I can’t read.”

“I love you, Harley.” He clutched her to his chest. “It’s just that I’ve felt so guilty that you’ve suffered because of me. You went through a difficult pregnancy because of me, and then, you went through this terrible ordeal. You wouldn’t have suffered any of this without me.” He buried his lips in her hair. “I just don’t know if I’m good for you, and I don’t know if I can deal with—”

Harley pulled away from him and pushed him. Fury suddenly coursed through her veins like a river. “You don’t know if you’re good enough for me? You don’t know if you can live with that?” She laughed bitterly. “Why don’t you say what you’re really thinking? You married me because of the baby, and now, the baby doesn’t exist.” She turned from him, sobbing. Her heart was a broken levee.

“No, Harley, that’s not the truth, but when you were in that emergency room, all I could think of was that you would die, and it was my fault.” He strode over to her, almost took her in his arms, and stopped. “Judy and Vera said this was my fault.”

Harley rounded on him. Her heart pounded. She was so angry that her voice shook. When in hell were people going to stop living her life for her and making decisions for her? “They had no right—”

“They were right. I love you, but I’ve brought you nothing but grief.” He turned from her. His shoulders heaved.

Hot rage pulsed through Harley’s veins. “You’ve decided you’re no good for me. Why didn’t you discuss it with me, then? No, Abisi, you just don’t want me. You wanted the baby, not me.” She sensed the blood rushing to her face. Overwhelming loss weighed on her soul. She screamed at him, not even recognizing her own voice. “Get out, Abisi. Get the fuck out of this house and don’t come back.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.” He held out his hands to her impotently. Tears stained his face.

“
Get out
!” Harley watched him walk to the door without looking back. When the door slammed behind him, she collapsed onto the floor, clutching Nico.

Harley heard her mother’s voice.
You’re a fool. No one is perfect. You shouldn’t have made him go. Marriage is dealing with the lows as well as the highs, Princess.

“Okay, Eden, I know what you’re saying and thinking, but you can’t always be a doormat. I won’t be his obligation.” Harley rose unsteadily to her feet, traversing the hall to the bathroom. After retrieving tissue, she faced the locked door of her parent’s bedroom. She reached into her pocket for the key.

Harley stood in front of the sealed door and ran her fingers over the ancient key, the kind her grandma had used on every bedroom in her house. The faintest light emanated from under the door. Fury seized her. “Okay, Eden, tell me what you think. You never held your tongue before.”

Slowly and gently, Harley inserted the key in the lock and pushed open the door, only to be greeted by reminders of Kimberly’s destruction. A picture frame lay facedown on the floor. Harley recognized the frame as one that contained two 4x6 pictures. One side held a picture of her parents, taken during a night on the town. The other was a picture of Harley with John. They, too, were celebrating at a restaurant on the Lakefront. The glass protecting both pictures was crushed. Harley clasped the picture to her breast. A wave of sadness washed over her. “Jesus, Eden, what are you trying to say?”

The rapid beating of wings interrupted Harley’s reverie. She looked at the window and gasped. A white dove gazed at her from the window. The dove’s wings fluttered as it gazed at Harley. She heard the voice again.

I love you. You have to make this right. It’s up to you to make your own destiny. I can’t do it for you.

The voice faded. Harley roused herself as if from a trance and glanced quickly at the window. The white dove was gone. Hot tears coursed down Harley’s cheeks.

Donna stared at Judy and Vera, shaking her head. “I can’t believe you two said that to the man.”

“Said what?” Judy glared at her.

Donna, Mike, Vera, and Judy were sitting in Donna’s living room. Harley had declined their invitation for dinner. Donna took a sip of wine. “You told him he was responsible for what happened.”

Judy stared at her, unrepentant. “He is responsible.”

“It had to be said.” Vera sat bolt upright in her chair, her hands folded primly in her lap. “The man has caused Harley nothing but grief. She needs to just admit the marriage was a mistake. She was lonely and succumbed to his rather unctuous charms.”

Mike gave Vera a crooked smile. Donna shook her head. “Unbelievable. You are fucking unbelievable. He’s not responsible for what happened to Harley. That crazy bitch was, and so was that bitter, nasty Mary Ann. Now, Harley’s lonely again. She does nothing but mope around the house.”

“Harley almost died because of his whore. You mean to tell—” Judy took a deep sip of wine.

“Harley loves him, Judy. He loves her. Now, she’s kicked him out, and they’re both miserable. I hope you’re happy.” Donna moved into the kitchen and returned with a cheese tray. “You should both be pleased you screwed up Harley’s life.”

“I only want to protect her.” Vera shot a horrified glance at Donna. “She’s obviously not thinking clearly since she met him. The man had her blinded by sex, and she couldn’t see the trouble he was.”

Donna laughed dryly. “Funny, she seemed blissfully happy when she was blinded by sex. Maybe everyone should let Harley decide things for herself without throwing a hurdle in her way.” She shook her head. “I really can’t believe you two. Judy, you sit there so righteous because you do everything for a good cause. Vera, you just couldn’t stand to see Harley with anyone but John.”

Vera stood abruptly. Her wine glass crashed to the floor, smashing into tiny shards. Her voice cracked, and she bit her lip. “I’m not taking this. Harley’s not speaking to me, and now, people who I thought were her friends and mine are attacking me.”

Donna moved to Vera and placed a comforting arm around her. “Hey, it’s okay. I know these past years have been rough on you, but you were wrong to interfere.” She looked from Vera to Judy. “I really think this separation could kill Harley. Losing John almost did, and now, she’s lost another man she loved.” Donna took a deep breath. Her fingers tightened around Vera’s shoulders. Her next words felt like a betrayal of her oldest friend. “Harley thinks Eden’s communicating with her through birds. It’s as if she’s haunted by grief.”

Judy and Vera both stared. “What do you mean?”

Donna grimaced. She hated breaking her word, but they had to know how fragile Harley was. “Harley thinks Eden’s communicating with her. I hope she’s okay.”

“Oh, sweet God!” Vera’s hand flew to her throat. “When John died, Harley thought she saw him at every juncture.”

Judy stared, incredulous. “No, that can’t be true.”

“You are blind, Judy. Harley was having a breakdown. Abisi gave her some hope.” Donna laughed bitterly and turned from her.

“Well, now she won’t see me. What can I do?” Judy frowned and looked down. “Look, I promised Aunt Eden I’d take care of her. I really thought this guy was going to get her killed.”

“Well, she doesn’t eat. She doesn’t sleep, and all she does is cry.” Donna indicated a chair, and Vera sat, hunched over, her hands pressed between her legs. Donna took the paper towels Mike offered her and began cleaning the spilled wine. Vera was suddenly at her side, helping gather the glass. Donna turned a steely gaze on Judy. “Harley may die soon. Your Aunt Eden will be proud of you.”

“That’s not fair.” Judy stood over Donna.

“I’m not into fair. Harley’s my best friend.” Donna glared at Judy and rose to her full height. “Besides, you need to meet someone and let Harley live her life.”

“Mind your business.” Judy sighed. “She’s my baby cousin.”

Mike came between them. “Why don’t you two try to make this right and stop the bitching?”

“Dad, what did you expect? You made her think you only wanted her as a baby machine.” Abisi could hear the frustration in his daughter’s voice. “A woman wants to be desired for herself. She wants to feel that she is the most desirable thing in the world. You made Harley think she was your second choice.”

“Harley is the most desirable woman in the world, but I’ve brought her nothing but grief.” Abisi sighed heavily. “Judy and her mother-in-law were right.”

“I can’t believe you.”

Abisi moved the receiver from his ear as Jessica ranted on.

“You didn’t discuss your feelings with Harley until she felt utterly rejected. Dad, you made her feel like a child. It’s her right to make decisions for herself. She doesn’t want you listening to busybody relatives. How condescending could you be?”

Abisi hadn’t felt whole since he’d walked out of the house. He performed his duties at the hospital like a man in a daze, and images of Harley clouded his vision. He would be working on a patient, and a vision of Harley bathing Nico flashed before his eyes. He would be stuck in rush hour traffic, and the memory of Harley brushing her hair by the bathroom mirror invaded his consciousness. He would be buying coffee, and the scent of patchouli invaded his senses. “Jess, I don’t know what to do. I’m not sure I can carry on without her.”

Jessica was silent a long time. She sounded emphatic when she spoke. “Don’t do anything just yet.” She paused dramatically for a long time. Abisi could imagine her thinking. “When are you coming to town for the wedding?”

The abrupt change startled him. “I’m leaving on December 2nd. Is the wedding still on the 4
th
?”

“Yes, come with your tux and smile a lot. We have a rehearsal on the third.” Jessica abruptly rang off.

Abisi stared at the receiver.
What on earth was the girl doing?

Chapter 22

Jessica Sharif turned to her fiancé after she’d put the phone on the hook. “Men are idiots, Geoffrey.”

Geoffrey peered at her from the bathroom, toothbrush protruding from his mouth. “And? You tell me this all the time.”

“Present company is the exception.” She smiled at him in his briefs. “Sexy.”

Geoffrey grinned. “Are you really going to come between your dad and his wife?”

“Well, someone has to do it.” She crawled into bed and searched for her address book in an end table drawer. “My father is simply too Old World and too hung up about certain things.” She grew reflective. “My mum really hurt him.”

Geoffrey rinsed his mouth and crawled in bed beside her. “What are you going to do?”

Jessica thumbed through the address book and grinned like a conspirator. She put the telephone receiver to her ear and dialed a number. “Donna, it’s Jessica Sharif. Don’t hang up. I still want Harley to come to the wedding, and I want her to bring a friend. Will you call her first for me so she doesn’t hang up? I’ll call later and do the rest.”

Abisi’s flight had been a long one, and he was exhausted. When the plane touched down at Heathrow, Abisi sighed gratefully when he saw his future son-in-law waiting for him outside of customs. Geoffrey pumped his hand and led him to the car. “Jess is busy. She and the girls are helping her with the final fitting.”

“I understand.” Abisi liked Geoffrey’s ready smile and easy kindness. “I can take care of myself until the rehearsal.”

“Oh, no, she wanted you to see her in the dress.” Geoffrey laughed self-consciously. “I’m supposed to take you to the studio.”

Abisi stared at the busy London streets. He’d last been here with Harley. The lump in his throat grew, almost suffocating him. Geoffrey sped through the streets. They passed Trafalgar Square, and Abisi had to look away. He remembered Harley’s scent as he’d held her by the lions.

When they entered the studio, Jessica’s lovely boss greeted him with a handshake and a hug. She was lovely in her blond ponytail and jeans. “It’s really good to see you again, Dr. Sharif. Jessica’s in the back with the other ladies.” She turned to Geoffrey, admonishing him with mock severity. “This is as far as you go.”

She led Abisi through the bowels of her studio and pointed to a cluster of women. Apparently sensing his discomfort, the blue-eyed designer took his hand and led him to them. Abisi saw her before she even turned around. He recognized the light brown, almost auburn, hair.

Harley turned smiling when she heard them, but her smile slowly faded.

“Hello, my love.” Abisi stared at her, transfixed. She was wearing black jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt reading ‘Vive La Louisiane.’ His heart beat a rapid symphony. She was beautiful.

“Oh, hi.” Harley nodded to him. She looked decidedly uncomfortable, kissed Jessica, and waved to the other girls. “I’d better be going. Pete’s waiting.”

Abisi looked at his daughter. She was lovely. A white lace veil covered her face and a sleek silk dress clung to her body. Forcing his gaze from Harley, Abisi turned to his daughter and kissed her. “My darling, you’re my pride and joy. You look like an angel. You’re ravishing.”

“Yes, she is.” Harley obviously had regained her composure. Experiencing more than a tinge of resentment, Abisi wondered if she missed him at all. He also wondered if Pete was who he thought Pete was. A surge of jealousy as powerful as a bolt of electricity soared through his insides. Harley kissed Jessica and nodded to the designer. “I gave that book to your dad.”

“Oh, yeah, he already read it.” The woman giggled. “He’s going to bore you with questions about Grace O’Malley at the wedding.”

“Glad he liked it.” Harley waved to them all and barely gave him a backward glance.

When everyone else left, Abisi beamed at his daughter with pride and clasped her to him, trying to sound casual. “I didn’t know you’d invited Harley.”

“Why not?” Jessica gave a casual shrug. “I like Harley. She’s a friend.” She cast what looked like a curious glance in his direction.

Abisi wondered how long he could gaze at Harley at the rehearsal party and in church before his heart burst. His chest ached at the mere sight of her.

Abisi found the rehearsal and following dinner almost intolerable. The rehearsal itself wasn’t terrible. Harley wasn’t in evidence, but she drifted into The Piccadilly Italian Restaurant for the dinner with Pete Vaughn at her side. They chatted intimately during the whole meal, and Harley gave a brief but heartfelt toast to the couple. How in God’s name would he get through all of this? He’d known Pete Vaughn had designs on Harley, John’s best man or not. Harley had also revealed during one of their more intimate talks that she’d been very close with Pete once after John’s death. Every time the man placed a hand on Harley’s arm or her leg, Abisi winced and poured himself more wine. He tried to eat his food and not smash in the man’s smug face. How could he endure this torture?

Harley gazed at her husband as he walked his daughter up the aisle. He was handsome in that black tux. No man had a right to look like that. She wasn’t sure why she was here, except that she had felt a real connection with Jessica. Besides, the girl had called, imploring her to come and emphasizing that she should bring a friend. Jessica had sworn to Harley that her father did love her and that he was just an idiot and socially inept. Well, Harley had to agree that he was an idiot. How could he listen to Judy and not talk to her? Pete then called. When he heard Harley was headed to London, Pete volunteered to escort her around London. He argued she shouldn’t be by herself after so traumatic an illness. Of course, when she’d told Pete her sad tale and the behavior of her relatives, Pete stoutly defended Judy and Vera. They were only being good friends, especially Judy. Harley made a mental note to be sure Pete called Judy when they were back in the States. She still smarted at Judy’s interference, but her cousin needed someone. Maybe Pete was the one. The man was handsome and had a winning smile. Besides, Pete also needed someone, but it wasn’t Harley.

Harley noticed Abisi sitting with his former in-laws in the front pew of St. James Church. She wondered if he felt her gaze boring into the back of his head.
Idiot.
Sometimes, Harley thought Abisi was watching her, too, but whenever she glanced in his direction, he was looking at his daughter and her husband as they exchanged vows.

After the ceremony, the party made its way to the designer’s studio, now decorated in white ribbons, bells and bows. Harley noticed that many men glanced her way with obvious appreciation. She’d selected her dress carefully. The blue silk clung to her slender body, and she balanced gracefully on black sandals. The designer’s handsome father approached her and praised her book. He then led her onto the dance floor and monopolized her for three dances. In the first two dances, he danced around her like an older uncle, telling her jokes and stories with a combination of self-effacing humor and sophisticated charm. She’d giggled like a schoolgirl at his jokes, and Harley later was pleasantly surprised when he took her in his arms and led her in a rather sensuous dance across the floor. The blood rushed to her face when he made eye contact with her. In one quick moment, he ceased to be anyone’s uncle. At the end of the dance, Harley fully understood why he could still make women swoon. Pete then cut in, and they danced throughout the night. At one point, she saw Abisi watching her, and his gaze held both desire and hurt. Her heart contracted with a combination of pity and joy. He loved her. She saw it in his eyes, but she didn’t know how to make this right.

When she returned from the ladies room, Harley came face to face with her husband. His voice was hushed and deadly. “What in hell do you think you’re doing?”

Harley raised her eyebrows. Her heart pounded. He was so close to her that she could smell his cologne. She’d missed him so much that every muscle in her body ached. Harley wanted to touch him but backed away, making him think she was affronted. “I beg your pardon?”

“You’re still my wife, and you’re dancing like a tramp with other men.” His voice was hoarse. She could almost feel his smoldering anger. “At the very least, you look ridiculous dancing like that.”

“A tramp? You don’t know what trampy looks like. I haven’t started yet, and I don’t mind being ridiculous when a handsome man is at my side. I’m going to find Sir—” She started to walk away, but he clutched her arm. She raised her eyebrows and let her gaze fall on the arm he clasped. Her flesh was turning crimson.

Abisi dropped her arm. “Harley, I’m sorry. I’d never manhandled you or hurt you, but when I see you with another man, I can’t stand it.”

“Well, you left me. What right do you have to say with whom I dance?” Harley was partially enjoying his discomfort, but her blood was racing. The other part of her being wanted to melt into his arms.

“Left you?” His voice was controlled fury. He moved closer to her. “You threw me out of the house.”

“If you loved me, you would have stayed and fought.” Harley narrowed her eyes and thrust out her chin. Hurt was washing over her like waves on a beach. “How could you have listened to Judy and Vera? Why didn’t you talk to me?”

“It wasn’t only your friends. I thought the same thing.” His voice cracked, and she wanted to gather him in his arms. Instead, she just stared, not willing to let him know how much she loved him yet. He swallowed visibly. “I’d brought you a lot of grief.”

Anger bubbled in Harley’s chest. She jabbed a finger at him. “Who are you to decide what’s best for me? Don’t I have a say? I love you. I wanted you. No,
you
wanted out. Don’t try to hide it in some noble terms. You only married me because of the baby.”

“I’m sorry.” He swallowed and moved even closer to her. His breath feathered the light hair along her neck. “I’ve been a fool. I don’t want to see you in the arms of some other man. I’ve wanted to throttle every man who has looked at you. You look gorgeous standing there. I don’t want Pete Vaughn putting his paws on you.”

Harley’s skin turned to gooseflesh. She took his hand, and an electric jolt made her weak. She said softly. “You haven’t asked me to dance yet.”

Abisi clasped her to his chest. She sobbed against him, melting into him. He encircled her in his arms, tilted back her head, and planted a lingering kiss on her lips. “I love you, Harley. I don’t care if we never have children. I’ll never disrespect you again or treat you like you are anything less than my full partner.” His voice smoldered as he planted another lingering kiss on her lips.

Harley fought for breath under the sheer force of his passion. She swept her arms around his neck. “Don’t leave me tonight.”

“What about Pete?” He kissed her neck, her eyes, her cheeks, and then settled on her lips.

“Pete isn’t staying in my room, my darling. He’s only a friend.” Harley drew him even closer and let her own lips linger along his face. “I’m still very much a married woman.”

“Hey, mate, you’d better ask your wife to dance. You don’t want someone to spirit her off.” The designer’s father winked at Harley and then headed to the men’s room.

Harley and Abisi collapsed laughing in each other’s arms. He led her onto the dance floor. “Did my daughter plan all of this?”

Harley waved at Jessica when the bride whirled past them with her groom on the floor. “Yeah, she did, and I’m starting to think she had all of London in on it.”

Abisi gathered her close, and Harley felt the electric charge she had earlier. “None of those men danced with you like I will.”

Harley pressed her leg against him and let her lips caress his chin. “Are you ready for great make-up sex?”

“Yes, for the rest of our lives.” Abisi whirled her around in his arms.