Tony lowered his lips to the top of her head, “I guess we need to trust one another.”
“Can we do that?” Claire asked.
“I don’t know.” He answered, as he took her hand and helped her back to the car.
On the ride home Tony asked questions and Claire answered. No one else knows about the pregnancy. She wanted to see him and decide what she’d do. However, from the moment she saw the ultrasound, Claire knew, not having this baby was not an option. She told him about the sickness, what she’d thought was food poisoning and the bacon. He asked when she knew. It was Sunday, less than a week ago. She did a home pregnancy test. Wednesday she saw the doctor and Thursday she flew here.
At the bottom of the stairs, Claire said good night to Tony.
Before releasing her hand, Tony said, “I would like to join you, just to talk.”
“Not tonight. I’ve got a lot to think about.”
He didn’t argue.
When she reached her suite, she closed the door and collapsed on the soft sofa. The vibration in her purse caught her attention, three missed calls from Harry. If it were one, she could wait until morning, but three needed attention. There were no voice mails, but she did have a text message, simply saying: CALL AS SOON AS YOU CAN.
Harry answered on the first ring. “Claire?”
“Yes, what’s the matter?”
“Amber’s condo was broken into tonight.”
Claire’s heart stopped, “Is she all right?”
“Yes, she was out with Keaton.”
“How did it happen? I thought security had been tightened?”
“It has. Now it’s been stepped up another notch.”
“Did they catch the person?”
“No, whoever it was got away. Security noticed the breach. Do you think Mr. Rawlings is responsible for this, too?”
Claire sat straighter, indignantly she replied, “No.” Her mind whirled; he wouldn’t do that, would he? “Besides, he’s here.” She hastily added, “In Iowa, not here in this room.”
“Well, the thing is – whoever it was tore your room apart. Drawers dumped, closet torn apart. We won’t know until you come home and do inventory, but so far we’ve determined the only thing missing is your laptop. Or do you have it?”
As the blood left her face, she felt violated, “No, I have my tablet, but my laptop should be on the desk.” Her once strong voice quivered, “They only disturbed my room?”
“Yes.”
Love comes when manipulation stops; when you think more
about the other person than about his or her reactions to you.
When you dare to reveal yourself fully. When you dare to be vulnerable.
- Dr. Joyce Brothers
Chapter 47
Reality began to focus as Claire’s blissful dreams gave way to the intermittent beeping of her iPhone. She tried to push the sound of her unanswered text messages away and stay in her warm safe cocoon. Undaunted, the beeping continued. Blindly, Claire reached next to her on the large ornately carved four poster bed, for her iPhone. It was where she’d left it, after falling asleep talking to Amber until very late, Iowa time. Claire concentrated on the time: 7:35.
She assessed her body. How did she feel about waking this early? After a few moments she determined neither her body nor her baby were protesting. Claire focused, reading the text messages. The first from Amber: IM GLAD WE TALKED. SEE YOU SUNDAY. The next from Tony: IF YOU ARE FEELING UP TO BREAKFAST, MEET ME ON THE PATIO AT 8. Claire wondered if that was an invitation or a mandate. Either way, her presence was requested in less than a half an hour.
Making her way to the bathroom and washing her face, Claire decided, If Tony wants to see me this early, this is what he gets. She wrapped herself in the pink robe and made her way to the patio. The morning summer sun rose in the southeast, beginning its ascent considerably earlier than Claire. Therefore, by the time she arrived to the patio, it was making its way over the trees and illuminating the brick terrace with its morning brilliance. As soon as Tony saw Claire through the French doors, he moved his coffee cup away and stood.
“Good morning, I wasn’t sure you would wake for my text.”
“Good morning,” she smiled, “I did.” She sat, at the seat complete with a place setting, obviously for her. Immediately, Cindy was beside her.
“Ms. Claire, would you like some coffee or some tea?”
“Tea, thank you, Cindy.”
Cindy scurried away toward the kitchen, leaving Tony and Claire alone in the warming fresh country air.
“How are you feeling this morning?” he asked with concern evident in his tone.
“I’m feeling well, which is surprising, thinking how early this is in California.”
Tony smirked, “I think you’re getting used to being in Iowa. It probably isn’t a great idea to keep changing time zones; maybe you should stay here.”
Claire smiled half-heartedly. “I don’t think that would resolve any of my current issues.”
“Oh, but you’re mistaken. It would be ever so helpful.” Tony reached for the bowl of fresh fruit. “Would you like some fruit?”
After Claire spooned some fresh melon and grapes into her bowl, she asked, “Why did you summon me here so early?”
He reached for her hand, “Claire, why do you think everything has double meaning?”
She swallowed a mouthful of juicy fruit and replied, “Because, I know you.”
Tony laughed, “Better than most.”
“What’s your plan?”
“I wanted to discuss the day. I plan to work from home this morning and was hoping we could spend time together before the wedding.”
“I told Sue I might be available to meet her and Sean this morning in Iowa City. I think I’d like that.”
Tony sat back and contemplated. Finally he said, “Eric can drive you.”
She tried her best to keep her defenses at bay, “I was thinking -- perhaps you have a car that isn’t worth half a million, that you’d let me borrow for a quick drive into town?”
Claire watched Tony’s mental and physical wheels turn. She knew she’d sent his controlling impulses into overdrive. The muscles in his neck intermittently protruded as his jaw clenched and unclenched. She drank some orange juice and enjoyed the show.
Finally he asked with a smirk, “Are you enjoying yourself?”
Claire grinned, “Immensely, thanks for asking.”
Clouds darkened his expression, “The last time you drove away...”
“This time I am talking to you about it,” she interrupted. “I want to meet Sue for coffee. I will return, and you and I will go to the wedding - together.”
“I thought coffee made you ill?”
Claire smirked, “Coffee is an aphorism for getting together. I can guarantee I will not be having coffee.”
“Getting together? About what?”
Claire sat straighter. “This is what I don’t want.”
“Concern Claire -- that is what I have. After all, someone broke into your condominium last night. Don’t you think you should be concerned?”