“I can’t go in there.”
“No, but you can leave a nice note. There are cards in the gift shop where you bought the flowers.”
“You’re a good fill-in dad, Joe.” Darius clapped the man on the back and hurried to the shop.
20
“Looks like someone left you some flowers,” the nurse said as she entered Eve’s room carrying a vase with bright autumn blossoms. The woman set them on the bedside tray before checking on the vitals.
“I wonder who did that.” Her mother picked up the card and examined it. “It only has your name on it, Evelynn.”
“It doesn’t say who it’s from?” Eve’s stomach knotted. She vaguely remembered lying on the couch in her grandfather’s house, writhing with pain, Darius at her side. His whispers that she’d be all right, that she had to stay because he needed her, had given her strength. Eve’s eyes burned at the memory, and she had to wipe them.
“Are you all right, baby?” Her mother had put down the card and was touching Eve’s forehead.
“What’s the matter,” her father asked, stepping out of the bathroom.
“I’m just really emotional right now. It’s a side effect of having a heart attack.” Eve waved them back, still not able to get her head around the idea. Was she permanently damaged?
“Heightened emotions can be a side effect, yes.” Her mother watched her though, her expression doubtful.
“I’m going to try to rest while you two get some dinner.” Eve made a big show of yawning when what she really wanted was to open that card and see if it was from Darius.
“I’m not sure—” her mother began.
“I don’t need a babysitter,” Eve cried, then snapped her mouth shut. “Sorry. See, I’m tired.”
“You get some rest.” Her father kissed her cheek and pulled his wife from the room.
Eve closed her eyes and pretended to sleep for a couple of minutes until she was sure her parents were gone. Then she picked up the card and brought it to her nose. It carried the slight fragrance of Darius’s aftershave. Was she just imagining it because that’s what she wanted to smell? She removed the generic get well card from the envelope and opened it.
Eve,
The last couple of days have been the worst in my life. And that’s saying a lot—for both of us. I almost lost you.
The ink was smudged there. Could it possibly be from tears? Her throat tightened, and she had to blink a few times before she could read anymore.
Before dinner the other night, you asked me a question. The answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no, but I wasn’t free to give you specifics. I’m still not. Yet. Please understand there’s more to that story, but it’s not only mine to tell. I can’t say more without breaking a promise I made. In spite of how things look, I’m a man of my word.
I’m flying back to the States to get permission to tell you what really happened. I understand you’ll need to rest for a few days before traveling, and I’m guessing you’ll recuperate at your grandfather’s. I’ll meet you there. Soon.
I love you.
Darius
Eve went all emotional again and started blubbering. She wanted to believe his words. But she’d wanted to believe another man’s words too, and he’d broken her heart. Broken her heart. Sniffing, she gave a dark chuckle and rubbed her chest.
Did she dare believe Darius’s claim that there was more to him walking out on his fiancée than the public knew? Why would he make a promise to be silent if he wasn’t really the guilty one?
Eve’s mind raced with possible scenarios, but she tried to push the thoughts back. She didn’t think she was in a good place to be making important decisions. She read the card again before putting it back in the envelope. While she didn’t think her mother would read the note, Eve didn’t want to risk it being too much of a temptation. She hid it under her pillow. The crying had made her drowsy, and she didn’t fight the sleep which overcame her.
* * *
Darius satin a rental car outside the senator’s house. What kind of security would the man have? Was it only for him or did it include his wife and family? Bill had done a little checking, and Melanie had two young children now. The Virginia neighborhood was affluent and looked similar to the one in Boston where she’d grown up.
Glancing at Joe, Darius wished he could have left him with Eve in Scotland. Her father had insisted that he’d watch over her.
Darius didn’t know if he should go to the door. What if she recognized him and refused to answer? She still hadn’t returned any of his phone calls. How could he force her to meet with him? He could threaten to come out with the truth, but he’d been silent for eight years. What was the price for his word, even given under emotional duress? He could just tell Eve, but why would she believe him?
