[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.She almost wanted to cry again with relief.That evening she curled on Nana’s beanbag, half watching whatever appeared on the screen, dozing off periodically, relieved by Owen Michael's progress but increasingly disturbed by thoughts of the horrendous complications involved in the breakdown of her marriage.It would be bad enough going through a divorce if one didn't have children, but what the split would do to Owen Michael and Tamsin she dreaded to think.And for all that Babs and Big Mike had seemed very upset by Michael going on with the race regardless of Owen Michael's illness, she still doubted if they'd ever forgive her if she broke her word.The phone buzzed insistently, above the noise of a big shoot-out on TV.It was Richard."Mrs Donnelly?" he asked, formally."Oh, hi." Immediately her spirits lifted."Are you alone?""Yes.""Sweetheart! How have you been? I've been half out of my mind with worry.I know I'm chancing my arm, but I just had to call.How's the boy?"She told him about Owen Michael's recovery, and how she really had not felt up to doing anything over the weekend but visiting him.Deliberately she never mentioned a word about Michael, but when she had finished he said, "Hold on a minute.Where does your husband figure in all this? Don't tell me he's gone out and left you alone?""Gone out!" she exclaimed."Oh, he's gone out, all right.Right out into the Atlantic.I told you he was leaving on Friday."Richard paused, before slowly responding."Out into the Atlantic? You mean on his yacht? But couldn't you get a message to him through one of the port radio stations?""I got a message to him before he ever left Newport.""And he went anyhow?"The incredulous note in his voice made tears sting her eyes."Of course," she said huskily."He's racing, you see.Nothing else matters.""Not even his son's life? Didn't he know how serious the situation was?" he persisted."I told him.Before he left Newport."Richard heard the sob in her voice."Would you like me to come over?"To her apartment.Washington was off duty, but the other porter, Edwardes, would be there, and would record the visit, as he was required to do.But what did it matter?"Yes.Yes, please."At another time, in a different mood, she would have been aware that a decision had been taken, that from here on this was her man and she would belong to him, body and soul.Now she only knew she urgently needed all the love, sympathy and understanding he had to offer.She needed his strength and gentleness, and his love.The bedroom mirror reflected a drab, defeated creature – a refugee from a terrible disaster.And wasn't she just that? Hadn't the life she had been building, striving to achieve, for the past twelve years – ever since agreeing to marry Michael – just been swept out from under her feet? It was all gone – finished.And now?Jo stripped off her T-shirt and headed for the bathroom.A cold wash would help her to pull herself together.Then she could start picking up the pieces… and begin all over again.Water dripped from her chin over the vanity basin as she reached for a towel – and the lobby phone buzzed.She just had time to slip into a clean shirt and brush her hair before opening the door.It was almost like welcoming a true husband home from the office.She nestled gratefully into Richard's arms and allowed a glorious peace and comfort to envelop her.It was like arriving at safety after a tortuous and dangerous journey – finding the place where one belonged.In the lounge Richard sat on the settee and asked what she would drink.He explored the cocktail bar, filled two glasses, and returned to sit beside her, watched her sip her drink, saw the worry and pain which had lined her face in the few days since he had last seen her – and it hurt him.He longed to take her away from this magnificent apartment, full of hellish protection, blot out all her unhappy past – and his own.Then a thought occurred to him."What have you eaten today?""I had some soup, and an apple," she said guiltily, waiting for his reproach.It didn't come.Instead he got up and said, "Put on a lively tape while I fix some food," and she heard him opening and shutting doors as he searched through the kitchen.From the icebox and fridge he produced melon and prawn cocktail, and a huge Spanish omelet filled with chopped ham, sweet peppers, onions and herbs, together with a salad.An open bottle of Californian white filled two glasses each, enough to lift Jo's spirits, when Richard said, "Let's drink to Owen Michael, who has, I think, unwittingly provided the key to some big decisions.Thank God he's mending quickly.And now, a toast to us, and our future –together!"Jo gulped and choked."Together? Aren't you jumping the gun a bit?""Well, I hope not.It's what we both want, isn't it?"She gazed at him, and nodded, the background scherzo gradually absorbing the pace of her response."Great.Then that's settled.It's Jo and Richard – Richard and Jo from here on in.That's the important decision.The how, where and when are comparatively minor details, to be sorted out later, when your husband comes back from his race.""Yes, Richard," she agreed meekly, but a sparkle had crept back into her eyes, and her breathing had quickened as the joy and confidence of this man swept away the last lingering clouds of uncertainty.Because he would solve all the problems; she had to believe that."That was delicious.You're a marvelous cook." Jo sat back, smiling across the empty plates."Only with simple things.Nothing exotic.Now." He stood and collected the dishes."Yogurt, followed by coffee.""Great.Here, let me.""Sit down, woman.Your turn will come, but not today." But she did get up later to pour brandies to sip with their coffees.They changed tapes while clearing the kitchen together, stood watching rows of head and tail lights lining the streets below, in opposite directions, and when the current tape finished Jo looked at her watch and said, "Time for bed," gazing at him for a moment before adding, "Coming?"She instinctively led him to the spare bedroom, neither of them would be happy in Michael's bed.But this was the night for which she had been waiting, and longing, for more than a month."Do you know," Richard said, "how many times I have dreamed of just this moment?""This moment?" Jo asked, resting her head on his shoulder.They had climaxed virtually together, for the first time, and she was aware only of contentment."Yes.I'll tell you a secret: there have been dozens of women I have thought about, that I'd like to have in bed with me.But only one or two I've really wanted to spend the night with.""One or two," she remarked, jokingly."Only one, now." He looked down at her."Will you marry me?""Oh, God, if I can, Richard.If I can.If.""I know." He held her close, and then suddenly the tenderness was replaced by tension."What's the matter?" She raised her head."It's just past midnight.There's a system I should get an update on."Oh, God, she thought; not a workaholic."I thought you were off for the evening.""I am.But I told Julian, that's my assistant, that I'd keep in touch before going to bed.I mean, to sleep," he grinned."It's that big thing just west of the Cape Verdes.You remember.""I remember," she said."What's it doing now?""Moving west.Slowly.But it was showing signs of tightening.I know Mark was worried about it when last he called.He was out there today again, and promised to let me have an update.""So you want to go off and look at a map
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]