“The live-ins are upstairs on the top floor,” Carmen explained. “The cook, maid and probably the nurse when he arrives.”
“Nurse?” she repeated.
“Mr. Cahill hired a round-the-clock nurse.”
“For me?”
Carmen winced and rolled her dark, expressive eyes. “Maybe I wasn't supposed to say anything.”
“No, it's fine. I would have found out sooner or later.” They walked to the elevator. “You said âhe.' ”
Carmen held up a hand and stepped inside the elevator. “I thought Mr. Cahill said the nurse was a man. Tom something or other, I think, but don't quote me.”
“I won't,” Marla promised, and as the car ground down to the second floor, she felt, for the first time, that she'd actually bonded with someone in this towering, beautiful, cold house that was her home.
They walked along a wide corridor that Marla assumed was the heart of the house. It was dark except for a few lamps that burned on tables. Soft music flowed from hidden speakers, and paintings that she suspected were originals decorated the walls. Floral print runners covered the hardwood floor and branched into several rooms.
She followed Carmen into what appeared to be the living room with intimate clusters of chairs and couches, potted philodendron and ferns nestled between small tables and a massive stone and brick fireplace that rose to a tooled copper ceiling that reflected the lamplight with a warm, mellow glow.
Through sliding doors, Carmen showed her a music room. Antique instruments adorned the walls and a concert grand piano gleamed in a corner surrounded by windows overlooking the city.
Another door led to the library, complete with glass-enclosed shelves that climbed to the ceiling. A wooden ladder attached to the bookcase rolled on casters from one end of the collection to the other. A globe was nestled in a corner near the fronds of a potted fern, and an aquarium, complete with neon-colored tropical fish, gurgled near the bay window. Marla doubted she'd ever withdrawn one of the leather-bound volumes, never stood at these windows, never curled up on one of the soft-looking pillows on the love seats . . . but then how would she know?
“Here are the photo albums,” Carmen said, pointing to a shelf in a corner. Marla picked up the first volume, opened it and stared at her wedding day fifteen years ago. She and Alex, younger looking, he in a black tuxedo, she dressed in a white lace dress with a train that went on for miles. Other pictures of the church, the wedding party, the cake and reception.
An entire family assembled, with the exception of Nick. He wasn't in a single shot. But then he'd claimed to be the “outlaw” and she suspected that translated into black sheep as well. Rogue. Outcast. A man who kept his own set of rules which, she imagined, were often at odds with those of his brother and mother. No wonder she found him fascinating at a very basic and dangerous level.
Cloistering those particular thoughts, she studied one of the family assembled at the wedding reception. Eugenia, dressed in indigo, her chin thrust forward in pride, stood near a tall, gray-haired, distinguished-looking man who seemed bored by the festivities. Samuel Cahill, Marla knew instinctively. Along with Alex and Marla, there was another older couple as well. No doubt her parents. Marla's throat closed as she stared at the couple. The woman was reed-slender, with a pointed chin and haughty expression. Short dark hair, piercing eyes and a beaded dress of pale pink showed off her slim figure. The man at her side was tall and rangy, a John Wayne type who looked out of place in his expensive suit. His smile, if you could call it that, was forced, as if he were always impatient.
Hardly the warm family she was looking for, Marla thought with more than a shred of disappointment. Worse yet, she didn't recognize her own parents. The woman especially. There was nothing about her that touched her memory, and the man . . . no . . . she felt a flicker of something stir deep inside her, but she wasn't certain and she didn't like the feeling. It wasn't warm or familiar, no . . . it was more like hatred . . . a deep-seated loathing.
“No,” she whispered, feeling sick inside.
“Mrs. Cahill?” Carmen's voice jarred her out of her reverie. “Is something wrong?” she asked, and Marla, embarrassed, snapped herself back to the present. The look on her face must have mirrored her thoughts because Carmen's smile fell away. “I . . . I'm sorry. This is probably too much for you. I shouldn't haveâ”
“No, no, I'm fine . . . just a little disoriented and please, enough with the Mrs. Cahill, call me Marla.”
“If you say so,” Carmen said as Marla snapped the wedding album shut and replaced it.
“I say so, and just remember, I
need
to know. Everything.”
“Of course.”
At the far end of the library there was a sizable nook surrounding a wet bar and the scents of brandy and cigar smoke lingered in the air. They crossed the hall to another door. It had been left ajar and with one glance inside, Marla guessed the room belonged to Eugenia. Her mother-in-law's perfume lingered in the air. A carved wood bed dominated one wall near a private bath. French doors with sheer curtains opened to a private balcony. In the far corner an antique secretary and love seat crowded around a small fireplace decorated with hand-painted tiles.
“They're waiting for you in here,” Carmen explained, touching Marla on an elbow and shepherding her into a long room with a television, two couches and a recliner. The baby was propped on Eugenia's lap, his wide eyes focused on everything and nothing. Marla smiled at the sight of his fuzzy head.
“Good Lord, what did you do to your hair?” Eugenia asked, eyes wide and mouth open like a dying, gasping fish.
“Gave it a trim.”
“I'll say . . . well . . . don't worry about it.”
“I'm not.”
“I'll call my hairdresser. I'm sure she wouldn't mind stopping by and”âshe fluttered her fingers anxiously in the air near her own headâ“well, evening it up a bit.” Then, recovering slightly, she leaned down and stage-whispered to James. “Look who finally woke up.”
“What time is it?” Marla crossed the room, took a seat next to her mother-in-law and reached for the baby.
“After four, dear. You practically slept around the clock. How're you feeling?”
“Groggy,” she admitted as she chucked her son under his little chin and wrinkled her nose at him. The scents of baby powder and oil tingled in her nose. “How's Mama's big boy, hmm?” she asked, her voice automatically rising an octave as she spoke to the little cherub.
“Cranky, is what he's been,” Fiona supplied, as she walked into the room. “And he needs feedin' and changin'.”
“I'll do it.”
“Butâ” Fiona began to protest.
“Trust me, I need the practice.”
“He
wasn't
cranky or irritable. His tummy was upset,” Eugenia corrected.
Carmen, still hovering near the door, said, “Mrs. Cahill says she'll take dinner with the family.”
“Really?” One gray eyebrow shot up over the rim of Eugenia's glasses. “Are you certain you're up to it? Dr. Robertson wanted you to get as much rest as possible.”
“I'll be fine . . . as long as whatever's served is blended.”
“Steak Diane, I believe, is on the menu, but we'll make an exception for you.” She chuckled to herself.
Marla's stomach growled at the thought of real food, and she wondered as she changed the baby on a nearby table, then wrested James's bottle from a reluctant Fiona. She had the nagging feeling that something was wrong in the family.
Eugenia, seated on the couch, her high heels propped nearby, a tapestried bag of knitting needles and yarn at her feet, looked every bit the doting grandmother. Baby toys were scattered over a blanket spread upon the floor and Fiona, though seemingly not the sweetest person in the world, seemed completely relaxed and competent. Everyone had treated her well, yet she harbored some suspicions about them all.
She felt that everyone was hiding something from her; something vital.
She forced that ugly thought aside while feeding the baby, her heart opening to the little imp who seemed to be accepting her . . . if just a little. Coco, the scruff of a dog, lying on a pillow near Eugenia's knitting bag, was another matter and regarded Marla as if she were Mata Hari. Dark eyes followed her every move and despite repeated warnings from Eugenia, the dog growled deep in its throat.
“Where's Cissy?” Marla asked, ignoring the animal.
“She went shopping with friends after school, and, of course”âshe glanced at the slim gold watch strapped on her wristâ“Alexander isn't home from the office yet.”
What about Nick?
Marla wondered, but didn't ask, and winced as she rubbed her jaw.
“You're getting those wires out in a couple of days,” Eugenia said, her eyes fastened on her knitting.
“It can't be soon enough.”
“I imagine. You have an appointment to see the doctor who did the surgery and the plastic surgeon later in the week. If he takes them off, you can have your teeth checked, but it looks as if there isn't work to be done.”
“Thank God for small favors.”
“You'll be just like new,” Eugenia predicted.
Marla hardly felt new. More like rebuilt, similar to a wrecked car that had nearly been totaled, but somehow salvaged. She held her tongue and tried to shake off any lingering feelings that she was being manipulated. By whom? And why? She had no answers and to take her mind off the wearing questions, she played with her son.
The baby started to cry and Fiona was up like a shot, removed him from Marla's arms, and announced she'd put him down for a nap. She was out of the room before Marla could protest.
The phone jangled and within seconds Carmen, carrying a portable receiver, bustled into the room. “It's for you,” she said to Marla. “Mrs. Lindquist.”
“You don't have to take the callâ” Eugenia said, but Marla snatched the receiver from Carmen's outstretched hand.
“Hello?” she said around the stupid wires holding her teeth together.
“Marla! You
are
home!” an enthusiastic female voice nearly yelled over the background noise of voices. “You must've been going out of your mind in the hospital. How
are
you?”
“Still kicking.”
“What?”
“I said, I'm all right,” she qualified.
“Sorry, I'm at the club and it's kind of noisy here and your voice sounds funny. The wires, right? Anyway, I just thought I'd take a chance at catching you at home. When can I come see you?”
“Anytime,” Marla said and saw the corners of Eugenia's mouth turn down in disapproval as she reached for her knitting needles and a skein of coral yarn.
“You can have visitors?”
“Of course.” Why wouldn't she be able to see her friends? Her mother-in-law's lips moved as she counted stitches, then the needles started softly clicking.
“Well, I thought so, but Alex was very firm that no one was to visit the hospital. I tried, but ran into a security guard of a nurse who looked like she should have been a contestant in the World Wrestling Association or whatever it's called now. Anyway, she wouldn't let me pass.”
“Is that so?” Marla slid her glance to the side where Eugenia was knitting as if for her very life. “Probably because of the coma.”
“I imagine.”
“But I'd love to see you now,” Marla said, though she couldn't remember Joanna's face for the life of her. From the corner of her eye Marla noticed Eugenia's jaw clench. The older woman slowly shook her head in objection. Marla ignored her mother-in-law. “How about this evening? Drinks?”
Eugenia's head snapped up, lines of worry stretching around her eyes.
“Sure. Yeah. I won't be able to stay long, but I could drop by when I'm finished with my next set. Say in about . . . An hour and a half?”
“Perfect. See you then.” She said good-bye and hung up before her mother-in-law could voice the objections that were so evident in her eyes. Eugenia muttered something under her breath, then began ripping out her last row of her knitting, as if Marla's wayward conversation had caused her to miss a stitch.
“This isn't a good idea,” Eugenia finally said, taking up her needles again.
“Why not?”
“You're in no condition to entertain. And you can't drink anything with the medication you're on . . .” Eugenia was knitting furiously, metal needles clicking to beat the band.
“Not even one glass of wine?”
“Absolutely not.”
“I need to see my friends . . . and by the way, do you have any idea where my purse is? The one that I had when I was in the accident?”