Hannah's Blessing (39 page)

Chapter 22

“I would never have known it if I didn’t see it with my own eyes,” Brad mused, placing his hands on Diana’s shoulders.

Diana sniffled and again wiped at her face. “What are you talking about?”

“Bryce’s father.”

Immediately Diana stiffened, and she pulled away to glare at Brad. “Bryce is
my
son.”

“Ah, but he wasn’t conceived via the Immaculate Conception,” Brad said lightly, pulling Diana against his chest.

She immediately resumed her crying. Through her sobs she managed to pinch Brad’s arm. “Don’t be so crude.”

Brad chuckled and held her gently. “I’m not being crude… I’m being honest.”

“Where’s Hannah?”

“She’s in the car with the air conditioning on, I promise. I just dropped by to bum some cash off you. I told Hannah I’d take her to the zoo before the Art Walk gets started tonight. Is that okay with you?”

“Yes,” she said quickly. “That would be good. I don’t want her to see me like this.”

“Is he giving you trouble?”

“Of course not. He would never…”

“Where’s Bryce?”

“Asleep in the back.”

Brad released his grip on her and watched as she patted the tears away. “Did he see him already?”

“No, he didn’t seem to know. I guess Thomas hasn’t told him yet.”

“So he searched you out on his own?”

“I guess.”

“He looked as upset as you, Di. Maybe there’s a chance.”

“God, I was so stupid!” Diana smiled bitterly. “He wanted to marry
me
.
Me
, Brad! Not that lying bimbo. But I ran away before he could even ask me… and I don’t think the offer still stands.”

“Wow, Di. You really lost a good catch.”

“Stop teasing,” she said, a small laugh escaping her. “Jimmy already gave him the once over.”

“That slut.”

Diana giggled through her misery. The relationship that Jimmy and Brad shared was playful and teasing. They bickered all day long, and Diana’s head spun as she watched their arguments. Yet as volatile as their relationship was, she sensed they shared a bond that went way beyond her comprehension.

Face serious again, Brad met Diana’s gaze and held it. “Are you going to be okay here?”

“Yes,” she said with a sigh. “I’ve got to get myself together. He just took me by complete surprise. I never saw him coming.”

“How did he find you?”

“The painting.”

“You mean?”

“Yes. He’s the one who bought it.”

“You see? I said you were my good luck charm. And see, I was right!”

“I’m a mere woman whose heart is so confused right now that I can’t think straight.” She lifted her hands to her head and massaged her temples. “Go away, Brad. Leave me in peace. I need to think.”

“Fine. I’ll meet you and Bryce here at five o’clock sharp.”

Diana nodded her head and waved him on. She knew Brad was just trying to help, but she needed to be alone. Her mind was spinning. Never had she considered that Devlan had planned to marry her. What a fool she had been for running off like she had. She should have found the strength to stay and confront him like she had planned. Instead she had done what she always did – run away.

Sighing deeply, Diana stopped the inner accusations by placing her hand over her eyes. It was plain that she had allowed her fear to override her common sense, and what she had done was done. She and Devlan could not turn back the clock and go back to those few days of panic. The best she could do was move on with her life and continue trying to heal her heart. It sounded so easy, but the truth of the matter was that she would never forgive herself for being so irrational.

~

“Jimmy, we’ll be back in a little while.”

“Okay!”

Diana watched as Brad pushed Bryce’s stroller ahead down the crowded sidewalk. She walked a little more slowly, her grip on Hannah’s small hand tight.

“Stay with me,” she advised.

“I want to go with Brad, Mommy. He walks faster.”

Sighing heavily, Diana nodded. “Fine. Go catch up with him.”

She watched as Hannah skipped off, once again sending a prayer of thanks that her daughter was completely healed. But no sooner had they slipped out of sight than she felt a presence very close to her. She placed the Kachina doll she was examining down and turned around to see Devlan once more standing close behind her. Her sharp inhale was cut short as a large crowd of people bore down on them. Diana was pressed against the table where the dolls were housed by Devlan’s large body, and her eyes widened even further. Fortunately Devlan looked as taken aback as she, and as uncomfortable.

“Good lord, man. Must you keep sneaking up on me?” She snapped, relieved that the others had long gone on ahead.

“I’m sorry.”

“Are you following me?”

He had the good grace to look uncomfortable, though he shook his head adamantly. “No. I was told about the Art Walk before I saw you. In fact, I was planning to find you here tonight, but as luck would have it...”

“As luck would have it?” she repeated. Her heart was thrumming at a bird’s rate, yet she struggled to remain calm. He did not appear to have any inkling about Bryce, and she still had no idea how to approach the topic.

“Well, you know what I mean.”

“When are you leaving?”

Devlan chuckled, though his face appeared strained. “Not soon enough for you?”

“No, no,” she said hastily. “It’s just that I’m trying to arrange a time for Hannah to see you.”

“Why not now? She’s here, isn’t she?”

“Actually, she’s with some friends.”

“I see. How about tomorrow? When does she finish school?”

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Brad returning with Hannah and Bryce. Her baby was howling at the top of his lungs, but when Brad saw her with Devlan, he quickly turned them around.

In her desperation, she grasped Devlan’s lightweight suit jacket. “Tomorrow’s fine. Come around three or so?”

“Three. Fine.”

Diana smiled evasively. “I’ve got to run. I’ll see you later.”

Though he appeared confused at her sudden change of heart, Devlan nodded again. He opened his mouth to say something else, but Diana quickly slipped into the crowds. She headed straight for the cries of the baby, leaving Devlan to remain where she left him, a frown marring his handsome face.

Little Bryce had worked himself into a full frenzy when she at last met the frazzled trio. She managed a small laugh at Brad, who was gently bouncing the baby over his shoulder.

“He’s hungry,” she explained.

Brad rolled his eyes. “I can’t help him there.”

“Give him to me.” She took the hungry baby and immediately he stopped fussing. He sucked furiously on his fist and continued whimpering in discomfort. “Can you drive us home? I’ll take care of him there.”

Brad nodded, but he had a worried look in his eye. “He followed you here?”

“No. He said he wanted to see the sights. I’m pretty sure I lost him in the crowd.”

“Diana, when is this guy leaving? Things could turn very ugly if he finds out by accident. He’s going to think you’re keeping his son from him.”

“I know,” she moaned. “I made plans for him to meet with Hannah tomorrow. I’ll figure this out by then.”

She grimaced as she spoke, and Brad eyed her speculatively. “You don’t want him to go, do you?”

She shook her head, but Brad pressed on.

“You don’t. Somewhere in the back of your mind, you want to tell him how much you love him, don’t you?”

She shook her blond head. “You don’t understand… you don’t know.”

“Know what?”

“He’s so powerful and can have anything he wants. It’s a whole different lifestyle. I’m happy here, with you and Jimmy.”

“Because you think I’m safe. Hell, you think it makes you safe, but you can’t hide forever. Sooner or later you have to take a chance.”

“That’s not fair.”

He was unapologetic. “But it’s the truth.”

“Just bring me home,” she said. “My head hurts from all of this.”

She really did not want to think about things so far in the future. Besides, from the way he had sounded that afternoon, he had no intentions of seeking her out after they said their farewells. She heard from his own lips that he had just come to see that she was all right.

Oh, how it hurt to admit how badly she had botched such a good thing. She had set her guard so high that she had run at the first sign of trouble. Despite her vows of protecting her heart, she had broken it herself – and his. It had been hard enough to move on with her life, let alone now seeing him again after all this time. Knowing she had hurt him too just seemed to make things so much harder.

No matter how much she wished for it, she knew their time together was over. They had shared some beautiful moments, and he had truly given her the most precious gift of life and love. But she had been foolish, and she had trampled on that gift.

“We’re home!” Hannah hollered.

Diana returned to the present and smiled at her daughter. She would need to explain to her about Devlan’s return to the scene. The very idea saddened her. Once more she was teasing her firstborn with Devlan’s companionship when she knew it would only be fleeting, but how could she say no?

“I’m going to go work out. I’ll bring Hannah with me, so you’ll have time to think and relax with Bryce.”

Diana smiled her thanks to Brad and concentrated on getting Bryce in the house and fed. She retired to the rocking chair in her and Hannah’s room and tried her best to soothe the fussing baby. Outside her room she heard Hannah’s chatter and smiled. How she loved her two children. She had truly been blessed.

Bryce’s avid sucking had quieted down to an occasional one as he fell asleep. She gently shifted him to her shoulder and began to pat his back. The overtired infant continued sleeping, even when three burps erupted from deep within his small belly.

She carefully placed him in his small cradle and smoothed back the dark hair. What a joy her son was becoming. Just a few days before he had bestowed upon her a gas-induced toothless smile which was so like his father’s that her heart truly melted. She had to tell Devlan. He had to see his son. Hopefully they could be strong and provide him with the best upbringing possible.

She covered the sleeping baby and exited the room, closing the door softly behind her. Then she strolled down the hall to the kitchen, only to find Hannah and Brad munching on tortilla chips.

“Aren’t you going to work out?” she asked pointedly. She picked up their empty glasses and washed them, then began working on the rest of the dirty dishes in the sink.

Flashing her a wry grin, Brad pushed aside the bag of chips. “You’re right. We’re going. Come on kid, I’ll take you to the workout room and you can help me lift weights.”

“Promise?” Hannah asked, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

Brad shrugged and tossed a towel around his neck. “Only if you’re nice. Come on, I’ll race you.”

He allowed Hannah to beat him to the door, and her nimble little fingers hurriedly unbolted it and pulled it open. Much to their surprise, she revealed Devlan standing there with his hand poised to knock.

“Uncle Devvie!” Hannah screamed.

Brad’s eyes widened in surprise, and he glanced over his shoulder at Diana. “You’ve got company.”

Too stunned to move, Diana watched as Hannah threw herself at Devlan with a squeal of joy. “Oh Uncle Devvie, we’ve missed you so much!”

Devlan laughed and swung her into his arms. He spun her around and around until she laughingly begged him to stop. With a squeeze and a chuckle he set her down on her feet and squatted to her height.

“Let me get a look at you,” he said, holding her at arm’s length.

“I’ve grown,” she stated.

“I see.” He nodded his head. “Yes, you have. And you’ve gotten even prettier.”

“I have a loose tooth,” she announced. He watched proudly as she opened her mouth and began to wiggle her tooth.

“It’s going to come out soon,” he said.

Diana approached, drying her hands on a dishtowel. Devlan’s gaze met hers, and he regained his full height. He astutely took in Brad’s change of dress and impending departure.

“Good evening, Diana. Are you on your way out?”

Diana opened her mouth to answer, but Brad beat her to the chase. “No, Hannah and I are.”

Brad stepped aside so Devlan could enter, and Diana watched as her former lover took in Brad’s painting supplies and canvases scattered in the living room. Sensing the direction of his thoughts, she stepped forward and came to stand between the two men.

“Devlan, may I introduce Brad Vember. Brad, this is Devlan Doyle.”

The two men eyed each other with newfound interest. She saw how Brad’s eyes widened in recognition. Not surprisingly, he had heard of Devlan before, and Devlan was meeting the artist who had painted her as a water sprite.