Hollywood Ever After (30 page)

“I don’t know. It might make more sense to move sooner rather than later, finish the year out home school style. I am a retired teacher, after all.” Mom looked at me with questioning eyes. I felt close to tears. “I
hate
dumping this on you, both of you.”

“Sweetie, we love you. You’re not
making
us do anything.” She squeezed my hand and smiled tightly at Josh.

“We don’t have a place to go yet, Mom—” I stopped as Josh held up his hand.

His warm hazel eyes held a hint of determination as he spoke. It was obvious he’d given this some thought. “Claire, Shannon’s house is empty. You know she’ll let you use it. She’ll
want
you to use it. For the time being, I think you need to accept her offer. Please.”

My mother nodded. “Hon, I think we need to consider all of our options right now. Texas isn’t one of them.” She paused.

“Mom.” Natalie caught my attention. “How long are we in New York?”

I smiled brightly at her. “We’re heading out tomorrow.”

“Are we going to get to see any shows?” she asked.

“Maybe you and Grams could see one. Are you up for it, Mom?” I shrugged. “I could use a night with my boy. My Guitar Hero is getting rusty.” And I was completely exhausted.

Nat rolled her eyes at me. “Can we see ‘Wicked’, Grams?”

My phone began vibrating as they began to discuss possible shows to see. I felt myself tense. Josh reacted instantly, turning a concerned eye on me. Regina Hammell’s number lit up the LCD display screen and I smiled, flipping it open and speaking clearly. “Hi, Regina.” I was aware of Josh’s gaze on me the entire time. I squeezed his hand and stood, closing myself in the bathroom. I was pretty sure I wasn’t supposed to use my cell phone on the plane, but this call was too important to wait.

“Claire?” Regina’s voice was clipped, as usual. “I’ve heard from the site manager’s secretary. She confirmed that Daniel has been there for the last week.”

“I don’t understand.” I stared at my reflection. “I
saw
him, Regina. I
know
he was in Stratford two days ago. Will saw him too, damn it.”

“I know. And I believe you. I called the headquarters and asked for the site manager’s name. I’m going to speak with him directly. Something’s not right. You’ll be home tomorrow?” I heard her clicking her pen.

“Yes. And I’ll head straight to you.” I didn’t know how he’d managed to cover his tracks. Without evidence, I wouldn’t have a chance in court. “I do have something concrete.”

“Oh?”

“He’s called me several times making threats.” I spoke softly. “He even called my mother.”

“I’ll try to keep a close eye on things. His violent history warrants extra precautions for you and the children.” Her voice remained businesslike, but I knew Regina cared a great deal about me and the children. She wasn’t pleased that I hadn’t used the abuse during our divorce proceedings. But I’d been desperate for it to be over. I’d had no more fight in me. How I regretted that now.

“If I send the kids on to California with my mother instead of bringing them home, will there be any legal ramifications?” My voice wavered a bit.

She paused. “Legally, it
could
be construed several different ways. But under the circumstances, it’s highly unlikely it will be an issue. And it might be worth the risk.” She spoke the last words more softly. “I don’t suppose you have all of the custody papers with you? I know there’s a clause we put in place, in case this sort of situation arose, to terminate his parental rights altogether. Our office is in the midst of a move, so everything is boxed and our computers are all being updated with some new software or other. It’s making this place utter chaos.”

“I’ll swing by the house and grab them before I come to your office if that makes things easier, Regina.”

“Yes, much easier. I’ll let you know if anything changes or I learn anything new. Try not to worry. At least we know, whether he’s in India or England, he’s not
here
. I have a friend in the Department of Homeland Security. If Daniel’s passport comes through, they’ll let me know. Okay?” She said goodbye and hung up.

I splashed some cold water on my face. I was so relieved. He couldn’t hurt us from another country. And I’d know if he came back, be prepared and alert to handle whatever he might try to throw at me next time around. I wasn’t going to let him rattle me anymore. I knew what I wanted and I was ready to fight for it if I had to. That was something.

I smiled at my reflection. Things were going to be okay. I went back into the main cabin. As I opened the door, the Fasten Seat Belts sign lit up.

The kids were excited, peering out their windows over New York. My editor, Frank Graham, had arranged for a private car to pick us up at the airport. Our only job was to try to exit the airport without too much notice.

Josh had purchased matching black fedora hats for himself and Will as part of their
disguises
. I hated to point out that it made them stand out even more because they looked absolutely adorable. They both turned toward me, hats on, when I came to my seat. I giggled in spite of myself.

“Happy to be back in the US?” Josh asked the cabin at large.

“Not sure yet.” Mom shrugged. “It’s been such fun.”

“I know. I’m not all that excited about going home. It feels less like home now,” Natalie added.

Josh smiled at them. “We’ll see how things go.”

I sat beside him, taking his hand in mine. “Home isn’t a place, guys, it’s a feeling.” Josh smiled at me, squeezing my hand as the plane began its descent.

We navigated the airport with little to-do. One photographer snapped a few pictures, but I could tell he wasn’t convinced it was really Josh so his attempts were half-hearted. It helped that Meg had released a few shots of Josh in London this morning to throw the press off his trail.

Will and Natalie were thrilled over the huge black limo waiting for us. Josh showed them how each of the buttons worked, laughing as they oohed and ahed over each discovery. I left the kids with Mom and Josh at the Met while I went to meet with Frank Graham. Even with Daniel safely out of the country, I had mixed feelings about letting the kids out of my sight.

“We’ll be fine, Claire,” Josh promised as he gave me a sweet kiss. Will followed suit, while Natalie barely waved before stumbling out onto the sidewalks of New York.

“Go to your meeting. Get excited about your tour, your book, and the millions of dollars it’s going to make you.” My mother patted my cheek and climbed out to join them on the sidewalk.

I smiled at the picture they made entering through the back door of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was amazing how arrangements could be quickly made if you were someone special—and Josh Wiley was someone special. My son thought so too. Will sat on Josh’s shoulders, bouncing around at the thought of seeing mummies.

The meeting with Frank Graham went well. He was very enthusiastic when he talked about the book’s release. It was easy to feed off his excitement. He’d researched the regions he wanted me to tour and set up a general timeline. His goal was to have me release and tour in time for Christmas sales. We wrapped up our meeting quickly, and I joined them at the museum.

We were leaving the museum when a photographer caught us. It was very quick, but he shoved his camera too close, narrowly missing Will’s face with his lens. Josh was furious. He carefully put Will in the car, waited until we were all safely inside and out of earshot before he lit into the cameraman.

I patted his hand when he got into the car.

“Does this mean we were photographed together?” Natalie asked, looking upset.

“I’m sorry for that, Nat.” Josh looked anguished.

“It’s not that. I guess I’m bummed our first family photo was sort of…lame.” She turned her gaze out the car window, staring at the streets of New York.

Mom laughed. “Good point, kiddo. I’ll see if I can’t get a better one of you four later. Okay?”

Natalie smiled. “Thanks, Grams. I’m kinda curious to see how the other one turned out too.”

We had no more run-ins with the press. I couldn’t tell if Natalie was relieved or disappointed.

Once we’d checked into our suite, Mom and Natalie dressed and were off to see “Wicked” and have a fancy dinner. Josh had a phone call from some “blokes” and I’d sent him out for a night of fun.

Will and I began our Guitar Hero stand-off. Will lasted thirty minutes before curling up on the chair, exhausted. He’d beaten me soundly, delighting himself. He was awesome and I told him so over and over again. Once his clear victory was cemented, he picked out a book and we propped up on the pillows for bedtime stories.

After tucking Will in I flipped off the light and sat on the couch in the suite’s living area. I clicked on my computer, reading through my emails and answering a few before I checked the clock. For the first time in weeks, I was completely alone.

I opened a book and tried to read but fell asleep in the chair. I hadn’t had a nightmare in weeks, but Daniel was there when sleep found me. It was like most of the other dreams I had. I was running and running but never finding a place where I was safe. And when he finally caught up, I could remember how it felt to have my arm cut, broken ribs, and stitches on my ribcage like it was happening all over again, the phantom pain waking me up.

I sat forward, shaking uncontrollably as I tried to chase the images from my head. I ran a hand over my face and paced the room a few times, hoping the panic would fade.

Daniel’s words couldn’t hurt me. I would make certain that my past couldn’t keep spilling over into my present.

Restless, I turned on the bath. I slid into the warm water and enjoyed a very long bubble bath and two tall glasses of wine. By the time the water was cold and the wine was gone, I was feeling much more relaxed.

Tomorrow I was going to have to face some difficult facts, but I could do it. I’d been ridiculously naïve to think that Daniel would let things move on without causing a fight. I didn’t want a fight. I didn’t want anyone to fight for me, over me, or use the kids as an excuse to do so. I wanted to leave this all behind and move on.

My life seemed toxic—an invasive weed that gnawed at my insides and wormed its way into the lives of others. I could send Mom and the kids to Joe’s. Make Josh go away. Remove them from my mess. But I knew they wouldn’t go. And thinking of giving up Josh made my heart hurt.

I let myself cry then. There wasn’t anyone around to see me.

***

My eyes had popped open at five a.m. I’d reached out for Josh but encountered the warm body of Will, curled up and sleeping peacefully. I briefly regretted the decision Josh and I had made, but knew that our sharing a bed wasn’t the kind of example I wanted to set for the kids. So he’d slept in his own room, in his own big bed.

Unable to sleep and not wanting to bother anyone, I’d slipped into my running clothes and headed to the hotel gym. For some reason venturing out onto New York’s unfamiliar streets in the faint morning light wasn’t appealing. I ran on the treadmill for two hours and returned to the room with jelly legs and an exhausted mind.

Everyone was up.

“Wow, Mom, you’re all wet and red.” Will wrinkled his nose.

“When did you leave?” Natalie asked.

“I couldn’t sleep. So I went for a run.”

“Not outside?” My mother stared at me with appalled eyes.

I shook my head. “No. Treadmill in the gym.”

Josh hugged me, regardless of how sweaty I was. “Morning.” He whispered, “Are you all right?”

I nodded. “But I need a shower,” I said and hurried off to the shower.

After a shower, I packed everyone and did a room check. There was nothing left to do, so I went back into the living room of our suite.

I knew I was fidgeting, but I couldn’t sit still. I envied the relaxed stance of my teenage daughter as she flipped through her magazine. Josh and Will were deeply embroiled in a game of checkers and Mom was reading the paper and drinking her coffee.

“What time is our flight?” My mother looked over her paper at me curiously.

I shrugged. “A couple of hours. I’ve already packed everything, so there’s no need to rush.” I paused. “But I did some thinking while I was running. You won’t be going to Texas. You’re going on to California.”

“Really?” Natalie asked, suddenly smiling from ear to ear.

“I have a meeting I have to go to. Then I’ll follow you guys. It’ll take less time if I do it on my own, and I really want to get this over with.”

Josh called out from the floor, “You’ll have your own room in LA, Marty.”

“Oooh, LA.” My mother smiled at him.

I shrugged, halfway teasing as I said, “I was going to suggest you all visit Joe.”

“Or they could come to LA with me.” Josh stood, hopeful.

I nodded. “Or you could go to LA with Josh.”

My mother was watching us with interest. “How long will this meeting take?”

“I plan on catching up with you this evening.” I tried to look relaxed. I had no idea if I was successful or not.

Josh came to stand before me, speaking softly. “I have the keys to Shannon’s place. We’ll have dinner waiting for you when you get home.”

Home? He’d have dinner waiting for me, with the kids, at
home?
I really liked the sound of that. I looked up at him and smiled, noting the sparkle in his eyes. “Mom? What would you like to do?”

My mother gave me a slightly guilty smile. “Joe’s apartment is
so
small, Claire.”

“Okay,” I relented, smiling at Josh as his face lit up. Somehow his smile made things easier.

Nat’s voice interrupted us. “You can’t go anywhere without being stalked, can you, Josh?” She’d turned on the TV and found an entertainment show. Josh was on the TV, the reporter recounting
Stellar Siege
and his rise to fame.

He returned to his spot on the carpet. “There weren’t that many last night, really.” He turned back to his game with Will, undisturbed.

Nat, Mom, and I peered at the TV, watching him coming and going from several late night hot spots. The consensus was that he was out living up the single life. “When asked where new gal pal Claire Collins was, Josh answered, ‘She’s having a night with the kids.’ Josh Wiley a dad? Oh please. At least we know he’s on the market again, girls.”