Sabrina sat at her desk in Creighton’s Paris office reviewing the orders that had come in from her last show. She felt a twinge of excitement as she looked them over. There were six high-end retailers who wanted Sabrina Originals, including two from America. She had never traveled to the states and the offer to come and visit New York was staring her in the face. She was even asked to put on a special show for New York’s most elite buyers next year.With a giddy smile, she moved her new fashions aside and picked up the plans on the remodeling project for her shop. After the fire, the shop next door had decided to close and sell. With a few strings on her brother’s end, she was able to purchase their portion of the building as well. With Creighton’s insistence, Maxine had been retained to design everything, and unlike last time, this was elegant, chic, and worthy of a real fashion studio. Once they were finished, she would have a smart building, complete with all the storage and design
Sandra sat on the paper clad table waiting as patiently as she could. She had plans that needed to be finished and being here was delaying them. She had arranged for Parker to fly her into London, leaving Grace with Nana and Papa, and arranged for William to pick Brandon up from school in case she couldn’t get back in time to do it herself. If all went according to her itinerary, she would be leaving as soon as the children were settled with her grandparents for the weekend.The door opened and Sandra looked up to see Irena walk into the room. She wore a white lab coat and walked with only one cane, supporting the hip that had been broken. She looked tired and she moved slower than she had the last time they were together.“I’m surprised to see you so soon,” Irena told her as she moved to the end of the bed and hugged her sister-in-law. “Your records indicate that you were just seen by your obstetrician three weeks ago.”“I was, but he’s out of town on vacation for a few weeks, and I
Irena walked around the desk and picked up a phone hanging on the wall. She told the person on the other end to bring in a portable ultrasound machine, then moved to a cupboard next to the sink and removed a cloth examination gown.“I’ll leave you alone for a few minutes to change,” she handed the gown to Sandra and tried to look as reassuring as possible. “I’m sure it’s nothing. I don’t want you to get upset. Has your doctor done any genetic testing, or performed an ultrasound?”“No, nothing. We decided that we didn’t care if the baby has problems, and we didn’t want to know anything about it just yet. I wanted an ultrasound to see if I could give Creighton something positive to focus on instead of this guy he’s been having to deal with.”“Then change and I’ll be right back,” Irena said again turning and picking up her cane. “Do not call Creighton and start stressing out about this until we know what’s going on.”Sandra nodded silently as she watched Irena leave the room. She fought
The time quickly slipped by as Irena dictated the final notes on the day’s patients. She nibbled on the last piece of cheese she had allotted herself for an early afternoon snack, then leaned back to relax for a moment. She had seen all but her last appointment for the day, though she wasn’t looking forward to it. She was certain Cathy had made a mistake, or Jessica had misunderstood her when she called. She must have said she wanted to see anyone except Dr. Ashford. That would make much more sense than asking to see her by name.Just as she was about to call Dr. Burns and take him up on his offer of having one of the other residents see her, the phone on her desk buzzed. She picked it up to hear the soft tone of her nurse, Jessica, telling her Ms. Dennis was waiting in room four.With a deep sigh, Irena stood and took her cane. She could do this, she told herself sternly. It was just Cathy, and she was a professional. There was nothing the woman could say to make her angry today, and
Sandra sat on the plane, anxiously wondering how she was going to tell Creighton they were having twins. She had been so excited after Irena told her about them, she barely remembered hearing that both babies were boys. It was no wonder she had been so sick. She was twice as ill as she had been with both Grace or Brandon, and now she understood why. Irena told her it had nothing to do with her carrying two babies, but Sandra was certain it was. At least it was an excuse she would hold to. She had Parker drive her to the airport where he flew her to Yorkshire in time to pick Brandon up from school. She made a quick dinner of hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, biscuits and Nana’s preserves, then rushed them over to her grandparents’ house for the weekend. Once she was packed, she called Parker who again flew her to London where she boarded the Kansas Kandy and was now on her way to Nice.She had spoken to Creighton the night before after he had met with Garcon, at last, and again on the wa
Creighton arrived back to the Tornado feeling much more confident then when he left. He had managed to speak with the other two suppliers and confronted them on the story Blanchard told him. With a little persuasion, he was able to get their sides of the events, which matched up to what he had already surmised. Garcon was using his assistant as a whore, seducing and blackmailing his suppliers in hopes of getting a better deal. Instead of his schemes working, he had unknowingly sabotaged his own company.Flipping on the stereo system, Creighton removed his tie and unbuttoned the first two buttons of his shirt. He tossed his suit jacket across the back of the sofa and fell into the deep cushions, running his hands through his hair. It had been a day from hell, but he was certain his trip was about to end. He was not going to deal with Garcon’s underhanded activities any longer. Tomorrow, he would call the fat braggard and corner him, then demand he either put up or shut up, as Sandra h
“Is that why you’ve been so tired?” she asked with a suspicious tone to her steady voice. “Is she the reason you couldn’t find the time to come home to your family?”“What? No. It isn’t like that.”“Was she just a fling? Just something to keep you occupied while you were away from home.”“Sandra, it’s not what you’re thinking,” Creighton began, feeling the skip of his pulse as he looked at the anger and hurt in his wife’s eyes. “You have no idea what I’m thinking,” Sandra snapped. “You came here on business, or so you claim. You’ve been telling me for nearly a month, it’s been impossible to make connections with this so-called business owner…”“So-called?” Creighton asked with wide eyes. “Don’t you believe me?”“How can I?” she asked, her voice raised to nearly a shriek. “I came here because I thought you needed company, I thought you would want me to be by your side – at least that’s what you said – but instead of finding my husband slaving over his computer, or arguing with this Ga
Sandra woke with a headache and a pain in her stomach that left her wondering what was happening. For a moment, she had no idea where she was, until she sat up and looked around. After leaving Creighton, she locked herself in their room, ignoring him when he brought her supper, then cried herself to sleep. The room was still set up for their evening of passion, though it was a bitter reminder that he hadn’t planned on spending that evening with her. She had gone from being hurt, to being angry and now she was just pissed. She wanted to scratch that woman’s eyes out, then punch Creighton in his perfectly sculpted nose.With a reluctant sigh, she began gathering up the toys and tossing them carelessly into the black back. She wanted to throw them overboard, along with the man who had purchased them. Then, without warning, her conscious began to awaken. It had been dormant for six long years, so why had it decided now was a good time to awaken?She felt guilty for accusing Creighton, t
Sandra hung up the phone with a slam, then glanced to her grandparents who were sitting at the kitchen table. She was starting to get angry with all the rejections and dead-end avenues. She called Davies and told him she wanted him to get the plane ready to go to France, only to be told the police had restricted his flying. They were concerned that whomever it was that had killed her husband would try and sabotage the jet.She was getting frustrated and felt like she was being held back. If she didn’t know better, she would think she was being placed under lockdown. She could understand the police’s concern, but she had more men around her then they had at Fort Knox, and she would be willing to take all of them with her if she needed to.“I can’t leave the house, I can’t go to France, I can’t even gather eggs,” she grumbled as she joined the older couple. “What am I supposed to do? I can’t sit here and wait until doomsday to find out what happened to my husband.”“Honey, you’re going
The room was warm as the setting sun shone through the blinds. Two detectives sat on the sofa, watching as the man continued to pace the floor. Trying to keep him calm was growing increasingly harder with each hour.Creighton could only assume the horror his family was going through, not to mention Sandra. They had been having difficulties, but this made all of that seem trivial. He had to call her, he had to contact her somehow and let her know he was alive, but the police were refusing to allow him the chance. They had to keep him concealed for the time being, though it was steadily becoming impossible. The man was acting like a caged animal, anxiously trying to find a means of escape.“How much longer do we have to sit here?” he growled, looking to those gathered around.“We need you to remain patient for a little longer,” a bald-headed man told him. “Monsieur Ashford, we understand what you’re going through…”“Like hell you do,” Creighton snapped. “I have a pregnant wife at home w
“I know she’ll be happy when it’s over,” Emma said, returning to the room, her eyes red from the tears she’d been wiping away. “She can’t let Brandon go to school, and she has to keep the children inside instead of letting them go out to play.”“I’m sure they are going stir crazy,” Cathy said with a frown. “Especially Grace. That little girl is used to having the freedom of the farm to run and play.”“The only good thing is the weather,” William told them. “It’s been really wet, and she doesn’t like getting her dresses dirty.”“Sounds like her aunt,” Andrew said with a soft chuckle.“Maybe we should take this meeting over to my sister’s,” Cathy suggested with a sideways grin.“Let me call Derek and Kristin,” William said, standing and walking to the phone on the wall. “They wanted to know what you found out.”“Just have them meet us at Sandra’s,” Andrew told him. “We can discuss this all there.”“I thought Sabrina and Irena would be here,” Cathy said, looking at Emma who was wrapping
Parker and Harvey held off the reporters for as long as they could alone, then eventually had to call NHT’s security. Within a few short hours, there were enough burly looking men to scare off anyone trying to get near the house. Sandra kept her children inside, though it really wasn’t difficult. The rain had eased by supper, but just like the past several days, it picked up again this morning.Max growled as he laid of the entry. The noise of cameras clicking, and the soft hum of voices mingled among the breezes of the day. She had tried to watch television, but every station was reporting on the accident. Eventually, she had no choice but to surrender and put on Grace’s favorite princess movie. At least it kept them from listening to those who insisted that there was no hope in finding any answers this soon.Sandra drew a deep breath as she wiped the moisture from her forehead. She had decided to keep herself busy and baked two apple pies, along with nearly a hundred sugar cookies.
“No, it’s about assuming you knew what I would want. You did this, claiming it was for us when it was for you. You can’t stand the idea that your little sister has something you never would. It was bad enough when I felt like I was competing with Creighton for your attention, but now I’m watching you compete with Sandra for the mother of the year award.”“Stop comparing me to Sandra!” Cathy screamed. “It’s not my fault she’s perfect. She’s always been everyone’s favorite. I can’t tell you how many boyfriends I’ve dumped after I found out they were using me to get close to her. I didn’t want Creighton, but after he chose her over me, it made me angry. I was competing with her again, and she was too stupid to realize it. He chose that simple, no makeup, no fuss girl over me. She shares his bed, when I’m a better lover then she would ever be. She has his money, his admiration, your parents’ admiration, even my grandparents enjoy spending time with her over me. She even has a perfect body
“Maybe Michelle heard from him,” the boy said hopefully.“I haven’t spoken with her, but I want to call in the morning. She may know something more than the police do.”The two were silent for a long time as they considered their own thoughts, until Sandra realized the tea was gone. She looked to Brandon who looked like he was finally able to fall asleep, then stood and took the cups to the sink.“Come on, son,” she told him, wrapping her arm around his shoulders. “Let’s see if we can get some sleep.”“Mum, can I come sleep with you?” Brandon asked once they reached the second floor of their house.Sandra smiled and hugged the boy, nodding as he looked up to her.“You can sleep on your daddy’s side,” she told him. “Just don’t tell him I let you in our bed. He may get jealous.”Brandon smiled as he walked with her into the bedroom. Sandra helped him between the covers and tucked him in, then left to check on Grace. The house was silent and soft snores of her little girl could be heard
Sandra paced her bedroom trying to stop her mind from racing through the events of the day. Derek had come home after his mother called him, insisting on picking up Brandon from school. Sabrina called to say the reporters were going crazy with the news of the Tornado’s fire and that she and Giovanni would be home as soon as they could get there.Irena spoke with her parents and insisted on calling in a prescription for Sandra’s nerves, though she refused to use it. She needed to stay alert and concentrate in order to determine what was going on. The last thing she needed was to surrender to the effects of a drug.After speaking with Andrew, William informed the rest of the family about Cathy’s surgery, though he wouldn’t go into detail. He assured them he would check into the reports from his end and stay abreast of the investigation. Once Cathy felt like traveling, they would drive out to Yorkshire to be with the family.Nana tried to get Sandra to let her stay overnight, but she was
Sandra opened her eyes and looked around. She was in her bedroom, yet she couldn’t remember laying down. The house was silent and the soft pattering of rain outside reminded her that the dog had made a muddy mess of the entry. Then she remembered her grandfather and William coming over, and slowly began to piece together the last thing she remembered.There had been an accident on the Tornado and three bodies were found. She knew in her heart it wasn’t Creighton. She couldn’t even begin to guess who would have been on their ship, or how it ended up at sea, but she knew her husband wasn’t the one killed. Now all she had to do, was convince the others into believing her.Sandra stepped down the stairs to hear Grace talking to her great-grandfather, the dog running from one room to another as he chased his rope and the smells of food drifting out of the kitchen. She stepped into the living room and saw Papa sitting beside Grace, one of her own books open in front of him as he listened to
Sandra stared at the two men for a long moment as their words began to sink in. When she spoke with her husband earlier that morning, he was still at the hotel. He didn’t mention having plans of returning to the yacht. Why would he go back there when he told her he was packing to come home?Then she thought about the bodies found. One was female. Who was it? Did Creighton lie to her about not being involved with Garcon’s assistant? Had he gone there to meet with her, perhaps a final rendezvous before coming home to his family?“Did you hear what we said?” Papa asked her.“It’s impossible,” she began, her anger taking over her words. Sandra looked down at Grace who was trying to wipe the muddy water from her little dress. She hadn’t understood what her grandparents were saying. All she cared about was her soiled outfit.“Sweetheart, go upstairs and find a clean dress,” Sandra told the little girl. “Put that one in the hamper and warsh your hands. We’ll make lunch when you’ve finished.