Page 41 of A Family Affair: The Vow
The man’s laugh spilled through the chilly air, wrapped around Vic’s neck, squeezed. “Rachel Darlington’s not interested in big titles, money, or making a name for herself? I think you’re talking about the wrong person. Vic, isn’t it?” He didn’t wait for an answer, continued. “Rachel is committed and determined to do whatever she has to for as long as she needs to in order to advance and earn her place on the first tier of the organizational chart. That’salwaysbeen her goal. And we’ve always been a team...at work, and on a personal level.”
Vic clenched his fists, vowed if the man made one more reference to Rae being a selfish opportunist, he’d flatten him. “Maybeyou’rethe one who doesn’t know her. Maybe you never knew her.”
Another laugh, this one stronger. “We had a five-year plan; we called it our ‘Five years to success.’ Each year we’d open a $500 bottle of wine and evaluate what we’d achieved, what goals remained, and we’d add new ones to the list, assigning a value. We talked about marriage but decided it would have to wait until we increased our portfolio. Yes, marriage was very much a business decision, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t have feelings for each other. It simply meant we were realistic. Unlike you. How would you keep Rachel happy when you can’t offer her the lifestyle or the cultural stimulation that she’s accustomed to...? You’ve been a diversion, but I assure you, in no universe are you her reality. You do understand that, don’t you?”
No, he hadn’t understood it. In fact, he’d believed loving Rae and committing to her would be enough. Vic remained silent as he tried to process the man’s words, pull out truth from the lies. But damn, he couldn’t tell the difference. And then Richard spoke again and the truth became clear—the Rae Darlington he thought he knew didn’t exist.
“You look like a family man, but what would you think if I told you Rachel said having a child was negotiable?” Pause and an almost sympathetic “Ah, I see the shock on your face as though you’re wondering if you should believe me. I’m sorry but shedidsay that when I told her I wasn’t sure I wanted a child. We were discussing marriage and children and she wasn’t at all disturbed by my comment. In fact, I would say she appeared relieved. Some women don’t want to put their body through that whole process and I think she may be one of them.” A shrug and a soft sigh. “I guess we’ll find out when I broach the subject again.” He eyed Vic, continued to annihilate him with Rae’s backstory. “It seems there’s a lot she didn’t tell you. Did she at least admit how much she never liked this town? I recall her referring to it as a place where you couldn’t get a decent latte and bar food was considered ‘cuisine’. I used to wonder why she never invited me here, but once I saw it, then I knew.”
23
Vic claimed he wasn’t much of a cook but Rae knew firsthand he was an expert griller. She’d picked up two filets along with asparagus, sweet potatoes, and a chocolate cream pie. The pie was because he’d told her it was one of his favorites. He’d also told her his mother used to make it for him, and she hadn’t missed the longing in his voice when he talked about her. He’d casually mentioned visiting his mother and her husband but had stopped just short of inviting her to go with him. She would have accepted, absolutely.
The truth was, she would have accepted just about anything he offered her—a trip to visit his mother, a steak dinner, a lifetime together. That last one snuck up on her and she’d never seen it coming, but there it was, sitting right in the middle of her heart, beating with a conviction of forever. She loved him with a certainty and a force she’d never thought possible. How was it that in such a short time she couldn’t imagine a life without him? When they weren’t together, she thought about what he might be doing and when theyweretogether, she never wanted him to leave and wondered at the emptiness she’d felt before he came into her life.
Had she sensed this three years ago at Harry’s Folly and run because she was afraid? Had she not wanted to admit to the instant attraction that, given the briefest of chances, would burst with passion and promise? There was no more fighting anything in regard to Victor Tramont because it wasn’t necessary. Not when her heart was so full of joy and happiness, not when he looked at her as though she was the only woman in his world. Shewantedto be that woman. Forever. And she was not afraid anymore because love had opened her heart, made her believe in forever.Destinythey called it.
Vic was her destiny.
They would have to have a conversation about their future and she hoped it would be soon because she didn’t want to wait any longer to share what was in her heart. Nor did she want to pretend she didn’t want a future with him. People said some men couldn’t commit because they didn’t want the boundaries or a life with one woman. But that wasn’t Vic; she knew that now. Once he found the right woman, he’d give her everything—especially his heart, the only thing that mattered.
Rae wanted to be that woman, believed she might be, but until he said the words she wouldn’t know for sure. Maybe tonight would be the night. Virginia no longer held the excitement or the allure it once had, and working for a company that expected their employees to always be on the clock in some capacity wasn’t what she wanted. Not anymore. There were so many possibilities with today’s remote-job capabilities. Her employer could be in Los Angeles… or Chicago… or New York City. Magdalena was a place of community, friendship, hope, and possibility. While it didn’t have big city lights or museums, it was real. It was comfortable. It was where Vic lived. And that made it home.
Rae and Vic hadn’t seen much of each other today, and she looked forward to tonight. He’d been busy at ND Manufacturing and she’d been processing invoices and analyzing financials, but they texted several times and chatted once on the phone. He’d told her he’d missed her and she’d promised to make it up to him this evening. Oh, he’d liked that comment and said he couldn’t wait.
But when Rae arrived home, the foreign car parked in the drive made her forget about Vic and dinner and the future. She didn’t recognize the vehicle, but she certainly recognized the man who stepped out of it.
“Richard? What are you doing here?”
“Hello, Rachel.” He moved toward her, brushed his lips against her cheek and pulled her into a hug.” “I’ve missed you.” He eased away, took in the hoodie she’d borrowed from Josh and the faded, non-designer jeans. “You look well.”
He’d once said a woman wearing men’s clothing was unforgivable. Why hadn’t she called him out on such a bizarre comment? Why had she merely laughed and brushed it off as though he were joking when she knew he meant it? She’d allowed her desire to fit in and advance, smother her real beliefs, reshape her thoughts until they weren’t her own, but copies of someone else’s. Coming to Magdalena had cleared her head, opened her eyes, and made her see what was real, what was important, who she was and whom she wanted to be with... “What are you doing here, Richard?”
She’d ignored the phone calls, texts, emails, and voicemails, telling her he needed to see her, what a grave mistake he’d made, how much he wanted her in his life. Richard had never needed her for anything other than as a business partner and someone to make him look better. Well, she wasn’t interested in that role, and coming to Magdalena had made her see how unhealthy that had been. The man didn’t possess the capacity to truly care about another person, share weaknesses, doubts and fears. Share himself. Vic had done all of those and she’d done the same.
Had she ever been that open with Richard unless they were discussing a business proposal? Then she could see the glaring issues, the areas that needed improvement, the highlights. But in their personal lives and how they related to each other? No, definitely not.
“Can we go inside and talk?” Richard stomped his feet, shivered. “I’m not used to cold weather and anything below 65 is cold.”
Rae wasn’t interested in whatever he had to say, and yet the desire to make sure he understood exactly how he didnotfit into her life anymore prevented her from telling him to leave. “Let me just grab my groceries.”
He followed her to the car, waited until she popped the trunk. “So, you’re cooking. What’s on the menu?”
If he thought he’d get a dinner invitation, he could think again. “Steak, asparagus, and sweet potatoes.”
Richard lifted a bag, peeked inside. “And the chocolate cream pie? I love chocolate cream pie.”
Rae removed the second bag, closed the trunk, and locked the door. “I thought you were more of a vanilla person.” Understatement. Richard was straight-up vanilla—no spark or sizzle, no pizzazz—unless he was talking about clothing or business. Never about relationships, and certainly not about theirs. Why had she been okay with that? She fitted the key into the lock, thought of Vic and how she’d seen a whole different side of him the day he fixed this lock. He’d be here in a little while and she wanted Richard gone as soon as possible.
Richard held the door open and she stepped inside, flipped on the light. The sneeze reminded her he couldn’t tolerate strong smells like cinnamon or cloves, especially not the cinnamon-scented pine cones in the basket two feet from him.
“Achoo! Achoo!” He stared at the pine cones. “You actually brought these into your house? They’ll clog your sinuses. You won’t be able to breathe and—”
“Richard. I bought these a week ago, no issues. You’re the one with sinus problems and the allergies.” Vic loved the scent, said it reminded him of home. He’d pulled her into his arms when he said it, kissed her with a gentleness that made her desperate for more and—
“You’ll develop a sensitivity to them, you’ll see.” He sniffed, sneezed again.
“Thank you for your concern, but I think I’m okay.” She headed to the kitchen, set the groceries on the counter, motioned him to do the same. “Okay, you’re in the house and you’re not shivering. What are you doing here?”
