Until her friend Claire Westbrook had quite literally dragged her into the partnership.
Somewhere she’d found the strength to deal with Charles and defy him. She was sick and tired, at last, of being little more than his puppet. And angry with herself for allowing it to happen. Even his threats to use his influence to damage the agency, destroy its reputation, hadn’t stopped her. Its growing success only angered him more.
And now she was moving on with the rest of her life. Each day was still a struggle but she was getting there, slowly but steadily. If he would just sign the damn papers. She wanted to avoid a three-ring circus in court, if possible. Meanwhile she had to focus on her trip. This account would be a launching pad for Bright Ideas, solidify them, so she had to nail it down.
Yesterday, going over everything one more time in the office, Claire had been full of encouragement. “You’ll nail it. I have every confidence in you.”
“You have to say that. You’re my friend.” And one she gave thanks for every single day.
“Have you seen my briefcase and computer?” Julia asked Miranda now, mentally running down her last minute checklist.
“Right by the back door with your luggage. I wanted to make sure you had your things together.”
“Oh, thank God.” She exhaled in relief. “The car service will be here any minute. It’s starting to rain and you know what San Antonio traffic is like in bad weather. This whole area is subject to flash floods. Besides, I want to get to the airport before the weather closes in.”
“Not to worry.” Miranda smiled at her. “You’re all set.”
Julia gave her an impulsive hug. “Whatever would I do without you?” She stepped back, grinning. “And don’t let me find out. The twins are in the family room?” Miranda nodded. “I’ll just say goodbye one more time.”
Andy and Beth were planted in front of the television, staring with rapt attention at a cartoon.
“Hey, kiddos.” Julia crouched down to their level. “You guys be good for Miranda, okay?”
“Will you be home tomorrow?” Beth asked, sliding her gaze away from the set.
“Not tomorrow, but the day after, and then we’ll have fun making Thanksgiving dinner. Okay?”
“Me, too?” Andy wasn’t going to be left out, but his eyes remained glued to his program.
“You, too, sweetie. Now both of you give me a big hug and a kiss.”
The tap of a horn outside drew her to the door.
“Damn,” she muttered. The familiar knot of tension settled into place in her stomach. Of course he’d show up, try to throw her off her game, aware she didn’t want to deal with him today. “How the hell did this happen?”
Rather than the dark sedan the car service used, Charles’s grey Lincoln sat impatiently in the driveway. In a moment, he got out of the car, slammed the door, and stomped up to the front porch.
Julia pulled the door open. “What are you doing here? I’m leaving in a few minutes. The car service is due any time.”
“I canceled them. It’s raining. I came to talk you out of this ridiculous trip with bad weather closing in, and discuss ending this sham of a divorce.”
Not today. Please not today. She would not let him get to her. Cause her to fall apart.
“I can’t believe you took this on yourself to do,” she told him. “It’s too late to call them back. I’ll have to make other arrangements. Damn.”
“I forbid you to go.”
Flat, cold words, as if what he said was law. For a moment the uncertainty she fought every day flared inside her but she tamped it down.
“Charles.” She curled her hands into fists. “I’m going. You no longer have the right to tell me what I can and can’t do. And there is nothing to discuss about the divorce except when you’re finally going to sign those papers.” She turned to go into the kitchen. “Never mind. I’ll see if Claire can take me.”
“Julia.” He used a tone of controlled patience, one she’d grown to hate so desperately. “You are the most irritating woman. Fine. If you insist on going despite everything, I’ll take you. But I think it’s ridiculous to take chances when we have dinner coming up on Thursday.”
Yes, of course. Dinner was the most important thing.
At that moment, the twins rushed into the foyer from the family room. At the sight of their father, however, they stopped so suddenly they bumped into each other. Smiles faded from their faces, replaced by looks of uncertainty.
“Julia.” Charles stood in his perfectly tailored black suit and midnight blue topcoat, not a crease in sight, not a wrinkle, not a smudge. Everything was as perfect as the day it came from the tailor. His mouth was set in a thin line as he observed the children, staring at him. “Must they run around the house like common animals?”
“They’re just being children, Charles.” She ground her teeth. “I should think you’d be glad to see them.”
Charles’s cold attitude where the twins were concerned bothered the hell out of her, but now was not the time to begin an argument, one she had no chance of winning. She’d discovered the hard way in the Patterson family, expressions of emotion were strictly forbidden. No wonder he’d grown up to be the way he was.
Miranda, eyeing the situation, gathered the twins and ushered them into the kitchen, soothing and distracting them.
“Are you ready?” A muscle jumped in Charles’s cheek. “I’d like to get going. It’s raining and the traffic will be a mess.”
“Yes, I am.” Julia picked up her purse, briefcase, computer, and warm duffel coat. The weather report for Boston was snow, snow, and more snow. “If you’ll
