Summer Island

“I wasnt kidnapped. ”

“I found out this morning when I dropped Jenny off at preschool. ” She laughed sharply. “Mona Carlson asked me how it felt to see pictures of my mother like that. How it felt. ”

Nora didnt know how to respond. Defending herself was pointless; worse, it was offensive. “Im sorry. I couldnt . . . call. ”

“Of course you couldnt. ” Caroline was quiet for a moment, then she said, “I cant believe I let it hurt my feelings, either. I should have known better. Its just that in the last few years . . . I thought . . . oh, hell, forget it. ”

“I know. Weve been getting closer . . . ”

“No. Apparently I’ve been getting closer. You, obviously, havent changed at all. Youve been like some Stepford mom, pretending, saying the right things, but never really feeling connected to me at all. I dont know when I got stupid enough to expect honesty from you. And Im not even going to get into the content of those photographs, what they mean to our family. ”

“Please,” Nora pleaded, "I know I screwed up.

Dont shut me out of your life again . . . "

“Youre priceless. You really dont get it, do you? not the one who shuts people out, not in this family. Maybe Ruby was the smart one—she hasnt let you hurt her in years. Now, Ive got to go. ”

“I love you, Caroline,” Nora said in a rush, desperate to say the words before it was too late.

“You know whats sad about that?” Carolines voice broke. A little sob sounded in her throat. “I believe you. ” She hung up.

The dial tone buzzed in Noras ears.

Dee rushed into the living room, her eyes wide. “Mr. Adams is on the phone. ”

“Oh, God-”

"I told him you werent here, but he screamed at me. He said to tell you to pick up the f-+ phone or he was going to call his lawyers.

Nora sighed. Of course. Tom Adams hadnt become a newspaper mogul by playing nice. He was a good ole boy who had fought his way to the top by never giving an inch to anyone.

She rubbed her suddenly throbbing temples. “Put him through. ”

“Thanks,” Dee said. Turning, she hurried out of the living room and went back into Noras office.

Nora answered the phone. “Hello, Tom. ”

“Jee-zuz Kee-riste, Nora, what in the Sam Hill were you thinking? I heard about this godawful mess when I was on the crapper this A. m. If I hadnt had the television on, I dont know when Ida found out. My little woman said to me, ”Gee, Tommy, your little gal has herself in a pickle, dont she?"

Nora winced. “Sorry, Tom. I was caught off guard by the whole thing myself. ”

“Well, youre on guard now, little lady. Tamara tells me that you havent gotten any letters yet, but you will. My guess is theyll start comin” in tomorrow. "

“Youve got two months worth of columns from me on file. Thatll give me some time to figure out how I want to handle this. ” He made a barking sound. “I pay you a wagonload of money to answer readers letters, and now that they finally got something interesting to ask about, you sure as hell arent going to play possum. Scandals sell newspapers and I mean to cash in on your heartache. Sorry, Nora-and I do mean that; Ive always liked you—but business is business. Your agent sure understood business when he bled me for that million-dollar contract. ”

Nora felt sick to her stomach. “The radio station is giving me some time off-”

“Dont you confuse me with those tie-wearin Panty waists. I havent backed down from a fight in my life, and my people arent going to, either. ”

The headache blossomed into a full-blown migraine. “Okay, Tom,” she said softly. Shed say anything to end this conversation. “Give me a few days. Use what you have for now and then Ill start to answer the hate mail. ”

He chuckled. “I knew youd see the light, Nora. Bye now. ”

She hung up. The silence that came after all that yelling was strangely heavy.

Tom actually expected her to sit down and read angry, disappointed letters from the very people who used to love her.

Impossible.