Wicked Forest (DeBeers 2)

"You're wrong. Willow. It means I love you and it means you mean the world to me. You were willing to be discreet about our romance before. Why not now?"

It would be torture for me. Thatcher, to have the ring in a drawer, to look at it privately or in the dark. I'd rather not have it until you can give it to me freely and openly. And if you never can, you never can. Why fool each other?"

"I'm not fooling you. I'm only asking you to be a little patient!" he practically screamed.

"While you continue to be featured in the society columns with other women?"

"That means nothing. I told you. Your mother had a secret romance, didn't she?" he added pointedly.

"Her romance was an entirely different thing. It would have cost my father his career."

"Well, this is somewhat similar. Willow. I have to work some things out so that my career continues to prosper, for the both of us.'"

"It's not the same," I insisted. "When you can be honest about our love. I'll respect you more." I stood up.

He gazed up at me, then looked at the ring box in his hand and put it in his pocket.

"All right," he said. standing. "We'll wait until I can do that. In the meantime..."

"What? What, in the meantime. Thatcher?"

"I've at to see you. Willow. Please. Meet me tomorrow night at the house, our beach house. Be there at seven. I'll fix a pasta dinner for us.

"I don't know." I said.

"Please," he pleaded. He reached for my hand and pulled me closer to him. "Let's not lose what we have, what we'll build upon, Willow."

"Right now, that seems like a foundation made of chopped liver," I muttered.

"It's not. It's made of love, deeply felt love. Look. I'm not going to deny I've had some girlfriends. Willow, and even been serious with one or two, but you are the first woman I felt was substantial, the first woman I felt would complete me, make me

substantial. too. With you, I can build something here, truly build a family and a life. I don't want to lose you. I know it seems quick. but I'd have to be a complete dodo not to realize you're the best thing that's come along. You believe me, don't you?"

"I want to believe you. Thatcher."

I really did, and he was as convincing as either the devil or an angel. I was still not sure which one.

"Good. Then meet me. Besides. I think I might have some news about Kirby Scott tomorrow," he added.

I looked up at him. "Kirby Scott? Why?"

"I heard from a reliable source that he is in the Palm Beach area. I'm going to confront him tomorrow. Someone is working out the arranaements for me."

"What will you do?"

"Get the truth, or as much of it as I can, even if I have to choke it out of him-- and not just about me. Willow, but about Grace and all that went on. Maybe I'll even learn something that will help Linden." he added. "Whatever I learn, it will bring some resolution to most of the problems that are interfering with us, maybe all of them. That's for sure. We'll have more to celebrate, okay?"

I'll see. My head is spinning; I added before he could say another word, "I need to think. Thatcher. I need to think about everything, "

"Okay, okay." he said, leaning toward me to kiss me softly. "I won't throw anything else at you today. But I will be coming at you fast and furious tomorrow." He started away, and stopped.

"I mean that."

I watched him go. Then. as I went to turn away, I saw Linden stand. He had been crouching behind a bush. He gazed after Thatcher, then started toward me.

"I saw that," he said. "I saw him give you a ring and I saw you give it back. I'm happy you made the right decision." He turned in the direction Thatcher had gone. "He's probably got a collection of phony diamond rings in his dresser drawer. Who knows how many women he's given one to and promised things to?"

"It's a little more complicated than that. Linden," I said, "but thanks for worrying about me."