The Lives Between Us (54 page)

But Skye cared. She wouldn’t upset them for anything. After they’d gotten engaged, she and Mark had enjoyed a lovely vacation visiting his parents in Singapore. She’d been so nervous about the meeting, but Mark had been right—she needn’t have been.

Mark’s mom was a sweetie pie and Mark’s dad was courteous, smart, and entertaining. Mark was a strong blend of both parents. Where Serena’s brashness and irreverence came from, she hadn’t yet discovered, but Skye enjoyed her new sister-in-law-to-be just the same.

“It’ll be fun—and Mom and Dad are cool with it as long as you’re not married there.” Serena looked at Skye. “You can do no wrong in Mom and Dad’s eyes. A blind guy could see you make Mark happy, and frankly, we all thought he’d never find the right girl. Personally, I love the bar—can I pick the music?”

“No.” Mark put a heavy hand on his sister’s shoulder. “Now be quiet, they’re about to start.”

Edward followed Ben out of the house and turned to watch as Noelle blew into the straw that maneuvered her wheelchair down the ramp onto the small porch. Jeff walked behind his mother. Edward brushed her cheek with the back of his hand before bending to speak to her. She smiled and nodded.

Noelle wore a chic navy pantsuit. Her hair had been styled in an elegant twist and makeup subtly done. She looked amazing. Especially for a woman who’d gone through the accident and all the surgeries she’d endured the past eight months.

At their appearance, reporters moved close. Ben stepped up to the bank of microphones. “Thank you for coming. We won’t keep you long. Senator Hastings will make his statement and then he’ll take a few questions.” He moved aside. “Senator.”

Ben stepped back as Edward took his spot and Noelle rolled forward to his right. Jeff stood next to his mother. Chest out, he surveyed the crowd, showing remarkable poise for a fifteen-year-old. Jeff glanced at his mother and then reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of sunglasses. He carefully placed them on Noelle’s face, and then returned his attention to his father.

“What’ve I missed?” Jenny leaned close, whispering in Skye’s ear.

“Nothing—just starting. Was Karen pleased?”

Jenny snorted. “It’s not every day Karen scoops the local and the national news. And Edward Hastings is very popular. This is going to be big news.”

Skye looked back at her friend. “Yes, it is.”

Jenny leaned close. “Speaking of big news. I hear Eileen’s back in town.”

Skye pulled back, surprised Jenny knew, then again, she shouldn’t be. Jenny had a lot of connections in this town. “She’s been here this week for the sale of her house.”

“Nervous?”

“No, she doesn’t worry me. Edward keeps tabs on her.” She tilted her head close to Jenny’s. “Says she’s met a man. A big, sexy Aussie is just the ticket to keep her busy and out of trouble.”

“Good morning.” Edward flashed a smile at the crowd. “I’ll be brief, so you all can get out of the heat. This has not been an easy decision, but it is the right one. It is with a sad heart that I announce my resignation from the senate.

“Effective immediately, I am relinquishing my seat. Governor Tate has appointed the very capable Christopher Schmanski to stand in my stead until the state of Michigan can hold a special election to select my permanent replacement.”

He looked down at Noelle. “My family’s had an extremely difficult eight months, and though I tried to do justice to both my job and my family…” He shrugged and gave them a self-deprecating grin. “I’m afraid I was unable to do either with the commitment and excellence they both deserve. Given that I’ve devoted myself to the citizens of Michigan for the past six-and-a-half years, I’d say it’s my family’s turn. Questions?”

Edward looked over the sea of raised hands and pointed at the reporter at the back, to his left. “Frank.”

“Senator, you’ve been a staunch and vocal opponent of the use of embryonic stem cells. Will you continue in some capacity?”

Edward smiled. “I’ll be available in an advisory capacity for Chris, to ensure a smooth transition. I’m not sure what kind of role I can carve out for my other interests. If you have any ideas, please feel free to contact my office.”

“Senator.” A voice called out from the center. “Our prayers have been with Mrs. Hastings. We’re pleased to see her up and about. Are the doctors predicting a full recovery?”

“Thank you.” Edward nodded. “While my wife is progressing quite well, spinal cord damage is an unpredictable injury, and her doctors are reluctant to give a concrete prognosis.” A gentle smile curved his lips and pride settled across his face.

Skye hoped she and Mark could achieve that level of respect and love in their marriage.

“My wife is an amazing woman. I have no doubt that with her optimism and fortitude, she’ll keep moving forward.”

“Senator, what are you going to do in the immediate future?”

“The immediate future?” Edward hesitated, as if choosing his words. “I’m going to be best man at my best friend’s wedding and after that, I’m not quite sure. I’ll be exploring my options, looking for a position that will give me the flexibility I need to be available for my family. Last question.” He looked to his right and nodded. “Joe?”

“First of all, I’d like to say I’m sorry to see you go. You’ve been a wonderful advocate for the citizens of this state and—” He was drowned out by loud applause. “—It’s a great loss for us all. But you’re still quite a young man. Is there any chance you’ll be back?”

Edward looked down and swallowed hard, then bravely raised his head. “I’d love to, but no. No chance.”

How sad
. Skye tucked her arm through Mark’s and rested her head on his shoulder. Edward was a good man. She was sorry to see him make this sacrifice, yet was secretly relieved and proud that their honorable friend was determined to give his best to his family. Skye sighed. Things so rarely worked out the way one planned.

Skye still missed Niki. Not a day went by that she didn’t think about her beloved niece or speak to her. Skye had failed to make some grand progress in the stem cell research arena to honor Niki, but she’d learned to open her heart.

Niki’s loss had left a lonely, empty ache deep inside her, but Niki’s little brother and sister, the Hastings family, and Mark eased the ache and sealed her heart with their love.

* * *

That night, Edward pushed the button locking his study door, then crossed to the carved walnut desk. He unlocked the second drawer to his right. He systematically pulled on leather driving gloves before reaching inside to retrieve the two generic, fat manila envelopes his Special Forces friend brought him late last might.

He lifted the flap and eyeballed the crisp bills within. Edward fished out the keys lying on top of the money and dropped them in his open briefcase before easing into his chair. He stared thoughtfully at the package for a moment, determined not to make any mistakes. He glanced at the clock. Better hurry.

Dabbing a Kleenex in a glass of water, with efficient smooth strokes, he wet the glue line and sealed the envelopes before placing them in his briefcase. He wasn’t about to leave any DNA evidence.

Edward slowly closed the lid and blew out a deep breath. His gloved fingertips lingered on the leather top while, eyes closed, he dropped his head in prayer. Tapping the briefcase two times, he opened his eyes and closed the bronze clips with a loud snap.

Edward drove to the Eastland Mall Parking lot and parked his Escape in aisle D next to a silver Toyota Camry. He turned off his cell phone and sealed it in the glove compartment. Springing open the briefcase, he took the keys and transferred his things to the Camry, then drove to Detroit Metro airport in silence. He rolled into the arrival lane. As soon as he pulled to the curb, a woman exited the building and gracefully swung into his car. The Camry glided away from the curb.

Edward kept his eyes on the road before him, but her perfume wafted around his face, taunting. He frowned, thankful for the change of clothes in the Camry’s trunk. He’d have to be sure his guy got this car detailed in the morning.

“Senator—”

Edward held up his hand to silence her and shook his head in reprimand. With a quick glance at the briefcase on the seat between them, he opened it and handed her the envelopes. Edward flipped on his blinker, checked his mirrors, and moved into the left-hand lane to return to the airport.

He turned into the short-term parking lot across from the international terminal, drove to an isolated spot, and pulled over next to a sliding glass entrance. The car idled under the Quantas airline sign.

The woman placed the envelopes in her carryon and left the car. Her high heels echoed loudly in the deserted garage as she sauntered toward the terminal, never once looking back.

The End

Thank you for taking time to read The Lives Between Us. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a review on the TLBU Apple book page. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and much appreciated.

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.

(Working title)

Coming late 2015

Before
Just Beginning
and
Just Destiny
, there was
The Sound of Silence
and Gianna’s and Joe’s love story.

Nurse and entrepreneur, Gianna Donnatelli, is on the verge of making her dreams come true. Her company is poised to go public with a product guaranteed to revolutionize medical care and at the same time help revitalize Detroit, Michigan. If she can outwit the frustrated hacker who becomes increasingly deadly in his attempts to steal Gianna’s product.

Gianna needs to hide her troubles from both her protective Italian father and the public. Any negative publicity at this point of the IPO jeopardizes the company’s chances of success, so Gianna refuses police assistance.

Family friend, Dr. Joe Scarfili, stumbles upon her secret and is determined to keep Gianna safe. Despite Joe’s lack of police or tech experience, and his disdain for Gianna’s vision of restoring Detroit, she decides that letting him protect her couldn’t hurt—well, not more than her heart.

Can Gianna fend off a deadly hacker while protecting those she loves?

I research my books thoroughly and try not to take much “creative license” to fudge facts to suit my story. Below, I’ve listed real organizations and places in the Grosse Pointe/Detroit area that pop up in
The Lives Between Us
, and a few other interesting tidbits. Take a look…

University Liggett School
is a great private school in Grosse Pointe that both my husband and I attended and is, in fact, where we met. I am dyslexic, and if not for the incredible help I received at Liggett from a whole host of excellent, patient teachers, I’m not even sure college would have been a realistic option for me.

Also, in reading the history of ULS, I love that in 1878 the Liggett family established the school as an “accessible school for girls devoted to high standards, proper behavior and preparation for college, as well as life”. They were feminists before their time! It wasn’t until 1954 that Liggett became co-ed.
http://www.uls.org/page

The
McCann Ice Arena 
is an indoor skating facility that serves as the site for all home games for the University Liggett School hockey teams. It also has ice times and opportunities open to the public. In middle school, during gym class, I remember taking ice skating lessons in this rink. In high school, I froze my butt off on those metal bleachers a time or two, too.

http://www.uls.org/Page/Athletics/McCann-Ice-Arena

There is no
Detroit Chronicle
, I made that up.

Luigi’s Restaurant
first opened its doors in the early 1950s as a pizzeria and shortly thereafter expanded the menu to include specialty lamb chops, steaks, pasta, and seafood. Sixty years later, the award-winning and quaint neighborhood restaurant is still known for outstanding cuisine and service. There’s so much I love on this menu, but I have no will power when it comes to the garlic bread—simply amazing!

http://www.luigisoriginal.com

Village Grille
was established in 1994 by Daniel Lemanske, a native Grosse Pointer and 1980 graduate of Grosse Pointe North High School.

http://villagegrillegp.com

The Grosse Pointe War Memorial
is a stunning, palatial Italian Renaissance-style home built in 1910 for Russell A. Alger, Jr. It was donated to the community in 1949 to serve as a perpetual memorial to the 3,500 Grosse Pointers who served and the 126 who died in World War II; it serves as a continuing center for educational and charitable activities of the Grosse Pointe community. It was expanded in 1962 to include the Fries Auditorium and Crystal Ballroom. The Center for Arts and Communications was completed in 1993.

The Alger family has a fascinating history, but very briefly, Russell Alger, Jr, was one of six children, and he was instrumental in persuading the Packard Motor Car Company to move to Michigan from Ohio. His dad, Russell Alger, Sr was the 20
th
governor and U.S. Senator of Michigan, and he also served as U.S. Secretary of War during the McKinley administration. Russell Jr’s brother Frederick served as lieutenant colonel with the American Expeditionary Force in France during the First World War and was awarded the French Legion of Honor.

On a personal note, my high school (perhaps middle school?) used to have a big Thanksgiving or Christmas celebration dinner in the ballroom where the teachers and parents served the students turkey dinner with all the trimmings, and some students put on the Mummers’ play. It was a fun night. More recently, my children enjoyed going to several of the summer camp programs at the War Memorial when visiting my parents. It’s truly a very special place!