Resurgence by M. M. Mayle Read Free Book Online Page A

certainly had other plans; his managerial hopes and expectations have been dashed with one stunning blow; down deep he has to be incredibly pissed.
    Because she can’t guess what this day might bring, and because someone else unpacked and put her clothes away, she has trouble deciding what to wear and, once the decision is made, finding all the components. Dressed in the understated skirt, sweater, and suede boots she wore on the museum excursion two weeks ago, she sets out for the kitchen.
    Coffee is already made when she gets there. She therefore expects to find Gemma Earle or Rachel already on duty before remembering that the coffee maker has an automatic brew feature set for six a.m., fifteen minutes ago. Alone, as far as she can tell, she pours herself a cup and carries it outside to the arcade. Where she’s not alone. David is there, looking a little ragged around the edges and motioning for her to join him.
    They take shelter in neighboring arches and silently watch a steady rain intensify the already vivid green of the surrounding lawns and plantings. Several moments pass before David speaks.
    “Knowing how you must feel after my regrettable comments on the plane, asking me here was an unusually selfless gesture . . . even for you.”
    Laurel holds tight to the cup of coffee she has yet to taste. “We’re not going to speak of what was said on the plane.”
    “Yes, we are. In light of recent events, it’s imperative that you understand where I was coming from when I implied that rock stars are a subspecies and England is the far side of the moon. I want this out in the open, I want it known that was defensive sour grapes speaking . . . that I was being a sorehead because I wasn’t planning on losing you.”
    “This is not the time, David.”
    “Oh, but it is. I took a cheap shot and I should be made to pay for it.”
    “Very well. You asked for it. Do you know what rankles me most? That before you found him so lacking, you promoted Colin as someone with whom I would have a great deal in common.”
    “Well, it appears I was right. Perhaps more right than intended.”
    “And profoundly wrong to subsequently lump him in with the lowest common denominator. He is nothing like those reprobates whose roadies I prosecuted. He may once have led the so-called life, but he doesn’t now. He is as fine a person as I’ve ever known. He’s a devoted father, he’s good to his mother, he’s loyal to his friends, he’s warm and funny and loving and patient and tolerant and persistent and I—”
    “You obviously love him without qualification.”
    “Yes. Absolutely. Now may we please address the subject that should be uppermost?”
    “In a minute. I’m curious to know . . . how much had Colin told you of this splendid place before you arrived?”
    “Funny you should mention that. Another of his positive attributes. He knew almost from the start that I would be enchanted by this place, but he never flaunted the fact there were trees in his backyard to beggar most of those I treasured at Jockey Hollow, and he never attempted to dazzle me with descriptions of a house that, in my limited experience, can only be compared with the Cloisters Museum. He didn’t even mention that we had the same taste in cars. If he dangled any enticement, it was his children, and I’m not sure that was altogether deliberate.”
    “I know you put on a strong show of resisting him—so strong that even I bought it. But hindsight being what it is, I now realize that when you recently lit into me for not having spent more time with him after his accident, you were sending a very strong signal . . . one I chose to ignore.”
    “Signal—excellent segue. Do you feel that Rayce sent signals that were ignored?”
    “I’m not sure what you mean by that.”
    “My impressions of Rayce are necessarily different from yours and Colin’s. I didn’t know him long enough to have any real perspective. I wasn’t able to put his recent behavior