Hannah's Blessing (5 page)

Peter had been the sole black smear upon his father’s good name. His elderly father had found Peter’s mother somewhere in Las Vegas and brought the pretty woman home with him. She had died three years later from a sedative overdose, leaving her thirteen-year-old son behind. But Peter had not missed his mother. Even at a young age he was spoiled and wanted so much more than he deserved. His mother had been merely the key to his step-father’s money. Unfortunately, when his step-father died six months later from a heart attack the only money he had left Peter was stashed away in a college fund. He depleted that by the end of his sophomore year, and that was when he found Diana. She had money left to her by her deceased parents, and apparently the lovely face and charming personality that went with it was an added bonus that he took advantage of.

Devlan’s hands curled into tight fists. It sickened him that it did not take Peter long to squander her money as well as her love. Now he and Diana were left picking up the pieces.

Everything that Peter had touched he destroyed, but it was not out of guilt that Devlan was trying to clean up after him. No, there was something else that tugged at his heart like a child on someone’s coattails.

But even he was not sure what exactly that was.

~

Hot tears burned Diana’s eyes. She struggled to keep them in, but it was too hard. No matter how quickly she blinked her lashes, the persistent moistness welled and overflowed. Sighing sadly, Diana resigned herself to allowing the tears to fall while she drove home from the bank. There was no holding back anymore; she no longer had to hide her true feelings. While Peter used to ridicule her whenever she felt down, he was gone now. It was time to let it all out. Now, before Hannah saw her.

She pulled into the driveway and stared at the small ranch-style house she had called home for the last five years. It rested in a quiet, family-oriented cul-de-sac, where SUVs were parked next to bicycles and community parks were overflowing with block parties. While the sad memories had begun to outweigh the good ones in recent months, it was the house she carried her newborn baby home to. It was the only home Hannah had ever known.

She was glad Hannah was not there when she had received the news. She could not imagine trying to answer the questions the child was sure to ask. She needed time. Unfortunately, that was a luxury she no longer had.

With shaking fingers, she unlocked the door and went in, taking note of how quiet the house was. There would be no more arguments. She had thought she was finally free now that Peter was gone, but he took with him everything she owned. How could she have been so ignorant, so foolish to believe in him, or so blind to the reality of her life?

Sitting down hard on the couch, Diana sighed as she placed her face in her hands. She deserved a good cry. It was a long time coming. Once she was done crying she would move on and make new plans. There was much to do and she needed to get started. She could survive this; she was tougher than she thought. At least, that was what she kept telling herself.

So why did she feel so alone?

~

“That’s the last one.” Diana sat back with a sigh and glanced around her at the empty house.

Her neighbor Mindy, with her chocolate hair drawn back in a pony tail that bunched in the hood of her black, green and gold CSU sweatshirt, entered the living room carrying Hannah’s favorite stuffed bear. “Wait a minute. I have one more.”

“I don’t have any room. We’ll have to let Hannah carry it.”

Mindy nodded and enthusiastically viewed the room. “Then that’s it. Let’s go.”

“Yes. I have a lot of unloading to do when we get there.”

With a strength that belied her petite frame, Mindy picked up the last box and carried it to the small rental truck parked in the driveway. Her husband Allan called for Hannah and their son AJ, who came running with squeals of delight. They were quickly loaded into the truck with Allan.

Diana lagged behind. With a heavy heart she walked through her house for the last time. Dust motes danced in the sunlight streaming through the windows, and echoing footsteps replaced the sound of Hannah’s laughter down the narrow hallway leading to the bedrooms. No beds remained in those rooms anymore. In fact, there was nothing left. Everything was swept clean. Only emptiness remained, and it left her with a hollow feeling.

After committing everything to the back corners of her memory, Diana returned outside to the brisk morning chill and joined the others. The ‘For Sale’ sign in her front yard told it all. It was over. This part of her life was now one experience from which she had learned. From here on out she had the rest of her life ahead of her.

In a stroke of pure luck, Diana had received a call later in the afternoon after her visit to the bank. Fortunately Mr. Simms had located the account that Peter had put the money from their savings in. While it was not enough to bail out her mortgage completely, she was able to pay off some of their smaller debts without having to sell her car. He had guided her through signing all the necessary papers, and then he told her that she could move on. After selling and donating her extra furniture and most of Peter’s belongings, Diana packed up what little remained from block yard sales and prepared to move to her new apartment.

The apartment she took was a small three room place in a newer complex close to Hannah’s preschool in Westminster. Small but clean, the single bedroom was all that she could afford for the time being. While not the lifestyle Hannah was used to, Diana was sure that she was young enough to adjust. Once she had explained why they had to leave, Hannah had accepted it reluctantly but Diana had felt the first stirrings of hope for their new future together.

“Are we ready?” Diana asked. Though the words were hard and stuck in her throat like spoonful of peanut butter, she thought she matched Mindy’s enthusiasm.

The kids in the truck shouted their eagerness, and Diana smiled in return. Allan, on the other hand, rolled his eyes, but his voice was teasing. “I knew I would be the one stuck with the kids. I just knew it.”

Diana gave him a grateful smile. “I can’t thank you enough, Allan. You and Mindy have been a great help.”

“It’s no problem, Diana. I wish you had come to us a long time ago. Perhaps we could’ve helped you more than this.”

Diana could feel a blush rise to her cheeks. Allan was not a small man, and the fierce frown on his face spoke volumes. How she hated that her neighbors had learned some of what had happened.

“I’m okay, and Hannah’s great. We’ll manage just fine,” she said lightly.

“It’s the hidden scars we’re afraid of, Di,” he said pointedly.

Diana could feel herself squirming under his scrutiny. This line of discussion was not the direction she wanted to head into. Not today. “You know, these past two months have done wonders for Hannah. She’s started her new school, and I’ve found this new apartment. Losing the house right after Peter has been hard, but we’ll manage. We just need to start all over.”

“Well, I know a few guys who would love to help you, Diana. Just give me the okay and you’ll have your pick.”

Diana laughed, a genuine giggle that came from deep within and made her eyes sparkle. She liked that she was able to laugh again. “I’m not ready for that yet, Allan. But thanks, I’ll definitely keep your offer in mind as winter sets in.”

He grinned and revved the engine. Diana waved back and crossed her neatly manicured grass one last time to reach her car, starting it up and leading the way to her new place. As she pulled out of her neighborhood one last time, she glanced in the mirror and saw the truck following behind. It reminded her that not everyone was selfish and cruel. There were good people out there that were willing to help. Like Mr. Simms at the bank and Allan and Mindy. Thank goodness she had been able to keep her car, and thank goodness she had finally found some friends.

Chapter 3

Their new home was small but safe, despite its location on a main thoroughfare. As she and Hannah settled in, there was a lot to keep them busy and the adjustment went well. The new routine suited them both. As fall approached, Hannah began Kindergarten, and Mindy kept her after school until Diana was done with work. At the same time, Diana started full-time at her job, and the extra money was well worth it. They were starting over on their terms.

Although this new lifestyle was busy, Diana and Hannah still managed to keep some quality time together. Though she never thought it possible, she and Hannah had bonded even closer. Without Peter’s constant harassment, Diana was able to become her old self again, and her evenings with Hannah were shared with plenty of giggles, hugs and kisses.

It was just the two of them, and they were a team. After Diana picked her up from Mindy’s house, she would prepare dinner and Hannah helped her clean up. Then they would spend the evenings together, completing Hannah’s homework, reading, doing household chores and then preparing for bed before another busy day arrived. Hannah chose the outfits; Diana tucked her in. So full of each other, Diana rarely had use of the electronic sitter. The television set resting on the used entertainment center was reserved for weekends and special occasions.

However, it was through the television that Diana again saw Devlan Doyle.

Three months had passed since he had confronted her at the funeral. Though at one time certain he would be harassing her more regularly, she had not heard from him since. It later dawned on her that his professed concern had been just a courtesy, and neither she nor Hannah had made his cut. Surprisingly, she was comfortable knowing that they probably would not ever see or hear from him again. He was from a part of her life that she would just as soon put behind her. Nevertheless, when Diana heard his name on the evening entertainment show, she could not resist her curiosity.

She was up to her elbows in Hannah’s bath bubbles when she heard the announcement, and her ears instantly keyed in to what was being said. Cursing her interest, she tossed down the towel and came to her feet. Though she knew she was being silly, she hurried into the living room and stared at the set. Tall, dark, and oh so debonair in his black tux, he beamed at the cameras with the stunningly beautiful woman on his arm.

Nah, she confirmed in her mind, he had not spared them a thought since the moment he left Denver.

“And high fashion model Roxanne Lemieux showed up at the premier with none other than Devlan Doyle, business tycoon and rumored producer. There has been talk of Doyle teaming up with Hugh Davis, a close friend of Roxanne’s, for a new project, though neither party will comment on it. While Doyle claims merely to enjoy the beautiful model’s company, the pair has been seen together at several functions, although neither will admit to a serious relationship. As you know, Roxanne is the former wife of Director Wayne Moore, and Doyle has been linked to several beautiful actresses including superstar Catalina Jasper...”

With an exasperated sigh, Diana turned away. Those brothers may not have been bound by blood, but they certainly shared the same fear of commitment. She and Hannah were so much better off without them in their lives, and it had been foolish of her to watch because the sight only served to ruin her mood. Seeing Devlan flashing his white teeth in a friendly smile for the cameras with a stunning model on his arm made her teeth clench, even while it reminded her of the lack of companionship in her own secluded life. For what one took for granted, another could only dream of.

She went back to the bathroom and sat on the lowered toilet seat thoughtfully. Hannah was still happily playing with her dolls in the bath and did not look up when she returned, so Diana watched her idly as her mind drifted back in time to the first time she had seen Peter’s handsome brother. It seemed so long ago, though really only six years had passed. Her forehead puckered in remembrance. He had changed a bit since that night so long ago. There were more lines around his large blue eyes, and his face had thinned slightly over the years. Perhaps that was why she had not immediately recognized him.

Devlan Doyle. A man as dark as his step-brother was fair. When he had arrived at her wedding reception in his form fitting black suit that almost perfectly matched his hair, he had immediately drawn attention. Whether it was because he arrived during the toast to the bride and groom or because he was just a mesmerizing man, his presence had taken the attention away from his brother. And Diana clearly remembered that Peter had not been happy about it.

Though Peter had told her that Devlan never lacked for female company, he had come alone to their wedding. Her curiosity, along with everyone else’s, drew many interested stares his way. However, his focus remained on the head table – on her and Peter. Much to Peter’s dismay, Diana’s eyes were drawn to Devlan’s instantly, and she felt her new husband stiffen beside her when her gaze locked with the enigmatic man’s in the doorway. While she told herself it was just the interruption that made her return his steady stare, in truth it was because he was so darkly handsome and had such bright eyes. They were mesmerizing. His intense blue orbs had focused solely on her, and he studied her intently. The way he had stared made her shiver, but she had been helpless to look away. There was no denying it; the man was not only handsome as sin, but sexy as well.