Return to You

Michael's head shot up. Parker
almost smiled at the scowl on his face. "What do you mean she's
moved on?"
    "Did you really think she'd pine her life
away, waiting for you?"
    He jumped up, his chair falling over in a
loud clatter. "Fuck it, Parker. If you know something, say it
now."
    This was going to be easier than he first
thought. "I don't know anything. You know very well I have no
contact with her. You were there when she told me to get out of her
life." He could still hear her precise words, and they still had
the power to twist his gut.
    Michael placed his hands on the desk and
leaned down. "Is that what this is about? You're trying to get in
her good graces again? Well, let me tell you, this is a bad idea.
She's every bit your daughter. She's not going to budge."
    Parker's eyes never wavered from Michael's
but his fingers tightened on the snifter. Damn it, he knew she was
stubborn. But he'd get through to her. He had to. "This is about
filming in the best location. In this case, that happens to be Mill
Valley." He drained the last of his drink. "I wouldn't worry about
running into her. You'll be too busy to socialize."
    "I hope you know what you're doing." Michael
turned around and strode out, slamming the door hard enough to make
the windows shimmy.
    Setting the empty crystal tumbler on his
desk, he smiled without humor. Oh, he knew what he was doing.
    The plan was in motion. This time next week
he'd be in Northern California with Michael right behind him. He
wondered what kind of reception they'd get.
    Not that it mattered.
    He turned around and opened the bottom
drawer of his desk. Reaching in the back, he pulled out two framed
pictures and set them in front of him.
    The woman smiling in the first one was
luminous. The sun lit her long golden hair from behind, making her
look angelic and glowing. She smiled right at him, love shining in
her dark eyes.
    He ignored the familiar ache in his chest,
put the photo face down, and picked up the other one.
    The child in it was running across a field
of wildflowers, looking back over her shoulder. Her dark hair was
in suspended animation around her head and her eyes, so much like
her mother's, laughed with childlike delight.
    He traced the lines of her face, wondering
if her eyes still sparkled.
    He pushed his chair forward, reaching for
the button on his phone that would connect him directly to his
executive assistant. "Elaine, make travel arrangements. We leave
for Mill Valley next Monday."
    Her low, cool voice was distinct over the
intercom. "Mill Valley, sir?"
    "Just outside San Francisco. Where we're
shooting our next picture."
    "For how long should I reserve lodging?"
    "Just arrange for travel and
transportation."
    "But no lodging, sir?"
    "We have a place to stay." He hung up and
reclined, crossing his legs as he spun his chair to face the wall
of windows behind him.
    Parker glanced at the
picture he still held in his hand. Michael was right—she was every bit his
daughter. She wouldn't be happy to see him. At least, that's what
she'd say.
    He knew better. Even after all this time.
Even if she said she didn't want him there.
    "Summoned or not, the god will come," he murmured,
stroking the cold glass covering the photo.

Chapter Two
     
     
    The bastard was back.
    Olivia slammed the register drawer shut,
startling Mrs. Ledbetter. She gave her customer an apologetic smile
before scowling at the cretin who'd entered her store. "What do you
want?"
    She refused to get distracted by the
unfamiliar laugh lines on Michael's familiar face. "Of all the gin
joints—"
    She shook her head,
swallowing the rage she thought she'd exorcised eleven years ago.
"Being cute will not soften me up."
    Mrs. Ledbetter stepped forward, gripping her
bag tightly and darting curious looks at her and Michael.
    Olivia didn't need her dirty laundry aired in front
of one of her best customers. "Was there anything else I could get
you?"
    "No, dear. Thank you." The woman glanced at
them again before leaving.
    Olivia waited until the door snapped shut
before rounding on Michael. "What the hell are you doing here?"
    He grinned sardonically. "Gee, it's nice to see you
too, Olivia. It's been a long time."
    She folded her arms across her chest. "Not
long enough."
    "Listen, Olivia. We need to talk." He strode
purposefully through the lingerie displays, eyes fixed on her. His
focus was disturbing. The Michael she used to know would have been
distracted by the lingerie.
    And, damn, he was sexy.