Brent and Asa stepped back from each other and dried their eyes. “Brent, I know you have to be my son, but I honestly don’t remember having a relationship with a woman named Julia Hamilton,” said Asa, as he racked his brain, trying to remember Brent’s mother. “Did she ever go by any other name — a nick name or something?”
“Not that I ever remember, the only thing I ever heard her called is Julia. I think my Uncle Paul, her brother, had a pet name for her but he died in World War II, so I don’t remember him very well,” said Brent, feeling flustered and confused. “I do have a picture of Mother holding me as an infant. Maybe seeing it will help.”
Brent handed Asa the picture. Asa looked at it and said in astonishment, “Oh, my god, yes! Julie Beth! Julie Beth Dudley! But Clint said your mother’s name was Julia Hamilton. I didn’t even know that Julie Beth had married. Of course, I didn’t tell her I was married, either. I was in New Orleans for 4 months on an oil deal. I met Julie Beth at a friend’s house. She was so beautiful, I fell in love with her immediately. We were together almost the whole time I was there and I never saw any sign of a husband.”
“Julia Elizabeth Dudley was my mother’s maiden name, and her husband, Greg Hamilton, the man I thought was my father, was in the Navy and out at sea much of the time. That at least explains some of it,” replied Brent, trying to help Asa piece things together. “I know that their marriage was arranged by their families. They always struck me as unsuited for each other, but they never fought a lot, so, as a child, I thought they were happy. I think they liked each other well enough, but I don’t think they loved each other.”
“Oh, Brent, believe me I loved your mother very much,” said Asa in a voice filled with emotion. “I was young and reckless, and I had a wife, Olympia, back in Texas, whom I loved, too. Olympia was pregnant with Clint at that time, which makes the two of you almost the same age. When your mother found out about my having a pregnant wife back in Texas, we had a terrible fight. I went back to Texas and resumed my life there. But I will tell you this. I never forgot your mother, and years later I did try to find her, but I never could. Now I know why. I didn’t even know her correct name. I swear to you, Brent, if I had known that she was carrying my child, I would have found you both! I swear that you would have grown up knowing that I was your real father!”
The entire family had stepped back from Asa and Brent to give them the room and privacy that they needed to talk. Everyone was asking Clint, Bo, and Viki questions about Brent, and remarking on his unbelievable resemblance to Clint. Kevin, Joey, and Jessica were all very shaken by seeing Brent.
“Dad,” said Jessica, looking carefully at her father, “it is going to be awfully hard to get used to seeing him, and not calling him ‘dad!’ Its pretty rough when you can’t tell for sure if someone is your father or not.”
“Once you get to know your Uncle Brent, I don’t think you will have any problem telling he and your father apart,” Viki assured Jessica. “The way they dress, their mannerisms, and their personalities are very different. I want you children to know that I have invited Brent to stay in the west wing at Llanfair for as long as he wants. I think that having him around will be very good for this family. He is a fine man.”
“You have him staying at Llanfair?” asked Kevin, very shocked. “It’s not like he can’t afford his own place. Does Dad know that he’s going to be living with you there?”
“As a matter of fact, it was your dad who suggested it,” said Viki, realizing that Kevin was uncomfortable with the idea. “Brent is a member of the Buchanan family. Your father has to go back to California, so he asked me to do everything I can to help Brent adjust his new status, and answer his questions in an impartial manner. Remember, Brent lost his mother less than a month ago. He is really still in morning. We are his family now and I think we should make every effort to be supportive to him.”
Still upset, Kevin stepped over to Clint and asked, “Is this really okay with you, Dad? Even though he is your brother, we hardly know the guy. Do you approve of a complete stranger staying with Mom at Llanfair?”
“Yes, Kevin,” replied Clint. “Bo had a complete investigation done on Brent. I have spent a lot of time with Brent the last couple of days and I have gotten to know the man pretty well. I like him very much. I am only sorry that I have to go back to California so soon, as I would like to be able to get to know Brent better myself. I am counting on you kids and your mother to represent me and do everything you can to welcome Brent into this family.”
Brent and Asa joined the rest of the family and Brent was introduced to all his knew kin. Asa was acting like a new father eager to show off his knew baby. Brent was a little overwhelmed, but seemed to be enjoying being the center of attention among all these new relatives.
Lindsay approached Nora who was standing back, watching everyone. Lindsay smiled and very sweetly said, “Why Nora, it is so good to see you. And how are you and Bo doing these days? Sam is working on a case in L.A., and he has been coming up and spending time in the Bay Area. He and I are trying to become friends again — for the sake of the kids.”
Nora was thinking, “I wonder what Lindsay is fishing for,” but replied, through clenched teeth, “Bo and I are just fine. Thank you for asking. I am so glad that you and Sam are getting closer. Actually, I haven’t heard from Sam myself since he left Llanview.”
It was approaching midnight and everyone was getting ready to go back to town, as Clint looked over and saw Lindsay talking to Nora over in the corner. “I better go break them up,” thought Clint, “while they are still being civil to each other. The evening has gone so well this far. We don’t need a cat fight breaking out now.”
As everyone got ready to leave, Brent pulled Clint over to one side and said, “I want to thank you again, Clint, for making tonight as easy for me as you did. I really appreciate it. Do you think we could get together tomorrow? I need to talk to you about something before you go back to California? Please don’t bring Lindsay. I need to talk to you alone.”
“Sure, guy,” Clint answered, a bit confused. “I’ll call you at Llanfair and we can get together whenever you want.”
~~~~~~~~~~
It was Monday afternoon, and Clint and Brent were sitting in the library at Llanfair. Lindsay was at the Gallery talking with Dorian, and Viki was at The Banner, so the guys were completely alone.
“Clint, I wanted you to know that I think that Lindsay is suspicious about your relationship with Viki,” confessed Brent with concern. “She asked me a lot of questions about you and Viki while we were waiting at the cabin up at the lodge. I was very careful about what I said, but I wanted you to know about the conversation.”
“Thanks, Brent,” replied Clint, not appearing to be very surprised. “When Lindsay called me at the hotel the other night to tell me about the earthquake in San Francisco, it was 2 a.m. and I was in Viki’s room. I am sure that is the real reason that she came to New York. I am just glad I was in my own bed, alone, when she arrived.”
“Brent,” said Clint very seriously. “I need to ask you a favor. I want to spend some time with Viki before Lindsay and I return to California. Lindsay is going to be at the Gallery with Dorian tomorrow night. Lindsay is still part owner of the Gallery, and she and Dorian have a business meeting planned. I told Lindsay I wanted to spend some time with you, Bo and Pa that evening, but I would really like to spend the evening with Viki — preferably in your suite in the west wing. I don’t want to be here in the main house with Viki, because there is too great a chance of having someone walk in, and the word getting back to Lindsay. I am not planning some illicit affair, but I need to just be with Viki. It may be awhile before I can get free from Lindsay, and other than Pa and Renee’s wedding, I don’t know when I will be able to see her again.”
“I will be glad to cover for you, Clint,” said Brent with an understanding smile. “You and Viki belong together and I will do anything I can to make that a reality. Be careful of Lindsay, Clint! It probably isn’t my place to say anything, but I don’t trust her. If she thinks that you still love Viki, she will not be easy to get rid of.”
“Thanks, Brent, you’re probably right. I appreciate all this. If you ever need anything from me, just let me know and it’s yours,” said Clint as he gave Brent a big hug and left.
.
~~~~~~~~~~
Clint entered Brent’s suite in Llanfair’s west wing, his are arms loaded with two large bags of Chinese take-out. Viki was finishing setting the kitchen table. She is wearing a red and blue striped blouse and a pair of jeans. She looks very casually sexy, and Clint’s heart rate speeds up just looking at her.
As Clint walked in, Viki looked up and gave him a smile that lit up her whole face. He had on a pair of tight Levi’s, a red and white flannel shirt, and his brown cowboy boots. “He looks so handsome,” thought Viki. “I had forgotten how great he looks in a pair of jeans.”
“I thought it was only going to be us for dinner, honey. You have enough food in those bags for an army,” Viki says, laughing as Clint puts the bags on the kitchen counter.
“Everything on the menu looked so good that I got more than we needed. I hope that Brent likes left-over Chinese food,” replied Clint as he took Viki in his arms. “I know I promised to be on my good behavior tonight, but please let me hold you and kiss you just once before we have dinner.” Clint’s arms tightened around Viki and his mouth came down on hers tenderly. Their lips parted and the kiss deepened. Clint’s lips traveled over her face and neck, tasting the sweetness of her skin. “Sweetheart, I love you so much,” whispered Viki as she ran her fingers through Clint’s hair and nibbled on his ear lobe.
“Viki, that tickles,” said Clint, laughing as he kissed her forehead and held her tightly in his arms. “If you’re that hungry, honey, we better get dinner served up before I end up with only one ear. And, by the way, I love you, too, Viki — with all my heart.” Clint kissed Viki hard and then pushed himself away from her. He went over and started taking the containers of food out of the bags.
~~~~~~~~~~
Clint was putting the extra food in the refrigerator and Viki was loading the dishwasher. “Oh, Viki,” said Clint tenderly, as he stood behind her, put his arms around her and felt her body as she leaned back against him. “I just wish I could hold you like this forever, baby.” He kissed the back of Viki’s neck. His lips caressed her silken skin and the light scent of her perfume filled his senses. They moved over to the couch and sat down next to each other. Viki snuggled against Clint with her head resting on his shoulder. They sat together like that for a few minutes before Clint realized that Viki had started to cry.
“Honey, what’s wrong?” said Clint, concerned.
“I’m so afraid, Clint, that we will never be together again. I know that you love me, and want to divorce Lindsay. But what if she won’t give you a divorce?” confessed Viki, as tears ran down her cheeks. “This is all my fault. If I had said ‘yes’ to you when you asked me to marry you, we would be husband and wife now. Instead, you are married to someone you don’t love and I’m all alone, waiting for you to be free again.”
Clint wiped the tears from Viki’s cheeks with his handkerchief and kissed her face. “Darling, this is not your fault. You didn’t force me to marry Lindsay. I’m a big boy and I made that stupid move all by myself,” said Clint as he held Viki and stroked her beautiful blond hair. “I do have one question I need to know the answer to, though. After I made the announcement that Lindsay and I had gotten married, Joey confronted me and told me that you had changed you mind on the cruise and decided to accept my proposal of marriage. Is that true, Viki?”
As Viki looked at Clint she realized she had to be completely truthful with him now. “Yes, darling, I was going to tell you I wanted to be your wife again that night. But then you walked in and introduced Lindsay as your new wife. I was so shocked I didn’t know what to do or say.”
“Oh, my God, no!” said Clint, very shaken. “Why didn’t you tell me that when I came back that night and we talked? I asked you if there was anything that I should know and you said there wasn’t! Why Viki? Why didn’t you tell me you had changed your mind? At that point, I could have gotten the marriage to Lindsay annulled.”
Viki took Clint’s head in her hands. They were both crying. She looked at him and tried to explain. “I thought that I had hurt you so badly that you didn’t love me anymore. I thought that you must have fallen in love with Lindsay or that you wouldn’t have married her. I didn’t feel that I had any right to you, after rejecting you and telling you ‘no.’ That night was the hardest night of my life, Clint. To watch you walk away from me like that. . . but I had asked for it. I just kept hurting you over and over. I’m sorry, Clint, sweetheart. I’m so sorry.”
Viki was sobbing, her head against Clint’s chest. He rocked her in his arms as he told her over and over how much he loved her, and that she alone was not to blame. Clint gave her the handkerchief again, and she wiped her eyes and looked into his wonderful warm brown eyes, seeing the love that he had for her. Viki reached up and kissed Clint. The kiss was gentle and loving at first, but then their lips parted and the kiss deepened as the pent-up passion between them flared. They were completely lost in each other. Clint unbuttoned Viki’s blouse and reaches inside to feel her silken skin as she unsnapped his shirt. She placed her lips on his neck and chest as she tasted his slightly salty skin. Clint scooped Viki into his arms, carried her into the bedroom, placed her on the bed and laid down beside her.
Clint slowly removed the rest of Viki’s clothing as he kissed and touched each part of her body. He had dreamed of doing this so many times. Viki was calling his name over and over, and telling him how much she loved him, as she helps him out of the rest of his clothing. It was a wonderful journey of rediscovery for them as they remembered all the things that gave each other the most pleasure. It was like they were the only two people in the world and they alone were made for each other. They were finally one again.
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