Reading further, she discovered their mutual drug addictions had caused them to lose several jobs. White hadn't done time like her father but had been suspected for several misdemeanors.
Leaning back and letting the pile of papers rest on her lap, Annelie wondered if this was how White knew about her. Had her father shared his past in Chicago with him, or had White been part of their lives even before Stuart Clint abandoned his family?
"Annelie?"
The gentle voice made her jump, and she looked up at Harvey standing next to her. "Yes? Sorry. I was daydreaming."
"I just wanted to let you know that Francine and I are completely behind you. It's appalling how a man can treat his child this way."
Annelie motioned for him to sit down. "There's something you don't know, Harvey."
Harvey's eyes narrowed as he listened to Annelie. "First of all, I'm sorry your father's dead. Still, it infuriates me someone would try such a thing. I'm not surprised, though. There are a lot of predatory people out there, ready to do just about anything if they benefit from it." He wavered for a minute, stroking his mustache several times. "How are you feeling?"
Annelie tucked a long strand of hair behind her ear. Harvey's question seemed nothing but kind. Surprising herself, she shook her head. "I'm…a little stumped," she confessed. "Angry, of course, and upset. I'm big on privacy." She gave a wry smile. "Very big."
Harvey patted the back of her hand. "I've gathered that. Remember, you're not alone. Now the press will have another field day—conveniently forgetting they were wrong in the first place—but they'll focus on him. You'll get all the sympathy votes."
Annelie made a face. "I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I understand what you mean. I just don't want the public to contribute less to my charities."
Harvey smiled. "Don't worry. When people learn about this guy's scheme—"
"They'll pull out their wallets, donate money to the charities, and show everyone, including that moron, who they really sympathize with." Carolyn's husky voice surprised them both.
Harvey laughed. "You took the words right out of my mouth, Carolyn."
Annelie glanced at the contented smirk on her lover's lips. She thought back to the precious fifteen minutes she'd spent simply lying in Carolyn's arms early that morning. Carolyn's soft caresses along her back and her whispered terms of endearment had soothed Annelie when she finally realized she would never be able to reconcile with her father—no explanations, no happy ending. Annelie didn't even know she'd harbored such hopes. Perhaps they were remnants from her childhood, when she dreamed her father would return.
Vaguely aware Carolyn and Harvey were talking with each other, Annelie looked over toward the window, the bright sunlight reflecting on the wings of the airplane. It stung her eyes, adding to the tears already forming there. I can hardly remember him, and I honestly thought I didn't care anymore. We lived our lives well without him, Mother and I. Why am I so lost now? Have I fooled myself all this time?
Her memories of the tall, lean man were sketchy at best. She remembered dark eyes and how he called her "the child" when he spoke to her mother. Did he ever use my name? Her mother had called her Annie and many nicknames based on that. Some were of Swedish origin, and Annelie's favorite had always been "lilla hjärta," meaning "little heart."
Mother was mild-mannered, with a generous heart, soft touch, and pale beauty. He, on the other hand, was cold and selfish. Why did she fall for him? Did she think she could change him? Well, damn it, not even having a child with her made Stuart Clint care much. He lasted for only seven years. I can do this. I can face the media and everybody else. He hasn't played a role in my life, nor did I in his for more than twenty-five years…Annelie leaned back in her seat, the memory of Carolyn's strong embrace vivid in her mind. As long as I have you, I'll be okay. You empower me when I need it most, and these memories of him make that so important.
According to Margo, Stuart Clint was a handsome bad boy with a winning smile who had treated Anna well while he courted her. But as soon as they were married, he changed. When Anna gave birth to Annelie, he began to drink heavily and sometimes use drugs. One day he was gone.
A gentle hand took hold of Annelie's, bringing her out of her reverie. "The press conference should be over. Want to call Margo?"
"No. Let's wait till we get to the hotel. We should get there quickly since the security company is meeting us at the gates."
"Security company?" Harvey raised his eyebrows.
"Margo and I talked," Carolyn explained. "Since the convention and the latest about this bozo in California will attract a lot of attention, we agreed to hire bodyguards."
Accustomed to Hollywood and the paparazzi, Harvey nodded. "Good move."
"They'll escort us to the hotel and accompany us everywhere while we're in L.A. Annelie wasn't too keen at first, were you, love? But she relented when I twisted her arm."
Annelie wondered if Carolyn noticed how the tender word automatically slipped from her lips, or saw the twinkle in Harvey's eyes, but she didn't think so and didn't mind.
She scooted closer to Carolyn as Harvey rejoined his wife. "He's such a good man."
Carolyn nodded. "Actually, he reminds me of my father, even if he's not quite old enough. Oh, that's right, you're just a baby. He's old enough to be your father," Carolyn deadpanned.
"Very funny." Annelie rolled her eyes. "All jokes aside, if my father had been like Harvey, things would be a lot different."
"You know what? I think Harvey really cares about you. I'm not saying he's about to adopt you, but he definitely acts fatherly around you."
Blushing faintly, Annelie considered this observation. "They're all so nice. I couldn't ask for a better crew."
Carolyn gave a knowing smile. "Oh, Annie, don't you realize Helen, Harvey, and I are the ones who are grateful to be working with you." She caressed Annelie's leg discreetly. "And I'm more grateful than the other two put together."
***
Carolyn sat next to Annelie in the black SUV and tried not to let her know how badly her temples throbbed. After glancing through the tinted windows and studying the bodyguards who accompanied them, she closed her eyes briefly. She tried to block out the voices of Francine and Helen by concentrating on her inner self. All I need is a few minutes to relax and I'll be fine. Just a few. Deep breaths. That's it. Maybe that'll help. I can't wait to get to the hotel pool. A quick swim should make me less tense. Wonder how long I've got before I have to be at the Tonight Show studio?
Seeing she had plenty of time unless something unexpected happened, Carolyn glanced over at Annelie. She seemed lost in thought, her hands clasped in her lap. As Carolyn reached over and patted the tight fists, Annelie quickly turned her head, her eyes dark with emotions.
What's going on in her mind? Why the dark thoughts, darling? Wanting to reassure her lover, she locked her gaze onto the pale blue eyes. "We'll be there soon," Carolyn whispered. "Haven't changed your mind, have you? Still going with me to the studio?"
Annelie nodded briefly, not averting her eyes. "Of course I'm going. I'll wait for you in the green room."
As they drove up to the hotel entrance, the doorman approached to open the car door. Forestalling his intention, the man sitting next to the driver held on to the door handle, carefully scanning the surroundings before opening it. He leapt outside, watching over the passengers as they climbed out of the vehicle.