Free The Adventurer by Diana Whitney Page A

Crandall cleared his throat. “You realize, of course, that being ill is nothing to be ashamed of. ” The unexpected statement jolted her to the core. “I’m not ashamed, I’m angry. In fact, I’m mad as hell that my body had been invaded by something I can’t even see. This thing has violated me. It’s taken away my peace of mind. I don’t feel safe anymore. I feel vulnerable and that makes me angry!”
    “Jessica, please… you mustn’t upset yourself. “
    She massaged her forehead and returned to the chair. “I’m sorry. Sometimes I just need to give the old soapbox a workout. But things aren’t that bleak anymore. I’m getting stronger every day and in a couple of months I should be completely back to normal. ” Another lie, of course. She’d never be normal again but at least she was alive and the chances of her staying that way were increasing by the day. ” “When this is over-really over-I’ll have no problem discussing what has happened. I might even give speeches to other people who are facing the same kind of surgery. Until then, I hope you’ll continue to respect my wishes and my privacy. “
    “You know that I will. ” ‘ She gave his hand a grateful squeeze. “
    “You’re such a fine man. ” ‘ He glanced away, seeming less embarrassed than thoughtful. “I doubt my son would agree with you. ” ‘ “Now, that’s not true. I know you’ve had problems in the past but you seem to be working them out. When I came in, the two of you were relating like old chums. ” “A few moments out of a lifetime. ” He stared silently across the room for a moment. “We had another argument this morning. ” Jessica’s heart sank. “People quarrel all the time. The important thing is that you obviously got through it. ” Tiredly massaging his eyelids, Crandall shook away her optimism. “We simply put it aside. The wounds are still there, as deep and raw as they ever were. ” Touched by the poignant confession, she chanced the question that had always been off-limits. “Does this have anything to do with what happened two years ago? ” “I suppose it does, although our relationship has been strained for so long that I can’t even remember a time when we were close. ” A sad smile curved one corner of his mouth. “I always considered parenting to be a distraction, an interruption in my life. Apparently my son now shares similar feelings about the expected duties of an offspring. ” ‘ She wanted to dispute that but simply didn’t know enough about Devon’s relationship with his father to do so. In fact she didn’t know much about Crandall’s personal feelings, either. He’d always shielded his emotions with brusque detachment , so his current candor was doubly surprising.
    And his next statement was astounding. “
    “I tried to have Devon fired, you know. “
    All she could do was stare, certain that she’d misheard.
    Folding his arms, Crandall gazed blankly across the room and spoke to the air. ” “When he came home two years ago, I hardly recognized him. Or rather, what was left of him. Of course, I understood that all young men crave adventure. That’s why I allowed him to have his foolish fling with this journalism business. But enough was enough, can’t you see? It was time for him to come home and do the work that was his destiny. “
    A tingle of shock slid down her spine. “What work was that? “
    The question seemed to stun him. “The company, of course. I spent my entire life building an empire for my son. I couldn’t allow him to throw all that away. You understand that, don’t you? “
    She closed her eyes and took a shaky breath. “What did you do, Crandall?
    “There was a moment of silence before he told her. She moaned, shaking her head in disbelief. No wonder Devon had been so furious.
    “Do you think I was wrong? ” Crandall asked.
    “Yes. ” “Then what should I have done? Surely you understand that I couldn’t sit back and watch my son