Free A Promise to Remember by Kathryn Cushman Page A

things in sunny California today?"
    Blair looked out his window, low misty clouds shrouding
everything. "I think we've got your weather. Things are pretty
murky, I'm afraid."
    "Yes." Shane cleared his throat. "That's what we keep
hearing."
    This discussion was no longer about the weather. Blair began
to mindlessly flip through his phone messages. One drew his
attention. Mike Daniels at Parsons Bank and Trust wants you to
call him.
    This deal could not fall through. The few things that Blair
had left depended on it.
    He reached for the Vitasoft file on his desk. "Only a fool
would let a little fog keep him from doing what needs to be
done. Myself, I stay focused on the big picture and walk right
through it."
    "Good man. Unfortunately ... I'm not so certain that our
major stockholders feel the same way. Some of our directors
are asking tough questions-questions I'm having trouble
answering."
    Blair picked up a paper clip and began to straighten it. "You
can tell your directors that there is no need for worry."
    "A lawsuit worth several million dollars might be perceived
as a rather large reason to worry. Know what I mean? Our legal
counsel is telling us to cool our jets a little on the timing of the
close."
    "My personal problems have nothing to do with the well-being
of this company. I'm continuing on with business as usual." He
worked the clip into a circle.

    "Good. I expect you to do everything in your power to provide
the warmth and sunshine we'd all like to see in a California
experience."
    "I'm taking care of things on my end. You do the same on
yours."
    "Got it covered. I'll check in again soon."
    Blair hung up the phone and fought the urge to bury his face
in his hands. Too many people could walk by the office. Instead
he stared at the paper clip he'd bent out of shape. It'd never go
back, he thought. He could try, could maybe get it close, but it'd
never he back to its original shape. Blair somehow felt that was
true of his own life, too. One more twist, one more bend. He
wondered if so much could happen that you'd forget where you
started in the first place. And then what would he be left with?
What kind of complicated knot would his life look like then?

    The buzz from the front gate jerked Andie to her feet. It was
nine o'clock on Friday night. Blair had once again barricaded
himself in his study and she expected no visitors. The surprise
of the buzzer rose a dread deep within. But really, what had
news could be left?
    She walked to the intercom. "Yes?"
    "Andie, it's Sam Campbell. I need to talk to you." Andie
couldn't move. Sam was their lawyer-Scott Baur's law partner
and a longtime acquaintance. This probably wasn't social. Not
tonight-at this time.
    "Andie?"
    Mechanically, she opened the gate, flipped on the porch
light, and waited. When she heard his car stop at the front of
the house, she braced herself, turned the deadbolt, and opened
the door. It took all her energy to force her voice out in a casual,
friendly manner. "Good evening, Sam."

    "Good evening, Andie. I'm sorry to bother you at home this
late, but I've got something I think you need to know." His grim
face told her she might need to know it, but she definitely did
not want to know it.
    "Please, come in." She held the door. Close it. Leave him
outside. Don't let him in. "Would you like a cup of decaf?" She
surprised herself with the control she managed to keep in her
tone.
    "No thanks. Is Blair home? I'd like to speak with him, as
well."
    "Yes, I'm home." Blair stood in the hallway, watching. The
weary look on his face told Andie he, too, feared the cause of
this visit.
    Andie continued her illusion of calm. "Come into the living
room." From the look on Sam Campbell's face, he needed to
sit down while he delivered this news. She was certain she
needed to sit to hear it. She pointed at the gray wingback chair.
"Please, have a seat."
    She walked on wobbly legs to the couch, where she sank into