She replaced the receiver. What was he going to do after the party? Who was the woman? She was filled with a sense of jealousy so strong that it almost smothered her. She had never been jealous of anyone in her life.
Everything is so perfect, Lara thought. / don’t want to lose it. I can’t lose it.
She lay awake thinking about Philip and what he was doing.
Howard Keller was stretched out on Kona Beach at a small hotel on the big island of Hawaii. The weather had been ideal. He had gone swimming every day. He had gotten a tan, played some golf, and had daily massages. He was completely relaxed and had never felt better. Dr. Bennett was right, he thought. Overload. I’m going to have to slow down a little when I get back. The truth was that the episodes of memory loss had frightened him more than he wanted to admit.
Finally, it was time to return to New York. He took a midnight flight back and was in Manhattan at four o’clock in the afternoon. He went directly to the office. His secretary was there, smiling. “Welcome back, Mr. Keller. You look great.”
“Thank you…” He stood there, and his face drained of color.
He could not remember her name.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Philip arrived home Wednesday afternoon, and Lara took the limousine to the airport to meet him. Philip stepped off the plane, and the image of Lochinvar instantly sprang to Lara’s mind.
My God, but he’s handsome! She ran into his arms.
“I’ve missed you,” she said, hugging him.
“I’ve missed you, too, darling.”
“How much?”
He held his thumb and forefinger half an inch apart. “This much.”
“You beast,” she said. “Where’s your luggage?”
“It’s coming.”
One hour later they were back at the apartment. Marian Bell opened the door for them. “Welcome back, Mr. Adler.”
“Thanks, Marian.” He looked around. “I feel as though I’ve been away for a year.”
“Two years,” Lara said. She started to add, “Don’t ever leave me again,” and bit her lip.
“Can I do anything for you, Mrs. Adler?” Marian asked.
“No. We’re fine. You can run along now. I’ll dictate some letters in the morning. I won’t be going into the office today.”
“Very well. Good-bye.” Marian left.
“Sweet girl,” Philip said.
“Yes, isn’t she?” Lara moved into Philip’s arms. “Now show me how much you missed me.“
Lara stayed away from the office for the next three days. She wanted to be with Philip, to talk to him, touch him, assure herself that he was real. They had breakfast in the morning, and while Lara dictated to Marian, Philip was at the piano practicing.
At lunch on the third day Lara told Philip about the casino opening. “I wish you could have been there, darling. It was fantastic.”
“I’m so sorry I missed it.”
He’s out playing the piano somewhere. “Well, you’ll have your chance next month. The mayor is giving me the keys to the city.”
Philip said unhappily, “Darling, I’m afraid I’m going to have to miss that, too.”
Lara froze. “What do you mean?”
“Ellerbee’s booked me for another tour. I leave for Germany in three weeks.”
“You can’t!” Lara said.
“The contracts have already been signed. There’s nothing I can do about it.”
“You just got back. How can you go away again so soon?”
“It’s an important tour, darling.”
“And our marriage isn’t important?”
“Lara…”
“You don’t have to go,” Lara said angrily. “I want a husband, not a part-time…”
Marian Bell came into the room carrying some letters. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I have these letters ready for you to sign.”
“Thank you,” Lara said stiffly. “I’ll call you when I need you.”
“Yes, Miss Cameron.”
They watched Marian retreat to her office.
“I know you have to give concerts,” Lara said, “but you don’t have to give them this often. It’s not as though you were some kind of traveling salesman.”
“No, it isn’t, is it?” His tone was cool.
“Why don’t you stay here for the ceremony and then go on your tour?”
“Lara, I know that it’s important to you, but you must understand that my concert tours are important to me. I’m very proud of you and what you’re doing, but I want you to be proud of me.”