Fearless - Fern Michaels Page 0,83
the plastic bags—“come from?”
“I’d forgotten all about them. The barbecue. Patrick and Renée brought me gifts. I was busy, so I put them on the counter in the kitchen. I forgot I had them. There was so much going on that day. I think Mona or someone put them in a drawer, and I totally forgot about them. Daniel wants me to call Ryan, see if he remembers where they were purchased.”
“Then do it,” Mandy said.
“I was about to, I just wanted you to do what you did last night. With your phone.” Anna knew it was legal in Texas for her to record a phone conversation without the person’s consent. But even so, she didn’t want to go into it with Daniel just yet.
“Excuse us,” Anna said. “I’ll see if I can find where they were purchased.”
Anna hustled out of the kitchen to her bedroom upstairs. “Get the app ready to record.” Anna dialed Ryan’s cell number.
“Hi, love,” he said.
Anna rolled her eyes. “Hi, Ryan. I, uh, wanted to see how you all were. Any news on the fire?” She’d been instructed by Simon not to discuss this, but she needed to give him a reason for her to call.
“Nothing yet. I’m waiting to hear myself.”
“Oh, well, I guess I assumed since they’d ruled the fire as arson, you would know the details by now.”
“You would think so, but no, nothing yet,” Ryan said.
“Ryan, listen, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you. With everything that’s happened, it escaped my mind. Do you remember the chocolates Patrick and Renée brought that day? They were a gift. They were placed in a drawer, and I just saw them again. I wanted to thank them, but also I wanted to know if you recall where they were purchased? I’d like to . . . do a segment on the show on how to reproduce the candies, boxes and all. I thought with the holidays around the corner, it might be a great gift idea. For kids to . . . give their teachers.”
Mandy shook her head.
“Hmm, seems like we were at a CVS earlier that morning. I’m pretty sure we bought them there.”
“Oh, thanks. I know it sounds crazy, but do you remember which CVS?”
“Sure, the one on East Braun; it’s closest to the house.”
“Okay, well, thanks. I’m . . . tell Patrick and Renée I said thank you.”
“Hey, don’t hang up. Why don’t you stop by the hotel later tonight? I’d love to see you. Catch up.”
While she thought it tacky to dump a guy over the phone, it’s exactly what she needed to do. “Look, Ryan, with all that’s happened, Christina’s accident, your house fire, I think it’s probably a good idea if we stop seeing each other.” As far as she was concerned, they were over the day of the barbecue, but she hadn’t told him yet.
“What!” He shouted so loudly, she had to hold the phone away from her ear.
Deep breath in and out; she knew he’d react this way, which made calling it quits over the phone a good idea. Anna suspected that, if pushed too far, Ryan could become violent. She was finished with him. “You heard me, Ryan. I have a lot going on, you’re going to have a lot on your hands, dealing with your house, the fire. I just think it’s best we end this now.”
“Anna, just stop! I know you’re upset about your daughter. I would be, too. But we’re just getting started. Remember what I told you that night in the parking lot at The Shallows?”
“Yes, Ryan. I do, but I don’t feel the same.”
Mandy was getting more than an earful.
“Anna, you might not have said as much, but trust me, a woman like you in the sack, you weren’t just a tumble in the hay. You might not even realize it yourself. Your actions showed me exactly how you feel; don’t deny it.” His voice was calm, but in a scary sort of way.
A mistake of massive proportions, Anna feared what Ryan might do if she were to continue this line of conversation.
“We’ll talk another time, maybe. Good-bye, Ryan.” Anna ended the call before she said things she’d regret.
“He’s a frigging loony, Anna! What is he talking about? The parking lot?”
“The night I met him at The Shallows for dinner with the kids, he walked me to my car. His kids were already in his car, and he whispered in my ear, told me he loved me. I thought