The three chatted as Claire combed Nichol’s wet hair. Once she was presentable, Claire said, “Honey, why don’t you go find the other children? I’m pretty sure that Shannon and Becca have a special table set up for you, Michael, Shaun, and Stephen.”
Her shoulders fell. “Why do I have to sit with all boys?”
“Because you’re the princess and they’re your court,” Emily volunteered.
Nichol’s eyes brightened. “Oh, yeah.”
Moments later, Nichol was gone, happily ready to find her court.
“What do you want to speak to me about?” Claire asked.
“It’s not that big of a deal. I just wanted to tell you John and I spoke with Harry the other day.”
Claire took a step back. She hadn’t thought of Harrison Baldwin in quite a long time. Well, she had when she’d been told about Amber. The whole story made her sad. But honestly, she’d been too preoccupied with her own family to give him much thought. After all, it had been over five years since she’d left California.
“Wow, that’s out of left field.”
Emily shrugged. “Not really. John and I have stayed in contact with him. We got to know him and Amber while we were living in Palo Alto.”
“Really, Em, this doesn’t need to be in private. Tony couldn’t care less about Harry, and to be honest, I think I’m still upset that he lied to me.”
“He’s been through a lot. Besides, were you totally honest with him?”
“Excuse me?” Claire’s volume rose. “What does that mean?”
Emily shook her head. “Nothing, never mind. I just mean that when you were out there, you weren’t over Anthony.”
“Emily, that was a long time ago, and I don’t want to rehash it. Say what you wanted to say.”
“I wanted to tell you that he’s doing well.”
“Good.”
“He told us that he’s seeing someone and he’s happy.”
“Well, I’m happy for him. I always wondered if he and Liz got back together.”
Emily smiled. “See, you have thought about him.”
“Not recently, but I wondered that.” Claire thought back. When had she wondered that? Too many things had happened.
“They did,” Emily replied, “for a while. But a few years back, when he left the FBI, he moved to North Carolina to be close to his ex-wife and daughter. Liz stayed in California.”
Claire gasped as her eyes widened. “What did you just say?”
Emily reached for her arm. “Oh jeez, Claire, I thought you knew that.”
Her head moved from side to side. “H-How would I know that?” She paused and sat on Nichol’s bed. “He has a daughter and an ex-wife? Is that new?”
“No. I think his daughter is about eight or nine years old.”
“Well, isn’t that interesting.” Claire’s eyes narrowed. “No matter what my feelings for Tony were while I was in Palo Alto, I told Harry I had an ex-husband. Harry never mentioned an ex-wife or a daughter!”
“I didn’t tell you this to upset you,” Emily explained. “I told you, well, because I thought you’d be happy for him. I mean, you’re happy. At least you seem to be. Don’t you think he should be too?”
Claire nodded. She was happy and of course she wanted Harry to be happy too, but this was a lot to digest. Not only had he misled her with his job and initial intentions for their friendship, he never told her he was married. Emily’s words interrupted her thoughts.
“Claire, I don’t think I ever told you, but Harry came to see John and me, while you were… sick. He wanted us to know the truth about his job and about you. He’s the one who told us that you and Anthony left your island to save us from Catherine. I’m not sure I would’ve believed it coming from anyone else. What he did helped to open our eyes.”
Claire stared at her sister as words failed to form. Memories rushed forth too rapidly to decipher. She suddenly remembered the Harrison Baldwin who took her to buy a cell phone and a used car. She hated that those memories were tainted by his undercover work. At the same time she recalled how happy she’d been. Those small things meant the world to her. Now to know that he’d gone out of his way to explain things to her family, she did want him happy. Then she remembered Amber.
“Em, I do want him to be happy. I can’t imagine what he went through with Amber and the revelation about Simon. I still have trouble comprehending all of that. I’m glad he’s found someone. Is he remarried? Does he see his daughter?”
A smile graced Emily’s lips. “It sounds like he has a great relationship with his ex-wife, and because of that he’s gotten very close with his daughter. I forget the woman’s name, but they’re not that serious. I guess she was Jillian’s—that’s his daughter—teacher. So at first they kept it quiet. Now that a new school year is coming and Jillian has a new teacher, they’ve made their dating status public.”
Nichol’s door opened and dark questioning eyes peered around the frame. “There you two are. Dinner’s ready.”
Claire smiled toward her husband. “We’ll be right there.”
He opened the door wider. “The natives are restless. Thankfully Shannon and Becca have the little ones eating.”
Claire reached for Emily’s hand. “Thanks for telling me. I am happy.”