Chapter 10

'Ain't nobody drawin' wine from this blood…'

Steam rose from Evangeline's cup and clouded John's face in a whispery haze. She leaned against the leather seat, enjoying his company and a break from the world. Their booth near the window displayed a good view of Angel Square. Rain fell haphazardly onto the sidewalk. People either rushed into the diner to avoid the water like they had or ran out into, splashing like children.

"This is becoming a habit," he commented. "First, the Jazz concert was rained out and now our walk."

"Do you think it's an omen?" She was only half-teasing but curiosity filled her in regard to his answer.

"An omen?" He swallowed some coffee before he continued. "I don't believe in that stuff. Don't tell me you do. You're too logical for that nonsense."

"Too logical?" She wasn't sure she liked the sound of that. Sure, she weighed her options and considered all possibilities but she possessed a touch of whimsy. "I don't know about that. My maternal grandmother was born with a caul. Do you know what that is?"

He fixed her with a quizzical frown. Leaning forward, he wrapped his palms around his cup. In the vibrant fluorescent lighting, his blue eyes twinkled. "I think I've heard the term. According to some, she would have some kind of psychic ability. Right?"

She nodded. "According to some. My mother swears by it. She says that Grandmother knew about my Dad's career problems before they happened. Neither he nor my mother heeded her warning. Later, they wished they had."

"Do you believe it?"

"I don't discount it. She's predicted a few things about me. Keesha, too." Evangeline frowned, remembering the pain her cousin endured after Jason's accident. Their grandmother had cautioned Keesha about it at least six months before it happened. Neither of them had remembered until well after Jason Morgan had cast Keesha aside. Chill bones formed on Evangeline's arms. She wondered what warnings her grandmother had for her future.

A look of awe crossed his face. "You never cease to amaze me."

She smiled. "So, I'm not boring you."

"Never," he answered. "I'm actually enjoying this."

"You sound surprised."

"I am." His gaze drifted to his half empty coffee cup. "I hadn't realized how isolated I'd become. Being with you…is like a gift. But I don't want to damage it."

She reached out and took his hand. "We won't. No matter what happens."

"You make it sound so easy." His mouth quirked into a half smile. "Such fearless determination. Do you ever get scared?"

"A lot, but the key is not to let fear win."

He laced his fingers with hers. "Another lesson learned at your father's knee."

"I have plenty of them. Joseph Williamson was a remarkable man." Her voice softened with memories, love and admiration. "I wish you could have met him. He would have had some great advice for my meeting today."

"You sounded a little disturbed on the phone," he said. "What happened or is that a part of attorney-client privilege?"

She frowned. "No, it's my new assistant. I think the custody case is upsetting her on a personal level."

"Did you ask?"

"Yes, but it's personal. I don't have a right to pry."

"But if she affects your defense…" He sighed. "You won't let that happen."

Evangeline nodded. His words echoed her thoughts. But what was the best approach to take? In all the years of her legal career, she never encountered a problem like this. Of course, her hunch could be wrong. Maybe something other than the child custody case was on Dawn's mind and made her preoccupied. Maybe...but Evangeline doubted it.

"How is she otherwise?" John asked. "Is it a good fit?"

"It's excellent. Tailor made if ever there was one. Her credentials are impeccable. I can't believe she's not pursuing a career as an attorney. I'm half afraid that she won't stay long because she'll get a better offer."

"Wow." His eyes glowed with amusement. "She sounds like a keeper."

"I think she is. Why do you ask?"

Amusement faded and transformed into something darker. His grip on her hand tightened a fraction. "Having good working relationships are important. You know, Antonio is a good cop, but…"

"Keri and Jamie keep him grounded," she said. A few days ago, she and Keri enjoyed a short conversation about their lives. Keri expressed some concern about Antonio's research into the Santi family, but she was convinced that their marriage would survive anything. Evangeline echoed that belief. "He's a good man as well as a good cop."

A troubled expression crossed his face. "I know that. It's just that… I don't know another way to put this. He's reminding me of myself, and contrary to popular belief, that's not always a good thing."

"You're worried about him," she acknowledged. "I don't see why you can't let him know that. Spread the communication thing into all areas of your life."

He laughed. Reaching out with his free hand, he caressed her cheek. "You may be too smart for your good."

She leaned against his hand, reveling in the warmth of his touch. "That's possible, but I doubt it."

hr

Finding a connection between RJ Gannon and the Santi family wasn't going well on Dawn's end. When her assignment began, Evangeline and RJ were still an item. No one at the Bureau imagined the two would split. Dawn's detail didn't change despite the dissolved love affair. From months long surveillance, Gannon's affection for Evangeline wasn't casual. And if the Bureau's suspicions about his criminal ties were correct, Ms. Williamson would need protection. Dawn didn't mind playing bodyguard in addition to paralegal. The additional duties kept her mind off her personal life.

She followed Evangeline and John to Evangeline's condo. He stayed about ten minutes and left. She made a notation in her palm pilot and glanced at her watch. Relief arrived in the form of Johnny Utah. She gave the other agent all pertinent information and left.

It was late, but she wasn't ready to go home. The meeting with Kelly Buchanan shook the walls she'd built around her memories. Going back to her lonely apartment would only conjure more of the same. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her that half a bagel five hours ago wouldn't cut it. She considered grabbing something quick but decided against it. Why not do a little people watching and getting the feel of Llanview better? Sonia's reports conveyed one group, but Dawn wanted a full view.

A hostess graciously led her to one of The Palace's nicest tables. Soon after, Dawn ordered a grilled chicken Caesar salad with steaming cup of herbal tea on the side. As she chomped on a delicious garlic breadstick, her cell phone rang.

"Jensen," she answered.

"Dawn?"

Her heart literally skipped a beat. Air lodged in her throat. She coughed once to regain her composure. After hearing Kelly's gut wrenching desire to keep Ace, the last thing she wanted to do was talk to her ex. Her hand clenched into a fist as she silently counted to ten.

"Are you there?"

"I'm here, Nikolas," she answered after quickly swallowing water. "What's up?"

"A lot actually." The Cassadine heir paused a moment. His voice rolled to the familiar murmur that she knew so well. "I'd like to see you."

"I can't," she said too quickly. "Um…I just started a new gig and I can't get away."

"I wasn't sure about your work schedule. Have you spoken to Carlotta or to Father?"

"I haven't talked to Mama, Stefan or Dara in weeks. Why? If you're planning an anniversary party, I won't be able to help. I'm pretty much tied up."

"It's not that. Look…I'd rather not do this over the phone. Can't we meet for an hour? That's all I ask."

"I can't--"

"You mean you won't," he said. "We promised to be friends."

She inhaled a harsh breath and flexed her hand to regenerate circulation. "Nikolas, I'm doing the best I can. What is it?"

"I'm marrying--"

"--Emily," she said. "Wow…my best friend and my ex-fiancé. I'm so happy for you both. Congratulations."

"I knew you'd be upset," he said quietly. "That's why I wanted to see you in person. We'd like for you to be there."

The breadstick suddenly burned like acid in her stomach and threatened to make a reappearance. "Oh, God."

"You couldn't expect me to wait forever," Nikolas continued. His voice sounded raw with emotion. "He was my son, too, but torturing ourselves for living isn't fair to either of us. Please, Dawn. Let me see you. Let's talk about this."

"Nikolas…" More words refused to come. Survival instinct kicked in. Her thumb flexed, clearing the call.

The waiter chose that moment to return with her dinner. She grabbed bills from her wallet and dropped them on the table. Shaking her head, she rushed from the dining area toward the bar. Hated, unshed tears blurred her vision. As she rubbed her eyes, she walked straight into an immovable object. Hands gripped her upper arms, steadying her.

"Excuse me." She blinked to focus and her gaze connected with a pair of warm brown eyes framed by unbelievably long eyelashes. Kevin Buchanan. The photos in the newspaper didn't do him justice. She drew in a quick breath and extricated herself from his grasp. "I'm sorry. I didn't see you."

"I know." He shoved his hands into his pockets and titled his head to the side. "Are you okay? You seem upset."

"I'm fine."

He gave her a smile that oozed charm and interest. "That's an automatic response if ever I've heard one."

"It's the best one I've got." The look in his eyes promised to make her forget her sorrows, but she knew better than to lose herself like that. Despite the spark of awareness that charged through her, Dawn nodded once and moved to walk away before she did something completely stupid and ill-timed.

He caught her elbow. "Let me buy you a cup of coffee."

"Why?" Her voice shook slightly and she hated the sound. It wasn't all based on a surprise, sudden attraction to a handsome man. Everything came at once. The fight for Kelly's son, being reminded of the loss of her own and then Nikolas's announcement were too much. Her resolve weakened.

He shrugged. "I'm due for a good deed. You seem to be the best and most beautiful candidate. Is that good enough?"

"Just coffee."

"Sure." Kevin escorted her to a table near the bar. A waiter appeared and he ordered coffee then became quiet, regarding her behind those long lashes.

His stare unnerved her. Maybe this wasn't a good idea. "What is it?"

"What happened?" he asked. "To make you so upset? Judging by the look in your eyes, it's major. Deep and dangerous, begging to be unloaded."

"Why do you care?" she asked. "And why would I unload on you? A complete stranger?"

"Strangers are the best for unloading."

The waiter returned with cups and a pot of coffee. Kevin waved him away and served them both. While she watched him, the words just tumbled from her.

"I heard from my ex. He's getting married and wants me at the wedding."

"That's cruel and unusual punishment," he commented. "I hope you told him to go to hell."

"We've both been there," she commented in a low voice. "It's not a nice place. Believe it or not, I want him to be happy."

He was in the process of stirring cream into his coffee when his movements stilled. "You still love him."

"Until I die," she answered honestly.

"Why not re-stake your claim?" Kevin asked. "Get him back?"

"You misunderstand. I don't want him back." Her voice cracked. "We broke up five years ago."

He frowned. "You must have been a kid then."

"I was. He was. Together, we weren't. We were in love and had a wonderful life planned. Then, the unthinkable happened and it was over."

"The unthinkable? You became pregnant and your parents disapproved."

Tears stung her eyes. She blinked but that only made them roll down her cheeks. "No, the miscarriage was the unthinkable. We were planning to get married despite our parents objections, but I lost the baby."

Color drained from Kevin's face. His shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry. That must have been horrible for you."

"It was. It is." She used the linen napkin to wipe her eyes. "I apologize for the tears. It's just been one of those days. Everything came rushing back and here I am, unloading. The coffee came with more than you bargained for."

"I pushed," he admitted, "I apologize. I don't know what to say, but words don't really help, do they?"

She shook her head. "Not today, but your listening has meant a lot. Thank you."

"No," he said quietly, "thank you."