Chapter One

"My baby's gone...." The haunted refrain played as Julian Crane cradled his brandy glass. Alone in his study, he ignored the tears that threatened to overflow as he listened to Eve sing what had become the theme of his life.

"My sweet Eve," he thought sadly, "how could you leave me? Didn't I mean anything to you?" He still found it hard to accept, even all of these years later, that Eve had turned her back so completely on him. He had only his memories of their time spent together to cherish, for he had not seen her since the day he told her he was going to marry Ivy Winthrop.....
 

*Flashback*
 

"Eve,darling, I don't love her, I'm marrying her for Crane Industries sake--I do NOT love her!"Julian pleaded, holding her tightly."We can still be together, I don't have to be with Ivy every waking moment!" He couldn't lose her, he couldn't. Didn't she understand that this was business? That Alastiar had threatened to disinherit him if he didn't marry Ivy?

Eve shook her head, her beautiful brown eyes brimming with tears."I won't settle for being your mistress, Julian. I am worth much more than that--and if you can't give me the love that I deserve, then this ends right here, right now," she whispered, her heart breaking with every word." She felt sick having to say this to him, but she knew she could not stand never truly being his. She had to leave him, to save herself.

Julian smoothed back her hair, then framed her face with his hands."You can't leave me, Eve," he intoned softly, his eyes searching hers. "You love me too much."

The look she gave him would haunt him for years to come. "That is my cross to bear alone, Julian." With that she moved out of his arms, and walked away, never turning back. She would learn to forget him, no matter what it took. Or how much her heart would break.

Julian stared after her, feeling like the very life had drained out of him as he watched her leave....

*End flashback*

Draining his brandy, Julian thought over the mess that his life had become since Eve had left. He and Ivy had indeed married and divorced, and now he was living alone in the Crane mansion. Alastair had died of a stroke, so he alone held the reins of the Crane fortune, after he got rid of his ice-cold wife. He didn't even have his son Ethan any longer, since the discovery that Ethan was Sam Bennett's son by Ivy. No one to care whether he lived or died.....and the only one that had loved him had left because he had thought that money was more important than love.....that was HIS cross to bear....
 

The next day at Harmony General, Dr. Walter, the chief of staff, smiled at his newest addition to the hospital. Lovely woman, but even better, recommended by Boston University Medical Center as an up and coming family physican. He was short staffed, and he had needed someone badly.

"Welcome, Dr. Johnson. I hope you're happy here. We're so much smaller than BUMC, I hope that won't prove too much of a change for you," he grinned, taking in how truly lovely she was. Her brown hair was swept up in a very becoming style, and she was radiant in the pale violet dress that accentuated her figure.

Eve smiled at him gratefully."I think I'll like it here." She was eager to leave Boston anyway, it held too many memories of her love for Julian Crane. Here, in this little town called Harmony, she was sure she'd finish the rebuilding of her life that she began those years ago. "When would you like me to start?"

Dr. Walter smiled back at her."Would tomorrow be all right? I'd actually wanted you to start today, but I have a meeting with the board to attend in a few minutes after we finish the paperwork." His pager beeped, and he frowned. "Will you excuse me? I have to see a patient, I'll be right back."

"Of course. I'll finish these up," Eve said as she picked up a pen. Dr. Walter left the office, and she bent over the forms to read over them. So intent was she, she didn't look up when she heard the office door open again. "Is everything okay, Doctor?" she asked, still not looking up. A sharp intake of breath caused her to turn toward the door.

"Eve," breathed Julian Crane as he stared at her as if he's seen a ghost.