Chapter 21

"Kathy, this is Mr. Crane." Julian's tone was impatient.

"Yes, Mr. Crane?"

"I need you to contact the guards--it is important that Dr. Johnson is not aware that they are in place to watch over her."

Kathy was confused. "But Mr. Crane, how can they do that?" She shook her head. "Wouldn't it be better if she--"

"Kathy! Again, you question me? This insubordination of yours is getting to be quite tiresome!" he hissed, growing angrier by the second. The fact that they had been very brief lovers seemed to encourage Kathy to push the envelope as an employee.

Fearful of suddenly joining the ranks of the unemployed, Kathy was immediately apologetic.

"I was out of line, Mr. Crane. I'll get in touch with Captain Wilkes immediately."

"Glad to see you are back on track, Kathy. I will be back in touch later--if anything arises, leave a text message on my cellular." Julian sighed as he disconnected the call. Kathy was certainly becoming more and more inquisitive--he would have to remember to be careful with her. It would be disastrous if Eve discovered his machinations.

"She has forgiven me for abducting her--God help me if she would find out about the bodyguards. I would lose her trust forever." Julian felt a pang of remorse for having to deceive Eve, but when he thought of anyone harming her--whether it be his harpy of an ex-wife or the lowlife who dared to lay hands on her--his blood boiled.

"Eve couldn't count on me years ago, but she can count on me now. I'll keep her safe this time. No one tangles with Julian Linus Crane!" he snarled aloud.

Eve entered the room just then, and managed to hear the tail end of his remark. A surprised smile lit her face.

"Your middle name is Linus?" She laughed delightedly. "I never knew that, Julian. And why are you talking to yourself in here? " She shook her head. "Do residents of Harmony do that often?"

Redfaced, Julian shrugged. "I was just thinking aloud about a business rival of mine. I guess I became agitated." There, that was true in a sense, he thought.

"Well, you seemed so angry--I wouldn't want to be whomever this 'rival' of yours is. It's dangerous enough being someone you care about," she winked impishly.

"Love, my dear, someone I love," he gently corrected.

"Of course, Julian, I was simply making a point."

"As long as you remember that, Eve. So have you decided what we are going to do today?"

Eve looked thoughtful. "Actually, no I haven't. You know Harmony so well, Julian--don't you have any suggestions?" A raised eyebrow and a lavscious look were her answer, and Eve smiled again."I meant outside of this cabin, Julian."

"Can't fault a man for making a valiant attempt."

"Okay, since you aren't being any help, I suppose it's up to me. Why don't we go somewhere like a museum, like art or natural history?"

Julian had a pained look on his face. "Eve, the Crane mansion has all of that--that would be like going to visit my home. Isn't there anything else you can suggest?"

"Actually, there is."

"Whatever your heart desires, Eve--you need only name it."

Eve closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"I want to go see Whitney."

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Kathy was perturbed after Mr. Crane had hung up on her. He had become so short with her, as of late. She wasn't used to it, and it was upsetting.

"I wonder what's wrong with him?" she mused. "He's never treated me tbis way." She allowed her mind to drift backwards, when she had first started at Crane Industries.

*Flashback*
 

Kathy Lyons was overwhelmed with her grand new office--it was incredible! A breathtaking view of Harmony could be viewed from her oversized desk. Her computer was the latest version technology had to offer, and there was a private bathroom as well.

"I could get used to a job like this," she sighed happily. A sharp knock at the door interrupted her thoughts; it was followed by Julian Crane barging in. Absently, Kathy noted how handsome he was in person, much more than she had ever seen in pictures. He was dressed in a gray business suit, with a maroon tie--just reeking of expert tailoring and loads of money, she thought.

"You are Kathy, my new assistant?"

"Yes, Mr. Crane. It is such a pleasure to be working for--

"Yes, yes. I'm sure you've been made aware that this is a 24-hour job--demanding, yes, but you are being well paid to be at my beck and call." Julian raised an eyebrow at her. This Kathy person was beautiful in her own way, actually--he wouldn't mind getting to know her on a personal level.

She smiled at him, calling his attention to her heart-shaped face. "I was informed that this is a very demanding position. I am up to the challenge of working for you, Mr. Crane."

So she's up to the challenge, is she....how interesting, Julian thought. Though she was nothing like the beautiful Eve Johnson--he felt his chest tighten with longing--she could help him to forget her.At least for a little while. Yet no one could truly begin to take the place of the one woman who he had realized too late that he had loved.

Eve.

Kathy noticed his eyes change slightly--he found her attractive, she realized, but something else, something guarded.

"Is everything all right, Mr. Crane?"

"I'm quite well," Julian managed. "As soon as you finish getting settled, come into my office. We have a lot to accomplish." With that, he left the room leaving behind a very confused Kathy.
 

*End Flashback*
 

A dreamy smile briefly overtook Kathy's face. Julian Crane had been very demanding, as he had warned--he had kept her working late almost every evening, and required several weekends as well. On one of those weekends, he had invited her to his mansion, and before she knew it....he had managed to seduce her. She had never known such a skillful lover, before or since.

Not that she had to put up too much of a fight, she recalled. She had found him debonair and charming in an aloof kind of way. Yet try as she might, there was a boundary that she could not cross with him.

Like the fact that even after they had had their night of passion, he had insisted on her still calling him Mr. Crane.

Like the fact that more than once, when she entered his office, there was always the same blues song playing. His eyes were always glassy when he was listening, and she had wondered why.

When she had asked him about it, he had viciously responded,

"That is my business, and I will thank you not to intrude again!" he had hurled at her, his eyes snapping sparks. Hurt, she had fled his office, never to remark on the subject again. He had still played the song--from what she could determine, it was called, "My Baby's Gone"--but she was curious what it had to do with him. If, in fact, the song had something to do with a woman.

Deep in thought, she did not realize that she had forgotten to contact Captain Wilkes.
 

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"You want to go see Whitney? Darling, nothing would make me happier--but would she want to see me?" Julian was apprehensive--to go see their lovely daughter would be a thrill, but how would she react?

"There's only one way to find out." Eve smiled as she moved towards him. "Let's go meet our daughter, Julian." She kissed him on the cheek, and he held his hand to the spot, closing his eyes.

"As you wish, my dear."