“Sure,” she heard herself say. “The fair is beautiful at night.”
Adam took her hand. She didn't attempt to withdraw it. He led her to a bench alongside a small pond on the edge of the fairgrounds. “Do you want to sit?”
“That sounds nice.”
Adam sat and pulled Laurel down beside him. He rested an arm over her shoulders, and they stared at the pond where carnival lights shimmered. The night sounds of frogs and settling birds mingled with carnival music and the voices of hawkers.
For a long while they said nothing. Laurel's guilt grew. Although she listed all the reasons to go, she couldn't make herself leave. Instead, she gazed at the pond.
Finally Adam asked, “Are you serious about marrying Robert?”
“Yes,” Laurel said, knowing she sounded ridiculous. If she were serious about Robert, why was she here with Adam? “I mean, I thought I was.” She was afraid to look at him.
He turned toward her, gently placed his hand under her chin, and tipped her face to him. “After I got your letter, I vowed I'd never approach you again. But I can't help myself.” He gazed into her eyes. “You don't love him. You love me.”
The passion in Adam's eyes enveloped Laurel.
“You shouldn't marry a man you don't love. Marry me.”
“You?” Laurel's voice came out a whisper. She wanted to flee. Loving Adam wouldn't work. They were too different. Laurel couldn't breathe. She had to get away. Standing, she stepped to the edge of the pond and turned her back to Adam.
He followed, resting his hands on her shoulders. “Think of it. We'll visit the Colosseum in Rome, travel the canals in Venice …”
Laurel stiffened. “You want me to go away with you? You won't stay?”
Adam turned her around so she faced him, keeping his hands on her arms. “No. I told you, I can't.”
Misery wrenched at Laurel. If she wanted Adam, she'd have to leave the valley. “You want to wander the world?”
“Yes. It would be wonderful! Just the two of us! There's so much I want to show you!”
Laurel stepped back. She'd known better. Still, when she looked at his charming face and captivating eyes filled with love and longing, she asked, Could I go? Lord, can I go? She waited, hoping to hear a yes. Instead, the sense that it was wrong grew stronger. She sighed and looked at her hands. “I wish I could go with you. I want to, but I can't.”
“Why?”
Feeling empty and ashamed, she gazed at him. “I want to be with you, but it's not what God wants. Whatever plan he has for me is here.” She blinked back tears.
Adam swiped his hair back. “How can you know that? Don't you think God wants you to be happy?”
“Yes, he does. But our most excellent plans aren't always what they ought to be. His way is always best.”
“And what about us?” Adam paced, then stopped directly in front of Laurel. “How can anyone know God's plans? Does he talk to you?”
Regret washed over her. She shouldn't have let this happen. She gazed out over the water and said softly, “Yes. Sort of. He speaks to me through his Word and I know him in my heart; he whispers to me in my mind.”
She looked at Adam. His face had become a mix of anger and anguish. “Since I came here I've grown closer to God. I'm learning to listen to him. I don't get it right all the time, but I know that leaving with you is wrong.”
“So, you want me to give up my life and stay here? To give up all I've worked for?”
She glanced at the ground, then back at Adam. “Success won't bring happiness. Anyway, not the kind of success you're talking about.”
“I won't give it up. Not ever. I can't.”
Laurel knew he spoke the truth. Tears spilled onto her cheeks. “I'm sorry, Adam. I shouldn't have come here with you. It was wrong, unfair to you, to me, and to Robert. I can't fit into your life. I'm just plain me, Laurel Hasper, farm girl.”
Adam's eyes flashed anger. “I'm sorry too.” He turned to walk away, then stopped when he spotted Robert standing only a few yards away, his face a mask of anguish. He strode toward Robert, brushing past him. “You win. She's yours,” he said, then disappeared into the darkness.
Pain knifed through Laurel. “Oh, Robert.” Tears spilled onto her cheeks. “Robert, I'm sorry.” She'd done a terrible thing. She'd been disloyal to the man who'd been her best friend, a man who truly loved her, and she'd driven Adam further from God. How could I have done this? She crossed to Robert. “I'm sorry, Robert. I'm so sorry.”
Robert's anguished expression turned tender. Laurel rested her forehead against his chest. “Adam's gone. Forever. Can you forgive me?”
Robert's arms tightened around her. “I forgive you.”
Laurel snuggled against his chest, then remembered her earlier confrontation with Ray Townsend. “Robert, I did something else. I told Ray Townsend what you were doing in Anchorage.”
“I'm not going to worry about Ray Townsend.” He held Laurel at arm's length. “I did well today. Sold a lot.”
“That's wonderful.” She hugged Robert tighter. What would she do if he were forced to leave?
Chapter Thirty-Eight
HUNKERED DEEP IN HIS COAT, ADAM MARCHED DOWN THE SIDEWALK. KING Edward had an announcement. Much had been speculated over the king's decision. Some believed he'd abdicate; others said no. Adam hoped it was the latter, but contemplating why he felt this way was dangerous territory, so he'd avoided introspection. After all, his job was simply to report the news, not puzzle it out.
Adam hurried up steps, pulled open double doors, and walked inside the meeting hall. Others were hurrying toward the conference room. He followed the flow.
The room, already teeming with reporters, resonated with chatter from newsmen. Some took bets. For months Adam had listened to the rhetoric, watched the king, and waited for him to make a move. Adam hoped the king's statement would put an end to his vigil so he could move on to something of greater importance.
The romance between King Edward VIII and the American divorcee, Mrs. Wallis Simpson, had raised a stir, but it seemed of little significance to Adam. However, the British monarchy had taken a strong stand. No concessions would be made. A king could not marry a divorcee, no matter what the circumstances.
