“Clint, sweetheart, I love you with all of my being,” said Viki tenderly, as she kissed his cheek and lets out a contented sigh. Clint turned on his side, and kissed and nibbled Viki’s neck and shoulder. She started to giggle. “Honey, are you still hungry after all that Chinese food you ate for dinner?”

“I am only hungry for you. I can never get enough of you, honey, never, ever!” said Clint as his lips came down hard on Viki’s and his hands began to explore her body again. As their passion flared, Viki melted under Clint’s touch as they made love again. Time stood still for them as they were lost in the magic they created for each other.

Clint looked at the clock and groaned. It was 11:45 p.m. and he knew he must leave. Just the thought of leaving Viki’s arms broke his heart. How was it possible that he loved her even more than he had ever loved her before? Was it because the passage of time made what they had together even sweeter than it was before? Clint knew the only thing he could do was get free of Lindsay as soon as possible so that he and Viki could start their lives over again together.

“Clint, when will I see you again?” said Viki as she tried to keep from crying. “I want you to know that I love you, Clint Buchanan! Tonight in your arms, I have been happier than I ever thought I could be again. I will wait for you, Clint, as long as it takes. There will never be anyone else for me but you.”

Clint and Viki held each other tightly and shared one more passionate kiss. “I will be back next month for Asa and Renee’s wedding. I promise we will be together again then and, in the mean time, I will get a divorce lawyer and see what I can do to get free of Lindsay. We will be together again, I swear it, Viki. I swear it. I love you more than words can say,” said Clint in a reassuring voice as he walked out the door.
~~~~~~~~~~

Kevin and Brent were sitting at the kitchen table in Llanfair playing chess. Kevin had just won the game and was feeling rather smug about it. Joey was making one of his Italian specialties that no one but him could pronounce.

“How many of us are there going to be tonight, Kev? Are Jessica and Cris going to be here or have they got some big plans?” said Joey as he grated cheese over his creation.

“Jessica said this morning that she and Cris were going to some special art fair tonight, so I am sure that they won’t be here. Mom should be home any time. So I guess that makes four of us. You are staying for dinner, Uncle Brent, aren’t you?” asked Kevin in a matter of fact tone.

“I guess so,” Brent replied with a smile. “The only reason you want me to stay is so you have a chance to beat me in another game of chess. Oh, by the way, I heard from your dad today. He called me to see how I was fitting into the family. I told him that other than Asa trying to tell me how to run my business, I seem to be adjusting fairly well. Clint said to give you kids his love and he promised to be better about returning your calls in the future.”

At that moment, Viki walked through the kitchen door. “Whatever that is, Joey, it smells heavenly,” said Viki, looking a bit tired from her long day. “How many times has Kevin beaten you tonight, Brent? You sure are a glutton for punishment. How soon will dinner be ready, Joey? I’m starving.”
~~~~~~~~~~

Kevin, Joey, Viki and Brent had just finished dinner. “I sure appreciate your letting me have dinner with you like this. I am so used to eating by myself that this is a real treat,” said Brent as he helped the boys clear the table.

“Uncle Brent, what time does that concert start that you and Mom are going to?” asked Joey. “It’s after 7 p.m.”

“The concert doesn’t start until 8:30 p.m. so we still have plenty of time,” said Brent, looking over at Viki and smiling.
~~~~~~~~~~

Several hours later, Brent and Viki walked back toward Brent’s car. Brent had his hand casually on Viki’s elbow as he led her through the street to the car. “Thank you so much, Brent, for taking me. I really enjoyed it much more having someone to share the experience with,” said Viki gratefully.

“You’re very welcome, Viki. I enjoyed the concert. And the company wasn’t bad, either,” Brent said with a big grin. “Viki, I wanted to wait until after the concert when we were alone to tell you that I heard from Clint today.”

“Oh, Brent, you did?” Viki said anxiously. “How is he? What did he have to say about meeting with the divorce lawyer?”

Brent reached over and gave Viki a big hug and kiss on the cheek. “Those are from Clint. And he told me to tell you he loves you with all his heart,” said Brent as he watched the tears start to stream down Viki’s beautiful face. Brent took her into his arms and just held her as she cried. Then he handed her his handkerchief so that she could wipe her tears.

“Now,” said Brent seriously, “I will tell you what Clint had to say. He said that the meeting with the lawyer went well. The fact that he and Lindsay have been married so short a period of time should help as far as the financial settlement goes, but Clint is probably going to have to shell out quite a bit of money to get rid of Lindsay because they had no prenuptial agreement. The lawyer also cautioned him to be very careful not to give Lindsay any grounds for divorce, as it would increase the amount of money she could go after him for. The two of you are going to have to be very careful about your relationship until after he is free.”

Viki heaved a big sigh as she leaned against Brent’s car. “I guess I should have known that this wasn’t going to be easy. As much as I miss Clint and long to see him, I am very glad that he is in California. I don’t think I could stand it if he were here in Llanview and we couldn’t be together. At least with a whole country between us, there is nothing to make Lindsay suspicious. Thank you, Brent, for being the go-between for Clint and I. You are a great friend to me — and to Clint.”
~~~~~~~~~~

Brent was sitting on the sofa in his suite in the West wing, having a drink and thinking about Viki. “I am going to have to watch myself very carefully, or I am going to end up falling head over heels in love with her,” Brent tells himself. “All Viki sees me as is a friend and I would never do anything to hurt her or Clint, but I am very attracted to her — whether I want to be or not. I think I’d better put some distance between Viki and myself for a while. This might be a good excuse to go out and visit Clint. Then I can accompany he and Lindsay back here for Asa’s wedding.”
~~~~~~~~~~

Lindsay Buchanan walked into the Mission Art Gallery. Her position as Assistant Director of the gallery had enabled her to enjoy meeting most of the better patrons of the arts in San Francisco society. She and Clint had been invited to some of the best parties and Lindsay was glad they moved away from Llanview. Not that Llanview isn’t a nice place to live, but compared to San Francisco, it is very provincial. “I wish that Clint had more of an interest in art. He just seems to go with me because he feels he has to. Then he ends up talking with the politicians and not the people that really count,” Lindsay thought to herself as she went into her office.

“Good morning, Lewis,” Lindsay said to the tall, distinguished-looking gentleman who was looking at some sketches on the desk. Lewis Castleman was the owner of the Mission Art Gallery. He was a man in his early 50’s with dark hair graying at the temples and a small mustache that made him look a little the late actor, David Niven.

“Lindsay, darling, I was wondering what time you would finally get here,” said Lewis, beckoning her to come over to him. Lindsay walked right into Lewis’ arms, and they embraced and kissed passionately. As they broke apart, Lewis asked, “Did you tell that red-necked husband of yours that you can’t go back east with him for his Daddy’s wedding? I need you here for the exhibition. It will be the biggest one we have this year and, besides, that will give us a chance to be together without him being around.” Lewis sat down in the chair. Lindsay sat on his lap and they cuddled together. “Yes, I told Clint last night I would not be able to go with him to Asa’s wedding. He was disappointed, but then he got a phone call from his brother, Brent, and that seemed to settle him right down again. Brent is coming out here for a visit and then they are going back to Llanview together. Clint is so glad that he will be spending time with Brent that I don’t think that he will care whether I go or not. It will also make it a lot easier for us to be together without raising Clint’s suspicions.”

“I am just sorry it didn’t turn out that he was having an affair with his ex-wife, after all, when you went back east and surprised him,” said Lewis, sounding disappointed and irritated. “It would be so much easier for you to get a divorce and get what you want out of him if you could prove he was fooling around on you.”

“I thought he was at first. But when I was back there with Clint, I saw nothing to indicate that he was fooling around at all,” responded Lindsay, sounding discouraged. “When I showed up, he was alone, asleep in his own bed and there was no sign of anyone else having been there. I also watched both Clint and Viki carefully the whole time I was there and they were pleasant to each other, but nothing more than that. As much as I hate to think about it, when the time comes, I think I will have to be the one to get the divorce. Clint is not the unfaithful type and I guess I just have to face that.”
~~~~~~~~~~

Brent and Clint were sitting in Clint’s office at the San Francisco Daily Press, catching up on what had been happening to each of them. “It turns out that Lindsay will not be going with me to the wedding, Brent. The gallery where she is Assistant Director is having a big art opening thing that weekend and she needs to be here. Actually, I am elated about the fact that she will be here. That will make it a lot easier for Viki and I to spend some time together. After I get back from the wedding, my attorney is going to file the papers. I am just going to tell her that we are just too different and don’t have enough in common to make a marriage work.”

“How do you think Lindsay will react, Clint?” asked Brent. “If she has any idea that you are breaking up with her to go back to Viki, she will fight for every penny she can squeeze out of you.”

“That is what I am thinking, too,” replied Clint, sounding concerned. “I plan on being very careful to make sure that she doesn’t get any hint about Viki and I. Lindsay seemed very suspicious of Viki and I when we were in New York, but by the time we got back home, she seemed convinced that there was nothing between Viki and I at all. All Lindsay seems to have on her mind anymore is this art exhibition that is coming up and our social calendar. I hate going to these parties that she drags me to. I have been encouraging her to go with Lewis, her boss. Then I don’t have to be bored out of my mind. I’m hoping that Lindsay will see that, with as little in common as we have together, we would be a lot better off apart.”

The phone rang and Clint picked it up. “Hello, Clint Buchanan,” he said.

“Hi, darling,” said Lindsay. “I just called to tell you that I won’t be able to join you and Brent for dinner tonight. Lewis and I have so much work to do to get ready for next weekend! Besides, I thought maybe you guys would enjoy an evening out alone.”

“That’s fine, Lindsay, thanks for letting me know,” replied Clint, secretly elated. “Tell Lewis not to work you too hard and I will see you later at home.”

“Bye, Sweetie,” responded Lindsay as she hung up the phone. “Well, Lewis, that is taken care of. We will have the whole evening together. Clint and Brent will be so busy entertaining each other that we will be able to have a wonderful romantic evening together and not worry about it at all.”

It was 7:30 p.m. when Brent entered The Roman Fountain Restaurant. Clint would not be meeting him until later, but Brent thought he would have a couple of drinks in the bar before Clint arrived. As Brent walked through the dinning area, he noticed Lindsay and a dark-haired gentleman seated at a table having dinner. They seemed very cozy, holding hands, laughing and having a good time. The gentleman looked up first and saw Brent. A look of shock crossed his face. He nudged Lindsay. As she looked up, the same look of shock crossed her face, too. Then, after a few seconds, her face relaxed and she walked over toward Brent. “Brent, darling, what a surprise to see you. I thought that you and Clint would be together tonight doing guy things. You must come over and meet my boss from the gallery,” said Lindsay, pouring on the charm.

Lewis stood up as Brent and Lindsay approached the table. “Brent,” said Lindsay, “this is the owner of the Mission Art Gallery, Lewis Castleman. Lewis, this is Brent Hamilton, my brother-in-law.”

Lewis and Lindsay asked Brent to join them, but Brent said “no” — Clint would be joining him later for dinner. He explained that he had only dropped in for a drink before meeting Clint. Brent got the feeling that Lewis was very uncomfortable, but couldn’t figure out why. Brent bid Lewis and Lindsay a good evening and proceeded to the bar. Shortly after, their dinner finished, Lewis and Lindsay left the restaurant before Clint arrived.

About 10 minutes later, Clint walked in and joined Brent at the bar. “You just missed your wife and her boss. They were having dinner here when I arrived,” said Brent as he greeted Clint with a hand shake and big grin.

“Well, I’m not really surprised. I know they have their business dinners here quite often,” replied Clint. “Did Lindsay give you any idea how late she thought she would be? I don’t really care, but I would like to be home before she gets there. I having been pretending to be asleep most nights so that I don’t have to make excuses about not having sex with her. Right now, I wouldn’t be a candidate for ‘most attentive husband of the year.’ ”
~~~~~~~~~~~

Clint and Brent ordered their meals and debated whether the San Francisco 49’s or the New Orleans Saints was the better football team. Clint enjoyed pointing out all of the 49’ers’ Super Bowl wins as compared to the Saints’ rather dismal record. Brent’s cell phone rang. “Hello,” said Brent with a big, mischievous smile on his face. “Yes, he is right here. Clint, this phone call is for you.”

Clint looked inquiringly at Brent as he took the phone. “Hello,” said Clint.

“Sweetheart, is that you?” said the beautiful voice that belonged to Viki. “Brent told me that the two of you would be having dinner tonight without Lindsay and that it would be a good time for me to call so we could talk. I love you, Clint, and I miss you so.”

“Oh, Viki, what a wonderful surprise,” said Clint as he winked at Brent.

“I have great news, honey. Lindsay won’t be coming with me to Llanview for the wedding. She has a big opening at the gallery that she has to be here for. I know we will still have to be careful, but it will be a lot easier for us to be together without her being in Llanview. I know it is only a week away, but I can hardly wait. I love you, Viki, so very much.”

“Clint, it is just so wonderful just to hear your voice,” said Viki tenderly. “I know it would be suspicious if we were calling each other all the time, but it is just so hard not to be in contact with you except through Brent.”

“I know, sweetheart,” replied Clint seriously. “It won’t be for much longer. I plan on telling Lindsay I want a divorce right after I get back from Llanview. I know that you want me to come back and work at The Banner, Viki, but I have to stay here for a while in San Francisco. If I go right back to Llanview, she might think that something is going on between us. If I stay here for a while, she will have no reason to.”

“I know you’re right, Clint,” said Viki. “I will just miss you so much. I know it will be worth it when we are finally together again. I love you, darling. See you next week.”

“Viki, I love you too. I’ll make sure that we are together as soon as possible, and I swear that once we are together, we will never be parted again, my love. Never. Goodnight, sweetheart,” said Clint as he turned off the phone and handed it back to Brent.

“Not that I ever remember, the only thing I ever heard her called is Julia. I think my Uncle Paul, her brother, had a pet name for her but he died in World War II, so I don’t remember him very well,” said Brent, feeling flustered and confused. “I do have a picture of Mother holding me as an infant. Maybe seeing it will help.”

Brent handed Asa the picture. Asa looked at it and said in astonishment, “Oh, my god, yes! Julie Beth! Julie Beth Dudley! But Clint said your mother’s name was Julia Hamilton. I didn’t even know that Julie Beth had married. Of course, I didn’t tell her I was married, either. I was in New Orleans for 4 months on an oil deal. I met Julie Beth at a friend’s house. She was so beautiful, I fell in love with her immediately. We were together almost the whole time I was there and I never saw any sign of a husband.”

“Julia Elizabeth Dudley was my mother’s maiden name, and her husband, Greg Hamilton, the man I thought was my father, was in the Navy and out at sea much of the time. That at least explains some of it,” replied Brent, trying to help Asa piece things together. “I know that their marriage was arranged by their families. They always struck me as unsuited for each other, but they never fought a lot, so, as a child, I thought they were happy. I think they liked each other well enough, but I don’t think they loved each other.”

“Oh, Brent, believe me I loved your mother very much,” said Asa in a voice filled with emotion. “I was young and reckless, and I had a wife, Olympia, back in Texas, whom I loved, too. Olympia was pregnant with Clint at that time, which makes the two of you almost the same age. When your mother found out about my having a pregnant wife back in Texas, we had a terrible fight. I went back to Texas and resumed my life there. But I will tell you this. I never forgot your mother, and years later I did try to find her, but I never could. Now I know why. I didn’t even know her correct name. I swear to you, Brent, if I had known that she was carrying my child, I would have found you both! I swear that you would have grown up knowing that I was your real father!”

The entire family had stepped back from Asa and Brent to give them the room and privacy that they needed to talk. Everyone was asking Clint, Bo, and Viki questions about Brent, and remarking on his unbelievable resemblance to Clint. Kevin, Joey, and Jessica were all very shaken by seeing Brent.

“Dad,” said Jessica, looking carefully at her father, “it is going to be awfully hard to get used to seeing him, and not calling him ‘dad!’ Its pretty rough when you can’t tell for sure if someone is your father or not.”

“Once you get to know your Uncle Brent, I don’t think you will have any problem telling he and your father apart,” Viki assured Jessica. “The way they dress, their mannerisms, and their personalities are very different. I want you children to know that I have invited Brent to stay in the west wing at Llanfair for as long as he wants. I think that having him around will be very good for this family. He is a fine man.”

“You have him staying at Llanfair?” asked Kevin, very shocked. “It’s not like he can’t afford his own place. Does Dad know that he’s going to be living with you there?”

“As a matter of fact, it was your dad who suggested it,” said Viki, realizing that Kevin was uncomfortable with the idea. “Brent is a member of the Buchanan family. Your father has to go back to California, so he asked me to do everything I can to help Brent adjust his new status, and answer his questions in an impartial manner. Remember, Brent lost his mother less than a month ago. He is really still in morning. We are his family now and I think we should make every effort to be supportive to him.”

Still upset, Kevin stepped over to Clint and asked, “Is this really okay with you, Dad? Even though he is your brother, we hardly know the guy. Do you approve of a complete stranger staying with Mom at Llanfair?”

“Yes, Kevin,” replied Clint. “Bo had a complete investigation done on Brent. I have spent a lot of time with Brent the last couple of days and I have gotten to know the man pretty well. I like him very much. I am only sorry that I have to go back to California so soon, as I would like to be able to get to know Brent better myself. I am counting on you kids and your mother to represent me and do everything you can to welcome Brent into this family.”

Brent and Asa joined the rest of the family and Brent was introduced to all his knew kin. Asa was acting like a new father eager to show off his knew baby. Brent was a little overwhelmed, but seemed to be enjoying being the center of attention among all these new relatives.

Lindsay approached Nora who was standing back, watching everyone. Lindsay smiled and very sweetly said, “Why Nora, it is so good to see you. And how are you and Bo doing these days? Sam is working on a case in L.A., and he has been coming up and spending time in the Bay Area. He and I are trying to become friends again — for the sake of the kids.”

Nora was thinking, “I wonder what Lindsay is fishing for,” but replied, through clenched teeth, “Bo and I are just fine. Thank you for asking. I am so glad that you and Sam are getting closer. Actually, I haven’t heard from Sam myself since he left Llanview.”

It was approaching midnight and everyone was getting ready to go back to town, as Clint looked over and saw Lindsay talking to Nora over in the corner. “I better go break them up,” thought Clint, “while they are still being civil to each other. The evening has gone so well this far. We don’t need a cat fight breaking out now.”

As everyone got ready to leave, Brent pulled Clint over to one side and said, “I want to thank you again, Clint, for making tonight as easy for me as you did. I really appreciate it. Do you think we could get together tomorrow? I need to talk to you about something before you go back to California? Please don’t bring Lindsay. I need to talk to you alone.”

“Sure, guy,” Clint answered, a bit confused. “I’ll call you at Llanfair and we can get together whenever you want.”

~~~~~~~~~~

It was Monday afternoon, and Clint and Brent were sitting in the library at Llanfair. Lindsay was at the Gallery talking with Dorian, and Viki was at The Banner, so the guys were completely alone.

“Clint, I wanted you to know that I think that Lindsay is suspicious about your relationship with Viki,” confessed Brent with concern. “She asked me a lot of questions about you and Viki while we were waiting at the cabin up at the lodge. I was very careful about what I said, but I wanted you to know about the conversation.”

“Thanks, Brent,” replied Clint, not appearing to be very surprised. “When Lindsay called me at the hotel the other night to tell me about the earthquake in San Francisco, it was 2 a.m. and I was in Viki’s room. I am sure that is the real reason that she came to New York. I am just glad I was in my own bed, alone, when she arrived.”

“Brent,” said Clint very seriously. “I need to ask you a favor. I want to spend some time with Viki before Lindsay and I return to California. Lindsay is going to be at the Gallery with Dorian tomorrow night. Lindsay is still part owner of the Gallery, and she and Dorian have a business meeting planned. I told Lindsay I wanted to spend some time with you, Bo and Pa that evening, but I would really like to spend the evening with Viki — preferably in your suite in the west wing. I don’t want to be here in the main house with Viki, because there is too great a chance of having someone walk in, and the word getting back to Lindsay. I am not planning some illicit affair, but I need to just be with Viki. It may be awhile before I can get free from Lindsay, and other than Pa and Renee’s wedding, I don’t know when I will be able to see her again.”

“I will be glad to cover for you, Clint,” said Brent with an understanding smile. “You and Viki belong together and I will do anything I can to make that a reality. Be careful of Lindsay, Clint! It probably isn’t my place to say anything, but I don’t trust her. If she thinks that you still love Viki, she will not be easy to get rid of.”

“Thanks, Brent, you’re probably right. I appreciate all this. If you ever need anything from me, just let me know and it’s yours,” said Clint as he gave Brent a big hug and left.

.
~~~~~~~~~~

Clint entered Brent’s suite in Llanfair’s west wing, his are arms loaded with two large bags of Chinese take-out. Viki was finishing setting the kitchen table. She is wearing a red and blue striped blouse and a pair of jeans. She looks very casually sexy, and Clint’s heart rate speeds up just looking at her.

As Clint walked in, Viki looked up and gave him a smile that lit up her whole face. He had on a pair of tight Levi’s, a red and white flannel shirt, and his brown cowboy boots. “He looks so handsome,” thought Viki. “I had forgotten how great he looks in a pair of jeans.”

“I thought it was only going to be us for dinner, honey. You have enough food in those bags for an army,” Viki says, laughing as Clint puts the bags on the kitchen counter.

“Everything on the menu looked so good that I got more than we needed. I hope that Brent likes left-over Chinese food,” replied Clint as he took Viki in his arms. “I know I promised to be on my good behavior tonight, but please let me hold you and kiss you just once before we have dinner.” Clint’s arms tightened around Viki and his mouth came down on hers tenderly. Their lips parted and the kiss deepened. Clint’s lips traveled over her face and neck, tasting the sweetness of her skin. “Sweetheart, I love you so much,” whispered Viki as she ran her fingers through Clint’s hair and nibbled on his ear lobe.

“Viki, that tickles,” said Clint, laughing as he kissed her forehead and held her tightly in his arms. “If you’re that hungry, honey, we better get dinner served up before I end up with only one ear. And, by the way, I love you, too, Viki — with all my heart.” Clint kissed Viki hard and then pushed himself away from her. He went over and started taking the containers of food out of the bags.

~~~~~~~~~~

Clint was putting the extra food in the refrigerator and Viki was loading the dishwasher. “Oh, Viki,” said Clint tenderly, as he stood behind her, put his arms around her and felt her body as she leaned back against him. “I just wish I could hold you like this forever, baby.” He kissed the back of Viki’s neck. His lips caressed her silken skin and the light scent of her perfume filled his senses. They moved over to the couch and sat down next to each other. Viki snuggled against Clint with her head resting on his shoulder. They sat together like that for a few minutes before Clint realized that Viki had started to cry.

“Honey, what’s wrong?” said Clint, concerned.

“I’m so afraid, Clint, that we will never be together again. I know that you love me, and want to divorce Lindsay. But what if she won’t give you a divorce?” confessed Viki, as tears ran down her cheeks. “This is all my fault. If I had said ‘yes’ to you when you asked me to marry you, we would be husband and wife now. Instead, you are married to someone you don’t love and I’m all alone, waiting for you to be free again.”

Clint wiped the tears from Viki’s cheeks with his handkerchief and kissed her face. “Darling, this is not your fault. You didn’t force me to marry Lindsay. I’m a big boy and I made that stupid move all by myself,” said Clint as he held Viki and stroked her beautiful blond hair. “I do have one question I need to know the answer to, though. After I made the announcement that Lindsay and I had gotten married, Joey confronted me and told me that you had changed you mind on the cruise and decided to accept my proposal of marriage. Is that true, Viki?”

As Viki looked at Clint she realized she had to be completely truthful with him now. “Yes, darling, I was going to tell you I wanted to be your wife again that night. But then you walked in and introduced Lindsay as your new wife. I was so shocked I didn’t know what to do or say.”

“Oh, my God, no!” said Clint, very shaken. “Why didn’t you tell me that when I came back that night and we talked? I asked you if there was anything that I should know and you said there wasn’t! Why Viki? Why didn’t you tell me you had changed your mind? At that point, I could have gotten the marriage to Lindsay annulled.”

Viki took Clint’s head in her hands. They were both crying. She looked at him and tried to explain. “I thought that I had hurt you so badly that you didn’t love me anymore. I thought that you must have fallen in love with Lindsay or that you wouldn’t have married her. I didn’t feel that I had any right to you, after rejecting you and telling you ‘no.’ That night was the hardest night of my life, Clint. To watch you walk away from me like that. . . but I had asked for it. I just kept hurting you over and over. I’m sorry, Clint, sweetheart. I’m so sorry.”

Viki was sobbing, her head against Clint’s chest. He rocked her in his arms as he told her over and over how much he loved her, and that she alone was not to blame. Clint gave her the handkerchief again, and she wiped her eyes and looked into his wonderful warm brown eyes, seeing the love that he had for her. Viki reached up and kissed Clint. The kiss was gentle and loving at first, but then their lips parted and the kiss deepened as the pent-up passion between them flared. They were completely lost in each other. Clint unbuttoned Viki’s blouse and reaches inside to feel her silken skin as she unsnapped his shirt. She placed her lips on his neck and chest as she tasted his slightly salty skin. Clint scooped Viki into his arms, carried her into the bedroom, placed her on the bed and laid down beside her.

Clint slowly removed the rest of Viki’s clothing as he kissed and touched each part of her body. He had dreamed of doing this so many times. Viki was calling his name over and over, and telling him how much she loved him, as she helps him out of the rest of his clothing. It was a wonderful journey of rediscovery for them as they remembered all the things that gave each other the most pleasure. It was like they were the only two people in the world and they alone were made for each other. They were finally one again.

Clint went over and woke Lindsay. “Hey, Sleepyhead, you’d better wake up. I called room service before I took my shower. They should be here soon,” said Clint, trying to appear relaxed.

“Okay, honey,” said Lindsay, as she got out of bed and put her robe on. Just then there was a knock on the door. “It must be room service,” yelled Clint from the other room where he was dressing. “Would you let them in?”

Clint heard a scream and then a thud. He raced into the room to find Lindsay on the floor unconscious, with Brent standing over her. “I’m sorry, Clint,” said a very confused Brent. “I think that she just fainted. I’m sure that she’s all right. If you don’t mind my asking, who is this lady?”

“It’s Lindsay. My wife, Brent,” said Clint as he put a wet wash cloth on Lindsay’s forehead. “She showed up about 2:00 a.m. I had no idea she was coming and I haven’t had a chance to tell her about you yet.”

Lindsay moaned and opened her eyes. Looking at Clint and Brent, she almost fainted again. “What is going on? Which one of you is Clint?” said Lindsay, who appeared almost frightened.

“Lindsay, I’m sorry. I didn’t have time to warn you,” replied Clint, starting to get a bit concerned about Lindsay’s reaction. “This is my brother, Brent. He is the big family secret. I didn’t even know about him myself until a couple of days ago. Brent is why we are going to Llanview. We are having a family gathering tonight to introduce Brent to the family. I will fill you in on all the details later. I am sorry about the shock of seeing Brent, but I didn’t know he would be stopping by this morning before I had a chance to tell you about him.”

“I’m okay, I guess,” said Lindsay, who still seemed a little shaky as Clint helped her to a chair. “I’m sorry about fainting, but seeing two of you is quite a shock. I’m feeling better now. I think maybe I will go take my shower now — if you promise that when I come back there won’t be any more of you.”

With Lindsay in the bathroom, Clint was able to talk to Brent, and fill him in on Lindsay’s unexpected appearance. “Brent, I have a favor to ask,” said Clint seriously. “Could you drop by Viki’s room and tell her about Lindsay being here? As you probably have guessed, I still have very strong feelings for Viki. I rushed into my marriage to Lindsay because I thought that Viki didn’t love me or want to be my wife. I met Lindsay and she made me feel wanted and needed. She made me feel like a man again. So I married her out of need, not love, and I know now that isn’t enough to make a marriage work. Despite Viki’s and my feelings for each other, I have not been unfaithful to Lindsay, but I have realized that Lindsay and I can’t go on like this. I have to figure out some way to end this marriage, hopefully without hurting Lindsay too much.”

“I’ll be glad to go talk to Viki for you. I could see last night how much in love the two of you are. Anyway that I can help you, Clint, I will be glad to. I think I’ll leave so you can talk to your wife alone. I’ll see you later and we can talk then,” said Brent as he shook Clint’s hand and left the room.

~~~~~~~~~~

Asa and Renee were sitting on the couch having pastry and coffee. “These aren’t on your diet, Asa,” said Renee, pointing to the piece of pastry that Asa was preparing to take a bite out of and trying to sound cross.

“I don’t care about any diet. What the hell’s the use of living if you can’t eat what you want, anyway?” said Asa, making it clear that he intended to enjoy eating the pastry, whether he should or not.

“Renee,” Asa continued, “it is okay if we make our little announcement tonight, isn’t it?” I know that I kind of hinted at it yesterday without talking with you first, but I want the family to know about our decision to remarry,” he said, looking at Renee with love in his eyes.

“Oh, darlin’, of course it’s okay,” said Renee as she moved into the circle of his arms and kissed him tenderly. “I think we’d better set a wedding date now so that we can let everyone know when our big day is going to be. I was thinking a month from now would give us enough time to plan something special.”

“I am sure that I can fit that into my schedule. I do love you, Renee, and I want very much for you to be my wife again. You’re not getting much of a bargain with me, but I will try to be a better husband this time,” said Asa tenderly as he held Renee in his arms and kissed her.

~~~~~~~~~~

Brent and Viki had just arrived at the west wing at Llanfair. Viki had called ahead and made arrangements for a cleaning service to come out and make that section of the house inhabitable since it had been closed for quite some time. “I sure appreciate your letting me stay here, Viki,” Brent said earnestly. “I will see about finding myself an apartment as soon as possible so that I can get out of your hair.”

“Nonsense, Brent,” replied Viki. “Please stay as long as you want. I’m rattling around Llanfair by myself now, except when Jessica comes home from college for visits. It will be nice to know that there is someone close by. But, at the same time, we will both have complete privacy. What more can you ask for?”

“If you are sure that it won’t be inconvenient for you, I would love to stay,” said Brent with appreciation as he looked around at the spacious rooms he would have full use of. “What time did Clint say that he and Lindsay would meet us here? I think we should plan ahead of time as to when I should arrive at the lodge so this whole thing will go as smoothly as possible.”

“We have about an hour until they get here, Brent,” said Viki with a deep sigh. As she looked at Brent. All Viki could do was think of Clint. “It hurts so much to see him with Lindsay. At least I know now that he loves me and not her, but I’m not sure whether that makes things easier or harder. I can’t do this to myself. I have to trust that Clint will be able to figure a way to end his marriage. Then maybe we will be able to find our way back to each other.”

Brent saw the tears in Viki’s eyes and guessed what she was thinking. Brent went and put his arm around Viki’s shoulder. Viki stepped into Brent’s arms, put her head on his chest and started to sob. Brent held Viki as he would a hurt child and lets her cry herself out as he held her and rocked her back and forth. After about 5 minutes, Viki began to get control of herself.

“I’m so sorry, Brent,” said Viki, very embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to take this all out on you. It is just so hard for me to think and talk about Clint when I am looking at you. Clint and I had a long talk this weekend and he told me that he still loves me and wants to be with me in spite of everything I have done to him. He says that he is going to divorce Lindsay, and that he wants to marry me again. Oh, Brent, I love Clint so much and I want to be his wife again more that anything else in this world. Seeing him now with Lindsay feels like someone is putting a knife through my heart.”

“Viki, I know that we have only known each other for a short time, but I care about you very much as a friend,” said a very concerned Brent. “What I feel for and about Clint I can’t even describe. There is already a bond between us that is almost unbelievable and I think that there is more to it than the fact that we look alike. I will do anything I can to help you and Clint. Just the little while that I have seen Lindsay and Clint together, I can tell that, although she seems like a nice enough person, she and Clint do not belong together.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Clint was drinking a beer and talking to Cord on the front porch of Asa’s lodge. Clint looked over at the table where Kevin, Joey, Jessica and Viki were talking, joking and laughing as they ate their dinner. “Cord, can I use your camera? I want to take a picture of the kids to take back to California with me. Why don’t you stand behind Viki and I’ll get you in the picture, too?” said Clint, trying to sound as casual as possible.

Clint had eaten very little. He was just too nervous, not only about introducing Brent to the family, but also because Lindsay was there. “Having Lindsay, Nora and Viki in the same place for very long could end up being trouble. At least Lindsay won’t be here until later,” thought Clint. Lindsay had volunteered to keep Brent company until everything was set to introduce Brent. They are at a small cabin by the lake at the edge of Asa’s property, waiting for Clint’s call.

Asa and Renee were watching the family as everyone was finishing up their dessert — apple pie a la mode. “This family get-together was a great idea. I hate to admit it only because it was Clint’s idea and not mine. We should do this much more often, don’t you think?” asked Asa. “I’m glad that Bo talked Larry into coming. He spends way too much time at that hospital. He needs to get out and enjoy himself more. We should start looking for a woman to fix him up with. He’s been alone way too long.”

“Yes, darlin,’ I will start looking for the right gal for him right away,” said Renee, giggling. “Asa, lets make our announcement now, okay?”

“Folks,” yelled Asa, “can I have your attention please? I know that Clint has something he wants to tell us. But I am still the head of this family and so that means that I get to make the most important announcement first. I would like to invite you all to a wedding right here at the lodge a month from today. In case you are wondering who is getting married, why it is me, of course. Renee has decided to give me another chance to be her husband.” Asa put both arms around Renee and kissed her passionately.

A giant cheer was heard as Asa continued kissing Renee. “Way to go, Grandpa!” yelled both Kevin and Joey in unison. The whole family gathered on the porch to offer their congratulations to the happy couple.

Clint and Bo approached Asa and Renee, all four of them grinning from ear to ear. “Well, you two sure surprised us with that one. How did you get her to agree to take you on again, Pa, anyway?” said Bo, as he gave his father a big hug and kissed Renee.

“I’d like to know the answer to that one, too, Pa,” teased Clint, with an arm around both Asa and Renee.

As the rest of the family offered the happy couple their congratulations, Bo and Clint went into the house to talk privately. “I think that I will call Brent, and tell he and Lindsay to meet us here at the back of the lodge in 10 minutes,” said Clint. “As soon as things calm down, I think that we’d better tell everyone our big news.” “You’re right, Clint,” replied Bo. “Maybe with Asa in this good a mood, it will help cushion the news. We can hope so anyway.”

~~~~~~~~~~

It is just after 8:00 p.m. and everyone has gathered inside the lodge, talking about plans for the upcoming wedding and waiting for Clint to make his announcement. “Well, I guess I better tell you folks why I called this big family meeting,” said Clint in a loud voice, trying to get everyone’s attention. Bo was standing next to Clint to lend his support and quiet everyone down. Asa and Renee had taken seats next to each other on the couch, and the others had stopped talking so they could hear Clint.

Viki came up and stood between Bo and Clint, knowing that she would be called upon to explain her part of the story. Clint asked Viki to tell what happened when Brent came to her office. Viki told the family about Brent’s visit, his resemblance to Clint. Then Clint told them about Brent’s mother’s deathbed confession that Brent was Asa’s son.

Asa jumped up from the couch, shouting, “I don’t know who this charlatan is, but he is not my son!” Asa was very upset. “I have been in New Orleans many times over the years, but I don’t remember any affair with a woman named Julia. This reprobate is after the Buchanan money, and I will not fall for it.”

“Calm down, Pa!” Clint interjected. “Bo had a complete investigation done on him. Brent Hamilton owns Hamilton Shipping which, as you know, has one of the largest shipping fleets in this country. B.E. does business with them all the time. He also owns 49% of Hamilton Publishing, so the last thing that Brent needs is your money. Brent probably has as much, if not more money than you have, Pa — and that is quite a bit.”

“Well, I know he wants something from me, and I am not about to be suckered in by him,” continued Asa, becoming more upset by the minute. Renee looked at Asa, very concerned, and said, “Please, Asa, sit down and listen. Give Clint and Bo some credit. They would not be telling you about this man, unless they were very sure of their facts. Please sit down, calm down and give them a chance to help all of us make sense out of this.” Asa sat down at Renee’s urging and appeared to be calming down somewhat.

While Renee was trying to get Asa to relax, Clint went to the back of the lodge and returned with Brent and Lindsay. As Clint brought Brent into the room, a giant gasp was heard. “I think that you can see why we believe that Brent is my brother and Asa’s son” said Clint, as everyone stared in astonishment.

The room was absolutely silent as the family stared at what appeared to be two Clints. Asa looked at Brent and Clint and blinked in disbelief. Asa’s breathing became irregular and he turned very white. Larry went over to Asa with his medical bag and began to check Asa’s vital signs. “Oh, for heavens sake, Larry, I’m fine,” fumed Asa. “W hat we are seeing here is enough to give anyone a heart attack.” His color began to return and his breathing became more regular.

“I know that, Asa,” replied Larry while listening to Asa’s heart with his stethoscope. “That is why I am making sure that you are okay. You seem to be just a little over- excited, which is to be expected.”

Asa stood up and walked over to where Bo, Viki, Brent, and Clint were standing. Bo and Viki stepped aside, as Asa looks carefully at the two identical men. “Pa,” said Clint with tears in his eyes, “this is your son, Brent.”

Asa’s face showed a tremendous conflict of emotions. He and Brent stared at each other. Brent looked his father in the eye for the first time in his life. Tears started to roll down Brent’s cheeks, and Asa also started to cry. “As impossible as it is for me to believe, you must be my son, Brent. You <.u>must be my son!” said Asa, as he pulled Brent into a rough embrace.

“I told Ted and Frank at the office that the Lions would kick butt and take names,” said Kevin smugly.

“I wouldn’t get too confident,” said Cord. “There is still over a quarter to play and, as they say, it ain’t over till it’s over.”

“Cord,” said Kevin, changing the subject, “has anyone said anything to you in the last day or so about seeing Dad in town? I have had several guys at The Banner say they have seen Dad here in Llanview. One of the security guards at The Banner even said that Dad went up to Mom’s office the other night. I asked Mom about it before she left for New York yesterday, but she swears that she hasn’t seen Dad since he went to California.”

“As a matter of fact, Shelly, one of the secretaries at B.E., said she saw Clint in the restaurant at The Palace Hotel on Wednesday morning, said Cord. “I thought she was mistaken, but maybe not.”

Asa, Renee, and Bo walk into the room just in time to overhear Cord’s remark. “It couldn’t have been Clint,” interjects Bo. “I called Clint in California on Wednesday morning and talked to him, so there is no way he could have been in Llanview. Maybe we should ask these folks if they have seen Elvis. He might be hanging around Llanview too!” Bo looked at Renee, and she nodded, indicating that Bo’s remarks should take care of any comment about further Clint sightings.

“Besides, I know exactly where Clint is right now. He is at the newspaper conference in New York City. As a matter of fact, he will be dropping by Llanview for a couple of days tomorrow after the conference. He asked me if I could arrange a family get together with everyone at the lodge on Sunday night around 8 p.m.” said Bo, trying to sound casual.

“I thought I was still the head of this family. Since when did I get demoted, and you and Clint started making decisions about how, when and where we have family gatherings?” said a very irritated Asa. “What in the hell is going on with Clint that he would need to have a conference with the whole family, anyway? Bo, you’re the one who talked to him. How about some answers, or is that asking too much?”

“Now calm down, Pa,” replied Bo, trying to defuse the situation. “Clint didn’t tell me what he wanted to talk to everyone about and I didn’t ask. I figured that it was something important and he would tell me, along with everyone else, on Sunday night. Maybe he’s thinking about moving back to Llanview, or something is going on with him in California that he wants everyone to know about. It is certainly a lot easier to call everyone together for a meeting when he is going to be here in Llanview than to try to get hold of everyone from California to fill them in.”

“You didn’t ask? The what the hell is the matter with you, Bo? He’s your brother, for heaven’s sake. Weren’t you even curious?” continued, Asa, still as upset as ever. “I just don’t know what is the matter with you, or Clint, for that matter, either. I have two son and I can’t figure what either of them have in their heads for brains. If something is going on in this family, you come to me first! I am the head of this family and it’s about time that you and Clint realized that. I am not dead yet, and I plan on being around for along time, so you better stop trying to make family plans without including me! Understand?”

“Pa, for pete’s sake, calm down,” said Bo, starting to get concerned. “I am sorry that Clint didn’t consult you first, but that’s not my fault. As for asking him the reason for the family gathering, I guess I screwed up, but I was so surprised that he was coming to town that I guess I just didn’t think. Besides, this way we’ll all find out together — as a family. Is that really so bad?”

“Yes, it is, because I don’t like being kept in the dark about things that pertain to this family, things that I should know about beforehand,” remarks Asa, starting to calm down a little. “I guess there is nothing I can do about it until tomorrow when I see Clint, but he and I are going to have a long talk about who is the father and who is the son.”

“Well, Asa, darlin’, I am glad you realize that there is nothing that you can do about this, so there is no need getting yourself upset for nothing. Who knows? It might be good news — something that we can celebrate,” said Renee, trying to sound confident and reassuring as she glanced as Bo and let out a deep breath.

“Uncle Bo,” asks Kevin, “does my mom know anything about all this? She has seemed strangely distracted the last few days. I even asked her if she had heard from Todd at Statesville Prison. I thought that maybe he had contacted her and upset her again. But she said ‘no,’ and that she was fine.”

“Did she know that Dad was going to be at the conference? Maybe she was nervous about seeing him. That would explain why she was acting so anxious.”

“Yes, Kevin, Viki did know about Clint being at the conference. He asked me to tell her that he would be at the conference. He thought that it would be easier if it wasn’t a big surprise,” said Bo, hoping that would keep Kevin from asking too many more questions.

“Well, I guess we’ll just have to wait until tomorrow night to see what Dad’s big secret is. I sure hope he’s decided to come back to Llanview for good. I don’t know about everyone else, but I have sure missed him the past few months,” said Kevin, trying not to let everyone know how emotional he felt. “I’ll get hold of Joey and I’ll make sure that Jessica gets up to the lodge, too.” “We might as well have a bar-b-que at the lodge that evening, as long as we are all going to be there. I’ll have Nigel get everything set up for it. I may have an announcement for the family, also,” said Asa, looking at Renee and grinning.

~~~~~~~~~~

It was 5:00 p.m. Saturday evening and Viki had just gotten back to her hotel room from the afternoon workshop titled “Should Your Newspaper Be On the Internet?” It was an interesting workshop, but Viki had not been able to focus on it. Her mind kept going back to Clint, and what had almost happened between them last night. At least Clint had taken a different workshop. If he had been at hers, she knew that she wouldn’t have been able to concentrate at all. Knowing that he still loved her thrilled her beyond belief, but that was going to make it so much harder to be around each other. “Thank goodness Brent will be here tonight. That way Clint and I will have to concentrate on him and not each other,” Viki thought to herself. Brent had called and said he would meet them at the restaurant at 6:30 p.m. Clint would be picking Viki up at 6:15 p.m. so that they could go down together to meet Brent.

~~~~~~~~~~

Brent was sitting at the bar in the Avery Hotel, having a martini and wondering what it was going to be like to meet Clint. No matter how much he thought about it, he could not imagine what it would be like to meet someone who looked just like you. He still had a half hour before he met with Viki and Clint, but he had been too nervous to stay in his hotel room.

Brent’s trip to New Orleans had been successful. He had not only straightened out the problem at Hamilton Shipping, he also had given Uncle Cliff the signed papers from Viki, which meant he could tell her that the supplement for The Banner would be up and running in three months.

~~~~~~~~~~

Clint couldn’t remember when he had felt so nervous. He and Viki had just stepped off the elevator. Viki was beautiful beyond belief, wearing a dark blue satin cocktail dress. What happened last night between them was still so fresh in his mind, it was all Clint could do not to turn around, take Viki up to his room, hold her in his arms, make love to her and never let her go again. “As much as I want Viki, I have no right to her,” Clint thought. “Like it or not, I am a married man. Lindsay has done nothing wrong, other than marry me, and she doesn’t deserve to be cheated on, anymore than Viki deserves to be put in the position of being ‘the other woman.’ Hopefully, this whole crazy business with Brent will keep me from doing anything stupid.”

As they walked into the restaurant, Viki could see Brent at a secluded back table. “There’s Brent,” said Viki, pointing to Brent’s table. Clint looked over to where Viki was pointing and, despite all the warnings, he still could not believe his eyes. “I would swear that was the same face that I was shaving a half hour ago,” thought Clint. “It is frightening to think anyone can look that much like you.”

Brent spotted Viki and Clint at the same time that Clint saw him. Brent stood up and signaled Viki and Clint to come over to the table. Brent was no more prepared to actually see Clint than Clint was to see him. As Viki made the introductions, the two men shook hands and just stared at each other as they each took a seat at the table with Viki between them. As Viki looked back and forth between Clint and Brent, the surprising thing was that the resemblance was even more startling between them when they are together than when seeing them individually.

“Well, gentlemen,” said Viki, trying to get some kind of conversation started, “I have to be the luckiest lady in New York City to be having dinner with the two handsomest men in town.”

“I”m sorry, Viki,” said Brent, “I guess both of us are in shock. I know that I am.”

“The same goes for me, Brent, replied Clint, shaking his head in disbelief. “I don’t think you can really believe something like this until you see it.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” said Brent, starting to relax a little. “I sure hope someone doesn’t show up and ask us to do a ‘Doublemint Gum’ commercial. I don’t know about you, Clint, but I don’t have a real great singing voice.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Clint, Brent, and Viki had just finished dinner. The initial awkwardness between Clint and Brent began to disappear as they talked and became more comfortable with each other. “I talked with Bo just before I picked Viki up at her room. He said that several people in Llanview saw you and thought you were me. But he told the family that he had talked to me on the phone in California during that same time period, so I don’t think that will be any problem,” said Clint, bringing them up to date on what was happening back in Llanview.

“Have Bo, Nora or Renee come up with any ideas on how we are going tell Asa and the rest of the family about this?” asked Brent, sounding worried. “I won’t be of much help, because I don’t know these people or how everyone might react.”

“They have put the ball into my court,” Clint informed Brent. “Bo told Pa that I wanted to have a family conference tomorrow night. I guess Pa hit the roof. He’s upset because he doesn’t know what is going on. I imagine that he is ready to hog tie me at this point, but I’m a big boy so threats of taking a paddle to me out in the woodshed don’t bother me much anymore.”

“Actually, Brent,” continued Clint more seriously, “I imagine that our best bet is to just tell the whole family what has happened, starting with your visit to Viki, and then introduce you, with Bo and I at your side. We’ll just see what happens from there.”

Brent looked at his watch as he started up from the table. He asked Viki and Clint to excuse him as he needed to make a phone call to check on everything in New Orleans.

“Well, Clint, do you still have any doubts that Brent is your brother?” asked Viki, just as Clint slipped his hand over hers.

“No, honey,” said Clint, looking deeply into Viki’s blue eyes. “I just have no idea how Pa is going to react to all of this, and that has me a bit worried. As far as Brent goes, I like him. I wish we could have gotten to know each other years ago. I get the feeling that Brent needs a family. I just hope that Pa will accept him. I am sure that everyone else will.”

Viki knew that she should ask Clint to stop holding her hand, but as long as Brent was coming back shortly, she guessed it wouldn’t hurt. Brent stopped and looked at Viki and Clint just as he reentered the dining room. They were holding hands and talking as they stared deeply into each other’s eyes. It was as if there was no one else in the room with them. Clint took Viki’s hand, put her palm up to his lips and kissed it, while he wiped a tear from Viki’s cheek with his other hand. “I wonder what has happened between them,” thought Brent. “I know that Viki still loves Clint and, from the looks of things, Clint is still in love with Viki, despite his being married to someone else.”

As Clint saw Brent across the room, he put Viki’s hand down and resumed a more casual pose. As he reached the table, Brent said, “It’s almost 11 o’clock and I’m bushed from the last few days. Would you two mind if I excused myself? Tomorrow will be a big day for all of us and I think I should try to get my jet lag under control.”

“That sounds like a good idea,” said Viki. “I think I will get back to my room and get some rest, too.”

“I’ll walk you to your room Viki,” interjected Clint, “and we’ll see you tomorrow, Brent.” Clint shook Brent’s hand and gave him a kind of half hug. “Welcome to the family, Brent. I guess a guy can’t have too many brothers — especially one as good looking as you,” said Clint with a big teasing grin on his face.

“Goodnight, Brent. See you tomorrow,” added Viki.

“Goodnight, Clint,” said Brent, very moved. “Having brothers is something I think I am going to like.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

As Clint reached Viki’s hotel room door, he asked her if he could come in for a minute. “I promise I won’t do anything I shouldn’t. I just want to be alone with you for a little while. After tonight, I don’t know when we will have a chance to be alone again,” confessed Clint.

Clint and Viki sat on the sofa in Viki’s room, Clint’s arm around Viki’s shoulders and her hand in his. They sat there together, just feeling the closeness between them and savoring it. They talked quietly to each other and listened to the music playing softly on the radio. It was id-night when Viki said, as she kissed Clint on the cheek, “Clint, I think you’d better go back to your room. If we stay much longer like this, you will end up spending the night and we can’t risk that.”

“I know, I promised,” said Clint regretfully. “I just love and want you so much, Viki.” Clint took Viki in his arms and kissed her with all the love and longing in him. Viki responded to his kiss with all the passion she felt for him. All of the feelings they had for each other came together in that one kiss. They were lost in each other — giving, taking, sharing and storing up as much as possible from that one kiss to keep them going until they would finally be able to be together again.

~~~~~~~~~~

It was 2 a.m. and Clint was sleeping very restlessly in his hotel bed. He had been tossing and turning. In his dreams he saw Viki, but no matter how he tried to reach her, he could never quite touch her. Clint became aware of some noise in the room, but it didn’t wake him at first. Then he feel someone join him in bed.

At first he thought that it was Viki and he reached out for her, but she didn’t feel right. Clint opened his eyes and saw Lindsay. She said, “Surprise, honey! I was just so lonely and scared in San Francisco that I decided to come and keep you company now that the newspaper conference is over.”

Clint sat up in bed, turned on the light and rubbed his eyes, trying to get the cobwebs out of his head. “For heaven’s sake, Lindsay, you scared the hell out of me crawling into bed with me like that when I wasn’t expecting you,” said a very shaken Clint. All he could think was, “thank god, I didn’t say Viki’s name when I reached for Lindsay.”

“Next time, let me know that you are coming, okay? It’s not nice to almost give your husband a heart attack,” said Clint, trying to sound casual.

“I’m sorry, Clint,” said Lindsay, sounding very contrite. “I just wanted to surprise you. Your’re not upset with me, are you?”

“No, I’m not upset. Let’s turn out the lights. I’m awfully tired and we have to go to Llanview in the morning. I’ll fill you in when we get up. Goodnight, Lindsay” said Clint as he gave Lindsay a light kiss on the lips. He turned over, closed his eyes and wished with all his heart that she was Viki.

Viki started to blush. “I don’t really think that Clint is going to be there and, if he is, he will have Lindsay with him. I just felt I should have a new dress for the conference. Why is that so hard for you to believe?” replied, Viki hoping to cover how flustered she felt.

“It won’t wash with me, Viki,” said Renee. “You can pretend all you want, but I know that you still love Clint. And I am willing to bet that, in your heart, you are hoping he will be at the conference without Lindsay. That is the real reason for that dazzling new dress, isn’t it?”

Viki’s face was bright red. “Yes, Renee, I am hoping that Clint will be at the conference. But one dress, no matter how dazzling. isn’t going to change anything between Clint and me. He is married to Lindsay, and that is that. I won’t be the ‘other woman.’ Can we please just drop the subject?” said Viki, trying to regain her composure.

“Anything you say, darlin’,” replied Renee. “Just remember: If you need to talk, I’m here. I have had the feeling all afternoon long that there is something you have wanted to talk to me about. Lets quit beating around the bush and get it out, whatever it is.”

Viki took a deep breath and told Renee all about Brent. “Do you really believe this man, Viki?” asked Renee, very shocked and skeptical about what Viki had told her.

“Yes, as a matter of fact I do,” said Viki, trying to be reassuring. “Brent looks enough like Clint to be his twin. I won’t just ask you to take my word for it. I asked Brent to meet us here. He should be along shortly. Once you see him, I think you will believe him, too. Bo is having a complete investigation done on Brent so that should take care of any unanswered questions we have. Renee, what we have to figure out is the best way to tell Asa about this. And we felt that you would be the best one to do that.”

“Oh, Viki, darlin’, that’s going to be a rough one,” said Renee, shaking her head. “As stubborn as Asa is, he is not going to just accept this. We are going to have to be very careful both because of his heart and because this is something he will not want to even consider as a possibility. He was hurt so badly when he thought that Max was his son and then found out that he wasn’t. Asa acts big and tough, but when it comes to family, he’s a big marshmallow inside.”

Viki and Renee were continuing their discussion about different ways of approaching Asa, when the phone rang. It was Bo calling to tell her about his conversation with Clint. Bo informed Viki that, if it is all right with her and Renee, there will be a family meeting at the lodge on Sunday night with Clint and Brent both there, to try to break the news to Asa about his new-found son. Both Viki and Renee thought that it sounded like a good idea, so Bo said that he would have Larry there just in case. Then he told Viki that Clint would be meeting her at the conference — withou Lindsay. Viki thanked Bo and said goodbye.

“Well, that answers my question,” said Viki, as she took a deep breath. “Clint will be at the conference — without Lindsay. After the conference, I guess we will come back here to Llanview together, for the meeting. The next few days are going to be interesting.”

Just then there was a knock on the kitchen door. Viki opened the door and let Brent in. Renee, sitting at the kitchen table, simply stared in disbelief. If they had cloned Clint, they couldn’t have done a better job.

Viki introduced them and then filled Brent in on the plans for Sunday night. “That sounds fine to me,” said Brent. “Viki, Renee, I’m going to be going back to New Orleans tonight. I have a minor crisis at my shipping company and I want to oversee it myself. I will be back on Sunday.”

“Actually, I am glad that you will be leaving town until Sunday,” said Renee. “The one thing we don’t want to have happen is to have someone who knows Clint see you. If you’re seen around town, and people think that you are Clint, it will get back to Asa. And we don’t want that.”

“I guess my being out of Llanview for a few days will be for the best,” replied Brent, nodding his head in agreement. “Viki,” Brent continued, “You said you will be meeting with Clint at the newspaper conference. If it is possible, I would like to meet you and Clint there on Saturday evening sometime. I think that it is important Clint and I see each other and have a chance to talk before this all comes to a head on Sunday evening.”

“I think you’re right, Brent,” Viki agreed. “I will talk to Clint when I get to the conference.” Viki handed Brent a piece of paper. “Here is where I am staying. When you get to New York, leave a message. Clint and I will get back to you. You have a safe trip and I will see you Saturday night.” Viki walked Brent to the door and gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek as he left.

“Is something going on here I don’t know about?” asked Renee, looking questioningly at Viki.

“You mean between me and Brent?” said Viki, looking outraged. “Of course not! I just met the man yesterday.”

“Well, that looked like a pretty friendly goodbye to me,” countered Renee. “Viki, you still love Clint. It would be very easy for you to fall for Brent just because he does look so much like Clint. Darlin’, you’re going to have to be real careful not to let your feelings for Clint influence how you feel and act toward Brent.”

“I know that, Renee,” stated Viki, “but I really like Brent for himself and not just because he looks like Clint. I promise you I am not f alling in love with him. I just like him — as a friend.”

“Just be careful, Viki. This could get very complicated and you know it,” Renee warned. Renee gave Viki a big hug, saying, “I’d better go check in on Asa. I want to make sure someone hasn’t seen Brent in town and said something to him about it. You have a good trip to New York City and I will see you Sunday.”

“Bye, Renee. See you at the lodge,” Viki called to Renee as she got in her car.

~~~~~~~~~~

At 4:00 p.m. Friday afternoon, Clint was in his room at the Avery Hotel in New York City. As he unpacked, he wondered if Viki had arrived yet from Llanview. The hotel was so full of memories, Clint couldn’t help but think of all the times he and Viki had come to the hotel together. Even in recent years, when they no longer man and wife, they were at least able to relax and enjoy each other as very good friends during newspaper conferences. “I have to stop thinking like this. “My marriage has changed everything,” Clint thought to himself. “I want Viki and I to be friends again, but I just don’t know whether that is possible or not anymore. I thought that maybe we could talk things out between us. I miss Viki’s friendship so much. I hope this whole deal with this supposed new brother of mind doesn’t interfere with Viki and I being able to at least renew our friendship.”

~~~~~~~~~~

At 5:00 p.m., Viki was sitting on the sofa in her room at the Avery Hotel, reading a book and listening to classical music on the radio. When the phone rang, she jumped. “Hello,” she said, sounding a bit startled.

“Viki, it’s Clint. I thought that we might get together for cocktails. I would very much like to talk to you.”

Viki’s heart leapt to her throat as she realized that it was Clint. “Yes, Clint, I would love to go out for a drink with you. You’re right. We need to have a talk — especially about Brent.”

“I’ll pick you up at your room in 10 minutes if that’s all right,” replied Clint.

“I’ll see you then, Clint,” said Viki, rushing to get herself together so she would be ready when Clint arrived.

~~~~~~~~~~

Clint and Viki were sitting at a secluded back table in the hotel bar. Clint was wearing, a grey suit and light blue shirt, with dark blue tie. Viki kept thinking how handsome he looked, but he appeared tired and his eyes had dark circles under them, as if he was not getting the rest he needed. “He looks so tired. I hope that he is taking care of himself. I know I have no right to worry about him anymore, but I can’t help it. I do worry,” Viki thought to herself.

Clint was looking at Viki in her soft pink chiffon dress. It reminded him of the dress she wore so many years ago on their first trip to New York City together. “Oh, God, she is so beautiful. She still takes my breath away. But there is a haunting sadness in her eyes. I don’t remember that being there before I left. Is there something wrong that I don’t know about?” Clint wondered.

As Clint and Viki continued to gaze at each other and engage in mainly small talk, Clint realized that they weren’t getting anywhere.

“Viki,” said Clint, trying to get the important part of the conversation started. “I miss our friendship. I know that am married to another woman, but I want and need for us to still be friends. I know that I am the one who quit The Banner, but the strain of us working together was too much for me to handle. I need you to still be in my life, Viki, as a friend. Do you think that we can do that?” asked Clint, an almost pleading look in his eyes.

“Of course. I want us to always be friends, Clint. You are the one who cut the ties of our friendship, not me. You have a new wife, a new job, and new responsibilities on the other side of the country. These are decisions you made Clint, not me. How does Lindsay feel about you wanting to renew your friendship with me?” said Viki, sounding a bit defensive.

“Lindsay knows that I want us to be friends again. I believe that she understands. After all, she and Sam are trying to become friends again. Viki, if you are willing, I would very much like to take you out to dinner tonight somewhere really special. You and I going out to dinner and spending an evening together is not going to hurt my marriage. Besides, that way you can fill me in on this new look alike brother of mine. He must be a real handsome fellow,” said Clint with a twinkle in his eye and a big grin on his face.

“Well, Clint, I guess one night on the town as friends couldn’t hurt,” said Viki, smiling at Clint. “I bought a new dress that I want to show off. And you are a very handsome escort. What time do you want me to be ready?”

“I’ll pick you up at your room at 7:30 p.m. I guess we’d better both get back to our rooms, so that we can be ready in time,” replied Clint, trying not to sound as anxious as he felts.

~~~~~~~~~~

As Clint knocked on Viki’s hotel room door, he felt as nervous as a teenager on a first date. Viki opened the door and Clint stared at the vision before him. Viki was wearing a red, off one shoulder silk evening dress. It was very flowing, and the way Viki looked in it made him feel weak in the knees.

Viki was staring at Clint, in his black tuxedo, too. “I can’t think of when I have seen him look more handsome. And I can tell the way he is looking at me that I bought the right dress,” thought Viki. “I know it isn’t right but, despite Lindsay, I believe that part of Clint still belongs to me. And it is that part of him that I want to be with tonight. The hard part is going to be not letting him see how much I still love him.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Viki and Clint had finished their dinner and were discussing Brent when the waiter arrived with their after dinner drinks. “So you believe that he really is a long lost son of Pa’s?” asked Clint. “I hope this private investigator of Bo’s does a thorough job. Everything about this seems a little too neat for me.” Clint looked skeptical.

“I think that when you meet Brent tomorrow night, you will see for yourself why I believe that he is your brother,” Viki replied. “Let’s face it — when both Bo and I both mistake him for you, the resemblance has to be very striking.”

The band started to play “Memories.” Clint looked at Viki and asked if she would dance with him. Viki’s first instinct was to say “no,” but everything in her wanted to feel Clint’s arms around her again.

“Yes, I would love to dance with you,” said Viki, not trusting herself to look into Clint’s eyes.

Clint led her to the dance floor and took her in his arms. “It feels so wonderful to hold her again. I wish I could just stay here and dance with Viki forever,” thought Clint. “If I didn’t know before, I know now that my marriage to Lindsay is a sham. There is only one woman in the world for me and that is Viki. I still love her as much as ever and I always will.”

“I’m so happy,” is all that Viki can think. “I’m in Clint’s arms and I can feel him kissing my cheek and ear. Oh, lord, is it possible that he still loves me a little? It may be wrong, but tonight I don’t care. I want to dance with him and hold hands with him and make believe for a little while that he is still mine.”

As they return to the table, Clint ordered another round of drinks. He and Viki continued to talk, dance, just enjoy being together.

~~~~~~~~~~

It was 2:00 a.m. when Clint and Viki got back to her hotel room. “Would you like to come in for a moment?” asked Viki, not wanting the evening to end.

“I would love to, dear lady” Clint responded, smiling as he walked a bit unsteadily into the room. Both Viki and Clint had much more to drink than usual. Because of that, they were letting all the feelings they had been hiding from each other for so long finally come out. Clint walked over to Viki, took her in his arms and pressed his body tightly against her. He kissed her tenderly at first. Then, as the passion built between them, their lips parted and they explored, remembering each other’s lips and mouths. Viki loosened and, as she took’s Clint’s tie and jacket off, Clint continued kissing her neck and shoulders. Clint then took the one strap holding Viki’s dress off her shoulder and allowed the dress to fall. She was so beautiful standing there in just her red strapless bra, panties, and garter belt with black thigh high stockings that she took his breath away. As Clint reached behind Viki to unsnap her bra, Viki said, “Clint this isn’t right. You’re married to someone else. As much as I love you, we can’t do this.”

“Viki, I still love you so. Please, darling, let me make love to you. Sweetheart, I don’t love Lindsay. I love you,” said Clint as he ran his hands over Viki’s body. She pressed her body even closer to his as she unbuttoned his shirt and reached up underneath it to feel his naked chest.

The ringing phone startled both of them. “Don’t answer it, Viki,” said Clint, holding her Viki tightly and kissing her mouth so that she couldn’t speak.

“I have to answer it, Clint,” said Viki, concerned. “This late, it might be an emergency.”

“Hello,” said Viki, slightly out of breath. “Yes, Lindsay, he’s here. It’s your wife, Clint.”

“What in the hell is wrong, Lindsay, for you to call me at this time of night?” said Clint, clearly irritated and embarrassed. “Are you all right? How bad was the earthquake? Have you heard if anyone in the Bay Area was hurt? Well, if you don’t feel safe, go to a hotel or something. No, I am not coming home until at least Monday or Tuesday. Call one of your friends if you need to and I will check back with you later.” Clint hung up the phone.

“I’m sorry, Viki. There was an earthquake in San Francisco. Not a bad one, thank goodness. Lindsay is okay, but there are some cracks in the house we are renting and she was worried about the house being safe,” said Clint, still very embarrassed.

“I think it was a good thing that you got that call,” said Viki, starting to realize what was about to happen between them. “Something almost happened that shouldn’t have. Clint, you are married to Lindsay. We both had too much to drink tonight or this would never have happened.” Viki was very flustered and embarrassed. “Clint, if you want us to be friends, that is fine, but what happened between us tonight can never be allowed to happen again. Clint, be honest with yourself. If Lindsay suspects that we are having an affair, she will make you pay for it — big time. And you know it. We have made our mistakes and our decisions and for now at least we have to live with them whether we want to or not.”

“You’re right, Viki, but I know now that somehow I must get out of this so-called ‘marriage’ I got myself into,” stated Clint, with determination. “Viki, I will behave myself, I promise. But as soon as I can get free of Lindsay, you and I are going to have a long talk. I love you and I want you back in my life again.”

“I love you too, Clint, and I know that this is my fault, too. We will just have to be very careful not to let our feelings overpower us. Goodnight, my love. I will dream about you,” said Viki, trying very hard not to cry. Clint came over to Viki. “Just one kiss goodnight and, I promise, I will leave,” said Clint tenderly. He took Viki in his arms and held her gently, kissing her lips and stroking her hair. “Goodnight, my darling. Always remember that I love you,” Clint said, as he turned and walked out the door, leaving Viki with empty arms and tears in her eyes.

Nora shook her head and replied, “No, honey, she didn’t. She just said that it was important, but that there was nothing wrong.”

“I wonder if she has heard from Clint,” pondered Bo. ” I haven’t heard a word from him in three weeks. It almost seems like he is cutting himself off from all of us. And I just can’t figure out why.”

“I know exactly why, and her name is Lindsay,” said Nora. “Lindsay wants to keep Clint all to herself. She doesn’t want him in contact with us because we might find out what she is up to and spoil everything for her.”

“Viki told me the other day that the kids haven’t even heard from Clint. Jessica tried to get hold of him and was told that he would call her back — that was over a week ago,” Bo said. ” I think I am going to have to go out to California and have a long talk with my big brother.”

Bo knocked on the front door and, a few seconds later, Viki opened it. Viki greeted Bo and Nora with big hugs and a smile. “Okay, lady, what’s the big mystery? You don’t usually hold court until later in the day,” joked Bo, with a mischievous smile on his face.

“Do you want to hit him or shall I?” Nora said, winking at Viki.

“Since he’s your husband I will let you do the honors,” responded Viki. “Oh Bo, you’re impossible, but if Nora can put with you, so can I.”

“Viki, is this something about Clint? Is that the reason for this powwow? And why did you ask me not to tell Pa?” asked Bo, his face becoming serious.

“I know that this is all very confusing, but I have to ask you to be patient.” Viki replied, with a concerned look on her face. “And, though you will find this very hard to believe, it doesn’t have anything to do with Clint. I met someone yesterday who I want you to meet. About all I can say by way of warning you, is that this gentleman is not who he appears to be. The other thing I have to ask you is to please listen to him.”

“His name is Brent Hamilton,” Viki continued. “His mother died several weeks ago and told him something on her deathbed about his family that he did not know. Please listen to him with an open mind. After you have seen Brent and talked to him, you will understand why I didn’t want Asa to know about this just yet.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Brent Hamilton, had been standing in the library at Llanfair, listening to the conversation between Viki, Bo and Nora. He was nervous listening to Bo and knowing that Bo was his brother. “I just hope that I can make him believe me,” he thought to himself. Brent took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. “I know his reaction to me is going to be shock, so I have to be prepared for it.”

As Bo, Nora and Viki entered the library, Brent’s back was to them as he stared out the terrace doors. “Bo, Nora, I would like you to meet Brent Hamilton,” said Viki.

As Brent turned around, Bo thought Clint was standing in front of him. Bo looked first at Brent and then at Viki, before saying, “What kind of game are you two playing? Clint, what the hell is going on here? Are you trying to pull some kind of a Bill Brady deal? Why are you pretending to be this Brent Hamilton guy?”

“Mr. Buchanan, I am not Clint,” Brent responded as calmly as possible. “My name, as Viki said, is Brent Hamilton. I know that this is very confusing and upsetting to you, but please hear me out.” Brent looked very frustrated.

“Clint, I don’t know who you think you’re trying to fool, but it won’t work with me,” said Bo, looking angry and confused. “Just changing into fancy, imported clothes doesn’t change who you are. I would think that you would know better. I want some straight answers and I want them now.”

Viki was standing between Bo and Brent, trying to think of some way to get Bo to stop and listen to Brent. “Bo, please,” said Viki, “I told you that Brent was not who he appeared to be. I know that he looks like Clint, but he isn’t. Will you please just listen to him, as a favor to me, if nothing else?”

Nora had just been watching this exchange. She had been looking back and forth from Bo to Brent. Brent did look exactly like Clint but, as she really looked at him, she could tell there was something different about him, other than his clothes.

“Bo,” Nora said, “give the man a chance to talk. That is the only way you are going to find out what is going on.”

“Okay, I will listen,” said Bo, giving in but not liking it. “I will listen to what you have to say, but it better be damned good. I don’t like these kinds of games. I don’t want to see anyone hurt, especially Pa.”

“Thank you,” Brent said. “Is it all right if we all sit down? This whole thing is going to be hard to explain, so we might as well be comfortable.”

As everyone took a seat, Brent began telling his story to Bo and Nora. The expression on Bo’s face was one of shock and disbelief. Bo couldn’t make up his mind whether to believe Brent or not. Part of him still thought he was looking at Clint. The sound of Brent’s voice was just like Clint’s, but his accent was Southern, and the words and expressions he used were very different from the way Clint talked. “Could it be that Brent is telling the truth? Is he really a half brother I never knew about?” wondered Bo. “Asa is certainly capable of having had an affair and then leaving without so much as a second look back. If this isn’t Clint, then what Brent says must be the truth. He looks too much like Clint not to be a Buchanan.”

Bo was carefully looking Brent over for any sign that the man might be lying. “Brent, if what you say is true, I guess that means I have a new brother,” Bo asserted. “For the time being, I am going to take your word on all this, but you better believe that I am going to check you out very carefully.” Bo offered Brent his hand to shake.

“Thank you, Bo,” said Brent. “I grew up an only child, so the thought of suddenly having two brothers was somewhat overwhelming. I understand your need to check me out. After my mother’s death, I hired a private investigator to check into the whole Buchanan family so that I would have an understanding of who you folks were before I came to Llanview.”

“Viki, I do have one more thing I need to do,” said Bo. “May I call Clint in California while Brent is in the room with us? I won’t tell Clint exactly what is going on until later, but I want to be sure in my own mind that Brent is really not Clint playing some game that Lindsay put him up to.”

“Of course, you can call Clint, Bo” responded Viki. She was shocked that Bo would think that Clint would do anything like this, even under Lindsay’s influence.

Bo picked up the phone on the desk and dialed Clint’s office at The San Francisco Daily Press. He told Clint’s secretary who he was and asked her to get Clint on the line. “Hey, Little Brother, is that you?” Bo heard Clint say on the other end of the phone.

“It sure is, Stranger,” said Bo. “I haven’t heard from you for so long, I was beginning to wonder if I still had a big brother.”

“I’m awful sorry about that Bo,” said Clint, “between my working here at the paper and the social calendar that Lindsay has arranged for us, I just haven’t been keeping in touch the way I should. I’m sorry and I promise I won’t let it happen again. By the way, I will be in New York City this weekend for a newspaper conference, so I thought I would drop by Llanview for a day or two and check up on everyone. Lindsay won’t be with me on this trip, so that will make it easier on both her and Nora. Bo, I need you to find out something for me without Viki knowing. Would you find out if she is going to be at the conference this weekend? I will go either way. I just need to prepare myself to see her if she is going to be there.”

“Yes, I will find that out for you Clint,” replied Bo, trying not to sound surprised. “Clint I need to call you back tonight and discuss something serious with you. Nothing is wrong, so don’t worry, but it is something you need to know about.”

“Bo,” said Clint, sounding very concerned, “is there anything wrong with Pa, Viki or the kids?”

“No, Clint. Honest. Everyone is fine. It is just that I have recently found out some information about someone in the family we didn’t know about and I want to talk to you about it at length. Can I call you tonight about 6 p.m. your time and tell you what is going on about it?”

“Sure thing, Bo. You really have my curiosity up now. Give my love to everyone. Bye, Bo, talk to you tonight,” said Clint.

“Bye, Clint,” said Bo as he hung up the phone.

“Well, Brent, I guess that settles that. You definitely are not Clint. The big thing I am wondering about is how to tell Pa,” said Bo.

“I have asked Renee to come over this afternoon to go shopping with me for a new dress,” offered Viki. “I am going to a newspaper conference in New York City this weekend and I thought a shopping trip would be a good excuse for me to let Renee meet Brent and tell her what is going on without Asa suspecting.”

“Brent, I think I should tell you the reason for all the precautions as far as Pa goes. He has a heart condition. The last thing we want is to have him end up having a heart attack the first time he sees you,” explained Bo.

“I’m sure that Renee will know just how to approach Asa with this news,” said Nora, trying to reassure Bo.

“The last thing I want to cause is any health problems for Asa. He is my father, too. I really want a chance to get to know him,” said Brent, really concerned by this time. “I will go along with anything that you decide.”

“Thanks Brent, I appreciate that,” said Bo. “I am going to talk to Clint tonight. I want him here when we tell Pa about you and introduce you to him, otherwise Pa will never believe it. I warn you Brent, he might not believe it, anyway, at first. Our father is a very stubborn man and he has never been one to take surprises well, except when he is the one doing the surprising.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Later that evening, Bo was at home, talking with Clint on the phone.

“Clint, first of all, Viki is planning on attending the newspaper conference. She told Nora and I that she was going shopping with Renee this afternoon to buy a new dress to wear to the conference.”

“Thanks, Bo,” Clint replied, sounding almost relieved. “Okay, now what is this big family secret?”

Bo explains to Clint what was going on. “Are you sure that this guy isn’t feeding you a whole load of horse manure?” asked Clint.

“I am already having him investigated,” replied Bo. “But Clint, this guy looks and sounds so much like you that both Viki and I were convinced he was you. He could be your twin. In fact, it is hard to believe he isn’t. The reason I called you this morning is that I wanted to talk to you with Brent in the same room to make sure that you weren’t playing some kind of a trick on us.”

“How is Viki reacting to all of this?” asked Clint, trying to sound causal.

“Well, she is as shaken as the rest of us,” Bo responded. “But she believes, like I do, that you should be here when we let the rest of the family in on this, except for Renee. Viki is going to fill Renee in on the whole thing during their shopping trip.”

“I guess you’d better tell Viki that I will be at the conference,” Clint said. “I wanted to surprise her, but this is important. I will come back to Llanview with her and we can get this family reunion underway. Will you have the report back from the private investigator by that time, Bo? I don’t think we should approach Pa with all this until we are sure Brent is who he says he is.”

“The investigator said he should have the report back to me sometime Friday. What do you say we have a big family meeting at the Lodge on Sunday night around 8 p. m? Nora, Renee and I will make sure that everyone concerned is there. Will that be plenty of time for you and Viki to get back from the conference?”

“Oh, yes, Bo,” said Clint. “I am sure it will be. I’ll see you on Sunday. Bye for now, Bo.”

“Bye. See you Sunday, Clint,” replied Bo.

Bo sat back in his chair and wondered what the next few days had in store for him and the rest of the family. “I woke up this morning with one brother and now it appears that I have two brothers and they both look exactly alike. This is going to take some getting used to,” he told himself. “I also wonder what is going on with Clint and Lindsay. Clint sure seemed eager to see Viki at this conference. I wonder if this new marriage isn’t running into some snags. I also wonder how Pa is going to take all this. I think I’d better call Larry, fill him in and ask him to be at the lodge Sunday night, just in case. I guess I better get started arranging things. Sunday isn’t that far off.”

“What in the hell am I going to do now?” thought Brent. “If I look so much like Clint that even his ex-wife thinks I am him, there is no way I will be able to go undercover and get to know the Buchanans slowly. I think the only thing I can do is tell Mrs Carpenter the truth — maybe she will help me meet the Buchanans and help me explain this all to them.”

Viki continued to stare at Brent. “My lord, they could be twins. I feel almost the same way I did when Tom Dennison showed up so many years after Joe died,” she thought. “This man can’t be Clint’s twin, but he’s got to be related to the Buchanans somehow for them to look so much alike.”

Viki took a good look at Brent. While his features were just like Clint’s, there were other things she noticed that were very different. His posture — the way he sat in the chair, for instance. Brent’s hair was not quite as dark as Clint’s, and he wore no jewelry. His clothes were imported, as were his shoes. Clint never wore anything but cowboy boots and, maybe once in awhile, sneakers if they were playing tennis or touch football with the boys. This man had Italian shoes on — Clint wouldn’t be caught dead in those!

“Please call me Viki and, if it is all right with you, I will call you Brent,” said Viki. “I think it is always nicer to be on a first name basis when doing business together.”

“Oh, yes, Viki, that’s fine with me,” replied Brent. “Actually, Viki, I need to talk to you about something that is totally unrelated to business.”

“Brent looks upset,” thought Viki. “I have seen that same expression on Clint’s face over the years. Well, if the man has a problem I can help him with, I will be more than happy to try to help. I wonder if it has anything to do with his uncanny resemblance to Clint.”

“I’d be more than happy to help you, Brent. What can I do?” asked Viki, wondering what the problem might be.

“The first thing you can do is listen to my story. Then maybe you can help me figure what I should do from there,” said Brent, hoping that his instincts about Viki were right and that she was the kind of person who would be honest enough to help him get the answers he needed. Viki having been Clint’s wife meant that she probably knew things about the Buchanans that it would take him months to find out any other way. “Here’s hoping that I can trust her and that she will help me,” thought Brent.

“Viki,” said Brent, “I haven’t had anything but airline food today and my stomach is beginning to tell me about it. Could I have the pleasure of taking you out for a late night dinner? I will tell you my story over a meal, if that sounds okay with you.”

Viki thought about the fact that just about anywhere they went to eat, someone would be likely to notice Brent and mistake him for Clint. If Brent wanted to talk seriously with her, she thought that could turn out to be a problem.

“Brent,” said Viki, “I have another idea. Because of your resemblance to Clint, dining out might not be the best thing. Why don’t we got to my house? I have leftover homemade spaghetti, french bread and salad fixings. It wouldn’t take any time at all for me to fix us some dinner and we would have complete privacy to talk about this problem of yours.”

Brent stared at Viki, thinking, “This is one very understanding lady. She doesn’t even know me and she invites me to her home for dinner.”
~~~~~~~~~~

Viki checked the spaghetti and looked over at Brent cutting up vegetables for the salad. Her heart was doing flip-flops! “He look so much like Clint — I guess my heart doesn’t want to believe that it isn’t him,” thought Viki. “Being around this man is not going to be easy. Once before I started to fall in love with Tom Dennison because he was Joe’s twin. I must not do that this time with Brent. I have to keep telling myself that, just because he is wearing Clint’s face, doesn’t make him Clint. I really like this man, though. He is funny, obviously very smart, and he sure does know how to pour on the charm. But there is a great sadness in his eyes that he is trying to hide.”

Brent looked over at Viki as she worked around her kitchen, putting the finishing touches on their dinner. “I like this woman,” he thought to himself. “And how long has it been since I have let my guard down enough to like a woman, as opposed to just being attracted and turned on by her? Not that Viki isn’t attractive — in fact she’s beautiful, but she has a brain, a sense of humor and, most of all, a warmth about her that is drawing me to her like a magnet. I may be out of my mind but, after knowing Viki for only an hour, I feel like she is someone I have known all my life. I hope that I really can trust her. Right now she is the key to this whole situation.”
~~~~~~~~~~

Brent looked across the table at Viki. “I guess I’d better start explaining to you the real reason I came to Llanview,” he said, while trying to think of the best way to describe his circumstances. “Two weeks ago, my mother had a heart attack. Several days later, she died.” Brent tried to fight back the tears welling up in his eyes as he spoke.

“Oh, Brent,” said Viki, looking at him with concern and sympathy. “I am so sorry. You have been through a rough time. Is there any way that I can help?”

“Yes, Viki there is,” replied Brent. “Let me explain further. My dad, Greg, and I never got along. He tried to be a good father, but we never had any common interests. When he passed away 5 years ago, I even felt guilty because it didn’t bother me the way it should have. It was almost like we weren’t really connected. Anyway, just before my mother died, she told me that she had a confession to make. Then she dropped the bomb — she told me that she had an affair when my father was in the Navy, at sea. It seems that Greg Hamilton wasn’t my father, after all. My father was a man named Asa Buchanan.”

Viki felt like a bomb had dropped on her, also. No wonder Brent looked so much like Clint — they were brothers!

Viki looked at Brent, shaking her head. “You’re Clint’s brother. That at least explains the resemblance. Have you contacted Asa yet?” asked a very shaken Viki.

“No,” responded Brent. “When I promised my Uncle Cliff that I would see you about the supplement for The Banner, I decided I would do that before I tried to contact any of the Buchanans. Then I walked into your office only to find out that you’re my brother’s ex-wife. That just floored me! But I figured you might be the best person to tell, and help me figure how to approach this whole thing.”

“I will be very glad to help, Brent,” replied Viki.

“I have a very personal question to ask,” Brent said, looking somewhat uncomfortable. “Viki, what kind of a relationship do you have with Clint and his family? I mean if you’re bitter enemies or something, you won’t be of much help to me.”

A big smile crossed Viki’s face. “Well Brent, that is a somewhat complicated question, but I can assure you that I do, for the most part, get along very well with the Buchanan family. My three children, Kevin, Joey, and Jessica are Buchanans. Bo and his wife, Nora, are very good friends. I love Cord, Clint’s son, like he was my own son. Actually, Cord was married to my sister, Tina, and they have two children, C.J. and Sarah. Asa is another matter all together, but I love him dearly and I think that, despite a lot of disputes between us, he cares about me also. Does that answer your question, Brent?”

Brent was thinking, “Yes, that answers it for the most part, but the unusual thing is that Viki talked about everyone but Clint. I wonder why?”

“Viki, you didn’t mention Clint,” Brent nudged gingerly. “Was that on purpose?” Viki’s expression changed. She seemed a little embarrassed and there was a sadness in her eyes, almost like she was getting ready to cry. Looking at Brent while talking about Clint was going to very difficult.

“Clint’s and my relationship is very complicated,” said Viki, while trying to keep her composure. “We have been best friends and co-workers over the years, as well as husband and wife. I divorced Clint about 5 years ago when I fell in love with my late husband, Sloan Carpenter. We remained friends, despite my having hurt Clint. He still loved me and, after Sloan’s death, I know he believed that we would find our way back to each other. I had a lot of problems that Clint helped me get through. I don’t know what I would have done without his help and support.”

“About six months ago,” Viki continued, “Clint asked me to marry him again. I didn’t believe I was ready, so I said ‘no.’ He told me he had to get on with his life, and I guess he really meant it, because two weeks later, he married his present wife, Lindsay. Shortly afterward, he quit his job at The Banner and moved to California.”

Brent saw tears in Viki’s eyes, even though she had turned her head away and was trying to hide them as she spoke.

“You still love him, don’t you, Viki?” asks Brent, looking at Viki with honest concern in his eyes.

“Yes, I guess I do. I always will, but I have hurt Clint so many times that, even if Lindsay weren’t his wife, I don’t know if Clint could ever really love or trust me again.” Viki wiped her eyes as she spoke, trying not make a complete fool of herself.

Brent took Viki’s hand and squeezed it. “I didn’t mean to upset you, Viki, honestly.”

“I know that, Brent. Thanks for your concern, but I’m fine,” replied Viki. “Now for your problem. I will get hold of Bo tonight and just tell him that I need to meet with him here at Llanfair at 9 a.m. tomorrow. You go to your hotel, and be back here about 8:30 a.m. When Bo gets here, you can tell him your story.”

“How do you think Bo will react, Viki?” asked Brent.

“He’ll be surprised, just like I was. But Bo is a good man and, when he hears your story, I think he will be a very big help in introducing you to Asa and the rest of the Buchanan clan.”
~~~~~~~~~~

Brent told Viki goodbye and headed for his hotel feeling like tomorrow might be the biggest day of his life.

“I hope that Viki is right about Bo,” he told himself. “I don’t really like having to put my complete trust in people I don’t know. But I trust Viki. Something about her just tells me that she is going to be a very important part of my future.”

Greg returned on leave a month after Asa left town. Julia vowed to make up for her indiscretion – – – she would do everything possible to make Greg happy. When Julia found out that she was pregnant, she at first believed that the baby was Greg’s, but after seeing the baby, she realized that Brent was really Asa’s son. Greg, however, never suppected that the boy wasn’t his. Julia had kept the secret all these years out of shame, but she felt she owed it to Brent to tell him the truth.

“Who is this Asa Buchanan? What kind of a man is he?” wondered Brent. Questions swirled around and around in Brent’s mind. He had always felt that he and Greg had notheing in common. Now he knew why.

Brent called his lawyer and asked him to engage a good private investigator to find this Asa Buchanan. The lawyer called back the next day and told Brent that Asa owned Buchanan Enterprises, but had retired from general management and his grandson, Cord Roberts, was now running the company. The lawyer also informed Brent that Asa, his son, Bo, and his grandsons, Cord, Kevin and Joey, were all living in Llanview, Pennsylvania.

Brent decided that maybe it might be a good time to go looking up relatives in Pennsylvania. He needed to make an extended trip to Llanview if he wanted to find out about his real father, Asa Buchanan, and the other members of this new family he never knew he had.

Brent had been very lonely growing up as an only child. The thought that he had two half-brothers he had never met filled him with regret and longing. He had always envied his friends who had siblings. Now, as a grown man finding out that he had brothers after all, made him feel cheated that he never had a chance to grow up with them. Brent felt both grief and anger at his mother for keeping this from him all those years. Brent realized that his mother did the best she could but that didn’t change the fact that he felt cheated out of knowing his real father and his brothers.

Brent called Phil Grayson, his vice president and best friend, into his office. “Phil, I am going out of town for awhile and I need you to take charge around here for me, buddy.”

“What’s going on Brent? I know you have had a real difficult time with your Mom’s death and everything, but I get the felling something else is bothering you. Is there anything I can do to help other than just take charge of the company?” Phil asks.

“I just need to get away for awhile, Phil,” Brent said. I have some folks up in Pennsylvania who were friends of my mother’s. I want to go look them up. I think they can help me deal with her death. Can I count on you to take care of Hamilton Shipping for me?” asked Brent.

“Sure, you can depend on me, chief. I’ll take care of things on this front. You take all the time you need, just keep me posted as to where you are in case I need to get ahold of you. Remember: You need anything, just sing out and I’ll come running.” Phil assured Brent.

“Thanks Phil. I promise I will be in touch,” Brent said as, with a laugh, he left the office.

Brent headed over to Hamilton Publishing, thinking, “I better let Uncle Cliff know that I’m leaving town. If I don’t, he will be very suspicious.” Brent had always gotten along well with his Uncle Cliff.

Cliff Hamilton was Greg’s easygoing younger brother. Cliff was only twelve years older than Brent and, while growing up, Cliff had been Brent’s hero. Brent had no intention of telling Uncle Cliff anything about his newly revealed parentage. But he wanted Uncle Cliff to know that he was going to get away for awhile to come to terms with his mother’s death.

Brent found his Uncle Cliff sitting behind his desk playing solitaire on his computer. “Hi, squirt. How have you been holding up? I haven’t heard form you in a couple of days and I have been worried about you,” asked Cliff.

“Oh, I’m holding up pretty well, Uncle Cliff,” said Brent. “Actually, that is why I came by. I’ve decided that I need to get away for awhile. Mom had some friends up in Pennsylvania and I think I might go visit them for awhile.”

“That’s interesting. Where about’s in Pennsylvania are you going, kid?” asked Cliff.

“I think the name of the town is Llanview, Uncle Cliff. It’s not too far from Harrisburg, I think,” replied Brent.

“That’s even more interesting,” said Cliff. “I know you don’t know much about the publishing business, but I have a favor to ask of you,” said Cliff.

“Okay, Uncle Cliff, I’ll bite. For you I would do just about anything,” Brent said with a big, teasing grin on his face.

“Well,” said Cliff, smiling back at Brent, “Hamilton Publishing has been having some negotiations with The Banner — a newspaper in Llanview — about doing a special monthly supplement for them. I need to meet with the publisher of The Banner, Victoria Lord Carpenter, but I just have too many things going on here to get up there.”

“I’d be happy to help, but what good could I be when I don’t know anything about what’s going on?” inquired Brent, looking confused.

“Don’t worry kid,” said Cliff. “I have the whole proposal already drawn up. All you have to do is present it to the lady. I understand that she is a real pretty single lady and you usually don’t have much trouble making a good impression on them.”

Brent looked at Cliff and grinned. “You know me pretty well, Uncle. I will meet with your pretty publisher and give her the old Hamilton charm to see if I can get your deal done. My plane leaves tomorrow afternoon. Get me a copy of the proposal and an appointment with Ms. Carpenter as soon as you can. I want to get your business taken care of right away so I can concentrate on the things I need to do.”

“Brent, I sure do appreciate this, I owe you one, kid. You take care and let me know what happens,” Cliff said as he gave Brent a big hug.

Brent put his attache case under the seat on the plane. He had two seats in first class — he always bought two seats together so he had enough room to spread out his six-foot-two-inch frame. But even in first class there never seemed to be enough room for his long legs. As he buckled his seat belt and smiled at the pretty, dark haired flight attendant, he was thinking about how he was going to approach meeting his father, Asa, once he got to Llanview.

Brent had received briefings from Phil before he left about all of the Buchanans. “I think I will just study the ones on Asa, Bo and Cord to start out with,” thought Brent. “It is going to be confusing enough, without trying to remember everything about everyone.”

It was unlikely he would have any dealings with Kevin, Joey, or Drew. In the beginning, and since Clint lived on the West Coast, he thought he probably would not even meet him for quite awhile.

Brent opened the attache case and was all set to settle into reading about his long-lost relatives when he saw the folder with “Hamilton Publishing” printed on the cover. “Crap,” thought Brent, “I forgot about that little favor for Uncle Cliff. Well, I guess I’ll read it first. I can get to the Buchanan stuff after I get to Llanview and get settled.”

Brent opened the folder. There was a note stapled to the report from Uncle Cliff. “Kid,” the note said, “here is everything you should need. I made an appointment for you to see Ms. Carpenter at 9:00 p.m. tonight. I know that is a little late, but you are the one who wants to get this business out of the way. Besides, if I know you, you’ll end up convincing the widow lady to have a late dinner with you.”

Brent asked the driver sent by the Palace Hotel if he would take his bags on to the hotel for him. The plane landed two hours late due to mechanical problems, and it was already 8:45 p.m. — Brent had only 15 minutes to get to The Banner office to meet with Victoria Carpenter.

Despite his joking with Uncle Cliff, the last thing Brent had on his mind was the prospect of getting involved with a woman. On the other hand, he was sure that Ms. Carpenter was acquainted with the Buchanans. He thought that if he could convince her to go out for a late business dinner, he might be able to gather some information about Asa and his family from someone who actually knew them. Besides, Brent figured that it wouldn’t hurt to start making friends in Llanview, especially if they were as pretty as Uncle Cliff said she was.

Brent walked into the lobby of The Banner newspaper where an elderly gentleman was sitting at the desk looking at the security monitors. The man greeted Brent with a big smile, “Well, hello, sir,” the old man said. “How are you doing tonight? You go right on up to her office, sir. I know that she will be glad to see you.”

Brent was about to ask where Ms. Carpenter’s office was when he saw the directory and realized it was on the 6th floor. As he entered the elevator, a young woman gave him a big smile. “How are you this evening, sir?” she asked.

“I’m fine, thank you, a confused Brent replied.

“These have got to be the friendliest people I have ever met,” thought Brent. “This is all very, very strange.”

Viki Carpenter was sitting at her desk wishing that she hadn’t made the appointment to see Brent Hamilton on this night. She had been going through her office, cleaning out the bookshelves and the drawers in her desk. It had needed to be done for a long time, but Viki hadn’t anticipated that there would be so many memories of Clint in everything she went through. It hurt so badly to look at all these pieces of their lives together, not just as a married couple, but as co-workers and best friends. Viki missed Clint so much that she felt physical pain from it. “I don’t think this ache in my heart will ever go away,” she thought. “Oh, God, I have to pull myself together before Mr. Hamilton arrives. Maybe he can take my mind off Clint long enough to get some business done.”

Just then, Brent knocked on the door to Viki’s office. “Please, come in, Mr. Hamilton,” she answered in a soft, feminine voice.

Brent opened the door and saw a beautiful blond woman sitting at a desk, wearing a pearl grey suit and a light blue blouse that perfectly matched her gorgeous blue eyes. “WOW,” thought Brent, “maybe I have been selling the publishing business short. None of my business associates at Hamilton Shipping look anything like Victoria Carpenter.”

Brent noticed that Ms. Carpenter’s expression had suddenly changed. She seemed embarrassed and flustered. Brent was about to ask what was wrong when she recovered her voice and said, “Clint, what are you doing here? I mean, I didn’t know you were in town. Do the kids know you are back?”

“Something is very different about Clint,” thought Viki. “He has on an imported dark blue suit and Italian shoes. Has Lindsay changed him that much?”

A very bewildered Brent said, “I’m sorry, Ms. Carpenter, but you must have me confused with someone else. My name is Brent Hamilton. I’m representing Hamilton Publishing and we have an appointment tonight. If there is some problem, I can come back tomorrow.”

Viki just shook her head. She couldn’t believe that this was not Clint. “This Brent fellow looks just exactly like Clint,” Viki thought, as she finally managed to find her voice again.

“I’m sorry Mr. Hamilton,” Viki stammered. “It’s just that you look exactly like my ex-husband, Clint Buchanan.”

Now it was Brent’s turn to be stunned, as he stared at his former sister-in-law.

Clint quit his job as Editor-in-Chief of The Banner because being around Viki all the time had just becomd too difficult. Working at Buchanan Enterprises didn’t help either; he was a newspaperman, not a businessman.

Clint had just received a telephone call from an old friend in California who ran a newspaper in the San Francisco Bay Area. The old friend wanted him to come out to the West Coast and be the executive editor of his newspaper.

“Maybe this is the answer,” thought Clint. “If I’m away from Viki, maybe Lindsay and I will have a chance, and I’ll be doing what I love again, instead of being bored stiff.”

Clint called Cord in Europe and convinced him to come back and take over Buchanan Enterprises, as well as help Bo take care of the family in Llanview.

When he told Viki his plans, she was at a loss. First, Clint married Lindsay. Then he quit The Banner and now he was leaving town for the West Coast!

Viki knew she made the worst mistake of her life by not remarrying Clint. How could she have been so stupid and let him go? She had been so sure that his marriage to Lindsay would not work and she would eventually have a chance to win him back, but with an entire country between them, how would she be able to do that?

“Well,” Viki thought, “I guess I will just have to learn to live on my own and cope as best I can. I will pray every night that some day Clint will return to Llanview and I will win his love back.”

Meanwhile, in New Orleans, Brent Hamilton had just returned from his mother’s funeral. He sat at his desk in the office of Hamilton Shipping with his head in his hands. The last week had been one of sorrow and turmoil for him. Brent had been close to his mother and loved her very much — and he was in shock. It wasn’t only her heart attack, the hospital stay, her death, and the funeral that had his head spinning. It was her deathbed confession.

Brent had been the only child of Greg and Julia Hamilton. Brent and his father had never gotten along. Greg was part of New Orleans society and head of Hamilton Publishing, noted for publishing mainly books and magazines written in the southern society style. Greg had passed away several years earlier and Brent’s Uncle Cliff now ran the company which was just fine with Brent — he didn’t want any part of the publishing business. Brent left home after flunking out of college and made his own way in life. He started out as a longshoreman and began working his way up the corporate hierarchy until he ended up winning a shipping company in a poker game.

Brent’s luck in love wasn’t as good. He’d had one great love in his life, Blanche. They had been blissfully married for two years when she died while giving birth to his child. The baby girl also died and Brent never got over it. He had been involved with many women during the years since Blanche’s death, but had never had a serious relationship — and he preferred it that way.

Julia’s revelation played over and over in Brent’s mind. Greg Hamilton was not his father, after all. His real father’s name was Asa Buchanan, an oil tycoon whom Julia had met shortly after her marriage to Greg.

“Excuse me, sir. I work for Dr. Kipling and he wanted me to check out the equipment in the basement. He thinks you may be having some trouble with the plumbing and possibly the emergency generator. Could you show me the way to the basement?”

“Si, Senor. ” The man led Mark to the end of the hall, down some steps and down some more steps. The hallway became sparsely lighted and the smell wasn’t appealing. Too many fumes from various sources and no air circulation.

“I know you must have other things to do, Senor. I can take it from here and it might take some time, so don’t worry about me.”

“Si, Senor, as you wish.”

Mark was left alone to search the vast underground. But he didn’t have much time. He knew the visitors would become restless and Ivan would also want things to proceed.

He stood still and listened. There was no sound, except for a gentle hum. He couldn’t hear the breeze outside or any of the activity above him. This place was a veritable fortress. How Ivan ever discovered it was beyond comprehension. He found supply rooms filled with old cloths, paint cans, mixing pans and other materials. In a closet, he found a ladder, which he hoped to remember, if he needed it. In another closet, he found some old barrels, like the kind that oil is stored in. His stomach did a flip-flop as he tried to tip them and attempted to open them. ‘Please don’t let Karen be in one of these!’ he wailed silently to himself. Nothing. All empty, except for trash. In fact, the whole underground was empty. At least empty of Karen. Mark didn’t find any of Ivan’s skeletons in this ‘closet’. Time to go on and check on Clint.

There was a slight knock and then Ivan strode through the door of Clint’s room.

“Well, now, it’s so nice to see you so much better. Tell me how you feel.”

“I feel so good that even looking at you doesn’t hurt too much.”

“Always a sense of humor. You are getting back to normal, eh? I had hoped you would be up to a little trip this afternoon.”

“What kind of trip?”

“Oh, just a trip to the other side of the compound, to meet with the doctors and assistants and start our little project.”

“Ivan, Clint isn’t well enough yet. We don’t need to be there. We’ve cooperated so far, but us going anywhere is unnecessary, as far as I can see.”

“That’s because you don’t see the whole picture, Viki. I think it’s very important that everyone attend, everyone participate. Don’t you want to see our plan come to fruition?”

“I couldn’t care less. We’ve suffered enough indignities, let us alone.”

“Clint, you haven’t said anything. It’s not like you to keep quiet. What are your thoughts?”

“I think I’m strong enough to go. I do want to look these people in the eyeballs. I want them to know I’m the one who’s paid for getting rid of their problems. And if I can have them all arrested, someday, I will. One of my uncles died in Europe during WWII. If I can bring some of these criminals to justice, so be it.”

“I would expect nothing less from you. Revenge, though, seems more like my style. Maybe we’re more alike than you’d care to think.”

“Ivan, get out of here. You’re more than I can stomach.” Clint was becoming angry now and Viki could see his temper escalate.

“Darling, it’s probably not good for you to get upset. Just ignore him.”

“Nonsense, his blood pressure is fine. But, I’ll leave now and send someone for you later. You can decide then if you wish to attend.”

Karen was busily getting dressed when Mark showed up at her door. She hadn’t been hidden away at all. She was in one the rooms that had been used as Residents’ Quarters long ago. At one time, the place had been a teaching hospital. Now it was a dinosaur, dangerously close to extinction. There weren’t any Residents now. They were lucky to have Ivan.

“Yes, can I help you?” questioned Karen.

“You don’t know me, Mrs. Wolek.”

“Technically, I’m Mrs. Pierpont. Who are you, what do you want?”

” My name is Mark Hopkins. I’m sorry to be disturbing you, but I work for Dr. Kipling,” stammered Mark.

“It’s too early. I’m not ready to go yet.” Karen had taken a shower after her tanning session and had changed into a flowery print sundress. The spaghetti straps were thin and the bodice was really tight. She looked ready for anything, thought Mark.

“I’m not here to pick you up. I just need to talk to you.”

“Well, okay, then come in,” Karen said as she motioned toward the couch.

“I know you don’t know me. But I’ve been worried about you. I’m sorry you’ve been held against your will.”

“But I haven’t been. I thought you said you worked for Ivan.”

“I do, but I assumed that you were here under duress.”

“No, not really. I believe in what Ivan’s doing, or trying to do.  Ivan was an enemy in another lifetime. I’ve been through a lot, Ivan has helped me. The least I can do is cooperate.”

“Then you weren’t coerced or threatened into coming here? What about Monte Carlo?”

“Oh, I gladly went to Monte! It was a blast! I hadn’t been there since my honeymoon with Larry. The only regret was that he couldn’t be there with me.”

“But he was there, he was looking for you, hoping and praying to find you.”

“I wasn’t able to reveal myself. But Ivan made sure I was comfortable.”

“This gives me a whole new insight into you, I mean into Ivan. Mrs. Pierpont, I’m sorry to have bothered you. You’ve helped a lot.”

“How have I helped? I really didn’t tell you anything.”

“Yes, ma’am, you did. You told me exactly what I needed to know……about Dr. Kipling, I mean.”

“He is a fascinating, powerful man. Learn from him.”

Mark went away with a downcast attitude.  All this time he had thought that Karen was a victim.  She was a co-conspirator.  Larry was going to be so disappointed.  He had suffered so much in the name of love.  Should Mark tell Larry about Karen before the big event?  He had a right to know.  Maybe, Larry could salvage his dignity before he humiliated himself.  Mark felt obligated to tell him, but he just didn’t know how.  He finally decided to wait until later.  He would figure something out. Mark was very disappointed, too.  He thought he would be her hero, save her from the dragon Kipling.  He knew he had been wrong.  She wasn’t the woman he had imagined.  Surely, she wasn’t the woman Larry had told him about.  Even more interesting, what would Larry think of Karen’s collusion?  Was she going to try to get money from him?  Or was it just a personal revenge?

Ivan was making preparations for the doctors and assistants to meet their patients. The south wing was cleaned and the patients were excited to be meeting the men and women that would restore their bodies. There was a buzz in the air. The electricity was crackling and there was more joy in the wing than ever before.

Monique had delivered the message to Mark that sent him on the errand to collect Larry and the Buchanans. They were to all meet at the South wing lobby in 15 minutes. Clint had been determined to be included and Viki had no choice but to acquiesce.

“I suppose we’ve come this far, we might as well finish it, ” she said.

“I will be glad to get it over with.”

The lobby was full. The doctors, nurses and assistants, Larry, Viki, Clint, Monique and Ivan were there.

“Before we go in the ward, I want to tell you how much we appreciate your coming. We are in desperate need of your services.”

Clint whispered to Viki, “Is this the part where he tells him they’re going to be operating on Nazis?”

“You will find various challenges here. Too many problems, not enough staff. Too many infirmities, not enough hope. You are the answers to many prayers. Once again, we thank you.”

Mark, Larry, Viki and Clint hung back as Ivan opened the doors to the ward. The others rushed in and immediately began to work. Nurses started to take vital signs, the doctors focused on looking at charts and chatting with their patients. Ivan noticed that the four hadn’t gone in, but were lingering in the lobby.

“Won’t you join us? Our patients are anxious to thank you for all you’ve done. You, too, are the reason we’ll be able to solve so many problems.

Reluctantly, they all went into the ward and were stunned by what they saw. It was impossible! This couldn’t be right.

Finally, Viki broke the silence, “Ivan, these are all children!”

“Yes, Viki, they are, ” admitted Ivan.

“But, but . . . ”

“I know, I tricked you. I do apologize.”

“But why?” questioned Viki.

“Because you wouldn’t have taken me seriously. If I had come to you with my sad story, you would have been suspicious and you wouldn’t have believed me. I don’t blame you. The monster that I was would have deserved such disbelief.”

“Why didn’t you just tell us, Kipling?” Clint asked.

“Because you wouldn’t have accepted that I was a human being again, that I could care for children.”

“Who are these children?”

“Jean-Claude, oh, by the way, may I call you Mark now? These children are here due to the machinations of a horrible regime. They come from another country, Vanchan, on the southern border of Chile. The current dictator has begun a “house cleaning”. In order to get the “perfect child”, they have removed all children with imperfections from their homes. He wants to “purge” his society of defects. Sound familiar? Perfect society. The travesty is, these children are treatable, and in many instances, curable. They have vision and hearing problems, speech problems, cleft palates, club foot or something similar. But this backward country won’t come up to the times. It insists on getting medical perfection by ignoring medical problems.”

“Oh, my God, how did they get here?”

“Viki, they are taking from their homes and shipped across the continent in railroad cars. This abandoned hospital was set up as an “orphanage”, but sadly, they are not orphans. Their families have been brainwashed and they have been encamped here.”

“I’m so ashamed!”

“No need to be ashamed, Viki. You are going to help me solve these problems. We can do it together.”

“I still think that if you had presented the facts, we would have helped.”

“But you would have been disappointed! Now, you are elated, are you not, and surprised that I am not the viper you thought me?”

“Yes, I suppose we do owe you a deep apology.”

“I’m not looking for an apology. I’m just interested in treating the children.”

Larry had been severely quiet until now. “That still doesn’t explain about Karen. Where is she?”

“She’s in the conference room, waiting for you. I know you’ll be pleased.”

Ivan led the way and reunited Larry and Karen. This time Karen was coherent and alive and beautiful.

“Karen, I’ve been so worried about you! Are you alright?”

“Yes, Larry, I’m fine. Ivan has treated me well and I haven’t been hurt.”

“But you appeared drugged when we had dinner together. And on the plane, too.”

“It was just an act, I’m afraid. I’m sorry that we deceived you, but it was the only way. Ivan convinced me of that.”

“You went with him willingly?” Larry was aghast and was slow comprehending what exactly was unraveling.

“Not at first. But he promised me that you and I would be able to see each other. Maybe work on our past. Do you think that’s possible?”

“I’m not sure if I can overlook this, Karen.”

“If you’ll just look around, Larry, isn’t it worth it? These precious, innocent children. Larry, they’ve never had a chance. You’re doing a marvelous thing, you’re creating miracles. These kids can go home to their families or be adopted by people who love them, instead of living in an institution for the rest of their lives. And not getting medical correction for these simple things? I know you. You would do this anyway. But you wouldn’t have trusted Ivan, we both know that, don’t we?”

“Yes, it’s an admirable and worthy endeavor. But I have a problem with being manipulated over it.”

“I can appreciate you being mad. I expected it, but I hoped that you could forgive me.”

“I think I can, in time. But can I just be alone to think about it?”

“Sure. I’m going to read a story to some of the kids. I’ve gotten pretty fond of a couple of them. Maybe someday, we could both tell them stories.”

Larry walked away and noticed that Viki and Clint were playing with a little girl whose eyes were crossed. She had the brightest smile and her hair was silky black. She had crawled up into Viki’s lap and she was touching Viki’s hair. Clint was laughing and Viki started to tickle the child. Larry just needed time to think. Little did he know that the surprises weren’t over. In fact, they’d just begun.

Monique and Ivan joined the other doctors and nurses. He had created a system to evaluate the worst conditions, schedule the surgeries and start rehabilitation programs. The operating rooms were a challenge, but the doctors were up to it. Little eyes, mouths and feet, among other things, were fixed and made normal. There were some conditions that weren’t reversible, but one of the doctors there was on the board of Kids of Challenge, International, an adoption agency that specialized in “difficult” adoptions. They had placed hundreds of children with loving families who didn’t care that they had problems.

“Karen, I’d like to talk again. Do you have a minute?”

“Of course, Larry, we can go back to the conference room.”

Mark saw the two together again and decided that now was the time to confront them. He would get the truth out of them, if it was the last thing he did.

“I remember seeing this wing from the other side. I couldn’t make anything out, but I saw a faint light.”

“There wasn’t much laughter here before today, Larry. Since I’ve been here, it’s been deadly quiet. Not too much to be thankful over. The staff tried but it was so overwhelmingly hopeless.”

“I’m glad we came, Karen. I know it wasn’t right for Ivan to trick us, but I’m glad we’re here. If you’ll be patient with me, I think we can work on things.”

“Oh, Larry, you’ve made me so happy! I was afraid to even hope for your understanding. I know it wasn’t right, but yet it was. Thank you so much for willing to try.”

“Larry, Karen, could I talk to you for a minute?”

“What is it, Mark?”

“Karen, I hope this doesn’t offend you. But I have something to tell you– I am your son.”

“What?!?”

“Karen doesn’t have any children. That’s a lie!” shouted Larry.

“Yes, I’m her son. I’m 30 years old.”

“Tell him he’s crazy, Karen.”

“I can’t, Larry. I do have a child. A son. He was born 30 years ago.” Karen was bowing her head, shaking it, like she didn’t believe it herself.

“How?  When?”

“Before I ever met you, Larry. I was young. I didn’t know about birth control. I got scared. I couldn’t take care of a baby! I did the only thing I knew to do.”

“You gave it away?” asked Larry.

“Yes, she gave me away. Karen, I’ve been looking for you for a long time. And I have been looking for my father, too. Can you help me?”

“Wait, this is incredible. Where did you come from? How did you find Karen?”

“I was adopted by the Hopkins family. They died in a car wreck while I was in college. My aunt kept up with me, encouraged me, loved me, the best she could after they died. Actually, she was an aunt by marriage. But she loved me as her own. She didn’t have any children, either. She died five years ago and that’s when I came across some letters. Letters that intimated who my parents were.”

“Your aunt? Hopkins?”

“Yes, Ina Hopkins.”

Larry looked stunned. “Ina knew about this? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because my father is Ivan Kipling and she was too ashamed of him!”

“No, you’re wrong, Mark!”

“Wrong that you were ashamed of him?”

“No, Ivan is not your father! Your father is Marco Dane.”

“Marco? You’re not serious! It’s unbelievable.”

“It’s believable, Larry. Did you forget about me knowing Marco before I came to Llanview? Did you forget that before I came to Llanview, I testified against Marco and he was sent to jail? But my pregnancy was one secret Herb Callison didn’t get out of me on the witness stand!”

“No, I couldn’t forget but why did you give Mark up?”

“I didn’t think Marco was going to get out of jail so soon. The justice system wasn’t any better then than it is now. I thought because he got twenty years, he would serve twenty years. Wrong, he got eighteen months. I didn’t think a baby should be saddled with a prostitute for a mother. I didn’t think Marco was good father material, either.”

“But why didn’t you come after me, when you two got back together?”

“Mark, we weren’t really ever romantically involved after that. I kept the secret of your conception, birth and adoption from him. He was my pimp, for God’s sake. I was scared of him. I didn’t know how he would react if I told him. The longer I kept quiet, the harder it was to even consider telling the truth. He was a cruel man, a man with a criminal record. I loved him, but he was bad for me. And I finally got him out of my system.”

“You could have told him after he got out. I needed both my parents.”

“You had parents and they were very good to you. I kept up with you for awhile, but I didn’t want anyone to get suspicious. Ina took the secret to her grave, but apparently, she didn’t get rid of the letters.”

“Marco Dane. He doesn’t sound any better than Ivan!”

“Don’t be too disappointed, Mark, he did change. He became a much better person.”

“Do you know where he is?”

“No, but the last time I heard, he was in Port Charles, NY. But then he hooked up with some woman named Tracy and I haven’t heard from him since.”

“Will you help me find him?”

“Yes. I’m so sorry Mark. I hope you can forgive me–someday.”

“I’m glad it’s out in the open now. I have been struggling with this for five years. I’ve endured Ivan and I’ve been completely isolated from my friends. Now, I can start my life over. I can be who I really am.”

“Larry, I know this is quite a shock to you, but are you still willing to work at a relationship?”

“Wow, this is so much to assimilate. But I’m willing to try.”

Later, Mark told Viki and Clint his incredible story. They were shocked, to say the least, but it answered some questions for them, too. They were happy that Karen and Larry were going to work on their relationship. Clint had been on the phone and had just finished planning for a foundation that would self-fund all the medical treatment that these kids would need. He had talked with his lawyers and accountants and almost all the legalities were settled before the day was over. His people moved when he issued orders, and he wasn’t about to let any of these children suffer any longer than necessary. Clint had also ordered the jet to meet them in Rio. He and Viki were leaving right away for Llanview. But Karen, Larry and Mark were going to stay a little longer and get to know each other. Ivan through himself into the work, with Monique right by his side. When Larry’s colleagues back in Llanview heard of the need, more and more volunteered their services. Things were really going to change in the old hospital in Macao.

The children were happy, the adults were happy. The only thing missing was Marco Dane. But then, you never know when Marco’s going to show up.

~~ The End ~~