The Prodigal Husband: Pamela Dalton Romance Classics

By Pamela Dalton

The last person Elizabeth James expects to show up on her doorstep is her soon-to-be ex-husband Adam Elliot. She's started a new life that doesn't include Adam and his traveling lifestyle. But Adam has torn up the divorce papers, put away his suitcase and is determined to win back his wife no matter what it takes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pamela Dalton
• Release date: Sep 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9780988584310

Book preview

Chapter 1

There isn't even a tree in sight, Adam Elliot thought, drawing his lips tight as he peered through the window of his late-model pickup. Cold and aloof, the James and James Real Estate Company appeared as approachable as the stone tower where Rapunzel had been locked up. But in this case, he knew, the princess inside wouldn't let down her long hair and give him access to the interior. On the contrary, she'd be more apt to bar the doors if she knew he was intent on storming her fortress. She had made it clear when she left, she no longer believed in happily-ever-after. At least not with him.

He was no knight in shining armor, and he'd never understood chivalry. The princess inside knew that better than anyone. After all, hadn't he left her to fend for herself while he'd been out troubleshooting in the business world? Hell, yes, he admitted with characteristic bluntness.

The frustration ate at him. God, he needed her. After Elizabeth had left him, the Arctic Circle contained more warmth than his soul. His job, his house, his family, nothing could chisel through his pain. His only salvation had been his plan. For eleven months he'd plotted and planned for this moment. Would the bait he'd prepared be enough to lure her into his arms? Would she give him a chance?

He stared at the real estate building. Ironically, she still dealt with homes. He wondered if she realized her career choice provided him with his only sign of hope.

For a moment, he fantasized about walking through the door, taking her into his arms and planting a kiss on her hot sweet mouth. Would her lips moisten and warm against his?

He sighed. Fantasies would only lead to disappointment. If he'd realized sooner...

Adam shook his head and drew his lips into a tight line. That was then. His regrets had kept him awake too many nights. He couldn't go back and correct yesterday, but he had hope for tomorrow. There had to be a tomorrow. He'd have to risk failure and scale the castle walls on his own merits and hope that fate would give him a boost if he slid.

He tapped his fingers against the steering wheel. He hadn't planned to come for her this soon, but when he received the papers, he'd known he had to move his plans forward. The meter was running. He couldn't risk losing her forever.

How did one storm a real estate office and rescue the woman inside, a woman who probably didn't realize that she needed rescuing?

Rescuing? Hell, he was the one who needed rescuing.

He let go of the steering wheel and swung open the door of the pickup.

Elizabeth James straightened abruptly, stifling a groan. A twinge zigzagged across her shoulders. She'd been hunched over her desk too long, and it was only nine o'clock in the morning.

Her head buzzed with a tightness she tried to ignore. She hoped she wasn't getting one of her headaches. If she could just get through the day without any additional stress, maybe she'd ward off a migraine. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against her office chair.

The front doorbell shrilled, announcing the arrival of a newcomer to the office. Elizabeth didn't move from her relaxed position. If it was a new client, she thought, let one of the other real estate agents take him. Lord knows, she didn't need another client. Her file cabinet was jammed full with current listings. Sara City was a growing midsize community that was seeing an influx of people because several new businesses had moved in recently. She'd benefited from referrals passed on by her parents, and their friends, as well. During the past eight months, her six-by-six-foot cubicle in the real estate office had become more of a home than the little house she rented. Even her family pictures decorated the far corner of her desk rather than her bureau at home. If she'd left them at the house, she'd never have the time to enjoy them.

Elizabeth heard Sarah Finrud, the youngest and the newest member of the realty staff, give a lovelorn sigh. Be still my heart, look what walked through the door. He's such a hunk. It was common knowledge that Sarah fell in and out of love weekly. Elizabeth wondered where she got the energy. Although she got along well with the younger woman, Elizabeth knew her lack of a social life baffled Sarah. Elizabeth felt no need to explain to her gossip-hungry associates that the very idea of dating almost made her break out in hives. Although she was friendly to the other agents in the office, she turned aside date solicitations and matchmaking attempts. Her desire to go through the entire courting process and risk making another mistake was virtually nil. She'd made a mistake once, she didn't want to risk the pain and rejection again.

Sarah's breathy whisper interrupted Elizabeth's thoughts. I bet he's a football player. His nose has a definite handcrafted hook. And that deep dimple on his chin is absolutely divine, don't you think? I wish my name was in his little black book. Do you think he's married?

Lord, had she ever been that young, that eager, that bubbly? Elizabeth smiled to herself, keeping her eyes closed. Then she frowned as a prickling sensation teased the back of her head. It wasn't the same tight feeling that she'd been battling for the past thirty minutes. This was different. She'd bet her next commission that someone was staring at her. She cracked open her eyes to a slit and spotted Ralph Patterson giving Sarah a stern look as he rose from his desk across the aisle.

For crying out loud, Sarah, Ralph chided, the man didn't come in here looking for a date. Obviously, he wants an experienced Realtor.

Elizabeth's prickling sensation intensified. Curiosity made her propel her chair around, catching Ralph in the act of eagerly patting his hairpiece and straightening his bow tie as he started toward the reception area.

She looked across the row of orange-sided cubicles littering the room. Steel-gray eyes collided with hers.

Elizabeth swallowed a hard lump at the back of her throat. It would have been better for her if he had been a football player, she thought bleakly.

A six-foot male dominated the small reception area. He was the type of man who had the women in the room shucking off their gold wedding bands, and the men sucking in their flabby couch-potato bellies. His toned physique, radiating success and charisma, hinted at a fat commission check for some lucky Realtor.

The man ignored the surge of real estate agents pressing forward to court his attention. His gaze targeted her.

Only her.

She wanted to squeeze shut her eyes, and blink him away. Ironically, she was probably the only person in the entire room who was unimpressed with the cut of his well-tailored sport jacket, the smooth charm of his smile and the solitariness in his eyes.

Her gaze clashed with the mesmerizing intensity of his. Perspiration dotted her skin. Raising her stubborn chin, she resisted the urge to gnaw another layer off her badly bitten fingernails.

Just then, the front inner office door swung open and Elizabeth's sister-in-law Nancy raced out and flung exuberant arms around the man as he returned her hug. Elizabeth sagged into her tweed-covered chair and closed her tired eyes.

What was he doing here?

She hadn't seen Adam Elliot in almost a year.

So why was he here now?

After a brief conversation, Adam and Nancy started moving in her direction. Elizabeth used the short interlude before they reached her desk to give herself a pep talk. There was no reason to worry about his intrusion here. She was twenty-eight-years old and in charge of her life. Adam could not threaten her security or serenity.

Hello, Elizabeth, he said.

Hello, Adam. Standing up to greet him, she silently applauded the coolness in her voice. The confident sound gave her the extra boost she needed.

Liz, why didn't you tell me Adam was looking for a house to buy? Delight wreathed Nancy's face. Nancy was Elizabeth's dear friend and her brother Bob's wife.

I didn't know Adam was interested in buying a house in Sara City, Elizabeth stated evenly. But then I've always been the last one to know anything about Adam's comings and goings, she thought.

Nancy's eyes darted between Elizabeth's closed features and Adam's immobile figure. I'll leave you two to discuss your business. Bob will be back in town in a few days. If you're going to be in town, Adam, maybe we can get together for dinner sometime. The four of us, like old times.

I'd like that. Adam answered Nancy without taking his eyes from Elizabeth's face.

Great, we'll give you a call. Where are you staying?

Elizabeth doubted that Nancy noticed the slight tension before Adam replied, I'll let you know.

Wonderful. Nancy gave Elizabeth a sly grin before she returned to her office.

What can I do for you, Adam? Elizabeth asked. If this is about the divorce, I would prefer not to discuss it here. She'd hoped he would just sign the papers when he received them and let than both get on with their lives without drawing out the entire process.

He sat down on the large chair next to her desk. Talk about the divorce? he asked. I received the distinct impression you didn't want to talk about the divorce. Every time I called you, you refused to meet me for dinner.

She sat down, carefully. You're right, there's nothing to talk about. We've been separated for eleven months. That should have been enough time for both of us to get used to the idea.

Was that why you waited nearly a year? So we could both get used to the idea? His eyes never left her face. He seemed to be searching for something.

Her gaze slid from his. When she'd left him a year ago, she hadn't really known what she was going to do. Her whole intent had been to just get away. To get away from Adam. To get away from the gossip in Adam's hometown of Littleton, Iowa. To get away from the pain. She hadn't thought about divorce at that point. Probably because she wasn't ready to deal with another death. The death of their marriage. She would not have believed four years ago when they'd stood before her family pastor that she'd ever divorce Adam. After moving back to her hometown of Sara City, Wisconsin--a good three hours from Littleton--it had taken months and months of soul-searching before she admitted the final truth to herself. Their marriage was dead.

She'd contacted a lawyer two weeks ago.

Straightening a stack of papers that didn't need straightening, she said, Look, we've established separate lives. The divorce merely legalizes what's already a fact. She forced her lips into a humorless smile. Now, if that's all you have to say, I need to get back to work. I have several layers of paperwork to tackle.

I didn't come about the divorce.

She frowned, not trusting the deep smoothness of his tone tugging at her nerve endings. You didn't?

I plan to buy a home in Sara City.

Are you looking for a housekeeper, too? She couldn't contain the sarcastic dig, and then instantly berated herself for letting him slip past her guard. It wasn't like her to be unkind, but she felt vulnerable and defensive with Adam in her cubicle. He brought a certain intimacy and closeness into the otherwise generic environment. His presence blocked out everyone else around than. He always had, and that was part of the problem.

It wasn't that Adam deliberately shut out other people from their life; at first they hadn't wanted to share those special weekends with others. From the moment Adam walked through the door of their home on Friday night until he left Monday morning, the rest of the world ceased to exist. Adam served as a troubleshooter for the C & A Chemical Company that he and his partner Clay Anderson owned. Adam traveled almost every week while Clay worked at the lab. During Adam's absences, Elizabeth planned and prepared for his return. When he returned, her life centered on pleasing and spending time with him. At one time, Elizabeth believed that eventually Adam's traveling days would diminish and they would have a normal life together. She'd wanted to soothe his restlessness and give him a home that would encourage him to kick off his shoes, enjoy the warmth and relax. But instead of giving up travel opportunities and the chance to stay home, he began to take more and more trips, and when he was home, he spent half his weekend down at the lab working and setting up for the next trip. The only time she felt that Adam was genuinely with her was when they were making love. The bedroom was the only place in the small house where Adam was truly hers and she his. They didn't have a marriage. They had been lovers. That was all.

Elizabeth had wanted nothing more than to be a wife with a cozy home and happy family. But she needed a man who could help her build a future. A man who wanted a home and who wanted to live there with her. Adam wasn't that man. She'd learned the hard way that he had no staying power.

Why are you here, Adam? she asked him again.

"I'm looking for a home, complete with all the trimmings."

Elizabeth gazed at him through slitted eyes. The gleam in his eyes dared her to question his motives, and she suspected it wasn't only a wood-framed building with three bedrooms and a bath that he wanted.

Drawing the dry air into her empty lungs, she sought the patient, soothing tone she used when facing an agitated home seller. When did you decide to move to Sara City?

The day after you left Littleton.

She felt the blood drain from her face. She didn't want to remember. Adam, please. Why don't we stick to nonpersonal issues? You mentioned you were interested in buying a house.

Frustration flashed across Adam's face as if his striped tie had suddenly tightened. Not a house, Elizabeth. I want a home. He paused. With you.

No. She clamped down on the emotion threatening to surge from under her protective blanket of numbness. That's impossible. It's too late.

Elizabeth-

Stop, she hissed, trying to keep from attracting the ears of the rest of the office. We can't discuss this here and now.

When?

I think it would be best if things were handled through our attorneys.

I'm not dealing with anyone but you, he said. Drumming the top of her desk with his impatient fingers, he leaned forward, his face grim with determination. What I have to say concerns only you and me. You owe me a hearing.

She could see the thin wrinkles crinkling the comers of his eyes. A few gray hairs wove through the neatly clipped strands of brown. They hadn't been there a year ago. This unraveling of Adam's smooth charm was a side of him she'd never seen. Except for his wild passion during their love-making, he'd always maintained a rigid control over his emotions.

Elizabeth refused to be manipulated. I'll get the divorce without your cooperation.

What about your shares of stock in the C & A Chemical Company? he asked.

They're yours. I never worked for the company you and Clay started. She pulled a purchase agreement from the wire basket next to Adam. Maybe he would take the hint and leave. She focused on keeping her fingers steady and relaxed under his silent penetrating stare. Not once did she try to smooth the lines of her perfectly fitted suit, or check the placement of her brown shoulder-length hair. And why should she? She had worked hard for her self-confidence and success, living her life to please herself and not someone else. She was no longer the little housewife sitting at home with a meal that had turned cold, waiting for him after a long lonely week.

What about our house in Littleton? Don't you want to talk about that? What do you want me to do with your grandmother's antique china cabinet and your hope chest?

She'd love to keep the upper hand in this verbal sparring match and to tell him to take the house, too. But he was right, they did need to talk about dividing their assets. She plastered a plastic smile across her face. I assumed we'd sell the house and split the profit. You can send me anything else.

Where have you gone? he asked her abruptly.

Gone? She didn't have a clue what he was talking about.

I'm searching for the warm, vividly alive woman I knew so intimately during our marriage. Where have you hidden her?

That woman no longer exists.

"That woman, my woman, transformed our small house into a bright cheery home. The habitat she created was as warm and vibrant as the woman herself."

I didn't think you noticed.

I noticed, Adam replied huskily before continuing. "My woman danced around the house in a pair of patched blue jeans and one of my old flannel shirts. She'd never