Chapter 45
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Noah had been warned. Delaney had told him on the flight to Maine that her family home was…how had she put it? “A little…much.”
Talk about an understatement. He’d thought his house was impressive.
He stood in the grand foyer of the Wright estate, wealth practically dripping from the walls.
The irony wasn’t lost on him. Not even three months before, he’d taken one look at Delaney Wright—clothes that hung loose on her willowy frame, reeking of cigarettes from, he’d later learned, the women at the shelter where she’d been living—and dismissed her as poor and desperate.
He’d been spectacularly wrong. Thank heavens, God had intervened in Noah’s haughty stupidity.
Delaney stood beside him, radiant in a deep green dress that brought out the green in her eyes, her hand warm in his as her family gathered.
“Mom, this is Noah Aylett.” Delaney sent him a smile, looking fully relaxed. “Noah, my mother, Evelyn Wright.”
The matriarch of the Wright family was tall and slender, her silvery-blond hair swept back. She would have been intimidating, but her smile was genuine as she extended her hand.
“Noah, what a pleasure. Delaney’s told us so much about you.” She shifted her gaze to his daughter. “Which means you must be Charlotte.”
His daughter had pressed herself against his leg the moment they’d walked through the massive double doors, but now she stepped out. “Uh-huh.”
“It’s a pleasure to welcome you.”
Charlotte shook her hand, then dipped into a curtsy that had Evelyn grinning.
“We’re going to be good friends.” Evelyn sent Noah a smile, then gestured to the people who’d entered the foyer after her. “Everyone’s so eager to meet you.”
The next few minutes passed in a blur as Noah and Charlotte were introduced to the rest of Delaney’s family. Alyssa, her fiancé, Callen, and his daughter, Peri, who looked excited to have a playmate, even if Charlotte was half her age.
Brooklynn and her boyfriend, Forbes Ballentine, the billionaire head of Ballentine Industries.
Noah shot Delaney a look, and she shrugged like it was no big deal.
Noah had figured out a few weeks ago who her father was. He’d seen the man on the Sunday morning news programs. For Delaney, it was normal.
He met Cici and her boyfriend, Asher, who looked like he could snap Noah in half without breaking a sweat. When they shook hands, Asher leaned in and spoke quietly. “They take some getting used to, but they’re good people. Just beware of Gavin.”
Asher backed away and gave Noah a serious look that had his gut clenching.
There was no time to worry as a woman, who must be the youngest sister, entered the room. Unlike the rest, who all wore dresses or skirts, this one wore loose trousers, a purple blouse, and tennis shoes. Her chestnut hair fell in waves around her face.
“Kenzie,” Delaney said. “This is Noah Aylett and his daughter, Charlotte.”
She shook his hand. “Nice to…” But her words faded as she studied his face. “Do you have a brother?”
Jasper had disappeared after the kidnapping and hadn’t been answering Noah’s calls or texts. Noah had no idea where his brother was.
“His name’s Jasper,” Noah said. “Jaz, to most people.”
“I’ve never met the guy formally, but I’ve had contact with someone who looks a lot like you. Blond hair, those same eyes. Even that little…” She tapped her chin, indicating the dimple he’d inherited from his father.
Kenzie was the sailor, and Jaz liked to spend time near the water.
“Have you seen him recently,” Noah asked, “in the last month or so?”
“No, not in a while.” Her lips pinched. She didn’t seem pleased to have discovered a connection. Jasper must have done something to offend her.
Seemed likely.
Finally, Kenzie focused on his daughter. “I’m finally meeting the famous girl!”
“I’m not famous, I’m Charlotte.”
Everyone within hearing distance laughed.
Evelyn ushered them toward the large eat-in kitchen, where they shared appetizers and sipped drinks. Within a few minutes, Charlotte and Peri were playing with dolls in a corner while Delaney’s sisters peppered Noah with questions.
“Leave him alone, you guys,” Delaney said. “You’re gonna scare him away.”
“I don’t know.” Alyssa tapped her nose, eyeing him. “He doesn’t look that fragile to me.”
That was good to hear. As soon as he had the chance, he’d thank her for her part in Charlotte’s rescue. But he didn’t want to do it in front of her whole family. He didn’t know how much she and Delaney had shared of their adventure.
The murmurs died down, and Noah looked around to see why.
The answer arrived in the form of an older man Noah recognized from the TV.
Gavin Wright walked to his daughter and pulled her into a hug, whispering something in her ear.
Whatever it was, it didn’t make her smile. “Dad, don’t.”
But he ignored her, stepping toward Noah, just a little too close.
“What do you think you’re doing with my daughter? You’re way too old for her.”
Noah flipped through a number of potential responses. She’s an adult, so that’s none of your business.
True, but he wasn’t going to say it.
What do you think I’m doing?
Uh, no. What Gavin assumed was exactly the problem.
He realized the best course of action was the truth. “I’m falling more in love with her every day.”
If he’d hoped that answer would endear him to Gavin, he’d been sorely mistaken.
The man’s gaze turned fiery as he stepped even closer. “She’s half your age.”
“She’s not.” Noah resisted the urge to step back. “That would make me fifty-six. Do I look fifty-six to you?”
The man’s face turned a concerning shade of red.
Evelyn appeared at his side and gripped his arm. “Gavin.” She smiled as if her husband wasn’t about to kill him.
The man was ex-CIA. He could do it, hide the body, and nobody would ever know what had become of Noah Aylett.
“He’s ten years older than Delaney. Ten years, darling.”
The man’s gaze flicked to his wife. He looked skeptical.
She continued. “Which is less than twelve—”
“It’s different. You were older—”
“I was twenty-four when we started dating. Delaney’s twenty-seven.”
He actually looked surprised by this news, as if he’d missed a few of her birthdays.
A second passed, and then he grunted.
“Gavin.” Evelyn sounded disappointed. “You can do better.”
He sighed, then shook Noah’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“If you say so.”
The man cracked a smile and turned to Delaney, who’d watched the scene with wide eyes. “I like him. He doesn’t scare easily.”
“None of us does,” Callan called from the other side of the room. Apparently, they’d all heard the whole thing. “Only the strong survive the Wright family.”
Asher, standing a few feet away, chuckled. “You think he’s scary, wait till you meet the cousins.”
Oh boy. Noah wasn’t looking forward to that. But he’d endure it.
Anything for Delaney.
The worn check was soft at the edges from being handled so many times over the past months. Delaney had carried it everywhere—a reminder of all she needed to prove.
She’d asked Dad if they could talk, and now they stood in the chilly sunroom at the back of the house. The rest of the family had migrated into the family room, their voices a distant hum of laughter—Charlotte’s giggles among them—and conversation.
She held out the check to her father. “I want to return this to you.”
He glanced at the check but didn’t reach for it. “Why didn’t you cash it?”
“I didn’t need to.” Delaney straightened her shoulders, feeling stronger. “I know you didn’t think I could do it, but I made it on my own.”
His eyes widened, then narrowed. “I never said that. I never doubted you.” He sounded not defensive but hurt.
“When you gave it to me, you told me to come home when I ran out of money.”
“I didn’t mean…” He blew out a sigh and shook his head. “I really am terrible at this.”
His words surprised a laugh out of her. “What?”
“Fatherhood. If that’s what you thought I meant when I gave you that…” He took the check but didn’t pocket it. Instead, he stared at her for a long moment. “I never doubted you’d make it, Laney. That’s not why I gave you this.”
“Then why?”
“Because… You’re my daughter. I wanted to make sure you were okay.
I wanted you to be safe.” His voice cracked.
“That’s all I’ve ever wanted. To protect you.
When I heard what happened…” He shoved the check into his pocket and took her hands.
“You saved that child’s life. You put yourself in danger to do it. ”
“Oh, well…” She’d told her sisters and Mom. Apparently, someone told Dad. “It’s nothing you wouldn’t have done.”
He pulled her close. “That’s true. You’re like me in that way, protective.
But you’re like your mother in all the other ways.
You’re kind and caring and more…present than I’ve ever been.
” He took her shoulders and met her eyes.
“I’m so proud of you. And I never doubted you.
I’m sorry I’m so terrible at saying it. I’m trying harder, I really am. ”
She stepped into his arms again, not sure what to say. Because he was bad at it, but right now, he was making up a lot of ground.
After a few moments, he backed away, gave her a soft smile, then frowned at something out of her line of vision.
“I guess I’ll get back to the party.” He squeezed her hand, kissed her on the cheek, and left.
On his way, he nodded to Noah, who was waiting in the formal living room, sipping some of Mom’s famous hot chocolate.
When Dad was gone, Noah set his mug down and stepped closer, brows lowering. He swiped his finger below her eye, catching a tear. “Do I need to beat him up for you?”
She wasn’t sure if the sound she made was a laugh or a cry. Maybe a combination of both.
“Maybe not tonight.”
“Fair enough.” He was still studying her. “You okay?”
“Just realizing that things aren’t always what I think.”
“You’re telling me. You, for instance, keep surprising me.”
“How so?”
“Oh, your sister’s been giving me an earful.” He grinned. “You were quite the bossy Bess as a little girl.”
“You’ve been talking to Kenzie. If she’d just done what I said, I wouldn’t have had to boss her around.”
“It’s always the other guy’s fault.” He gazed at the snow-covered yard and rocky slope that ended with the crashing North Atlantic waves. “Your family is amazing.”
“They’re great. Even Dad, when you get to know him.”
“I get it. I have a daughter now, so I figure I’ll be a lot like that one day.” He slipped his arm around her back. “Are you really okay with leaving this place? I know how much you love it.”
“I do.” She faced him. “But I left because I wanted to make a life for myself apart from here. And I’ve done that in a way I never expected.”
He gazed down at her. “Delaney. You’re everything I didn’t even know I needed.”
She smiled, her cheeks warming. She’d fought for him, and he’d fought for her, and together, they’d fought for Charlotte.
He pulled her closer. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
He pressed his lips to hers in a gentle kiss, then started to deepen it.
“I love you, too, Miss Laney!” Charlotte barreled into her legs and held on. She yelled to no one in particular, “They’re kissing again!”
Whoops and laughter came from the other room.
Noah scooped his daughter up. “We need to talk about timing, Charlie-Bear.”
Delaney grinned at the sweet little girl who’d stolen her heart. His daughter, and someday, God willing, hers too.
She kissed Charlotte on the cheek, then Noah on the lips.
Their kisses tasted like chocolate and forever.
The End…