Chapter 6 #2
"I was the one who suggested marriage. I was afraid of losing her.
It took considerable effort on my part to convince her to marry me.
We had a connection from that first encounter, and it only became more intense.
" He turned to face her, smiling grimly at the fascinated look on her face.
"We slept together that very first night, and it was then that I knew who she was.
She recognized me, of course, but didn't say anything.
Her intention was just to sleep with me that night and be done with it.
" He shook his head as the memory of it clouded his mind.
"We tried to stay away from each other, and it was impossible. "
Moving to the chair, he sat back down and picked up his glass. "She's in my blood and my pores. I never knew I could love someone like that. It's... frustrating."
Lisa shook her head as if trying to figure out all the nuances of the news she had just received. Her brother had been with several women over the years because, well, he had the kind of looks and personality that made women pursue him. Not to mention the money.
"This is a new look for you."
"Tell me about it."
"But in secret? Darling, how does that work?"
"We have a cottage. The one mom left me."
"Ah. It's pretty isolated."
"We spent last weekend there."
"And how long is this going to be a secret?"
"She's afraid of telling her dad. He has a heart condition."
"Interesting. So what? You're just going to sit around and wait for him to drop dead?"
He winced at that and felt the guilt tugging at him.
"Not quite. She's waiting until he's much stronger so she can tell him the news."
She gave him a quizzical glance. "You're one of the smartest men I know."
"And?"
"That scenario does not ring true. In the first place, you should not have gone through with it. The right thing, the sensible thing would have been to try and get to know the father and confront the entire thing head on. Secondly--" She frowned. "Dad doesn't know."
"No."
"Oh, darling."
"Stop looking at me like that," he demanded.
"I had to do it. I could not lose her, even though it feels like I am.
" He pushed to his feet. "I feel like I'm going to be the loser in this, that she's going to decide to choose her dad.
He hates our family, and with good cause.
You know the story, the accusations. He was cheated out of a business deal, and dad slept with his wife.
Christ! If it was me, I would never want to have anything to do with this family at all. "
"All that's in the past."
His smile was grim. "Betrayal and hurt have no time limits."
"True." She nodded. "But did dad really cheat him out of a business deal?"
"I don't know. And every time I try to get it out of him, he shuts me down. My future depends on knowing the truth."
"Yes, it does." She sighed. "Does she love you as much as you love her?"
A smile touched his lips and astounded her with the gentleness of it. "Undoubtedly."
She stared at her brother in shock. "Well." Taking a sip of her wine, she used it to compose herself. It was strange seeing that look on his face. He was obviously smitten. "I want to meet her."
"I can't--"
"I feel the need to pick up a few titles. I think I will drop by the bookstore tomorrow."
He eyed her for a moment, wondering what she was up to. She had that impish look on her face that said she was up to no good. "What are you planning?"
She simply shrugged, a smile playing around her lips.
"I just want to take the opportunity to meet my sister-in-law and pick up a few light readings.
And take the time to see if she's good enough for my only sibling.
" She slid him a glance. "I happen to be very fond of you.
And she must be an exceptional woman to have you all out of sorts this way. "
"She's one of a kind," he muttered.
"I can see that." She gave him a thoughtful look. "And you're hooked."
"All the way." He scooted toward the edge of the chair. "Now let's talk about you."
"Why?" She gestured with her glass. "When your story is so much more intriguing."
"It's not a story. It's my life, and it feels as if it's spinning out of orbit." He swallowed the wine. "Dad is coming home tomorrow."
She grimaced. "My reprieve is almost at an end. So let's not talk about it."
*****
She convinced herself that she was feeling much better.
The session with Grace had mollified her somewhat.
They had fallen asleep sprawled over the edge of her bed, with the empty bottles strewn on the hardwood floor of her bedroom.
She had awoken this morning with a pounding headache but a lighter spirit.
And had checked her phone for any missed calls. There were none.
She was also trying to tell herself that he deserved some quality time with his sister, whom he hadn't seen in months.
She wasn't going to call him either, she decided as she stacked the shelves with the new arrivals. It was almost Thanksgiving, and she had so much to do. Her dad was feeling much better and had eaten a hearty breakfast. She had just managed to choke down a boiled egg and gallons of coffee.
Grace had slipped out in the early hours of the morning, no doubt to avoid an encounter with her dad. Kadian wished the two of them would try and get along, but there was nothing she could do about it now. She had her own issues to deal with.
There was a book signing scheduled for this afternoon and the hot chocolate hour she had planned for the children. It had generated a lot of interest and excitement among the parents.
"There's someone here asking to see you." Marge was staring at her curiously, an avid look of interest on her face.
"Who?"
"Some fancy lady. Says she's a doctor and you have someone in common, something like that. Bring her around?"
"Of course. I just have to finish the stacking. See to it that the children's corner is set up. We should already have the pastries and sandwiches." She turned back to the shelves, wondering briefly who could be asking for her.
"Here she is."
Pasting a smile on her lips, she rose and turned, going still as she stared at the achingly familiar face. The resemblance was so uncanny, she felt her knees buckling and had to steady herself against the shelf.
"I get that a lot." Lisa extended a hand, studying the woman quickly from head to toe.
And could see why her brother was so besotted.
Even wearing a simple charcoal sweater over slim-line ash gray pants, she managed to look stunning.
And the skin tone was so flawless, Lisa felt the pang of envy coursing through her.
"Lisa-Ann Whitlock-Day. I just had to see for myself what the fuss was all about. Now I can see it clearly. You're stunning."
"Thanks." She gripped the woman's delicate yet strong hand automatically. "Is my-- is he okay?"
Lisa's lips curved softly and got another conviction of the woman's commitment to her brother.
"He's fine. I told him I wanted to meet you."
"Oh." Kadian had no idea what to say to that, and then it suddenly occurred to her that her dad might be nearby. Listening.
"Come with me." Pushing away the box, she dusted her hands off and led the way through a maze of shelves and along a passageway until they reached the door.
"My office." Pushing the door open, she waited for Lisa to step in before closing it behind them. "Would you like some coffee?"
"I wouldn't say no." Shrugging off her jacket, she laid it on the arm of the chair before taking a seat and looking around. It was small but functional and very neat. She also noticed the lack of photos on the simple oak desk.
"Thanks." Taking the cup, Lisa sat back and watched as her sister-in-law settled behind the desk. The woman was nervous and edgy.
"He told you."
"Everything. I must say I am pissed that he did not wait for my return."
"We couldn't." Kadian toyed with the rim of her cup.
"We-- it was sudden, and we didn't want to wait.
" She looked over at the beautiful woman and felt the twinge again.
The same shape and color of the eyes and the thickness of the blonde hair, which had grown so familiar to her.
"How is he? He hasn't called--" She shook her head. "It's fine."
"Evidently, it's not." Lisa felt sympathy swelling inside her. She had shared the news with her husband last night when she got home, knowing that it would stay between them. Anthony had been his usual noncommittal self and warned her to stay out of it.
"Not a bloody chance. He's my brother."
Her husband had left it at that.
"Look," she scooted to the edge of the seat and had yet to take a sip of the coffee. "This is an impossible situation and one that I am not sure I approve of."
"It's not for you to approve or disapprove.
" The woman's cool tone had Lisa lifting her brows, her admiration going up a notch.
This was certainly no pushover. "We did what we had to do, and we're going to have to find a way to sort things out.
" She pressed her lips together and leaned back in the chair.
"I have to find a delicate way to break the news to my dad, and he--" She shrugged.
"I love him. I love your brother. I never planned on this happening, never dreamed--" She picked up the cup and gulped.
"It is what it is. And there's no turning back, not for me.
I am not into him for his money; I don't care about that. I love him so much."
She looked so forlorn and sad that Lisa felt her heart wrenching.
Her dad had not approved of her choice when she decided to marry Anthony, but she had not allowed that to stop her.
With her brother, it was far different. He was the heir to the fortune, and a hell of a lot of responsibilities fell on his shoulders.
"I'm on your side."