The secret between them, p.5
The Secret Between Them, page 5
“Thank you.”
Leah shook her head. “For what?”
“For getting him out of that house and back into circulation.”
Her mouth twisted. “If he is, then I’m pretty sure it hasn’t anything to do with me. I just told him to get a haircut.”
Gwen smiled. “I love all my kids equally. But Sean is my youngest and my—”
“Favorite?” Leah suggested and smiled.
The older woman shrugged. “The last one is always the hardest to let go. And he was so determined to make his own way in the world when he was eighteen... I guess I feel as though I’ve missed so much of his life because he’s lived so far away. And now that he’s back, I just want keep him close.”
“Well, he bought a house, so it appears that he’s here to stay.”
He bought my house.
She ignored the twitch racing over her skin when she thought about him being in the big home by the river. Leah knew her feelings were irrational—he couldn’t have known she wanted to buy the place. But her resentment lingered.
“You’re probably right,” Gwen said and moved around the counter. “I worry too much. Perhaps because Liam and Kieran have gotten married I feel as though he’s spending too much time alone. Or maybe I’m just intrigued by the idea of more grandchildren someday,” she added and smiled.
Leah couldn’t miss the innuendo. “Don’t read anything into it. He brought my dogs home after they were caught lounging on his porch,” she explained and began pulling food out of the refrigerator. “To be honest, I reckon your son thinks I’m odd.”
Gwen laughed. “At least you’ve got him thinking.”
Leah’s cheeks scorched. “Ah...yes...well... I should probably get this lunch organized.”
“Sure, what can I do to help?”
They spent the following minutes making a pile of sandwiches and a fresh pot of coffee, setting the table and pulling out her father’s favorite plates. Leah watched as Gwen moved around the room and realized it wasn’t the first time the older woman had been in her dad’s kitchen.
“So,” she said as casually as she could manage. “You and my dad, huh?”
Gwen looked up from her task. “We’re friends.”
Leah wasn’t convinced that it was strictly friendship. “That’s good. He needs a friend.”
The other woman met her gaze levelly. “We all do. Even Sean, despite how much he thinks he doesn’t need anyone. I don’t think he’s quite forgiven his father for everything that happened.”
“You mean Jonah?” Leah asked quietly.
Gwen shrugged a little. “Jonah gets the brunt of Sean’s blame because he’s the product of my ex-husband’s infidelity. And they were born just three months apart. But it’s not Jonah’s fault. It’s not anyone’s fault. It just...is.”
Leah admired the other woman’s innate strength, but she also understood Sean’s lingering resentment. “I guess no one likes to see their parents split up.”
“You’re right. But J.D. has moved on with his life...”
“And so have you?” Leah suggested and smiled. “Which is great. My dad is a wonderful man.”
“Who’s very set in his ways,” Gwen offered wryly. “And we really are just friends. I’m not sure either of us is inclined to think of one another as anything more. But friendships are important for us all. In a way I suppose you’re also starting your life over again.” She nodded. “Making new friends...opening yourself up to possibilities.”
Leah wondered what kind of possibilities the other woman meant, and when she saw that Gwen was smiling, knew immediately. “You’re way off the mark.”
She shrugged. “Perhaps it’s just wishful thinking. I’d like to see my son happy and settled, with someone who genuinely cares for him.”
Leah almost laughed out loud. “Well, if I see any tall, leggy blondes in town, I’ll send them his way.”
“Window dressing,” Gwen said and waved a hand. “What he needs is someone grounded and honest who doesn’t tell him how wonderful he is every second of the day or night. So, if you know anyone like that, introduce her, will you?”
As far as Leah was concerned, she was as far away from being Sean O’Sullivan’s type as anyone could be—and she was okay with that. But having his mother’s obvious approval, particularly when she was barely acquainted with the man, was too ridiculous for words. And Leah had too much else going on in her life to waste time on a guy who wasn’t her type. Including get involved with anyone—and certainly not with her neighbor.
“Okay,” she said agreeably and ignored the way her heart pounded in her chest. “I’ll try to remember.”
Gwen laughed softly. “You’re a nice girl, Leah. And I don’t mean to be pushy or meddlesome.”
“Sure you do.”
The older woman laughed again. “Of course, you’re right. It’s a mother’s natural instinct to see her chicks happy. And I want to see Sean as happy as his brothers are. He needs a family of his own.”
Leah’s body tingled in spectacular fashion.
Idiot.
“I’m sure he’ll manage that for himself when he’s ready.”
Gwen’s mouth curled into a smile. “I’m not so sure. I think I might need to make him see sense. But, since I also think I’ve embarrassed you enough for one afternoon, I promise not to mention it again. Anyway, I did want to talk to you about the gallery—perhaps an exhibition is exactly what you need right now.”
A familiar uneasiness settled in her veins. Leah knew she needed to get past her fear of rejection when it came to her work. It had become an albatross around her neck since she’d created her first piece. One disastrous gallery showing, two failed relationships and sporadic financial success meant her muse and confidence had taken a battering over the years. She hoped that being in Cedar River would help overcome her anxiety, but she certainly wasn’t going to push her boundaries too much, too soon.
“Maybe,” she replied. “I’ll let you know.”
“How are the preparations coming for your brother’s wedding?”
“Good,” she replied and smiled. “It’s going to be at the Triple C. I’m a bridesmaid.”
“I’m sure it will be a lovely occasion. Weddings really are a wonderful way of bringing families together.”
Leah sighed. She was so happy for her brother. And a little melancholy for herself. One day she hoped to find that same happiness. Someone to love. Someone who loved her in return. It didn’t seem like a huge ask...and yet in the past, love had left her broken and betrayed.
Ten minutes later both men were back in the kitchen, and they were all sitting around the table, eating and talking. At least her father and Gwen were talking. Leah half listened to their conversation. The remainder of her attention was focused on Sean and the way he silently ate and seemed to regard them all with a kind of wariness. Leah was usually adept at reading people’s moods. But Sean was hard to read. In fact, he was as closed up as a clam.
“Jeez, Sean,” she said when there was a break in the conversation, smiling a little as she met his gaze. “A person can’t get a word in edgewise with you chattering on all the time.”
Gwen and her father laughed, and Leah sipped her coffee.
“Maybe I’m not as fascinated by the sound of my own voice as you are,” he said, brows up slightly, his attention shifting to the empty plate in front of him.
Leah got to her feet, her cheeks burning, figuring that if she was going to dish it out she needed to learn to take it also. But still, he made her mad with his quiet disapproval and indifference. She made noises about cleaning up, and Gwen volunteered Sean to help before taking Ivan and their coffee into the living room.
Once they were alone, Leah spoke. “You don’t have to help.”
He was looking at her. “Apparently I do,” he said, then stood, collecting the plates. He came around the counter, placed the dishes in the sink and turned toward Leah. “Ah... I’m sorry about what I said before.”
“You are?”
He sighed. “I think I’m a little out of practice being around people.”
Leah looked at him. “Well, if it’s any consolation, I have been known to be a little too direct at times.”
He met her gaze. “Nothing wrong with that. Beats being a moody recluse.”
“Is that what you’ve become?” she asked bluntly.
His mouth flattened and then he grinned a fraction. “According to my brothers.”
Leah smiled. “Well, family can be unintentionally critical.”
“I guess. Is yours?”
She nodded and half shrugged. “Sometimes they like to tell me how to live my life.”
“And here I was thinking you danced to the beat of your own drum.”
She smiled again. “I do...mostly. But there are times Dad and my brother like to offer advice about things I should do.”
“Such as?”
Conscious that she had him talking—no mean feat according to his mother—Leah told him the truth. “About my career. I get stage fright, you know, about the idea of showing my work.”
His expression narrowed. “Yet you’re doing a piece for the hotel foyer? Which loads of people will see?”
“Yes,” she replied. “But that’s not the same as having a showing at a gallery and asking people to turn up and like what they see and potentially buy something.”
“But then the world misses out on seeing something beautiful, don’t they?” he queried, and grabbed a tea towel. “Self-doubt happens to a lot of creative people. I’ve seen quite a few well-known stars take a ride on the self-doubt train. The hard part is pushing past it, in believing in your talent and taking a breath and saying, ‘I got this.’ It takes practice, that’s all.”
Leah stood motionless, watching him, realizing that he understood exactly what she was feeling, because he had spent over a decade in an industry rife with both ego and hesitation and had clearly encountered both those things. “Thank you.”
He waved a dismissive hand. “So, what’s the story with your dad and my mom?”
“Story?” she echoed, and opened the dishwasher. “Apparently they’re friends.”
He didn’t look convinced. “Friends? That’s it?”
She heard his disapproval, figured it had everything to do with her father, and her protective instincts instantly kicked in. “You know, they’re adults. They can do what they like. I wouldn’t get your undies in a knot over it, if I were you,” she said baldly, and grinned. “You’ve got bigger problems to worry about.”
He stilled. “I do?”
“Yeah,” she retorted, hands on hips. “You do.”
He was so close she could feel the heat emanating from him. “What problems?”
“Your mom thinks you need a wife.”
He rocked back on his heels. “A what?”
“A wife,” she repeated, fascinated as a ruddy color crawled up his neck.
He was now scowling so hard she thought his face might crack. “And does she have anyone in particular in mind?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He looked incredulous. “Who?”
Leah smiled, feeling ridiculously triumphant, and then strangely uncomfortable, because he looked so out of sorts. “Me.”
Chapter Four
Sean had no intention of being set up by his mother. And certainly not with Leah. Anyone could see she wasn’t his type. Except...she was surprisingly easy to talk to, and he was discovering he liked talking to her. Hanging out with his brothers had become a chore, since all they wanted to do was tell him how to live his life. But Leah was refreshingly candid and funny and had a way of making him forget his troubles.
“I’m sorry she’s doing that,” he said and grabbed a dish, thinking how he’d never been one for domestic chores, but didn’t mind washing up with Leah. “My mom thinks all her kids need to settle down.”
“Well, since Liam, Kieran and Jonah all got married in the last few years, you probably can’t blame her for wanting that for you, too.”
“Maybe,” he said. “Although I’m not sure I’m wired that way.”
“What way?” she asked. “For marriage?”
“Some people aren’t the marrying kind.”
“I suppose. Were you one of those kids who didn’t like sharing his toys in the sandbox?”
Sean listened to her poking fun, and strangely, didn’t mind. He figured he owed her the odd poke, considering some of the things he’d said to her since they’d met. “I know how to share. But marriage and kids are... I don’t know...about a big a commitment as a person can get. And frankly, I’ve seen too many lousy marriages to believe in fairy tales.”
“Your parents?” she asked bluntly.
He half shrugged. “Yeah. And LA doesn’t exactly have the reputation for creating actual happily-ever-afters. Only make-believe.”
She nodded. “I suppose. But your brothers all have happy relationships now, right?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“And my folks were very happy.”
He regarded her soberly for a moment. “Your mom’s death must have been a terrible shock for your family.”
“It was,” she replied and nodded. “And poor David lost his wife, Jayne, in the same accident. She was the pilot. It was aircraft mechanical failure,” she added with a sigh. “A freak accident no one could have predicted.”
“Your brother has met someone else now, hasn’t he?”
“Yes, Annie,” she explained. “She was the nanny for his kids, and after a few years they fell in love. Scarlett and Jasper adore her, and I’ve never seen my brother so happy. Actually, their wedding is next week.”
“So, you’re saying that marriage is a good idea?”
She smiled. “For some. Not that I have any experience with it. Maybe I’m like you and not the marrying kind.”
Sean rested his hip against the counter. They were close enough that he could hear her quite clearly. “Oh, I’m sure some local cowboy will snatch you up.”
Leah’s brow rose quizzically. “Do I look like the cowboy type?”
Sean grinned. “Maybe. Don’t all girls like a cowboy?”
“My last failed relationship,” she said, and put the word in air quotes, “was with a slick city boy who wore a fake Armani watch and lied his ass off the whole time we were together. Oh, did I mention that he stole most of my money, too,” she added, and smiled, but Sean didn’t see any laughter behind her eyes—only pain and betrayal.
“So he was a worthless jerk?”
She nodded. “By the time the police caught up with him, he’d lost the money at a casino. I should have seen through him, I suppose. He was way too good-looking to be interested in me.”
“What?” Sean looked shocked. “Why would you say such a thing?”
She shrugged. “Beautiful people usually like other beautiful people.”
Sean grinned. “I’m not sure that’s true.”
“Oh, it’s true all right,” she said, looking directly at him. “Xavier told me as much before he took off with my savings. I’d wager that your last girlfriend was either an actress or a model.”
“As a matter of fact, she was a landscape architect,” he replied, remembering Cindy fondly. True, she had done some modeling, but when Sean met her she was working in her own business designing gardens for some of Bel Air’s rich and famous. Unfortunately, their relationship had waned after a few months. The usual scenario, since commitment wasn’t exactly his forte.
“Really?” Leah said, her expression exaggerated. “I’m impressed.”
“Maybe I’m not the shallow, predictable jerk you pegged me for.”
“Maybe. What she tall, blond and pretty?”
“Yes.”
Leah made a face. “With legs up to here?” she asked, and held a palm flat to her shoulders. “And endowed with great...ah...assets?”
Sean grinned and nodded. “Okay. Maybe I am a shallow jerk after all.”
“Don’t feel bad,” she said and tossed the dishcloth onto the draining board. “I’m sure you’re in good company with nearly every other man on the planet.”
“Ouch,” he said and winced. “The slick city boy certainly did a number on you.”
She nodded. “He certainly did. There are only two men I trust...my father and my brother. What about you?” she asked and regarded him levelly. “Who has your back? Your brothers?”
Sean thought about her question for a moment and then shrugged. “I guess. Except when they’re telling me how to live my life. Which they seem to be doing a lot lately.”
“Gotta love family, right? What about your friends from LA...don’t you miss them?”
“Some,” he admitted. “But the truth is, it was easier to leave it all behind than I’d have thought. Maybe the people I thought were friends were more like acquaintances.” He shrugged. “Or maybe I’m just an unfriendly ass who’s become way too used to being alone since coming home.”
“You’re not alone now though,” she reminded him and smiled. “And you know, when you try, you’re actually okay to be around. Even likable.”
Sean grinned. “Does this mean we’re becoming friends?”
“Why not? Most of us could use one or two more.”
Sean met her gaze. A female friend—and not someone he was thinking about getting into bed. He liked the idea. And not that he wasn’t thinking about Leah that way. The truth was, he did find her attractive and easy to be around. She had a warmth about her that drew him in. Sure, they argued and disagreed, but underneath their mutual antagonism, something else stirred between them. Attraction maybe? Awareness? Lust?
Where did that come from?
“I have to get going,” he said and straightened. “Thanks for lunch. I’ll see my mom on the way out.”
Sean quickly left the kitchen, heading for the living room. He saw his mother and Ivan sitting together on the couch—she was laughing at something Ivan said. Annoyance seeped through his blood as he watched them for moment, thinking about his family, about his brothers and how they’d both settled into marriage and family life. And he thought about his father and how J.D. was happier than he’d ever seen him now that he was married to Kathleen. And he thought about Jonah, too. And about how much resentment he felt for his half brother—a resentment he knew was irrational and still couldn’t ignore. It was as though his whole family had moved on. And now even his mother was finding a new life for herself. He turned from the scene and headed out the door toward the path through the hedge.
