“And maybe they would if you hadn’t sprung it on them like this.” Anger trickled out of Leah like a leaking balloon. “I don’t know what’s going on between your parents and you, Justin, but the fact that you’ve kept our relationship from them, and their classism from me, tells me that something besides love is going on here, and I can’t …”
“But I do love you,” Justin stated. “And I want to marry you.”
Sadness saddled by the deepening hurt crushed Leah. “That wasn’t a proposal, Justin. It was an act of war. And I was nothing more than the battlefield.” Tears threatened. For weeks she’d waited for those sweet uttered words of love that would promise that his feelings ran in the same canyons as hers, but she was nothing but a dangling piece of Justin’s hoped-for independence. She opened the car door, her voice cool with one final parting shot. “Marry one of the caterers you meet tonight,” she said. “That should offer the proper shock you’re gunning for.”
She folded herself into her car and started the engine. Her last vision of Justin was of him standing in the drive of his parents’ home, a mixture of rage and defeat written in his body posture and expression.
Her neighbors in the next apartment slammed their front door, bringing Leah back to the present. She exhaled the breath she’d been holding through her mind’s retelling of her last memory with Justin. The earlier ache turned into a throbbing misery.
Pulling her phone from the nightstand, Leah scrolled through her pictures to find one of their first memories. She’d deleted all of the photos of the two of them, except this one. They were on campus together, a hint of fall in the trees behind them. Everything was fresh, including the school year and their love, and it showed in their besotted expressions.
Leah sat up in bed, studying the details of the picture. It was the one photo she couldn’t bring herself to delete into oblivion. She gazed at it now, tracing Justin’s face with her finger. She didn’t love Justin any longer. Not really. That had dissipated long ago, but the injury of betrayal and the distrust remained. The coals of the fire that burned in her soul that sultry spring evening in Justin’s driveway still held embers that were easily stirred every time she remembered that rich men had no problem using poor women. Clarity strengthened her determination as she considered Trev Michaels. Giving him a wide berth was the best gift she could give herself.
Chapter 7
The following week, Leah arrived a few minutes early to The Cove, the warming Ozark morning brightening her mood. Even Elton’s surly attitude at the gate couldn’t dim the glorious view of the canary yellow sun on clear water as she crested the hill toward Trev’s home. Trev. She hadn’t seen him since their last morning together. She wanted to be grateful for their lack of contact. It saved her from distraction and from the recollection of how Justin had treated her. But as the days blended into the week with no sign of Trev, Leah’s resolve crumbled.
In spite of her best efforts, she couldn’t forget his quiet gratitude and the way his eyes had locked with hers, making her pulse tick up with yearning and the hope for more of him. Over the last few days, that desire had merged with her sister’s words. He’s not Justin.
Those words rested somewhere in her soul with soft anticipation. Maybe absence really did make for a fonder heart. Even now, in her old, beat-up VW, the smell of clean, masculine sandalwood and soap pulled at her. It accompanied the vivid memory of his nearness and shared tenderness, dimming her recollection of Justin and the hurt caused by him.
Parking the VW, she hurried to the door and was greeted by Sanders, who balanced a small tray with a plate of toast and scrambled eggs. Leah tried not to give into her disappointment. The breakfast Sanders carried was most likely for Trev, meaning he was already upstairs. She pushed the discontent aside and remembered her earlier promise. She needed to stop thinking of Trev as some sort of romantic suitor.
Refocusing her thoughts, she smiled at the butler. “Good morning, Sanders.”
“Morning, miss.” Sanders’s mouth was turned down in a frown.
Leah furrowed her brow. Her sunny disposition didn’t seem to penetrate the older man, who usually greeted her with a warm salutation. She stopped him before he began his ascent up the stairs. “I won’t keep you long, but is something the matter?”
“No, miss.” He stopped. “Well, yes. I’d advise you to stay away from the breakfast room for a few minutes.” He hurried up the stairs without another word, his tray perfectly balanced.
What could Sanders mean? Concerned, Leah made her way toward the kitchen, where Marguerite and Josie stood with their lips pinched together. Voices echoed from the breakfast room.
Allison’s tone rose as if talking to a child. “Mom, if I’m going to make this work, then I need that five thousand dollars. Besides, I see no reason why you should have it. Trev will give you more next week. All you and Dad do is sit around all day.”
“It’s my allowance, Allison. That’s reason enough, and if you’d come out of your room once in a while, you’d see that your father is already getting stronger. And you’d like Leah if you’d just spend some time with her. She’s delightful.”
“I don’t need to be friends with a caregiver making twenty dollars an hour—which reminds me. Trev is being quite generous with her wages, don’t you think? This isn’t Seattle.” She barely paused for breath. “Are you going to give me the money or not? You know I’ll just keep after you until you hand it over, so you might as well save yourself a lot of grief and give it to me now.”
Leah’s earlier concern turned into a five-alarm worry. She didn’t care what Allison thought of her, but this conversation between mother and daughter hugged the line of coercion. Did it cross that boundary into exploitation?
A shuffling sound came to Leah, followed by a long penetrating silence, before Rebecca replied, her tone dry. “Come to my room after breakfast, and I’ll give you the money. I sure hope this vlogging thing works, Allison. For your sake.”
Leah didn’t hear a reply, just the click of Allison’s heels against the tile. She was coming her way. With a quick look between her, Josie, and Marguerite, Leah watched Allison peripherally while pretending to look for something in a cupboard. The young woman didn’t even glance her way or at the other women in the kitchen as she strode past them, her jaw firmly set.
After Allison left, Leah, Marguerite, and Josie took a collective breath, but no one spoke.
Paul came in from around the corner, his walker sliding along the wood floor. “I must’ve slept late and missed breakfast. Josie, would you mind whipping me up something?”
Josie blinked as if coming to life. “Of course, Mr. Paul. I made some scrambled eggs for Mr. Trev. How does that sound to you?”
“Like a dream. Thank you.” He hurried toward the breakfast room.
With a quick glance to the two women, Leah tentatively followed Paul, who sat down next to Rebecca. If Rebecca was troubled by her earlier conversation with Allison, she didn’t show it. Instead, her delight at seeing Paul with Leah behind him brightened any shadow that might have clouded her expression.
“You should’ve woken me,” Paul said.
“Nonsense,” Rebecca replied as she curled her arm around Paul’s. “Everyone deserves to sleep in every now and then. You must’ve needed the rest.”
“I think it’s Leah’s fault.” A merry twinkle came into Paul’s eyes. “With all of this walking and working, my afternoon nap isn’t enough any longer.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Rebecca patted his arm.
Leah smiled at both of them, but she couldn’t dismiss Allison’s words and intonation with Rebecca just minutes ago. A cacophony of worrying questions circled. How often did Allison demand her mother’s money? What did she need the money for? Was she also on an allowance, or did Trev keep her on a tight rein? But the biggest question loomed above all the others. Was this exploitation through coercion? Was this something Leah needed to report to Adult Protective Services? The mandate required her to rep
ort anything classified as coercion, theft, or the misuse of funds or assets. Did the conversation she’d heard between Rebecca and Allison qualify?
For now, she set those questions aside and celebrated the small milestone of gained strength with Paul and Rebecca. Maybe she didn’t fully understand what had taken place between Allison and her mother. It might be a good idea to get to know Allison a little better. Entering the inner world of this young woman might help her understand what was going on and help Leah define any signs of abuse or exploitation. But did she want to learn more about Allison? The minute Allison stepped into the room, the energy changed, as did her parents. Paul’s face grew sour, while Rebecca simply shut down. Anger bounced in Leah’s head. Did their daughter—or even Trev, for that matter—see the effect Allison had on their parents?
Paul interrupted her thoughts. “I feel so much better, and we have you to thank for it, Leah.”
Deep satisfaction stole within Leah. She was making a difference. In the ten days since starting, both Paul and Rebecca had grown stronger physically and engaged mentally. Rebecca sat up straight instead of stooped over. Their appetites had improved, as had their ability and desire to communicate.
Later, in the afternoon, Leah sat on the deck while Paul and Rebecca napped. The outdoor furniture comfortably took her in, and the loud hum of cicadas buzzed through the late May heat. She tried to focus on her professional notes she was writing. How much of Allison’s behavior should she include? Did Trev know of Allison’s behavior? She put her pen down as her mind wandered to Trev. She pursed her lips in impatience. Her mind always wandered in Trev’s direction.
Propping her elbow on the table, she settled her face in her palm and sighed, focusing on the lake to try to calm her thoughts. The sun shimmered on the water as a breeze playfully bounced, like a rubber ball, on the surface of the vast blue.
The screen door opened, and Leah turned to see Trev standing in the door. “I can see why you’d want to spend a few minutes out here. It’s a beautiful day.”
Leah discreetly closed the folder holding her notes while drinking in the sight of him. Did his appearance have anything to do with her earlier daydream? His brown hair was combed back from his blue eyes. Everything about him made it so she didn’t even want to blink for fear the picture of him might fade away.
“Mind if I join you?” he asked.
Leah’s uncertain hope turned into elation while all thoughts of distancing herself from this man vanished. All she wanted was his company. She moved her paperwork off the table and into her waiting work bag. “Please, do.”
“Are Mom and Dad taking a nap?”
Leah nodded.
Trev sat in the chair next to hers.
Leah remained silent, her head a jumble of emotions and words. She needed to sort it all out before she spoke.
Trev talked first. “I never get tired of this view.” He turned to face Leah. “I want you to know how grateful I am for all you’re doing with my parents. They’re much improved since you’ve arrived, and I think the schedule you’ve placed them on is perfect.”
Leah warmed under his praise. “The work up and down the stairs is strengthening them both, and I’m happy to see their progress. They’re spending more time outside during their garden walks in the morning, too.”
“I’d enjoy a garden walk about now,” Trev said. “Care to join me?”
Leah’s professionalism resisted the idea. Every time she was in Trev’s company, she tried to remember that she was working. And then there was Justin’s memory lurking around the edges of her mind. He’s not Justin. Paige’s words whispered their truth, making Leah smile. Indeed, he was not, and her job didn’t require anything of her this minute. “I’d love it.”
Trev stood and held out his hand to help Leah out of her chair. Her heart fluttered. If she took his hand, it might change everything. All of her earlier worries retreated and the caution she’d carried for the last week deserted her as she placed her fingers into the palm of his hand. A small thrill traveled her spine as his strong hand curled around hers.
Once they reached the bottom step, Trev let go of Leah’s hand, reminding her of his courteous nature. She shouldn’t read too much into his effort to help her from her chair or down the stairs. If only she could quiet the throbbing elation that still remained from his touch.
Once away from the deck, they were enveloped by late May flowers. Petunias and early daisies grew in a fusion of color. Impatiens of all hues hugged the ground under shade trees, but it was the riot of color from the red rambler roses that caught Leah’s attention, the heavy scent of them rising with the warmth and humidity of the afternoon.
“Your gardeners do an excellent job,” Leah said.
“Yes, they do,” Trev murmured. “Let me show you something.” He led her to a canopied patio with a table and two chairs.
Leah gasped. “I didn’t even know this was here.”
Trev grinned. “That’s the whole idea. You can’t see it from the house or the shore, but the view is stunning from here, don’t you think?”
Leah delighted in the secret space cocooning her and Trev as they overlooked the blue waters playing with the wind like a cat’s paw with a leaf. She could see the far shore, crowded with trees that hugged the lake’s edge and the hills. “From this vantage, it’d be easy to feel like you were the only one alive.”
“That’s what I was hoping for when I had this house built.” Trev offered Leah a seat before taking one himself. “Desiree and I used to—” Trev’s eyes lost their shine. “This was her favorite place.”
Leah waited, but Trev said nothing more. “I can see why,” she replied softly. “It offers quiet solitude while giving you the opportunity of seeing almost everything.”
“She didn’t like it here. In Arkansas, I mean,” Trev began. “She was a city girl.”
Leah nodded. “Was she a relative of yours?”
A glimmer of pain showed through Trev’s shuttered eyes. “She was my fiancée.” Trev stood and moved a few inches away, as if trying to sidestep the pain.
Leah gasped. She didn’t expect this story from Trev, and she searched for words of comfort, but helplessness left her mind blank. She stood, moving close to Trev. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
Trev faced the lake, shaking his head. “I shouldn’t have mentioned that to you. It’s my own burden. Not yours. I’m sorry.”
Leah longed to offer him the comfort of a touch. Would he pull away from her? Gently, she reached for his hand, entwining their fingers; his were cold and strong. She wanted to infuse him with her warmth. “Don’t be sorry. Burdens are heaviest when we carry them alone. Don’t you think? I’m glad you’ve told me. I hope you are, too.”
Trev squeezed her hand.
The scent of roses mingled with sandalwood on the heavy air. The combination was an intoxicating mix. She turned toward him, returning the pressure of Trev’s hand against hers, willing him to look her in the eyes.
Trev turned to Leah. His eyes were full of deep agony that went beyond loss; it created a divide that Leah hoped to breach as she held his hand, inviting him back into the present world.
He blinked, and his personal agony withdrew from his face, but it didn’t completely disappear. “You’re very kind,” he said before smiling in his retreat. “I really have taken too much of your time, and I need to get back to work. Can you find your way back to the house?”
Leah smiled to cover her surprise and saddened letdown. Had she said something wrong? What caused him to disengage from her? She nodded. “Yes, of course.”
Perhaps this didn’t have anything to do with her. Trev carried a deep wound that Leah didn’t quite grasp. But she felt it like stones in her own soul, smashing through the barriers she’d placed between them. Pain and heartache didn’t discriminate between rich or poor, and healing such anguish didn’t take a doctor. Maybe Trev needed a friend.
Chapter 8
The sun threw long golden shadows through the
green canopy of leaves as Trev made his way to the secluded spot he had shared with Leah earlier in the day. The heat of the long afternoon lingered, but the breeze offered the promise of a comfortable evening. A storm was brewing over the lake, but it looked as if it would miss The Cove. Trev longed for a good downpour. It might slake his thirst for something entirely unknown to him. He could feel it’s desire, and the longing and restlessness that came with it. But it remained hidden, like the small animals that skittered along the forest floor. His thought drifted back to Leah as the scent of roses floated around him. That girl smelled like the flowers in his garden. Did she know that the perfume of roses trailed her?
He recalled her small, warm hand entwined with his, the strength it offered, and a taste of that thing that could satiate the dryness in his life. Ever since Desiree’s death, he sometimes expected himself to wither up and blow away, like an autumn leaf, brown and parched. But the first time he’d seen Leah, something in him had turned green and good again. It was why he’d stayed away from her for the first ten days. He wasn’t ready to feel again, and he didn’t deserve the renewal of springtime. But he could only resist her for so long. Her presence changed everything in the house. Sanders became sprightly. His parents practically glowed with new health. Well, everything except Allison. His sister didn’t change.
His conversation with Allison from ten days ago riddled him with both guilt and sadness. He’d wanted to tell her that Desiree’s death couldn’t possibly be her fault, because it was his. But he feared what his confession would open. In the wake of Desiree’s death, Allison had become fragile, and in that fragility, she’d turned brittle—hard, but easily broken.
Trev rubbed his forehead with his hand as his phone rang. His first thought flew to Leah, and he entertained a frail hope. He checked the screen. It was his brother, Austin, calling from London.
He put on his best cheerful voice as he pushed the receive button. “Hey, Austin. How’s London?”
The Billionaire's Family Secret (Billionaire Bachelor Mountain Cove Book 15) Page 6
