The Billionaire's Family Secret (Billionaire Bachelor Mountain Cove Book 15)

by Danni Lee Nicholls

  “Good, these days. The weather’s nice, and the work is going well.”

  Trev laughed. “You’re sounding more English all the time.”

  Austin teased back. “And you’re starting to sound like a true-blue Southerner.”

  Trev laughed again. “I suppose I am.”

  Austin turned serious. “How are things at home?” Trev heard the concern in his brother’s voice.

  “We’re fine here. The folks are doing much better with Leah’s attention.”

  “Is she the girl you hired to help with Mom and Dad?”

  Trev hesitated. “Yeah. Leah. She’s the one.” Her name rolled on his tongue like sweet cream.

  “Okay, what’s up with this girl?” Austin asked.

  Trev’s defenses lined up. “Who says anything’s up?”

  “The way you hesitated, and your voice changed when you said her name. What’s this girl like?”

  “Well, she’s nothing like Desiree, if that’s what you’re getting at.”

  “Actually, I’m not getting to that at all, but it gives me a good place to start. If she’s not like Desiree, what’s she like?”

  Trev tried to normalize his voice. “She’s warm and gracious, and she’s great with Mom and Dad. They love her. She’s really pretty with blond hair and these incredible gray eyes.” And she smells like crushed roses. The scent almost overwhelmed him now. He cleared his throat. “She’s in nursing school right now, but she’s hoping to get into medical school after she graduates.”

  “She sounds ambitious, and you sound like she’s a date you’re bringing home to meet the parents. Do you like her?”

  Trev wanted to step back from this conversation. There wasn’t much purpose in talking about Leah if it was mingled with the idea of dating. He sidestepped his brother’s question. “Yeah. I like her. I mean, I wouldn’t hire someone I didn’t like. “

  “That’s not what I’m talking about. Is she someone you’d take out on a date?”

  There it was—the truth Trev had been trying to avoid since Leah had stepped through his door wearing socks with her tennis shoes. A thrill rose in him at the unveiling of this new revelation, but it was soon dashed by a blade of guilt. “Yes, I think she’s the kind of girl I’d spend time with, but that’s never going to happen, so it’s better if I don’t even entertain the idea.”

  “Why not?”

  Trev warmed with the heat of irritation. “You know why not. Desiree’s been dead almost a year. It happened right here on the property. I’ll never forget that.” The earlier guilt grew fangs. He’d never be able to tell Austin the whole truth around Desiree’s death.

  “So you’re going to cut yourself off from the rest of the world for the rest of your life? That makes no sense, and I doubt Desiree would want that.”

  “You have no idea what Desiree wanted,” Trev snapped. Regret doused the earlier aggravation. “I’m sorry,” he sighed. “It’s not your fault.”

  “Look, Trev, I know you thought of Desiree as the love of your life, but …”

  Guilt made it impossible for Trev to hear any more. That was the thing. He didn’t see Desiree as his forever love. That feeling had dissipated long before her death, and he’d put that reality into words just thirty minutes before she’d died.

  Unbidden, his thoughts flew to Leah, and a breath of relief came with the memory of their time together. It’d be best if he didn’t involve her in any of this. But then, why did he feel like spilling his darkest secrets whenever she was around? Earlier today, in Leah’s company, he’d begun unpacking his and Desiree’s relationship like it was an overstuffed bag. Thankfully, he’d caught himself before he turned into a complete fool. But walking away from Leah hadn’t made him feel any better. He still longed to share himself with her in ways he’d never allowed with anyone else, leaving him stunned.

  “Trev? Are you listening to me?” Austin’s voice traveled over the line, bringing him back from his confused reverie.

  “Yeah. I’m listening.”

  “Look, just promise me you’ll consider it.”

  “Sure. Okay. I promise.” Trev had no idea of the oath Austin extracted, but if it led to a change of subject, he didn’t care.

  “Besides, it might do Allison some good to see you moving on and working on happiness again. And it might do Mom and Dad good, too.”

  Easy for you to say, all the way from London. You’re not living in the midst of the wreckage.

  Austin continued, “I still think it was a mistake for Mom to ask Allison to stay with the family after the accident. Our sister had her whole life before her, and now, from what Mom tells me, she barely gets out of her bedroom.”

  Grateful to be talking about something other than Leah, Trev conceded Austin’s point. “You’re right. I mean, I understand why Mom asked Allison to stay. The accident frightened her. Actually, all of us began feeling our mortality, and I think she wanted her kids close. But I agree. Allison needed to move on and not be held hostage by Mom’s fears. Now, Mom’s told me she’d love for Allison to go to school, but Allison is the one who’s stuck.”

  “You’re all stuck,” Austin replied. “Which is why it’s important for you to move on with your personal life, which includes dating. If Mom, Dad, and Allison see you taking those first steps, it might help everyone move forward.”

  Trev recognized his brother’s logic, but he resisted it. There was still so much Austin didn’t understand or even know, and Trev couldn’t tell him. Frustration mounted. He always came up against the same secret.

  Austin continued, “Does Allison like Leah?”

  Trev’s mood darkened. “I don’t think she’s all that fond of her, but then, she’s not happy about anything since Desiree died.” He recalled his earlier conversation with Allison, and the familiar and bleak guilt returned. How could he let Allison continue to think she was at fault for Desiree’s death when the blame lay solely at his feet? His voice softened and slowed. “Desiree and Allison were inseparable. It was Desiree who helped her get into Parson’s School of New Design.” Sadness dampened Trev’s demeanor, settling somewhere in his chest. “She’d be finishing up her second year, if it weren’t for the …”

  “The accident,” Austin finished.

  Trev’s misery deepened. “Allison blames Mom. She thinks if Mom hadn’t insisted on moving here, Desiree would still be alive.”

  “I know,” Austin replied. “But that doesn’t mean she’s right. There’s no way to know any of that.” He paused. “Maybe I can talk to her.”

  “You’re welcome to try, but I doubt it’ll make a difference.”

  “Do you see why it’s so important for you to start moving forward?” Austin pressed. “It’d help the whole family. If Leah is as nice as Mom and Dad say, and if you’re fond of her—and it sounds as if you are—then take a chance, brother.”

  Trev perked up. “You’ve talked to Mom and Dad about Leah?”

  “Yeah. Mom called me yesterday. You’re right. They love her.”

  Trev gave in to a new, playful suspicion. “Did Mom put you up to this?”

  “Mom? No. I thought this up all by myself,” Austin laughed. “Now, remember, you promised.”

  “Uh-huh,” Trev replied. He didn’t know what he’d sworn to do, but most likely it had something to do with Leah.

  Trev looked up as the last of the sun’s amber rays glimmering through the trees. The earlier hope about Leah traveled on those last streams of sun. Maybe Austin was right. His whole family might benefit from his effort at moving past the all-consuming grief that came with his memory of Desiree.

  “Your reply doesn’t sound too encouraging,” Austin chided.

  A new determination sprouted within Trev, green and cheerful. “Okay,” he said. “I promise.” This time he meant it.

  Chapter 9

  Two days later, Trev settled on the shaded deck for lunch, the cool breeze heavy with the scent of water from the lake. He was glad to be caught up with work, enabling him t
o have lunch with his parents and Leah. They would be arriving any minute from the game they were playing in the breakfast room. He hoped to surprise them.

  As he gazed over the blue waters of Beaver Lake, his thoughts traveled to the difference Leah had made with his parents. Every morning, as June ripened into summer, he watched them from his office window as the three of them meandered through the garden. After lunch, he would hear them walking the stairs. His mother was already doing four flights, and his father had conquered two with just the railing for support. Leah stood beside him but no longer held on to his arm. His face showed a new determination and vitality. At dinner, he would mildly complain that his leg ached, but he did it with a smile.

  Trev remembered his promise to Austin. He hadn’t acted on it yet. If he could find some way to move forward without dredging up the past, it’d be easier to consider a date. But Desiree always lingered just below the surface, while Leah’s soft presence made it easy to coax those memories into the light, making him face what he hoped to forget.

  He considered his family. What would his parents think if he asked Leah out? And Allison? His sister worried him the most. Knowing Allison, she’d see his decision to spend time with Leah as a betrayal of Desiree.

  He wished for Allison’s participation in the family. If she got to know Leah, it might help. Instead, his sister chose to stick to her room, where she devoured everything about fashion and ordered copious amounts of clothes, purses, shoes, and makeup online. Trev tightened his jaw in contempt. All of her monthly allowance was eaten up with material goods that she never used except to show off on her vlog. It was such a waste.

  Before the accident, Allison had been cheerful and a joy to be around. When Desiree had died, Allison had crumpled in on herself like a ruined paper cup, and Trev didn’t have the energy to take care of her, the business, and his parents.

  A rippling of laughter from the breakfast room interrupted his thoughts. His parents sounded genuinely happy and that lifted his spirits, until his thoughts turned back to his sister.

  Maybe it was better if Allison didn’t join them. It’d allow him to enjoy his parents’ and Leah’s company without the distraction of Allison’s mostly sour company. And after a hard morning of dealing with mounting trouble from their Colorado property, the last thing he wanted was his sullen sister sitting at the table.

  His mother’s soft laughter, echoing from inside the house, brought Trev out of his thoughts. It was followed by the deeper bass of his dad and the new sound of Leah’s gentle merriment. All of it soothing and inviting him to join in their fun.

  The sound of the screen door opening behind him filled him with surprising but pleasant anticipation. He turned to see his mother’s face light up.

  “Trev!” his mother exclaimed. “Are you able to have lunch with us today?”

  “Yeah. I finished the conference call early and asked Josie to plan for an extra plate.” He rose and kissed his mother on the cheek and smiled at his father, but his eyes sought out Leah, who was standing just behind his dad. Ever since their garden walk, he’d listened for her soft kindness and cheerful presence just beyond his office door, reminding him of the tender grace she offered him while he spoke of Desiree. The memory of it floated on the air like dandelion fuzz: hard to grasp, but always there.

  She stood before him now, even prettier than he remembered. Her long blond hair, pinned in a barrette, fell in a mass of curls to her waist. Her rose-petal skin was warm and blushing with pink in her cheeks. He wanted to stare. Why had he worked so hard to stay away?

  Marguerite bustled out onto the deck and began placing bowls of tomato basil soup, accompanied by perfectly gooey grilled cheese sandwiches on sourdough bread. A serving plate of tomatoes, cucumbers, and slices of mozzarella marinated in a vinaigrette dressing was also placed on the table with a serving spatula.

  Everyone sat down. “So, what’s on the agenda for this afternoon?” Trev asked. He tried to point the question toward his parents, but he continued to seek out Leah, drinking in the sight of her. The girl didn’t speak. She turned to his mother, who sat next to her.

  “We’re heading into Bentonville for ice cream,” his mother said. “We haven’t been out of the house in weeks, and I’m looking forward to going to town.”

  “I just wish I didn’t have to bring this darn walker,” his father retorted.

  Leah chimed in. “But if things keep improving, it’ll only be for a little while longer. You’re making great headway.”

  Trev appreciated Leah’s optimism. She always knew just what to say to ease his father’s frustration about his limited mobility.

  His mother caught his gaze and offered a patient and knowing smile. Trev practically read her mind. His mother was going to maneuver herself and his father off of the deck so he and Leah could be alone. Before he could come up with something to keep them seated, his mother spoke. “Well, I don’t know about you—” She signaled to his father. “—but I’m finished here.”

  Discomfort riddled Trev. What would Leah think? He wanted to save this quickly, but his mind drew a blank.

  His father looked at his plate and then up at his wife with brief confusion before he raised his eyebrows in apparent understanding. “Ahh, yes. Indeed. I think I’ve had enough. Time for our nap, dear. We can head to town in about an hour. How does that sound?”

  “Lovely,” Rebecca replied.

  Trev gave up the idea of keeping his parents seated, and instead, accepted his mother’s navigation with gratitude for the private time with Leah. He no longer had to wonder what his folks thought of the possibility of him and Leah dating.

  Paul stood from the table and, with some quick work with the walker, helped Trev’s mother to her feet. The two of them moved into the house and toward the elevator. His mother spoke to Marguerite just inside the screen door, but Trev didn’t hear her words. Most likely she was giving the maid instructions to leave him and Leah alone. Trev withered inside, hoping his mother’s behavior was only obvious to him. Still, he couldn’t dismiss his appreciation for her insightful observations.

  After the whooshing sound of the elevator opening and closing, the house grew quiet. There was only the clamor of birdcalls and cicadas just beyond the deck railing and the caressing breeze from the lake. Now that they were alone, Trev’s tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth, embarrassment flooding through him over his parents’ act.

  Leah offered a timid smile.

  Trev searched his brain for something to say that might smooth over his mom and dad’s early departure. “My parents’ appetite seems to diminish as they age, but please don’t feel like you have to stop eating. You haven’t even worked through half of your meal.”

  “Thank you,” Leah replied as she dipped her sandwich into her soup before taking a bite.

  “Is it typical for elderly folks to lose their appetite?” Trev hoped to keep her talking.

  Leah swallowed. “Taste and smell can sometimes diminish with age, which makes eating less desirable, but until this meal, I’ve noticed an uptake in their food consumption. I wouldn’t be too concerned just yet. Getting older isn’t for sissies.”

  Trev let out a heavy sigh. “Watching them grow older hasn’t been easy on us younger folks, either. I miss my parents’ vibrancy and energy, and my sister … well, Allison completely retreated after the accident.”

  Some unknown emotion flitted across Leah’s face. Trev waited, but she said nothing. Surely, she’d formed an opinion about his sister over the last three weeks, but she chose not to share. Perhaps it was grounded in her professionalism.

  Well, he didn’t have such restraints. “Allison loves all things fashion. Even as a little girl, she played dress-up. She was accepted to a fashion institute in New York City, but then …”

  “Then what?” Leah asked.

  “The accident happened. Now, she seems to think she can make it on her own by being a vlogger.”

  “Stranger things have happened.” Leah popped the las
t bite of sandwich in her mouth.

  “That’s exactly what Desiree—” Trev stopped, the blood leaving face and pooling somewhere in his stomach, making him nauseous. It was as if Leah granted him permission to open the locked part of his memory and speak of Desiree. No one in his family cared to listen, except Allison, and she struggled with her own sadness. But if he was ever going to climb out of this pit of grief, he needed to stop talking about Desiree every time he and Leah met. He looked at Leah. Her bright gray eyes stayed with him, soothing and restful, keeping him tethered to himself and to her. Still, he held his breath, waiting for the obvious question from Leah about what happened to Desiree. Everyone was curious about how she’d died, and Leah had yet to ask.

  But something different came from Leah. “What exactly would Desiree say?”

  The question surprised Trev with its normalcy, and his shoulders dropped away from his ears, easing his tension. His voice softened. “Whenever I’d show any impatience or irritation around Allison’s choices, she’d tell me that Allison had as much chance as anyone to become an expert fashion vlogger. Desiree thought she had a natural style and talent, and she wasn’t shy about sharing her opinion with me or Allison.” He stopped, determined not to say more, but he couldn’t help himself. “And if anyone should know about talent in fashion, it’s Desiree. She worked in the field in Seattle.” The recollection sweetened with the telling, and he gave a little laugh. “It’s not exactly New York, but Desiree was plugged into the fashion community.” He chastised himself. Why couldn’t he stop talking? He peered at Leah, expecting her to show signs of discomfort, but she was perfectly calm.

  “Allison must miss her very much.” Leah’s voice reflected her gentle expression.

  He nodded as he rubbed his hand over his face, fighting the desire to get up and leave. But he wouldn’t retreat again. Leah offered a safe space, and his resistance to sharing his memories of Desiree and his past crumbled when met with her generous spirit. He would see this conversation through. “Yeah, she does.” He sat up, his pent-up heartache easing into this moment. Sitting with Leah and speaking of Desiree in a way that suggested an ordinariness to their life before her passing gave Trev something stable on which to stand. For these few minutes with Leah, Trev thought of Desiree beyond her death. In this brief reprieve, he remembered her life. The change refreshed him.