Tears welled up in Leah’s eyes. She choked out a wailing sob and then another pushed by a new agony that came from being the one who’d caused so much pain. Trev might have treated her like an employee, but her whole life she’d treated her family as if they were somehow less than her.
No longer trying to keep the truth or the sobs at bay, Leah pulled a pillow close and wept, praying she’d be able to find her way back home.
Chapter 24
Trev sat on the leather sofa along with his dad. His mother settled with Allison on the love seat kitty-corner from Trev and his father. He studied his mom. Because of Leah’s recent help, his mother had regained most of her strength, bouncing back from her tussle with Allison in record time. He gave his father a sideways glance. The older man no longer needed a walker.
Now, even though the morning had yet to dawn, both his parents appeared clean and sharp. There was still more they could do. They’d only reached the midpoint in their goals toward healthier and more active lives. His father wanted to drive again, and his mom hoped to travel. Thanks to Leah and his parents’ tenacity, all of those dreams were within their reach.
He tried to dismiss thoughts of Leah and instead considered hiring someone else. But even in that effort, he compared a new hire to her. No matter the competency of this new individual, they wouldn’t be Leah with her patient explanations, long-term plans, and easygoing manner. No. In fact, if he hired another caregiver, he’d consider a man. He didn’t want to be around another woman.
He looked away from his family and out the floor-to-ceiling windows. The predawn navy sky was giving way to the gold of the sun, reflecting the day’s promise in the lake. A new storm had awakened him in the night. It’d slammed into the house with such ferocity that it shook the windows under a constant barrage of lightning and thunder. Trev had expected the tempest to dismantle the house in its wrath, but the Michaels home withstood the pounding. Listening to the wind and rain lash the house, he’d wondered how Leah was faring or if this particular storm even touched her. Even though it was the middle of the night, he wished her close. More than once, he reached for his phone but would end up staring at the screen in dismal longing only to push away his yearning to hear her voice. Eventually, he turned his phone off and placed it in the top drawer of his night stand. In the pale dawn of morning, he chastised himself for the desire.
Now, the woods were still dark, but the storm had shuffled away, tired and spent from releasing its pent-up fury. Through the open window, birds began to stir with their calls in the clean morning.
By holding this meeting so early, Trev didn’t worry about the staff listening in on their brainstorming session for how to handle the APS investigation. No one would be arriving for another two hours.
Filled with love and angst, Trev glanced around at the faces of his family. Last night, he’d called their family lawyer, who’d listened patiently and without judgment to this new predicament before advising Trev that if, for whatever reason, APS decided to file criminal charges, they were to retain a defense attorney before speaking to the police.
Trev had quietly murmured his understanding while his heart dropped with cold horror. His family would never be able to withstand another intrusion by law enforcement.
The lawyer had continued, “This doesn’t happen very often, so I wouldn’t be concerned, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t warn you of the possibility.”
“Of course,” Trev had replied before they’d hung up.
He gave his father another sideways glance. His father’s face looked as if it’d been carved in stone. Trev had spoken to his dad after the older man had eaten. His dad was incensed at Allison’s behavior and believed she needed to be taught a lesson. If that happened through APS or any other government agency, then so be it. Maybe they could reach her when everything else had failed.
His mother’s attitude carried more leniency. Even now, she sat with Allison, holding her daughter’s hand, while the younger woman trembled with uncertainty and anxiety. His sister’s face was devoid of makeup and pale. She looked as if she’d lost ten pounds in the last twenty-four hours.
“It’s cold in here, don’t you think?” Allison asked.
“Maybe a little,” Trev replied. “We can close the windows, if you’d like, and there are blankets in the hall closet.” His mother rose, but Trev reached out and touched their mother on the arm. “She can do it, Mom.”
Allison nodded and hurried to the closet, where she pulled out a wrap before settling back onto the couch with her feet tucked under herself.
Trev took charge. “Allison, do you want to tell us what you’ve learned?”
Allison took a shaky breath. “APS can do a thorough investigation based on their discretion. They’ll start by interviewing Mom and then go from there.” She made a face. “They’ve already interviewed Leah when she made her report.”
Trev set his mouth firmly. Leah had not caused this investigation. She’d only facilitated it. He stopped. Why did he feel the need to defend her? He should be furious. But the burning anger of yesterday didn’t even smolder in the warming dawn. He desperately wished for some feeling of self-righteous indignation. Even a slight irritation would’ve pleased him, but nothing rose to the occasion. He shelved the thought of Leah. He’d deal with all of that later. Right now, he needed to focus on Allison.
His sister hesitated and gave her father a guilty look. “They can even investigate our finances.”
Trev glanced at his dad, who tightened his jaw but said nothing. “Is there anything more?” Trev asked.
Allison nodded. “They can determine if the claim is substantiated, unsubstantiated, or inconclusive. But ultimately, Mom gets to decide how far this whole thing goes. She’s the one who I—I pushed yesterday, and she has the right to what’s called ‘self-determination.’ She can refuse their interventions.” She gave her mother a hopeful look, and her mother patted her daughter’s knee with a smile but said nothing.
“Anything else?”
Allison nodded. “I just want to say that I’ve given this a lot of thought since yesterday morning, and I’m so sorry for what I did.”
Never before had Trev seen such penitent desperation from Allison. Beside him, Trev’s father softened a little, and Trev wished to somehow reassure his little sister, but whatever he offered would be nothing more than empty words. He couldn’t foretell the future or the outcome of the APS investigation. Maybe Allison needed to feel this full responsibility of her own actions. He took in a shaky breath as he retracted his judgment. The renewed guilt reminded him that he wasn’t in any position to determine what Allison needed to face. He’d been running from his own demons for over a year.
His sister continued, “I know I’ve been angry since Desiree died, and I’ve tried to blame Mom for that, but it’s really my fault.” She unfolded her body and placed her feet on the floor before leaning forward and cradling her head in her hands.
Trev sat straight, his heart skipping a beat. He held his breath in suspended fear. What was Allison going to say?
Her mother patted her knee. “Now, Allison—”
“Stop coddling her,” their father said. “I want to hear what she’s thinking. Why is this your fault, Allison?”
Allison looked up, tears filling her eyes. Her pain came to Trev on some familiar frequency, mixing with his own culpability. It pulsed through him with raw and untold truth.
Allison began to sob. “I was in my room, and I heard the boat go out, but I didn’t get up to look. If I’d just gone to the window, I could’ve saved her. I know she doesn’t like to be on the water alone. If I’d seen her, I would’ve checked on her. But I didn’t even think to look. Such a simple thing …” Her mother pulled her into an embrace, and Allison collapsed against her. “I’ve been blaming Mom, because it was just so—convenient.” She cried harder.
Trev closed his eyes, blood rushing from his face. Each of Allison’s words was like a blade, making a thousand cuts. There wasn�
��t any way to block out his sister’s anguish, but he had the responsibility to relieve it. “It’s not your fault, Allison.”
His sister hiccupped a sob and looked at him, as did his parents.
He took a deep breath. “It’s mine.” Trev’s heart pounded into his throat. He might never breathe again, but if he could take away his sister’s erroneous beliefs that she was somehow responsible for Desiree’s death, nothing else mattered. “It’s my fault.” His voice was ragged with the confession.
Allison blinked, wiping her tear-stained cheeks with her sleeve.
Trev tried to swallow, but his mouth felt as if it were stuffed with cotton. “Desiree and I …” He couldn’t say it. It’d been secreted away for so long, buried in its grave of reproach since Desiree’s death, that no expression formed around his terrible truth. The words that he’d confessed to Leah did not want to be uttered to his family.
Allison focused on Trev. “Did you have a fight?”
Trev shook his head. Bravery called him beyond the gulf of his humiliated silence. It beckoned like a bright dawn, probing light into the darkest secrets. “We didn’t have a fight. We broke up. I called off the wedding just thirty minutes before she died.”
Allison’s eyes grew large, and his mother’s mouth dropped open.
Beside him, Trev’s father stiffened. “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”
Trev’s defenses tried to line up like tiny soldiers, but they deserted him to the terrible reality of that afternoon. The reprehensible confession spilled from him. “Desiree and I had this conversation where I told her I thought we needed to go our separate ways. She didn’t say much. She just asked if she could take the boat out alone. I told her this was her home until she was able to settle things back in Seattle. She had access to whatever she wanted.” He shook his head. “I should’ve known better. She never liked being on the water alone, but—” The secret throbbed deep, sucking any courage down to a bottomless abyss. Nausea sickened him, but he choked it down. He couldn’t let Allison continue to suffer. “But I was so relieved that she agreed to the breakup that I didn’t even think to ask about her decision to go out on the boat.” He lifted his eyes to his sister’s wide gaze. “So you see, Allison, it’s not your fault. It’s mine.” Trev longed for relief with this telling, but defeat was his stinging companion. He should’ve never kept his secret. It had scarred his sister and family and there was no redemption from such cruel selfishness. He only hoped the truth offered Allison some exoneration.
Allison shook her head. “No, Trev. That’s not true.” Allison sat up, her look intent and purposeful. “It’s no secret that Desiree and I were like sisters, so she—she talked to me. She told me the two of you began falling apart soon after the accident.” Allison gave her mother a furtive glance before continuing, “She’d moved here in hopes of getting back on track.” She took a deep inhalation. “But according to Desiree, that didn’t really happen. Desiree wanted to go back to Seattle, Trev. She was trying to find a way to tell you.” Allison dropped her gaze. “While I kept trying to talk her out of it.”
Allison’s words sent Trev’s world spinning. What could this mean? “Why didn’t you tell me?” he choked out.
Allison’s eyes brimmed with new tears. “For the same reason you didn’t tell me, I guess.” Allison’s words held no malice. “I thought it would be easier. Before she died, I didn’t think it was my place. Plus, I kept hoping she’d change her mind and everything would be fine.” She looked away. “After she died, I didn’t want to hurt you. I thought it’d be ten times worse for you if you learned she wanted to leave. Then there was the police investigation and Desiree’s parents and their outrageous demands and accusations. The least I could do was leave you with a memory of Desiree loving you.” Allison started to cry again. “And more than anything, I wanted her to love you so she would stay and continue to be my sister.”
Trev absorbed Allison’s words like shock waves. “Desiree was looking for a way to get back to Seattle?”
Allison nodded.
This changed everything. Maybe Leah was right and Desiree’s death was just a tragic accident. The weight of suffering shifted away from him, and a glimmer of redemption took its place. He was no longer a slave to Desiree’s death or the secret he’d promised to take to his own grave. Through his confession and hearing Allison’s hidden story, he could once again possess his own soul. He stood and went to Allison, pulling her up from the couch and into a close embrace.
Allison sobbed into his chest. “I’m so sorry, Trev.”
Trev placed his hand on the back of Allison’s skull, gently caressing her hair. “Shhh,” he began. “I’m sorry too, Allison. he murmured. “We’ve both been keeping secrets.”
Trev closed his eyes, gratefully gathering Allison close. But in spite of the lessening anguish, lingering regret stubbornly clung to his reparation. Trev couldn’t fool himself. If not for Leah, none of this would’ve happened.
Chapter 25
Leah drove slowly to The Cove. The morning sun beat warm through the windshield of her old VW as she turned off the main road. Driving just a little way, she came upon Elton’s security hut. She rolled down her window for the usual questions, but this time, Elton opened the gate without the usual interrogation. He wasn’t exactly friendly, but at least he didn’t antagonize her with his pen and clipboard.
Leah nodded a thank-you in his direction before maneuvering the car through the opening gate with a sliver of melancholy lodging under her skin. He’d finally accepted her, and this was her last trip to The Cove. Most likely, she and Elton wouldn’t meet again.
The ring sat in its small box on the passenger’s seat. It was the last remnant of her and Trev’s love, and with each nearing mile toward The Cove, her fond attachment to it grew.
She dreaded this return. The ring offered her and her family so much. But it was also her last connection to Trev, and she needed to truly be finished. Keeping it would offer hope, and she didn’t want any.
Winding through The Cove, she tried to settle her jitters. How would her last few minutes at the Michaels home go? Would Trev greet her at the door? She fought the desire to see him one last time and tried to pretend she’d be glad if Sanders met her for the return of the ring. But that wasn’t what she hoped for. She wanted to lay eyes on Trev one last time, to commit his face to memory, even if it made no sense and there was nothing but anger between the two of them.
Leah eased the nose of the VW up the small rise to Trev’s home before she parked in front of the garage. Snatching the ring box, she clutched it to her chest and hurried up the walk. Apprehension knocked around, making her chest feel hollow as she rang the doorbell.
The door opened. Trev stood before her.
Leah caught her breath as she took in his lake-blue eyes and perfect face. “I-I … um,” she stuttered. “I didn’t expect you.”
“It’s good to see you, Leah. Would you like to come in?”
Leah anchored herself to the porch. She searched Trev’s eyes expecting cold disdain but instead discovered warm affection. Did he want her here? Had he answered the door because he knew it was her, or had he just walked by? Was he just being polite with his invitation? None of those questions mattered. She was here for one reason. It’d be best if she didn’t get distracted by Trev’s tender expression or his sweet invitation. She cleared her throat. “Um, no. Thanks.” She held out the ring box. “I just came to drop this by.” Looking into his eyes, her gaze locked with his. She desperately wanted to pull away from the orbit they created together, but she also wished to inch nearer to him and what they’d shared.
“Leah.” He pushed the ring back at her. “I want you to keep this.”
Trev’s hands enveloped hers, his touch undermining all of her earlier determination. All she wanted was to nestle close to him and feel his arms around her, secure and loving in the early sun. Sandalwood drifted toward her on the budding warmth of the morning, and she breathed in his masculinity,
her desire flourishing with the familiar scent. Oh, to be able to place her hands around his neck to feel the soft skin there while she tasted his sweet-tea kiss. Was this excruciating craving what love felt like when it was denied?
She cleared her throat. What was she thinking? She curled his fingers around the box. “I told you I’d keep it for a little while, but it really does belong with you.” She needed to leave soon, or she’d throw herself at him. She backed away, giving herself a little room to steady her breath. She had to tell him something important, and she didn’t want her emotions to get in the way. “There’s one more thing,” she said. “When the investigator shows up, no one in your family has to tell them anything that isn’t directly related to the incident, even if they ask.” She gave him a meaningful look. “Do you understand?”
“You’re saying that we don’t have to talk about Desiree.”
She sagged with relief. “Yes. That’s it. I’ve said nothing about it, and you don’t have to either.”
“Thank you.”
She nodded and tried to smile. If he asked her to stay one more time, she wouldn’t have the fortitude to refuse him. She needed to leave—now.
Trev opened his mouth to speak, but Leah rushed on. “I wish you luck, Trev Michaels.” She stepped off the porch and practically jogged to the car.
Within a minute, she was pulling away from The Cove for the last time. She’d barely made it past Elton’s surprised expression when she pulled over the side of the road and let out a wrenching sob. Losing Trev and his family was ten times harder than losing Justin. When it came to Justin, her choices were neatly wrapped up in a self-righteous shell. There wasn’t any protection from losing Trev. Everything was a mash-up of anger, loss, tender love, and conflicted confusion.
After ten minutes of crying, exhaustion softened Leah as she pulled back on to the road. She tried to leave Trev behind in the Cove, but she’d captured the aroma of warm sandalwood and it made her miss him and every future touch. What would’ve been shared between her and Trev if they’d manage to stay together? The question was tortuous and Leah made every effort to deny it. But with each attempt, the inquiry returned, fed by a new and surprising gratitude.
The Billionaire's Family Secret (Billionaire Bachelor Mountain Cove Book 15) Page 19
