by Ava Miles
“And if I lose the case… Would Tom own my formulas then?”
His throat ached, hearing the way she asked it. He looked at Connor and his father, who both nodded before Trevor said, “Yes, that’s likely.”
“I worked so hard on them,” Annie said. “It’s not right. It’s just not right.”
“No, it’s not, and we’ll help you fight with everything we have.”
Aunt Clara rose and put a hand on her shoulder. “I think this is a good time to break. Annie needs some time to think and rest, and I imagine the rest of us do as well. Come, Arthur. Hargreaves will drive us and Caitlyn back to the bed and breakfast.”
Flynn kissed Annie’s cheek before rising, and he was awed to see his father come over and kneel down beside her. He whispered something that made tears start down her cheeks, but Flynn held back. Something told him these were cleansing tears.
Someone tugged on his arm, and he turned to see Caitlyn. “Let Dad do his thing. You’d be surprised how good he is with people. Come on, we need to talk about where peeps are sleeping. Dad took the last room at the B&B, but I figured Connor could stay here and J.T. could bunk in my room on the rollaway.”
“Unless Hargreaves wants to bunk with me,” J.T. said, sending the butler a wink as he picked up the coffee tray.
“I don’t believe that’s in my job description, sir,” Hargreaves said, his face deadpan.
“Bummer,” J.T. said, slinging his arm around Caitlyn. “Fine, I’m with you tonight on the rollaway, but what are we going to do when Trev gets here with Becca?”
His head was starting to hurt. “Let me think about that tomorrow. Annie didn’t want to share with me since the girls are here, but maybe we can put Amelia in with the twins or something.” He reminded himself this was a happy problem.
“Where do you want me?” Connor asked, stuffing his hands in his pocket, looking oddly vulnerable. Being the oldest, he’d never shared a room with anyone—not even Quinn, who was only two years younger. Connor had always liked his space.
“You can bunk with me,” Flynn found himself saying, “so long as you promise not to hog the covers or snore.”
His brother’s mouth twitched. “I can take the couch.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Just make sure you wear boxers. I am not sleeping nude with you, Con.”
J.T. slapped Flynn on the back. “What kind of sleepover has rules?”
“Come on, J.T.,” Caitlyn said. “Let’s help Hargreaves clean up and then get Aunt Clara and Uncle Arthur home.”
When they stepped away, Flynn found himself face-to-face with Connor. He made himself smile.
“Louisa always says to call out when a situation feels weird,” Connor said. “I think this one qualifies. But I’m glad I came.”
Flynn wanted to hug his brother. Instead, he said, “Me too.”
“I’ll help everyone get going,” Connor said, “unless you need something else.”
Flynn shook his head, and his brother slapped him on the back as he passed him on the way to the kitchen.
“Well, my boy, it seems you have a houseful,” Aunt Clara said, putting on her mink with his uncle’s help. “The situation might look bleak right now, but from where I’m standing, there’s a lot to be grateful for.”
He kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you two tomorrow.”
When he looked up, his dad was helping Annie out of her chair. He didn’t have a chance to say anything to him privately as everyone said their goodbyes, but he caught the shy smile his dad sent him, and he returned it. Something about that smile reminded him of his moment with Connor. His eldest brother and his dad had always intimidated him, but he realized that he might not have been seeing the whole picture all these years. These two giants in his life were actually shy men when it came to the people closest to them.
It was yet another door Annie had opened for him.
After everyone left, Connor headed upstairs to the bedroom he had, after the fact, agreed to share. Flynn turned to Annie and brought her to his chest. “How are you doing?”
She rubbed her head against his chest. “I’m really touched and really sad and super overwhelmed. Your dad… Flynn, he made me cry.”
“You want to tell me what he said?”
“He told me that he hoped I would let him help,” she said, snuggling closer. “He said you would move heaven and earth for me, of course. He knows I’ll want to keep the girls in Nemo for a while, especially since they’re in school here, but he said we’d be more than welcome to come stay with him and your mother. He offered to send a jet for us. A jet, Flynn!”
“Seriously? Dad said all of that?” His father liked his privacy and rarely invited anyone other than immediate family to stay at their house, something that had always chafed Flynn’s more outgoing mother.
“Shawn thought I might need some time away from Ohio to think and destress, and he figured their house in Napa would be a happy place for that, and for the kids. Anyway, he said he wanted to help with the business stuff but also make this a wonderful Christmas for us. Oh, Flynn! Usually, the girls and I do the whole holiday dinner and present thing with Tom and June, although last Christmas was dreadful with Ben gone. I was looking forward to seeing Emily. I’d even thought about taking the girls on a trip with the money from the holiday baskets. But now… It’s all going to be different.”
Yes, it was, but he was going to help make it great. “Hey,” he said, lifting her chin and kissing her softly on the lips. “I know it all seems horrible right now, but we’re going to figure out a way to make this the best holiday ever. Right now, you should go upstairs and shower. Go to sleep.”
“I’m exhausted,” she said, laying her forehead against his chest. “Maybe you can visit me later. I need you, Flynn.”
“I need you too, babe,” he said, cupping her face and kissing her again.
She softened completely against him, and he could feel the fatigue in her muscles. Usually she was bursting with energy, but her spirit was leached of its usual vitality.
“Okay, up you go,” he said finally. “I’ll close up down here.”
She disappeared up the stairs as he padded around the bottom floor, flicking the lights off, an action that made him feel as if they were already married. His dad always used to do this for the family. Flynn, a night owl from a young age, used to crack his door open at night sometimes so he could watch his dad as he closed down the house.
“Mr. Merriam?” he heard a quiet voice ask.
Since the entryway was now dark, it took him a moment to spot the little silhouette halfway up the stairs. He wasn’t sure because of the low light, but he thought it was Iris. She held her shoulders straighter than Eloise, who liked to slump, maybe because she was tall for her age.
“Yes?” He didn’t guess the name, fearing he could be wrong. And he didn’t know if he should turn on a light or not. He waited instead.
She came down the stairs quietly, and since his eyes had finally adjusted to the semi-darkness, he could make out Iris, her soft blond hair flipped over one shoulder.
“I heard what you guys were talking about in the dining room,” Iris said, making Flynn’s heart start to drum loudly. “About my grandpa.”
She’d eavesdropped? Then he thought, who could blame her? Annie had packed their bags and brought them to his house, trying to disguise her tears. All she’d told them was that they needed to stay away from the farm for a while because she and June were having a bad fight with their grandfather, one that she hoped would eventually be resolved.
“Did my grandpa do this to my mom because he’s mad about my daddy dying?”
He crossed to the side table and flicked on the small lamp there, believing this was the kind of conversation where two people needed to see each other. “Why didn’t you ask your mom?”
She shrugged, looking very small in her red pajamas. “I didn’t want to make her cry any more.”
Hell, he didn’t know what to say, but as he looked at Iris, all he could think a
bout was being her age and wanting to know the truth. “Iris, your grandpa decided to own some of your mommy’s company before your daddy died.”
“So my daddy knew and didn’t tell her?” She crossed her arms, staring him down.
“Yes.” What else could he say?
She turned her head, looking off in the distance, before returning her focus to him. “Daddy shouldn’t have done that to Mom. I told Mom I knew they weren’t happy. Eloise and I thought they were going to get a divorce before Daddy died.”
Flynn sat on the bottom step, wanting to be eye level with her. “That must have been very sad for you and Eloise.”
“It was.” She stared down at her little feet. “Before Eloise fell asleep, we were talking about how we’ve never seen Mom this upset. Not even when Daddy died. That’s why I listened. I knew it was bad.”
He didn’t know what to do with his hands, so he put them on his knees. “Yeah, it’s bad. But my family and I are here, and while you don’t know us well, I promise you that we’re going to help.”
“That’s good. Mom has worked really hard for her company. Grandpa is wrong to say he did anything. You don’t say you did something when you didn’t.”
He nodded, his heart still thudding in his chest. When had he ever been this nervous?
“Are you going to marry my mom?” Her brows scrunched together as she stared at him. “I heard her say it.”
“Yes, I want to,” he said, his throat thickening. “I’ve never loved anyone like I love her. Uncle Arthur says you always know your soulmate, and she’s mine.”
When she didn’t say anything, his hands started to sweat.
“As for you and Eloise… I know you aren’t sure about me yet, but I hope you’ll keep an open mind and let me be your friend.”
“Amelia loves you, but she doesn’t remember Daddy.” She nodded then, as if deciding something. “I remember him and I miss him. But I’ll try to be your friend too. I’ve been mad at Mom because she doesn’t seem to miss Daddy like me and Eloise do. But maybe that’s because he did something to her company without telling her. That would make me really mad.”
His mouth was completely dry, he realized. “I’m glad you’ll be my friend.”
“Can you get my mom’s company back?” she asked.
“We sure hope so. We’re going to do everything we can, Iris.”
“But it’s going to be really hard, right? Or you wouldn’t have all your brothers and sister and your dad here to help.”
Oh, what an interesting takeaway. “You’re really smart, aren’t you? No, it’s not going to be easy. But my family also came because Annie means so much to me. That means you too.”
“I like your sister,” Iris said with the hint of a smile. “And your uncle is pretty funny. For an old guy.”
“Yeah, they’re pretty great.” He noticed he wasn’t sweating anymore. “You want to have some ice cream with me? Caitlyn found one kind that tastes like cotton candy and another like eggnog.”
She studied him, and boy, did it make him wonder if he’d given adults that look when he was younger. It was like she was assessing his very character.
“Sure,” she said, lifting her shoulder. “I don’t think Mom would be upset if I brush my teeth and don’t stay up too much longer. Tomorrow’s Saturday, so it’s not like we have to get up early for school.”
When she took off for the kitchen, he followed, feeling pretty happy with everything.
After they both had two scoops of ice cream in their bowls, they took a couple of bites, and she said, “These should be horrible together, but I love them. This was a good idea, Mr. Merriam.”
“It’s Flynn,” he said, extending his spoon to her. “Caitlyn and I always clink our spoons together and make a wish. It’s kinda corny, but we like it.”
She extended her hand after a moment, clinked her spoon against his, and smiled crookedly, granting his wish with that very movement.
Chapter 30
Annie spent extra time counting her blessings as she finished dressing the next morning.
Flynn had snuck into her room for a few hours last night, and they’d stayed up a little late talking and making love before he returned to his room. The news that he and Iris had bonded over ice cream had made her heart swell. Eloise knew the truth from Iris now, and this morning the twins had come to her bedroom to hug her. Knowing her daughters were on her side again had boosted her spirits.
While she didn’t know what was going to happen with her business, she knew her personal life with Flynn and the girls was on solid ground.
That was the best gift ever.
She left her room and stopped short as Flynn emerged from the bathroom freshly showered and shaved. He looked good enough to eat, and his heated glance told her he knew what she was thinking.
“Morning,” he said, his voice husky.
“Morning.” She boldly crossed to him and gave him a soft kiss on the mouth. After hearing about his interaction with Iris, she’d decided little displays of affection between them were okay.
“I like that greeting,” he said, rubbing her back. “Do it again.”
That comment had her snorting out a laugh, but she complied happily. They stood gazing at each other, and she put her hand on his chest. “I love you.”
“Love you too,” he said, caressing her spine in the most delicious way. “Be down in a sec. Since Connor beat me out of bed, I have to make it. Old Merriam rule.”
She liked learning more about his family, and she figured with most of them here, she had a front row seat. “You better get going then,” she told him and patted him on the butt for good measure, making him laugh.
Going down the stairs, she heard the murmur of voices. Iris and Eloise were eating breakfast with Arthur and Clara, Hargreaves pouring the adults more coffee. But it was the scene in the family room that rocked her heart. Amelia was curled into supposed tough guy Connor as he read her one of her favorite books: Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch.
“Whoa,” Flynn said, coming up behind her.
Connor stopped reading and smiled, while Amelia popped up and waved. “Mom, Connor is reading to me. He’s my new friend. Aren’t you, Connor? Mom, he said I could call him by his first name, okay?”
Since they were going to be family, she figured she didn’t need to be a stickler. “That’s wonderful, Amelia. Thank you, Connor.”
“It’s my pleasure.” Connor cradled Amelia when she tucked herself back into his lap. “Actually, I can’t wait to tell Louisa about this book. I can’t believe we don’t have it at Sunflower Alley.”
“That’s the homeless shelter where Louisa works, Mom,” Amelia told him. “They help kids without homes. Mom, are we homeless now? Carrot too? I miss him.”
Flynn descended the stairs behind her, his strong hand at her back. And good thing he did, because her daughter’s questions had her throat closing. “Of course we’re not homeless, honey.” Oh, what could she say about Carrot? He was Tom’s pony.
“Man, when did you get so good with kids?” Flynn asked his brother.
Connor laughed. “I’ve turned over a new leaf. I read to the children at the shelter a couple times a week. We…understand each other. I’ve also been spending a lot of time with Corey’s boys.”
“Man, that’s great,” Flynn said. “I think I’m tearing up.”
“Don’t cry,” Arthur yelled. “Come have breakfast instead. We have a full day and plenty of baskets to finish.”
Annie wondered if they did. Would Tom let her retrieve her supplies and tools?
The front door opened, and the rest of Flynn’s family came in, shrugging out of their coats, including the two people she’d only met on FaceTime last night.
“Trevor! Becca! You’re here.” Flynn grabbed them both up in hugs and then made introductions.
Her daughters came over as Trevor hugged her warmly, followed by his beautiful wife.
“Thank you for coming,” she said, putting her arms around the
girls and introducing them.
Amelia rushed Trevor. “You’re the other twin! I’m so going to interview you today.”
“I can’t wait,” Trevor said, tapping her on the nose. “You’ll be the youngest journalist I’ve ever dealt with.”
Amelia twirled. “Yay, me! Did you hear that, Mr. Hale?”
“The next town did,” he said, stepping into the crowded entryway filled with people hugging and talking. “It’s wonderful to see everyone. Where’s Shawn?”
“He’ll be a moment,” Becca said, her eyes brimming with light. “Oh, I can’t seem to stop wanting to dance a proper jig. I made it! All the way to beautiful Ohio. You know, the flat, rolling hills remind me a bit of my own Ireland.”
“Oh, I love your voice!” Eloise said. “We’ve learned about Ireland in school. It sounds so magical.”
Becca dug into the large slouchy bag hanging from her shoulder. “Well, here’s a little gift from Ireland for you from my own place on the cliffs.” She pulled out four beautiful scarves.
Annie took one and distributed the others to the girls. “Thank you.”
“Oh, it’s so beautiful,” Eloise said, fingering the fancy stitches.
Iris pressed hers to her chest. “I love it! Thank you.”
“It’s so soft,” Amelia said, wrapping it around her neck and sashaying around holding the ends.
“It’s proper Irish wool from our sheep, dyed and made by my own hands,” she said.
As soon as she finished speaking, Clara pulled her into a tight hug. “Seeing you here is a miracle, Becca,” she said, squeezing her eyes shut.
Arthur hugged her too, and when he pulled away, he gave a somewhat throaty laugh. “Well, we’re all crying a little now, aren’t we? Flynn, you might as well join us. No one will notice.”
Then the front door opened again, and a beautiful woman with shoulder-length gray hair came in, Shawn right behind her.
“Mom!” Flynn called out, making his way through the press of his family so he could hug her and pick her up off the ground. “What are you doing here?”
She grabbed his cheeks, smiling. “You think I’m going to stay at home when almost all of my children are gathered in one place? If that hadn’t been enough, hearing Becca was on her way sealed the deal.”
