Driftwood Cottage

by Sherryl Woods

  Carrie’s expression brightened. “That’s true.”

  “Well, that’s the way it is for little Mick. He lives with his mom, but I see him as much as I can so he’ll know how much I love him, too. And he has all of you in his life, so he’ll always be surrounded by lots of love.”

  “Will he get more presents?” Carrie asked. “Me and Caitlyn get lots and lots of presents because we have a dad and Trace, too.”

  Connor hid a smile. “Sometimes it works that way.”

  Apparently satisfied at last, they stood up. “I want ice cream,” Carrie announced.

  “Me, too,” Caitlyn said, right on her heels as they raced toward the kitchen.

  Connor glared at his big sister. “Thanks. I know you put them up to that.”

  “Actually, I didn’t. They caught wedding fever all on their own and figured out you and Heather were their best bet.”

  “But you knew we weren’t,” he charged.

  Abby shrugged. “Not necessarily. Things change. You could come to your senses any minute now.”

  “Bite me,” he said cheerfully, then sobered. “By the way, I hope you’re not planning another blind date for Heather. She’s not interested.”

  Abby merely smiled. “Like I said, things change.”

  His heart thudded dully at the glint in her eyes. “What does that mean?”

  “It means that life isn’t static, little brother. Heather might have said no last time, but who knows what tomorrow might bring?”

  “Abigail, do not start messing in my life!”

  She grinned. “I wouldn’t dream of it. Heather, however, as you very well know, is her own person.”

  Before he could decide whether throttling a meddling big sister would be considered assault, she sashayed off. Not five minutes later, when he saw her huddled with Heather, his temper stirred, but he managed to bite his tongue. Seething, he left the house before he could do or say anything that would be way too revealing about the state of mind he was in where the mother of his child was concerned.

  Heather knew exactly what Abby was up to. She’d seen Connor’s sister obviously taunting him, then making a beeline straight across the room in Heather’s own direction. She had no idea what the two O’Brien siblings had been discussing, but it had sent Connor storming from the house. Now Abby was trying to persuade Heather she needed to go after him.

  “Why?” she asked, studying Abby with blatant skepticism. “Are you meddling again?”

  “Who me?” Abby asked, all innocence. “I’m just worried about my brother. Something’s on his mind this weekend.”

  “He had a tough couple of weeks at work,” Heather said.

  Abby seemed to take great comfort in her response. “Then he’s talked to you about it?” she said eagerly. “That’s progress.”

  “He mentioned a few things,” Heather admitted, immediately realizing her mistake. “I’d hardly call that progress.”

  “Of course it is,” Abby said. “It just proves when the chips are down, you’re the first person he thinks of. You’ve been with him all through law school and the bar exam. You know how difficult it is. He came to you because he knows you’ll understand.”

  “What’s your point?”

  “That everyone needs a special someone who really gets what they’re going through. It’s good that Connor has you.”

  “He doesn’t have me, Abby,” she said patiently. “Not anymore.”

  “You wouldn’t be there for him if he was going through a crisis?” Abby asked, feigning shock. She shook her head then. “I don’t believe that. Whatever else has happened, I know how deeply you care about him.”

  “Connor’s not going through a crisis,” Heather said, though she did wonder a bit about that. He’d certainly seemed shaken by some of the things he’d discovered recently. “He’s just seeing a few things from a different perspective.”

  “A better perspective?”

  “Possibly.”

  “Then maybe you should stick around and encourage that,” Abby said. “That’s all I’m saying. Forget whatever’s going on between the two of you for a minute. Don’t we all want him to take another look at this depressing career track he’s on? It’s practically our duty to do anything we can to encourage that.”

  “Your brother is actually on a very successful career track,” Heather corrected.

  “In the wrong kind of law,” Abby insisted. “And for all the wrong reasons. I know you don’t disagree with that.”

  “No, I don’t,” Heather admitted reluctantly. As much as she liked Abby, she was uncomfortable with this sudden feeling that Abby saw them as coconspirators.

  “Then go out there and talk some sense into him,” Abby told her. “However his second thoughts started, press the advantage.”

  Heather smiled. “Don’t you think if I’d been able to get through to Connor, it would have happened a long time ago? When it comes to his job, Connor pretty much tunes me out.”

  Of course, earlier he’d actually said he’d been hearing her voice in his head. Maybe now was the time to press the advantage, as Abby had just said. Before Abby could summon more arguments, Heather caved in.

  “I’ll go and talk to him,” she said. At least she wouldn’t have to listen to any more of Abby’s less-than-subtle attempts at persuasion.

  Abby beamed. “Good for you! We’re all counting on you.”

  Heather frowned at her. “Don’t. I’m not doing this for you or your family. It’s only because I care as much about Connor as you do.”

  “Whatever,” Abby said blithely. “At least you’ll be talking. That’s what counts.”

  Heather sighed. Perhaps in the world of a sneaky O’Brien it really was all that mattered.

  Heather found Connor sitting at the top of the steps leading down to the beach. High tide had waves lapping all the way up to the bottom step, completely obliterating the narrow strip of sand beyond. She dropped down beside him.

  “Who’s Abby fixed you up with now?” he asked without looking at her.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “That’s what she’s up to, you know. She’s determined to set you up with some rich investment guy just to make me crazy.” He scowled at her. “It’s not going to work.”

  Heather smiled. “And yet here you are, sitting out here all alone with a nasty attitude.”

  “My attitude’s just fine.”

  She swallowed a laugh. “Yes, I can see that.”

  He faced her then. “Why are you out here? Did you come to gloat about the hot new man in your life?”

  She did laugh then. “No, actually I’m here because your sister seemed to think you had a lot on your mind. I was persuaded, however, to think it had something to do with second thoughts about your career.”

  His mouth gaped. “That’s how she got you out here?”

  “Pretty much. Since it fit with the conversation you and I had earlier, I thought I’d check it out.”

  “Then there’s no man?”

  “Not at the moment.”

  His gaze immediately narrowed. “You’re leaving the door open?”

  “It seems wise,” she said, her tone casual. “And your career? Are you thinking of abandoning it?”

  “I’m a bit disillusioned, not crazy.”

  “Which means your sister is up to another of her manipulative tricks,” Heather concluded.

  “I swear I’ll never trust another word out of that woman’s mouth,” Connor declared with feeling. “You probably shouldn’t, either. She stirred the twins up about being in our wedding. Did you know that?”

  Heather chuckled, knowing how Carrie and Caitlyn could get carried away when they wanted something. “How’d you handle that?”

  “With the truth. I said we weren’t getting married, which led to a whole discussion about having babies without the sanctity of marriage.” He shuddered. “It was not the happiest few minutes of my life.”

  “I can imagine.”

  He turned and
studied her face. “I know I’m making light of this, but do you hear much about the fact that we have a baby and aren’t married?”

  “Nothing I haven’t been able to handle. It helps that your whole family is so openly supportive. I doubt anyone in town would dare to say much behind my back, much less to my face.”

  “I’m sorry if anyone’s ever made you uncomfortable. It’s not fair.”

  She shrugged. “I knew when I moved here that there could be questions. It’s actually been better than I expected. I hear a whole lot more from my mother.”

  Connor grimaced. “I can imagine. Have you spoken to her recently?”

  “Why? So I can hear another lecture? I’m not interested. She’s made her opinion plain.”

  A guilt-stricken expression crossed his face. “Heather, you have to know that I never meant for things to turn out like this. I thought we’d be together forever, and eventually that would be enough to silence all these people who think marriage is the only way to be happy.”

  “Hey, we both made our choices, Connor. And little Mick is a blessing. I won’t let anyone, especially not my own mother, say otherwise.”

  “Of course he is,” he said just as vehemently. “Still, I can’t help being sorry that there’s a rift between you and your mother, and it’s my fault.”

  “It’s not all your fault. I knew what I was getting into practically from our very first date. By the time we moved in together, I’d accepted the way things were. It would be totally wrong for me to cry foul now. If anyone changed the rules, it was me.”

  A breeze stirred off the water and blew a strand of hair into her face. Connor reached over and tucked it behind her ear, his knuckles grazing her cheek. Even such an innocent touch sent heat and need spiraling through her. She told herself she should get up and go back inside, but when he met her gaze, she couldn’t even make herself look away, much less move.

  “God, I miss you,” he said quietly.

  Tears stung her eyes. “I miss you, too.”

  He skimmed a finger across the dampness on her cheeks. “Why do you have to be so beautiful?”

  She smiled at that. “Just to torment you, I guess.”

  He leaned closer then. Her breath caught in her throat as she waited for him to kiss her, but at the last second he pulled back.

  “Sorry,” he said, his voice gruff. “I’m not playing fair, am I?”

  Sadly, right at that moment, she didn’t want him to play fair. She wanted his mouth on hers, his arms around her. She wanted to feel the strength that had always made her feel so safe.

  “No,” she conceded, her voice shaky. Had she admitted to the need, she would have gotten what she wanted, a kiss that stirred memories…and heartache.

  Instead, she forced a smile, rose to her feet and walked back to the house, settling for the heartache alone.

  Connor stayed by the bay a while longer before finally going back up to the house. When he got there, Heather had already left with their son.

  “Little Mick had a bit of a fever,” his mother told him. “Heather thought she ought to get him home and into bed.”

  Connor regarded her with alarm. “He’s sick?”

  Megan put a reassuring hand on his arm. “Kids spike fevers all the time, Connor. I’m sure it’s a routine childhood illness. If it turns out to be more, Heather will call.”

  “I’m not waiting around for that,” he said. “Tell Jess I had to leave. She and I were going out for a drink at Brady’s after things wound up here. She needs to go without me. Will’s meeting us there.”

  His mother’s eyes lit up. “Really? Is there something going on between those two?”

  “Not if Jess has her way,” Connor admitted.

  “But Will’s crazy about her, isn’t he?” she pressed.

  He nodded. “Seems that way to me. I’m trying to remain neutral.”

  Megan’s expression turned thoughtful. “If what you say is true and I tell Jess you’re not going, she won’t go, either.”

  Connor hadn’t considered that. “You’re right. I should probably call Will and cancel.”

  “No,” his mother said hurriedly. “I’ll tell Jess you’re running by Heather’s and will meet her at Brady’s.” She looked especially pleased with her solution.

  Connor laughed. “Nice to know the meddling gene hasn’t missed anyone in this family.”

  “Certainly not me,” Megan said. “I just try to be a bit more subtle than some other people we could both name.”

  “Be careful with Jess, Mom. She’s more vulnerable than she pretends.”

  “I know that,” she said quietly, then touched his cheek. “Thank you for looking out for her.” She studied his face for a moment. “Who, I wonder, looks out for you?”

  Connor chafed at the idea he needed looking after. “My life’s under control. I don’t need looking after.”

  She shook her head, a sad expression on her face. “If only that were true. Run along and check on your son. Call me if you need me.”

  Connor left the house with the oddest feeling that he’d just had a totally honest conversation with his mother for one of the few times in recent memory. He not only appreciated her genuine concern for Jess, but he actually felt better knowing she would come running if his son was truly ill.

  When he reached Heather’s apartment moments later, the upstairs lights were on. He parked in the alley behind the shops and took the steps two at a time. He would have banged on the door, but then worried that little Mick might be sleeping. He tapped gently, then tried the knob. It opened at once, which was an issue for another discussion. Tonight he needed to focus on his son.

  Heather was halfway to the door when he stepped inside. She studied him with surprise.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked suspiciously.

  “Mom said little Mick had a fever.”

  She seemed to relax at his response. “She shouldn’t have worried you. It’s nothing,” she said. “His temperature is already back to normal and he’s sound asleep.”

  He stood where he was, suddenly uncomfortable. “Oh.” He was all too aware that he’d invaded her space, space she’d been trying to preserve as a sanctuary, free from any memories of him. “I should go, then.”

  As if she’d guessed what he was thinking, she managed a half smile. “It’s okay. You’re here now. Would you like something to drink? I’m afraid I don’t have any beer or wine, just sodas.”

  He searched her face. “You don’t mind?”

  “Well, you’ve crossed the threshold and the world hasn’t come to an end, so I suppose it’s okay.”

  He thought of the kiss they’d almost shared earlier. Being here, alone with Heather, even with little Mick in the next room, might be tempting fate.

  “It’s probably not a good idea for me to hang around,” he said eventually. “I wanted to do a lot more earlier than just kiss you. If I stay here now, who knows what I might do?”

  She looked into his eyes. “God help me, but I kind of like the idea that I can still make you lose control.”

  His gaze narrowed. “What are you saying, Heather?”

  “Only that I’m willing to take the risk of letting you stay,” she said hurriedly. “Not that I’m encouraging you to try something.”

  He smiled at the breathless note in her voice. “So it’s okay with you if we hang out for a while and torture each other with thoughts of all the things we’re not going to do?”

  She nodded. “Shall I pour you a soda?”

  He met the challenge in her gaze. “Sure. Why not? A little seductive torture is probably good for the soul.”

  “I’m almost certain it builds character,” she agreed with a grin as she flipped open the tab on a soda and poured it over ice, then handed him the glass.

  “You do realize there’s not enough ice in that pitiful little fridge of yours to cool the thoughts going through my mind right now, don’t you?”

  She gave him a purely feminine, wicked smile. “I
’m actually counting on it,” she admitted. “What does that say about me?”

  “That you’re a tease,” he said, amused despite the agony he was bound to be suffering if they kept up this game. “How did I not know that about you?”

  “Because in the past you always got what you wanted in the end,” she said. “Then it’s not teasing.”

  “But not tonight?” he concluded.

  “Not tonight,” she confirmed.

  “Then I’ll make do with the company,” he said, choosing a chair that put him halfway across the room from the sofa where she’d chosen to sit.

  Distance might keep him from acting on the temptation she represented, but, he discovered, it didn’t do one blasted thing to cool him down.

  13

  “Wasn’t that Connor’s car I saw parked in the alley late last night?” Laila asked when she stopped by Heather’s on Sunday morning.

  “He came over to check on little Mick,” Heather said, turning pink with embarrassment even though he’d had a legitimate excuse for being there. It wasn’t as if there’d been some secret rendezvous. Still, she felt compelled to add, “Megan told him Mick had a fever.”

  “And that required him to stick around half the night?” Laila inquired, her expression bland. “I had no idea he was such a devoted father.”

  “Well, of course he is,” Heather said defensively. “He adores that boy.”

  “Just not enough to marry his mother,” Laila commented, then added with a shake of her head, “The man’s an idiot.”

  “Hey, don’t say stuff like that about Connor,” Heather protested. “I knew the score from the beginning. I just hoped for a different outcome.”

  Laila shook her head. “I’ve known him longer. I say he’s an idiot. You’re not at fault for wanting what any woman would want, a husband and family, especially when the family part has already happened. I can’t believe he’s behaving so irresponsibly and selfishly.”

  “He supports his son, so he’s hardly being irresponsible. He’d support me, too, but I’ve refused to take anything more than child support from him. Keep in mind he wanted us to stay with him. I chose to leave.”