by Regina Hart
“You don’t have to tell me how my mother felt. I knew she was grieving.” Ean’s voice was rough. Was it grief, guilt, shame—all of the above?
“I’m certain Doreen put on a brave face for you. She’s your mother. She wouldn’t want you to worry about her. But those of us who saw her every day could tell she was hurting. She needed a distraction. I thought Books and Bakery could help.”
Ean rubbed his eyes. “Why didn’t someone call me? I would have come home.”
“For how long? Your work schedule only allowed you a few days off at a time. Your mother needed more than that.”
Ean inhaled a sharp breath. Megan’s words hit him like a sucker punch. “I’m home now.”
“And Doreen is very happy about that.”
Ean grunted. “Really? I think I may be cramping her style. I’m sure you know she’s dating.”
“Coach George. You like him.”
“As my coach, not as my mother’s boyfriend.”
“It’s a good thing your mother doesn’t need your approval.”
Ean flashed back to the words his mother had spoken that morning.
“It may surprise you to know that Ramona wasn’t my first choice for you or my second. Or my tenth. But I respected your right to make your own decision. Are you going to deny me the same respect?”
He scowled. Megan had given his mother a job. “Did you encourage her to start dating?”
“Your mother and Coach George?” Her full lips twitched as though she battled a smile. Unnecessary amusement danced in her chocolate eyes.
Ean didn’t share her humor. “How well does she even know him?”
“They’ve known each other since you were in high school.”
He snorted. “Time doesn’t determine how well you know a person.”
She had the nerve to laugh. “Then it’s a good thing you’ve come home, since you’re such a stellar judge of character.”
Ean didn’t have a response. He wondered about the calm he found in Megan’s company. Every time he tried to strike out, she found the words to defuse his pain and confusion. How was she able to do that?
He studied his father’s headstone. “Did my mother tell you we argued this morning?”
“No. You just did.” Her words were rich with amusement.
“She wants the three of us to have dinner together tonight.” Ean shook his head. “Everything’s changed. It’s not the same here anymore.”
“The people may have changed, but the town hasn’t. Neighbors still keep an eye on each other’s kids and property. The town still goes to church Sunday mornings and takes long walks Sunday afternoons. And everybody thinks they know what’s best for everyone else.” Megan cocked her head. “Maybe that’s what’s upsetting you. Doreen’s dating without discussing it with you first.”
“That’s not true.” Or was it?
“Your mother’s happy, Ean. Isn’t that all that matters?”
“Of course.”
She eyed him shrewdly. “What would it take to make you happy?”
He wished he knew. Then he had an epiphany. “Come to dinner tonight. That would make me happy.”
She stepped back. Confusion merged with the concern in her eyes. “You can’t invite a guest to your mother’s house for dinner without asking her first.”
Ean tried a persuasive smile. “If she says yes, will you come? She likes you.”
“And you’d like a shield for the evening.” Megan’s voice was as dry as the desert. “I’m sure there’s something else I have to do tonight.”
Ean cupped a hand over her left shoulder. When her slender muscles tensed, he let his hand drop. “Please, Megan. It’s going to be awkward—for my mother and me. You being there will keep the tension at bay.”
Megan’s soft laughter challenged him. “So it’s not a shield you’re after. It’s a referee. That sounds like fun.” She turned to walk away.
Panic chilled him. Ean said good-bye to his father before falling into step beside her. He shoved his hands into the front pockets of his gray winter coat to keep from touching her again. “I only found out a week ago about them dating.”
“You and Coach are both important to her. That’s why she wants you to reestablish a relationship.”
“I know, but I’m not ready for this.” Ean scrubbed both palms over his face. “Please come to dinner. I’m not asking for myself. I’m asking for my mother.”
Megan stopped in her tracks. Ean squared his shoulders and waited for her answer. A slight breeze ruffled the dark brown waves of her hair. His gaze followed the delicate line of her profile to her figure, which was masked in a thick navy coat. The memory of her dressed for Halloween as the goddess Isis superimposed itself in his mind. The soft material of her gown had hinted at her slender curves, instead of masking them.
Megan turned and stabbed a finger into his chest. “You’d better be on your best behavior.”
A relieved grin split his face. “I promise.”
Megan sighed again. “All right, then I’ll come.”
“Great. It’s a date.”
There was something incredibly sexy about her long, slow blink. “This isn’t what you expected when you decided to come home, is it?”
Ean let his gaze slide toward a group of trees behind Megan’s right shoulder. “I thought things would be the way I’d remembered them.”
He and Ramona would want the same things. His mother would give him her undivided attention. Quincy wouldn’t hate his guts.
“It’s been fourteen years since you’ve lived in Trinity Falls. You can’t expect people to remain the same. It’s human nature to change.”
Where did that leave him? “I guess you really can’t go home again.”
“That depends. What’s your definition of ‘home’?”
“What do you mean?”
“‘Home’ is what you make of it. You left Trinity Falls to make your home in New York. Now you’re back. If you don’t know what you want in a home, you’ll never find one.”
Ean watched Megan walk away. She was right. If he didn’t know what he wanted, he’d never find it. But what did he want?
CHAPTER 9
Ean sat at the dining-room table Thursday night, staring hard at his mother’s boyfriend. Most people would find it hard not to like Leonard George. Ean wasn’t most people. As a high school quarterback, he’d thought his coach had been great, second only to his father. Now that the man was dating his mother, he didn’t like him at all. He drained his glass of iced tea, wishing the beverage was a cold beer and the evening was over.
“Why don’t we relax in the living room while we enjoy our desserts?” Doreen’s smile seemed forced.
Tension returned to Ean’s neck and shoulders. He’d thought the evening would end after dinner. He’d been wrong. Ean carried the serving tray of Trinity Falls Fudge Walnut Brownie, which his mother had made for dessert. He dutifully followed his mother, Leonard and Megan into the living room. A surreptitious glance at his watch showed the time to be seven-thirty. How much longer would this event last?
Doreen and Leonard sat, thigh to thigh, on the dark pink love seat to his left. He avoided looking at their linked hands. Megan had chosen the overstuffed armchair and ottoman opposite the matching sofa, on which he’d settled.
“This brownie is fabulous, Doreen.” Megan speared another forkful of the dessert.
Leonard’s laughter forewarned another joke. “It must have been great growing up with a mother who baked like this. But it’s a good thing you played football, otherwise you would’ve gotten fat.”
Ean lifted his gaze to find Megan’s encouraging smile. He wouldn’t have made it through the evening without her. “You’re right.”
Leonard gestured toward him with his fork. “You look like you kept up your training. Did you work out in New York?”
His former coach had been asking let’s-get-reacquainted questions all evening. How had Ean enjoyed Georgetown University? What was his favori
te part of attending law school at New York University? Ean would have been fine with those questions—if he wanted to get reacquainted with his coach. He didn’t.
“I still run and lift weights.” Ean felt Megan’s eyes on him. Was she remembering their jog through Freedom Park? He’d never forget it.
Doreen glowed with pride. “He attended Georgetown on an academic scholarship.”
“I remember.” Leonard smiled a little too long at Doreen.
“Of course you do.” Doreen touched Leonard’s arm with too much familiarity.
Leonard finally seemed to remember he and Doreen weren’t alone. “Ean, maybe you could come to a couple of Heritage High games.”
The silence in the living room was absolute. Everyone seemed to be holding his or her breath, waiting for Ean’s reaction. Tension drilled down his neck. Dinner with Leonard in the company of his mother and Megan was bad enough. Attending the coach’s football games would imply he approved of Leonard’s relationship with his mother. He didn’t.
“Maybe.” Ean stretched forward, setting his empty glass on the serving tray. Hopefully, Leonard would forget his invitation.
But the idea had been planted and Leonard was persistent. “The kids would get a kick out of it. You’re a legend at the school. You conquered Trinity Falls. Then you conquered New York.”
What was his former coach talking about? “I didn’t conquer anything.”
“Yes, you did.” Leonard insisted. “It’ll be fun for you and the kids. And it’ll give us a chance to get reacquainted.”
Ean’s gaze dropped to Leonard’s fingers intertwined with his mother’s. The coach appeared to make Doreen happy. He wouldn’t get in the way of that. But their relationship didn’t mean he and Leonard had to be friends.
He spoke with finality. “Coach, I’m not making any plans right now.”
“Call me Leo.” Leonard’s smile wavered. “I understand. You just got back to Trinity Falls. You’re settling in, trying to get back into the community.” He stood as he checked his watch. “It’s late.” Leonard helped Doreen to her feet.
She frowned at Ean before cupping the side of Leonard’s face. “Thank you for coming, Leo.”
Leonard’s good humor was restored. “It was fun, Dorie.”
Dorie?
Ean stood from the sofa, fearful that his dinner might come back up. He gathered the dessert plates and empty glasses onto the serving tray, and turned to carry the load back to the kitchen.
“I should be going, too.” Megan’s voice carried from across the room.
Ean looked at her over his shoulder. “Wait for me. I’ll walk you home.”
“It’s only three blocks, Ean. I’ll be fine.” Megan crossed to kiss Doreen’s cheek and give Leonard a hug.
Doreen took the tray from Ean and gave it to Leonard. “Leo and I will handle the cleanup. I’d feel better if you took Megan home.”
“Sure.” The evening had taken a turn for the better. Was it getting out of kitchen duty or the prospect of being alone with Megan, even if it was only for three blocks?
Megan accepted her purse and navy coat from his mother. “Thanks again for dinner and dessert, Doreen. They were both delicious.”
Ean stepped forward to help Megan with her coat.
“Thank you.” She gave him a long, slow blink and the world slowed down.
Ean came out of his trance. “You’re welcome.”
In silence, he followed Megan through the front door and down the steps. The early-November night was cool with a brisk, late-fall breeze. A deep breath brought the scent of moist earth and the advent of winter. Sidewalks were lit only by their neighbors’ porch lights. Halloween decorations were still on display a week later. They hung next to the sesquicentennial banners.
It was so quiet here. Ean enjoyed the silence and the comfortable presence of the woman walking beside him. No honking horns, emergency sirens, blaring television programs or driving rock music. He could hear himself think.
“Do you suppose your mother’s making out with Coach Leo, now that we’ve left?”
Megan’s question drew a mental picture Ean could do without. “I’d rather not think about it.”
Her soft laughter blended into the evening. “I was just joking.”
“That’s not funny.” Ean resisted the urge—just barely—to wrap his arm around her waist and draw her closer to him. “Thank you again for coming. Your presence really did make a difference.”
“You’re welcome. You did well.”
He basked in her praise. “Until the end of the evening.”
Megan’s throaty chuckle strummed across Ean’s abdominal muscles. “Leo can be a little pushy.”
“That’s a nice way of wording it.”
“Don’t worry.” Megan patted Ean’s arm. “Well, at least not until he shows up on your doorstep next football Friday night.”
Ean felt her warmth even through his coat sleeve. He ached with the desire to press her hand to his arm.
“Let’s change the subject.” Ean put his hand on Megan’s shoulder. He dropped it when he felt her tension through his fingertips. “I’m sorry. I forgot that you don’t like to be touched.”
“It depends on who’s doing the touching.” Her voice was wry. “How’s Ramona?”
Ean smiled at her pointed question. “She’s your cousin. You tell me.” He looked both ways before they crossed the street.
Megan forged ahead, picking up the pace. “Don’t play games, Ean. Have you two gotten back together?”
“I’ve only been home a couple of weeks.”
“So?”
“She left me six years ago, remember?”
“Still, you probably should have invited her to dinner at your mother’s house tonight instead of me.”
Ean again recalled his mother’s comment: “It may surprise you to know that Ramona isn’t my first choice for you or my second. Or my tenth.”
“I don’t think so.” Ean shook off the memory. “By the way, I enjoyed watching you stand up to Ramona.”
Megan’s gaze flew back to his. “When did I do that?”
Ean’s brows knitted in confusion. “During your store’s Halloween costume party. You made her take responsibility for hiring Stan. Not one of her better ideas.”
Megan gave him her slow blink. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Why did she seem surprised by what he’d said?
She was silent, seemingly lost in her thoughts until they arrived at her home. What was on her mind?
“Thank you for walking home with me.” Megan led them up the winding walkway to her front steps. She’d left her porch light on.
“It was my pleasure.” And he meant it. He’d enjoyed the sound of her laughter, her gentle voice and serene silences.
Megan lifted her winged brows above her chocolate eyes. “You may not be as pleased if Ramona finds out you escorted me home.”
“She’d rather I let you walk by yourself at night?” He stood only an arm’s length from her. It wasn’t close enough.
Megan chuckled as though he’d said the silliest thing she’d ever heard. “You must have forgotten how possessive Ramona can be.”
“She broke up with me.”
“But she’s not done with you.”
Ean held her gaze. “What if I was done with her, Megan?”
“What do you mean?”
He knew of one way to clear up her confusion. He stepped forward and lowered his head to hers. Megan’s eyes widened and her mouth parted in surprise. Ean touched the tip of his tongue to her top, then bottom lip. They were soft and sweet. He laid his mouth on hers and swept his tongue inside. Megan trembled against him. Ean wrapped his arms around her to comfort and reassure. The feel of her body in his embrace—even through the layers of clothing—drew a primitive response from him. He was man. She was woman. His body shook in reaction.
Megan pushed away from him. She mounted the bottom step before facing him. The boost in height put t
hem at eye level. “That was a mistake.”
Not to him. “Why?”
Megan started to respond, then seemed to change her mind. She turned and climbed the steps. “Good night, Ean.”
He caught her wrist to stop her. Her pulse fluttered beneath his thumb. “Tell me why you think my kissing you was a mistake.”
“You think Ramona stayed in Trinity Falls because she broke up with you?” Megan whispered the question.
“She did.”
“You’re wrong. She’d always intended to go back to you.”
When Megan turned to leave this time, Ean let his hand fall free. Not because he wanted to, but because she’d caught him by surprise.
He remained on her walkway until Megan entered her house. When he heard her lock her door, he began the return trip to his home.
Ramona had intended to restart their relationship? Interesting. Maybe things would have been different six years ago. But he didn’t have feelings for Ramona any longer. What would it take to convince her of that? How could he convince Megan?
CHAPTER 10
Ean wished he’d never agreed to this Saturday evening dinner with Ramona. It had started badly and was skiing downhill at Olympic speeds. She’d wanted to go into the city to dine at a fancy chain restaurant, but Ean had disagreed. He hadn’t seen the point in driving for more than an hour for a meal. Besides, he wanted to try the local restaurant, Trinity Falls Cuisine. It had been under construction when he’d been home for his father’s funeral in February. Ramona’s terse responses as they sat in the comfortable booth conveyed her displeasure with his decision.
Ean studied the menu. “What do you recommend?”
“I wouldn’t know.” Her response was pitch-perfect disdain.
He raised his gaze to Ramona. Was she warm enough in that low-cut, tight black minidress? Her straight black hair hung past her shoulders, framing her impressive breasts.
Ean frowned. She hadn’t even glanced at the menu. “Have you eaten here before?”
“Of course not.”
Why wouldn’t she have eaten at this restaurant? It was new and in the heart of their community.
“New businesses mean more employment opportunities. As mayor, don’t you think you should try them at least once?”
