One to Win

by Michelle Monkou

  He tucked his hands in his pockets to mask the nervousness, their need to trace the lines of her limbs, to brush his fingers along the delicious brown palette of her skin.

  “Good to see you,” she said, although her expression didn’t quite match the greeting.

  “You, too,” he replied. Her physical beauty hadn’t changed, but there was something different about her. A fleeting nuance to her, or around her, that he couldn’t quite pin down. Something that was more on the inside than the outside.

  “I was surprised to hear that you were coming here. Work or pleasure?”

  “Work.” He didn’t mean to bark. “I’m working on...a project.”

  She walked toward him and it took everything in him to stay his ground. The soft scent of her perfume teased him, letting him know that she might be near at hand but was completely untouchable.

  “And what is that project? What exactly is here that requires your service while we’re on vacation?” Her eyes issued a challenge.

  “It’s of a personal nature. With your grandmother.”

  She cocked her head to the side. Her steady eye contact pierced at his defenses. “This mysterious project must be urgent.”

  He shrugged. “That, I don’t know.”

  “I guess you’ll find out soon.” She turned to walk away but then stopped. “How long are you staying?”

  “As long as your grandmother needs me to be here.”

  “That must be an awful lot of underwear to pack.” She gave him a smile through the teasing, the first one she’d offered since seeing him.

  Leo grasped at it, like a thirsty man at a well. He grinned back and nodded. “Pretty much. I’m all set.”

  “That’s nice to know, Mr. Starks.” The sharp, no-nonsense comment from a familiar older voice had the effect of a flash freeze over him and Fiona.

  Grace Meadows walked into view. He’d seen her only in suits and always dressed quite professionally. Today her appearance had switched from the severe conservative businesswoman to a softer, relaxed image.

  “Mr. Starks, you’re staring. Fiona, you’re no better. Don’t you have something to get into with your cousins?” Grace motioned for her granddaughter to get moving.

  Leo couldn’t help staring, but his focus wasn’t due to what Grace had said. The visual effect of the older and younger women standing close together was remarkable. Of course, they were related, but their striking similarities in poise and beauty hadn’t really hit him until now, in this awkwardly growing moment.

  Before he could explain, Fiona flew from the scene, stealing glances over her shoulder. Meanwhile, he saw her future mature elegance within the matriarch of the family, who stood next to him with a stern look on her face.

  Grace cleared her throat. “Will you need to rest up?”

  “Not necessary at all.”

  “Good. Meet me downstairs in my office and we’ll get started. We can talk over coffee.”

  Leo didn’t move until Grace had walked down to the first floor. Then he took a deep breath and gazed down the empty hallway where Fiona had disappeared. She’d have to wait.

  He didn’t need any further reminders from Grace that this wasn’t a vacation. Instead of heading down the opposite hallway to his room, he went back downstairs and retrieved his briefcase from Denton, who was on his way up with the luggage.

  “In here, Mr. Starks.”

  “Mrs. Meadows, we’ve worked together. I’d feel a lot more comfortable if you’d call me Leo.” He paused. “And I will call you Grace.”

  She nodded. “Perfect tone to set. Leo. Please help yourself to breakfast. Then let’s get to work.”

  Leo nodded and aimed for the coffee. He didn’t have much of an appetite and probably wouldn’t until he found out the real reason why he was there.

  “I want my will amended.”

  He nodded, acknowledging the assignment to work on the will that he’d been given by the senior partner. The task would require more than his eyes and attention, but she’d insisted that he should be the only one to work on it. Although her compliments boosted his ego, her sole choice of him for this job was odd.

  “Before we get the will adjusted to my new specifications, I would like to move your attention to a more pressing matter.”

  “Okay.” Leo set down the coffee cup. The mysterious tone added another layer to the tension that had his gut doing a dance, waiting for Grace’s full explanation.

  “It’s a delicate matter...”

  “May I remind you that I am ethical?”

  “Oh, I wasn’t questioning that, but I did sense that you are friends with my granddaughter.” She tapped her finger against her cheek as she studied him. “You are friendly with Fiona?”

  “No...yes...well, a long time ago. We parted ways.” Leo hadn’t stuttered like this since middle school. “Today was the first time since we’d...”

  “Ah, young people these days like to tiptoe toward each other.” She steepled her hands. “Well, this makes things even more delicate. You see...I am handing over the entire matter for you to handle because I’m confident that you can.”

  “Good to have your support. But maybe that will change once I know what it is and if I’m really capable of meeting your expectations.” Leo had the feeling that whatever Grace was dancing around would not have an easy solution.

  “One month ago, I learned that my daughter Verona had another child. A son.” Grace clutched her napkin. “I want him found—quickly and quietly.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Leo needed a moment to let the news sink in. “I’m not a detective.”

  “I don’t expect you to personally find the boy. Well, by now, he’s a man. And when he is found, I want him included in my will.”

  “But I don’t know how long this will take.”

  “I am sure that it won’t take long. And with everyone here under the same roof, I think it is an ideal time for this matter to be resolved. I want my family, every member, to be taken care of in my will.” She played with the collar of her blouse. “Would be nice to see him, don’t you think so, Leo?”

  “Um...yes, Grace.” Leo was still stuck on the fact that there was a grandson who might not have a clue about his birth mother and family.

  “Not a word of this may be discussed with any member of my family. I will share any news with my husband. But I know my granddaughters will press you for answers. And I’m certain that Fiona will be the one to attempt to draw it from you. I saw how infatuated you are with her. Likewise, she is with you.” She raised her hand at his protest. “I may be old, but I’m not clueless. But please take care to keep your head.”

  “I’m not one to cave and lose my integrity.”

  “Good. For the child, my grandson, is Fiona’s brother.”

  “Oh...I see.” Hard as it would be, Leo was glad that he’d decided to keep Fiona at arm’s length. No way could he allow her to get close and pry any information out of him. With his feelings for her in turmoil, he didn’t want any temptation. “Maybe I should stay at a nearby hotel. It would allow for the privacy that you want.”

  “No. I want you nearby, at my convenience. I feel that the situation may shift quickly. But I agree that you’ll be hounded by my granddaughters. What if I moved you to the guesthouse?”

  “That would be perfect.” He exhaled, satisfied with his effort to keep his distance from Fiona.

  “I think you’re believing too quickly that you’re in control of the situation between you and my granddaughter.” Grace had a way of turning up the heat under Leo’s collar.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Fiona is a stubborn and proud woman. I don’t know why you broke up. Don’t bother denying that you were together. Don’t need to know the details. But I will say that she may not be so resolute about the separation. I sen
se a softening in both your attitudes. As long as my priorities don’t cross with yours or hers, then I won’t have to send you packing back to Grayson, Buckley and Tynesdale.” From soft to hard, Grace’s edict dissolved all things warm and fuzzy.

  “I think that is enough of an incentive to keep my focus.”

  “Good. Now here is the information that I’ve just shared with you and additional details that should help with the search.” She handed him a thin file. “And now, I’m off to go for my morning walk with Henry.” With that, Grace exited the room.

  Leo ignored the cold coffee close at hand and retrieved a fresh cup. He still wasn’t interested in the Danish pastries. What had he stepped into with secrets, potential scandal and hopefully a happy ending for this family?

  Where did that leave him when his mission had been accomplished? Would he be the hero reuniting Fiona with her brother? More important, did he want another chance to be with her? This case might push him faster than he’d ever imagined toward Fiona. On the other hand, the family’s newly revealed history hadn’t changed the fact that she’d dumped him.

  “Fiona Reed, how am I to avoid you?” Leo gazed out the large bay window that overlooked the backyard with its garden and pool. The woman on his mind was visible outside, lounging in the shade with her e-reader. “You are bound to be my temptation.”

  His traitorous body flushed with desire. He was older and had better be damned wiser around her. His climb up the career ladder had been swifter than most and he liked his view. Work was even more of a priority. Anything else, Fiona included, would have to be treated like a strict diet plan. Avoid her as much as possible. If that didn’t work, run as fast as he could from temptation.

  Chapter 3

  Fiona tried to focus on the book on her e-reader. She tried to stick with the story to figure out who’d committed the crime. But her thoughts wandered without restraint to the point that she was merely staring over the top of her e-reader. That was when she saw her grandparents walking together, completely absorbed in their animated conversation without noticing her. It took only a second to make the decision to seek out Leo. To satisfy her curiosity, nothing else.

  Even if she didn’t find out why he was here, she wanted to know what he’d been up to. Her conscience needled her for her desire to catch up on his life. She didn’t deserve the privilege—that was more than likely what he thought. Her rationale was a bit kinder, that it could be the open door to regenerating a friendship between them.

  Besides, finding out any juicy bits would shut down her cousins’ silly plans to push Leo at her for debriefing. Seeing him in the flesh did bolster her openness to this second chance. The young man who had once interned at Meadows Media had morphed into a self-assured, handsome sight. His nerdy, boyish charm had evolved to well-dressed sophistication with a bit of old-Hollywood confident sex appeal.

  Immediately, his intense, dark brown eyes fixed on her. She didn’t look away. Couldn’t. Too much to admire, from his beautiful brown skin to his clean-cut features that showed off the bold contours of his face to the tall, lean lines of his body gifted with the right muscle tone.

  Stepping aside to let him focus solely on his career had been the hardest thing to do. But right before her eyes, she could see today that her decision to let him go had been for the best. Damn if it still didn’t hurt like hell, though.

  Seeing Leo rattled her. Although she’d anticipated his arrival, when he got out of the car, she hadn’t expected the dizzying rush of emotions to race to the surface. Then seeing him in the house with only a few feet between them had had her almost hyperventilating. Outwardly, he looked unscathed by her earlier actions.

  Not that she wanted to see him broken or bitter. The last image of him before they separated, as if her decision had dealt a physical blow to his gut, had become her lasting image of him.

  New chapter, new beginnings—maybe that would be the theme for the reunion. Fiona stayed preoccupied, contemplating a strategy about picking up where they’d left off. Truthfully, she didn’t think her attempt would be difficult, especially if he wasn’t in a relationship. But after seeing him in person, the doubts weighed in her belly.

  Looking into his face, those eyes staring boldly at her, she sensed the difference in him. No sign of the shy smile or tentative attitude. His cool regard of her resonated like an echo in his demeanor, expression and body language.

  If it weren’t for the persistent nudging from her cousins, she’d have ground out the flicker of hope and worked hard to scrub the memories of their times together once and for all.

  Clicking off her e-reader, she tucked it against her chest and headed indoors. Time to get started gleaning what she could from her ex-boyfriend.

  Fiona stepped inside and went on the hunt. No one was immediately in sight, although she heard activity coming from various parts of the house. As she walked down the hallway toward the staircase, she noticed luggage sitting in the middle of the entryway. Leo appeared and stopped near the parked garment bag and suitcase.

  “Done with your super-secret mission? Leaving?” Fiona tried to sound nonchalant and not disappointed.

  “I’m moving out to the guesthouse.”

  “Really? What are you up to?”

  Denton entered and Fiona waited until Leo was done talking to the handyman. The guesthouse was within walking distance, but another part of the garden separated the two houses. Maybe Leo’s staying off-site could be used to her advantage. He’d be out of Grace’s watchful gaze. Slightly beyond her cousins’ annoying interference.

  “Are you going to work now? I noticed that my grandmother is off doing her own thing.” Fiona motioned toward the back of the house with her chin.

  “I’m going to head into town to buy a few things.”

  “Oh, great—I’ll come with you.”

  “Why?”

  She stuck out her hand. “Hi, I’m Fiona Reed.”

  He stared at her hand and then up at her face, his confusion printed in his wrinkled forehead. “Hello, Fiona.” Finally he took her hand, gentle and unsure. “I’m Leo.”

  “Good to meet you, Leo.”

  “Why are we doing this?”

  Fiona didn’t have a clue, was just going with her gut. “That’s how I greet new friends.”

  He slowly nodded, releasing her hand. “But we’re not new friends.”

  “If you start from the beginning of something, it’s new. Or you can fast-forward and continue with barely a ripple.” She tried with every bit of effort to keep up the facade that this was a casual conversation. “Circumstances have brought us together. Figured that we can be civil, all friendly-like, as we’ll be sharing the same space.”

  “Sounds logical.” His doubt in her perspective poured out of his tone.

  “I can hear the ‘but’ about to come. Here’s the start to my peace offering. Let me drive you into town.”

  His eyebrows shot up.

  She had to fight back a chuckle. “Hey, it’s all on the up-and-up. And I know the roads around here.” She crossed her heart. “I won’t jump your bones.” Yet.

  Leo’s smile almost emerged. “It’s not that. I know you’re only interested in knowing what I’m working on.”

  “I won’t lie that I’m not interested. Okay, very interested. However, I would like us to be on amicable terms while you’re here. And if that’s comfortable for you—” she paused to read him: nothing “—then we could...” Her attempts whimpered into silence.

  Leo looked toward the open door. Did he want to shut this down now?

  “Well, I won’t push. But just wanted to toss that out to you.” Fiona’s pride stung around the edges.

  The staircase provided her escape and she turned to leave.

  “Give me an hour to get a few things settled and then we can go into the city.” He stopped
in the doorway.

  “Hey, it’s cool. Don’t want to force you.” Fiona wanted back on firm ground, not this squishy place of uncertainty and regret.

  “You’re not forcing me. Can’t, really.” He shrugged. “I’ll take your invitation with the spirit you intended. A small step toward friendship.”

  “One hour, then.” She watched his exit away from the tense interaction. She guessed they were in test mode. All she needed was a slight thaw in the frozen bridge between them.

  Fiona headed up to her room to change her clothes. She wanted jeans and a T-shirt. Maybe dressing way down could benefit her plan to be casual and nonthreatening. As for her hair, she pulled it back into a ponytail and then put on only a light cover of makeup and an equally light sweep of lip color.

  A series of short knocks on her door provided the only heads-up that her cousins were about to barge into her room.

  “Heading out?” Dana asked, unabashedly sizing up her outfit selection.

  “Yeah, going out with Leo.”

  “That was fast. Hell, I lost the bet.” Belinda pouted as she made for a chair.

  Fiona rolled her eyes. “You two are of no help. I was having a hard time convincing Leo that I wanted to be friends.”

  “He’s only playing hard to get. Why wouldn’t he want to be friends?” Dana climbed onto her bed.

  “The project. He thinks that I’m coming at him because I want to know what is going on,” Fiona said.

  “I call that being astute,” Belinda remarked.

  “And right,” Dana interjected.

  “I do want to be friends.” Fiona stated her conviction for the first time to her cousins.

  “For your two-week jaunt or beyond?” Dana pushed.

  “You’re making me sound like a calculating wench. Looks like I’ll have to prove myself to Leo and to you.”