Surveying the damage in his living room, he was carried back in time to when his grandsons were boys, and they’d had their fair share of parties.
Jesse.
The thought came unbidden, as it always did, taking him by surprise, catching him off guard. Even after all these years he felt a stab in his heart as sharp as a saber when he thought of his youngest grandson. Gone all these years, but aye, never forgotten. Not for a moment, not for a day.
Twenty years.
He shut his eyes in remembrance and remorse. Jesse had missed so much, he thought sadly, hearing the echoes of long-ago laughter. It was so real that for a moment Tommy wondered if perhaps he had been thrown back in time.
His eyes fluttered open and he glanced around. Watching Jared’s mischievous young twins reminded him all too often of the mischief his own grandsons had gotten into, and all too acutely of his loss.
As time passed, that loss seemed to deepen. Perhaps it was just that he knew his time was growing short, and he wasn’t certain he could meet his maker until he knew for sure what had happened to his beloved youngest grandson.
Jesse, he thought again, biting back a sigh. Aye, how he missed the lad. Jesse would be almost twenty-five now, a grown man, perhaps with babes of his own.
“Tommy,” Natalie moaned, rousing him out of his reverie. “I surrender. Unconditionally. I’d wave a white flag but I don’t have the energy to lift my hand.” From the couch, Natalie moaned and rolled over, looking at him through eyes blurry with fatigue. “I hate to admit it, Tommy, but I’ve been done in by ten tiny men disguised as five-year-olds.” Barely suppressing a shudder, Natalie tried to sit up. She simply couldn’t manage it, so let her head flop back down, and closed her eyes.
She couldn’t bear to survey the damage to the living room, anyway. Not yet. She’d barely survived looking at the kitchen.
She figured by the time the boys were ready for high school, she might be able to get the last of the ice cream off the walls, and with a little help, perhaps she could salvage the wood floor in the kitchen, although she might need a blowtorch to do it. The curtains covering the patio doors were a lost cause; even she knew that.
Before doing a complete inventory of the day’s damage, she figured she needed a couple of aspirin and a few moment’s rest, if only to gather her courage.
And her strength.
“Aye, I can see that, lass,” Tommy said with a grin, surveying the scene in amusement. “’Twas the boys’ Halloween party today, if I recall?”
“Party?” Natalie forced herself up, groaning as her muscles protested. She glanced down with a frown at her once pristine white shirt, which was now smeared with ice cream, chocolate syrup and a dollop of chunky peanut butter. “It wasn’t a party, Tommy, it was an ambush. And I lost.” Her eyes rounded suddenly. “Tommy, watch where you walk,” she cautioned, causing him to stop midstep. “Billy brought his lizard collection to the party. One went AWOL.” Shaking her head in disbelief, she stifled a yawn. “He’s still among the missing.”
“Lizards, you say?” Tommy said, trying not to grin as he picked his way over the debris scattered across the living room floor. “Hmm, Billy’s always been an interesting lad, as I recall.”
“Interesting?” Natalie paused, pushing her tangled hair off her face and suppressing a shudder. “That would be a word for it. Not quite the word I’d use…” Her voice trailed off and she lifted her bare feet to the couch, hugging her knees tightly. “And then, of course, there was his other pet.” Scowling, she scanned the floor with suspicion, grateful her bare feet were safely tucked under her.
“Other pet, lass?” Tommy asked with a curious lift of his brow.
“An eight-legged creature wearing a brown fur coat.” Rubbing her aching forehead, Natalie glanced around suspiciously again. “Matilda’s not use to crowds, and she apparently got scared.” Natalie managed a weak smile. “She broke for daylight.” Natalie shuddered again, remembering the squeals and screams—hers—when she realized Billy’s pet spider was on the loose in the house. Her gaze softened and she shrugged. “And then of course, Ditka and Ruth had to get into the act, chasing and scrambling and barking after the poor thing, and then the boys started chasing the dogs—” Natalie broke off, shaking her head, remembering the mayhem and madness. She laughed suddenly, shoving her hair off her face again. “I’m surprised we didn’t break some county noise code or something.”
Tommy laughed as well. “Sounds like you had a fine time, indeed, lass.” From the glowing look on her face, he wondered who’d had a better time at the party, the children or her. It would be a toss-up, he decided, pleased.
“I promised Terry we’d find Matilda and no one would step on her.” She dragged a hand through her hair. “Obviously I was delirious by that time.”
“Obviously,” Tommy said with some sympathy, glancing at the floor to see if Matilda was about. “And Matilda would be Billy’s pet tarantula?” he asked with a knowing smile, making Natalie groan. “The one his grandmother’s not overly fond of?”
“That would be the same one.” Suppressing a shudder, Natalie pressed a hand to her forehead, which had begun to thud like a bongo drum. “Let’s just hope there are no others.” The mere thought of the wicked-looking, eight-legged, furry creature was enough to send her up onto the nearest table.
“But they’re harmless, lass—you know that, don’t you? Tarantulas may be fierce looking, but they truly are harmless.”
“That’s what people told me about little boys,” she said with a scowl, hugging her legs tighter. “After today, you can’t fool me. I know the truth.”
“Aye, I’ll bet you do, lass.” Tommy laughed, extending his hand to her to help her from the couch. “I’ll bet you do. But you’ve done a fine, fine job, and I’m sure the boys had a memorable time.”
She smiled, taking his hand, allowing him to help her up even if every muscle protested. She wasn’t accustomed to chasing ten five-year-olds, two dogs and numerous slithering, crawling, creeping creatures around for three hours. “They had a ball, Tommy,” she said, her eyes glowing in remembered pleasure. “Timmy said it was the best Halloween they’ve ever had.”
“Aye, I’ve no doubt of that.” The elderly man gave a pleased nod, glancing around at the shambles that was once the living room. It wouldn’t take too long to put it to rights again, he hoped. “And I’m sure ’twill ease the way for the lad a bit.” Eyes glimmering, he gave her a knowing smile. “You’ve a way with them, lass, you know that?” His head bobbed. “Aye, a special way. They’re flourishing.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “You’ve brought love to this house again.” His gaze softened with affection. “It’s been missing a long time,” he added, “and I can’t thank you enough, lassie.” Lifting her hand, he kissed it, warming her heart. “Not nearly enough, indeed.”
Contrite over her deception, Natalie clung to his hand. It was warm and comforting, much the way her father’s had been. “Oh, Tommy, you don’t have to thank me. I love them.” The simple words came from her heart and were filled with aching emotion.
“Aye, I know that, lass,” he said quietly, carefully, studying her face. “The love you feel, it’s in your gaze when you look at the imps, in your voice when you talk to them. Aye, it’s clear to anyone with eyes that you couldn’t love them more if they were your own.” He looked past her toward something only he could see. “And it’s a special woman who can love children not born of her, lass,” he said quietly. “Aye, a special woman, indeed.”
The soft hint of sadness in his voice had her glancing at him and feeling her own heart ache. She knew she was on dangerous ground here, and had to be doubly careful. She’d come to adore Tommy in the same way she’d once adored her own father. Lying to Tommy, deceiving him, was so painful, she could almost feel a physical ache. Deliberately, she steered the conversation away from herself.
“You’re talking about Jared’s wife, Kathryn, aren’t you?” she asked quietly. Although she and Tommy had d
iscussed numerous things since she’d arrived, they had studiously avoided talking about Jared’s marriage. On top of everything else, she didn’t want to seem as if she were prying.
What Tommy valued was his family, his home. And she absolutely adored him.
Perhaps that’s why they’d become such instant friends and so close. She felt a comfort with Tommy she hadn’t felt since her father’s death.
And she knew she was playing a dangerous game with people’s emotions.
She hoped that once the truth came out, once she had to tell them who she really was and why she was there, they’d be able to understand. And forgive her.
“Aye, I guess I am talking of Kathryn,” Tommy said with a soft sigh, turning to her with a smile. He hadn’t seen his grandson smile so much, or look so happy, in years, not since before Kathryn had left. Tommy had thought for certain the woman had frozen Jared’s heart with her coldness and cruelty, but now, since Natalie had arrived, he had hope that Jared would one day find love.
And Natalie would be a fine, fine choice, he’d decided within days of meeting her. She was a beautiful, kind, lovely lass with a loving heart and a generous spirit. She’d taken the twins into her heart, giving them all the attention and affection the young lads had been missing for so long. Tommy admired the lass in a way he hadn’t admired a woman in a long time. And his opinion had only grown stronger in the two months since Natalie had arrived.
The only thing that troubled him was the sadness in her eyes. Only one who’d known the loss of a loved one, the deep, aching sadness, could recognize it in another, and he recognized it in Natalie. Although curious, he wouldn’t pry. Nay, it wasn’t his way. If and when she was ready to talk of the shadow that stalked her, he’d be there to listen, and hopefully to ease the burden that weighed heavily on her slender shoulders.
Now if he could just get his grandson to stop being such a stubborn, blind dunderhead, and realize what a jewel Natalie was—not just as a woman, but as a potential wife, and especially as a mother—well then, perhaps things could move forward.
He’d have to get to work on it, Tommy decided. If his grandson was too blind to see what was good for him, well then, he’d just have to take matters into his own hands. After all, he was the patriarch of the Ryan clan. It was not only his right, but his responsibility to see that his boys were married proper.
Tommy smiled to himself, remembering when he’d tried that line on his eldest grandson, Jake. It was a wonder his ears weren’t still blistered. But at least Jake, in the end, had seen that the lovely Rebecca was indeed right for him, even if it had taken the boy a month of Sundays to figure it out. Tommy wanted to shake his head. He could only hope Jared would eventually see the light, too.
“Some women just aren’t cut out for mothering,” Natalie said simply, groping for something to say about Kathryn that would hide her true feelings about the woman’s abandonment of Jared and the boys. It was both inconceivable and despicable.
“True enough, I suppose,” Tommy said quietly, his rubber-tipped cane clicking softly on the ceramic tile as he continued to lead her down the hall. “But then again, some women are born to mothering—like you.” He smiled down at her and she glanced away, feeling a pang of guilt.
Although she and Tommy had discussed numerous things in the past weeks since she’d arrived, not once had he mentioned Kathryn by name.
Nor had Jared. And Natalie had to admit she was curious about the woman, and just a bit jealous. Kathryn had had everything Natalie always wanted, but had never been fortunate to have: two beautiful children, a loving husband and a big, extended family who loved and accepted her.
How could she have simply walked away from it all?
Natalie mentally shook her head. Several times she’d almost asked Jared about her, but had caught herself just in time. Things had changed between them since the night he’d kissed her, but not so much that she felt comfortable prying into his personal life, especially when it was clear he wasn’t comfortable talking about it. But then again, there were a lot of things she wasn’t comfortable about, so they steadfastly danced around the very personal subjects, which suited her fine.
It allowed her to just relax and enjoy Jared’s company without worrying or watching every word she said, and she found, to her surprise, that she and Jared got along wonderfully, had a lot in common and could discuss any number of subjects with ease.
Now, each evening while he read the boys their bedtime story, she’d wait for him in the kitchen. Then they’d sit together and enjoy a cup of coffee while they talked about the day. At first they’d met together on the premise of discussing the boys’ antics, but it soon evolved into something more substantial. Natalie hated to admit she’d come to look forward to that time each day, when she would see Jared and be alone with him.
“Now, lass, you’ve put in a day,” Tommy said, pausing outside her bedroom door. “I think you deserve an evening off. It will be your first since you arrived, I think.”
An evening off? The thought brought on a momentary bout of panic. She had no idea what she’d do with herself with a whole night free. Almost every waking moment since she’d arrived had been spent with the twins.
“But what about the boys?” Dusk had fallen, the day’s trick-or-treating was done, the party was over. But she still had responsibilities. Dinner to make. A spelling quiz to go over. She frowned. “There’re things that still need to be done.”
“Aye, I’m certain of it, lass, but they’ll get done with or without you on this night.” Tommy opened her bedroom door and urged her forward. “Now, your time is your own tonight. Take a long, hot bubble bath, read a book, take a nap.”
They all sounded positively heavenly. And decadent.
“Do whatever strikes your fancy, lass. You’ve a whole evening to indulge yourself.” He touched her cheek. “You’ve earned it.”
“But what about dinner?” she asked, her mind spinning with all the things that needed to be handled. With two little boys around, there was always something that had to be done. “I haven’t prepared anything for dinner yet, but I can whip something up for you.”
Shaking his head, Tommy laughed. She was as stubborn and responsible as his grandson. They’d make a fine match. “Lass, if I can’t convince Mrs. Taylor to rustle something up, I think I can manage to burn some meat on that grill my grandson has parked out on the patio.” He nudged her forward. “It’s not your worry. For tonight, I want you to simply relax.” He kissed her cheek. “You’ve more than earned it.” He laughed. “Along with hazardous-duty pay for this day.”
Weakening, Natalie smiled in gratitude. The idea of a hot bubble bath and a nap sounded blissful, and she knew her aching muscles would thank her.
“Thanks, Tommy. I appreciate it. But call me if you change your mind about dinner.” With a sigh, she went into her own blissfully quiet, clean room, and shut the door behind her, leaning wearily against it. Then, remembering Matilda, she scurried into the bathroom to run her bath and retrieve her slippers.
“Natalie.” Sitting on the edge of her bed in the shadows, Jared gently touched her cheek.
She was curled on her side, hands under her head, sleeping soundly. The pristine white sheet was tucked under her arm, revealing just a hint of the curve of her breast. With some effort, he averted his gaze, trying not to think of the wisp of white silk caressing her gentle curves.
Her dark hair was spread across the pillow like a silken halo, emphasizing the delicate bone structure of her face, those beautiful eyes, the lush, gentle curve of her lips.
The scent of her bath oil hovered in the air, enticing and intoxicating him, making his stomach clench as desire clawed at him.
He’d come home a little over an hour ago to find Tommy knee-deep in debris from the party, and the boys bubbling over with tales about their day.
It had been, Timmy announced, the best day of his life.
The twins had launched themselves at Jared, climbing up his legs, anxious
to tell about their Halloween adventures. He’d sat down on the couch—in something mysteriously sticky—then pulled the boys onto his lap, holding them both so he could listen to their antics.
He couldn’t remember when he’d seen the twins so animated or so happy. It was because of Natalie, he thought, touching her cheek gently again to awaken her.
“Nat?” He smiled, stroking her cheek as she mumbled something incoherent, then rolled over, her eyes fluttering.
“Jared?” A shadow crossed her features and she bolted upright, panic coursing through her. Jared had never been in her bedroom before. “What’s wrong?”
He smiled, placing his hands on her shoulders to calm her. “Nothing.” Unable to resist, he gently massaged her tight muscles. “But it’s almost eight, and I thought you might be getting hungry.”
“Eight?” Disoriented, she clutched the sheet, tugging it up, aware that he was sitting on the edge of her bed, and she was dressed in a skimpy nightgown.
Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she glanced toward her bedroom window. Night had fallen, and the moon hung high and bright in the sky.
“Eight at night?” she asked with a frown, struggling to clear the grogginess from her head. Exhausted, she’d nodded off almost immediately after her bath.
He laughed, tenderly brushing her hair off her face. “Yes, at night. I understand you had quite a day.” He’d never seen her look so vulnerable, or so provocative. Unintentionally, he thought. Unlike most women, who reveled in their beauty, Natalie seemed totally oblivious to it. In fact, she did nothing to enhance it and at times he wondered if she deliberately concealed it beneath those oversize shirts and leggings.
Provocative or not, he realized she was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever met—inside and out. And that, he realized, letting his gaze go over her face, was pretty important. He’d learned the hard way with Kathryn that a woman could be beautiful on the outside, but it was what was inside of her that really counted. Perhaps that’s why he’d been so careful all these years.
Anything for Her Family Page 7
