“The one with all the initials?”
“Come on. I’ll show you.”
She let him pull her from the table, and he held onto her hand while they sauntered to the willow. Her head insisted the gesture didn’t mean anything. Just Brett being Brett. But his touch, no matter how casual, exhilarated her.
Time to focus on something else. Like the rural landscape in front of her.
“There’s something almost mystical about the way the sunlight filters through the fronds. It’d make a lovely photograph.”
“Did you bring your camera?”
“Wish I had.”
“Me too. That’d be a great wedding gift for AJ and Shelby. Are you interested in helping me with that?”
“I’d love to.”
“Great.” Brett pushed aside the fronds, and they ducked into the shadows of the ancient tree.
“Look here.” He pointed to the carved initials. “These are Shelby’s ancestors. When they became engaged, they added their initials. And this”—he pointed to a metal heart securely attached to a limb—“is for the latest couple.”
The heart’s engraved inscription read “Shelby & AJ.”
“Why didn’t they carve their initials into the trunk like everyone else?”
“This is more tree-friendly. A new tradition.”
Dani pointed to a set of initials: J. L. + E. W. “This carving somehow looks older than the others. Is it the first?”
“Could be. Shelby can tell you when she gets here. I know the story of this one.” He pointed to S. L. + J. O. “Shelby was a teenager when her boyfriend, breaking family tradition, carved these.”
“Who’s J. O.?”
“Jason Owens. He and his family live up the road from Shelby.”
“They took care of Elizabeth and Tabby when we went to the banquet.”
“That’s right.”
“A teenage romance, huh?”
“I guess. But Shelby’s parents zipped her away to Mozambique.” He walked around the tree, then knelt. “Like father, like son.”
Dani knelt beside him. The carving appeared fresher than the others. “E. K. and A. O. Elizabeth and her young man.”
“You mean the scurvy rat who’s trying to run off with my niece.” He slightly smiled, seeming to revel in his role of indulgent uncle.
“She’s not really your niece, you know.”
“I know, but it’s what we decided.”
“Who’s we?”
“Elizabeth, Tabby, and me. Instead of being ordinary old cousins, I’d be their uncle and they’d be my nieces.” He cocked his head. “I think I hear them now.”
They emerged from the shelter of the tree as the whine of a motor grew louder. Only a moment later, a utility four-wheeler pulling a trailer appeared from beyond a low rise.
Brett nudged Dani. “We need one of those.”
“Maybe they’ll give us a ride back.”
“The walk too much for you?”
“I thought it was too much for you,” she teased as they wandered back to the picnic table. AJ parked the vehicle nearby and waved.
“You got a new toy?” Brett asked.
“Better than carrying Tabby all the way back to the house.”
“Voice of experience?”
“Carried her to the cottage once. That was enough.”
Their conversation ended as the two little girls pounced on Brett, each insisting on being spun in a circle. He obliged, whirling them one at a time as Lila bounced and barked.
He set Elizabeth on her feet, then knelt in front of her.
“I saw your initials on the tree,” he said, his voice as serious as he could make it.
Elizabeth’s pixie face turned crimson, and she unconsciously leaned forward. “Mine and Austin’s?”
“Are you really going to marry him?” Brett asked solemnly.
“Someday. When we’re all grown.”
“What if you meet someone else? Someone you like better?”
“There’s no one I could ever like better than Austin.”
“He’s a lucky kid.”
“Are you going to put your initials on the tree?”
“Naw. That tree’s just for Lassiters.”
“But you’re part of our family now. Isn’t he, Mommy?”
“He will be soon,” Shelby said. “How about if we give you your own branch?”
Elizabeth clapped her hands together. “That would be tremendous, wouldn’t it?”
“Sure would, Bitsy,” he said, poking her ribs. “Now I just have to find someone to marry me. How about you? Can I steal you away from Austin?”
Elizabeth giggled then squealed as he whirled her around again.
Dani stuck her hands in the back pockets of her shorts. She was an outsider to this family tableau, and at this moment she was acutely aware she didn’t belong. Not really.
It’d been less than two weeks since Brett asked her to the movies. But it seemed she’d been playing this charade for most of her life.
The thought caught in her throat. For the first time, she associated her deceit with Charade, the movie that had inspired the name she’d originally given Brett. Except it was Cary Grant’s character who had hidden his identity, not Regina Lampert. Even as she fell in love with him, Regina knew she couldn’t trust him. Not until the final scene, anyway.
The chances of Brett falling in love with her were as slender as a Hollywood film classic not having a happy ending. And while he might be Cary Grant gorgeous, she certainly was no Audrey Hepburn.
In the movie, Regina forgave the man she loved for deceiving her, but if Brett ever discovered the truth about Dani, he’d never speak to her again.
A physical ache squeezed her heart at that possibility.
The notion to eventually tell Brett the truth had made sense late last night, but in the stark reality of this sun-soaked day, she knew she never could. At least not the truth about who she was. But she should tell him about her mishap with the amethyst ring.
“You okay?” Brett stood next to her and ran his finger along her bare arm. “You look a little sad.”
“No, I’m fine,” she said, forcing a smile. “Just thinking.”
“About?”
The confession stuck in her throat. “Nothing important.”
“Hey, Brett,” AJ called. “How about giving me a hand with this stuff?”
“Coming,” Brett said over his shoulder. He turned back to Dani. “If something’s bothering you, I hope you’ll tell me about it. I’m a good listener.”
“Are you?” The question popped out of her mouth before she could stop it.
“When I want to be.” He leaned closer, his mouth tantalizingly near her ear. “I want to be when I’m with you.”
Before she could respond, he jogged over to help AJ unload the trailer. Dani tried to catch her breath.
He didn’t mean it. Not really. That’s what guys like him did. Flirt with lonely women to boost their own vanity.
So why couldn’t she just accept that and enjoy his attention while it lasted?
Because she wanted something more.
As Brett and AJ set up the charcoal grill, her heart practically burst from her chest. Both men were handsome in their own way, Brett blond and almost Nordic, AJ dark and athletic. But something deeper lay beyond their good looks.
With a jolt, Dani realized her glimpse into Brett’s heart was rare—an intriguing facet hidden from the women he dated.
None of them, not even Tracie, had seen him with Shelby’s daughters. They didn’t know how he teased and played with them. How sweet he could be with shy Elizabeth.
Or the fun and playful side she’d seen this morning as they got in each other’s way making potato salad and baking brownies.
It was as if God was giving her a peek into the joy of belonging to a family. But why? She couldn’t keep her secret forever. And even if she could, her initials would never appear on the engagement tree.
Suddenly aware that e
veryone was busy preparing for the picnic except her, she hurried to the table and unzipped her backpack. Shelby had already laid a blue-checked cloth over the table and was clipping the corners so they wouldn’t fly away in the random gusts.
“Brett and I made brownies this morning,” Dani said as she removed the container from her pack.
“Brett? He baked?”
Dani laughed. “He stirred. And licked the bowl.”
“You’ve cast a spell on him.”
“I . . . no, I haven’t.”
“It’s a good thing,” Shelby said reassuringly. “Everything that’s happened recently has been like a wake-up call for him, but I know it’s not been easy for him to break old habits. You are exactly what he needs.”
“We’re not dating, you know. We’re not a couple.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Pretty sure.”
Shelby glanced toward the men, then back at Dani. “I wish you were. He seems to be a better ‘Brett’ when you’re around.”
“I guess I’m still surprised he ever gave me a second look.”
“Don’t say that. He needs someone like you. Someone genuine. Authentic.”
Dani busied herself pulling more food containers from the backpack as the sharp arrows of Shelby’s words pierced through her heart. If only she knew.
– 25 –
The sun cast long shadows across the creek as Brett helped AJ pack the trailer. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such a leisurely day. They’d grilled chicken and hot dogs, eaten way too much, fished, played tag with the girls and Lila, chatted and laughed with one another. He’d even dozed for a short while until Tabby sprinkled creek water on his head.
All his worries about Jonah, Meghan, and Amy seemed to be banned from this tranquil place.
He anchored the grill in place, then leaned on the trailer, his arms resting on the frame. In the creek, Dani waded with Shelby and the girls in the shallow water off a sandbar. The pure joy of the children’s giggles resonated in the quiet.
AJ followed his gaze. “Looks like fun, doesn’t it?”
“Too bad this day has to end.”
“You’re welcome to come back to the house. We don’t have any plans except to give those two a bath and send them to bed.”
“I’ll leave the ‘daddy’ chores to you,” Brett said, clapping AJ’s shoulder. “Are you sure you’re ready for that full-time?”
“Can’t wait.”
“You could always elope.”
“That’d be fine with me. But Shelby doesn’t want to do that again.”
“I’d forgotten she’d eloped before.”
“This time it’ll be a family event.” AJ adjusted his OSU cap. “Think Amy will honor us with her presence?”
Brett shrugged, and the sun seemed to disappear behind a cloud.
“I invited her to come today,” AJ said. “Left a voicemail. But she never called me back.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“Is there anything I can do . . .”
“She doesn’t want anything from anybody.” The tranquility of the day cracked, and Brett pushed away from the trailer. “I don’t want to talk about Amy. Not right now.”
AJ grimly nodded. “Got it. So you coming over?”
Brett glanced at Dani again. “Could we take a raincheck?”
“You’ve got other plans?”
“Nothing definite.”
“She’s not one of your blonde babes,” AJ said, lowering his voice.
“I know that.”
“Then be sure you don’t break her heart.”
“That’s not going to happen.” Brett gave an amused smile. “Apparently, I’m not her type.”
“She said that?”
“She has firm opinions on the kind of guy I am. In her world, a great-looking guy like me is arrogant, conceited, snobbish . . .”
“In other words, she’s got you pegged.”
“Ha-ha.”
“She doesn’t really believe that, you know.”
“You think not?”
“I know not. I’ve seen the way she looks at you when you’re not looking at her.” AJ removed his cap and examined the bill for a moment. “I’ve seen the way you look at her too. When you think no one’s looking.”
“What does that mean?”
“You’re not as indifferent to her as you’d like me to believe.”
“What are you, some kind of romance expert? Just because you’re in love, you think everyone else is in love too.”
“I teach high school. Believe me, I know ‘the look.’”
“In case you haven’t noticed, neither Dani nor I are in high school.”
“You never grow out of ‘the look.’”
“You’re crazy. There’s no ‘look.’”
“If that’s true . . .” AJ hesitated, as if searching for the right words.
“What’s bugging you?”
“You want me to be honest?”
“No, AJ. Lie to me.”
“If you really don’t care about Dani, then why do you keep seeing her? It’s almost as if by going out with her you’re trying to make up for what happened with Meghan.”
“That doesn’t even make sense.”
“Come on, Brett. Doesn’t she remind you of Meghan when she was still in college? Dani can’t be much older than Meghan was then.”
Brett looked at him, dumbfounded. “I suppose so, but—”
“They’re just not your usual type.”
“My usual type? I’m so tired of that.”
“Like it or not, you have one. And it wasn’t Meghan and it’s not Dani.”
“You know, you’re not her father.”
“Someone has to look out for her.”
“You think you have to protect her from me?”
“You tell me. Do I?”
Brett stared into the distance, wishing he could find an answer somewhere along the horizon. What if AJ was right? In some strange way, maybe he was trying to atone for what he did to Meghan by spending time with someone who resembled her.
A motivation like that delved further into his psychology than he wanted to go.
“Look, AJ. I’m not sure what this thing is with Dani. I’m not even sure it matters. I enjoy her company, and she seems to enjoy mine. What’s the harm with us just hanging out with each other?”
“Nothing. As long as you’re sure that’s all it is—for you and for Dani. I’m not convinced.”
“Because of ‘the look.’”
“And because it’s obvious she’s not all that . . . experienced.”
Brett’s jaw tensed, and he blew out air. “You want to know the truth?”
“That would be nice.”
“She’s the only good thing in my life right now. All this stuff with Meghan and Jonah, and now Amy . . .” He bit his lip as the worries he’d held at arm’s length throughout the day washed over him. “With Dani, there’s no pressure to be a certain way. There’s no drama. We just have fun together. I need that right now.”
“That makes sense.”
“We’re just friends.” He glanced her way. She’d banded her hair into a makeshift bun before wading into the creek, and loose strands curled against her temples. Even at this distance, her eyes sparkled, and her cheeks were pink as if kissed by the sun. He wasn’t sure he’d ever seen her so happy.
A satisfied smile tugged at his lips. “I’ve never had a friend quite like her before. It’s kind of nice.”
“First step, cuz.”
“Seriously, AJ. She’s like a breath of fresh air. But that’s it. That’s all it can ever be.”
“Why’s that?”
“I’m done with this conversation.” He clapped AJ on the back, then walked away. His cousin might be his closest confidant. Certainly he was a truer friend than the guys at Gallagher’s. But Brett wasn’t into kumbaya moments. Not with AJ or anyone else. He had to figure this out for himself.
Though it wasn�
��t that hard. Certainly wouldn’t take hours on a therapist’s couch.
He didn’t want to be his dad. He didn’t want a marriage like his parents had. That was what it was all about for both of them, he supposed. For him and for Amy. At some subconscious level, she probably pursued her senator because deep down she knew there was no future with him. And maybe that was why Brett dated the women he did. Women he definitely was attracted to physically, but that was all. Playthings to be shown off for a time and then discarded.
A pang pierced his heart, and he rubbed his chest. He’d never felt as guilty about his behavior as he did at that moment. His mind raced for excuses, for justification for the way he’d treated Tracie and the ones who had come before her. But nothing he could think of had any substance. He was a sleaze. Worse than a sleaze.
As if sensing his eyes upon her, Dani met his gaze. Her radiant smile, bright as the low sun shining behind her, pressed against the guilt that threatened to engulf him.
His breath caught at her loveliness in that moment.
A few weeks ago, he’d never have believed he could find happiness in a pasture near a creek overhung by an ancient willow tree.
Yet today he had. More happiness, more peace than he’d known in a long time.
Dani threw the trash from her backpack into the bin beneath the sink, then pulled the liner up.
“Let me get that,” Brett said as he reached for the bag.
“I can do it.”
He glowered, but his eyes showed he was only teasing. “It’ll just take a minute.” He tied the bag, then headed out the door.
“Thanks.” How nice to have someone take out the trash. A simple gesture, but an appreciated one.
Dani sighed contentedly as she filled the sink with soapy water to wash the containers they’d brought back from the picnic.
Brett returned and closed the kitchen door behind him. “Did you have a good time today?”
“A great time.” If only he knew how often she had dreamed of holidays like this one. She had vague memories of picnics and silly laughter, but those had ended when her mother died. Everything had changed then, as if the summer sun had slipped behind a cloud and never come out again.
Until now. A feeling of blissful happiness swept from the tips of her sneakered toes to the top of her messy bun.
When Love Arrives Page 17
