“What’s going on?” Mike asked.
Sandy explained the visit from Leonard Anderson and that he was with Ian now. There was a muffled voice, and Mike whispered something to the person.
“There’s something weird going on, Mike.” Sandy didn’t like the feeling she was getting just from having him in the house.
“Tell Ian not to say a word. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.” Mike said, and then the call ended.
Sandy walked into the living room, but Ian wasn’t there. Leonard was sat on the couch pulling files out of his briefcase. He glanced up at Sandy and nodded.
“Dr. O’Connor is just making a phone call,” Leonard answered her unspoken question. Sandy nodded and hurried to the kitchen. Ian was leaning against the counter with his phone to his ear.
“He’s not answering, and I know you don't practice anymore but can you just get out here,” Ian whispered. “I don’t know what this guy wants, but he’s a lawyer that says he has legal business with me.”
“Ian, I called Mike he’s on his way here,” Sandy said.
“Never mind Nick, Sandy called Mike.” Ian listened for a minute. “I know I won’t say a word until he’s here. Later, bro.” Ian tossed the phone on the counter and stared at her.
“How did you know to call Mike?” He raised his eyebrow.
“I told you that guy was here yesterday and gave you his card but we got…. distracted.” Sandy crossed her arms over her chest and mirrored his facial expression.
“Oh…. yeah….it was a good distraction.” Ian grinned and then it fell. “What the hell does this guy want?” Ian looked over her shoulder toward the living room.
“I don’t know, but let him know you’re not talking until Mike gets here.” Sandy walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Mike said he’d be here in twenty minutes.” Ian hugged her to him, and he rested his chin on top of her head.
“Thanks for looking out for me, Churchie.” He whispered and kissed the top of her head before releasing her and taking her hand. “Come on I’ll let him know he’ll have to wait until Mike gets here.”
Leonard seemed a little put out because he had to wait, but Ian made it clear he wasn’t talking to him without legal representation present. Sandy made coffee, and Ian paced the hallway. It seemed like they’d been waiting a lot longer than twenty minutes when Mike finally hurried in through the front door.
“It’s about fucking time.” Ian snapped as Mike pulled off his jacket.
“I had a late night, and I was still in bed when Sandy called. I had to drive my…. company home before I came here.” Mike tucked in his shirt and fixed his collar.
“Another wham bam, little brother?” Ian shook his head, and Sandy had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing.
“Fuck off.” Mike pushed Ian’s shoulder but the smile on his face said Ian was right on the mark.
“Mr. Anderson my name is Michael O’Connor. I’m Dr. O’Connor’s legal representative.” Ian shook Leonard’s hand. To see Mike going from telling Ian to fuck off to completely professional was amusing.
“Like I told Dr. O’Connor, having you here really wasn’t necessary.” Leonard sat back on the couch. “I represent the estate in which Dr. O’Connor was named the sole beneficiary.” He held the papers close to his chest as his eyes darted back and forth between Ian and Mike. “There is also some personal business that Dr. O’Connor needs to know about, but I think we may need some privacy for this.” His eyes darted to Sandy.
“Whatever you’ve got to say can be said in front of my girlfriend.” Ian snapped and took Sandy’s hand in his.
“It’s okay, Ian. I can go home until this is all settled.” Sandy didn’t want to intrude.
“You’re staying.” Ian kissed the top of her head, and he sat on the second couch across from Leonard pulling Sandy down next to him.
“I guess that’s settled,” Mike sat on the arm of the sofa next to Sandy. “Whenever you’re ready, Mr. Anderson.”
For a moment, he just glanced between Sandy and Ian but then looked down at the files he was holding against his chest. He opened the first one and gave the envelope to Ian.
“Before we get into things you need to read that letter,” Leonard handed a large brown envelope to Ian. Ian tore open the envelope and pulled out some papers. From what Sandy could see, it was handwritten and about five or six sheets. Ian shuffled through the papers and glanced up at Leonard.
“This is going to take me a bit to read.” Ian stared at the man.
“I’ll wait,” Leonard sat back and folded his hands in his lap.
“Alright.” Ian held the papers in front of him and began to read. After a few minutes, Sandy felt him stiffen beside her.
“Ian, are you okay?” Sandy placed her hand on his knee, and he looked up.
“It’s from Colleen,” Ian whispered and grabbed her hand in his as he continued to read. After what seemed like hours Ian dropped her hand and stood up. “There’s no fucking way.”
“Ian, what’s wrong?” Mike picked up the papers Ian had tossed on the table and began to read. Sandy didn’t like the way Ian was pacing and the paleness of his face.
“Dr. O’Connor these papers say different, and you’re the only family they have,” Leonard held out a photograph. Ian looked at his hand as if he was holding a bomb and started shaking his head.
“Ian?” Sandy didn’t like the way this was affecting Ian. Before she had a chance to ask anything Ian bolted down the hallway and she heard the bathroom door slam.
“Mike, what’s going on?” Sandy looked up as Mike flopped down on the couch next to her.
“Ian is probably getting sick because whenever something shocks or scares him, he throws up.” Mike stared at the papers, but he wasn’t reading anymore. “Mr. Anderson, you know we’ll have to do some tests to make sure this is true.”
“Children’s services require it.” Leonard held out more papers to Mike.
“Mike, what the hell is going on?” She was thoroughly confused.
“Those papers say I have two daughters.” Ian’s voice made her jump because she hadn’t heard him come back into the room. “Two children she didn’t tell me about.” His face was so white that it looked like he was about to pass out.
“The letter explains everything.” Leonard was still holding the photo in his hand.
“And that makes it okay that she hid his children from him?” Mike snapped.
“All that letter says was it was a mistake to keep them from me, and part of it was because she was afraid I’d try to take them from her. Really? She didn’t know me at all if she thought that.” Ian’s voice was trembling.
“Look, gentlemen, I’m only here to give you all the information. I didn’t know Mrs. Taft.” Leonard sounded almost defensive.
“Apparently, I didn’t either.” Ian snapped.
Sandy stood up and took the picture from Leonard’s hand. She glanced down to see two of the most beautiful little girls she’d ever seen but what took her breath away was that one of the little girls looked to be about six to seven months old. The other was older about the same age as Marina and James little boys.
“How old are these little girls?” Sandy asked Leonard, but she was looking at Ian.
“The oldest one is Lily, and she’s six. The younger one is Grace, and she’s eight months old.” Sandy walked toward Ian and put the picture into his hand.
“You need to deal with this. I’m guessing Grace was conceived the night you stood me up.” Sandy walked around him and was about to run out the door, but Ian grabbed her arm.
“Sandy, let me explain,” Ian begged.
“No explanation needed Ian. We weren’t together, and the woman that broke your heart came to town, and things happened. It’s not a surprise. I just wish you’d told me why you stood me up.” Sandy clenched her jaw because she knew as soon as she was alone the tears were going to start, but she wasn’t going to do it in front of Ian.
“I didn’t want to
hurt you,” Ian whispered.
“That worked out really well for you. Didn’t it?” Sandy pulled her arm from his grasp and opened the front door.
“Sandy, don’t go. I love you.” Ian stood in front of her.
“I love you, too, but that isn’t always enough, is it?” Sandy stepped around him and almost ran out through the door. The closer she got to her house, the faster she walked. Once inside Sandy fell to her knees and sobbed.
Chapter 9
Ian watched her almost run back to her house, and it took everything he had not to run after her, but everything was so fucking screwed up right now. Ian slammed the front door and started punching it with all he had.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Ian growled with each punch to the door.
“Ian, stop.” Mike grabbed his arm and pulled him away from the door. “This isn’t helping anything. What the hell is wrong with you?” Mike stood in front of him and braced Ian against the wall.
“I’ve lost her,” Ian yelled, but it came out like a sob.
“You haven’t lost her. Let her get her head around this. Jesus, bro get your own head around it.” Mike shook him.
“How could she not tell me?” Ian rested his head back against the wall and closed his eyes to the burning of the tears that were threatening to fall. “How could she come here fuck me and not tell me I had a daughter eighteen months ago, and then have another one and not tell me?” He slid down the wall and sat on the floor. Mike crouched in front of him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“I don’t know, bro but you need to pull yourself together and get this shit figured out,” Mike was right. He pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes and took a deep breath. “You ready to hear the rest?” Ian nodded and jumped up to his feet.
For the next couple of hours, Ian sat and listened to everything Leonard had to say about the two little girls as well as reading the several letters Colleen had left for him. According to Leonard, Colleen’s husband knew everything, and there was no chance he could be the youngest girl’s father because he was unable to have children himself. Ian let Mike do all the talking while he read the letters. Even though she tried to explain why she kept it from him it didn’t help with his anger, but what good did it do to be mad at her now? She was dead. Murdered. He couldn’t confront her about it. What was surprising to him was the amount of money that Colleen had left to care for the girls. Colleen’s family were blue collar just like his. Her father was a fisherman, and her mother was a seamstress.
“As you can see, financially the girls will be cared for.” Leonard brought him out of his thoughts.
“I don’t need her fucking money to take care of these girls if they’re mine. I can afford to take care of them.” Ian didn’t like what Leonard was insinuating.
“I didn’t mean it that way, Dr. O’Connor. All I’m saying is Mr. and Mrs. Taft left the girls with enough money that they will never have to worry about finances. You’ll be the executor of the money and see that the girls use it wisely.”
“They’re what, six and eight months old. I seriously don’t think they’ll blow all that money on candy.” Ian scoffed at the squirming man sitting across from him.
“Ian, take it easy,” Mike said, and he knew he was a complete ass with a man that was only doing his job. It was just a lot to take, and he couldn’t help but worry if this meant the end for him and Sandy.
“Look, I’m sorry, Mr. Anderson. I know none of this is your fault. It’s just a lot to take in.” Ian sat back and threaded his hands through his hair.
“I understand and, to be honest, Dr. O’Connor I’d probably feel the same way, and I don’t mean to seem like I don’t care its just you boys are very intimidating.” Leonard chuckled, and Ian couldn’t help but laugh. Leonard was probably not much more than five feet tall, and his six feet three and Mike’s six feet would intimidate anyone.
“So, what happens now?” Ian asked.
“The social worker will be here at three tomorrow with the girls. Even if the tests say the girls are not your daughters, the will states you’re the legal guardian, but we will do the DNA test just for verification.” Leonard informed him. “It will not cost you anything since that has been all taken care of by Mrs. Taft.”
“I’ll leave all these papers with you, Mr. O’Connor.” Leonard handed everything to Mike. “If you have any questions all my information is on the top there.” He pointed to a business card clipped to the top folder.
“Thank you, Mr. Anderson, and again I apologize for being such an ass.” Ian held out his hand and shook Leonard’s hand.
“I fully understand, Dr. O’Connor but those little girls are the sweetest things I’ve ever met, and the oldest one is smart as a whip.” It was the first time that Ian saw the man smile since he’d arrived. “That’s something else in those files. Lily is a gifted child, and all the information on that is there.”
“Great, that means she takes after Keith.” Mike joked.
“Keith?” Leonard asked.
“Another of our brothers. He has an Eidetic memory which is annoying when you grow up with someone like that.” Mike said.
“Well if that’s the case then she does take after her uncle. She remembers everything she sees or hears and her IQ is off the charts according to her file.” Leonard said.
“And Grace?” Ian asked.
“Well she’s a little young, but she’s got a beautiful smile.” Leonard pointed to the picture turned down on the coffee table. He still hadn’t looked at it, but he wasn’t sure why.
“Thank you again, Mr. Anderson.” Ian shook Leonard’s hand again as he walked out through the door.
“Good luck with it all, Dr. O’Connor and I hope you work things out with your girlfriend.” With that statement, Ian looked over to see Sandy getting in her car with a suitcase. He quickly texted her because knowing how stubborn she’d probably run him over before she talked to him.
Where are you going? I need to talk to you.
He watched her look down at her phone then look toward him, and for a moment he didn’t think she was going to answer him, but his phone beeped just as she backed out of her driveway.
I’ve got a job in Halifax. I’m out of town for a few days.
It wasn’t uncommon for her to have to leave for jobs but he didn’t know she was leaving today, maybe it was for the best for now.
I’ll miss you, and I love you. Please call me later.
He stared at the driveway as her car stopped at the end of her driveway. Again, his phone beeped, and he held his breath.
I’ll try.
His heart felt like it was about to shatter until another beep came in just as she drove off.
I love you, too.
He let out the breath he was holding and closed the front door. When he walked back into the living room, Mike hunched over the table staring at the picture and the files spread across the top.
“I don’t think you need a DNA, bro. Those girls are definitely O’Connors.” Mike said as he held out the picture. “That older one, Lily, she looks just like Jess when she was little, and the little one got A.J.’s smile.” Ian took the picture. His hands shook as he stared down at the two angelic faces smiling back at him.
“Wow,” Ian said mostly to himself because it was hard to believe he helped to create such beautiful children. Both had the O’Connor blue eyes. Lily had waist length auburn curly hair a shade darker than his. Grace had her mother’s dark hair, but Mike was right, she had his youngest brother’s smile.
“A little surreal, huh,” Mike said, but it was such an understatement. There was no word to describe how he felt. “You have until tomorrow until the social worker is here. Did you want to tell the rest of the family today?”
Ian’s heart thundered in his chest as he waited for his entire family to show up at his house. Mike made the calls to his brothers and cousins while he called his parents, uncles, and aunts. Of course, his grandmother lived with his parents, so she was coming with the
m and of course her friend, Tom.
Nanny Betty would never admit that she and Tom were more than friends, but there was no way to hide the way they acted around each other. They’d been sweethearts in their teens, but a misunderstanding had separated them, but years later they were brought back together by a series of strange coincidences. Now Tom was like part of the family so why shouldn’t he be invited?
“You might want to down this before they all get here.” Mike held out a shot glass, and Ian didn’t have to ask what was in it. Newfie Screech was his grandfather's drink of choice, and he always said it calmed his nerves. Ian took the glass and downed it.
“Fuck, that stuff burns like hell.” Ian choked out.
“Yeah, but it’s a good burn.” Mike tossed back his own shot and chuckled.
Forty-seven minutes. That was how long it took for the entire family to fill his house. Sure, most of them lived five-minute radius, but it still surprised him how they all come running when called.
“Okay Inky, what’s goin’ on here? I’ve got dough risin’.” Nanny Betty plopped herself down in the armchair next to the door. His grandmother was a force of nature, and of all his family it worried him the most telling her. He didn’t want any of the family to be disappointed in him but her especially.
“Mudder, why are you making bread again today? You baked a dozen loaves yesterday. You need to calm down.” His father stood in the doorway of the living room with his arm resting on his wife’s shoulders. Ian rolled his eyes because his father should know better.
“Sean, Yes, and I’m makin’ more tamara’, and I’ll make it every day if I have ta. Now hush before I bust yer arse.” Nanny Betty pointed at his father and everyone just turned to hide their snickers.
“Sean, why do you consistently put your foot in it.” Cora laughed because as Nanny Betty’s only daughter, she knew as well as everyone, nobody told his grandmother what to do. “By the way, Ian. Where’s Sandy?” With that, his chest felt like it was going to collapse. He’d been trying not to think about her but when he did his chest hurt.
“She had to go out of town on a job,” Keith spoke from his spot in the corner of the living room where he leaned against the wall with his massive arms crossed over his chest, and Ian knew by the look Keith was giving him that Sandy had filled him in.
Dangerous Secrets (O'Connor Brothers Book 3) Page 6
